Tag: temptation

Serving Your Judas

‌???? Read

‌John 13:1—9; Romans 5:1–11

Focus

‌“For he knew who was to betray them…”
John 13:11 (NRSVue)

‌“After he washed their feet…”
John 13:12 (NRSVue)

“…Christ died for the ungodly.”
Romans 5:6 (NRSVue)

Devotion

‌Jesus washed feet. The task normally left to a servant or the lowest person (in hierarchy) in the household was performed by the disciples’ teacher, and the person we now understand to be part of the Trinitarian God. Or to put it differently, God took the lowest place and washed feet.

‌How often are we about us? Probably too much. For most people, our self is our greatest temptation. Whether it be pride, pleasure, finances, power…we often operate from an, “I am first perspective.”

‌Jesus washed feet.

‌Let’s note who was in the room. There were Jesus’ 12 disciples. There was this one, named Judas Iscariot, who would betray Jesus to the authorities. John tells us that Jesus knew that Judas Iscariot would betray him.

‌Jesus washed his feet.

‌Before Judas Iscariot betrayed him, and while Jesus knew he would, Jesus washed his feet.

‌Most of us could complete understand regret if Jesus were to have known only afterward. If you knew someone would betray you, would you actually serve them? Jesus did.

‌Our world far too often operates from a perspective of, “what have you done for me lately.” There are those that make promises for the future and we hope they might (or won’t) fulfill them, knowing far too well that all such promises fall short. We accept (or hope for) the reality that all will not be accomplished as promised.

‌Jesus knew what Judas would do, but he washed his feet.

‌Why keep focusing on this? Why keep repeating, “…but he washed his feed?” There is a general feeling of fear, even of betrayal, going on. Families are ripping themselves apart over politics and policies. Families and friends are allowing those who are not in a personal relationship with them to define their relationships with others.

‌There is truth and wisdom about not being in relationship with toxic or harmful people, but are we really correctly defining who are toxic and harmful?‌

Judas Iscariot chose to betray Jesus. Judas could have repented (and some argue that he indirectly did). Would Jesus still forgive him despite his betrayal? Jesus washed his feet.‌

???? Reflection

‌Who are the “Judas Iscariots” in your life? How do Jesus’ actions inform how you could (or should) interact with them? What kind of “wash their feet” action might you being called to perform?

Act

‌Acts of service (i.e., washing feet) can take many forms. Purposefully and prayerfully look for acts of service for a “Judas Iscariot” in your life and do them.

Prayer

‌Gracious God, help us put the example of Jesus forefront in our thoughts and actions, especially in regard to those by whom we feel betrayed. Help us to be gracious with them, as you have been gracious to us, loving us and dying for us while we were still alienated from you. Guide us into ways of thinking and doing the show loving service so that we might draw them to you. Amen.

2024-11-13
Wise in Whose Eyes

Psalm 119:121–128, 1 Kings 4:29–34, Ephesians 6:10–18

‌We are often presented with the wisdom of Solomon. The Scriptures seem convinced that Solomon was gifted wisdom beyond normal humans by God. Yet, Solomon retained his freedom to make choices contrary to God revealed instructions.

‌We cannot know the heart of Solomon. Perhaps he believed he was doing the wise thing (and he was politically) by marrying many foreign women for the protection of the nation. However, elsewhere, the Scriptures tell us that Solomon got a bit lost later in life and would worship gods other than God with his foreign wives.

‌If you read the passage from the psalm, you can get either the mental image of a truly faithful and humble servant or the image of one who thinks they are.

‌Every time I read these verses, I ask myself if I (at the time of reading) am being the true servant or the self-deceiving one. I have learned, over time, that depending on where I am spiritually, I can be either or even both.

‌There is a temptation to automatically think one’s perspective of self is correct, and that even includes the question of being a true servant or a self-deceiving one.

