John doesn't even mention it. He begins with John the Baptist preparing the way and then the temptation of Jesus. Matthew does, but not until he establishes the Jewishness of Jesus. Luke does, but he first tells the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth and the birth of John the Baptist. John, however, goes back to the very beginning--to the creation. He starts his books just like Genesis. "In the beginning..." I would encourage you to go right now and read John 1:1-18.
Once you have done that, notice several words with me. The first is WORD.
WORD--"In the beginning the Word..." The word in the original language is logos. To the ancient mystic it encompassed everything. It was life itself. It was everything under a rational structure. It was physics and math all combined into something that made sense. John uses the term to describe Jesus. Jesus is the reason. Jesus is everything. Even Paul tries to describe Jesus in Colossians 1 by saying, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." He goes on to say, "...in him all things hold together." My assumption is, outside of Him all things fall apart.
LIFE--John 1:4 says that in Word was life. Not physical life. Not the heart beating and the brain functioning. But the best that life has to offer. Even Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest." John 10:10. It's the peace that passes understanding. It's the joy that comes when all else around us is falling apart.
LIGHT--There's nothing worse than trying to walk in darkness. Ask any parent who gets up in the middle of the night to check on his/her child. They are able to find the Lego with their foot every time. Light dispels darkness, not the other way around. Jesus is that light and He calls on us to let our lights shine. Paul says in Philippians 2:14, 15--"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like starts in the universe."
FLESH--This is perhaps the most amazing term in this passage. The word became flesh. The Message paraphrases it this way, "The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood." When God wanted us to see what He was like, He sent Jesus to become flesh. The apostles pled with Jesus to see God. He told them if they had seen Him, they had seen God. The Hebrew writer calls Jesus the "exact representation of his being." All man, all God. Hard to fathom, isn't it?
But the sad thing about all this is that Jesus came and His own didn't see Him. Only a few smelly shepherds were witnesses. Some mystics came, but His birth was generally missed. John said, "He was in the world and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not recognize him." Another version said, "...but his own received him not."
May that never be said of us.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
The Tomb is Empty
One of the greatest joys of my preaching life has been to be able to talk of Jesus resurrection. So many times we focus on His death and burial, but the most important thing was His resurrection. Paul says so in I Corinthians 15:
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and hat he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. vss. 3-8
There are those who say the resurrection is a myth. Let me offer four things that settle the issue in my mind. First, it was claimed that the apostles stole Jesus body. If that were the case, then why weren't the guards killed. The loss of a prisoner was a capital offense. Life for life. Instead, the Bible says the guards were paid to say that. Second, if Jesus didn't rise from the dead, why didn't the officials produce a body? That would have ended all speculation there. Three, did you see all the people to whom Jesus appeared? Peter, the Twelve, five hundred brothers, James, the apostles, and then to Paul himself. It would be hard to dispute that many eye witnesses. Fourth, if this was all a hoax, why did the Twelve allow themselves to be martyred? Why would you die for a hoax?
In John's account of the resurrection, the word "saw" or some form of it is used three times. Yet in the Greek language three different words are used.
V. 5--"Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there but he did not go in." The Greek word for "saw" there is to see without understanding. He was puzzled.
V. 6--"Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there." This time the word "saw" means that it was examined for the purpose of investigation. The word is the word we get our word "theory" from. That makes sense, doesn't it? Peter has his own theory about what happened.
V. 8--"The other disciple who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw and believed." This time, the word "saw" means to perceive with understanding. He got it! Jesus was alive! He remembered all the times Jesus told them what was to happen. How many times had he heard it? But now it clicks!
Doesn't this describe our Christian walk, our journey? We see Jesus and we really don't understand Him. We don't know why He would love someone like us. Then we start to delve into His word and start to examine our lives and to reason why He would die for us. Then, finally it clicks. Although we may not completely understand, we fall at His feet and proclaim Him as our Lord.
