Exodus 36:1-7
English Standard Version (ESV)
Brief interlude from John's gospel for this passage. I just love it -- how many times in the history of the church has the leader had to step forward and ask the people to stop giving because their gifts are overwhelming the church? It's crazy to think about, but in Exodus 35, Moses issues the call for people to bring in their gifts to build the tabernacle, and the people are so overwhelmed by what God is doing that they give so generously in the beginning of Exodus 36 that the craftsmen go to Moses and ask him to have the people stop giving -- they're overwhelmed by the gifts.
This leaves me with a sense of wonder and a lot of questions. What kind of glimpse did these people get of God that they were so motivated by God's grace and glory that they couldn't stop giving? What kind of community did they have that encouraged one another, pushing each other to give and to give and to give? How did they view their own gifts with such freedom that they could give so generously? What passion did they have for God's greater mission that they could pour themselves out?
It's a fascinating chapter in the history of God's people. It's hard to imagine a modern day pastor asking the people to stop giving because they're being too generous. But here it is, in the book of Exodus, and the question that rests on my heart is simply this -- how do I catch a glimpse of the Holy One so compelling that I want to give this freely?
Monday, September 30, 2019
Friday, September 27, 2019
John 13:6-11
John 13:6-11
English Standard Version (ESV)
Remember how, when you were a kid, your parents told you to eat all your food because there are starving kids in Africa? I doubt that it worked, because it's hard to relate. I've never known what it means to truly be hungry. I've missed a few meals, and fasted on occasion, but never to the point where I was literally starving, and I've been blessed so that I've always known where the next meal is coming from. I've never known food insecurity. I doubt that I appreciate the blessing of a full stomach the way that someone who has experienced that does.
Jesus is still trying to wash feet, but Peter is refusing. Peter thinks this act is beneath Jesus, and Peter thinks he isn't worthy of having his feet washed by Jesus. But Jesus explains that Peter needs to be washed, or else Peter won't have a place with Jesus, and Peter suddenly catches a glimpse of what life without Jesus might be like. Faced with the fear of losing the relationship, Peter eagerly wants Jesus to wash all of him, just to be safe. (Peter's great -- his exuberance is wonderful)
It's possible to take Jesus for granted, or to fail to appreciate how completely dependent we are upon him for our eternal place. Without him and the atonement for sins we get through him, we are destined for a future without God. When we realize this, truly realize that we cannot get by without Jesus, we appreciate him all the more.
When I think about modern, middle-class life, it's easy to lull ourselves into the place where we think we don't need anything. One can imagine oneself to be self-sufficient, to be doing ok, keeping up with everything, without any real needs. Our vision shortens to what's in front of us, and if nothing is glaringly wrong, need can disappear from our vocabulary. But when we get sick or things take a downturn, suddenly we understand that we're not in control and are very fragile, and we're reminded how small we can feel. Building a relationship now, one that teaches us how to depend on Jesus, can prepare us for whatever comes our way, keeping us calm in the face of the storms, knowing that all joy and pain in front of us can be handled through the confidence that Jesus is with us.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Remember how, when you were a kid, your parents told you to eat all your food because there are starving kids in Africa? I doubt that it worked, because it's hard to relate. I've never known what it means to truly be hungry. I've missed a few meals, and fasted on occasion, but never to the point where I was literally starving, and I've been blessed so that I've always known where the next meal is coming from. I've never known food insecurity. I doubt that I appreciate the blessing of a full stomach the way that someone who has experienced that does.
Jesus is still trying to wash feet, but Peter is refusing. Peter thinks this act is beneath Jesus, and Peter thinks he isn't worthy of having his feet washed by Jesus. But Jesus explains that Peter needs to be washed, or else Peter won't have a place with Jesus, and Peter suddenly catches a glimpse of what life without Jesus might be like. Faced with the fear of losing the relationship, Peter eagerly wants Jesus to wash all of him, just to be safe. (Peter's great -- his exuberance is wonderful)
It's possible to take Jesus for granted, or to fail to appreciate how completely dependent we are upon him for our eternal place. Without him and the atonement for sins we get through him, we are destined for a future without God. When we realize this, truly realize that we cannot get by without Jesus, we appreciate him all the more.
When I think about modern, middle-class life, it's easy to lull ourselves into the place where we think we don't need anything. One can imagine oneself to be self-sufficient, to be doing ok, keeping up with everything, without any real needs. Our vision shortens to what's in front of us, and if nothing is glaringly wrong, need can disappear from our vocabulary. But when we get sick or things take a downturn, suddenly we understand that we're not in control and are very fragile, and we're reminded how small we can feel. Building a relationship now, one that teaches us how to depend on Jesus, can prepare us for whatever comes our way, keeping us calm in the face of the storms, knowing that all joy and pain in front of us can be handled through the confidence that Jesus is with us.
Thursday, September 26, 2019
John 13:1-5
John 13:1-5
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's so important to contextualize this passage. Feet were really dirty back in this day and age. Remember when Jesus rode into town on Palm Sunday on the back of a mule, and everyone laid down palm branches as he went, covering the dirt on the road? Roads were dirty, both from dust and mud as well as the droppings of various animals that traveled along the road. If you walked everywhere, like Jesus and his disciples did, it would have been impossible to keep your feet clean (I don't think that archaeologists have turned up any knee-high boots to keep one's feet away from dust and dirt). It was a tremendous sign of hospitality for a homeowner to have their slave wash the feet of their guests, but it certainly wasn't expected that the host should do it -- it was not pleasant. In this day and age, it'd be somewhat akin to visiting the pope or perhaps a world leader and having them come out and change your oil, clean the break dust off your wheels and personally scrape any bugs off your windshield. Hard to picture, isn't it?
And yet here is Jesus, knowing that his hour is coming, that his death is imminent, and he's trying to do two things. One is to express his love for the disciples, and the other is to demonstrate what true love looks like so that they will know how extremely they are called to love one another after Jesus is gone.
