Those Who Don't Want to Believe

Scripture: Then he climbed into the boat and the wind stopped! They just sat there, unable to take it in! For they still didn’t realize who he was, even after the miracle the evening before! For they didn’t want to believe! Mark 6:51-52

Observation: Jesus just walked out onto the water and into the disciple's boat. They are in awe, and struggling to process it. They cannot speak, and they even have trouble believing it is him at all. Between this physical feat, and the supernatural feat of just a few hours before (the feeding of the 5,000), they are confronted with a profound truth ... Jesus is Messiah. Yet they "didn't want to believe" (or "their hearts were hardened").

All the disciples, and especially the 12 apostles, have left their lives behind to follow Jesus, yet they are held back from believing he is God incarnate. They believe his greatness, his healing abilities, his teaching. They have now seen him do the seemingly impossible, and participated with their own hands in the same, yet they struggle to take that very last step of belief.

Application: As we begin a new Alpha class this week, this is certainly the core of the story we hear so often with people. They understand there is something special about the Christian faith that they are trying to understand, but they don't "believe" in some core element of it. That last step is usually two-fold ... that there exists a wonderful and loving God, and that Jesus is the son of God.

I know a lot of nice, friendly, generous, caring people, who would fall into this category. Maybe they see similar characteristics in Christians, or maybe they see lesser character in Christians, but they know there is a pattern they may associated with. Ideally, they see a hope and joy they would want to understand.

Of course, the disciples eventually believed, as have billions of others since. Hopefully, with the power of the Holy Spirit, a few more will be added to those numbers over the next several weeks.

Prayer: Lord, may your Holy Spirit come and participate in bringing the good news to others. Neither Alpha, our church, nor create faith in others, but only your Spirit can. May we see this happen in the coming months. Amen.

This World Doesn't Last Forever

Scripture: Using acacia wood, make an Ark 3¾ feet long, 2¼ feet wide, and 2¼ feet high. Overlay it inside and outside with pure gold, with a molding of gold all around it. Exodus 25:10-11

Observation: The Lord gives Moses instructions for the ark of the covenant, the mercy seat, the table of the bread of presence, the lampstand, and the tabernacle. Mankind has a narrative around the ark especially of how glorious it was, and we today have a desire for it to be rediscovered. However, in all these things, we forget one basic element of the ark, and it is the very first thing the Lord ever says about it. The ark is ... made of wood.

While the Lord can do anything, and overlaying wood with gold would create a great barrier from all kinds of harm, wood is not a material that lasts forever. It rots, its carbon atoms break down, and it is even susceptible to internal microbes. Yes, God could simply make it last forever if he wished, but he did also have it constructed of a non-permanent material, just as he did with the table and the tabernacle.

Most things in this world do not last forever. Even mountains rise and fall. Buildings and houses are reclaimed by natural elements. The creator of "heaven and earth" has chosen to make one of these items permanent, while making the other in a manner that all items on it are temporary.

Application: There are aspects of my life I really like, and cannot think of not continuing to enjoy in the future. However, I have recently been reminded that this is a foolish thought. All aspects of my life will someday go away. I may choose to give up some - like downsizing my home and thus leaving this house - but others will succumb to the elements of nature and time. Friends, family, and pets will depart. 'Stuff' deteriorates and breaks.

Only the Lord is permanent in my life. Only his love endures as a constant in this world, and in my worldly life. Therefore, it is only in the Lord where any element of trust and steadfast joy must be placed.

Prayer: Abba, my daddy, you are the enduring love of my life, and that which I know I can trust. As the time of my life continues to pass, and all things around me come and go, I will remain transfixed on your word and your love. Amen.

About a Sustaining Diet

Scripture: The thorny ground represents the hearts of people who listen to the Good News and receive it, but all too quickly the attractions of this world and the delights of wealth, and the search for success and lure of nice things come in and crowd out God’s message from their hearts, so that no crop is produced. Mark 4:18-19

Observation: As Jesus explains the parable of the sower, he reviews what happens to the seeds that don't produce. All the seed is identical ... some does nothing, some fails, but some produces a wild abundance! The differences are found not in the seed - the gospel message of salvation - but in outside factors.

-- Birds are satan who actively works to take the good news away entirely.

-- Underlying rocks are hidden issues that prevent a believer from deepening their faith.

-- Thorns are the earthly distractions that eventually kill belief in salvation.