The resurrection was the theme of the early church and it should be ours. Paul said it's the gospel on which we make our stand. And Paul makes a bold proclamation that excites me and should excite you, too. He says these words:
"By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also." I Corinthians 6:14
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and hat he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. vss. 3-8
There are those who say the resurrection is a myth. Let me offer four things that settle the issue in my mind. First, it was claimed that the apostles stole Jesus body. If that were the case, then why weren't the guards killed. The loss of a prisoner was a capital offense. Life for life. Instead, the Bible says the guards were paid to say that. Second, if Jesus didn't rise from the dead, why didn't the officials produce a body? That would have ended all speculation there. Three, did you see all the people to whom Jesus appeared? Peter, the Twelve, five hundred brothers, James, the apostles, and then to Paul himself. It would be hard to dispute that many eye witnesses. Fourth, if this was all a hoax, why did the Twelve allow themselves to be martyred? Why would you die for a hoax?
In John's account of the resurrection, the word "saw" or some form of it is used three times. Yet in the Greek language three different words are used.
V. 5--"Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there but he did not go in." The Greek word for "saw" there is to see without understanding. He was puzzled.
V. 6--"Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there." This time the word "saw" means that it was examined for the purpose of investigation. The word is the word we get our word "theory" from. That makes sense, doesn't it? Peter has his own theory about what happened.
V. 8--"The other disciple who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw and believed." This time, the word "saw" means to perceive with understanding. He got it! Jesus was alive! He remembered all the times Jesus told them what was to happen. How many times had he heard it? But now it clicks!
Doesn't this describe our Christian walk, our journey? We see Jesus and we really don't understand Him. We don't know why He would love someone like us. Then we start to delve into His word and start to examine our lives and to reason why He would die for us. Then, finally it clicks. Although we may not completely understand, we fall at His feet and proclaim Him as our Lord.
The resurrection was the theme of the early church and it should be ours. Paul said it's the gospel on which we make our stand. And Paul makes a bold proclamation that excites me and should excite you, too. He says these words:
"By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also." I Corinthians 6:14
Monday, November 23, 2015
Why Are We Afraid of Thanksgiving?
I know what your first reaction to that question is. "I'm not afraid of Thanksgiving. I love it!" So why do we jump across it like a narrow stream in the forest? Summer ends and we set our sights on Halloween. Then the next thing you see are commercials for Christmas. Christmas trees start showing up in the stores. Santa is on television. The radio starts playing Christmas music. the listings are given for all he Christmas movies to be shown on your favorite television stations. And all the new movies come out when At Christmas!
A friend of mine teaches 4th grade music. She recently said this on Facebook:
"...I think these 4th graders deserve to be heard. My intention was just to teach them "Over the River and Through the Woods," but that led to a discussion of what families used to do together during holidays before television. I was not prepared for the anger. Student after student described begging their parent(s) to turn off the television on Thanksgiving so they could do something together. Some of these were kids who like to be seen as tough. They said that their begging did no good, and that their parents replied, "This is what we do on Thanksgiving." They started talking together about ways to sabotage the TV watching, including unplugging it, smashing it, and setting it on fire. When I asked them what they wished their families would do on Thanksgiving, here is what they said: 1. Play games together. 2. Go around the room and say nice things about each other. 3. Give thanks for the things we have. Food for thought..."
Admit it. Most of us are excited for Thanksgiving for two, maybe three reasons. Reason #1. Food. We could make a list right now of what we'll be eating for the Thanksgiving meal. Turkey, possibly ham, dressing, cranberry salad, green beans, corn casserole, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, pecan or pumpkin pie...or both. We eat until we can eat no more. Then we eat the leftovers fir the next several days.
Reason #2. Time off. Time off from work or school. A long weekend. Naps. Between meal snacks. Another nap.
Reason #3. And this one isn't for everyone, but I'll say it in one word.....football. My wife and I ate with a family one time who would eat and then not eat dessert until the Dallas Cowboys scored. (Lately, that's been a long time!)
But why are we afraid to verbalize our thoughts and feelings? Why can't we look our family, our friends in the eye and sincerely thank them for what they mean in your life?
Part of this, I think, is an admission that I need you. That we need each other. We live in a "pull yourself up by your bootstrap" mentality that says, "I am strong. I am tough. You can't bring me down." To be thankful is to admit that the score isn't even. Someone pays for something that is your expense. You nearly get into a brawl because you don't want them paying for your meal or your car repair or the labor costs you have incurred.
My brother-in-law tore out a deck on the back of my house once when I couldn't help. When I asked him what I could do to repay him, he brushed it off and said, "You don't understand. I LIKE doing this."
