(Today's reading - Numbers 21-23; Mark 7:14 - 8:10)
Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me,
everyone, and understand this. Nothing
outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes
out of a man that makes him ‘unclean.’” (Mark 7: 14,15)
Jesus is talking to Jews. They understood the Law of Moses and that the Law (Leviticus11) made it very clear that what they ate, the food they put into their bodies had an effect on how God viewed them. What they put in their mouths did in fact make them "clean" or "unclean" before God. So, what is Jesus doing here? Some would argue that He was changing the Law in relation to diet, and that may be true; but, I believe there is a much bigger concept being put forward by our Savior.
Under the Law of Moses, performance became the god of the people. What they did, how well they kept letter of the Law, determined how "religious" they were. We would never be like that... would we? They had become a checklist people. They believed that their righteousness was determined by externals and Jesus looks them in the eye and says, "not externals, internals". Not the hands, but the heart. They could keep the Law and never love. I can do all the right things and do them all with wrong motives. What I "do" is not necessarily an outward sign of an inward change... as some would say. There are many people doing many good things that have no relationship with God at all.
So, what does Jesus want to see in His people? “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside
can make him ‘unclean’? For it
doesn’t go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his
body.” He went on: “What comes out of a man is
what makes him ‘unclean.’ For from
within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft,
murder, adultery, greed,
malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.
All these evils come from inside and make a man
‘unclean.’” (vss 18-22) He tells them (and us) that we are defiled by what comes out of our hearts. It is about our motives, our intentions. He says that our actions flow from our hearts. Evil heart... evil actions. Pure heart... pure actions.
Jesus moved the goal posts. No longer were they to view their relationship with God as a checklist, but rather it was to be a life changing connection. "Who they were" was to be different, not just "what they did". I am afraid for many today, Christianity has become a list of dos and don'ts. As long as we keep the list, we are faithful. The measure of a persons spiritual maturity is determined by the externals. Is he here every Sunday? Do they come on Wednesday night? Do they give every week? Let me tell you... you can do all that and still be living a pagan life. I know, I have done it! Will you do those things if your heart has changed... absolutely. But, the doing of it does not insure that a person is right before God.
That is why we have so much scripture that calls on us to examine ourselves... because we are the only ones that truly know what is going on inside of us. I can put on a pretty good show when the time is right. Say the right things. Frown when a frown is called for. Smile when a smile is called for. I am the only one that knows for sure if my heart is right. Examine yourselves
to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.(1 Cor 13:5) Examine yourselves! Do an internal examine and see if you are "in the faith"; with a clear implication that you might find that you are "out of the faith". To put it the terms of today.... "You better check yourself before you wreck yourself."
What about you? have you done a thorough internal exam lately? What has your heart? Better yet... who has your heart? If anyone or anything other than God... you better check yourself... :-). Stethoscope please...
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Traditions and Commands
(Today's reading - Numbers 18-20; Mark 7:1-13)
In Numbers, we read about God's rules for the priesthood and of Moses' disobedience in striking the rock. As always, I am overwhelmed by His specificity in matters of faith. He tells them exactly what He wants and He expects them to do just that. When they don't do exactly as He has commanded, there is a penalty to pay. In this case, Moses and Aaron are excluded from those that would enter the Promised Land. (For more on that, read this - http://dalesdailybible.blogspot.com/2011/02/leaders-failure.html) Clearly, the message is this... where God is specific, we are to be obedient. Anything less is not acceptable by Him.
Our "Mark" reading is a short read with a big message. It goes right along with our OT reading (but why wouldn't it?... same God, same message) Jesus' disciples are eating without washing their hands. (I know, your mom taught you better than that) Some Pharisees and teachers from Jerusalem see this and ask Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with ‘unclean’ hands?” (vs 5) Jesus responded clearly and with authority, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ (vs 6,7)
The easy way out would be to tell his disciples to wash their hands, after all that was the "traditional" thing to do. But Jesus doesn't take the easy way out of anything. He speaks truth and expects those that hear Him to listen and be obedient. These verses set up a real conflict between "tradition" and "command". Those that were wanting to keep traditions, were doing so at the expense of commandments. They had elevated human "tradition" above God's "commands". You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” And he said to them: “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! (vss 8,9)
Jesus calls this "vain worship". What does that mean? The Greek word used here is "maten" and it carries with it the idea of "folly, to no purpose". Jesus is saying that worship that is based on human tradition is worthless. It has no purpose. Jesus tells us the end result of this, "Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that." (vs 13) Are traditions all bad... absolutely not. They have much value to us. We are bonded together as families, as churches and as a nation by traditions. What we share in common makes us united.
But here is the rub... if we are not careful, we can become so attached to our traditions that we allow them to "nullify the word of God". "What we want" becomes more important to us than "what He has commanded". So, what shall we do about this? First, I think we need to identify our "traditions". If it is not found in scripture and we are doing a thing regularly, it is tradition. Someone, sometime started doing something a particular way and it became the way to do it. That is tradition. Secondly, we need to identify God's commands. What we do that is directly from His word is a command. In this effort, we will probably find things that we are doing that are in direct conflict with His commands. That is when our honesty will be tested, that is when we choose... my tradition or God's command. Which will it be? Vain worship? Follow traditions? Or, keep His command? The choice, as always is ours. Choose wisely.
In Numbers, we read about God's rules for the priesthood and of Moses' disobedience in striking the rock. As always, I am overwhelmed by His specificity in matters of faith. He tells them exactly what He wants and He expects them to do just that. When they don't do exactly as He has commanded, there is a penalty to pay. In this case, Moses and Aaron are excluded from those that would enter the Promised Land. (For more on that, read this - http://dalesdailybible.blogspot.com/2011/02/leaders-failure.html) Clearly, the message is this... where God is specific, we are to be obedient. Anything less is not acceptable by Him.
Our "Mark" reading is a short read with a big message. It goes right along with our OT reading (but why wouldn't it?... same God, same message) Jesus' disciples are eating without washing their hands. (I know, your mom taught you better than that) Some Pharisees and teachers from Jerusalem see this and ask Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with ‘unclean’ hands?” (vs 5) Jesus responded clearly and with authority, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ (vs 6,7)
The easy way out would be to tell his disciples to wash their hands, after all that was the "traditional" thing to do. But Jesus doesn't take the easy way out of anything. He speaks truth and expects those that hear Him to listen and be obedient. These verses set up a real conflict between "tradition" and "command". Those that were wanting to keep traditions, were doing so at the expense of commandments. They had elevated human "tradition" above God's "commands". You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” And he said to them: “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! (vss 8,9)
Jesus calls this "vain worship". What does that mean? The Greek word used here is "maten" and it carries with it the idea of "folly, to no purpose". Jesus is saying that worship that is based on human tradition is worthless. It has no purpose. Jesus tells us the end result of this, "Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that." (vs 13) Are traditions all bad... absolutely not. They have much value to us. We are bonded together as families, as churches and as a nation by traditions. What we share in common makes us united.
But here is the rub... if we are not careful, we can become so attached to our traditions that we allow them to "nullify the word of God". "What we want" becomes more important to us than "what He has commanded". So, what shall we do about this? First, I think we need to identify our "traditions". If it is not found in scripture and we are doing a thing regularly, it is tradition. Someone, sometime started doing something a particular way and it became the way to do it. That is tradition. Secondly, we need to identify God's commands. What we do that is directly from His word is a command. In this effort, we will probably find things that we are doing that are in direct conflict with His commands. That is when our honesty will be tested, that is when we choose... my tradition or God's command. Which will it be? Vain worship? Follow traditions? Or, keep His command? The choice, as always is ours. Choose wisely.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Lessons From a Lunchbox
(Today's reading - Numbers 18-20; Mark 6:33-56)
Our OT reading is filled with rebellion and death. We see God demonstrating that Moses is His man and that rebellion against His leader is rebellion against Him. He deals very harshly with those that cause division among His people. Maybe there are lessons to be learned by us today about rebellion against Him and the consequences of our actions. These were His chosen people that He put to death. This puts me in mind of the New Testament scripture.... For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17) He will judge His people... He always has.
