Matthew 17:14-20
English Standard Version (ESV)
We run up against our limits constantly. Think about how often you've reached a place where you simply cannot go any farther. Maybe you've hit the limit of your energy, or your knowledge, or your physical strength, and you simply cannot solve the problem in front of you. It's too big, too much, too comprehensive.
The disciples couldn't cast out this demon. They tried everything, but nothing worked. The only thing that could cast out the demon was Jesus Christ. The disciples were trying everything in their power, everything they knew -- but they couldn't let go of their own solutions and simply trust in Jesus Christ.
We, too, often spend all of our time trying to come up with our own solution, crafted out of our resources. Jesus invites us to try something new -- to give up looking within and to lean into him.
This reminds me of the advice to come up with mantras or other positive things to say to yourself when you're feeling down. The advice is well-meaning, but it's basically saying that you have the resources within you to fix all your problems, and if you still have problems, it's because there's something wrong with you, so fix yourself.
Jesus, on the other hand, recognizes that there are many things we cannot do on our own. We have our limitations, but he does not. So he invites us to live in a different realm, one where he is king and sits on the throne, where accepting that we do not have the resources but Jesus does, is the wisest solution. Faith is hard, but it allows us to lean into the strength and wisdom of our true King!
Friday, June 29, 2018
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Matthew 17:1-13
Matthew 17:1-13
English Standard Version (ESV)
There are lots of overnight successes that are 20 years in the making. I was reading a story yesterday about Pablo Picasso drawing on a napkin in his 90s at a cafe. When he was finished, he went to throw it away and a woman asked him for it. He offered to sell it to her for $20,000. She was offended, since it had only taken him a few minutes to draw it, but he reminded her that it was 60 years in the making.
With our spiritual lives, we're all hoping and praying for miraculous event to occur, but we hope for it on day 1, and often we're disappointed if it hasn't happened by day 3. We want Jesus to appear or God to speak in clear and decisive ways, and when that doesn't happen, we get discouraged and often let up on our spiritual disciplines.
Peter, James and John didn't witness the Transfiguration on the first day of following Jesus. There were a lot of dusty roads, many hard conversations and some threats from the Pharisees in between their choice to follow him and this incredible moment of clarity. If it was easy, there would have been a much bigger crowd present at the Transfiguration, but these three were willing to endure all the challenging moments because they saw things they'd never seen before and came to the realization that Jesus was exactly who he said he was, and that it was worth everything to follow him.
So may we patiently endure a life of faithful discipleship, recognizing that God is at work in us and through us and around us, and the moments of affirmation and confirmation that may or may not come are wondrous gifts, but our faith rests on the firm foundation of what God has done for us, and so while we'll celebrate those moments when they happen, we will continue to show up and listen and pray and watch even if we're still waiting for them, because we know that God is faithful.
English Standard Version (ESV)
There are lots of overnight successes that are 20 years in the making. I was reading a story yesterday about Pablo Picasso drawing on a napkin in his 90s at a cafe. When he was finished, he went to throw it away and a woman asked him for it. He offered to sell it to her for $20,000. She was offended, since it had only taken him a few minutes to draw it, but he reminded her that it was 60 years in the making.
With our spiritual lives, we're all hoping and praying for miraculous event to occur, but we hope for it on day 1, and often we're disappointed if it hasn't happened by day 3. We want Jesus to appear or God to speak in clear and decisive ways, and when that doesn't happen, we get discouraged and often let up on our spiritual disciplines.
Peter, James and John didn't witness the Transfiguration on the first day of following Jesus. There were a lot of dusty roads, many hard conversations and some threats from the Pharisees in between their choice to follow him and this incredible moment of clarity. If it was easy, there would have been a much bigger crowd present at the Transfiguration, but these three were willing to endure all the challenging moments because they saw things they'd never seen before and came to the realization that Jesus was exactly who he said he was, and that it was worth everything to follow him.
So may we patiently endure a life of faithful discipleship, recognizing that God is at work in us and through us and around us, and the moments of affirmation and confirmation that may or may not come are wondrous gifts, but our faith rests on the firm foundation of what God has done for us, and so while we'll celebrate those moments when they happen, we will continue to show up and listen and pray and watch even if we're still waiting for them, because we know that God is faithful.
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Matthew 16:24-28
Matthew 16:24-28
English Standard Version (ESV)
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
************
For all those who wander in the desert, thirsty for water, here it is.
For all those who wander through life, hungry for meaning, waiting for truth, here it is.
For all those who are just trying to make it through, hoping to secure themselves against the chaos of the world, here is a greater story.
