Amazed by Jesus' Big Brain

Scripture: They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?" Mark 12:14

Observation: This discussion is well-understood as an attempt to trap Jesus with a no-win question. If he responds saying that Jews should not pay the tax, the Pharisees can report him to the Roman authorities for sedition. If he says Jews should pay the tax, the Jews will be furious. Jesus will give a brilliant response. However, one of the issues of this question that is often uncommented upon is the ways the Pharisees characterize Jesus himself, in the hopes of forcing him into a specific context. Specifically, let's look at four statements they make about Jesus.

First, the call him a man of integrity. This puts him in his place. It denies him 'title' as rabi or teacher or prophet, and effectively says he's just a good man trying to do and say what is right.

Second, they say he is not swayed by others. This is provably untrue. Several times during his ministry, Jesus has responded to requests explicitly because he was swayed to heal or help or advise. He has even declared he will not do something, then changed his mind when another person gives an explanation for their request.

Third, they say he pays no attention to who others are. Again, this is false even in the immediate context, and certainly in the heavenly context. As God incarnate, Jesus absolutely pays attention to everyone. And if this statement is about not being impressed by others' titles or positions, right here and now - in this very setting - Jesus acknowledges who are Pharisees and who are Sadducees. He pays attention and responds according to who they are.

Fourth, they say Jesus teaches the way of God in accordance with the truth. This is a misleading characterization because of the Pharisees' false understanding of the truth. Jesus does teach the way of God, but he does so in accordance with the word of God. Jesus reveals the ways of the Lord exactly as they are revealed in scripture, and rejects the layers of false truth the Pharisees teach.

Ultimately, Jesus' response - to give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and give to God what is God's - not only turns the table on the core question, but it refutes all four of these characterizations. His answer shows him to be more than a man, but truly a wise teacher; It shows him to be swayed by others, as he is keenly aware of, and calls out, the nature of the trap before him; It shows him to be paying attention to others, as he embeds his answer within the context of the Emperor; It shows him to teach with the context of scripture and with the Lord central in your opinions and thoughts, instead of being concerned about rules and "truth" created by human authorities.

Application: This is a deeper understanding of Jesus' response that I never considered. Yes, it is a common technique in debate to create a false context or set of 'givens' and then trap your opponent into responding within that context. However, I have never before seen that Jesus didn't just avoid the trap ... he overturned the false context. No wonder the Pharisees were "amazed" by Jesus' response.

People forget that Jesus was and is so smart and wise that he can prove himself to be intellectually superior to an entire group of scholars, without any effort. Of course, as God, he knows everything. It is just a reminder that he truly is that great and that wise and that amazing.

Prayer: Jesus, you are more than my Lord and savior, you are my wise and brilliant teacher. I know I am often slow to learn, if not downright stupid. This day, may I rely on your wisdom and intelligence, and not on my own thoughts, words, or understanding. Amen.

Three Daily Actions

Scripture: Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down. Leviticus 9:22

Observation: Aaron and his sons are completing their week of purification to become the priests within the sanctuary, and it ends with a series of sacrifices. Some they present for their own absolution, and then some are presented on behalf of all Israel as part of the daily need to absolve them. In this matter, and ignoring all the 'methods and procedures' of the sacrifices - like which animals are used, what parts are waved, what parts are washed, when and where is blood spread, etc. - there are three kinds of offerings given, and these are consistently the three most common sacrifices performed.

-- Sin offering - Done to confess wrongdoing and seek forgiveness

-- Burnt offering - Fully burned up, it signifies total devotion to Yahweh

-- Fellowship offering - A means to declare relationship with the Lord

There are other types of offerings required to purify oneself after an event, or to declare a special decision in life, but these are the key ones everyone is to do regularly, if not daily. They effectively represent the daily relationship everyone is to have with the Lord. We are to seek forgiveness for our sins, declare our faith and devotion and trust in the Lord, and then joyfully make him part of our walk as our father in heaven.

Application: This model remains true today. It applies to Christians as well as Jews, and while it may not involve butchering and burning goats/cows/sheep anymore, it is a reminder of how we should all move into the presence of the Lord every morning.

I am to admit my sins and seek forgiveness, leaning into the salvation found through faith in Jesus as my comfort, knowing I am saved not by deeds but by faith.

I am to declare my full faith and devotion to the Lord, placing my burdens and hardship and resources and time and energy and thoughts before him, to be used however he would deem appropriate.

I am to embrace the fact that the Lord knows me, blesses me, holds me, and leads me, because he is my father - my abba - who loves me, and I love him and want to be in his presence every moment.

And in all this ... I am to pray, mixing my prayers into the pillar of smoke that arises in the throne room of heaven, a pleasing aroma before the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, I do seek your forgiveness for my sins, and continue to ask you for your wisdom and guidance in matters of my daily activities and thoughts. You are my Lord and my God, the only part of my life with true value, and I desire only to worship and honor you with my entire life. Please be with me this day, holding me in your hands, and showing me your perfect will. I thank you for your love, your mercy, and your blessings. May I return joy and honor and praise to you this day. Amen.

Rejecting Jesus while Seeking Jesus

Scripture: Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Mark 11:8-10

Observation: The event being described is now known as "Palm Sunday". It is the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey, and a large crowd celebrated him as Messiah. Five days later, he will be publicly executed.

From the reading of this, it seems very unlikely that the crowd doesn't really understand who "Messiah" really is. They are declaring "Hosanna" ... save us! ... and proclaiming Jesus as the coming kingdom of King David. Yes, they understood Messiah was to be an ancestor of David, but between these words and the laying down of cloaks and palm fronds on the grown, it seems they are welcoming Jesus as an ascending king, a new national leader, in politics if not military. The people want Jesus to somehow remove them from Roman tyranny, likely restore the proper kingship of Israel, and usher in a time of victory, security, and eventually peace.

Of course, this isn't what Jesus is about to do. He is about to usher in an entirely new kingdom, which allows all people to experience peace and security, by his willing sacrifice. Very few - if any - people in the crowd that day had any idea that was what they were actually celebrating.

Application: In all my time interacting with non-believers, when I talk to them about Jesus, a recurring understanding I have is that they have no idea who Jesus really was and is. They might think he was anything from a good teacher, to a radical revolutionary, to a fictional myth. Many times, these same people will have "personal philosophies" ... now days called "my truth" ... that they have developed using their own study and reflection over several years, and those personal principles are so closely aligned to Jesus' actual teaching. The interesting thing is that, not only do they not know that, one of their criticisms of Jesus will be that - because he was aligned to scriptural law - Jesus was too morally strict and irrelevant today.

So many people see and understand Jesus just ... wrong. Most a seeking in their life a path for peace, happiness, hope, and joy, and then look to invent their own path when Jesus literally tells them to just believe in him and they will receive all that. They invent a different definition of Jesus, then reject it, and instead seek ... that which is what Jesus actually is.

Prayer: Lord, may I simply walk with Jesus this week, understanding you as my savior, my Lord, and my only hope. Amen.

Considering Those not Against Us

Scripture: "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us." Mark 9:39-40

Observation: The disciples bring up an interesting situation ... someone who is not a follower of Jesus was casting out demons in Jesus' name. They told the man to stop, but Jesus tells them not to stop such actions because even if he isn't 'following' Jesus, he must believe in the power of Jesus enough to at least not oppose Jesus. And if such a person doesn't oppose Jesus, as he says, he must be 'for' Jesus.