When you read this passage, think of how limited Jesus' time was, and how many things he could have spent his time doing or teaching. Yet one of the most valuable things he could do was an act of service, cleaning the feet of the disciples. This is how much Jesus loves you -- even though a million things may be more pressing to God, Jesus attends to you personally, to cleanse you from sin and wash you of any iniquity that stains you. You matter to God.
And this is the mindset for us to take into the world. No act is beneath us. We should be willing to take on the duties of anyone if it is a chance to remind them that they are loved. If Jesus, the smartest and most powerful person who ever lived, can set aside his station to serve like this, then we, too, must be willing to set aside our pride and humbly serve whomever is in our lives.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's so important to contextualize this passage. Feet were really dirty back in this day and age. Remember when Jesus rode into town on Palm Sunday on the back of a mule, and everyone laid down palm branches as he went, covering the dirt on the road? Roads were dirty, both from dust and mud as well as the droppings of various animals that traveled along the road. If you walked everywhere, like Jesus and his disciples did, it would have been impossible to keep your feet clean (I don't think that archaeologists have turned up any knee-high boots to keep one's feet away from dust and dirt). It was a tremendous sign of hospitality for a homeowner to have their slave wash the feet of their guests, but it certainly wasn't expected that the host should do it -- it was not pleasant. In this day and age, it'd be somewhat akin to visiting the pope or perhaps a world leader and having them come out and change your oil, clean the break dust off your wheels and personally scrape any bugs off your windshield. Hard to picture, isn't it?
And yet here is Jesus, knowing that his hour is coming, that his death is imminent, and he's trying to do two things. One is to express his love for the disciples, and the other is to demonstrate what true love looks like so that they will know how extremely they are called to love one another after Jesus is gone.
When you read this passage, think of how limited Jesus' time was, and how many things he could have spent his time doing or teaching. Yet one of the most valuable things he could do was an act of service, cleaning the feet of the disciples. This is how much Jesus loves you -- even though a million things may be more pressing to God, Jesus attends to you personally, to cleanse you from sin and wash you of any iniquity that stains you. You matter to God.
And this is the mindset for us to take into the world. No act is beneath us. We should be willing to take on the duties of anyone if it is a chance to remind them that they are loved. If Jesus, the smartest and most powerful person who ever lived, can set aside his station to serve like this, then we, too, must be willing to set aside our pride and humbly serve whomever is in our lives.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
John 12:44-50
John 12:44-50
English Standard Version (ESV)
It always bothers me when I see Christians in public announcing a message of condemnation. There are certain subsets of Christians that seem to take delight in the thought of individuals going to hell. Jesus, however, is pretty clear about his purpose, and he hasn't come just in the hopes of sending some wicked people away on a hot vacation -- he's come with the purpose to save. Do not forget this -- Jesus has come to save. This is his self-announced purpose -- to save you from your sins, so that you may not remain in darkness but dwell in the light. Jesus came to save you, and so let us spread that message, one of hope, of light shining in the darkness, rather than focusing on the darkness. How much more compelling will it be when we go into our neighborhoods with a message of grace and unconditional love?
English Standard Version (ESV)
It always bothers me when I see Christians in public announcing a message of condemnation. There are certain subsets of Christians that seem to take delight in the thought of individuals going to hell. Jesus, however, is pretty clear about his purpose, and he hasn't come just in the hopes of sending some wicked people away on a hot vacation -- he's come with the purpose to save. Do not forget this -- Jesus has come to save. This is his self-announced purpose -- to save you from your sins, so that you may not remain in darkness but dwell in the light. Jesus came to save you, and so let us spread that message, one of hope, of light shining in the darkness, rather than focusing on the darkness. How much more compelling will it be when we go into our neighborhoods with a message of grace and unconditional love?
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
John 12:36-43
John 12:36-43
English Standard Version (ESV)
We can all agree that pie is one of the greatest inventions that humans have achieved. If I told you that you'd have pie next week, that'd be great, but what's even better than that is pie right now, warm and covered in ice cream. Most of us, if given the choice between future pie and present pie, would choose the pie that is here and now, even if we believed that the future pie was better and worth the wait, because when there's warm pie in front of you, it's hard to say no to the temptation.
This is what sin does. It doesn't mind when we think about future glory, as long as we're more tempted by the present glory, even though it may be less glamorous than what is promised in the future. The world offers us all sorts of temporary glory, and while it's far less than what God can offer, it has the advantage of being available here and now, whereas the future glory of the Kingdom of God, while eternal and beyond what the mind can grasp, is in the future and discounted in our minds.
And so we reach for substitutes. We accept a thin slice of pie now, neglecting the fact that God is promising us a future filled with unlimited pie. (I know -- its not a perfect analogy, but hopefully it's clear enough)
Part of being a faithful Christian is disciplining ourselves. It involves sacrificing present, earthly glory so that we can prepare ourselves for eternal, future glory. It means giving money for God's glory rather than using that money to build our earthly glory. It means taking time to serve others who can't build our social media status rather than using that time to build a better Instagram page. It means spending time to pray when we could be spending time to work and make more money.
It's not that we can't do things for ourselves -- but it's the idea that we are focused forward, trusting that God's Kingdom, not fully here yet, is worth waiting for, is worth preparing for, and spending our lives doing whatever we can, even at risk of popularity and ease, to make our souls ready for what the Holy Spirit wants for us, which is better than what we want for ourselves.
English Standard Version (ESV)
We can all agree that pie is one of the greatest inventions that humans have achieved. If I told you that you'd have pie next week, that'd be great, but what's even better than that is pie right now, warm and covered in ice cream. Most of us, if given the choice between future pie and present pie, would choose the pie that is here and now, even if we believed that the future pie was better and worth the wait, because when there's warm pie in front of you, it's hard to say no to the temptation.
