Sharpening the Knife
In today's reading, notice the following exchange between the formerly blind man and the religious leaders:
24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”
25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
27 He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”
28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”
30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.
Surprisingly it almost seems like the man's faith grows during his inquisition. He begins by saying, "whether he is a sinner or not I do not know" and ends by saying "if this man were not from God he could do nothing." The Pharisees meant to break him down and unwittingly seem to have strengthened his resolve to believe in Jesus as his Savior.
But isn't it often the case that our faith grows through controversy, difficulty and challenge? Isn't hardship often the honing device to sharpen us as God's people?
In 1996, my faith was challenged by an automobile accident that left me with a fractured vertebrae in my neck. As I lay on a hospital bed uncertain of my future, I found a deeper strength from God's presence than I had known before. Relying on His healing hand and not on my own ingenuity or insight helped me know how utterly dependent I was on His love.
So, if you are walking in the middle of difficulty and hardship, keep your eyes focused upward. Strength might be on its way in the most surprising form.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, April 29 - John 8
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
The religious leaders accusing Jesus of being from the Devil boldly declare: "We have Abraham as our father."
Jesus responds with "if you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me."
With these words Jesus challenges what it means to be a "son of Abraham." And in God's eyes it ultimately has very little to do with one's lineage, but rather has to do with one's faith. A true "son of Abraham" believes that Jesus is the Son of God -- the Messiah -- the Savior of the world. A true "son of Abraham" understands that Abraham's greatest descendent -- the Christ -- is worthy of our trust.
Therefore, the religious leaders who accuse Jesus, though they tout themselves as blessed "sons of Abraham," are really just his blood relatives. Nothing more. Nothing less.
In modern days, the term Christian is frequently used. And some think about this name in the same way the Jewish religous leaders thought about "son of Abraham." That is, for many, to be a Christian is about one's family heritage -- is about doing the rituals of the Christian faith.
But Jesus makes clear that to be His follower has little to do with traditions and rituals and everything to do with faith. A Christian lives His name when he honors Christ as Lord.
And what does it mean to honor Christ as Lord? Two things: 1) to believe in Him and lay our lives into His care. 2) to serve Him with the actions of faith -- that is, holy living, and compassionate love.
The religious leaders accusing Jesus of being from the Devil boldly declare: "We have Abraham as our father."
Jesus responds with "if you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me."
+ + +
With these words Jesus challenges what it means to be a "son of Abraham." And in God's eyes it ultimately has very little to do with one's lineage, but rather has to do with one's faith. A true "son of Abraham" believes that Jesus is the Son of God -- the Messiah -- the Savior of the world. A true "son of Abraham" understands that Abraham's greatest descendent -- the Christ -- is worthy of our trust.
Therefore, the religious leaders who accuse Jesus, though they tout themselves as blessed "sons of Abraham," are really just his blood relatives. Nothing more. Nothing less.
In modern days, the term Christian is frequently used. And some think about this name in the same way the Jewish religous leaders thought about "son of Abraham." That is, for many, to be a Christian is about one's family heritage -- is about doing the rituals of the Christian faith.
But Jesus makes clear that to be His follower has little to do with traditions and rituals and everything to do with faith. A Christian lives His name when he honors Christ as Lord.
And what does it mean to honor Christ as Lord? Two things: 1) to believe in Him and lay our lives into His care. 2) to serve Him with the actions of faith -- that is, holy living, and compassionate love.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Friday, April 26 - John 7
Friday April 26th- John 7
Popularity
“No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world. For even his own brothers did not believe in him.” (Jn 7:4-5).
Take a moment to think about all of the celebrities in our culture today. What does it take to become a celebrity? We tend to focus our fame around successful accomplishments: number of movies starred in, number of Oscars won, number of football games won. We are a success based culture, and our celebrities are all popular because they are successful.
Jesus’ brothers had the same attitude in our text for today. They saw Jesus doing all of these miraculous signs and wonders, and thought that He should go to Jerusalem in public to be exalted as king. His brothers were on the bandwagon to get rid of the Romans and establish a sovereign Jewish state. It is clear that Jesus’ brothers have no idea what they are talking about, as verse five makes very clear.
If they do not believe, they do not understand what Jesus came to the earth to accomplish. I find it interesting that Jesus becomes a celebrity in Jerusalem, but for a very different reason than His brothers expect. Not long after this, the people accuse Jesus of blasphemy against the Most High God and yell “Crucify.” He is hung on a tree and cursed, becoming a celebrity for the worst of all reasons.
Yet we know that Jesus became a celebrity for an entirely different reason. He rose from the dead, conquering over sin, death, and the power of the devil. And he gives this victory to us, that we too may share in the fame and victory of Him who died for us. It kind of makes the 14 Oscars seem a little worthless, doesn’t it? May the Lord grant us a sense of awe over the great thing that our God has done for us.
Popularity
“No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world. For even his own brothers did not believe in him.” (Jn 7:4-5).
Take a moment to think about all of the celebrities in our culture today. What does it take to become a celebrity? We tend to focus our fame around successful accomplishments: number of movies starred in, number of Oscars won, number of football games won. We are a success based culture, and our celebrities are all popular because they are successful.
