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Day 37: Matthew 22:23-46 — What is wisdom?

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

Abraham Lincoln

Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.

You’ve heard that. Quick — who said it? Mark Twain? Abraham Lincoln? Both are alleged to have said it, but the fact is, there’s no proof either of them said it. If he did, it certainly wasn’t original.

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:28

The wise man said it. As many good one-liners as Solomon can claim though, there are a good many attributable to one of his descendants as well. Back to that in a minute.

You know, I can sometimes think pretty well on my feet. I was, after all, a star high school debater and had quite a winning streak going there for a while. It always ended with a loss though. Every winning steak does, but as good as I was 40 years ago, I work for a guy now who can really blindside me at times, leaving me…

Speechless. Ever been there? I don’t think Jesus ever was. He never seemed to be at a loss for words. Twelve years old in the temple. Wouldn’t you like to have been there that day? What was He saying; what was He asking; which rabbis was He correcting?

Today, He silences the Pharisees and Sadducees. “Whose wife will she be at the resurrection?” (They didn’t even believe in a resurrection.) “Which is the greatest commandment?” (Yeah, pick one of the six hundred and ten of them. Any one.) “Who’s the father of the Christ?” (They thought they had Him with this one.)

No, I’ve never seen Jesus speechless except for a couple times when saying nothing was exactly the right thing to say (John 11:35, Matthew 27:12-14).

How many times in my lifetime could I have helped my cause tremendously by just keeping my big yapper shut? (Don’t answer that.) How many times too, have we closed a door of opportunity to teach someone, simply because of something we said? Something that was the truth, sure, but didn’t have to be said.

Today, let’s learn from the Master — learn when to speak, learn when to speak up, and just as importantly, learn when to keep quiet.

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Day 33: Matthew 20:17-34 — Boundaries

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

One of the purposes of this blog is to write about one of the texts we are reading for the day. Sometimes, God’s Word leads me to a word study, a theological concept or doctrine, connects me with another place in scripture, or it just inspires me. Today, I was reading Matthew 20:20-23. Jesus encountered the mother of the sons of Zebedee. It kind of tickled me as I imagined the Zebedee brothers following behind their mother while she tells Jesus what she wants and then they expect to sit in the highest place of honor in Heaven. What an awkward scene. A preacher listening to a mother’s request and it is amazing that Jesus pretty much tells her “no.” He sets up a boundary and it doesn’t matter what some mother wants for her kids. Can you believe it? The Kingdom of God is more important and critical than what a mother wants? I don’t know why this resonates with me — maybe it is my own failure at setting limits with others. I am fascinated with Jesus’ skill at setting limits.

I find comfort in knowing that as a Christian it is all right to set limits. When someone is asking us to do something that is opposite of God’s plan and is not within the realm of our ability to provide, it is alright to say “no.” Jesus does not expect us to give in to unrealistic expectations. I feel better and I know why. Once upon a time, a mother came to me and told me to fix her adult son. He had strayed away from the church and she expected me to fix him, get a suit on him, “make him right with God,” and get him back in church. I felt bad and figured I was a terrible minister because I knew I did not have the power to fix him and I told her “no.” I set a limit and she was not happy. It was awkward. I offered prayer, visitation, counseling, but I could not promise to fix him the way she wanted, nor did I want to.

If Jesus is my friend wouldn’t he let my children sit at the left hand and right hand of God? I mean isn’t Jesus able to do anything? He is the Son of God! He is our Savior! He is all powerful! Why then doesn’t he give in to all of our requests? Why does Jesus set limits? Why does Jesus say, “no.” Maybe a better question is who in the world do we think we are to think we can fix everyone and everything? If Jesus sets limits, who are we to think we don’t have to? If Jesus lives within the limits of the Kingdom then why shouldn’t we? You know there is something holy and healing about boundaries! What do you think?

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Day 32: Ex. 13:17-15:27; Matt. 19:23-20:16 — We have left all…what now?

Monday, February 1st, 2010

Free, at last! Free! and now what? Pharaoh’s coming, the sea locks us into his grip! We left everything we had! We should have stayed in Egypt!

Married, ah, that blissful state. Now comes real life. Can a man divorce for any reason?

I have been good ALL my life. Surely God will open up the pearly gates big and wide just to let me through.

We have left everything to follow you. What now?

