Slaves of All

Mk. 10:42-45

"And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

The conversation began with James and John asking Jesus to grant their desire, their desire to be seated at His right and left hand in His glory. Were they thinking of heaven, or did they envision Him sitting on an earthly throne in Jerusalem? Regardless, they wanted some personal power, something in return for all that they had given up. When Jesus peppered them with the hard questions, [Could they drink His cup? Could they be baptized with His baptism? ] they unequivocally answered yes. They felt they could stand and fight with Jesus, but I am not sure they really understood the cup of suffering that Jesus was soon to drink. However, Jesus did acknowledge that they would suffer with Him, but even with that, the seats they desired were not His to give. Those seats were prepared by the Father for someone of His choosing.
 
This whole conversation brought dissension among the disciples; in fact, many were indignant. Was it because they thought James and John had overstepped their bounds, or was it because they asked for this honor before they had had the chance to ask? Was it personal jealousy or loving concern for Jesus? Jesus did not deal with their heart motives directly, but instead taught them a great principle in His kingdom. He explained that the Gentile world leaders lord it over their followers exercising great authority. Such a situation as this would make it desirable to be a ruler, but with Jesus it was not so. The one who would be great would be a servant, and the one who desired to be first would be the slave of all. Even Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, to give His life a ransom for many. The example of His life illustrated the extent of His self-sacrifice.
 
Perhaps at this point, James and John were kicking themselves. Instead of being first in His kingdom, they would be slaves of all. How foolish it is to bring the world system into Christianity! God's way is counter to the world's way. To be great for God means to be nothing in this world, to give up all that you possess, and to serve others unreservedly and wholeheartedly.  How hard that is! The human heart grasps tightly to what the world offers, the position, the possession, the wealth, and the pleasures. Amazingly, even with Jesus in the heart, the grasp struggles to hang on. Thankfully, Jesus gives His power and grace, to pry loose the grasping fingers when the heart is willing, and even then, He makes the heart willing. Amazing grace!
 
Father,
Make my heart willing to serve others without seeking something for myself. Dethrone my self and let Jesus reign.
In His name,
Amen

Humbled before God

Lk. 18:14

"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

 

Many people would not consider themselves self-righteous or admit that they treated other people with contempt. But Jesus told a parable that went to the heart of this self-righteousness and linked it to an attitude of contempt. The parable was about two men, one a Pharisee and one a publican. As these two men went to the temple, the Pharisee stood by himself and prayed. God, I think you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get. At first glance, I notice the Pharisee's body language and position. He was aloof and aware of his surroundings. After scoping out the place, he thought he was better than anyone else that was there. From this vantage point of superiority he began to pray. As he began to pray, he verbally compared himself to others. He saw the flaws and sins in others [speck in their eye], but couldn't see himself [log in his own eye], and by that comparison, he looked alright because he only saw himself [his own log]. But comparison is always deceiving. A person's true nature is only seen in the heart because the outward appearance and actions rarely reflect the inner man. During his prayer, his focus was horizontal and not vertical. He was concerned with the tax collector and not God. His prayer was not God-centered but self-centered. He even went so far as to thank God for his judgmental, self-righteous attitude. How terrible! Finally, his self-soaked vision was full of contempt for the tax collector. Contempt is the tool of self-serving people by building them up and increasing their feeling of superiority.  

 

The publican, however, prayed in a much different manner. He was standing afar off and wouldn't even lift his eyes to heaven, but instead beat his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner! His body language was one of humility. He knew he was unworthy to come into the temple and into the presence of God. As he prayed, he was not looking around to see how he stacked up with others, but he was looking inward at his heart's sinful condition. He saw the truth about himself and knew he could only cry out for the mercy of God. His prayers were completely vertical and not horizontal at all.  He was wanting to be rid of all that separated him from God. Even in this simple prayer, he expressed so much theology. Apart from the mercy of God man has no chance to stand in the presence of God. When I pray, am I brutally honest? Am I focused on my poverty of spirit and God's great mercy? Jesus then gives the conclusion to the story. The one who exalts himself will be humbled while the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

 

Father,

I confess my acts of comparison. Help me focus on You alone and be concerned only with my relationship with You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Glory of God

Jn. 11:40

"Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"

Jesus' love for Mary, Martha, and Lazarus was obvious. His heart ached to hear the news of Lazarus' illness, but yet He did not go immediately to him because his illness was for the glory of God. Instead He stayed two days longer where He was. Then finally, He began the journey to Bethany in spite of the men who were seeking to stone Him in that area. As He neared, Martha ran to Him. Is it surprising that she would run out to meet Him? No, after all, she was the one who was busy with much serving. She is still busy seeking to inform Jesus of what has happened, but Mary stayed home, no doubt, meditating, pondering, grieving, and remembering her brother. Martha's first words were, If You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You. Jesus told her that Lazarus would rise again, but Martha took that to mean in the resurrection day. Jesus declared Himself the Resurrection and the Life and that whoever would believe in Him would live. Pointedly, He asked her, do you believe this? She said she believed He was the Christ, the Son of God. Yet in spite of this, when they went to the tomb, she was only concerned about his odor as a dead man. (Once again reflective of who she was). Perhaps her knowledge was still making its way from her head to her heart, or her busyness had limited the scope of her faith and trust.
 
When Mary was called to Jesus, she fell at His feet (the only place to be!) and said the same words as Martha, but judging by Jesus' response, the emotion of her heart must have been vastly different. ( In keeping with who Mary was.) When Jesus saw her weeping, He Himself wept. He suffered as she did even though He knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead. What a heart of compassion!
 
As Jesus came to the tomb, He was deeply moved. Immediately, He called for the stone to be removed,  and then He prayed saying, Father, I thank You that You have heard me. I knew that You always hear Me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that You sent me." He acknowledged the greater purpose of the events and declared His position in relation to the Father. He was completely humble, submissive, and obedient. Obviously, There was more at stake here than the restoration of Lazarus. When Jesus told Lazarus to come forth, Lazarus did still bound in his grave clothes. Many people believed after seeing such a miracle, but sadly others ran to report the incident to the Pharisees. Jesus did all for the glory of the Father, and in this case, it was a rough time for Mary and Martha. God was doing a great thing, but it involved suffering for them. Am I willing to let my life reflect God's glory even when it is painful, or do I seek the easy way out of circumstances? Is my heart fully trusting in the One who is my Resurrection and my Life?
 
