Scripture: Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. Matthew 24:45-47 Observation: Today's reading was basically more about doing the work of God and loving people until Jesus returns, which could be any time. I've covered that a lot lately. So instead ... HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! Application:
Prayer: Lord, I am so thankful for my family, through whom you have blessed me greatly. Thank you for the chance I have to spend the next four days with them, celebrating your Advent season, and our love for you and for each other.
Scripture: One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:35-40 Observation: The Jewish leaders have been trying to trap Jesus over and over again. They have asked many questions, posed by all among their ranks. Sometimes Jesus simply refused to answer their question. Most of the time he insults their lack of understanding about the law and their own teachings, and then answers them with scripture ... often then further clarifying the answer with a parable. Then finally, one "expert in the law" tests him with a question. And Jesus ... provides an immediate, unqualified, unambiguous, definitive answer. Application: There is only one reasons why Jesus answered this question - this is, in fact, a legitimate and scripturally sound question.
All the questions designed to trap and trick Jesus are invalid questions. They present an invalid hypothesis, twist a law, then ask a question. The questions about taxes, marriage, divorce, Sabbath, healing, authority ... they are all invalid questions. However, this expert tried to trick Jesus differently. He asked a direct question knowing there was a "right" answer AND that the question and answer were both scriptural AND that only an expert would know the answer. He expected Jesus to duck his question again. Instead, Jesus didn't hesitate - he answered. And this is even stronger evidence that Jesus spoke the truth. This one answer not only addressed the question, but it also proved that Jesus wasn't just someone speaking in confusing riddles, metaphorical stories, and rote catch phrase. Jesus knew the heart of God! He knew that there was a "core" - a center - to the law, and that center is love. God loves us, and all he REALLY asks us to do is a) love him back, and b) love others, too. I am once again shown that these are also the "work and service" to which we are commissioned. The 'work of God' is to love him through our purpose on earth. The 'service of Jesus' is to love others enough to baptize and teach them for eternal salvation. Everything hangs on these two things. Prayer: Abba, father, I love you with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. My behavior doesn't always reflect that, but I'm working on that, and I know that I can only do that through your strength, and by your love, and with your spirit within me. I give to you the other cares of my life, so that I can only focus on you and how I can do your work, on your world, among your people, in the name of your son, for your glory.
Scripture: After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” Matthew 17:24-27 Observation: Jesus doesn't "throw Peter under the bus." There is a lesson being taught here about the temple tax, and whether or not Jesus as the Son of God actually needs to pay taxes to God. However, Jesus doesn't scold Peter, and he doesn't isolate Peter with the problem of paying two drachma. Instead, he miraculously produces FOUR drachma ... enough to pay for BOTH of them. Application: There are plenty of times Jesus chides the disciples - telling them they have too little faith, that they don't understand, that they embrace worldly ideals, etc. But here, Jesus chooses to teach Peter by joining with him. He doesn't even directly say that he shouldn't pay the temple tax. Instead, he follows three steps: 1) He teaches Peter how to THINK about the question. The question was a trick, and Jesus shows him that ... Peter should have questioned the underlying premise. In the proper context - Jesus is the Son of God - the question of paying the temple tax takes on an entirely different dynamic. 2) He teaches Peter about being redeemed for mistakes through faith. Instead of dwelling on the mistake, correct it through an act of faith and obedience ... go catch a fish, which will have a coin in its mouth! That's a long shot, but when Peter does it, that's just like asking for forgiveness because he have placed his full faith in Jesus. 3) He blesses Peter out of this conundrum. If Jesus owes a temple tax, certainly Peter does too! So Jesus is going to provide the money for him as well. This is a biblical example of how to join with a fellow Christian who is slightly off in their understanding. First, relate their mistake to a definitive biblical truth. Then, allow them to demonstrate faith as they align to that truth. And throughout, join with them to lift them up. Prayer: Lord, thank you for this example and insight. I find this very interesting, and good information about how to love my fellow believers. I welcome the chance to 'love one another' following your perfect model. Amen.
