Tag: questions

I Said, You Say

Exodus 4:10–17; Matthew 25:14–30

Moses is highly regarded in Jewish circles. As the bringer of the Law, his place in their history is unassailable. The first 5 books of the Bible also being attributed to him also helps.

Moses was (and is) viewed as the greatest prophet from a Jewish perspective. Yet, Moses was human. Moses did human things. Moses had human failings.

In today’s passage, we see that Moses really was trying to avoid his calling. Was he trying to avoid the Pharaoh? Maybe. Was he afraid? Probably. Was he “poor” of speech? Probably.

Moses pleads to escape God’s call on him. He didn’t want to be the one. “Please send someone else.”

How many times have you said that about helping others? How about speaking Christ into the lives of others? We often say to ourselves; God will send someone better than me.

God calls us for a time and place, and the call may change as the times and places change. Not only are there times we avoid the call, there are also times we hold onto a call whose time has passed.

There is something to notice. “Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses…” That is not the most comforting thing to hear. Making God angry is generally an unwise move.

Even though God is angry with Moses, God still condescends to him by assigning his brother Aaron as the mouthpiece. The co-mission goes forward.

Even Moses allowed his fear and apprehension to turn him from God’s mission. No one is immune to fear. We just have to find in our hearts the strength the trust God.

※ Prayer ※

Lord, help us to embrace the unique mission and ministry that you have given us. Amen

※ Questions ※

1) What is your current commission from God? If you are not aware of it, set aside some time today to prayerfully ask God what the commission is…and give God the space to answer it.

2) Why do you think that God allows Aaron to speak for Moses even though it was Moses’ commission?

3) Think about what you know about Moses. Put times in Moses’ life against each of the servants noted in the Parable of the Talents. Which life event of Moses to you apply to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd servant?

2020 08 30
It’s All About…

Psalm 5; 2 Corinthians 10:7–18; James 1:22–27

In this internet age, getting oneself out in front of potential employers has become a big issue. Whether it is the applicant or the HR Manager, differentiating is an issue.

Out of this has come the concept of a “personal brand”. In many regards, it often seems that personal branding is all about boasting and shining the spotlight on oneself. There is training for one’s “personal brand”.

Boasting isn’t all bad. By definition, boast means to have a strong affirming opinion of or confidence in a person. In black and white, that looks like a very positive. Already, we can see an issue.

The definition of boasting is not often the one we use. Our general definition (though the context may change that) is that it is groundless or overly inflated opinion of another, but usually oneself.

The Hebrew actually goes along well with the “official” definition. Often, such as in Psalm 5, it is translated as exult or praise and with God usually being the subject of it. That is very reasonable.

Even in the Greek, the issue is the same. What we miss through the written word is the modifier: empty, shallow, false, or something else. We will imply or infer when we hear or speak of “boasting”, but we often mislead others when we rely on inference or implication.

When Paul is talking about boast, the context is crucial to understanding what he means. It is also incredibly important that we see the “emptiness” that Paul is referring to. The false measurement that the nameless are comparing themselves to is…themselves.

Or, if we take James’ words into account, people who forget who they really are and then measure themselves by a false image.

Boasting, as said earlier, isn’t necessarily bad. It is groundless boasting that is the issue. People can boast for others (think of a job or personal references). However, the danger in boasting is the foundation upon which it is based.

When Paul talks about boasting in the Lord, that’s a pretty safe foundation. Yet, when Paul talks about it, it is more along the lines of “look what God did” rather than “look at what God did through me.” Still, either one is better than “look how well I did.”

※Prayer※

Lord, let our hearts be humble towards others and you. Amen.

※Questions※

1) Is there a difference between bragging and boasting?

2) How does the mirror concept of James help understand the concept that Paul is trying to convey?

3) Taking the opening definition of boasting and comparing it to our “street” understanding of it, what other words can you think of that have something similar? How might they affect how you read Scripture?

2020 08 26
Flying Free?

Isaiah 28:14–22; Luke 4:14–21

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you.”

― Corrie ten Boom

What does it mean to be a captive? What does it mean to be free?

In the ongoing COVID season this isn’t quite straightforward. Many people feel captive in their homes (voluntary or not) and captive to government. In response, many are proclaiming their freedom (in the US, at least) and acting out some sort of resistance.

One of the things though about both captivity and freedom is that often what is captivity to one is freedom to another. Take the opening quote from Corrie ten Boom. Certain people live their life believe that they are free to hate. Others feel free after they have relieved the hate.

Which person is correct? Both versions are correct…from a certain point of view.

Take the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They felt themselves to be free after they had, effectively, made an agreement (so-to-speak) with the god Mot, the Canaanite god of death. What is particularly interesting is that Mot was the adversary of Baal, the Canaanite god of life and fertility.