Father,
Help me to bring glory to You by resting in Your plan for my life. Teach me to fall at Your feet when my heat is pained and grieving.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Increase Our Faith

Lk. 17:5-6

"The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you."

The disciples wanted greater faith, but Jesus said that even with a very small faith great things could be accomplished. As Jesus was teaching about the purpose of faith, perhaps He was exposing the motives of the disciples. Was the purpose of faith just to do amazing, supernatural things? Was Jesus saying that it was not the amount of faith but the presence of faith in the life that mattered?
 
In Mt. 6:30 Jesus explained that since God clothed the grass of the field which lived only for a short time, He would surely clothe His people. In this instance faith was related to trust. Could believers trust God for daily necessities so that their lives were not full of anxiety. Could they rest in His provision? This faith had nothing to do with supernatural, mighty deeds, but instead with the daily grind, for the necessities that every person must have.
 
In Jas. 1:6 it speaks of faith without doubt. The prayer of faith must be doubt-free for the double-minded man will receive nothing from the Lord and is unstable in all that he does. Whether it is for necessities or for miracles, faith must be pure, without doubt. Does a prayer for increased faith really mean a prayer for pure faith, a faith without doubt? Whichever it is, faith comes by hearing the Word of God, by saturation in the living and powerful word of God. When the Word has its rightful place in the heart, then the faith will be pure, strong, and active.
 
Father,
Increase my love for Your word so that my faith will be pure and effective for You.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Bear His Own Cross

Lk. 14:26-27

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."

In the midst of the great crowds who followed Jesus, He explained what it truly meant to follow Him. It did not mean running to see miracles or signs. It did not mean chasing the new fad. Following Jesus meant a life change, a change that came at a great cost. What was and still is involved in following Jesus?

• Hating father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and even one's own life more than Jesus-- How difficult is this! How do I even understand it?
• Bear one's own cross-- Since the cross means death, I would be carrying about in my body the death of Jesus. I would have crucified my flesh and all of its demands and pleasures.
• Counting the cost before the journey--I would have to be completely willing to obey fully and whole heartedly.
• Renouncing all--Having my heart united to His heart in time, mission, purpose, activities, and in all that I do, say, think, and even feel.

What a cost! As I read these words, I look deeply into my own heart. Have I renounced all to follow Jesus? Have I carried my cross daily? Have I counted the cost? These words are so sobering and expose the shallowness of my commitment.

Father,
Continue to work in my life. Grow me in faith and grace so that I might carry my cross daily and that I might renounce all to follow Jesus.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Take Care

Lk. 12:15

"And He said to them, Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Jesus gave two warnings in this verse. First, Take care, exercise restraint, and be aware of what you are doing. Secondly, He said to be on guard, like a soldier in wartime fighting a battle against an insidious enemy. Why such concern over covetousness and possessions? Perhaps it is because having possessions and wanting possessions can be an all consuming venture that ties man to this earth and its cares. Immediately following this verse Jesus taught a parable about a man who had plentiful crops. Instead of giving to the poor or sharing his wealth, he became concerned with bigger and better barns. He became a selfish hoarder who wanted only to store all his grains and goods. With so much security, he felt he was able to relax and have a good time. Sadly, he was a fool. Nothing that he had done prepared him for the day his soul was required by God. Laying up earthly treasures does not make a person rich toward God. In fact, these riches are a huge stumbling block preventing a clear vision of God and of what true treasure is.

In contrast to the man in the parable, Jesus teaches His little flock to sell their possessions and give to the needy. How hard it is to sell all and give to the poor!  Having and wanting earthly possessions destroy the giving impulse! Instead of having earthly moneybags, believers needs moneybags that do not grow old filled with the currency of heaven, a currency of giving not hoarding. Believers should desire heavenly treasure, a treasure that is thief-proof and insect-proof, a treasure will not crash on any Black Friday or be affected by corrupt Wall Street bankers. Jesus finally states it simply.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Perhaps this is the key. Can I freely and willingly give it away? If I can't, then its tentacles are deeply rooted in my heart. Do I want what other people have? Do I want to look like the world, or is my life consumed in the currency of heaven and heavenly treasure? My heart tells the true story. Even though I have less, do I still want more? Is Jesus more important than anything that this world offers/

Father,

Keep my heart pure and free of possessions and covetousness. Help me seek You and be willing to give away what You have given me.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Good Portion

Lk. 10:411-42

"But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

How exciting for Mary and Martha that Jesus was visiting their home! Yet they each expressed their excitement in different ways. Being a great hostess, Martha graciously welcomed Him into her home. In fact, she was in a dither getting everything just right from the food to the table setting. The passage said she was distracted with much serving. How like a woman to be so consumed with the presentation that she forgot to enjoy the guest! As the evening wore on, she became upset, really just worn out! So she went to Jesus and complained about Mary who was not helping her carry out her self-imposed burden. She was sure that Jesus would tell Mary to help. By contrast, Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His teaching. She was focused on enjoying the presence of their guest. The food, the presentation, and the serving were not her principle concern, and as Martha observed this, her displeasure was heightened. 
 
Jesus observed all this and spoke gently yet firmly. His words not only clarified the issue but resolved the struggle. He identified Martha's anxiety and troubled spirit as coming from her busyness. It truly was her own choosing that was her undoing! But Mary had chosen the better thing which would never be taken from her. Martha's serving, though nice, was short lived. When the meal was over, all her labor would be forgotten, but Mary's time with Jesus had eternal value. She knew that His words were the living bread and water and that no physical food could ever be a substitute. I think that this lesson reaches much farther than the kitchen and teaches a clear principle. No amount of work or serving can take the place of one-on-time with Jesus! I must sit at His feet listening to Him. Activities are not a substitute for quality time! 
 
