Sermon on the Mount and Constitution

Our nation’s government is defined by two important documents: The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution (Bill of Rights). Although it seems to be debatable for some on how important these documents are for modern living, it has at least been recognized throughout much of our history, that these documents shape the structure for every major part of how our government functions and why it functions in the first place.

In a similar way, the “Good News” is two parts of one story contained in one document (the Bible). The Good News starts with a declaration of independence from our sinful nature. Colossians 1:9-14, “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

The good news is that rescue has been made possible through Jesus Christ! But as Paul describes in this passage, he continually prays that they can understand how to live as rescued people.

Jesus’ declaration to those in bondage (sin) gives us hope. But His death on the cross didn’t fully explain how to live a free life. Although one could argue that His self-sacrifice on the cross demonstrated the ultimate ‘love for neighbor,’ we can easily see that there are further instructions to glorify God by what we do and say, after being set free.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus outlines the “constitution.” By describing the attitudes and motives behind people in God’s kingdom, it helps potential followers know what they’re getting into before they take the plunge. This is an important part of Jesus’ ministry that He brings light to what Satan tries to keep hidden.

“In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world… [but] the world did not recognize Him… [nor] receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1:4-5, 9-13). God’s ways bring life, but we must follow Him because “He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the father without Him” (John 14:6).

Sermon on the Mount

 One of the most influential teachings of Jesus is found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7; Luke 6:20-49). It has been called the “constitution of Christianity,” and it's here, at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, that He outlines the “code of conduct '' for His followers. 

At first glance, it may be tempting to surmise that Jesus is establishing a practical lifestyle guide that was actually harder than Moses’ instructions. “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago…but I say to you…” (Matthew 5:21, 27, 31, 33, 38, 43) all referring to some of the ancient laws of Moses given on Mount Sinai. However, what Jesus was about to show those living on the Judean hillside was that fulfilling God’s laws just required the right heart.

Moses delivered a similar speech. In fact, the entire book of Deuteronomy is a sermon on the mount. And, like Jesus, he was giving the “code of conduct” the people of God should live by in order to be what God had called them to be earlier on the mountain. God said, “Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6).

In Moses’ instructions, he ended his sermon with “blessings” (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and “cursings” (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Jesus on the other hand begins His sermon with “blessings” in what we call the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11; Luke 6:20-22). Luke, however, follows Moses’ pattern of pairing the blessings with the cursings, or “woes” in Luke. Much like the section in Moses’ sermon about the cursings, which were significantly lengthier than the blessings, Jesus will spend much of His earthly ministry dealing with the curses that were rooted in the hearts of the religious leaders.

The hope is that we as readers will recognize that Moses was giving his final instructions to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land and that Jesus is giving similar instructions before entering the Kingdom of God. As Jesus’ ministry unfolds, we begin to have a paradigm shift in what the Kingdom of God is really about.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20, “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” 

Shepherds and Christ

Resurrection Sunday, commonly known as Easter, is a day of celebration. Ultimately, the understanding of what Jesus has made possible for us is a cause for celebration. But, as in the Bible, God often set days aside for the Israelites especially, to remind them to listen to His gracious voice, to follow His loving guidance throughout life. 

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Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 

That promise is probably best illustrated in His sacrifice of Himself on the cross where He modeled what a great leader and savior He is. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34). His sacrifice set the example of how we are to live (1 Peter 2:21); but it also set an example of the kind of people you should look up to for spiritual guidance on earth — 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ” 

Jesus told a story of a good shepherd in John 10, where He describes the character of a shepherd who cares about the sheep. He says, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (10:11). He leads the sheep to good pasture, he protects them, and the sheep knew his voice. 

Ezekiel 34 contrasts the bad shepherds of Israel to the good shepherd that would be discovered in Jesus. In that contrast, we realize a shepherd was always intended to feed the sheep, to care for the injured, to strengthen the weak. Later, after Jesus’ resurrection, He gave the apostles a job that would be carried on (in some ways) from generation to generation. He said to Peter in John 21:15-17, “Feed My sheep.” What a significant responsibility! 

The story of the shepherd (John 10) was an obvious reflection of Jesus’ sacrifice. It is a high standard that we all should be grateful for and one that causes us to see the beautiful power of genuine love for the sheep in God’s fold. 

Who's the Greatest?

Who’s the greatest NBA basketball player of all time? One problem with that question is what criteria would be being used to determine that. We could gauge that title on their ability to shoot, dribble, pass, defend or rebound, the number of national titles won, etc. But there are plenty of professional basketball players who do those fairly well most of the time (or they wouldn’t be in the NBA). Maybe we determine that title based on popularity, off-court behavior, or the amount of money they’ve earned in their career. 

The Jews had an idea of who the greatest king in Israel would be, using David as the criteria, or Solomon, or what they built, or who submitted to them, but Jesus claimed to be greater than all those:
Matthew 12:42, “The Queen of the South… came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.” 
Matthew 12:6-8, “I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” 

Jesus’ claim to be greater than wisdom, the temple, even the Sabbath was a big claim for someone to make, especially to a group like the Jews who regarded their ancestors as being the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time). 

Perhaps similar to the contest that Elijah had with King Ahab in 1 Kings 18, the “god” that showed up was the greater god. Ba’al was on vacation, or sleeping, or…didn’t exist! But God showed up in a big way. Jesus, or Immanuel (God with us), showed up on earth challenging those peoples and ideals that had been propped up as the greatest. 

The contest between the religious leaders and Jesus began early in Jesus’ ministry and would last until they killed Him. Yet as Jesus tells Nicodemus of God’s standard of greatness in their private meeting (John 3), He shares with him the real measure of what makes up “greatness” in God’s eyes. 

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This simple statement has become one of the most recognizable and most popular verses in the Bible. In this statement is a divine declaration of what is great! The greatest God gave the world the greatest opportunity to share in the greatest promise by avoiding the greatest tragedy. Jesus set a new standard of what determines The Greatest!