Application: Due to recent events, I have recently seen several people whom I would perceive to have little to no belief in Jesus who say they are "praying" for certain outcomes. They mean it; They are making an appeal to God in the form of a prayer over some issue or circumstance. When I see this, I wonder about their faith, and this passage often comes to mind and how it applies to my attitude.

If these individuals are not followers of Jesus, what should I think about them saying they are praying to God for something?

Jesus gives the most basic answer ... this is good, so let them pray and don't criticize them. If they are showing they believe in God enough to pray, they are on the side of heaven and Jesus. They cannot now hate Jesus and Christianity. (Though I understand that praying to God and believing in Jesus as the son of God are two very different things.)

Along this line, I feel it is good to pray into their prayer and become that second person in the "where two or more are gathered in my name" equation, for it would be great to see prayers answered for such people. Just because they pray, doesn't mean they believe, but it is harder to not believe in the face of an answer to prayer.

So ... it is hypocritical of such people if they say they do not believe in God and Jesus, then pray in a time of fear or personal crisis? I used to think 'yes' but actually, I'm not sure. Maybe their beliefs have changed. Maybe they have just a little belief and thus think that doesn't qualify as faith. Maybe they just, plain and simple, aren't sure either way. In any circumstance, as Jesus points out, if they aren't "against us" then that's a good thing.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you today for your patience. You see us all, as individuals, struggle with our faith, belief, and behavior, and you patiently love us in return while we figure out the truth of life. It is a testament to your love and wisdom that you gave us free will, then allow that free will to even take wrong turns, all while guiding us back to you. May all who wander find you today. Amen.

Rejecting due to Rejection

Scripture: And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.” Mark 9:11-13

Observation: After the transfiguration, Peter, James, and John ask Jesus about Elijah, and specifically the prophesy that Elijah returns to prepare the way for the Messiah. Jesus points out that is true, and states Elijah has come (in some tellings, clarifying that it is John the Baptist). He also points out that the authorities - even though they were anticipating a prophet to come along declaring repentance against sin just like Elijah did - rejected John when he arrived, proclaiming the coming the Messiah and baptizing any so they can repent and prepare.

In the center of this answer, Jesus then asks his own question. The question is far more complex than it appears because Jesus has set it up within the context of both the prophesy of, and reality of the outcome of, the Elijah/John conversation. In fact, he sets up a multi-part context, poses a leading question, and then actually answers that question. Deconstructed, the context, question, and answer, then, is really this:

-- The Jews are anticipating the coming of Messiah.

-- In connection, the Jews are looking for an Elijah-like prophet to come first.

-- An Elijah-like prophet DID come to prepare for Messiah.

-- Question: Then why will the Jews reject and kill the Messiah?

-- Answer: Because the Jews rejected and killed the Elijah prophet.

In many conversations before and after this incident, Jesus is trying to prepare the disciples for the idea that, even though he is Messiah - in fact, because he is Messiah - he will be put to death by the Jewish authorities, then rise from the dead. They aren't getting it. One might think they are struggling to understand because they cannot fathom the idea of the resurrection. However, they are also struggling with the idea of the Jews rejecting Messiah ... their all-powerful savior they have been eagerly awaiting for centuries.

Everything points to Jesus as Messiah, and Jesus is clearly letting them know that he will suffer and die, just like prophesy says he will, and the evidence of this is twofold. First, the Lord's prophesy said so and has always been true. Second, the Jews continually reject the Lord's teaching even when the prophesy they claim they love is standing right in front of them.

Application: I am one of those people who believe the Jews remain the Lord's chosen people. As Yahweh's kingdom of priests, they had a mission to teach the world about the Lord and usher Messiah in as the global savior of all mankind. They still have a mission related to Jesus' return. My interpretation of the bible and history is that the fact the Jews acted in certain ways actually makes them teachers for us as believers today, not outcasts whom the Lord now rejects.

Today's lesson is easy ... Are there elements of the Lord's word I reject because I don't like the truth the Lord teaches me, and as a result I crucify Jesus, throwing away his sacrifice, and hurting his heart?

And the answer is even easier ... Yes. I do things I know are sin, and that I know actually make my life worse, and I just do them anyway, and this greaves Jesus.

There are three of four habits I have that I just need to end. They are mostly habits with lazy and unproductive thought patterns that then produce thoughtless action. These actions push away the Holy Spirit - I can feel that - which harms my own spirit and hurts my mind. I act with the knowledge I am rejecting the Lord's instructions, and thus reject his great gift of Holy Spirit guidance. This needs to stop.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me when I reject your word, for I know it hurts Jesus' heart. You love me so much, and I let you down so often. I am truly sorry. May I be stronger in my heart and soul, so I may be honorable in my mind and body. Amen.

Doing the Lord's Math

Scripture: The total amount of the gold from the wave offering used for all the work on the sanctuary was 29 talents and 730 shekels,* according to the sanctuary shekel. Exodus 38:24

Observation: Moses gives an account of all the precious metal used to construct the tabernacle, including what is used on the ark, the tables of presence and incense, the tools and utensils, the lampstands, the basins, the altar, curtain rings, etc. It includes the gold listed above (* equals about 1 ton), the silver, and the bronze. Collectively, all the precious metal put together comes out to approximately 7.25 tons, or 14,500 pounds(!) of precious metal. This is an amount of immense earthly value.

However ... 14,500 pounds equals 232,000 ounces. We are told there were ~600,000 men who were part of the exodus, which historical experts translate (based on family dynamics and sizes of the time) to mean roughly 2,000,000 people. This means that every individual contributed ... 0.116 ounces of precious metal. That's less than one modern 'sterling silver' earring. This is an amount of insignificant earthly value.

When it comes to giving, THIS is how God does math. He doesn't suck us all dry and require us to go broke on earth so that he can have some elaborate artifacts that honor him. He simply tells us to be faithful with just a little - so little that we may not even notice it - and somehow it becomes an amount that changes world history.

Application: There were two verses today that related directly to personal finances. The most obvious was in Proverbs 6 (which Dave Ramsey often quotes). However, I am more moved by the implications of the tabernacle.

When I was first reading this, I was thinking, "that's a lot of gold and silver and bronze, how could these slaves that just fled from bondage have so much?" Well ... they didn't have much, and they didn't need much! In fact, they all had barely any, and somehow they simultaneously had so much.

I know this is how the Lord guides us with regards to our earthly resources. He gives us so much, and asks that - as a simple act of faith - we give a little of it to him, without question, no conditions, joyfully. Over and over, the results associated with believers giving just a little are amazing. The math rarely makes sense.

Prayer: Lord, may faithful believers all around the world understand more and more how their very simple, very basic, very disposal tithe, can actually change the world. Amen.

Explicitly Going to the Gentiles

Scripture: Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. Mark 7:31

Observation: Prior to this verse, Jesus has gone to Tyre even though he makes statements that his ministry is to prioritize presenting himself to the Jews and not Gentiles. He then continues north to Sidon, then down to an area east of the Jordan and the Sea of Galilee. While this latter area was part of Israel (the trans-Jordan tribes), Tyre and Sidon in Phoenicia/Lebanon was never part of Israel. Even at its largest, this region was a different nation, though it was allied with Israel and even provided material for the temple.

Why does Jesus go there? This question is doubly confusing as earlier in the chapter Jesus responding to a woman's request for healing of her daughter in Tyre because she isn't Jewish. Why would Jesus go to a place that was never in Israel, and resist performing the acts of the Messiah while there?