Our New Testament reading is a continuation of a normal "day in the life of Christ". Everywhere He goes, people are crowding around to touch Him and to be touched by Him. He teaches and heals and raises from the dead... day in and day out. He occasionally finds a place of peace and recharges by spending time with His Father. In Mark 6, this has been just such a day and He and His disciples seek a few minutes of refuge. They cross the lake to find a quiet spot. But, the people have something else in mind.
When they arrive on the other side of the lake, the crowds are there to greet them. Tired, hungry, wanting some time alone, Jesus looks at the crowd and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. (vs 34) I am thankful for a Savior like that. I am not like that! When I am tired, when my day is done... I am selfish and I want dinner and some rest. Jesus is not like me! Thankfully. He is compassionate... even when He is tired, even when He has worked all day meeting the needs of others... He is compassionate.
He teaches until dinner time and His twelve disciples want to send the people away. Jesus will have none of that. Instead, He asks them what is in their lunchboxes. They respond that they have 5 loaves of bread and two fish. He says, "that is enough". What they had was all He needed. He takes the loaves and fish and feeds the 5000 that are there and then picks up the remains and fills twelve baskets. Of course this is a great miracle. Of course it proves that Jesus is God... no one else could or can do this. Of course we are to understand that Jesus is always ready to meet the needs of those who follow Him. All of that is true. But what about us, is there a lesson in there about us?
The disciples gave Him what they had. As limited as it was, they gave all they had. And after they gave all they had, they depended on Him to provide the rest. Would the story have a different ending if they tried to feed this crowd on their own? Of course it would. Did they have the ability to feed everyone with the little food they had? Of course not. So what can we learn from their lunchbox? Well...
No matter how little you bring to table for Jesus to use... it is enough. As long as it is all you have, it is enough. As Paul told the church in Corinth, For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair. (ch4, vss 6-8) We are all just "jars of clay", but that is enough for God to work with.
You say, "I don't know enough Bible to talk to others". Wrong, you know enough to tell others what you do know and you know how to ask for help from those that know more. You say, "I am too busy to help others in need". Wrong, you have exactly the same amount of time that everyone else has! Whatever the excuse is, God can remove it, if we will let Him. So what if you are a two fish person, God can use that! So what if you are a one loaf person, God knows how to use what you have for His glory. We just have to be available and willing... He will do the rest.
Open up your lunchbox and see what God will do with what you have. People are hungry. They are tired and need some dinner. What will you do with what you have? Make excuses or hand things over to the Master? He is compassionate and wants everyone to hear the soul satisfying message of His salvation. As our friend Si on Duck Dynasty would say, "Hey Jack, folks are hungry and you have the food. Let's eat!" Share what you have; you will be amazed at what He can do through you! May He bless you as you serve at His table.
Our OT reading is filled with rebellion and death. We see God demonstrating that Moses is His man and that rebellion against His leader is rebellion against Him. He deals very harshly with those that cause division among His people. Maybe there are lessons to be learned by us today about rebellion against Him and the consequences of our actions. These were His chosen people that He put to death. This puts me in mind of the New Testament scripture.... For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17) He will judge His people... He always has.
Our New Testament reading is a continuation of a normal "day in the life of Christ". Everywhere He goes, people are crowding around to touch Him and to be touched by Him. He teaches and heals and raises from the dead... day in and day out. He occasionally finds a place of peace and recharges by spending time with His Father. In Mark 6, this has been just such a day and He and His disciples seek a few minutes of refuge. They cross the lake to find a quiet spot. But, the people have something else in mind.
When they arrive on the other side of the lake, the crowds are there to greet them. Tired, hungry, wanting some time alone, Jesus looks at the crowd and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. (vs 34) I am thankful for a Savior like that. I am not like that! When I am tired, when my day is done... I am selfish and I want dinner and some rest. Jesus is not like me! Thankfully. He is compassionate... even when He is tired, even when He has worked all day meeting the needs of others... He is compassionate.
He teaches until dinner time and His twelve disciples want to send the people away. Jesus will have none of that. Instead, He asks them what is in their lunchboxes. They respond that they have 5 loaves of bread and two fish. He says, "that is enough". What they had was all He needed. He takes the loaves and fish and feeds the 5000 that are there and then picks up the remains and fills twelve baskets. Of course this is a great miracle. Of course it proves that Jesus is God... no one else could or can do this. Of course we are to understand that Jesus is always ready to meet the needs of those who follow Him. All of that is true. But what about us, is there a lesson in there about us?
The disciples gave Him what they had. As limited as it was, they gave all they had. And after they gave all they had, they depended on Him to provide the rest. Would the story have a different ending if they tried to feed this crowd on their own? Of course it would. Did they have the ability to feed everyone with the little food they had? Of course not. So what can we learn from their lunchbox? Well...
No matter how little you bring to table for Jesus to use... it is enough. As long as it is all you have, it is enough. As Paul told the church in Corinth, For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair. (ch4, vss 6-8) We are all just "jars of clay", but that is enough for God to work with.
You say, "I don't know enough Bible to talk to others". Wrong, you know enough to tell others what you do know and you know how to ask for help from those that know more. You say, "I am too busy to help others in need". Wrong, you have exactly the same amount of time that everyone else has! Whatever the excuse is, God can remove it, if we will let Him. So what if you are a two fish person, God can use that! So what if you are a one loaf person, God knows how to use what you have for His glory. We just have to be available and willing... He will do the rest.
Open up your lunchbox and see what God will do with what you have. People are hungry. They are tired and need some dinner. What will you do with what you have? Make excuses or hand things over to the Master? He is compassionate and wants everyone to hear the soul satisfying message of His salvation. As our friend Si on Duck Dynasty would say, "Hey Jack, folks are hungry and you have the food. Let's eat!" Share what you have; you will be amazed at what He can do through you! May He bless you as you serve at His table.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Sins of the Father
(Today's reading - Numbers 14-15; Mark 6: 1-32)
Sometimes it doesn't seem that God is fair. I know, I shouldn't say something like that, but it is how I feel. By human reasoning, sometimes God is harsh and unfair. By human reasoning! Today's reading contains such an account. In Numbers 14, we read about the reaction of the children of Israel to the bad report brought back by the spies who went into the Promised Land. You know... the people there are giants and we are grasshoppers. Caleb and Joshua are the only ones that give a true account and encourage the people to cross over the river Jordan and take the Promised Land.
I struggle with how I would have reacted if I was there hearing about the giants. Would I have gone along with the crowd and demanded a new leader to take us back to Egypt? How would you have reacted to the bad report? The fact is that the people rebelled against Moses and God. God declares that He will strike them down and disinherit them. (vs 12) Moses pleads for God's mercy and He changes His mind. (vs 20) God changes His mind... I know that is tough for some to accept, but there it is in black and white in your Bibles.
He is merciful. He lets them live, but the result of their rebellion will be felt for generations. God sends them to wander in the wilderness for forty years. (why forty years?, look it up... vs 34) For forty years these people will be punished for lack of faith; not only these people, but all their children and their children's children and maybe even their children's children's children. That doesn't seem fair, does it? These kids have done nothing wrong; it was their parents and grandparents. So, why would God do this to the generations that follow? And your children shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years and shall suffer for your faithlessness, until the last of your dead bodies lies in the wilderness. (vs 33)
You see, while God is merciful and forgives their sinfulness, He does not eliminate the consequences of their actions. They didn't trust that He would deliver the land into their hands, so they didn't enter the land. They rebelled against His leadership, so they learned the hard way to follow the leaders God had put in place. They learned that what they did impacted their families for generations. I am sure that there were many difficult conversations around the dinner table. "But granddad, why did you not trust God? I am out here wondering in the desert for all these years because you were unfaithful." Lessons were learned... the hard way.
Thankfully, we would never be like that. We would never act unfaithfully and see the consequences of our actions in our children... would we? Take a moment here to think... (thinking, thinking) Is what your children hear around the dinner table going to make them stronger? Do they hear about your negative feelings about the leaders in your church? Are you too busy to take them to the assembly on a regular basis? Do they see that sports and hobbies are more of a priority to you than kingdom work?