In this metaphor, living plants all represent the elements of life. A good life - a life full of nourishment and health - is abundant grain. A flawed life - one filled with wealth, success, delights, and comforts - is thorns. There is a consistency of active/passive element in this metaphor. We see satan as truly being active, working to attack God's word. We see hidden rocks being completely passive, just as emotional issues and internal thoughts within a person that prevent belief are often unknown to others. Then we see the plants ... they all are grown and behaving in a manner that advances themselves, visible to any observer, yet not with active malice. Rather, they just are doing their thing, and that activity happens to kill faith.

Application: As we have so many discussions about the issues of this world, it is interesting to note this idea ... there are personal issues within people, and there are elements of active evil perpetrated by satan against God's creation and Jesus' church, but then there are those things that are simply part of this fallen world, which become an alternative life to one of faith.

When I put the Lord first and use his word as the lens through which I see the world, choices are clear (though not always easy). When I put the world first, there often doesn't even appear to be choice. What aspects of "the world" can become first and cloud faith? Currently, I would say ... political debate, social conflict, societal norms ... just to name a few. In these cases, there are not only strong public opinions, but even opinions that sound morally right and objectively accurate. Yet prioritizing even those good elements of the world is a life that stands as an alternative - and opposed - to a life of faith.

I like blackberries. I could be happy picking and eating blackberries, making cobblers and pies, adding them to homebrew, etc. Yet those three things I just mentioned - cobblers, pies, and beer - are all absolutely dependent on grain! No fruit from any thorny bush can sustain my life. Only the grain of the Lord's truth, and faith in salvation, can do that.

Prayer: Lord, I choose a life completely focused on you, your word, your truth, and your promise. To extend your own metaphor, may I keep your sustaining grain central to the diet of my life, and the singular food by which I make all other meals in my life. Amen.

Laws About Courtesy

Scripture: If an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox shall be stoned and its flesh not eaten, but the owner shall not be held - unless the ox was known to gore people in the past, and the owner had been notified and still the ox was not kept under control; in that case, if it kills someone, the ox shall be stoned and the owner also shall be killed. Exodus 21:28-29

Observation: As Moses lists various laws, he gets into various ways in which people may be killed and the associated punishments. Here is one potential scenario ... an ox gores someone to death. In this case, there is no punishment but the ox must be stoned, UNLESS the ox is known to gore people before, then the owner receives a death penalty. That seems harsh - being killed because your ox killed someone - if it weren't for the first part of the law. Since the ox is already known to be dangerous, it should have already been itself killed.

In other words, if your animal is violent, then for the sake of others you are to dispose of it. If you fail to do that, you're liable. It is simply common courtesy. It may be a hardship to you to lose the animal, but it is better for your to suffer a hardship than a neighbor to suffer a death. Placing your financial welfare above the very lives of others is the issue, and that selfish act is to be punished.

Application: Jesus himself would later boil the entire Mosaic law into two concepts ... love the Lord first, and love others as you love yourself. Life is more valuable than wealth, no matter whose.

I can't imagine how our nation, in these times, even comes close to living into this simple truth. Throughout out country, people promote their causes and openly attack others. We can't find common ground.

God's bar isn't that high. I just need to treat others equal to the way I treat myself. Their value is equal to my value. Their needs are equal to my needs. This isn't even sacrificial love, so to speak, it's just courtesy.

Prayer: Lord, may our nation find a way back to common courtesy again. And may that motion begin with your people and your church, here on earth. Amen.

When Lightening Strikes Home

Scripture: Listen, O Job, stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God. Do you know how God controls all nature and causes the lightning to flash forth from the clouds? Job 37:14-15

Observation: The summary of all the wisdom spoken from Elihu is this ... God is in control of absolutely everything!! Whenever we question the Lord, STOP and consider his wonderful miracles, which are everywhere and everything in all the earth. Even lightening - fearful, thunderous, destructive - is part of his great glory. Even the greatest storms are completely under God's control.

Application: Lord, today ... I cry.

In a time when everything seems unnecessarily difficult, there have always been those elements of life that I have pointed to and said "see, here is joy, here is perfect love, here is the blessing of the Lord." And today, one of those things literally dies, forever removed from life.

I can only endure by knowing you are in control of this storm. This lightening bolt has struck our home. I trust you with our comfort and help and future.