Jesus’ brothers had the same attitude in our text for today. They saw Jesus doing all of these miraculous signs and wonders, and thought that He should go to Jerusalem in public to be exalted as king. His brothers were on the bandwagon to get rid of the Romans and establish a sovereign Jewish state. It is clear that Jesus’ brothers have no idea what they are talking about, as verse five makes very clear.
If they do not believe, they do not understand what Jesus came to the earth to accomplish. I find it interesting that Jesus becomes a celebrity in Jerusalem, but for a very different reason than His brothers expect. Not long after this, the people accuse Jesus of blasphemy against the Most High God and yell “Crucify.” He is hung on a tree and cursed, becoming a celebrity for the worst of all reasons.
Yet we know that Jesus became a celebrity for an entirely different reason. He rose from the dead, conquering over sin, death, and the power of the devil. And he gives this victory to us, that we too may share in the fame and victory of Him who died for us. It kind of makes the 14 Oscars seem a little worthless, doesn’t it? May the Lord grant us a sense of awe over the great thing that our God has done for us.
Thursday, April 25 - John 6. (From Ryan Andersen)
Thursday April 25th- John 6
Spoiled
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” (Jn 6:27).
I am sure that we have all accidentally left something in the refrigerator or cupboard for far longer than the expiration date. What was your reaction when this mysterious food item was discovered? One time my family and I found a box of oatmeal that had expired four years earlier. Holding at arms-length and throwing into the trash would best sum up our reaction.
Jesus talks about two kinds of food in this passage. There is the food that spoils and the food that does not spoil. After the feeding of the five thousand, the crowds wanted the Miracle Maker to make them some more bread to eat. They wanted food that spoils and rots away. This is similar to manna from the Old Testament, which Jesus references later in the chapter. If manna was not consumed within the day it was given, maggots would come and eat it.
There is something distinctive about the food that Jesus mentions in this chapter. It does not spoil or fade away; in fact, it endures to eternal life. What is this food we may ask? It is in fact Christ Himself. How do we eat of Christ? A healthy Christian diet involves regular participation in the Word and Sacraments. These are the gifts of food that Christ has given us to eat. He has also granted us the faith to believe and partake of these things, that they may be beneficial to us.
Jesus Himself is the Bread of Life, which sustains all men. Jesus came to give life to the world, and the gift of Jesus does not spoil. Thanks be to God for our eternal Savior and life-giving bread!
Spoiled
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” (Jn 6:27).
I am sure that we have all accidentally left something in the refrigerator or cupboard for far longer than the expiration date. What was your reaction when this mysterious food item was discovered? One time my family and I found a box of oatmeal that had expired four years earlier. Holding at arms-length and throwing into the trash would best sum up our reaction.
Jesus talks about two kinds of food in this passage. There is the food that spoils and the food that does not spoil. After the feeding of the five thousand, the crowds wanted the Miracle Maker to make them some more bread to eat. They wanted food that spoils and rots away. This is similar to manna from the Old Testament, which Jesus references later in the chapter. If manna was not consumed within the day it was given, maggots would come and eat it.
There is something distinctive about the food that Jesus mentions in this chapter. It does not spoil or fade away; in fact, it endures to eternal life. What is this food we may ask? It is in fact Christ Himself. How do we eat of Christ? A healthy Christian diet involves regular participation in the Word and Sacraments. These are the gifts of food that Christ has given us to eat. He has also granted us the faith to believe and partake of these things, that they may be beneficial to us.
Jesus Himself is the Bread of Life, which sustains all men. Jesus came to give life to the world, and the gift of Jesus does not spoil. Thanks be to God for our eternal Savior and life-giving bread!
Wednesday, April 24 - John 5
THEY MISSED THE POINT
In today's lesson, Jesus heals a lame man and enables him to take up his mat. The Pharisees, wrapped up in their rituals which they think justify them before God, condemn the man for carrying his mat on the Sabbath day.
Later on (v. 16) we learn that the Jewish leaders and other Jews persecuted Jesus because He was daring to show mercy and compassion on a day when their dogmatic laws and traditions required no activity.
To this, Jesus replies, "My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working."
After this, the text says, "the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calliing God His own Father, making Himself equal with God."
Imagine the riduculousless of valuing Sabbath rules over showing mercy and compassion -- making the rituals of faith more important than faith itself. These religous leaders, in their attempts to turn faith into something you could quantify, managed to miss the point of God's law entirely.
And don't we often do the same thing? We get the mistaken notion that following God's laws actually contributes to our salvation -- that doing the things we deem godly somehow make us godly.
Consequently, we judge our own (and others') righteousness based on our success or failure at keeping the laws we deem to be commanded by God.
But Jesus declares emphatically: "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned." In short, our holiness is based not on what we do, but solely on our relationship with Him who makes us right with God by His sacrificial death on the cross.
The law of God is intended primarily to make us realize how much we need this relationship -- not to be interpreted as our ladder to climb to make ourselves right with God. The religious leaders, instead of pointing out anothers failures, should have been on their knees seeking forgiveness for their own failures -- and finding, in Christ, the relationship between God and man.
That's what we need, too. Not a whole new set of rules and laws and traditions. Faith in Him.
In today's lesson, Jesus heals a lame man and enables him to take up his mat. The Pharisees, wrapped up in their rituals which they think justify them before God, condemn the man for carrying his mat on the Sabbath day.