‌There are many Christians who have been deceived (and self-deceive) that they are not faithful servants because they have not lived up to the archetypal perfect Christian. Thus, they are accused of, or self-accuse, being hypocrites. While the “perfect” Christian is often thought to be only a legalistic issue with Holiness denominations (such as my own, the Church of the Nazarene), I have spoken to many people who have internalized this who were raised in completely different Christian traditions.

‌The Western World, with its Christendom history, has also internalized this to both its and the Christian faith’s detriment. I have met very few Christians (only 1, I think) who believed they had become the perfect Christian. The rest, well, the more they perceive that they have been shaped by Jesus Christ, the more they realize they have further to go.

‌At least for today, read Paul’s words to the Ephesians in the context of realizing that we have allowed the world to falsely define what it means to be a Christian, and we ourselves, have created the ideal Christian in the mold of unachievable perfectionism, which is (really) legalism that destroys the spirit.

‌Freedom in Christ is not truly possible when we are held in bondage to perfectionism or legalism. The external behavior may be seen as correct, but God wants the heart.

‌※Reflection※

‌What is your reaction to the psalmist’s words? Why do you think that is?

‌How does the wisdom the world differ from the wisdom of God? How are the two similar?

‌※Prayer※

‌Lord, as we ask for wisdom, help us to be able to tell the difference between the wisdom of the world and your wisdom. Help us not be discouraged as the world tries to define for us what it means to follow you, while we diligently and humbly seek you. Amen.

2023-08-01
Wise Wisdom

Psalm 119:121–128, 1 Kings 3:16–28, James 3:13–18

‌James’ words should sit deeply with us. His words should shape our conversations and even our thoughts. Let’s also be clear, humility and wisdom in conduct and speech is rarely celebrated. Most celebrities, from actors to CEOs to politicians, are not generally known for their humility and wisdom. Humility, especially, is actually contrary to their functioning in their roles, and especially gaining their roles. It often takes a fair amount of (dishonest?) arrogance to persuade others that the person in question is right for the position.

‌Theoretically, each should should be evaluated by their past successes and failures, yet, it just doesn’t seem to actually work that way. We Christians are often complicit in this. While we are called—whether by James, the wisdom of Solomon, or the Psalmist—to be wise, we often succumb to the world’s temptation to follow the arrogant.

‌Jealousy, rivalry, slander, partiality, hypocrisy are all things James brings to mind as contrary to pure, peace-loving, gentile, willingness to yield, compassionate, and good deeds.

‌The Psalmist reminds us that we are to seek God, especially in regard to getting rid of those patterns of behavior contrary to godly wisdom. We ought to keep asking for that; this includes not getting frustrated when it doesn’t happen immediately.

‌※Reflection※

‌Of James’ list, which one seems the easiest? Which one feels like it’s aimed at you?

‌※Prayer※

‌God, grant us the godly wisdom you want us to have so that we can draw people to you, and to make our lives into conformance with yours. Amen.

2023-07-31
Veiling Mystery
Psalm 111; Isaiah 25:6–10a; Mark 6:35–44

The veil has long existed as a physical reminder of mystery. The truly veiled bride becomes a mystery (again) as she walks down the aisle toward an anxious and waiting groom. Modern weddings have pretty much eschewed the bridal veil. The bride may have a nominal veil, but it serves no purpose but to fulfill a clothing tradition, as it does not mask the bride as she walks down the aisle. Even when we think we know what is behind the veil, there is this mystery of “what if” behind the veil that still attracts us.

The veil mentioned in Isaiah is a mystery in and of itself. Some translations leave it as a “shroud” or “veil”. Others name it a “burial shroud” due to its Hebrew root being “tight wrapping”. However, a “tight wrapping” can also be interpreted as “swaddling clothes” (i.e., for an infant).

The veil stuck in the middle of a feast and the destruction of death definitely puts some additional ambiguity in there (Hey, it’s a mystery!). Christian commentators will often invoke the “death of death” in this. They may be right.