Nicodemus and Pharaoh

Imagine being a Hebrew slave, crying out to God for help, and Moses shows up as your deliverer. What he says just makes Pharaoh angrier and more of a tyrant than before. A lot of bitterness could stem from his “deliverance.” In the end, however, you would be able to celebrate your freedom from slavery on the banks of the Red Sea with your fellow Hebrews. We read of their song of praise in Exodus 15, but it wasn’t until the complete process of deliverance that the people recognized God’s hand in it.

In a similar way, Jesus showed up as a kind of new and improved Moses to deliver God’s people from the bondage of sin. The Gospel story is the good news of deliverance, but the story helps us see how that wonderful message met with resistance. Some Jews, especially the religious Jewish leaders, refused to see Jesus as the Messiah.

Yet, there was at least one Jewish leader that did recognize Jesus as a messenger of God - Nicodemus. We read of that famous meeting in John 3 where Nicodemus says to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with Him.” (John 3:2) He saw what Pharaoh had been too stubborn to see in Moses.

However, simply acknowledging Jesus as God’s messenger, or even the Messiah didn’t equate to acceptance of His kingship. Jesus said to him, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (3:3) And in the dialogue we realize Jesus is inviting him to see what has been revealed in the Bible the whole time, and to trust what God is doing.

“No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (3:13-17).

Why couldn’t other religious leaders follow Nicodemus’ example by humbly coming to Jesus and trying to find out what it all meant? Like Pharaoh, this is stubborn pride; they simply refused to see. To that, Jesus said in John 3:18, “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” Or as He would conclude their conversation with, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil…”

Our goal is to see how Jesus the Christ is leading us out of bondage like Moses led the Israelites out of bondage. As Peter would later say in 1 Peter 5:5, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Cleaning Out the Temple

What’s the Sabbath day all about? In one simple word, it’s “rest.” But the concept is seen throughout the story of the Israelites as a kind of renewal. Ultimately, rest is a rejuvenating activity, but we also see a rejuvenating activity in things like the Flood, Jubilee, and a host of other God-directed events. Sometimes to get to the point of rest, you have to do a little spring cleaning.

 
Early in Jesus’ ministry, a significant event demonstrated God’s “cleansing” of the place that was supposed to be a place of refreshment – the temple (John 2). Because of the activities going on in the temple, the words of David in Psalm 65:4 said didn't seem to be true, “...We are filled with the good things of Your house, of Your holy temple.”

This place needed to see the light that the temple was intended to shine into the world around it. Jesus would soon reveal that He was the light of the temple. John began His gospel with a prologue that included these powerful words, “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John 1:4), but as John would continue in John 1:9-12, “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 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 receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”

Jesus was telling those with impure motives in their trade within the temple walls to GET OUT, just like He had done to Satan around the same time frame (Matthew 4, Luke 4). Jesus was confronting darkness with a message that cleaned house and set free.

 
Jesus’ temple cleaning can easily be seen as an important metaphor in our own lives. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” It’s THAT temple that we need to make sure stays free from corruption and evil intentions. It’s good to stop and consider what needs to be cleaned out of my life.

 
John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

After Baptism

Baptism. Romans 6:2-4 reminds us that in our baptism we made a declaration to die to sin. And when we “were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death” which resulted in a new way of living! Dying to sin doesn’t mean dying to temptation. As good as that would be, that’s not how the spiritual realm works. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the “powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Jesus didn’t consider being equal with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself just a servant, in human likeness…[so] “He humbled himself by becoming obedient, even to death…” (Phillipians 2:6-8).

After Jesus’ baptism, He encountered three different temptations (tests) from Satan. Jesus had the same kinds of temptations that we have to deal with, and by doing that, He had to trust in God’s power just like we have to. 

First, Satan tempted Him with food. It’s kind of interesting that it was food that the serpent used as bait for Eve with the first temptation (Genesis 3)! But Jesus depended on the words of God rather than justification or human logic. “‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (A reference to Deuteronomy 8:3).

Next, Satan tempted Him with an opportunity to show off His power by throwing Himself off the cliff and letting the angels rescue Him. Satan quotes Psalms 91:11-12. (ironically, the very next verse is referring to Satan’s demise, “You will tread (and trample] on the great lion and the serpent” Genesis 3:15; 1 Peter 5:8). Again, Jesus responds with Scripture; this time Deuteronomy 6:16.

Finally, Satan tempts Him with the opportunity for the whole world to no longer endure temptation by the “Father of Lies,” if Jesus would acknowledge Satan as a genuine authority. But Jesus demonstrates what Eve failed to do—and every bit of human will has failed to do as well—trust in the guidance of God’s word completely throughout our lives! Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:13, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only!” This happened to be the first commandment given to the Israelites after leaving Egyptian bondage (Exodus 20:3). 

Hebrews 4:15-16, “[Jesus was] tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin. [So] approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, [reaching for His] mercy and find [that] grace to help us in our time of need.” 

Praise the Lord for giving us the template to endure temptation! Trust in God’s word!

It Starts with God's Word

When do we start planning for retirement, a career, a family? Or being active in our faith? People appreciate being able to see the beginning of a story, of a project, of a relationship, etc. The origins help us appreciate and understand the motive of something better; knowing the origins even helps us feel more confident in the outcome. 

That’s true for products and services, and it's true for the message of the gospel. 2 Peter 1:16, “For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” 

There was a point when Jesus would officially begin His ministry to reveal the kingdom of God. John’s disciples had come asking if He was the one and if this was the time. He answered them with the words of Isaiah, “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of Me” (Matthew 11:5 referencing Isaiah 35). 

Miracles would end up being a key sign that Jesus was the Messiah, serving as proof of His power and authenticity. The miracle at Cana (John 2), turning the water into wine, was His “first of the signs through which He revealed His glory.” 

However, Jesus had been revealing His unique life even from his birth. We also see Him as a 12-year-old boy displaying a foundation that would set all believers on a course of trusting in God’s words, faithfully listening and meditating on them, and “growing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52) as He sat at the feet of the religious leaders discussing the Law. 