Prayer: Lord, today I turn my eyes to the mountains, and to nature and world all around me, with the question in my breaking heart, 'where does my help come from?' And from this very world I receive my answer, my help comes from the Lord almighty, the maker of heaven and earth! Abba, this day, as every day, may thy will be done. Amen.

We Weren't Ready for This

Scripture: Why should you fight against him just because he does not give account to you of what he does? Job 33:13

Observation: Elihu calls out this error of Job ... that he questions God's judgement on the grounds that God has not identified his wrongdoing. Elihu shows that God is well above such need to justify, and all of us - even the best - are well below any line that might constitute "blameless". We are all sinners, and God may judge without justifying himself.

Just because God doesn't explain himself, doesn't mean he isn't right, justified, or even to be greatly honored for his actions. We are not owed any explanation.

Application: Last night, our cat was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of oral cancer. She has days to live, and is actively suffering greatly. She is a great cat ... she is loving, always seeking our attention. She follows my wife around as a devoted companion. She is playful and joyful. She usually sleeps at the foot of our bed. In the evenings, she taps on me and headbutts me endlessly, seeking for me to scritch her cheeks.

Now we must do the unthinkable, or spend the next few days watching her suffer in terrible pain until the tumor grows to the point that she suffocates to death. Yes, she is older ... she is 13, arthritic (we give her medicine for that), and thus much slower than she used to be. She is graying ... cats don't gray, but she is due to a skin ailment.

That said, we still thought we had several more years with her. We weren't ready to lose her. I'm not ready. During the darkest time of my life, she was with me every single day, giving me love and attention when I felt alone. She was part of God's comfort to me! I don't understand why this is the time for her to pass away.

But I won't fight against God. He doesn't need to give me an account of this. I'll just cry some more, and I'll pray for comfort for my devastated wife and daughter. I'll ask for hope, but I won't ask for explanation.

Sophia, I'll miss you, and I'll remember you for the rest of my life.

Prayer: Lord, may your comfort be upon our house and our family. I thank you for our "little blessing". And I praise you in this storm. Amen.

At Issue is The Word of God

Scripture: Then, surrounded by the Pharisees, he asked them a question: "What about the Messiah? Whose son is he?" "The son of David," they replied. "Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, call him ‘Lord’?" Jesus asked. Matthew 22:41-43

Observation: In an attempt to find fault in Jesus and stump him, three different groups have challenged him. The politically active Herodians posed a governmental question, and Jesus responded with a politically accurate answer. The religious Sadducees posed a spiritual question, and Jesus responded with a heavenly answer. The legalistic Pharisees asked a lawful question, and Jesus responded with a clear and concise legal answer. In every case, Jesus harkens back to the scriptures ... referencing the nature of sacrifice, the very name of the Lord, and precise laws from Deuteronomy. And in every case, the questioners are silenced because the answers are perfect.

Then it is Jesus' turn, and as Messiah he asks them a Messianic question. When they respond, Jesus again turns to scripture and points out that they are utterly wrong.

In all of this, the true issue is the accuracy, authority, and application of the word of God. Jesus points out that the word of God is capable of answering every question. The wisdom found in scripture informs the Jews about diverse subjects ranging from government authority, to eternal destiny, to proper daily living, to the very nature of promised salvation. The "experts" confronting him have limited their understanding to very specific clauses that advance their purposes, and thus have lost contact with the nature of God ... wisdom, hope, love, and promise being among them.

Application: As I have read the bible more, I have found value not in memorizing passages, but in experiencing themes that arise again and again. God engaged with mankind - which extends to myself - in order to have a relationship and advise us on the best way to live. The law gave us guidance. Memorization and compliance is the trap of the old law, relieved only by the promise of salvation through faith in Jesus.

I love finding those themes of hope and love and promise in diverse parts of scripture ... today alone these all came up in Psalms AND Job AND Matthew.

"Knowing" the word of God is about leaning into the word as if it's God personal message. Concepts are there to be received and pondered. The word is to permeate our very nature to the point that it affects our words, thoughts, attitudes, behaviors, and destiny. "Learning" just the words themselves doesn't do that.

I can apply God's word to my life and thus live in a manner that honors him, or I can apply God's word to my existing thoughts and justify my worldly biases. I choose to honor the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, I sincerely want to be influenced by your word in ever aspect of my life, and not to use your word to simply prove some issue or declare myself 'right' in some matter. I can see your heart in everything you say. Amen.

