This morning I read Acts 3:12-26. This passage is the continuation of Peter and John's healing of the lame beggar at the Temple. After the healing, an amazed crowd gathered around the two Apostles to find out what happened...
This is where the passage picks up and Peter recognizes his opportunity to proclaim Christ. Verse 12 states, "Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd." I love the fact that Peter took his opportunity. This reminds me that God is giving me opportunities everyday to be Christ's witness. I have to ask myself two question: Am I recognizing them? and Am I taking them?
I also love what Peter says in verses 19 and 20, "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and He will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah." To me this is such a simple and profound truth- God is not found or experienced when I am seeking my own way. When I turn from pursuing my own will (sin) to pursuing God and His will, I will experience the presence of the Lord. I will also experience "times of refreshment." These times are a natural by-product of the presence of the Lord. I know that I will never experience times of refreshment a part from the presence of the Lord. In fact, most of my sin (going my own way) comes about because I am seeking some form of refreshment; however, when I go my own way, refreshment is never the final outcome. Only by seeking God do I also experience His benefits.
Peter ends his sermons saying, "When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways." Again, this can't be missed. People want God to bless them...to make it "good" for them. Generally, we think being blessed is equal to being given what we want. This reminds me that true blessing is found in turning from what I want and receiving what God wants. I need to grasp the fact that God's greatest blessing for my life is turning me from my sinful ways- from living for my own desires.
Jesus, thank you for forgiving my sins, but for also giving me your presence in my life. Continue to bless me by turning me from my sinful ways so I can truly experience your presence and refreshment in my life.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Just at the gate...or inside as well?
I read Acts 3:1-11 this morning. Peter and John are going to the Temple to worship when they encounter a beggar at the gate. Peter and John tell the beggar they have no money, but they'll give him what they do have- and they heal him in the name of Jesus.
There is so much in this passage that is mentionable- the disciples doing the things Jesus did, the disciples acting in the name of Jesus, or the fact that the disciples didn't have any money; but what challenges me most is how the disciples deal with the lame man after he was healed.
I love to help people...but to be honest, I love to help people when it is convenient for me. I also like to help people- but to a certain point. When I read this story, I feel convicted about how far I am willing to go.
I like to help the person at the door, but I don't want to bring the person "into the temple" with me. And while I'm there, I know I wouldn't feel comfortable with the person "holding tightly" to me. I guess I am a little fearful about how much commitment I am opening myself up to when I try to help someone.
I know that is not the point of the story...but I definitely sense this is what God is saying to me. How far am I willing to go in helping people? Am I willing to meet a felt need- like with money? And am I willing to meet their real need- helping them to find wholeness in Christ? One is easy; the other takes a little more commitment.
Jesus, I want your wisdom and compassion. I want to be a willing vessel, like Peter and John, for you to work through. Please help me to see the ones you want to touch.
There is so much in this passage that is mentionable- the disciples doing the things Jesus did, the disciples acting in the name of Jesus, or the fact that the disciples didn't have any money; but what challenges me most is how the disciples deal with the lame man after he was healed.
I love to help people...but to be honest, I love to help people when it is convenient for me. I also like to help people- but to a certain point. When I read this story, I feel convicted about how far I am willing to go.
I like to help the person at the door, but I don't want to bring the person "into the temple" with me. And while I'm there, I know I wouldn't feel comfortable with the person "holding tightly" to me. I guess I am a little fearful about how much commitment I am opening myself up to when I try to help someone.
I know that is not the point of the story...but I definitely sense this is what God is saying to me. How far am I willing to go in helping people? Am I willing to meet a felt need- like with money? And am I willing to meet their real need- helping them to find wholeness in Christ? One is easy; the other takes a little more commitment.
Jesus, I want your wisdom and compassion. I want to be a willing vessel, like Peter and John, for you to work through. Please help me to see the ones you want to touch.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Are you a part of "all" and "every"?
Today I read Acts 2:42-47. Luke describes what the early church looked like, what they did, and how God blessed them. This is a passage that gets referred to a lot when talking about the church.
One thing that jumped out at me was the use of words like "every," "everyone," and "all." When I read this passage it is easy for me to focus on what is being done and who was doing it. However, when I read words like "everyone" and "all," it is easy for me to focus on others...and not myself. I don't know why I'm like that I just am. I notice that (most of the time) it has to say "you" for me to really see that it applies to me and not someone else.
So as I was reading this familiar passage, I sensed God was saying what about you? Quit thinking about what the first church did and quit thinking about what others should do. Look at yourself. If I was included in the early church, could they say "all" and "everyone," or would they have to say "everyone but Shane" and "all but Shane?"
So I went back through the passage and asked myself these questions:
-Am I devoting myself to the Apostles' teaching (reading Scripture)?
-Am I investing myself in relationships by spending time with other believers and eating together?
-Am I spending time in prayer with others?
-Do I have a deep sense of awe and wonder about God and what He is doing?
-Do I share/give what I have to meet needs that are around me?
-Do I have a time of worship and praising God each day?
-Am I enjoying the goodwill of all people?
-Am I being used by God to bring people to faith?
Jesus, I want to be a part of the "all" and "every." Help me to seek you in each of these ways. Work through me to reveal Yourself.
One thing that jumped out at me was the use of words like "every," "everyone," and "all." When I read this passage it is easy for me to focus on what is being done and who was doing it. However, when I read words like "everyone" and "all," it is easy for me to focus on others...and not myself. I don't know why I'm like that I just am. I notice that (most of the time) it has to say "you" for me to really see that it applies to me and not someone else.
So as I was reading this familiar passage, I sensed God was saying what about you? Quit thinking about what the first church did and quit thinking about what others should do. Look at yourself. If I was included in the early church, could they say "all" and "everyone," or would they have to say "everyone but Shane" and "all but Shane?"
So I went back through the passage and asked myself these questions:
-Am I devoting myself to the Apostles' teaching (reading Scripture)?
-Am I investing myself in relationships by spending time with other believers and eating together?
-Am I spending time in prayer with others?
-Do I have a deep sense of awe and wonder about God and what He is doing?
-Do I share/give what I have to meet needs that are around me?
-Do I have a time of worship and praising God each day?
-Am I enjoying the goodwill of all people?
-Am I being used by God to bring people to faith?
Jesus, I want to be a part of the "all" and "every." Help me to seek you in each of these ways. Work through me to reveal Yourself.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
All means all
I read Acts 2:14-41 this morning. It is Peter's sermon to the crowd who gathered after hearing the loud noise that accompanied the arrival of the Holy Spirit.
I think that the Holy Spirit did exactly what he is supposed to do. Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit came they would receive power to be His witnesses. That is exactly what happened. The Holy Spirit definitely changed Peter. The last time he was asked about Jesus (by a lowly female slave), Peter denied Him. Now, Peter is in front of a large crowd and Peter boldly proclaims that Jesus is the Lord and Messiah...and by the way, YOU killed Him!
That is quite a change. In my mind this change can only be explained by two things: Peter encountered the resurrected Jesus (and realized death has been defeated so what more does he have to fear) and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
I love the fact that Peter proclaims that the promise of the Holy Spirit is for all who repent of their sins and turn to God through Jesus Christ. It is not just for the few, the elite, or for those who personally saw Jesus. Peter says the Spirit is for "all who have been called by the Lord our God."
I had a teacher in seminary who would say, "The Greek word for all means all." It was his way of emphasizing that it really means all...everyone. There are no varsity level Christians, those with the Holy Spirit, and Junior Varsity level Christians, those who believe but don't have the Holy Spirit.
When you receive Christ, you receive the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to all who believe.
I think that the Holy Spirit did exactly what he is supposed to do. Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit came they would receive power to be His witnesses. That is exactly what happened. The Holy Spirit definitely changed Peter. The last time he was asked about Jesus (by a lowly female slave), Peter denied Him. Now, Peter is in front of a large crowd and Peter boldly proclaims that Jesus is the Lord and Messiah...and by the way, YOU killed Him!
That is quite a change. In my mind this change can only be explained by two things: Peter encountered the resurrected Jesus (and realized death has been defeated so what more does he have to fear) and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
I love the fact that Peter proclaims that the promise of the Holy Spirit is for all who repent of their sins and turn to God through Jesus Christ. It is not just for the few, the elite, or for those who personally saw Jesus. Peter says the Spirit is for "all who have been called by the Lord our God."
I had a teacher in seminary who would say, "The Greek word for all means all." It was his way of emphasizing that it really means all...everyone. There are no varsity level Christians, those with the Holy Spirit, and Junior Varsity level Christians, those who believe but don't have the Holy Spirit.
When you receive Christ, you receive the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to all who believe.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Descriptive or Prescriptive?
This morning I woke up and read Acts 2:1-13. This is Luke's accounting of Pentecost. What is so big about Pentecost? That is the day the Holy Spirit was given to the church...and the world has not been the same sense.
Here is the bottom line of the story: Jesus tells the Apostles to wait in Jerusalem until the Father sends the Holy Spirit. The believers gather, wait, and pray. When they are all together, God sends the Holy Spirit, who arrives with a loud noise, some fire, and everyone able to speak in other languages. This noise was so loud that all the people of Jerusalem came to investigate. What they found were the disciples, speaking about "the wonderful things God has done" in their own language (btw- Pentecost was a feast that Jews from all over the world would come to Jerusalem to celebrate). This amazing miracle caused the crowd to have one of two reactions- wonder about what this might be or ridicule for the disciples ("they're just drunk, that's all!")
Now, I normally try to keep this blog as my own journal of thoughts. Today, however, I want to explain something that is very important to keep in mind when reading the book of Acts- the difference between descriptive and prescriptive. Descriptive is just what it sounds like, a description of the events. It is the telling of how God chose to work in those events. Prescriptive is a telling of how things are going to be, like a doctor prescribing a treatment-the doctor gives the steps you are to follow every time for treatment.
