Matthew 16 Thursday, Jan 29
The Pharisees weren't looking for a sign to bolster their faith, they just wanted their senses stimulated. They wanted to be "wowed". Jesus provided plenty of signs that proved beyond doubt that He had power beyond what is possible here on earth. Once you accept that, it isn't hard to accept that He is everything He said He was. Clearly the miracles are being done using power from elsewhere, and Jesus says that He is from there....not difficult to accept.
But the Pharisees weren't hoping to be convinced. They had already made up their mind. Jesus wasn't God in their eyes, rather, He was a threat. So they simply wanted to amuse themselves by seeing Jesus perform miracles. They learned nothing from it.
In fact, there are people today who see miracles occur right in front of them, and they learn nothing from it. They seem to be blinded somehow. Even the disciples were guilty of this. When Jesus talks about the "yeast of the Pharisees" they think He is talking about their failure to bring bread with them. Think about that for a minute. What in the world does Jesus need with bread? He just turned a sandwich into a meal for thousands. He isn't worried about bread! But somehow our day to day, practical needs seem to prevent us from understanding and appreciating miracles as they occur.
The yeast of the Pharisees is their teaching. They are extremely legalistic. That means they have laws upon laws, and only they know how they should be interpreted. The laws make them feel needed and important. They exercised power over the people by creating more and more laws. Jesus came and said "the only thing you need to do to enter heaven is to believe in me" which cuts right through all the laws. Jesus wasn't abolishing the laws He was fulfilling them. However, the Pharisees had created many extra laws, some that were so ridiculous that they actually violated God's Law, which they were supposed to support! Jesus did advocate breaking those laws....they weren't from God anyway.
The reason people associate Saint Peter with the "Pearly Gates of Heaven" is because of the conversation he has with Jesus here beginning in verse 13. Jesus says that He will give Peter the "keys to the kingdom" and the gate is usually how you get in....that's what the keys would be for. Funny in a way....but so far off the mark that it makes you shudder to think that anyone could believe it. In fact, the catholic church believes the Pope is the "reincarnation" of the Apostle Peter, since Jesus said "upon this rock I will build my church". They believe Peter is the rock, and since Peter is said to have died in Rome, that's where the church is based. It's an ancient belief, probably motivated more by desire for control than by truth.
The rock and the key to heaven is the knowledge that Jesus Christ is God. Like a rock, that cannot be moved Jesus is God eternally. The kingdom is built upon Him. Knowing Him is the way into heaven. He is the key, and the key is being given to Peter...but not only to Peter, to everyone who believes.
Beginning in verse 21 Jesus is preparing His disciples for what is going to happen to Him in Jerusalem. This is important to understand: Jesus never tried to "surprise" the disciples, or spring some event on them without warning. He mentions his death several times before it happens, and he tells them that he will come back to life. It's just that they are so distracted they can't see it. But after it happens they remember being told about it earlier. If we are paying attention, we will see that God has also warned us about the end of the earth. It isn't science fiction, it's really going to happen. We have been warned many times, and should be prepared when it happens.
Looking forward,
PR
Monday, January 26, 2015
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Matthew 15 Wednesday, January 28
Here's the way I understand it: if we give money to the church as an offering while our parents are in need, we aren't honoring them. The Bible is very clear: we are to honor our parents. It doesn't say "honor them if they deserve it" or "honor them if they have taken good care of you". We might be tempted to look good in the eyes of others by making a large donation, while we are actually looking worse in the eyes of the only one who matters.
What the Bible says should always be more important than what our traditions are.
How do people become unclean? This is really an eye opener. It's all about what you think about and what you treasure in your heart. I truly believe that cigarettes are a filthy, unattractive habit. They harm the body, and should be avoided. But a cigarette cannot make you unclean. After reading this passage I wonder if smoking is a sin, or just really bad idea. I mean, I drink way too much Diet Coke, which is probably bad for my body. Is that sin? What if I eat too much chocolate? And if these things aren't sins....then why did Jesus specifically say "don't get drunk". Wine goes into the mouth and out of the body. By this definition it would be okay.
We avoid smoking for the most part because society has convinced us that it is bad for us. It really is bad for us, and should be avoided. However we didn't always know that. There will be people in heaven who smoked like a chimney while here on earth. I don't think we will smoke in heaven, but I guess you can't be sure.
Societal ques make for enormous pressure. Teenagers and adults alike want to be "in style" and popular. They will do almost anything to make it happen. So avoiding something because it's unpopular isn't the same as avoiding it because the Bible says to. And, if the Bible doesn't talk about it and Society thinks it's wrong...that doesn't mean it has to be. Society can be wrong....take abortion for example.
Society would tell us that what we think about is our own business, and we aren't held responsible for it. It's only once you act that you are punished. But again, Society would be wrong. God holds us responsible for our thoughts as well. Remember, you can't stop temptation, but if you begin to 'let it cook" in your mind, you are in serious danger. Thoughts count, so face the reality that part of the Christian life is fighting the battle of the mind.
There's much more to see in this chapter, but I'm always doing all the commentary. What do you see?
PR
Here's the way I understand it: if we give money to the church as an offering while our parents are in need, we aren't honoring them. The Bible is very clear: we are to honor our parents. It doesn't say "honor them if they deserve it" or "honor them if they have taken good care of you". We might be tempted to look good in the eyes of others by making a large donation, while we are actually looking worse in the eyes of the only one who matters.
What the Bible says should always be more important than what our traditions are.
How do people become unclean? This is really an eye opener. It's all about what you think about and what you treasure in your heart. I truly believe that cigarettes are a filthy, unattractive habit. They harm the body, and should be avoided. But a cigarette cannot make you unclean. After reading this passage I wonder if smoking is a sin, or just really bad idea. I mean, I drink way too much Diet Coke, which is probably bad for my body. Is that sin? What if I eat too much chocolate? And if these things aren't sins....then why did Jesus specifically say "don't get drunk". Wine goes into the mouth and out of the body. By this definition it would be okay.
We avoid smoking for the most part because society has convinced us that it is bad for us. It really is bad for us, and should be avoided. However we didn't always know that. There will be people in heaven who smoked like a chimney while here on earth. I don't think we will smoke in heaven, but I guess you can't be sure.
Societal ques make for enormous pressure. Teenagers and adults alike want to be "in style" and popular. They will do almost anything to make it happen. So avoiding something because it's unpopular isn't the same as avoiding it because the Bible says to. And, if the Bible doesn't talk about it and Society thinks it's wrong...that doesn't mean it has to be. Society can be wrong....take abortion for example.
Society would tell us that what we think about is our own business, and we aren't held responsible for it. It's only once you act that you are punished. But again, Society would be wrong. God holds us responsible for our thoughts as well. Remember, you can't stop temptation, but if you begin to 'let it cook" in your mind, you are in serious danger. Thoughts count, so face the reality that part of the Christian life is fighting the battle of the mind.
There's much more to see in this chapter, but I'm always doing all the commentary. What do you see?
PR
Matthew 14 Tuesday, Jan 27
Evil people don't want to hear what God says to them through His people. 2 Corinthians 2:16 reminds us that we are the "fragrance of Jesus". We spend enough time around Him that we begin to "smell" like him. Just like you can tell if a person has been around a campfire recently. In this case, the smell of Jesus on John the Baptist is making Herod angry. He doesn't want to hear that his lifestyle is wrong, and he doesn't want to be told that there is a right and a wrong way to live. He wants to make up his own rules. So, when his mistress's daughter asks for something that she shouldn't get, and doesn't deserve....he gives it to her. He has John the Baptist killed so that he won't be embarrassed in front of his dinner guests... The man who would be described by Jesus in this way "of men born of women there are none greater than John" would be killed so an ungodly man wouldn't be embarrassed.
It just tells me that evil people will continue to do evil things, but they will not accomplish what they want. The Word of God will still be preached and taught, and in the end those who have been treated unfairly will be rewarded, and those who have taken advantage of them will be punished.
Even though it seems unfair and terrible, John the Baptist accomplished exactly what he was supposed to in his lifetime. His ministry objective was met, and God allowed him to go home. The manner of his death is inconsequential, it was the Lord in charge of it.
The very familiar account of the feeding of 5,000 really needs little explanation. It is one of the most popular stories in the New Testament. Here are a few thoughts:
1. This doesn't happen unless the little boy gives up his lunch. We have to give up our little in order for God to bless it.
2. The disciples didn't know what God was going to do when they went through the crowd, or even when the returned with one lunch. Sometimes God asks us to do what is impossible for us...perhaps to see if we trust him enough to do it.
3. This all happened because Jesus had compassion on the crowd
4. Later we will learn that there were some in the crowd who followed Jesus just to see if they could get another free lunch.
5. the 12 basketfuls left over might have been for the disciples. They were probably small baskets, like an army mess kit size.
And of course, the other very familiar story,...Peter walking on the water. You have no doubt heard that Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. Peter became afraid and began to sink. Peter was brave in stepping out of the boat, but he began to doubt when he saw the wind and waves.
We all know the theme here: Keep your eyes on Jesus, don't be afraid to get out of the boat, ask for help if you think you're "going down"
Here's one thought that I heard sometime ago that was new to me: In another account of this same story it says that "Jesus was about to pass them by, when they saw him and cried out in fear" they thought they were seeing a ghost. Only when they were afraid did Jesus stop and encourage them. After Jesus fed the 5,000 he told his disciples to go to the other side of the lake. He went a high place alone and prayed. There is no doubt that he could see the men struggling in the boat. From the hills around Galilee you can see the entire sea of Galilee. So Jesus saw them struggling, and was going to walk past them....allowing them to struggle.
Well! At first I find myself offended at the idea. If Jesus sees me struggling, shouldn't He stop and help? Not necessarily. The men were never in any danger...until they became afraid. Jesus never wants us to be afraid, so when that happened He changed His plans.
Jesus never guaranteed any of us an easy path, only that it would be worth it in the end. He never promised that there wouldn't be struggles and disappointments, or that we would be spared setbacks. He only says that He will be with us forever. Even though the men in the boat felt they were on their own, they really were never out of his sight, or apart from His care.....it just felt like they were.
I suspect that each one of us has had times when we were struggling that we felt alone. Just remember that you never really are. God will never leave or forsake you. He knows what's happening in your life, and is allowing it for a time.
Hang in there!
PR
Evil people don't want to hear what God says to them through His people. 2 Corinthians 2:16 reminds us that we are the "fragrance of Jesus". We spend enough time around Him that we begin to "smell" like him. Just like you can tell if a person has been around a campfire recently. In this case, the smell of Jesus on John the Baptist is making Herod angry. He doesn't want to hear that his lifestyle is wrong, and he doesn't want to be told that there is a right and a wrong way to live. He wants to make up his own rules. So, when his mistress's daughter asks for something that she shouldn't get, and doesn't deserve....he gives it to her. He has John the Baptist killed so that he won't be embarrassed in front of his dinner guests... The man who would be described by Jesus in this way "of men born of women there are none greater than John" would be killed so an ungodly man wouldn't be embarrassed.
It just tells me that evil people will continue to do evil things, but they will not accomplish what they want. The Word of God will still be preached and taught, and in the end those who have been treated unfairly will be rewarded, and those who have taken advantage of them will be punished.
Even though it seems unfair and terrible, John the Baptist accomplished exactly what he was supposed to in his lifetime. His ministry objective was met, and God allowed him to go home. The manner of his death is inconsequential, it was the Lord in charge of it.
The very familiar account of the feeding of 5,000 really needs little explanation. It is one of the most popular stories in the New Testament. Here are a few thoughts:
1. This doesn't happen unless the little boy gives up his lunch. We have to give up our little in order for God to bless it.
2. The disciples didn't know what God was going to do when they went through the crowd, or even when the returned with one lunch. Sometimes God asks us to do what is impossible for us...perhaps to see if we trust him enough to do it.
3. This all happened because Jesus had compassion on the crowd
4. Later we will learn that there were some in the crowd who followed Jesus just to see if they could get another free lunch.
5. the 12 basketfuls left over might have been for the disciples. They were probably small baskets, like an army mess kit size.
And of course, the other very familiar story,...Peter walking on the water. You have no doubt heard that Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. Peter became afraid and began to sink. Peter was brave in stepping out of the boat, but he began to doubt when he saw the wind and waves.
We all know the theme here: Keep your eyes on Jesus, don't be afraid to get out of the boat, ask for help if you think you're "going down"
Here's one thought that I heard sometime ago that was new to me: In another account of this same story it says that "Jesus was about to pass them by, when they saw him and cried out in fear" they thought they were seeing a ghost. Only when they were afraid did Jesus stop and encourage them. After Jesus fed the 5,000 he told his disciples to go to the other side of the lake. He went a high place alone and prayed. There is no doubt that he could see the men struggling in the boat. From the hills around Galilee you can see the entire sea of Galilee. So Jesus saw them struggling, and was going to walk past them....allowing them to struggle.
Well! At first I find myself offended at the idea. If Jesus sees me struggling, shouldn't He stop and help? Not necessarily. The men were never in any danger...until they became afraid. Jesus never wants us to be afraid, so when that happened He changed His plans.
Jesus never guaranteed any of us an easy path, only that it would be worth it in the end. He never promised that there wouldn't be struggles and disappointments, or that we would be spared setbacks. He only says that He will be with us forever. Even though the men in the boat felt they were on their own, they really were never out of his sight, or apart from His care.....it just felt like they were.
I suspect that each one of us has had times when we were struggling that we felt alone. Just remember that you never really are. God will never leave or forsake you. He knows what's happening in your life, and is allowing it for a time.
Hang in there!
PR
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Matthew 13 Monday, January 26
You can really see the different kinds of growth even today. There are always people who visit the church, or hear the message through a friend but reject it right away. Actually, I think that the other categories are more common. It's really fairly common to see someone accept the Gospel and then wander off during their first year. Actually, that is my testimony as well. I accepted the Lord, and then just quit thinking about it and drifted off. I wasn't serious, I guess. Thankfully I was afforded another chance when I was old enough to appreciate what I was being offered.
I don't know why it's so hard for us to understand that God supplies our needs. We allow the cares and concerns of this life to choke out the growth of the single most important thing we could possess. Who cares how much money you have if you're not going to heaven? What difference does it make how healthy you are? Best case scenario: it extends your life by 10 or 20 years...but it has no bearing at all on eternity. What's the big attraction to hanging around here once our bodies begin to fail? Perhaps we should consider that sometimes God blesses people with a timely passing.