I had one of my elders who would compliment me on something I had done...a program, a sermon, a speaker I had invited in. I would deflect the praise as best I could. Then he would look at me and say, "Just say, 'thank you.'"
Don't try to do anything this Thanksgiving holiday except to say, "Thank you." Thank God. Thank your parents if they're still around. Thank your children. Thank your friends. Don't do anything else. Just say, "Thank you."
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15
A friend of mine teaches 4th grade music. She recently said this on Facebook:
"...I think these 4th graders deserve to be heard. My intention was just to teach them "Over the River and Through the Woods," but that led to a discussion of what families used to do together during holidays before television. I was not prepared for the anger. Student after student described begging their parent(s) to turn off the television on Thanksgiving so they could do something together. Some of these were kids who like to be seen as tough. They said that their begging did no good, and that their parents replied, "This is what we do on Thanksgiving." They started talking together about ways to sabotage the TV watching, including unplugging it, smashing it, and setting it on fire. When I asked them what they wished their families would do on Thanksgiving, here is what they said: 1. Play games together. 2. Go around the room and say nice things about each other. 3. Give thanks for the things we have. Food for thought..."
Admit it. Most of us are excited for Thanksgiving for two, maybe three reasons. Reason #1. Food. We could make a list right now of what we'll be eating for the Thanksgiving meal. Turkey, possibly ham, dressing, cranberry salad, green beans, corn casserole, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, pecan or pumpkin pie...or both. We eat until we can eat no more. Then we eat the leftovers fir the next several days.
Reason #2. Time off. Time off from work or school. A long weekend. Naps. Between meal snacks. Another nap.
Reason #3. And this one isn't for everyone, but I'll say it in one word.....football. My wife and I ate with a family one time who would eat and then not eat dessert until the Dallas Cowboys scored. (Lately, that's been a long time!)
But why are we afraid to verbalize our thoughts and feelings? Why can't we look our family, our friends in the eye and sincerely thank them for what they mean in your life?
Part of this, I think, is an admission that I need you. That we need each other. We live in a "pull yourself up by your bootstrap" mentality that says, "I am strong. I am tough. You can't bring me down." To be thankful is to admit that the score isn't even. Someone pays for something that is your expense. You nearly get into a brawl because you don't want them paying for your meal or your car repair or the labor costs you have incurred.
My brother-in-law tore out a deck on the back of my house once when I couldn't help. When I asked him what I could do to repay him, he brushed it off and said, "You don't understand. I LIKE doing this."
I had one of my elders who would compliment me on something I had done...a program, a sermon, a speaker I had invited in. I would deflect the praise as best I could. Then he would look at me and say, "Just say, 'thank you.'"
Don't try to do anything this Thanksgiving holiday except to say, "Thank you." Thank God. Thank your parents if they're still around. Thank your children. Thank your friends. Don't do anything else. Just say, "Thank you."
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15
Monday, November 16, 2015
The Lord's Prayer
By reading the title of this blog you might think that the subject of the day is from Matthew 6 which begins, "Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name..." Really this prayer should be aptly named the Model Prayer. When Jesus' disciples ask Him to teach them how to pray, He used that example.
However, in John 17 I think we find the real Lord's Prayer. Virtually, within hours Jesus will be taken as prisoner and crucified. His thoughts in this prayer are truly phenomenal. I don't want to spend a lot of time in this post in the first part of this prayer. It's the last seven verses I want to spend the bulk of our time.
At the first He told us that knowing God was eternal life. He really doesn't talk of Himself much, but really the success of the mission He has come to fulfill and what lies ahead for His disciples. He spends the next part praying for His disciples.
What strikes home in this prayer is the last part. He says, "My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message." I wrote this in my Bible. "My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for Jim." You should do the same. Write your name in there. Jesus prayed for you. What's remarkable is Jesus prayed for you over 2000 years ago. Perhaps that prayer is just now being answered by God. It's fulfillment is coming in your life today.
This is a good lesson for us. Our timeline is much shorter than God's. We want results. We want to see an answer and see it NOW! But can we pray a prayer that will have an effect in another 2000 years? Are you willing to make a commitment to pray for those whom you will never know. Perhaps it's a great grandchild or a nation searching for their God. Maybe it will be a plea for someone on a spiritual journey many years in the future. You keep praying the prayer. Our God is faithful. His answer may come long after we're gone.