The answer may be found in how he is received by the Jews. In his hometown, he is rejected as just the carpenter who couldn't possibly know what he knows. In Jerusalem, he is openly challenged by Pharisees. In many locations, he is sought for the miracles he can perform, but not followed and believed in by most. Then he comes to Phoenicia and ... well, gets almost the same response, but without the attacks and challenges. Most likely ignore him, but some believe and seek him. Those that do express faith and hope and thanks.

In other words, it is possible that Jesus leaves the region of the Jews to explicitly show that Messiah is the savior of all people, that he can and should be received and acknowledges as the savior by everyone - Gentiles as well as Jews - and that all people will receive him ... or rejected him ... not based on whether or not they are Jewish, but based on their own faith-based decision.

Application: Jesus modeled so many behaviors that we as believers are to understand and emulate, but this might be the one we overlook. Before he ever commissioned us to "go" ... he went. Tyre and Sidon we cursed places, destroyed by various empires, yet Jesus went there to model the fact that his good news was intended for everyone, and that non-Jews would receive his grace and love and mercy and hope and salvation.

I am the result of Jesus' ministry in Tyre and Sidon, for I am a non-Jew and the early Church followed Jesus' example to take the good news to the entire world.

Prayer: Lord, I remember today that you yourself showed all believers that you are the Messiah of the world, not just the Jews. I thank you for your hope and salvation. Amen.

Considering Modern-Day Snares

Scripture: Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you. Exodus 34:12

Observation: As the Lord meets Moses face to face and gives him the commands again, he tells him that he will drive out the foreign nations from Canaan. With this, they are warned not to align in any way with those nations, or else they will be tempted to follow the ways of those nations. For example, if you make a treaty with them, they will celebrate the treaty with a feast to their gods, and Israel would join in that feast. Likewise, if they intermarry, the foreign spouse will bring their ways into the home.

In this way, the Lord describes these foreign influences as a "snare". They don't themselves kill you, but instead they trap you - perhaps even as a trap or as a hidden and deceptive method of capture - to then take you to a place and outcome of death.

Application: I live in a place and time where everything is seemingly a snare. We cannot watch television, or walk down the street, or do a Google search, without something potentially sinful - or at least outside of the Lord's will and law - popping up. So I must ask myself ... have I made a treaty with the world?

While I can say that 'no' I have not signed some agreement between myself and some people-group, I have made certain mental agreements about coexisting in society, under certain norms. These include things like subscribing to streaming services, using the internet, and having social media accounts. These expose me to opportunities to sin, letting those influences into my home. And in many ways, I then normalize and allow problematic information and content into my life.

These are the modern-day snares. We are only just beginning to really understand this, I feel, as we now see the impact on not just individuals but upon entire generations. Even entities with no faith now see the harm of some of these systems of influence.

As a Christian, I should be removing myself more and more from them. It may not be possible (for example) to not use the internet in today's world, just like it wasn't possible for Israel to enter Canaan without seeing the behaviors of Ammonites and Hittites and Jebusites. However, there is a difference between seeing such things, and engaging in the same activities. As one moves toward such things ... the snares arise.

Prayer: Lord, I know I fall into the traps of this world, and it is true that those traps existing on screens now days. During this season, may I fast from these elements of the world, and disassociate my mind from them. Amen.

He is the King of Glory

Scripture:
Lift up your heads, you gates;
    be lifted up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord strong and mighty,
    the Lord mighty in battle.
Psalm 24:7-8

Observation: The psalmist (David) declares that the entire world belongs to the Lord, and then wonders aloud who is worthy of approach the Lord in his holy place. Surely the one with pure heart, whose mind is fixed on the Lord, is worthy, and he will receive blessing and honor and vindication. With that, the psalm declares to the heavens themselves, open up and receive this King of glory ... receive the Lord, strong and mighty in battle!

The placement of psalm 24 is telling with regards to its meaning. It is the third of what might be the three most powerful psalms. Psalm 22 is a full and detailed prophesy about the crucifixion of the Messiah. Psalm 23 is a gentle declaration of total faith in how the Lord loves and protects even in the darkest of times. Psalm 24 is a pronouncement that Messiah has arrived in the presence of the Lord, and even the throne room of heaven is to open its doors to receive him.

Application: Our pastor, who just retired, had a tradition that very few people ever witnessed. I only saw it perhaps two or three times in 16 years. However, my wife saw it hundreds of times and participated in it. When the staff would pray together, and when those prayers declared the power and authority of the Lord, they would all declare in unison Psalm 24, verses 7-10. I found it powerful, but not necessarily for the meaning of the psalm. I felt it was powerful because of the very act that they were declaring the word of the Lord - the bible itself - out loud and with authority over whatever circumstance was before them.

This is the power and authority of the Lord's word ... it still commands and governs every aspect of life and of the world. As this psalm itself declares, the world is the Lord's and everything in it. The Lord has full command of every circumstance. Perhaps one example is found in Messiah, the sacrifice of Jesus, and raising him from a lowly death to an exalted throne. However, other examples include everything that goes on in our lives, every action and activity, from those that seem overwhelming and hopeless, to those that seem private and mundane.

The Lord is on his throne. He commands the earth and everything in it. Jesus, the King of glory, has entered heaven and sits at his right hand. He is the Lord, strong and mighty; He is the Lord mighty in battle; He is the Lord almighty, the King of glory.

Prayer: Lord, my life is small, trivial, and meaningless. However, I know this fact to be true, that you have still seen to my needs and my blessings, and have guided by path. Somehow, may that all be for your glory. My current needs are even smaller and more meaningless that the rest of my life, yet somehow you have acted within this situation as well. I give you the glory. You are the King of glory forever and ever. Amen, and amen.

Wondering what Story they Told

Scripture: The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. Mark 5:12-14

Observation: When Jesus arrives on the eastern shore of the sea of Galilee, he has this encounter with a demon-possessed madman. He casts the demons out of him and into a herd of pigs, who immediately kill themselves, and as a result the townspeople are afraid of Jesus and actually ask him to leave.

So ... what did the townspeople hear that Jesus had done? Twice these verses state that there were witnesses - not Jesus, nor his disciples, nor the healed man, but others including the pig herders - who reported what happened. Did they actually report that Jesus could command of a couple thousand demons? Did they see the demons and describe them? Did they report how Jesus interacted with a famously deranged and dangerous madman and both calmed and healed him? Everywhere Jesus goes, crowds come to him to seek healing. However, what the witnesses reported in this case caused the people to actually "plead" with Jesus to go away, despite the fact he clearly healed a very dangerous person.

It seems like MOST people would view the healing as a good thing, and perhaps think that the herdsmen might themselves be a bit deranged for stating their pigs committed suicide due to the interaction between Jesus and a couple thousand demons. Instead, the opposite occurs. The fact they went into both the town and countryside to tell of the incident means the story - whatever it was - was broadcast to many people very quickly. There are two types of stories that herdsmen who just had two thousand pigs in their care die may want to spread rapidly:

1) Good news that should be celebrated

2) Lies (or at least half-truths) created to explain a perceived personal failure

It seems, based on the attitude of the people who come to investigate and thus ask Jesus to leave them, coupled with the fact that Jesus (who almost always tells those whom he healed to not broadcast the fact) explicitly tells the healed man to tell others what the Lord did for him (aka, broadcast the truth!), that #2 was at play here.

Application: I get fed a significant number of 'apologetic' videos on various social media platforms ... often these are videos that show someone challenging a person of faith to prove something about God and/or Jesus. In almost all of them, they challenger begins by stating something like, "Given the fact that X, how can you believe Y?" where X is not only not a fact, but a lie. (And Y is often a lie Christians don't actually believe either.)

