He’s Alive!
The women that came to the tomb that morning could have easily decided to just skip it (the “they” in verse 1 refers to the women, as in the end of the previous chapter). But they had purposed to bury Jesus properly, and that meant spices and oil for the body, in accordance with the customs. We can say they should have expected what they found when they got there, but we sure have the benefit of lots of hindsight.
So they go report to the eleven (remember, Judas is dead by now), causing Peter to run to the tomb. We know from other accounts that John did, too. Peter goes home, marveling at what he saw and heard. But as of yet, he had not encountered the risen Christ.
Cleopas and some others are on the way to Emmaus, and Jesus finds them walking, though they do not recognize Him. They tell this “stranger” about what had taken place in Jerusalem over the past week, incredulous that there is someone who does not know about all that went on. The sentiment was that the possibility of Israel’s redemption rested on Jesus’ shoulders, and now that He was dead, it appeared that the opportunity had come and gone. His followers were discouraged, and it’s not hard to understand why.
The news was that the women had gone to the tomb and found it empty, along with messengers telling them that He was alive. Men went and found the same empty tomb, though they did not meet Jesus there. The faith of the men was already being tested, as they either had to believe the witness of the women, or wait to see themselves.
A key strength of the gospel account is that of the statements of the women. Legally, a woman’s account meant nothing. So if the gospel writers and early church wanted to give more credibility to their “stories”, they could have said the men were the key witnesses. The fact that they record the account as it happened tells me they really believed it, and that it really happened that way.
Jesus taught these men during the walk toward Emmaus about Moses and the prophets, about all things concerning Him. Verse 31 records their eyes being opened as they realize who He is. He had been eating with them, and then He vanished, and they rush back to Jerusalem to share the news. He’s alive!
And by this time, Peter knew, too. His denial now past history, he knows his Savior is alive.
To further eliminate doubt, Jesus appears in the middle of the eleven, shows them His hands and feet, albeit now part of a glorified body, and their minds are opened to fully understand what has taken place.
The message is clear: repentance and forgiveness must be proclaimed. One must repent to be forgiven. And no matter what the disciples thought, they are told that they ARE witnesses. Not that they SHOULD be witnesses, they ARE.
And most comforting of all, after they realize He must now depart from the earth, He promises to send help to them. He promises to give them utterance when they need it, and they will, as you read the book of Acts. He will give them the words to say. In Acts, we know that the Holy Spirit came, and gave the apostles the power to preach, the power to respond to the questions and accusations. Yet Jesus said that He would be the one to help. We can only realize that Jesus’ spirit is the Holy Spirit, they are one. A nice reference to the Trinity here.
While I won’t write on it now, go and read Acts 1 next. Luke wrote that after finishing this gospel, it may actually be all one letter. Read the resurrection account here, then read the charge to believers in Acts 1:8, and realize that HE IS ALIVE, and we serve a risen Savior!
SO WHAT…?
So, I need to get excited that He is alive. This is foundational truth which I must base my life upon. And I need to find others to tell, He will also give me the words to say.
So, I am a witness. It’s not “I should be a witness”, but rather, I am indeed a witness, good, bad, or otherwise. People watch you and me, and I pray God covers where I fall short, and I pray that God is seen through me when I happen to get it right.
So, I have the accounts of witnesses written down, inspired by God. I can believe, or not. As for me, He’s alive!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
LUKE 23
We have become so familiar with the stories of Pilate and the ensuing crucifixion, that I wonder if they become “quick reads” when we get to them. My challenge for myself was to read this chapter slowly, deliberately, just to try to take in the account of the Savior’s treatment this last day as a human. Let the crucifixion sink in, as if it were a fresh story.
Jesus begins this day before Pilate, and His first accusers have lied to place Jesus here. Pilate can see their motives, and when he finds no fault with Jesus, he pushes him along to Herod, since Herod is in charge of the Galilean region, where Jesus is from. Herod’s headquarters would have also been in Jerusalem, likely in an adjacent building.
Herod had wanted such a meeting with Jesus, remember? It turns out he wanted to see some miracles; he wanted to see Jesus perform. Jesus showed him nothing, and He did not even answer questions. Besides Herod asking questions, the chief priests and scribes are lobbing accusations, one after the other. No response from Jesus, so back to Pilate He goes. As a result of this interaction, Herod and Pilate became friends, politically-speaking.
Pilate offers to appease the crowd by a harsh punishment of Jesus. Rather, they choose to have Barabbas released, asking for Jesus’ death, death by crucifixion. Their voices prevailed, and for political expedience, Pilate issues the order. We know Jesus was scourged, from other accounts, readying His body to die.
What impact do you think there was on Simon, the one from Cyrene, who was forced to carry Jesus’ cross? By this time, Jesus had been scourged; He would have been bleeding badly and so weak that He could not even carry the beam that would be used to hold Him in place while He died. From the standpoint of all people being sinners, that beam belonged to Simon, it belonged to me and you. And Simon got to set it down, and step away, while they nailed Jesus to it.
What else is there to say about the crucifixion? This was an agonizing, tortuous way to die. The one on a cross would serve as an example and deterrent to others considering messing with Rome. Deep down, the Jewish leaders had to hate that Rome would do such a thing to citizens of Israel, as these leaders hated being occupied by Rome. This day, however, they were good with it.
So many scriptures and prophecies were fulfilled. Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, and others came to life with His treatment that Good Friday. Psalms 31 and 38 are good supplementary reads as well. Even “small” details like being killed along with other criminals were predicted by the prophets. Sadly, those mocking Him missed His message. Many who watched Him enter the city earlier that week and who were intrigued by His arrival were there to sneer at the helpless Jesus, who asked the Father to forgive them.
One of the thieves on the cross gets it. Not baptized, not a believer very long, he got to enter Paradise with the Savior that day.
Powerful darkness engulfed the land for three hours in the middle of the day. When the temple veil tore, it did so from top to bottom, according to Matthew. This veil, or curtain, would have been inches thick, and to even imagine tearing it would have meant cutting it at the bottom and splitting it by pulling the sides away from each other. But as it happened, the tearing was in God’s hands. The Holy of Holies was now open to all, access to God was granted to the individual who will trust what Jesus has done.
In verse 55, we see that the ladies followed Joseph of Arimathea and his helpers (Nicodemus was there) as they laid the body in the tomb. The ladies saw the tomb, and how His body was wrapped and laid. They knew where to return after the Sabbath, to complete His burial properly.
SO WHAT...?
So, I must admit, it is very hard to read this account and really put myself in that scene. I never want to see anything so gruesome. Jesus knew my sin already, and He did this to save me.
So, I am reminded of how all Scripture, all of history revolves around this moment, this act of Jesus sacrificially giving of Himself. I am humbled by God’s plan.
So someone I know, or perhaps a stranger, and neighbor, someone needs to hear this story. Who better to tell that person, than me? Join me in telling someone, today.
Jesus begins this day before Pilate, and His first accusers have lied to place Jesus here. Pilate can see their motives, and when he finds no fault with Jesus, he pushes him along to Herod, since Herod is in charge of the Galilean region, where Jesus is from. Herod’s headquarters would have also been in Jerusalem, likely in an adjacent building.
Herod had wanted such a meeting with Jesus, remember? It turns out he wanted to see some miracles; he wanted to see Jesus perform. Jesus showed him nothing, and He did not even answer questions. Besides Herod asking questions, the chief priests and scribes are lobbing accusations, one after the other. No response from Jesus, so back to Pilate He goes. As a result of this interaction, Herod and Pilate became friends, politically-speaking.
Pilate offers to appease the crowd by a harsh punishment of Jesus. Rather, they choose to have Barabbas released, asking for Jesus’ death, death by crucifixion. Their voices prevailed, and for political expedience, Pilate issues the order. We know Jesus was scourged, from other accounts, readying His body to die.
What impact do you think there was on Simon, the one from Cyrene, who was forced to carry Jesus’ cross? By this time, Jesus had been scourged; He would have been bleeding badly and so weak that He could not even carry the beam that would be used to hold Him in place while He died. From the standpoint of all people being sinners, that beam belonged to Simon, it belonged to me and you. And Simon got to set it down, and step away, while they nailed Jesus to it.
What else is there to say about the crucifixion? This was an agonizing, tortuous way to die. The one on a cross would serve as an example and deterrent to others considering messing with Rome. Deep down, the Jewish leaders had to hate that Rome would do such a thing to citizens of Israel, as these leaders hated being occupied by Rome. This day, however, they were good with it.
So many scriptures and prophecies were fulfilled. Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, and others came to life with His treatment that Good Friday. Psalms 31 and 38 are good supplementary reads as well. Even “small” details like being killed along with other criminals were predicted by the prophets. Sadly, those mocking Him missed His message. Many who watched Him enter the city earlier that week and who were intrigued by His arrival were there to sneer at the helpless Jesus, who asked the Father to forgive them.
One of the thieves on the cross gets it. Not baptized, not a believer very long, he got to enter Paradise with the Savior that day.
Powerful darkness engulfed the land for three hours in the middle of the day. When the temple veil tore, it did so from top to bottom, according to Matthew. This veil, or curtain, would have been inches thick, and to even imagine tearing it would have meant cutting it at the bottom and splitting it by pulling the sides away from each other. But as it happened, the tearing was in God’s hands. The Holy of Holies was now open to all, access to God was granted to the individual who will trust what Jesus has done.
In verse 55, we see that the ladies followed Joseph of Arimathea and his helpers (Nicodemus was there) as they laid the body in the tomb. The ladies saw the tomb, and how His body was wrapped and laid. They knew where to return after the Sabbath, to complete His burial properly.
SO WHAT...?
So, I must admit, it is very hard to read this account and really put myself in that scene. I never want to see anything so gruesome. Jesus knew my sin already, and He did this to save me.
So, I am reminded of how all Scripture, all of history revolves around this moment, this act of Jesus sacrificially giving of Himself. I am humbled by God’s plan.
So someone I know, or perhaps a stranger, and neighbor, someone needs to hear this story. Who better to tell that person, than me? Join me in telling someone, today.
Friday, August 27, 2010
LUKE 22: 39-71
Gethsemane. What are your thoughts when you hear of that Garden? As a part of the Mount of Olives, it can be considered a special place. The Mount of Olives is where Christ ascended, and where He will physically return. But really, on this last night of Jesus’ human ministry, it was simply a place where he retreated to pray. He often retreated to pray. He was easy to find by Judas and the Roman cohort, because Judas knew where He would go to pray.
So I think of this dark, sullen, gray, smoky, yucky place when hear the name. In actuality, it was likely a very pleasant place to be, with a great view of Jerusalem. Secluded and quiet, it was a good place to relax.
Besides Jesus’ propensity to pray and pray often, I am reminded of His always doing so according to the Father’s will. His human nature did not want to face crucifixion. Yet He subjected Himself to the will of the Father. For you and for me.
Here’s another word: heamtohidrosis. A somewhat rare physical condition, in times of great stress capillaries near sweat glands can rupture, allowing blood to escape the skin through the open sweat glands. Jesus’ anguish was of such a level, that this condition could very well be what is literally meant in verse 44. I believe this to be the case. Luke, a physician by trade, would have had reason to make mention of this, though the condition would not have been named then. Not a theological issue, if the term “sweating drops of blood” is figurative. Either way, Jesus was deeply distressed.
In the middle of His personal anguish, He prays for the disciples to not be taken in temptation. He encourages them to pray likewise. Humanly-speaking, He had every right to be concerned with what faced Him, and He kept His focus on what He was doing for everyone else.
We know from verse 38 that this group had two swords. When Jesus is betrayed, hundreds of men came to arrest him, mostly armed soldiers. Peter plans, I suppose, to fight them off, as he strikes one soldier (Malchus, from other accounts). Jesus even takes time to minister to this soldier by healing his ear.
Jesus is arrested at night, to avoid confrontation by crowds in Jerusalem.
The initial trials before the Jewish leaders take place at night, illegal according to Jewish law. And when He most needs support, his disciples have fled, and Peter denies knowing Him. I imagine the mental pain and fatigue Jesus felt as a result of that abandonment hurt as much, if not more, than everything else up to that point.
When Jesus is questioned as to whether or not He is the Christ, He answers as shown in verse 67. His answer would not have mattered, is what I get from that passage. But those questioning Him follow up with “Are You the Son of God?” to which He says “Yes”. For anyone who thinks the Bible never teaches that Jesus is God, here is one great text, where those asking the questions understood clearly that the terms “Son of God” and “God” were equal. In this way, He called Himself God, and the Jews believed such blasphemy to be worthy of death. He was not “like” the Son of God”, but rather He WAS and IS the Son of God. He is God.
Gethsemane. I used to picture this sad and gloomy place. Now I see it as a place where Christ performed perhaps His greatest ministry. He prayed for His followers. He healed an enemy. He succumbed to the Father’s will, completely, for you and me.
SO WHAT…?
So, if people want to find me praying, where would they do that? Or a different twist: if it is 8:00 p.m. on a Wednesday, or 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, will people who know me call me, thinking I am at home? Would they know where to find me?
So, in the middle of my meager trials (relative to those of Jesus), can I remember to pray to keep from temptation? Can I remember to think of and pray for others?
So, what will it take for me to honor God’s will for my life? When it gets tough, will I succumb to Him, or to me?
So I think of this dark, sullen, gray, smoky, yucky place when hear the name. In actuality, it was likely a very pleasant place to be, with a great view of Jerusalem. Secluded and quiet, it was a good place to relax.
Besides Jesus’ propensity to pray and pray often, I am reminded of His always doing so according to the Father’s will. His human nature did not want to face crucifixion. Yet He subjected Himself to the will of the Father. For you and for me.
Here’s another word: heamtohidrosis. A somewhat rare physical condition, in times of great stress capillaries near sweat glands can rupture, allowing blood to escape the skin through the open sweat glands. Jesus’ anguish was of such a level, that this condition could very well be what is literally meant in verse 44. I believe this to be the case. Luke, a physician by trade, would have had reason to make mention of this, though the condition would not have been named then. Not a theological issue, if the term “sweating drops of blood” is figurative. Either way, Jesus was deeply distressed.
In the middle of His personal anguish, He prays for the disciples to not be taken in temptation. He encourages them to pray likewise. Humanly-speaking, He had every right to be concerned with what faced Him, and He kept His focus on what He was doing for everyone else.
We know from verse 38 that this group had two swords. When Jesus is betrayed, hundreds of men came to arrest him, mostly armed soldiers. Peter plans, I suppose, to fight them off, as he strikes one soldier (Malchus, from other accounts). Jesus even takes time to minister to this soldier by healing his ear.
Jesus is arrested at night, to avoid confrontation by crowds in Jerusalem.
The initial trials before the Jewish leaders take place at night, illegal according to Jewish law. And when He most needs support, his disciples have fled, and Peter denies knowing Him. I imagine the mental pain and fatigue Jesus felt as a result of that abandonment hurt as much, if not more, than everything else up to that point.
When Jesus is questioned as to whether or not He is the Christ, He answers as shown in verse 67. His answer would not have mattered, is what I get from that passage. But those questioning Him follow up with “Are You the Son of God?” to which He says “Yes”. For anyone who thinks the Bible never teaches that Jesus is God, here is one great text, where those asking the questions understood clearly that the terms “Son of God” and “God” were equal. In this way, He called Himself God, and the Jews believed such blasphemy to be worthy of death. He was not “like” the Son of God”, but rather He WAS and IS the Son of God. He is God.