And then after all that... the parent's unfaithfulness; we sit and wonder why our children are unfaithful. I have seen it too many times to count... the "sins of the father" is visited upon the children. One generation's unfaithfulness results in several generations being lost in the wilderness. The responsibility is great. When God gives us our children, He entrusts their futures to us. Will they hear our fear? Will they see us tremble before the giants of this life? Or will they see us faithful and trusting God to take care of whatever comes? Forty years is a long time!
Joshua and Caleb got to lead the people into the promised land. They were faithful. They trusted in God to lead them to victory and their faithfulness was rewarded. What about you? Will you be faithful to the God that is leading you and your family into the Promised Land? Or will you allow the bad report of "what you are missing" to pull you away? The choice is yours... but your choice will impact the generations to come. Choose wisely.
Sometimes it doesn't seem that God is fair. I know, I shouldn't say something like that, but it is how I feel. By human reasoning, sometimes God is harsh and unfair. By human reasoning! Today's reading contains such an account. In Numbers 14, we read about the reaction of the children of Israel to the bad report brought back by the spies who went into the Promised Land. You know... the people there are giants and we are grasshoppers. Caleb and Joshua are the only ones that give a true account and encourage the people to cross over the river Jordan and take the Promised Land.
I struggle with how I would have reacted if I was there hearing about the giants. Would I have gone along with the crowd and demanded a new leader to take us back to Egypt? How would you have reacted to the bad report? The fact is that the people rebelled against Moses and God. God declares that He will strike them down and disinherit them. (vs 12) Moses pleads for God's mercy and He changes His mind. (vs 20) God changes His mind... I know that is tough for some to accept, but there it is in black and white in your Bibles.
He is merciful. He lets them live, but the result of their rebellion will be felt for generations. God sends them to wander in the wilderness for forty years. (why forty years?, look it up... vs 34) For forty years these people will be punished for lack of faith; not only these people, but all their children and their children's children and maybe even their children's children's children. That doesn't seem fair, does it? These kids have done nothing wrong; it was their parents and grandparents. So, why would God do this to the generations that follow? And your children shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years and shall suffer for your faithlessness, until the last of your dead bodies lies in the wilderness. (vs 33)
You see, while God is merciful and forgives their sinfulness, He does not eliminate the consequences of their actions. They didn't trust that He would deliver the land into their hands, so they didn't enter the land. They rebelled against His leadership, so they learned the hard way to follow the leaders God had put in place. They learned that what they did impacted their families for generations. I am sure that there were many difficult conversations around the dinner table. "But granddad, why did you not trust God? I am out here wondering in the desert for all these years because you were unfaithful." Lessons were learned... the hard way.
Thankfully, we would never be like that. We would never act unfaithfully and see the consequences of our actions in our children... would we? Take a moment here to think... (thinking, thinking) Is what your children hear around the dinner table going to make them stronger? Do they hear about your negative feelings about the leaders in your church? Are you too busy to take them to the assembly on a regular basis? Do they see that sports and hobbies are more of a priority to you than kingdom work?
And then after all that... the parent's unfaithfulness; we sit and wonder why our children are unfaithful. I have seen it too many times to count... the "sins of the father" is visited upon the children. One generation's unfaithfulness results in several generations being lost in the wilderness. The responsibility is great. When God gives us our children, He entrusts their futures to us. Will they hear our fear? Will they see us tremble before the giants of this life? Or will they see us faithful and trusting God to take care of whatever comes? Forty years is a long time!
Joshua and Caleb got to lead the people into the promised land. They were faithful. They trusted in God to lead them to victory and their faithfulness was rewarded. What about you? Will you be faithful to the God that is leading you and your family into the Promised Land? Or will you allow the bad report of "what you are missing" to pull you away? The choice is yours... but your choice will impact the generations to come. Choose wisely.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Love isn't love...
(Today's reading - Numbers 7; Mark 4:21-41)
In Numbers, the tabernacle is completed and is consecrated (set apart for the LORD). The entire chapter contains the details of how the altar was dedicated. My take away from this is that we should "make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him." (2 Peter 3:14) If Moses and the children of Israel made the kind of efforts that we read about to make a building suitable for the LORD's dwelling place, how much more should we strive to provide Him a home in us that is consecrated for His use? Just a thought...
In Mark, we continue to read about Jesus beginning His ministry in Galilee. He is teaching along the shore of the Sea of Galilee and crowds come to hear His words. He teaches using parables... some understand, others don't. Thankfully, in many situations, He explains the meaning of His teaching. After giving the meaning of the parable of the sower, he makes the following statement...
He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”
He asks them a simple question that each could certainly answer correctly. Do you turn on a light and then cover it so that the light is hidden? Of course not! The purpose of light is to get rid of the darkness. When you enter a room and turn on the light switch, you want the room to be illuminated. You want to see everything in the room. He says that when you bring a light into the room, you place it on a stand. In His time, these lamp stands were elevated and would provide light for the entire room. It would disclose what was hidden and bring out into the open what was concealed.
For sure several meanings can be drawn from this little saying. It can be applied to Jesus himself, the Light of the World. He came into a dark world and illuminated it, dispelled the darkness. (John 8:12) By association, Christians are also to give off light. (Matt 5:14) But, what was it about Jesus that confronted the dark and brought about illumination? What is it about the Christian that dispels darkness?
He tells them to consider carefully "what they hear". Could it be that the message was to open the eyes of the blind? Could it be that it was the good news that was to take its' place on a stand and light up the world? Of course we are to live Godly lives, but without words we only bring praise to ourselves. We are to reflect the light of the Son, His words are to be our words. (1 Peter 4:11) The Word of God exposes and brings to light those things we often wish remained hidden. The Hebrew writer put it this way... For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
When we allow it; when our hearts are open to His message, we are confronted with our failings. An honest heart will allow His word to pierce it and cause the change that is needed to conform to His likeness. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2) Jesus calls on us to put the lamp on the stand and let it illuminate the dark corners of our lives and reveal those things that need to confronted and changed. Painful... for sure. Needed... absolutely! And then... tell everyone you can; bring the light into others lives. That is the call. He puts it this way, “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more." Use what has been given to you! Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. (Luke 12:48)
As Oscar Hammerstein put it in his note to Mary Martin..."A bell is not a bell till you ring it. A song is not a song till you sing it. Love in your heart isn't put there to stay. Love isn't love till you give it away." We need to be bell ringers and song singers and most assuredly we need to give the love of Jesus away. Happy giving.
In Numbers, the tabernacle is completed and is consecrated (set apart for the LORD). The entire chapter contains the details of how the altar was dedicated. My take away from this is that we should "make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him." (2 Peter 3:14) If Moses and the children of Israel made the kind of efforts that we read about to make a building suitable for the LORD's dwelling place, how much more should we strive to provide Him a home in us that is consecrated for His use? Just a thought...
In Mark, we continue to read about Jesus beginning His ministry in Galilee. He is teaching along the shore of the Sea of Galilee and crowds come to hear His words. He teaches using parables... some understand, others don't. Thankfully, in many situations, He explains the meaning of His teaching. After giving the meaning of the parable of the sower, he makes the following statement...
He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”
He asks them a simple question that each could certainly answer correctly. Do you turn on a light and then cover it so that the light is hidden? Of course not! The purpose of light is to get rid of the darkness. When you enter a room and turn on the light switch, you want the room to be illuminated. You want to see everything in the room. He says that when you bring a light into the room, you place it on a stand. In His time, these lamp stands were elevated and would provide light for the entire room. It would disclose what was hidden and bring out into the open what was concealed.
For sure several meanings can be drawn from this little saying. It can be applied to Jesus himself, the Light of the World. He came into a dark world and illuminated it, dispelled the darkness. (John 8:12) By association, Christians are also to give off light. (Matt 5:14) But, what was it about Jesus that confronted the dark and brought about illumination? What is it about the Christian that dispels darkness?
