Do you recall a time when someone close to you, who had a reputation for patience and kindness, did the "no more Mr. Nice Guy" thing? They blew their cool. They laid down the law. Maybe they even lost their religion! You stood there stunned. A whole other strata of the person broke through the surface. What did you think about that person afterwards?
There are times when Jesus surprises us with the manner of His speech. The jewel of Jesus gets torqued in a situation and we see some different facets. His brilliance becomes a fierce and penetrating beam. He makes us reassess our understanding of Him. He challenges our concepts of righteousness and love.
In today's text, Jesus does some name-calling. 'Hypocrites, blind guides, dullards and dogs' show up on the lips of the Savior. What are we to make of this? Well, first we have to re-set in our minds that Jesus is the Holy One. There is no malice, no sin in these expressions. So often when we resort to name-calling, it is for vengeance and punishment's sake. Jesus is not trying to injure anyone here. Though sensibilities may be offended and feelings hurt, Jesus still rather intends to shake people from their current condition to rise to a better one. His intentions are to build up, not to tear down.
There is simple truth behind the first three descriptives: the Pharisees ARE hypocrites because they champion holy living and yet harbor unholy motives. Their spiritual lives constitute "lip-service." Jesus is confronting them so that they WILL literally "lose their religion." The Pharisees need to lose their religious traditions and facade and actually give their hearts to the Lord. Because their hearts are so far from God, they can not possibly lead others to Him. They are remote from the true light, and so stumble in their darkness and lead others down into the shadows. The blind leading the blind.
The disciples are called "dull" because of their need for an explanation of the parable about what goes in the mouth and what comes out of the mouth. Perhaps they are still too literal minded, thinking that Jesus is referring to eating and vomiting. Jesus calls them 'dull' as a way of saying "Think harder!" "Think in spiritual terms; about the inner man and not the outer." Sometimes we need a whack on the side of the head to snap us out of our old patterns or laziness of thinking.
Finally, Jesus' poetic reference to Gentiles as "dogs" calls for some of that hard thinking. In some Jewish minds, there were only two types of people - Jews, who were God's children, and Gentiles, who were 'dogs.' Jesus does not fall into this mindset as evidenced by His statement to go and make disciple "of all the nations" - of the 'goyim,' the Gentiles. But Jesus, as a Rabbi, a Master Teacher, used His knowledge of this dichotomy to draw out the faith of the Canaanite woman. He calls her by the typical derisive slang of the day to see how she will respond. "Shall I throw the children's bread to the dogs?" She replies, "Whether I'm a child or a dog, you are still my master." Jesus marvels, "Now THIS is tremendous faith!"
Did Jesus' name-calling stun you a bit?
What name does He call YOU by?.
Pray: Lord Jesus, help me to be a devoted student of Yours. I want to go deeper in understanding and wisdom of Your words and Your way. You are challenging, shocking, intriguing and I want to know all about You!
Matthew 14:13-36 - 'LittleFaith,' Why Do You Doubt?
Have you heard of French funambulist Charles Blondin? Blondin was the first ever tight rope walker to traverse Niagara Falls. On June 30, 1859, 100,000 people witnessed this amazing feat. Charles accomplished the Niagara crossing seventeen times. In September of 1860, the Prince of Wales was a member of Blondin's audience and watched as the daredevil crossed the Falls with his assistant, Romain Mouton, on his back! Blondin asked the Prince if he would like to ride on his back for the return trip. The Prince declined.
Even if you hadn't heard the name Charles Blondin, you might have heard his story as an illustration of the difference between belief and faith. The Prince of Wales surely believed that Blondin could walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope with a man on his back -- he had just seen it! But given the opportunity to entrust himself to Blondin as 'the man on his back,' the Prince refused. The Prince had belief, but he didn't have faith.
In today's text, Jesus continues to do amazing things; feats far greater than high wire acts. He is healing diseases. He is feeding over five thousand people with a single serving of fish and bread. He is walking on the surface of a wind-whipped sea. It is becoming increasingly difficult to deny that Jesus is God-like. No ordinary man can do the things He does. And at the end of this passage, Jesus is worshiped as the true Son of God.
But in between the miracles and the worship, one of Jesus' followers had the opportunity to move from belief to faith. Peter believed that Jesus had exceptional power; believed that He could impart to Peter the ability to walk on water. And for a brief moment, he entrusted himself to the powerful Word of Christ. But sadly, it was only for a moment. What happened? Why such a short-lived faith? "Peter" was a nickname Jesus had given Simon BarJonah. But in this instance, Jesus calls him, "LittleFaith."
Our faith is small, too and fails under various circumstances because we doubt that what we believe about Jesus will be applied to us in our moment, under our circumstances. Blondin can carry a man across a wire; he HAS carried a man across a wire; but can he do it with ME upon him upon the wire? We believe that Jesus can. We just don't believe that He will. He can heal, but will He heal me? He can love, but will He love me? Jesus saves souls through people's testimonies. But if I don't have faith that He will use me, then I am not likely to share my story.
Dear friends, don't just believe. Have faith! Belief talks the talk, but faith walks the walk. Sometimes over the waterfall. Sometimes right on the water.
Pray: Jesus, you are indeed God; God who walked the earth and demonstrated the character, power and purposes of the Divine Kingdom. Help me to not just believe that, but to act that out day by day. Bring us all challenges to prove our faith.
Even if you hadn't heard the name Charles Blondin, you might have heard his story as an illustration of the difference between belief and faith. The Prince of Wales surely believed that Blondin could walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope with a man on his back -- he had just seen it! But given the opportunity to entrust himself to Blondin as 'the man on his back,' the Prince refused. The Prince had belief, but he didn't have faith.
In today's text, Jesus continues to do amazing things; feats far greater than high wire acts. He is healing diseases. He is feeding over five thousand people with a single serving of fish and bread. He is walking on the surface of a wind-whipped sea. It is becoming increasingly difficult to deny that Jesus is God-like. No ordinary man can do the things He does. And at the end of this passage, Jesus is worshiped as the true Son of God.
But in between the miracles and the worship, one of Jesus' followers had the opportunity to move from belief to faith. Peter believed that Jesus had exceptional power; believed that He could impart to Peter the ability to walk on water. And for a brief moment, he entrusted himself to the powerful Word of Christ. But sadly, it was only for a moment. What happened? Why such a short-lived faith? "Peter" was a nickname Jesus had given Simon BarJonah. But in this instance, Jesus calls him, "LittleFaith."
Our faith is small, too and fails under various circumstances because we doubt that what we believe about Jesus will be applied to us in our moment, under our circumstances. Blondin can carry a man across a wire; he HAS carried a man across a wire; but can he do it with ME upon him upon the wire? We believe that Jesus can. We just don't believe that He will. He can heal, but will He heal me? He can love, but will He love me? Jesus saves souls through people's testimonies. But if I don't have faith that He will use me, then I am not likely to share my story.
Dear friends, don't just believe. Have faith! Belief talks the talk, but faith walks the walk. Sometimes over the waterfall. Sometimes right on the water.
Pray: Jesus, you are indeed God; God who walked the earth and demonstrated the character, power and purposes of the Divine Kingdom. Help me to not just believe that, but to act that out day by day. Bring us all challenges to prove our faith.
Matthew 13:47-14:12 - Challenges to the Kingdom of God
Jesus taught us to prioritize the Kingdom in our praying. His model prayer begins with a three-fold petition: May your Name be revered on earth, may your Kingdom come on earth, may your Will be done on earth - even as it is in Heaven. Oh, to have holy reverence, utter deference and full obedience for the King of Kings! That triune perfection will be ours one day when the King and His kingdom are established in their fullness forever. But until then, we have to do our best to revere, defer and obey right where we are. We must worship and serve Jesus and follow His instructions in this world to give others a glimpse of the new world that is coming.
Unfortunately, there are many challenges to the Kingdom of God, and we see three of them in today's text. The first is that the wicked and the righteous live near and among each other. The most challenging aspect of this truth is that they frequently go to the same church together! So then, the self-righteous give the righteous a bad name. The 'hypocrite religionist' is often identified as the first reason by those who reject the church and the gospel. But there are truly good and righteous people in the church who represent Christ's Kingdom well. If only the rejectors would focus their gaze on them. When the Kingdom comes in it's fullness, the wicked and the righteous will be separated like the catch in a fisherman's net. Until then, just devote yourself to genuine righteousness, regardless of who's swimming next to you.
The second challenge to the Kingdom in our text is the familiarity that undermines faith. Jesus had a hard time teaching and performing miracles in His home town because most of the people there were familiar with Him and His family from a human perspective. They assumed they knew all about Him, and so discounted His claims on the basis of "He's just the carpenter's son." In fact, they were offended to think that Jesus would make Himself out to be more than just another one of Mary's kids. Even today, so many are so "familiar" with church and Jesus and Christianity that they can easily wave it off. Let's do our best not to show people an institution or a cultural icon or an ideology. Let's show them a living God whose Spirit lives in us and manifests Jesus through us.
