The Struggle is Real . . . So is the Answer.

Scripture: Luke 22:45-46 "When [Jesus] rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, he found them sleeping from sorrow. then he said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."

Observations:
There are several observations I see in this passage. Prayer is indispensable. Prayer protects. The apostles and Jesus were united in heart ache. Prayer is supreme. Sorrow is dangerous. All these concepts are buried in the passage of Luke 22:31-46.

Luke describes an emotional roller coaster in Chapter 22. The excitement that any Jew would experience during preparation for the Passover was overshadowed by Jesus' affirmation that he would be rejected by the people. The joy of the Passover meal, which was based on God's salvation from the Egyptian captivity, was covered by the looming betrayal of one of Jesus' disciples--betrayal that Jesus knew would lead to his own death. John's description of this time period shows a closeness--an intimacy--with strands of fear and uncertainty woven into it. To make matters worse, Jesus (seemingly) changes his peace-loving tactics and says they should arm themselves for protection . . . more pending danger? We can see the sadness was overwhelming for the disciples, for Jesus, for all of them.

It is this context that Jesus uses to teach on the perils of the soul and the protection of prayer.

Twice Jesus warns them to pray. But why? He said, "so you don't fall into temptation." Wait. What? "Jesus, we're hurting. We're afraid. We're saddened to even think of you leaving and now you're even telling us you're going to die! We've given up everything to be with you; if you're gone, we have nothing--no where to go. And we love you. Why are you disregarding our pain with preaching on sin?"

Why, indeed?

Emotional distress and pain will come to all. And it's dangerous, Jesus says. The truth is in my sorrow often I'm tempted to abandon God. We've experienced time and time again that it's an opportunity to turn to a thousand things that promise to satisfy and comfort us, but, alas, satisfaction and comfort are the very things God desires to give us and, in fact, are the things that he alone can actually give. He is also the guard rail to keep us from careening over the cliff of selfishness into-self-pity. When I'm reminded I'm not in control of things--and consequently, that I can't truly protect what I hold dear--abandoning God is ultimately a sure path to a spiraling descent into mental suicide.


So, we should pray.

Imagine the deep gash I would inflict on my wife if in my pain I ran to another woman instead of her. That would be insanity. It is the same with God. He has jealousy over his children and his relationship with them. The question here usually is, "How is that okay?" But's it's not just "okay"; truly, it's a good thing! After all, he is the greatest good in the universe--the greatest comfort--the greatest satisfaction. If anything else becomes the salve for our wounds or the source of our joy, we are in fact settling for something far, far, far less good, comforting, or satisfying.

Finally, prayer is the dam stopping the flood of sins (and, indeed, they are sins) that result in making something else god or striving to control it all (trying to be God). So, it's not just a matter of exchanging the greatest Good for a lesser satisfaction. No, as Jesus warned, failing to seek God in our pain, loneliness, fear, or disappointment (or even all joys and happiness and successes) will cause us to sin each and every time. How can I say that so confidently? Doesn't that require an unsubstantiated judgment on everyone? I do not think so simply because it is in and of itself a sin--the sin of idolatry that replaces God with something we think will better meet our needs. If the first step of replacing God is a sin, then necessarily, without immediate repentance and returning to God, walking down that road will only lead us into more sin.


Application:
So, pray. Pray when we hurt. Pray when sorrow seems to be our most loyal friend. Pray when disappointment grips you like a jacked up wrestler. Pray when doubt trips you in full sprint. Pray when fear gathers an army to assault your dreams.

Why pray? Because God is stronger than all these emotions. Pray because God knows, feels, and understands your turmoil. Pray because God is a good Father who wants to hold you in his arms until the thundering storm fades into the distance. And pray because God is the the only one that can actually do anything about your "enemies."

Begin today--set a daily appointment. Make time on your schedule to thank him, ask him for help, pour out your heart to him, LISTEN to him, and tell him what he means to you. That last bit may seem pointless if in fact he already knows, but here is a thing we do not always realize--always our pleasure in a beautiful sunset of our favorite song is incomplete until we praise it--speak of it--tell someone about it. It is the same with praising God; our joy in him must be expressed if our joy is to be full.

Prayer: . . .

Take Me To Your Leader

Scripture: Luke 20:1-8 "One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, 'Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.' He answered them, 'I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?' And they discussed it with one another, saying, 'If we say, "From heaven," he will say, "Why did you not believe him?" But if we say, "From man," all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.' So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.'"

Observation:
The religious leaders of the day challenged Jesus’ authority. How did they go about it? They did so by their own claim to authority. We know from other passages in the gospels that the pharisees were greedy and unjust and selfishly motivated. It makes sense that they would feel so threatened by a man who calls them out and brings repudiation to their position. Thus, in fear of losing power they demand an answer from Jesus. In ignorance, they sought to enslave the God they purported to serve. Jesus refused them that authority. They, by their question, implied he to be lower than them. They demanded an answer and Jesus replied by reaffirming his independence and preeminence.

Furthermore, it is not just to those that ask sinfully that Jesus withholds the resolution to some requests. He often does not answer the cancer patient, the barren mother, the orphaned child, and the abandoned spouse just as he did with the pharisees. What is the difference then? Jesus responses are categorically different based strictly on our heart's approach to the throne. Psalm 18:27 says, "For you will save the humble people, but will bring down haughty looks." And so it is.