I cannot resist pointing out that in the parable of the weeds God tells the, angels to pull up the weeds first, and then harvest the wheat, I wonder how we should apply that to our view of the rapture. Many believe that the rapture comes first, but that doesn't jive with the illustration. Also note that when both plants are young it's hard to tell them apart. It isn't until they become fruit bearing that you can observe a difference. I suspect that Christians are the same way...you can only tell the difference between them and non-christians by their fruit.
verse 58 is the last verse in this chapter. I wonder if Jesus didn't do miracles there because their lack of faith prevented the miracles from happening, or because he didn't feel compelled to, because of their lack of faith. I know that Jesus has power to perform miracles regardless of my spiritual condition....it must have been that He simply didn't want to, because they didn't believe in Him anyway. That would make them like the first type of soil, I suppose. They heard and didn't believe.
PR
You can really see the different kinds of growth even today. There are always people who visit the church, or hear the message through a friend but reject it right away. Actually, I think that the other categories are more common. It's really fairly common to see someone accept the Gospel and then wander off during their first year. Actually, that is my testimony as well. I accepted the Lord, and then just quit thinking about it and drifted off. I wasn't serious, I guess. Thankfully I was afforded another chance when I was old enough to appreciate what I was being offered.
I don't know why it's so hard for us to understand that God supplies our needs. We allow the cares and concerns of this life to choke out the growth of the single most important thing we could possess. Who cares how much money you have if you're not going to heaven? What difference does it make how healthy you are? Best case scenario: it extends your life by 10 or 20 years...but it has no bearing at all on eternity. What's the big attraction to hanging around here once our bodies begin to fail? Perhaps we should consider that sometimes God blesses people with a timely passing.
I cannot resist pointing out that in the parable of the weeds God tells the, angels to pull up the weeds first, and then harvest the wheat, I wonder how we should apply that to our view of the rapture. Many believe that the rapture comes first, but that doesn't jive with the illustration. Also note that when both plants are young it's hard to tell them apart. It isn't until they become fruit bearing that you can observe a difference. I suspect that Christians are the same way...you can only tell the difference between them and non-christians by their fruit.
verse 58 is the last verse in this chapter. I wonder if Jesus didn't do miracles there because their lack of faith prevented the miracles from happening, or because he didn't feel compelled to, because of their lack of faith. I know that Jesus has power to perform miracles regardless of my spiritual condition....it must have been that He simply didn't want to, because they didn't believe in Him anyway. That would make them like the first type of soil, I suppose. They heard and didn't believe.
PR
Matthew 12 Saturday, Jan 24
1-2 the law said that you could not work on the Sabbath. The Pharisee's defined that by describing what was "work". If you walked more than "x" number of steps, or picked up anything that weighed more than "x"...etc. you were guilty. Apparently, the process of rubbing raw grain together in your hands and eating the kernels after you blew away the chaff was considered "grinding grain" and that was work....and work was forbidden on the Sabbath. That seems a little picky to me...
Don't you just love people who seem to make it their life mission to find any little fault they can in what you do? I wonder why they do that? Is it to show off what they know, or is it to make you look less competent? Are they jealous or conceited? Maybe they're just lonely, and looking for attention. Whatever the reason, it really makes them more of a challenge to love.
Jesus tries to reason with them, pointing out that they have lost focus on the "main thing". Jesus is God, He is here with them, and of course can do anything He wants. How is feeding people who are hungry a sin? they are missing the point...probably because they simply don't like Him and want to turn the people against Him.
vs 20. Reeds were used as wicks, they drew oil up from the lamp to the flame. If the reed is bent or crushed, it doesn't work correctly. And if it doesn't work correctly, it produces smoke.
Smoke is the last thing you want from your lamp. It stinks, it burns the eyes, it makes people want to run the opposite direction. I know, because I have been a "smoldering wick" before. Thankfully, Jesus loves smoldering wicks and bent reeds. He doesn't give up on us just because we aren't producing the way that we were intended to. He never says "you're a lost cause" or "you are too off-putting for me to deal with". I may have those thoughts and feelings, but Jesus never does. He always loves and always cares.
Vs 31. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit as the unforgivable sin is a popular concern amongst Christians. As followers of Jesus we read this and say to ourselves "I remember before I was a Christian I did some things that might be considered blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Maybe I'm really not saved." I assure you that God forgives, and I don't think that's what is being said here. I believe that what God is saying is that salvation comes through allowing the Holy Spirit to move you, He convicts us, reminding us of sin and guilt, and provides the mechanism by which our prayers reach heaven. Jesus hears our prayers because of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. We hear what God is saying to us because the Holy Spirit carries it to us. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot interact with God, because the Holy Spirit is God, and is the part of God that connects us with Him. If we reject or blaspheme the Holy Spirit, there cannot be forgiveness, because to our own shame we cut ourselves off from the only way to be forgiven. The path to forgiveness runs through the Holy Spirit.
vs 40. The sign of Jonah is a prophetic proof that Jesus is the person He says He is. Now we know why Jonah wasn't rescued from the great fish until three days had passed, even though he likely repented the moment he was inside the beast. God knew that Jonah's circumstances would one day reveal the Savior. God never wastes an experience.
vs. 43. We should exercise caution when asking forgiveness...not to leave the task half undone. If we ask the Lord, he will drive the demons from our lives....but beware! Demons will try to return. Unless we fill in the empty place with Jesus the devil will instruct the demons to marshal forces and return in large numbers. We can actually end up worse than we were in the first place.
Vs. 48. when we become Christians, we are adopted into a new family. That's great, because many people haven't ever been privileged to be part of a large family, or a functional family. The family of God is both large and functional. I honestly don't know how people who don't have a church family make it through life. How sad and lonely it must be to try and cope with day to day life without a family! Jesus was pointing out a great spiritual truth when he directed the crowd to recognize his real family. This isn't intended as a rebuke of blood relatives, or biological families in any way, it's just that the spiritual family is more enduring and of a better quality than our biological families could ever be. The perfect scenario would be that everyone in the biological family is also part of the spiritual family, so there would never be any tension between the two.
PR
1-2 the law said that you could not work on the Sabbath. The Pharisee's defined that by describing what was "work". If you walked more than "x" number of steps, or picked up anything that weighed more than "x"...etc. you were guilty. Apparently, the process of rubbing raw grain together in your hands and eating the kernels after you blew away the chaff was considered "grinding grain" and that was work....and work was forbidden on the Sabbath. That seems a little picky to me...
Don't you just love people who seem to make it their life mission to find any little fault they can in what you do? I wonder why they do that? Is it to show off what they know, or is it to make you look less competent? Are they jealous or conceited? Maybe they're just lonely, and looking for attention. Whatever the reason, it really makes them more of a challenge to love.
Jesus tries to reason with them, pointing out that they have lost focus on the "main thing". Jesus is God, He is here with them, and of course can do anything He wants. How is feeding people who are hungry a sin? they are missing the point...probably because they simply don't like Him and want to turn the people against Him.
vs 20. Reeds were used as wicks, they drew oil up from the lamp to the flame. If the reed is bent or crushed, it doesn't work correctly. And if it doesn't work correctly, it produces smoke.
Smoke is the last thing you want from your lamp. It stinks, it burns the eyes, it makes people want to run the opposite direction. I know, because I have been a "smoldering wick" before. Thankfully, Jesus loves smoldering wicks and bent reeds. He doesn't give up on us just because we aren't producing the way that we were intended to. He never says "you're a lost cause" or "you are too off-putting for me to deal with". I may have those thoughts and feelings, but Jesus never does. He always loves and always cares.
Vs 31. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit as the unforgivable sin is a popular concern amongst Christians. As followers of Jesus we read this and say to ourselves "I remember before I was a Christian I did some things that might be considered blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Maybe I'm really not saved." I assure you that God forgives, and I don't think that's what is being said here. I believe that what God is saying is that salvation comes through allowing the Holy Spirit to move you, He convicts us, reminding us of sin and guilt, and provides the mechanism by which our prayers reach heaven. Jesus hears our prayers because of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. We hear what God is saying to us because the Holy Spirit carries it to us. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot interact with God, because the Holy Spirit is God, and is the part of God that connects us with Him. If we reject or blaspheme the Holy Spirit, there cannot be forgiveness, because to our own shame we cut ourselves off from the only way to be forgiven. The path to forgiveness runs through the Holy Spirit.
vs 40. The sign of Jonah is a prophetic proof that Jesus is the person He says He is. Now we know why Jonah wasn't rescued from the great fish until three days had passed, even though he likely repented the moment he was inside the beast. God knew that Jonah's circumstances would one day reveal the Savior. God never wastes an experience.
vs. 43. We should exercise caution when asking forgiveness...not to leave the task half undone. If we ask the Lord, he will drive the demons from our lives....but beware! Demons will try to return. Unless we fill in the empty place with Jesus the devil will instruct the demons to marshal forces and return in large numbers. We can actually end up worse than we were in the first place.
Vs. 48. when we become Christians, we are adopted into a new family. That's great, because many people haven't ever been privileged to be part of a large family, or a functional family. The family of God is both large and functional. I honestly don't know how people who don't have a church family make it through life. How sad and lonely it must be to try and cope with day to day life without a family! Jesus was pointing out a great spiritual truth when he directed the crowd to recognize his real family. This isn't intended as a rebuke of blood relatives, or biological families in any way, it's just that the spiritual family is more enduring and of a better quality than our biological families could ever be. The perfect scenario would be that everyone in the biological family is also part of the spiritual family, so there would never be any tension between the two.
PR
Matthew 11 Friday, January 23
Jesus tells the people that the kingdom of God is "forcefully advancing" which means that satan does not want it to happen, and is fighting against it...but it's happening anyway. Every day Jesus was on the earth teaching and modeling genuine life in God was an affront to the kingdom of satan. Jesus was (and continues to be) a thorn in his side, and constant reminder to all that he (satan) has no power or ability over Christ. As christians, we can also "forcefully advance" against satan. The Bible tells us "resist the devil and he will flee" and "the gates of hell will not prevail against it". We can take a stand against what the devil is doing and see him fall in the battle. Praise the Lord! satan has no power over the christian.
There was a long held belief among the people that before the Messiah came Elijah (the greatest prophet according to the Jews) would return and announce His arrival. Jesus tells the people that John fulfills that role. He goes on to say in another place that "among men born of women there is no one greater than John". That's pretty high praise, and it comes from the Lord himself, no less.
skipping down to verse 25:
God could have presented His plan through wise and learned men, who had great understanding and position in society...but He chose the foolish things of this world "the things that are not to shame the things that are". God chose people like you and me to carry this timeless message to everyone. We aren't wise enough to figure it out on our own, or to even understand exactly what it means...but we are privileged to share it. The message is given in verse 28...
if we are loaded down with problems, sin and effects of it in our lives, God wants to take them from us...lighten our load.
Hey, are you carrying something that Jesus never intended for you to shoulder? Are you loaded down with guilt? Worry? Fear? Shame? Whatever is crushing you, God wants to remove. He loves us and doesn't want us to burdened in this way. As christians, we shouldn't try and assign heavy burdens to others, or convince them that if the follow Jesus the cost will be high, the road will be steep and the companions will be few. Perhaps those things will happen, maybe not. Our goal should be to remind people of all the things that God has promised to remove from us, not try and make the christian life sound like a different kind of hell than the one we are currently living in.
PR
Jesus tells the people that the kingdom of God is "forcefully advancing" which means that satan does not want it to happen, and is fighting against it...but it's happening anyway. Every day Jesus was on the earth teaching and modeling genuine life in God was an affront to the kingdom of satan. Jesus was (and continues to be) a thorn in his side, and constant reminder to all that he (satan) has no power or ability over Christ. As christians, we can also "forcefully advance" against satan. The Bible tells us "resist the devil and he will flee" and "the gates of hell will not prevail against it". We can take a stand against what the devil is doing and see him fall in the battle. Praise the Lord! satan has no power over the christian.
There was a long held belief among the people that before the Messiah came Elijah (the greatest prophet according to the Jews) would return and announce His arrival. Jesus tells the people that John fulfills that role. He goes on to say in another place that "among men born of women there is no one greater than John". That's pretty high praise, and it comes from the Lord himself, no less.
skipping down to verse 25:
God could have presented His plan through wise and learned men, who had great understanding and position in society...but He chose the foolish things of this world "the things that are not to shame the things that are". God chose people like you and me to carry this timeless message to everyone. We aren't wise enough to figure it out on our own, or to even understand exactly what it means...but we are privileged to share it. The message is given in verse 28...
if we are loaded down with problems, sin and effects of it in our lives, God wants to take them from us...lighten our load.
Hey, are you carrying something that Jesus never intended for you to shoulder? Are you loaded down with guilt? Worry? Fear? Shame? Whatever is crushing you, God wants to remove. He loves us and doesn't want us to burdened in this way. As christians, we shouldn't try and assign heavy burdens to others, or convince them that if the follow Jesus the cost will be high, the road will be steep and the companions will be few. Perhaps those things will happen, maybe not. Our goal should be to remind people of all the things that God has promised to remove from us, not try and make the christian life sound like a different kind of hell than the one we are currently living in.
PR
Arrrgggg! How did I get behind again!?!
Matthew 10. Thursday, January 22
So, here are the names of the 12 disciples (I'll bet you can't name them from memory)
1. Peter 2. Andrew 3. Peter 4. John 5. Phillip 6.Bartholomew 7. Thomas 8. Matthew 9. James 10. Thaddaeus 11. Simon the Zealot 12. Judas
Here's the thing: Who is Bartholomew? What have you ever read about Thaddaeus or Simon the Zealot? I know more about dysfunctional Judas than I do about these other guys! You could make a case for the idea that these 12 men are among the most important in history...and we don't know anything about some of them. It just goes to show you that the Bible tells us everything we need in order to accept Christ, and find our way back home to heaven....but it doesn't tell us everything. There's just too much information to share it all. So we're reading the highlights and critical parts of the plan of salvation. I want to remember these names so when I bump into these guys in heaven I don't embarrass myself by not knowing who they are. There's so much of the story we don't know! Think of all the stories that we will hear in heaven from people like Thaddaeus, wonderful things that we never knew before. Whenever stories are told there is a great deal of laughing, and smiling and joking around. I love that. I am hoping that in heaven I can listen to and maybe even share a few stories. Can you imagine walking up to Jesus and saying "Jesus, Thaddaeus was just telling me about the time that you bumped into _________ and they spilled their coffee all over themselves" Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! Heaven is going to be great!