Baal had long been a god the Israelites then the Jews kept returning to in lieu of God. That in the face of the pending Assyrian regional dominance they chose the antithesis of Baal is truly strange. However, being allied with the god of death was thought to be a shield from surrounding enemies.

The Jews seemed to view God as their captor. They chose the “freedom” of other gods. As they learned to their dismay, God freed them from…his protection. They learned that the freedom they longed for was actually the chains of captivity.

Without question, in the middle of these verses from Isaiah the tested stone, precious cornerstone, sure foundation is Jesus, at least from a Christ-centered point of view. Jesus is the sure foundation.

While the Jews are making their alliance with death, God is setting the groundwork for True life…the Messiah.

When we read the Gospels, we often infer that Jesus is setting all the Jews free from religious trappings and false teachings. He is. However, we should primarily be looking at ourselves to see what Jesus wants to free us from.

We each have burdens we bear. We each have scars that we have hidden (some well, some not). We also have many things that we believe are freeing but have really become burdens and chains. The problem often is that we view so much from the human perspective, and not God’s.

It’s not that we are God. We do have the Scriptures to guide us. As we hear the word freedom, let us recall that what we view as right or as a right may not be what God seeks for or from us. It may lead us away from God and into chains.

※Prayer※

Lord, open our eyes to your freedom. Amen.

※Questions※

1) What is a freedom you appreciate? How could it also be a chain of captivity?

2) What is a cornerstone? How does that apply to Jesus?

2020 08 25
Indulge Me

Matthew 23:23–36

Narcissus was a hunter in Greek mythology. He was the most beautiful person. He was so dissatisfied with those who claimed they loved him that he expected them to kill themselves to prove their love of him. It wasn’t until he passed a smooth pool of water and saw his own reflection that he fell in love. Ultimately, he was so in love with his own reflection that he didn’t leave the pool and died.

The term narcissism obviously comes from this story. Narcissism is a personality disorder (according to the “official” diagnosis) where a person has an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others.

Only troubled relationships cannot be (fully) concluded from our understanding of the scribes, Sadducees, and Pharisees. As we look at the list of issues that are symptomatic of narcissism, we can see echoes of them in these verses. Yet, while it really would be hard to accuse them of having traits to the depth necessary to be narcissistic, they definitely had issues.

We all have issues. Any of these should be an issue for a Christian as they are not in line with a Christian walk. One of the other issues that isn’t covered under the list of narcissism is self-indulgence. This may be the razor’s edge of many decisions.

Self-indulgence can take many forms. Currently, though, it seems to take more the form of self-righteousness. Of course, it really is hard to define self-righteousness, as we are all self-righteous to a degree.

How does one then evaluate an action through the lens of self-righteousness? One must look outside oneself. What is the litmus test being used?

That should be the question we ask ourselves as we move through these troubled times.

※Prayer※

Lord Jesus, help us to look to you to define and guide our actions that we bring honor and glory to you. Amen.

※Questions※

1) What is the litmus test for what makes an action or thought self-righteous or not? How about self-indulgence?

2) What might be the best way to work through self-righteous and self-indulgent actions and thoughts with fellow Christians?

2020 08 24
Beach Party!

1 Corinthians 11:20–29; John 21:1–13

Have you ever been to a beach party? I have…once. It was a surreal yet enjoyable experience. I was the 3rd wheel. We had a huge pallet bonfire and roasted hot dogs. Even as the outcast that I normally am (or perceive myself to be), I felt included. These weren’t really my friends, but for a time, we enjoyed each other’s company.

Over the last two days, we’ve talked about God’s feast. The first day (Matthew 22:1–14) was the fierceness of the king when the feast was disregarded as not being as worthwhile as the things of the mundane. The king was so insulted by those that were first invited that he started a new list…everybody else.

There is one last thing to say about that feast. It’s not as if the doors were closed to those that were first invited. They chose a different path. At no point was their invite rescinded. It was, and remains, open.

Yesterday, we talked (John 6:53–58) about the strangeness of the words used, “flesh” and “blood”. It might seem unwise to emphasize the weirdness of it. However, that is one of those “things” we do as Christians we need to see through non-Christian eyes.

Over the years there have been many movements that call Communion a “memorial”. Personally, I cannot fathom it being only a memorial. Yesterday’s devotion probably provides an idea as to why this is my perspective. One of the other reasons I struggle with the “memorial” view are the words of Paul that we read today.

We have many memorials, and many of them are very serious and deep. There are memorials for those who have given their lives for others. On the other hand, through a history of disconnection (deliberate and incidental) far too many think of an extra day off.