Gethsemane. I used to picture this sad and gloomy place. Now I see it as a place where Christ performed perhaps His greatest ministry. He prayed for His followers. He healed an enemy. He succumbed to the Father’s will, completely, for you and me.
SO WHAT…?
So, if people want to find me praying, where would they do that? Or a different twist: if it is 8:00 p.m. on a Wednesday, or 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, will people who know me call me, thinking I am at home? Would they know where to find me?
So, in the middle of my meager trials (relative to those of Jesus), can I remember to pray to keep from temptation? Can I remember to think of and pray for others?
So, what will it take for me to honor God’s will for my life? When it gets tough, will I succumb to Him, or to me?
Thursday, August 26, 2010
LUKE 22: 1-38
The chief priests and scribes simply cannot contain themselves, wanting so badly to put Jesus to death. They are plotting murder, a serious crime in any age.
Judas becomes powered by Satan, and betrays Jesus by approaching those wanting to kill Him, and offering to help them find a time and place to capture Him. You know, He was not hard to find or arrest, but the leaders did not want the public push back from doing so, as they feared the people, with whom Jesus was a favorite.
Jesus is in Jerusalem this week because of the Passover celebration, and he instructs some disciples to go make a room ready for their Passover meal. They find a man, and upper room, etc., just as He said they would.
Verse 16 is a wonderful prediction of the marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19. Until then, we are to celebrate what Jesus did on that cross, we are to remember His atoning sacrifice for us, by continuing in the practice of the Lord’s Supper. The word “is”, used by Jesus, means a representation. Jesus’ body and blood are represented by the elements used during Communion. There is no actual transformation of those physical elements into any actual components of Christ. No sacramental grace is imparted. But we are to remember, and true remembrance can only occur for those who have accepted Christ personally.
Jesus announces with this group the betrayal to occur. Judas is there, we know by other accounts. Keep in mind, during this dinner, they really have no idea that by that time “tomorrow”, Jesus will have been crucified. Had they really understood that, maybe they would not have begun to argue over which of them was the greatest. This seems trite to us, as we realize what big picture events are about to happen. Jesus keeps serving, illustrating who is really the greatest.
In verse 30, the disciples are told they will sit in judgment of the 12 tribes of Israel, OT saints, basically. We see this in Revelation 5. Consensus is that the 24 elders in Revelation is the church, and the disciples here are soon to become the church’s first members.
Spiritual warfare is very real, and Jesus explains briefly how Satan has been at work trying to harm and tempt the disciples. The language used really means that he was given permission to try to harm, and Jesus prays for them, for Peter and all the rest. God knows in the end they will not falter, and Satan could do nothing to stop God’s plan. Satan tried and failed with Job, he will do likewise with this group.
Jesus hints at the disciples’ abandonment and Peter’s denial-to-come with the phrase “when once you have turned again...” Peter is adamant, vowing his loyalty. Isaiah 53 is quoted by the Lord; He is soon to simply be “numbered” with other transgressors, and yet He is teaching these men here in His last human hours that they will be witnesses for Him soon. They need to be strong and prepared.
SO WHAT...?
So I, too must be strong and prepared, as I am to be a witness for Him each and every day.
So, I know what is next in the story, I know what Jesus has done for me. It should sober my thinking and my way of life, to appreciate the secure eternal life that awaits.
So, as I realize what He did for me, I should remember and celebrate that with the Lord’s Supper; I should remember and celebrate that daily, and that remembrance should show forth from my life.
Judas becomes powered by Satan, and betrays Jesus by approaching those wanting to kill Him, and offering to help them find a time and place to capture Him. You know, He was not hard to find or arrest, but the leaders did not want the public push back from doing so, as they feared the people, with whom Jesus was a favorite.
Jesus is in Jerusalem this week because of the Passover celebration, and he instructs some disciples to go make a room ready for their Passover meal. They find a man, and upper room, etc., just as He said they would.
Verse 16 is a wonderful prediction of the marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19. Until then, we are to celebrate what Jesus did on that cross, we are to remember His atoning sacrifice for us, by continuing in the practice of the Lord’s Supper. The word “is”, used by Jesus, means a representation. Jesus’ body and blood are represented by the elements used during Communion. There is no actual transformation of those physical elements into any actual components of Christ. No sacramental grace is imparted. But we are to remember, and true remembrance can only occur for those who have accepted Christ personally.
Jesus announces with this group the betrayal to occur. Judas is there, we know by other accounts. Keep in mind, during this dinner, they really have no idea that by that time “tomorrow”, Jesus will have been crucified. Had they really understood that, maybe they would not have begun to argue over which of them was the greatest. This seems trite to us, as we realize what big picture events are about to happen. Jesus keeps serving, illustrating who is really the greatest.
In verse 30, the disciples are told they will sit in judgment of the 12 tribes of Israel, OT saints, basically. We see this in Revelation 5. Consensus is that the 24 elders in Revelation is the church, and the disciples here are soon to become the church’s first members.
Spiritual warfare is very real, and Jesus explains briefly how Satan has been at work trying to harm and tempt the disciples. The language used really means that he was given permission to try to harm, and Jesus prays for them, for Peter and all the rest. God knows in the end they will not falter, and Satan could do nothing to stop God’s plan. Satan tried and failed with Job, he will do likewise with this group.
Jesus hints at the disciples’ abandonment and Peter’s denial-to-come with the phrase “when once you have turned again...” Peter is adamant, vowing his loyalty. Isaiah 53 is quoted by the Lord; He is soon to simply be “numbered” with other transgressors, and yet He is teaching these men here in His last human hours that they will be witnesses for Him soon. They need to be strong and prepared.
SO WHAT...?
So I, too must be strong and prepared, as I am to be a witness for Him each and every day.
So, I know what is next in the story, I know what Jesus has done for me. It should sober my thinking and my way of life, to appreciate the secure eternal life that awaits.
So, as I realize what He did for me, I should remember and celebrate that with the Lord’s Supper; I should remember and celebrate that daily, and that remembrance should show forth from my life.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
LUKE 21
Keep in mind, Jesus is still in the middle of Jerusalem. For Him, it is the week of the Passion, and He is teaching both formally and casually, watching and observing all that is going on around Him. He worked very hard that week, as the end of this chapter mentions. He was up early and teaching, retreating to rest late in the day. After warning of the scribes and hypocrisy, He looks up.
He notices the gifts of money being brought to the temple treasury, especially how the rich pour their offerings in. From other accounts, we know they did so in a way as to attract attention, to purposely be seen. In stark contrast, a widow puts in a simple amount, two small coins, all she really had, and Jesus commends her to his followers as an example.
These people love their temple, and are perplexed when Jesus tells them of the days to come when it will be turned to rubble. So they ask Him two questions: what will be the signs of this occurring, and when will it happen? In His reply, he never really answers the “when”, and the signs He points to have Him bouncing back and forth between near and far future to those He was teaching. Note verse 9, with the wars and disturbances which must take place, followed by “the end does not follow immediately.” In this context, He is not talking about the temple and the defeat of Jerusalem; this is much more a comment on the end times, the end of this age. Even to us, we wait for the “when” of the end times. Verses 10 and 11 are similar, speaking of big picture, end times happenings.
Then verse 12 addresses more of their immediate question, with Him saying “before all these things.” Each of the disciples there will have opportunity to witness for Christ, opportunity to testify. There is to be this reliance on what God gives them to speak, and Him giving utterance to them is seen in Acts, when the Spirit is given, and they preach publicly. Most notable there are the sermons Peter delivers on the spot. And in a great twist, Jesus tells them some of them will be put to death, yet not a hair of their heads will perish. How so? When thinking eternally, He is offering them the assurance of their faith, long-term, eternally. They might come under physical and even mental persecution (and most were martyred eventually), but they were not to worry. They were very safe.
Side theological note: While there may not be a single verse to prove the trinity, knowing the Holy Spirit’s work in Acts, and comparing that to Jesus saying that He will be the one giving the words to speak, it is clear to see that Jesus and the Spirit are the same. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of Jesus.
Verse 20 slips back to future end times, and the images presented take us to the time to come known as the Tribulation. That time will be horrific; the terror that will come upon people will be unspeakable. This world will have never before seen such despair.
THEN…The Son of Man will come in a cloud, with power and great glory! How can that even be written in a way as to give this happening the excitement it deserves? Daniel spoke of this in Dan. 7, John saw it in Revelation 1. All will know who He is. Jesus led His followers to this point in the story masterfully.
After His teaching here reached a climax, He again illustrated using a simple fig tree. The trees show signs of their producing fruit. So will the events to come signal the imminent coming of the kingdom of God. We have been seeing these signs since the establishment of the church. The Son of Man is coming soon, indeed!
SO WHAT…? (Straight from the text today)
So, as Jesus taught, I should recognize the kingdom is near, and I should rest in the fact that His words will not pass away.
So, I am not to be too weighed down with the concerns of this life.
So, I am to be ready to stand before the Son of Man, a clear reference to my being judged as a Christian. Am I ready? Are you?
He notices the gifts of money being brought to the temple treasury, especially how the rich pour their offerings in. From other accounts, we know they did so in a way as to attract attention, to purposely be seen. In stark contrast, a widow puts in a simple amount, two small coins, all she really had, and Jesus commends her to his followers as an example.
These people love their temple, and are perplexed when Jesus tells them of the days to come when it will be turned to rubble. So they ask Him two questions: what will be the signs of this occurring, and when will it happen? In His reply, he never really answers the “when”, and the signs He points to have Him bouncing back and forth between near and far future to those He was teaching. Note verse 9, with the wars and disturbances which must take place, followed by “the end does not follow immediately.” In this context, He is not talking about the temple and the defeat of Jerusalem; this is much more a comment on the end times, the end of this age. Even to us, we wait for the “when” of the end times. Verses 10 and 11 are similar, speaking of big picture, end times happenings.
Then verse 12 addresses more of their immediate question, with Him saying “before all these things.” Each of the disciples there will have opportunity to witness for Christ, opportunity to testify. There is to be this reliance on what God gives them to speak, and Him giving utterance to them is seen in Acts, when the Spirit is given, and they preach publicly. Most notable there are the sermons Peter delivers on the spot. And in a great twist, Jesus tells them some of them will be put to death, yet not a hair of their heads will perish. How so? When thinking eternally, He is offering them the assurance of their faith, long-term, eternally. They might come under physical and even mental persecution (and most were martyred eventually), but they were not to worry. They were very safe.
Side theological note: While there may not be a single verse to prove the trinity, knowing the Holy Spirit’s work in Acts, and comparing that to Jesus saying that He will be the one giving the words to speak, it is clear to see that Jesus and the Spirit are the same. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of Jesus.
Verse 20 slips back to future end times, and the images presented take us to the time to come known as the Tribulation. That time will be horrific; the terror that will come upon people will be unspeakable. This world will have never before seen such despair.
THEN…The Son of Man will come in a cloud, with power and great glory! How can that even be written in a way as to give this happening the excitement it deserves? Daniel spoke of this in Dan. 7, John saw it in Revelation 1. All will know who He is. Jesus led His followers to this point in the story masterfully.
After His teaching here reached a climax, He again illustrated using a simple fig tree. The trees show signs of their producing fruit. So will the events to come signal the imminent coming of the kingdom of God. We have been seeing these signs since the establishment of the church. The Son of Man is coming soon, indeed!
SO WHAT…? (Straight from the text today)
So, as Jesus taught, I should recognize the kingdom is near, and I should rest in the fact that His words will not pass away.
So, I am not to be too weighed down with the concerns of this life.
So, I am to be ready to stand before the Son of Man, a clear reference to my being judged as a Christian. Am I ready? Are you?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
LUKE 20
Some of Jesus’ best teaching occurred during the Passion Week, and he spent much of His time that week desperately preaching to the Jewish religious leaders. While we understand that some of them eventually (post-resurrection) “got it”, most did not, and all they could do at this time was question Him in hopes of catching Him in some error.
Here, His authority is questioned, and the Master Teacher fires back with a question of his own. Knowing that John the Baptist had a great reputation among Israel, Jesus knows they cannot answer His question. If the leaders said John was from heaven, then they must answer as to why they did not follow him. If they answer that he was from man, they lose credibility, because the people thought John to have been a sent prophet. So they sheepishly, accidentally-wisely, say, “I don’t know.” Neither will Jesus tell them on whose authority He teaches.
The parable of the vine-growers spoke directly to this leadership. The servants who were sent would refer to the prophets of old, proclaiming God’s message of repentance. The son is a clear reference to God’s Son, sent in person to proclaim the message. He (like Jesus will be) is killed, and the owner gives the vineyard to another group. The religious leaders were appalled by the story and how it ended, feeling indignant to the vine-growers in the story, though they represented those very leaders.
Jesus, author of all Scripture, quotes His Word as recorded in Psalms, mentioning the corner stone. This stone (Christ) is there for all to be “broken” by “falling” on it. We must die to ourselves when we encounter Christ. For those who reject Christ, in the end judgment, they will be scattered like dust by this “stone” which will “fall” on them, judged eternally for that rejection.
Note how the scribes, the chief priests, and others try so hard to look the part of the righteous, and openly connive and plot devious schemes. They send spies to pretend to be righteous to ask Him a question about taxes. They loved their money, and hated paying taxes to Rome, so they thought they might have a common cause with Jesus when it came to paying taxes. Not quite. Jesus has much more pertinent issues to deal with than taxes. Verse 26 says they were amazed by His answer, and they became silent.
The Sadducees were the sect of Jewish leaders who were primarily businessmen, laymen and not so religious, but more political. They catered to the well-to-do. And their theology did not support a literal resurrection. So they invent a story of a woman who had seven eventual husbands, one dying after the other. The question: who will she be married to in the resurrection (in which they did not even believe)?
From Jesus’ answer, we learn that we will be like the angels, we will not BE angels, but like them in that we will apparently not be married in heaven. Not to fret, we will be sons of God, never to die physically again once we have our resurrected bodies. Boggles the mind. So He answers the question, but then also adds a great point, speaking very pointedly at this group. He calls God the God of the living. Abraham and the others mentioned there were long since dead physically, but apparently their spirits were somewhere with God, still alive, awaiting that resurrection themselves. Only living people have a God, was His point. As a result, some of the scribes gave up asking any more questions, no longer having the courage to ask. The answers were too convicting.
Last, Jesus asks an unprovoked question about David, another one they simply cannot answer. Israel’s greatest historic king calls his son “Lord” (the Christ was to be – genealogically - the son of David). The Messiah must, then, be greater than David. And instead of waiting for an answer, Jesus publicly warns the people of these scribes and their hypocrisy. They know better, or at least they should, and their condemnation is great as a result.
SO WHAT...?
So, am I willing to read God’s Word and allow its truth to convict, especially when I know of areas of my life so badly needing to be addressed?
So, am I, are you, truly a product of having fallen on that corner stone? Have I, have you, allowed Christ to change me/you?
So, even when it seems hopeless or pointless, will I keep trying to reach those who still desperately need the gospel?
Here, His authority is questioned, and the Master Teacher fires back with a question of his own. Knowing that John the Baptist had a great reputation among Israel, Jesus knows they cannot answer His question. If the leaders said John was from heaven, then they must answer as to why they did not follow him. If they answer that he was from man, they lose credibility, because the people thought John to have been a sent prophet. So they sheepishly, accidentally-wisely, say, “I don’t know.” Neither will Jesus tell them on whose authority He teaches.