Anyway....let's get back to being serious for a minute:
Jesus sends the 12 only to Israel. This is important...Israel is first. They have a right, a privilege really, that is not afforded to anyone else. The Messiah comes from their bloodline. Can there be a higher honor? So they are the first to receive the message and the opportunity to repent. It doesn't make them better than anyone else, just favored in this case. God doesn't love them more than you.
When the disciples went out, they took nothing with them. They were anticipating that people would welcome them in. When Jesus speaks to the disciples at the last supper, He changes the way they are to prepare. From now on, they are to take some supplies with them. I think it's an indicator of how difficult sharing the message is going to become. What was once accepted will now be rejected.
The Lord also says that He is going to allow them to be arrested and brought into court...for the sole purpose of witnessing to the people there. It's good for us to remember that sometimes the Lord allows bad things to happen to us so that we will be in a place to witness to others. The next time you are in the hospital remember that. The next time your car breaks down in a strange place, remember that.
It's interesting that Jesus says in verse 23 "you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes." I mean, we finished sharing the message in all the cities of Israel thousands of years ago. I should say that we shared the message in every city in Israel.....actually, we really aren't finished. So, if this statement was meant to say "you will always be at this task of sharing until I return" it is true. If it meant "I'll be back before you get through the cities one time" it could be referring to the resurrection of Christ. The message wasn't shared with everyone before Christ "came back" from the dead. I suspect that it's the first idea.
Where Jesus is telling some people to keep what He has done a secret, here He is telling the disciples to "shout it from the rooftops" and not to worry about the consequences of their sharing. He is saying that nothing bad will happen to them apart from His will...He will take care of them no matter what. So....don't be afraid. Don't be afraid to share, to be arrested, or to be persecuted.
I think of verse 32 quite often. If we don't conquer our fear of sharing our faith, we send the message to the Lord that we are ashamed of telling others about Him. If God believes that we are ashamed of Him, then He will not stand up for us on Judgement day. Whatever else you do....don't EVER tell the Lord that you don't accept Him, or believe in Him. To do so is cut yourself off from the only known way into heaven. If you don't accept Christ, then He doesn't accept you....and that means no heaven.
vs 40 I think what God is telling us here is that he will lavishly reward anyone who helps others because of their faith. I receive the reward of the prophet.....just for housing the prophet! If I were the prophet I would be saying "hey, that doesn't seem fair..." but the prophet is more humble and wise than that. He knows that there is no shortage of reward for anyone who serves Jesus. There is plenty to go around, and God is willing to lavishly pour it out on us.
Haven't you been blessed? Hasn't God filled your cup to overflowing? Don't you have far more than you deserve? What a phenomenal privilege we have to serve Jesus Christ!
Praise the Lord!
PR
Matthew 10. Thursday, January 22
So, here are the names of the 12 disciples (I'll bet you can't name them from memory)
1. Peter 2. Andrew 3. Peter 4. John 5. Phillip 6.Bartholomew 7. Thomas 8. Matthew 9. James 10. Thaddaeus 11. Simon the Zealot 12. Judas
Here's the thing: Who is Bartholomew? What have you ever read about Thaddaeus or Simon the Zealot? I know more about dysfunctional Judas than I do about these other guys! You could make a case for the idea that these 12 men are among the most important in history...and we don't know anything about some of them. It just goes to show you that the Bible tells us everything we need in order to accept Christ, and find our way back home to heaven....but it doesn't tell us everything. There's just too much information to share it all. So we're reading the highlights and critical parts of the plan of salvation. I want to remember these names so when I bump into these guys in heaven I don't embarrass myself by not knowing who they are. There's so much of the story we don't know! Think of all the stories that we will hear in heaven from people like Thaddaeus, wonderful things that we never knew before. Whenever stories are told there is a great deal of laughing, and smiling and joking around. I love that. I am hoping that in heaven I can listen to and maybe even share a few stories. Can you imagine walking up to Jesus and saying "Jesus, Thaddaeus was just telling me about the time that you bumped into _________ and they spilled their coffee all over themselves" Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! Heaven is going to be great!
Anyway....let's get back to being serious for a minute:
Jesus sends the 12 only to Israel. This is important...Israel is first. They have a right, a privilege really, that is not afforded to anyone else. The Messiah comes from their bloodline. Can there be a higher honor? So they are the first to receive the message and the opportunity to repent. It doesn't make them better than anyone else, just favored in this case. God doesn't love them more than you.
When the disciples went out, they took nothing with them. They were anticipating that people would welcome them in. When Jesus speaks to the disciples at the last supper, He changes the way they are to prepare. From now on, they are to take some supplies with them. I think it's an indicator of how difficult sharing the message is going to become. What was once accepted will now be rejected.
The Lord also says that He is going to allow them to be arrested and brought into court...for the sole purpose of witnessing to the people there. It's good for us to remember that sometimes the Lord allows bad things to happen to us so that we will be in a place to witness to others. The next time you are in the hospital remember that. The next time your car breaks down in a strange place, remember that.
It's interesting that Jesus says in verse 23 "you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes." I mean, we finished sharing the message in all the cities of Israel thousands of years ago. I should say that we shared the message in every city in Israel.....actually, we really aren't finished. So, if this statement was meant to say "you will always be at this task of sharing until I return" it is true. If it meant "I'll be back before you get through the cities one time" it could be referring to the resurrection of Christ. The message wasn't shared with everyone before Christ "came back" from the dead. I suspect that it's the first idea.
Where Jesus is telling some people to keep what He has done a secret, here He is telling the disciples to "shout it from the rooftops" and not to worry about the consequences of their sharing. He is saying that nothing bad will happen to them apart from His will...He will take care of them no matter what. So....don't be afraid. Don't be afraid to share, to be arrested, or to be persecuted.
I think of verse 32 quite often. If we don't conquer our fear of sharing our faith, we send the message to the Lord that we are ashamed of telling others about Him. If God believes that we are ashamed of Him, then He will not stand up for us on Judgement day. Whatever else you do....don't EVER tell the Lord that you don't accept Him, or believe in Him. To do so is cut yourself off from the only known way into heaven. If you don't accept Christ, then He doesn't accept you....and that means no heaven.
vs 40 I think what God is telling us here is that he will lavishly reward anyone who helps others because of their faith. I receive the reward of the prophet.....just for housing the prophet! If I were the prophet I would be saying "hey, that doesn't seem fair..." but the prophet is more humble and wise than that. He knows that there is no shortage of reward for anyone who serves Jesus. There is plenty to go around, and God is willing to lavishly pour it out on us.
Haven't you been blessed? Hasn't God filled your cup to overflowing? Don't you have far more than you deserve? What a phenomenal privilege we have to serve Jesus Christ!
Praise the Lord!
PR
Monday, January 19, 2015
Matthew 9 January 21, 2015
Wait...Jesus is going to forgive this man his sins, and leave him crippled on his mat! In verse 6 He essentially says "I guess I need to prove to you that I have authority and power to forgive sins, so I'll heal this man's legs". It worked, because no one is questioning Him after that. To be forgiven is so much more important than able to walk, or see, or talk. Better to be granted entrance into heaven as a mute quadriplegic than to be healthy and refused entrance. Jesus had it right. Keeping the main thing, the main thing.
When Matthew is called, Jesus offers a challenge to the people. "go and learn what this means....I desire mercy not sacrifice". I suspect that Jesus would rather that we were taking care of others (because He loves them) than He would prefer that we avoid others and bring gifts to Him. The better gift offered to Christ is the one given to someone who is in need. God values that. As a church, we take the combined gifts of many people and use them to meet the needs (spiritual, educational, physical, social and emotional) of as many people as we can. John Wesley said this "do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to as many people as you can as long as you possibly can" That still holds true today. By the way, it's significant that Jesus has gone to sit with people who wouldn't be welcomed by the religious dead. (people who attend church but have no life or understanding of God within them)
I often hear people talking about the "new things" that Jesus is doing. Which if you think about it, is probably not true. God hasn't changed ever, and sin is the same as it ever was. I doubt we are creating any new sins...we're just finding new ways of violating the same commands. In the same way, Jesus isn't doing anything that He hasn't been doing forever...except for his death on the cross. That was new. I don't think we can use this passage to draw the conclusion that the last generation cannot possibly accept or appreciate what God is doing now. In fact, in another Gospel, Jesus says "anyone who has had the old wine knows that it is better". so this isn't a rebuke of those who are fasting, suggesting that they can't possibly appreciate what God is up to now. Rather, it seems to me to be a suggestion that everyone has to go through the discipleship process themselves. The actions and thoughts of new disciples aren't suitable for those who have been serving the Lord for many years. They are further down the road, and have different needs and challenges. I don't know for sure, but it seems to me that Jesus is saying "cut them some slack, they're happy now because I'm here, and that's okay. In time, they will become more like you, but it won't be until after I leave."
Verse 18. If Jesus were on the way to my daughter's house and some woman who had been sick for 12 years showed up and delayed him I would be furious and impatient. I think the girl was alive when the ruler left to find Jesus, but died while he was traveling back. In fact, in another place in the Bible when the ruler gets the news, Jesus tells him not to be afraid, "just believe".
Perhaps Jesus wanted the girl to die first, so that He could reveal the power of God to resurrect from the dead. We absolutely needed that lesson, and there isn't any better way that to do it in front of many witnesses. In fact, Jesus doesn't view death as death, because to Him it isn't final. In fact, we shouldn't view death as final either....it isn't.
Verse 27. I have to laugh when I think of two blind men trying to go unnoticed once they are healed. That's impossible. What was Jesus thinking? The people inside with the men had to notice..and everyone is going to know within two seconds that the guys who used to be stumbling around are now walking without assistance and making eye contact. Come on.....don't tell anyone? Really?
I'll bet when they left Jesus busted out laughing.
Here's a more serious note: the two blind men don't have any demons cast out. But the mute did. Some illnesses aren't demon possession, but it would appear some are. I'm not sure how you know the difference, unless God has given you the gift of discernment. Jesus clearly had it.
Vers 35. So Jesus is concerned for people. That should be underlined. And His solution to getting help for them is to send folks like you and I out into the community to share the good news. To tell the story of Jesus, and the possibility of forgiveness. Once they accept that, they can confess and receive the Holy Spirit, who is the real source of comfort. And encouragement. and so much more.
PR
Wait...Jesus is going to forgive this man his sins, and leave him crippled on his mat! In verse 6 He essentially says "I guess I need to prove to you that I have authority and power to forgive sins, so I'll heal this man's legs". It worked, because no one is questioning Him after that. To be forgiven is so much more important than able to walk, or see, or talk. Better to be granted entrance into heaven as a mute quadriplegic than to be healthy and refused entrance. Jesus had it right. Keeping the main thing, the main thing.
When Matthew is called, Jesus offers a challenge to the people. "go and learn what this means....I desire mercy not sacrifice". I suspect that Jesus would rather that we were taking care of others (because He loves them) than He would prefer that we avoid others and bring gifts to Him. The better gift offered to Christ is the one given to someone who is in need. God values that. As a church, we take the combined gifts of many people and use them to meet the needs (spiritual, educational, physical, social and emotional) of as many people as we can. John Wesley said this "do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to as many people as you can as long as you possibly can" That still holds true today. By the way, it's significant that Jesus has gone to sit with people who wouldn't be welcomed by the religious dead. (people who attend church but have no life or understanding of God within them)
I often hear people talking about the "new things" that Jesus is doing. Which if you think about it, is probably not true. God hasn't changed ever, and sin is the same as it ever was. I doubt we are creating any new sins...we're just finding new ways of violating the same commands. In the same way, Jesus isn't doing anything that He hasn't been doing forever...except for his death on the cross. That was new. I don't think we can use this passage to draw the conclusion that the last generation cannot possibly accept or appreciate what God is doing now. In fact, in another Gospel, Jesus says "anyone who has had the old wine knows that it is better". so this isn't a rebuke of those who are fasting, suggesting that they can't possibly appreciate what God is up to now. Rather, it seems to me to be a suggestion that everyone has to go through the discipleship process themselves. The actions and thoughts of new disciples aren't suitable for those who have been serving the Lord for many years. They are further down the road, and have different needs and challenges. I don't know for sure, but it seems to me that Jesus is saying "cut them some slack, they're happy now because I'm here, and that's okay. In time, they will become more like you, but it won't be until after I leave."
Verse 18. If Jesus were on the way to my daughter's house and some woman who had been sick for 12 years showed up and delayed him I would be furious and impatient. I think the girl was alive when the ruler left to find Jesus, but died while he was traveling back. In fact, in another place in the Bible when the ruler gets the news, Jesus tells him not to be afraid, "just believe".
Perhaps Jesus wanted the girl to die first, so that He could reveal the power of God to resurrect from the dead. We absolutely needed that lesson, and there isn't any better way that to do it in front of many witnesses. In fact, Jesus doesn't view death as death, because to Him it isn't final. In fact, we shouldn't view death as final either....it isn't.
Verse 27. I have to laugh when I think of two blind men trying to go unnoticed once they are healed. That's impossible. What was Jesus thinking? The people inside with the men had to notice..and everyone is going to know within two seconds that the guys who used to be stumbling around are now walking without assistance and making eye contact. Come on.....don't tell anyone? Really?
I'll bet when they left Jesus busted out laughing.
Here's a more serious note: the two blind men don't have any demons cast out. But the mute did. Some illnesses aren't demon possession, but it would appear some are. I'm not sure how you know the difference, unless God has given you the gift of discernment. Jesus clearly had it.
Vers 35. So Jesus is concerned for people. That should be underlined. And His solution to getting help for them is to send folks like you and I out into the community to share the good news. To tell the story of Jesus, and the possibility of forgiveness. Once they accept that, they can confess and receive the Holy Spirit, who is the real source of comfort. And encouragement. and so much more.