Jesus comes to save and to deliver. He comes promising abundant and eternal life, accessible only through him. It is a narrow door, but he invites us to come, but he also promises that it will not be easy. In order to accept this gift, we have to empty our hands of everything else, trusting that what he fills us with will be enough.
Some days, some weeks, some years, this will be a difficult truth to hold onto. We'll wonder where Jesus is, what grace looks like, while looking at the world around us and seeing the comfort and ease of others. We'll be tempted to grasp for easier promises and let lesser things try to satisfy the deepest longings of our soul. We'll seek to gain the world, and we'll forget about our soul.
And so the Holy Spirit whispers in the dead of night, and the community of faith shouts from the nearest mountaintop, that Jesus is Lord, and that he is King and mighty God and a gracious Savior. He has come to deliver and to save, and to trust in Him is to accept eternal and abundant life that cannot be taken from us. He is strong and mighty to save, and he will deliver you through every enemy, even death.
But to accept this means we have to trust completely, and we have to take up the cross, and daily follow him.
Will you lose what you have to gain what you cannot earn?
Will you treasure your soul above the riches of the world?
Will the hope of heaven that is buried in your soul sing loudly enough to call you into the deep waters of discipleship?
I pray yes.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
************
For all those who wander in the desert, thirsty for water, here it is.
For all those who wander through life, hungry for meaning, waiting for truth, here it is.
For all those who are just trying to make it through, hoping to secure themselves against the chaos of the world, here is a greater story.
Jesus comes to save and to deliver. He comes promising abundant and eternal life, accessible only through him. It is a narrow door, but he invites us to come, but he also promises that it will not be easy. In order to accept this gift, we have to empty our hands of everything else, trusting that what he fills us with will be enough.
Some days, some weeks, some years, this will be a difficult truth to hold onto. We'll wonder where Jesus is, what grace looks like, while looking at the world around us and seeing the comfort and ease of others. We'll be tempted to grasp for easier promises and let lesser things try to satisfy the deepest longings of our soul. We'll seek to gain the world, and we'll forget about our soul.
And so the Holy Spirit whispers in the dead of night, and the community of faith shouts from the nearest mountaintop, that Jesus is Lord, and that he is King and mighty God and a gracious Savior. He has come to deliver and to save, and to trust in Him is to accept eternal and abundant life that cannot be taken from us. He is strong and mighty to save, and he will deliver you through every enemy, even death.
But to accept this means we have to trust completely, and we have to take up the cross, and daily follow him.
Will you lose what you have to gain what you cannot earn?
Will you treasure your soul above the riches of the world?
Will the hope of heaven that is buried in your soul sing loudly enough to call you into the deep waters of discipleship?
I pray yes.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Matthew 16:21-23
Matthew 16:21-23
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter, here, knows a thing or two about organizational dynamics. He wants to see the movement growing and spreading, and he sees the crowds that are following Jesus. If the crowds are going to continue to grow, Jesus talking about his impending death isn't going to help momentum. Everyone wants to focus on the positive!
But Christianity has always been intertwined with death. It's part of who we are, and it's part of our story of life. Our sin leads to death, and so we must face our own mortality. Only Jesus can deliver us from eternal death, and so we must accept his gift of grace -- he has stepped in to accept the punishment, but we still must pass through death to reach the eternal life on the other side. This is a giant leap of faith, but it is part of our story -- we worship a God that is greater than death, but we still pass through it. We cannot simply deny that it is there, whistling past the graveyard in the hopes that we can ignore it. No, let us embrace it in confidence, rather than shrink back in fear. Your death need not terrify you, for God is greater than the grave, and love is stronger than death.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter, here, knows a thing or two about organizational dynamics. He wants to see the movement growing and spreading, and he sees the crowds that are following Jesus. If the crowds are going to continue to grow, Jesus talking about his impending death isn't going to help momentum. Everyone wants to focus on the positive!
But Christianity has always been intertwined with death. It's part of who we are, and it's part of our story of life. Our sin leads to death, and so we must face our own mortality. Only Jesus can deliver us from eternal death, and so we must accept his gift of grace -- he has stepped in to accept the punishment, but we still must pass through death to reach the eternal life on the other side. This is a giant leap of faith, but it is part of our story -- we worship a God that is greater than death, but we still pass through it. We cannot simply deny that it is there, whistling past the graveyard in the hopes that we can ignore it. No, let us embrace it in confidence, rather than shrink back in fear. Your death need not terrify you, for God is greater than the grave, and love is stronger than death.