This is what sin does. It doesn't mind when we think about future glory, as long as we're more tempted by the present glory, even though it may be less glamorous than what is promised in the future. The world offers us all sorts of temporary glory, and while it's far less than what God can offer, it has the advantage of being available here and now, whereas the future glory of the Kingdom of God, while eternal and beyond what the mind can grasp, is in the future and discounted in our minds.
And so we reach for substitutes. We accept a thin slice of pie now, neglecting the fact that God is promising us a future filled with unlimited pie. (I know -- its not a perfect analogy, but hopefully it's clear enough)
Part of being a faithful Christian is disciplining ourselves. It involves sacrificing present, earthly glory so that we can prepare ourselves for eternal, future glory. It means giving money for God's glory rather than using that money to build our earthly glory. It means taking time to serve others who can't build our social media status rather than using that time to build a better Instagram page. It means spending time to pray when we could be spending time to work and make more money.
It's not that we can't do things for ourselves -- but it's the idea that we are focused forward, trusting that God's Kingdom, not fully here yet, is worth waiting for, is worth preparing for, and spending our lives doing whatever we can, even at risk of popularity and ease, to make our souls ready for what the Holy Spirit wants for us, which is better than what we want for ourselves.
Monday, September 23, 2019
John 12:27-36
John 12:27-36
English Standard Version (ESV)
The older I get, the more empathy I have for the people who were trying to follow Jesus. It was hard, right -- they had this fixed vision in their heads of what the Messiah was supposed to be like, and then Jesus shows up and is different from that, and they get confused when he talks about his death, because they're anticipating that the Messiah will live and reign forever. The darkness is closing in, Jesus is the light, and the people don't understand how to take the next step.
The Good News of Christianity is that you and I don't have to have every single answer figured out. We aren't taking a test to see if we qualify to be Christians. No -- we fix our eyes upon Jesus, understanding that the cross and empty tomb have already occurred, and we trust that Jesus has done everything that needs to be done. What is left for us is to follow, to try and figure out the next step, and to rest in the quiet confidence that comes with having an eternal salvation secured and a Savior who is stronger than anything else in this world.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The older I get, the more empathy I have for the people who were trying to follow Jesus. It was hard, right -- they had this fixed vision in their heads of what the Messiah was supposed to be like, and then Jesus shows up and is different from that, and they get confused when he talks about his death, because they're anticipating that the Messiah will live and reign forever. The darkness is closing in, Jesus is the light, and the people don't understand how to take the next step.
The Good News of Christianity is that you and I don't have to have every single answer figured out. We aren't taking a test to see if we qualify to be Christians. No -- we fix our eyes upon Jesus, understanding that the cross and empty tomb have already occurred, and we trust that Jesus has done everything that needs to be done. What is left for us is to follow, to try and figure out the next step, and to rest in the quiet confidence that comes with having an eternal salvation secured and a Savior who is stronger than anything else in this world.
Friday, September 20, 2019
John 12:20-26
John 12:20-26
English Standard Version (ESV)
Next spring, think through the process of planting. You dig a hole in the soil, and then you place a seed in it, covering it with soil. Try telling the seed that you're doing this so it will grow into something marvelous. It doesn't make sense, does it? But it's the only way we can get apple trees and sunflowers. The seed has to be buried in order to be transformed into something truly beautiful. The seed has to give up what it knows and enter the unknown so that it can fulfill its true calling. If it clung to what it knew, it would never be more than a seed, and it would eventually shrivel and dry out and be useless.
So let us not run from death -- only through death can we truly taste the life that is truly life, the abundant life that exists in the fullness of the Kingdom of God. Facing death with hope requires a tremendous amount of faith and trust in God, but Jesus has gone before us to demonstrate that God has power over death. We do not travel this way alone, and we are not the first -- Jesus has gone ahead to offer assurance, and Jesus returns to walk with us, taking us by the hand and assuring us that it's a path well traveled.
We can lose our life with confidence, because we know that it will be found. We can let go of the things in this world we cling to, because they cannot bring life -- the harder we cling to them, the less focus we have for turning to what truly matters, the abundant life that is brought by the King who humbly came to serve.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Next spring, think through the process of planting. You dig a hole in the soil, and then you place a seed in it, covering it with soil. Try telling the seed that you're doing this so it will grow into something marvelous. It doesn't make sense, does it? But it's the only way we can get apple trees and sunflowers. The seed has to be buried in order to be transformed into something truly beautiful. The seed has to give up what it knows and enter the unknown so that it can fulfill its true calling. If it clung to what it knew, it would never be more than a seed, and it would eventually shrivel and dry out and be useless.
So let us not run from death -- only through death can we truly taste the life that is truly life, the abundant life that exists in the fullness of the Kingdom of God. Facing death with hope requires a tremendous amount of faith and trust in God, but Jesus has gone before us to demonstrate that God has power over death. We do not travel this way alone, and we are not the first -- Jesus has gone ahead to offer assurance, and Jesus returns to walk with us, taking us by the hand and assuring us that it's a path well traveled.
We can lose our life with confidence, because we know that it will be found. We can let go of the things in this world we cling to, because they cannot bring life -- the harder we cling to them, the less focus we have for turning to what truly matters, the abundant life that is brought by the King who humbly came to serve.
Thursday, September 19, 2019
John 12:12-19
John 12:12-19
English Standard Version (ESV)
One of the lens through which we can examine the Gospels to see if they are historically reliable is what's considered the 'embarrassing factor'. Basically, it's the question of whether it would be included if you were going to make up the story. Every instance where the disciples appear bumbling and uncertain would fall into this category -- if they were writing the story, they would appear on top of things and immediately grasp what Jesus was doing, right? They certainly wouldn't have talked about how they fell asleep when Jesus asked them to stay awake and pray. And the disciples would have been waiting at the empty tomb, not the women.