How does this relate to the book of Acts? This book is full of many stories that are descriptive, they are just a description of how God chose to work in those events. They are one time events and in no way ensure a continual mode of operation for God. The Bible does have a lot of prescriptive teachings as well, but Acts is primarily a descriptive account of how God chose to work in and through the early church. If it was prescriptive, we would all need to follow exactly the same patterns of the early church- which we don't.
This distinction between descriptive and prescriptive is very important. It helps us to understand why God works one way at one time and another way later on. It also explains why all Christians don't speak in foreign languages when they become believers. The gift of tongues is not prescriptive proof for the presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. It was descriptive about what God did when the Holy Spirit first empowered the church to be His witnesses at Pentecost.
Back to the story...Luke's account of the coming of the Holy Spirit is a description of a one time event and not a prescription of how the Holy Spirit will manifest Himself every time. Why did things happen like they did? I think the events make perfect sense. The Holy Spirit came with such a demonstration for several reasons:
-first, it was a sign that the disciples finally received what was promised,
-second, the loud noise from heaven alerted the whole city of Jerusalem and drew a crowd (it says "When they (the people in Jerusalem) heard the loud noise, everyone came running...")
-third, the disciples were given the ability to speak in different languages in order to proclaim (be His witnesses to the whole world) what God has done. The people, who were in Jerusalem for the Feast, were from all over the world. There were at least 16 different people groups/languages present to hear the disciples.
FYI- The Feast that the Jews were celebrating in Jerusalem is the Festival of the harvest, which happens 50 days (which is what pentecost means) after Passover. Jesus died during Passover-He is our Passover lamb-now, the church is about to bring in a harvest of believers during Pentecost, the Festival of the Harvest.
Here is the bottom line of the story: Jesus tells the Apostles to wait in Jerusalem until the Father sends the Holy Spirit. The believers gather, wait, and pray. When they are all together, God sends the Holy Spirit, who arrives with a loud noise, some fire, and everyone able to speak in other languages. This noise was so loud that all the people of Jerusalem came to investigate. What they found were the disciples, speaking about "the wonderful things God has done" in their own language (btw- Pentecost was a feast that Jews from all over the world would come to Jerusalem to celebrate). This amazing miracle caused the crowd to have one of two reactions- wonder about what this might be or ridicule for the disciples ("they're just drunk, that's all!")
Now, I normally try to keep this blog as my own journal of thoughts. Today, however, I want to explain something that is very important to keep in mind when reading the book of Acts- the difference between descriptive and prescriptive. Descriptive is just what it sounds like, a description of the events. It is the telling of how God chose to work in those events. Prescriptive is a telling of how things are going to be, like a doctor prescribing a treatment-the doctor gives the steps you are to follow every time for treatment.
How does this relate to the book of Acts? This book is full of many stories that are descriptive, they are just a description of how God chose to work in those events. They are one time events and in no way ensure a continual mode of operation for God. The Bible does have a lot of prescriptive teachings as well, but Acts is primarily a descriptive account of how God chose to work in and through the early church. If it was prescriptive, we would all need to follow exactly the same patterns of the early church- which we don't.
This distinction between descriptive and prescriptive is very important. It helps us to understand why God works one way at one time and another way later on. It also explains why all Christians don't speak in foreign languages when they become believers. The gift of tongues is not prescriptive proof for the presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. It was descriptive about what God did when the Holy Spirit first empowered the church to be His witnesses at Pentecost.
Back to the story...Luke's account of the coming of the Holy Spirit is a description of a one time event and not a prescription of how the Holy Spirit will manifest Himself every time. Why did things happen like they did? I think the events make perfect sense. The Holy Spirit came with such a demonstration for several reasons:
-first, it was a sign that the disciples finally received what was promised,
-second, the loud noise from heaven alerted the whole city of Jerusalem and drew a crowd (it says "When they (the people in Jerusalem) heard the loud noise, everyone came running...")
-third, the disciples were given the ability to speak in different languages in order to proclaim (be His witnesses to the whole world) what God has done. The people, who were in Jerusalem for the Feast, were from all over the world. There were at least 16 different people groups/languages present to hear the disciples.
FYI- The Feast that the Jews were celebrating in Jerusalem is the Festival of the harvest, which happens 50 days (which is what pentecost means) after Passover. Jesus died during Passover-He is our Passover lamb-now, the church is about to bring in a harvest of believers during Pentecost, the Festival of the Harvest.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Waiting and Praying (and searching the Scriptures)
I read Acts 1:12-26 this morning. I am really excited about reading through this book and learning what God wants to do in my life. I do believe that I need to exhibit the same kind of faith and obedience that the early church did if I am to experience God working His "acts" through me.
Today there were three (2 legit and 1 funny) things that made me take notice:
-The obedience of the Apostles. Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit is sent from the Father. So that is exactly what the Apostles did. There was no doubting or second-guessing. They went to Jerusalem and they gathered the other followers (about 120 at this time) and they waited and prayed. I think I need to incorporate more praying in my waiting. There are times that I am waiting for God to work out something in my life, but I don't really keep on praying about it. I'm learning that prayer is what we are called to persist in...it is what we do without stopping (1 Thes. 5:17).
-The choosing of Judas' replacement. OK, this one strikes me as a little funny. Peter announces that they will be replacing Judas with one of two candidates, Justus and Matthias. Both of these men followed Jesus from the beginning of His ministry. Now that is completely normal, but what strikes me as funny is how they choose between these two. They cast lots. I have nothing against casting lots. I have just never seen that done before because we don't make decisions that way anymore. I know that is how the Bible describes people making decisions in that time, but it is just very different. If Peter had been a Youth Minister he would have made Justus and Matthias ROCK-PAPER-SCISSORS for it. But that would have gone bad...can you hear Justus saying,"No, let's do two out of three."? So I guess the lots worked out.
-The reliance upon Scripture. Peter does something that Jesus modeled for them often. He turns to the Scripture for guidance. While I kind of laughed at how they picked Matthias, I think there is nothing funny about Peter's wisdom in listening to God through His Word. I think it is so important that we add searching the Scripture to any period of waiting and praying.
Jesus, continue to open up the truth of your Word to me as I wait and pray for Your Will to be done.
Today there were three (2 legit and 1 funny) things that made me take notice:
-The obedience of the Apostles. Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit is sent from the Father. So that is exactly what the Apostles did. There was no doubting or second-guessing. They went to Jerusalem and they gathered the other followers (about 120 at this time) and they waited and prayed. I think I need to incorporate more praying in my waiting. There are times that I am waiting for God to work out something in my life, but I don't really keep on praying about it. I'm learning that prayer is what we are called to persist in...it is what we do without stopping (1 Thes. 5:17).
-The choosing of Judas' replacement. OK, this one strikes me as a little funny. Peter announces that they will be replacing Judas with one of two candidates, Justus and Matthias. Both of these men followed Jesus from the beginning of His ministry. Now that is completely normal, but what strikes me as funny is how they choose between these two. They cast lots. I have nothing against casting lots. I have just never seen that done before because we don't make decisions that way anymore. I know that is how the Bible describes people making decisions in that time, but it is just very different. If Peter had been a Youth Minister he would have made Justus and Matthias ROCK-PAPER-SCISSORS for it. But that would have gone bad...can you hear Justus saying,"No, let's do two out of three."? So I guess the lots worked out.
-The reliance upon Scripture. Peter does something that Jesus modeled for them often. He turns to the Scripture for guidance. While I kind of laughed at how they picked Matthias, I think there is nothing funny about Peter's wisdom in listening to God through His Word. I think it is so important that we add searching the Scripture to any period of waiting and praying.
Jesus, continue to open up the truth of your Word to me as I wait and pray for Your Will to be done.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Suggestions for reading your Bible daily
I try to read the Bible every day and apply its truth to my life. I believe it is the most important way God changes me by changing my mind with the truth of the Bible. I was reading a list today by Alaine Pakkala that I thought might help everyone with daily Bible reading:
Shane
- Resist the lie that time with God is optional.
- Realize the resistance from Satan. He will do anything to keep you from the truth.
- Remember God desires your fellowship.
- Focus on the reasons for doing it: to worship God and to get food for your spiritual growth.
- Make time- prepare and make choices to allow it to happen.
- Resist the "rabbit's foot" mentality (don't become devoted to the habit but to the One you're meeting with).
- Resist the lie that it gives you brownie points with God or that He will love you more if you spend time with Him (but you will love Him more as you understand what He is like and what He has done for you).
- Take your time. Set an unhurried pace.
- Have a plan. Don't use the unorganized "Bible roulette" style of reading whatever the Bible falls open to.
- Don't do all the talking.
- Avoid self-reliance. Without God's help, you can't maintain a vital time with Him each day. Ask God for His help and guidance.
- Aim at quality, not quantity. Seven minutes is a good beginning place. Plan for success by setting reachable goals.
- Be flexible. Avoid ruts.
- Avoid the "academic checklist" approach in which you focus on just getting it done, not on trying to get anything out of it.
- After reading, summarize what you've read. Ask yourself: "What does this show me about God?" or "What can I try to do differently today based on what I have just read?"
- Persevere in capturing wandering thoughts.
- If you're too busy, decide what you will need to leave out so that you can have time to meet with Christ every day.
- Resist discouragement. Keep trying!
Shane
What's next?
I finished the Gospel of Luke yesterday, so I decided to continue on with Luke's second volume, the book of Acts. This is a natural follow-up to what was presented in Luke. I look at it like this- the Gospel of Luke presents everything Jesus did and taught (Acts 1:1), and the book of Acts records what His followers did in response to Jesus and His message.