Jesus depended on the words of God to guide Him into action, and even to defend against threats to His mission (Luke 4, Matthew 4). He modeled what God told Joshua to do in Joshua 1:7-8, “Be careful to obey all the law My servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” 

Those words would comfort Him along every step of His journey, including the cross (Psalm 22). It’s true for us as well. God’s word reveals our role in the kingdom of God, and it gives us the strength we need to carry out God’s will. 

The longest chapter in the Bible is focused on the beauty of God’s laws and how they protect us against enemies, guide us in our life, and ultimately give us hope. Jesus was the essence of all these, “the Word that became flesh.” Think on Psalm 119:28, “My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.” What a wonderful promise and great example for us!

Recognizing Jesus

How do you handle problems? Ultimately, God’s word directs us in a way that helps us to utilize God’s wisdom and power to help overcome the problems we face (Psalm 119, Proverbs 2, Joshua 1:8). That doesn’t mean that all problems are avoidable, but how we react to the problem is within our control.

For the Israelites living under Roman control, they saw their situation as a problem. But what was the solution? God was revealing His ancient plan before their very eyes, starting with the message of John the Baptist in the wilderness, followed by the teachings, the signs, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. However, the religious leaders didn’t see John or Jesus as a solution to their problem. In fact, these leaders set out to stop their message.

Cna uoy raed htis vrey wlel? Sometimes we only see what we want to see! The religious leaders (and others) had a different picture in their minds of what the Messiah would be like. They failed to 5ee 7he B16 picture because of their lack of faith in the signs that had been there all along.

To recognize something for what it is should be considered a wonderful gift. In time, everything that Jesus taught to them would be recognizable to the Apostles, and those they taught, as the words of God. In Luke 24:44-45, Jesus told His disciples, “‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.’ Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” Also, in Revelations 1:3, “…blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it…” 

Jesus often said, “He who has an ear to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 13:9; Mark 4:23). This was said to those willing to “see and hear” what the Scriptures had been revealing about Christ and God’s will.

We are blessed to have a more complete picture of the Messiah than those who stood on the banks of the river Jordan, or the people who first met Jesus. However, we can be just as blind as they were. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, “If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

It should be our aim to understand His will, rather than being foolish (Ephesians 5:17). But that takes diligently studying and meditating on God’s inspired word. Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Let us “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

Jesus the Egyptian

For a time, was Jesus an Egyptian?

Matthew 2:14-15 briefly describes a part of Jesus' childhood. Our attention should naturally go to the quote from Hosea 11:1-2, 4, "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more they were called, the more they went away from me... I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them."

Not only is this referring to Israel while they were in Egyptian bondage… but to Christ and His rescue of the souls of people!

Why is that important to recognize this from the original Exodus story? By seeing the past, it becomes a guide to the future.

As the Israelites left Egypt, they quickly complained and doubted. We read in Hebrews 3:7-10, 12-13, 19, "So, as the Holy Spirit says: 'Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested and tried Me, though for forty years they saw what I did'. That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known My ways.’ See to it…that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness… [because we know] that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief."

Egypt would always have a bitter taste in the mouths of the Jews, because of what it represented to them, but that was part of their embarrassing past. We've all got something in our past we wish would be forever forgotten, but Jesus went there (to their past) to change the future of all people.

Isaiah 19:21, "So the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the Lord…"

Like the prodigal son who went off to a foreign land to enjoy his wealth, he remembered that his father wanted him to come home. It's within that story in Luke 15, that we see the truest picture of Exodus… deliverance from our own stupidity.

The Mother of All Life

As we begin our study of the Life of Christ, we pay special attention to those who wrote it all down, those who would piece together the eternal mystery that “angels longed to look into” (1 Peter 1:12). It doesn’t take much to realize that He is the center of everything, as John writes in his prologue, a kind of poetic introduction to his Gospel, in John 1:3-4, “Through Him, all things were made; without Him, nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.”

Through Jesus, true, eternal life would be made possible. Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Because Jesus is “the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through [Him]” (John 14:6).

But consider another person who “all life” would come from—Eve. In Genesis 3:20, “Adam named his wife Eve because she would become the mother of all the living.” Eve was not a deity, and she wasn’t the Messiah; she was a human being that would help the “other” human being on the planet–Adam. They would work together to bring life to the entire world, but she was how that “fruit” would multiply. 

Paul said in Romans 5:12-14, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all people because all sinned… death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.” (Also read 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 for more comparison of Adam to Christ.)

Although, in reality, we know that it was Eve who caused the first sin to enter the world. What if that scene could be redone? What if there was another chance for “the mother of all life” to simply trust God, praise Him for what He was doing, and acknowledge His will? In contrast, Mary did praise God and glorified Him for using her to play a part in bringing true life to the world. Just ponder that as you read these words of Paul concerning Jesus as the source of all life: 

Colossians 1:16-18, “For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead so that in everything He might have the supremacy.”

The Faith of Priests

After crossing the Red Sea and setting up camp at the base of Mt. Sinai, God gives the “law” to the Israelites. The law included instructions for a priesthood to offer ceremonies designed to reflect blessings from God or repentance towards God; but as time went on, the priesthood didn’t function like they were supposed to very often. From the very beginning with Nadab and Abihu, who didn’t respect the responsibilities of the priests (Leviticus 10), to the prophetic words of Malachi, “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble…” (Malachi 2:7-8).

The priests had abused their position of intercessory between God and the Israelites. It is believed that the sects of the Pharisees and Sadducees were established during the time after Malachi as an effort to establish more order in their service. Whether that worked or not could be debated. Just because there was “order” didn’t translate to faith.

Zechariah served as a priest when the Messiah arrived. We’re told in Luke 1:8-9 that “Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.”

Jesus often rebuked the religious leaders and teachers of the law because they “do not practice what they preach,” and “everything they do is done for people to see…” (Matthew 23:1-7). Even at Jesus’ trial, we get a glimpse of the blindness because they were so “zealous for their traditions” that they couldn’t see how the prophecies about Jesus were being fulfilled right in front of them. (Mark 14:55-63, Galatians 1:14).