The honesty is refreshing. Here in the Palm Sunday story, John tells us that the disciples didn't understand what was happening. They were likely still waiting for Jesus to take over Jerusalem and defeat the Romans, but that was clearly not on the agenda. Looking back, after the resurrection and ascension, they could piece together that his ministry was about something more than worldly power, but at the time, they were watching their leader ride a donkey into Jerusalem and wondering what was happening.
God is at work in your life today. This very moment, the Holy Spirit is surrounding you and beckoning you forward into a calling where you will grow in faithfulness.
If you're like me, you don't completely understand what God is doing. You're often unsure of your calling and where God is leading, but you try and hope that you'll catch a little more of the vision today than you did yesterday. If so, you're in good company. Only in looking back did the disciples understand, the same as we often do. Trust that God is present, here and now, and take the next step. The path is often clear only in looking back.
English Standard Version (ESV)
One of the lens through which we can examine the Gospels to see if they are historically reliable is what's considered the 'embarrassing factor'. Basically, it's the question of whether it would be included if you were going to make up the story. Every instance where the disciples appear bumbling and uncertain would fall into this category -- if they were writing the story, they would appear on top of things and immediately grasp what Jesus was doing, right? They certainly wouldn't have talked about how they fell asleep when Jesus asked them to stay awake and pray. And the disciples would have been waiting at the empty tomb, not the women.
The honesty is refreshing. Here in the Palm Sunday story, John tells us that the disciples didn't understand what was happening. They were likely still waiting for Jesus to take over Jerusalem and defeat the Romans, but that was clearly not on the agenda. Looking back, after the resurrection and ascension, they could piece together that his ministry was about something more than worldly power, but at the time, they were watching their leader ride a donkey into Jerusalem and wondering what was happening.
God is at work in your life today. This very moment, the Holy Spirit is surrounding you and beckoning you forward into a calling where you will grow in faithfulness.
If you're like me, you don't completely understand what God is doing. You're often unsure of your calling and where God is leading, but you try and hope that you'll catch a little more of the vision today than you did yesterday. If so, you're in good company. Only in looking back did the disciples understand, the same as we often do. Trust that God is present, here and now, and take the next step. The path is often clear only in looking back.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
John 12:9-11
John 12:9-11
English Standard Version (ESV)
The story of Lazarus being raised from the dead appears only in Luke, not in Matthew and Mark, with the thought being that this story wasn't widely circulated in the earlier Gospels due to concern for Lazarus' life. The story clearly brought a number of converts into Christianity, and Lazarus was certainly a minor celebrity -- imagine how many people came to his house simply to see that he was alive again. The plan by the chief priests seems comically weak -- they're going to kill a man that Jesus has already proven can be raised from the dead? If they killed him, and then Jesus raised him once more, that would probably only bring more people to faith!
This story goes to show how powerful one transformation story can be. It shows us how far the ripples can spread from that life, and that the forces that oppose us are real -- and that while they can threaten our bodies, they cannot tear us from the hands of Jesus.
Obviously, Lazarus died again -- he was raised from the dead, but not restored to eternal life. That would have to wait. In the meantime, though, he had glimpsed the power of God. What would his life have been like? How would he have told his story? He had been changed -- and he knew the power of hope in Jesus Christ.
We who have been baptized into the death of Christ Jesus share in his resurrection. Until our baptisms are complete and we sit with Christ in the fullness of God's Kingdom, what story will we tell to the world?
English Standard Version (ESV)
The story of Lazarus being raised from the dead appears only in Luke, not in Matthew and Mark, with the thought being that this story wasn't widely circulated in the earlier Gospels due to concern for Lazarus' life. The story clearly brought a number of converts into Christianity, and Lazarus was certainly a minor celebrity -- imagine how many people came to his house simply to see that he was alive again. The plan by the chief priests seems comically weak -- they're going to kill a man that Jesus has already proven can be raised from the dead? If they killed him, and then Jesus raised him once more, that would probably only bring more people to faith!
This story goes to show how powerful one transformation story can be. It shows us how far the ripples can spread from that life, and that the forces that oppose us are real -- and that while they can threaten our bodies, they cannot tear us from the hands of Jesus.
Obviously, Lazarus died again -- he was raised from the dead, but not restored to eternal life. That would have to wait. In the meantime, though, he had glimpsed the power of God. What would his life have been like? How would he have told his story? He had been changed -- and he knew the power of hope in Jesus Christ.
We who have been baptized into the death of Christ Jesus share in his resurrection. Until our baptisms are complete and we sit with Christ in the fullness of God's Kingdom, what story will we tell to the world?
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
John 12:1-8
John 12:1-8
English Standard Version (ESV)
I can make a logical case as to why you should believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that his resurrection from the dead is a historical fact supported by evidence. You and I could agree on that and believe it in our minds to be true, but such belief would be unlikely to drive us to take a bottle of fragrance worth a years' pay and break it over the feet of Jesus. However, if you or I were to witness Jesus using his power to raise one of our siblings from the dead, we then would likely be compelled to change the way we see our belongings and seek to do radical things to demonstrate our love and gratitude to Jesus for all that Christ has done.
There's a difference between believing something to be true in your head and allowing that to lead your heart into a place of transformation. I can't explain the difference or draw the path between one and the other -- putting ourselves into a place where we can have experiences of Jesus' love and grace is crucial, but that's not an equation -- we can't force Jesus to show up and do something because we have done something. It's a relationship, and it can't be taught -- it can only be lived. I'll say this -- it wasn't easy for Mary. She had to watch her brother die and then mourn for days before she had an unexpected experience. True discipleship isn't always easy, but Christ is always leading us deeper.
So live into that relationship, and let your mind lead your heart, but mostly, create space for Jesus to do a work in your life. We all long for this, to have an experience that transforms us. May God bless us so.