There are plenty of people who take Communion who view it as a thing that is done and miss the depth of what they do, what they a part of, and who they are dismissing. Yet, while that is critically important, there is something that is equally important. It is the love that draws us to the feast.

Whether Peter had ever had a beach party before is questionable, as the beach was the start and end of his work as a fisherman. Work parties always seem to be an oxymoron. It was also the place that Peter and a number of the other disciples were most familiar with, and the old familiar work probably helped their hearts.

And Jesus shows up. Not in a great crowd, but simply giving direction, and the building a simple fire to cook the fish and make some bread. It’s no beach party, but its very simplicity would help men that were still “simple” feel at ease.

Jesus welcomed them to his table. Jesus was the host. Yes, it was on a beach. It wasn’t fancy. It was love.

※Prayer※

Thank you, Jesus. Through you, we have True life. Thank you for your regular reminder of your love through Communion, and the family that you have gathered us into. Amen.

※Questions※

1) If you could have Jesus show up, what would you do together?

2) Why might it be significant what Jesus was doing on the beach?

3) How does one balance the fierceness and honor of the king’s banquet, to the simplicity of a beach grilling?

2020 08 22
What a Feast!

Matthew 22:1–14; John 6:53–58

When you’ve been invited to a party or some sort of celebration, have you ever received a little card that had you select from entree and/or other options? Or have you been to a buffet and been overwhelmed by the selection (or underwhelmed)?

Over the years there have been many tales of what the feasts in Heaven would look like. Some have used it to recruit people to their church or religion. For many, a gathering of family barbecues every day would be fantastic. So, of course, that’s would be what Heaven would be like (all the social introverts just shuddered)!

Making assumptions about things like that is often unwise, as it can lead to weird thoughts and even bad theology. The more serious part of that is that the primacy of feasts in the Scriptures is not to be diminished. This is especially true when we remember the feast that Jesus left to fill the gap while we wait for his return.

The feast that we have, though, is peculiar. Those who have been long in the church have been inured to the strangeness that is the Eucharist. As we read in John…eating human flesh and drinking human blood? If someone came to you and said that…how would you respond?

We read this and we immediately translate it into Christian language and thinking. If someone like Jeffrey Dahmer (real-life cannibal) or Hannibal Lecter (fictional cannibal) said something like this, we would not have such a Christianized response. That is the horror and revulsion that his hearers and likely even his disciples felt when they heard these words.

The Christian side of it is that we see the “spiritual” side of this as perfectly reasonable. We do have to keep in mind that for years Christians were accused of cannibalism because of the words of Jesus, and the regular Love Feast.

The Christian side of it also continues in two ways. First, by associated with blood, Jesus was associating with the Jewish belief of life was in the blood (from Levitical law). Second, by associating with the bread, Jesus was tying himself to the daily necessity (and often only food) of bread.

Lastly, though not often talked about, is the Jewish concept of eating the word of God. This was the Jewish practice of licking (literally) off a slate upon which Scripture was written (the Shema would make the most sense) with honey poured on it. There is some historical question if this was a 1st Century thing or if it developed later. However, there is some precedence from Ezekiel 3:3 who ate the word of God on a scroll.

Also, we understand that Jesus was the incarnate word of God (John 1:1–4). Thus, eating the word of God takes on a completely different understanding.

Especially now, when we are not taking Communion (Eucharist/Love Feast) in the communal way we have in the recent past, it is even more important to understand the gravitas of it. It isn’t just a little juice and a wafer (or bread)…it is the Word of God.

※Prayer※

Lord, John Wesley taught us that your feast is a means by which you deliver your grace to us. Let us not take it for granted and approach your banquet table with thanksgiving [eucharistia]. Amen.

※Questions※

1) How would you explain the why of Communion to a non-believer? How do you explain “eating flesh and drinking blood” without it sounding weirder than it already does?

2) Thinking of the king’s feast (Matthew 22:1–14), what does this tell you about coming to “the table” for communion?

2020 08 20
Join the Feast

Matthew 22:1–14

When you were a child, perhaps one of your favorite times was when you were invited to a birthday party. For some, an invitation was proof that they were actually “seen”. Even if that person was thought to be a friend, it was a surety that the friendship was true. If your parent(s) said you couldn’t go, oh, the drama!

As a ruler and public person, culturally, the king would be expected to have a (semi-)public feast, where at least the connected or (at least of) the correct blood would be invited. Also, the cultural expectation would be—barring something truly serious (illness and death being about it)—to accept the invitation and attend.

So, the same people were invited again. Those that went on to their mundane (i.e., not culturally serious enough to not attend) tasks insulted the king in one way. By abusing and even killing the king’s servants, the others found a different way to insult the king. Servants were often the “carriers” of the king’s will, so killing them would be similar to declaring war.