Application:
Guard my heart from arrogance. Jesus is the authority over all things, so when I seek an answer, guard my heart from a wrong expectation just as the clay cannot demand an answer from the potter.

He will not answer all questions, but he will be wholly faithful, loving, and patient as I struggle through that which I don’t understand.

Prayer:

Be "That Guy"

Soap Dentures?

Scripture: Luke 17:15-16 "Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus 'feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan."

Observation: The Samaritan (there may have been other Samaritans among the lepers, but this one came back) returned to Jesus because he recognized Jesus' lordship. As far as the story describes they were all healed and very likely all responded in faith. Jesus, however, says in verse 19, "Your faith has made you well."

What was significant about this man's faith that separated him from the others? The answer, which verifies my conjecture about this man's recognition of Jesus' deity, comes in verse 18, where Jesus says, "Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" The truth is that the other nine did give glory to God. They did it at the temple just as Jesus commanded. What does Jesus mean then? I think that this "foreigner" came to Jesus himself. He saw Jesus for who he truly is rather than just a healer. He saw Jesus as greater than the priest, greater than the temple; Jesus was worth of the praise and worship. Incredibly, Jesus took his praise, which according to Jesus fulfilled th Law's requirement to show himself to the priest: "Arise, go your way . . ." (vs. 19)

Application: Jesus is the new covenant. He has finished the requirements of the Law. I cannot, and should not try to, earn God's approval. First, it never was nor ever will be possible for me to get anywhere near heaven or God by doing or being good or good enough. According to the one setting the standard (God) only perfection is "good enough" and, frankly, we've all blown that 1,000,000 times over already.

Second, to even attempt to be good enough is an offense to Jesus of the most grotesque kind. Why is that? We all know the offense of someone's attempts to repay us for a gift. The offense only grows as the cost of the gift climbs--and that "cost" doesn't does not alway indicate financial burden. How can anyone price the cost to Jesus that my forgiveness required of him? Jesus not only freely died in my place, but he also lived in my place. His entire 33 years, every day of them, were for me . . . for us. What a scandal it is when we--I--purpose to repay him with Sunday morning service attendance, or a tithe, or prayer, reading the Bible, volunteering at a non-profit or youth group.

But even more than that, Satan and our own blind thinking would have us thinking God doesn't view us in love. We erroneously believe that God puts up with us so long as we tow the line. We fail to see that he desperately and passionately loves us! We forget that God pursued us first! He didn't do that just to turn around and require some slavish effort. No! God bought us and brought us into a life of freedom.

He's not glaring at us with arms crossed! His arms are wide open waiting for us to notice that he is running to us and wants us to run to him. Application? Run to Jesus!

Prayer: . . .

Treasures Untold or Treasures Unclaimed

Scripture: Luke 16:11 "If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches."

Observation:
"unrighteous wealth" - simply not of eternal nature; not part of the promises of God.

Jesus described being unfaithful in unrighteous wealth in the preceding parables. In Luke 15:11-31 the "prodigal son" left and "squandered his property in reckless living." Later, the older son said they knew that included prostitutes. In Chapter 16, the rich man's manager had "wasted" the master's possessions. The wasteful manager was commended for being shrewd, but he should have used it to manage the finances.

Application: What are the distorted perspectives that cause one to be unfaithful? How do those attitudes relate to true riches? And why should my treatment of it here impact eternity?

It has been noted the Bible talks about money almost more than anything else (that fact makes it kind of ironic that so many people find it inappropriate for leaders of the church to talk about it at all during a service). Why is that? Perhaps it is because the Bible has two main categories of content. I'll call them the spiritual and the natural. Finances have been around since jump street. They say it makes the world go around.

In truth money impacts both realms.

What I mean to say is, I think the spending and allocation of one's money is the most visible indicator of the state of one's heart as it pertains to God. A love of God necessitates a trust in God above all else, money not excepting. Jesus was clear that you cannot have two loves; it's God or money, but not both. So, the distorted perspective is that money, not God, is the ultimate safety net. It believes money, not God, bring the best life has to offer. It reasons money, not God, will satisfy a hungry soul and protect from hazard. Perhaps most pitiably, it believes the highest quality life requires sufficient amount of money instead of sufficient amounts of God.

But why should my present attitude affect my future residence? The easy answer, though no less true, is "That's the way God wants it." So be it. But perhaps a more refined answer is "What you don't want now, you won't want in the next life." The reverse is the essence of the Christian heart--"What I yearn for now is what I'll long for in the ext life." The believer longs for God, for Jesus, for the Spirit, for the promise of a home that cannot and will not be found in this present domain. We've seen through the facade. We know money cannot buy happiness. We've accepted we cannot, regardless of how hard we try, have our best life now. To ascribe to that, frankly, is to cup our ears to the venomous deceit of Satan himself.

In fact, to believe otherwise I would say is to levy an expectation upon a world that is simply too heavy a burden for it to bear up under. As Seth Stewart recently purported (paraphrased): "God created us for a station too high for this created place to deliver."

The question Jesus left to those who will hear is, "How do you need to adjust your heart today toward money and God?"

Prayer: Father, can I separate the pursuit of success from the perspective of sanctification? Is there space for wealth in the separation from wordiness? I'm not asking theoretically. Truly, can I walk both the path of righteousness and the road of physical prosperity? If so, where are the guard rails to keep my soul from abandoning the narrow road to the narrow gate of your presence?

Where Did These Shackles Come From?