The final challenge for today is the struggle for power. The Kingdom has spiritual power and moral authority. But sinful humanity loves to possess power and exercise authority, too. In Matthew 14, John the Baptist comes with the power of God's Word and the Kingdom's moral law. But Herod has a kingdom of his own and rejects the Word of God. Herodias has power over her daughter, the dancing girl. The dancer has seductive power over Herod, the King. Herod flaunts his power to make an unconditional oath. The crowd shows their power to hold him accountable. And in the end, the Baptist loses his head! If only we would all acknowledge the superior power of God in Christ and defer to His Kingship. If only we would wield what power we possess to bring the Kingdom in - on earth as it is in Heaven.
Pray: King Jesus, help me not to be a stumbling block or a hindrance for the in-breaking of Your Kingdom. Help me to represent You well in this world. Help me not to wait for Heaven to act like a citizen of Heaven. I can do that here and now and transform the circles in which I have influence.
Unfortunately, there are many challenges to the Kingdom of God, and we see three of them in today's text. The first is that the wicked and the righteous live near and among each other. The most challenging aspect of this truth is that they frequently go to the same church together! So then, the self-righteous give the righteous a bad name. The 'hypocrite religionist' is often identified as the first reason by those who reject the church and the gospel. But there are truly good and righteous people in the church who represent Christ's Kingdom well. If only the rejectors would focus their gaze on them. When the Kingdom comes in it's fullness, the wicked and the righteous will be separated like the catch in a fisherman's net. Until then, just devote yourself to genuine righteousness, regardless of who's swimming next to you.
The second challenge to the Kingdom in our text is the familiarity that undermines faith. Jesus had a hard time teaching and performing miracles in His home town because most of the people there were familiar with Him and His family from a human perspective. They assumed they knew all about Him, and so discounted His claims on the basis of "He's just the carpenter's son." In fact, they were offended to think that Jesus would make Himself out to be more than just another one of Mary's kids. Even today, so many are so "familiar" with church and Jesus and Christianity that they can easily wave it off. Let's do our best not to show people an institution or a cultural icon or an ideology. Let's show them a living God whose Spirit lives in us and manifests Jesus through us.
The final challenge for today is the struggle for power. The Kingdom has spiritual power and moral authority. But sinful humanity loves to possess power and exercise authority, too. In Matthew 14, John the Baptist comes with the power of God's Word and the Kingdom's moral law. But Herod has a kingdom of his own and rejects the Word of God. Herodias has power over her daughter, the dancing girl. The dancer has seductive power over Herod, the King. Herod flaunts his power to make an unconditional oath. The crowd shows their power to hold him accountable. And in the end, the Baptist loses his head! If only we would all acknowledge the superior power of God in Christ and defer to His Kingship. If only we would wield what power we possess to bring the Kingdom in - on earth as it is in Heaven.
Pray: King Jesus, help me not to be a stumbling block or a hindrance for the in-breaking of Your Kingdom. Help me to represent You well in this world. Help me not to wait for Heaven to act like a citizen of Heaven. I can do that here and now and transform the circles in which I have influence.
Matthew 13:24-46 - He Had Always Told the Truth; Lord, He Was an Honest Man
My youngest daughter, Angel, had a favorite song was she was a kid. Written and recorded by "Looking Glass" in 1972, it was a story song about a barmaid who loved a sailor whose love was the sea. Her name was Brandy, and the bridge to the song goes like this ...
"Yeah, Brandy used to watch his eyes when he told his sailor's story.
She could feel the ocean fall and rise, she saw it's raging glory.
But he had always told the truth, Lord he was an honest man;
And Brandy does her best to understand."
"Yeah, Brandy used to watch his eyes when he told his sailor's story.
She could feel the ocean fall and rise, she saw it's raging glory.
But he had always told the truth, Lord he was an honest man;
And Brandy does her best to understand."
Brandy is entranced by the stories of glory that she can only begin to capture in her imagination. "What is it like...?" "What is it like ...?" "Tell me about the majesty of the sea and the exotic ports of call!"
I imagine the followers of Christ were much the same as Brandy. Jesus came preaching, "The Kingdom of heaven is at hand!" Jesus came teaching, "Pray like this ... May God's Kingdom come on earth ..." And so His followers must have egged Him on - "What's it like? Tell us more about the Kingdom." And so He did.
Five times within today's brief text, Jesus says, "The Kingdom of God is like ..." Five parables, each illustrating an aspect of God's Kingdom.
The kingdom is like a farmer whose goal is to raise and harvest an abundant crop.
The kingdom is like a mustard seed that starts out very small and ends up very large.
The kingdom is like yeast; a little bit has a huge effect.
The kingdom is like a discovered treasure, or the finest pearl; the finder will sell everything they've got to make it their own.
God IS at work populating His kingdom. At first only a few were called and received the message, but what began small has become very large. A verse, a testimony, a sermon, a good deed are bits of Kingdom yeast, but watch the life-changing effect they can have. Yes, God's kingdom is a treasure; it's a pearl of great price. Have you sold out to it?
Pray: Father, as a child of the Kingdom, help me to re-capture the glory and wonder of the Kingdom. Help me to tell the stories of the Kingdom that I know - how you are the Captain of my soul; how You walked on water; how You calmed the raging sea; how You calmed the raging sea in me! Let each person watch my eyes as I tell my Kingdom stories. Let them feel the Spirit fall and rise, and see Your blazing glory ...
Matthew 12:46-13:23 - It's the Seed that Proves the Soil
Do you remember your science labs? They were awesome! I guess it's a toss-up between Biology and Chemistry as to which was best, depending on whether you prefer cutting things up or blowing things up. Did you like gross or grandiose? There was one experiment we did where we had three samples of substances, and on visual inspection you couldn't distinguish between them. They all looked the same. So they each got placed in their own test tube and we added a known liquid to the samples. Knowing the kinds of reactions one gets when adding this liquid helped to identify and distinguish the samples. If it turns blue, it's this. If nothing happens, it's that. And if it sparks and sizzles, we're glad we didn't skip lab. (Not that I ever ditched a class in High School; just sayin'.)
Jesus' comments about the use of parables, and the seminal parable of the Seed and Soils, reveal something quite similar to the Chem Lab experiment. One thing that can't be distinguished well by visual inspection is the condition of a person's heart. Of course, Jesus' use of the word 'heart' is not a reference to our physical blood pump. He is speaking of our soul; who we are at the core of our being. When Jesus uses the analogy of 'soil' to the heart, He is illustrating the importance of receptivity and purity in the soul. Where the introduction of the liquid was the element that defined our lab substances, the introduction of God's Word (the seed) is what proves the nature of our soul (the soil).
So, people hear the message of the kingdom of God and they are unimpressed, unmoved, careless, dismissive. The seed has proved their soil to be hard-packed and resistant. Pray for those souls of cement.
A person hears the good news of Jesus Christ and accepts it enthusiastically. But then the trials and persecution that are also realities of the Christian walk come, and as quickly as they turned to Jesus, they turn away. Pray for the young believer who has developed no roots, no depth.
A person hears that Jesus is their Savior and Lord and they embrace Him. But then they are discouraged by life's challenges and distracted by life's wealth. Their Christian walk becomes weak and unproductive. Pray for believers who have taken their eyes off of Christ, stumbling through the weeds of their worry and wants.
Finally, a person hears the great, good news of Christ and His Kingdom and they receive it firmly in their soul. Open, deep, pure, this heart persists in devotion and development, producing much fruit for God.
When God's Word is broadcast in your direction, who does it prove you to be?
Pray: Lord, break up and seed my fallow ground. Cast your Word in my direction and reveal the true nature of my heart. And should I be found hard-packed, tear me up! And should I be found shallow, plow me deeper! And should I be found overgrown with weeds, strip them all away! Help me be receptive, deep, pure, productive for Your name's sake.
Jesus' comments about the use of parables, and the seminal parable of the Seed and Soils, reveal something quite similar to the Chem Lab experiment. One thing that can't be distinguished well by visual inspection is the condition of a person's heart. Of course, Jesus' use of the word 'heart' is not a reference to our physical blood pump. He is speaking of our soul; who we are at the core of our being. When Jesus uses the analogy of 'soil' to the heart, He is illustrating the importance of receptivity and purity in the soul. Where the introduction of the liquid was the element that defined our lab substances, the introduction of God's Word (the seed) is what proves the nature of our soul (the soil).
So, people hear the message of the kingdom of God and they are unimpressed, unmoved, careless, dismissive. The seed has proved their soil to be hard-packed and resistant. Pray for those souls of cement.