There’s no indication Zechariah was doing a half-hearted job, but we see pretty clearly that his faith didn’t match up with what the ceremonies he was performing were pointing at. As a result of his lack of faith, he became a mute. But it makes sense that, even prior to that instance, he still wanted to receive blessings from God and had hope for God to redeem Israel.

Sometimes, like the priests, our actions may not match up with our hopes. If we hope to be smarter, fitter, richer, better in some way, can we expect to reach that goal if we just go through the motions? Following Jesus takes faith. Jesus reminded Thomas of this after His resurrection, when He said in John 20:29, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” What we do in faith, matters!

Something New

Having new things is exciting. From new life when we were born into this world as a baby, to new hope of an occupation, a marriage, a family, goals, and dreams, to everything in between. But is there a way to find something new even in the old? 

When I was a kid, I thought it would be cool to restore a car. In reality that car would still be just as old, but it would have newer paint, or interior, or newer motor. Years later, I would find something satisfying in remodeling homes. Although it can be a lot of work and can be expensive, I’m usually pleased with the transformation. The idea of old things having a new look is something that has made HGTV a household name. 

We usually recognize the hard work that goes into restoration and see how expensive it can be, but people who like to do it appreciate the beauty of the end result. When it comes to our spiritual lives, we can easily recognize that “we all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory” (Galatians 3:23) by how people tend to treat one another. This becomes the base reason for the need to be restored. Our sinful choices continue to corrode our lives until our thinking is completely out of character with God. It doesn’t take much to end up with a warped view of the world or others within the world. 

Jesus showed up to give us an example to follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21, Phillipians 2:5). But His life was more than just a good example to follow; what He did on the cross gave us a way into new life—just like those who got on the Ark had a new future because they got on a boat that could rise above the washing away of the old (Genesis 6- 9). Therefore, Jesus is the source of a new beginning, like the Ark was the vessel that allowed Noah to have a new beginning. 

This new life is best seen in how we live, what we say, how we think. Ephesians 2:12-13, “Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” 

As new citizens of God’s kingdom, we no longer hold to our old ways. Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Like the old car, we may still have the original bones deep inside, but everything about how we look, smell, run is completely new. 

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Eternal Plan

If you’ve ever played a part in organizing a big event you know there are a lot of important details that go into pulling it off successfully. A wedding, for instance, involves more than just two people saying “I do.” There are decorations, invitations, clothes, food, a place to do it! All of these things take a lot longer to put into place than the actual service. Many big ventures in life require a lot of planning to make it go smoothly. The more significant an event is, the longer it typically takes to put it together. As we reflect on the plan of salvation made possible by Jesus the Christ, we should instantly recognize that this is very important not only to God but to us! Can we recognize the planning that went into bringing that into reality?

Genesis 12:2-3, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” This is the official promise made to Abraham concerning God among His people. This was made more than 2,000 years before Jesus was born, but we can see how it had already been in the works long before that (Genesis 3:15; Colossians 1:15-17)

However, like many big events that take a lot of planning, people can get impatient and want to cut corners, or do just what sounds easier to them. The Bible is filled with examples of people who decided to move ahead without God. Humanity would do go to remember the words of Psalms 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Paul says in Romans 5:6, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” At just the right time! Once all the pieces were set in place, once all the details were complete, Jesus came to dwell among us. But His arrival was just the beginning of God’s last phase – redemption.

Just consider the impact of one of the most famous verses in the Bible, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” His love for His creation is what compelled Him to put this plan to work.

1 Peter 1:10-12, “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.”

Listen Carefully

Can you spot the difference between these two Hebrew letters? It may not seem like much, but this small difference determined the fate of some Ephraimites (Judges 12:4-6).

This story illustrates the importance of your words and the interpretation of those words. For the controllers of the Jordan in Judges 12, “shibboleth” versus “sibboleth” was the difference between life and death.

The Israelites had crossed the Jordan River during the time of Joshua (after the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness), which symbolized the boundary between the Promised Land and the land they had come from. The Promised Land was critical to the Jews, it represented the fulfillment of God’s promise, thus the “Promised” Land. Having that land meant that God was faithful, strong, and capable. The Messiah was to be the king that would rule that land. Isaiah 9:6-7, “…the government will be on His shoulders, and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.”

But just as there were problems within the tribes during the years of Canaanite conquest, there were also problems amongst the Jews concerning who the Messiah, the Christ, would actually be. Would people hear His voice? Would they follow Him?

Jesus compared Himself to a shepherd in John 10:14-16, and said, “I know My sheep and My sheep know Me… they will listen to My voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” Isaiah had prophesied about the Messiah as a shepherd in Isaiah 40:11, “He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart…” Also, in Ezekiel 34:23, “I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and He will tend them; He will tend them and be their shepherd.”

The imagery of the shepherd meant that the Jews would need to listen to His voice and follow His example. Jesus said in John 10:25-27, “The works I do in My Father’s name testify about Me, but you do not believe because you are not My sheep. My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.”

Being able to decipher the words of God as instructions that need to be obeyed is, and was, fundamental to doing the will of God (Matthew 7:21; Ephesians 5:17). Caring for the flock should be considered part of what determines my faithfulness to God. Consider this concept in light of 1 Timothy 5:8, “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Silence

Awkward silence can be deafening. This is a point when many people begin to fumble around and say dumb things and act without thinking. Awkward silence promotes patience; an act that many prefer to steer far away from. Why? Silence can highlight the unknown, ignorance can stimulate all kinds of fears, and when we are afraid, those fears can cripple us.

An example of this could be Gehazi’s response to the Arameans when they come to surround Elisha’s house at Dothan. But Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:16-17). Our fears of the unknown can cause us to lose faith, like Jesus wanting to go back into Judea (John 11:8-10) or His death announcement (Matthew 16:22-23).