Which helps explain the next part. The king declares war. Some sort of retribution to salvage his honor would be required. Add to that the killing of his representatives…nothing good would come of it. Jesus‘ listeners would understand.

Those originally invited were, to the hearers and our understanding, the Jews (who were the remnant of Israel). So, why waste the feast? It would be shameful to have an empty feast. So, all the unconnected and non-blood were invited. For those keeping track, this would be the Gentiles (most of us).

It is here that there is another unexpected twist. Culturally, everyone would be expected to show up dressed appropriately. This is not the tuxedo or suit, but a more common, yet special, overwear that displayed that one was honoring the host.^*

The man dishonored the king. The king had had enough dishonoring, but at least he only tossed the guy out. The commonness of the “overwear” means that this was a deliberate choice. That shows it was more than being poor. It was something more.

Jesus’ concluding statement, though, tells us something far more. All too often, people believe they are called to God (they are). However, they allow the things of the world to be a priority over God. Others think that God’s magnanimousness is carte blanche to do whatever, as long as they “just” show up.

While the Jews, at the time, were accused of caring more for the world (and the forefathers) more than God (and God’s prophets), others (in general, could be Samaritans or Romans or other Gentiles) were also being accused of wanting the spoils without even showing the slightest care for the one who gave them.

Truly, these accusations can be justly put at the feet of all of us at some point in our lives. There is an ebb and flow to each. Yet, the Lord of the Banquet calls us to the Love Feast, and we have to be at least somewhat prepared.

※Prayer※

Lord of the Feast, help us prepare the ways of heart so that we come to the table hungry for you. Amen.

※Questions※

1) Can you think of a time when some wore inappropriate attire to a gathering? What was the gathering? What made it inappropriate?

2) Have you ever made an excuse to not attend a function that you were otherwise perfectly able to attend? Why? What did it gain you not to attend?

3) While it appears the king had an open door invite to the feast, that really wasn’t so. What kind of other situations have you experienced like that?

^*This is more of a guess than anything. Several commentators leave it as a mystery, yet as we look to the Scriptures for clues, we see garments of white with the implication of them being over the stained (representing sin) clothes that we wear. Hence, my conclusion.

2020 08 19
Criminal Christian

Luke 23:32–43; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

A criminal is saved on the cross. Talk about a “bedside” or “execution” salvation! He was on the cross when he was saved.

Look at the words the criminal stated. Look at the words that Jesus spoke. We often have longer phrases and understandings (even from Jesus’ own words) of what it takes to be saved. There probably is no quicker salvation story.

That being said, it could be that the rumors and news about Jesus was so strong and flowing, that the criminal even from prison knew about Jesus. We don’t know what seeds had already be sown when the man sought salvation.

However, we can say that by all appearances the criminal didn’t meet even the lowest standards of salvation as we often understand it. Does this diminish his salvation? No. It does show the amazing grace and mercy of God.

Do you want to be the criminal? All done. All saved. All good. Nothing more to do.

The criminal is not the ideal follower of Jesus. Truly, to a select group the criminal is a beacon of hope. For the rest of us, though, the criminal is a criminal for something completely unrelated to the cross.

He doesn’t live out his faith. He does, for a few hours, but it’s really not the same. Faith and salvation are tested and refined through the long and many trials of life.

It can be reasonably argued, and has been by many, that salvation is only the beginning. Yes, in our salvation, we walk through the door to kingdom of God. It’s a big kingdom, though. Do you really only want to stay at the entrance?

The fuller life, the rich life of God, is the full and complete promise of life with Jesus. We are often satisfied with so much less. Even more disturbing is that so many want salvation, but they don’t want the transformative live with Jesus.

Some people call this being “on fire” for Jesus, except that it can devolve to being obnoxious in the name of Jesus. We don’t really want to be “on fire” for Jesus. We should want to be “on fire” by Jesus.

For Jesus usually comes from our strength and emotion. By Jesus means that it is fully (and lovingly and..and…and…) reliant upon Jesus to do the work in us through the Holy Spirit.

Is this merely semantics? Perhaps. However, there are a lot of people out in the world trumpeting the church (the Body of Christ), but aren’t living fully within it. Some show up on Sunday. Or, maybe they’ll show up digitally.

Living the (truly) rich Christian live means living it together in community. We must seek, foster, and grow that community. It won’t just come.

Or we can just be a criminal on a cross.

※Prayer※

Jesus, help us to want a full and complete life with you. Help us surrender everything to the Holy Spirit to form and shape us for your will. Amen.

※Questions※

1) How’s your faith community? Not just church (though that too), but your daily faith community?

2) How does one know whether one is living the Christian life of the criminal on the cross, or the fullness of the Kingdom come?

2020 08 18