Safety is Today's Big-Gun Temptation

Scripture: After the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time. Luke 4:13

Observation: Jesus has been in the wilderness 40 days, and satan tempts him. Specifically, the scriptures describe three temptations satan sets before Jesus:

1) Self-fulfilment of earthly needs (comfort) - Jesus hasn't eaten for a long time, and satan tempts him to turn stones into bread to ease his hunger.

2) Achievement of earthly greatness (pride) - Satan shows Jesus the entire world and every kingdom in it, and says he will hand over all of it to Jesus and surrender his earthly authority to Jesus if he will worship him.

3) Earthly proof of God's love (safety) - From the very pinnacle of the temple, satan reminds Jesus that surely Yahweh has promised to protect him, so to prove it he could jump and angels will save him.

At the conclusion of these, it is said that these trials represent "every" temptation. Upon careful consideration, it may be true that all temptation - every trick and scheme and lie satan tells everyone - actually does, in fact, fall into only these three categories.

Pride has long been the "big gun" for satan. He offers everyone the chance to do things to make themselves bigger, better, popular, famous, respected, powerful. He does this through invalid constructs - the ways of this world and the systems that are in place within this world that define those concepts - and then temps us with ways of achieving those statuses through evil and harmful means.

Historically, comfort may have long been satan's secondary option. People worked hard to live basic lives, and comfort could be had by compromising principles for resources. Comfort also synergizes with the other categories, as prosperity that provides comfort is often achieved through the same means that produce earthly success (aka pride), and itself creates an earthly level of safety.

However, safety may be today's 'big-gun' temptation. Satan has created a series of lies about a lack of safety - in some cases these lies have created false narratives about hatred between different groups of people, in some cases the lies have produced actual hatred, and often he has used lies to create and define the differences in the first place - and then tempted people into actions to address their perceived lack of safety.

Application: This is, in my opinion, what "woke culture" is about ... safety being sought by people who have believed the lies of satan telling them a) they are different, and b) there are people who hate them because of their differences.

I feel like "safety" is so powerful as a temptation because in and of itself it is clearly good and desirable. Pride has obvious evil outcomes as seeking it hurts others. Comfort too can involve obvious, evil exploitations and actions. When presented with these, Jesus directly confronted the temptations with counter-truths from the word of God. However, safety is actually something promised us by the Lord. Jesus is described as our good shepherd ... the one who will care for us, feed us, protect us, find us when lost, lead us through unsafe places. As believers, we are told that belief does not promise an easy life, but that the Lord will see us through hardships. In some ways, safety is the goal. And when Jesus is tempted with this concept ... just jump to prove you are, in fact, safe as a result of your faith in Yahweh ... Jesus doesn't actually respond with a counter-word, but quotes the fact we are not to challenge and test the Lord in this way. Desiring safety wouldn't have been the sin, but challenging the Lord is not to be done.

We are in a bad situation now where people feel unsafe, but they do so because they have been lied to about their own identity, and in that context do not know where to turn for safety. Jesus knew his identity as Messiah, and thus he was safe without testing the Lord to prove it. I know my identity as a believer in Jesus and thus an adoption child of the Lord, and don't need further proof that I am loved and safe. However, those who don't know their identity don't know where to find safety, and have been deceived into seeking it through satan's evil plans.

Prayer: Lord, I condemn the plans of the evil one. I am so thankful you have a plan for all of this, and we know how it all ends. Please help restore truth to the world around us today. May thy kingdom come. Amen.

A Life Without Stuff

Scripture: Sometimes the cloud remained only from evening until morning; when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out. Or if it remained a day and a night, they moved out when the cloud lifted. Whether it was two days, a month, or longer, the Israelites camped and did not set out as long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle. But when it was lifted, they set out. They camped at the Lord’s command, and they set out at the Lord’s command. Numbers 9:21-23a

Observation: The second year in the wilderness is complete, and Israel is on the march. They have lived in tents this entire time, and will do so for another 40 years, and during all that time they move about at the Lord's command. As this section calls out, the decision to move might occur immediately, and they stopped only to sleep for the night. Other times, they might stay in one place for months (later on, perhaps years).