By reading Acts I am challenged by the fact that Jesus' message is not just to be heard, but it is a message to be obeyed. It must be fully embraced by the follower of Christ, giving His purposes first priority in life. Acts reveals how the remaining disciples did just that.
This morning I read Acts 1:1-11. I couldn't help but be a little envious of the time Jesus' disciples had with Him after the resurrection. Acts 1:3 says, "During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God."
I would love to know what He said during those forty days. There is no book that just contains the teachings of Jesus before His ascension to Heaven. I think about the parts of the New Testament that give a slight glimpse into this time (the end of each Gospel and the beginning of Acts)...and what they reveal about what He said during that time.
Here are the similar themes or messages from Christ between His resurrection and ascension:
-Proof that He is alive (Mt. 28:10; Mk.16; Lk.24; Jn. 20&21; Acts 1:3)
-A command to make disciples by going into the world to tell all people about Jesus and His Kingdom (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk.16:15; Lk.24:47-48; Jn.20:21; Acts 1:8)
-A promise of His presence and power with them till the end (Mt.28:20; Mk.16:20; Lk.24:49; Jn.21:22; Acts 1:5,8)
It is amazing to me how the four writers of these five books emphasize the same things. To me, that means it was very clear what Jesus was talking about, and probably, what He talked about most.
John's Gospel ends with a very personal conversation between Jesus and Peter. This conversation is also very revealing in discovering what Jesus focused on in those 40 days. Of course, Jesus is intentionally and gently restoring Peter after his failure. Jesus gives Peter three opportunities to reaffirm his love and devotion to Himself, but Jesus also gives Peter three personal challenges/invitations/encouragements to be involved in Jesus' Kingdom agenda.
Jesus tells Peter, "Ok, you love me... then take care of my business by feeding and taking care of my people." In my mind Jesus is saying, "So you failed. Get up. I love you. You love me. Go find and bring people to me and help them learn to live in my love as well."
In all of these last interactions, Jesus seems to be focused on ensuring that the disciples realize they no longer live for themselves, but that they live to be faithful witnesses/messengers of who Jesus is and what He taught.
It doesn't get any clearer than Acts 1:8 when Jesus says:
By reading Acts I am challenged by the fact that Jesus' message is not just to be heard, but it is a message to be obeyed. It must be fully embraced by the follower of Christ, giving His purposes first priority in life. Acts reveals how the remaining disciples did just that.
This morning I read Acts 1:1-11. I couldn't help but be a little envious of the time Jesus' disciples had with Him after the resurrection. Acts 1:3 says, "During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God."
I would love to know what He said during those forty days. There is no book that just contains the teachings of Jesus before His ascension to Heaven. I think about the parts of the New Testament that give a slight glimpse into this time (the end of each Gospel and the beginning of Acts)...and what they reveal about what He said during that time.
Here are the similar themes or messages from Christ between His resurrection and ascension:
-Proof that He is alive (Mt. 28:10; Mk.16; Lk.24; Jn. 20&21; Acts 1:3)
-A command to make disciples by going into the world to tell all people about Jesus and His Kingdom (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk.16:15; Lk.24:47-48; Jn.20:21; Acts 1:8)
-A promise of His presence and power with them till the end (Mt.28:20; Mk.16:20; Lk.24:49; Jn.21:22; Acts 1:5,8)
It is amazing to me how the four writers of these five books emphasize the same things. To me, that means it was very clear what Jesus was talking about, and probably, what He talked about most.
John's Gospel ends with a very personal conversation between Jesus and Peter. This conversation is also very revealing in discovering what Jesus focused on in those 40 days. Of course, Jesus is intentionally and gently restoring Peter after his failure. Jesus gives Peter three opportunities to reaffirm his love and devotion to Himself, but Jesus also gives Peter three personal challenges/invitations/encouragements to be involved in Jesus' Kingdom agenda.
Jesus tells Peter, "Ok, you love me... then take care of my business by feeding and taking care of my people." In my mind Jesus is saying, "So you failed. Get up. I love you. You love me. Go find and bring people to me and help them learn to live in my love as well."
In all of these last interactions, Jesus seems to be focused on ensuring that the disciples realize they no longer live for themselves, but that they live to be faithful witnesses/messengers of who Jesus is and what He taught.
It doesn't get any clearer than Acts 1:8 when Jesus says:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.Jesus, what an incredible privilege to be Your messenger. Help me to see every opportunity to tell others about You and what You have done. I'm not here to fix people. I'm here to point people to You. I'll let You change them.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Struggling with the resurrection?
I finished Luke this morning. I read the end of Luke 23, which talks about Jesus' burial, and Luke 24, which recounts Jesus' resurrection.
I find it intriguing to see how difficult it was for the disciples to believe that Jesus rose from the dead. Luke does not gloss over the fact that every one of the disciples first reaction to the news that Jesus rose from the dead was skepticism and doubt.
The women had to be told by angels because they fully intended to anoint a dead body. When they understood that Jesus arose, they ran to tell the apostles. And how did those 11 men who spent so much time with Jesus react? Verse 11 says, "But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn't believe it."
Only Peter (and John) ran to the tomb. However, even encountering the empty tomb did not produce belief for Peter. Luke says that Peter "went home again, wondering what happened." Peter tried to figure out what might be the possible explanation for Jesus' missing body.
When Jesus finally appeared to all of the disciples, their thoughts were, "we are seeing a ghost." Even when He showed them His hands and feet, Luke records that "still they stood there in disbelief." (24:41)
It is not like the disciples had not heard, or even, experienced resurrection. They heard Jesus talk about Himself being killed and rising on the third day. They were there when Jesus brought the widow's son back to life...they were there when Jesus brought Jarius' daughter from the dead...and they were there when Jesus told Lazarus to come out of the tomb- even after he started decomposing. The disciples were aware of the reality of resurrection. Yet, for some reason, it was hard for them to accept that Jesus rose from the dead.
One thing that stands out from this passage is Jesus' own belief that Scripture is essential for people to believe the resurrection. Jesus always referred to the prophecies of Scripture when talking about His death and resurrection. He told them that He would be rejected, beaten, killed, and raise from the dead according to the Scriptures. When he dealt with His disciples after His resurrection, He took them through the Scriptures so that they could understand. Twice (Luke 24:25-27 and 44-46) Jesus used the Scriptures to help His followers comprehend the resurrection.
If Jesus used the Scriptures to help people receive the resurrection, it is a good place for us to start as well. Paul picked up on this idea. Listen to his words from 1 Corinthians 15:3-4:
I find it intriguing to see how difficult it was for the disciples to believe that Jesus rose from the dead. Luke does not gloss over the fact that every one of the disciples first reaction to the news that Jesus rose from the dead was skepticism and doubt.
The women had to be told by angels because they fully intended to anoint a dead body. When they understood that Jesus arose, they ran to tell the apostles. And how did those 11 men who spent so much time with Jesus react? Verse 11 says, "But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn't believe it."
Only Peter (and John) ran to the tomb. However, even encountering the empty tomb did not produce belief for Peter. Luke says that Peter "went home again, wondering what happened." Peter tried to figure out what might be the possible explanation for Jesus' missing body.
When Jesus finally appeared to all of the disciples, their thoughts were, "we are seeing a ghost." Even when He showed them His hands and feet, Luke records that "still they stood there in disbelief." (24:41)
It is not like the disciples had not heard, or even, experienced resurrection. They heard Jesus talk about Himself being killed and rising on the third day. They were there when Jesus brought the widow's son back to life...they were there when Jesus brought Jarius' daughter from the dead...and they were there when Jesus told Lazarus to come out of the tomb- even after he started decomposing. The disciples were aware of the reality of resurrection. Yet, for some reason, it was hard for them to accept that Jesus rose from the dead.
One thing that stands out from this passage is Jesus' own belief that Scripture is essential for people to believe the resurrection. Jesus always referred to the prophecies of Scripture when talking about His death and resurrection. He told them that He would be rejected, beaten, killed, and raise from the dead according to the Scriptures. When he dealt with His disciples after His resurrection, He took them through the Scriptures so that they could understand. Twice (Luke 24:25-27 and 44-46) Jesus used the Scriptures to help His followers comprehend the resurrection.
If Jesus used the Scriptures to help people receive the resurrection, it is a good place for us to start as well. Paul picked up on this idea. Listen to his words from 1 Corinthians 15:3-4:
I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.If you are struggling with believing the resurrection, my advice is read the Bible (and I'm not trying to give you the "Church answer.") You will be surprised by how much they can nurture your faith. Don't believe me? Try and see.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Challenging Last Words
I read the story of Jesus' crucifixion and death in Luke 23:26-49. As I reflect on what happened to Jesus (and what He willingly sacrificed), I realize how inadequate my words/thoughts are about what Jesus did.
It is just so overwhelming. I feel like a person trying to take in the size of the universe...it can't really be done because it is so mind-blowing. That person is left with words like big...unexplainable...beyond comprehension. It is simply impossible to wrap your mind around the vastness of the universe.
I feel the same way about Jesus' death on the cross. I can use words like sacrifice...love...grace, but I still feel like those words fall so short of being able to really explain it.
So while I am a tongue-tied observer of the magnificence of Jesus' sacrificial death, I was struck by the significance of some of Jesus' last words that Luke records. I think these words give a unique insight into Jesus.
Luke first records some words to a group of grief-stricken women, who are following Jesus as He is led to His crucifixion. At this point Jesus has already suffered a brutal beating and is heading to an unjust death sentence, but these words show me He is still concerned with the people of Jerusalem- the very ones who cry for His death.