Scripture: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16
Observation: Of all things, Jesus tells the 12 disciples to be like snakes. Snakes are typically a symbol of Satan, and certainly Jesus is not telling the disciples to be evil! Also, 'shrewd' is typically a synonym of cunning but often related to spending. How might snakes be seen a shrewd?
-- They do not carry anything with them, even having no arms. -- They care for their nest - what is theirs. -- They are effective in manner, striking quickly but only when necessary. -- They are efficient in body, not wasting energy on their own warmth but relying upon the sun.
Application: I'll be honest ... I have been ponding this verse for almost an hour, and cannot come up with what it might really mean, let alone how to apply it. Again, Jesus cannot be telling the disciples to be evil, and he cannot be telling them to harm others, or connive, or withhold monetary blessings.
However, in the full context - also calling them sheep and doves - this is the one metaphorical animal he uses that tells them to protect themselves. While being innocent like a dove, they need to be careful ... move carefully, stay away from harm, be wise in how you spend your energy and resources, take care of yourself too.
Christians are in the world - a world full of wolves and those that would do us harm. Some try to lead us astray, some criticize, and some actively seek to harm us. We are to be gentle and kind, but we are not to be victims. When necessary, we need to move away, hide by stealth, care for and protect each other, and all the while relying upon God's provision to aid us.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I honestly do not know if I have understood your word today. However, every day your words still peak my interest as I find something new in passages I have read many times. Please stay with me on my journey as I seek your truth in your word.
Scripture: You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. 2 Corinthians 11:19-20 Observation: In his lecture about being careful of false gospels and messages about Jesus, Paul offers up a sarcastic warning. Some people may consider themselves wise or enlightened when they can tolerate false messages. However, toleration of false messages is actually a way Satan enslaves believers, convincing us not to be firm in the truth about Jesus. Application: The worst bumper sticker in the world is the "Coexist" sticker. The completely unsubtle message is that kindness and tolerance toward others is obviously good, therefore anyone who disagrees with other religions is bad. We are called to be tolerant of others but ALWAYS in the context of only one absolute truth: Jesus Christ is the son of God, crucified for our sins, resurrected to heaven, and anyone who believes in him will live forever basking in the love of God. Any other message is a lie, that's easy enough to believers to accept. However, Paul goes a step further ... tolerating those lies, and showing "wisdom" by allowing people around you to express those lies does four things to the church: 1) It enslaves believers by creating a scenario where we cannot serve Jesus as he has commanded and thus start down the path of losing out on our salvation. 2) It exploits believers as we become fearful of offending others and thus give into them in conversations. 3) It takes advantage of believers if we attempt to remedy that offense through forms of guilty compassion.
4) It allows others to boast as if better than us, as they declare their openness to multiple truths is an example of greater intelligence and kindness. 5) It slaps believers in the face, as we then become the ones declared to be in the 'wrong' because we don't accept the lies. No believer should EVER accept ANY gospel other than the true gospel, even as a temporary expedient in a conversation. We must profess truth at all times. God will honor only that, and Jesus will acknowledge us before God because we have acknowledged him before man. And THAT is the point, after all. Prayer: Lord, we know the truth. Most of the people around me do not. Give me courage to never, ever hedge or waiver when it comes to the truth of Jesus, at any time, under any circumstance.