However, at least some of the Jewish commentators put this in the middle of something completely different. Depending on how certain words are translated, this passage isn’t a positive message to non-Jews. According to Rashi, the whole feast is actually a trap, where the feast appears to be fine food and wine, but is actually the leftovers and the dregs (the debris left in the bottom after wine is aged), and that the nations (granted, that attack the Jews) will be destroyed.

Talk about a complete 180° turn! To Rashi’s understanding, the wrapping (the “veil”) is more of the vision that there is no escape from punishment. It is actually mind-blowing to read completely different understandings of Hebrew from people who were often trained to think the same way about Hebrew.

This apparent contradiction is one joy I have in the Scriptures, and why I’ve loved writing these devotionals. How can there be two completely different understandings of both the Hebrew and the interpretation?

First, of course, are the presuppositions. From a Jewish perspective, Isaiah is all about the immediate punishment of the Jews for their sins, and the subsequent punishment of those that afflicted and assaulted the Jews for their sins (on top of attacking the People of God). So, we should not diminish or dismiss their understanding. In fact, it can actually deepen our understanding.

One of the biggest lessons to learn from the Scriptures is the surface lessons and the deeper ones. Much of Isaiah does indeed lend itself to both (as do much of the prophetic works). The nations that attacked the Jews? Yep, they received their punishment, and they could not escape. The temptation of the land trapped them (the Romans has somewhat of the same problem generations later).

On the other hand, the coming of Jesus did not overturn the traditional understanding of the Scriptures. Jesus’ coming transform the understanding. A Jew who does not believe Jesus is the Messiah, Lord, and Savior will not have their understanding of these words transformed.

Just as we who have come to know Jesus have been transformed, so too have the Scriptures. Not literally, for Jesus is the Word, but in understanding. When the Word in the flesh came, the Scriptures gained new light, and humanity was gifted a transformed understanding of who God really is.

※Reflection※
- What are some “veils of mystery” that you can think of? What impact do they have in your life?
- How do both understandings of these verses in Isaiah inform you about God?
- Why is transformation such an important concept when it comes to the Old Testament and our reading and understanding of the Scriptures?
※Prayer※

Lord, you have and are the words of eternal life. Transform our hearts to hunger for your Word, that we can bear your Word into the world, and be a light to one another. Amen.

※ A Post Script ※

As I’ve communicated before, God has released (directed?) me to something new and unknown (a mystery). This is the last daily devotional. I thank you for journeying with me through the Scriptures. As I delve into what God has in store, expect to still hear from me, just in a different way than devotions have been done. I pray that God will continue to bless your walk with Jesus and that you find those Christian companions who will continue to deepen your faith and understanding. -Pastor Ian
2021-07-28
How Far Do We Go
Psalm 135; Daniel 3:1–30; 1 John 2:3–11

The fiery furnace story with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Hebrew names: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) is one of those ever-present Sunday School stories. It is a great story of faith, trust, and most importantly…love.

Love. Yes. Faith and trust really only go so far, especially when it comes to one’s death. Love conquers all. If we were to use the phrase used to King David, perhaps that will help. “A man [in this case, men] after the Lord’s own heart.”Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were men after the Lord’s own heart. Their faith and trust in God had transformed into love. This may seem like a stretch, and that is understandable. Love, though, would seem to be the only movement that would the 3 men to say what they said in response to the king.

The letter from John provides some insight into this conclusion, “But the love of God is truly perfected in whoever keeps his word.” Keeping God’s word (i.e., “not worshiping other gods”) was definitely what the 3 men did, and in a way that is both legend and example.

While a miracle did occur, they did not hold a lack of one against God. As many of us are going through hard times and harder losses, there is a strong temptation to hold the lack of miracles against God. We often want our belief to buy us something with God.

That is not love. That is bargaining. That is not trust. That is exchange. That is not faith.