Jesus says, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
These words reveal that Jesus still dreads the coming judgment of Jerusalem. It could be easy to focus on the injustice He is suffering, but He still feels compassion and sadness for the coming hardships He knows Jerusalem will undergo. (He had prophesied about the destruction of Jerusalem before and He was very open about His grief that Jerusalem would not receive Him). He asks the question, "...if these (his suffering and crucifixion) happen when the tree is green (when there is life in the tree that deserves to be nurtured), what will happen when it is dry (when the tree is dead and deserving to be cut down and burned)?
I know that I would have been focused on the injustice done to me. If people were crying for me, I would probably encourage them...reminding them why it is such a travesty. Not Jesus. He knows the hearts of people. He knows the future. He still feels compassion for people in the midst of His own intense suffering.
The second saying Luke records is, "Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” I think these words speak for themselves. He is still forgiving and merciful to those who are killing Him. He acts as their advocate. Defending them to the Father instead of prosecuting them.
Jesus' third utterance recorded by Luke is to one of the others being crucified. Jesus says, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise." One of the criminals asks Jesus to remember him when Jesus enters His Kingdom. To me that is one of the greatest statements of faith in the Bible because the criminal is asking completely in faith.
The Bible says that faith is contrasted with seeing. If the thief was asking based upon what he could see, we would say he was crazy. Jesus, beaten and battered, condemned, hanging naked on a cross, looked nothing like a triumphant King. In fact, Jesus looked like the exact opposite, but the thief "saw" with the eyes of faith. He trusted that Jesus was indeed the King. Even in the extreme agony of the moment, Jesus responded to this man's faith. It just reminds me that God always responds to faith and without faith it is impossible to please God.
The last words Luke gives are, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!" To me, these are incredibly profound words that reveal a depth of knowledge and trust in His Father. Jesus knows the penalty of sin...death, judgment, and separation. Three things that Jesus never experienced before, and now He would experience them for the whole world. What anguish Jesus went through. We know that He agonized over "this cup" of wrath in the Garden. Yet, He chose to take it. When He says, "I entrust my spirit into your hands"- Jesus is saying, "I trust You will judge the sin, but You will also resurrect me. I will bear the burden, but I trust You will not abandon me forever."
This makes Jesus the model of faith for me- trusting God enough to enter difficult and unwanted situations, yet confident enough that God would bring Him through.
Jesus, even in death you show what real life looks like. Lord help me to be selfless, forgiving, and trusting.
It is just so overwhelming. I feel like a person trying to take in the size of the universe...it can't really be done because it is so mind-blowing. That person is left with words like big...unexplainable...beyond comprehension. It is simply impossible to wrap your mind around the vastness of the universe.
I feel the same way about Jesus' death on the cross. I can use words like sacrifice...love...grace, but I still feel like those words fall so short of being able to really explain it.
So while I am a tongue-tied observer of the magnificence of Jesus' sacrificial death, I was struck by the significance of some of Jesus' last words that Luke records. I think these words give a unique insight into Jesus.
Luke first records some words to a group of grief-stricken women, who are following Jesus as He is led to His crucifixion. At this point Jesus has already suffered a brutal beating and is heading to an unjust death sentence, but these words show me He is still concerned with the people of Jerusalem- the very ones who cry for His death.
Jesus says, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
These words reveal that Jesus still dreads the coming judgment of Jerusalem. It could be easy to focus on the injustice He is suffering, but He still feels compassion and sadness for the coming hardships He knows Jerusalem will undergo. (He had prophesied about the destruction of Jerusalem before and He was very open about His grief that Jerusalem would not receive Him). He asks the question, "...if these (his suffering and crucifixion) happen when the tree is green (when there is life in the tree that deserves to be nurtured), what will happen when it is dry (when the tree is dead and deserving to be cut down and burned)?
I know that I would have been focused on the injustice done to me. If people were crying for me, I would probably encourage them...reminding them why it is such a travesty. Not Jesus. He knows the hearts of people. He knows the future. He still feels compassion for people in the midst of His own intense suffering.
The second saying Luke records is, "Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” I think these words speak for themselves. He is still forgiving and merciful to those who are killing Him. He acts as their advocate. Defending them to the Father instead of prosecuting them.
Jesus' third utterance recorded by Luke is to one of the others being crucified. Jesus says, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise." One of the criminals asks Jesus to remember him when Jesus enters His Kingdom. To me that is one of the greatest statements of faith in the Bible because the criminal is asking completely in faith.
The Bible says that faith is contrasted with seeing. If the thief was asking based upon what he could see, we would say he was crazy. Jesus, beaten and battered, condemned, hanging naked on a cross, looked nothing like a triumphant King. In fact, Jesus looked like the exact opposite, but the thief "saw" with the eyes of faith. He trusted that Jesus was indeed the King. Even in the extreme agony of the moment, Jesus responded to this man's faith. It just reminds me that God always responds to faith and without faith it is impossible to please God.
The last words Luke gives are, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!" To me, these are incredibly profound words that reveal a depth of knowledge and trust in His Father. Jesus knows the penalty of sin...death, judgment, and separation. Three things that Jesus never experienced before, and now He would experience them for the whole world. What anguish Jesus went through. We know that He agonized over "this cup" of wrath in the Garden. Yet, He chose to take it. When He says, "I entrust my spirit into your hands"- Jesus is saying, "I trust You will judge the sin, but You will also resurrect me. I will bear the burden, but I trust You will not abandon me forever."
This makes Jesus the model of faith for me- trusting God enough to enter difficult and unwanted situations, yet confident enough that God would bring Him through.
Jesus, even in death you show what real life looks like. Lord help me to be selfless, forgiving, and trusting.
Friday, July 16, 2010
It makes me wonder...
I read Luke's account of Jesus' trial before Pilate in Luke 23:1-25 this morning. There were several things that caught my attention, so I thought I would just list them this morning.
-Jesus never attempted to defend himself through this whole ordeal. He gave no defense to Pilate, no acknowledgment of any sort to Herod, and no resistance to the religious leaders and crowd demanding His crucifixion- even though Pilate declared Him not guilty three times. It reminds me of 1 Peter 2:22-23, "He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God,who always judges fairly."
It makes me wonder do I entrust myself to God or do I try to defend myself against every insult or false accusation?
-Pilate declared Jesus not guilty three times, yet he still punished Jesus with scourging and crucifixion. Why? As a governor he is supposed to enforce the law and protect the people...to do what is right and not what is expedient. How easy it was for Pilate to make compromises in order to pacify the mob.
It makes me wonder if I would have done anything different? I sometimes make compromises to pacify myself and/or others...compromises that I later regret.
-The religious leaders resisted every declaration of innocence about Jesus. Verse 5 says, "Then they became insistent. 'But he is causing riots by his teaching wherever he goes- all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!'" That is not what I see in the Gospels. Jesus did not provoke riots. He might have driven the money changers out of the Temple, but there are no recordings of riots. It might have seemed like riots to the religious leaders, because the people were being set free from their control. Jesus was teaching and demonstrating true freedom and many were following. I'm sure this felt much like a riot- a loss of control- for the religious leaders, who tried to control people through their rules and traditions.
It makes me wonder about what areas in my life am I trying to control? Am I willing to let Jesus' teachings cause a "riot" in my life? Am I willing to let Him redirect my life and free me by giving Him control of every situation?
-Herod was delighted about the whole situation because He would finally get to see Jesus. He had wanted to meet with Jesus for a long time. However, Herod didn't want to meet Jesus...Herod wanted to see Jesus perform. He wanted Jesus to answer questions and do some tricks (miracles). He was bitterly disappointed. Jesus doesn't do command performances. Maybe that is why so many are frustrated with God? They want the same things Herod wanted. Jesus answer me this...Jesus give me this...Jesus do this... Jesus refused. He refused these things for Herod and He refuses these same things to those who only want Him to perform for their pleasure. Since Herod didn't get what he wanted, he "began mocking and ridiculing Jesus."
It makes me wonder if there are times that I only want Jesus to perform?
-The crowd was so easily led astray. The crowd or mob displayed no common sense. It seemed no one could stand out from or up to the crowd. They blindly followed misguided and wrong leaders. Their lack of clarity is startling when you look at their choices- Jesus or Barabbas. Yet they called for Barabbas, a murderer and insurrectionist, instead of Jesus, the true Messiah. Could it be that Barabbas' resume seemed more appropriate for their version of the Messiah? Maybe the people thought at least Barabbas is willing to kill and overthrow the Romans? Jesus just didn't meet the eventual expectations of the crowd...and so they discarded Him. They told Pilate in a sense, "Kill Him- He is of no use to us!"
It makes me wonder if I will be strong enough to go against the crowd and stand for my own convictions? Will I be able to discern the correctness of my leaders or will I follow on with the blind leading the blind?
Jesus, may I entrust myself fully to your plan and your care. Keep me from stupid compromises. Take control of every area of my life no matter how much chaos it might bring. Help me to remember I exist for You and not the other way around. Give me the courage and conviction to follow you completely.
-Jesus never attempted to defend himself through this whole ordeal. He gave no defense to Pilate, no acknowledgment of any sort to Herod, and no resistance to the religious leaders and crowd demanding His crucifixion- even though Pilate declared Him not guilty three times. It reminds me of 1 Peter 2:22-23, "He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God,who always judges fairly."
It makes me wonder do I entrust myself to God or do I try to defend myself against every insult or false accusation?
-Pilate declared Jesus not guilty three times, yet he still punished Jesus with scourging and crucifixion. Why? As a governor he is supposed to enforce the law and protect the people...to do what is right and not what is expedient. How easy it was for Pilate to make compromises in order to pacify the mob.