PR
Matthew 8 January 20, 2015
One of the hallmarks of Christ's ministry was healing. It's meant to show us what power and authority Jesus has. The leper is cleansed, but is told not to say anything. I don't think Jesus meant "don't tell anyone ever"...that would be impossible. Lepers weren't allowed to live with un-infected people. Everyone would notice if a man who was leprous yesterday suddenly showed up in the marketplace, handling the food. Instead, I think Jesus was telling him "obey the law". If you believed that you were no longer infected, then you had to go the priests, who would pronounce you clean. (Leviticus 13-14). Jesus wanted him to obey the Law of Moses as much as was possible.
The account of the centurion is powerful because he isn't even a Jew. When the centurion calls Jesus "Lord" and Jesus accepts the title without rebuking him, it means that you and I can also address Him as Lord. How wonderful that people from across the world will be gathered together in heaven, and yet how sad that some of the Jewish people (subjects of the kingdom) will miss it. This is a new demonstration of Christ's power. He proves that he doesn't even need to be present physically to work in the situation.
We don't think very much about the disciples being married, but there's no reason to suspect that they weren't. We know for sure that Peter was, since verse 14 is talking about his mother in law. I wonder how Peter's wife felt about him being gone all the time. Did they have children? What happened to them after Peter's death? We never think about the thousands of side stories that would make the Gospel seem even more practical and down to earth. Do you think Peter's children all became Christians?
In verse 18 it is another teacher of the law that says he will follow Christ. Clearly he has witnessed the power and authority of His teaching to say that he would follow Him. Generally we hear about the teachers of the law being resistant to Jesus. In this case, Jesus simply reminds him that to follow Him is to essentially be homeless. That's because Jesus' home was in heaven, not here. Just like ours is. While we are on the earth, we are nomads.
Telling a disciple to "let the dead bury their own dead" seems harsh, but unless Christ has priority in your life, you are always going to be torn between following him and doing other things. I don't think Jesus meant to be callous. On the other hand I sometimes wonder why we have funerals and read scripture for people who weren't Christians. I tell myself it's for the people who remain behind, who still have a choice to make.
Down in verse 28 Jesus has traveled from the west side of the sea of Galilee to the east side, where more Gentiles live. Gentiles raised pigs, where Jews believed them to be unclean. Christ is met at the water's edge by two men who were possessed. He casts out their demons and sends them into town. But he allows the demons to possess a herd of swine nearby, which upon being possessed immediately rush into the water and are drown. Such is the fate of anyone who submits themselves to satan...he comes only to steal, kill and destroy.
The townspeople ask Jesus to leave. That seems sad to me, that they would be more upset about losing the pigs than they were about saving the people. I guess to them, the pigs were more important. No wonder they beg Jesus to go with Him (another Gospel). But Jesus refuses and tells them to witness in town. He tells everyone one to keep quiet, and he tells them to share. Strange.
PR
One of the hallmarks of Christ's ministry was healing. It's meant to show us what power and authority Jesus has. The leper is cleansed, but is told not to say anything. I don't think Jesus meant "don't tell anyone ever"...that would be impossible. Lepers weren't allowed to live with un-infected people. Everyone would notice if a man who was leprous yesterday suddenly showed up in the marketplace, handling the food. Instead, I think Jesus was telling him "obey the law". If you believed that you were no longer infected, then you had to go the priests, who would pronounce you clean. (Leviticus 13-14). Jesus wanted him to obey the Law of Moses as much as was possible.
The account of the centurion is powerful because he isn't even a Jew. When the centurion calls Jesus "Lord" and Jesus accepts the title without rebuking him, it means that you and I can also address Him as Lord. How wonderful that people from across the world will be gathered together in heaven, and yet how sad that some of the Jewish people (subjects of the kingdom) will miss it. This is a new demonstration of Christ's power. He proves that he doesn't even need to be present physically to work in the situation.
We don't think very much about the disciples being married, but there's no reason to suspect that they weren't. We know for sure that Peter was, since verse 14 is talking about his mother in law. I wonder how Peter's wife felt about him being gone all the time. Did they have children? What happened to them after Peter's death? We never think about the thousands of side stories that would make the Gospel seem even more practical and down to earth. Do you think Peter's children all became Christians?
In verse 18 it is another teacher of the law that says he will follow Christ. Clearly he has witnessed the power and authority of His teaching to say that he would follow Him. Generally we hear about the teachers of the law being resistant to Jesus. In this case, Jesus simply reminds him that to follow Him is to essentially be homeless. That's because Jesus' home was in heaven, not here. Just like ours is. While we are on the earth, we are nomads.
Telling a disciple to "let the dead bury their own dead" seems harsh, but unless Christ has priority in your life, you are always going to be torn between following him and doing other things. I don't think Jesus meant to be callous. On the other hand I sometimes wonder why we have funerals and read scripture for people who weren't Christians. I tell myself it's for the people who remain behind, who still have a choice to make.
Down in verse 28 Jesus has traveled from the west side of the sea of Galilee to the east side, where more Gentiles live. Gentiles raised pigs, where Jews believed them to be unclean. Christ is met at the water's edge by two men who were possessed. He casts out their demons and sends them into town. But he allows the demons to possess a herd of swine nearby, which upon being possessed immediately rush into the water and are drown. Such is the fate of anyone who submits themselves to satan...he comes only to steal, kill and destroy.
The townspeople ask Jesus to leave. That seems sad to me, that they would be more upset about losing the pigs than they were about saving the people. I guess to them, the pigs were more important. No wonder they beg Jesus to go with Him (another Gospel). But Jesus refuses and tells them to witness in town. He tells everyone one to keep quiet, and he tells them to share. Strange.
PR
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Matthew 7
Not judging others is harder than if might first appear. We are predisposed to make snap judgements about others (judge the book by it's cover). We are also much more understanding and forgiving of our own shortcomings than we are of those around us. Add these two together and you have a recipe for problems.
It's hard not to criticize others (especially when they are like us), but it's critical that we stop. Nothing is more damaging to our christian witness than malicious talk.
7:7-12 I'm willing to bet that this passage of scripture has been more abused than any other passage in the Bible. We try and make this into a formula for receiving from God whatever you want. Of course, that's not the way it was meant to be understood. God will give us anything we ask for....as long as it's in keeping with what is best for us, and not sinful, or against his will.
We know that God loves us, and wants what is best for us, so when we ask we should expect that God will give us what we ask for. But think about it; if our 10 year old child asks for a car, or a handgun...are we going to give it to them? Probably not. They aren't old enough to appreciate it, or use it without harming themselves. The same is true for what we ask of from our heavenly father.
7:15-23 If we pay attention to the "fruit" of the people who lead us, we will be better able to qualify their genuine character. Leaders who appear godly, but have problems controlling their temper, or harnessing their greed should not be followed.
It's pretty hard to imagine how a person could be casting out demons and prophesying and still not going to heaven. but it has to be possible, if the Bible says it's true. Therefore, we should make every effort to ensure that our faith is genuine.
PR
Not judging others is harder than if might first appear. We are predisposed to make snap judgements about others (judge the book by it's cover). We are also much more understanding and forgiving of our own shortcomings than we are of those around us. Add these two together and you have a recipe for problems.
It's hard not to criticize others (especially when they are like us), but it's critical that we stop. Nothing is more damaging to our christian witness than malicious talk.
7:7-12 I'm willing to bet that this passage of scripture has been more abused than any other passage in the Bible. We try and make this into a formula for receiving from God whatever you want. Of course, that's not the way it was meant to be understood. God will give us anything we ask for....as long as it's in keeping with what is best for us, and not sinful, or against his will.
We know that God loves us, and wants what is best for us, so when we ask we should expect that God will give us what we ask for. But think about it; if our 10 year old child asks for a car, or a handgun...are we going to give it to them? Probably not. They aren't old enough to appreciate it, or use it without harming themselves. The same is true for what we ask of from our heavenly father.
7:15-23 If we pay attention to the "fruit" of the people who lead us, we will be better able to qualify their genuine character. Leaders who appear godly, but have problems controlling their temper, or harnessing their greed should not be followed.
It's pretty hard to imagine how a person could be casting out demons and prophesying and still not going to heaven. but it has to be possible, if the Bible says it's true. Therefore, we should make every effort to ensure that our faith is genuine.
PR
Matthew 6
We are still in the "Sermon on the Mount" where Jesus is giving us a glimpse of the overall view of what it means to be a Christian. It would be foolhardy to try and separate each of these thoughts out as individual challenges, because they are mutually supporting. That is to say, you need strength in one in order to gain in another.
6:1-4 tells us not to show off. There will be times when you are recognized for what you have done, and sometimes in order to help you have to do it in front of others. What Jesus is warning against is the motivation behind the activity. If you only help so that other people will see you, then you aren't going to be rewarded in heaven later.
6:5-15 the same idea is true for prayer. There's nothing wrong with praying in public, we do it all the time. But if we pray in public just to be seen by others, then we are in trouble. As it were, most of our time in prayer should be in a space where we will not be interrupted or distracted. A second thought offered here is a warning against "prayer nagging". In another place Jesus himself says that the widow receives help from the unrighteous judge, because she pleads again and again. Somewhere between what she did, and what we are being told here is the balance. We should ask, and keep asking if we haven't received. Paul prayed three times that his "thorn" would be removed, he only stopped when God said "I heard you, and I've got this....don't worry about it". Then he stopped...even though he didn't get what he asked for. He received his answer, so he stopped.
We should pray until we receive an answer...but we don't need to repeat the same phrase 100 times in order for God to hear it. If we are sick, we value the prayers of our friends...but the volume of them doesn't influence whether or not God hears us. He always hears us. I know God changes his mind or his course of action based on our heartfelt prayers, but I don't know if volume has anything to do with it. There are multitudes of saints beneath the altar in heaven crying out for justice.....and God tells them "wait a little longer".
In any case, our prayers should be plain, and direct. Flowery language isn't needed when talking with a friend. Get to the point, and don't flatter. It won't get you anywhere with God.
6:16-18 same theme. Don't fast in public only to be seen. Fasting is good, but showing off and using fasting as an excuse is wrong. From personal experience I can tell you that for those of us who are in front of others all the time, keeping our motives and intentions pure is a constant challenge.
6:19-24 Now the challenge becomes even more pronounced. Our real motivation is to be the reward in heaven, not the rewards on earth. If you are looking for praise from men, then you are storing up treasure on earth. Listen: you may receive praise from men, that's fine. It doesn't mean that you have in some way lost your reward in heaven. It's the DESIRE for praise from others that's dangerous. Set your heart on doing good so that your Father in heaven is please with you. Then you will have treasure in heaven.
6;25-34 The natural flow of the chapter starts with the warning against pride, and then turns to warning against self gratification, and even touches on warning against greed. Looking at greed from another vantage point, we see worry. A greedy person can be very worried that they don't have enough. (or they may just lust after things). Worrying means that we are: 1. not trusting in God to provide, or doubting his ability to provide 2. Failing to be content with what we have been given, and failing to be obedient. (when we worry, we break the command to "not worry")
I think there are times to be apprehensive, even worried. I don't think that it should define us. If we are constantly worried that we won't have food or clothing we are thinking God isn't faithful.
I worry sometimes that my football team won't make the touchdown, or that I will miss something on TV I wanted to watch....that's not what this is talking about.
Keep your priorities straight. Think about what God wants, and then get busy doing the things that will please him. Don't show off, just be content to know that God knows what you are doing and why you are doing it. The future is in His hands, you can't shape it...but HE can and will. Rest in Him.
PR
We are still in the "Sermon on the Mount" where Jesus is giving us a glimpse of the overall view of what it means to be a Christian. It would be foolhardy to try and separate each of these thoughts out as individual challenges, because they are mutually supporting. That is to say, you need strength in one in order to gain in another.
6:1-4 tells us not to show off. There will be times when you are recognized for what you have done, and sometimes in order to help you have to do it in front of others. What Jesus is warning against is the motivation behind the activity. If you only help so that other people will see you, then you aren't going to be rewarded in heaven later.
6:5-15 the same idea is true for prayer. There's nothing wrong with praying in public, we do it all the time. But if we pray in public just to be seen by others, then we are in trouble. As it were, most of our time in prayer should be in a space where we will not be interrupted or distracted. A second thought offered here is a warning against "prayer nagging". In another place Jesus himself says that the widow receives help from the unrighteous judge, because she pleads again and again. Somewhere between what she did, and what we are being told here is the balance. We should ask, and keep asking if we haven't received. Paul prayed three times that his "thorn" would be removed, he only stopped when God said "I heard you, and I've got this....don't worry about it". Then he stopped...even though he didn't get what he asked for. He received his answer, so he stopped.
We should pray until we receive an answer...but we don't need to repeat the same phrase 100 times in order for God to hear it. If we are sick, we value the prayers of our friends...but the volume of them doesn't influence whether or not God hears us. He always hears us. I know God changes his mind or his course of action based on our heartfelt prayers, but I don't know if volume has anything to do with it. There are multitudes of saints beneath the altar in heaven crying out for justice.....and God tells them "wait a little longer".
In any case, our prayers should be plain, and direct. Flowery language isn't needed when talking with a friend. Get to the point, and don't flatter. It won't get you anywhere with God.
6:16-18 same theme. Don't fast in public only to be seen. Fasting is good, but showing off and using fasting as an excuse is wrong. From personal experience I can tell you that for those of us who are in front of others all the time, keeping our motives and intentions pure is a constant challenge.
6:19-24 Now the challenge becomes even more pronounced. Our real motivation is to be the reward in heaven, not the rewards on earth. If you are looking for praise from men, then you are storing up treasure on earth. Listen: you may receive praise from men, that's fine. It doesn't mean that you have in some way lost your reward in heaven. It's the DESIRE for praise from others that's dangerous. Set your heart on doing good so that your Father in heaven is please with you. Then you will have treasure in heaven.
6;25-34 The natural flow of the chapter starts with the warning against pride, and then turns to warning against self gratification, and even touches on warning against greed. Looking at greed from another vantage point, we see worry. A greedy person can be very worried that they don't have enough. (or they may just lust after things). Worrying means that we are: 1. not trusting in God to provide, or doubting his ability to provide 2. Failing to be content with what we have been given, and failing to be obedient. (when we worry, we break the command to "not worry")
I think there are times to be apprehensive, even worried. I don't think that it should define us. If we are constantly worried that we won't have food or clothing we are thinking God isn't faithful.