Imagine the flexibility involved in living that way. The pillar of cloud stops, so you stop and set up your entire earthly home ... and then the pillar picks up the next morning and you pack it all up and go again ... or the pillar stays and you now live for months in a place that is so simple is COULD be picked up and moved every day. This is a "simple" life, where "stuff" isn't desired, but is a burden. Even as they stay in one place, they wouldn't accumulate items of value for themselves, for those items would just become a burden at a moment's notice. They may make utilitarian items to aid their daily lives, but then just cast them aside and make more when they settle again.

Application: How interesting it is that, in this modern day and age, I almost could not imagine a life without 'stuff'. I have completely and totally useless things on this very desk that I don't throw away! Literally, I find value in holding onto items simply because I might see them every couple years and be reminded of a good thought.

This is a problem. Most of the stuff in my life is of little value and my daily activities would never change whether or not I still had it. Much of it is so worthless that my life would actually be better without it because all it does is keep a part of my thinking about the past now and then. And yet here it is.

Having 'stuff' is clearly not part of God's plan for our lives. Yes, he blesses us with good homes, and one of the primary benefits of homes is as a place to keep your stuff dry and safe and near, but that does not meaning having stuff is the goal.

It is likely time for me to starting cleaning out. I have too much of even the good items, and I have WAY too much of the meaningless junk. If God called me to break camp and move right now, I effectively couldn't, and that must not be the case.

Prayer: Lord, I see it is time to simplify and return to a way of living that is far less cluttered. Help us to find our way to your way of life, so that nothing we 'have' could ever interfere with serving you. Amen.

Be Quick in Praising the Lord

Scripture:
I will praise you in the great assembly;
I will exalt you among many people.
Psalm 35:18

Observation: As the psalmist (David) laments the behavior of other - he declares how wrong they have been, treating him poorly when he has cared about them, strangers even 'piling on' when others accuse him of mistakes, taking advantage of his small errors, and repaying his goodness with evil - he ends with praise to the Lord. Even though he is wishing the Lord would act in the circumstance created by others, the bottom line is that the Lord is to be exalted, and will be exalted, publicly and privately.

Application: When I read this passage, I am so quick to jump on the issue with David, declaring who wrong the people are for acting this way. I have been in this situation. I have cared for others, sad at their sadness, trying my very best to do everything for their good, only to have some of them lash out and attack me ... and then for others with no cause or reason to just jump in as well. The lies and stories, the attacks and exaggerations, turn mole hills into mountains, and they do it just because they can, and because the evil one influences them. Yes, I am quick to put myself into David's situation.

Well, then I better also be quick - quicker! - in praising the Lord!! I better exalt the Lord before all the people, and praise him before the great assembly. I must stand and sing and praise and dance, telling everyone about how great the Lord has been to me, how faithful his love has been, how merciful his grace has been despite my failures. For this is the REAL story. What happened to me is nothing ... it is meaningless, smoke on a windy day, a vaper, already gone mere moments after it existed ... but what the Lord does for me every day, and what he has done for me my entire life, is eternally everything.

I praise the Lord! I will exalt him forever. May I do so more and more before others. I wish to no longer think upon the events of the past, but when I do I will praise the Lord for his kindness and love and mercy upon me. His blessings truly do renew every day, while the evil of this world is just memories I can choose to ignore.

Prayer: Lord, I praise you today! Your love is so wonderful. May I always put every issue of this world and of my life in the context of your love, for all else becomes meaningless when I do. Thank you. Amen.

Reminded of the Plan All Along

Scripture: And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord) and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons). Luke 2:22-24

Observation: Joseph and Mary will dedicate Jesus on the eighth day, and will also make the sacrifice of two birds for their firstborn son. This is an instruction from the very first laws in Exodus, just as the tabernacle was being constructed and the first offerings were being defined by the Lord. The Lord declared that firstborns belong to the Lord, and thus the first born of any animal is to be dedicated and sacrificed to the Lord, however that was not true for people of course. Instead, animals were used to redeem them, typically a lamb except the poor could substitute two birds.

