Tag: Jesus

Self of Nothing

Judges 4:1–24; 2 Samuel 6:12–22; Psalm 18:20–29

Many have often condemned Barak as a coward who hides behind a woman’s skirt (so to speak). What if there is something else at play?

If you read the Book of Joshua and 1 & 2 Samuel, the Ark of the Covenant was part of the army’s formation. It went out into battle with the people. It was a symbol for the people of Israel that God was with them.

However, in the time of the Book of Judges, a lot was lost (and so very quickly, too). Perhaps, as a matter of morale and tactics, Barak wanted Deborah there as the symbol. Barak could have been doubtful of his military success, so wanted backup (God).

Regardless, it is Barak’s lack of a response to Deborah’s “penalty” that is our focus. Basically, Deborah told Barak that he would not get the glory of dealing with Sisera (the enemy leader) and that it would be given to a woman (a dig in a patriarchal society).

Whether it was acceptance or tolerance, Barak’s lack of response shows a greater concern for the success of the battle, rather than the resulting glory. Some call it cowardice. Some call it degrading. Some call it humility.

Humility does not just take one form. Whether you believe the Barak was weak, scared, or lacking faith, how many people hide those exact things behind a façade of bravado? Not hiding it, is often a sign of humility.

Sometimes humility is what you are willing to do and be in public. David’s dancing in public to display joy in front of the people must have been something to watch. Was it because of how he was dressed? Was it because he didn’t act refined?

His goal wasn’t the eyes of humanity, it was the eyes and heart of God. Yet, his first wife either tried to shame him or was ashamed of him.

David would not accept that. He understood that whatever her issues were, they were nothing in comparison to bringing glory to God.

It is interesting to realize that David didn’t say, “that wasn’t embarrassing!” He said that his personal honor and pride are not important when compared to the glory of God.

Two different men, with two different forms of humility. These are not the only forms of humility. It can play out in many ways in our lives. One person’s humility may seem like nothing to another. This is why true humility is between a person and God.

Humility is something we should all seek. As the person we call Lord and Savior was humble enough to touch the outcast, broken, dirty, and then die for all, humility is a characteristic of a disciple of Jesus.

※Prayer※

Holy Spirit, guide our hearts and souls to greater depths of humility, even while knowing that the humility of Jesus is deeper still. Amen.

※Questions※

1) Who is the humblest person you know? What makes them humble?

2) Name the ways Barak and David were humble. What are other means of humility?

3) Why is humility so important to growing the Kingdom of God?

2020-07-30
Whatcha Doing?

Psalm 46; Luke 10:38–42

It’s a crazy world. There is so much going on. If you live in the United States, you know the next election is just around the corner. Although, it seems all of 2020 has been an election year.

If you are on social media, your “stream” may be flooded with this and that. People arguing over things worth discussing, just not worth hating. The amount of content created by the end of this year will likely be quadruple the amount of the previous five years.

There isn’t much that is settled at the moment. In fact, as far as the world around us goes, it seems to get more unsettled every day.

“God is our refuge…Stop fighting (be still).” Psalm 46 may well be the mantra for 2020. God is our refuge. We just have to stop fighting in our own strength.

We also cannot allow the world to distract us. It isn’t the government that’s the problem (which everyone, or ones, you don’t like). It isn’t the rioters that are the problem (though many are destructive, while others are not). It isn’t even COVID or terrorism or (insert some “global” issue here).

It’s the human heart. In the story of Mary and Martha, we see the struggle firsthand. Martha is busy. It’s not even that she is busy with bad or wrong things. It’s that Mary chose to be busy with the better “thing”.

We’re all busy with things. Right now, it would seem that we are best situated to be like Mary. It doesn’t seem to be the case for far too many.

They are distracted by the bad news, filled with anxiety, filled with anger, feeling the need to respond (just to do something). They are busy.

However, many are busy not because they are doing good/right things at the wrong time. They are busy doing non-Jesus-following things right now.

※Prayer※

As we watch the world seem to spin further into chaos, remind us, God, that you are God, and we are not. Help us to work on being still in your presence. Amen.

※Questions※

1) What struck you about you in this? Why are “you” more important in this than others?

2) How will you help be the light of Christ’s peace in a time of anxiety, anger, and fear?