※Reflection※
- How should this understanding of love affect our interactions with others? How should this affect our understanding of church?
- What are lessons that you have learned about the fiery furnace in you life? How did you apply them?
※Prayer※

Lord, you have have given us the gift of faith and love. May we continue to deepen our trust in you that we truly able to trust you fully in all things. Amen.
2021-04-12
Beyond Sight/Site
Psalm 119:9–16; Haggai 2:1–9, 20–23; John 12:34–50

Haggai and Zechariah were the two prophets that accompanied the Israelites from exile to home. Their primary focus was the restoration of Israel, not so much as a powerhouse, but as a people and nation of God, including both temple worship and the Davidic kingly line. Later on down the chronological line (beyond today’s readings), the temple is completed. However, the temple that was completed did not have the glory of the old one in physical status.

As Haggai’s words are considered canonical (i.e., verified as the action of God), then the Jews saw something much different than the literal word (often our temptation when we are reading). From a Jewish standpoint (especially Haggai’s traditionalist perspective), the temple isn’t so much the point as a people faithfully pursuing God with one of the signs being faithful worship as prescribed in the Old Testament. What does it matter what it looked like today (remember the original Temple was David’s plan, inspired by God, but not prescribed) when faithful worship and a God-fearing king were what was required?

That Haggai was seeing beyond the immediate temple and even beyond the immediate kingly line tells us that Jesus’ words were not without historical precedence (as some have claimed). As we look beyond Jesus’ time on earth, we can see the fulfillment of Haggai’s words, as faith in Jesus Christ has changed the world. Though, sadly, many of those who cried, “Lord, Lord,” were liars, murderers, and power-grabbers beyond the average struggling Christian.

Haggai’s understanding of a God-honoring relationship revolved around the temple. That is what tradition and the Scriptures taught. Haggai understood quite well, as he was coming from exile, that empty actions were not what was needed. It was actions that were firmly grounded in who God is, and that the Israelites were God’s chosen people.

While Jesus’ words may have seemed revolutionary at the time, Jesus did answer the “Christ will be with us forever” in a way unexpected, though by pure reason, it probably should have been an idea. The Christ was with the Children of God forever…in their souls, their temple to God. Thus a relationship through the temple was now very personal, and the Christ was with them.

Would Haggai have been able to recognize that Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of his prophecy in only a way that God could make it happen? Perhaps. We can only look at Haggai’s words and see Christ in retrospect.

※Reflection※
- What practices do you fulfill in relationship with God? How about in regards to the temple, both body and church?
- What do you think is comparable to the Davidic kingly line in regards to lively rightly before God?
- When was the last time you evaluated your habits through the lens of habit or “because you need to”? Why is it important?
※Prayer※

Lord, guide us ever deeper into meaningful and life-changing relationship with you. Amen.
2021-03-24
Examples and Warnings

Psalm 107:1–16; Numbers 20:1–13; 1 Corinthians 10:6–13

Imagine saying, “Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his faithful love lasts forever,” to the Israelites at Kadesh. Those words would have been grating (at best) the ears of all the tongues lashing against Moses and Aaron.

The Psalmist also wrote, “So they cried out to the Lord in their distress, and God delivered them from their desperate circumstances.” Except that is not the story in Numbers. Instead of crying out to God, the condemned, blamed, and judged Aaron and Moses. Instead of crying out to their Redeemer and Rescuer, they passed around blame and bemoaned their freedom from slavery.

The Scriptures are full of stories. Many of them include the failings and failures of families. We witness the bad choices that people make, including followers of God, that are nowhere near the intent or desire of God.

There have been many people that have claimed that God endorses many things (slavery, abuse, polygamy, etc.) that appear in the Scriptures, solely because they appear in the Scriptures. This has been the case with Christians and non-Christians alike. It also is a really bad idea.

Just because it shows up in the Scriptures certainly does not mean endorsement by God. Paul comments on this. Paul notes that the intent of the descriptions of human failures is intended to be descriptive and instructive. They are not to be prescriptive.

Paul reminds and encourages us to remember that we are not alone in any temptation or failure. We are in quite the company, in fact. The lie we tell ourselves and others that others couldn’t possibly be tempted like us, or that have succumbed as we have is put on display by Paul.