I worry sometimes that my football team won't make the touchdown, or that I will miss something on TV I wanted to watch....that's not what this is talking about.
Keep your priorities straight. Think about what God wants, and then get busy doing the things that will please him. Don't show off, just be content to know that God knows what you are doing and why you are doing it. The future is in His hands, you can't shape it...but HE can and will. Rest in Him.
PR
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Matthew 5
When first reading the beatitudes you would think that each "attitude" has a different reward...but I don't think that's what Jesus was trying to say. Look at the rewards for each activity: they will inherit the kingdom of heaven, be comforted, shown mercy, see God and be called sons of God (just to name a few). They can't be separated from one another! You can't be called a son of God and not see Him, or be shown mercy without seeing God. No, these were meant to be one activity. We are to be poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungering for righteousness, showing mercy...etc. And when we do, we will be blessed by being with God in heaven at the End of Days. So, as verse 11 says, we shouldn't become too stressed out when people don't agree with us. We shouldn't become angry when the popular and powerful personalities of the day scoff at our values and belittle us and call us intolerant because we choose to follow the Bible. Their judgment and our reward is coming.
Thinking of that, it helps me understand the very next passage about salt and light. When I am humble and meek, etc. I am actually being the salt and light. Forcing myself to obey the commandments, and fighting against bad thoughts keeps me "salty". If I succumb to revenge, lust or some manner of perversion, I become just like the world around me, and according to verse 13, I am no longer good for spiritual things. (of course, I can be forgiven, but that's not the illustration that Jesus is giving here)
A person who behaves in the way Jesus taught will almost certainly be noticed. Some will cheer them and others will curse, but they will be noticed.
Verse 20 says that our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees, which would seem to be a formidable task, given that they were professionals in obeying every part of the law. They knew things about the law that most people didn't. How could we ever hope to be better than them? the answer follows in the next passage. The Pharisees understood the activity of the law, but not the inner change that it was meant to bring. They could put on a good show, but their hearts were far from loving God.
The person who truly loves the Lord clearly isn't going to murder other people. But more than that, they are going to repent of anger. They will pray for their enemies. And they won't be praying that lightning would strike them, or that a flood would wash away their home...they will be praying that God will soften their own heart toward this enemy, and that God will also show His love to the enemy as well.
Verse 23 begins a conversation about settling your differences. It's a great idea when taken at face value, and even more important when you consider that God is the Judge that we have to appear in front of. We need to settle our differences with Jesus BEFORE we get to "court" or we will be thrown into prison "HELL". and we won't be able to get out.
In the same way we aren't going to meditate on revenge or let our anger fester, we aren't going to lust, or allow our minds to become focused on pornography. It's more than not physically taking part in the orgy, it's going a step further and not fantasizing about it. This is an extremely difficult task for some, and requires much prayer and a fairly rigid lifestyle. Jesus is saying that we should "do whatever it takes" to make sure we don't sin in our minds. You can't stop yourself from being tempted, but sin begins when we hang onto the thought and begin focusing on it.
Being meek and humble is part of our christian nature. I truly believe that Jesus intended for us to be non-confrontational. Yes, it will mean that many will take advantage of us, and that evil will seem to gain the upper hand. But much of what we do to resist evil seems only to make it worse. Is is possible that if we were to follow the teachings of Jesus that there would be less violence instead of more? Maybe it would take a generation to catch on, and we wouldn't get to see it ourselves....but look at how our current mindset has worked out. We kill a terrorist, and our actions create more, not less. Maybe there is a better way. Maybe loving our enemies is a better way to defeat them.
Just food for thought....
PR
When first reading the beatitudes you would think that each "attitude" has a different reward...but I don't think that's what Jesus was trying to say. Look at the rewards for each activity: they will inherit the kingdom of heaven, be comforted, shown mercy, see God and be called sons of God (just to name a few). They can't be separated from one another! You can't be called a son of God and not see Him, or be shown mercy without seeing God. No, these were meant to be one activity. We are to be poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungering for righteousness, showing mercy...etc. And when we do, we will be blessed by being with God in heaven at the End of Days. So, as verse 11 says, we shouldn't become too stressed out when people don't agree with us. We shouldn't become angry when the popular and powerful personalities of the day scoff at our values and belittle us and call us intolerant because we choose to follow the Bible. Their judgment and our reward is coming.
Thinking of that, it helps me understand the very next passage about salt and light. When I am humble and meek, etc. I am actually being the salt and light. Forcing myself to obey the commandments, and fighting against bad thoughts keeps me "salty". If I succumb to revenge, lust or some manner of perversion, I become just like the world around me, and according to verse 13, I am no longer good for spiritual things. (of course, I can be forgiven, but that's not the illustration that Jesus is giving here)
A person who behaves in the way Jesus taught will almost certainly be noticed. Some will cheer them and others will curse, but they will be noticed.
Verse 20 says that our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees, which would seem to be a formidable task, given that they were professionals in obeying every part of the law. They knew things about the law that most people didn't. How could we ever hope to be better than them? the answer follows in the next passage. The Pharisees understood the activity of the law, but not the inner change that it was meant to bring. They could put on a good show, but their hearts were far from loving God.
The person who truly loves the Lord clearly isn't going to murder other people. But more than that, they are going to repent of anger. They will pray for their enemies. And they won't be praying that lightning would strike them, or that a flood would wash away their home...they will be praying that God will soften their own heart toward this enemy, and that God will also show His love to the enemy as well.
Verse 23 begins a conversation about settling your differences. It's a great idea when taken at face value, and even more important when you consider that God is the Judge that we have to appear in front of. We need to settle our differences with Jesus BEFORE we get to "court" or we will be thrown into prison "HELL". and we won't be able to get out.
In the same way we aren't going to meditate on revenge or let our anger fester, we aren't going to lust, or allow our minds to become focused on pornography. It's more than not physically taking part in the orgy, it's going a step further and not fantasizing about it. This is an extremely difficult task for some, and requires much prayer and a fairly rigid lifestyle. Jesus is saying that we should "do whatever it takes" to make sure we don't sin in our minds. You can't stop yourself from being tempted, but sin begins when we hang onto the thought and begin focusing on it.
Being meek and humble is part of our christian nature. I truly believe that Jesus intended for us to be non-confrontational. Yes, it will mean that many will take advantage of us, and that evil will seem to gain the upper hand. But much of what we do to resist evil seems only to make it worse. Is is possible that if we were to follow the teachings of Jesus that there would be less violence instead of more? Maybe it would take a generation to catch on, and we wouldn't get to see it ourselves....but look at how our current mindset has worked out. We kill a terrorist, and our actions create more, not less. Maybe there is a better way. Maybe loving our enemies is a better way to defeat them.
Just food for thought....
PR
Monday, January 12, 2015
Matthew 4
I used to think that Jesus was at His weakest when He was tempted by the devil, but now I wonder. He could well have been starving physically, but at His strongest spiritually. He was strong enough spiritually to fight off three attacks of satan, who was quoting scripture, no less. Jesus was hungry, the Bible tells us that, but He had already won the battle of who was going to be in charge of His life. He could have made bread from stones any day He was fasting, but He chose not to, because He lived in submission to the Father. By the time the devil brought this temptation, Jesus already had victory over it. I'm not saying that it was easy, but I am saying that the 40 days were preparation for the test, and Jesus was prepared when it came. I wonder if we sometimes fail the tests (or challenges) because we haven't prepared intensively enough.
The devil isn't about twisting the Words of the Bible, it takes a person who is familiar with The Word to do battle with him.
Jesus doesn't begin his public ministry until John is taken off the scene. John could have been upset about this, but he wasn't. He himself said "He must increase, and I must decrease". Every ministry, and every minister has a season and purpose. There is no shame or regret in completing a ministry. In fact, it's necessary for the next phase to begin.
Two things about the disciples: 1. When they responded (immediately) and 2. What they left behind (possessions, jobs, loved ones....everything)
I wonder what Zebedee thought when both of his sons took off, leaving him in the boat alone? Maybe he had other sons...I kind of hope that he did. I hope to see Zebedee in heaven, but I don't know what his reaction was. Maybe he was happy for them, or he could have resented the fact that Jesus took his boys from him. How sad would it be to get to heaven and find out that the disciples themselves had loved ones that didn't make it in? We don't know much about Zebedee, or any of the families of the disciples, for that matter. Some of them were probably disowned by their families for following Jesus. He was considered by many to be a heretic.
The same is true today. When we chose to follow Christ, some rejoice and others are upset. We gain new friends, and sadly....we lose some old ones. One thing is for sure: we gain far more than we lose.
I also wonder how long it took for the crowds to hear that there was a man preaching and healing in Galilee. some of these towns were a distance. I wonder if some families who knew of hurting relatives made special trips to go and get them, and bring them to Jesus. I think I would have done that.
It makes me wonder why I have such a hard time walking across the street to share the Gospel with someone, which could lead to them spending eternity with Jesus in heaven....and at the same time I believe that I would travel many miles to collect someone with a physical need if I knew they would be healed. Or even if they had a chance to be healed. I think if we considered it for more than a moment, we would become more evangelical in our practice.
Lord, help me to be a better witness than I am. I should share what I know about You more than I do. In fact Lord, there isn't enough time in the day to share enough about You. Don't let me leave any opportunity on the table.
Amen.
PR
I used to think that Jesus was at His weakest when He was tempted by the devil, but now I wonder. He could well have been starving physically, but at His strongest spiritually. He was strong enough spiritually to fight off three attacks of satan, who was quoting scripture, no less. Jesus was hungry, the Bible tells us that, but He had already won the battle of who was going to be in charge of His life. He could have made bread from stones any day He was fasting, but He chose not to, because He lived in submission to the Father. By the time the devil brought this temptation, Jesus already had victory over it. I'm not saying that it was easy, but I am saying that the 40 days were preparation for the test, and Jesus was prepared when it came. I wonder if we sometimes fail the tests (or challenges) because we haven't prepared intensively enough.
The devil isn't about twisting the Words of the Bible, it takes a person who is familiar with The Word to do battle with him.
Jesus doesn't begin his public ministry until John is taken off the scene. John could have been upset about this, but he wasn't. He himself said "He must increase, and I must decrease". Every ministry, and every minister has a season and purpose. There is no shame or regret in completing a ministry. In fact, it's necessary for the next phase to begin.
Two things about the disciples: 1. When they responded (immediately) and 2. What they left behind (possessions, jobs, loved ones....everything)
I wonder what Zebedee thought when both of his sons took off, leaving him in the boat alone? Maybe he had other sons...I kind of hope that he did. I hope to see Zebedee in heaven, but I don't know what his reaction was. Maybe he was happy for them, or he could have resented the fact that Jesus took his boys from him. How sad would it be to get to heaven and find out that the disciples themselves had loved ones that didn't make it in? We don't know much about Zebedee, or any of the families of the disciples, for that matter. Some of them were probably disowned by their families for following Jesus. He was considered by many to be a heretic.
The same is true today. When we chose to follow Christ, some rejoice and others are upset. We gain new friends, and sadly....we lose some old ones. One thing is for sure: we gain far more than we lose.
I also wonder how long it took for the crowds to hear that there was a man preaching and healing in Galilee. some of these towns were a distance. I wonder if some families who knew of hurting relatives made special trips to go and get them, and bring them to Jesus. I think I would have done that.
It makes me wonder why I have such a hard time walking across the street to share the Gospel with someone, which could lead to them spending eternity with Jesus in heaven....and at the same time I believe that I would travel many miles to collect someone with a physical need if I knew they would be healed. Or even if they had a chance to be healed. I think if we considered it for more than a moment, we would become more evangelical in our practice.
Lord, help me to be a better witness than I am. I should share what I know about You more than I do. In fact Lord, there isn't enough time in the day to share enough about You. Don't let me leave any opportunity on the table.
Amen.
PR
Matthew 3
John the Baptist was a cousin to Jesus, but there isn't any indication that they grew up together. Maybe they visited once in a while, and that's how John recognized Jesus when he came....or maybe it was the Holy Spirit making it obvious to John. Either way, the events that took place were necessary in order for Jesus to remain perfect. He didn't need to be forgiven of any sin, but He did need to remain obedient to the law, and to make a good confession at the right time.
John's clothing is described for a purpose. This is what the prophets wore. When they say "John were camel hair clothing with a leather belt, and ate locusts and wild honey" they are actually saying "John was a prophet in the pattern of all those who came before". In fact, in one place John is identified by Jesus as being the second appearance of "the prophet" Elijah. Tradition had it that Elijah would come before the Messiah. Jesus said about John "the Spirit of Elijah has come" referring to John.
When John describes what Jesus will do (verse 12 and following) it is a poetic way of saying "the Judge is coming" Jesus is the one who is able to harvest the earth. Clearing the threshing floor (which is a large flat place outside) is preparing for the raw grain to be brought in...gathering the wheat into the barn means the threshing has finished, and the grain is now separated from the stalk (the chaff). The grain is brought inside, and the chaff discarded. We know that John is speaking about heaven and hell because he describes the "unquenchable fire" into which the chaff is thrown. That's "end times" language.
Every picture I have ever seen of Jesus being baptized by John shows Jesus standing in the water, and dove coming from heaven to light upon him. Here it says that Jesus "went up out of the water" and then the Spirit descended "like a dove" on him. Jesus wasn't in the water when the Spirit came. It doesn't mean anything really, it's just interesting.
The important thought here is the three fold manifestation of God. Jesus is God, and he is standing on the bank of the Jordan River. The Holy Spirit is God, and He is descending upon Jesus, and at the same moment, there is a third person...not seen, but heard as a loud voice from heaven saying "This is my Son...." So we understand the concept of the Trinity. Three persons, but all one God.
You can come up with whatever physical object you want to try and explain it...but God is beyond explanation. All attempts fall short sooner or later.
Paper dolls are cut from the same piece of paper. Three dolls, one piece of paper. The three dolls don't have to be identical, and if you folded the paper just right you might only see one doll. It might look like a bear wearing a dress, or a woman with bear ears....you get the idea. The paper illustrates the the "essence" of God. Three distinct beings all have the same "essence" all three are connected to one another, and cannot be separated. They are mutually supporting. Are there three? Yes, but there is also one. One piece of paper, one "essence of God" To see one is to see them all, because all of them are the same essence. They are identical (as one piece of paper) and yet distinct and separate.