English Standard Version (ESV)
I can make a logical case as to why you should believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that his resurrection from the dead is a historical fact supported by evidence. You and I could agree on that and believe it in our minds to be true, but such belief would be unlikely to drive us to take a bottle of fragrance worth a years' pay and break it over the feet of Jesus. However, if you or I were to witness Jesus using his power to raise one of our siblings from the dead, we then would likely be compelled to change the way we see our belongings and seek to do radical things to demonstrate our love and gratitude to Jesus for all that Christ has done.
There's a difference between believing something to be true in your head and allowing that to lead your heart into a place of transformation. I can't explain the difference or draw the path between one and the other -- putting ourselves into a place where we can have experiences of Jesus' love and grace is crucial, but that's not an equation -- we can't force Jesus to show up and do something because we have done something. It's a relationship, and it can't be taught -- it can only be lived. I'll say this -- it wasn't easy for Mary. She had to watch her brother die and then mourn for days before she had an unexpected experience. True discipleship isn't always easy, but Christ is always leading us deeper.
So live into that relationship, and let your mind lead your heart, but mostly, create space for Jesus to do a work in your life. We all long for this, to have an experience that transforms us. May God bless us so.
Monday, September 16, 2019
John 11:54-57
John 11:54-57
English Standard Version (ESV)
I"m a strong believer in the idea that there are seasons of ministry for each of us. At times, the Spirit's leading is clear and strong, and we know what ministry looks like in our family and our immediate community. At other times, it feels as though a fog has descended and the next step is so obscure that you're uncertain as to whether or not you should even take it. At times like this, Jesus can feel distant and removed.
Fortunately, the Gospels don't only present the highlights of Jesus' ministry. They tell us about the times like this, when Jesus didn't walk openly among the Jews due to their opposition to him. He dwelt in Ephraim near the wilderness, staying with the disciples.
I've been near the wilderness, and I've been in the wilderness, and I suspect you have, too. At times, it feels like the wilderness is a forever home, and you may as well get comfortable there, but God's never finished with us in the wilderness. Just as Moses went to care for sheep far from Egypt, and Elijah fled to a streambed where he was fed by ravens, there's a Biblical history for God leading people out of the wilderness. The story never ends in the darkest chapter of the night -- Revelation tells us that the story ends in the light of the Kingdom, and so rest assured that the wilderness is never a destination, only a stop along the way, where we learn how heavily we can depend upon God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
I"m a strong believer in the idea that there are seasons of ministry for each of us. At times, the Spirit's leading is clear and strong, and we know what ministry looks like in our family and our immediate community. At other times, it feels as though a fog has descended and the next step is so obscure that you're uncertain as to whether or not you should even take it. At times like this, Jesus can feel distant and removed.
Fortunately, the Gospels don't only present the highlights of Jesus' ministry. They tell us about the times like this, when Jesus didn't walk openly among the Jews due to their opposition to him. He dwelt in Ephraim near the wilderness, staying with the disciples.
I've been near the wilderness, and I've been in the wilderness, and I suspect you have, too. At times, it feels like the wilderness is a forever home, and you may as well get comfortable there, but God's never finished with us in the wilderness. Just as Moses went to care for sheep far from Egypt, and Elijah fled to a streambed where he was fed by ravens, there's a Biblical history for God leading people out of the wilderness. The story never ends in the darkest chapter of the night -- Revelation tells us that the story ends in the light of the Kingdom, and so rest assured that the wilderness is never a destination, only a stop along the way, where we learn how heavily we can depend upon God.
Friday, September 13, 2019
John 11:45-53
John 11:45-53
English Standard Version (ESV)
Sometimes, we get the chance to clearly understand the priorities of people. It can be sobering. Have you ever been disappointed by realizing that someone you thought you knew well had completely different priorities than you thought? Or perhaps you've had the pleasure of being surprised by someone's selfless priorities?
The Pharisees were the religious leaders of the day. They're supposed to be focused on what God is doing. They've always seen Jesus as a threat, unable or unwilling to recognize the signs that point to Jesus being the Messiah.
Just after Jesus finishing bringing Lazarus back from the dead, which is a pretty big sign that Jesus is who he says he is, they have a meeting and show that their true priority is not upsetting the Romans -- instead of focusing on the power and action of God, they're afraid of the Roman army. It reminds us of King Saul, who was terrified of Goliath until David showed up and said "Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and [Goliath] shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God." (1 Samuel 17:36) Saul was more focused on his fear of the Philistines, just like the Pharisees are more focused on their fear of the Romans.
So what are you afraid of? What are your deepest fears, and how do they prevent you from living into your faith? When I take the time and am brutally honest with myself, I can see how my fear of insecurity or my fear of not being good enough prevent me from moving forward with things that I believe God is calling me towards. It's hard to examine and harder to admit, but I, like the Pharisees and Saul, get so focused on my fear that I miss what God is doing.
What are your fears, and how can God help you see that God's power and strength and mercy and might are enough to support you and encourage you? God is at work in your life, and we are wise to focus on that rather than our fear.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Sometimes, we get the chance to clearly understand the priorities of people. It can be sobering. Have you ever been disappointed by realizing that someone you thought you knew well had completely different priorities than you thought? Or perhaps you've had the pleasure of being surprised by someone's selfless priorities?
The Pharisees were the religious leaders of the day. They're supposed to be focused on what God is doing. They've always seen Jesus as a threat, unable or unwilling to recognize the signs that point to Jesus being the Messiah.
Just after Jesus finishing bringing Lazarus back from the dead, which is a pretty big sign that Jesus is who he says he is, they have a meeting and show that their true priority is not upsetting the Romans -- instead of focusing on the power and action of God, they're afraid of the Roman army. It reminds us of King Saul, who was terrified of Goliath until David showed up and said "Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and [Goliath] shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God." (1 Samuel 17:36) Saul was more focused on his fear of the Philistines, just like the Pharisees are more focused on their fear of the Romans.