The parable of the vine-growers spoke directly to this leadership. The servants who were sent would refer to the prophets of old, proclaiming God’s message of repentance. The son is a clear reference to God’s Son, sent in person to proclaim the message. He (like Jesus will be) is killed, and the owner gives the vineyard to another group. The religious leaders were appalled by the story and how it ended, feeling indignant to the vine-growers in the story, though they represented those very leaders.
Jesus, author of all Scripture, quotes His Word as recorded in Psalms, mentioning the corner stone. This stone (Christ) is there for all to be “broken” by “falling” on it. We must die to ourselves when we encounter Christ. For those who reject Christ, in the end judgment, they will be scattered like dust by this “stone” which will “fall” on them, judged eternally for that rejection.
Note how the scribes, the chief priests, and others try so hard to look the part of the righteous, and openly connive and plot devious schemes. They send spies to pretend to be righteous to ask Him a question about taxes. They loved their money, and hated paying taxes to Rome, so they thought they might have a common cause with Jesus when it came to paying taxes. Not quite. Jesus has much more pertinent issues to deal with than taxes. Verse 26 says they were amazed by His answer, and they became silent.
The Sadducees were the sect of Jewish leaders who were primarily businessmen, laymen and not so religious, but more political. They catered to the well-to-do. And their theology did not support a literal resurrection. So they invent a story of a woman who had seven eventual husbands, one dying after the other. The question: who will she be married to in the resurrection (in which they did not even believe)?
From Jesus’ answer, we learn that we will be like the angels, we will not BE angels, but like them in that we will apparently not be married in heaven. Not to fret, we will be sons of God, never to die physically again once we have our resurrected bodies. Boggles the mind. So He answers the question, but then also adds a great point, speaking very pointedly at this group. He calls God the God of the living. Abraham and the others mentioned there were long since dead physically, but apparently their spirits were somewhere with God, still alive, awaiting that resurrection themselves. Only living people have a God, was His point. As a result, some of the scribes gave up asking any more questions, no longer having the courage to ask. The answers were too convicting.
Last, Jesus asks an unprovoked question about David, another one they simply cannot answer. Israel’s greatest historic king calls his son “Lord” (the Christ was to be – genealogically - the son of David). The Messiah must, then, be greater than David. And instead of waiting for an answer, Jesus publicly warns the people of these scribes and their hypocrisy. They know better, or at least they should, and their condemnation is great as a result.
SO WHAT...?
So, am I willing to read God’s Word and allow its truth to convict, especially when I know of areas of my life so badly needing to be addressed?
So, am I, are you, truly a product of having fallen on that corner stone? Have I, have you, allowed Christ to change me/you?
So, even when it seems hopeless or pointless, will I keep trying to reach those who still desperately need the gospel?
Monday, August 23, 2010
LUKE 19
Jesus enters Jericho, still on His eventual way to Jerusalem, and He encounters Zaccheus. How Jesus knew his name is not known. Zaccheus, being a wealthy tax collector, was not liked by many. His encounter with Jesus causes him to repent of his shifty business practices, repay those he has defrauded, and he receives Jesus “gladly”. He is rejoicing in having met the Christ. When asked what the primary role of Jesus was/is, we should recall verse 10; He came to seek and save that which was lost. Luke’s readers should still have fresh in their minds the parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son, and Jesus’ seeking and saving really should have hit home.
So much of this chapter is framed by verse 11. The followers of Jesus really did think His presence indicated the coming of the kingdom, only they seemed to believe it was going to appear right then and there, probably with this new king’s entrance into Jerusalem. But Jesus knew He had much work for His followers to do, and so He tells a parable about a nobleman and his servants. The master gives each of three servants a different amount of minas, or roughly 100 days’ wages. Of note is that the third servant does nothing with those apportioned to him, and he tries to blame his lack of effort on the nobleman, calling him a “hard man”. By this, he meant that the nobleman was known to take a high amount of interest off the proceeds, along with his principal investment. And so his mina was taken and given to one who did much work with his. The reward for the servants is very disproportionate, receiving ten and five cities in pay, respectively. The reader here should see in the nobleman’s leaving and returning the hint at Jesus’ leaving and eventual return (Rapture, to us), and also the heavenly reward for being faithful. For us, we are to be faithful in obeying the full measure of the gospel. Further, judgment will fall on those who reject what Jesus has for them.
So, while they quibble over the kingdom’s presence, He teaches them there is work to be done for a while.
They finally reach Jerusalem, and Jesus makes His “triumphal” entry into the City. So many OT prophecies are fulfilled here, one of which is Zech. 9:9 in verse 35. Those shouting are the crowd of disciples following Jesus, those who have seen His miracles firsthand. And after the Pharisees ask for quiet, Jesus laments over Jerusalem, over the opportunity that has gone unrecognized by the religious leaders and those they keep from the truth.
Citing Isaiah again (remember when He did this and declared Scripture being fulfilled in Him?), he now turns to the temple and how it is being used primarily as a place of business, and not necessarily honest business, at that. The city at this time would have swelled to see hundreds of thousands of people there during the day, many pilgrims visiting for Passover week, and they would have been buying merchandise for the week, and most notably buying animals they would need to sacrifice. While there surely were some honest businesses around, many took advantage of the travelers who were at the mercy of the merchants. Jesus does not take well to that, and he chastises them with a prophecy, written hundreds of years prior, aimed squarely at them.
Jesus spends the week teaching, in the temple and other places. All the while, His opposition, supposed “God-fearers”, are plotting murder against Him.
“And the people were hanging on to every word He said.”
SO WHAT...?
So, I must rejoice at the fact that Jesus is still seeking and saving that which was lost.
So, a job has been given to me, and you, the church, to be done well until He returns. Tell people of Jesus, the impending judgment, the eternal reward, the need to repent and accept Him. He will pay well, eternally-speaking” when He next appears.
So, I pray I will always see His Word as being as refreshing as those in Jerusalem that week, “hanging on to every word...” May I never lose the awe of His truth.
So much of this chapter is framed by verse 11. The followers of Jesus really did think His presence indicated the coming of the kingdom, only they seemed to believe it was going to appear right then and there, probably with this new king’s entrance into Jerusalem. But Jesus knew He had much work for His followers to do, and so He tells a parable about a nobleman and his servants. The master gives each of three servants a different amount of minas, or roughly 100 days’ wages. Of note is that the third servant does nothing with those apportioned to him, and he tries to blame his lack of effort on the nobleman, calling him a “hard man”. By this, he meant that the nobleman was known to take a high amount of interest off the proceeds, along with his principal investment. And so his mina was taken and given to one who did much work with his. The reward for the servants is very disproportionate, receiving ten and five cities in pay, respectively. The reader here should see in the nobleman’s leaving and returning the hint at Jesus’ leaving and eventual return (Rapture, to us), and also the heavenly reward for being faithful. For us, we are to be faithful in obeying the full measure of the gospel. Further, judgment will fall on those who reject what Jesus has for them.
So, while they quibble over the kingdom’s presence, He teaches them there is work to be done for a while.
They finally reach Jerusalem, and Jesus makes His “triumphal” entry into the City. So many OT prophecies are fulfilled here, one of which is Zech. 9:9 in verse 35. Those shouting are the crowd of disciples following Jesus, those who have seen His miracles firsthand. And after the Pharisees ask for quiet, Jesus laments over Jerusalem, over the opportunity that has gone unrecognized by the religious leaders and those they keep from the truth.
Citing Isaiah again (remember when He did this and declared Scripture being fulfilled in Him?), he now turns to the temple and how it is being used primarily as a place of business, and not necessarily honest business, at that. The city at this time would have swelled to see hundreds of thousands of people there during the day, many pilgrims visiting for Passover week, and they would have been buying merchandise for the week, and most notably buying animals they would need to sacrifice. While there surely were some honest businesses around, many took advantage of the travelers who were at the mercy of the merchants. Jesus does not take well to that, and he chastises them with a prophecy, written hundreds of years prior, aimed squarely at them.
Jesus spends the week teaching, in the temple and other places. All the while, His opposition, supposed “God-fearers”, are plotting murder against Him.
“And the people were hanging on to every word He said.”
SO WHAT...?
So, I must rejoice at the fact that Jesus is still seeking and saving that which was lost.
So, a job has been given to me, and you, the church, to be done well until He returns. Tell people of Jesus, the impending judgment, the eternal reward, the need to repent and accept Him. He will pay well, eternally-speaking” when He next appears.
So, I pray I will always see His Word as being as refreshing as those in Jerusalem that week, “hanging on to every word...” May I never lose the awe of His truth.
Friday, August 20, 2010
LUKE 18
Luke 18 builds on the previous context of recognizing that the Kingdom is coming. With that in mind, Jesus had a few more lessons to teach, and he continues with parables to address problems which are common even to us.
First we tend to lose heart easily. So He tells us to keep praying, and NOT to lose heart. In light of whatever current circumstances are present, this makes so much more sense when we can keep focused on a better life to come. Just as the woman is persistent with the judge, so too should we be in prayer to the Father. Faith requires persistence, action “on purpose”.
Second, we tend to trust in ourselves as our primary source of reliance. Jesus, using the Pharisee and the tax collector as examples, tells us to humble ourselves before God. God will deal with the exaltation and the humbling, as appropriate.
Third, we tend to complicate things way too much. Jesus shows us, through a child, how to come to Him. Childlike faith is required to accept Him. Humble trusting, with a willingness to obey and listen. (Aside: this has nothing to do with infant baptism).
I love how a question is thrown out at Jesus, and He responds to a part that was not even intended to be addressed. Look at verse 18, the rich young ruler, as we know him, calls Jesus “Good Teacher”, and Jesus jumps on the word “good”, saying only God is good. Another hint to those around Him that He is God? Anyway, then Jesus proceeds to answer his question about eternal life. Bottom line, love Jesus, love God more than anything else, and you have the proper foundation to follow Him. This man loved his money and wealth more, and could not follow. He did not perceive himself “needing” God that much. He was just fine with his present state of mind and money.
Peter throws out a comment (he’s good for that!) that he has left everything to follow Jesus (and he has, all except for his immediate family). Maybe he wanted to justify his choice, or let Jesus know it was costing him a great deal to follow. Jesus assures him that the eternal rewards will make this life of following worth it.
The group is on the way to Jerusalem, where Jesus will finish His last week of teaching before being crucified, and He begins to explain this to the twelve. They are not quite ready to understand it all, not just yet.
While on the way, in Jericho, He heals Bartimaeus (name mentioned in other gospels). As Jesus walks by, when told to him that the man walking is Jesus of Nazareth, Bartimaeus calls him “Son of David”. He recognizes Jesus as the messiah, and it is his faith which causes Jesus to heal him physically. And by Jesus declaring Bartimaeus to have been “made well”, the clear implication is that he is saved, healed spiritually as well.
As we have seen before, the proper response to such salvation is….PRAISE!
SO WHAT…?
So, I need to keep faith simple, keep praying, stay focused on serving God, relying on Him completely. Simple, not easy.
So, what do I place in value above God?
So, I must remember, the Kingdom is coming. That should be more than enough to get me through any day.
First we tend to lose heart easily. So He tells us to keep praying, and NOT to lose heart. In light of whatever current circumstances are present, this makes so much more sense when we can keep focused on a better life to come. Just as the woman is persistent with the judge, so too should we be in prayer to the Father. Faith requires persistence, action “on purpose”.
Second, we tend to trust in ourselves as our primary source of reliance. Jesus, using the Pharisee and the tax collector as examples, tells us to humble ourselves before God. God will deal with the exaltation and the humbling, as appropriate.
Third, we tend to complicate things way too much. Jesus shows us, through a child, how to come to Him. Childlike faith is required to accept Him. Humble trusting, with a willingness to obey and listen. (Aside: this has nothing to do with infant baptism).
I love how a question is thrown out at Jesus, and He responds to a part that was not even intended to be addressed. Look at verse 18, the rich young ruler, as we know him, calls Jesus “Good Teacher”, and Jesus jumps on the word “good”, saying only God is good. Another hint to those around Him that He is God? Anyway, then Jesus proceeds to answer his question about eternal life. Bottom line, love Jesus, love God more than anything else, and you have the proper foundation to follow Him. This man loved his money and wealth more, and could not follow. He did not perceive himself “needing” God that much. He was just fine with his present state of mind and money.
Peter throws out a comment (he’s good for that!) that he has left everything to follow Jesus (and he has, all except for his immediate family). Maybe he wanted to justify his choice, or let Jesus know it was costing him a great deal to follow. Jesus assures him that the eternal rewards will make this life of following worth it.
The group is on the way to Jerusalem, where Jesus will finish His last week of teaching before being crucified, and He begins to explain this to the twelve. They are not quite ready to understand it all, not just yet.
While on the way, in Jericho, He heals Bartimaeus (name mentioned in other gospels). As Jesus walks by, when told to him that the man walking is Jesus of Nazareth, Bartimaeus calls him “Son of David”. He recognizes Jesus as the messiah, and it is his faith which causes Jesus to heal him physically. And by Jesus declaring Bartimaeus to have been “made well”, the clear implication is that he is saved, healed spiritually as well.
As we have seen before, the proper response to such salvation is….PRAISE!
SO WHAT…?
So, I need to keep faith simple, keep praying, stay focused on serving God, relying on Him completely. Simple, not easy.
So, what do I place in value above God?
So, I must remember, the Kingdom is coming. That should be more than enough to get me through any day.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
LUKE 17
As much as Jesus places an emphasis on knowing the truth, here He sternly warns those who would keep others from it. An extremely heavy millstone, one a family would use to crush grain to make flour, tied to a person before throwing him into the sea, is the illustration He chooses to use.
A simple rule for Christian living: a brother sins, rebuke him. He repents, forgive him. Simple faith is brought to mind, again using a mustard seed. The mustard seed is used often, as it is known to be extremely small, yet powerful, when measured by the plant it produces.
In verses 7-10, the lesson is for us not to get puffed up, even when we seem busy and weary, because we are simply doing the minimum expected, as we, too, are servants. If we do get tired of the task at hand, look back to chapter 12, where the servant is to be in a constant state of readiness for the Master’s return. We should never lose sight of that.
A group of lepers, maybe literally 10, keeping ceremonially separated from others, calls out to Jesus for help and healing. A group of such men would be congregated, simply for companionship given their physical condition and society’s shunning. That they already have some faith is shown by their returning to the priest before they are healed. The healing occurs along the way, and this time the account is factual, not a parable. A Samaritan, a hated rival to the Jews, is the one who returns to thank Jesus. We see the Samaritan having the proper response to healing and salvation - PRAISE! “Made you well” is synonymous with “saved.”
Jesus spends some time discussing the second coming, and He does so in response to a question by the Pharisees. This time, the question is not meant to trap Jesus. The Pharisees, by definition, believed in a resurrection of the dead, destruction of Israel’s enemies, and the appearance of a kingly messiah. So, naturally, they imagined there would be signs they could point to in anticipation of this kingdom.
But such a time is not to be predicted. Rather, that kingdom was in their midst, just as it is in ours. Jesus’ point was/is that the kingdom does not enter people, but that people enter the kingdom. Jesus was in their midst, and His Spirit is in ours; thus God’s reign has in a sense begun, but not yet fully. Further, Jesus is not quite reigning and ruling in our hearts, at least not in the sense that fulfills His second coming or the future kingdom to be literally beginning.