I am often surprised when I actually watch these (which isn't often) that the lies that comprise the challenge are typically so fantastically and obviously false that it would seem any logical person who even thinks through their own question would realize the error of their base assumption. This is why the conundrum about what the pig herders said is so fascinating. They somehow convinced an entire town that ... Jesus incited 2,000 pigs to commit suicide. As a standalone 'given', that makes no sense! Anyone hearing that story, then arriving and seeing the actual circumstance - Jesus talking to the madman who had terrorized their entire village for years but was now calm and normal - would at the very least be intellectually curious, and should be excitedly pleased.

Instead ... then and today ... the lies take hold, and people become afraid of Jesus. People hold onto obvious lies instead of believing in the truth, because the lies justify certain behaviors or emotions they have decided to embrace. Even when those behaviors and emotions are painful or harmful or suboptimal for happiness and success, people cling to them and thus to any lies that justify them because ... facing the truth, accepting faith, and undergoing life change scares them.

I am sure there are lies I believe that hold me back from fully living the life the Lord wants for me. While I have total faith in Jesus, there are things I do that take me off of the Lord's path and plans for me daily. There is some story I've been told, where I believe the story even when evidence indicates something better is available to me if I just considered the truth.

Prayer: Lord, I do want to ignore the lies that I still believe, and embrace your truth for my life. May I continue to look for what you are doing in every situation surrounding me every minute of every day, and adjust my thinking to your facts and your truth, not to my flawed perspective. Amen.

Topic One: Violence

Scripture: If people quarrel and one person hits another with a stone or with their fist and the victim does not die but is confined to bed, the one who struck the blow will not be held liable if the other can get up and walk around outside with a staff; however, the guilty party must pay the injured person for any loss of time and see that the victim is completely healed. Exodus 21:18-19

Observation: The Lord assembles all the people, calls Moses onto the mountain, and gives him laws for them to live by. They begin with what is commonly called the ten commandments, then go on into rules about daily living, which seems to have a lot to do with ... violence.

There are rules about hitting people with sticks and axes and fists, and the proper punishment if the person dies versus if they are just injured (with variations based on what body part is damaged). The rules differentiate intent and outcomes and state of mind. They differentiate between Hebrew or foreigner, slave or neighbor. They discuss anger and treatment toward wives, or women taken as concubines, or female slaves. There are ways of summarizing all this that boils down to treating people fairly, not acting in anger, and acknowledging property rights, however it seems like an overall odd discussion in context.

The creator of the universe is revealing himself to his chosen people, and the priority topics to be discussed are ... violent crime? slave treatment? assault? destruction of private property?

Well ... yes. If the greatest command is to love the Lord and he already covered that, and the second greatest command is to love your neighbor, then yes, how we interact with everyone is important. If anything, this demonstrates God's understanding that our interpersonal relationships are confusing, difficult, complex, and frustrating, and therefore it is never as easy as just "loving" each other. We are always going to struggle greatly to do that, so we need clarity about where behavioral lines exist for those times when we inevitably fail.

Application: Everywhere I look, people treat each other terribly. Every day we see violent interactions between people. We even see situations where some people, in an attempt to protect one person-group, verbally and physically assault a different person-group and claim the moral high ground for such actions.

What is it about human nature that causes us to treat each other so poorly? God knew it to be true, which is why he structured his revealed law and priority commandments to us the way he did. How is it that the default reaction between two people is conflict, and is this true because of our own free-will nature, or because of the enemy's work here on earth?

Again, everywhere I look, I see violence, and I feel anger. It is so true that if we somehow just turned all that off, seemingly every worldly problem would end. I assume that's what heaven is like ... everyone perfectly gets along, simply because they aren't angry, which therefore eliminates all other negative behaviors.

Prayer: Lord, from this early revelation of your word, to your sermon on the mount, you know that being peacemakers is so very, very difficult. I am not a peacemaker, but I honestly wish I were. May I both have and exude your Shalom. Amen.

Good News > Fixing Problems

Scripture: Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else — to the nearby villages — so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” Mark 1:36-38

Observation: Jesus has initiated his ministry, beginning with a series of healings in Capernaum. The next morning he goes off to pray, but several disciples come to find him - interrupt him - to tell him "everyone" is looking for him. They want more of his time and his healing and his power. Jesus' response is telling. He says they need to move on to other places so he can ... preach ... for that is why he has come.

There are two elements to this response. One is the juxtaposition of Jesus' healing versus his teaching. It often seems the people want the quick-fix healing of their inflictions, but not necessarily the teaching and lessons, and it is possible this is the reason Jesus wants to move on ... to avoid the crushing crowds coming for healing. However, there is also a broader, more simple, and more direct interpretation of Jesus' answer. He says he wants to move on and preach because that is his mission, to teach. He can heal everyone, however the true ministry of Messiah is to be known as Messiah, to reveal himself as the promised hope of all nations, and the son of God by whom salvation through faith is available.

Healing might be the 'signs and wonders' that will help some believe, but the real work to be done is to tell others the good news. The mission is for as many people as possible to hear that Jesus is the son of God, he is the promised Messiah, and that salvation is now available to all through belief in that fact. And yes, there are behavioral improvements people can make to their lives - in line with the wisdom of Yahweh related to how people can live their best and blessed lives - but delivery of the good news is the mission. That is so much more important than just fixing people's problems and issues and health.

Application: These are the moments in the bible that are so interesting ... those times where I read a verse, and begin to intellectually tear it apart in layer after layer of meaning, and suddenly realize that ... it really just means what is says. Jesus said, "I have come to preach the good news, so let's go preach it," and that's all he meant.

Sure, maybe he was frustrated having his prayer time interrupted. Maybe he wanted to avoid crowds. Maybe he didn't like people just using him as a quick-fix for physical pain. Then again ... maybe those are all just how we look at this, and all he was really saying is "let's go do the top priority."

Telling the others the good news of Jesus was his mission, and it was his final instructions to the church - and to me - as his 'great commission'. That's Job One, delivering the good news, and not trying to fix people's problems.

Prayer: Lord, how often have I prayed to you about the "problems and issues" of this world, and wisdom about how to help others, or fight against the issues? However, here is the truth, everyone is actually looking for you, whether they know it or not, and our job is just tell them about you. May I do that today. Amen.

Danger in Applied Earthly Values

Scripture: While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” Matthew 27:19

Observation: It is the time of Jesus' trial, and Pilate's wife attempts to intervene. She has had dream about Jesus and feels that Pilate should have nothing to do with him. There is one seemingly clear and plain way of interpreting this, which is that Pilate's wife has had a prophetic vision given to her in the hopes of saving Jesus' life. This interpretation of what is happening seems obvious, except ... it contradicts EVERYTHING else.

-- The crucifixion of Jesus is prophesized.

-- The actions of the accusers are prophesized.

-- The Lord could stop the crucifixion by giving any Jewish leader a word.

-- Jesus already prayed for the Lord's will and he is allowing this.

-- The Lord does not impose great suffering on people as she describes.

Pilate's wife is not named, neither in any other bible verse nor even in any Roman historical record. There are church traditions surrounding her, some of which even call her a saint for her attempt to save Jesus via the revelation of a prophetic dream. However, there are other church traditions that point out there is another way to consider all this. Stopping the crucifixion was opposed to the Lord's will and the plan for salvation, and thus an attempt to stop it from occurring is not inspired by heavenly revelation, but by satanic interference.