Paul, while displaying the lie, also encourages us to recall that God did not tempt us, just as God did not endorse or encourage the sins of those in the Scriptures. Ultimately, it is the weakness of our fallen condition. Which is not unique to an individual, but is part of the state of all of humanity.

※Reflection※

Why is it important to understand that we are all tempted? How does that mean we should treat others who have succumbed? What should we do when we succumb? Why and how are these related both in our interactions with fellow Christians and those who are not Christian?

※Prayer※

Lord, you set us free from the ultimate consequence of sin…death. Help us in our lives to be free of sin and help others to break their chains and to heal their wounds from sin. Amen.

2021-03-16
Just the Right Size
Psalm 77; Proverbs 30:1–9; Matthew 4:1–11

In Through the Looking Glass, Alice comes to a mushroom. Eating from one part of the mushroom causes her to turn into a giant. Eating from a different part she turns smaller than normal. She finally ate from the “right” part and returned to her normal size. Often our image of ourselves is too big or too small, and far too rarely (or for long enough) just right.

The proper perspective of God and man is critical to our Christian walk. The improper perspective of God and man all too often leads to misunderstandings and walking (or running) from a saving relationship with God.

The rhetorical questions asked in Psalm 77:7–9 are often asked by people in trouble. They may not put “God” in the equation, but the question remains the same. God does not reject forever. God does not forget to be gracious. God’s faithful love never ends.

Sometimes we ask these questions because we have lost perspective of ourselves in comparison to God. In such cases, we have also lost perspective of ourselves in comparison to the world. This does not mean that we are not allowed to have feelings. It is just that we must keep them in perspective.

Then there is the other version of out of perspective. Agur calls himself the most stupid (or foolish) person in the world. Agur then also belittled himself. This view of being so little is just as bad as being too big.

There is a balance, though we all vacillate from one extreme to another. It is part of our emotional condition. We just need to aim for the center (the balance), but accept that we will not maintain it, and to give ourselves grace when we can’t.

Temptation often comes when we think too much or too little of ourselves. It is usually in those times of weakness (that we sometimes wrongly view as strength) that we have the greatest likelihood to succumb.

As we read the Temptations of Jesus (which were not the only ones; they were just significant as it was the Tempter, the Enemy, who was doing it directly), we can see that if Jesus had had an out of balance perspective on his view of himself, he could have fallen. It could be argued that as Jesus is God, Jesus wouldn’t, but that doesn’t deny the reality of temptation.

※Reflection※
- In whose words do you see more of yourself, the Psalmist or Agur?
- Balance is a powerful and yet dangerous word. How do you pursue balance without the pursuit harming or even destroying you?
- What do you think of temptation being strongest when your perspective of yourself is wrong?
※Prayer※

Holy Spirit, guide our minds and hearts to keep ourselves “just the right size” as we look at your majesty, glory, and creations. Amen.
2021-02-24
AntiPyros

Proverbs 16:28; Philippians 2:1–13; James 3:1–13

A pyromaniac is a person who continually fails to resist the temptation to start fires, often as a sort of method to relieve tension or for instant gratification. Pyromania (the term for the condition) is an impulse control disorder. What should we call those whose tongues (or keyboard strokes) cause firestorms of angst, hatred, fear, sorrow, etcetera?

As Christians, perhaps one of the biggest acts of serving love we can do in these days is to be firefighters. This is not about “fake news”, “doctored news”, “spin”, or any other term being flung about these days to discredit those perceived to be from the so-called opposition.

It wasn’t that long ago that the entire West Coast of the US was blanketed with smoke from many wildland fires. Millions of acres burned. Some categorize the amount of acreage burned as record-breaking. If we were to estimate the number of firefighters working to knock out the fires at 350 thousand (which is probably a quite high estimate), that would be around 1/10 of 1% (0.001) of the US population.

Why do those numbers matter? A relatively small proportion of the US population put out so many fires over a large amount of acreage. That’s the way we should be.