He tells them to consider carefully "what they hear". Could it be that the message was to open the eyes of the blind? Could it be that it was the good news that was to take its' place on a stand and light up the world? Of course we are to live Godly lives, but without words we only bring praise to ourselves. We are to reflect the light of the Son, His words are to be our words. (1 Peter 4:11) The Word of God exposes and brings to light those things we often wish remained hidden. The Hebrew writer put it this way... For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
When we allow it; when our hearts are open to His message, we are confronted with our failings. An honest heart will allow His word to pierce it and cause the change that is needed to conform to His likeness. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2) Jesus calls on us to put the lamp on the stand and let it illuminate the dark corners of our lives and reveal those things that need to confronted and changed. Painful... for sure. Needed... absolutely! And then... tell everyone you can; bring the light into others lives. That is the call. He puts it this way, “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more." Use what has been given to you! Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. (Luke 12:48)
As Oscar Hammerstein put it in his note to Mary Martin..."A bell is not a bell till you ring it. A song is not a song till you sing it. Love in your heart isn't put there to stay. Love isn't love till you give it away." We need to be bell ringers and song singers and most assuredly we need to give the love of Jesus away. Happy giving.
Monday, February 18, 2013
True Friend?
(Today's reading - Leviticus 26-27; Mark 2)
Leviticus tells us that God's blessings are conditional. He tells His people that "if" they are obedient, then good things; but if they are disobedient... bad things. The Bible is filled with "ifs". His love is not conditional (John 3:16), but His blessings are. This is reasonable! Do you reward your child for bad behavior? Of course not, that would just produce more bad behavior... it's the same with God.
So, what about friends? We all need them. We all want them. They are a blessing at all times. A true friend is there to celebrate when times are good and they are there to support you when times are tough. Take a moment to think about those people that you would consider "true friends". (write their names down on a piece of paper, more on that later... please, do it right now)
Our story in Mark 2 gives us a picture of amazing friendship...
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.
Let's get the picture. Jesus has returned home, word has gotten around and crowds have gathered to listen to His words and see miracles performed. (no TV, so this was better than the last episode of Downton Abbey) The house is so crowded that people are standing outside the door just to catch a word or a glimpse. (on a side note, I wish this is what it looked like at churches on Sunday morning) Four friends of a paralyzed man bring him to see Jesus. They have heard the stories, maybe even seen Him in action. They believe that this Jesus can help their friend. So, they carry him through town to this little house at the end of the street with hope in their hearts.
When they arrive, they see that the house is filled to capacity and people are spilling out into the street. Now, some folks might say, "we tried, we carried him all the way there, but we couldn't get in to see him." That would seem to be enough for many, "I tried". But, these friends were not to be denied. They loved this man and nothing was going to stop them from introducing him to Jesus. They climb up onto the roof and cut an opening above Jesus. They lower their friend down through the opening and he meets the Savior. He meets Jesus!
Friends! Introducing their friend to the Great Physician was the only thing that could help him... and they knew it. Getting him in front of Jesus was the only thing that could enable him to walk... and they knew it. And because they knew it, nothing could stop them. Whatever it took... they were going to do it. Carry him across town, "let's get the trip started". Hoist him up to the roof, "put your backs into it boys". Dig a hole in ceiling, "who brought the shovels?". Lower him down in the room, "give me the rope". What ever it took, they were prepared for it.
Application... A true friend will be prepared to do whatever it takes to get their friend in front of Jesus. A true friend knows that He is the answer to the paralysis of this life and only He can fix what is wrong. A true friend is prepared to carry, to lift, to dig, to lower... to do anything and everything to get their friend in front of the Master.
So, back to that list you made earlier; take another look at it. Anyone on there that needs to meet the Savior? Are you a true friend that will move "Heaven and Earth" to make sure they get an appointment with the Doctor? Are you equipped with "whatever it takes" to get them there? I know this is a difficult lesson; it is difficult for me. Our friends are waiting for us to pick them up and get them to the One that can fix their broken lives and set them on their spiritual feet. What are you waiting for? What am I waiting for?
Leviticus tells us that God's blessings are conditional. He tells His people that "if" they are obedient, then good things; but if they are disobedient... bad things. The Bible is filled with "ifs". His love is not conditional (John 3:16), but His blessings are. This is reasonable! Do you reward your child for bad behavior? Of course not, that would just produce more bad behavior... it's the same with God.
So, what about friends? We all need them. We all want them. They are a blessing at all times. A true friend is there to celebrate when times are good and they are there to support you when times are tough. Take a moment to think about those people that you would consider "true friends". (write their names down on a piece of paper, more on that later... please, do it right now)
Our story in Mark 2 gives us a picture of amazing friendship...
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.
Let's get the picture. Jesus has returned home, word has gotten around and crowds have gathered to listen to His words and see miracles performed. (no TV, so this was better than the last episode of Downton Abbey) The house is so crowded that people are standing outside the door just to catch a word or a glimpse. (on a side note, I wish this is what it looked like at churches on Sunday morning) Four friends of a paralyzed man bring him to see Jesus. They have heard the stories, maybe even seen Him in action. They believe that this Jesus can help their friend. So, they carry him through town to this little house at the end of the street with hope in their hearts.
When they arrive, they see that the house is filled to capacity and people are spilling out into the street. Now, some folks might say, "we tried, we carried him all the way there, but we couldn't get in to see him." That would seem to be enough for many, "I tried". But, these friends were not to be denied. They loved this man and nothing was going to stop them from introducing him to Jesus. They climb up onto the roof and cut an opening above Jesus. They lower their friend down through the opening and he meets the Savior. He meets Jesus!
Friends! Introducing their friend to the Great Physician was the only thing that could help him... and they knew it. Getting him in front of Jesus was the only thing that could enable him to walk... and they knew it. And because they knew it, nothing could stop them. Whatever it took... they were going to do it. Carry him across town, "let's get the trip started". Hoist him up to the roof, "put your backs into it boys". Dig a hole in ceiling, "who brought the shovels?". Lower him down in the room, "give me the rope". What ever it took, they were prepared for it.
Application... A true friend will be prepared to do whatever it takes to get their friend in front of Jesus. A true friend knows that He is the answer to the paralysis of this life and only He can fix what is wrong. A true friend is prepared to carry, to lift, to dig, to lower... to do anything and everything to get their friend in front of the Master.
So, back to that list you made earlier; take another look at it. Anyone on there that needs to meet the Savior? Are you a true friend that will move "Heaven and Earth" to make sure they get an appointment with the Doctor? Are you equipped with "whatever it takes" to get them there? I know this is a difficult lesson; it is difficult for me. Our friends are waiting for us to pick them up and get them to the One that can fix their broken lives and set them on their spiritual feet. What are you waiting for? What am I waiting for?
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Deny Jesus?
(Today's Reading - Leviticus 14; Matthew 26: 20-54)
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
We can beat Peter up pretty badly when we consider his denial of Jesus. I mean, come on, he had been with Him for three years, seen the miracles and heard the teaching. Surely he could remain faithful when He was taken prisoner. John 18 tells us that it was Peter that drew his sword and cut off the ear of the soldier as Jesus was being arrested. In the garden, he was ready to fight and die, so what gives? What changed from the garden to the city gate? That would never be us... would it?
Let's consider the event. A few days earlier, Jesus entered the city as the King; now he's a "criminal". A few days earlier , he was the Messiah; now he's a "mess". He was going to set up His kingdom; now the only place he would be setting is prison. When things happen that change our lives dramatically, how do we react? A person we held in high regard announces that they have been unfaithful to their spouse. A teacher we respected is arrested for inappropriate conduct with a student. A minister is shot by his wife and we learn that he abused her. How do we respond when our worlds get shaken?
While I can read and imagine what Peter felt, I cannot fully understand what this event did to his life. The "man" that he had given up his life for, is now a prisoner. The leader that he vowed to follow anywhere, was now leading him to jail, or even worse, the cross. So, Peter denies knowing Him. When faced with jail or death, Peter chose to lie. He walked away and went back to fishing.
What about you? What about me? Do I follow when it is easy? When life is going great, it is easy to praise God. But, what about the times when things go wrong? Do we deny? When prayers are being answered in a way that we like, praise God. But, when we are confronted with a result that we don't like, what then? How do you react then? What do I do then?
Life is filled with spiritual seasons. Sometimes it is spring and the flowers are blooming. Sometimes it is winter and their is little sign of life. Events happen, things come our way... we loose our jobs, many have lost their homes, divorces happen, people disappoint us; that is life my friend. We are blessed to have the full story of what happened during those three days in the life of Christ. We are able to see the resurrection as the fulfillment of His purpose. In those moments after Jesus' arrest, Peter was not that fortunate. He couldn't read the next chapter in Matthew. He only had the events of the day and a decision to make about how he would respond.