Yes, on a simple reading of the text, taken without context and by applying human logic, this verse appears to be about a woman who has received a heavenly word and is attempting to save Jesus' life. However, when applying heavenly context, understanding the Lord's authority to address all matters on earth, and knowing the Lord's will for human salvation through Messiah, it is much more likely that any dream Pilate's wife had was satan's last-ditch attempt to undermine Jesus' mission.

Application: Is what I just wrote correct, or blasphemy? Honestly ... I'm not sure either way. What I do know is that this verse represents a danger of applying earthly values to the word of God, and perhaps not only arriving at a wrong conclusion but arriving at a completely opposite conclusion.

The Lord's wisdom and knowledge and understanding is far above mine, and the only way to understand it is by heavenly revelation powered by the Holy Spirit. My earthly logic will always fall short. This is just a basic example ... attempting to save Jesus' life sounds awesome; attempting to undermine Jesus' life purpose sounds terrible. Understanding which of the two was occurring here requires spiritual insight, heavenly wisdom, and comprehensive biblical context.

Prayer: Lord, almost every day I read your word, and I take away thoughts and teachings and inspiration and clarification and hope. However, I desire that all those good things come to me only in the context of your wisdom, for I know the source of your wisdom is your love. I never want to twist your wisdom into my worldview and thus justify my flawed, earthly thoughts. Rather, I want my mind renewed by your word. As I go forward today, may what I have learned through the years be brought to mind by the Holy Spirit, so I may do your will in every situation. Amen.

Tired of Feeling Self-Concious

Scripture: Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” Matthew 26:71-72

Observation: The story of Peter's denial of Jesus is well known. What is interesting is to whom Peter is talking. Peter isn't denying his associated with Jesus to public officials, or temple guards, or Roman soldiers, or rich people of influence. Peter denies Jesus when he is asked about it by "servant girls". Both of the first two questions to him are posed by someone with that description, and given the location everyone else nearby would likely be a servant as well, simply up and awake and working in the middle of the night.

From a societal perspective, Peter actually outranks them. Servant girls would absolutely have the lowest of low positions in any social ladder, as they are not just servants, and not just women, but have all three strikes of being servants, female, and young. Peter - and adult, male citizen and even a business person - would likely be allowed to just ignore them as if they never spoke. He has no reason to have any concern about anything they say or think or ask or even accuse, perhaps even to the point of being able to have them punished for the indignity of them questioning him. Likewise, even though there are others there who can hear the conversation, they too are probably below Peter in station, and he would have no reason to be concerned about their opinions or even the likelihood they would do anything against him.

This is how difficult it is to publicly stand with Jesus. The definitive disciple who was the first and the boldest in declaring Jesus as the Messiah, the very son and manifestation of the Lord on earth, is unable to maintain his confidence when confronted by a little girl with absolutely no standing with no threat of causing harm to Peter for his beliefs.

Application: Every Christian, at some point, empathizes with Peter in this situation. I know I have and I do. I have felt the difficulty of publicly stating my faith. Sometimes this makes sense, such as when I am in a place where such a profession may cost me my job (and I have been in such a circumstance). However, many times this happens when those around us MIGHT disagree with our faith, and maybe even criticize us for it, but their opinions are absolutely meaningless and have no bearing on our lives. In fact, I have been worried about how others will perceive my faith when in a situation where I was around people I actively don't know and don't care about at all.

This is a strange dynamic, and yet again I would assert it has likely occurred to every Christian at some point. If it can happen to Peter, it can happen to me.

Well ... I'm tired of feeling that way. I mostly don't anymore, but there are still times when I'm self-conscious when expressing my faith. I want to put that behind me. I am proud to be a disciple of Jesus, and I really couldn't care what others think of that. In fact, knowing who would oppose my faith may let me know who is under the influence of satan, and who needs prayer for their redemption.

Every day I have the chance to tell someone that I am a believer. I want to take that opportunity more and more, and at the very least not be self-conscious over the reactions of people whose opinions don't matter nearly as much as God's opinions.

Prayer: Lord, I do believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and savior. I have been Peter at his lowest. May I grown into being like Peter at his strongest. Amen.

Discouraged by the Secret Arts

Scripture: But when the magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, they could not. Exodus 8:18

Observation: As the great confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh begins, we see that "magicians" are able to replicate the first three acts of Moses and Aaron by "their secret arts". They are able to turn a staff into a snake, turn water to blood, and cause frogs to invade inland. However, this is where it ends; They cannot recreate an infestation of gnats.

At first, they seems like a confusing place to draw the line ... gnats. The truth is that the first actions of the magicians were mere deceptions. One can use illusions to make a staff appear like a snake, or to make water seem red, especially when observers are predisposed to seeing such illusions because someone else has just done something similar. In addition, there are ways to influence animal behavior that is not magic at all, and thus driving frogs from the river into homes is doable.

However, a massive number of gnats - which will land on people and animals - is an act of creation. It requires a manifestation of nature that interacts with people. Only the Lord creates.

When the miracles could be simulated by manipulating either the perception of people or the behavior of animals, "magicians" had "secret arts" to do such simulations. However, when the miracle involves the powers of creation and nature in a manner that physically impacts people, only God can do it.

Application: Some if this represents the dangers in the world today, how those who deceive mankind do actually manipulate the physical and natural world to do so. However, they do so with known intervention. More dangerous are those who deceive by manipulating the minds of others, whose "magic" is actually leveraging human psychology to convince others of lies, and make them believe that the fake things they are showing others are the same as the real things the Lord shows us all.

I am so getting tired of talking about these sorts of topics - about how the evil of this world has stolen the truth and replaced it with lies that "look and sound" and same, but are hollow and fake. May the deceived soon open their eyes and recognize that the deceivers are only creating lies, and even then they can only do so in the most simple matters.

Prayer: Lord, may our society rediscover your truth, your authority, and your love. Amen.

Creating the Proper Circumstances

Scripture: Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.” Exodus 5:22-6:1

Observation: When Moses first arrives back in Egypt, tells the Israelites he has spoken with the Lord, and then goes to Pharaoh and asks for release of the Jews, Pharaoh doesn't just say 'no' but he increases the work of the slaves. He calls the lazy, gets angry at the request, makes their work nearly impossible, and beats them for their failure. It is this context that Moses asks the Lord why he did this to make their lives harder, and the Lord responds that this new situation is the one in which he will now act to accomplish his purposes.

This difference in Pharaoh is important in establishing the Lord's authority, power, and purpose. Israel had been slaves in Egypt for some time, and if Moses had just arrived and asked for their release, and Pharaoh granted it, one could argue it was because Egypt just didn't need this large people-group anymore. Perhaps they were no longer valuable, or even a strain on resources. Furthermore, it would seem obvious they were released because Moses asked, and thus it was Moses that secured their release.

Now, none of the above can be true. Pharaoh actively demonstrates both his desire to keep the Jews as slaves, and a general hatred and distrust for them. There will be no favors granted! Furthermore, whatever Moses said and did accomplished the opposite of 'freedom', so what happens next will not be because of Moses. Pharaoh's renewed anger, attention, and contempt for the Jews creates the proper circumstances for the Lord's miraculous redemption.

Application: This idea that the Lord brings redemption when circumstances have actually reached the point of "impossible" is repeated many times in the bible, and is obvious even in our world today. And it exists on both global and personal levels. I have seen individuals whose lives flip around in an instant, only when they have reached an absolute rock-bottom. We know that world history has changed many times at the exact moment when one outcome was inevitable ... then suddenly wasn't.