So what are you afraid of? What are your deepest fears, and how do they prevent you from living into your faith? When I take the time and am brutally honest with myself, I can see how my fear of insecurity or my fear of not being good enough prevent me from moving forward with things that I believe God is calling me towards. It's hard to examine and harder to admit, but I, like the Pharisees and Saul, get so focused on my fear that I miss what God is doing.
What are your fears, and how can God help you see that God's power and strength and mercy and might are enough to support you and encourage you? God is at work in your life, and we are wise to focus on that rather than our fear.
Thursday, September 12, 2019
John 11:38-44
John 11:38-44
English Standard Version (ESV)
I love the idea that if Jesus hadn't specified Lazarus, the entire graveyard would have come out. It gives the picture of a graveyard full of people awaiting the word of Jesus to rise from their graves and join Christ in the eternal Kingdom of God.
Here is Lazarus, dead for four days, walking out of the tomb, but still bound by the trappings of death. Only when Jesus orders the community to help him out of his previous situation is he truly free.
The same is true for us. We often come through some huge event, perhaps miraculously, and I think we depend upon the community to help us understand and process what we've been through, and then we share our experience with the community. Even when we've made it through, we're not truly free until we've immersed ourselves in community. We are not made to be alone.
English Standard Version (ESV)
I love the idea that if Jesus hadn't specified Lazarus, the entire graveyard would have come out. It gives the picture of a graveyard full of people awaiting the word of Jesus to rise from their graves and join Christ in the eternal Kingdom of God.
Here is Lazarus, dead for four days, walking out of the tomb, but still bound by the trappings of death. Only when Jesus orders the community to help him out of his previous situation is he truly free.
The same is true for us. We often come through some huge event, perhaps miraculously, and I think we depend upon the community to help us understand and process what we've been through, and then we share our experience with the community. Even when we've made it through, we're not truly free until we've immersed ourselves in community. We are not made to be alone.
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
John 11:28-37
John 11:28-37
English Standard Version (ESV)
We do not worship a God who is removed from our situation, who doesn't understand what it's like to be human. We worship a God who willingly enters into our humanity, taking on human flesh but also human emotions, and endures temptation and suffering, grasping the heights and depths of human experience. When you are suffering, Jesus understands and is moved in spirit, greatly troubled by what you are going through. Jesus has deep relationships -- and their grief is shared.
Notice Mary's reaction isn't criticized. In the depths of her grief, she's clearly frustrated that Jesus didn't come immediately. It's been days, and they heard no word from him, instead sitting in the midst of their darkness, and they know Jesus had the power to heal him. And so she asks the big question that we all ask at times, and there is not rebuke for the question, but rather empathy for the grief.
You are never alone in your grief. The same Jesus who wept with Mary and Martha is troubled by our grief today. When we weep, we do not weep alone. The church is often at its best when it responds with tender care for those wrapped in the mantle of suffering -- there is no need to stand alone at these times, but church members should come alongside and remind one another that we do not ever wander the path of discipleship alone.
English Standard Version (ESV)
We do not worship a God who is removed from our situation, who doesn't understand what it's like to be human. We worship a God who willingly enters into our humanity, taking on human flesh but also human emotions, and endures temptation and suffering, grasping the heights and depths of human experience. When you are suffering, Jesus understands and is moved in spirit, greatly troubled by what you are going through. Jesus has deep relationships -- and their grief is shared.
Notice Mary's reaction isn't criticized. In the depths of her grief, she's clearly frustrated that Jesus didn't come immediately. It's been days, and they heard no word from him, instead sitting in the midst of their darkness, and they know Jesus had the power to heal him. And so she asks the big question that we all ask at times, and there is not rebuke for the question, but rather empathy for the grief.
You are never alone in your grief. The same Jesus who wept with Mary and Martha is troubled by our grief today. When we weep, we do not weep alone. The church is often at its best when it responds with tender care for those wrapped in the mantle of suffering -- there is no need to stand alone at these times, but church members should come alongside and remind one another that we do not ever wander the path of discipleship alone.
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
John 11:17-27
John 11:17-27
English Standard Version (ESV)
A few things about this passage -- I read once that there was an ancient belief that the soul stayed near the body for 3 days, so for Lazarus to be in the tomb for four days meant that he was completely dead (as though just raising someone from being mostly dead isn't miraculous enough, but I'll leave that distinction up to The Princess Bride).
Second, Martha makes an important point -- while she's disappointed that Jesus wasn't there to cure Lazarus before he died, she still believes in his power and ability. This reminds me of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who declare that they believe God can save them from the fiery furnace, even if God does not. Just because God doesn't answer our particular prayer, this doesn't mean that God does not -- we can ask questions and still maintain our faith.
Finally, Jesus isn't simply able to bring resurrection -- he is the resurrection. It's what I love about the Christian faith. It's based on a relationship. God doesn't come to show us some thing -- God comes to show us himself. God reveals himself to us, and making Jesus Christ into the pathway into eternal life means it isn't just praying to an impersonal deity, but rather it's a living relationship with a real and historical person who knows you and wants to be known by you. Jesus is the basis for our faith, and we are rooted in Jesus Christ!! Our hope walked and talked in this world, and we can look to Jesus for an example of how to maintain hope in the face of anything this world brings.
English Standard Version (ESV)
A few things about this passage -- I read once that there was an ancient belief that the soul stayed near the body for 3 days, so for Lazarus to be in the tomb for four days meant that he was completely dead (as though just raising someone from being mostly dead isn't miraculous enough, but I'll leave that distinction up to The Princess Bride).
Second, Martha makes an important point -- while she's disappointed that Jesus wasn't there to cure Lazarus before he died, she still believes in his power and ability. This reminds me of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who declare that they believe God can save them from the fiery furnace, even if God does not. Just because God doesn't answer our particular prayer, this doesn't mean that God does not -- we can ask questions and still maintain our faith.