Father,
Teach me to sit quietly at Your feet. Make my ears attune to Your Spirit's voice. Expose my human effort for what it really is.
In Jesus name,
Amen

The Good Shepherd

Jn. 10: 11

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

Blessing of being His sheep:

• Jesus is my Door.
• I have salvation by entering through the Door.
• I have pasture through the Door.
• The Shepherd gives me life abundantly.
• The Good Shepherd laid down His life for me.
• He knows me because I am His.
• I know Him because I am His.
• He brings the sheep of all the folds so there is one flock and one shepherd.
• He laid down His life willingly and can take it up again.

What a blessing to belong to the Good Shepherd's fold! After Jesus told this story, there was a division among those who listened. Some claiming He had a demon or was insane, but others who knew Him knew His saving power. I know His saving power! He is my Savior who cares for me just like a shepherd cares for his sheep. Because I am His, I can rest in Him because I know His voice. I will never be trick by someone untrue or false, and I will never be taken out of His hand. 

Father,

Thank You for letting me be one of Your sheep. Keep feeding me from Your words.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Throw a Stone

Jn. 8:7

"And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her."

 
The Pharisees sought to entrap Jesus once more, but Jesus turned the tables and used this incident to reveal something in them, their self-righteousness and judgmental attitude. The trap involved a woman caught in adultery. What would Jesus say and do? According to Jewish law, she should have been stoned, but Jesus' instant response was not what they expected. He bent down and wrote in the dirt. What did He write? The text doesn't say, but coupled with what He said, the point was clear. "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." Did they realize their true heart condition, or did they believe they were without sin? After he wrote in the ground once more, they melted away one by one. Apparently, their own hearts condemned them. After they all left, Jesus asked her if anyone condemned her. The answer was obvious. No one was left. Then Jesus uttered those great words of mercy, love, and forgiveness, Neither do I condemn you, go and from now on sin no more.
 
What a great lesson on judging others and on the great forgiveness that man receives at the hand of Jesus! I was and still am sinful, yet Jesus constantly forgives and says the same words to me. He doesn't condemn me, but saves me and gives me the grace and strength to have victory over sin and death. But I also think this text is saying something about my attitude toward others. Knowing that I am poor in spirit doesn't allow me to judge others. There is only one righteous Judge and He doesn't need my help!
 
Father,
Help me to see myself as I truly am before I throw stones at others.Thank You for giving me grace and mercy, salvation and sanctification.
In Jesus name,
Amen













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Seventy times Seven

Mt. 18:35

"So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

Jesus used a parable to teach forgiveness. In this parable the master came to settle the accounts with his servants. One of those servants owed him 10,000 talents. Since he couldn't pay it, he and his family were ordered to be sold to pay the debt. After begging the master for patience, the master had pity on him, released him, and paid the debt in full. What mercy and forgiveness! How like what Jesus did for me! I was in an unbelievable debt of sin, but He forgave me, released me from sin's bondage, and gave me new life at the ultimate cost to Himself. With such forgiveness and mercy as this, how could I do less than extend that forgiveness to others? 

But back to the parable, the forgiven servant then went to collect from someone who owed him. Did he show them mercy? No, instead he put the man in prison. No forgiveness at all!  The other fellow servants reported all this to the master who called for the servant to come and face him for his day of reckoning. He was jailed until his debt was paid. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."  What am I really accomplishing by having an unforgiving spirit? Am I ungrateful for the forgiveness God has shown me? How strong is my flesh that makes me want to respond to others in a different manner than God has responded to me! 

How many times should I forgive? What if the same person is a repeat offender? Jesus answered that by saying seventy times seven which is really an unlimited amount. Since God the Father forgives me repeatedly and many times for the same sins, I need to forgive and keep forgiving. It is really only the person who does not acknowledge his poverty of spirit and refuses to mourn over that sin that refuses to forgive. No wonder the 1st and 2 nd Beatitudes concerned the poor in spirit and mourners. It is those people are blessed because their lives have been transformed. They are living in the goodness and riches of God's grace, a grace which gives forgiveness to all over and over again.

Father,

Keep me constantly forgiving as You have forgive me. Give me a heart that knows, confesses, and repents of my sin. Fill my heart with Your forgiveness so that it might flow out to others.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Follow Me

Lk. 9:57-62

"As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." And Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."

Yet another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

How easy it is to say, I will follow You wherever You go, but how hard it is to mean those words! Why is this? Why is human commitment so lack luster? First Jesus explained that He had no home, and often His followers would have no home as well. No nest! That in itself is hard for people who love to nest and gather possessions. They want roots, lands, and possessions, things which tie them to this earth. So if the choice involves that fundamental nesting instinct, these followers bail. What is my heart toward my possessions, toward my home? Has it divided my heart's focus?

Then Jesus gave the example of the man who was called but first had to go bury his father. Sounds reasonable! Who wouldn't be excused for such a request? But Jesus said to let the dead bury their dead: instead, preach the kingdom. How hard and even unfeeling this seems! Does Jesus desire His followers to give up their ties to family and family concerns? Yes, He must supersede all. Perhaps in this one act of burial, Jesus was revealing the true priorities of the heart. Could it be that family was god and had taken the allegiance away from Jesus?  His followers must live not for this world but the world to come. What is my heart? Where is my allegiance? Is Jesus first?

Then Jesus' third example is the man who merely wanted to say goodbye to family. Sounds reasonable! But Jesus called that putting his hand to the plow and then looking back. Was this goodbye a veiled longing for the  world? It reminds me of Lot's wife. She looked back perhaps just to say goodbye, but God turned her into a pillar of salt. He knows the heart. What is really going on when the goodbyes are said? Is my heart united to His?

The conclusion is: No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Any divided loyalty, no matter how good and moral it seems, makes that person unfit for the kingdom of God. How strong are these words! No wonder that in that day Jesus will have to say, depart from me I never knew you. Do we really know, love, and serve Jesus? What is my heart like? Am I willingly following His call?

Father,
Help me to follow wholeheartedly. Reveal what is in my heart, and give my Your strength to confess and repent. Teach me to honor Jesus as holy in all areas of my heart.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Get Behind Me

Mk. 8:31-33

"And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."