It makes me wonder if I would have done anything different? I sometimes make compromises to pacify myself and/or others...compromises that I later regret.
-The religious leaders resisted every declaration of innocence about Jesus. Verse 5 says, "Then they became insistent. 'But he is causing riots by his teaching wherever he goes- all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!'" That is not what I see in the Gospels. Jesus did not provoke riots. He might have driven the money changers out of the Temple, but there are no recordings of riots. It might have seemed like riots to the religious leaders, because the people were being set free from their control. Jesus was teaching and demonstrating true freedom and many were following. I'm sure this felt much like a riot- a loss of control- for the religious leaders, who tried to control people through their rules and traditions.
It makes me wonder about what areas in my life am I trying to control? Am I willing to let Jesus' teachings cause a "riot" in my life? Am I willing to let Him redirect my life and free me by giving Him control of every situation?
-Herod was delighted about the whole situation because He would finally get to see Jesus. He had wanted to meet with Jesus for a long time. However, Herod didn't want to meet Jesus...Herod wanted to see Jesus perform. He wanted Jesus to answer questions and do some tricks (miracles). He was bitterly disappointed. Jesus doesn't do command performances. Maybe that is why so many are frustrated with God? They want the same things Herod wanted. Jesus answer me this...Jesus give me this...Jesus do this... Jesus refused. He refused these things for Herod and He refuses these same things to those who only want Him to perform for their pleasure. Since Herod didn't get what he wanted, he "began mocking and ridiculing Jesus."
It makes me wonder if there are times that I only want Jesus to perform?
-The crowd was so easily led astray. The crowd or mob displayed no common sense. It seemed no one could stand out from or up to the crowd. They blindly followed misguided and wrong leaders. Their lack of clarity is startling when you look at their choices- Jesus or Barabbas. Yet they called for Barabbas, a murderer and insurrectionist, instead of Jesus, the true Messiah. Could it be that Barabbas' resume seemed more appropriate for their version of the Messiah? Maybe the people thought at least Barabbas is willing to kill and overthrow the Romans? Jesus just didn't meet the eventual expectations of the crowd...and so they discarded Him. They told Pilate in a sense, "Kill Him- He is of no use to us!"
It makes me wonder if I will be strong enough to go against the crowd and stand for my own convictions? Will I be able to discern the correctness of my leaders or will I follow on with the blind leading the blind?
Jesus, may I entrust myself fully to your plan and your care. Keep me from stupid compromises. Take control of every area of my life no matter how much chaos it might bring. Help me to remember I exist for You and not the other way around. Give me the courage and conviction to follow you completely.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Jesus' Confession
I read Luke 22:66-71 today. This is a brief snapshot of Jesus' "trial" before the Sanhedrin, the council of leading priests and teachers of religious law. Other accounts reveal how the council arranged false witnesses to lie about Jesus, but Luke reveals that they had one question the elders were desperate to have answered- was Jesus the Messiah?
Jesus' answer might seem a little evasive at first glance. In fact, there are those who claim that Jesus never confessed to being the Son of God or the Messiah because His answer seems to avoid a forthright declaration. However, most of those critics miss the fact that Jesus does indeed make a strong affirmation of being the Messiah. It was strong enough that the members of the Sanhedrin understood His answer and took Jesus to the Roman Governor to be crucified. They even began their case before Pilate against Jesus with these words, "This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman Government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king." (Luke 23:2)
I will admit Jesus' first two statements seem to dodge the question, but it has more to do with Jesus' understanding of the Council's predisposition. He knows they are not truly open to what He might or might not say. His first response is, "If I tell you, you won't believe me." Jesus knew that this court was not called to determine if He was or was not the Messiah, they were assembled to convict Him. His defense was meaningless. His fate was already sealed.
His second statement is another statement of futility about this process and not a side-step to the question of whether He is the Messiah. He says, "And if I ask you a question, you won't answer." This had been proven over and over in Jesus' ministry by the religious leaders. They refused to answer Jesus' questions. Jesus used questions as a means to self-discovered learning. He would ask questions that would cause a person to truly reveal their thoughts, intentions, and motives. Questions that would confirm not only the truth Jesus' proclaimed, but at the same time would question the faulty perspective of the one being asked the question. Jesus did this time and time again in the Gospels, and by the end, the religious leaders would no longer attempt to answer His questions, knowing they would be undone by their own answers.
The third part of Jesus' answer is the real clincher to their question. Jesus makes a striking statement that no religious leader would or could miss. It is a statement of fact- regardless of the council's willingness to accept it.
Jesus says, "But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God's right hand." This statement is a powerful declaration of both His faith in His Father and His identity as the Messiah. In one breath Jesus says, "I am the Messiah and I entrust myself completely to My Father and His will for me."
How do I get that from Jesus' answer? Jesus sends what appears to be a cryptic message to our ears, but to the elders of the council it was an undeniable admission of His messiahship. They heard and understood Jesus' allusion to what we refer to as Psalm 110, a messianic psalm. Read these words and hear His answer to the elders' question- Are you the Messiah?
The elders understood His answer. Do you?
Jesus' answer might seem a little evasive at first glance. In fact, there are those who claim that Jesus never confessed to being the Son of God or the Messiah because His answer seems to avoid a forthright declaration. However, most of those critics miss the fact that Jesus does indeed make a strong affirmation of being the Messiah. It was strong enough that the members of the Sanhedrin understood His answer and took Jesus to the Roman Governor to be crucified. They even began their case before Pilate against Jesus with these words, "This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman Government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king." (Luke 23:2)
I will admit Jesus' first two statements seem to dodge the question, but it has more to do with Jesus' understanding of the Council's predisposition. He knows they are not truly open to what He might or might not say. His first response is, "If I tell you, you won't believe me." Jesus knew that this court was not called to determine if He was or was not the Messiah, they were assembled to convict Him. His defense was meaningless. His fate was already sealed.
His second statement is another statement of futility about this process and not a side-step to the question of whether He is the Messiah. He says, "And if I ask you a question, you won't answer." This had been proven over and over in Jesus' ministry by the religious leaders. They refused to answer Jesus' questions. Jesus used questions as a means to self-discovered learning. He would ask questions that would cause a person to truly reveal their thoughts, intentions, and motives. Questions that would confirm not only the truth Jesus' proclaimed, but at the same time would question the faulty perspective of the one being asked the question. Jesus did this time and time again in the Gospels, and by the end, the religious leaders would no longer attempt to answer His questions, knowing they would be undone by their own answers.
The third part of Jesus' answer is the real clincher to their question. Jesus makes a striking statement that no religious leader would or could miss. It is a statement of fact- regardless of the council's willingness to accept it.
Jesus says, "But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God's right hand." This statement is a powerful declaration of both His faith in His Father and His identity as the Messiah. In one breath Jesus says, "I am the Messiah and I entrust myself completely to My Father and His will for me."
How do I get that from Jesus' answer? Jesus sends what appears to be a cryptic message to our ears, but to the elders of the council it was an undeniable admission of His messiahship. They heard and understood Jesus' allusion to what we refer to as Psalm 110, a messianic psalm. Read these words and hear His answer to the elders' question- Are you the Messiah?
Jesus answers, " The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.' The Lord will extend your powerful kingdom from Jerusalem; you will rule over your enemies. When you go to war, your people will serve you willingly. You are arrayed in holy garments, and your strength will be renewed each day like the morning dew. The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord stands at your right hand to protect you. He will strike down many kings when his anger erupts. He will punish the nations and fill their lands with corpses; he will shatter heads over the whole earth. But he himself will be refreshed from brooks along the way. He will be victorious."Jesus is saying this Psalm is about Him. He is undeniably saying, "I am the Messiah. I will sit at God's right hand. He will extend my kingdom. I will rule over all. I am holy. I am the eternal priest. God will avenge me. I will be victorious."
The elders understood His answer. Do you?
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Trying, failing, but continuing on
I read Luke 22:54-65 this morning, which is the account of Peter's denial of Jesus. Peter does indeed deny Jesus three times as Jesus predicted he would. When Jesus told Peter earlier that he would deny Him, Peter refused to believe it- saying that he was "ready to go to prison...and even to die with you."
Unfortunately, Peter's good intentions didn't materialize. He did deny Jesus and was left with that bitter empty feeling when Jesus looked at him afterward.
I can identify with Peter. I have had good intentions of doing things for Jesus that didn't turn out the way I intended. I also have experienced that "bitter" feeling when I realize that I failed.
It is easy for people to look at Peter and shake their heads at his denials, but I see a man who at least tried. He might have failed and denied Jesus...but he was trying.
How was he trying? He was there. Everybody else ran away and hid. At least Peter followed.
I can feel Peter's tension in the story. Jesus is arrested by a mob. Dreams and hopes are shattered. Disciples are deserting Him and running away (the sense of danger must have been very real- at least one follower of Jesus runs away naked when the mob grabbed him by his clothes). Peter, struggling with his desires to flee for safety and self-preservation, follows the mob taking Jesus to the home of the high priest, but he does so at a safe distance.
Do you feel it? He wants to be there but at the same time he doesn't. He wants that zone of safety but he doesn't want to abandon Jesus either. There is that tension. It pulls at Peter and it pulls at me.
I want to follow Jesus no matter what the cost, but some times that pull for my safety, security and comfort makes it difficult. While I hate the tension in my life, I'm glad I feel it. It proves that I'm still fighting my flesh, my natural tendency to satisfy my desires. It is a tough battle. One that will last my entire life. It reminds my why Paul called following and trusting Jesus "a fight" (2 Tim. 4:7).
I know that I will lose some of these fights...I don't want to and don't intend to, but the reality is that I will. My goal is to continue fighting and not worry about failing. However, when I do fail I will not let the bitterness overwhelm me. I will go to Jesus, confess my sin, and start the fight all over again.