He prays for our unity. "That will never happen," you might say. Why not? If Jesus prayed it, it can happen. Perhaps if we stopped worrying about everyone else and what they are doing and concentrate on our mission, maybe we might achieve some unity. I've noticed that most people who want to complain about my work are really not doing anything in the kingdom. Or maybe we should be praying for those who complain about what you're doing and complaining that you aren't doing things their way. I try to work by the Gamaliel rule. I've written about this before. Gamaliel was a member of the Sanhedrin. When some of the apostles were brought in and told not to preach in the name of Jesus, Gamaliel told his colleagues to leave them alone. If their work was of God, there was not stopping it. If it was from somewhere or someone else, it would die out. Good advice.
Finally, Jesus prayed that the love God had for Him would be in us. He asked us to be the love in this old nasty world. When there is hate, he calls us to love. He called on us to carry out His mission....the mission of God's overwhelming, unfailing love.
If Jesus thinks these thoughts, this prayer is worth praying, shouldn't we be doing everything within our power to fulfill His thoughts?
However, in John 17 I think we find the real Lord's Prayer. Virtually, within hours Jesus will be taken as prisoner and crucified. His thoughts in this prayer are truly phenomenal. I don't want to spend a lot of time in this post in the first part of this prayer. It's the last seven verses I want to spend the bulk of our time.
At the first He told us that knowing God was eternal life. He really doesn't talk of Himself much, but really the success of the mission He has come to fulfill and what lies ahead for His disciples. He spends the next part praying for His disciples.
What strikes home in this prayer is the last part. He says, "My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message." I wrote this in my Bible. "My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for Jim." You should do the same. Write your name in there. Jesus prayed for you. What's remarkable is Jesus prayed for you over 2000 years ago. Perhaps that prayer is just now being answered by God. It's fulfillment is coming in your life today.
This is a good lesson for us. Our timeline is much shorter than God's. We want results. We want to see an answer and see it NOW! But can we pray a prayer that will have an effect in another 2000 years? Are you willing to make a commitment to pray for those whom you will never know. Perhaps it's a great grandchild or a nation searching for their God. Maybe it will be a plea for someone on a spiritual journey many years in the future. You keep praying the prayer. Our God is faithful. His answer may come long after we're gone.
He prays for our unity. "That will never happen," you might say. Why not? If Jesus prayed it, it can happen. Perhaps if we stopped worrying about everyone else and what they are doing and concentrate on our mission, maybe we might achieve some unity. I've noticed that most people who want to complain about my work are really not doing anything in the kingdom. Or maybe we should be praying for those who complain about what you're doing and complaining that you aren't doing things their way. I try to work by the Gamaliel rule. I've written about this before. Gamaliel was a member of the Sanhedrin. When some of the apostles were brought in and told not to preach in the name of Jesus, Gamaliel told his colleagues to leave them alone. If their work was of God, there was not stopping it. If it was from somewhere or someone else, it would die out. Good advice.
Finally, Jesus prayed that the love God had for Him would be in us. He asked us to be the love in this old nasty world. When there is hate, he calls us to love. He called on us to carry out His mission....the mission of God's overwhelming, unfailing love.
If Jesus thinks these thoughts, this prayer is worth praying, shouldn't we be doing everything within our power to fulfill His thoughts?
Monday, November 2, 2015
Dreaming Big
I preached from John 14 yesterday and there are so many things that could be said from that chapter. It had to have been abundantly clear that something was about to happen to Jesus. He told them He would die in Jerusalem. He told the He was leaving. He told them one of them would betray Him. Yet they still didn't seem to get it. But Jesus pressed on anyway.
He told them He was going to prepare a place for them. Not a place with mansions as we often sing. But a place where there were many rooms. It really fit the culture of the day when the groom would go to his father's house and add on some rooms where he and his bride could live. His first message to His apostles in this chapter was "Don't worry, trust God." Their future would be secure if they just trusted God.
Of course, Thomas asks where Jesus was going. I truly think he thought he was going to another town, another district, another province...somewhere away from them. Thomas wanted to know the way. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." The way is not Mary. It's not some saint. Jesus is the ONLY way.