Monday, June 25, 2018
Matthew 16:13-20
Matthew 16:13-20
English Standard Version (ESV)
This is the most important question we'll ever be asked -- who do you say that I am? Jesus is curious about who others are saying that he is, but what he really wants to know is what you say. Do you join the crowd that confesses him as Savior, or do you stay on the margins, watching to see what others do? Lurking in the shadows is safer -- you don't risk anything that way. But you also don't get the rewards. Jesus builds his Kingdom on the confession of Jesus as the Christ, as the Messiah, as the long-awaited deliverer of his people from the imprisonment of sin and death. Jesus is setting the captives free, but in order to freed, we are called to accept him as the King.
So what do you say? Whose camp are you in? Will you take the risk and live your life according to his grace and mercy?
English Standard Version (ESV)
This is the most important question we'll ever be asked -- who do you say that I am? Jesus is curious about who others are saying that he is, but what he really wants to know is what you say. Do you join the crowd that confesses him as Savior, or do you stay on the margins, watching to see what others do? Lurking in the shadows is safer -- you don't risk anything that way. But you also don't get the rewards. Jesus builds his Kingdom on the confession of Jesus as the Christ, as the Messiah, as the long-awaited deliverer of his people from the imprisonment of sin and death. Jesus is setting the captives free, but in order to freed, we are called to accept him as the King.
So what do you say? Whose camp are you in? Will you take the risk and live your life according to his grace and mercy?
Friday, June 22, 2018
Matthew 16:5-12
Matthew 16:5-12
English Standard Version (ESV)
Don't get hung up on the surface.
I did SNUBA once. It's like SCUBA, only the air tank is on the surface and you've got a hose, so you can't go too deep. It doesn't require any certification, so it's easier for amateurs, and you can still swim down and see the reef and the fish up close. It's an amazing way to see things up close that I wouldn't have seen from the boat.
When we stay at the surface of Jesus' teaching, we gain a lot, but he's often trying to teach us more than what's at the surface. He's inviting us into deep waters, where we'll not only learn but be transformed in the ways we see and hear. The more time we spend with Jesus, we learn more and more -- that's why you can read same passage of Scripture years apart and hear something completely different the second time, because we grow in discipleship and learn to see beneath the surface.
We're called deeper, and the gift of religious community and group Bible study is that we learn from one another -- they help us grow in our understanding and our discernment. Others help us see beneath the surface, and when the ways we see the world are changed, the ways we respond to the world are changed as well.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Don't get hung up on the surface.
I did SNUBA once. It's like SCUBA, only the air tank is on the surface and you've got a hose, so you can't go too deep. It doesn't require any certification, so it's easier for amateurs, and you can still swim down and see the reef and the fish up close. It's an amazing way to see things up close that I wouldn't have seen from the boat.
When we stay at the surface of Jesus' teaching, we gain a lot, but he's often trying to teach us more than what's at the surface. He's inviting us into deep waters, where we'll not only learn but be transformed in the ways we see and hear. The more time we spend with Jesus, we learn more and more -- that's why you can read same passage of Scripture years apart and hear something completely different the second time, because we grow in discipleship and learn to see beneath the surface.
We're called deeper, and the gift of religious community and group Bible study is that we learn from one another -- they help us grow in our understanding and our discernment. Others help us see beneath the surface, and when the ways we see the world are changed, the ways we respond to the world are changed as well.
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Matthew 16:1-4
Matthew 16:1-4
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is chiding us on what we pay attention to. He's saying that the Pharisees and Sadducees can predict the weather based on what they see in the skies, but they're unable to predict what God might do next from reading the Prophets. In summary, Jesus is reminding the Pharisees that everything about his life was predicted in the Old Testament, and that he is the fulfillment of so many prophecies, so they should believe in Him, because he is the long-awaited and predicted Savior.
In the same way, we need to be reading the Scriptures because they teach us about how God works. They illustrate how God has worked in the past, which should help us see how God is at work in the here and now.
If we spend all of our free time watching television, we're not going to learn about how God works. But if we invest our time and energy into learning about how God has been and is at work in the world, if we pay attention to the right things, we may catch a glimpse of the Holy Spirit in action!
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is chiding us on what we pay attention to. He's saying that the Pharisees and Sadducees can predict the weather based on what they see in the skies, but they're unable to predict what God might do next from reading the Prophets. In summary, Jesus is reminding the Pharisees that everything about his life was predicted in the Old Testament, and that he is the fulfillment of so many prophecies, so they should believe in Him, because he is the long-awaited and predicted Savior.
In the same way, we need to be reading the Scriptures because they teach us about how God works. They illustrate how God has worked in the past, which should help us see how God is at work in the here and now.