A person hears the good news of Jesus Christ and accepts it enthusiastically. But then the trials and persecution that are also realities of the Christian walk come, and as quickly as they turned to Jesus, they turn away. Pray for the young believer who has developed no roots, no depth.
A person hears that Jesus is their Savior and Lord and they embrace Him. But then they are discouraged by life's challenges and distracted by life's wealth. Their Christian walk becomes weak and unproductive. Pray for believers who have taken their eyes off of Christ, stumbling through the weeds of their worry and wants.
Finally, a person hears the great, good news of Christ and His Kingdom and they receive it firmly in their soul. Open, deep, pure, this heart persists in devotion and development, producing much fruit for God.
When God's Word is broadcast in your direction, who does it prove you to be?
Pray: Lord, break up and seed my fallow ground. Cast your Word in my direction and reveal the true nature of my heart. And should I be found hard-packed, tear me up! And should I be found shallow, plow me deeper! And should I be found overgrown with weeds, strip them all away! Help me be receptive, deep, pure, productive for Your name's sake.
Matthew 12:22-45 - Before You Ask, The Answer is No
Do you like peas? Cheese? Brussels sprouts? Cream sauce? I don't. I imagine all four could be combined quite neatly into one recipe, like Creamy Brussels Sprout Soup. But, if set before me I would probably freeze in horror. Now, there is no prejudice here. I have tried each of these food items. When I put them in my mouth, they didn't taste good. That's why I don't want them in there again. However, I HAVE known some folks who simply just decided they didn't like something. Never tasted it. No experience with it. And yet, they adamantly insist they don't like it.
"But the mute speak and the blind see because of Him." "Don't like Him."
"He frees people from demon-possession!" "He must be commanding the demons by the authority of the Chief Demon."
"He teaches with divine wisdom and with clarity." "He hasn't proven Himself on our terms to our satisfaction."
Wow! That's prejudice. That's stubbornness. And Jesus implies that this type of unbending religiosity is blasphemous. It may be 'religious,' but it is anti-God. Jesus calls them a "brood of vipers" who speak evil and empty words. They are blind men asking for visual evidence. The evidence of unmatched greatness stands before them in the Son of Man, but they can't even recognize it.
So, what has the Spirit of God been saying to YOU lately? How has Jesus been making Himself known to you? Are you willing to respond? Or are your heels dug in somewhere; you have a prior commitment to thinking or doing in a certain way, and even though One greater than Jonah and Solomon is speaking to you, you still refuse to move, to change.
Take a taste of what Jesus has for you first, before you pass judgment.
Psalm 34:8 "O, taste and see that the Lord is good!"
Pray: Lord, I am so inclined to get stuck where I'm at. I am prejudiced and stubborn. I wax wise in my own estimation. Please persevere with me and break me out of my religious ruts. You are so good and so amazing; help me to trust You, to try You, to taste You in a fresh and daring way. You always satisfy.
In Matthew 12, the story continues with episodes that reveal more of Jesus and more of the group called Pharisees. Matthew wants to contrast Christ with this subset of Jewish believers because the Pharisees were revered by many as holy men. Their stated purpose was to live in a way that upheld the value of religious purity. But, they were so deeply committed to their own brand of spirituality that when Jesus shows up, they reject Him out of hand. "Don't like Him."
"But have you given Him a chance ..." "Don't like Him."
"But have you considered ..." "Have you walked a ways with Him ..." "Don't like Him."
"Just give Him a try; a little taste ..." "Don't like Him!"
"He frees people from demon-possession!" "He must be commanding the demons by the authority of the Chief Demon."
"He teaches with divine wisdom and with clarity." "He hasn't proven Himself on our terms to our satisfaction."
Wow! That's prejudice. That's stubbornness. And Jesus implies that this type of unbending religiosity is blasphemous. It may be 'religious,' but it is anti-God. Jesus calls them a "brood of vipers" who speak evil and empty words. They are blind men asking for visual evidence. The evidence of unmatched greatness stands before them in the Son of Man, but they can't even recognize it.
So, what has the Spirit of God been saying to YOU lately? How has Jesus been making Himself known to you? Are you willing to respond? Or are your heels dug in somewhere; you have a prior commitment to thinking or doing in a certain way, and even though One greater than Jonah and Solomon is speaking to you, you still refuse to move, to change.
Take a taste of what Jesus has for you first, before you pass judgment.
Psalm 34:8 "O, taste and see that the Lord is good!"
Pray: Lord, I am so inclined to get stuck where I'm at. I am prejudiced and stubborn. I wax wise in my own estimation. Please persevere with me and break me out of my religious ruts. You are so good and so amazing; help me to trust You, to try You, to taste You in a fresh and daring way. You always satisfy.
Matthew 12:1-21 - The Ridiculous Insanity of Religious Fanaticism
At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
"[Jesus said] it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
Eating when you're hungry and healing folks are unlawful, but killing someone is ...
Really, Pharisees? Are you kidding me?!
Pray: Please Lord, help the blind religionists to wake up before they hurt anybody else. Help us all to emulate Christ, of whom You said -
18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
Matthew 11:7-30 - Influence and Control
Many people and organizations have the strong desires to influence and to exercise control over others. There is a sense of power and authority, a sense of being able to accomplish one's goals when influence and control are flexed. Unfortunately, this is often done at the expense of others. Individuals and organizations merely use people to advance their own agendas. Influence and control from other sources are perceived as threats to the agenda. Resistance to 'outside' influence and control becomes a tactic.
Jesus described His generation as a generation seeking influence and control. "You shout in the marketplace, 'We played a tune; why didn't you dance? We sang a funeral song; why didn't you mourn?'" They were so committed to their own influence that they resisted, rejected God's influence (the One who truly IS in control). John the Baptist came as a great prophet and the forerunner of the awaited Messiah, a divine influence under the control of God, and yet he was rejected by many. "John came with a commitment to fasting and preaching, yet people said he was demon-possessed!"
Jesus came, God in the flesh, to draw people to Himself, away from sin and toward salvation. Jesus came to ordinary people, enjoying the food and drink of the common man. "[Jesus] came eating and drinking and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'" He came to influence them for the Kingdom, but many resisted His influence.
Jesus had performed amazing wonders in the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. But the citizens did not turn from their sin to Christ. I guess they had their own agendas. They were too busy attempting to control their own fates to submit to the Lordship of Christ.
Or maybe they thought they could do a better job of managing their lives and finding their own comfort zones. That's just foolish. The weight and weariness of this life press down on us and only One has the remedy. Jesus.
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Pray: Father, help me to see the superior advantage of allowing You to influence and control my life. Your desire is to give me rest and ease, to lighten my load and bless my soul. You send me messengers and You do miracles before me and on my behalf. Help me to see and hear them clearly and receive them as one who wishes to live this life as a grateful blessing to You.
Jesus described His generation as a generation seeking influence and control. "You shout in the marketplace, 'We played a tune; why didn't you dance? We sang a funeral song; why didn't you mourn?'" They were so committed to their own influence that they resisted, rejected God's influence (the One who truly IS in control). John the Baptist came as a great prophet and the forerunner of the awaited Messiah, a divine influence under the control of God, and yet he was rejected by many. "John came with a commitment to fasting and preaching, yet people said he was demon-possessed!"
Jesus came, God in the flesh, to draw people to Himself, away from sin and toward salvation. Jesus came to ordinary people, enjoying the food and drink of the common man. "[Jesus] came eating and drinking and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'" He came to influence them for the Kingdom, but many resisted His influence.
Jesus had performed amazing wonders in the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. But the citizens did not turn from their sin to Christ. I guess they had their own agendas. They were too busy attempting to control their own fates to submit to the Lordship of Christ.
Or maybe they thought they could do a better job of managing their lives and finding their own comfort zones. That's just foolish. The weight and weariness of this life press down on us and only One has the remedy. Jesus.
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Pray: Father, help me to see the superior advantage of allowing You to influence and control my life. Your desire is to give me rest and ease, to lighten my load and bless my soul. You send me messengers and You do miracles before me and on my behalf. Help me to see and hear them clearly and receive them as one who wishes to live this life as a grateful blessing to You.