Hope that helps, and doesn't create more questions that it answers.....
PR
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Matthew 2
Here we see the theme of providence. Divine protection. Let's not be fooled into thinking that God cared more about Jesus than He does about us. God is pure love, and He loves all of us as children, How He expresses love for Jesus is how He expresses love for us all. God wants to protect us from evil, that's why He guides us. In fact, that's the reason for the Bible....to guide and protect us.
Joseph heard from God in a dream, which is a common Old Testament way to hear from the Lord. That's not to say God doesn't work the same way today, He does. It seems less common now, perhaps because we have the Holy Spirit living in and among us, which they did not. It is probable that we hear from God much more often than they did.
Hearing from God is one thing, but what you do with it is another. Joseph demonstrates that he was the right man for the job when he obeys immediately. Immediate obedience prevents many problems. For instance: I watched a TV show once about a "super spy" who was helping a common citizen avoid capture in a busy mall. He told him when to turn, when to walk quickly, even when to tie his shoe. The citizen didn't say "my shoe doesn't need to be tied" or "I want to walk in a different direction". Because he obeyed immediately, he was always in the blind spot of the men who were looking for him. Any disobedience would have allowed him to be seen. I think of that illustration when I think of Joseph. God simply makes him "invisible" to those who are looking for him.
The lesson for us here is to obey immediately, regardless of what God asks.
I have often heard that the gifts of the wise men were so valuable that they sustained Mary into her old age, and made up for the fact that Joseph was no longer around and able to provide for her. If that's the case, then why did Joseph pick Nazareth as his new home? Nathanael (the disciple) snorts at the idea that anything good could come from Nazareth. It must have been a relatively poor area. If Joseph had money and chose to live in Nazareth anyway, he was even smarter than I suspected. But maybe the gifts of the Magi didn't last a lifetime, they wouldn't have to...God could provide for his loved ones at any time.
The wise men (probably astrologers) were likely from Iran, Iraq or Turkey. But they could have been from Arabia or even further away...maybe India. No one knows for sure. There are traditions that assign three names to men who lived around Turkey...but they are just traditions, no solid facts.
These men illustrate worship better than we realize at first. They are seekers, who aren't afraid to journey (all of our Christian lives are a journey). They plan ahead to provide a gift, but before they offer that, they fall to their knees and worship. And before any of that they are telling others about the king they hope to find.....and certainly they shared their success on the way back home, and with others at home. Sacrifice, planning, transparent worship, testimony, humility, joy, fellowship....just a few of the wonderful parts of worship that the wise men model.
Then there is the idea of WHO Jesus came to reach. In the same way that God incorporates women into His story, He includes gentiles from the very beginning. Men who weren't part of the sacred line are some of the first to recognize and worship Him. Certainly from this event we can see that Jesus came to reach and save all men, not just the Jews.
This isn't an account to be read only at Christmas, but anytime we want to be encouraged and motivated to greater intimacy with our Savior!
PR
Here we see the theme of providence. Divine protection. Let's not be fooled into thinking that God cared more about Jesus than He does about us. God is pure love, and He loves all of us as children, How He expresses love for Jesus is how He expresses love for us all. God wants to protect us from evil, that's why He guides us. In fact, that's the reason for the Bible....to guide and protect us.
Joseph heard from God in a dream, which is a common Old Testament way to hear from the Lord. That's not to say God doesn't work the same way today, He does. It seems less common now, perhaps because we have the Holy Spirit living in and among us, which they did not. It is probable that we hear from God much more often than they did.
Hearing from God is one thing, but what you do with it is another. Joseph demonstrates that he was the right man for the job when he obeys immediately. Immediate obedience prevents many problems. For instance: I watched a TV show once about a "super spy" who was helping a common citizen avoid capture in a busy mall. He told him when to turn, when to walk quickly, even when to tie his shoe. The citizen didn't say "my shoe doesn't need to be tied" or "I want to walk in a different direction". Because he obeyed immediately, he was always in the blind spot of the men who were looking for him. Any disobedience would have allowed him to be seen. I think of that illustration when I think of Joseph. God simply makes him "invisible" to those who are looking for him.
The lesson for us here is to obey immediately, regardless of what God asks.
I have often heard that the gifts of the wise men were so valuable that they sustained Mary into her old age, and made up for the fact that Joseph was no longer around and able to provide for her. If that's the case, then why did Joseph pick Nazareth as his new home? Nathanael (the disciple) snorts at the idea that anything good could come from Nazareth. It must have been a relatively poor area. If Joseph had money and chose to live in Nazareth anyway, he was even smarter than I suspected. But maybe the gifts of the Magi didn't last a lifetime, they wouldn't have to...God could provide for his loved ones at any time.
The wise men (probably astrologers) were likely from Iran, Iraq or Turkey. But they could have been from Arabia or even further away...maybe India. No one knows for sure. There are traditions that assign three names to men who lived around Turkey...but they are just traditions, no solid facts.
These men illustrate worship better than we realize at first. They are seekers, who aren't afraid to journey (all of our Christian lives are a journey). They plan ahead to provide a gift, but before they offer that, they fall to their knees and worship. And before any of that they are telling others about the king they hope to find.....and certainly they shared their success on the way back home, and with others at home. Sacrifice, planning, transparent worship, testimony, humility, joy, fellowship....just a few of the wonderful parts of worship that the wise men model.
Then there is the idea of WHO Jesus came to reach. In the same way that God incorporates women into His story, He includes gentiles from the very beginning. Men who weren't part of the sacred line are some of the first to recognize and worship Him. Certainly from this event we can see that Jesus came to reach and save all men, not just the Jews.
This isn't an account to be read only at Christmas, but anytime we want to be encouraged and motivated to greater intimacy with our Savior!
PR
Friday, January 9, 2015
Matthew 1
January 9, 2015
Today I begin a new program of reading through the New Testament in a year. Those who are reading along may find that I am a little further ahead in the reading than the program calls for.
The genealogy of Jesus here is divided into three equal groups of 14 generations. If only it were that simple. But when we look at Luke's Gospel Chapter 3:23 and following, there are 21 generations listed for the same period! How can that be? This brings up the odd practice of middle eastern authors called "telescoping". The author would simply leave out the people who are part of the family tree if he felt they weren't important to the story, or to achieve a number he was looking for. In this case, it appears that the number was 7. Matthew uses a double seven (14) generations, and Luke follows the same practice but uses a triple seven. (21 generations).
It doesn't mean you cannot trust the text, it simply means that in order to understand the author you have to understand the times in which he was writing. By today's standards and culture the same practice would be unthinkable...but in their day, it was quite common.
The doctrinal point that we can take from this passage is that Jesus was born of a human woman, who traces her roots back to the tribe of Judah. That's important for prophecy to be proved true.
Joseph was a righteous man, but he was also a gentleman. He could have had Mary stoned under the law, but had already chosen not to do so. The appearance of the angel to encourage Joseph could have come as a relief to Joseph...he could now accept that his trust in Mary had not been violated.
The virgin birth is a key element in our faith. The teachings of Jesus, and the prophecies about a Messiah do not work without it. Any hybrid of the faith that claims Jesus was not born of a virgin is heresy, and not to be trusted. In other words, if Jesus wasn't born of a virgin, you might just as well throw out the whole Bible.
Jesus is Greek for "the Lord saves". The Hebrew form of the same word is "Joshua".
Which brings up another point that you may find interesting. The Old Testament is written in Hebrew, the language of the Jews. The New Testament is written in Aramaic Greek, the popular language at the time, because of the far reach and influence of the Roman Empire.
The Old Testament was translated from Hebrew to Greek, and called the Septuagint. It was later translated into Latin and called the Vulgate. Luther translated the Bible into German. It wasn't until the 1600's that the English version, called "King James" appeared. By the time the KJV of the Bible appeared, it had been translated many times, and the originals were lost.
PR
January 9, 2015
Today I begin a new program of reading through the New Testament in a year. Those who are reading along may find that I am a little further ahead in the reading than the program calls for.
The genealogy of Jesus here is divided into three equal groups of 14 generations. If only it were that simple. But when we look at Luke's Gospel Chapter 3:23 and following, there are 21 generations listed for the same period! How can that be? This brings up the odd practice of middle eastern authors called "telescoping". The author would simply leave out the people who are part of the family tree if he felt they weren't important to the story, or to achieve a number he was looking for. In this case, it appears that the number was 7. Matthew uses a double seven (14) generations, and Luke follows the same practice but uses a triple seven. (21 generations).
It doesn't mean you cannot trust the text, it simply means that in order to understand the author you have to understand the times in which he was writing. By today's standards and culture the same practice would be unthinkable...but in their day, it was quite common.
The doctrinal point that we can take from this passage is that Jesus was born of a human woman, who traces her roots back to the tribe of Judah. That's important for prophecy to be proved true.
Joseph was a righteous man, but he was also a gentleman. He could have had Mary stoned under the law, but had already chosen not to do so. The appearance of the angel to encourage Joseph could have come as a relief to Joseph...he could now accept that his trust in Mary had not been violated.
The virgin birth is a key element in our faith. The teachings of Jesus, and the prophecies about a Messiah do not work without it. Any hybrid of the faith that claims Jesus was not born of a virgin is heresy, and not to be trusted. In other words, if Jesus wasn't born of a virgin, you might just as well throw out the whole Bible.
Jesus is Greek for "the Lord saves". The Hebrew form of the same word is "Joshua".
Which brings up another point that you may find interesting. The Old Testament is written in Hebrew, the language of the Jews. The New Testament is written in Aramaic Greek, the popular language at the time, because of the far reach and influence of the Roman Empire.
The Old Testament was translated from Hebrew to Greek, and called the Septuagint. It was later translated into Latin and called the Vulgate. Luther translated the Bible into German. It wasn't until the 1600's that the English version, called "King James" appeared. By the time the KJV of the Bible appeared, it had been translated many times, and the originals were lost.
PR
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Revelation 19-22
January 8, 2015
For some reason this morning my eye catches the fact that the saint are beheaded when they don't take the mark of the beast. They are the only ones who come back to life and reign with God for 1,000 years during the millennium. Being tortured in that way would certainly be unsavory, but consider the long term benefit. 1,000 years with Jesus! 1,000 years on the earth without the influence of satan, and all this before the judgement, before the resurrection of the dead. It seems like a special privilege to me. If I am forced on the matter, I will certainly be looking forward to the reward while I reassure myself through the Spirit that God is still in control.
On a little less fatalistic note: The new city of Jerusalem is measured at 1,400 miles square. Miles. Wow. I used Google earth to calculate how large that is, and a 1,400 mile square will not fit inside the United States. It goes from Florida to West Texas on the southern border, and on the west it goes along the Rocky Mountains (near Wyoming) all the way into Canada. The northern border takes up most of southern Ontario and Quebec, all the way to James Bay. The eastern side is the eastern shores of the United States, back down to Florida. That's enormous. There's no way that fits in the middle east unless there is a major topographical change. That is all of Iraq and Iran, all the way to the current border of Afghanistan. There cannot be any Red Sea or Persian Gulf, both of them would be gone. I don't know if John is saying that the Sea of Galilee is gone, or the Mediterranean, but it seems to be that both of them could disappear in order to have a city this size in the area.
Looking at the big picture, what a fantastic time to be alive! To see the glory of God displayed in power in the defeat of all His enemies, to be part of the linen clad army of God, to participate in the angelic choir of the bride of the Lamb, and witness firsthand the final defeat of satan! Surely it would be worth any human price to be able to be present for that. This isn't a once in a lifetime opportunity, it's a once in an eternity opportunity!
I also wanted to mention something I read in Chapter 20 verse 14 a year or so ago. It says there "death and hades are thrown into the lake of fire". That means that Hades, or Sheol (as the Hebrews knew it) are different places than the lake of fire. It seems that there is a place we go after death that is temporary until we enter our permanent destination. For those who die in Christ, it's called "Paradise" and for those who die without Him, it's called "Hell". We associate the word Hell with the lake of fire, and that's accurate in the long view, because anyone who is in hell eventually ends up in the lake of fire. We differ from some other parts of the faith about what happens in this "holding station". Some believe that you can "earn, buy or pray" your way out of Sheol. But there isn't anything in the Bible that would lead us to believe that. As far as we know, once you die your fate is set, and cannot be changed. It is far better to accept Christ in this life and live for Him now than to be caught unaware and cast into hell, because you didn't repent of your sins before death.
Revelation has been a quick read, but that only serves to help understand the larger picture. Too often we get caught up in the imagery, and lose the big picture. Revelation is telling us that "Yes, it does get bad at the end, but in the end satan loses all authority and the saints of Jesus Christ reign forever". Reading Revelation should give us hope and encouragement!
PR
January 8, 2015
For some reason this morning my eye catches the fact that the saint are beheaded when they don't take the mark of the beast. They are the only ones who come back to life and reign with God for 1,000 years during the millennium. Being tortured in that way would certainly be unsavory, but consider the long term benefit. 1,000 years with Jesus! 1,000 years on the earth without the influence of satan, and all this before the judgement, before the resurrection of the dead. It seems like a special privilege to me. If I am forced on the matter, I will certainly be looking forward to the reward while I reassure myself through the Spirit that God is still in control.
On a little less fatalistic note: The new city of Jerusalem is measured at 1,400 miles square. Miles. Wow. I used Google earth to calculate how large that is, and a 1,400 mile square will not fit inside the United States. It goes from Florida to West Texas on the southern border, and on the west it goes along the Rocky Mountains (near Wyoming) all the way into Canada. The northern border takes up most of southern Ontario and Quebec, all the way to James Bay. The eastern side is the eastern shores of the United States, back down to Florida. That's enormous. There's no way that fits in the middle east unless there is a major topographical change. That is all of Iraq and Iran, all the way to the current border of Afghanistan. There cannot be any Red Sea or Persian Gulf, both of them would be gone. I don't know if John is saying that the Sea of Galilee is gone, or the Mediterranean, but it seems to be that both of them could disappear in order to have a city this size in the area.
Looking at the big picture, what a fantastic time to be alive! To see the glory of God displayed in power in the defeat of all His enemies, to be part of the linen clad army of God, to participate in the angelic choir of the bride of the Lamb, and witness firsthand the final defeat of satan! Surely it would be worth any human price to be able to be present for that. This isn't a once in a lifetime opportunity, it's a once in an eternity opportunity!