Luke’s readers could not see the return of the Messiah, the Son of Man, so Jesus was teaching. Jesus, at the time, knew much was to develop yet, His death and resurrection, the Spirit’s coming, and the church beginning. After that time, as now, His return is indeed imminent. The delay of His return then, as now, should not discourage believers. We are not to be misled by teaching of it already happening, or it being figurative. Jesus says we’ll know when it occurs. There will be no doubt. Just as with those in Noah’s time, and those in Sodom and Gomorrah, it will be sudden, and unmistakable. We should not be like Lot’s wife, showing incomplete obedience, but rather fully trusting in God’s plan.
One left, one taken, thus will be the judgment for all of eternity, base on being related to God through Christ.
SO WHAT...?
So, I must keep up, actually step up, the effort for the Master. No extra credit here and now, just obedience to the King.
So, I must resist teachings contrary to His literal return, the literal Rapture of believers. he has taught it to be real, to occur at any moment. So, too, must I then keep busy.
So, again, my response to my salvation, and that of others, as nothing less than pure praise to God, thanks to His work through Jesus.
A simple rule for Christian living: a brother sins, rebuke him. He repents, forgive him. Simple faith is brought to mind, again using a mustard seed. The mustard seed is used often, as it is known to be extremely small, yet powerful, when measured by the plant it produces.
In verses 7-10, the lesson is for us not to get puffed up, even when we seem busy and weary, because we are simply doing the minimum expected, as we, too, are servants. If we do get tired of the task at hand, look back to chapter 12, where the servant is to be in a constant state of readiness for the Master’s return. We should never lose sight of that.
A group of lepers, maybe literally 10, keeping ceremonially separated from others, calls out to Jesus for help and healing. A group of such men would be congregated, simply for companionship given their physical condition and society’s shunning. That they already have some faith is shown by their returning to the priest before they are healed. The healing occurs along the way, and this time the account is factual, not a parable. A Samaritan, a hated rival to the Jews, is the one who returns to thank Jesus. We see the Samaritan having the proper response to healing and salvation - PRAISE! “Made you well” is synonymous with “saved.”
Jesus spends some time discussing the second coming, and He does so in response to a question by the Pharisees. This time, the question is not meant to trap Jesus. The Pharisees, by definition, believed in a resurrection of the dead, destruction of Israel’s enemies, and the appearance of a kingly messiah. So, naturally, they imagined there would be signs they could point to in anticipation of this kingdom.
But such a time is not to be predicted. Rather, that kingdom was in their midst, just as it is in ours. Jesus’ point was/is that the kingdom does not enter people, but that people enter the kingdom. Jesus was in their midst, and His Spirit is in ours; thus God’s reign has in a sense begun, but not yet fully. Further, Jesus is not quite reigning and ruling in our hearts, at least not in the sense that fulfills His second coming or the future kingdom to be literally beginning.
Luke’s readers could not see the return of the Messiah, the Son of Man, so Jesus was teaching. Jesus, at the time, knew much was to develop yet, His death and resurrection, the Spirit’s coming, and the church beginning. After that time, as now, His return is indeed imminent. The delay of His return then, as now, should not discourage believers. We are not to be misled by teaching of it already happening, or it being figurative. Jesus says we’ll know when it occurs. There will be no doubt. Just as with those in Noah’s time, and those in Sodom and Gomorrah, it will be sudden, and unmistakable. We should not be like Lot’s wife, showing incomplete obedience, but rather fully trusting in God’s plan.
One left, one taken, thus will be the judgment for all of eternity, base on being related to God through Christ.
SO WHAT...?
So, I must keep up, actually step up, the effort for the Master. No extra credit here and now, just obedience to the King.
So, I must resist teachings contrary to His literal return, the literal Rapture of believers. he has taught it to be real, to occur at any moment. So, too, must I then keep busy.
So, again, my response to my salvation, and that of others, as nothing less than pure praise to God, thanks to His work through Jesus.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
The Rich Man and Lazarus
Much continues to be discussed concerning the rich man and Lazarus from chapter 16 of Luke. Scholars on both sides disagree as to whether or not this is a true narrative account or a parable. In either case, the message is the same, and the meaning clear. All have a need to repent. Secondarily, that repentance should show itself in how we treat others, among other aspects of being rightly related to God.
But if we hold this story to being an actual narrative, a true historical account, then we are presented with some theological difficulties, at least from my perspective. If we understand this as a parable, then we can apply the heavenly meanings taught and affirmed, using an earthly story to draw out thought. The continual challenge when reading Scripture daily is to keep in mind what ALL of Scripture says and teaches. We call that the “whole counsel of God.”
So, here are some observations, and it will be worthwhile (I hope) to go back and read the parable again. Abraham’s bosom (or side) is Heaven, Hades would have been understood as Hell.
The beggar, Lazarus, is carried off by angels, he is not even buried in the story. Such an inclusion in the story would have prompted the listeners that this would be a parable with a moral lesson at the end, as a poor man would have been unceremoniously buried somewhere with little fuss. The rich man, however, is simply noted to have been buried. Note the contrast between the two, and how their “fates” are already showing reversal from their earthly lives.
Luke has the rich man in a place where he is tormented. He is not annihilated, It would have made no sense for the story to include continual suffering if it would not have made sense to the audience.
To make the parable work, Luke has those in Heaven and Hades able to see each other, to converse with each other, and there is no corresponding reality to this elsewhere. We do read of a great chasm between the two, and this is included only to illustrate that going to either place is irreversible. No changing your mind later.
The rich man is called “child” by Abraham, indicating that he could have been a child of Abraham, meaning he was Jewish. Obviously, simply being Jewish did not secure a place in Heaven, and this would have come as a shock to the Jewish listeners. Relationship to God was to be personal.
Remember the “blesseds” and the “woes” back in chapter 6? With this telling of the story, they are now fulfilled.
The rich man requests of Abraham to send Lazarus back to warn his brothers, thinking that if one comes back from the dead, they will take notice and listen. The rich man says “then they will repent”, giving a clear teaching lesson that repentance is the key, not the works. Those who end up in Hell do so because they never repented.
One main and improper implication of making this account out to be a literal historical account is that of the disposition of bodies after death. The suffering in this story is physical, which would imply a body for the rich man to feel physical pain. We know from corresponding writings in Daniel 12:2-3 and Revelation 20:13-14 that those in the Lake of Fire do not have resurrected bodies until after the 1000-year, or Millennial, Kingdom. Believers do not receive such a body until the the Rapture. At the time of this gospel writing, and even now, neither has not yet occurred. So to believe the physical suffering in this story to be an actual account, one must have an “intermediate state” before receiving one’s final resurrected body. Scripture simply does not support this. Scripture DOES support judgment after death (Hebrews 9:27), and for a believer’s soul to be with the Lord after death (2 Corinthians 5:8).
SO WHAT...?
So, Scripture is always sufficient for witnessing, just as Abraham points out to the rich man in this parable.
So, such witnessing, also includes warning, just as the rich man wants his brothers to be warned.
So, I should take my believing faith, tell and warn others, and then let my belief show forth through my actions.
But if we hold this story to being an actual narrative, a true historical account, then we are presented with some theological difficulties, at least from my perspective. If we understand this as a parable, then we can apply the heavenly meanings taught and affirmed, using an earthly story to draw out thought. The continual challenge when reading Scripture daily is to keep in mind what ALL of Scripture says and teaches. We call that the “whole counsel of God.”
So, here are some observations, and it will be worthwhile (I hope) to go back and read the parable again. Abraham’s bosom (or side) is Heaven, Hades would have been understood as Hell.
The beggar, Lazarus, is carried off by angels, he is not even buried in the story. Such an inclusion in the story would have prompted the listeners that this would be a parable with a moral lesson at the end, as a poor man would have been unceremoniously buried somewhere with little fuss. The rich man, however, is simply noted to have been buried. Note the contrast between the two, and how their “fates” are already showing reversal from their earthly lives.
Luke has the rich man in a place where he is tormented. He is not annihilated, It would have made no sense for the story to include continual suffering if it would not have made sense to the audience.
To make the parable work, Luke has those in Heaven and Hades able to see each other, to converse with each other, and there is no corresponding reality to this elsewhere. We do read of a great chasm between the two, and this is included only to illustrate that going to either place is irreversible. No changing your mind later.
The rich man is called “child” by Abraham, indicating that he could have been a child of Abraham, meaning he was Jewish. Obviously, simply being Jewish did not secure a place in Heaven, and this would have come as a shock to the Jewish listeners. Relationship to God was to be personal.
Remember the “blesseds” and the “woes” back in chapter 6? With this telling of the story, they are now fulfilled.
The rich man requests of Abraham to send Lazarus back to warn his brothers, thinking that if one comes back from the dead, they will take notice and listen. The rich man says “then they will repent”, giving a clear teaching lesson that repentance is the key, not the works. Those who end up in Hell do so because they never repented.
One main and improper implication of making this account out to be a literal historical account is that of the disposition of bodies after death. The suffering in this story is physical, which would imply a body for the rich man to feel physical pain. We know from corresponding writings in Daniel 12:2-3 and Revelation 20:13-14 that those in the Lake of Fire do not have resurrected bodies until after the 1000-year, or Millennial, Kingdom. Believers do not receive such a body until the the Rapture. At the time of this gospel writing, and even now, neither has not yet occurred. So to believe the physical suffering in this story to be an actual account, one must have an “intermediate state” before receiving one’s final resurrected body. Scripture simply does not support this. Scripture DOES support judgment after death (Hebrews 9:27), and for a believer’s soul to be with the Lord after death (2 Corinthians 5:8).
SO WHAT...?
So, Scripture is always sufficient for witnessing, just as Abraham points out to the rich man in this parable.
So, such witnessing, also includes warning, just as the rich man wants his brothers to be warned.
So, I should take my believing faith, tell and warn others, and then let my belief show forth through my actions.
Monday, August 16, 2010
LUKE 16
Jesus, again teaching disciples, reaches out through parables. Often such stories make concepts much easier to grasp, or easier to “agree with”, simply by virtue of telling a story most can relate to. Jesus could have hammered home theology, and possibly interested few. Rather, His teaching is theology-rich, with illustrative points that hit close to home. The Pharisees (lovers of money) are listening, and I am reminded here of 1 Timothy 6:10, where we are told that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Money is not bad, just the love of it.
When you read through the parable of the unrighteous steward, we see him as dishonest, and only interested in himself, self-serving, as it were. Yet the master in the end commends him. The commendation is not for being selfish, but rather for finally realizing that the master meant business, and for changing his preparation beyond just “today”. The urging for the Christian here is not a lesson in dishonesty. No, instead, the point is for us to act shrewdly in how we use what this world has to offer, and how we focus on the furtherance of the kingdom to come.
If we can keep wealth and possessions in proper perspective, we will not let those “things” hinder us from knowing God. Possessions will not bring about God’s mercy and grace. Mercy and grace may result in us having some comforts here, but those are never guaranteed. The comfort of the kingdom to come is, however.
It is hard to think of God trusting me, yet Jesus teaches that He does so, that is as long as I am trusting Him as opposed to trusting worldly wealth for my peace. He trusts me with the gospel message. He trusts me with a family to raise for His glory, and on it goes. And He expects me to trust fully in Him to carry out the work He has for me.
When Jesus here talks about “property of others” and “property of your own”, the “of your own” refers to heavenly reward. What we will experience eternally is all that we can truly call our own. My car is my own, but it will stay here after I am gone. What little or great amount of money I have will not go with me. OK, maybe my kids will get what little might be left, but it still stays here, as they, too, can do nothing with it for eternity.
We CANNOT serve God and money. We like to think that we can, though. Jesus here and in other places teaches that it is not possible. We keep trying from time to time, but it comes down to a choice. When we have the choice between God and money as our master, we WILL choose one.
In light of the opposition to the gospel, it takes a forceful decision to enter the kingdom. True repentance and salvation is a decisive point in life. We do it on purpose, and hopefully endeavor to maintain a strong Christian walk.
Verse 17 points out a great truth. It will be easier for all the heavens and earth to pass away than for God’s Word not to be fulfilled. God’s Word is forever, eternal. So I suppose we should pay attention to that Word.
Jesus throws in a teaching statement on divorce, and without delving too deeply into the topic, let me sum it up with this. Divorce always reveals a failure of God’s intended purpose. Marriage is a divinely-appointed institution, intended to show people the way to Him, and we have a responsibility to carry it out with Him in mind and as the focus.
The point of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is this (I may expound on a few points later): Even the miraculous will not convince the unrepentant of the need for salvation. We make a decision for Heaven or Hell here and now. Later is too late. And a life spent here chasing wealth and forgetting God is only beneficial here, very short-term.
SO WHAT...?
So, do I make the best use of all God has given to me, for the purpose of leading people to Him?
So, am I able to see when I am serving money rather than God? Am I willing to change those priorities?
So, am I able to say that God can trust me? First, do I really place my trust in Him each and every day, and in all kinds of situations?
When you read through the parable of the unrighteous steward, we see him as dishonest, and only interested in himself, self-serving, as it were. Yet the master in the end commends him. The commendation is not for being selfish, but rather for finally realizing that the master meant business, and for changing his preparation beyond just “today”. The urging for the Christian here is not a lesson in dishonesty. No, instead, the point is for us to act shrewdly in how we use what this world has to offer, and how we focus on the furtherance of the kingdom to come.
If we can keep wealth and possessions in proper perspective, we will not let those “things” hinder us from knowing God. Possessions will not bring about God’s mercy and grace. Mercy and grace may result in us having some comforts here, but those are never guaranteed. The comfort of the kingdom to come is, however.
It is hard to think of God trusting me, yet Jesus teaches that He does so, that is as long as I am trusting Him as opposed to trusting worldly wealth for my peace. He trusts me with the gospel message. He trusts me with a family to raise for His glory, and on it goes. And He expects me to trust fully in Him to carry out the work He has for me.
When Jesus here talks about “property of others” and “property of your own”, the “of your own” refers to heavenly reward. What we will experience eternally is all that we can truly call our own. My car is my own, but it will stay here after I am gone. What little or great amount of money I have will not go with me. OK, maybe my kids will get what little might be left, but it still stays here, as they, too, can do nothing with it for eternity.
We CANNOT serve God and money. We like to think that we can, though. Jesus here and in other places teaches that it is not possible. We keep trying from time to time, but it comes down to a choice. When we have the choice between God and money as our master, we WILL choose one.
In light of the opposition to the gospel, it takes a forceful decision to enter the kingdom. True repentance and salvation is a decisive point in life. We do it on purpose, and hopefully endeavor to maintain a strong Christian walk.
Verse 17 points out a great truth. It will be easier for all the heavens and earth to pass away than for God’s Word not to be fulfilled. God’s Word is forever, eternal. So I suppose we should pay attention to that Word.
Jesus throws in a teaching statement on divorce, and without delving too deeply into the topic, let me sum it up with this. Divorce always reveals a failure of God’s intended purpose. Marriage is a divinely-appointed institution, intended to show people the way to Him, and we have a responsibility to carry it out with Him in mind and as the focus.
The point of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is this (I may expound on a few points later): Even the miraculous will not convince the unrepentant of the need for salvation. We make a decision for Heaven or Hell here and now. Later is too late. And a life spent here chasing wealth and forgetting God is only beneficial here, very short-term.
SO WHAT...?
So, do I make the best use of all God has given to me, for the purpose of leading people to Him?
So, am I able to see when I am serving money rather than God? Am I willing to change those priorities?
So, am I able to say that God can trust me? First, do I really place my trust in Him each and every day, and in all kinds of situations?