Finally, Jesus isn't simply able to bring resurrection -- he is the resurrection. It's what I love about the Christian faith. It's based on a relationship. God doesn't come to show us some thing -- God comes to show us himself. God reveals himself to us, and making Jesus Christ into the pathway into eternal life means it isn't just praying to an impersonal deity, but rather it's a living relationship with a real and historical person who knows you and wants to be known by you. Jesus is the basis for our faith, and we are rooted in Jesus Christ!! Our hope walked and talked in this world, and we can look to Jesus for an example of how to maintain hope in the face of anything this world brings.
Monday, September 9, 2019
John 11:5-16
John 11:5-16
English Standard Version (ESV)
Thomas gains a reputation after the resurrection for doubting that Jesus has truly risen from the dead. We don't mention that here in John 11, Thomas is ready to go with Jesus when Jesus says he is returning to the place where they were ready to stone Jesus. Thomas bravely calls the disciples to follow Jesus, even though they may be heading into a place of danger. He is leading them into and through danger so that they see that he is not afraid, trying to give them confidence to face whatever challenges may await. While it might have been simpler for Jesus to heal Lazarus before he died, he did it this way so that the disciples could see that Jesus has power over death -- and therefore they need not fear. Jesus will lead them before the Judeans who might stone them and into the graveyard where death looms, and he will lead them out, victorious.
This is our story, too. Jesus doesn't lead us around death or give us the ability to avoid all sickness and death. Instead he wanders into danger with us, and he goes into the graveyard, always by our side. As the 23rd Psalm says, when we walk in the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear, because Jesus is with us. Always near, he goes into the darkest places we find ourselves, and he leads us out. Let us also go, that we may be with him, for only with him is there life on the other side of sickness and death.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Thomas gains a reputation after the resurrection for doubting that Jesus has truly risen from the dead. We don't mention that here in John 11, Thomas is ready to go with Jesus when Jesus says he is returning to the place where they were ready to stone Jesus. Thomas bravely calls the disciples to follow Jesus, even though they may be heading into a place of danger. He is leading them into and through danger so that they see that he is not afraid, trying to give them confidence to face whatever challenges may await. While it might have been simpler for Jesus to heal Lazarus before he died, he did it this way so that the disciples could see that Jesus has power over death -- and therefore they need not fear. Jesus will lead them before the Judeans who might stone them and into the graveyard where death looms, and he will lead them out, victorious.
This is our story, too. Jesus doesn't lead us around death or give us the ability to avoid all sickness and death. Instead he wanders into danger with us, and he goes into the graveyard, always by our side. As the 23rd Psalm says, when we walk in the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear, because Jesus is with us. Always near, he goes into the darkest places we find ourselves, and he leads us out. Let us also go, that we may be with him, for only with him is there life on the other side of sickness and death.
Friday, September 6, 2019
John 11:1-4
John 11:1-4
English Standard Version (ESV)
Honestly, the story of Lazarus contains so much wisdom to help us understand the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. In it, a friend of Jesus' is sick and Jesus knows about it before he dies. The Gospels establish that Jesus doesn't have to be physically near someone to heal him, so it's realistic to think that Jesus could say a word and heal Lazarus. But he doesn't -- and he says that Lazarus' illness will not end in death, even though Jesus surely knows that Lazarus is about to die.
This passage teaches us that Jesus is often operating and teaching us at a different level than what we comprehend. It should remind us that our life is not just what we can see and touch -- there is more happening than what is in front of our eyes. We get so caught up in the physical world, and rightfully so sometimes, as this is where we live and move and have our being, but Jesus exists on an eternal plane, and he's inviting us to that same place. Life, true life, is eternal, and death cannot hold us -- in Christ, we no longer end in death, but rather live forever in the Kingdom of God.
So may we pray for the wisdom to lift our eyes. We should not ignore this world and the things that trouble it, and the problems and illnesses of this world matter -- but let us remember eternity, and realize that God is at work, always, even when we cannot see and grasp it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Honestly, the story of Lazarus contains so much wisdom to help us understand the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. In it, a friend of Jesus' is sick and Jesus knows about it before he dies. The Gospels establish that Jesus doesn't have to be physically near someone to heal him, so it's realistic to think that Jesus could say a word and heal Lazarus. But he doesn't -- and he says that Lazarus' illness will not end in death, even though Jesus surely knows that Lazarus is about to die.
This passage teaches us that Jesus is often operating and teaching us at a different level than what we comprehend. It should remind us that our life is not just what we can see and touch -- there is more happening than what is in front of our eyes. We get so caught up in the physical world, and rightfully so sometimes, as this is where we live and move and have our being, but Jesus exists on an eternal plane, and he's inviting us to that same place. Life, true life, is eternal, and death cannot hold us -- in Christ, we no longer end in death, but rather live forever in the Kingdom of God.
So may we pray for the wisdom to lift our eyes. We should not ignore this world and the things that trouble it, and the problems and illnesses of this world matter -- but let us remember eternity, and realize that God is at work, always, even when we cannot see and grasp it.
Thursday, September 5, 2019
John 10:31-42
John 10:31-42
English Standard Version (ESV)
The people who say Jesus is just a good teacher and nothing more are clearly not reading the words of Jesus. Take his claim here in verse 38 -- the Father is in me and I am in the Father. Now, Jesus can either be completely off his rocker and insane for suggesting such a thing, or it can be true and he can be completely united with God. Those are the choices -- there is no middle ground where Jesus is a sane, rational man who, in his free time, claims to be one with God. If I routinely made such claims, I would be locked up.
So we have two choices -- and Jesus presents his works as the evidence that he is who he says he is. His works are supporting evidence to the truth that Jesus is the Word made flesh, Emmanuel, God with us. Even if we don't believe his words, Jesus says in verse 38, we should believe the works, because they are the evidence that Jesus is God.
And so if Jesus is God, then we should take every word and claim seriously. The early followers clearly did, as they risked being outcasts in the church by going to him, believing in him despite the threats of violence from the temple leadership.