Matthew 10:24-11:6 - What We Face in Following Jesus
Advertisements and salesmen are so good at emphasizing the advantages of their product or service, and ignoring or minimizing the disadvantages. Contracts have infamously included "the fine print" since the invention of writing. Think about the car commercials you've heard on the radio that end with the announcer shifting to a monotone and reading at three times normal speed a dense paragraphful of disclaimers. There's the hype, and then there's the truth.Jesus didn't work that way. Jesus was honest, plain and thorough in His description of the cost of discipleship. Jesus could have wooed us with just stories of heavenly glory and the blessings of eternal life. But He didn't play that game. No fine print with Him. Jesus laid it out in a nice big font in bold face. Look at what He says about the Christian life in today's text --
1. As a student and servant of Mine, you will be slandered and derided just like Me.
2. Getting killed for being a Christian is a real possibility.
3. Paying mere lip-service to allegiance to Christ has serious consequences.
4. Devoting yourself to Me can cause major division in your family.
5. Painful responsibilities are part of the Christian life; you will take up a cross.
6. Commitment to Me is devotion of the highest order; love Me more than family, more than life itself.
7. Following Me is a challenge that will cause you occasionally to stumble.
But here are the promises --
1. Your worth to God is great; He will take care of you
2. Christ will be the devoted disciple's Advocate before the Father; heaven's reward is yours
3. True and eternal life comes from surrendering your life to Him
4. Your life becomes enmeshed in the life of God; you are blessed and a blessing
Pray: Lord, grant me the courage to consecrate myself fully to You. It is a great challenge to walk in Your footsteps, but the reward has no equal.
Matthew 10:1-23 - Leading Your Team
When I was a kid, we would designate 'captains' to 'choose up sides' when we wanted to play a sport. The dynamics of that were interesting. We would usually push to make the two captains the two kids we didn't want on the same team together. Basically, the two best players simply could not be allowed to join forces. Their opponents would lose miserably. Once the two best were separated, they got to pick alternately the members of their teams. We'd do some sort of random game to determine who picked first, like 'rock, paper, scissor.' Then the choosing would begin. Smart picks were not only based on athleticism, but also on skill, the demands of that particular sport, and 'chemistry.'
One has to wonder what the criteria were that Jesus used to pick His twelve apostles. As you follow them through the gospel story, you come to be acquainted with a bunch of prideful, impetuous, dense, ornery and ordinary men who frequently demonstrate a serious lack of 'chemistry.' However, tracing the story out further, we come to see (apart from the betrayer, Judas Iscariot) a team of courageous, devoted followers of Christ who turned the world upside down.
As leaders, we find ourselves in the position of having to bring teams together. What might we glean from today's text about the 'Jesus way' to create teams?
1. Choose your team; some volunteers may not be the right fit.
2. Empower the team; give them freedom, authority, power.
3. Know the team members by name. Connect. Respect.
4. Choose diverse team members for breadth and depth.
5. Give teams clear, specific, thorough instructions.
6. Model the attitude you want your team to adopt.
7. Discuss team strategy.
8. Identify the obstacles and risks.
9. Commit to ongoing support of the team.
10. Cast a vision of success and reward to keep the team encouraged in the face of adversity.
Pray: Jesus, help me to learn more and more about Your way of doing things and how Your ways can be translated into the stuff of my particular, unique life-work.
One has to wonder what the criteria were that Jesus used to pick His twelve apostles. As you follow them through the gospel story, you come to be acquainted with a bunch of prideful, impetuous, dense, ornery and ordinary men who frequently demonstrate a serious lack of 'chemistry.' However, tracing the story out further, we come to see (apart from the betrayer, Judas Iscariot) a team of courageous, devoted followers of Christ who turned the world upside down.
As leaders, we find ourselves in the position of having to bring teams together. What might we glean from today's text about the 'Jesus way' to create teams?
1. Choose your team; some volunteers may not be the right fit.
2. Empower the team; give them freedom, authority, power.
3. Know the team members by name. Connect. Respect.
4. Choose diverse team members for breadth and depth.
5. Give teams clear, specific, thorough instructions.
6. Model the attitude you want your team to adopt.
7. Discuss team strategy.
8. Identify the obstacles and risks.
9. Commit to ongoing support of the team.
10. Cast a vision of success and reward to keep the team encouraged in the face of adversity.
Pray: Jesus, help me to learn more and more about Your way of doing things and how Your ways can be translated into the stuff of my particular, unique life-work.
Matthew 9:18-38 - Harassed and Helpless
35 Jesus (The Specialist) went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (The Diagnosis)
37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to
send out workers into his harvest field.” (The Remedy)
Pray: Jesus, grant me your compassion, your words, your power. I want to work in the harvest! I want to rescue Your lambs from the harassment and helplessness that haunts them.
Matthew 9:1-17 - What's Wrong with Jesus?
Jesus hangs out with the wrong people.
Jesus doesn't do religion according to tradition.
What's wrong with Him?
Well, the only reason Jesus' words are considered blasphemous - words like, "Your sins are forgiven" - is that His accusers don't believe in His deity. If you believe He's God, then there's no problem with Him speaking and acting like God.
Jesus hangs out with the 'wrong' people because some people think God shouldn't care about all people. But Jesus knows we all need a relationship with God. No exceptions.
Jesus doesn't do 'religion' because our purpose isn't to preserve tradition; our purpose is to celebrate the Lord.
What's wrong with Jesus?Is that really the question?
We try to tame Jesus - fit Him into our flimsy little box. "Don't say that, Jesus!" "Get away from those people, Jesus!" "Get with the program, Jesus!"
Hmmm. Isn't the question really, "What's wrong with you and me?"
Pray: Lord, shut my mouth and open my eyes, my mind, my heart to receive You as you really are.
Matthew 8:18-34 - Winning Friends and Influencing People?
Up to this point in the gospel of Matthew, Jesus has been doing some mind-blowing teaching and some eye-popping healing. He has attracted large crowds. So large that He is going to take a little boat ride to the other side of the lake to get some respite. Today's text captures three events. They occur on this side of the lake, on the lake itself, and on the other side of the lake. And whereas Jesus' words and deeds have been magnetic, drawing people to Him, the words and actions of these three events show a more aggressive Jesus. He is influencing people still, but I'm not so sure about winning friends. Thus we come to understand - Jesus didn't come to be everyone's buddy; He came to be God, like Him or not. And some didn't.
"I'll follow you, Jesus, wherever you go."
"Yeah, well prepare to be a vagabond."
"I'll follow you Jesus, but first let me spend my elderly father's last days with him."
"Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
"Lord, this storm is furious. We're going to drown!"
"Nail-biters! Why is your faith so puny?"
And to the storm - "Shut up and sit down!"
After casting demons into a herd of pigs which promptly commit mass suicide, the people of the region go out to Jesus and plead, "Leave us, please! Go away! Go!"
When Jesus comes into your life He says some beautiful things, does some wonderful, compassionate things. But Jesus will also say some hard things to understand, hard to accept. He will challenge you. He will rebuke you. He will stir stuff up. And that's when you have to answer the question again, "Who do I believe that He is?" Because how you respond to Him and what you do with Him will be determined by the answer to that question. Does He have the right to say what He just said to you? Does He have the authority to mandate something from you? Is it audacity that He should take something away from you?
Who does He think He is?
Who do YOU think He is?
Pray: Jesus, help me to remember who you are and what you came for, that I may retain my faith and submit to your will when things get challenging. You are God, and your desire is to bless me by transforming me into the image of your Son, Jesus Christ. That process can be quite the sculpting process. Chisel against marble. Sparks and shards. Bottom line is ... I've got to trust you.
"I'll follow you, Jesus, wherever you go."
"Yeah, well prepare to be a vagabond."
"I'll follow you Jesus, but first let me spend my elderly father's last days with him."
"Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
"Lord, this storm is furious. We're going to drown!"
"Nail-biters! Why is your faith so puny?"
And to the storm - "Shut up and sit down!"
After casting demons into a herd of pigs which promptly commit mass suicide, the people of the region go out to Jesus and plead, "Leave us, please! Go away! Go!"
When Jesus comes into your life He says some beautiful things, does some wonderful, compassionate things. But Jesus will also say some hard things to understand, hard to accept. He will challenge you. He will rebuke you. He will stir stuff up. And that's when you have to answer the question again, "Who do I believe that He is?" Because how you respond to Him and what you do with Him will be determined by the answer to that question. Does He have the right to say what He just said to you? Does He have the authority to mandate something from you? Is it audacity that He should take something away from you?
Who does He think He is?
Who do YOU think He is?
Pray: Jesus, help me to remember who you are and what you came for, that I may retain my faith and submit to your will when things get challenging. You are God, and your desire is to bless me by transforming me into the image of your Son, Jesus Christ. That process can be quite the sculpting process. Chisel against marble. Sparks and shards. Bottom line is ... I've got to trust you.
Matthew 8:1-17 - Universal Health Care
After initiating His teaching ministry with the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus initiates His healing ministry. We can draw a number of conclusions from this. First, that Jesus is concerned about the body as well as the mind and the spirit. Corporal afflictions are relieved by the compassionate Christ. In the bodily resurrection and ascension of Jesus, we see that He is ultimately a Redeemer of the whole person.