God is always at work, everywhere, but he really shines as our great God when the situation goes from "bad" to "impossible."

I have thought for a while that our country is nearing the "impossible" moment, when we will have moved beyond the point of a "political season" or "cultural trend" and instead are at the point of social collapse. I know my perspective is skewed by my location, and there are places in the country that aren't so bad, and thus perhaps there will more likely be some regional issues that occur. That said, today I have hope that the Lord can and will still show up. Maybe he is still setting up the proper circumstances.

Prayer: Lord, I do know you can do all things, and I also know by every example that you can and do act at the moment when human logic thinks all is lost. You are the God of miracles, big and small, global and personal. May thy will be done. Amen.

Truly, God did It

I have been going back and forth recently about my work-related stress. I'm worried that, truly for the first time in my life, I am ... failing. I can't figure out how to successfully accomplish what's being asked of me, at least from the perspective of the earthly or "business" objectives set before me, and this has never happened.

However, I also am reminded almost every day ... God has a reason I'm here! Even in the times when it went sideways, I know God has always guided my career, from putting me at work for a bank, to the timing of when I suddenly got a job in Seattle, to obtaining my first government job even while 9/11 was happening. And now this ... I get laid off, and while the entire tech sector seems to be imploding, the VERY FIRST job I apply to I get.

I have no idea how I am going to succeed at this job. Zero. I can't see a possibility of success, and in fact I have this job because I'm a known expert in both this industry and this region, and therefore I know for certain that what's being expected of me is impossible. However, I also know that the Lord already has it figured out. He knows what will happen, or he knows what won't and this is just something to learn. Either way, no matter how hard I try, whatever happens next will NOT be because of me. I can try hard, but I can't make it happen. It has to be someone else. And I will absolutely give him the credit!

Only God can do it.

You know I really tried so hard
But I couldn't make the waters part
Didn't matter how many times that I had said it
You know I couldn't save myself
It had to be someone else
And there's only one who's getting all of the credit

Actions and Outcomes vs. Love

Scripture: The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. Matthew 23:2-3

Observation: Jesus has been tested by the Pharisees and now is about to go on the offensive, pronouncing woes and warnings over them. He begins with this, defining who exactly the Pharisees really are, and it sounds ... rather impressive. They sit in Moses' seat! To say it another way, the Pharisees are the continuation of the tradition and function of Moses.

At the outset, the Lord gave the Law to Moses, had Moses declare and teach that Law, by wisdom gave Moses further refinement and clarification of the Law, and had Moses act as judge in all matters concerning the Law. However, Moses was not the spiritual leader, for that responsibility was divided away from him and given to Aaron, and from Aaron derived all Priests. Furthermore, responsibilities for work and service concerning the Lord were also not part of Moses' charge, as this became the general work of the Levites. Indeed, Moses had one function, which was to declare, clarify, and interpret the Law.

This is the function the Pharisees now hold. The issue Jesus has with them is that they do it poorly, and as hypocrites. How they proceed poorly is that they create new interpretations of the Law that are not given by the Lord (these are the meaningly ceremonial actions and public-facing behaviors Jesus has called out dozens of times), and by these new interpretations they condemn everyone to failure. How they proceed as hypocrites is by prioritizing these misinterpretations but at the cost of the true core of the Law, and as a result their 'outward' behaviors comply with false laws, but their inner attitudes violate the Law.

Jesus calls out these exact things immediately. He points out that the Pharisees do things like ... ornament themselves with clothes and symbols to 'show' piety, seek honor at public feasts and gatherings, expect respectful greetings in public, and insist being addressed with titles of honor. The 'woes' he pronounces reenforce these same issues, pointing out their outward piety, but inside they have a total lack of concern for others, and totally disregard the core of the Lord's Law ... showing justice and mercy toward others, and faith toward the Lord, as expressions of love toward people and Yahweh.

Application: So often, in all our lives, we focus on actions and outcomes. This is our core training in life ... we do things that produce results. Even looking at biblical heroes like Moses we THINK that's what they do, too. We see Moses judge sin and sentence sinners to stoning, or identify a rebellion among the Jews and see thousands killed as a result. However, we also see Moses strike a stone to bring water forth ... and get punished. Moses wasn't just doing things and getting results, and when he did to that he was corrected. Moses was prioritizing his relationship with the Lord over everything else in life, and in turn was able to successfully care for the welfare of a million people for decades.

Over and over, Jesus tells us the truth about how the Lord wants our faith to "look", and it is not about the things we publicly do and the worldly outcomes of such actions. It is always about our heart. When our heart and our love are right, heavenly results occur.

Especially over the last few years, I have worked repeatedly about my heart. It was so hard and calloused ... caused by pain in life, lies from the evil one, and human nature itself. I still care how I appear to others more than I care about what is actually happening in my own mind and heart and soul. I care more than I used to about loving others, but I still care too much about appearing like I love others.

In some ways, I don't reject a Pharisaical way of life ... I aspire to it! I do outward things to look good, and thus to be worthy of judging others. Wow, what a backwards hypocrite I am! Woe to me.

Yes, I need to continue on the path of softening my heart, and knowing that my "work" in life isn't actually work, but it is to love God and love others. That will produce the outcomes the Lord desires.

Prayer: Lord, all I want to do today is to seek justice and mercy for others, and to walk humbly with you. May my actual actions overflow from my love for you and others, and from wisdom you give me about what that should produce. Amen.

Keeping God Central

Scripture: But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him. Job 32:2-3

Observation: It is time for Elihu - a fourth man never before mentioned - to speak. He did not speak before because he is a young man and allowed his elders to correct Job, but seeing they do not do so he now proceeds. His reason for being angry is interesting. Yes, Job continues to declare himself innocent, to justify himself, and this has been the crux of the friends' opposition (that Job certainly has sinned ... Job's point is really that he hasn't sinned to the point of deserving the total annihilation of his life).

However, Elihu's real issue with the conversation is that the friends repeatedly "condemn" Job ... they repeatedly say he "must" be a sinful man as evidenced by this terrible punishment he has received ... however they fail to "refute" Job's claim that he is undeserving of this punishment. Another way of saying all this is that the entire conversation has devolved into an examination of Job, and not a faith-filled discussion about the Lord, and in turn about the Lord's unassailable authority. The accusers simply say "Job must be sinful" and Job responds "I'm not that bad", and no one is saying "the Lord is sovereign, there is an unknown element of the ways of the Lord at work here, and perhaps nothing that's happened here is tied to any sinful behavior". (In fact, we know this to be true.)

Elihu's anger, therefore, is based not on anyone's ability to successfully debate Job's guilt or innocence, but rather the fact that they are debating about Job at all, and not focused on discovering how the Lord may want to influence their thoughts and lives and understanding and wisdom and love for one another through the tragic events that have transpired. They have all lost sight of the fact that God needs to be central in the discussion, and not any facts that may condemn or justify Job.

Application: This is a good thought for every day ... wondering to myself "what is God doing in this situation?" Sure, it's easy to apply that question when wondering about something like the leadership transition at church. However, what about applying it to ... my wife's shoulder injury, or my struggles to meet sales quotas, or a lost driver who just stops in the middle of the road, or my son's prolonged unemployment.

Most times I eventually get around to thinking about what God may want to teach me and my family. However, perhaps that should be the first thought ... the only thought. Everything can be a way to receive wisdom from the Lord, and to exercise faith and peace and love and joy.