Throughout God’s redemption story of mankind, He allows times when we have to simply trust Him to be working, even if we can’t see it. 2 Peter 3:4, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

For the people who awaited the Messiah before John the Baptist, it had been over 400 years since Malachi’s prophecy about the Messiah (Malachi 4:5-6). But what was God doing during that time? While there isn’t a confirmed prophecy from God during that time, we can see how He was preparing the way for the Messiah’s arrival. Events like the conquests of Alexander the Great (336–323) included defeating the Persian empire and establishing Greek as the universal language throughout his entire kingdom (the known world). Or later, the strong stance the Hasmonean (Maccabee’s) took against required emperor worship and the tolerance that won with the empire. The establishment of the Synagogue, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees. The Greek translation of the Hebrew scripture (the Septuagint). These are just a few things that made the advancement of the kingdom of God easier and more receptive.

Jesus told Thomas, when he finally got to see Jesus after His resurrection, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29). Peter said in 1 Peter 1:8-9, “...Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

2 Peter 3:8-9, “Do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Preconceived Ideas

Preconceived ideas. These are ideas or opinions that are formed before having the evidence of their truthfulness. Such as, “This is not going to turn out well,” “I’ll never be able to …” These preconceived ideas often impact how we analyze situations. Prior to Jesus’ arrival, the Jews had a lot of preconceived ideas about the Messiah, and what he would do to deliver them from Roman oppression. However, once Jesus began His ministry, many people had trouble seeing Jesus’ plan as God’s plan.

In spite of people’s failure to see Jesus as a fulfillment of the Messiah prophesied about in Scripture, He was — and still is — the essence of God. John 1:1-4, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 9:6)

Luke decided to help clear up some of the misunderstandings or the preconceived ideas about the Messiah by outlining the life of Christ (Luke 1:1-3). As Theophilus began to follow Luke’s detailed account about the life of the Messiah, it seemed clear how significant His life really was.

Jesus is the sum of all things, a phrase used multiple times (Matthew 11:27, Ephesians 1:22, Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 1:16…). Paul would later share his unashamed proclamation of the power and significance of the good news about Jesus, Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

Jesus’ way of living revealed God’s desire for us and our purpose in Christ. Jesus said in John 15:8, “This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” There may be a lot that goes into “bearing fruit,” but at its core, it's following His pattern of making people’s lives better by being a blessing to them — loving your neighbor. Prior to Jesus’ arrival (even afterward), people didn’t have a true understanding of what the Messiah would be bringing to God’s creation. His life could sum up our purpose; Jesus’ life summed up powerfully the heart of God. He is truly “all things.” Other people claimed to be the messiah, but they didn’t bear fruit to confirm it (Matthew 7:15-20).

Know that Jesus is the sum of all things; He is the “way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus’ life brought clarity to the many preconceived ideas about God’s will, salvation, and our purpose. In John’s prolog, he describes Jesus, or the Word (logos), by saying, “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known.” (John 1:17-18) 

Christ, the Ultimate Leader

Why Jesus is the “reason for the season”? It probably helps to understand what the season is about. The season could be summarized as a time to give gifts of appreciation, love, and devotion to others. It has been a custom for centuries for kingdoms to bring gifts to each other as an alliance with, or tribute to, another kingdom. Although the season of Christmas isn’t about building alliances with others, it is about bringing cheer and happiness to someone which helps build stronger relationships. 

God began His gift giving by creating life, then giving a promise of an even better life. 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 describes our “giving gifts of love to others” as a way to honor Christ and proclaim the good news. It’s kind of an echo of His “surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 

God’s indescribable gift was found in Jesus (John 3:16), who showed us how to live (1 Peter 2:20-21; Phillipians 2:3-5), not just in His presence, but His influence. Consider how Jesus’ understanding of scripture as a tool to guide us amazed people during His ministry, Matthew 7:28-29, “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (even before His ministry began, Luke 2:47). 

Jesus’ way of living and interpreting scripture leads us in a powerful way to the Promised Land that the Israelites failed to enter because of their lack of trust in Moses’ (really God’s) leadership (Hebrews 3:19). Today, we are “blessed because we follow Him even though we don’t see [Him]” (John 20:29). To follow Jesus is to trust his leadership, to trust his authority in our lives, and to trust his words (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 

So, how would we “exchange gifts” with Jesus? He described the commitment to live by His ways and follow Him in Luke 9:57-62, which ultimately is about our surrendering our will to His and knowing that His will establishes an amazing foundation for a beautiful life. It pleases God to see people trust in His son and to follow His example in life. 

His leadership gives us peace and comfort. We don’t have to do this alone. Thankfully, God has consistently worked through other people to become the peace and comfort we need in our most troubling times. Therefore, giving gifts to those who have brought peace and comfort to our lives, or who have modeled wisdom and compassion, should be a natural expression of gratitude. It’s for this reason that leadership should be so highly valued within the body of Christ.

Wisdom from God

At the end of King David's life, he made preparations for one of his sons to take the throne. Solomon was the Son of Bathsheba, one of David's wives that came about at a dark time in David's life. Solomon was able to see the pressures associated with leadership, so he asked God for help. After he took the throne we read his prayer in 1 Kings 3:7, 9, "Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties… So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

God granted him wisdom to lead. We should know that all of us, especially leaders, need to remember James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

Great leadership is bathed in godly wisdom. Solomon writes a series of "wise sayings" to his sons in Proverbs 1-9. He begins these 10 pieces of wisdom letting them (and us) know their purpose.

Proverbs 1:2-6, "[The proverbs are] for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise."

Ultimately wisdom is seen as well as heard. Good leadership practices what it promotes. When the world sees godly wisdom, in a way they get to see a glimpse of God.

1 Corinthians 1:20-24, "Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

"The list" found in 1 Timothy 3, or Titus 1, serves as attributes associated with godly wisdom. Just like Solomon, leaders need to be seen turning to God for guidance and seeking His wisdom to lead people closer to Christ.

Good Hearts

During the holiday season, it can be challenging to buy gifts that people really want or need. Although, most of us understand that it’s the thought that counts. In other words, a gift giver's heart is in the right place when they were choosing a gift to give.