Peter rebuked Jesus, no doubt, because he loved Him and didn't want Him to suffer, but it didn't change the fact that he was trying to keep Jesus from doing the will of the Father. Many times human motives, even though sympathetic and kind, are wrong. Just because we want to solve the problem, take away the pain, or  make it all better doesn't mean we should. How revealing is it that Peter went to the default mode even in his relationship with Jesus! His human nature cried out to be self-sufficient not God-conscious. He tried to make it all better. But Jesus responded harshly, Get behind me, Satan. He clearly showed the heinousness of man trying to usurp the will of the Father. Where should Peter's mind and heart have been? Should it have been  figuring out an easier way or a less painful way to accomplish the task? No, it should have been on the things of God not on the things of man. The same goes for me. If I am raised with Christ, I need to seek the things that are above. I need to set my mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For if I have died, my life is hidden with Christ in God. If I am truly hidden with Christ in God, I will not try to do the will of God through my own means and methods. I won't immediately go to the default mode and let my self-sufficiency rule the day. Instead, I must trust and wait on God even if His way involves rejection, death, and even resurrection. No matter how hard it is or how hard it is to believe God's ways are infinitely better than my ways. Since I know this and believe it, why is it so hard for me to live it? How willful is my flesh! Have I rebuked Satan when he is seeking to destroy my relationship with Jesus? Am I even aware of the spiritual battle that surrounds me?

Father,

Open my eyes to my choices and actions. Help me to hide myself in You so that I am doing only Your will.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Out of the Heart

 Mk. 7:20-23

"And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."

Jesus was contrasting the true defiling of a person with what the Pharisees were teaching (ceremonial impurity and often merely the traditions of men). Not only did Jesus expose their true hearts, but He showed that their man-made ceremonial traditions were often violating the spirit of the Law. What truly defiles a man? Jesus says that it is his heart. Whatever is in the heart determines what comes out of the life. Isaiah identifies this condition as drawing near with their mouth and honoring God with their lips, while their hearts are far from Him and their fear is the commandments taught by men. Like the Pharisees themselves, Isaiah points out that the emphasis was on the external behavior and words not on the true heart condition. Even if the Pharisees fooled other people, it carried no weight with God. Jeremiah adds a similar word. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds. Regardless of man's preoccupation with 'doing things' or 'looking acceptable' on the outside, God will search the heart and mind. He will examine the truth of the life and not the mask. Am I looking at my heart, or am I content with seemingly acceptable actions? Am I seeking God and asking Him to reveal what is rooted deep in the dark recesses of my heart?
 
Father,
I confess that my heart struggles and strives with feelings that are not good. Help me to confess and forsake, truly repenting. Keep my heart pure before You so that I might hunger and thirst after righteousness.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Granted by the Father

Jn. 6:65

And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."

Jn. 6 makes it so clear that all is orchestrated by the Father. Jesus lived it and taught it. His life was in complete sync with the will of His Father. He had no mission, purpose, or will apart from His Father. What about my life? Where is my focus? Am I in sync with the Father or with my own agenda?

• Jesus told the men not to labor for earthly food, but for the food that endures to eternal life which the Son gives. How can the Son do this? He does it because God the Father has set His seal on Him.
• Jesus told them He was the Bread of Life, but yet they refused to believe. Why? Simply stated, All that the Father gives me will come to me...
• Jesus said that He came from heaven for a specific purpose, that was not to do His own will but the will of Him who sent me.
• What was the Father's will? That He should lose none of those given Him by the Father. For this is the will of the Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life...
• Later when they were grumbling, Jesus said, No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws Him.
• Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me--
• As the living Father has sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on Me, he also will live because of Me.
• And He said, this is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.

What a union between the Father and the Son! And the great blessing extends to me. In Jn. 17 Jesus prays that believers will be one as He and the Father are one. The glory the Father gave to the Son, He gave to us so that we could be one as They are one. The great mystery is that Jesus is in us, and the Father is in Jesus making us perfectly one with Them. Why? So that the world may know that the Father has sent the Son and that He loved us as He loved the Son. What a glorious gift! Unity with the Father given and granted by the Father through the Son!

Father,
Thank You for drawing me and granting me salvation. What love You have given through Your Son to make me Your child and heir with Jesus. Teach me to do only Your will.
In Jesus name,
Amen

A Heart of Compassion

Mk. 6:34

"When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things."

The crowds followed Jesus because he had met their physical needs, needs involving healing from terrible, life-altering physical ailments. What fervor must have resulted! What a frenzy characterized the mob of people who came just to touch the hem of His garment! They all wanted something from Jesus. They wanted Jesus to make their lives better physically.
 
As Jesus and His disciples were going to a desolate place to rest, the crowd caught sight of them again. What did they do again? They ran on foot to the towns that would be on their root. They were eagerly waiting for them to arrive. Into this scene came Jesus and His disciples. Was Jesus bothered? Did He think enough is enough? Did He think He had healed His quota for the day? Did He think He needed some 'me-time.' No, He had compassion on the people. What a heart! On what was His compassion based? Was it their physical ailments or physical hunger? No, He had compassion on them because they were sheep without a shepherd. He looked past the exterior to the deep longing in their heart. He saw the condition of their souls. That condition cried out to Him because He was the only one who could fill that longing. What is my heart toward the crowds of people that do not know Jesus? Do I look past their physical condition and needs to their heart condition? Do I have compassion on them?
 
Father,
Give me a heart of compassion. Strengthen me to share You to the lost sheep of the world.
In Jesus name,
Amen

No Fear

Mt. 10: 26-33

 "So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.  What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."

Have no fear. What a basic instruction that reaches to the very heart of the Christian! Why would the Christian fear? In the case of the disciples and even Christians today, speaking about Jesus either publicly or privately could be at the cost of their lives. But Jesus says, have no fear. Go ahead and speak His name from the housetops. In fact, the only one that need be feared is the one who can destroy the soul and the body, and since the believer's life belongs to God, He is safe. No one can snatch the believer from the hand of God. For the believer there is ultimate and divine safety! 

Not only that, but the very hairs of the believer's head are numbered. Just as He cares for the sparrows in nature, so He cares for the believer. Nothing escapes His notice. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at Your altars, O Lord of hosts... With care and protection like this, who need fear?