“Fear not. Stand firm and see the salvation of the LORD which He will work for you today.” Exodus 14:13. With this, Israel will receive the blessing of deliverance. Yahweh transformed what would have been their grave into the the means of their salvation. “And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground.” Exodus 14:22. “Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea…the floods (deeps, NASB) covered them.” Exodus 15:4-5. A term rich in meaning tells us where Pharaoh went, TEHOM,  rendered by the ESV as floods,  NASB as deeps, odd English, good Hebrew, good theology. TEHOM describes the universe before light of creation, a place of darkness and chaos. Genesis 1:2. To this existence, realm, chaos, destruction, end was Pharaoh taken. Our love and commitment to the Creator becomes blessed as we follow through the hard, impossible times, when nothing appears as it should. When He says, “Press on, be determined, trust Me.” 1 John 4:18 — Perfect love casts out fear. Life dedicated  to the Great Liberator does have questions, and we have some times of doubt, but complete confidence, going through the sea, results in goodness now and promises which will be fulfilled. Committed, leave all and follow Him, you will find Life. Do-it-my-way life without Him? The Deep.

She cooks so badly, inedible horrors! She squawks so loudly, all the neighbors hear her! WHAT have I gotten myself into?!! Thus the Israelite could get the writ of divorce and get of that mess! Hold on, hold on, now. What mess? WHO created the mess? Jesus assures that crowd of nay-sayers-and-how-will-you-get-out-of-this-one that if there is any mess, any problem with marriage, mankind brings it on himself, “the hardness of your heart.” Are there extraordinary circumstances? Yes. Are there horrible conundrums? Yes. But is there a design of the Creator giving us the best place from which to start and finish? YES! To the world, marriage now, as then, becomes a cloudy state of whatever I think it should be. It’s for ME isn’t it? With whomever, however, and whatever I want. Whom am I hurting? — the world says. What about the purposes of the One Who created us? What of the design? Marriage is about what God creates in us, using us as wonderful streams of blessing for ourselves and others. Marriage must seek the design and will of God first, the will of God in me, for Him, and then directed to and for that spouse, for Him.

We have left all and followed You. What now? We are ridiculed. The job does not pay much. Looks bleak even for a rich man. In Deuteronomy 30 and Romans 10, the Holy Spirit speaks in Moses and Paul: Is the will and design of God so outlandish that no one can do it? Are His purposes so impossible that we have to go to the farthest reaches of time and space to figure it out? By ourselves, under our own wind, that answer is yes. “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26.

Commitment goes to God first, on His terms, in His way. Never to me first on my terms, no matter how much I don’t like to say that, human that I am. Then the seas divide, the way becomes clear, life takes on its true meaning, and, yes, that far dream we dare to dream, life forever with the One Who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

“My stubborn will at last hath yielded. I would be Thine, and Thine alone.”

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Day 31: Matthew 19:3-22 — Here, Take This Shovel and Hit Me

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

When Leah told me that we were expecting Ella, I was beside myself with excitement. This was going to awesome! Better than awesome! There isn’t a way to describe it! It was the same when we had Ava. I thought my heart would beat out of my chest because of sheer joy. We were going to have another little girl in the house to love and raise! I’ve never felt more blessed.

However, as you Dads out there reading this know…sometimes all you can think about is providing for those babies. Can I do it? Do I make enough money for this? How will we survive? I know the Lord will provide but I only see $20 in my checking account. Fear aside, we made a choice for Leah to stay home with the babies. It is a choice that I have been so thankful for but it does have its trade-off. No money. We always say we don’t have much money but we sure have a house full of love.

But wait…is that accurate? Are we really poor? I’ll revisit this in a second…

I’d like to concentrate on Matthew 19:16-22  In this story, a rich young man is looking for an answer. He has a simple question. Jesus gives a simple answer. “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Paraphrasing here – “Just let me know what I have to do so I can make sure I get in on this eternal life thing.” Can’t blame him for the question. Jesus tells him to obey the commandments. I can see this guy’s face and it is brightened. Things are looking up for eternal life. Yes!  Almost there! What else?! Check, check, check! Done!

Jesus drops the hammer on him. Matt 19:21 — “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. The come, follow me.” I can see the rich young man’s face. He is crestfallen. The scripture says in Matt 19:22 that he went away sad because he had great wealth.

Hatian childrenDuring the past couple of weeks I have seen, as I’m sure you have, the news from Haiti. I have seen the people and the way they live. I’ve listened to the stories of what is normal there. Throughout my life I’ve listened and have seen dispatches from Kenya, Mexico, China and Russia. What I am reminded of is the very plain fact that I am not poor. In fact, I am very rich. Therein lies the problem for me.

Brothers and sisters, I myself am the rich young man. I have tried my best to follow Jesus’ words. But I look around me and this story hits me right between the eyes. My children never go without a meal. I come home every night to a nice house in a cozy neighborhood. I have a closet full of clothes. We cleaned out my kids’ toy boxes today because they had too many. We rely on God daily to provide for us and he’s always done exactly that but do we rely on Matt and God to provide or do we rely on Him alone? I think that’s the difference. Today I will pray for God’s mercy for my selfishness and my reliance on myself.