Friday, August 13, 2010
LUKE 15
At the beginning of this chapter, Jesus is ridiculed by, who else, some Pharisees and scribes. They are deeply religious and zealous, no doubt about that. They just have no heart for God, and so they miss the facets of Christ’s ministry that get to the heart. He is chided for “receiving sinners and eating with them.” My first thought was, wow, I am so glad He does, seeing I, too, am a sinner. I can only imagine how fortunate those He was receiving and eating with in this account had to feel.
Jesus’ audience here consists of those tax collectors, those sinners, as He seeks to explain how a relationship with God should function. All through Jesus’ ministry, the audience should have included the highly religious, but those intent on listening to Him were just the opposite. Here, Jesus uses drama to identify people with something lost; all would understand that tension of trying to find something, and the resulting comfort of finding it.
There is a lost sheep, and the shepherd knows he needs to find it before it is devoured by predators. That sheep may not even know of the danger it is in, but the shepherd does. Some writers believe that the listeners to this story would assume that the shepherd would leave the 99 in the care of a neighbor while he looked for the one. Having 100 sheep pointed to this shepherd being modestly wealthy, so what is one sheep among that many? To him, everything. And upon him finding it, he carries it home and a celebration ensues. Likewise, the angels rejoice when a person comes to saving repentance, implying joy in Heaven at such an occurrence. And given the potential of that joy, Jesus keeps looking for sinners; thus the point.
The lost coin is a parallel story, and the coin is likely one that represented a day’s wages. The woman was not looking for a fortune, but we might think she found one, given the way she rejoices when it is found. Such is the response of Jesus when a lost sinner is “found”. Why search for something so apparently insignificant? Apparently, sinners are not, and the parable urges those following Jesus to pursue that search.
The third parable is known as that of the prodigal son, but really, the emphasis gets placed on the father and his forgiveness, already having done so in his heart. And the Pharisees ridiculing Jesus should see themselves in the person of the eldest son, indignant at the rejoicing over a sinful son who they know acted foolishly. The son? Well, he is the sinner, the man wanting to do things his own way. The father letting him do so pictures God letting sinners do the same, of their own volition and will. In this Jewish culture, the younger son would have received half of that which his older brother would have, upon the father’s death. And the Jewish listeners would have also realized that the father should not divide his estate so early; it was not proper on the son’s part to ask of this.
We know the story, the son realizes his error, and decides to return home, knowing he will need to confess to his father. He will rely solely on the mercy of his father; he simply wants to be part of the family. He is satisfied to be a mere slave, and the father fully restores him to the status of a son.
Humanly speaking, we understand the reaction of the older son. He is not excited about the return of his brother, and is aggravated that no special attention has been given to him for being faithful to his father all this time. The father explains to him the joy of seeing his son repent, restored to the family, and encourages him to celebrate likewise. This son is assured of all he has in his father, and is invited to rejoice alongside the others.
So we saw the younger son repent, fully reverse direction. And we saw a father fully accept that repentant son. The resultant joy is why God continues to pursue sinners.
SO WHAT…?
So, we are left hanging in the story…we never hear how the eldest son responded to his fathers explanation. How would I respond? Would I rejoice in seeing that hopelessly lost person repent and come to Christ?
So, Jesus has told me to pursue sinners. They are just as worthy of God’s grace as I am, we are sinners together. That is the job He gave the church, along with discipling those who come to Him. What an awesome responsibility He handed us.
So, let’s rejoice together as those new names are written down in glory…when a sinner “comes home”.
Jesus’ audience here consists of those tax collectors, those sinners, as He seeks to explain how a relationship with God should function. All through Jesus’ ministry, the audience should have included the highly religious, but those intent on listening to Him were just the opposite. Here, Jesus uses drama to identify people with something lost; all would understand that tension of trying to find something, and the resulting comfort of finding it.
There is a lost sheep, and the shepherd knows he needs to find it before it is devoured by predators. That sheep may not even know of the danger it is in, but the shepherd does. Some writers believe that the listeners to this story would assume that the shepherd would leave the 99 in the care of a neighbor while he looked for the one. Having 100 sheep pointed to this shepherd being modestly wealthy, so what is one sheep among that many? To him, everything. And upon him finding it, he carries it home and a celebration ensues. Likewise, the angels rejoice when a person comes to saving repentance, implying joy in Heaven at such an occurrence. And given the potential of that joy, Jesus keeps looking for sinners; thus the point.
The lost coin is a parallel story, and the coin is likely one that represented a day’s wages. The woman was not looking for a fortune, but we might think she found one, given the way she rejoices when it is found. Such is the response of Jesus when a lost sinner is “found”. Why search for something so apparently insignificant? Apparently, sinners are not, and the parable urges those following Jesus to pursue that search.
The third parable is known as that of the prodigal son, but really, the emphasis gets placed on the father and his forgiveness, already having done so in his heart. And the Pharisees ridiculing Jesus should see themselves in the person of the eldest son, indignant at the rejoicing over a sinful son who they know acted foolishly. The son? Well, he is the sinner, the man wanting to do things his own way. The father letting him do so pictures God letting sinners do the same, of their own volition and will. In this Jewish culture, the younger son would have received half of that which his older brother would have, upon the father’s death. And the Jewish listeners would have also realized that the father should not divide his estate so early; it was not proper on the son’s part to ask of this.
We know the story, the son realizes his error, and decides to return home, knowing he will need to confess to his father. He will rely solely on the mercy of his father; he simply wants to be part of the family. He is satisfied to be a mere slave, and the father fully restores him to the status of a son.
Humanly speaking, we understand the reaction of the older son. He is not excited about the return of his brother, and is aggravated that no special attention has been given to him for being faithful to his father all this time. The father explains to him the joy of seeing his son repent, restored to the family, and encourages him to celebrate likewise. This son is assured of all he has in his father, and is invited to rejoice alongside the others.
So we saw the younger son repent, fully reverse direction. And we saw a father fully accept that repentant son. The resultant joy is why God continues to pursue sinners.
SO WHAT…?
So, we are left hanging in the story…we never hear how the eldest son responded to his fathers explanation. How would I respond? Would I rejoice in seeing that hopelessly lost person repent and come to Christ?
So, Jesus has told me to pursue sinners. They are just as worthy of God’s grace as I am, we are sinners together. That is the job He gave the church, along with discipling those who come to Him. What an awesome responsibility He handed us.
So, let’s rejoice together as those new names are written down in glory…when a sinner “comes home”.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
LUKE 14
Something I read recently reminded me of this point on Jesus and His answering or even asking of questions. He always focuses on trying to get people to turn to God. Even when He is righteously angry, His purpose is to convict people of their need for God, especially when it means “putting off” the old, simply religious ways.
So Jesus takes the initiative this time, as He is dining at the house of one of the Pharisees. The Bible says “they were watching Him closely.” They so badly wanted to catch Him in some error or sin. It is the Sabbath, and a man there happens to be suffering from dropsy, or what we would know as edema, an abnormal collection of fluid in some part of the body. Such a disease state was incurable then. Jesus asks THEM this time, as to the lawfulness of healing on the Sabbath. No answers, as they are all silent. Jesus heals the man, and again compares healing a man to a person helping an animal out of a well, both of which are good to do on the Sabbath. Again, no reply to His teaching. Yes, the Pharisees are always watching, never “seeing”.
Now that He has their attention, He goes on to teach on humility, using the seating arrangement and the jockeying for position as a great object lesson. God will humble the proud, and He will exalt the humble.
So often we, like these Pharisees, strive to achieve temporary rewards, illustrated here by inviting guests who can and will repay by returning the favor of their own dinner invite. Better, Jesus says, is to invite those who cannot return the favor. In this way, you are giving selflessly. The focus should be on eternal rewards.
One dinner guest jumps into the conversation, talking about eating bread in the Kingdom of God. Never missing a good segue into a story, Jesus explains who has been invited into that Kingdom. Those initially invited (Israel) declined the invitation, so twice more in the parable, the host invites more and more people, implying the universality of the invite, including Gentiles. The Gospel is for everyone, the invite is open, and the great Host awaits.
Jesus ends this teaching session with a lesson on discipleship. There is a cost associated with following Christ. He uses temporal, ordinary situations to illustrate. Builders assess the cost before building, Kings and military leaders must evaluate the chances of success, based on manpower and that of the other side. A Christian must deny oneself in order to claim allegiance to Christ. Giving up all your possessions does not literally imply having nothing, but rather placing all else in life at a lower priority than Christ. Life should revolve around nobody or nothing else.
We are salt (and light – as in Matthew). We need to be good salt. Otherwise we are useless. Salt preserves, it seasons, it must contact that which it is going to affect. So let’s impact the world around us, not the other way around.
SO WHAT…?
So, as I read the Word, am I really striving to “see” the point, to make conscious decisions in life to follow Christ. My life should be a continual striving for the good, battling sinful desires, and placing Christ above all else.
So, humility must be a hallmark of my Christian walk. The rewards for humbly serving Christ far outweigh the rewards of the proud life here and now.
So, is my Christian walk costing me anything? And I don’t mean just money. If I still have “things” that I place above Christ, they either need to go or be lowered in importance.
So Jesus takes the initiative this time, as He is dining at the house of one of the Pharisees. The Bible says “they were watching Him closely.” They so badly wanted to catch Him in some error or sin. It is the Sabbath, and a man there happens to be suffering from dropsy, or what we would know as edema, an abnormal collection of fluid in some part of the body. Such a disease state was incurable then. Jesus asks THEM this time, as to the lawfulness of healing on the Sabbath. No answers, as they are all silent. Jesus heals the man, and again compares healing a man to a person helping an animal out of a well, both of which are good to do on the Sabbath. Again, no reply to His teaching. Yes, the Pharisees are always watching, never “seeing”.
Now that He has their attention, He goes on to teach on humility, using the seating arrangement and the jockeying for position as a great object lesson. God will humble the proud, and He will exalt the humble.
So often we, like these Pharisees, strive to achieve temporary rewards, illustrated here by inviting guests who can and will repay by returning the favor of their own dinner invite. Better, Jesus says, is to invite those who cannot return the favor. In this way, you are giving selflessly. The focus should be on eternal rewards.
One dinner guest jumps into the conversation, talking about eating bread in the Kingdom of God. Never missing a good segue into a story, Jesus explains who has been invited into that Kingdom. Those initially invited (Israel) declined the invitation, so twice more in the parable, the host invites more and more people, implying the universality of the invite, including Gentiles. The Gospel is for everyone, the invite is open, and the great Host awaits.
Jesus ends this teaching session with a lesson on discipleship. There is a cost associated with following Christ. He uses temporal, ordinary situations to illustrate. Builders assess the cost before building, Kings and military leaders must evaluate the chances of success, based on manpower and that of the other side. A Christian must deny oneself in order to claim allegiance to Christ. Giving up all your possessions does not literally imply having nothing, but rather placing all else in life at a lower priority than Christ. Life should revolve around nobody or nothing else.
We are salt (and light – as in Matthew). We need to be good salt. Otherwise we are useless. Salt preserves, it seasons, it must contact that which it is going to affect. So let’s impact the world around us, not the other way around.
SO WHAT…?
So, as I read the Word, am I really striving to “see” the point, to make conscious decisions in life to follow Christ. My life should be a continual striving for the good, battling sinful desires, and placing Christ above all else.
So, humility must be a hallmark of my Christian walk. The rewards for humbly serving Christ far outweigh the rewards of the proud life here and now.
So, is my Christian walk costing me anything? And I don’t mean just money. If I still have “things” that I place above Christ, they either need to go or be lowered in importance.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
LUKE 13
Two historical accounts not mentioned much elsewhere open this chapter. The question is posed to Jesus in such as way as to ask about why bad things happen to people, and how that relates to their sin. Not really a trick question, and Jesus, the Master Teacher, applies answers.
Jesus is reminded of an account of Galileans (thought to be horrible sinners, not of the elite class in Jerusalem and surrounding areas) who were apparently killed by Herod while they were sacrificing. This would imply that they were actually in the temple when killed. They must have been “horrible and sinful” to have their lives ended in such manner. Jesus replies with an account of the Tower of Siloam, which is a probable reference to a high part of the wall of Jerusalem, near the pool of Siloam. Eighteen people died when a portion of the wall collapsed, more of a natural occurrence, not tied by the people to some judgment. His point is that calamities will occur, and more to the point in the passage is that all need repentance, and those without it will perish, regardless of the circumstances surrounding how physical death occurs. All will come under the same judgment potential, and have to answer for repenting or not repenting.
Jesus points to Jerusalem (meaning all of Israel) as the fig tree in this passage. God “planted” Israel, and is running our of patience for them to “produce” the hearts He so desires. God shows mercy, not approval. That He does not “cut it down” immediately is testament to His patience, yet that patience is not unending. As we know, at this point in Luke’s gospel, He is ushering in the church to carry on His mission, and will deal with Israel again later, when the church is taken in Rapture.
He uses a great analogy in how He gives the fig tree more time, digging around it. For a tree, this would literally open up the soil to allow more water in, to allow more room for roots to grow. Jesus was doing the same for the “merely religious” trying to prompt them to grow.
When Jesus heals the crippled woman, He is bashed for doing so on the Sabbath. Nobody questioned her miraculous healing. Jesus uses the example of feeding and watering animals on the Sabbath, also “work”. Here he points out that, by doing so, they literally place the welfare of animals above their fellow citizens. They will show mercy on cattle, but not people. Hypocrisy always bugs Jesus!
The mustard seed actually grows into a large plant, maybe eight to ten feet high, and is technically not a tree. He uses leaven (yeast) in a positive tone here, pointing out how a small starting amount yields very large results. The point is that a very, very small substance produces a very, very large entity, regarding God’s working. God’s Kingdom started small, and when we realize its glory and majesty, it will be inconceivable how big and glorious it really is.
The ruling body of the Jews, the Sanhedrin, had their own writings, and in one of them they state that “all Israelites have a share in the world to come.” When asked if just a few are being saved, Jesus answers in a way that contradicts the Sanhedrin’s writings, stressing the individual accountability in salvation. Further, He teaches that some will try to “enter” and not be able, and this is due to their lack of repentance, not simply because of God’s choosing. And more to the point of this passage, that time of “entry” is limited. At some point the period of grace will end, and judgment will be certain.
Just being acquainted with Jesus, or being religious, or participating in church is not enough. These actions will not allow for entrance into the Kingdom. Luke was addressing those who thought baptism and the Lord’s Supper was sufficient, and he is warning them to the contrary.
Just so we do not paint all Pharisees with the same broad brush, Jesus encounters some good ones, who are warning Him of Herod’s threatening to kill Him. John the Baptist is already dead by now, and the same fate may await Him, they warn. Remember that most, if not all, of those first believers at Pentecost were Jewish, many of them Pharisees who did, in fact, recognize the Messiah. Jesus replies using a “third day” analogy, a clear hint to His eventual resurrection.
In summary, Jesus indicates that Jerusalem will not see Him again until He appears and they say “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord”. This is apparently not the Palm Sunday entrance, as those shouting that were not of Jerusalem, but rather travelers on a Pilgrimage with Him to the City. Rather, Jesus is speaking of Israel as a whole, who will not recognize who Jesus is until His second coming, and it will be too late then for national repentance. The choice lies with the person: accept the Messiah.
SO WHAT…?