The final and closing thought is to speak freely about Jesus without fear. If believers acknowledge Him before men, then He acknowledges them before the Father, and sadly, the converse is true too. It seems that what Jesus has said has come full circle. If believers don't speak, then they should fear the One who controls their souls destiny. If they don't speak, Jesus will not acknowledge them before the Father.  Comfort and warning all compactly packed together in these few short verses!

Father,

Build my trust in You so that fear will not hamper my life. Help me to be constantly aware of You and to be  constantly praying. Give me Your courage to share with all those You bring in my path.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

He Knows Not How

Mk. 4:26-29

"And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."

What I love about this parable is the lack of works on the part of the man! It is such a great example of grace and the transforming power of the Word of God. The man in the parable scattered the seed on the ground, in essence he opened his heart to the Word of God. As the seed took root, the Holy Spirit produced his fruit in the man's heart and life because the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. What did the man do? He slept and rose. He wasn't pursuing external acts of self-righteousness. He wasn't overly concerned with how others viewed him, or thinking that he had many talents and gifts to offer God. The life of the kingdom was being grown and reproduced in him. Graciously, God blessed him with the harvest. When the grain was ripe, he harvested the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ. Wow! The way God works in the life is something that man really doesn't know or understand. No wonder it is called a faith walk and a walk by the Spirit. He has called me to be His child, to walk by His strength and power, and to honor and glorify His name. He has called me to set my mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For I have died and my life is hidden with Christ in God. Am I hidden in God? Have I let relinquished control of my life to the One who can grow a great harvest in me? Am I walking by the Spirit and letting him grow His fruit in me? Am I abiding?

Father,

Thank You for making it all of grace. Teach me to let go of personal control and live and walk in Your Spirit.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Human Responses

Lk. 8:11-15

"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.  And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience."

God freely offers His saving words to any who hear and believe, but the human heart doesn't always know a good thing when it hears one. Jesus illustrated this concept in a parable where the seed was the Word of God, a seed that fell on many different soils. 
 
Some seed falls on the path where many people walk. Because of the foot traffic, it is trampled underfoot or picked up by the birds of the air. But Jesus said that in reality, Satan steals the seed from their hearts which shows his power as the prince of the power of this world. In this case, there is no human response at all. Neither the heart or the mind are touched. 
 
Then some seed falls on the rocks where it grows up for a moment, but withers because there is no water. Jesus explained that these were the people who receive the Word with joy but make no roots. When the testing comes, and it will, they fall away. Testing and suffering are true revealers of the heart condition. It is clear that these people believe only with their minds and are in the honeymoon phase. As long as everything is new and exciting, they are good, but when times get hard, they are out the door and on to the next new venue. 
 
Then some seed lands in the thorns where it is choked. Ouch! Jesus said that these chokers of spirituality are the cares, riches, and pleasures of life. Sadly, these same things often have a strangle hold on believers. Any  fruit that results from the seed never has a chance to mature. No wonder I Jn. 2:14-17 speaks so seriously about the effect of loving the world: the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride in possessions. These things kill the seed of the Word that brings life and healing.
 
Finally, some seed lands in the good soil and grows yielding fruit one hundredfold. The Word always produces fruit! These people hear the Word not just with their physical ears but with their hearts. They hold fast with all they have, with a heart united and passionate for God. Of necessity, they must bear fruit. Why with patience? Fruit bearing comes through testing and suffering. It comes from the intense heat of the sun coupled with the water of the Word. They must patiently wait for the Spirit of God to grow this fruit in them. How? Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bear much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. Nothing includes bearing fruit!
 
Thankfully, the Father drew me to Himself so that His seed could grow and flourish in my heart. Still I need to watch out for the cares, riches, and pleasures of this world. What a devastating hold they have! How stifling to the Spirit of God within me!
 
Father,
Keep my ears listening carefully and my heart responding honestly to Your Words so that Your Spirit can keep me fruitful and honoring to You.
In Jesus name,
Amen
 

True Blessing

Lk. 11:27-29

"As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!" But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"

Even greater than the blessing that Mary received as the mother of Jesus or the blessing that the woman in the story had by just listening to Jesus, is the blessing that comes from hearing the word of God and keeping it. James addresses this same issue when he says, But be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect Law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If hearing the Word is enough, then we are deceiving ourselves. It is similar to hearing a great message and being convicted but yet never changing, or like constantly confessing without repenting. How easy it is to stop one step short! However, I think in Lk. 11 Jesus was talking about the Pharisees, people who listened for the purpose of being critical and catching Jesus in a trap. They didn't obey the words because they didn't believe in Him and His claims. It makes sense that they wouldn't obey. But sadly, believers say they believe in Jesus and love His words. So why do they stop short of the true blessing? Why is conviction and confession enough?  As I look in my heart, I think that the answer might be in surrender and dependence, two words which sound so simple, but yet are so hard to live. When I look in the mirror of the Word, I want to surrender to its commands by depending on His grace. But even to surrender, I need His strength, stength that is perfected in my weakness.
 
Father,
Keep me seeing clearly what is reflected in Your Words. Grant me repentance which leads to godliness. Teach me to surrender my will and depend on Your grace for my strength.
In Jesus name,
Amen

My Yoke

Mt. 11:29-30

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Jesus gently extends an invitation to those who labor and are heavy laden. In the context, it refers to those who are under the heavy burden of legalism and works imposed by the Pharisees, but it could extend farther to include any overwhelming burdens. In contrast to organized religion and the godless world, Jesus offers rest, a rest that cancels the burdens that bind so tightly. His rest is the solution that works because it is not a stricter code of behavior or increased pleasures, possessions, or position, but instead it is rest for the soul, for the deepest needs in the heart of people. 

How does this come about? What is the process? First any person must come admitting their needy condition. The poor in spirit find blessing here, the blessing of new life of rest. Secondly, the old yoke of legalism or sinful oppression is traded in for Jesus' yoke. A decision must be made. His yoke of discipleship is one of learning from Him, the One who is gentle and lowly in heart. In contrast, what kind of teachers were the Pharisees? They were proud, self-righteous task masters who considered themselves better than the people they oppressed. Their rules were harsh and demanding exacting whatever they could from people who had little to give. But Jesus' taught by example. To be yoked to the One who was gentle and lowly in heart meant that the journey would be restful. Thirdly, a learning attitude must characterize the journey. Those who take the yoke must learn of Him because He is their new life. What He is, they become! Finally, the easy yoke produces a light burden. Why? Easy and light are the result when the yoke is shared. Jesus doesn't ask those who come to carry the burden alone. Instead He yokes Himself to those He calls. Together they make the journey.    