God has given us a gift, the gift of the Holy Spirit, “the seal for the day of our redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). This beautiful gift helps us to tune into God’s heart, His will. Paul asks in 1 Corinthians 2:11, “Who knows a person’s thoughts except for their own spirit within them? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” Although God’s ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9), we still have what we need.

Consider 2 Peter 1:3-8, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

The Lord says that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” (Jeremiah 17:9), which means I need God’s Spirit to guide me towards making better decisions and acting in better ways. How does that guidance manifest itself? Our first response is probably “scripture.” While that’s true, it’s best when the scripture is presented by someone that cares enough about us to help us “get back on track” (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19- 20).

The Bible talks about the heart about 950 times, which means our heart must be right. It’s what God was looking for in every leader He ever chose. David prayed in Psalm 51:10-12, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

David’s prayer was a prayer of repentance for sins he had committed as a leader of God’s people. He knew he needed God’s holy spirit to guide him as a king (leader). David had succumbed to the world’s way of leadership (corruption, selfishness, greed, etc.), which Samuel had warned the Israelites would happen (1 Samuel 8:11-18). David had been appointed as a different kind of leader, so too are the leaders in the church called to a higher standard than that of the world (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1).

Jesus said in Matthew 20:25-27, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave…” It was within this same way of thinking that Paul instructs Timothy and Titus to appoint men with “good hearts.” Ultimately, he says “the goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5). 

Shepherds

Leadership is developing people and helping others reach their full potential, according to one online dictionary. Sadly, it’s a beautiful concept that is often overlooked in our world today. 

Scott Mann is a retired Green Beret, who teaches leadership to organizations. During his 18 years of service in war-torn places, Scott began to realize how important building trust among the community is in order to overcome some of the biggest hurdles in organizational leadership. “Rooftop leadership is having a crystal-clear vision of a better world that doesn't yet exist, and the dynamic ability to inspire others to help you build it.” - Scott Mann 

How does that translate for a church? The truth is leadership has a powerful impact on the health and direction of a congregation. But how and who are the questions that people want to know when seeking new leadership. Thankfully, we have a lot of material to refer to in order to see what God had in mind when it comes to leadership. 

Typically, preachers and teachers focus on 1 Timothy 3 or Titus 1 as the primary source that details the qualities of good leaders. While that is very concise and helpful, the entire story of God’s redemptive plan adds even greater detail to the kinds of leaders that serve the way God wants them to. 

Throughout the Bible, especially the “history” portion of scripture, judges and kings are recognized for doing good (rarely) in the eyes of the Lord, or for doing evil in the eyes of the Lord. In fact, the phrase, “___ did evil in the eyes of the Lord” is used 40 times in the Old Testament (NIV). The fact that so many didn’t hit the mark should serve as good examples for us of what NOT to do in Godly leadership. As Paul said in Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” 

As the qualities Paul highlights in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, a shepherd ought to be “well-thought of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he’s talking about, not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money hungry. He must handle his own affairs well, be attentive to his own children and having their respect. For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God’s church? He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up. Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap” (taken from the Message Bible). 

The fact that the Bible is full of detailed examples of leadership should help us to see why it is so important that qualities like these be found in those who are helping a group of believers reach their full potential in the work of the Lord. These qualities complement the mission of the church, “...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Season of Cheer

Have you ever heard people talk about spreading Christmas cheer? There is something about this time of year that brightens the moods of folks.

In a quick Google search I found several ways to share your cheerfulness: Share baked goods with friends, donate things to the needy, go caroling, decorate your house, volunteer serving food at a shelter, or go shopping for presents. These were a few things listed, but what's the Bible say about Christmas cheer?

It's important to note that Christmas, as we know it, isn't in the Bible. However, Jesus did similar things (listed above) to bring "Christmas cheer." Technically, Christ(s)-mas loosely means "worship according to Christ" or "this is how you worship God."

Jesus answered John's messengers when asked, "Are you [the Christ] or should we expect someone else?” (Luke 7:19). He said, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of Me.” (Luke 7:22-23)

Each of these miracles and messages brought "cheer" to those who "didn't stumble" because of who He was. Jesus had many people follow Him; some were genuinely interested in hearing about the future promises of God, and others were "cheerful" because of what they got from Christ's generosity (John 6:26-27; Phillipians 1:12-18).

The reality is that we create cheer by doing things for others that brighten their day. So that magical Christmas feeling isn't limited to December. Sometimes we have to "create" a cheerful environment in a situation that normally isn't cheerful at all, (much like Jesus in Luke 7).

Another example of this is found in the announcement of Jesus' birth (arrival to earth). The angels said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)

Being saved from death and separation from God is definitely worth being cheerful about, but think of what this meant for Jesus. It was part of God’s plan to bring cheer or joy (which is the root word for cheer in koine Greek), but it is rooted in sacrificial love for others… a truly "Christmas" concept!

The Holiday Spirit

Paul describes the church as a body in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so, the body is not made up of one part but of many.” 

“Even so…”— the reality is that, although we are one, we still have things we deal with that make us feel different than others. The holiday season is supposed to be a wonderful time to reunite with friends and family and to reminisce about old times. But what if your friends and family aren’t really part of your life? What if they represent a life you left behind? Or what if you encounter other relationship obstacles? In you, or them? 

Jesus made it clear that there was a family stronger than blood. Probably the most obvious scene is in Mark 3:31-35 when some people came to where He was teaching and said, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for You.” It was His response that seemed weird at first, “Who are My mother and My brothers? Here are My mother and My brothers! Whoever does God’s will is My brother and sister and mother.” Following Christ can have an effect on how we view our family. Read Matthew 10:34-37 or Luke 12 to see the high call that Jesus is giving us. 

However, Jesus still concerned Himself with His family. For instance, in John 19:25-27, Jesus arranged for His mother to be taken care of. “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” Why? Didn’t Mary have other sons and daughters? (Mark 6:3). Regardless of the reason, He took the initiative to ensure her wellbeing. 