Thankfully, Jesus didn't leave him fishing and no matter what comes our way, he will not leave us either. In the words of Casting Crowns... may we praise Him in the storms. I am thankful that God chose to share Peter's story of denial with us. It gives us hope. If an apostle can lose his faith and then be restored, their is hope for us... in every circumstance. Thanks Peter!
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
We can beat Peter up pretty badly when we consider his denial of Jesus. I mean, come on, he had been with Him for three years, seen the miracles and heard the teaching. Surely he could remain faithful when He was taken prisoner. John 18 tells us that it was Peter that drew his sword and cut off the ear of the soldier as Jesus was being arrested. In the garden, he was ready to fight and die, so what gives? What changed from the garden to the city gate? That would never be us... would it?
Let's consider the event. A few days earlier, Jesus entered the city as the King; now he's a "criminal". A few days earlier , he was the Messiah; now he's a "mess". He was going to set up His kingdom; now the only place he would be setting is prison. When things happen that change our lives dramatically, how do we react? A person we held in high regard announces that they have been unfaithful to their spouse. A teacher we respected is arrested for inappropriate conduct with a student. A minister is shot by his wife and we learn that he abused her. How do we respond when our worlds get shaken?
While I can read and imagine what Peter felt, I cannot fully understand what this event did to his life. The "man" that he had given up his life for, is now a prisoner. The leader that he vowed to follow anywhere, was now leading him to jail, or even worse, the cross. So, Peter denies knowing Him. When faced with jail or death, Peter chose to lie. He walked away and went back to fishing.
What about you? What about me? Do I follow when it is easy? When life is going great, it is easy to praise God. But, what about the times when things go wrong? Do we deny? When prayers are being answered in a way that we like, praise God. But, when we are confronted with a result that we don't like, what then? How do you react then? What do I do then?
Life is filled with spiritual seasons. Sometimes it is spring and the flowers are blooming. Sometimes it is winter and their is little sign of life. Events happen, things come our way... we loose our jobs, many have lost their homes, divorces happen, people disappoint us; that is life my friend. We are blessed to have the full story of what happened during those three days in the life of Christ. We are able to see the resurrection as the fulfillment of His purpose. In those moments after Jesus' arrest, Peter was not that fortunate. He couldn't read the next chapter in Matthew. He only had the events of the day and a decision to make about how he would respond.
Thankfully, Jesus didn't leave him fishing and no matter what comes our way, he will not leave us either. In the words of Casting Crowns... may we praise Him in the storms. I am thankful that God chose to share Peter's story of denial with us. It gives us hope. If an apostle can lose his faith and then be restored, their is hope for us... in every circumstance. Thanks Peter!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Are You a Leper?
(Today's reading - Leviticus 13; Matthew 26: 20-54) (video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hClQlhZlI7Y&feature=youtu.be )
It has been very interesting to read the Old Testament portions along side the New the last few days. Learning about the different sacrifices and how the priests were to deal with each one has been... both tedious and fascinating. Reading about how the priests were to eat of the offering, while at the same time reading about Jesus instituting the Lord's supper was an interesting parallel. (nod to Greg Brewer for his thoughts at the Table yesterday) Jesus told His disciples that eating the bread was representative of eating His body and drinking the wine was representative of drinking His blood. As Christians, we are priests and when we partake in the supper each week, what we do points all the way back to Leviticus.
Leviticus 13 is a difficult chapter to read and get insight into spiritual matters. However, there are always little nuggets of spiritual nutrition in every chapter of every book in the Bible. God gives very specific rules when it came to leprosy. For sure, He was giving guidelines that dealt with the health of the community and the spread of disease, but I see more than that. Clean and unclean are terms that we need to dig into and gain understanding of. God cared enough about His community of people to make sure they understood what was acceptable for them to eat and how to deal with those that developed diseases. He demanded that His people live differently than those around them. His direction would produce a people that were different, a people set apart for Him.
The little section that I want to explore is from Leviticus 13: 45-46. Let's read....
"The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp".
Picture this... the person with leprosy was to wear garments that were torn, worn and ragged. They were to let their hair grow out and hang loose. Whenever they were approaching others, they were to place their hand over their mouth and yell... "Unclean, unclean". Take a moment and get that picture firmly in your mind... ragged clothing, tangled hair, skin falling off and yelling "unclean, unclean". Additionally, they were to live alone, outside of camp. No longer were they part of the community; now they were outcasts. It was to be evident to everyone that you had this awful disease. Get the picture?
So, what can we learn? If you are not a Christian, that is you. (stop here and think) If I am not a Christian, that is me. Without the cleansing that comes through Jesus' blood, spiritually we are lepers. God sees us like that. We are lepers. We are outside of the community of His people. Our lives are rags; we are unkempt and unclean. Any other picture doesn't do justice to the condition of a person that doesn't have a relationship with Jesus. (this is serious stuff)
I am reminded of His encounter with a leper in Matthew 8... When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. This man's life was changed in an instant. The touch of the Master's hand changed everything. Notice the sequence of events... the Leper comes to Jesus, he kneels before Him and asks Him to make him clean. Jesus sees the his faith, touches him and he is cleansed.
The man knew his condition and was tired of living separated from the community. He knows that Jesus can fix his problem. That is the response He is still looking for. Jesus wants people to learn about Him; He wants us to believe the good news of His saving power. He wants us to come to Him for cleansing and He will make us clean. No more spiritual leprosy. That is what He offers. How does this happen, you might ask. Read it for yourself... Acts 2, Acts 8, Acts 9, Acts 16, Acts 18, Acts 19 and Acts 22. These are all examples of people coming to Jesus for healing. Take a few minutes and read these stories of lives being changed and leprosy (spiritual) being healed. That same healing is available today. Just do what they did... repent, be baptized and receive His Spirit and start living in the community of Christ.
Get rid of those rags and be clothed in Christ! (Galatians 3: 26-28) Move from unclean to clean and be part of the His body. (1 Cor 12: 12-14) What are you waiting for? Leprosy only gets worse with time! ... And for those that made the decision to be healed and are still living like a leper... stop it! What leper, when healed would ever chose to live in the leper camp? For sure, he would visit to tell others how to get healed; but he would never live there again. Where are you on all of this? If you need to talk, message me and I will be glad to discuss this with you. Get out of the leper colony... now!
It has been very interesting to read the Old Testament portions along side the New the last few days. Learning about the different sacrifices and how the priests were to deal with each one has been... both tedious and fascinating. Reading about how the priests were to eat of the offering, while at the same time reading about Jesus instituting the Lord's supper was an interesting parallel. (nod to Greg Brewer for his thoughts at the Table yesterday) Jesus told His disciples that eating the bread was representative of eating His body and drinking the wine was representative of drinking His blood. As Christians, we are priests and when we partake in the supper each week, what we do points all the way back to Leviticus.
Leviticus 13 is a difficult chapter to read and get insight into spiritual matters. However, there are always little nuggets of spiritual nutrition in every chapter of every book in the Bible. God gives very specific rules when it came to leprosy. For sure, He was giving guidelines that dealt with the health of the community and the spread of disease, but I see more than that. Clean and unclean are terms that we need to dig into and gain understanding of. God cared enough about His community of people to make sure they understood what was acceptable for them to eat and how to deal with those that developed diseases. He demanded that His people live differently than those around them. His direction would produce a people that were different, a people set apart for Him.
The little section that I want to explore is from Leviticus 13: 45-46. Let's read....
"The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp".
Picture this... the person with leprosy was to wear garments that were torn, worn and ragged. They were to let their hair grow out and hang loose. Whenever they were approaching others, they were to place their hand over their mouth and yell... "Unclean, unclean". Take a moment and get that picture firmly in your mind... ragged clothing, tangled hair, skin falling off and yelling "unclean, unclean". Additionally, they were to live alone, outside of camp. No longer were they part of the community; now they were outcasts. It was to be evident to everyone that you had this awful disease. Get the picture?