Scripture: Luke 13:15-17 "Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him."

Observation: This verse ends a passage in which Jesus is scolded by a ruler of a Jewish synagogue because he healed a woman on the sabbath. Jesu harshly rebuked the Jewish spiritual leader by pointing out that the same man would care for an owned animal on the sabbath; therefore, to not be the same present help and compassion to a person based on a man-made rule was a great hypocrisy.

And look at the crowds reactions! They "rejoice." Over what were they rejoicing? I think all who followed Jesus lived under the spiritual rule of men who maintained the exact same hypocritical standards. The people's reaction to Jesus' declaration is revealing. It clearly demonstrates that Jesus' words brought emancipation to people under oppressive, stifling, and lifeless religious rules and carries them into refreshing, invigorating, and liberating hope in a God who loves us as a perfect father or care-taker. This was new to them. This was life-shaking.

Prior to Jesus's words the people labored under the weight of works-based righteousness. After Jesus' words of encouragement (at least, they were encouraging to the masses) the crowds had the hope of a God who is for them, who knows their need and pain, who pursues them and comforts them, and who welcomes all, especially those who are looked down upon, who are just seeking open arms--not critical eyes.

Application: Rejoice! Surely the crowds who heard Jesus drew nearer to him after this. The same words are spoken to us today: "You are a treasure to God. He knows your pain. He knows your trouble. He knows your need. He knows all your sin and failures. And he does not turn away from you. Rather he is seeking you and wants to give you what you need. He wants to give you himself, which is the only truly satisfying thing."

James 4:7 "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you."

Prayer: . . .

I Hear You

Scripture: Luke 11:13 "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."

Observation: Clearly Luke chose "the Holy Spirit" intentionally when he recorded Jesus' instructions on the need to pray, pray specifically, pray frequently, pray expectantly, pray passionately, pray with faith, pray unguardedly, and pray confidently. But such a response--the promise of the Holy Spirit--seems, at first, strange. It seems strange until I begin to see God Himself as the first and greatest answer to prayer.

What do I mean by that? Jesus main point in this context is that God will give good things to his children when they ask. Thus, Jesus' promise that the Holy Spirit is a sure gift to the asker makes perfect sense--God Himself is the greatest good! God seeks those that will first and foremost pursue him and desire him when they or those they care about face struggles, hardship, and lack in this life (Matt. 6:33).

Proverbs 30:8-9 says ". . . give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' or lest I be poor and steal
 and profane the name of my God." In this Proverb the writer is expressing his passion for God. He asks God to arrange his life in such a way that it does not become a hindrance to his faith in God nor a distraction from his pursuit of God. Priority #1 is the experience of God and with that God will fill all the gaps that are bound to come. In this Proverb the request centers around money, but it applies to fame and shame, health and sickness, popularity and loneliness, and accomplishment and failure alike.

But is this a right request? I see a danger in it. There is a sense in which I could pray for a life free of extremes under the auspice of "contentment," but while contentment is good (Heb. 13:5), when it comes to our desire for God it is a poor descriptor.

Therein lies the danger.

I do not need to be reserved in my pursuit of God. As C. S. Lewis wrote, I am not unfilled because my passions are too lofty. I am dissatisfied with things in my life because my passions are too base! I wallow in the mud seeking treasure when all the while the purest and strongest pleasures which are only found in God Himself are offered freely to me. My fervor is set on a target too low. In seeking contentment, I have mistakenly categorized the relationship with my Creator with cookies, cars, square footage of my home, and accolades among my profession! Be content with such things as I have, but be content with no less than the fullness of God!

Application:
Pray. Pray specifically. Pray frequently. Pray expectantly. Pray passionately. Pray with faith. Pray unguardedly. Pray confidently.

Believe that Psalm 16:11 is true. Treasure the presence and knowledge of God like a suitor cherishes being with and learning about his betrothed.

Prayer: . . .

Not Good.

Scripture: Luke 7:4 "And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, 'He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.'"

Observations:
"Jesus, you should help out this most honorable man. After all he has done so much good--he deserves it. He has earned it."

This passage reflects some deep concepts and truths. Foundational ones. Is there any such thing as a "good" person? Can we earn God's favor? Or to put it another way, can God's favor be earned? What is the benefit of the good things we do--the things that bless others? These questions should be answered individually

1. Is there any such thing as a "good" person? That question is answered on multiple levels, but the answer is pivotal in grasping the error of what the Jewish elders said. If we judge according to what people can see, the answer is "Yes," and not just religious people would be judged thus. Most unreligious persons live morally good lives. This fact leads to the objection, "Then does religion have anything to do with morality? Is religion dispensable?" In a way, yes; but ultimately, no. Why? Because there is a difference between the state of a thing being good and the reason that such a thing is good. [This is way too extensive a subject to discuss here, but it is the difference between our epistemology and our metaphysics. I've seen many, if not most, people confuse these two and the consequences of doing so have been frustration on my part and really bad logical processes on their part.] Essentially, people are generally morally good because the moral law is written on our hearts. God wrote it there to testify of himself. So, even if we were not taught a set moral code by society we would still arrive at many of the same moral decisions most cultures hold as right and good. So, "yes" there are good people.