But why mention this at the onset of the holiday season? Because depression may occur at any time of the year, but the stress and anxiety during the months of November and December are statistically worse. There may be other emotions beyond stress that impact the holiday spirit. Things like; routines are put on hold, or there is an increased number of get-togethers (which can cause some people to feel anxious), reminders of some people in the family they no longer have, due to death, distance, or decisions. Even cold weather can bring people down. 

But as Christians, we should look for ways to be a blessing to others. There are many ways to do that, but I’m reminded of the simple, but powerful “law of Christ” mentioned in Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” This holiday, consider some ways you can lighten the burdens on the people you care about most. 

Veterans Day

"I thank my God every time I remember you." – Phillipians 1:3. 

"It was the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month in 1918 when the world celebrated as a treaty was signed ending what was to be "the war to end all wars" — World War I. 

"One year later, on what came to be known as Armistice Day, Americans came together to remember and honor the sacrifices of the men and women who served during the war. Soldiers who survived the war marched in parades and were honored by speeches and ceremonies recognizing their contribution to peace throughout the world. 

"Congress declared Armistice Day a national holiday in 1938. By this time, with unrest in much of the world, Americans realized World War I would not be the last war. After the Second World War, which was even bloodier than the first, Armistice Day continued to be observed. In 1954, Congress changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day to include veterans of all United States wars." (from an article on Crosswalk.com) 

Veterans Day is about recognizing those who have laid down their life so that you could have freedom, and those willing to face death for the same cause. As believers in Christ, there are tremendous parallels to a day like Veterans Day and what Christ did for us. 

Romans 5:9-10, “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” 

His death brought about a deeper conviction to live according to God’s design. Isaiah 55:9 says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Those “ways” are modeled in Jesus. 

Jesus’ decision to do his father’s will rather than his own is what Jesus wants from us as well. Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” 

Happy Veterans Day to our men and women for following in the footsteps of our savior through your selfless service, and we honor those who gave their lives to defend our nation.

Obey the Gospel

The goal for Christians all over the world is for people to “obey the Gospel.” The word Gospel is derived from the Anglo-Saxon term god-spell, meaning “good story.” Paul declares to the Roman Christians in Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (the good news), because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the Gospel (good news) the righteousness of God is revealed…”

The Good News IS that God is bringing salvation to the world! Therefore, it is helpful to recognize what we need salvation from before we can truly appreciate the “good news” that there’s a way to escape it. Paul continues in Romans 1:18, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness…” Ultimately, sin is what we need to be rescued from. Thankfully, part of the reason Jesus came was to reveal the truth about God’s purpose for mankind and His will on earth. Jesus said in John 8:31-32, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Those teachings point to a way of living, a kingdom principle that changes how I think, act, and what I focus on. Paul says in Romans 15:1-5, “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the Gospel (the good news) I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this Gospel, you are saved if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 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, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Paul continues by explaining the challenges of faith in this announcement of God’s Son as part of a new kingdom (15:50). Our belief in God’s plan to send His Son to be the king that no human has been is key in what it means to obey the Gospel.

It’s my obedience to the principles outlined in the message and actions of Jesus that allows me to be “transformed by the renewing of my mind…” that allows me to “be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” This begins the same way it did for those people on the Day of Pentecost after Jesus’ ascension into heaven: repent of my old ways, and be baptized (immersed) into the life of the king, Jesus! So, I have what I need to know to “obey the good news of a new king.” Obeying the king means I “do what He says” - joyfully! (John 14:15)

James 2:8, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.” 1 John 5:3, “In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome…” Obeying the Gospel begins with submitting to His ways, as seen in the act of baptism, and continues in how I live out the principles of God’s kingdom. Unfortunately, many people will not accept the kingship of Christ, which has consequences… 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, 1 Peter 4:17. It must be our job to help the world to see the beauty of following a new kind of king—Jesus the Christ!

Sign of Jonah, Part 2

Jesus often said things that confused people. “I am the bread of life (John 6:35, 48)... “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (53). Or John 2:19, which takes place after Jesus cleared the temple and the religious leaders said, “What gives you the right to do that?” Jesus’ response: “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” Their response shows us they didn’t have a clue what that meant. They said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” There are other verses, but you get the picture. Jesus said things that either wouldn't have been understandable at that time, or things that would’ve required a spiritual revelation.

1 Peter 1:10-12, “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.” 

Without the Holy Spirit, as 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 describes, we wouldn’t understand. “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived; the things God has prepared for those who love Him, these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God…” 

All this helps us realize some of what Jesus said in His “sign” He gave to the Pharisees in Matthew 12:39-41, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.” 

It’s helpful to try to determine if the story of Jonah was really about the miraculous acts God orchestrated in order to bring a message of mercy to the Ninevites? Or was it about the hard-heartedness of Jonah for refusing to see what God saw in the Ninevites? How does that matter? Why? Whatever the answers, Jesus saw this as a great sign of God’s authority for his Pharisee antagonists. How do you apply the story of Jonah?

The Sign of Jonah

Jonah… He’s a childhood storybook favorite. He’s the prophet of God who was swallowed by a great fish! His story is one of the more familiar of the “Bible stories” in American culture. Many storybooks end with Nineveh’s repentance to God because of Jonah’s short, but obviously effective, message. “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4). But how important is that story? How does it fit into the overall story of the Bible, or of Jesus and salvation? The difficult parts of that story often are overlooked, to make it more kid-friendly. Unfortunately, many people don’t quite grasp the significance of this 8th century B.C. prophet and how his story helps to “make straight the way of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3, Mark 1:3). 

During Jesus’ ministry, the religious leaders failed to see any of the “signs” in the prophets that pointed to Jesus as the Messiah, even though He fit every prophecy made about Him. So, when the Pharisees began to criticize Jesus’ teachings or actions, they said in Matthew 12:38, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you!” Ultimately, they were asking Jesus to prove He had the authority to cast out demons, heal the sick, or do any of the things He was doing, something they had already recognized, according to Nicodemus’ statement in John 3:2, “We know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with Him.” 