That is what Peter showed me. He tried. He failed. He was overcome with grief, but he didn't give up. He allowed Jesus to restore him and went on to an incredible life of faithfulness.
Unfortunately, Peter's good intentions didn't materialize. He did deny Jesus and was left with that bitter empty feeling when Jesus looked at him afterward.
I can identify with Peter. I have had good intentions of doing things for Jesus that didn't turn out the way I intended. I also have experienced that "bitter" feeling when I realize that I failed.
It is easy for people to look at Peter and shake their heads at his denials, but I see a man who at least tried. He might have failed and denied Jesus...but he was trying.
How was he trying? He was there. Everybody else ran away and hid. At least Peter followed.
I can feel Peter's tension in the story. Jesus is arrested by a mob. Dreams and hopes are shattered. Disciples are deserting Him and running away (the sense of danger must have been very real- at least one follower of Jesus runs away naked when the mob grabbed him by his clothes). Peter, struggling with his desires to flee for safety and self-preservation, follows the mob taking Jesus to the home of the high priest, but he does so at a safe distance.
Do you feel it? He wants to be there but at the same time he doesn't. He wants that zone of safety but he doesn't want to abandon Jesus either. There is that tension. It pulls at Peter and it pulls at me.
I want to follow Jesus no matter what the cost, but some times that pull for my safety, security and comfort makes it difficult. While I hate the tension in my life, I'm glad I feel it. It proves that I'm still fighting my flesh, my natural tendency to satisfy my desires. It is a tough battle. One that will last my entire life. It reminds my why Paul called following and trusting Jesus "a fight" (2 Tim. 4:7).
I know that I will lose some of these fights...I don't want to and don't intend to, but the reality is that I will. My goal is to continue fighting and not worry about failing. However, when I do fail I will not let the bitterness overwhelm me. I will go to Jesus, confess my sin, and start the fight all over again.
That is what Peter showed me. He tried. He failed. He was overcome with grief, but he didn't give up. He allowed Jesus to restore him and went on to an incredible life of faithfulness.
Monday, July 12, 2010
But I thought that is what you wanted...
I read Luke 22:47-53 this morning. This is the betrayal and arrest of Jesus in the garden. Luke gives a pretty straight forward telling of those events.
Judas leads the Pharisee posse to arrest Jesus in the garden at night. Judas identifies Jesus for his captors by giving Him a kiss- which is the height of irony. Peter, a man of action, jumps into the scene with his sword, cutting off one of the servant's ears.
You got to hand it to Peter. The last time I read, the disciples had only two swords. Peter was going to take on that whole posse, who I assume was armed as well, with two swords. Of course, he attacked one of the slaves, which I bet was not one of the armed members of the group. I don't think they made it a habit of giving weapons to their slaves.
Forget about his fighting strategy, or lack there of, for a minute. What I see in Peter is real courage at that moment. Humanly speaking, the odds were not in their favor. Peter, however, was not viewing the situation from a natural perspective. I believe he was viewing the situation from a faith perspective. He believed Jesus was the Messiah. He believed the power and the plan of God were with him so he jumped into the action.
Yet it didn't turn out like he probably thought it would. Instead of being Jesus' defender and the "lead warrior" in the first battle to establish Jesus' kingdom, Peter gets shut down in a sense. It is not a direct rebuke, but it is close enough. Jesus says, "No more of this." It is almost like He says, "Stop that Peter. That's enough nonsense."
He then picks up the ear Peter cut off and puts it back on the slave. It is almost as if Jesus erases everything Peter tried to do for Him.
When I read this, it is easy for me to believe that Peter is set up for a crisis of faith and eventual denials. I bet he is a little gun shy and uncertain. He thought or assumed that he knew what God was going to do, but it didn't happen that way. And even when he tried to do something, he did the wrong thing.
Have you ever been there? I have. It is frustrating...discouraging...and unsettling to say the least. You become so disoriented you don't know how to respond or what to do. It is as if you know, at that moment, whatever you do will probably be wrong. This causes you to become paralyzed. Not knowing what to do, you do nothing.
It is at these times I (and you) need to draw close to God. The temptation is to get mad at God because He didn't do it your way. Or we get mad at God because we looked foolish attempting something for Him that didn't work out.
That anger and frustration towards God will cause a lot of problems down the road if it is not dealt with as soon as possible. How do we deal with it?
-First, confess your frustration, anger, or disappointment with God. He already knows how you feel, so quit trying to hide it or act like it is not there.
-Second, remember that God's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. The problem was not with God, it was with our assumptions about God and His will. Ask God to give you wisdom about the situation (see James 1:5).
-Third, don't allow your frustration with God to isolate you from other believers. Find people who can encourage and speak truth to you about God and the situation. They might be the very way God answers your prayer for wisdom.
-Fourth, continue to obey what God has made clear to you. Don't allow the uncertainty in one area to cloud the clarity from God in another area of your life. It is easier to be led by God into the truth we don't know when we follow the truth He has already shown us.
-Fifth, give thanks to God anyway. We worship God because He is God...not just because things are going our way. This is the best way to take our eyes off of ourselves, our situation, and our disappointments and to place them on God. It helps us to remember to matter what we our currently going through, He will cause all things to work together for the good (Rom. 8:28). That is not surprising because we know His Will will happen and His will is always good and pleasing and perfect.
Just be patient.
Jesus, thank you for being patient with me when I try and do things for you that might not be what you wanted. Help me to endure through my struggles and disappointments so that I can learn what you really want for me.
Judas leads the Pharisee posse to arrest Jesus in the garden at night. Judas identifies Jesus for his captors by giving Him a kiss- which is the height of irony. Peter, a man of action, jumps into the scene with his sword, cutting off one of the servant's ears.
You got to hand it to Peter. The last time I read, the disciples had only two swords. Peter was going to take on that whole posse, who I assume was armed as well, with two swords. Of course, he attacked one of the slaves, which I bet was not one of the armed members of the group. I don't think they made it a habit of giving weapons to their slaves.
Forget about his fighting strategy, or lack there of, for a minute. What I see in Peter is real courage at that moment. Humanly speaking, the odds were not in their favor. Peter, however, was not viewing the situation from a natural perspective. I believe he was viewing the situation from a faith perspective. He believed Jesus was the Messiah. He believed the power and the plan of God were with him so he jumped into the action.
Yet it didn't turn out like he probably thought it would. Instead of being Jesus' defender and the "lead warrior" in the first battle to establish Jesus' kingdom, Peter gets shut down in a sense. It is not a direct rebuke, but it is close enough. Jesus says, "No more of this." It is almost like He says, "Stop that Peter. That's enough nonsense."
He then picks up the ear Peter cut off and puts it back on the slave. It is almost as if Jesus erases everything Peter tried to do for Him.
When I read this, it is easy for me to believe that Peter is set up for a crisis of faith and eventual denials. I bet he is a little gun shy and uncertain. He thought or assumed that he knew what God was going to do, but it didn't happen that way. And even when he tried to do something, he did the wrong thing.
Have you ever been there? I have. It is frustrating...discouraging...and unsettling to say the least. You become so disoriented you don't know how to respond or what to do. It is as if you know, at that moment, whatever you do will probably be wrong. This causes you to become paralyzed. Not knowing what to do, you do nothing.
It is at these times I (and you) need to draw close to God. The temptation is to get mad at God because He didn't do it your way. Or we get mad at God because we looked foolish attempting something for Him that didn't work out.
That anger and frustration towards God will cause a lot of problems down the road if it is not dealt with as soon as possible. How do we deal with it?
-First, confess your frustration, anger, or disappointment with God. He already knows how you feel, so quit trying to hide it or act like it is not there.
-Second, remember that God's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. The problem was not with God, it was with our assumptions about God and His will. Ask God to give you wisdom about the situation (see James 1:5).
-Third, don't allow your frustration with God to isolate you from other believers. Find people who can encourage and speak truth to you about God and the situation. They might be the very way God answers your prayer for wisdom.
-Fourth, continue to obey what God has made clear to you. Don't allow the uncertainty in one area to cloud the clarity from God in another area of your life. It is easier to be led by God into the truth we don't know when we follow the truth He has already shown us.
-Fifth, give thanks to God anyway. We worship God because He is God...not just because things are going our way. This is the best way to take our eyes off of ourselves, our situation, and our disappointments and to place them on God. It helps us to remember to matter what we our currently going through, He will cause all things to work together for the good (Rom. 8:28). That is not surprising because we know His Will will happen and His will is always good and pleasing and perfect.
Just be patient.
Jesus, thank you for being patient with me when I try and do things for you that might not be what you wanted. Help me to endure through my struggles and disappointments so that I can learn what you really want for me.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
God's will is a no-brainer
I read Luke 22:39-46 today. Luke records the events that happened right before His betrayal and arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Many are familiar with the account of Jesus' anguish before His crucifixion, how he prayed that God would take "this cup" away and how his intense agony caused Him to sweat drops of blood.
For me, one of the most important verses in all of the Bible occurs in this passage. It is Jesus' prayer that ends with these words, "Yet I want Your will to be done, not mine." I think that sums up the Christian life in a nutshell. Living the Christian life is about doing the will of God- not mine. That is why Jesus says we must follow Him (doing His will) and deny ourselves (not doing ours).
It is a struggle to live this way because my will is very strong. And even though I made a decision at one time in my life to become a Christ follower, living life as a Christ follower is not a one time action. It is a moment by moment, decision by decision lifestyle. It seems my life comes back to this prayer many times a day, where I pray and choose to do His will over mine.