However, if we answer the same question by climbing high into the mountains and looking down upon the moral value question, taking the sight of God, the answer becomes "No" and a resounding one at that! Some may ask, "Is it arrogance to assume to know the mind of God on this?" But luckily it is not arrogance, but rather this question has already been clearly given by God Himself, "No one is good, but One, that is, God" (Matthew 19:17 spoken by Jesus). The same truth is affirmed through the Holy Spirit by the Jewish disciple Paul when he said, "There is no one good; no, not one . . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:10 and 23).

That last statement is so key to this first question: "the glory of God." As Jesus stated that God alone is good, God is the actual standard for good. I can walk at street level and identify the good things people do, but from God who stands in the skyscraper looking across the city of humanity the term "good" becomes my--our--impartial judge and condemning jury.

Alas, if the God of all creation condemns us as evil, whatever shall we do?

2. Can we earn God's favor? Or to put it another way, can God's favor be earned? I group these two questions together because I think the second is really just a more appropriate way of stating the first. The answer to the latter is, "Yes, God's favor can be earned." . . . if I'm perfect . . . and by perfect I mean, entirely sinless for my entire life. So, now the question has transitioned from theoretical to practical--and now the answer is "No," or rather, "Not by me" (or any other person). But that is exactly what the Jewish elders were claiming. This centurion deserved God's blessings. He had earned it. The Jewish elders sought to convince Jesus to give healing to the centurion's servant based on the merit of the centurion. They brought a resume of accolades for him. This very concept is what Jesus rebuked the Jewish leadership on over and over and over. They were living their whole lives as hypocrites . . . knowing they weren't good, but pretending like they were and trying to earn eternal life by following rules. They were fooling themselves.

Of course, now I'm in just as dismal as a place as at the end of the first answer. Now no one is actually good and no one can earn God's favor. The situation seems hopeless.

3. But the centurion's own words tell a much different story and reveal what Jesus saw and why he would go with the elders at all. The centurion revealed humility and a recognition of his real standing before a holy God (vs. 6 and 7). The elders thought they could argue or convince God into blessing the centurion with healing; the centurion knew he could never--not with decades of "good" works--earn favor. Jesus responded to the heart of the centurion, not the hard work of the centurion. Jesus was attracted to the lowliness of his attitude, not the lavishing of praise by the elders.

This is the summation of it: Jesus always offers grace to the humble, but resistance to the proud. His favor is a gift only made possible by his very own grotesque death on a brutal cross. And the only work that could be done to make one acceptable before God has already been completed by Jesus--it is a finished and complete work. This then leaves to us only the work of submitting ourselves to God as unworthy of his presence and falling into the gentle arms of his wonderful, endless, comforting, tireless grace.

So, can we be good truly? No. Can we earn acceptance from God? No. But in this passage the exact reason for Jesus' life and death and resurrection from the dead are revealed. He lived to fulfill every rule that God has given us in our place. He died to take the true penalty for our sin in our place. He rose from the dead as Lord of everyone who will accept him for who he is and for everyone who will accept what he has done.

But that still leaves one question unanswered, but this is long enough at this point.

Application: Stop trying to flaunt my impressive qualities; God sees the truth of my sinful character and Jesus died for it. Stop trying to earn God's approval; Jesus did that for me. Rest in the finished work of Jesus.

Prayer: Father, you are so, so good. Bless you, bless you. I just say Amen and I love you.

You Reap and I Sow

Scripture: Galatians 5:7 "for whatever one sows, that will he also reap."

Observation: People are bound by this law which God has designed: "we reap what we sow." Important to remember is that God does not declare rules for which he is not also the perfect display. Thus, Jesus sowed an incredible life of service to God and gained for himself eternal life by fulfilling each and every part of the law via perfect obedience. However, Jesus has no need to reap eternal life for himself because he in himself is eternal life. Therefore, Jesus offers to us the opportunity to reap what he has sown. We have not worked the work (because in fact we cannot work the work that Jesus worked when he fulfilled every part of the law [ref. Romans 8:3-4]), but we get to reap the reward.

What did Jesus in fact sow? In other words, what are the characteristics of the life which he sowed and reaped? He sowed healthy relationships. He sowed a right attitude toward money. He sowed faithfulness toward God and others. He sowed forgiveness. He sowed patience. He sowed comforting. He sowed compassion. He sowed sincerity. He sowed justice. He sowed mercy. He sowed zeal for God. He sowed righteous working for God's kingdom. He sowed holiness. He sowed soundness of perspective and sight. And he asks us, "Who will come reap from my abundant harvest?"

Application: We, through Jesus, may now be given all of the life that Jesus has reaped . . . reaping that life in all of its character and details. Believe in what Jesus has done, believe in what Jesus has promised to do in the future, and believe what Jesus has said he will do for us in the present.

Prayer: Father, you alone are good and able to satisfy me with true life. I confess that I try almost daily to do the impossible--to earn eternal life. I ignore the offer of life and the Spirit who is my power and means for actually living in life. I attempt to define "life" in my own way and then I pursue that however I think it should be pursued. Would you change me? Please sour my taste for what an unbelieving world holds up as life. Please replace it with a lusting for you and the pleasures that you eagerly hold out to me. I don't ask you to remove my "want" for a great life. I ask for you to redirect that "want" to the table of your delights. I love you. Amen.

What Food Do We Long For? Where Do We Look To Find It?

Scripture: "And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you."

Observation: Jesus' primary mission was (is) the spiritual restoration and revival of people. The spiritual has priority over the physical. That holds true for everyone, everywhere, in all times, even those on a deathbed where the physical need has almost brought the physical life to an end. Why? Because after the physical life (this present one) ends, the spiritual continues on. At first glance, my physical sins appear to cause the my spiritual separation from God and the subsequent spiritual deadness, but in fact the latter has caused the former.