2020-07-28
Washing Branches

John 13:1–11; John 15:1–10

Just in case you didn’t catch it before, John 13–17 is all during the Last Supper. It certainly does beat Moses’ Book of Deuteronomy in length. These chapters do, however, give us a deep insight into Jesus as his final hours are approaching (The Jewish day started at Sunset, so the “day” of the Last Supper was the “day” of Crucifixion).

The washing of the feet has long been a symbol of Jesus’ humility (which it was), intimacy, and vulnerability. He put aside his seniority to serve his disciples. Yet, this emphasis also misses other important pieces of the story.

Feet were dirty (no closed shoes, no socks, no pavement). They were the most visibly dirty part of the human body. Dirty feet could well imply status in society.

Therefore, when Jesus washes their feet and says that they are entirely clean (which we all know that isn’t the case), there is something else going on. A tidbit might be “The Way”. A person “walks” in the light. If one walks in the light, one walks on dirty ground (i.e., the world). One will again need to be clean.

The parable of the vine, interestingly, provides a different point of view. Almost tossed into this little parable is the declaration, “…you are already clean…” They are already clean, and yet they need to stay connected to the true vine…Jesus.

In both cases, they are clean from a ritualistic standpoint (important from a Jewish perspective) and still continue to need refreshment. Whether the refreshment is regularly having the dirt of the world washed off or gaining the nutrients and nourishment from the true vine, Jesus is the source.

Whether it is the feet being cleaned, or the branches being nourished, it is Jesus doing it.

Confession (washing) is essential. Absolution (declaration of being clean) is done by Jesus. The entirety of the process, however, is in Jesus’ will and command.

While we can do our faithful best to produce fruit, we can only be open to receiving the nutrients of Jesus.

※Prayer※

Lord Jesus, help us to view you to be, believe you to be, and act as if you really are the Lord of our lives. Amen.

※Questions※

1) What are you doing regularly to be washed?

2) What do you think would be nourishment?

3) In what way(s) is it important that we are declared clean, and yet still require regular washing? How does that apply to nourishment?

2020-07-27
Too Small

Deuteronomy 7:7–11; Judges 6:13–16; Matthew 13:31–33

One of the best scenes in the movie, The Princess Bride is when Princess Buttercup and (the Dread Pirate Roberts) Wesley are about to enter the Fire Swamp. Buttercup looks at Wesley and asks, “what about the R.O.U.S.s?” “The Rodents of Unusual Size? I’m sure they don’t exist.” He says the as an R.O.U.S. makes an appearance, and Buttercup’s back is to it and is oblivious.

Size makes a difference. Often, we are overwhelmed by a problem. As a child, we could have been overwhelmed by something being so much bigger than we were.

When we hear about the monumental amount of money some people have, and compare our meager bank accounts, size makes an impact. If you’ve ever been in a small car with a big semi coming up quickly behind you, size can be terrifying.

On the other hand, ants can carry 10–50 times (depending on species and gender) their weight. Humans can indeed lift such weight, but not actually walk and carry over long distances. Grasshoppers can jump 20 times their length from standing. The world record for human running long jump is not even 5 times.

Size does matter, but just not always in the way we think.

The people of Israel were not a powerful people. They had no physical place to provide them strength. Yet, this weak people God would take and overturn the ways of the world.

After years of oppression, God took the weakest man of the weakest family of the weakest tribe to remove the oppressors from the land.

Jesus uses a mustard seed to show the power of the Kingdom of God but notice that it is not a power of domination. It is a place a habitation and a place of new life. Yet this place of life and birth starts very small.

The Kingdom of God starts small in each of us. We often look at the tiny thing in us and wonder how we can make it through.

Yet, we must always keep in mind that it is God’s seed in us. The smallest thing of God is larger than the largest thing of humanity.

Oh, and the R.O.U.S.’s were defeated by using the power of the mind, not strength.

※Prayer※

Jesus, thank you for the seed of faith. Holy Spirit, thank you for the nurturing of the seed in our souls. Heavenly Father, thank you for being the tree that gives us home and life. Amen.

※Questions※

1) What is one of the first memories you have of your size in comparison to another’s? What was the feeling like? Did it cause you to change focus or intent?