Later on (v. 16) we learn that the Jewish leaders and other Jews persecuted Jesus because He was daring to show mercy and compassion on a day when their dogmatic laws and traditions required no activity.
To this, Jesus replies, "My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working."
After this, the text says, "the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calliing God His own Father, making Himself equal with God."
Imagine the riduculousless of valuing Sabbath rules over showing mercy and compassion -- making the rituals of faith more important than faith itself. These religous leaders, in their attempts to turn faith into something you could quantify, managed to miss the point of God's law entirely.
And don't we often do the same thing? We get the mistaken notion that following God's laws actually contributes to our salvation -- that doing the things we deem godly somehow make us godly.
Consequently, we judge our own (and others') righteousness based on our success or failure at keeping the laws we deem to be commanded by God.
But Jesus declares emphatically: "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned." In short, our holiness is based not on what we do, but solely on our relationship with Him who makes us right with God by His sacrificial death on the cross.
The law of God is intended primarily to make us realize how much we need this relationship -- not to be interpreted as our ladder to climb to make ourselves right with God. The religious leaders, instead of pointing out anothers failures, should have been on their knees seeking forgiveness for their own failures -- and finding, in Christ, the relationship between God and man.
That's what we need, too. Not a whole new set of rules and laws and traditions. Faith in Him.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Tuesday, April 23 - John 4
SNIFFING OUT THE ONE IN NEED
One of the things that is most fascinating to me about the comfort dogs which visited Beautiful Savior last Sunday is their uncanny ability to seek out the people who are struggling the most. Trainers, owners, and handlers all describe the way these dogs have an innate sense of who needs to decompress, and immediately head for that person.
Today's lesson teaches us a similar truth about Jesus. As the Son of God, He knows who will most benefit from His words -- and He positions Himself to minister to that person.
The Samaritan woman at the well was confused, hurting, and love-starved. Jesus, it seems, knows her, cares for her, and wants to rescue her from her pain. Soon, she is telling everyone about this wonderful Messiah who, "told me everything I ever did" (v. 39) And the "living waters" Jesus describes become her own as she trusts in Him.
Jesus knows you even better than you know yourself, and He responds to your inner groanings and cries for help. He is there when you are struggling, doubting, or afraid. He wants to rescue you from all those things which might drag you down further.
As people bury their heads in the comfort dogs and simply, for a moment, let go of all that ails them, may you also bury your head in your Savior and find the peace that passes all understanding.
One of the things that is most fascinating to me about the comfort dogs which visited Beautiful Savior last Sunday is their uncanny ability to seek out the people who are struggling the most. Trainers, owners, and handlers all describe the way these dogs have an innate sense of who needs to decompress, and immediately head for that person.
Today's lesson teaches us a similar truth about Jesus. As the Son of God, He knows who will most benefit from His words -- and He positions Himself to minister to that person.
The Samaritan woman at the well was confused, hurting, and love-starved. Jesus, it seems, knows her, cares for her, and wants to rescue her from her pain. Soon, she is telling everyone about this wonderful Messiah who, "told me everything I ever did" (v. 39) And the "living waters" Jesus describes become her own as she trusts in Him.
Jesus knows you even better than you know yourself, and He responds to your inner groanings and cries for help. He is there when you are struggling, doubting, or afraid. He wants to rescue you from all those things which might drag you down further.
As people bury their heads in the comfort dogs and simply, for a moment, let go of all that ails them, may you also bury your head in your Savior and find the peace that passes all understanding.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Monday, April 22 - John 3
BORN AGAIN
A born again Christian recognizes that he has been born in spiritual corruption -- that by nature all people are born spiritually blind, dead, and enemies of God. Without help, there is no hope. As St. Paul says in Philippians, "our destiny is destruction."
Nicodemus came to Jesus so that he might secretly to ask Him questions. And when he does, Jesus teaches Nicodemus that God wants to offer everyone this help by enabling them to be connected to His Messiah. This connection comes not because of our own goodness, power, or initiative. It comes because "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."
The method of our connection to Christ is designed to show the wonderful nature of such grace. A child is brought before God -- a child who has not the rational capacity nor the human initiative to choose God. And, by God's initiative, using the simple elements of water and the Word, God comes to this child and makes him His own. He creates faith. He offers the gift of the Holy Spirit.
God's initiative, not ours. God's grace, not our decision.
Many view Baptism as something we do for God -- a sign of our decision to follow Him. But Jesus' words to Nicodemus remind us again that we are utterly dependent on God for our heavenly future. Our faith is His work. Our future is based on His gift.
And so, to be born again doesn't require some special second experience with God beyond our baptism. It means simply that God creates and sustains faith through His Holy Spirit -- that He makes a covenant with us to be our Father, through Jesus Christ, and to offer us eternity.
A born again Christian recognizes that he has been born in spiritual corruption -- that by nature all people are born spiritually blind, dead, and enemies of God. Without help, there is no hope. As St. Paul says in Philippians, "our destiny is destruction."
Nicodemus came to Jesus so that he might secretly to ask Him questions. And when he does, Jesus teaches Nicodemus that God wants to offer everyone this help by enabling them to be connected to His Messiah. This connection comes not because of our own goodness, power, or initiative. It comes because "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."