Cast Out with Full Knowledge

Scripture: So the servants did, and brought in all they could find, good and bad alike; and the banquet hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the wedding robe provided for him. "Friend," he asked, "how does it happen that you are here without a wedding robe?" And the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, "Bind him hand and foot and throw him out into the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 22:10-13

Observation: Jesus previously provided the parable - a metaphor - of the rich owner who leases his vineyard to farmers, who then kill his servants and even his son ... this was the Jews who killed the prophets and soon Jesus himself, who will be supplanted by others who will respect God. Now he repeats a similar message. At first, those invited to the king's wedding feast for his son don't come, so he has them destroyed and the servants sent out to find whatever guests they can rally.

However, at the feast, there is an example of this one guest, a person who refuses to wear the wedding robe provided by the king himself. This man can't even explain himself, and the king has him thrown into the abyss of the darkness.

In this second part of the story, the wedding feast is the wedding feast of the lamb, the new guests are believers who have been brought in via the gospel, but this guest is one who has rejected the 'robe of truth' ... rejected the good news about salvation through faith in Jesus. Now that he sits in the midst of the truth, he cannot explain his own rejection, yet he is clearly exposed by the fact that he refused to accept that which was freely given to him. By this act he has decided for himself that he does not belong as a guest at the wedding, and so is cast out.

Application: It is really this simple ... the Lord just gives everyone the truth about Jesus, and everyone can decide to accept or reject that free gift of salvation. Those who reject it will be cast out into darkness.

The saddest part to me is that they'll know it. In the end, they will see the truth as clearly and obviously as they can see anything. They will set there, now recognizing that all along the love and greatness of the Lord has been real and true, and yet they will be without even a defense for why they rejected it. It is in that context - the context not of ignorance but of full knowledge of the truth and full understanding of their own rejection of that truth - they will be cast out.

This is the world I see ... people rejected God with all the knowledge they need to make a different decision. They may not conceive all the Lord is due to their rejection of him, but the basics of salvation have been given to them. They won't even take a nice robe and slip it on in order to attend a wedding feast!

Prayer: Lord, what can I do to help others accept your free gift? Please show me this day. Amen.

What Common Sense May Be Today

Scripture: Have two goals: wisdom—that is, knowing and doing right—and common sense. Don’t let them slip away, for they fill you with living energy and bring you honor and respect. They keep you safe from defeat and disaster and from stumbling off the trail. Proverbs 3:21-23

Observation: As the proverbs continue to promote the pursuit of wisdom, they call out two objectives, both wisdom and common sense. Wisdom is defined several times as an understanding of God's will, laws, precepts, and guidance. Wisdom is, effectively, to learn what the Lord advises us to do, and then aligning our thoughts and deeds to that. However, common sense is something else.

Common sense seems to be about not just following God's direction, but also avoiding the situations that cause earthly issues. For the write of Proverbs, common sense seems first and foremost about that nature of interpersonal interactions and conflict. If wisdom is aligning our lives to God, common sense is understanding that others do NOT have wisdom, and to avoid situations where the resulting behaviors and situations of others could therefore lead a wise person into either foolishness or danger. This further aligns to other instructions about the behavior of believers ... we are to be humble, good, obedient, kind, gentle, and yet we are to also be careful, shrewd, and wary.

Application: We know that in this year, there will be a lot of conflicting information about what it means to be "safe" in the world. There are rules being created that mandate behaviors and define attitudes, many of which are based in fear. The Lord explicitly tells us never to be afraid, and thus ... wisdom tells us to proceed without fear, but ... what does godly common sense tells us to do?

First, I believe it tells us not to create direct conflict. In the end, the goal is to love others and continue informing them of the good news, and conflict impedes that directive.

Second, however, I believe common sense tells us to evaluate everything from a heavenly perspective, and to not allow evil elements to alter our behavior or attitudes.

I am struggling with understanding how to apply the Lord's common sense to my life in these circumstances. I am absolutely not afraid, but I am still searching for understanding.

Prayer: Lord, I see the circumstances of the world around us, and I confess I do not know how to find the balance between conformance to help those who are afraid, and resistance against a clearly spiritually evil action. May I turn to you in prayer more often, and seek your guidance in every aspect of life. In this manner, I would like to pursue both wisdom and common sense, but as both are defined by you alone. Amen.