So if you take Jesus seriously as the Son of God, where do you start? What's your next action today? How will you follow him over the next fifteen minutes? What will bring glory to God?
English Standard Version (ESV)
The people who say Jesus is just a good teacher and nothing more are clearly not reading the words of Jesus. Take his claim here in verse 38 -- the Father is in me and I am in the Father. Now, Jesus can either be completely off his rocker and insane for suggesting such a thing, or it can be true and he can be completely united with God. Those are the choices -- there is no middle ground where Jesus is a sane, rational man who, in his free time, claims to be one with God. If I routinely made such claims, I would be locked up.
So we have two choices -- and Jesus presents his works as the evidence that he is who he says he is. His works are supporting evidence to the truth that Jesus is the Word made flesh, Emmanuel, God with us. Even if we don't believe his words, Jesus says in verse 38, we should believe the works, because they are the evidence that Jesus is God.
And so if Jesus is God, then we should take every word and claim seriously. The early followers clearly did, as they risked being outcasts in the church by going to him, believing in him despite the threats of violence from the temple leadership.
So if you take Jesus seriously as the Son of God, where do you start? What's your next action today? How will you follow him over the next fifteen minutes? What will bring glory to God?
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
John 10:22-30
John 10:22-30
English Standard Version (ESV)
I'd love to have a firm a certain knowledge, based on something concrete, that God is real and Jesus was who he says he was and that things will unfold just like he promised. The Jews here in John's Gospel were looking for the same -- but they were also looking to trap Jesus in his words, to use them against him.
What Jesus instead pointed to were his works, the miracles and the fulfillment of prophecies and the teachings, reminding us that all of these things pointed to his identity as the Christ. These are what we look to as well -- these and the evidence we have discovered of the historical reliability of what Scripture proclaims. The Holy Spirit plants faith within us, and it's up to us to be patient and listen to God calling us deeper into the religious life. We hear the whispering of God, and we can be confidant that we are safe within the hands of God.
What better promise can we have than to hear the most powerful man who ever lived, the one who willingly went to death and then rose again, having defeated death, say that nothing can snatch us out of his hand, for we have received eternal life? Note how it's phrased as well -- Jesus gives this to us. We don't earn it or grab it from him -- he gives it, and because of his gift, we will never die.
English Standard Version (ESV)
I'd love to have a firm a certain knowledge, based on something concrete, that God is real and Jesus was who he says he was and that things will unfold just like he promised. The Jews here in John's Gospel were looking for the same -- but they were also looking to trap Jesus in his words, to use them against him.
What Jesus instead pointed to were his works, the miracles and the fulfillment of prophecies and the teachings, reminding us that all of these things pointed to his identity as the Christ. These are what we look to as well -- these and the evidence we have discovered of the historical reliability of what Scripture proclaims. The Holy Spirit plants faith within us, and it's up to us to be patient and listen to God calling us deeper into the religious life. We hear the whispering of God, and we can be confidant that we are safe within the hands of God.
What better promise can we have than to hear the most powerful man who ever lived, the one who willingly went to death and then rose again, having defeated death, say that nothing can snatch us out of his hand, for we have received eternal life? Note how it's phrased as well -- Jesus gives this to us. We don't earn it or grab it from him -- he gives it, and because of his gift, we will never die.
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
John 10:7-21
John 10:7-21
English Standard Version (ESV)
There's a lot here, and we could take a single verse every day, but in putting all the text here, I hope you get the overwhelming sense of how devoted God is to you. This isn't a fair-weather commitment, the type where Jesus is going to make a run for it if the wolf growls near the fence -- the hired hand would run for his own life at that point, but the shepherd, the one who owns the sheep, will stay and defend the sheep. The shepherd has bought the sheep at the precious price of the life of the Savior, and the shepherd isn't willing to lose them to whatever might threaten them.
So if you're wondering what your life is worth, consider the price that was paid for it. You have been bought at a price -- and the price was the life of Jesus Christ. It was paid willingly, freely, and you have nothing to fear now. As a sheep in a world filled with threats, we come up with plenty of things to be scared of, but our shepherd is committed to us. The shepherd has come that you may have life, and have it abundantly.
Rachel and I talk a lot about what that abundant life looks like. It's hard to know -- at times it seems like it's only clear for everyone else, and we wonder if we're choosing rightly. The Good News of this passage is that even if we're uncertain of where the flock is heading, and even if we're not sure of where we stand in the flock, what matters is that the Shepherd has bought us with a price, and we are part of the one flock under one shepherd, and nothing can change that, because our shepherd is the strongest force in the universe, and God has chosen to be for us!
English Standard Version (ESV)
There's a lot here, and we could take a single verse every day, but in putting all the text here, I hope you get the overwhelming sense of how devoted God is to you. This isn't a fair-weather commitment, the type where Jesus is going to make a run for it if the wolf growls near the fence -- the hired hand would run for his own life at that point, but the shepherd, the one who owns the sheep, will stay and defend the sheep. The shepherd has bought the sheep at the precious price of the life of the Savior, and the shepherd isn't willing to lose them to whatever might threaten them.
So if you're wondering what your life is worth, consider the price that was paid for it. You have been bought at a price -- and the price was the life of Jesus Christ. It was paid willingly, freely, and you have nothing to fear now. As a sheep in a world filled with threats, we come up with plenty of things to be scared of, but our shepherd is committed to us. The shepherd has come that you may have life, and have it abundantly.
Rachel and I talk a lot about what that abundant life looks like. It's hard to know -- at times it seems like it's only clear for everyone else, and we wonder if we're choosing rightly. The Good News of this passage is that even if we're uncertain of where the flock is heading, and even if we're not sure of where we stand in the flock, what matters is that the Shepherd has bought us with a price, and we are part of the one flock under one shepherd, and nothing can change that, because our shepherd is the strongest force in the universe, and God has chosen to be for us!
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