Were the crowds looking for spiritual salvation? No. The people wanted Jesus to deal with the physical--physical freedom from Rome and masters, physical healing, physical monetary longings, physical hunger, physical aloneness, and whatever else they felt. I--we--often respond to Jesus similarly. Yet, the spiritual trumps the felt physical needs. Why? Because what we fail to see is that there is a spiritual equivalent that drives the physical longing or that represents or symbolizes the physical need. The physical is meant to point me to my deep spiritual need. Therefore, Jesus makes clear his true mission: "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (Luke 6:32)

Doesn't that trivialize the physical needs of people? Not at all. Did Jesus trivialize them? No. Rather he never lost sight of the fact that the physical (1) is temporary and (2) never ceases to have needs (during this life, I mean). We will always want for food or healing or relationship in this life. It is an "endless" vacuum. Unfortunately, we can--and often do--meet all those needs, but fail to recognize or address the spiritual need that is also constantly calling for our attention. And if I give myself physical food, but fail to seek the food God offers through Jesus I am lost eternally to the consequences of my own sin. However, if I fail to feed my physical need, but I feast on the sustenance of God in Jesus this body may die, but I will immediately pass into eternal life with complete wholeness and no lack forever.

Application: In every moment that I have a need or desire in the physical, give pause to consider the spiritual lack that is driving said physical longing. Often after reflection on my spiritual emptiness and subsequent turning to God in prayer for satisfaction of that need, the physical becomes either less significant or more bearable. Let the physical needs remind me of my need for God and drive me toward deeper relationship with him.

Prayer: Lord, I bless you; oh, how I bless you! Your goodness is limitless. You have no need for anything--you are perfected perfection--and therefore you are here to give freely all that I need. And you give liberally by grace. I am free from any requirement to earn your favor and blessings. Jesus has finished it. But I continue to feel the need to be "better" and somehow deserve what you offer as a gift. Please open my eyes that I may see my real need in light of my true state of spiritual emptiness. Teach me to come to you for completeness and satisfaction. I love you. Amen.

What Food Do I Offer To The Hungry?

Scripture: "And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages"

Observation: There are plenty of things to draw out of these verses, especially in the acts of repentance that John gave to the people. But this morning I'm drawn to something else which is more needful for me at this point.

My attentions drawn to the groups that came asking questions of John. Everyone is recording asking questions--even the pharisees and lawyers--but there is a notable difference in the tone and types of questions being asked, and I think it reveals hearts.

The Jewish leaders came inspecting and testing. There were some good reasons behind these, but there were some sinful as well. John was bold enough to call those evil motivations for what they were.

The other groups, however, came seeking truth, and I think it is easy to see that they were motivated by purer things, namely, a desire to draw near to God due to an aching of the soul brought on by the  Spirit.

The groups mentioned: the crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers.

The crowds no doubt included the leaders who received the harshest rebuke (compare Luke 3:10 w/Matt. 3:7). The others that came, tax collectors and soldiers, were among society's scorned. They were derided by general public, especially the leaders. Consequently, the extensive interweaving of Jewish society w/its religion meant that they were not only publicly separated, but also spiritually opressed. Attendance at the synagogue would have been uncomfortable and may have drawn so much disdain from others that they may have avoided it all together. (Thus, Jesus' rebuke of the leaders that they refused to enter god's kingdom and refused to let others in, too [Matt. 23:13].)

And then along comes this John. The original Bear Grills with a Jesus message . . . how to survive this world. Because they were outcast, John was attractive to these others. They felt comfortable confessing their sins and seeking guidance from him. John directed their attention upward and inward rather than to himself. He didn't dodge the command for holiness, but he didn't leave them feeling condemned.

Application: Can this be said of me? John clearly made paths for the "arrival" of Jesus, but he also made paths for the coming of those who felt the deep wooing of the Spirit and who wanted to be restored to God. Can this be said of me? Response to this passage I think must include the words "intentional," "pursue," "outcasts," and "uncondemning."

Prayer: Lord, impossible for me unless you change me. I confess my failures here. Give me your eyes and heart for the marginalized. You've given me the only message of true hope. There is only one God and one Savior and one way of salvation from a hell we will all face apart from you. But your offer of grace and forgiveness and restoration is there for everyone to take. Please give a John heart for your kingdom. I love you. You are so, so good. Ready me to be a useful conduit of your grace through Jesus. Amen.

Take It To The Bank

Scripture: Luke 1:13, 14 "But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,"

Observation: The visitation of Gabriel to announce the promise of John's birth by Elizabeth obviously brings up thoughts of Abraham, Sara, and Isaac. There are many similarities between the promises of the sons-to-come. But really strikes me today is the promise of "joy," "gladness," and the "rejoicing" by others.

Gabriel does not waste words. These all count so why does Gabriel include among the rest the affirmation of how the birth and subsequent days will be characterized?

A few thoughts arise:
1. Elizabeth was apparently concerned with how the pregnancy would go. She became quite recluse (vs. 24) likely because of what people might think, but also I believe for the same reasons mothers these days delay in revealing a pregnancy (especially at an older age): fear, concern of the thoughts of others, and protection during tender stages of pregnancy. All these things must have been swirling around in her mind, and her thoughts must have been even more difficult due to Zacharias' inability to verbally communicate with her. Further, there no doubt was some trepidation about how such a scandalous thing would be taken by the public.