If we spend all of our free time watching television, we're not going to learn about how God works. But if we invest our time and energy into learning about how God has been and is at work in the world, if we pay attention to the right things, we may catch a glimpse of the Holy Spirit in action!
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Matthew 15:32-39
Matthew 15:32-39
English Standard Version (ESV)
How many times do you have to see a magic trick before you believe that the magician is capable of almost anything? I love going to baseball games, especially Reds games right now -- watching Joey Votto hit is incredible. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated an ability to be a remarkable hitter. I expect him to hit, because he's done so over the years time and time again. I'm surprised when he doesn't (he hit a grand slam yesterday in case you're curious).
With these miraculous feedings, there was more than one. Jesus regularly performed miracles, and there are several documented instances of him feeding oversize crowds with undersized portions.
Yet, when presented with the question of how the crowd was going to be fed, the disciples had no idea. They didn't have any suggestions about where to get food for such a crowd, despite having witnessed Jesus miraculously feeding crowds beforehand. I don't know if they forgot or their minds were so focused on what they earthly knew to be true about the inability of 7 loaves to feed over 5,000 people, but they couldn't imagine what Jesus would do next, despite having seen Jesus do the unexpected before.
And so here we are. I don't know what's going on in your life, but I'm willing to be there are some obstacles in your life. They could be self-created, or perhaps they have tumbled off some distant cliff and landed directly in your path. Either way, they are before you, blocking your way forward, and you're focused on that obstacle. You don't know of a way around or through it. If you're like me, you become so focused on the obstacle that you can't think of anything else. You dwell and dwell and dwell on it, until it's all you're thinking about, and your spirit grows weary as you neglect everything else to obsess over how you're going to find a way beyond this obstacle.
Friends, Ephesians 3 reminds us that Jesus can do infinitely more than all we can ask or imagine. God has a history of knocking down barriers -- for David and Gideon, for Isaiah and Moses, for the New Testament church. God has consistently shown up and led God's people forward, often in ways they could not have imagined beforehand, even if God had done something similar in history.
So we read the Bible to learn about how God has worked in the past. And we trust in God to make a way where there is no way, because he is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In God, we have a way forward, even if you can't imagine what that is right now. He's done it before -- he'll do it again.
English Standard Version (ESV)
How many times do you have to see a magic trick before you believe that the magician is capable of almost anything? I love going to baseball games, especially Reds games right now -- watching Joey Votto hit is incredible. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated an ability to be a remarkable hitter. I expect him to hit, because he's done so over the years time and time again. I'm surprised when he doesn't (he hit a grand slam yesterday in case you're curious).
With these miraculous feedings, there was more than one. Jesus regularly performed miracles, and there are several documented instances of him feeding oversize crowds with undersized portions.
Yet, when presented with the question of how the crowd was going to be fed, the disciples had no idea. They didn't have any suggestions about where to get food for such a crowd, despite having witnessed Jesus miraculously feeding crowds beforehand. I don't know if they forgot or their minds were so focused on what they earthly knew to be true about the inability of 7 loaves to feed over 5,000 people, but they couldn't imagine what Jesus would do next, despite having seen Jesus do the unexpected before.
And so here we are. I don't know what's going on in your life, but I'm willing to be there are some obstacles in your life. They could be self-created, or perhaps they have tumbled off some distant cliff and landed directly in your path. Either way, they are before you, blocking your way forward, and you're focused on that obstacle. You don't know of a way around or through it. If you're like me, you become so focused on the obstacle that you can't think of anything else. You dwell and dwell and dwell on it, until it's all you're thinking about, and your spirit grows weary as you neglect everything else to obsess over how you're going to find a way beyond this obstacle.
Friends, Ephesians 3 reminds us that Jesus can do infinitely more than all we can ask or imagine. God has a history of knocking down barriers -- for David and Gideon, for Isaiah and Moses, for the New Testament church. God has consistently shown up and led God's people forward, often in ways they could not have imagined beforehand, even if God had done something similar in history.
So we read the Bible to learn about how God has worked in the past. And we trust in God to make a way where there is no way, because he is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In God, we have a way forward, even if you can't imagine what that is right now. He's done it before -- he'll do it again.
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Matthew 15:29-31
Matthew 15:29-31
English Standard Version (ESV)
Team sports have a fascinating dynamic. While the performance of individuals is often sublime, the net effect is intended to bring glory to the team. In the case of the current World Cup, any extraordinary performances by individuals or teams is supposed to point to the country, so that if the Iceland team win the World Cup, all of Iceland can claim that they are the best country in the world at soccer/football.