Scripture: By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 2 Corinthians 10:1-2 Observation: There are two ways to biblically confront other believers in order to correct behavior. One is by loving them into the truth, and the other is by confronting them with the truth. Paul preferred to start with the former, and do it face to face, then resort to the latter via writing to ensure there was clear understanding. However ... he was more than ready and equipped for face to face confrontation if need be. Application: My wife ran into this exact issue just yesterday! She has been trying to correct people with kind words and leading, however some people just aren't responding. Yesterday she learned that, the bolder and bolder she got with them face to face, the better they responded to the truth. It seems clear Paul knew how the Corinthians were receiving him, too. He was aware that they considered him "timid" face to face, and therefore even though they had taken his written corrections to heart, they were not worried about meeting him ... surely he would just be nice ol' Paul when they met. It is this way with my wife as well: Everyone asks her opinion in writing, but face to face they expect her to just be the sweet pastor who gives them a hug. I think it scared some of them yesterday when she told them "you are behaving un-biblically and need to change your ways, thoughts, and actions now." And I was SO proud of her!! That was hard for her - she loves people so much. But she is an amazing woman of God, a wonderful pastor, and a great leader. I couldn't be prouder of her if I tried. Prayer: Lord, please keep your hand upon my wife. Her heart is firmly fixed on your love, and her face is always looking to you. She seeks your words and guidance in all things. Be the words in her mouth, and the conviction in her will, and the firmness in her purpose, as she watches over your flock. Amen.
Scripture: But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. 1 Corinthians 15:8-9 Observation: Two facts always go hand-in-hand: Where there is opportunity for kingdom work, there is opposition. And the greater the opportunity, the greater the opposition. Paul did his most impactful work when he was being bad-mouthed by a church, or beaten and left for dead, or hauled off to prison. Application: Jesus himself said that the greatest work would be greeted by persecution and hatred. In fact, Jesus called that persecution a "blessing". James called it "pure joy". I am witnessing a time of tremendous ... I don't even know what adjective to use, but they're all pretty negative. People are angry, petty, scheming, rebellious, hurtful, envious, deceitful, gossipy, bickering, judgmental. And now I know what that means: Something AMAZING is about to happen!! I am watching for where God is at work so I can join him there, and this is a sign - there is strong opposition, and in many regards it's unclear what the opposition is really about. Prayer: Lord, I want to be part of whatever you are about to do. This could be pretty cool. I pray for the mature leaders of our church - those under attack, and those attempting to lead through the attacks - so that they may have the strength of Paul ... perseverance to run the race, and courage to walk full-force into the opposition they know is there, because they know the prize that waits on the other side. And I pray for those who are angry and on the attack. They are suffering through some hurt or wrong, be it real or perceived, and the enemy has convinced them to place that emotion at the center of their daily thoughts. Please gently guide everyone back to their true center - the heart of Jesus and his service through our church. Banish gossip from all lips, and replace it with the love that is to mark all believers. Our body will be strong together, and when we are, thy kingdom come! Amen, and amen!
Scripture: If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthian 13:1-3 Observation: 1 Corinthians 12-14 get into a hierarchical discussion of gifts. Chapter 14 concentrates on tongues and its role in the church (that it actually isn't beneficial to "the church" but rather only for communication with God). Yesterday we saw that Chapter 12 looked at the difference between gifts of the Spirit, service of Jesus, and work of God. Wedged in between is the famous chapter about love, which starts with and insight I did not know was stated so clearly before ... love - and the fact that we have love in us as part of our service and work - is more important than the spiritual gifts we use in that work. Application: Again, so often in the church we wonder what people's gifts are, and how they should then apply to ministry. Yesterday I discovered that's probably backwards. Today's lesson is that ... love is so much more important, that probably that's the only thing we need to understand about each other. Worded another way: What we were told to do in Chapter 12 - the service commands of Jesus, and the work or God living out our purpose on earth - is only authentic when we show love ... the fact our gifts of the spirit may help doesn't make the service and work "good enough." Which gifts are called out as being less than love? Evangelism, tongues, prophesy, discernment, knowledge, faith, mercy, service. That's pretty much the "A" list. And instead, the #1 fruit of the spirit is more important than all these gifts of the spirit. How am I loving people? Do I care enough for this lost world? Do I love other disciples? Do I see strangers with the love of Christ? Do I bring love to bear when I serve others? Am I scared that I just answered 'no' five times ... ? Prayer: I love you, Jesus, but I don't love others enough. Please increase love in my heart for others. Give me a hint of your eyes for others so that I can serve not just "effectively" but "meaningfully" as well. May I be publicly marked as one of your servants and disciples by loving others as you have loved me.