Jesus’ response to the pharisee’s demand for a sign was “the sign of Jonah”!? Was it about repentance? After all, the Ninevites “believed” the message of Jonah (Jonah 3:4, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”) Or was there something else, a sign that would later be understood by its accurate, and impossible fulfillment. Jesus said in Matthew 12:39-40, “...For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth…” 

Jesus’ big “sign” for them was going to be His resurrection! This was the sign for all believers, forever. It’s what compels us; it’s what gives us hope. This is why Paul claimed in 1 Corinthians 2:2, “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Later in that same letter (1 Corinthians 15), he focuses on Jesus' resurrection as the pivotal part of that event. Whether or not Jesus’ sign was sufficient for the Pharisees, they didn’t want to believe that His supreme power over all things, including death, was real. 

What sign are we looking for to determine if God’s promises are true? The Bible is packed with nuggets that point to Christ and His power over all things both in the Old and New Testament, our job is to have “eyes to see, and ears to hear” (Matthew 13:15). 

Who is Jesus?

"Who do people say I am?" This is a question Jesus poses in Matthew 16, Mark 8, and Luke 9. There were a lot of ideas being circulated, most of them false. Peter nails it: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God! " (Matthew 16:15). 

We may be tempted to overlook the significance of his answer in our Christian culture today. By this time, Jesus was under heavy scrutiny by the religious leaders, His followers were fluctuating, and Jesus was revealing how different His kingdom really was. All of these things could have played a role in Peter's conviction. 

The question of who Jesus is, is an important one and is often unanswered by many Christians. But who He is greatly impacts how I follow Him. 

In 2022, we are going to dive into an in-depth study of the life of Christ and the culture He came to live in. In the meantime, how do you answer the question Jesus asked His followers? 

Years later, after denying Christ, stumbling in his leadership (Galatians 2:11-14), persecuted by some (presumably 2 Timothy 3:12); he had this to say about who Jesus was: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time… (19) the precious blood of Christ, the lamb without blemish or defect…" (1 Peter 1:3-5)

It is apparent by this time he was thoroughly convinced that Jesus was the Son of God and that knowledge necessitated an attitude that reflected that claim. So he says, in 1 Peter 2:9, "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light… (12) [therefore] Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us… (17) Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." 

Part of loving the family is praying for them, which means we must know about their struggles. Join in proclaiming the name of Jesus to those that need encouragement

Monday Night for the Master

The medical journal, The Lancet, recently published an article that describes an alarming problem that potentially looms on the very near horizon. The article described the long-term effects that longer periods of isolation, even less than 10 days, can have on people. One of the authors of the article stated, “We are witnessing the deterioration of relationships. Rather than connecting people, restrictive measures are creating rivalries and arousing discord between people… Social isolation has been linked to cognitive impairment, reduced immunity, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and ultimately, mortality… This pandemic will inevitably lead to redefining our relationship styles, which will no longer be based on proximity but on distance. Physical contact will be replaced by negotiated sharing, while the digitalization of lives, already started with the advent of social media, technology, and virtual reality will be further emphasized…”

While that can be extremely depressing, the authority of God’s word gives us the direction and the process to address these issues in our culture. First of all, God’s word was written during times of extreme negative conditions (wandering in the wilderness, pre- and post-captivity, Roman oppression, congregational tensions). That should give us comfort to know that God has always had a plan to save people in desperate situations. Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes…”

Many of Paul’s conclusions to his letters, end with a greeting for people at a particular congregation, or instructions to help keep the body working in harmony with God’s word. The Monday Night for the Master mission has a similar goal: to encourage people who may feel alone and isolated from people around them. We care about the body of Christ; therefore, our first task should be to care for the people we worship with.

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:19-20, “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

We are Christ’s ambassadors bringing hope from the fears of this life and the hope for the afterlife. That’s what motivates us to continue to reach out, even during the stress of our time in history. The Monday Night for the Master is a mission to do just what scriptures encourage us, and instruct us to do.

1 Thessalonians 5:11, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” Hebrews 10:24-25, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

There may be many psychological effects of isolation, of extended time away from people, but we can help serve as the bridge back to a life within a community built on Christ. Please prayerfully and actively help us to reach those who need a call or a card to lift up their spirits. 

Restoration

What does restoration mean to you? 

• Hosea 4:6, “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge…” 

• Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” The same verse in the King James version starts, “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” 

In order to restore anything, you have to have a vision of what it should look like and knowledge about what is needed to complete it. That’s true for renewing anything: cars, houses, furniture, or lives. 

Jesus often encountered people with broken lives that needed restoring, and some of them weren’t the people you’d expect. 

In Matthew 8:6, a Roman centurion came to Jesus and said, “Lord, my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” We often focus on his confidence in Christ’s authority to heal from anywhere. And Jesus praises him for his faith that was unseen anywhere in Israel (Matthew 8:10). Immediately before this though, Jesus had just finished a sermon that was meant to mimic Moses’ address on Mt. Ebal (Deuteronomy 27-29), a sermon Moses had given right before he sent the people over the Jordan towards the Promised Land. In that instance, God was going to drive out the faithless Canaanite people. Now, Jesus had a non-Israelite come and demonstrate tremendous faith in who he was. 

The Israelites needed restoring, but some of the first examples of faith in His power to restore were people other than the Jews. Another time, a Syrophoenician woman came to Jesus for healing against all odds. Matthew 15:22, “A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.'” She boldly asks for Jesus’ power even when it didn’t sound like she was going to get it at first. Like the Persistent Widow (Luke 18), she kept her faith strong. 

Although many Jews believed, there were still many who rejected Him. However, all of them would have acknowledged that Israel needed restoration or deliverance from the Romans. They wanted their kingdom back, but they lacked the vision to see Jesus as the one who could do it (at least at first). 

In Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, He tells her, “You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Although “salvation is from the Jews,” the Jews weren’t the ones eager to have a restored life. What does this tell us? That sometimes those who have had the good news of a restored life right in front of them all their life, fail to recognize what that looks like or how to find it. Thankfully, Jesus brings it all out in the open where we can all make the decision to have a renewed life. He brings life, He brings hope for the future, and He brings peace to our lives. Let’s have “eyes to see, and ears to hear.”