Religion should be the same way. Our actions and our words, even at their most brilliant, are not meant merely to elevate the world's opinion of us. They should point to something greater than ourselves, just as the miracles of Jesus point people to glorify the God of Israel.
It's easy for preachers to hear any praise heaped upon them as affirmations of how great they are. If left unchecked, preachers can develop huge egos and forget what the point of it all is. It's not just preachers -- we can start to congratulate ourselves on how great we are whenever we do good things, and we forget the heart of it all. We forget that we exist to bring glory to God, and that our lives are eternally oriented to praise the one who made us. We worship a generous God who shares his honor and glory and love, so we don't have to fear that we'll only give and never receive. We get far more than we can ask or imagine -- so may we be generous and direct all the glory to God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Team sports have a fascinating dynamic. While the performance of individuals is often sublime, the net effect is intended to bring glory to the team. In the case of the current World Cup, any extraordinary performances by individuals or teams is supposed to point to the country, so that if the Iceland team win the World Cup, all of Iceland can claim that they are the best country in the world at soccer/football.
Religion should be the same way. Our actions and our words, even at their most brilliant, are not meant merely to elevate the world's opinion of us. They should point to something greater than ourselves, just as the miracles of Jesus point people to glorify the God of Israel.
It's easy for preachers to hear any praise heaped upon them as affirmations of how great they are. If left unchecked, preachers can develop huge egos and forget what the point of it all is. It's not just preachers -- we can start to congratulate ourselves on how great we are whenever we do good things, and we forget the heart of it all. We forget that we exist to bring glory to God, and that our lives are eternally oriented to praise the one who made us. We worship a generous God who shares his honor and glory and love, so we don't have to fear that we'll only give and never receive. We get far more than we can ask or imagine -- so may we be generous and direct all the glory to God.
Monday, June 18, 2018
Matthew 15:21-28
Matthew 15:21-28
English Standard Version (ESV)
I've read and re-read this passage countless times, and I've yet to understand exactly what Jesus is teaching us here. I've seen many interpretations, some of which say that Jesus was testing the woman, but I've never seen one that both satisfies my questions about the text and also engages with every part of the conversation. Often, it feels like a band-aid over a gaping hole that leaves as many questions as it answered.
At the end of the day, we don't have complete understanding of how Jesus is at work. He does things we don't understand, and he saves in such a reckless way that we'll never be completely able to understand how and why he does what he does. God is a mystery to us, and while he has revealed himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ, and the Scriptures are filled with stories and teachings that are meant to help us understand who God is and how God is at work, we'll never have a complete understanding. God is doing things that we cannot fully grasp, and we have to trust God that those things are done in grace and in love.
English Standard Version (ESV)
I've read and re-read this passage countless times, and I've yet to understand exactly what Jesus is teaching us here. I've seen many interpretations, some of which say that Jesus was testing the woman, but I've never seen one that both satisfies my questions about the text and also engages with every part of the conversation. Often, it feels like a band-aid over a gaping hole that leaves as many questions as it answered.
At the end of the day, we don't have complete understanding of how Jesus is at work. He does things we don't understand, and he saves in such a reckless way that we'll never be completely able to understand how and why he does what he does. God is a mystery to us, and while he has revealed himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ, and the Scriptures are filled with stories and teachings that are meant to help us understand who God is and how God is at work, we'll never have a complete understanding. God is doing things that we cannot fully grasp, and we have to trust God that those things are done in grace and in love.
Friday, June 15, 2018
Matthew 15:12-20
Matthew 15:12-20
English Standard Version (ESV)
If you eat poorly, your physical health will likely reflect this -- you may be able to escape the effects for a while, but it will catch up with you.
In the same way, Jesus warns us about how we treat our hearts. If we fill our hearts and our lives with garbage, taking in only material and selfish things, eventually it will corrode our hearts and our lives will not be the abundant lives Jesus wants for us. On the other hand, if we pay attention to things from above, we feed and grow our hearts that will shape our lives into faithful testimonies to what God is doing. What we take in will likely shape what comes out of us.
So what are you paying attention to? How do you spend your time? What is feeding your soul?
English Standard Version (ESV)
If you eat poorly, your physical health will likely reflect this -- you may be able to escape the effects for a while, but it will catch up with you.
In the same way, Jesus warns us about how we treat our hearts. If we fill our hearts and our lives with garbage, taking in only material and selfish things, eventually it will corrode our hearts and our lives will not be the abundant lives Jesus wants for us. On the other hand, if we pay attention to things from above, we feed and grow our hearts that will shape our lives into faithful testimonies to what God is doing. What we take in will likely shape what comes out of us.