Therefore, we see centuries later that the first public event involving Jesus - the lamb that will be sacrificed to redeem all of mankind - is a sacrifice to redeem him, in full compliance with the law.

Application: Once again, we see that something the Lord declared back in the very earliest conversation about the law, had a metaphorical meaning that was fulfilled by Jesus. The sacrifice of a lamb to redeem a firstborn son was defined in the law. The replacement by two birds was allowed for the poor. Messiah - the lamb of God - will be sacrificed to redeem God's firstborn, the descendants of Adam. And as part of this, the poor-family's offering is sacrificed to redeem Jesus.

It is amazing to understand the Lord's plan and model, to see it move from slightly illogical instructions, to then play out centuries later as a choreographed plan with the clear intention of showing to all the order and magnitude and authority of the Lord.

The Lord had a plan all along, and the Lord has a plan all along, right now. Whatever elements of this world I believe are in chaos and languishing in evil, the Lord has a plan ... he has had that plan for centuries upon centuries, for all of creation ... and it is a good plan that will not fail. No, I cannot possibly understand it. However ...

Yes, I trust it.

Prayer: Lord, again I declare, I trust your plan. I know it is good, that it has as its intention to love the entire world and offer redemption and restoration to all, and that it will not fail in achieving your ends. Please forgive me when I doubt the plan itself, but also please know my heart, that I never doubt you. I just don't understand, and I don't need to. Amen.

Becoming Available to Sin

Scripture:
I saw among the inexperienced,
I noticed among the youths,
a young man lacking sense.
Crossing the street near her corner,
he strolled down the road to her house

at twilight, in the evening,

in the dark of the night.
Proverbs 7:7-9

Observation: A man is about to engage in an affair with the wife of another man, and this is how he is introduced. He is naive, young, and without sense. While he doesn't speak and doesn't propose to do anything, he does cross the street to her house at night. From there, she will take all the action, propose what they are to do, where to do it, and discuss how well she has prepared for this moment.

And this was all the man had to do ... make himself available to it. He was naive and thus willing to walk to the wrong place. He did so with intent, crossing a street to get there, and also did so at night. He effectively took all the actions necessary to demonstrate to sin that he was willing, and sin took it from there.

Application: This is, indeed, how sin works. In my foolishness, I just have to be available. I have to go to the wrong place, witness the wrong thing, engage in the wrong conversation. If I ignore my wisdom and do stupid things, sin - in the form of wicked thoughts, inflicted anger, or hurtful actions - is waiting to initiate everything else within me.

The first way to prevent that is clear ... to not place myself into those situations. I need to exercise more wisdom, for I am not a youth. I must not metaphorically cross the street and walk down the road at night. That should not be so difficult to do.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for this response to prayer, and for your wisdom. May I take your wisdom to heart, and live the life you would have for me by simply not making myself available to sin. Amen.

Difficult to Receive God's Love

Scripture: And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. Luke 1:28-29

Observation: The angel Gabriel - the divine appointed messenger of the Lord - goes to Mary, and greets her. He calls her "favored" and declares that the Lord himself is with her. Mary's response to this is ... worry and concern. She is "troubled" by these statements and confused about what "kind" of a greeting this is.

Mary is a woman of faith. She would not have been chosen for her role if she was not. She believes in the Lord, is honorable in her compliance to the law, and is proven responsive to his commands in her life. However, even she is skeptical of an angel arriving in the name of Yahweh and telling her she is "favored" and that the Lord is with her. It would seem that kind words and declarations of honor from the Lord's own messenger are difficult to trust. Even Mary, a woman of such great virtue and faith that she is the singular individual throughout all human history worthy to be the mother of the Messiah, struggles to receive kindness from the Lord.

Application: If Mary - one of the most faithful people of all time - was troubled when told that the Lord favored her, imagine how problematic is can be for those who doubt God even exists to make the leap to understand God loves them.