So, what can we learn? If you are not a Christian, that is you. (stop here and think) If I am not a Christian, that is me. Without the cleansing that comes through Jesus' blood, spiritually we are lepers. God sees us like that. We are lepers. We are outside of the community of His people. Our lives are rags; we are unkempt and unclean. Any other picture doesn't do justice to the condition of a person that doesn't have a relationship with Jesus. (this is serious stuff)
I am reminded of His encounter with a leper in Matthew 8... When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. This man's life was changed in an instant. The touch of the Master's hand changed everything. Notice the sequence of events... the Leper comes to Jesus, he kneels before Him and asks Him to make him clean. Jesus sees the his faith, touches him and he is cleansed.
The man knew his condition and was tired of living separated from the community. He knows that Jesus can fix his problem. That is the response He is still looking for. Jesus wants people to learn about Him; He wants us to believe the good news of His saving power. He wants us to come to Him for cleansing and He will make us clean. No more spiritual leprosy. That is what He offers. How does this happen, you might ask. Read it for yourself... Acts 2, Acts 8, Acts 9, Acts 16, Acts 18, Acts 19 and Acts 22. These are all examples of people coming to Jesus for healing. Take a few minutes and read these stories of lives being changed and leprosy (spiritual) being healed. That same healing is available today. Just do what they did... repent, be baptized and receive His Spirit and start living in the community of Christ.
Get rid of those rags and be clothed in Christ! (Galatians 3: 26-28) Move from unclean to clean and be part of the His body. (1 Cor 12: 12-14) What are you waiting for? Leprosy only gets worse with time! ... And for those that made the decision to be healed and are still living like a leper... stop it! What leper, when healed would ever chose to live in the leper camp? For sure, he would visit to tell others how to get healed; but he would never live there again. Where are you on all of this? If you need to talk, message me and I will be glad to discuss this with you. Get out of the leper colony... now!
Friday, February 8, 2013
The Eternal Flame
(Today's reading - Leviticus 4-6; Matthew 25:1-30)
Our NT reading contains a couple of parables that communicate principles of the Kingdom. The first one deals with faithfulness and says that we need to be alert and prepared in our lives at all times. We need to live in such a way that demonstrates that we are ready for His return. Clearly, some who were once prepared, gave up and when He returned they were left out. The second parable deals with fruitfulness and calls on those in the kingdom to be good stewards of what God has given us. What is that you say? Someone once told me that we have received three things... time, talents and treasure. God expects a return on His investment. What if I don't use those properly... you read it for yourself... Matthew 25: 26-30. It doesn't sound good.
In our OT reading in Leviticus, it's more sin and more sacrifice. God gives more rules dealing with the type of sin and how that sin is to be dealt with through sacrifices. One thing that caught my eye was the idea of "unintentional sin". Over and over, it is made perfectly clear that sin is sin, whether intentional or not and it came with a penalty. That might seem unfair to us, but to God, guilt for breaking His law doesn't flow from intent. Like I learned early on in my life... ignorance of the law is no excuse. :)
One short verse made the biggest impression on me as I did my reading. It deals with the fire on the alter.... A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out. Leviticus 6:13 God tells Moses that the fire that burns the sacrifice is to burn continuously; it shall never go out. Why would the fire need to burn 24/7/365? If there were no sacrifices to burn, why not save the wood? Why keep someone busy working the fire all night? Let's think about that for a moment. Thinking......
A few of things come to my mind... Readiness, the fire continuously burning would be a reminder to His people that they were to always be ready to deal with their sin, their guilt. No matter where you were in the camp, the smell of smoke and the visible plume would be evidence of their sinfulness and the need to deal with it... always. It would also say to His people that He was always ready to forgive them. They didn't have to make an appointment, he stood ready at any hour to grant pardon for their sins. He is always ready to hear from His people, day or night, the fire is burning and His people are to be ready to deal with their sin.
Next, I think that the presence of the fire was a reminder of their sinfulness. If a fire needed to burn all the time, they had to understand that their lives were sinful. Sometimes it is easy to get busy and forget that we break His law on a regular basis, in thought or in deed. John reminds of this in 1 John 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. Just like the smell of the smoke reminded them of their sinfulness, John reminds us that our fellowship with the Son, our ongoing relationship with Him provides the continuous cleansing that we need. He calls on us to recognize that we are ongoingly sinful and that we have an ongoing need for forgivness, it's never once and done ... read verses 8-10 in 1 John.
Lastly, the continuous fire burning on the altar is a clear representation of the sufficiency of the sacrifice of His Son. If the alter was to always be burning, then it's continuous nature would be evident to everyone and it's ability to deal with sin was perpetual. The same is true with Jesus. The Hebrew writer puts it this way... But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:11-14)
That's is a few of the things that came to my mind. I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Those are my best efforts and I know that I am often wrong, so straighten me out. ;) Peace and love.
Our NT reading contains a couple of parables that communicate principles of the Kingdom. The first one deals with faithfulness and says that we need to be alert and prepared in our lives at all times. We need to live in such a way that demonstrates that we are ready for His return. Clearly, some who were once prepared, gave up and when He returned they were left out. The second parable deals with fruitfulness and calls on those in the kingdom to be good stewards of what God has given us. What is that you say? Someone once told me that we have received three things... time, talents and treasure. God expects a return on His investment. What if I don't use those properly... you read it for yourself... Matthew 25: 26-30. It doesn't sound good.
In our OT reading in Leviticus, it's more sin and more sacrifice. God gives more rules dealing with the type of sin and how that sin is to be dealt with through sacrifices. One thing that caught my eye was the idea of "unintentional sin". Over and over, it is made perfectly clear that sin is sin, whether intentional or not and it came with a penalty. That might seem unfair to us, but to God, guilt for breaking His law doesn't flow from intent. Like I learned early on in my life... ignorance of the law is no excuse. :)
One short verse made the biggest impression on me as I did my reading. It deals with the fire on the alter.... A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out. Leviticus 6:13 God tells Moses that the fire that burns the sacrifice is to burn continuously; it shall never go out. Why would the fire need to burn 24/7/365? If there were no sacrifices to burn, why not save the wood? Why keep someone busy working the fire all night? Let's think about that for a moment. Thinking......
A few of things come to my mind... Readiness, the fire continuously burning would be a reminder to His people that they were to always be ready to deal with their sin, their guilt. No matter where you were in the camp, the smell of smoke and the visible plume would be evidence of their sinfulness and the need to deal with it... always. It would also say to His people that He was always ready to forgive them. They didn't have to make an appointment, he stood ready at any hour to grant pardon for their sins. He is always ready to hear from His people, day or night, the fire is burning and His people are to be ready to deal with their sin.
Next, I think that the presence of the fire was a reminder of their sinfulness. If a fire needed to burn all the time, they had to understand that their lives were sinful. Sometimes it is easy to get busy and forget that we break His law on a regular basis, in thought or in deed. John reminds of this in 1 John 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. Just like the smell of the smoke reminded them of their sinfulness, John reminds us that our fellowship with the Son, our ongoing relationship with Him provides the continuous cleansing that we need. He calls on us to recognize that we are ongoingly sinful and that we have an ongoing need for forgivness, it's never once and done ... read verses 8-10 in 1 John.
Lastly, the continuous fire burning on the altar is a clear representation of the sufficiency of the sacrifice of His Son. If the alter was to always be burning, then it's continuous nature would be evident to everyone and it's ability to deal with sin was perpetual. The same is true with Jesus. The Hebrew writer puts it this way... But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:11-14)
That's is a few of the things that came to my mind. I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Those are my best efforts and I know that I am often wrong, so straighten me out. ;) Peace and love.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Sacrifices
(Today's reading - Leviticus 1-3; Matthew 24: 23-51)
And so it begins... Leviticus. The one book of the Bible that most people never actually read. Sure we start it, but we just are not able to stay with it. So, that said, I will try to stay engaged this time through. So, as we start, the first thing that grabs me (lol) is the detail that God gives His people in the offering of sacrifices. What can we learn from this? About Him? About us? Why is He so particular about how an animal is to be treated when it is offered to Him? Why is He so particular about the animal that is to be offered to Him? Why the detail on the grain offering?
The first thing for us to notice is His requirement that they were "to offer a male without defect" from the herd or flock. Not a female. Not a crippled critter. Not a sick animal. The best that the person had was what God required. Why? Why would God ask for the best of the flock or herd? I think this is one of the best arguments for the authenticity of scripture, if man had been the author, he would not want to give up his best. Obviously, the simple answer is that God demands to be first in our lives. The first Command deals with His requirement to be first. After all, He did create us and everything in the universe.