The outlandish part of this chapter is found in the latter verses. Jesus told them, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14:12-14. Jesus told them they would do greater things. Think about that for just a moment. Jesus healed the blind, raised the dead, cured all kinds of illness, healed lepers, cast out demons, and many other miraculous works. He just told the apostles they would do even greater things! You might say this charge was for the apostles. Was it? Listen to what Paul said in Ephesians 3:20. He said, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work with us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen!" "Throughout all generations" he said.
What does this mean? I think He calls on us to dream big dreams. To realize that God is in control. We should pray outlandish prayers for phenomenal results. Then we trust Him to see what He accomplishes for His glory. You may ask, "How is this going to be accomplished?" Through the Spirit that He left with us.
I told you there were so many things from this chapter. And I didn't even scratch the surface. Perhaps I should dream bigger. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine..."
He told them He was going to prepare a place for them. Not a place with mansions as we often sing. But a place where there were many rooms. It really fit the culture of the day when the groom would go to his father's house and add on some rooms where he and his bride could live. His first message to His apostles in this chapter was "Don't worry, trust God." Their future would be secure if they just trusted God.
Of course, Thomas asks where Jesus was going. I truly think he thought he was going to another town, another district, another province...somewhere away from them. Thomas wanted to know the way. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." The way is not Mary. It's not some saint. Jesus is the ONLY way.
The outlandish part of this chapter is found in the latter verses. Jesus told them, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14:12-14. Jesus told them they would do greater things. Think about that for just a moment. Jesus healed the blind, raised the dead, cured all kinds of illness, healed lepers, cast out demons, and many other miraculous works. He just told the apostles they would do even greater things! You might say this charge was for the apostles. Was it? Listen to what Paul said in Ephesians 3:20. He said, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work with us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen!" "Throughout all generations" he said.
What does this mean? I think He calls on us to dream big dreams. To realize that God is in control. We should pray outlandish prayers for phenomenal results. Then we trust Him to see what He accomplishes for His glory. You may ask, "How is this going to be accomplished?" Through the Spirit that He left with us.
I told you there were so many things from this chapter. And I didn't even scratch the surface. Perhaps I should dream bigger. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine..."
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
How Does Jesus See You?
A few years ago I heard someone use a very profound illustration. It went something like this. Close your eyes and imagine that Jesus and you are sitting in a room together, face to face, knee to knee. Look at His face. What expression is on His face? I had people write down their reactions to that little example and the results were astounding. Most said He was disappointed or sad.
I would hate for us to go through life in such a way believing that Jesus has a disappointed look on His face as He looks at us. You see, we can fix ourselves up, dress nicely, wear make-up (females only please!!), get our hair styled and look really good. God told us long ago that isn't important to Him.
The Israelites used that measure once when selecting a king. Saul was handsome, head and shoulders taller than anyone else. He looked like a king! The last straw came when he disobeyed God when it came to the Amalekites. It was after this that God sent Samuel out to find a new king. He looked at Jesse's sons and they looked regal. But God told Samuel, "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7b
With that being said, what did Jesus look for in someone? In John 4 He met a woman who had had five, count them, five husbands and was living with a guy who wasn't her husband. Can you imagine if this woman walked into our assembly today? We certainly wouldn't pick her to lead the women's ministry. But Jesus saw her heart and He used her. What about in John 8 when a woman caught in the act of adultery was brought to Him. Caught, which means she probably wasn't wearing much, if anything. Now, Jesus didn't say, "Oh, you're fine." He did say that He didn't condemn her. Then He told her to go and don't sin anymore.
In Mark 10 a rich young man comes to Jesus and asks what he can do to inherit eternal life. The Scripture says He looked at the young man and loved him. Why did He love Him? I think He was looking at His heart. The young man had a choice and He chose to stay with his possessions rather than with Jesus. On the other hand, in Matthew 23, Jesus lays out a lot of "Woe to you's." It was the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. It was the ones who had no intention of following Jesus. They were only in it for the prestige or the political clout they could maintain. Jesus saw their hearts and condemned them greatly.
So back to the original question. How does Jesus see you? It depends. It depends on your heart. And don't think you can pull something on Him. Psalm 139 tells us that even before a word is on our tongue, God knows it. He knows our thoughts, our motives, our very being. My prayer for us to today is found at the end of this great chapter. Heed and pray these words:
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23, 24
I would hate for us to go through life in such a way believing that Jesus has a disappointed look on His face as He looks at us. You see, we can fix ourselves up, dress nicely, wear make-up (females only please!!), get our hair styled and look really good. God told us long ago that isn't important to Him.