What a glorious promise and offer! Yet, many cling to legalism, the oppression of man-made religious rules, or to this world's system of opportunities and pleasures. Why is the hold of these things so strong? Perhaps, because it calls out man's most powerful addiction--SELF. Man believes he can do it no matter what it is. He is the master of his own destiny, even though that destiny stinks! But to be yoked to Jesus means self must be crucified. Self no longer calls the shots. The yoke of Jesus, though gentle and easy, is in control. It doesn't seem to matter for many that the end result is rest as opposed to strife. What matters is who is in control!

Father,

Thank You for giving me Your yoke. Keep my heart calm and restful and as I learn of You. Thank You for exposing the foolishness of myself.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Seek First

Mt. 6:32-34

"For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Before anything having to do with food, clothing, and shelter, I am to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. What a powerful statement! How often am I concerned about clothing, what I am wearing and how I look not really if I have clothing! I focus on style and acceptability not necessity. But still in this chapter, Jesus doesn't want me to worry about even the necessities. He expands it from the area of clothing to food, not what I eat but do I have enough to eat, and to the area of shelter not where I live but do I have a place to live. He illustrates so well the principle of need versus want. His concern is that my life not be  focused on struggling for necessities but in seeking Him. If I am struggling for wants, then I am a whole level away from what He is even talking about in this passage. I have to wade through my worldly priorities and strip off the 'unnecesaries' and get down to the basics. Then when I am in 'basic land', I have to assess my attitudes. Perhaps this is why my 'seeking' is so hazy because the necessities have bloomed into wants and have obscured my spiritual vision.  

He has promised if I seek Him first and His righteousness, then all that I need will be provided. When my eyes are feasting on Him, His word, and His righteousness then I am consumed with the fruit of that spiritual food not with the works of the world. I am being transformed and freed from the anxiety that this world system produces, anxiety that says more, more, more and is never satisfied. Jesus satisfies because He rights my vision and my priorities. He transforms me from the physical to the spiritual, from the anxious to the peaceful, and from the lost to the seeker.

Father,

Keep my heart seeking only You so that my priorities will be on needs not on things that make for anxiety. Teach me to order my life and to make my vision singular in You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

This Generation

Lk. 7:31-32

"To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.'"

 
Jesus and John the Baptist elicited a common response from some of the people of this generation. In the case of John the Baptist they considered him to have a demon because he ate no bread or drank wine. Yet, Jesus came healing diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and the people called him a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. Jesus said they were like immature children, children who lacked any maturity of response. Whether they played the flute or sang dirges, they had the same response, one of rejection. They refused to dance with the flute or weep with the dirge, instead they were apathetic and unfeeling. What a sad indictment! But how characteristic of today too. When a generation is given over to satisfying fleshly desires, the awareness or satisfaction of a spiritual need is hard to find. It is the rare person who would respond correctly; in fact, it is only the person who is drawn by the Spirit of God. Apart from His drawing, Jesus is not recognized for the Savior, the Son of God, and the Shepherd who knows His sheep by their names.
 
Father,
Help me to be aware of my true spiritual needs and to respond willingly and wholeheartedly to the Spirit's leading.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Blessings

Lk. 6:20-23

"And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets."

Jesus' kingdom is paradoxical to the thinking of the natural man. To the poor, His blessing is not money but the kingdom of God. For the hungry, He satisfies but with no mention of food, and for those who weep, He promises laughter. Finally, for for those who are excluded, hated, and reviled He promises a great reward in heaven. What? No justice here on earth! No wonder following Jesus and believing in what He says takes the supernatural power of God drawing. cleansing, saving, justifying, and sanctifying. The blessings here point forward to a day when believers will rejoice and leap for joy because their great reward will be a reality.  Jesus' kingdom begins on earth with the presence of His indwelling Spirit and with a sweet foretaste of what is to come but ends in glory, in the heavenly realms. Like Jesus in Heb. 12:1-2, I must look to the joy that is set before me so that I might endure and run the race that is set before me. I must look forward to the city whose builder and designer is God. But for now, I need to be poor in spirit realizing my total dependence on Him, hungry for the living food that can only be found in Jesus, weeping and mourning over my sin but laughing and rejoicing because its forgiven, and yes, even rejoicing when He wants me to be reviled, hated, and excluded.  What a life of blessing!
 
Lord,
Keep my eyes focused on You so that Your kingdom is my kingdom. Loosen my grip on the world and its desires. Keep me looking on You, the author and perfecter of my faith.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Believe with the Heart

Jn. 5:24

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life."

The problem the Jews were  having was believing the words that Jesus was saying. The Pharisees listened but only to pick apart His words or trap Him in some kind of error. Sadly, they were not listening to meet the needs of their souls. Jesus told them that they were rejecting not only His words, but also the words of Moses who wrote of Him. How that must have hit home! These men thought they knew and obeyed all the words of the Law. Yet, they were missing the heart of the law.
 
However, they did see that what Jesus said and was doing revealed His divinity. They knew that he was calling Himself God because He had called God His father and that He was putting Himself  on equal standing with God. For a heart that was truly listening, this meant a saving relationship with God, but for a heart that was not, it meant disbelief, anger, and even a desire to get kill Jesus. Jesus went on to explain that He did nothing apart from the Father's will. That they were one in  purpose and in plan. But it was all to no avail. Even though their true heart condition was exposed, they rejected all that He said. But for the man at the pool who had been an invalid for 38 years, Jesus' words brought healing and the ability to walk. He believed with his heart, and his life was changed. And praise God, Jesus' words have brought me life and the ability to walk in newness of life.
 