Another conclusion we can draw is that Jesus wants to accompany teaching about Kingdom things with demonstrations of Kingdom power. Credibility can be attached to divine declarations when divine power flows from the same source. Jesus explains this plainly in the healing of the man lowered through the roof in Mark 2:9-11:
9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
A third conclusion could be that Jesus has not moved from teaching to healing, but that He has moved to teaching BY healing. We notice in today's passage that each of the four healings recorded are for four very different individuals - a leper, a centurion, a woman, and a demoniac. Jesus is crossing all sorts of lines here, teaching us that His love and power make no distinctions; He is healer and Lord of all.
A leper was an untouchable outcast in that culture. But Matthew makes sure that he includes in the account, "Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man." No one is too 'unclean' for Jesus. The centurion is a non-Jew, an outsider to the "people of God." Some Jews referred to Gentiles as "dogs." But Jesus, the King of the Jews, is very willing to extend favor and power to him. As for women, even among the Jews, women were treated more like possessions than persons. But Peter's mother-in-law didn't even have to ask for Jesus' mercy and power like the previous two men. He saw her. He had compassion on her. He touched and healed her. Finally, the demon-possessed have a unique and bizarre affliction; something akin to Satan himself. Nevertheless, Jesus heals them with His spirit-vanquishing word.
So, where are YOU hurting? In your body, your mind, your soul ... ? Jesus cares, wherever the pain may reside.
What are you believing? Jesus punctuated His teaching with loving and powerful action. He wields the incredible to make His words credible. You can trust Him. All authority is His.
Who are you? Does it matter? Not to Jesus. He cares for you. He knows everything about you, and He loves you anyway.
Pray: Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof; speak but the Word and my soul shall be healed. And with the healing of my soul shall come the peace and strength to persevere through all other suffering. If there is no thorough healing for me in this life, there is complete healing in the resurrection from the dead. I trust You, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Another conclusion we can draw is that Jesus wants to accompany teaching about Kingdom things with demonstrations of Kingdom power. Credibility can be attached to divine declarations when divine power flows from the same source. Jesus explains this plainly in the healing of the man lowered through the roof in Mark 2:9-11:
9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
A third conclusion could be that Jesus has not moved from teaching to healing, but that He has moved to teaching BY healing. We notice in today's passage that each of the four healings recorded are for four very different individuals - a leper, a centurion, a woman, and a demoniac. Jesus is crossing all sorts of lines here, teaching us that His love and power make no distinctions; He is healer and Lord of all.
A leper was an untouchable outcast in that culture. But Matthew makes sure that he includes in the account, "Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man." No one is too 'unclean' for Jesus. The centurion is a non-Jew, an outsider to the "people of God." Some Jews referred to Gentiles as "dogs." But Jesus, the King of the Jews, is very willing to extend favor and power to him. As for women, even among the Jews, women were treated more like possessions than persons. But Peter's mother-in-law didn't even have to ask for Jesus' mercy and power like the previous two men. He saw her. He had compassion on her. He touched and healed her. Finally, the demon-possessed have a unique and bizarre affliction; something akin to Satan himself. Nevertheless, Jesus heals them with His spirit-vanquishing word.
So, where are YOU hurting? In your body, your mind, your soul ... ? Jesus cares, wherever the pain may reside.
What are you believing? Jesus punctuated His teaching with loving and powerful action. He wields the incredible to make His words credible. You can trust Him. All authority is His.
Who are you? Does it matter? Not to Jesus. He cares for you. He knows everything about you, and He loves you anyway.
Pray: Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof; speak but the Word and my soul shall be healed. And with the healing of my soul shall come the peace and strength to persevere through all other suffering. If there is no thorough healing for me in this life, there is complete healing in the resurrection from the dead. I trust You, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Matthew 7:15-29 - Photoshopping Our Lives
Is she really that thin, or not?
Does he have a tattoo, or not? Is that car really parked atop the Eiffel Tower? These days it's hard to know exactly what's real with the special effects afforded by computer software like Photoshop. Things can appear to be one way when they are really another.
In today's passage of Scripture, Jesus speaks to the phonies, zooms in on the pixels and reveals the retouching, and offers His warnings. There are severe consequences for false prophets, false disciples and false foundations.
False prophets are wolves that have been 'shopped to look like sheep. They come with a smile and a caring demeanor, speaking words that seem to come from the very mouth of God. But, give them time, says the Lord. After awhile, the disguise will wear off and the true nature will come through. A true prophet will serve the sheep. Period. The false prophet will serve the sheep ... with roasted red potatoes and a mint demi-glace! The consuming greed of the false prophet eventually shows up. Switching metaphors, Jesus says, this bad tree might fool us for a while in spring and summer, but come time for the fruit to appear -- well, this bad tree is going to produce bad fruit. The falsehood will be revealed. And the warning? Bad trees get chopped down and burned up! Let's check our motives. And carefully discern among those we would place in leadership.
False disciples think they are close to God because of their religious performance. "We did all the 'spiritual' things! We used all the Biblical words! We got results! We're in!" But as they swagger toward the pearly gates, Jesus asks, "Where do you think you're going?" After a clamorous and lengthy recitation of their resumes, Jesus responds with power and brevity -- "I never knew you." "Be gone!"
Knowing Him. That is the result of true discipleship. Drawing near, spending time, laboring with, talking long into the night. Knowing Him. How well do you know Him?
False foundations get tested. A house can appear beautiful and well-built, but what is it resting on? All the exotic fixtures and imported materials can't make up for a foundation of sand. Soon the trials will come. The wind. The rain. The flood. Undermined and unstable, the house twists and splinters and collapses. Any foundation other than the Word of God may have the appearance of stability, but it will not stand up to the tests. Build your life, establish your family, on the Word. This is wisdom, says Jesus. And He is clear - it's not just the knowing, it's the putting into practice. Life's hardships will test you. Will you stand? Or will you fall? That wind will blow right by your Photoshop facade.
Pray: Lord, your name is Truth; help me not to be false. Help me to use your Word to exalt your Name and bless my fellow man, not to line my pockets. Help me to prioritize my time with You and the closeness of our relationship. You are looking not for religiosity, but for intimacy. Help me to make persistent practice of your Word the foundation of my life.
Matthew 6:25-7:14 - Tendencies
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| Are you pointing out my tendencies? |
I'm a football fan, so this is the best time of year for me -- the playoffs! One of the keys to winning at a high level in football is to be keenly observant of your opponents tendencies. Are their corners ball-hawks who are susceptible to a double-move? Is the defense aggressive to the point of over-pursuing on mis-direction? Do they quickly abandon the run game when they fall behind? By picking up on tendencies through film study and during the game, you can adjust your calls and strategy to take advantage of them.
As Jesus continues to teach in His Sermon on the Mount, we see how He is calling attention to our tendencies. In today's verses, there are many, implied by the admonishments of Christ.
We tend to worry about material things. -- Jesus says, put spiritual things at the top of your concern list and I'll take care of the material stuff for you.
We tend to be judgmental of others. -- Jesus says, don't be surprised when your critical and merciless approach comes right back around at you.
We tend to want to fix other people's 'problems' before fixing our own. -- Jesus says, this is about as ridiculous as a blind optometrist.
We tend to suffer needless pain from trying to help people who don't want to be helped. -- Jesus says, go bless somebody who will appreciate your effort.
We tend to get lax about praying. -- Jesus says, keep it up - it gets results!
We tend to want more from others than we are willing to give. Jesus says, the things you want from others are the things you ought to be giving to others.
We tend to go with the flow and go the easy way. -- Jesus says, the way to all that is best calls for courageous and disciplined effort.
Do you recognize yourself in any, many, all of these tendencies? These tendencies are what come natural to us mortals. But Jesus is calling us to live beyond the natural; to live "super-natural" lives. This will require His help. Thanks be to God for the helper, the Holy Spirit.
Pray: All-wise and knowing God, help me to know myself. Help me to identify my tendencies and to develop strategies that allow me to overcome them. Give me super-natural victories through the presence of your Spirit in me.
Matthew 6:1-24 - The Prayer
Jesus teaches about the nature of the Kingdom of God and makes clear that citizens of that kingdom are not about promoting themselves. Media, promotion, public relations, marketing - all that is priority stuff in our culture. And the idea that we must do our best to remain front page news has been around a while. The Irishman Oscar Wilde wrote in the late 1800s - "The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about." The Pharisees and religious hypocrites of Jesus' day had the same self-serving concern. They made grand entrances and blew trumpets prior to giving their offering at the temple. During their fasts they made themselves up to look as miserable as possible to impress onlookers. And when they prayed, they loved to pray aloud on the street with long, articulate prayers. All these activities, intended to bless God, were abused to exalt self.
Jesus teaches lesson after lesson on the humble secrecy of true spirituality. Our giving, fasts and prayers are not for anyone but God. Not that we cannot participate in corporate worship or prayer, but that we recognize that our audience is an audience of One. Our spiritual purpose is to serve God, no one else.