So, realizing that bad things happen to both “good” and “bad” people, when such instances occur, I would be best to keep focused on the eternal picture. I should be willing to help those suffering in a social way, while realizing we are all sinners, we all need God’s grace. And God is dealing with all people in all circumstances, according to His good and perfect will.
So, I must do my part in helping people see the entry into God’s Kingdom, showing them that narrow gate. There is only one way in, through Jesus Christ.
So, how can God dig around me, to make me more productive for Him? Will I respond when He does? Maybe a bit out of context for His analogy, yet God desires for me to keep growing, and He will do the “gardening” by so many means.
Jesus is reminded of an account of Galileans (thought to be horrible sinners, not of the elite class in Jerusalem and surrounding areas) who were apparently killed by Herod while they were sacrificing. This would imply that they were actually in the temple when killed. They must have been “horrible and sinful” to have their lives ended in such manner. Jesus replies with an account of the Tower of Siloam, which is a probable reference to a high part of the wall of Jerusalem, near the pool of Siloam. Eighteen people died when a portion of the wall collapsed, more of a natural occurrence, not tied by the people to some judgment. His point is that calamities will occur, and more to the point in the passage is that all need repentance, and those without it will perish, regardless of the circumstances surrounding how physical death occurs. All will come under the same judgment potential, and have to answer for repenting or not repenting.
Jesus points to Jerusalem (meaning all of Israel) as the fig tree in this passage. God “planted” Israel, and is running our of patience for them to “produce” the hearts He so desires. God shows mercy, not approval. That He does not “cut it down” immediately is testament to His patience, yet that patience is not unending. As we know, at this point in Luke’s gospel, He is ushering in the church to carry on His mission, and will deal with Israel again later, when the church is taken in Rapture.
He uses a great analogy in how He gives the fig tree more time, digging around it. For a tree, this would literally open up the soil to allow more water in, to allow more room for roots to grow. Jesus was doing the same for the “merely religious” trying to prompt them to grow.
When Jesus heals the crippled woman, He is bashed for doing so on the Sabbath. Nobody questioned her miraculous healing. Jesus uses the example of feeding and watering animals on the Sabbath, also “work”. Here he points out that, by doing so, they literally place the welfare of animals above their fellow citizens. They will show mercy on cattle, but not people. Hypocrisy always bugs Jesus!
The mustard seed actually grows into a large plant, maybe eight to ten feet high, and is technically not a tree. He uses leaven (yeast) in a positive tone here, pointing out how a small starting amount yields very large results. The point is that a very, very small substance produces a very, very large entity, regarding God’s working. God’s Kingdom started small, and when we realize its glory and majesty, it will be inconceivable how big and glorious it really is.
The ruling body of the Jews, the Sanhedrin, had their own writings, and in one of them they state that “all Israelites have a share in the world to come.” When asked if just a few are being saved, Jesus answers in a way that contradicts the Sanhedrin’s writings, stressing the individual accountability in salvation. Further, He teaches that some will try to “enter” and not be able, and this is due to their lack of repentance, not simply because of God’s choosing. And more to the point of this passage, that time of “entry” is limited. At some point the period of grace will end, and judgment will be certain.
Just being acquainted with Jesus, or being religious, or participating in church is not enough. These actions will not allow for entrance into the Kingdom. Luke was addressing those who thought baptism and the Lord’s Supper was sufficient, and he is warning them to the contrary.
Just so we do not paint all Pharisees with the same broad brush, Jesus encounters some good ones, who are warning Him of Herod’s threatening to kill Him. John the Baptist is already dead by now, and the same fate may await Him, they warn. Remember that most, if not all, of those first believers at Pentecost were Jewish, many of them Pharisees who did, in fact, recognize the Messiah. Jesus replies using a “third day” analogy, a clear hint to His eventual resurrection.
In summary, Jesus indicates that Jerusalem will not see Him again until He appears and they say “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord”. This is apparently not the Palm Sunday entrance, as those shouting that were not of Jerusalem, but rather travelers on a Pilgrimage with Him to the City. Rather, Jesus is speaking of Israel as a whole, who will not recognize who Jesus is until His second coming, and it will be too late then for national repentance. The choice lies with the person: accept the Messiah.
SO WHAT…?
So, realizing that bad things happen to both “good” and “bad” people, when such instances occur, I would be best to keep focused on the eternal picture. I should be willing to help those suffering in a social way, while realizing we are all sinners, we all need God’s grace. And God is dealing with all people in all circumstances, according to His good and perfect will.
So, I must do my part in helping people see the entry into God’s Kingdom, showing them that narrow gate. There is only one way in, through Jesus Christ.
So, how can God dig around me, to make me more productive for Him? Will I respond when He does? Maybe a bit out of context for His analogy, yet God desires for me to keep growing, and He will do the “gardening” by so many means.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
LUKE 12:35-59
“Be ready for the Master’s return”, is the theme here. Jesus uses a brief parable to illustrate the imminent and eventual return of the Son of Man. Luke wrote his gospel at a time when his readers may have been wondering if the second coming was really going to happen. They may have been getting impatient, or even failing to teach this truth to the next generation. Luke’s message is that He is coming again, he said He would, and since we do not know when, stay “being ready”.
He uses the term “gird himself”. Picture the clothing of the day, tunics, robes, no doubt with some sort of belt tied around the waist. If you were getting ready to run, perhaps for a sporting event, or getting ready to work at something, you would tighten the belt, and secure your clothing in such as way that it would not interfere with what you were getting ready to do. This is “girding”. So, “ready yourself,” is the point, and stay that way.
Peter asks if this teaching is for everyone, or just for them. As he often does, Jesus answers with a question and a story. Jesus uses the example of a servant who is put in charge of others, and then tires of waiting for the master’s return, and who then begins to mistreat other slaves, ignoring the warning of the return. All are accountable to the task of following and obeying the master in His parable. So, too, are all people accountable to be ready for THE Master’s return. Jesus states that for one who knows the right thing to do (be ready) and defies the master, the punishment will be more severe then for the one doing wrong but who does not understand. Both are punished, however.
Likewise, the church has been given a task to carry out: all believers are to be in a ready state, and to tell others to do the same. Of course, the gospel message is the task we have been graciously handed.
Jesus then shifts back to His present ministry in His teaching. We may often hear that God is not loving, for “how could a loving God do ________?” You fill in the blank. Jesus made it clear that He did not come to grant peace on earth, but rather He would necessarily force people to take sides. With Christ, or against Christ. As many of us already know, this can and does divide families. Jesus said it would. Note that He did not say to be content with the divide, but rather that it would happen. The message of the cross is indeed something all WILL encounter. How they respond makes all the difference.
Just as the reader then, we, too should see the signs of the time. Jesus is coming back, at any time. We, too, are pretty good at checking radar, seeing storms coming and going, making plans accordingly. We should, even more diligently, see the forecast facing the world, the imminent judgment, and act accordingly.
Last in this chapter, Luke makes the strong point on Christian behavior. We ought to settle our differences between ourselves, instead of dragging each other before a judge in court. Christians should strive to never have to answer to and appear before legal authorities. Our conduct with and among our brothers and sisters should be an example to the world, not a mirror of the world.
SO WHAT...?
So, am I working as though the Master could return at any moment? He has told me to be ready, on His terms, not mine.
So, does my conduct, my action wrongly divide people, or do I trust the work of Christ to do that properly, in the manner He said it would happen.
So, may my conduct with and around Christians always be a positive example. May my actions with those outside the faith be such that they are drawn to His Word. And may I not reflect the world, but rather God and His glory.
He uses the term “gird himself”. Picture the clothing of the day, tunics, robes, no doubt with some sort of belt tied around the waist. If you were getting ready to run, perhaps for a sporting event, or getting ready to work at something, you would tighten the belt, and secure your clothing in such as way that it would not interfere with what you were getting ready to do. This is “girding”. So, “ready yourself,” is the point, and stay that way.
Peter asks if this teaching is for everyone, or just for them. As he often does, Jesus answers with a question and a story. Jesus uses the example of a servant who is put in charge of others, and then tires of waiting for the master’s return, and who then begins to mistreat other slaves, ignoring the warning of the return. All are accountable to the task of following and obeying the master in His parable. So, too, are all people accountable to be ready for THE Master’s return. Jesus states that for one who knows the right thing to do (be ready) and defies the master, the punishment will be more severe then for the one doing wrong but who does not understand. Both are punished, however.
Likewise, the church has been given a task to carry out: all believers are to be in a ready state, and to tell others to do the same. Of course, the gospel message is the task we have been graciously handed.
Jesus then shifts back to His present ministry in His teaching. We may often hear that God is not loving, for “how could a loving God do ________?” You fill in the blank. Jesus made it clear that He did not come to grant peace on earth, but rather He would necessarily force people to take sides. With Christ, or against Christ. As many of us already know, this can and does divide families. Jesus said it would. Note that He did not say to be content with the divide, but rather that it would happen. The message of the cross is indeed something all WILL encounter. How they respond makes all the difference.
Just as the reader then, we, too should see the signs of the time. Jesus is coming back, at any time. We, too, are pretty good at checking radar, seeing storms coming and going, making plans accordingly. We should, even more diligently, see the forecast facing the world, the imminent judgment, and act accordingly.
Last in this chapter, Luke makes the strong point on Christian behavior. We ought to settle our differences between ourselves, instead of dragging each other before a judge in court. Christians should strive to never have to answer to and appear before legal authorities. Our conduct with and among our brothers and sisters should be an example to the world, not a mirror of the world.
SO WHAT...?
So, am I working as though the Master could return at any moment? He has told me to be ready, on His terms, not mine.
So, does my conduct, my action wrongly divide people, or do I trust the work of Christ to do that properly, in the manner He said it would happen.
So, may my conduct with and around Christians always be a positive example. May my actions with those outside the faith be such that they are drawn to His Word. And may I not reflect the world, but rather God and His glory.
Monday, August 9, 2010
LUKE 12: 1-34
Reading to verse 34 today; so much to think about in another relatively long chapter.
“Leaven” comes up so often in the Bible, as it was such an easy substance to make for good teaching. As one makes bread, he adds just a small amount of yeast, or leaven, and then little else is needed to allow it to work. Simple kneading will allow the yeast to work its way through all the dough. Very active, very powerful. Jesus says the same of hypocrisy, much in play with the Pharisees. And He uses the example when they are around thousands of people. Great object lesson from the master Teacher, and He explains how that hypocrisy will become evident for what it is.
We should all watch out for those who harm the soul. Like the Pharisees, those teaching and following blind “religion” can do nothing but harm the soul. And harming the soul is an eternal issue. “Hell” here, as Luke uses it, is Gehenna, a refuse dump outside of town where fires were burning nonstop. Was Jesus warning about avoiding those who could cast your body and soul there? No, not literally, but rather he gave a great description of a place where a lost soul will end up. Gehenna was known to be a dismal place that nobody enjoyed.
**Take note: when Jesus says “I tell you”, or even “verily, verily, I say unto you”, it is intended to give added attention to a teaching or a command.
Jesus uses sparrows and the hairs on your head to illustrate God’s omniscience as well as easing concern and worry. People are more valuable to God than animals, and the reader is to take comfort in that knowledge.
A sometimes controversial passage is the next paragraph, where we are told that speaking against the Son will be forgiven, but blaspheming the Holy Spirit will not. If we back up to the beginning of the paragraph, Jesus says that we are to confess Him before men. This “confessing” implies so much. Not only are we to be Christians, but we are literally to live out our lives as though we belong to Christ. Could God look down and see into our thought lives, and look at what we do, and hear what we say, and then say we belong to Him? He should be able to do just that! For the one who is not a Christian, there can be no confessing Christ.
So then, to speak against the Son of Man here applies to followers, professing belief, who refuse to deny themselves, and thus disown Jesus. And God in His divinity will forgive, once true repentance is shown.
Speaking against or blaspheming the Holy Spirit, however, is reflective of a hardened heart/attitude toward God and the work of the Spirit. Specifically, the work of the Spirit is to lead people to faith, to point people to the work of Christ. So, to deny this work, to reject this work is unforgivable, as it demonstrates a person who has never accepted Christ by faith. For that, there can be no forgiveness, not from a righteous and just God.
Jesus spends the rest of this section speaking on worldly vs heavenly issues. He did not come to settle trivial matters such as legal inheritance of land. He did not come to encourage people to store up more and more treasure here. For any of the readers, and for us, for that matter, our number of days here is very short, relative to eternity, and every day could very well be our last. So spend the time keeping here and eternity in proper perspective; that is Jesus’ point.
In light of all that, don’t worry so much! God will feed and clothe you. Animals like ravens that do not even “sow and reap” are cared for. Worry will not prolong life. Have faith, God will provide. Seek His kingdom, seek to live for Him. All the rest will be taken care of. Besides, God is giving us the kingdom. That sort of makes it worth the effort here and now!
SO WHAT…?
So, even among Christians, hypocrisy is a killer. It spreads so fast and efficiently. I must strive to be ever so genuine in my faith, checking my heart first, and making a conscious effort to live for Christ.
So, I don’t know exactly how it works; I just need to keep planting, keep watering, and watch the Spirit work, realizing that those rejecting that work are rejecting Christ. So, too, must I pray for those who are rejecting the Spirit.
So, do I really trust God completely for all things, or do I try to provide for myself in my own way, feeling that God is not concerned about the trivial? He is! I need to remember that, and talk to Him about that.
So…where is my treasure? ‘Cause that’s where my heart is!
“Leaven” comes up so often in the Bible, as it was such an easy substance to make for good teaching. As one makes bread, he adds just a small amount of yeast, or leaven, and then little else is needed to allow it to work. Simple kneading will allow the yeast to work its way through all the dough. Very active, very powerful. Jesus says the same of hypocrisy, much in play with the Pharisees. And He uses the example when they are around thousands of people. Great object lesson from the master Teacher, and He explains how that hypocrisy will become evident for what it is.
We should all watch out for those who harm the soul. Like the Pharisees, those teaching and following blind “religion” can do nothing but harm the soul. And harming the soul is an eternal issue. “Hell” here, as Luke uses it, is Gehenna, a refuse dump outside of town where fires were burning nonstop. Was Jesus warning about avoiding those who could cast your body and soul there? No, not literally, but rather he gave a great description of a place where a lost soul will end up. Gehenna was known to be a dismal place that nobody enjoyed.
**Take note: when Jesus says “I tell you”, or even “verily, verily, I say unto you”, it is intended to give added attention to a teaching or a command.
Jesus uses sparrows and the hairs on your head to illustrate God’s omniscience as well as easing concern and worry. People are more valuable to God than animals, and the reader is to take comfort in that knowledge.
A sometimes controversial passage is the next paragraph, where we are told that speaking against the Son will be forgiven, but blaspheming the Holy Spirit will not. If we back up to the beginning of the paragraph, Jesus says that we are to confess Him before men. This “confessing” implies so much. Not only are we to be Christians, but we are literally to live out our lives as though we belong to Christ. Could God look down and see into our thought lives, and look at what we do, and hear what we say, and then say we belong to Him? He should be able to do just that! For the one who is not a Christian, there can be no confessing Christ.
So then, to speak against the Son of Man here applies to followers, professing belief, who refuse to deny themselves, and thus disown Jesus. And God in His divinity will forgive, once true repentance is shown.
Speaking against or blaspheming the Holy Spirit, however, is reflective of a hardened heart/attitude toward God and the work of the Spirit. Specifically, the work of the Spirit is to lead people to faith, to point people to the work of Christ. So, to deny this work, to reject this work is unforgivable, as it demonstrates a person who has never accepted Christ by faith. For that, there can be no forgiveness, not from a righteous and just God.