2) Why is it important to understand the imagery of the Kingdom of God in the image of the mustard seed?

2020-07-25
Here’s Looking At…

Matthew 27:1–11; John 21:12–23

What’s that to me?

Sounds like you have a problem.

These and similar phrases/questions are quite prevalent in our society. The first issue that they shine a light on is pride. This may not only be the pride of the responder, but it may also be the pride of the asker.

In Judah’s case, there was definitely a desire to restore some pride. He was ashamed of what he’d done, although it might be more accurate to say that he regretted what was happening to Jesus.

Had the priests willingly taken the silver, would that really have absolved Judas of his guilt? No. Would it have made him feel better? A little perhaps. The result of Judas’ betrayal, however, was going to happen.

The priests’ response, however, is even more to the point. What did this problem of Judas have to do with them? They really had to ask?

Yes, Judas came to them to offer up Jesus. From their perspective, it seems, this absolved them of any crimes. In our day, that would still fall under a conspiracy to commit murder.

The Scriptures are full of references of the leaders “looking for” ways to “take care” of Jesus. While Judas was the easy route, it still seems clear that the leaders were going to have their way. In other words, they were still guilty.

What did Judas’ guilt over the silver and betrayal have to with the leaders? Nothing, and yet everything!

When Peter asks the resurrected Jesus, what about him (John)? Like many of us, he looked around and saw someone not “experiencing” the same thing, and went, what about him?

Jesus roundaboutly tells Peter that it is not his concern. Peter was just asked some heart wrenching questions (long explanation about the Greek). His anguish was probably still pretty strong.

Jesus, however, was telling Peter to focus on the right thing. In other words, Jesus’ response was, “you’re looking at the wrong person, Peter. Keep looking at (following) me.”

When we look to Jesus, a lot the “what about” questions go away, or at least they should. We are all working on that. We all still have a lot of those questions, so let’s look to Jesus.

Judas was looking to Jesus as Jesus, but something (or someone) Jesus wasn’t. Judas’ plans for Jesus weren’t Jesus’ plans for Jesus. There are still people like that.

We know the priests didn’t look to Jesus. They wanted to be rid of him. There are people like that.

Peter looked to Jesus, but he got distracted a lot. There are people like that.

※Prayer※

Holy Spirit, guide our hearts to keep looking to Jesus. Prompt us to reset ourselves, daily, hourly, minute-by-minute to look to Jesus. Amen.

※Questions※

1) Have you ever asked, “what about me?” How about, “what have you done for me lately?”

2) If you haven’t (see question 1), have you done or thought something that could be similar?

3) How does pride affect how, when, and why people look at Jesus?

2020-07-23
Storied Reflections

Jeremiah 2:1–13; Matthew 9:35–38; John 7:37–39

Jerusalem was heading at full speed away from God and toward destruction. In many respects, this passage is God’s lament for Jerusalem. It is also, in many regards, the lament for the entire heritage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

When we read, “Israel was holy to the LORD, the first fruits of his harvest (Jeremiah 2:3),” we can readily see that this was indeed not only about Jerusalem. Then when we read about the Lord of the Harvest, it’s easy to tie Jesus’ words to the concept in Jeremiah.

There are two important aspects to this. First, is that from a Law standpoint (and even to the offerings of today) God is the Lord of our success. This means that we recognize that we are God’s beneficiary and respond in gratitude.

The second aspect is the implication that Israel was not the only harvest. Yes, they were the first fruits. That leaves the rest of the harvest, which is the rest of the world. In other words, it’s us.

Something that needed to be addressed was Jerusalem’s arrogance about God. The overwhelming opinion was that they didn’t need God, and all these other gods were good enough or even better.

Some will be quick to point at a particular country, and say, “yes, that is why the country is…” The reality is that Israel is the country called. The rest are a people called.

Jerusalem (and the world) had long fallen into the lifeless hands of useless idols. People were eager to do so. They do so today.

Thus, it becomes a critical point regarding water. It shouldn’t be lost on us that “Living Water” is used here. For Christians, it is easy to tie “Living Water” to Jesus. This also shows that Jesus was tying himself to/as God when he used that language.