2. This should be a joyful experience and I've no doubt the couple needed the reassurance that mortality was not going to be a factor for John.

Consequently, I see this:
1. The promises of God come to fruition. Luke was certain to include verse 58 just for that reason. In fact, the fulfillment of this joy and rejoicing began very early and continued throughout the pregnancy on into the days (months...years) that followed. We read in this one chapter that Mary's arrival brought joy from John in utero, Mary rejoiced in song about the amazing work of God in both of them, the neighbors rejoiced, and Zacharias rejoiced in song and prophesy. And then we hear from Jesus 30-some years later that there has been no one who walked the earth who was more great than John . . . God clearly rejoiced exuberantly over John!

2. The promises of God, when fulfilled, also bring praise to God's goodness and grace. In Chapter 1, Luke records that Zacharias, Mary, the neighbors, Elizabeth, and John (via Elizabeth) all praised God (vs. 41, 42-43, 46-55, 58, 64, 65, 68-77).

Application:
1. Read the Scriptures daily to know what promises he has already made and then rely on them in faith.

2. Pray daily to hear the specific promises the Spirit will reveal in due time for my specific needs and work.

3. Praise when they come to pass. (Of course, I should always praise the Lord for he is good forever, but I must be intentional about praising God for fulfilling his promises to me and I must do it to the world . . . not to a closet.

Prayer: Bless your name, Father. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, and your greatness is unsearchable. There is no one trustworthy like you, God. Spirit, open my eyes and ready my hearth and mind for more of your truth and will. I love you. Amen.

Do You Remember?

Scripture: Exodus 34:23, "Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the Lord God of Israel."

Observation: God was so wise to institute recurring reminders into the daily life of the Israelites.

These three reminders were specifically designed for the men. Men are the ordained leaders of mankind. God has never changed that. He has always elevated the value of women to a greater extent than do all of the surrounding societies (even in our American society, but that is a topic for another journal). They are, after all, made in God's image; they are God's image-bearers. However, men have been given the responsibility of primary leadership. Fortunately, God has not left us to carry that burden alone.

The constant reminders were put in place to bring the men back to God in order for them to recognize their need for aid, grace, mercy and wisdom, and for them to repent, offer sacrifices, and praise God. A nation led by men, who are at all levels of civil and religious life submitted to God, will be successful, secure, and sanctified.

There were three feasts to be observed and attended annually by all men: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Ingathering. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is also Passover (Easter), the Feast of Weeks is also known as Pentecost, and the Feast of Ingathering, or Sukkot, takes place on the 15th of the Hebrew month Tishri, which usually occurs in late September or early October. Each of these feasts served to remind the nation of the deliverance from Egypt the people had received and the future coming of Messiah and the future and final deliverance from sin when Jesus returns again.

Application:
1. The importance of being reminded of my need for God, of His amazing works, and of His endless love for me cannot be underestimated. Continue daily Bible studies with my family. Continue consistent daily time with God. Meet with the Church to be reminded and to remind others.

2. The importance of men standing up before God and on behalf of their family and society cannot be underestimate. Do not shrink back. Get my confidence from God, and share that confidence with those needing it.

Prayer: Lord, please continue to remind me of my need for you. Please draw me closer to you. It's you that I need. You are in control and I trust your plans for my family and me. I love you. Amen.

Are You the Kid Pleased with the Mud, or Are You the Prince or Princess at the Hand of the King?

Scripture: Exodus 33:17, 18, "So the Lord said to Moses, "[I will go up with you as] you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know You by name." And [Moses] said, "Please, show me Your glory."

Observation:
There really is much to see in this passage (these verses and the surrounding ones as well). The last time through these chapters I wrote about the same passage; only there the Lord was showing me more in the concept of Moses' reaction to seeing the "glory" that he request to see in verse 18. Today I am impressed by the simple act of asking for more from God.

In these verses Moses passes a critical point in his relationship with God. Obviously this isn't a clearly delineated progression, but Moses reaches the point where he is not satisfied with servitude and has pressed in toward son-ship.

I think of my own relationship with my kids. I am extremely proud of them when they seek so diligently to obey. It reveals the state od their heart. I am even more proud (and flattered) when they want to be with me. It reveals the state of my heart. But the pinnacle of our relationship is when they desire to know me. This is the father-child relationship that goes beyond and surpasses outward obedience (that is for servants) and the protection of a presence (that is for stewardship) to the closeness of relationship (that is for a loving father and loving children). That is what Moses had come to desire.

Application:
Such a level of relating is only available with the God of the Bible. It is found nowhere in Native American spirituality. It is absent from Islam and Hinduism. It is lacking in tribal religions and cults. It is lost in the false intelligence of atheism and materialism.

Pursue this. Leave behind the Law, obedience, and simple awareness of God as an end goal. Set my heart to know God, for he has designed the world and the map of all of history that we might reach that destination. As I read through Moses' life it is almost as if we can see that with each passing encounter with God Moses increasingly thirsts for more of God and soon finds that God's endless being is ever satisfying and never exhausted in its glory and wonder.

With what will I be satisfied?

Prayer:
My failure is to settle for less than you. I've so often made an idol out of obedience. Instead of being a side note or just a piece of the journey, I have made it the goal. I've replaced you with it and thereby created an idol with which to satiate my guilt. Damn self-righteousness!