The method of our connection to Christ is designed to show the wonderful nature of such grace. A child is brought before God -- a child who has not the rational capacity nor the human initiative to choose God. And, by God's initiative, using the simple elements of water and the Word, God comes to this child and makes him His own. He creates faith. He offers the gift of the Holy Spirit.
God's initiative, not ours. God's grace, not our decision.
Many view Baptism as something we do for God -- a sign of our decision to follow Him. But Jesus' words to Nicodemus remind us again that we are utterly dependent on God for our heavenly future. Our faith is His work. Our future is based on His gift.
And so, to be born again doesn't require some special second experience with God beyond our baptism. It means simply that God creates and sustains faith through His Holy Spirit -- that He makes a covenant with us to be our Father, through Jesus Christ, and to offer us eternity.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Friday, April 19 - John 2
WINE
Jesus' first miracle suprises some. It is hardly a life and death situation. It doesn't deal with a sick or diseased person. No one is raised from death. It is, instead, the provision of wine for a wedding feast where they had run out. It seems that the struggle here had to do more with public embarrassment than it did with something of a critical nature.
But doesn't that tell us something important about Jesus? He isn't just concerned about our life and death moments. His compassion isn't aloof from us when we are dealing with even the ordinary and mundane.
As the omniscient and omnipotent Son of God, He is there for us even when we struggle with seemingly insignificant fears, doubts, frustrations, and troubles. He cares about our families and what's going on inside our homes. He cares about our workplace and the daily grind that we face. He cares about our schooling, our disappointments, our travel, our celebrations, our church, our recreation etc. etc. etc.
In short, nothing is too small to bring before Him. He walks with us and feels for us not only as our God, but also as our brother. "Fear not," He declares to us, "I am with you. I have called you by name, you are mine."
Jesus' first miracle suprises some. It is hardly a life and death situation. It doesn't deal with a sick or diseased person. No one is raised from death. It is, instead, the provision of wine for a wedding feast where they had run out. It seems that the struggle here had to do more with public embarrassment than it did with something of a critical nature.
But doesn't that tell us something important about Jesus? He isn't just concerned about our life and death moments. His compassion isn't aloof from us when we are dealing with even the ordinary and mundane.
As the omniscient and omnipotent Son of God, He is there for us even when we struggle with seemingly insignificant fears, doubts, frustrations, and troubles. He cares about our families and what's going on inside our homes. He cares about our workplace and the daily grind that we face. He cares about our schooling, our disappointments, our travel, our celebrations, our church, our recreation etc. etc. etc.
In short, nothing is too small to bring before Him. He walks with us and feels for us not only as our God, but also as our brother. "Fear not," He declares to us, "I am with you. I have called you by name, you are mine."
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Thursday, April 18 - John 1
THE WORD
For thousands of years, the Israelites had focused on the WORD of promise. It began after Eve sinned, when God spoke the WORD that a Savior would come who would crush the head of the Serpent (Gen. 3:15). It continued as God clarified to them, throughout the Old Testament, who this Messiah would be. The prophets spoke, events transpired that prefigured Jesus' coming, people and places pointed forward to Him.
But it was, primarily, a WORD of promise upon which the Israelites built their hopes and dreams of salvation. They couldn't see Him, and yet they believed that one day He would indeed be born of a woman, born under the law, so that He could save us.
In Christ, the WORD of promise becomes reality. The WORD becomes FLESH and dwells among us. (John 1:14) In the incarnation of Jesus we see a God who is not only faithful to His WORD, but also who is able to accomplish the impossible. How can God become a man? How can the immortal take on mortality -- the omnipresent be localized?
But He does it. And He does it because the depth of His love and commitment to us in bigger than we can possibly imagine.
What this says to us is that our God is not a who is God far-off, distant, impersonal and indifferent to our needs. He isn't just a God of WORDS. He is a God whose WORDS mean something -- whose WORDS took shape and form in the person of His Son. And He walks beside us in our journey, with real flesh and real blood.
He felt our pain, experienced our struggles, knew the anguish that we go through as we wander through this "vale of tears." He shed those tears too.
But His presence is the key to victory, because, in the end, His WORDS of life will blossom into reality, and we will reign with Him forever and ever.
For thousands of years, the Israelites had focused on the WORD of promise. It began after Eve sinned, when God spoke the WORD that a Savior would come who would crush the head of the Serpent (Gen. 3:15). It continued as God clarified to them, throughout the Old Testament, who this Messiah would be. The prophets spoke, events transpired that prefigured Jesus' coming, people and places pointed forward to Him.
But it was, primarily, a WORD of promise upon which the Israelites built their hopes and dreams of salvation. They couldn't see Him, and yet they believed that one day He would indeed be born of a woman, born under the law, so that He could save us.
In Christ, the WORD of promise becomes reality. The WORD becomes FLESH and dwells among us. (John 1:14) In the incarnation of Jesus we see a God who is not only faithful to His WORD, but also who is able to accomplish the impossible. How can God become a man? How can the immortal take on mortality -- the omnipresent be localized?
But He does it. And He does it because the depth of His love and commitment to us in bigger than we can possibly imagine.
What this says to us is that our God is not a who is God far-off, distant, impersonal and indifferent to our needs. He isn't just a God of WORDS. He is a God whose WORDS mean something -- whose WORDS took shape and form in the person of His Son. And He walks beside us in our journey, with real flesh and real blood.