God's love for all humans is one of those core components of faith, a non-negotiable. However, like other non-negotiables, the degree and scope and conditions can get debated, and in this case those secondary topics could be tied to the fact that it is simply hard to get our heads around unconditional love from a being that hates sin. The more we believe in the Lord, the more we understand our own depravity. Meanwhile, those who don't know God - maybe even doubt he really exists - don't care so much about sin, but also don't care so much about his love. I have a feeling that the charting "how much do I believe God loves me" and "how much do I know I don't deserve God's love" scale pretty similarly, and that anywhere along that chart, the difficulty of processing and receiving the Lord's love is the same.

I do believe I am loved, but I also know I am unworthy of that love. I see the Lord's blessings and love and joy all around me every day, but I am also confident that if Gabriel showed up here and greeted me in a respectful manner, I would be much more than 'troubled'. At my core, I know the Lord is with me because his very nature is love, but at the center of that core I know I don't deserve him to be, and perhaps that he regrets loving me because I am so ... problematic.

It is difficult to receive God's love. Blessed are those who know his love, and accept it joyfully.

Prayer: Abba, my daddy in heaven, thank you for your love. Yes, I understand I am not worthy of your love, but I guess that doesn't disqualify me from being favored by your love and joy every day. May I find ways to pay that love forward to others today. Amen.

Because It is Mine

Scripture: The land is not to be permanently sold because it is mine, and you are only aliens and temporary residents on my land. Leviticus 25:23

Observation: The Lord goes into quite a bit of detail about redeeming sold land. Effectively, if a person needs to sell their land, they may either redeem it at a later date, or have it returned to their family for free in the year of jubilee. This may sound unfair - after all, when a person buys something, they now own it, so why would they be forced to sell it back or even give it back for free? - but the Lord makes it clear why this is allowed. No one actually owns anything anyway, because it all belongs the Lord and everyone is just temporary residents on HIS land.

Application: Our church is in a financial crisis, and to a great degree it is because the people who attend our church just don't give. Their idea of giving is to maybe give $100 a month, maybe a couple thousand dollars a year. As a result, we are going broke fast. And it is this fact that is at the heart of the matter ... most do not understand that the Lord owns their money, their property, their homes, their cars, their appliances, and their land. Therefore, they resist the idea of ever giving a significant amount to the Lord.

Sure, I could give more. A tithe is the minimum. That said, I know all I have is the Lord's, on loan to me. I am just an alien living temporarily within the Lord's created earth. I do wish we all understood this better.

Prayer: Lord, our church strives to do your will, and to be a light in the community. Please forgive us all in the areas in which we are not faithful. Please help us all to mature in our faith and our understanding of you, so that we may do your will. And if we have found favor in your eyes in manner, may your resources be available to we may continue to do your work. They kingdom come. Amen.

Upon Becoming Worthy of Death

Scripture: Now the son of an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father was among the Israelites. A fight broke out in the camp between the Israelite woman’s son and an Israelite man. Her son cursed and blasphemed the Name, and they brought him to Moses. (His mother’s name was Shelomith, a daughter of Dibri of the tribe of Dan.) Leviticus 24:10-11

Observation: Israel has been liberated from Egypt through 10 unfathomable miracles, taken across the parted sea, sustained and provided for as a people-group of approximately one million, witness to the great pillar of fire and great cloud of presence, and spoken to from a mountaintop. They have now built the tabernacle and the Lord has visibly shown up, made it his dwelling place, and publicly struck dead those who defile it. And now, with all that done ... a man blasphemes the Lord.

The point is that, at this moment, there is absolutely, positively no possible way for anyone to doubt both the existence of the Lord, and his goodness toward the people. They have literally seen and heard is powerful presence. They have been supernaturally cared for through undeniable and amazing miracles. Yet this person speaks against the Lord, apparently triggered by a human conflict. His punishment will be as one would expect ... death, as this is clearly a conscious effort to separate one's self from the Lord, and the Lord will make this an example for all the people. Unlike others, he won't even have his name recorded. In addition, the Lord now starts to re-iterate and build upon the laws he has given them, for the people cannot seem to figure out how to simply obey the most simple of instructions.