There are times I fail...too often I follow my desires instead of His. However, I always go back; confessing I did it my way; thanking Him for His forgiveness; and re-surrendering my life back to Him. I have found following His will- no matter how difficult- is always better than mine.
It reminds me of the verse from Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." When I sin, choosing my will over God's, it is not because I think I'm going to mess things up. I choose my will because I think I'm right...or at least my choices will have the right outcome (the outcome I want). I never intentionally make choices thinking, "Oh, this decision is really going to mess up my life." Never. I have the uncanny ability to believe all of my decisions are right- that they will indeed make my life better.
Unfortunately, I find the second part of the verse is always right as well. All of my decisions that are outside of God's will end up wrong ("in the end it leads to death"). They seemed right, but they were not. And because they were wrong, all the hopes, desires, or outcomes that I envisioned never happened. I made decisions, that I knew went against God's will, and I have experienced the death of peace...joy...love...patience...trust.
It seems like all of my decisions should be "no-brainers," a decision you don't have too think much about it. If God's will is always right, or as Romans 12:2 says, "God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect," then why do I choose to go against it? Again, when I choose my way over God's, it ends in destruction or death- not what is good and pleasing and perfect. Think about it- what would you want, what results in death or a good, pleasing and perfect result?
That is when I discovered a very simple and profound truth- sin is not only wrong, it is stupid.
Jesus, thank you for showing me how to live...choosing Your will over mine. Thank you for modeling what it looks like to choose God's way even when it is not easy and causes much agony, because the truth is Your will is always good and pleasing and perfect.
For me, one of the most important verses in all of the Bible occurs in this passage. It is Jesus' prayer that ends with these words, "Yet I want Your will to be done, not mine." I think that sums up the Christian life in a nutshell. Living the Christian life is about doing the will of God- not mine. That is why Jesus says we must follow Him (doing His will) and deny ourselves (not doing ours).
It is a struggle to live this way because my will is very strong. And even though I made a decision at one time in my life to become a Christ follower, living life as a Christ follower is not a one time action. It is a moment by moment, decision by decision lifestyle. It seems my life comes back to this prayer many times a day, where I pray and choose to do His will over mine.
There are times I fail...too often I follow my desires instead of His. However, I always go back; confessing I did it my way; thanking Him for His forgiveness; and re-surrendering my life back to Him. I have found following His will- no matter how difficult- is always better than mine.
It reminds me of the verse from Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." When I sin, choosing my will over God's, it is not because I think I'm going to mess things up. I choose my will because I think I'm right...or at least my choices will have the right outcome (the outcome I want). I never intentionally make choices thinking, "Oh, this decision is really going to mess up my life." Never. I have the uncanny ability to believe all of my decisions are right- that they will indeed make my life better.
Unfortunately, I find the second part of the verse is always right as well. All of my decisions that are outside of God's will end up wrong ("in the end it leads to death"). They seemed right, but they were not. And because they were wrong, all the hopes, desires, or outcomes that I envisioned never happened. I made decisions, that I knew went against God's will, and I have experienced the death of peace...joy...love...patience...trust.
It seems like all of my decisions should be "no-brainers," a decision you don't have too think much about it. If God's will is always right, or as Romans 12:2 says, "God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect," then why do I choose to go against it? Again, when I choose my way over God's, it ends in destruction or death- not what is good and pleasing and perfect. Think about it- what would you want, what results in death or a good, pleasing and perfect result?
That is when I discovered a very simple and profound truth- sin is not only wrong, it is stupid.
Jesus, thank you for showing me how to live...choosing Your will over mine. Thank you for modeling what it looks like to choose God's way even when it is not easy and causes much agony, because the truth is Your will is always good and pleasing and perfect.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Denials and Swords
Began this morning with Luke 22:31-38. I'll have to admit this passage gave me plenty of things to think about...why would He let his disciples be "sifted like wheat" and why are they told to buy swords?
I can break up this passage into two sections- Peter is informed that he will deny Jesus and then a rather unclear portion about buying swords.
The first section is chilling. Jesus looks at the disciples and says, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat" (v.31). I never noticed that Satan asked to sift each of the disciples. I pretty much thought it was just Simon Peter that Satan desired to mess with. Even though Satan asks for permission to go after all the disciples, Jesus seems particularly concerned for Peter.
A couple of thoughts before I go on: First, I have no idea what being sifted like wheat looks like since I have not been around any farming/agriculture in my life. I do know that it doesn't sound good and that it is something I would like to avoid at all cost. Second, Jesus says that Satan asked if he could sift them like wheat. To which my next words would be, "You told him 'NO,' right?" That is what I want to hear. Satan asked to sift me and you said "NO."
Jesus, however, did not deny the request. He did say something positive to the disciples and, especially, Simon Peter. Jesus said, "I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail."
Two things that all people who call themselves Christians should know is that we will face trials that test and purify our faith (read James 1:2-3 and 1 Peter 1:5-7), and that Jesus prays for us (Hebrews 7:24-25).
While it might sound better for Jesus to have told the disciples I refused to allow Satan to sift you like wheat, it is truly better that we undergo trials, which strengthen our faith, and to have Jesus interceding for us...after all, whose prayers are more effective than Jesus'?
The next time you are going through a tough situation...a difficult circumstance...a painful trial- whatever you want to call it- remember that God is at work in you and Christ is at work (praying) for you.
The second section of this passage deals with buying swords. I looked this part up in some commentaries, which I don't normally use. I found myself thinking they are making this really confusing. One commentary said that the sword is a spiritual reference to the sword of the Spirit, since Jesus could not advocate violence by the use of a sword. Another said the sword represented government. One said the sword was a literal sword, but that he was sure it could only be used for defense. Another said that the sword was for defense against wild animals only.
I couldn't help but laugh at all of the mental gymnastics that these commentators were going through so that it didn't appear that Jesus was condoning violence. After reading the passage it seems more clear to me that Jesus simply had them buy swords because that is what "rebels" would possess. To me that seems to be the emphasis here...follow the logic with me:
-If you don't have a sword, buy one (v.36)
-the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: "He was counted among rebels"
-Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.
In my opinion, Jesus was saying there is a prophecy about me being with rebels...rebels have swords...go get some swords. I think that is all He is saying here.
Jesus, thank you for pleading for me in prayer that my faith will not fail.
I can break up this passage into two sections- Peter is informed that he will deny Jesus and then a rather unclear portion about buying swords.
The first section is chilling. Jesus looks at the disciples and says, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat" (v.31). I never noticed that Satan asked to sift each of the disciples. I pretty much thought it was just Simon Peter that Satan desired to mess with. Even though Satan asks for permission to go after all the disciples, Jesus seems particularly concerned for Peter.
A couple of thoughts before I go on: First, I have no idea what being sifted like wheat looks like since I have not been around any farming/agriculture in my life. I do know that it doesn't sound good and that it is something I would like to avoid at all cost. Second, Jesus says that Satan asked if he could sift them like wheat. To which my next words would be, "You told him 'NO,' right?" That is what I want to hear. Satan asked to sift me and you said "NO."
Jesus, however, did not deny the request. He did say something positive to the disciples and, especially, Simon Peter. Jesus said, "I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail."
Two things that all people who call themselves Christians should know is that we will face trials that test and purify our faith (read James 1:2-3 and 1 Peter 1:5-7), and that Jesus prays for us (Hebrews 7:24-25).
While it might sound better for Jesus to have told the disciples I refused to allow Satan to sift you like wheat, it is truly better that we undergo trials, which strengthen our faith, and to have Jesus interceding for us...after all, whose prayers are more effective than Jesus'?
The next time you are going through a tough situation...a difficult circumstance...a painful trial- whatever you want to call it- remember that God is at work in you and Christ is at work (praying) for you.
The second section of this passage deals with buying swords. I looked this part up in some commentaries, which I don't normally use. I found myself thinking they are making this really confusing. One commentary said that the sword is a spiritual reference to the sword of the Spirit, since Jesus could not advocate violence by the use of a sword. Another said the sword represented government. One said the sword was a literal sword, but that he was sure it could only be used for defense. Another said that the sword was for defense against wild animals only.
I couldn't help but laugh at all of the mental gymnastics that these commentators were going through so that it didn't appear that Jesus was condoning violence. After reading the passage it seems more clear to me that Jesus simply had them buy swords because that is what "rebels" would possess. To me that seems to be the emphasis here...follow the logic with me:
-If you don't have a sword, buy one (v.36)
-the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: "He was counted among rebels"
-Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.
In my opinion, Jesus was saying there is a prophecy about me being with rebels...rebels have swords...go get some swords. I think that is all He is saying here.
Jesus, thank you for pleading for me in prayer that my faith will not fail.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
You'll be betrayed, but I'm the greatest..?
I read Luke 22:7-30 this morning. It is so interesting to read these passages and see the reactions (or lack of reaction) of the disciples.
One of the reasons I love the Bible is that it doesn't try to "dress up" the people involved, you know what I mean? The Bible just puts peoples' stories out there- the good and the bad. It doesn't try and make apologies for people or cover up their sins. Look at any person from the Bible and you will find them getting it wrong just as many times they get it right- Abraham, Jacob, David, Joseph, etc.
The disciples are treated the same way. Thomas doubts Jesus rose from the dead. Peter walks on water- but sinks...and oh yeah, he denied Jesus three times. James and John want to call fire down from Heaven to destroy their enemies. I could go on and on, but I feel hypocritical because I haven't recorded my failures for people to read.
What's my point? I read this passage about the Last Supper and I am amazed at what gets the attention of the disciples and what doesn't...and what gets their attention is really unflattering of them (in my opinion). In one paragraph the disciples move from Jesus telling them that He will be betrayed and killed to them arguing about who is the greatest among them?