He felt our pain, experienced our struggles, knew the anguish that we go through as we wander through this "vale of tears." He shed those tears too.
But His presence is the key to victory, because, in the end, His WORDS of life will blossom into reality, and we will reign with Him forever and ever.
Wednesday, April 17 - Luke 24
I'm sorry for no blog entry today. Having just returned from Boston, I didn't have opportunity to pen an entry for today. If I get a chance, I will come back to Luke 24 and share a few words.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Tuesday April 16th- Luke 23 from Intern Ryan Anderson
The Greatest of These is Love
“When they came to the place
called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals- one on
his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they
do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting
lots” (Lk 23:33-34).
When you read this text, you may
miss the love the first time. Jesus is surrounded by those who want Him dead,
and are now accomplishing just that. He hangs on a cross in between two common
criminals. And in front of him, they mock, jeer, and cast lots for his
clothing.
Jesus had every right to call
down curses from Heaven and rain burning sulfur upon these people.
Unfortunately, if we rain burning sulfur on them, burning sulfur is heaped on
our heads also. The Cross convicts us of our sin, just as much as it exposes
the sin of the Pharisees and rulers of the people.
Yet, Jesus’ words are not words
of rebuke, but words of love. He prays to His Father for forgiveness for those
who killed Him. I think that two of the most powerful acts of love we can
perform as humans are to pray for and forgive those who wrong us. Jesus does
both on the Cross. We had wronged Him in a way that left us with nothing to
give, but only judgment to receive. Instead, He takes it all on Himself and
gives us the grace and forgiveness that He alone deserved.
May the God of all grace shower you in His love this day, for the sake of our Savior.
Monday April 15th- Luke 22 from Intern Ryan Anderson
Anguish
“And being in anguish, he
prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like great drops of blood falling to
the ground.” (Lk 22:44).
This chapter takes place the day
before Jesus is crucified and buried. He knows what is coming and when it will
come. The going out to the Mount of Olives was not unusual. But there was
something special about this night. This night, Jesus knew He would be betrayed
into the hands of men, crucified, and that He would die.
He withdraws a stone’s distance
from the disciples, falls on his knees, and prays. I find the contents of the
prayer the most fascinating detail in this account. Jesus could have prayed for
legions of angels to defend Him. He could have run away and abandoned it all.
Instead, his prayer was a simple “Father, thy will be done!”
The Father graciously sends an
angel to comfort Jesus, but He is now beyond the point of comfort. Jesus is
beginning to realize what it means to bear the sins of the whole world. And
those sins cause so much pain and anguish, that his sweat is like blood. Most
commentaries suggest that this is hematidrosis, which is where blood and sweat
literally mix together.
The amazing part is Jesus’
strength in the midst of anguish. He stayed the course and won the victory over
sin, death, and the devil. I hope that the account of Jesus’ anguish helps us
to appreciate our Savior’s sacrifice all the more.
May the Lord bless you this day
because of the suffering of Jesus.
Friday, April 12 - Luke 21 from Inter Ryan Anderson
Friday April 12th- Luke 21
Watch the Skies
“At that time they will see
the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things
begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption
is drawing near.” Lk 21:27-28
The past few days have been
rather rainy down here in Mequon. Frankly, I get depressed in this kind of
weather. April should be filled with a little more sunshine than we have had
the chance to experience.
I can just picture one of the
disciples saying, “Lord, it’s so gloomy out. Can we have some sunshine please?”
Jesus then reminds them of the whole purpose of these events: to herald the
coming of the Son of Man. Does the Son of Man come in order to continue the
destruction and perpetuate the fear? No! He comes with great glory, and is
mighty to save.
For this reason, the disciples
and us can emerge from the persecutions and trials, and lift up our heads to
look on the One who has saved us. Jesus comes not to destroy us, but to save
those who believe. He says that we are to look up “because your redemption is
drawing near.” On that final day, redemption will indeed be near, in the person
of Jesus Christ. And we will live in that redemption from then on and
forevermore.
May the peace of God be with you
as you stand firm and keep a watchful eye on the sky, for though it may rain,
the Sun/Son is coming soon for you!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Thursday, April 11 - Luke 20
ANSWERS
The
Holy Week encounter between Jesus and the teachers of the law, chief priests,
and elders, is a fascinating study. They
do their best to undermine His teaching by asking tough questions, and He
continues to baffle them with clever answers.
Jesus’ words regarding John’s baptism, paying taxes, the resurrection,
and His own pre-incarnate existence all send the religious leaders walking away
with their tails between their legs.
In today’s world, many irreligious folks
look smugly at Christians as if they have no answers for the tough
questions. They laugh and scoff at our
views on the beginning of life, on the creation of the world, on ethical and
moral behavior. To many, we are
dinosaurs who are not in tune with our culture and its enlightened
understanding of the world.
As we do our best to confront these
challenging questions, it comforts me to know that Jesus Himself didn’t persuade
all of those who tried to undermine His authority to become believers. He simply answered their questions, and let
the chips fall where they may. Some
would embrace His words and follow Him, and others would harden their own
hearts and be determined to crucify Him.
Jesus told the truth – and He shared who He
was with all who would listen. And that’s
what we need to do as we go out into the world:
share what we know about Him who died for us.