In today's text we also have what is known as The Lord's, or The Model, Prayer. In this prayer we hear Jesus' clarification of our priorities. First, God is called "Father" with the word "abba," which is more specifically translated, "Daddy." This is the familiar, affectionate form of the word and so shows that our first priority is intimacy with God. Prayer is for drawing near to the heart of God. It is in His lap, our ear pressed to His chest, that we come to know His heart, His priorities. Second, there are three phrases spoken in parallel form that give us our triune priorities for living. "May your name be revered as holy; May your kingdom come; May your will be done -- on earth as it is in heaven." Jesus is speaking to each of us. We must take these priorities personally. We can't pray for and hope for these realities and not expect that we are each personally responsible to do our part. We are not to set ourselves apart to be awed. We are not to build our own little empire. We are not to influence others to perform our bidding. All that belongs to the Lord.
Before exploring The Prayer any further, that is quite a huge chunk to swallow and digest. It challenges us to ask ourselves - How do I demonstrate my reverence for the name of God each and every day? How do I reflect His character, defer to His power, cooperate with His purposes, enhance His reputation (all aspects of His Name.) How am I a conduit of God's coming kingdom? Jesus rules in His kingdom. Does He rule in my heart? Do I submit to His Lordship in all things? Do I know the will of God and how it specifically applies to my circumstances? Am I seeking to grasp the desires of God's heart to fulfill them? How obedient am I to the will of God that I have already come to know?
This is an amazing prayer. Just two sentences in and I have a divine assignment that will last my lifetime. But isn't that what most people are looking for -- their purpose; their reason for being? Because of The Prayer, I know why I exist. I exist to glorify God's holy name as a partner in ushering in His Kingdom through obedience to His will.
So, would I rather be front page news for fifteen famous minutes? Not a chance.
Pray: Dear God, my precious Dad, help me to make your name great everywhere I go in everything I do. Use me to usher in more of your heavenly dominion right here on earth. Help me to know what Your heart desires so that I might run out and get it for you. Let all this be my labor of love for You all the days of my life.
Jesus teaches lesson after lesson on the humble secrecy of true spirituality. Our giving, fasts and prayers are not for anyone but God. Not that we cannot participate in corporate worship or prayer, but that we recognize that our audience is an audience of One. Our spiritual purpose is to serve God, no one else.
In today's text we also have what is known as The Lord's, or The Model, Prayer. In this prayer we hear Jesus' clarification of our priorities. First, God is called "Father" with the word "abba," which is more specifically translated, "Daddy." This is the familiar, affectionate form of the word and so shows that our first priority is intimacy with God. Prayer is for drawing near to the heart of God. It is in His lap, our ear pressed to His chest, that we come to know His heart, His priorities. Second, there are three phrases spoken in parallel form that give us our triune priorities for living. "May your name be revered as holy; May your kingdom come; May your will be done -- on earth as it is in heaven." Jesus is speaking to each of us. We must take these priorities personally. We can't pray for and hope for these realities and not expect that we are each personally responsible to do our part. We are not to set ourselves apart to be awed. We are not to build our own little empire. We are not to influence others to perform our bidding. All that belongs to the Lord.
Before exploring The Prayer any further, that is quite a huge chunk to swallow and digest. It challenges us to ask ourselves - How do I demonstrate my reverence for the name of God each and every day? How do I reflect His character, defer to His power, cooperate with His purposes, enhance His reputation (all aspects of His Name.) How am I a conduit of God's coming kingdom? Jesus rules in His kingdom. Does He rule in my heart? Do I submit to His Lordship in all things? Do I know the will of God and how it specifically applies to my circumstances? Am I seeking to grasp the desires of God's heart to fulfill them? How obedient am I to the will of God that I have already come to know?
This is an amazing prayer. Just two sentences in and I have a divine assignment that will last my lifetime. But isn't that what most people are looking for -- their purpose; their reason for being? Because of The Prayer, I know why I exist. I exist to glorify God's holy name as a partner in ushering in His Kingdom through obedience to His will.
So, would I rather be front page news for fifteen famous minutes? Not a chance.
Pray: Dear God, my precious Dad, help me to make your name great everywhere I go in everything I do. Use me to usher in more of your heavenly dominion right here on earth. Help me to know what Your heart desires so that I might run out and get it for you. Let all this be my labor of love for You all the days of my life.
Matthew 5:27-48 - We Couldn't Make the Last Height and Now He's Raising the Bar!
Innovation? Dedication? Courage? What does it take to turn ones back on the standard and traditional and start a revolution? In the world of track and field, that is exactly what Dick Fosbury did. Literally. Up until 1968, the high jump had always been executed by attacking the bar face down, chest down toward the bar. You kind of 'rolled over' the bar as you soared to your highest height. But in the 1968 Summer Olympics, a Junior from Oregon State won the gold medal for the USA by turning his back to the bar. His approach was 180 degrees different from the status quo. He innovated, committed to his new method, practiced and refined it, and dared to bring it out on the world stage. Fosbury revolutionized the event!
Jesus was a revolutionary, too. In His sermon on the mount, He took the standard approach to right relationship with God and stood it on its head. The standard approach then (and pretty much still prevails in all 'religious' systems around the world) was "right" behavior. "Don't murder; don't commit adultery; balance justice; love your neighbor and hate your enemy." That's where the bar was set in Jesus' day. Clear the bar, and you and God are on good terms. Fall short, and God will punish you. And while many were falling short, Jesus raised the bar!
"True, you shall not murder, but there is a way of treating people that disregards their life; this too is a form of murder." "True, you shall not commit adultery, but there is a way of being unfaithful in the lust of your heart; this too is adultery." "An eye for an eye? No, press on past mere justice to mercy." "Love your neighbor? Yes, AND your enemy."
Jesus has raised the bar too high for Dick Fosbury or anybody. How can anyone be right with God if we are called to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect? This is unattainable. But Jesus has not revolutionized the idea of holiness; He simply has clarified the full implications of it. It's like being a little pregnant. There is no holy ENOUGH. Either you is or you ain't. And, if that's the case, who can achieve right standing with God? Here's what Jesus revolutionized. He revolutionized the approach. We don't approach God with our spiritual Gold Medals in hand. We don't recite to Him our Olympian feats of righteousness. And He just smiles and shakes His head when we try to justify our "good-enoughness."
Go back to Jesus' prelude in the sermon, the Beatitudes, to put this revolutionary approach into perspective.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit ..." Aah! I fall short of the spiritual high bar and I ADMIT it! I have no gold medals. I am impoverished. To acknowledge it and admit it is the beginning of right relationship with God.
"Blessed are they that mourn ..." I can't clear the bar and it brings sorrow, not excuses. Tears, not justifications. The Lord sees me mourn my spiritual bankruptcy and He comes and comforts me.
"Blessed are the meek ... [and] ... the merciful ..." So, we humble ourselves before the perfect One.
"You are holy and I am not; have mercy on me."
Let's say it plainly now. Good deeds don't get you to heaven. Being in right relationship to God isn't about being 'spiritual' or 'holy' enough. What is enough? Jesus says enough is perfection. And you and I can't jump that high. So it's not about 'good enough.' It's about humbly seeking forgiveness; our meekness and His mercy. It's only the love and grace of God through Christ that will carry us over the bar.
Pray: Father in heaven, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Matthew 5:1-26 - Crazy, Man.
Freedomland opened its gates in 1960 and shut them forever in 1964. Such a short lifespan for the "Disneyland" of the Bronx. But my family lived a short car ride south of that entertainment wonder, so I got to experience with seven-year-old senses one of the 'meteors' of amusement park history. The park was laid out like the lower 48 states, and had regional theme rides and attractions throughout. I got to enter the flying saucer which was also a radio station and caught a glimpse of Connie Francis. I got to help the firemen bring down the blaze of the Chicago Fire by manning the handle of the old pumper.But the memory that is preserved most indelibly is the Casa Loca. Located in the Southwest region of the park, this Crazy House was built such that everything seemed to defy physics. Empty cans would roll uphill across a table top and out the window into a waiting garbage can. In the Casa Loca I saw for the first time the "magic faucet." Here's a gigantic sample of this impressive optical illusion. Even at seven I kinda figured how it worked, but it was still awesome eye candy.
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| The spigot levitates while providing an endless shower. |
In God's kingdom, an impoverished spirit is an advantage. In God's kingdom, you can be happy and mourning at the same time. In God's kingdom, the ones who don't seize anything end up owning everything. In God's kingdom you're blessed if you're insulted, slandered and discriminated against. You have to stay hungry and thirsty in the Kingdom, famished for righteousness. That's the food they serve at the table of God and it doesn't show up much on the menu of the world.