In many respects, the objection is that Jerusalem acts as if it is independent and pulled itself up by the bootstraps (using a more modern phrase). Jerusalem, as part of its story, should know the truth.

The same could be said of us. Even we Christians, especially American ones, can tend toward so-called self-reliance, which is like building our own cracked cistern. It holds water, for a time. It ages. It leaks. And the water is stagnate.

※Prayer※

Lord, help us to wisely look at the story of Jerusalem and Israel, applying your Truths to our lives. Help us to put all things in perspective, that we may live life fully under your wings. Amen.

※Questions※

1) What does harvest look like in your life? How do you apply first fruits—not just money—to your life?

2) What in your life has been more like the cistern than Living Water?

3) Why is it important to keep in mind that we are called as a people, and not as a nation? Does that mean how/where the nation goes is not important?

2020-07-22
Wholly New or Newly Whole

2 Corinthians 5:14–21; Titus 1:1–3

The “new creation” is an often-quoted phrase. Like many verses in the Scriptures, it can stand on its own. However (you knew that was coming), in context its meaning is so much more important than a mere new creation. It is a creation with a purpose.

While it is accurate to say that we are new creations through Jesus Christ, it also leaves too much interpretation to the speaker and the hearer as to what exactly that means. The common first response is (along the lines of), no longer a sinner, or, reconciled to God, or a child of God.

All of these are theologically accurate. The problem is they are also very selfish and self-centered. These statements are about us. Being a new creation is about us. It also about God.

In particular, what is our purpose? Why are we a new creation? Why does being a new creation even matter?

The answer comes earlier, “…so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.”

Let’s be honest with ourselves, we still live for ourselves. We often make decisions based on our desires or through seemingly logical decisions. Sometimes we’ll even “pray” about them. Are the results really about Jesus Christ?

Now, this really could go down a road that Paul did not intend. Paul didn’t mean for a blacksmith (for example) to stop being a blacksmith and stop making blacksmith decisions. Nor did Paul mean that one stops being a parent (adopted or biological). Yes, both of those are possibilities, but that isn’t the point.

Really, the new creation is more along the lines of thinking of others for their benefit because Jesus Christ thought of your benefit, even while you were estranged from God.

In this comes the question, is the new creation a completely (wholly) new thing or is it the old thing made whole. Either answer still ultimately results in something new, it’s just the emphasis that has changed.

Once the “new” has come into its fullness, then this new creation seeks to draw people to Christ by loving them, thinking well of, and for them, even if it gains no worldly benefit. The new creation is to bring the not-yet-made-new to a point in their lives to be made new.

Bringing along the not-yet-made-new may take a while. Even God, as Paul tells Titus, took time to reveal the fullness of God’s saving message. It will take time for us to reveal it to others, too.

We are called, as new creations, to be faithful in bringing more people into the fold of God’s family, no matter how long it may take and how many setbacks there are.

We are called to love all in their hate, their fear, their jealousy, their ignorance. We also do this knowing that we still have hate, fear, jealousy, and ignorance in us, too.

※Prayer※

Lord, make us new every day. Help us to put yesterday in its place, and step into today in the fullness of your grace, mercy, and love. Amen.

※Questions※

1) If you have saving faith in Jesus Christ, what was your first “symptom” of being made new? If you do not yet have such a saving faith, what might (or should) someone look like who has given their life to Jesus Christ? Why?

2) Why does it matter if we are wholly new or newly whole? What is the difference?

3) What was the last decision you prayed about? What makes you think the answer was the Jesus answer?

2020-07-21
One of the Fam

Matthew 12:46–50; John 14:18–26

The passage from John would have created a rather large stir in the culture. Jesus publicly equated non-blood relations as equal to familial relations.

The family was first in the culture. A good way to think of it is how a person is called in many Asian countries. The family name comes before the personal/individual name. One only calls another by their individual name by permission (accepted into a close relational circle) or by blood.

Americans and other Western cultures might tend to equate this with Mr., Mrs., and Ms. However, that is not the same, nor are they intended to be. Modern Western cultures (except for the remaining nobility, perhaps) do not hold the family in the same way. That is not a knock against Western Culture, just merely a reflection of differences.

It should was highly likely that mom and brothers had one of two responses, 1) there goes the crazy kid again, 2) WE are his family, not THESE people.