So what are you paying attention to? How do you spend your time? What is feeding your soul?
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Matthew 15:1-11
Matthew 15:1-11
New International Version (NIV)
It feels good when we can rank ourselves near the top. It's a nice boost for our ego. To do so, that means we need to find others to rank beneath us. That's easy to do if we're ranking according to easily measurable things, like height, but when it comes to spiritual matters, it's a little harder, mostly because we're not scored for our faith. God doesn't love us more if we're ranked near the top of the class -- he loves us unconditionally, and Scripture reminds us that we're all on the same level -- the failure one, but that also happens to be where God finds us, scoops us up in those loving arms, and restores us to grace through the blood of Jesus Christ.
The Pharisees were eager to rank, though. They wanted to know who was in, and so they defined who was out and how they got there, and they would be sure that everyone knew that they were the best. They thought they were winning.
But finding other people to put down in the name of Jesus doesn't mean your heart is in the right place. Making rules that exclude people from God's love doesn't lead you closer to the Kingdom. Dividing and demeaning doesn't restore us to grace.
So Jesus has to be harsh with the Pharisees, because he loves them. He wants more for them -- he wants them to experience the unconditional love and pass it along to others. He wants abundant life for them, but they first have to let go of some false idols.
So do I. And I bet you do as well. Trust in God that what he has in store for you is greater than you can ask or imagine!
New International Version (NIV)
It feels good when we can rank ourselves near the top. It's a nice boost for our ego. To do so, that means we need to find others to rank beneath us. That's easy to do if we're ranking according to easily measurable things, like height, but when it comes to spiritual matters, it's a little harder, mostly because we're not scored for our faith. God doesn't love us more if we're ranked near the top of the class -- he loves us unconditionally, and Scripture reminds us that we're all on the same level -- the failure one, but that also happens to be where God finds us, scoops us up in those loving arms, and restores us to grace through the blood of Jesus Christ.
The Pharisees were eager to rank, though. They wanted to know who was in, and so they defined who was out and how they got there, and they would be sure that everyone knew that they were the best. They thought they were winning.
But finding other people to put down in the name of Jesus doesn't mean your heart is in the right place. Making rules that exclude people from God's love doesn't lead you closer to the Kingdom. Dividing and demeaning doesn't restore us to grace.
So Jesus has to be harsh with the Pharisees, because he loves them. He wants more for them -- he wants them to experience the unconditional love and pass it along to others. He wants abundant life for them, but they first have to let go of some false idols.
So do I. And I bet you do as well. Trust in God that what he has in store for you is greater than you can ask or imagine!
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Matthew 14:34-36
Matthew 14:34-36
English Standard Version (ESV)
When it comes to pop culture, I'm not the most culturally literate guy. If you put me in the middle of a cocktail party that involved any number of famous individuals, I doubt I would recognize most of them.
Which makes me wonder how long Jesus was in the midst of the people in Gennesaret. They brought the sick once they recognized him, but who knows how long it took them to recognize him. For all we know, it could have been months before they realized the Son of God was walking among them.
God is at work in the here and now, too. God is moving in the hearts and minds of people around us, but they often don't recognize his presence. Today, it's not nearly as uncommon as it once might have been for people to have grown up completely outside of the church -- there's no context to think about how God might be working in their lives.
And so it's our responsibility to be a gracious presence in their lives, pointing to how God might be at work in such a way that invites curiosity into how God might be reaching out in love and grace to invite them into a relationship with a Savior who loves them unconditionally and wants to give them a future with hope and with peace and with joy. Who doesn't want hope and peace for the future?
I invite you to pray for your colleagues and your friends and your family -- pray for eyes to see what God is doing and a spirit that can reach out in love to point to how and where God is at work.
English Standard Version (ESV)
When it comes to pop culture, I'm not the most culturally literate guy. If you put me in the middle of a cocktail party that involved any number of famous individuals, I doubt I would recognize most of them.
Which makes me wonder how long Jesus was in the midst of the people in Gennesaret. They brought the sick once they recognized him, but who knows how long it took them to recognize him. For all we know, it could have been months before they realized the Son of God was walking among them.
God is at work in the here and now, too. God is moving in the hearts and minds of people around us, but they often don't recognize his presence. Today, it's not nearly as uncommon as it once might have been for people to have grown up completely outside of the church -- there's no context to think about how God might be working in their lives.
And so it's our responsibility to be a gracious presence in their lives, pointing to how God might be at work in such a way that invites curiosity into how God might be reaching out in love and grace to invite them into a relationship with a Savior who loves them unconditionally and wants to give them a future with hope and with peace and with joy. Who doesn't want hope and peace for the future?