In the world they feed on ego, and never admit 'poverty'. But there's no blessing there. In the world they feed on pride, never admitting a loss - fearless, tear-less - but there's no blessing in that. In the world they consume and consume some more. It's all about having, but it's never enough. No. No blessing there. In the world they feed on domination and they put themselves high by putting others down. But when the kingdoms of this world are laid low, down they will go.
Live upside-down. Defy the world's logic. Follow Christ, the Ruler of the Upside Down Kingdom, the Teacher on the hillside. Learn from Him that accepting the impoverished state of our spirit is the point where the outpouring of endless mercy begins. Learn that mourning losses due to sin brings a new longing for the good and the holy. Learn from the Master that yielding to him in meekness assures us of a Kingdom inheritance. Learn that we will all take on an identity; so let your scars mark you as a 'righteous one'! And let this life of running against the grain penetrate the world's darkness as Divine light. Let it penetrate the stuff of earth and preserve it against decay. Righteous salt. Righteous light. Uncommon members of the House of the Holy.
It's a crazy house. But it's the forever freedomland.
Pray: Lord, I am exposed constantly, relentlessly to the world and its ways. It is so easy to go with it, think like it, shape my values by it. Help me. Help me devote to the discipline it takes to expose myself to Your Kingdom and its ways. Help me absorb that. So I can live in stark distinction to prevailing unrighteousness.
Matthew 4:12-25 - Jesus' Strategy in a Nutshell (Seashell?)
"Turn to Me."
"Follow Me."
"Obey Me."
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
“Come, follow me,”
“and I will send you out to fish for people.”
What Jesus came to do is not complicated. He came to bring light to darkness. Evil and all the bad stuff that comes along with it casts deep shadows across our world. We stumble in darkness. We hurt ourselves and each other groping and falling in the dark. Where's the light? Where's the switch, the torch, the match?
It's Jesus.
"Follow Me."
"Obey Me."
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
“Come, follow me,”
“and I will send you out to fish for people.”
What Jesus came to do is not complicated. He came to bring light to darkness. Evil and all the bad stuff that comes along with it casts deep shadows across our world. We stumble in darkness. We hurt ourselves and each other groping and falling in the dark. Where's the light? Where's the switch, the torch, the match?
It's Jesus.
Evil and its entourage draw the pall of hell over our lives. Christ comes and drives it away with but a glimpse of the glory of heaven. The kingdom of heaven did not come in its fullness when Christ came the first time. This was not the expectation of eager Jews, anticipating a Messiah who would set all things right and establish His Kingdom immediately. That comes later. But Jesus came with heaven's light, brought it near enough to woo us to repentance and faith, follow-ship and devotion. There is so much power in His single shaft of light that we are willing to stand steadfast on the world's midnight shore and shine as a beacon of heaven's haven.
Jesus' strategy is a simple one. He brings something of heaven near to capture the soul, makes it willing to turn from the things it is pursuing and turn to Him. That's repentance. Once captured, He continues to expose the soul to heavenly truths and experiences, enabling ease of absorption through the gift of His Spirit within us. Uniquely connected to Him in this way, we follow Him - in a going sense, in a thinking sense, in an imitative sense. That's discipleship. Then, as a true citizen of heaven we go out at His command as ambassadors of that kingdom. Or as Jesus said poetically to these fisherman, "I will send you out to fish for men." That calls for obedience.
Fishers of men, the lure is the light and Spirit of Christ in us. Our testimony of repentance and transforming discipleship is the line. And the presence of God working in and beside us is the strength that lifts them into the boat.
Let your light shine. When you come near me, may it be like the kingdom coming near me. "Thy kingdom come ... on earth as it is in heaven." Didn't you know that it comes through you? Tell your story. People don't want to hear your raw theology so much as they want to see it with flesh on. And be intentional about it. You were saved to be an instrument of salvation. You have been sent, Ambassador, Fisher of men.
Repent.
Follow.
Obey.
Rejoice!
Pray: Light of the World, you turned and taught your followers that they were also the light of the world. We are in this life-transforming, world-enlightening work together. Help me to turn from any evil way in me. Help me to follow You all the more closely. Help me to be obedient in my role as your representative in this place.
Matthew 3:7-4:11 - With the Holy Spirit and With Fire
What if someone could sneak up to you while you were sleeping and pour amazing knowledge into your head? What if that knowledge were specialized and deep, like ... knowing how to perform life-saving surgery with a tube sock and a ball-point pen with one hand tied behind your back? When you wake up, you go out into the world as you normally do, doing the things you normally do. You have no idea that you possess this new knowledge. How will you ever know that you possess this new knowledge? It's in you. Now something has to bring it out of you.
Your car hits a slick spot on the highway just like the car in front of you. You're both out of control and there is an hellacious crash. You stagger out of your vehicle, wincing in pain. Your arm dangles at your side, broken in three places. You catch a glimpse of another victim laying face down on the shoulder of the roadway. You feel for a pulse. You feel the blood. A rush of adrenaline goes through you. You suddenly, inexplicably, rip off your sneaker, jerk off your sock, tossing it between your teeth as your hand dives down into your pocket for a pen.
Now you know. What got poured in came pouring back out.
In today's text, Matthew tells us of Jesus' baptism and wilderness temptation. In the one, Jesus has the Holy Spirit flow down upon Him, in the other He has the demon of hell fly in His face. John the Baptist was baptizing with water so the people could demonstrate their turning from sin and toward faith. But John says of Jesus, "He is more powerful than I." "He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire." How fluid is Matthew's storytelling that after that statement, the Spirit shows up and then, a fiery trial!
The baptism of the Holy Spirit pours something special and deep into you, and the fiery trials of life bring it out of you. Most of what we have abiding in us through the Holy Spirit is a mystery to us. Only when the test comes do we discover what we possess. And as generous as God is at sending His Spirit into those who turn from sin and toward faith in Him, He is just as overjoyed at drawing Him out. I suppose James understood this when he wrote, "2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
What a conundrum! I want to be mature. I want to be complete. But, I do want to lack something -- trials and testing! Nevertheless, Matthew and James are in agreement; no fire, no refinement. no painful struggle, no proven Spirit. OK, then Lord. I've turned from sin and to You. I have demonstrated that by my baptism. And You have baptized me. You have immersed me in your Spirit. Now immerse me in Your flame. I thank you for your Spirit. Teach me how to thank you for the fire.
Pray: Teach me how to thank you for the fire.
Your car hits a slick spot on the highway just like the car in front of you. You're both out of control and there is an hellacious crash. You stagger out of your vehicle, wincing in pain. Your arm dangles at your side, broken in three places. You catch a glimpse of another victim laying face down on the shoulder of the roadway. You feel for a pulse. You feel the blood. A rush of adrenaline goes through you. You suddenly, inexplicably, rip off your sneaker, jerk off your sock, tossing it between your teeth as your hand dives down into your pocket for a pen.
Now you know. What got poured in came pouring back out.
In today's text, Matthew tells us of Jesus' baptism and wilderness temptation. In the one, Jesus has the Holy Spirit flow down upon Him, in the other He has the demon of hell fly in His face. John the Baptist was baptizing with water so the people could demonstrate their turning from sin and toward faith. But John says of Jesus, "He is more powerful than I." "He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire." How fluid is Matthew's storytelling that after that statement, the Spirit shows up and then, a fiery trial!
The baptism of the Holy Spirit pours something special and deep into you, and the fiery trials of life bring it out of you. Most of what we have abiding in us through the Holy Spirit is a mystery to us. Only when the test comes do we discover what we possess. And as generous as God is at sending His Spirit into those who turn from sin and toward faith in Him, He is just as overjoyed at drawing Him out. I suppose James understood this when he wrote, "2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
What a conundrum! I want to be mature. I want to be complete. But, I do want to lack something -- trials and testing! Nevertheless, Matthew and James are in agreement; no fire, no refinement. no painful struggle, no proven Spirit. OK, then Lord. I've turned from sin and to You. I have demonstrated that by my baptism. And You have baptized me. You have immersed me in your Spirit. Now immerse me in Your flame. I thank you for your Spirit. Teach me how to thank you for the fire.
Pray: Teach me how to thank you for the fire.
Matthew 2:13-3:6 - What Does God Have Planned for Me?
One of the reasons there are four gospel accounts and not just one is that each writer had a different particular audience in mind as he wrote. Matthew was especially interested in demonstrating to a Jewish audience that the life and work of Jesus fulfilled the proclamations of their prophets. In today's segment, Matthew indicates four prophetic fulfillments. Matthew is telling us that God has a plan. That plan began to be revealed through the ancient Hebrew prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, and that plan came to a head in Jesus Christ. Jesus is a surprising fulfillment because the previous 'words' from God's mouthpieces needed some interpretation. And no one had the breadth or boldness of imagination to interpret those words as radically as God would flesh them out. Can THIS one, this stable-born Nazarene, this "Joshua Carpenter," really be the Son of God?