Secondly, it is clearly foreshadowing of His giving His perfect Son as a sacrifice for us. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Peter 1:18-19) In the Old Testament, the head of the household would place his hand on the head of the animal to be sacrificed and transfer his guilt on the animal and then offer it as a sacrifice for his and his family's sins before God, pointing to us placing our guilt on the Son.
Lastly, I want us to consider that God has always been and continues to be very specific. He doesn't leave us wondering about the details. Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:2-4) He has given us what we need. He doesn't leave out anything! If He is specific with His command, then our obedience can be judged.
So, what can we learn about Him? About us? He is very specific in His word. He requires the best that have to offer. He gave His best, His perfect Son for us. That is a lot to learn about His nature. What can we learn about us? We need Him to be very specific. Without specifics, we would never know if we were doing His will. Without His requirement of our best, we would offer something less. Our own self-interest would kick in and we would rationalize that giving less was acceptable. And, we need a way to have our guilt removed, our sins forgiven. Under the Law of Moses, people transferred their guilt to an animal that was about to be offered in their place. Now, Christians have the perfect sacrifice of Jesus to remove their guilt.
I encourage you, you encourage me and together let's get through Leviticus and learn what we can about our Creator and about ourselves. Also, maybe we can gain some major appreciation for what we have under the Law of Christ when we examine what His people were required to do under the Old Law. At the very least, Leviticus will open our eyes to the blessings we have through our Wonderful Savior! Dig in.
I am doing a youtube version of my blog. Check it out and let me know if you think it is worth the effort. :-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em5PVn-mHNc
And so it begins... Leviticus. The one book of the Bible that most people never actually read. Sure we start it, but we just are not able to stay with it. So, that said, I will try to stay engaged this time through. So, as we start, the first thing that grabs me (lol) is the detail that God gives His people in the offering of sacrifices. What can we learn from this? About Him? About us? Why is He so particular about how an animal is to be treated when it is offered to Him? Why is He so particular about the animal that is to be offered to Him? Why the detail on the grain offering?
The first thing for us to notice is His requirement that they were "to offer a male without defect" from the herd or flock. Not a female. Not a crippled critter. Not a sick animal. The best that the person had was what God required. Why? Why would God ask for the best of the flock or herd? I think this is one of the best arguments for the authenticity of scripture, if man had been the author, he would not want to give up his best. Obviously, the simple answer is that God demands to be first in our lives. The first Command deals with His requirement to be first. After all, He did create us and everything in the universe.
Secondly, it is clearly foreshadowing of His giving His perfect Son as a sacrifice for us. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Peter 1:18-19) In the Old Testament, the head of the household would place his hand on the head of the animal to be sacrificed and transfer his guilt on the animal and then offer it as a sacrifice for his and his family's sins before God, pointing to us placing our guilt on the Son.
Lastly, I want us to consider that God has always been and continues to be very specific. He doesn't leave us wondering about the details. Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:2-4) He has given us what we need. He doesn't leave out anything! If He is specific with His command, then our obedience can be judged.
So, what can we learn about Him? About us? He is very specific in His word. He requires the best that have to offer. He gave His best, His perfect Son for us. That is a lot to learn about His nature. What can we learn about us? We need Him to be very specific. Without specifics, we would never know if we were doing His will. Without His requirement of our best, we would offer something less. Our own self-interest would kick in and we would rationalize that giving less was acceptable. And, we need a way to have our guilt removed, our sins forgiven. Under the Law of Moses, people transferred their guilt to an animal that was about to be offered in their place. Now, Christians have the perfect sacrifice of Jesus to remove their guilt.
I encourage you, you encourage me and together let's get through Leviticus and learn what we can about our Creator and about ourselves. Also, maybe we can gain some major appreciation for what we have under the Law of Christ when we examine what His people were required to do under the Old Law. At the very least, Leviticus will open our eyes to the blessings we have through our Wonderful Savior! Dig in.
I am doing a youtube version of my blog. Check it out and let me know if you think it is worth the effort. :-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em5PVn-mHNc
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
The Unknown Hour
(Today's reading Exodus 39-40; Matthew 24:1-22)
The disciples ask Jesus two questions in Matthew 24. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (v 3) And so He gives them two answers. His answers are a source of confusion for many people. First we must understand that Jesus is dealing with two events; the destruction of Jerusalem (which occurred in A.D. 70) and His return. Once that is firmly in place in our minds, the text becomes clearer and easier to understand.
He gives them lots of "signs" to look for when the destruction of Jerusalem is near. He tells His disciples that when they see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’, they are to leave Jerusalem at once. No packing your bags, no grabbing a coat, no taking household items; He tells them to hit the road. He says that it will be difficult for pregnant ladies and nursing mothers. He tells them that hopefully it will no come in winter time. It is recorded that the Christians in Jerusalem remembered His admonitions and left the city in plenty of time to make an escape. This event forever established Christianity as a separate religion from Judaism. No longer was Christianity viewed as a sect of the Jewish faith.
The answer to the second question (what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?) is found in verse 36 (I know, you had to read ahead). He tells them that "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father". Jesus makes it clear that even He doesn't know when the Father will send the Him back to end the age. He tells His disciples to live everyday in expectation of His return. "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come". He says, "stay ready"! Many people run around predicting His return; they use the verses that deal with the destruction of Jerusalem to justify their claims. If Jesus doesn't know, who do they think they are to try to give dates for His return?
Here's the message for us. He is coming back! Hallelujah! At just the right time, the Father will turn to the Son and say... "It is time, go get your people and bring them home". That day is sure, it will come and the Apostle Paul tells us that it will go like this...
According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (1 Thess 4:15-17)
There it is... the clearest scripture we have that deals with what will happen on the day of our Lord's return. He will come down. The dead in Christ will rise... first. Those that are alive will join those resurrected and meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with Him forever. That is fairly simple and very clear. Whatever you have been taught in the past; if it conflicts with this, you need to discard it. Paul is very concise and clear and leaves no room for misunderstanding. Write this promise on your hearts. Make it a daily execise to think that this might just be the day that Jesus takes you home with Him. Live like today is your last day to do something for Him. (I am talking to me firstly)
What kind of life would you live if you knew this was your last day here? What would you say to those you love the most? What fence would you mend? Think about it... and then do it. As Micheal Jackson put it...
I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change
Make a change... today.
The disciples ask Jesus two questions in Matthew 24. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (v 3) And so He gives them two answers. His answers are a source of confusion for many people. First we must understand that Jesus is dealing with two events; the destruction of Jerusalem (which occurred in A.D. 70) and His return. Once that is firmly in place in our minds, the text becomes clearer and easier to understand.
He gives them lots of "signs" to look for when the destruction of Jerusalem is near. He tells His disciples that when they see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’, they are to leave Jerusalem at once. No packing your bags, no grabbing a coat, no taking household items; He tells them to hit the road. He says that it will be difficult for pregnant ladies and nursing mothers. He tells them that hopefully it will no come in winter time. It is recorded that the Christians in Jerusalem remembered His admonitions and left the city in plenty of time to make an escape. This event forever established Christianity as a separate religion from Judaism. No longer was Christianity viewed as a sect of the Jewish faith.
The answer to the second question (what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?) is found in verse 36 (I know, you had to read ahead). He tells them that "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father". Jesus makes it clear that even He doesn't know when the Father will send the Him back to end the age. He tells His disciples to live everyday in expectation of His return. "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come". He says, "stay ready"! Many people run around predicting His return; they use the verses that deal with the destruction of Jerusalem to justify their claims. If Jesus doesn't know, who do they think they are to try to give dates for His return?
Here's the message for us. He is coming back! Hallelujah! At just the right time, the Father will turn to the Son and say... "It is time, go get your people and bring them home". That day is sure, it will come and the Apostle Paul tells us that it will go like this...