I invite you to pray for your colleagues and your friends and your family -- pray for eyes to see what God is doing and a spirit that can reach out in love to point to how and where God is at work.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Matthew 14:22-33
Matthew 14:22-33
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's just like Jesus to always be teaching -- our vision drifts beyond the miracle and notices how Jesus lives.
He feeds huge crowds, and then makes time to pray on his own.
When we are anxious and alone in the darkest hours of night, he comes to us, no matter the obstacle.
When we are afraid and uncertain, he comforts us and reminds us that he is near.
When we are not sure if something is of God or not, he assures us of his consistent presence.
When we are distracted and our vision drifts, he does not look to punish or remonstrate us, but instead saves us first, and then reminds us of who he is.
When all is said and done, all that is left is to worship him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's just like Jesus to always be teaching -- our vision drifts beyond the miracle and notices how Jesus lives.
He feeds huge crowds, and then makes time to pray on his own.
When we are anxious and alone in the darkest hours of night, he comes to us, no matter the obstacle.
When we are afraid and uncertain, he comforts us and reminds us that he is near.
When we are not sure if something is of God or not, he assures us of his consistent presence.
When we are distracted and our vision drifts, he does not look to punish or remonstrate us, but instead saves us first, and then reminds us of who he is.
When all is said and done, all that is left is to worship him.
Monday, June 11, 2018
Matthew 14:13-21
Matthew 14:13-21
English Standard Version (ESV)
There are so many intriguing moments in the Gospels -- here, you have the disciples asking Jesus to tell the crowds to go away. They're thinking of the people, as they're in a desolate place without food, but it's odd to imagine someone imploring Jesus to send huge crowds away. Can you imagine that atmosphere in a church? "Send these people away from church!"
Jesus' response is to empower the disciples. He hints that there is plenty there, but the disciples only see lack. They can't imagine beyond what they know.
This happens to each of us -- we get so stuck in a situation that we can only see one way out. We get tunnel vision when we're stressed, and we fixate on a single solution. We can't imagine an alternative. We can't imagine that Jesus might answer our prayer in any way other than the one we see. We do this when we pray for the sick -- we're so certain that we know what healing looks like, but healing can take many forms, and just because the miracle we long for doesn't come, that doesn't mean Jesus isn't still at work in that sacred place.
God loves you, and Ephesians 3 reminds us that God can do infinitely more than we ask or imagine. So sit down in his presence, be still and receive.
English Standard Version (ESV)
There are so many intriguing moments in the Gospels -- here, you have the disciples asking Jesus to tell the crowds to go away. They're thinking of the people, as they're in a desolate place without food, but it's odd to imagine someone imploring Jesus to send huge crowds away. Can you imagine that atmosphere in a church? "Send these people away from church!"
Jesus' response is to empower the disciples. He hints that there is plenty there, but the disciples only see lack. They can't imagine beyond what they know.
This happens to each of us -- we get so stuck in a situation that we can only see one way out. We get tunnel vision when we're stressed, and we fixate on a single solution. We can't imagine an alternative. We can't imagine that Jesus might answer our prayer in any way other than the one we see. We do this when we pray for the sick -- we're so certain that we know what healing looks like, but healing can take many forms, and just because the miracle we long for doesn't come, that doesn't mean Jesus isn't still at work in that sacred place.
God loves you, and Ephesians 3 reminds us that God can do infinitely more than we ask or imagine. So sit down in his presence, be still and receive.
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Matthew 14:1-12
Matthew 14:1-12
English Standard Version (ESV)
We never understand everything that's going on in the world. It's a big place, and there are so many people with competing interests that we just can't know what tomorrow brings. Think of John, trapped in prison for following God, wondering what comes next, and then Herod's birthday brings a young girl dancing whose conniving mother catches Herod in a trap that leads to John's death.
We never truly know -- so we are called to serve today, in the here and now, to rejoice in what God is doing and give thanks for his love and grace. We cannot control our surroundings, and we cannot guarantee for ourselves the future. All we can do is worship and rejoice that we have a King who sits on the throne and a God who is stronger than death.
English Standard Version (ESV)
We never understand everything that's going on in the world. It's a big place, and there are so many people with competing interests that we just can't know what tomorrow brings. Think of John, trapped in prison for following God, wondering what comes next, and then Herod's birthday brings a young girl dancing whose conniving mother catches Herod in a trap that leads to John's death.