Application: To me, the most shocking part of this the idea that someone who has witnessed everything that has occurred would blasphemy the Lord. Then again ... so many people do this every day, and I myself knowingly violate the Lord's instructions regularly.

We do this again and again. we have witnessed the Lord's love and power, his mercy and blessings, his justice and authority, and then we sin. I commit sin knowing it is sin ... sure, I feel bad about and ask for forgiveness, acknowledging my failure and joyful that Jesus exists to offer such forgiveness ... but I still do it.

I have seen the Lord's greatness, witnessed his miracles, received his love firsthand, heard his voice, experienced his presence, and then I do wrong. I should be sentenced to death, and my name erased from the world. The fact everyone else falls into the same category doesn't change this fact. I am worthy of death, and unworthy of salvation. This is, of course, what makes the Lord's grace all the more amazing.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your love and grace. I know I do not deserve, and I could not earn it. May I never judge others for their failures to obey, for I am the worst of the sinners and I know it. Again I say, thank you, my Lord. Amen.

Love Out in the Open

Scripture:
How great is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you.
In the presence of everyone you have acted
for those who take refuge in you.
Psalm 31:19

Observation: As the psalmist declares the Lord's love and protection and goodness and blessing, he also says that the Lord has done all these things for him in the presence of everyone. The Lord's actions and blessings are not secret. The Lord doesn't just act in the shadows, or in ways that are so mysterious and unknown that they cannot be seen. The Lord doesn't provide for people in a manner that others cannot perceive. Indeed, the Lord acts, and does so out in the open.

Application: I sometimes think of the fact that it requires work to disbelieve in God, because the Lord's works are in fact public and seen by all. Certain people work to explain away much of the visible love of God as phenomena or evolution or coincidence, and even then there remains so many examples of miracles and provision that cannot have any other explanation than the provision of the loving God.

The list of things people have to believe in order to disbelieve is extensive and nonsensical. God's love is so visible, and his provisions and blessings are so tangible, and his actions so public. Truly, the Lord does act in the presence of everyone.

Prayer: Lord, may your actions remain obvious, and all the more so as the day of Jesus' return approaches. Amen.

I've Lived Enough Life to Say

I don't have anything to say about today's readings, so perhaps it's time for a little Toby Mac!

Not Knowing the 'These Things'

Scripture: While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives across from the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?" Mark 13:3-4

Observation: These four disciples ask Jesus this question - the timing of 'the end' and the signs to accompany it - and Jesus gives a chapter-long response. However, there are two ways of reading BOTH the questions AND the response, and only one produces an actual answer.

The 'traditional' reading is that the question being asked is about the end-times. This is even the heading of this section that is standard in most translations (labeled 'end times' or 'end of the age'). The "these things" are therefore about the second coming of Jesus and the end-times judgements. Under this reading, the response from Jesus is about signs that lead up to the end - wars, famines, a potential antichrist defiling the temple, a 'tribulation' and a need to urgently flee, the darkening of the sun and moon and stars, and false prophets. Believers are to pay attention and wait, for eventually they will be able to interpret the signs and be prepared.

In other words, Jesus speaks for a chapter and yet doesn't answer the question at all.

However, the ... literal ... reading is that this is a question about the destruction of the temple. Jesus JUST told them the temple would be destroyed, and so the "these things" the disciples ask about are 'when' and 'how' they'll know to anticipate that destruction. Under this reading, Jesus accurately prophesizes about the eventual destruction of Jerusalem by Rome, and the scattering of the Jews from Judea. He predicts rumors of attack, and internal conflict and chaos within the empire. He accurately declares the Romans will defile the temple. He provides a word portrait of Jerusalem being burned with smoke so think it blocks out the sky, and with that comes the warning that, upon that sign, the Jews will need to flee the land in haste, being pursued even to death if they disobey. He tells them this will happen in their lifetime. He warns the disciples that for Christian Jews the prosecution will be even worse. He tells them that, during that time, some Jews will declare themselves to be the anointed saviors of the people, but do not believe them for they aren't saviors and they can't save the Jews. However, as believers in Jesus, the disciples are not to worry, for the destruction of Jerusalem and obliteration of Judea cannot in any way prevent Jesus' great work of salvation from being completed ... someday long after all this badness has happened and this temple is long-gone, Jesus will return to redeem the faithful.