Not everyone is called to be a scientist, a
philosopher, a professor. But we are all
called to be a witness of what Jesus has done in our lives. Fear not, for Him who knew how to baffle the
teachers of the law, is also the one who will bless your speaking. Hard questions may come, but the Author of
Life sends His Holy Spirit into your heart and will guide you in all of your
encounters.
Wednesday, April 10 - Luke 19
GIFTS (Luke 19:11-27)
Sometimes
I look back on my life and I think of all that I have wasted. So many things I could have done that I didn’t. So many opportunities that were presented to
me and I passed them up.
I wish I had invited this person to come and
visit in my home. I wish I had gone to
that theatrical production. And so on…. and so on…
When I read the Parable of the Ten Minas, I
most often relate to the third servant, who did not put to work all that the
Master had entrusted to him, but instead, laid it away in a piece of cloth.
Do any of us actually relate to the two
others who brought great joy to the Master by employing the minas in a way that
brought great production?
But I thank God that because of Jesus Christ
putting it all on the line for me, God no longer looks at my failures and my missed
opportunities. God no longer judges me
on the basis of my inadequacy and bad choices.
Instead, covered in the purity of my Lord
Jesus Christ, He looks at me and sees the perfect life of His Son. And, despite all my mistakes, He declares: “well done, good servant.”
As God’s people, we don’t have to get caught
up in the past. In Christ, our sinful
faults are washed away as far as the East is from the West. Instead, by God’s grace, we look forward to
the future and seek to make the most of every opportunity. God is faithful, He even uses imperfect
vessels like us to carry out His wonderful plans for the world.
“Well done, good servant. Get out there and keep on using God’s gifts
to make a difference.”
Monday, April 8, 2013
Tuesday, April 9 - Luke 18. From Ryan Anderson
Tuesday April 9th- Luke 18
Mercy
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’” (Lk 18:13)
What is your opinion of yourself? Do you tend to focus on the things you’ve done right, or the things you’ve done wrong?
I know that I like to focus on my accomplishments and positives, which I think is true for most of us. We like to be surrounded by admirers and hear about our deeds. But at what point does our desire for this praise become self-righteousness? Is there a danger of using these deeds to “brag” about our own accomplishments?
This is the attitude of the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable. He comes into the Temple and prays about himself and what he has done. He even throws in an insult of the tax collector, who is standing mere feet away. The Pharisee believes that he is alright in the sight of God. Remember that the whole context of this parable is “to some who were confident of their own righteousness” (Lk 18:9).
By contrast, we have the actions and words of the tax collectors. Tax collectors were incredibly wealthy, due to their cheating schemes and swindling of the people. No one in ancient Israel really liked these men. This tax collector could have bragged about his riches, but did not even look up to heaven. The only thing he asked for is mercy, because he was a sinner.
I think this is a helpful model for us to follow. The tax collector had come to the realization that he had nothing to give God, but could only enter Heaven by God’s grace. The Law had done its work, and this man now cried out for the saving power of the Gospel. Verse 14 tells us that the Lord provided this, for “he went home justified before God.” It was nothing inherent in the man that caused this, but the grace of God alone.
In the same way, may the Lord continue to justify us and save us by the power of His mercy.
Mercy
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’” (Lk 18:13)
What is your opinion of yourself? Do you tend to focus on the things you’ve done right, or the things you’ve done wrong?
I know that I like to focus on my accomplishments and positives, which I think is true for most of us. We like to be surrounded by admirers and hear about our deeds. But at what point does our desire for this praise become self-righteousness? Is there a danger of using these deeds to “brag” about our own accomplishments?
This is the attitude of the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable. He comes into the Temple and prays about himself and what he has done. He even throws in an insult of the tax collector, who is standing mere feet away. The Pharisee believes that he is alright in the sight of God. Remember that the whole context of this parable is “to some who were confident of their own righteousness” (Lk 18:9).
By contrast, we have the actions and words of the tax collectors. Tax collectors were incredibly wealthy, due to their cheating schemes and swindling of the people. No one in ancient Israel really liked these men. This tax collector could have bragged about his riches, but did not even look up to heaven. The only thing he asked for is mercy, because he was a sinner.
I think this is a helpful model for us to follow. The tax collector had come to the realization that he had nothing to give God, but could only enter Heaven by God’s grace. The Law had done its work, and this man now cried out for the saving power of the Gospel. Verse 14 tells us that the Lord provided this, for “he went home justified before God.” It was nothing inherent in the man that caused this, but the grace of God alone.
In the same way, may the Lord continue to justify us and save us by the power of His mercy.
Monday, April 8, 2013 – Luke 17
Thanksgiving (Luke 17:11-17)
In my home, growing up, we did not express
appreciation very much. I don’t know
why. But as I think back on it, I feel
badly for all the things my mom and dad did for us for which we failed to say a
deliberate “thank you.” Somehow we all
thought that the relationship we had with one another didn’t require us the
express it out loud. Appreciation was
assumed.
But put yourself in the other shoes, for a
moment. Consider how great it feels when
someone praises something you did – when he or she NOTICES that you did
something to make his or her life easier, better. Doesn’t it make your day when someone takes
the time to send a thank you note or speaks a few words of appreciation?
This
section of verses is read each year as the Gospel Lesson for Thanksgiving
Day. It reminds us that God appreciates
it when we notice and acknowledge His generosity and love.