So what gets their attention? Themselves. It seems to be all they can think about. Jesus tells them this is the last time He will eat this meal and no one questions Him about that. Jesus introduces new meaning to the bread and the wine and no one asks Him about it.
However, when Jesus says He will be betrayed by one of the disciples sitting at the table- it launches a lively discussion. By the way, even when Jesus says He will be betrayed and must die, the group gives more discussion to who would or wouldn't betray Jesus (themselves) than to the fact that Jesus will die. Here their Master has told them that He will die and all they can think about is themselves, whether they could or couldn't betray Him. I just don't get it.
Look at their discussion in verses 23 and 24. It starts by them asking who could do such a thing as betray Jesus. Then they begin to argue about who is the greatest among them. Don't you see it? It is like they begin the discussion gently, "Which one of us could do such a thing?" And then tt turns heated when, I guess, someone throws out a possibility.
I can hear it in my head now. John asks, "Who could do that?" Simon (the Zealot) answers, "Not me...but why don't we think about someone who has shown to be a turncoat in the past like Matthew. I wouldn't put it past him. He has betrayed in the past...turning on his own people to collect taxes for the Romans. I say once a betrayer, always a betrayer!"
Matthew would respond, "Not me. Did you see how much I gave up to follow Jesus? I left all that money and security to follow Jesus. I wouldn't turn my back on Him now. Peter, however, he is so impetuous."
In my mind I can hear the discussion shift from questioning who could do that, to accusations, and then to strong denials. It says in verse 24, "Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them." That is the strongest denial a person could make. I couldn't deny Jesus, I'm the most important one in the group.
I know that some of this is speculation on my part, but it amazes me that the disciples seem to miss the important issues (like His leaving them, His death, and the changes He made to the sacred Passover meal) and focus on themselves.
This challenges me because I know that there are many important things that God reveals to me and yet my focus is still on myself. I would be embarrassed if my attempts to follow Jesus were written down in a book that recorded my failures as well as when I get it right. I wonder if that book were written, would the readers just shake their heads saying, "How could Shane miss that? Didn't he hears what Jesus was saying? Why was he so focused on himself?"
I hope and pray that I'll have clarity about the things Jesus reveals to me.
One of the reasons I love the Bible is that it doesn't try to "dress up" the people involved, you know what I mean? The Bible just puts peoples' stories out there- the good and the bad. It doesn't try and make apologies for people or cover up their sins. Look at any person from the Bible and you will find them getting it wrong just as many times they get it right- Abraham, Jacob, David, Joseph, etc.
The disciples are treated the same way. Thomas doubts Jesus rose from the dead. Peter walks on water- but sinks...and oh yeah, he denied Jesus three times. James and John want to call fire down from Heaven to destroy their enemies. I could go on and on, but I feel hypocritical because I haven't recorded my failures for people to read.
What's my point? I read this passage about the Last Supper and I am amazed at what gets the attention of the disciples and what doesn't...and what gets their attention is really unflattering of them (in my opinion). In one paragraph the disciples move from Jesus telling them that He will be betrayed and killed to them arguing about who is the greatest among them?
So what gets their attention? Themselves. It seems to be all they can think about. Jesus tells them this is the last time He will eat this meal and no one questions Him about that. Jesus introduces new meaning to the bread and the wine and no one asks Him about it.
However, when Jesus says He will be betrayed by one of the disciples sitting at the table- it launches a lively discussion. By the way, even when Jesus says He will be betrayed and must die, the group gives more discussion to who would or wouldn't betray Jesus (themselves) than to the fact that Jesus will die. Here their Master has told them that He will die and all they can think about is themselves, whether they could or couldn't betray Him. I just don't get it.
Look at their discussion in verses 23 and 24. It starts by them asking who could do such a thing as betray Jesus. Then they begin to argue about who is the greatest among them. Don't you see it? It is like they begin the discussion gently, "Which one of us could do such a thing?" And then tt turns heated when, I guess, someone throws out a possibility.
I can hear it in my head now. John asks, "Who could do that?" Simon (the Zealot) answers, "Not me...but why don't we think about someone who has shown to be a turncoat in the past like Matthew. I wouldn't put it past him. He has betrayed in the past...turning on his own people to collect taxes for the Romans. I say once a betrayer, always a betrayer!"
Matthew would respond, "Not me. Did you see how much I gave up to follow Jesus? I left all that money and security to follow Jesus. I wouldn't turn my back on Him now. Peter, however, he is so impetuous."
In my mind I can hear the discussion shift from questioning who could do that, to accusations, and then to strong denials. It says in verse 24, "Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them." That is the strongest denial a person could make. I couldn't deny Jesus, I'm the most important one in the group.
I know that some of this is speculation on my part, but it amazes me that the disciples seem to miss the important issues (like His leaving them, His death, and the changes He made to the sacred Passover meal) and focus on themselves.
This challenges me because I know that there are many important things that God reveals to me and yet my focus is still on myself. I would be embarrassed if my attempts to follow Jesus were written down in a book that recorded my failures as well as when I get it right. I wonder if that book were written, would the readers just shake their heads saying, "How could Shane miss that? Didn't he hears what Jesus was saying? Why was he so focused on himself?"
I hope and pray that I'll have clarity about the things Jesus reveals to me.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Don't name your kid that...
I began reading Luke 22 this morning. The chapter begins with Judas' agreement to betray Jesus.
There is not really a whole lot I can say about it. I think everyone has some kind of opinion already about Judas. He's not a Bible hero.
You know how you can tell who Bible heroes are? Look at names people give their children. David, killed Goliath- hero. Stephen, first martyr of the church- hero. Daniel, came out of the Lion's Den- hero. All heroes and all names we use today.
You especially see this with twins. Joshua, led the people into the Promise Land- hero, and Caleb, one of the spies who believed God and fought the tough battles- hero. Jonathan, loyal friend to David- hero, and David, aforementioned hero. It is like a rule you have to pair the heroes up for twins. You can't have one child with a hero name and the other not be a hero. That is just not fair. It clearly sets one child on a different path than the other.
I am joking but there is some truth to this. No one names their child Judas anymore. It appears to be a popular name in Jesus' time, two of His twelve disciples were named that. Not anymore. Judas' betrayal shut down a whole name for boys...just like Jezebel shut down the girl's market. If you ever meet a family with a set of twins (fraternal of course) named Judas and Jezebel, I think you get a whole lot of insight into that family right away.
Ok...so I get a little sidetracked from time to time, but there is one thing I picked up on in my reading today. Luke writes that "Satan entered into Judas..." I really don't know what that means completely. (John also writes that Satan enters into Judas when he leaves the Last Supper to betray Him in John 13:2 and 13:27).
I know that I probably have no idea what Judas was going through. I, unfortunately, seem to be able to "betray Jesus" on my own when I sin. Sometimes I come up with the lamest excuses. I justify an angry outburst with "I'm really tired." Like, if I weren't so tired then I wouldn't be so irritable. Stuff like that- do you know what I mean?
I'm not trying to make light of sin at all here. It is just very striking to have the Biblical writers clearly draw attention to Satan entering Judas so that he betrays Jesus. None of us could withstand Satan entering us.
Judas is a tragic figure. He was once a trusted and close friend of Jesus but now He is known as the Betrayer.
I know these are just random thoughts, but my last thought ran toward this- one action can mark a person for the rest of their life. But I know that for most of us, our lives will not be defined by one action but by many actions that reveal our true character. What will my actions reveal today?
Jesus, I pray that my actions don't betray You but that they glorify You.
There is not really a whole lot I can say about it. I think everyone has some kind of opinion already about Judas. He's not a Bible hero.
You know how you can tell who Bible heroes are? Look at names people give their children. David, killed Goliath- hero. Stephen, first martyr of the church- hero. Daniel, came out of the Lion's Den- hero. All heroes and all names we use today.
You especially see this with twins. Joshua, led the people into the Promise Land- hero, and Caleb, one of the spies who believed God and fought the tough battles- hero. Jonathan, loyal friend to David- hero, and David, aforementioned hero. It is like a rule you have to pair the heroes up for twins. You can't have one child with a hero name and the other not be a hero. That is just not fair. It clearly sets one child on a different path than the other.
I am joking but there is some truth to this. No one names their child Judas anymore. It appears to be a popular name in Jesus' time, two of His twelve disciples were named that. Not anymore. Judas' betrayal shut down a whole name for boys...just like Jezebel shut down the girl's market. If you ever meet a family with a set of twins (fraternal of course) named Judas and Jezebel, I think you get a whole lot of insight into that family right away.
Ok...so I get a little sidetracked from time to time, but there is one thing I picked up on in my reading today. Luke writes that "Satan entered into Judas..." I really don't know what that means completely. (John also writes that Satan enters into Judas when he leaves the Last Supper to betray Him in John 13:2 and 13:27).
I know that I probably have no idea what Judas was going through. I, unfortunately, seem to be able to "betray Jesus" on my own when I sin. Sometimes I come up with the lamest excuses. I justify an angry outburst with "I'm really tired." Like, if I weren't so tired then I wouldn't be so irritable. Stuff like that- do you know what I mean?
I'm not trying to make light of sin at all here. It is just very striking to have the Biblical writers clearly draw attention to Satan entering Judas so that he betrays Jesus. None of us could withstand Satan entering us.
Judas is a tragic figure. He was once a trusted and close friend of Jesus but now He is known as the Betrayer.
I know these are just random thoughts, but my last thought ran toward this- one action can mark a person for the rest of their life. But I know that for most of us, our lives will not be defined by one action but by many actions that reveal our true character. What will my actions reveal today?
Jesus, I pray that my actions don't betray You but that they glorify You.
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