I also wanted to mention something I read in Chapter 20 verse 14 a year or so ago. It says there "death and hades are thrown into the lake of fire". That means that Hades, or Sheol (as the Hebrews knew it) are different places than the lake of fire. It seems that there is a place we go after death that is temporary until we enter our permanent destination. For those who die in Christ, it's called "Paradise" and for those who die without Him, it's called "Hell". We associate the word Hell with the lake of fire, and that's accurate in the long view, because anyone who is in hell eventually ends up in the lake of fire. We differ from some other parts of the faith about what happens in this "holding station". Some believe that you can "earn, buy or pray" your way out of Sheol. But there isn't anything in the Bible that would lead us to believe that. As far as we know, once you die your fate is set, and cannot be changed. It is far better to accept Christ in this life and live for Him now than to be caught unaware and cast into hell, because you didn't repent of your sins before death.
Revelation has been a quick read, but that only serves to help understand the larger picture. Too often we get caught up in the imagery, and lose the big picture. Revelation is telling us that "Yes, it does get bad at the end, but in the end satan loses all authority and the saints of Jesus Christ reign forever". Reading Revelation should give us hope and encouragement!
PR
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Revelation 12-18
January 7, 2015
Just a few comments on each chapter today:
Chapter 12: The woman is the nation of Israel, and the dragon is the devil. The child is Jesus Christ, whom the devil wants to destroy. The 1/3 of the stars in the sky that his tail flung to earth are 1/3 of the angels, who then became demons. The 1,260 days is 3 1/2 years and is mentioned several places in these next 5 chapters. The dragon fighting against Michael and his angels must be a second battle, given the comments in verse 10 and after. If it were the original fall from heaven, they wouldn't mention the "blood of the Lamb". In some way the devil must try and destroy the whole nation of Israel, but the land (and God himself) fight for her. (that has happened several times already)
Chapter 13: In this chapter we are introduced to the "unholy trinity". Just as God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are presented to us as one, the devil now tries to imitate that which is true. The beast has a fatal wound...that could be literal, or it could be a country that was thought to be "dead" This beast brags and does miracles for 3 1/2 years, and deceives the whole world (except for the saints).
Notice that verse 10 says that the saints should remain patient. Why would it say that if the saints aren't still here?
Sometime a third person appears, filling the role of the evil prophet. This beast forces everyone to worship the first beast (who in turn serves the dragon...the devil) there you have it: the evil trinity.
Many people will be deceived by this. Jesus does not return to call fire down from heaven, or cause images to speak. In fact, Jesus is opposed to images, so if you see one being set up: it isn't Jesus doing it.
The mark of the beast (that is, the mark of the second beast) is some sort of agreement of allegience, or to serve. It could be a literal stamp on the hand, or a microchip, or who knows what. But no one will receive it by accident, and many will refuse to take it. In particular, the saints will not accept it. They will have wisdom at that time to recognize it for what it is.
Chapter 14: The selected people are in heaven, but no mention of the rest of us. I don't know why this passage is here, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with what is going on. Then we have the curse uttered against anyone who takes the mark of the beast (verse 9). Again, the saints are commanded to endure patiently. Hmmm. It almost seems like the saints are still here...
The harvest of the earth is in two parts: the sickle swings twice, by two different angels. The first angel harvests the earth and not much is mentioned. I suspect that is where the rapture occurs. Then the second angel harvests the earth in the form of the battle of Armageddon.
Chapter 15; The earth is being destroyed in this chapter, and all the people who are left along with it. Verse 15 should not be interpreted to mean that the Saints are still here, this is a reflective thought, offered in the middle of the events. Verse 17 one of those places that I suspect is an overlap in the text. The earth was harvested, and I thought it was the great battle of Armageddon, which is spoken of again here. So Chapter 15 and 14 could overlap...unless there are two great battles where millions die. That seems unlikely.
I wonder what the impact crater looks like from a 100 lb hailstone falling at a terminal velocity of 150 feet per second? I'm guessing it looks something like a huge bomb crater. I tried to look it up on Google, and my brain started hurting and I got dizzy... Let's just say that it would ruin your car, and probably your house. One of those hitting a gas main or a electrical transfer station..... Oh boy.
Chapter 17 and 18 record the punishment for Babylon, which could be the actual city in Iraq, or it could be code for "Rome".
Tomorrow's reading begins the good news!
PR
January 7, 2015
Just a few comments on each chapter today:
Chapter 12: The woman is the nation of Israel, and the dragon is the devil. The child is Jesus Christ, whom the devil wants to destroy. The 1/3 of the stars in the sky that his tail flung to earth are 1/3 of the angels, who then became demons. The 1,260 days is 3 1/2 years and is mentioned several places in these next 5 chapters. The dragon fighting against Michael and his angels must be a second battle, given the comments in verse 10 and after. If it were the original fall from heaven, they wouldn't mention the "blood of the Lamb". In some way the devil must try and destroy the whole nation of Israel, but the land (and God himself) fight for her. (that has happened several times already)
Chapter 13: In this chapter we are introduced to the "unholy trinity". Just as God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are presented to us as one, the devil now tries to imitate that which is true. The beast has a fatal wound...that could be literal, or it could be a country that was thought to be "dead" This beast brags and does miracles for 3 1/2 years, and deceives the whole world (except for the saints).
Notice that verse 10 says that the saints should remain patient. Why would it say that if the saints aren't still here?
Sometime a third person appears, filling the role of the evil prophet. This beast forces everyone to worship the first beast (who in turn serves the dragon...the devil) there you have it: the evil trinity.
Many people will be deceived by this. Jesus does not return to call fire down from heaven, or cause images to speak. In fact, Jesus is opposed to images, so if you see one being set up: it isn't Jesus doing it.
The mark of the beast (that is, the mark of the second beast) is some sort of agreement of allegience, or to serve. It could be a literal stamp on the hand, or a microchip, or who knows what. But no one will receive it by accident, and many will refuse to take it. In particular, the saints will not accept it. They will have wisdom at that time to recognize it for what it is.
Chapter 14: The selected people are in heaven, but no mention of the rest of us. I don't know why this passage is here, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with what is going on. Then we have the curse uttered against anyone who takes the mark of the beast (verse 9). Again, the saints are commanded to endure patiently. Hmmm. It almost seems like the saints are still here...
The harvest of the earth is in two parts: the sickle swings twice, by two different angels. The first angel harvests the earth and not much is mentioned. I suspect that is where the rapture occurs. Then the second angel harvests the earth in the form of the battle of Armageddon.
Chapter 15; The earth is being destroyed in this chapter, and all the people who are left along with it. Verse 15 should not be interpreted to mean that the Saints are still here, this is a reflective thought, offered in the middle of the events. Verse 17 one of those places that I suspect is an overlap in the text. The earth was harvested, and I thought it was the great battle of Armageddon, which is spoken of again here. So Chapter 15 and 14 could overlap...unless there are two great battles where millions die. That seems unlikely.
I wonder what the impact crater looks like from a 100 lb hailstone falling at a terminal velocity of 150 feet per second? I'm guessing it looks something like a huge bomb crater. I tried to look it up on Google, and my brain started hurting and I got dizzy... Let's just say that it would ruin your car, and probably your house. One of those hitting a gas main or a electrical transfer station..... Oh boy.
Chapter 17 and 18 record the punishment for Babylon, which could be the actual city in Iraq, or it could be code for "Rome".
Tomorrow's reading begins the good news!
PR
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Revelation 6-11
January 6, 2015
Revelation is easier to comprehend for me when I break in down into segments. There are basically three events that most other things happen around. The seals, trumpets and bowls. There are seven of each, and with each one come different actions. I wonder sometimes if they are all happening chronologically...there does seem to be some overlap in them. ie: seal # "x" and trumpet "x" have the same event...or at least a similar event. I suspect that the seals, trumpets and bowls are all overlapping in some way...but I haven't ever heard anyone else say the same thing.
It would seem that fire from heaven and great earthquakes will be the next method of wreaking havoc on the earth. It's ironic that scientists have been predicting the same thing.
One of the most often asked questions about Revelation is "when does the rapture take place?"
Some people think it's earlier than the tribulation, based on Jesus saying to John "come up here" in chapter 4. I suspect that the rapture isn't until partway or after the tribulation. In Chapter 7 a great multitude in white robes are seen in heaven. You can't have that unless there are Christians who perished during the tribulation. And you can't have Christians during the tribulation if they were all raptured earlier.
Some will say "those are the people who accepted Jesus after the rapture". Well....about that, I call your attention to the parable of the 10 virgins. 5 of them were supposed to go in, but they weren't ready when the door was opened the first (and only) time. When they realized their mistake and returned later, the door did not open again. Then there's the lesson to be learned from the Ark. It had only one door, and once the people had entered the Ark once, the door closed never to open again. Or, you might consider Israel's history: When did God ever remove the godly people from the rest of society before punishment came? It seems to me that the prophets always went with the people, into the desert and into exile. In fact, they were needed there, to remind the people of their sins, and to point the way to salvation. Once the opportunity for salvation has passed, then there will be no further need for the Holy Spirit to remain with men, and when He leaves, so will all the Christians.
It seems that a large meteor strikes the earth, and releases some sort of stinging fly. Maybe it's figurative language for an army that takes advantage of the fact the the skies are filled with smoke (that would mean no satellite imagery, and less high tech aircraft) which would level the playing field between the US and some other countries. There are many countries with Red, Yellow and Blue in their flags...too many to make a reasonable guess as to which one of them is indicated. It could be a country that doesn't exist today...we don't know. But, the fact that specific details are given about a future event tells us that it WILL happen, and that SOMEONE is able to travel into the future to see what occurs.
That someone is Jesus, who plucks John from his place in the timeline, and allows him to witness events in real time that haven't occurred yet (in John's understanding). Of course for Jesus, the future is already history.
PR
January 6, 2015
Revelation is easier to comprehend for me when I break in down into segments. There are basically three events that most other things happen around. The seals, trumpets and bowls. There are seven of each, and with each one come different actions. I wonder sometimes if they are all happening chronologically...there does seem to be some overlap in them. ie: seal # "x" and trumpet "x" have the same event...or at least a similar event. I suspect that the seals, trumpets and bowls are all overlapping in some way...but I haven't ever heard anyone else say the same thing.
It would seem that fire from heaven and great earthquakes will be the next method of wreaking havoc on the earth. It's ironic that scientists have been predicting the same thing.
One of the most often asked questions about Revelation is "when does the rapture take place?"
Some people think it's earlier than the tribulation, based on Jesus saying to John "come up here" in chapter 4. I suspect that the rapture isn't until partway or after the tribulation. In Chapter 7 a great multitude in white robes are seen in heaven. You can't have that unless there are Christians who perished during the tribulation. And you can't have Christians during the tribulation if they were all raptured earlier.
Some will say "those are the people who accepted Jesus after the rapture". Well....about that, I call your attention to the parable of the 10 virgins. 5 of them were supposed to go in, but they weren't ready when the door was opened the first (and only) time. When they realized their mistake and returned later, the door did not open again. Then there's the lesson to be learned from the Ark. It had only one door, and once the people had entered the Ark once, the door closed never to open again. Or, you might consider Israel's history: When did God ever remove the godly people from the rest of society before punishment came? It seems to me that the prophets always went with the people, into the desert and into exile. In fact, they were needed there, to remind the people of their sins, and to point the way to salvation. Once the opportunity for salvation has passed, then there will be no further need for the Holy Spirit to remain with men, and when He leaves, so will all the Christians.
It seems that a large meteor strikes the earth, and releases some sort of stinging fly. Maybe it's figurative language for an army that takes advantage of the fact the the skies are filled with smoke (that would mean no satellite imagery, and less high tech aircraft) which would level the playing field between the US and some other countries. There are many countries with Red, Yellow and Blue in their flags...too many to make a reasonable guess as to which one of them is indicated. It could be a country that doesn't exist today...we don't know. But, the fact that specific details are given about a future event tells us that it WILL happen, and that SOMEONE is able to travel into the future to see what occurs.
That someone is Jesus, who plucks John from his place in the timeline, and allows him to witness events in real time that haven't occurred yet (in John's understanding). Of course for Jesus, the future is already history.
PR
Monday, January 5, 2015
Revelation 1-5
January 5, 2015
The first 5 chapters of Revelation are filled with imagery that helps us to understand just how glorious God is. They are a glimpse into heaven and the wonders that dwell there.
We sometimes get lost in these first three chapters, focusing solely on what God said to each of the churches. There is value in that, but let's not forget the point. Jesus knows exactly what we are doing, He knows what we are up against and His command to persevere isn't negotiable. You and I aren't going through any problems that God isn't already aware of. In fact, as we read these first three chapters we understand that God allows difficulties to come our way. You can speculate as to why he allows them (I'm not sure I have that answer) but the fact that He allows them is undeniable.
When reading these chapters it's helpful to know that the number seven (7) is symbolic for perfection. Seven eyes could mean "perfect sight". Seven horns would then mean "perfect strength"because the horn is also a symbol for strength. Seven stars could mean "perfect presence" (?) or the seven lampstands could signify that the message was meant for all churches, using the seven specific churches as examples. (seven churches = the whole church)
Maybe then the seven seals meant that the scroll was perfectly sealed, and could only be opened by someone perfect. No wonder John was weeping. There is no perfect human in all history...save Jesus Christ.
Whatever the case, don't miss the glory and majesty that we glimpse here. All manner of created being bowing on a regular basis before the creator! God never tires of hearing praises from His creation! And the prayers of the saints are being offered by the 24 elders right before the throne! That's our prayers coming right in front of God himself.
The early christian church would have found this to be encouraging and uplifting. They would not have struggled with the imagery, or the rebuke they received. They knew (on some level) that they weren't doing what was right, and there is a sense of relief when someone finally calls attention to it. It's out in the open and can be addressed. If there was any dispute about whether or not is should be allowed, it disappeared when God spoke. Time to reevaluate, recommit and move forward. Without a doubt, that's what each of these churches did. and what centuries of Christians have done since they heard this message.
Revelation is book of encouragement, not one meant to be instill fear. Praise the Lord! The Lamb is able to open the scroll. That's our friend Jesus, who knows us personally, and is now standing IN THE CENTER of the throne. That's the place of power and authority. The early church would understand that they are victorious in Jesus Christ....and that's what we should take from this passage today.