It isn't about me. It isn't about my family. It's about the Lord and how he can bring us into his work and his purpose.

Prayer: Lord, there is, perhaps, a new question for me to consider often every day, 'what are you doing in this situation?'. May I consider this more and more. Amen.

Deep Roots Within the 'They'

Scripture: "Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end," they replied, "and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time." Matthew 21:40-41

Observation: Jesus is telling the parable about a vineyard owner who is betrayed by the farmers to whom he is renting his land. When he sent his servants to collect his profits for the year, they beat and tortured them. When he then sent his own son, they murdered him. Jesus then doesn't explain the parable himself, but asks the audience what they think happens next, and "they" respond with the obvious truth ... the betraying tenants will be destroyed and the farm taken from their oversight.

Jesus concurs, but then points out ... the farm tenants are the priests to whom the Lord gave his sacred word, the promised land, and his covenant love, who in turn have stoned prophets and will soon kill Messiah ... and the priests are also the "they" who are listening to Jesus, and who just answered the question.

Application: I think this is a matter of truth ... when it comes to people of faith, we often know when we have done wrong. Yes, there are times we don't know we are violating the Lord's desires for our lives, and there are many, many times we act sinfully and are reminded by either word or conviction of the spirit of our sin after the fact. Most of the time, my experience is that believers try to repent of these occurrences (with mixed results).

However, when we are part of a pattern of wrongdoing that becomes interwoven in our lives, we reject correction, and will turn angry toward anyone who attempts to correct us. This is even true when we absolutely agree with the correction itself. We hear the truth, know it to be true, and instead of attempting to resolve our lives, we turn against the messenger trying to guide us back to God.

When our wrong actions are deeply rooted as a part of our life, correction is hard to receive, and repentance is harder. I don't really know what to do about this fact, and how to apply it to my life, but I feel it to be true, and I am open to the Lord's revelation about the deep roots in my heart.

Prayer: Lord, I am an old man, and I still have so much to learn and so much to improve in my life. I am open to instruction. I don't want to be a priest who loses your provision even when I know I deserve to lose it. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Upon Watching this for Years

Scripture: Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. Matthew 20:20

Observation: This might be one of the more confusing ways of 'identifying' someone in the bible. Besides Jesus, who is this verse about, and who is speaking? Those people are the NOT named! So, naming the actors ...

-- Zebedee (named) is a man who isn't even there

-- His sons (referenced) are James and John

-- Their mom (speaking) is Solome

Here's the deal about who all these individuals REALLY are. First, James and John - for whom the appeal is being made to sit at Jesus' right and left hand in heaven - are two of the three top leaders of the disciples. Along with Peter, they witnessed the transfiguration. After Jesus' resurrection, John and Peter will perform great miracles together, and James will be considered the leader of the church in Jerusalem and its the second martyr. Second, scholars mostly agree that Solome is Mary's sister. This makes her one of the few blood-relatives of Jesus (his aunt), and someone who likely had a place of respect in Jesus' life as he grew up. Lastly, Zebedee is therefore Jesus' uncle and father to James and John. He is referred to several times though he does not follow Jesus. He runs the family fishing business, and some believe (myself included) that he is the benefactor of Jesus' ministry, providing the financial resources needed to support not just Jesus and his family, but a significant percentage of the costs associated with this group of perhaps 100+ total people who follow Jesus from town to town.

Here's the point. James and John aren't just asking to receive a place of honor, they are leveraging every sliver of influence anyone could have over Jesus to make the request. The request is made by someone who is probably the second-most influential woman in Jesus entire collective of followers, and done so 'in the name of' the man who is fully funding Jesus' work. The implication is that answering "no" could place at risk the financial backing of the ministry, and might create an emotional rift within the followers by hurting a well-respected woman's feelings.

Application: Two days ago was my wife's last day of work, as she retires from being a pastor at our church. I'm so proud of her! However, this verse reminds me of things I've seen good members of the church try to 'pull' over the years. There are those who tithe faithfully, then make formal complaints to the pastor because they want things done a certain way. There are those who give one large gift "restricted" to do something that the church doesn't do, thus tying them to either do so with this money, or give the money back. There are those who serve well in certain visible ministries, then when they get their feelings hurt over a change the pastor wants in that ministry they leave the church while spreading rumors and lies and ill-will about the pastor. There are even those elevated to the position of "pastor" who then act to tear the church apart.

I just did the math, and over the last 14 years - when the head pastor arrived - our church has had 23 people on paid staff (+/- 1) with a "pastor" title. During that first year, two of them were the head pastor and my wife. Most left following a specific pattern:

1) They wanted to make a change to the church strategy, mission, work.

2) They were told "no".

3) They took it upon themselves as a "pastor/leader" to do it anyway.

4) They were corrected.

5) They got angry and left (either quit or were fired) and while doing so they publicly complained and lied about other pastors, often convincing some attendees to leave angrily too.

It has been hard to watch. And obviously, James and John could have done exactly this. Whether they did so knowingly or not, they were leveraging influence of both position and relationship to try to change a church (or in this case, heavenly) plan or strategy. They could have stormed off, pulled 'funding', divided Jesus' own family, and likely convinced some long-term followers to leave.

Jesus' response should be a model for all pastors ... he simply says "that is God's decision, and I am confident he says 'no'." Jesus KNEW the answer was 'no' because HE will sit at God's right hand, therefore no one can sit next to him. However, he didn't just say 'no', and neither did he explain the 'why' for not saying 'yes' ... he just said God has other plans, then addressed the fallout over the ask.

We are all blessed that James and John accepted this response, for that too is an act of strong faith.

Prayer: Lord, my wife is an amazing and faithful woman. Her work has not been easy over the years, but your blessings and rewards have been generous and loving and overflowing. May your hand be upon her during this transition, and may your love never be removed from her anointing. Amen.

God Just Doesn't Punish

Scripture:
I say to God: Do not declare me guilty,
but tell me what charges you have against me.
Job 10:2

Observation: At this time in the dialogue, Job and his friends even agree That surely Job should not be questioning the Lord. Job doesn't even (yet) declare himself innocent, but rather that he knows he isn't worthy and that he is sinful. He wishes for the mediator (Jesus, unnamed obviously) who would be the only person even worthy to talk to the Lord about his situation, and he again wishes for his own non-existence, for his state as a sinful man is indefensible.

Yet here is an interesting request ... for the Lord to pronounce his charges against Job before he just punishes him. This is interesting for two reasons. One reason is that we know the Lord is NOT punishing Job; Despite the harm that has come upon him, and the fact even Job himself acknowledges he is not perfect and thus is worthy of punishment, the changes in Job's circumstances are not a punishment from the Lord in any way. The second reason this is interesting is that Job is actually asking for something that the Lord himself will later give to Moses as a requirement of the Law, which is that, when someone is charged with sin, the charge - specifically the commandment in the law that is being violated - is to be written out so it can be clearly understood by both the judges and the accused. The Lord is without sin himself, therefore he could not violate this part of the Law even though the Law had not yet been given, and therefore (transitive property?) there is no charge against Job.

Application: I will make these broad statements about my own life. First, I sin, and at times I sin in a way that so knowingly violates God's precepts and commandments that I am deserving of punishment. Second, I have had significant hardships in my life where, maybe I wasn't sitting with open sores in an ash pile, but I was brought low to a point of depression and despair for my life and my future, even considering the alternative of no longer existing. Third, not once was there a relationship between my sinful actions that I should have been punished for, and these times of destruction and attack on my life.