And I don't want to be happy just by knowing you are with me. If that is the peak of this relationship, then you will be to me no more than a set of armor, a food panty, and a tool shed. No! My soul will be satisfied with nothing less than to know you--to know as much as I can about your wonder, beauty, faithfulness, mercy and on and on eternally. I love you. I feel inadequate and naïve saying that, but what else can I say? I am just a man. You are incomprehensible and yet you have made yourself apprehensible. My intelligence and my words fail me. May I learn to truly treasure you. Amen.

Just Use The Ordinary Stuff and It'll Become An Extraordinary Thing

Scripture: Exodus 20:24-26 "An altar of earth you shall make for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you. And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it. Nor shall you go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it."

Observation: These things are really about my heart. The emphasis in Exodus has been on the glory and holiness of God. As He was creating a nation for himself, God made it clear that his holiness is such that we must address him and meet with him rightly. Anything less is going to be an offense to his being.

Why not use tools on the stones of the alter? I think because, frankly, any effort on my part to create something that depicts God or that somehow enhances the offering that is brought by beautifying the alter would fall (infinitely) short of displaying God or would be distracting and, like he said, be an occasion for sin.

Building stairs is the same. My "nakedness" is shown by my effort to enhance my offering by unnaturally raising myself to give my offering. Give the offering "down on the ground" where I actually am (spiritually speaking).

Application: God is more honored by my humble repentance and confession of sin than by an empty but pretty presentation (Prov. 20:3; Ps. 51:16, 17). Remember why I am doing things in service to God and in the "living sacrifice" things that I do during my day. Then only will it really be an offering and glory to God.

Prayer: Father, I think I make such efforts to enhance appearances because I so often feel the weight of sin-guilt and my true humbled state. I try to hide it or to make restitution.  But all that is just another offense to you because Jesus has already paid that debt. May I rest in what you have done through Jesus. I love you. Amen.

No "I" in "TEAM"

Scripture: Exodus 17:3 "And the [Israelites] thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses, and said, "Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst."

Observation: This is almost verbatim the complaint that the people had against Moses in Chapter 16, verse 3 about the lack of food. The complaint was from the followers against the leader(s).

Application:
1. There is no honoring of God in backbiting and attacking authorities in my life. If God has placed all authorities in their positions (Romans 13), then, even though I need to implore those leaders to be righteous, I should trust and not complain or gossip.

2. The above point is applicable to leaders at all levels, but there is more application to those leaders that are geographically, spiritually, and relationally nearer to me. In those instances, (e.g. work, family, and the church) first I should think, "We are on the same team." Second, those leaders are earnestly trying to follow the Lord, and my present needs and desires are rarely most important. I need to think humbly and, with servant eyes, inquire about what I can do for them.

3. Trust God in all things (Matthew 6). Seek him consistently to walk closer with him and all will be well. Even if not is "all well," to have God is to have everything.

Prayer: Father, your word humbles me every time I read it humbly. I love you and need you to teach me to be like Christ. Holy Spirit, please sanctify this broken man, work in me, and speak to me in all my times of need. Jesus, I'm yours because you have given yourself entirely for me and to me. Who could imagine a God who serves and reigns at the same time?! I love you and need you. Amen.

Missing The Point and Missing The End

Scripture: Exodus 14:12 "Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, 'Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness."

Observation: The Israelites' attitude raise questions for me.

1. What would it take to desire death more than slavery? What would my thoughts on slavery to sin need to include for me to choose death in freedom over life in shackles?

2. The larger story of the Exodus obviously means for the attitudes of the Israelites to be viewed as unfaithful to God and as wrong. What did these people know about God? What did they not know about him that would cause them to doubt his love, care and protection?

3. Faith in God can in large part be defined as trusting God at his word. In this the Exodus generation failed, with few exceptions, and therefore failed to inherit the promised land and the eternal promise of life. Can we possibly call our doubt and complaining against God and our disobedience to his written word and will "faith" and expect to inherit eternal life?

Application: I often look at the "bigger" and, in a way, easier visible accomplishments with pride and consider myself faithful to God. In truth, I focus on those things and ignore or gloss over the simple but more necessary commands of daily life like mercy, patience, love, kindness, self-control, self-sacrifice, abstinence from evil, etc. Which does God emphasize? Proverbs 21:3 tells me.

Prayer: I can only ask for mercy and grace. Holy Spirit, transform me to the image of Christ. Make me humble and obedient to you. I love you, God. Amen.

The Scariness of Hope

Scripture: Exodus 12:12, 13 "For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt."

Observation: There's an obvious parallel between the pending judgment on Egypt and the blood on the Hebrew's homes with the future Great White Throne judgment and those that have the blood of the Lamb of God (detailed in Revelation 20:11-15), but I'm not sure that I have the wisdom to draw it out very well.

It may be better to contrast than to compare:
1. At the heavenly judgment, God won't be coming to us to visit wrath on us; we will go to him (Rev. 20:12).

2. At the White Throne judgment I won't be responsible for killing the Lamb that will save me from my just punishment; God has already done that. He did it for His purposes and for our good.

3. I won't be responsible for spreading the blood on the doorpost; God already marked with the Lamb's blood those who will be passed over.

4. The first judgment was limited to the first born; the second will come upon everyone.

5. The earthly Passover brought physical, temporal relief and joy; the heavenly Passover brings spiritual, permanent grace and joy. It will last forever and it will be beyond our imagination.