In other words, with the exception of providing an explicit date and time, Jesus fully and completely answers the question, with even more detail than they asked for.

Application: We all ask Jesus for information and answers. We pray for clarification about what is going on, for insights into his purposes, for 'when' and 'how' things will happen. I know I ask these questions.

And I think Jesus answers. The problem is the answers don't fit our presumed context. We hear the answer, and wrongly assume which topic it is that Jesus is responding to. We ask about 'these things' and then don't even know the 'these things' we ourselves were referring to.

Maybe I ask about if I should be looking at new job opportunities, and I don't get any 'yes' or 'no'. However, I end up spending two hours with a friend who is struggling financially. Is that the answer to my question? If so ... can I figure out that answer? Do I even know what question I REALLY asked?

Yes, again I say, I think Jesus answers our questions. I think most of us don't know what our question was.

Prayer: Lord, I don't need to repeat any questions I have asked recently, for not only do you know them, but yes, you've answered them. Please give me your discernment and wisdom to understand your answers. Amen.

Being on Jesus' Side

Scripture: Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, teacher. You have correctly said that he is one, and there is no one else except him. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question him any longer. Mark 12:32-34

Observation: One of the scribes poses the question to Jesus about the greatest commandment, and Jesus directly answers, quoting the Shema, and including as the next most important being the love your neighbor as yourself. Given that this is Jesus, it likely wasn't necessary for this random scribe to then confirm for Jesus that he is right.

However, the scribe actually goes one step further. He invokes a sentiment of many of the prophets, making the statement that complying with these two foundational teachings - love God, and love others - is more important than "all the burnt offerings and sacrifices." This is a truth declared by many of the Old Testament prophets, include Jeremiah and Micah. It would not have been popular to declare this in the present context, which was effectively a collection of Pharisees and Sadducees all attempting to trick Jesus based on the "law".

With many witnesses all trying to find some law-based concept with which to trap Jesus, this scribe gives Jesus the opening to declare that which is truly important, pronounces Jesus as correct (and therefore effectively in alignment with Old Testament commands), and adds on the fact that the rest of the law is significantly less important. For that, Jesus publicly declares that this scribe is "not far from the kingdom of God."

Application: I have often understood that what happened with this last question was this scribe asked Jesus a very difficult trap of a question ... name the 'most important' commandment. When Jesus answers so directly and so wisely, everyone decides it is a waste of time to continue this game of entrapment. However, perhaps what was really happening was the scribe created a scenario for Jesus to shut down this game by opening showing that not only was Jesus wise, but that all their questions were based on legalistic trivialities that were meaningless, and had in fact been declared meaningless by a dozen prophets in the scriptures, beginning with Moses.

When Jesus said the scribe was "not far from the kingdom of God," maybe he meant the scribe was close to understanding. However, what he may have been saying was that this man had now placed himself on "team Jesus", and thus was now closer to him, and closer to true faith. This scribe didn't just agree with Jesus as a wise teacher. He stepped into a confrontation, took Jesus side in opposition to his fellow scribes and Pharisees, and eloquently defended the truth about Jesus and Yahweh in the face of 'logical opposition'.

I think this scribe, then and there, declared himself to be on Jesus' side.

I have publicly declared myself on Jesus's side, and I have done so in groups where I have known it wasn't the popular position. I hope this brings me "not far from the kingdom of God."

Prayer: Lord, I do not know who this scribe was, but you do. I hope he held onto his faith to the end. Amen.

We are All Mistaken

Scripture: Jesus spoke to them, "Isn’t this the reason why you’re mistaken: you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God?" Mark 12:24

Observation: Several groups of Jews have (it seems) prepared their best trick question for Jesus, and the Sadducees use a question about resurrection and marriage. There will not be a 'trick answer' from Jesus ... he gives them an answer, explains it, then even corrects their (flawed) underlying assumption. However, he begins all of that with a very clear insult, that the reason their question even exists is because they don't know the word or the power of the Lord.