It’s not that Jesus was disrespecting his family, and certainly not his mother. Jesus was redefining what it meant to be a member of his family, which was not exclusive to his mother (and father) and brothers. This new family included them; it just included a bunch of others (like you and me).

As Jesus was completing his final discourse with his disciples, he told them that they were not orphans, nor were they abandoned. This is, again, family language. How severe their separation was from their families at that point or later is conjecture.

The use of the family language tells us that something was happening there. The concept of what is family was changing. The boundaries of familial blood were replaced with the boundaries of God’s saving work on the cross.

※Prayer※

Lord, we thank you that you have called us into a family larger than we can imagine. Help us remember that we are indeed family, despite our many differences. May our lives together be ones of love that draw more into your family. Amen.

※Questions※

1) Have you ever been party to the breaking of family bonds (either by you or others)? What were the various reactions?

2) If you were Mary or Jesus’ brothers, what would your response have been, especially as Jesus’ response was so public?

3) Why is the concept of family (not the stereotypical “nuclear” family) so critical to the church and its people?

2020-07-20
Owed

Luke 4:14–30; John 7:1–9; Romans 13:8–10

Love is a powerful force. Jealousy, envy, and fear are also powerful forces.

Over time, love does win over jealousy and envy, but it often takes a lot of time, and the hurt and pain can take a long time to heal (if it ever does). It’s the short term where the effects are quick and brutal.

When Jesus returns to Galilee, he’s home. Like all homecomings, it was full of joy-filled laughs, parties. You know, the new prophet preaching the coming kingdom would be welcome to town. Except, as we know (and as we read), that wasn’t the case at all.

And it didn’t get any better. His brothers piled on. For those with siblings (or are parents of them), they probably understand. Brothers are brothers.

Family wounds or wounds of friends that are like family can be awful.

However, this is where Paul’s words come in. We don’t owe others anything (including vengeance) except love. Sounds kind of strange.

We often operate in life as we owe people something. That may be true. That is what Paul wants to reset in our hearts.

If we do things for others because we love them—truly, selflessly—that is revolutionary.

What about owing them? That seems rather odd. Why would we “owe” them? Perhaps it is because of whose we are.

※Prayer※

Lord Jesus, help us be people of love, because you first loved us. Amen.

※Question※

Love as owed. What is your immediate response to that?

2020-07-19
Red or White?

Genesis 18:16–33; Jeremiah 5:1–9; Romans 3:5–24

God hates me. God would/could never love me. God doesn’t care about me. No one can measure up to that standard.

Any of those sound familiar?

When we read stories such as Sodom and Gomorrah it is easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer immensity of destruction. Yet, there in the story there something important to read.

Abraham’s questions about the 50, 45,40, 30, 20, 10 and the response to the question gives us some insight. From all appearances, there was one righteous man…Lot. Even Lot’s “righteousness” might have more to do with Abraham’s and not Lot’s (see Genesis 19:29).

From our human perspective, what happened seems out of proportion. The ways of Sodom and Gomorrah were obviously long wrong. God did not do this on a whim. Yet, in the middle of all the wrong, 10 righteous people would have prevented disaster.

As the end of the glory of Judah approached, there, too, was an opportunity to change everything. All it would have taken is one righteous person. As the Scriptures show, however, that was not to be.

What does this say about us? Paul tells us that it is the very unrighteousness of humanity that displays the righteousness of God. Even in that, there is grace.

There is a long list that is part of Paul’s words. It is a list (Romans 3:10–18) condemning humanity for its response to God. Why would God want such creatures?

If you had someone who constantly said bad things to you, tossed your gifts at your feet (or the garbage), and gave credit everyone but you about the good things you’d done for them, what your response be?

God’s answer was through the cross. Truth? We aren’t worthy by any measure of that sacrifice. Truth? God did it out of love.

※Prayer※

Jesus, thank you for the cross. Father God, thank you for your mercy on us. Holy Spirit, thank you for drawing us to you. Amen.

※Questions※

1) When you read Paul’s list, how does it feel? To you feel condemned or judged? Or, do you feel something else?

2) How does grace and redemption feel in the face of that list?

3) What do you think your ongoing response should be as a result?

2020-07-18