Father,
Thanking You for drawing me to Jesus so that I might believe His words and live reconciled to You. Teach me to walk in Your Spirit and only for You.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Divine Vision

Mk. 2:8-10

"And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'?  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the paralytic--"

 
Jesus was concerned with the hearts of people and their motives as opposed to their outward actions. His divine vision revealed the truth and stripped off their masks of self-righteousness. For the Pharisees, what was revealed was their self-righteous, judgmental attitudes. But by contrast,  the Pharisees were concerned with Jesus' external behaviors and actions. They did not look any deeper but evaluated everything by the self-righteous standards of their own lives. They could not see the glory that He was bringing to God or the soul that He was saving; in fact, they couldn't even see or appreciate the physical healing of a paralyzed man. How sad!

Here, Jesus revealed His divine vision, a vision that sees clearly into the hearts of men. No amount of legalism or external behavior will blind His eyes to the true issues of the heart. What a warning to me! Fooling man is possible, but fooling God is impossible! He knows my heart, and His Spirit deals with me according to the matters of my heart. What is my recourse? Realize and admit I am poor in spirit, mourn over my sin, meekly serve Him and others, and hunger and thirst for righteousness. Unless my righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, I will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Father,
Keep my eyes and ears attune to Your spirit seeing myself as You see me. Grant me repentance so that I might grow in Your grace and knowledge. Unite my heart to Yours.
In Jesus name,
Amen

He Knows

Jn. 2:23-25

"Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man."

Jesus attracted the crowds. Who wouldn't if they were performing miracles? There is something in the heart of man that enjoys a performance, a show, a spectacle. If the spectacle continues, man will follow and enjoy. He will become a groupie. But is being a groupie really a life change? No, and Jesus knew this about man because He knew what was in man. He saw into the heart beyond the outward actions, beyond the externals. He knew what would last and what would fade. How? Simply put, He is God. He knew because the Father draws all those to Jesus who belong to Jesus. Jesus gave Himself in saving power only to those that the Father had destined to be His own. Following to watch or even to take is not the same as following to believe. Beyond salvation, Jesus still knows the heart of man because He is the creator. Ps. 103 says For He knows our frame, He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more." The entire nature of man is short-lived. Permanence is not part of His nature, but praise God, it is part of his new nature! Thank God for His grace that allows me to be known by Jesus, that allows me to become a child of God, and that allows me to have everlasting life.
 
Father,
Thank You that You knew me and called me to be Your own. Thank You that Jesus entrusted Himself to me and lives within me.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Temptation

Mt. 4:1

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."

Even Jesus was directed by the Spirit of God in His earthly life. He was obedient to this leading even when it resulted in temptation. As am I when I am tempted, Jesus was assured that the Spirit of God was here with Him strengthening Him and helping Him, perhaps even bringing Scripture to mind. But for the Spirit to bring Scripture to mind, they would have to be in the mind. Do I have God's word firmly planted in my mind so that the Spirit can bring them forth when the temptation arises, when my flesh struggles to control my spirit? Am I following the Spirit's leading in every area? Am I trying to withstand temptation in my own strength? Although God Himself does not tempt, He does allow Satan to test the character and faithfulness of a man. Since Jesus endured the same temptations that I do and resisted, I can live in this same power. He won my victory. I just have to claim it! When temptations come, I don't have to cave because  I live in newness of life, in resurrection power, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. What a great gift! 

What I notice first about the temptations is that Jesus was hungry. He was weak having gone without food for 40 days. Since Satan is smart, he knows to attack when his chances of success are strongest,when man is weakest. Weakness should be my special alert. Watch out! The devil is on the prowl searching for those easily devoured, those who are weak. What do I do when I am weak? Do I fortify myself in the Word or do I make excuses for my poor choices?

What were the temptations? Logically, the first was for food, for the primary, survival needs to be met. Even though Jesus was extremely hungry, He did not fall so that His fleshly desire could be satisfied. Instead He said, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Instead of  drawing on His own inner resources of human strength, He drew on the living and powerful Word of God, the ultimate defensive sword able to protect and defeat. Satan could say nothing in response. No amount of twisting the truth could alter what God had said. God's Words remain unchanged and all powerful. His only recourse was to move on to area two. Do I rely on the Word to resist in food choices, in these primary human drives?

Now Satan tempted Christ with personal power apart from God's timing. He wanted Him to do something at odds with God's will forcing God's hand, but what did Jesus say. You shall not put the Lord to the test. Jesus consistently obeyed the will of the Father and trusted His timing. How can I do less? I imagine Satan thought he had Jesus on this one with his divide and conquer strategy, but Jesus' meekness and humility won out. He was only concerned with the Father's will. Is the Father's will always predominant over my will?

Finally, Satan took Jesus to a mountain top to show Him the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He offered Jesus these kingdoms for a small price, worshipping him and not God. Jesus saw to the heart of the temptation and exposed idolatry. Jesus answered, You shall worship the Lord Your God and Him only shall you serve. It was no contest! Jesus' heart and soul were firmly anchored in the Father's love and will. Jesus was one with the Father. He would not be sidetracked or try to achieve any power in His own strength. Do I have any penchant for idolatry? Do I want personal glory instead of giving glory to God?

Father,

Help me to embed Your words deep in my heart and soul. Train my ears to hear the voice of Your spirit leading and strengthening me. Give me the desire and the commitment to learn Your words so that I might resist Satan when He comes to bring me down. Keep my heart united to Yours.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Immediately

Matt.3, Mk. 1, Lk. 3

What an example of how God used different men to speak His words! Each of the gospels have many things in common yet many differences especially. I think those differences come from the Spirit of God working through the personality of each person. If each of these men would have been robots, then the gospels would have been  the same, but since they were individuals, the Holy Spirit inspired each one uniquely in their presentation of the Word of God. Even though they are unique, they are perfectly harmonized. Only God could do that!

John Mark was not an eyewitness of Jesus' life. Most believe that he got his information from Peter; hence, he is very vivid on any information having to do with Peter. His narrative is not truly a biography of Jesus but more of record of incidents and events. Perhaps that fact alone accounts for the pacing, a pacing best described by the word, immediately. In the first chapter alone:

• Immediately he saw the heavens torn open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove
• The Spirit immediately drove Him out into the wilderness
• And immediately they left their nets
• And immediately He called them
• And immediately on the Sabbath
• And immediately there was in them one who had authority
• and immediately He left the synagogue
• And immediately they told Him about her
• And immediately the leprosy left him

The actions and events in Mark go quickly from one to the other. Jesus immediately begins His ministry: getting baptized, enduring the temptations, calling His disciples, healing the sick, casting out demons, and teaching as One with authority. As I look at the incidents in my life, I wonder if the word 'immediately' would fit my life. Do I obey immediately? Do I share the Lord immediately? Can my spiritual growth be characterized as immediate? Something to think about. How is God working through my life? Can I see His hand and His word lived out through my own unique personality?