Question: The rich young man walked away sad because he had great wealth. As you read this, how do you walk away?

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Day 30: Matthew 18:21-35 — Do the math

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

Any parent understands the concept of a child breaking the rules 7 times. I suggest any parent also understands the concept of a child breaking the rules 490 times. We love our children, we forgive, we go on.

21Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22

Not only is forgiveness a little tougher when the child is not my own, but it’s even tougher when it’s not a child at all. When it’s an adult who knows better and wallows in the pig sty anyway, it’s much harder to forgive. Scripture doesn’t say, but Peter’s mouth must’ve gaped when Jesus said to forgive “not…seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

Some people have trouble distinguishing grace and mercy. (Grace is giving someone something good when he doesn’t deserve it. Mercy is not giving someone something bad when he does deserve it.) Jesus gave two great examples of mercy — one applied and one denied. One slave was forgiven a debt of over a million dollars, but he wouldn’t forgive his fellow slave a debt of a few dollars, at which point slave 1 was thrown into jail to be tortured forever.

Jesus says this is how we will be forgiven — if we show mercy, we will be shown mercy. Sound familiar? (Matthew 6:14-15)

For some people, the most difficult forgiveness to give is to forgive themselves. One possibility is that they don’t feel truly forgiven by God. Has God promised to forgive and cleanse you with the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7)? God has kept His promise; if you are His child, you are forgiven.

Question:

Can you identify with someone who can’t forgive himself? Do you think this is an implied rejection of the forgiveness God has already given?

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Day 29: Matthew 18:7-20 – “Reconciliation”

Friday, January 29th, 2010

In Matthew 18:15-20, we have the famous narrative on church discipline. It is interesting that in context it follows the parable of the Lost Sheep. Matthew focuses on the will of God and focuses on the “little one” or Christian that has gone astray and has given a warning earlier about causing one of these to sin or stumble (Matthew 18:6). Matthew begins with a command not to despise them (Matthew 18:10-11) and at the end of the parable God’s will is for them not to perish (Matthew 18:14). So, what do you do with a brother or sister that sin against you? Read Matthew 18:15-20. By the way, it is no accident that before Christians intervene in this process that we are called to be humbled and purge our own sin (Matthew 7:1-5); we are called to be the greatest (Matthew 18:1-5) by becoming humbled like an insignificant child (see yesterday’s post); we are to seek urgently after the one who sins (Matthew 18:10-15); and it is followed by our call to forgive endlessly (Matthew 18:21-35).

The way Jesus teaches us to deal with a brother is similar to other ancient Jewish literature. The Testament of Gad 6:3-5 (Qumran Material) has a similar process that focuses on going to witnesses and to a governing body or the full assembly. Yet, Jesus is not trying to get us to litigate against a brother; His intent is for us to find a way to reconcile with a brother. Jesus teaches us to go to our brother alone and deal with it. Notice that “if he doesn’t listen” then you take the next steps with witnesses and going to the whole church. Whatever the two or more witnesses decide on earth will be kept in heaven (Matthew 18:18-20).  Remember when Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ and Jesus blessed him and gave him the keys of the Kingdom (Matthew 16:13-20)? Notice the similarity of words in Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18). Now the authority has been extended from Peter to the church. When two or more of God’s people come together it is a holy decision. Jesus is not talking about how many people it takes to worship together, Jesus is showing us that the Church has authority on earth to make decisions about our relationships and we need to be careful. The goal is finding forgiveness and not proving our point. Jesus is teaching us that the church has a responsibility to Him and each other. Jesus calls us not to just talk about forgiveness and reconciliation but to put it into practice.

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Day 28: Matthew 17:14-18:6 — The Paradox of Insignificance

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

childrenWho is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1-5)? I am so glad the disciples ask Jesus the question. I think I would be too scared to ask. Jesus takes a child and uses the child as an object lesson. In the ancient world, children were low in the social hierarchy. They were weak and defenseless and had no rights. They could not stand up and demand anything, unlike today. As so often misinterpreted, Jesus is not telling us to be a child but He is showing us how children in this culture were insignificant. Jesus is calling us to become insignificant and to become dependent on Him. To become great in the kingdom of heaven is to become a minister to the insignificant. I call this the paradox of insignificance because we seek to make a name for ourselves and God calls us to be insignificant. We are called to repent and the difficulty with repentance is that it would make us insignificant. It would mean that we can’t make it on our own. In repentance, we learn to humble ourselves like a child and become dependent on God to save us. We are called to serve and to serve means we will be inconvenienced or made insignificant. The paradox of insignificance means we learn to be pick up our cross and die to ourselves for the sake of others. In the paradox of insignificance we see Jesus on the cross. Are you willing to become insignificant and dependent on God? It is difficult and there ain’t no easy way around it (Matthew 7:14).