God just doesn't punish people. He may test us, and he may allow hardship in order to form faith and character, but he doesn't destroy us over our sins and mistakes. We know satan is the one who attacks our lives, and then whispers to us that it is because God doesn't love us, or is angry with us, or is punishing us because we can never be good enough in his eyes.

Every day, if I asked God, "What did I do wrong today? Write out the charges against me!" ... he could hand me the bible, and I'd find, written out, what I did wrong. However, at the lowest moments in my life, if I asked, "What did I do to deserve this?" he would respond ... nothing ... in fact he wants to be with me and help me through those times of attack.

Prayer: Lord, as I said to you yesterday, I am heading into a time where I am a bit afraid of earthly failure. I know you have been with me already in this, guiding and providing all the time, and I will continue to seek your direction. I can only succeed by your wisdom and your love. If I fail, I know it will be because the evil one has attacked. May I look to you no matter what happens tomorrow. Amen.

When God Moves Closer

Scripture:
What is mankind that you make so much of them,
     that you give them so much attention,
that you examine them every morning
     and test them every moment?
Will you never look away from me,
     or let me alone even for an instant?
Job 7:17-19

Observation: The first of Job's friends speaks, and Job responds. The friend's words are actually mild and more-or-less fair, and simply say that ... God is available to pray to, and if Job reaches out to the Lord he will surely hear his prayers and offer comfort and restoration. Job isn't having it. Job has been pushed to the edge by the events that transpired, and simply wants to die. He previously cursed the day of his own birth, declared he would be better off if he never existed, and stands by the idea that he doesn't want restoration, but rather he wants release from life.

And Job concludes this thought this way, wondering why God even pays attention to mankind. God is all-powerful and created all things. He has lots to do all over the universe even without considering the lives and actions of a few billion humans. Yet God pays attention to people, even down to individual persons, even down to Job himself. God examines them, tests them, communicates with them, observes their actions and corrects them. At the very least, if Job cannot die, then certainly at least the Lord can just ignore him and leave him alone.

Application: I feel like this might be a common thought for believers. By 'common' I don't mean daily, but at some time in our journey with the Lord we all think, "Why would you even care about me?", and likely at least once we hope, "Just leave me alone, God." Such thoughts may come in times of hardship, or times when we are ashamed, but no matter what I'm betting that, for most believers, such thoughts do come.

Job wasn't just some believer. This first friend even starts the entire dialogue pointing this out, that Job is a man who has both honored the Lord and uplifted others his entire life. Job is a good and faithful man. However, diseased and alone, he feels separated from God, and in that pain he wishes for separation. Being close to God didn't prevent this pain, so why would he want to restore his proximity to God.

I get that. I've felt that, too. The lesson Job will learn - that I have learned - is that, sitting right there in an ash heap, covered in sores, his children dead and livelihood lost ... God has actually moved closer to Job, not away. God has always watched Job, but he is now right there with Job, and is about to even appear to him face to face. Job's works didn't protect him from hardship, but soon his honest relationship with the Lord will restore him.

Prayer: Lord, hardship will befall my family again. I know it. Please give us your love, and move closer to us in comfort and love, when it does. Amen.

He is Not just 'Roaming'

Scripture: The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” Job 1:7

Observation: Twice the Lord asks satan what he has been doing, and satan gives the exact same answer both times ... that he has been "roaming" about the earth. He makes it sound like he is just wandering about, casually going here and there, without any intent or interaction or interest. "Roaming, going back and forth" could be the way someone would discuss window shopping at the mall, or hiking around a local park.

Yet here is the truth: That is not what satan does. First, as a creature unable to tell the truth, we know his response was not forthright. Second, we also know satan has intention in what he does. He does not just passively wander the earth, spending his time in idle leisure, casually observing mankind with indifference. No, he patrols the earth, seeking victims to tempt and torment, causing pain and havoc and sin, with utmost intent and forethought.

And God knows it. God's did ask satan what he was doing because he didn't know, and he certainly didn't ask because he thought satan might give him a straight answer anyway. God wanted to have a conversation with satan, and used the question to establish a context. Knowing that satan would mention being on earth - the dominion where he spends his time - meant the Lord could then segue into whatever topic about life on earth he desired.

Application: I know there are 'problems' with the conversation between God and satan in these first chapters of Job, not the least of which is the idea that satan even presents himself before the Lord in a peaceful manner and then engages in banter about humans. Still, this does provide a glimpse into the character of satan, and that glimpse begins with the fact that he refuses to honestly respond to a question from the Lord when he knows for certain the Lord definitively knows the answer.

Anyone who ever thinks any aspect of satan represents a true and accurate aspect of creation is just wrong. And anyone who thinks he is passively wandering around doing nothing is wrong ... the fact he says that's what he does is evidence of that.

Prayer: Lord, I know evil is actively and aggressively at work in the world. We all see the results. However, I also know your good and your love is actively at work in the world as well. May I be part of that work, in your name, today. Amen.

Every Greeting a Chance to Bless

Scripture: Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed* Pharaoh, Pharaoh asked him, “How old are you?” And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.” Then Jacob blessed* Pharaoh and went out from his presence. Genesis 47:7-10

Observation: When Jacob meets Pharaoh, the passage says that Jacob twice blesses Pharaoh, which seems a little odd given the difference in their status in Egypt. However, the *footnotes clarify the interpretation of the term 'blessed' here. These two uses may more correctly indicate that Jacob "greeted" Pharaoh, then "bid farewell" to him. Obviously, these two actions make perfect sense.

That said, it is interesting to think about the way Jacob greets Pharaoh. One traditional Jewish greeting to this day is 'shalom' or 'peace' ... declaring or offering peace upon a person, which clearly would be a blessing in any culture. As an alternative, it would have been in character for Jacob to invoke the Lord in his greeting, saying something like "thank you for receiving me, may my Lord bestow favor upon you" as either the greeting or the farewell, or even more plainly "I greet you in the name of the Lord", whereby just invoking Yahweh was considered a blessing. Either way, using the term "blessed" implies more than a simple head bow and "hello" and "goodbye", but rather indicates a very kind, very meaningful pronouncement made by Jacob and directed to Pharaoh, that declared a positive hope for Pharaoh's day if not his life.

Application: How would our world change if this was the manner and spirit in which we greeted one another? If we didn't say "hello" but instead said, "peace be upon you and your home today" ... if we didn't say "goodbye" but instead said, "may the Lord give you a wonderful day."

Yes, there are times we give each other an extended greeting or bid farewell in a way that states we hope someone has a good day or good fortune. These types of interactions often involve friends, and these types of farewells may be used when we know someone has a difficult situation awaiting them. However, imagine a world where this was just how we greeted strangers. What would happen if, upon being introduced to a stranger for the first time, I said something like, "Mike, I greet you in the peace and comfort of Jesus Christ," and when departing I said something like, "May the Lord grant you good fortune in all you do today."

I would like to say that, if everyone did this, the world would be an amazing place. The truth is, the world would look at me like I was odd, and likely even react with negative emotion over invoking Jesus and God into a conversation. This is how "the world" reacts to Jesus.

Still, it would be nice if we all just "blessed" each other as a normal course of conversation ... if our hellos and goodbyes were declarations of hope and peace and comfort and joy. It feels like that would change the course of everyone's day, every day.

Prayer: Lord, I am reminded today that just meeting people offers the opportunity to express your love and your hope simply by how I greet them. I would like to remember that and try that. Amen.