You see, God really is for us. Many have a difficult time even thinking about the judgment that God enacted in Biblical narratives. The rejections of it I've most often heard have most to do with fairness or justness. By rejecting God for that reason, a person is making a couple assertions: (1) God has a responsibility to respect the person's "right" to understand God's motivations and purposes, and (2) that person claims, at least if it a rationalization for rejection of God, to be judge over God. "God, you better explain yourself to my satisfaction, or I cannot and will not serve you."

But all the while, that person has missed the open hand of God. Because of those assertions, he or she has been blinded to the true points of the narratives: God's grace, God's forgiveness, hope for lasting satisfaction. Choosing to trust in God doesn't require a ton of goodness, or intelligence, or money, or success, or talent, or experience, or work . . . it only requires humility--recognition of one's position before a God that we aren't even equipped to comprehend.

Application:
Be okay with not understanding everything, and be satisfied with understanding that God is for me. I can continue to pursue answers, but I don't need them all now in order to grasp that my sin is insurmountable and at the second judgment, I will be in need of the blood of Jesus on my doorpost.

Place my confidence entirely on the hope that God has promised, namely, heaven. If I chose to get my reward here and now, I will have done so at the sacrifice of any reward there and later. "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 10:39)  And my priority list reflects my treasure. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21)

Prayer: . . .

He Is On Display

Scripture: Exodus 8:9 "And Moses said to Pharaoh, "Accept the honor of saying when I shall intercede for you, for your servants, and for your people to destroy the frogs from you and from your houses, that they may remain in the river only."

Observation: God did everything that he could have to prove to Pharaoh, and everyone else observing, that he has all power.

He also proved the extent to which people are rebellious and selfish. Pharaoh was given a chance to say, "Take the frogs from my people now!" but instead he tried to test Moses and God by waiting until the next day.

This situation also proved the blindness of the lost. They do not want to see, but they also cannot see the truth of God (1 Cor. 2:13, 14). Everyone had ample evidence to repent and turn to God. Israel should not have needed to leave Egypt. The Egyptians should have become Israelites! They were willing to spend decades building shrine after shrine to the gods that they had imagined or invented, but they refused to surrender themselves to the God who was proving his existence and power before their eyes. No, the Egyptians (some anyway... see 9:19-21) remained in rebellion.

Application: Don't witness to the lost of the greatness of God and the hope that he brings because all will respond. Do it because I have been told to do so and because I don't know who will respond! That is God's decision. Mine is to glorify him
. If I will not glorify him, then what use am I to God now? Do I want to be a demonstration of his wrath or his goodness?

Prayer: Father, thank you for revealing your great power to me. Teach me to herald it. Make me an ever-speaking witness. Keep me always on mission; the stakes are too high to not be. I love you. Amen.

A Firm Foundation

Scripture: Exodus 4:15-16 "Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do. So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God."

Observation: The parallels between what God says here and what Jesus says in John's account of the gospel is uncanny and definitely not coincidental. The words of Jesus come like this:
1. Jn. 14:10 - "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works."

2. Jn. 14:24b - "...and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me."

3. Jn. 14:26 - "But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

4. Jn. 16:13-14 - "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will lead you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak...He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you."

Moses was a mediator between God and the people of Israel (Gal. 3:19-20). He was a picture of the coming work that the Father would do through the Son by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:25-26; 1 Tim. 2:5, 6).

Application: Trust in the word of God. The inspired Scripture is God's word. The Israelites had to trust that what Aaron said was what the Father had told Moses. Now I must trust that what the apostles wrote is what the Father has given Jesus to speak through the Holy Spirit.

The test of authenticity for the people was whether the things that Moses and Aaron said came to pass. I have seen the Bible's truth and authenticity played out again and again. The Bible, all of it, reflects reality. It is historically accurate and its predictions (prophesies) have come to pass in undeniable ways.

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust your word. Not only to trust it, but to also study it to know what it says. Not only to know it, but also to obey it. Not only to obey it, but also to teach others of its trustworthiness as well. I love You. Amen.

Do We Have The Guts To Lie?

Scripture: Exodus 1:19-20 "And the midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them.”
 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them."

Observation: I have never read through Scripture to find all the places that the people of God violated not only man's law but also God's law out of fear of God. This isn't often done, I think; though, I could be wrong. Regardless, God blessed them abundantly because they lied to Pharaoh.

These are the characteristics of the situation:
1. Pharaoh was an unrighteous leader of an oppressive government giving orders to sin.
2. The midwives were ordered to do what they knew God would call evil. (Note: the law had not been given other than His command not to murder in Genesis 9:5-7)
3. The choice to lie in this situation must have been a difficult one considering who they were lying to.
4. (Addition 18Oct14) This is another similarity between Moses and Jesus. Both of their lives were in part protected by individuals lying to the ruler of that area.

Application: God is very serious about righteousness. Clearly some things are sinful based solely on the motivation or intent of the person acting (or not acting). All the times I've said lying is always wrong, I was wrong.

A bigger question here is am I willing to stand against the powers, authorities, and laws that direct me to sin so that the right thing is done. I must be in prayer and in the Bible to have understanding sufficient for proper discrimination when those times come.

I need courage.

Prayer: Lord, help me to have the bravery of these midwives. What an amazing example they are. I want your approval on my heart and actions just as it was on theirs. I love you. Amen.