Scripture: There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Observation: While this chapter is one of the best dissertations on 'spiritual gifts' AND how those gifts then fit into the Church (the body of Christ), these three verses are very clear about the nature of gifts, service, and work. -- Gifts are of the Spirit, indwelt in believers. -- Service is what our Lord Jesus told us to do as believers. -- Work is the unique purpose God has created us for on earth, glorifying him. Application: I have been often taught that there is a difference between all of these. Specifically, I have been told that spiritual gifts are special talents we are given that are a result of the Holy Spirit, that service or ministry is the work of the church and I should be able to apply my gifts in that work, and meanwhile I have a personal purpose designed by God that encompasses my entire life. However, this is the first time I have ever seen a direct alignment between these three "types" of service, and the three forms of Yahweh. And I think this matters in how we serve and work here on earth. For one thing, there is therefore a distinction between whatever work and/or service we are called to, and our spiritual gifting. Our gifts are indeed given to us by God to help in our purpose, but the "cause and effect" is likely that we have our call, and our gifts help us ... not figuring out our gifts and then finding work that needs them. In addition, this model continues to emphasize the importance of the work Jesus gives us personally. That work is through and with the church, in other words it is work we do as believers and as a direct and explicit expression of our faith in Jesus as Lord and savior. That service delineates us from people who "believe in God" but not Jesus ... be they Muslims, Jews, or others with some kind of general spirituality in an unknown deity. I must be doing God's work every day in my life ... and I must be performing service under the teachings of Jesus as part of his body of believers ... while the Holy Spirit uniquely gifts me to do that work. Prayer: Lord, I do continue to strive to understand my place in your body of believers, and my purpose for doing your work. I will start to care a LOT less about my "gifting", and a lot more about where you may be calling to act.
Today's readings from 1 Corinthians and Job were complicated, and while I ponder them I decided not to blog about them. However, the verses from 1 Corinthians discussed marriage. I was reminded of one of my favorite songs by Third Day - it encapsulates my promise to my own wife, the love of my life.
Scripture: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery ... You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:1,13
Observation: Paul is continuing his conversation of salvation by faith, not by works of the law. His metaphor is now about the freedom of salvation through faith in Jesus, compared to the slavery of attempting to comply with the law. Yet he does clarify that the freedom doesn't mean that there is not still compliance with issues of sin, nor is it without service (to one another in love).
Application: We - Christians - have lost our way in this conversation when it comes to "post modern" society. Today, non-believers perceive that life as a Christian is actually a sentence to slavery ... that Christianity defines a set of laws and norms, that then dictates a certain "lifestyle". In contrast, their lives without Jesus constitute freedom - an opportunity to do as they please without the "yoke" of any judgmental rules.
And THIS is the great lie that the enemy has established! Non-believers do not understand that their lifestyle choices are, in fact, slavery. They work 65 hour weeks in order to amass wealth, and don't recognize their jobs as a prison and their materialistic desires as the cell bars. They indulge in promiscuity and adultery, and don't realize that the broken and damaged relationships left behind them are now the master that controls their direction with physical desire the master's whip. They seek concepts related to self-enlightenment and free will, only too late to realize that all they are doing is shackling themselves in a pit of unfulfilled sadness ... a pit that is very real, because it is supposed to be filled by God.
Yes, Christianity comes with "rules". It also comes with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. It also comes with a command to "love one another." That should be the "lifestyle" of Christians - people with the fruits of the spirit, who display those fruits to and for each other.
Does that mean turning away from certain sins? Yes! When a person has those sins in their life, do they not become a slave to those sins? Yes!!!
Freedom in faith does not mean freedom to do everything. It means freedom to decide to obey Jesus.