According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (1 Thess 4:15-17)
There it is... the clearest scripture we have that deals with what will happen on the day of our Lord's return. He will come down. The dead in Christ will rise... first. Those that are alive will join those resurrected and meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with Him forever. That is fairly simple and very clear. Whatever you have been taught in the past; if it conflicts with this, you need to discard it. Paul is very concise and clear and leaves no room for misunderstanding. Write this promise on your hearts. Make it a daily execise to think that this might just be the day that Jesus takes you home with Him. Live like today is your last day to do something for Him. (I am talking to me firstly)
What kind of life would you live if you knew this was your last day here? What would you say to those you love the most? What fence would you mend? Think about it... and then do it. As Micheal Jackson put it...
I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change
Make a change... today.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Is Your Cup Clean?
(Today's reading - Exodus 37-38; Matthew 23:23-39)
I have never really enjoyed doing the dishes. I still help out sometimes, but not nearly as much as I should. I find dishwater gross and handling other peoples dirty plates and utensils... nasty. (I know I need to grow in this area) But as bad as doing the dishes is to me, the thought of drinking from a dirty cup makes me want to... well barf! There, I said it; it turns my stomach. When I get a glass in a restaurant, I always look it over closely and I have been known to send it back if I see anything at all that looks suspect.
Jesus uses this part of our human nature to communicate a principle to us. He is speaking to the religious elite of His day when he tells them...“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. (Matthew 23: 25,26) He tells them that just because something looks good outwardly, doesn't necessarily mean that the inside is clean. The outside of a cup is always easier to clean that the inside. The outside is easier to see and easier to wash, but the inside takes some work. Getting into those corners and reaching the bottom isn't always easy.
The same is true for us, spiritually speaking. Getting our outside presentable isn't all that difficult. A good bath, a haircut and some decent clothing and the world sees a respectable person. Understand, Jesus isn't minimizing the importance of our outward appearance, rather He is calling on us to understand that outward appearance is no guarantee of inward purity. (I know this all too well) I can put on a pretty good show when things in my life really stink! He wants us, as His followers to be "clean" inside and out. He wants us to start with who we really are, inside; because He knows if the inside is right, the outside takes care of itself.
What about you? Do you struggle with getting the inside clean? He says the struggle is against greed and self-indulgence. Deep in those corners, down at the bottom, He says we think about what we want and what makes us happy and we act in our own self-interests. He tells us to get that washcloth out and scrub and scrub until the cup is clean. How do we do that? Start with a big squirt of His Word, next run a sink full of warm relationships and pick up the washcloth of prayer and immerse yourself and allow the cleaning to begin. This isn't needed just once, this is a lifelong effort. Who drinks from a cup that was washed two weeks ago and has been used daily since? Is your cup clean?
I have never really enjoyed doing the dishes. I still help out sometimes, but not nearly as much as I should. I find dishwater gross and handling other peoples dirty plates and utensils... nasty. (I know I need to grow in this area) But as bad as doing the dishes is to me, the thought of drinking from a dirty cup makes me want to... well barf! There, I said it; it turns my stomach. When I get a glass in a restaurant, I always look it over closely and I have been known to send it back if I see anything at all that looks suspect.
Jesus uses this part of our human nature to communicate a principle to us. He is speaking to the religious elite of His day when he tells them...“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. (Matthew 23: 25,26) He tells them that just because something looks good outwardly, doesn't necessarily mean that the inside is clean. The outside of a cup is always easier to clean that the inside. The outside is easier to see and easier to wash, but the inside takes some work. Getting into those corners and reaching the bottom isn't always easy.
The same is true for us, spiritually speaking. Getting our outside presentable isn't all that difficult. A good bath, a haircut and some decent clothing and the world sees a respectable person. Understand, Jesus isn't minimizing the importance of our outward appearance, rather He is calling on us to understand that outward appearance is no guarantee of inward purity. (I know this all too well) I can put on a pretty good show when things in my life really stink! He wants us, as His followers to be "clean" inside and out. He wants us to start with who we really are, inside; because He knows if the inside is right, the outside takes care of itself.
What about you? Do you struggle with getting the inside clean? He says the struggle is against greed and self-indulgence. Deep in those corners, down at the bottom, He says we think about what we want and what makes us happy and we act in our own self-interests. He tells us to get that washcloth out and scrub and scrub until the cup is clean. How do we do that? Start with a big squirt of His Word, next run a sink full of warm relationships and pick up the washcloth of prayer and immerse yourself and allow the cleaning to begin. This isn't needed just once, this is a lifelong effort. Who drinks from a cup that was washed two weeks ago and has been used daily since? Is your cup clean?
Monday, February 4, 2013
Are Your Phylacteries Wide?
(Today's reading - Exodus 34-36; Matthew 23:1-22)
In our Old Testament reading, God writes the ten commandments on the stone tablets. Of course they are important! They form the basis of what we, as Christians hold to today. Jesus tells us that the essence of the commands are found in two of them and that in the keeping of the two, the others are also kept. The two He singles out are commands that actually change who we are and not just what we do. “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22: 37-40)
Think about it... I can keep the commandments and not love my neighbor. I can "worship" God and not love Him. Jesus moved obedience from an outward action to inward motives. No more was it about what we did, now it is about why we did it. In Matthew 23, Jesus pulls no punches as He deals with those that are outwardly righteous, but inwardly are wicked people. He says, "they do not practice what they preach". Their words sounded good; they made great speeches and told everyone else what God expected, yet they lived unaffected by their own message.
“Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them Rabbi.’ (Matthew 23:5-7)
Everything they did was done to be seen by those around them. Their actions were premeditated for the praise they would receive. Their clothing was selected to get attention. They wanted to have the best seats in the house and wanted the praise of others. Jesus says this about them, "You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." I don't know about you, but that gets my attention. He says we can look great to those around us, yet be "wicked" and "hypocrites".
The solution to the problem? Love God and love people. Move from self-centered to God-centered. Move from self-serving to serving others. Today's reading brings us face to face with our motives. Do we serve God in order to... rather than because of? God "so loved us", do we so love Him? God "so loved the world", do we so love our neighbor? He calls us to become like His Son and in the doing of that, what we do and how we live... changes. His priorities become our priorities. His love becomes our love.
May we never allow "religion" to become our God... the keeping of commands a substitute for love. Jesus came out swinging against that kind of "religion" and called on those that would follow Him to replace it with "relationship". God is now our "Father". We have been adopted into His "family". Families don't operate by a list of commands, they operate out of love for each other. As the song says, We're part of a family that's been born again; Part of a family whose love knows no end.
Let's be that family!
In our Old Testament reading, God writes the ten commandments on the stone tablets. Of course they are important! They form the basis of what we, as Christians hold to today. Jesus tells us that the essence of the commands are found in two of them and that in the keeping of the two, the others are also kept. The two He singles out are commands that actually change who we are and not just what we do. “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22: 37-40)
Think about it... I can keep the commandments and not love my neighbor. I can "worship" God and not love Him. Jesus moved obedience from an outward action to inward motives. No more was it about what we did, now it is about why we did it. In Matthew 23, Jesus pulls no punches as He deals with those that are outwardly righteous, but inwardly are wicked people. He says, "they do not practice what they preach". Their words sounded good; they made great speeches and told everyone else what God expected, yet they lived unaffected by their own message.
“Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them Rabbi.’ (Matthew 23:5-7)
Everything they did was done to be seen by those around them. Their actions were premeditated for the praise they would receive. Their clothing was selected to get attention. They wanted to have the best seats in the house and wanted the praise of others. Jesus says this about them, "You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." I don't know about you, but that gets my attention. He says we can look great to those around us, yet be "wicked" and "hypocrites".
The solution to the problem? Love God and love people. Move from self-centered to God-centered. Move from self-serving to serving others. Today's reading brings us face to face with our motives. Do we serve God in order to... rather than because of? God "so loved us", do we so love Him? God "so loved the world", do we so love our neighbor? He calls us to become like His Son and in the doing of that, what we do and how we live... changes. His priorities become our priorities. His love becomes our love.
May we never allow "religion" to become our God... the keeping of commands a substitute for love. Jesus came out swinging against that kind of "religion" and called on those that would follow Him to replace it with "relationship". God is now our "Father". We have been adopted into His "family". Families don't operate by a list of commands, they operate out of love for each other. As the song says, We're part of a family that's been born again; Part of a family whose love knows no end.
Let's be that family!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)