The fact they openly question the resurrection (the idea of eternal life) is proof they don't understand the power of God, and doubt his authority over creation. The fact they use marriage in heaven as the context for their question demonstrates ignorance in scripture, for while Jesus isn't apparently referring to a specific passage, he is discussing a well-understood concept about the nature of people in heaven, and that we are more like angels and thus without marriage.

Application: I watched a show last night, and part of it involved a man who says he "has faith" dating a Mormon. Both he and the woman's family said several times they were glad the other believed the same basic things about God, and I thought over and over that somehow both sides clearly had no idea what each other believed. Then I realized ... it's pretty clear both sides don't even know what they themselves believe.

This is at the core of so many Christian debates, and probably one of the reasons Christianity isn't appealing to many non-believers. Many of us don't know the scriptures and thus don't know what we believe. I see this while teaching at my own church, where people in conversation will make statements that are somewhere on the continuum of "strange and not based on anything in the bible" to "provably completely wrong", but they'll make such statements with confidence and conviction, as if they are factual common knowledge.

I am NOT saying I know the truth flawlessly, nor am I saying I judge others for their understandings. I am just saying that we - believers in Jesus - end up with so many debates about the truth, often because the Lord has told us the truth and we don't know how to understand it. We cherry-pick certain verses in the bible, and don't place them in context to understand their true meaning. We are all mistaken in some of our firm beliefs about Jesus and about God, myself included.

Prayer: Lord, I desire to know and understand you better. May that start with my relationship with you, for it is by the revelation of the Holy Spirit I can have the best understanding of you, of your word, of your power, and of your love. I know little, and I understand less. Please fill me with your spirit today. Amen.

Today's Unauthorized Fire

Scripture: Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu each took his own firepan, put fire in it, placed incense on it, and presented unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them to do. Then fire came from the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Leviticus 10:1-2

Observation: In one of the scarier moments of the bible, the Lord strikes down Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's two eldest sons. This happens during a sacrifice in which the Lord has appeared and directly consumed the offerings being given, and it happened because Nadab and Abihu took actions that were not what the Lord had commanded.

At first, it seems harsh to kill two people for making a procedural mistake. However, these actions being described were much more serious. First, the components themselves had not been prepared and thus were not holy. Second, these two were usurping the position of Moses and Aaron, who were instructed by the Lord to lead this process. In other words, what was really happening was Nadab and Abihu had decided that they (not God) could and should make decisions about what should occur, that they themselves should have a more prominent and active role, and that prior teaching from the Lord about holiness were optional.

Application: More and more today, I am concerned that our church brings a lot of unauthorized fire before the Lord, and just like Nadab and Abihu we do it because we think we are honoring the Lord when actually we are defying and ignoring him.

However, Jesus has changed this dynamic. By coming down to us, Jesus created a new path and a new model for relationship with the Lord ... a path defined by faith and not process or the Law. Therefore, maintaining that relationship is how we are near God, as he called out in verse 3.

Certainly we care a lot less about presenting the right sacrifices, with the right preparation, before the Lord today. I am not talking about burnt livestock in the temple, but about our tithes, our worship, our prayer, and our messages. However, Jesus is now the new way to present ourselves before the Lord. Jesus is the lamb offering, our belief and faith in Jesus as Messiah is our permission to enter into the Kingdom of God, and our prayers of hope and songs of praise are the proper incense and pleasing aroma rising up to heaven.

Today, "unauthorized fire" involves all those out there who are trying to come before the Lord, but without Jesus. They enter the sanctuary without purification, following the wrong procedure, ignoring the Lord's plan, and burning the wrong incense.

What a wonderful revelation this is today, that once again we see Jesus create the way for all of us to enjoy and presence of the Lord, to live within his blessing and comfort, and to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Prayer: Lord, as always, your plan is perfect, and even when we read of something that might be confusing or scary we see that the truth was always that you were preparing mankind for reconciliation through Jesus Christ. Thank you for your wonderful plans, and your amazing love. Amen.