Prayer: Father - Abba - you know I have decided, and that decision is irrevocable. I will follow and obey Jesus. My lifestyle should reflect that choice. Please help me to ensure that is the case. I want to be more like Jesus, and more in line with his will, every day. Please lead and guide my daily decisions to achieve that goal.
At the same time, please show your church how we can explain the concepts of slavery to non-believers. I have friends whose entire lives - from the moment they awake to the moment they sleep every day - are controlled by one set of "free decisions" that are destroying their immortal soul. They are slaves. Please give us guidance to show them another way to freedom.
Scripture: I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. Psalms 120:1-2 Observation: Once again today, I was attacked by people jealous of may position and authority. I was told that the stories other tell impact by credibility. So it was obviously perfect that this is today's reading. I am to call on the Lord for protection from the deceit of others - something I did not do this morning. Application: Another short one today ... Beyond the clear, practical instruction ... how amazing is God that this is today's verse! God delivers the exact, right message at the moment I need it!! I am beyond awe-struck by how God works in the world today, and in my life every day. Prayer: Lord ... thank you.
Scripture: You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentilesknow that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker. For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" Galatians 2:14b-21 Observation: Over and over again, Paul qualifies the "faith vs works" conversation with one very important item - he is discussing works "of the (Jewish) law". Application: I have a lot to say on this, but I'm not going to. Instead, I am going to put the lesson into immediate action. I am a man of faith in Jesus. Faith is shown through works. As such, Jesus has given me work to do! My primary work is caring for my family. Right now, my son is under stress, so I'm cutting this sort today to help him. Prayer: Jesus, please be with Garrett right now! Give him comfort. And please give both he and I peace, patience, kindness, and self control to deal with the people we will be working with over the next few days. Amen.
Scripture: “Crucify him!” they shouted. “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” Mark 15:13-14 Observation: The non-believers NEVER brought a legal charge against Jesus. Not once. The closest they come to it is stating that what he says is blasphemous. In all other ways, lying witness contradict each other, and the 'law' itself (Pilate, representing Rome) finds no crime he has committed. And for that ... Jesus is put to death. Application: I am amazed how it is that God always brings his will into action through the most unlikely circumstances. Prophesies about Jesus repeatedly state that he will be put to death even though he is blameless and without sin. I am sure even the most ardent believer in Messiah would have interpreted that to mean he was blameless under Jewish law but put to death due to the laws of a foreign power. Instead, Jesus is put to death despite the fact the foreign power found him innocent! I am reminded that we can be certain something is "of God" when it occurs in a way where there is no other logical explanation. When rich, powerful people do great things, that might still serve his will, but when a weak, unknown person does something far beyond what is possible for their station ... take notice. When an action results out of a situation the defies not just odds but possibility ... pay attention. When justice prevails out of a hopeless circumstance ... rejoice. I want to find these circumstances, and join God in that work. Overall, I'm pretty meaningless in the world, so maybe I'm just the kind of person God needs to add to the mix :-) Prayer: Lord, I want to know you better. I want to do more for your kingdom. Show me where you are working so I can join you there.
Scripture: When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Mark 14:26
Observation: After the "last supper" - the act of communion - and all the lessons and final instructions and prophesy Jesus gives to the disciples, the very last thing they do together is ... worship.
Application: Worships is so central to our lives as the body of Christ. It is the moment that we are truly unified. When Jesus taught his followers, we see over and over again that he actually divides them up - sometimes he speaks to large crowds, sometimes to smaller numbers, sometimes to just "the twelve", and sometimes to just Peter, James and John (and rarely even to just some subset of those three).
But everyone can sing together, and we know everyone will sing together in heaven. Worship is both a personal act between you and God, and a community act we share in joy.
There are no details here in Mark. We don't know what they sang. We don't know what instruments they had (if any). Did someone 'lead'? Was it a psalm? It doesn't matter - their final, unified act with Jesus was to sing together.
Prayer: Lord, I love singing to you. I love doing it alone, and I love doing it in church. May I be even more open to doing it whenever, wherever believers are gathered. Let worship unify your church.