PR
January 5, 2015
The first 5 chapters of Revelation are filled with imagery that helps us to understand just how glorious God is. They are a glimpse into heaven and the wonders that dwell there.
We sometimes get lost in these first three chapters, focusing solely on what God said to each of the churches. There is value in that, but let's not forget the point. Jesus knows exactly what we are doing, He knows what we are up against and His command to persevere isn't negotiable. You and I aren't going through any problems that God isn't already aware of. In fact, as we read these first three chapters we understand that God allows difficulties to come our way. You can speculate as to why he allows them (I'm not sure I have that answer) but the fact that He allows them is undeniable.
When reading these chapters it's helpful to know that the number seven (7) is symbolic for perfection. Seven eyes could mean "perfect sight". Seven horns would then mean "perfect strength"because the horn is also a symbol for strength. Seven stars could mean "perfect presence" (?) or the seven lampstands could signify that the message was meant for all churches, using the seven specific churches as examples. (seven churches = the whole church)
Maybe then the seven seals meant that the scroll was perfectly sealed, and could only be opened by someone perfect. No wonder John was weeping. There is no perfect human in all history...save Jesus Christ.
Whatever the case, don't miss the glory and majesty that we glimpse here. All manner of created being bowing on a regular basis before the creator! God never tires of hearing praises from His creation! And the prayers of the saints are being offered by the 24 elders right before the throne! That's our prayers coming right in front of God himself.
The early christian church would have found this to be encouraging and uplifting. They would not have struggled with the imagery, or the rebuke they received. They knew (on some level) that they weren't doing what was right, and there is a sense of relief when someone finally calls attention to it. It's out in the open and can be addressed. If there was any dispute about whether or not is should be allowed, it disappeared when God spoke. Time to reevaluate, recommit and move forward. Without a doubt, that's what each of these churches did. and what centuries of Christians have done since they heard this message.
Revelation is book of encouragement, not one meant to be instill fear. Praise the Lord! The Lamb is able to open the scroll. That's our friend Jesus, who knows us personally, and is now standing IN THE CENTER of the throne. That's the place of power and authority. The early church would understand that they are victorious in Jesus Christ....and that's what we should take from this passage today.
PR
Sunday, January 4, 2015
2 John and 3 John
January 4, 2015
Again today John is speaking about love. All the Apostles speak of the importance of love, but with John is seems to be his key message. In his Gospel he says "for God so LOVED the world..." and he often refers to himself as the "one Jesus loved". I don't think he intended to say that God loved him more or differently than others, only that he WAS loved, and that makes all the difference.
You are loved. God loves you.
If I am loved, then I have the right to assume certain things. I expect that the person who loves me will listen to me, care about my needs and go further than most others to help me out. It's fair to assume that the person who loves me finds me interesting, and wants to hear from me. In fact, when I am in love I am willing to listen to even humdrum conversation and be happy about it. I can sit and look at the person who I am in love with and say nothing. I can be content simply to be in their company.
Jesus loves you. You are loved. Just knowing that should make your prayer life different.
In fact, Jesus loves everyone. Even when they are misbehaving. That's good, because sometimes I misbehave. God never fails to love me. He doesn't always approve of what I do, and He often has to tell me to "straighten up", but He always loves me.
I can choose not to love God, but He has already chosen to love me and will not change. This fact will not alter my eternal destiny, I must confess my sins and allow Him to guide me or I will perish in hell forever. I look at it like this: I tell my children not to touch the hot stove and to look both ways before they cross the street. If they choose not to obey, I still love them....but I cannot guarantee that they won't suffer terrible consequences for their actions.
In this same way, I am instructed by John to love others. We are to love them unconditionally, and put up with their idiosyncrasies and occasional outbursts. Telling us to love one another was the most important thing that John could think to relay. In some small way I begin to understand why. If we truly love one another in the same way that Jesus loves us, we won't take advantage of each other, we won't try to harm each other, and we will sacrifice to work together and see the Gospel advanced (simply because we love God and each other).
Love for others is truly at the heart of Christianity. God is love, and those who profess to be His children must love as He loved.
PR
January 4, 2015
Again today John is speaking about love. All the Apostles speak of the importance of love, but with John is seems to be his key message. In his Gospel he says "for God so LOVED the world..." and he often refers to himself as the "one Jesus loved". I don't think he intended to say that God loved him more or differently than others, only that he WAS loved, and that makes all the difference.
You are loved. God loves you.
If I am loved, then I have the right to assume certain things. I expect that the person who loves me will listen to me, care about my needs and go further than most others to help me out. It's fair to assume that the person who loves me finds me interesting, and wants to hear from me. In fact, when I am in love I am willing to listen to even humdrum conversation and be happy about it. I can sit and look at the person who I am in love with and say nothing. I can be content simply to be in their company.
Jesus loves you. You are loved. Just knowing that should make your prayer life different.
In fact, Jesus loves everyone. Even when they are misbehaving. That's good, because sometimes I misbehave. God never fails to love me. He doesn't always approve of what I do, and He often has to tell me to "straighten up", but He always loves me.
I can choose not to love God, but He has already chosen to love me and will not change. This fact will not alter my eternal destiny, I must confess my sins and allow Him to guide me or I will perish in hell forever. I look at it like this: I tell my children not to touch the hot stove and to look both ways before they cross the street. If they choose not to obey, I still love them....but I cannot guarantee that they won't suffer terrible consequences for their actions.
In this same way, I am instructed by John to love others. We are to love them unconditionally, and put up with their idiosyncrasies and occasional outbursts. Telling us to love one another was the most important thing that John could think to relay. In some small way I begin to understand why. If we truly love one another in the same way that Jesus loves us, we won't take advantage of each other, we won't try to harm each other, and we will sacrifice to work together and see the Gospel advanced (simply because we love God and each other).
Love for others is truly at the heart of Christianity. God is love, and those who profess to be His children must love as He loved.
PR
Saturday, January 3, 2015
1 John 1-5
January 3, 2015
It occurred to me while reading today that there are two primary writers of the New Testament: Luke and Paul. Apart from them, John is next, writing 1,2 and 3 John, Gospel of John and Revelation. So really, those three men wrote most of the New Testament. If you add in Matthew and Mark with one book each, and James with a small book....that's almost the whole thing.
Chapter 4 catches my attention today.
"the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world"
- in itself, this tells me that I can be victorious over anything that the devil throws at me. There is no addiction, bad habit or attitude that I cannot have victory over.
"let us love one another, for love comes from God"
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love"
"This is love; not that we loved god, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
"since God loved us, we also ought to love one another"
"God lives in us and his love is made complete in us"
- John goes to great lengths to underscore the importance of loving others. I suspect that you cannot call yourself a Christian if you do not love others. (see the second phrase)
- Everything that Jesus teaches can be traced back to love.
"if anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God"
- Therefore, I do not run my brother down, or gossip about him or his ministry. To do so is to criticize what God is doing.
"God is love"
"there is no fear in love, perfect love drives out fear"
- no fear of judgment, no fear of death, no fear of rejection or of loneliness.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
2 Peter 1-3 and Jude
January 2, 2015
Peter and Jude are both talking about false teachers, who appear to have become Christians and then developed an unhealthy theology along the way. From what I read they were men who never surrendered their ego to the Lord, so they still wanted credit and glory and probably power. Nothing I read indicates that these false teachers had learned humility. Learning to be humble is a key part of the faith. As we mature in our faith, we understand that we can do nothing of eternal value on our own. Perhaps these men were advanced too quickly, or maybe they never really wanted to "take the high road" in the first place. It has been my observation that people occasionally show up at the church looking as if they are great helpers and servants, only to be later revealed as predators. Once they are found out they move to a different location...but they leave a trail of frustrated and hurting people behind them. Many years later there are still people who bear the scars of false teachers, some of them never return to church. It is probably one of the most frustrating parts of ministry.
The only real way to spot someone false is by the fruit they bear. The fruit of the Spirit will not be in a false teacher. So the difference between a false teacher and an immature Christian is the evidence of the Spirit's fruit. I wince as I look back on my own early years as a Christian, and I marvel at the love and mercy shown me by those who were more mature. I had some serious rough edges, but they were able to recognize the fruit of the Spirit in me, and so they encouraged me along instead of rebuking me. I survive today as a witness of their faithfulness and God's grace. Amazing.
PR
January 2, 2015
Peter and Jude are both talking about false teachers, who appear to have become Christians and then developed an unhealthy theology along the way. From what I read they were men who never surrendered their ego to the Lord, so they still wanted credit and glory and probably power. Nothing I read indicates that these false teachers had learned humility. Learning to be humble is a key part of the faith. As we mature in our faith, we understand that we can do nothing of eternal value on our own. Perhaps these men were advanced too quickly, or maybe they never really wanted to "take the high road" in the first place. It has been my observation that people occasionally show up at the church looking as if they are great helpers and servants, only to be later revealed as predators. Once they are found out they move to a different location...but they leave a trail of frustrated and hurting people behind them. Many years later there are still people who bear the scars of false teachers, some of them never return to church. It is probably one of the most frustrating parts of ministry.
The only real way to spot someone false is by the fruit they bear. The fruit of the Spirit will not be in a false teacher. So the difference between a false teacher and an immature Christian is the evidence of the Spirit's fruit. I wince as I look back on my own early years as a Christian, and I marvel at the love and mercy shown me by those who were more mature. I had some serious rough edges, but they were able to recognize the fruit of the Spirit in me, and so they encouraged me along instead of rebuking me. I survive today as a witness of their faithfulness and God's grace. Amazing.
PR
2 Timothy 1-4
January 1, 2015
First day of the new year, and I am reading about Paul encouraging Timothy to be truly transformed.
There are several concepts that I want to remember today:
1. Suffering is part of the Gospel. Paul says that if we choose to be Christians there will be some suffering involved. He doesn't say what, or how much...and in his day there was a great deal of persecution. Maybe this particular verse was meant for Paul's day and not for ours, but it certainly seems contemporary.
2. The Gospel will always be opposed. There will always be someone like Alexander, or Jannes and Jambres who either incorrectly interpret what the Bible is teaching, or deny it outright. Putting up with them without becoming angry or irritated is probably part of the suffering. It is difficult to stay focused and motivated when someone who is otherwise very intelligent and well spoken chooses not to see the truth of the Gospel. It is especially discouraging when they were a close friend in the first place.
3. There must be a transformation in our behavior if we truly believe. This is the one that really impacts me today. Paul spends most of his time on this thought. He encourages Timothy to stay the course in Chapter 1, then beginning in Chapter 2 with the passage about being a good workman he shifts his focus to the transformation of the believer. And if you read Paul's description of the transformed person, it isn't a something unattainable. This really reads to me as Paul saying "In a spiritual sense, Christians need to grow up" Here's what I mean: When we become Christians we accept that there is a level of existence beyond the physical realm with Jesus Christ as the center. (some accept another realm, but not Jesus. I am not referring to them) When Christ is realized, it's kind of like growing up. When I lived at home I didn't think about how much anything cost, or where it came from. Everything was provided and I didn't care. Therefore, I invested myself in having fun, and complaining about petty things,etc. But when I grew up and moved out on my own, I realized that in order to eat I would have to earn a living. And if I wanted to be married, or have children I would have to provide for them. I couldn't continue to think and act the way I had been and still be an adult.
Paul is saying that once we accept Christ we need to grow up. To change. Accept the idea of life after death, judgment after life and reward for certain behavior. Set aside the evil desires of youth. They are evil because they focus on me, and not on God. I am gradually realizing that my greatest enemy is myself, not others. My desires are the ones that most often prevent me from doing what the Bible says I should, and what my intellect tells me I should be doing. Learned behavior is hard to flee, but Paul encourages us to make it happen.
Nothing Paul says is impossible. It could be difficult, and it will probably be unpopular (most of the "first world" countries make self indulgence a priority) but it has happen in order for the message to truly take root, and for any of us to gain favor with God.
PR
January 1, 2015
First day of the new year, and I am reading about Paul encouraging Timothy to be truly transformed.
There are several concepts that I want to remember today:
1. Suffering is part of the Gospel. Paul says that if we choose to be Christians there will be some suffering involved. He doesn't say what, or how much...and in his day there was a great deal of persecution. Maybe this particular verse was meant for Paul's day and not for ours, but it certainly seems contemporary.
2. The Gospel will always be opposed. There will always be someone like Alexander, or Jannes and Jambres who either incorrectly interpret what the Bible is teaching, or deny it outright. Putting up with them without becoming angry or irritated is probably part of the suffering. It is difficult to stay focused and motivated when someone who is otherwise very intelligent and well spoken chooses not to see the truth of the Gospel. It is especially discouraging when they were a close friend in the first place.
3. There must be a transformation in our behavior if we truly believe. This is the one that really impacts me today. Paul spends most of his time on this thought. He encourages Timothy to stay the course in Chapter 1, then beginning in Chapter 2 with the passage about being a good workman he shifts his focus to the transformation of the believer. And if you read Paul's description of the transformed person, it isn't a something unattainable. This really reads to me as Paul saying "In a spiritual sense, Christians need to grow up" Here's what I mean: When we become Christians we accept that there is a level of existence beyond the physical realm with Jesus Christ as the center. (some accept another realm, but not Jesus. I am not referring to them) When Christ is realized, it's kind of like growing up. When I lived at home I didn't think about how much anything cost, or where it came from. Everything was provided and I didn't care. Therefore, I invested myself in having fun, and complaining about petty things,etc. But when I grew up and moved out on my own, I realized that in order to eat I would have to earn a living. And if I wanted to be married, or have children I would have to provide for them. I couldn't continue to think and act the way I had been and still be an adult.
Paul is saying that once we accept Christ we need to grow up. To change. Accept the idea of life after death, judgment after life and reward for certain behavior. Set aside the evil desires of youth. They are evil because they focus on me, and not on God. I am gradually realizing that my greatest enemy is myself, not others. My desires are the ones that most often prevent me from doing what the Bible says I should, and what my intellect tells me I should be doing. Learned behavior is hard to flee, but Paul encourages us to make it happen.
Nothing Paul says is impossible. It could be difficult, and it will probably be unpopular (most of the "first world" countries make self indulgence a priority) but it has happen in order for the message to truly take root, and for any of us to gain favor with God.
PR
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