Perhaps that is frequently our reaction
toward God, too. Since He can read our
thoughts and minds, we figure He knows whether we appreciate what we have or
not.
In truth, God doesn’t NEED our praise. If He did, we would never have been blessed
by Him, because biblical history shows a people who frequently disregarded His
mercy and were apathetic to His kindness.
And God blessed the anyway.
However, I think “thank you” shows a
recognition that we are not just God’s playtoys, but rather that we are in a
valuable relationship to Him. It shows
that we honor and cherish Him, not because we HAVE to, but because He deserves
it.
Take the time today to say thank you to God
for some blessing that He brought into your life. And, by the way, why not also take the time
today to offer a word of praise to someone you care about?
Friday, April 5, 2013
Friday, April 5th - Luke 16 (From intern Ryan Anderson)
God First, Period
“No servant can serve two
masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted
to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Lk
16:13).
What then is the answer? Are we
supposed to abandon all these things, and become pious monks and nuns?
Certainly not! God has given us these good gifts for service in His kingdom.
Thus, instead of serving Money as the ultimate authority, you can use Money to
serve God. Our time, talents, and treasures are all gifts from the Father, and
we are called to serve Him, and Him alone.
So next time you feel like
multitasking, remember that it doesn’t work, either physically or spiritually.
Only one thing can reign over our lives as supreme. May the Lord continue to
help us put Him alone on the throne of our lives.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Thursday April 4th- Luke 15 (From BSLC intern Ryan Anderson)
A Party for the Ages
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Lk 15:7)
Take a moment to think back on the biggest party you were ever a part of. What was the occasion? What were you celebrating?
Luke 15 talks about three lost parables (not lost in manner of misplaced, but in matter of content). Verse 7 talks about the party that occurs in heaven when one sinner repents. This is in stark contrast to the grumbling and hatred of the Pharisees in this chapter, who are upset that Jesus is eating with sinners.
Notice the importance of the One who does the seeking. It is not the sheep or the coin that return by themselves, but the owner goes out and looks for them. In the same way, the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son comes out to embrace the son.
This is a beautiful parallel for us, and our relationship to the Father. We are like the wandering sheep who cannot find their way home. But, our God does not abandon us or leave us in the wilderness. He Himself comes to us and rescues us from the pit, and bears us up on His shoulders. Then, He throws a party to celebrate finding us.
Thus, each time a baby is baptized, a party is thrown in Heaven. Let us then rejoice with the angels above at the love of our God, who is willing to go even to the Cross to find the lost, and bring them home.
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Lk 15:7)
Take a moment to think back on the biggest party you were ever a part of. What was the occasion? What were you celebrating?
Luke 15 talks about three lost parables (not lost in manner of misplaced, but in matter of content). Verse 7 talks about the party that occurs in heaven when one sinner repents. This is in stark contrast to the grumbling and hatred of the Pharisees in this chapter, who are upset that Jesus is eating with sinners.
Notice the importance of the One who does the seeking. It is not the sheep or the coin that return by themselves, but the owner goes out and looks for them. In the same way, the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son comes out to embrace the son.
This is a beautiful parallel for us, and our relationship to the Father. We are like the wandering sheep who cannot find their way home. But, our God does not abandon us or leave us in the wilderness. He Himself comes to us and rescues us from the pit, and bears us up on His shoulders. Then, He throws a party to celebrate finding us.
Thus, each time a baby is baptized, a party is thrown in Heaven. Let us then rejoice with the angels above at the love of our God, who is willing to go even to the Cross to find the lost, and bring them home.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Wednesday, May 3 - Luke 14
Hatred
26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."
Using hyperbolic language, Jesus challenges His followers to determine what is of greatest importance to them -- what do they value most? He is not suggesting that people ought hate their relatives for no reason at all, but rather that they cut themselves off from anything that jeopardizes their relationship to God -- even from those closest to them, if necessary.
I think Jesus is voicing the idea that we can become so attached to the things and people of this world that we might travel with them even unto the point of compromising our integrity, our faith, our morals and values. We need to constantly examine our actions and attitudes to see if some "surgery" is necessary to keep us walking in Jesus' path and not the world's.
I recall a time in my own life when a number of my friends had decided to mistreat another student by constantly mocking him and talking behind his back. As a friend of theirs, I wanted to join them in this behavior so that they would like me -- but as a follower of Christ I knew I was called to reach out to all in love and compassion.
It wasn't easy to buck the crowd, and sometimes I failed. But looking back on that experience I am glad to call that student my friend because I refused to do what my other friends determined to do.
What things or people in your life tug against the road that Christ is calling you to travel? What areas of your life need a little "surgery" so that they are more in tune with God's plans and purposes? May the Holy Spirit help you to take up your cross and follow Jesus.
26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."
Using hyperbolic language, Jesus challenges His followers to determine what is of greatest importance to them -- what do they value most? He is not suggesting that people ought hate their relatives for no reason at all, but rather that they cut themselves off from anything that jeopardizes their relationship to God -- even from those closest to them, if necessary.
I think Jesus is voicing the idea that we can become so attached to the things and people of this world that we might travel with them even unto the point of compromising our integrity, our faith, our morals and values. We need to constantly examine our actions and attitudes to see if some "surgery" is necessary to keep us walking in Jesus' path and not the world's.