Jesus spends the rest of this section speaking on worldly vs heavenly issues. He did not come to settle trivial matters such as legal inheritance of land. He did not come to encourage people to store up more and more treasure here. For any of the readers, and for us, for that matter, our number of days here is very short, relative to eternity, and every day could very well be our last. So spend the time keeping here and eternity in proper perspective; that is Jesus’ point.
In light of all that, don’t worry so much! God will feed and clothe you. Animals like ravens that do not even “sow and reap” are cared for. Worry will not prolong life. Have faith, God will provide. Seek His kingdom, seek to live for Him. All the rest will be taken care of. Besides, God is giving us the kingdom. That sort of makes it worth the effort here and now!
SO WHAT…?
So, even among Christians, hypocrisy is a killer. It spreads so fast and efficiently. I must strive to be ever so genuine in my faith, checking my heart first, and making a conscious effort to live for Christ.
So, I don’t know exactly how it works; I just need to keep planting, keep watering, and watch the Spirit work, realizing that those rejecting that work are rejecting Christ. So, too, must I pray for those who are rejecting the Spirit.
So, do I really trust God completely for all things, or do I try to provide for myself in my own way, feeling that God is not concerned about the trivial? He is! I need to remember that, and talk to Him about that.
So…where is my treasure? ‘Cause that’s where my heart is!
Friday, August 6, 2010
LUKE 11
That Jesus prayed quite a bit is an understatement. He was defined by His prayer life, by His relationship to the Father. Though He was God, the person Jesus consistently took time to pray diligently. Don’t ask me to explain how this worked. What an example to His followers, though.
So it should come as no surprise that they asked Him how to pray. And so we get what we know as the Lord’s Prayer. When you compare the Matthew text, you see that the question was answered by the Lord with a clarifying statement, avoid vain repetition. So the Lord’s prayer becomes a template to follow when praying, not in and of itself a prayer, but prayer following these guidelines is powerful and effective in God’s eyes. Pray to the Father, recognize and acknowledge to Him that He is holy. Anticipate the kingdom to come, and always pray according to God’s will, asking Him to answer prayer in accordance with that will. Understand that we want His will to be done here, just as it is done in Heaven. The rest of the “prayer” then focuses on what we need regularly: daily bread (provision); forgiveness; God’s leading to avoid evil and the power to resist temptation. And as always, God gets the glory (Matthew includes this in his gospel).
In short, God knows what we need. Ask Him! He wants to hear from us, as any father should want to hear from children. And we are to focus on being in the right relationship to God, before going to Him in prayer.
Again we see Jesus do the miraculous and then be asked of the Pharisees and others some trick question. Of note is the reference to Beezebul in His casting out of demons. Even the Pharisees recognized groups of people who cast out demons as a sort of profession, so Jesus wisely asks them the same question back on them. They have no answer.
When some women try to exalt Mary, Jesus replies, beginning with “on the contrary”, that whoever hears the Word and keeps it is blessed. Naturally, Mary was blessed, but no more that you or I, or any other believing followers of that time, and certainly not more than Jesus. She is special, to be sure.
Verse 34 should be a life verse for everyone (just added it to my own growing list). “The eye is the lamp of the body.” The eye should be clear, letting in light, not bad, filling the body with darkness.
Verses 37ff highlight the hypocrisy of the Pharisees; their focus is on the irrelevant legalistic vision of their expansion of the law by which they expected everyone to live. They had, by this time, taken the Law, and added more and more restrictions, while along the way forgetting to follow God with their hearts. They tithe from the easiest plants and spices to grow, just to look spiritual, for example. And so Jesus levels a series of “woes” on them, that funereal cry of mourning and despair, as he laments over their missing the big picture.
What I find humorous, if that is possible in this passage, is that a lawyer is foolish enough to tell Him that by His teaching He is insulting them, too. That lawyer was probably sorry he said anything, because the woe is then turned to him and his group.
Both groups here are rebuked for their ignoring the word of the prophets from long ago, for distorting the truth, and for hindering others from coming to the truth as a result. Ouch! All true. No way to sugar-coat that.
SO WHAT…?
So, I know my prayer-life should be much more focused, structured, and regular, a consistent part of each and every day. That can only start by evaluating my relationship to God, personally.
So, what does my eye allow in? Good light, or bad darkness. It is really rather simple. What a powerful and profound verse.
So, is my life one of following God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength? Or is it simply looking the part. What people see and experience with me should always be a reflection of what’s inside. Simple, but not easy.
So it should come as no surprise that they asked Him how to pray. And so we get what we know as the Lord’s Prayer. When you compare the Matthew text, you see that the question was answered by the Lord with a clarifying statement, avoid vain repetition. So the Lord’s prayer becomes a template to follow when praying, not in and of itself a prayer, but prayer following these guidelines is powerful and effective in God’s eyes. Pray to the Father, recognize and acknowledge to Him that He is holy. Anticipate the kingdom to come, and always pray according to God’s will, asking Him to answer prayer in accordance with that will. Understand that we want His will to be done here, just as it is done in Heaven. The rest of the “prayer” then focuses on what we need regularly: daily bread (provision); forgiveness; God’s leading to avoid evil and the power to resist temptation. And as always, God gets the glory (Matthew includes this in his gospel).
In short, God knows what we need. Ask Him! He wants to hear from us, as any father should want to hear from children. And we are to focus on being in the right relationship to God, before going to Him in prayer.
Again we see Jesus do the miraculous and then be asked of the Pharisees and others some trick question. Of note is the reference to Beezebul in His casting out of demons. Even the Pharisees recognized groups of people who cast out demons as a sort of profession, so Jesus wisely asks them the same question back on them. They have no answer.
When some women try to exalt Mary, Jesus replies, beginning with “on the contrary”, that whoever hears the Word and keeps it is blessed. Naturally, Mary was blessed, but no more that you or I, or any other believing followers of that time, and certainly not more than Jesus. She is special, to be sure.
Verse 34 should be a life verse for everyone (just added it to my own growing list). “The eye is the lamp of the body.” The eye should be clear, letting in light, not bad, filling the body with darkness.
Verses 37ff highlight the hypocrisy of the Pharisees; their focus is on the irrelevant legalistic vision of their expansion of the law by which they expected everyone to live. They had, by this time, taken the Law, and added more and more restrictions, while along the way forgetting to follow God with their hearts. They tithe from the easiest plants and spices to grow, just to look spiritual, for example. And so Jesus levels a series of “woes” on them, that funereal cry of mourning and despair, as he laments over their missing the big picture.
What I find humorous, if that is possible in this passage, is that a lawyer is foolish enough to tell Him that by His teaching He is insulting them, too. That lawyer was probably sorry he said anything, because the woe is then turned to him and his group.
Both groups here are rebuked for their ignoring the word of the prophets from long ago, for distorting the truth, and for hindering others from coming to the truth as a result. Ouch! All true. No way to sugar-coat that.
SO WHAT…?
So, I know my prayer-life should be much more focused, structured, and regular, a consistent part of each and every day. That can only start by evaluating my relationship to God, personally.
So, what does my eye allow in? Good light, or bad darkness. It is really rather simple. What a powerful and profound verse.
So, is my life one of following God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength? Or is it simply looking the part. What people see and experience with me should always be a reflection of what’s inside. Simple, but not easy.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
LUKE 10
Jesus sends out “the seventy”, in pairs of two. The number seventy corresponds to the number of nations as in Genesis 10. The notion of sending out in pairs seems functional and practical, yet to those who would hear the message, two witnesses were needed in order for any condemnation to be addressed. Two witnesses were needed for an accusation to have been deemed credible. And thus the message of the kingdom of God had to be told, prefaced by the condemnation for the rejection of that message.
The harvest then, as now, is described as plentiful, and workers then, as now, were and are still needed. And we take heart in what the seventy did. If the message is rejected, it is Christ who is rejected, not us personally. Likewise, if the message is accepted, it is Christ who is accepted, and not us personally. Either way, the glory is God’s, through all of His grace, forgiveness, justice, and holiness.
When the seventy return and report to Jesus, they are thrilled at the success they have seen by their power over demons. Jesus warns them to rejoice for the right reason, that their names are recorded in Heaven. They are eternally secure, and that needs to generate more excitement than the power they have demonstrated.
Those following Jesus, His disciples, and those close to Him, are indeed privileged to be able to see and hear what the prophets of old could not. The prophets could only foretell by relating whatever message God had them deliver. Those walking with Christ saw and heard what they wrote about; they saw it all come to life and reality in the person of Jesus.
Again, questions are asked of Jesus, this time from a lawyer. “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” is followed by “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus tells the story parable of the Good Samaritan. We know it well. A priest and a Levite both pass by the injured man, but a Samaritan helps. To this audience, this would be the last person they would want helping them. Samaritans were Jews who had intermarried into another culture and religion, resulting from the kingdom split after Solomon and the eventual Assyrian invasion that destroyed the northern kingdom. They were regarded as “half-breeds”, sort of related to the Jewish people, but very much despised for being an “unclean” race. The hatred between the Jews and the Samaritans was very mutual. So when a Samaritan does the right thing, the audience takes note. “Go and do the same” is the message.
Martha and Mary interact with Jesus in their home, Martha is serving, Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet. The words used indicate that Mary was “continually listening”, very intently. The lesson brought forth is that Martha’s “service”, her worrying about the urgent, got in the way of her sitting to learn from the Lord. Serving is good, and focusing on what is important (sitting at Jesus’ feet) is best. At times we do need to feed the body literally, as Martha intended to take care of; Jesus, however, wants the major focus to be primarily on feeding the soul.
SO WHAT…?
So, do I have a good balance between service and listening to God’s Word? Am I too caught up in the “urgent”, sometimes social aspects of ministry, to the point of forgetting or minimizing Jesus’ primary goal?
So, am I willing to be a harvest worker? Many are still needed.
So, I must keep sharing the Word, sharing Christ, befriending all along the way, sensibly, knowing some will reject that message, some will accept. Their choice. All the while, I must remember the Gospel is not just for those who are just like me. In the parable, the Samaritan got it right. So, too, must I.
The harvest then, as now, is described as plentiful, and workers then, as now, were and are still needed. And we take heart in what the seventy did. If the message is rejected, it is Christ who is rejected, not us personally. Likewise, if the message is accepted, it is Christ who is accepted, and not us personally. Either way, the glory is God’s, through all of His grace, forgiveness, justice, and holiness.
When the seventy return and report to Jesus, they are thrilled at the success they have seen by their power over demons. Jesus warns them to rejoice for the right reason, that their names are recorded in Heaven. They are eternally secure, and that needs to generate more excitement than the power they have demonstrated.
Those following Jesus, His disciples, and those close to Him, are indeed privileged to be able to see and hear what the prophets of old could not. The prophets could only foretell by relating whatever message God had them deliver. Those walking with Christ saw and heard what they wrote about; they saw it all come to life and reality in the person of Jesus.
Again, questions are asked of Jesus, this time from a lawyer. “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” is followed by “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus tells the story parable of the Good Samaritan. We know it well. A priest and a Levite both pass by the injured man, but a Samaritan helps. To this audience, this would be the last person they would want helping them. Samaritans were Jews who had intermarried into another culture and religion, resulting from the kingdom split after Solomon and the eventual Assyrian invasion that destroyed the northern kingdom. They were regarded as “half-breeds”, sort of related to the Jewish people, but very much despised for being an “unclean” race. The hatred between the Jews and the Samaritans was very mutual. So when a Samaritan does the right thing, the audience takes note. “Go and do the same” is the message.
Martha and Mary interact with Jesus in their home, Martha is serving, Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet. The words used indicate that Mary was “continually listening”, very intently. The lesson brought forth is that Martha’s “service”, her worrying about the urgent, got in the way of her sitting to learn from the Lord. Serving is good, and focusing on what is important (sitting at Jesus’ feet) is best. At times we do need to feed the body literally, as Martha intended to take care of; Jesus, however, wants the major focus to be primarily on feeding the soul.
SO WHAT…?
So, do I have a good balance between service and listening to God’s Word? Am I too caught up in the “urgent”, sometimes social aspects of ministry, to the point of forgetting or minimizing Jesus’ primary goal?
So, am I willing to be a harvest worker? Many are still needed.
So, I must keep sharing the Word, sharing Christ, befriending all along the way, sensibly, knowing some will reject that message, some will accept. Their choice. All the while, I must remember the Gospel is not just for those who are just like me. In the parable, the Samaritan got it right. So, too, must I.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
LUKE 9
Well, we may have to dig a little into the theological today, some really good stuff in Luke 9.
Jesus sends the twelve out to do some community outreach. Actually, it was more like town-to-town, door-to-door evangelism. They would be received better in some places than others; one might be more receptive of the Good News than another. Jesus could not, however, compromise the message to be more “acceptable”. When the twelve were told to “shake the dust off their shoes” when they left an unreceptive house or city, it was implied that those rejecting the message were bringing judgment on themselves. The shaking of the dust was symbolic, in that a Jewish person was not to bring in that which is “unclean” to the “clean” holy land. The disciples could not carry with them even the residual dust from those who rejected the Savior.
Herod certainly takes note of all that is going on, as he hears of the miracles being done by this Man and His group. He wants to meet Jesus, but he will have to wait for that meeting.
Jesus goes to retreat with His disciples to pray, but crowds follow Him, so He teaches them. We are told there are around 5000 men in this crowd. Factor in women and children, and the number is significantly higher. And we know the familiar story of what He was able to do with the five loaves and two fish. All were satisfied, and the word used is the same as used in Luke 6, when talking about those who are in the kingdom of God. “Satisfied”, what a peaceful existence.
So Jesus finally gets some quiet time to pray, and He asks the disciples who people say He is. Peter gets it right. And since He is the Christ, following Him comes with responsibility and effort, which Jesus explains as well. “Deny yourself”, He says, meaning drop your self-interest. Take up your cross – that is, be willing to be committed, even unto death. This is actually not the idea of deal with life’s struggles and burdens (you know, having a cross to bear), but to make a life-changing decision for Christ, and do it every day, as Luke emphasizes. Finally, there is the call to follow Jesus, continually.
OK, yet another favorite NT account of mine, that of the transfiguration of Jesus. He had just eight days prior told the group that some there would not taste death until they saw the kingdom of God. So Peter, John, and James are with Him when He shows them His glory (I can’t even come close to grasping this!), and thus they are the “some” who saw the kingdom in that way, and had not yet died. It’s deep, but actually simple. Regardless, Peter makes a big to-do about Moses and Elijah, wanting to put up tents for them and Jesus, and the Father speaks from the cloud to remind Peter and the others that Jesus is the focus. Peter will later rehearse this account in 2 Peter 1:16, when he declares his message to be truth, based on having eyewitnessed Jesus’ majesty.
Twice in this chapter, as the disciples are finally getting the idea that Jesus is the Messiah, He tells them that He will have to die. They were afraid to ask for any details.
So, who is the greatest in the kingdom? The disciples seem to like this question. When you consider that a child was almost insignificant in the culture at that time, Jesus nails it when He tells them that whoever receives or welcomes a little child, that is who is greatest. It takes a humble spirit to welcome the “insignificant” in a culture. It was a great reminder to the disciples to stay humble.