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Day 27: Matthew 16:24-17:13 — Take Up Your Cross

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Matthew 16:24-25 – I think most of us live in denial.  If we read this text and compare it to our lives, it has to be disturbing.  As I read this text, I either read through it fast so that I don’t have to deal with it.  However, I slow down and return to it because I just can’t pass it up without dealing with the reality that I am not always denying myself and I don’t always pick up my cross.  A young mother that I know recently wrote these words, “Now I understand the difference between happiness and fulfillment. Happiness is getting to sleep in.  Fulfillment is getting to wake up to take care of someone else.” I think this is what Jesus is telling His disciples and to us.  Jesus didn’t sleep in on crucifixion day but He was prepared to take care of others.

Question:  Do you see others picking up their cross and following Jesus?  Are you?

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Day 24: Matthew 14:34-15:20 — And That’s Why I Don’t Care for Clouds…

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

When I first sat down to meet with an academic adviser at Texas Tech I had one goal in mind – avoid mathematics at all costs. I will admit to you that I actually said, “What major requires the least amount of math?”  The answer? Public relations. Sign me up. This plan was great until the second semester of my junior year when I was told that I had to fulfill a science requirement. No big deal. The only class I could get into was a class called Principles of Atmospheric Science. I was told that you “just study clouds.”  Well hey, I’ve seen clouds before!  Can’t be that hard.

For six weeks I went to every class. I went to every study group. I went to a tutor. I may or may not have prayed for God to strike the building where that class was held. When I dropped the class I had a 37 average. I could not get my brain around what was happening in there. Everything that I thought I knew about anything could not be applied to atmospheric science. Nothing.

In Matthew chapter 15 we see another example of the Pharisees and teachers of the law just not “getting” what Jesus was saying. You might say that they were in Principles of Atmospheric Science. The big difference is their intent. I wanted to pass that class. They wanted to figure out a way to disprove Jesus. Be that as it may (I’ve always wanted to say that) you have a group of people that can’t wrap their brains, but more importantly their hearts, around a new way of thinking. As we discussed last week, the Pharisees were still concerned with following the old law. Jesus is trying to make them understand that our heart matters far more than something we do with our hands or mouth (Matt 15:3-11).

But the Pharisees are not alone in this story. The disciples themselves grappled with the meaning of Jesus’ words at times. It really was so different than what they grew up knowing. Peter asks for a little clarification and Jesus doesn’t hide his feelings when he says, “Are you still so dull?” Ouch. Read on: Matt 15:17-20.

I sometimes wonder how I would have handled hearing Jesus’ words had I been alive then. Surely it was radical and unsettling. Would I have listened? Would I have understood what he was teaching? My last go-round with comprehending something outside of my comfort zone didn’t go so well. But knowing what I know and believing what I know to be truth, I must realize that others may still see Christianity with the same apprehension. I pray that I am able to explain my beliefs with great clarity to someone that might see Christianity with the same view I have of atmospheric science.

Question: Would you be able to explain your beliefs to someone that either knows nothing about them or believes differently?

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Day 23: Matthew 14:22-33 — Hermeneutical epiphanies

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

I’ve written about that before — hermeneutical epiphanies — though not in this blog. It’s a term that as far as I know, I made up. All I mean is that sometimes we can read a passage for the dozenth time, and something about it hits us that we’d never thought about before — some way of thinking about the passage that didn’t occur to us in previous readings. Such was the case for me with this passage a few years ago.

After feeding the 5000, Jesus sent His disciples to the other side of the lake while He stayed behind to pray. Some time after 3 AM, the disciples were being tossed around by the winds when they see something they didn’t expect. They saw something, someone, walking on the water toward the boat.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27

That’s not exactly the way it reads in the Greek, but I’m not criticizing the translators. This rendering makes sense to us in our language, in our time. I checked it in 12 English-language Bibles, and the one that comes closest to the Greek renders the last idea this way:

“I am he; be not afraid.” 14:27b YLT

You know what the italics mean. That’s a word that wasn’t in the original text, but is inserted in order to make better sense to us, without changing the original meaning.

Hmm. Let’s leave that idea about “without changing the original meaning” alone for now.

What does the sentence say without the italicized word? It says I AM; don’t be afraid. In the Greek, it’s εγω ειμι (ego eimi) — literally “I AM”. All right, what did the words name (they were more than “words”) mean to a Jew (Exodus 3:14)? That was the name of Holy God. Jesus was telling His disciples they need not be afraid — no matter how small or how rickety the boat, no matter how strong the wind or high the waves — because God Himself was in their presence.

Whatever storm is in your life, fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2), walking toward you to calm the waves.

Question:

Hasn’t God promised to “never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5)? How does the promise “I AM; do not be afraid” speak to your life?

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