The Israelites used that measure once when selecting a king. Saul was handsome, head and shoulders taller than anyone else. He looked like a king! The last straw came when he disobeyed God when it came to the Amalekites. It was after this that God sent Samuel out to find a new king. He looked at Jesse's sons and they looked regal. But God told Samuel, "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7b
With that being said, what did Jesus look for in someone? In John 4 He met a woman who had had five, count them, five husbands and was living with a guy who wasn't her husband. Can you imagine if this woman walked into our assembly today? We certainly wouldn't pick her to lead the women's ministry. But Jesus saw her heart and He used her. What about in John 8 when a woman caught in the act of adultery was brought to Him. Caught, which means she probably wasn't wearing much, if anything. Now, Jesus didn't say, "Oh, you're fine." He did say that He didn't condemn her. Then He told her to go and don't sin anymore.
In Mark 10 a rich young man comes to Jesus and asks what he can do to inherit eternal life. The Scripture says He looked at the young man and loved him. Why did He love Him? I think He was looking at His heart. The young man had a choice and He chose to stay with his possessions rather than with Jesus. On the other hand, in Matthew 23, Jesus lays out a lot of "Woe to you's." It was the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. It was the ones who had no intention of following Jesus. They were only in it for the prestige or the political clout they could maintain. Jesus saw their hearts and condemned them greatly.
So back to the original question. How does Jesus see you? It depends. It depends on your heart. And don't think you can pull something on Him. Psalm 139 tells us that even before a word is on our tongue, God knows it. He knows our thoughts, our motives, our very being. My prayer for us to today is found at the end of this great chapter. Heed and pray these words:
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23, 24
Monday, October 12, 2015
The Triumphal Entry
How fickle could they be? At one point in Jesus' ministry, He fed a crowd of over 5000. Soon after that, it was a crowd of 4000. We always hear of multitudes and so many people around Him that He couldn't tell who touched Him. The number of His followers would rise and fall. Early in the book of John it tells of a number of them leaving because of His hard teachings. Evidently enough left that He questioned His apostles if they also were leaving. It was Peter who said, "Lord, to whom shall we go. You have the words of eternal life."
Then, all four gospels record an event at the end of Jesus' life. He comes into Jerusalem for His last Passover riding on a donkey. He's not the conquering hero that many expect riding in on His white steed to lead the armies of Israel to once and for all defeat this occupying force of Romans. Yet the 2.5 to 2.7 million people (according to William Barclay) are clamoring for a king.
"Hosanna to the Son of David."
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."
"Hosanna in the highest."
"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David."
"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord."
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest."
"Blessed os the King of Israel."
Sounds to me as if they were wanting a king. Jesus was willing, but not the kind of king they wanted. He wanted to save them from their sins. They wanted Him to save them from their captives. Oh, if they only realized they were captives of their sins. His offer was much more valuable than the one they wanted. But they misunderstood.
Why did Jesus come into Jerusalem the way He did? First, I think He was trying to tell them they really didn't want a king in the sense they wanted a king. They were thinking David or Solomon. One doesn't have to be much of a biblical scholar to realize the utter failure the Israelite kings were. Those kings were really a concession from God. Perhaps Jesus rode into town on a donkey to say, "I'm not like the other kings."
But I think the second reason why Jesus came the way He did is a little more subtle. Right after the account in John some Greeks come to Philip and they ask to see Jesus. Wait a minute. Jesus' ministry was for the Jews. Right? Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tell of Jesus cleaning out the temple right after His entry. In Mark, Jesus makes this statement. "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." Could it be that Jesus was saying to the world, "It is now time for salvation to come to all."? Neither Jew nor Greek, Slave or Free, Male or Female, but it's open for all! Jesus ushers in this new age because He knows He has come to die for all.
As the disciples meet in Jerusalem after Jesus' resurrection, we find there are only 120 followers. Wow! How sad. Yet, the Bible does say that the road is narrow. Few will find it. Not because He restricts it. But because we are too stubborn to admit our need for a Savior.
Thank you, Lord, for coming into the city in the way you did. May you come into our lives the same way. Humbly. And I pray that we will be one of those who accepts You for who You are...the Savior of the World. Our King!
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