I recall a time in my own life when a number of my friends had decided to mistreat another student by constantly mocking him and talking behind his back. As a friend of theirs, I wanted to join them in this behavior so that they would like me -- but as a follower of Christ I knew I was called to reach out to all in love and compassion.
It wasn't easy to buck the crowd, and sometimes I failed. But looking back on that experience I am glad to call that student my friend because I refused to do what my other friends determined to do.
What things or people in your life tug against the road that Christ is calling you to travel? What areas of your life need a little "surgery" so that they are more in tune with God's plans and purposes? May the Holy Spirit help you to take up your cross and follow Jesus.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Tuesday, April 2 - Luke 13
Sin and Suffering (Luke 13:1-4)
What is the correlation between sin and suffering? Do we go through difficulties, hardships, pains and struggles because God is punishing us? Or do bad things just happen because we live in a sinful world?
Jesus makes plain, here, that, while sin frequently leads to suffering, we can't always point the finger at a specific sinner (or act of iniquity) and declare his hardship or suffering as a result of this specific sin. Often, bad things just happen because we live in a fallen, broken world.
However, we have a God who longs to help us in our time of need. Over and over again, despite human sinfulness and guilt, God reaches out to bring strength and wholeness. When Adam and Eve sinned, God didn't give up on them. Instead, He created a plan of salvation that included the suffering and death of His only-begotten. He was willing to suffer Himself rather than have us bear the ultimate horrific consequences of our failure.
The long and short of it is, that when hardship or tragedy strikes, we do best if we don't always try to point the finger of blame. We do better if we fall on our knees and ask the Omnipotent God, who loves us, to guide and rescue us. "Call upon Me and I will deliver you," says God. (Ps. 50:15)
Thank God that the Psalmist's words are true (Psalm 103):
10He does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
What is the correlation between sin and suffering? Do we go through difficulties, hardships, pains and struggles because God is punishing us? Or do bad things just happen because we live in a sinful world?
Jesus makes plain, here, that, while sin frequently leads to suffering, we can't always point the finger at a specific sinner (or act of iniquity) and declare his hardship or suffering as a result of this specific sin. Often, bad things just happen because we live in a fallen, broken world.
However, we have a God who longs to help us in our time of need. Over and over again, despite human sinfulness and guilt, God reaches out to bring strength and wholeness. When Adam and Eve sinned, God didn't give up on them. Instead, He created a plan of salvation that included the suffering and death of His only-begotten. He was willing to suffer Himself rather than have us bear the ultimate horrific consequences of our failure.
The long and short of it is, that when hardship or tragedy strikes, we do best if we don't always try to point the finger of blame. We do better if we fall on our knees and ask the Omnipotent God, who loves us, to guide and rescue us. "Call upon Me and I will deliver you," says God. (Ps. 50:15)
Thank God that the Psalmist's words are true (Psalm 103):
10He does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
Monday, April 1, 2013
Monday, April 1 - Luke 12
Hypocrisy (Luke 12:1-4)
Jesus uses the example of yeast when He speaks about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Yeast, of course, has a couple of significant properties.
1. It seems insignificant, but it changes the whole nature of the bread.
2. It eventually shows itself because when the dough is finally baked you can tell whether there is yeast in it.
I think Jesus' point is that a "disconnect" between the faith we profess and life we live has a way of making itself known. Much as we try to hide our sinful ways under a facade of goodness, the sin has a way of undermining the Holy Spirit's work in us. And in the end, much as we don't want it to, rears its ugly head and makes itself evident not only to God, but also to others.
You've seen yeast. It has different names. Jealousy, anger, greed, pride, selfishness, lust, hatred, gossip, dishonesty. What we think we have neatly swept under our spiritual carpets, is always obvious to God and sometimes obvious to others.
Thanks be to God that He sent Jesus to carry our yeast, to bear for us all of its ugliness and all of its consequences on the cross. "It is finished" meant that Jesus paid the price for it and it no longer has mastery over us. His blood was shed to wash us clean and make us new.
And so, as forgiven followers, we seek, ever day, to bring harmony between the faith we profess and the life we live. We seek to be rid of the yeast that poisons us and filled with the Spirit who loves us.
Jesus uses the example of yeast when He speaks about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Yeast, of course, has a couple of significant properties.
1. It seems insignificant, but it changes the whole nature of the bread.
2. It eventually shows itself because when the dough is finally baked you can tell whether there is yeast in it.
I think Jesus' point is that a "disconnect" between the faith we profess and life we live has a way of making itself known. Much as we try to hide our sinful ways under a facade of goodness, the sin has a way of undermining the Holy Spirit's work in us. And in the end, much as we don't want it to, rears its ugly head and makes itself evident not only to God, but also to others.
You've seen yeast. It has different names. Jealousy, anger, greed, pride, selfishness, lust, hatred, gossip, dishonesty. What we think we have neatly swept under our spiritual carpets, is always obvious to God and sometimes obvious to others.
Thanks be to God that He sent Jesus to carry our yeast, to bear for us all of its ugliness and all of its consequences on the cross. "It is finished" meant that Jesus paid the price for it and it no longer has mastery over us. His blood was shed to wash us clean and make us new.
And so, as forgiven followers, we seek, ever day, to bring harmony between the faith we profess and the life we live. We seek to be rid of the yeast that poisons us and filled with the Spirit who loves us.
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