We never truly know -- so we are called to serve today, in the here and now, to rejoice in what God is doing and give thanks for his love and grace. We cannot control our surroundings, and we cannot guarantee for ourselves the future. All we can do is worship and rejoice that we have a King who sits on the throne and a God who is stronger than death.
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Matthew 13:51-58
Matthew 13:51-58
English Standard Version (ESV)
My consistency has been slipping lately -- it's so easy to get caught up in everything else. So many other things seem urgent or pressing, and one thing leads to the next... We've all been there. Maybe a workout routine gets derailed, or a diet slips due to the lack of time needed for grocery shopping. You'll get back in the habit tomorrow, right?
It's easy to fall away, and the farther we slip, the easier it is to doubt, because we begin to get by. We make it through one day, and then a week, and then a month, and we think we're making it on our own, until we hit some life event that reminds us that we cannot make it on our own -- we cannot cope, and it's bigger than we are. At these moments, we so often revert to the childlike faith, where we simply need to be reminded that God loves us, that God is with us, and that all will be well, because we are safe in God's hands.
There was plenty of frustration in Jesus' ministry. The religious leaders of the day had slipped far from being dependent on a daily relationship with God. They had formed a religion that fit their lives, but they hadn't left room for the Holy Spirit. They were good at their religion, but when Christ came and spoke to their hearts, they resisted him, rejected him. They couldn't see their own need because they had crafted an environment that helped them cope.
So here we are today -- what's your life going to be like? Will you continue to find ways to cope and fool yourself into thinking you can be completely independent? Or will you acknowledge that only God can save you from death and the biggest questions we face in life, and will you craft a life that depends on him?
English Standard Version (ESV)
My consistency has been slipping lately -- it's so easy to get caught up in everything else. So many other things seem urgent or pressing, and one thing leads to the next... We've all been there. Maybe a workout routine gets derailed, or a diet slips due to the lack of time needed for grocery shopping. You'll get back in the habit tomorrow, right?
It's easy to fall away, and the farther we slip, the easier it is to doubt, because we begin to get by. We make it through one day, and then a week, and then a month, and we think we're making it on our own, until we hit some life event that reminds us that we cannot make it on our own -- we cannot cope, and it's bigger than we are. At these moments, we so often revert to the childlike faith, where we simply need to be reminded that God loves us, that God is with us, and that all will be well, because we are safe in God's hands.
There was plenty of frustration in Jesus' ministry. The religious leaders of the day had slipped far from being dependent on a daily relationship with God. They had formed a religion that fit their lives, but they hadn't left room for the Holy Spirit. They were good at their religion, but when Christ came and spoke to their hearts, they resisted him, rejected him. They couldn't see their own need because they had crafted an environment that helped them cope.
So here we are today -- what's your life going to be like? Will you continue to find ways to cope and fool yourself into thinking you can be completely independent? Or will you acknowledge that only God can save you from death and the biggest questions we face in life, and will you craft a life that depends on him?
Friday, June 1, 2018
Matthew 13:44-50
Matthew 13:44-50
English Standard Version (ESV)
The rich and famous like exclusive getaways, and they don't want these to be tarnished by being open to everyone. Outside Magazine did a recent article about private beaches on rivers and how people are focused on keeping others out. We like privacy, and we worry about the rest of the world finding out our best-kept secrets.
Jesus wants us to know what the kingdom of heaven is like. It's not meant to be a big mystery -- there will always be elements of mystery to it, just because it's impossible for us to grasp heaven with feet firmly planted on earth, -- but Jesus wants us to know, wants us to taste heaven, wants us to hunger for it. The kingdom of heaven isn't some exclusive getaway only for the super-religious. the kingdom of heaven is open to all, an invite for all to come and enjoy God's grace and bask in his love. It's worth seeking with all you are, with your whole heart and your whole life -- we don't want to get so wrapped up in what we're doing that we miss the Kingdom!!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The rich and famous like exclusive getaways, and they don't want these to be tarnished by being open to everyone. Outside Magazine did a recent article about private beaches on rivers and how people are focused on keeping others out. We like privacy, and we worry about the rest of the world finding out our best-kept secrets.
Jesus wants us to know what the kingdom of heaven is like. It's not meant to be a big mystery -- there will always be elements of mystery to it, just because it's impossible for us to grasp heaven with feet firmly planted on earth, -- but Jesus wants us to know, wants us to taste heaven, wants us to hunger for it. The kingdom of heaven isn't some exclusive getaway only for the super-religious. the kingdom of heaven is open to all, an invite for all to come and enjoy God's grace and bask in his love. It's worth seeking with all you are, with your whole heart and your whole life -- we don't want to get so wrapped up in what we're doing that we miss the Kingdom!!
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