In the context of the church, fire is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and a purifier/cleanser. However, the other side of fire is utter destruction. A purifying fire can be good, however, the church (and society, and history, and the world) has had too many instances when a purifying fire becomes corrupted, and all it does is destroy.

There are far too many people like those in Proverbs 16:28 who seek to sow discord and conflict, and others who spread gossip to tear down their intellectual opponents. The Scriptures certainly do not celebrate such individuals. Nor should we.

Gossip and conflict-starting put oneself above others. When we look to ourselves and not others, there is a huge potential to sow hatred and derision rather than the love of Christ. When we speak in love and with the intent to build others up, the fire-starting tongue becomes a blesser rather than a curser.

※Questions※

1) Where are you seeing Christian brothers and sisters being unholy fire-starters and spreaders, rather than holy firefighters?

2) What are some ways and words that you can use to help quench the unholy fires of words that are shared around you?

3) What, if any, experiences have you had where what was (or was intended to be) a purifying fire turned into a destructive one?

※Prayer※

Holy Spirit, we ask you to light us up as beacons of your grace and love. Guide us to be the ones that share holy fire and extinguish unholy fire. Amen.

2020-09-26
A Time To Sin

Job 1:9–22; Ecclesiastes 3:1–11; Ezekiel 18:5–18

You are probably familiar with Pete Seeger’s Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season). Written in the late 50s, it was commercially via The Byrds in 1965. It takes Ecclesiastes verses 3:1–8 and puts them to music.

Pete Seeger’s intent behind the song was to promote world peace. That’s a very laudable goal. The irony of that goal is that the lyrics are almost a fatalistic response to the fallen and unpeaceful ways of the world.

There are a lot of things not specifically mentioned as having time for. Certainly, singing and learning were part of life at that point, but they aren’t specifically mentioned (though singing could be inferred with dancing). The internet and driving weren’t mentioned specifically (of course) but would be covered under “everything”.

The “everything” is a pretty big catch-all. Does that mean, then, that there is a time to sin?

That might seem to be a stupid question, yet, depending on one’s view of God, it isn’t stupid at all. The answer to that question may very well display what you think about God in several significant ways (though we won’t get them all).

When you read the story of Job (whether allegorical or true) how do you “read” the conversation between Satan and God? Is God allowing or directing?

Based on the end of this section of verses, Job did not assign wrongdoing to God (blame), and as such, did not sin. Then should we conclude that God allowed this to happen?

For many, leaving it as “a mystery” is fine, except for the problem of blame. If God wills/desires it, and if God is omnipotent, then how can God be loving and full of grace and mercy. The rejoinder often is, we can’t know the mind of God. This is true, in so far as finite creatures (us) trying to fully understand the infinite (God).

Yet, the Scriptures (given by God) also provide us insights into who God is, so the conclusions we draw from the Scriptures also deeply affect how we view and relate to God.

Is this that important? Yes. When you sin, is it you sinning by your will, or is God willing you to do something then assigning the sin to you? That is the choice laid before us.

Ezekiel’s words reinforce one answer. Your sin is a result of your will (or weakness in the face of temptation).

What is also part of this is that your sin cannot be laid at another’s feet (God’s or human’s). It is yours. Own it. Yes, own your sin.

This is not go and sin again. It is own your sin so as to repent and restore right relationship with God.

“‘…For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death.’ This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. ‘So repent and live!’” (Ezekiel 18:32)

※Questions※

1) Repent is based on the root of “turn from” or “turn around”. What do you need to repent from? If you cannot think of a “sin” (or even if you can), what is something else that you might need to turn from to improve or deepen your relationship with God?

2) How do you define sin? How do you know/learn if something new (such as a behavior) is a sin, or not?

3) What your current or past Job moments? How do/did they affect your relationship with God?

※Prayer※

Heavenly Father, as we read your word, we learn about you. Help us to be stirred to read your word that we continue to grow in our knowledge of and relationship with you. Amen.

2020-09-24