Last here, we see excuses not to follow Jesus. The first is the same as placing religious duty over all else. Culturally, parents would want a child around to bury them when they died, and this seems a convenient reason not to follow. The second is a play on words, where He essentially says let the (spiritually) dead bury the (physically) dead (New American Comentary). So if that man decided not to follow, he was equated with the spiritually dead. Third, He is saying that God’s kingdom has come, and the call to follow Jesus takes precedence over anything else.
SO WHAT…?
So, in the words of my son (from camp), I must tell myself daily “DIE, SUCKER!” Each day I must be dead to my own self-interest and fully alive to the interest of Christ.
So, there will be those who choose to reject the message of Christ. Yet all those who reject it cannot taint the sweetness of those who accept it. Keep sharing Christ!
So, humility, humility, humility. Jesus places such an emphasis on this. The twelve had every human reason to be prideful; yet when you look at epistles written later, they reflect on just how humble Jesus was. Humble enough to go to the cross, for me, for you.
Jesus sends the twelve out to do some community outreach. Actually, it was more like town-to-town, door-to-door evangelism. They would be received better in some places than others; one might be more receptive of the Good News than another. Jesus could not, however, compromise the message to be more “acceptable”. When the twelve were told to “shake the dust off their shoes” when they left an unreceptive house or city, it was implied that those rejecting the message were bringing judgment on themselves. The shaking of the dust was symbolic, in that a Jewish person was not to bring in that which is “unclean” to the “clean” holy land. The disciples could not carry with them even the residual dust from those who rejected the Savior.
Herod certainly takes note of all that is going on, as he hears of the miracles being done by this Man and His group. He wants to meet Jesus, but he will have to wait for that meeting.
Jesus goes to retreat with His disciples to pray, but crowds follow Him, so He teaches them. We are told there are around 5000 men in this crowd. Factor in women and children, and the number is significantly higher. And we know the familiar story of what He was able to do with the five loaves and two fish. All were satisfied, and the word used is the same as used in Luke 6, when talking about those who are in the kingdom of God. “Satisfied”, what a peaceful existence.
So Jesus finally gets some quiet time to pray, and He asks the disciples who people say He is. Peter gets it right. And since He is the Christ, following Him comes with responsibility and effort, which Jesus explains as well. “Deny yourself”, He says, meaning drop your self-interest. Take up your cross – that is, be willing to be committed, even unto death. This is actually not the idea of deal with life’s struggles and burdens (you know, having a cross to bear), but to make a life-changing decision for Christ, and do it every day, as Luke emphasizes. Finally, there is the call to follow Jesus, continually.
OK, yet another favorite NT account of mine, that of the transfiguration of Jesus. He had just eight days prior told the group that some there would not taste death until they saw the kingdom of God. So Peter, John, and James are with Him when He shows them His glory (I can’t even come close to grasping this!), and thus they are the “some” who saw the kingdom in that way, and had not yet died. It’s deep, but actually simple. Regardless, Peter makes a big to-do about Moses and Elijah, wanting to put up tents for them and Jesus, and the Father speaks from the cloud to remind Peter and the others that Jesus is the focus. Peter will later rehearse this account in 2 Peter 1:16, when he declares his message to be truth, based on having eyewitnessed Jesus’ majesty.
Twice in this chapter, as the disciples are finally getting the idea that Jesus is the Messiah, He tells them that He will have to die. They were afraid to ask for any details.
So, who is the greatest in the kingdom? The disciples seem to like this question. When you consider that a child was almost insignificant in the culture at that time, Jesus nails it when He tells them that whoever receives or welcomes a little child, that is who is greatest. It takes a humble spirit to welcome the “insignificant” in a culture. It was a great reminder to the disciples to stay humble.
Last here, we see excuses not to follow Jesus. The first is the same as placing religious duty over all else. Culturally, parents would want a child around to bury them when they died, and this seems a convenient reason not to follow. The second is a play on words, where He essentially says let the (spiritually) dead bury the (physically) dead (New American Comentary). So if that man decided not to follow, he was equated with the spiritually dead. Third, He is saying that God’s kingdom has come, and the call to follow Jesus takes precedence over anything else.
SO WHAT…?
So, in the words of my son (from camp), I must tell myself daily “DIE, SUCKER!” Each day I must be dead to my own self-interest and fully alive to the interest of Christ.
So, there will be those who choose to reject the message of Christ. Yet all those who reject it cannot taint the sweetness of those who accept it. Keep sharing Christ!
So, humility, humility, humility. Jesus places such an emphasis on this. The twelve had every human reason to be prideful; yet when you look at epistles written later, they reflect on just how humble Jesus was. Humble enough to go to the cross, for me, for you.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
LUKE 8:26-56
Picking up in Luke 8, Jesus now encounters the demoniac, another familiar account. Jesus had commanded the demon to come out of the man, and the demon had replied to Him using a proper address, “Jesus, Son of the Most High God”. As the disciples back a few verses had asked “Who is this?” after seeing Him calm the storm, the demon obviously knows and provides the answer. When Jesus asks for his name, the answer is “Legion”. “Legion” is a number, not necessarily a name, and a Roman legion consisted of 6,000 men. This is not to say that there were 6,000 demons in this man, but the answer given certainly implies multiple. “They” beg Jesus, literally plea sincerely with Him not to send them to “the abyss”. The abyss is the final destiny for Satan and his angels (Matt 25, 2 Peter 2, Rev. 20). So while they are not all-knowing, they apparently know of the place they will be going eventually. Meanwhile, they are permitted to go into some nearby pigs (Mark actually says there were 2,000 of them). That the man returned to normal and the pigs were destroyed was proof that the demons were real and that the man had really been cleansed of them. And that he is sitting at Jesus feet being discipled, and then wanting to follow Jesus tells me that he was saved. That is the point of the story. That, and we also see that in spite of all the miraculous events, God can still be rejected, as the many around this occurrence show.
The response to the man from Jesus could easily be the same for us “describe what great things God has done for you.”
Jairus, a synagogue leader, demonstrates his faith by coming to Jesus to ask healing for his daughter. Meanwhile, a woman with some sort of bleeding disorder has the faith in Jesus to heal her, and she merely touches His garment. The story is well-explained in the text, so little more needs to be said. She, too, is saved, as she demonstrates faith in Jesus, which is what caused her to touch Him. Jesus seemingly calls attention to this, as there were lots of others around doing the same, to be used as a backdrop by Jesus, enabling the woman to tell her story. Remember, lots of others were around, and got to hear her explain why she did what she did. That alone was very powerful.
By now, Jairus’ daughter has died, and Jesus goes to the home anyway, now with Peter, James, and John. Jesus told Jairus to “only believe”. Jairus does. After being laughed at for caller her “asleep”, He raises her from the dead. And the family is told not to tell anyone what happened. How could they keep that in? Some believe that telling people might prematurely announce the kingdom of God before Jesus was ready to do so. Others think that the Jews ridiculing Him could simply go on believing that the girl was actually asleep after all; perhaps they were not “ready” for the gospel. Hard to say. I can only imagine Jairus’ excitement, though. If he kept quiet about his daughter, I would imagine he had great things to say about Jesus from that day on.
SO WHAT…?
So, conversion, as we see with the demoniac, the sick woman, and Jairus, involves evangelism. I am converted, a believer, I need to keep telling others the great things God had done.
So, my faith should keep me coming to Him, to His Word.
So, like Jesus, I need to realize that nobody is too bad, too good, too poor, too rich, too “anything” to need and receive salvation. I have work to do, for Him.
The response to the man from Jesus could easily be the same for us “describe what great things God has done for you.”
Jairus, a synagogue leader, demonstrates his faith by coming to Jesus to ask healing for his daughter. Meanwhile, a woman with some sort of bleeding disorder has the faith in Jesus to heal her, and she merely touches His garment. The story is well-explained in the text, so little more needs to be said. She, too, is saved, as she demonstrates faith in Jesus, which is what caused her to touch Him. Jesus seemingly calls attention to this, as there were lots of others around doing the same, to be used as a backdrop by Jesus, enabling the woman to tell her story. Remember, lots of others were around, and got to hear her explain why she did what she did. That alone was very powerful.
By now, Jairus’ daughter has died, and Jesus goes to the home anyway, now with Peter, James, and John. Jesus told Jairus to “only believe”. Jairus does. After being laughed at for caller her “asleep”, He raises her from the dead. And the family is told not to tell anyone what happened. How could they keep that in? Some believe that telling people might prematurely announce the kingdom of God before Jesus was ready to do so. Others think that the Jews ridiculing Him could simply go on believing that the girl was actually asleep after all; perhaps they were not “ready” for the gospel. Hard to say. I can only imagine Jairus’ excitement, though. If he kept quiet about his daughter, I would imagine he had great things to say about Jesus from that day on.
SO WHAT…?
So, conversion, as we see with the demoniac, the sick woman, and Jairus, involves evangelism. I am converted, a believer, I need to keep telling others the great things God had done.
So, my faith should keep me coming to Him, to His Word.
So, like Jesus, I need to realize that nobody is too bad, too good, too poor, too rich, too “anything” to need and receive salvation. I have work to do, for Him.
Monday, August 2, 2010
LUKE 8
I will break out chapter 8 into two sections, just due to the amount of material to cover, the thoughts that come to mind, and the challenges that Jesus brings forth; this would get too lengthy if I tried to cover all of them today.
It is interesting that Luke points out the women who were following Jesus. One, because the ministry and the gospel applied directly to women as well as men; second, because of the backgrounds they represent, rich, poor, a relative of Herod, in just a few women a wide variety of social classes are covered; and third, the women were helping support Jesus’ ministry from their own means, both financially and in servitude. They were apparently well-to-do, for the most part, and the word used for “helping” is the same word from which we get “deacon”.
Jesus tells the parable of the sower, or is it the parable of the seed, or perhaps the parable of the soil. If the seed is the gospel, then it never changes. If the sower is the focus, then that makes for a shallow parable, as it is a given there is someone in this story sowing seed, everywhere he can. So there IS a point there, but the main focus is on the soil, and how each receives the seed.
Understanding farming in that day helps us to get a better picture of this parable, along with its meaning and implications. In those days in Palestine, seed was sown, and THEN the fields were plowed in order to allow the seed to take root. So seed trampled on was possible and common, depending on how soon afterward the fields were plowed. The same seeds were potentially exposed for birds to feed on. When some seed fell on rock, the rock would have been under a very thin layer of soil. Plants with no deep roots could not draw any moisture from deeper soil when a dry period came. Jesus will explain the meaning of the parable, too, so I am not going to try to do that in some better way than He already has. He does conclude by pointing out the goal of seed taking root is for the soil to end up producing a crop, especially as a result of perseverance.
But why only explain the meaning to the inner circle disciples, and not people at-large? It could be implied that Jesus purposefully spoke in parables so as to harden the hearts of those hearing, so that they could actually never believe. A better explanation is that he spoke enigmatically, or mysteriously, to cause people to want to know more, to explore what He is talking about. Isaiah 6:9 prophesied as to what would happen; people would lack the obedience to the Messiah’s message, and thus not believe the gospel. Thus, scripture was fulfilled. Jesus DID have a knack for fulfilling prophecy!
Verse 18 sort of sounds like “the rich get richer, the poor get poorer”. Yet Jesus is not teaching on wealth or possessions, but on the Word of God. The person who listens carefully will understand it more clearly. The person who does not give the Word the proper attention due will likely lose even the little bit he does know. Careful hearing = greater understanding; careless hearing = loss of what has been heard.
Later we read, as almost a side note to the story, that Jesus had real brothers and sisters. Although other viewpoints persist, the simplest and best explanation is that these were real siblings, real family members directly related to Him through Mary and Joseph. Why that’s important is a topic for another day.
Finishing today at verse 25, Jesus is in the boat with the disciples and calms a storm. Jesus questions their faith, implying that if they were in His presence, they did not need to fear. They are in awe at His power. They have seen Him heal, they have seen Him forgive sins, they have seen His authority with Scripture, and now they see Him command nature, and see it obey!
SO WHAT…?
So, the gospel is universal; rich, poor, social class, men, women, you name it. They/we all need it.
So what kind of soil am I? OK, I am saved, so that puts me in the category of the last one in the parable. So what does my “produced crop” look like? Am I watering and feeding my soil properly? Am I letting God’s Word nourish me as it can and should? Do I have ears to hear? Am I paying attention?
So, can I observe nature, the universe, the vastness of existence, and not be in awe of God? I pray I never cease to be amazed by Him.
It is interesting that Luke points out the women who were following Jesus. One, because the ministry and the gospel applied directly to women as well as men; second, because of the backgrounds they represent, rich, poor, a relative of Herod, in just a few women a wide variety of social classes are covered; and third, the women were helping support Jesus’ ministry from their own means, both financially and in servitude. They were apparently well-to-do, for the most part, and the word used for “helping” is the same word from which we get “deacon”.
Jesus tells the parable of the sower, or is it the parable of the seed, or perhaps the parable of the soil. If the seed is the gospel, then it never changes. If the sower is the focus, then that makes for a shallow parable, as it is a given there is someone in this story sowing seed, everywhere he can. So there IS a point there, but the main focus is on the soil, and how each receives the seed.
Understanding farming in that day helps us to get a better picture of this parable, along with its meaning and implications. In those days in Palestine, seed was sown, and THEN the fields were plowed in order to allow the seed to take root. So seed trampled on was possible and common, depending on how soon afterward the fields were plowed. The same seeds were potentially exposed for birds to feed on. When some seed fell on rock, the rock would have been under a very thin layer of soil. Plants with no deep roots could not draw any moisture from deeper soil when a dry period came. Jesus will explain the meaning of the parable, too, so I am not going to try to do that in some better way than He already has. He does conclude by pointing out the goal of seed taking root is for the soil to end up producing a crop, especially as a result of perseverance.
But why only explain the meaning to the inner circle disciples, and not people at-large? It could be implied that Jesus purposefully spoke in parables so as to harden the hearts of those hearing, so that they could actually never believe. A better explanation is that he spoke enigmatically, or mysteriously, to cause people to want to know more, to explore what He is talking about. Isaiah 6:9 prophesied as to what would happen; people would lack the obedience to the Messiah’s message, and thus not believe the gospel. Thus, scripture was fulfilled. Jesus DID have a knack for fulfilling prophecy!
Verse 18 sort of sounds like “the rich get richer, the poor get poorer”. Yet Jesus is not teaching on wealth or possessions, but on the Word of God. The person who listens carefully will understand it more clearly. The person who does not give the Word the proper attention due will likely lose even the little bit he does know. Careful hearing = greater understanding; careless hearing = loss of what has been heard.
Later we read, as almost a side note to the story, that Jesus had real brothers and sisters. Although other viewpoints persist, the simplest and best explanation is that these were real siblings, real family members directly related to Him through Mary and Joseph. Why that’s important is a topic for another day.
Finishing today at verse 25, Jesus is in the boat with the disciples and calms a storm. Jesus questions their faith, implying that if they were in His presence, they did not need to fear. They are in awe at His power. They have seen Him heal, they have seen Him forgive sins, they have seen His authority with Scripture, and now they see Him command nature, and see it obey!
SO WHAT…?
So, the gospel is universal; rich, poor, social class, men, women, you name it. They/we all need it.
So what kind of soil am I? OK, I am saved, so that puts me in the category of the last one in the parable. So what does my “produced crop” look like? Am I watering and feeding my soil properly? Am I letting God’s Word nourish me as it can and should? Do I have ears to hear? Am I paying attention?
So, can I observe nature, the universe, the vastness of existence, and not be in awe of God? I pray I never cease to be amazed by Him.
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