God has a plan for each one of us, too. I must say that I have not had the breadth or boldness of imagination to predict that plan for me - where it would take me, what it would have me do, and experience and suffer. Michael Card wrote the lyrics, "There is a joy in the journey ... there is a wonder and wildness to life ..." Yes, life is wild, and God is a bit wild. No, strike that. Not "a bit wild," God is thoroughly wild. No one tames Him. Although we try. We try to size Him down; a God we can handle. One we don't have to think too hard about or wrestle with. A God who is god-on-our-terms.
But then what do you do with Matthew 2:13-18, the "Slaughter of the Innocents?" God has a plan and the power to preserve the Christ of His plan, but He doesn't preserve the lives of these infants and toddlers? Their mothers must weep inconsolably? Didn't God foresee this in His planning session?
God has a plan. But it is a wild, unpredictable, too big to handle, MUST-be-wrestled-with plan. A plan we must think hard on on God's terms. If Jesus' birth is good news of great joy, then what do we tell Rachel in Ramah? The virgin Mary would soon join Rachel in her maternal grief, having pondered all these things long and hard in her heart. We must meditate long, hard and deep also if we are to begin to grasp it.
This is what God has planned -- for all of us, from the beginning until now: to know Him. To grab on and grapple with this Wild Thing to grasp the meaning of life by it. Not a tame life, not a one-third scale life, not a god-on-our-terms, easy to handle life. But to know how to live in the midst of the unimaginable, the homicidal, and inconsolable. Life where faithfulness and holiness are valued above liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
What does God have planned for you for 2011? Good news of great joy? Yes. Trials to form your faith? Yes. Glimpses of glory to inspire holiness? Yes. Losses to grieve your soul? That, too.
God's plan is wilder than we imagine. So is the joy of its fulfillment.
Pray: Lord, take me where you want to take me this year. Do with me whatever you see fit. Just don't let me put you on a pillow in the corner of my couch where I can pet you as and when I will. I will have no domesticated God this year. Take me to the place of sanctification. Form Jesus in me at any cost.
God has a plan for each one of us, too. I must say that I have not had the breadth or boldness of imagination to predict that plan for me - where it would take me, what it would have me do, and experience and suffer. Michael Card wrote the lyrics, "There is a joy in the journey ... there is a wonder and wildness to life ..." Yes, life is wild, and God is a bit wild. No, strike that. Not "a bit wild," God is thoroughly wild. No one tames Him. Although we try. We try to size Him down; a God we can handle. One we don't have to think too hard about or wrestle with. A God who is god-on-our-terms.
But then what do you do with Matthew 2:13-18, the "Slaughter of the Innocents?" God has a plan and the power to preserve the Christ of His plan, but He doesn't preserve the lives of these infants and toddlers? Their mothers must weep inconsolably? Didn't God foresee this in His planning session?
God has a plan. But it is a wild, unpredictable, too big to handle, MUST-be-wrestled-with plan. A plan we must think hard on on God's terms. If Jesus' birth is good news of great joy, then what do we tell Rachel in Ramah? The virgin Mary would soon join Rachel in her maternal grief, having pondered all these things long and hard in her heart. We must meditate long, hard and deep also if we are to begin to grasp it.
This is what God has planned -- for all of us, from the beginning until now: to know Him. To grab on and grapple with this Wild Thing to grasp the meaning of life by it. Not a tame life, not a one-third scale life, not a god-on-our-terms, easy to handle life. But to know how to live in the midst of the unimaginable, the homicidal, and inconsolable. Life where faithfulness and holiness are valued above liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
What does God have planned for you for 2011? Good news of great joy? Yes. Trials to form your faith? Yes. Glimpses of glory to inspire holiness? Yes. Losses to grieve your soul? That, too.
God's plan is wilder than we imagine. So is the joy of its fulfillment.
Pray: Lord, take me where you want to take me this year. Do with me whatever you see fit. Just don't let me put you on a pillow in the corner of my couch where I can pet you as and when I will. I will have no domesticated God this year. Take me to the place of sanctification. Form Jesus in me at any cost.
Matthew 1:1-2:12 - The Ragged Path to Glory
I wonder if God's last name is actually 'Mulligan.' He's just so gracious at letting us have another chance. And another. And another. He is the Lord of the Do-over. He has no problem letting us start again. And as each year gives way to a new one, I find myself reflecting on the mercy of God. He grants me fresh beginnings. Thanks to Him, what I was unable to achieve in the past, I may yet accomplish.
And thank you, to all who have followed this blogger through five months of writing, not quite meeting my goal of daily entries. I have been especially spotty this last month of 2010, but perhaps you will forgive me. To those who were looking forward to commentary on Revelation - you will have to be the most gracious of all. I feel that I should begin the new year at the beginning, and so will jump to Matthew and a true January correspondence with the One Year Bible. (Revelation in summation - Jesus and His team win! Completely and forever!)
The gospel of Matthew starts with a genealogy; a means for looking backward (as we often do at the turn of a new year.) Genealogies help us remember how we got to where we are. They remind us of whose shoulders we stand on. And they encourage us, as ones who may not assess ourselves too highly in light of last year's failures; some of our forebears were as flawed and wounded as we are.
Jesus' family tree was a flawed and wounded bunch, too. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob fathered dysfunctional families, Tamar was raped by a relative, David was an adulterer and murderer, Solomon, insatiably lustful, Manasseh, a wicked idolatrous ruler. And yet, God never gave up on His plan to bring a Redeemer to the world through this line.
We mess up, but God never gives up. Diseased trees produce amazing fruit under the careful cultivation of Christ. Have faith! Is your family dysfunctional? God is not done with you. Have faith! Have you done shameful things? God can transform you, redeem you, give you another chance. Have faith! Have you been wounded and scarred? So was Jesus. He will heal you; make your scars badges of courage and victory. Have faith!
In Matthew 2, a virgin teenage bride is given a shot at glory. An unremarkable carpenter is given a shot at glory. A Jewish King and Persian astrologers are given a shot at glory. The ones who had faith would persevere and behold His glory! You and I -- we have a shot at glory. Doesn't matter who you come from. Doesn't matter what you've done. Doesn't matter how you've suffered. Have faith! Persevere! And you will behold His glory.
Pray: Lord, you are so good to us. Your mercies are new every morning. You know where I've been, how I've failed, and yet you never have given up on me. You still have a plan where I get to experience your glory. Help me to grab hold of that by faith. Thanks for all I learned in 2010. Thanks for all you have in store for me in 2011. Thanks for another new beginning!
And thank you, to all who have followed this blogger through five months of writing, not quite meeting my goal of daily entries. I have been especially spotty this last month of 2010, but perhaps you will forgive me. To those who were looking forward to commentary on Revelation - you will have to be the most gracious of all. I feel that I should begin the new year at the beginning, and so will jump to Matthew and a true January correspondence with the One Year Bible. (Revelation in summation - Jesus and His team win! Completely and forever!)
The gospel of Matthew starts with a genealogy; a means for looking backward (as we often do at the turn of a new year.) Genealogies help us remember how we got to where we are. They remind us of whose shoulders we stand on. And they encourage us, as ones who may not assess ourselves too highly in light of last year's failures; some of our forebears were as flawed and wounded as we are.
Jesus' family tree was a flawed and wounded bunch, too. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob fathered dysfunctional families, Tamar was raped by a relative, David was an adulterer and murderer, Solomon, insatiably lustful, Manasseh, a wicked idolatrous ruler. And yet, God never gave up on His plan to bring a Redeemer to the world through this line.
We mess up, but God never gives up. Diseased trees produce amazing fruit under the careful cultivation of Christ. Have faith! Is your family dysfunctional? God is not done with you. Have faith! Have you done shameful things? God can transform you, redeem you, give you another chance. Have faith! Have you been wounded and scarred? So was Jesus. He will heal you; make your scars badges of courage and victory. Have faith!
In Matthew 2, a virgin teenage bride is given a shot at glory. An unremarkable carpenter is given a shot at glory. A Jewish King and Persian astrologers are given a shot at glory. The ones who had faith would persevere and behold His glory! You and I -- we have a shot at glory. Doesn't matter who you come from. Doesn't matter what you've done. Doesn't matter how you've suffered. Have faith! Persevere! And you will behold His glory.
Pray: Lord, you are so good to us. Your mercies are new every morning. You know where I've been, how I've failed, and yet you never have given up on me. You still have a plan where I get to experience your glory. Help me to grab hold of that by faith. Thanks for all I learned in 2010. Thanks for all you have in store for me in 2011. Thanks for another new beginning!
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