Father,
Work through me. Grow me through the power of Your words and Your Spirit. Teach me the immediacy of following You and obeying Your voice.
In Jesus name,
Amen

More Treasuring

Lk. 2:50-52

"And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.  And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man."

When Passover was over, Mary and Jospeh left Jerusalem with their extended family and friends. Believing Jesus to be in their midst, they journied an entire day without discoveirng He was not with them. I can only imagine how they felt. Their child was missing. How could this be? I am sure that their first thought would be that something must be wrong because Jesus would never do something like this. He would never knowingly cause them grief or be irresponsible. But then would come the personal recriminations. What kind of parents were they? How could they lose their child? How could they lose this child?

After three days of searching, they found Him, three days of panic and frustration, of imagining every bad thing that could possible happen. And where was He? Sittting in the temple listening to the teachers and asking questions. Speaking as a parent, I can only imagine the feelings that welled up inside their hearts. First, relief that He was fine, but then irritation. How could Jesus do such a thing? How could He treat His parents like this? What was He thinking? The passage says that they were astonished! Mary expressed their distress to Jesus, but Jesus reply did not seem to make sense. Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? What did that mean? How could this be their fault, their lack of understanding? Wasn't Joseph his father?

Jesus left with them and once again was submissive to them, but still Mary did not understand. Even though things were not clear, what was her response? Did she set down new rules and better communication strategies? No, she treasured these things in her heart. Why? Perhaps she was beginning to understand the line being drawn between the physical and the spiritual life of Jesus,  between the boy Jesus and the Son of God. How many times have I been in situations that I didn't understand, situations where fears and insecurities were magnified? Yet, how many times have I treasured these situations in my heart because I knew that God had a plan in place and all I had to do was rest in Him. How many times did I trust Jesus and not let my human emotions run out of control?  How many times did I realize that the Father of all houses was in control?

Father,

Teach me to treasure Your inscrutable ways. Increase my faith in Jesus. Help me to desire to be in Your house more than anything that this world has to offer.

In Jesus name,

Amen

More Angels

Mt. 1:20-21

"But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

Another angel visitation, this time to Joseph. Of course, it would be logical that Joseph would question marrying Mary due to her pregnancy, but that was no problem for God. He just dispatched a messenger to calm Joseph's concerns. What was Joseph's response? Did he question? No, it says that he awoke from sleep and did as the angel said. He obeyed. The hearts of Mary and Joseph were in sync with what God had for them to do.

As Mary and Jospeh were journeying to Bethlehem to be registered, her time came. Since there was no lodging for them, they spent the night in the stable. It was here that the One who fulfilled Scripture, the One who angels had heralded, the One who had come shrouded in miracles was born. He slept in a manger wrapped in swaddling cloths. Such humble beginnings for the Son of God!

But once again, the angel voices interrupted the normal course of activity. This time it was to the shepherds in the fields watching their sheep. Obviously, when the angel of the Lord appeared, they were afraid beyond belief, but the angel said, Fear Not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in  the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. and this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was a choir of angels all singing, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom His is pleased! What a glorious time! God's messengers bringing glory to His name! What was the response of the shepherds? Did they doubt their eyes and ears? No, they took off to Bethlehem, in fact, they went with haste! The shepherds saw what the angels told them they would, and after relaying their unbelievable story, many wondered. But Mary did more than wonder, she treasured these words in her heart, a treasure that would bring unbelievable joy and unbelievable pain. What an example of a submissive, godly woman. Instead of treasuring, do I often question? Instead of pondering, do I rush ahead in a flurry of activity? Her meek and quiet spirit was truly precious in the sight of God. The shepherds did return to their field glorifying and praising God for all that they had seen and heard. What a great response!

Father,

Keep my heart united with Your heart so that I might be quiet and meek, pondering and meditating on Your words. Keep my response one of glorifying and praising You for all that You have done.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Miraculous Birth

Jn. 1:14

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

 

What a miracle that the very Word of God became flesh and lived among us for the express purpose of bringing us grace and truth! And from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

 

Miracle #1 was when Gabriel first brought the message to Zacharias who through his disbelief became mute. Although it was somewhat hard to believe that his wife who was old and barren would conceive a child, it was not enough to justify his actions. At the time appointed, Elizabeth did give birth to John, the forerunner of Jesus. John was to prepare the hearts of the people to hear the message of salvation. After his birth and naming, Zacharias could speak again. His first words were ones of blessing God followed by a Holy Spirit led prophesy. What a miracle for Elizabeth and Zacharias to have a son, to remove her reproach, and to be a part of the next miracle!

 

Then for miracle #2 Gabriel spoke to Mary, a young virgin, telling her she would conceive, bear a son, and call His name Jesus. How? The Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her (Ps. 91:1-what a powerful shadow that I can abide in too.), and the result would be that the child would be born holy-- the Son of God. What a lot to absorb and process! But Marcy responded with, Behold I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." How submissive! What a lesson to me! I don't need to understand the workings of God. I just need to trust His sovereign plan.

 

Miracle #3 happens when Mary and Elizabeth visit. The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth and the baby leaped in her womb. Elizabeth knew and praised God saying, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. What a day replete with so many blessings!

 

Luke chronicled the miraculous birth, but John put that birth in spiritual perspective. The Son of God came shrouded in physical miracles yet was born into humble humanity. He, the creator and the living Word, gave gifts of grace and truth to us that would change the course of human destiny and of our individual lives. He brought my salvation! Bless God for His miraculous birth that gave me my new birth!

 

Father,

Help me never forget who Jesus is and what His life means to me. Keep His birth, the gospe,l and the cross fresh and relevant in my life everyday.

In Jesus name,

Amen