I tear my robe at you!

My life is too saturated with sin for me to be able to accuse Jesus the way these leaders do. And I am thankful for that. At least God has helped me see my immense need for him. Often when I am reading the Gospels, I identify with the sins of the pharisees as well as the disciples. At a time like this, as my Savior is being attacked falsely, I have a hard time tolerating the closed, hard hearts of these men.

They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.' " Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"

"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?"

They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him. -Mark 14:53-65

I am thankful that Jesus is able to withstand the false accusations from people who are probably just making things up to get some money or favors from the teachers. And even more upsetting is the dramatic clothes-tearing. He was probably upset at Jesus' words, but also he was probably relieved to have found an accusation that would stick.

It's kind of reassuring that they find it impossible to find evidence of sin on Jesus' part. If Jesus had been framed with murder or something, then many of the people could be considered innocent of his blood, if the teachers had a believable case. But they do not have anything on Jesus that would stick, except his own words declaring who he is.

I started today by talking about identifying with sins. I pray Jesus that you continue to keep me strong enough that I would not disbelieve your clear words. I pray that you would give me strength that I would not undervalue your sacrifice. I pray that you would help me not only to avoid the wrong path, but that you would help me today to swiftly run on the path of your commands.


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Kissed

Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

"Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."

Then everyone deserted him and fled. -Mark 14:43-50

Today, upon reading this, I am simply amazed at the fact that Jesus allows the kiss. I picture the scene going down, and having it be obvious to the disciples and of course Jesus. The other disciples would already have to be restrained at this point. That Jesus himself withstands this kiss is simply amazing. Of all the things he had to suffer, the broken heart this gave him could have at least been spared, if he had prevented the kiss.

But, I suppose this speculation is a dangerous thing to do to God. We want God to fight for us the way that we want him to. We want him to do the things that make sense to us.

It has been an interesting thing to write this blog for a few weeks now. Something that has happened, it seems to me, is that I come with less and less ideas of my own. It is almost as if Scripture is starting to trump my own opinions. What a fun concept.

Truly this is only a step on the road. I can only go a few words without putting my own spin on God's story. I pray that by spending more time hearing his word, then his truth will more often, more naturally, and more clearly come out of my mouth.

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Distress

How terrible it is to have caused Christ such distress. If there is anything worse than being distressed, it is having caused it for someone else. Let alone someone perfect. But the blessing is that he does not hold it against me.

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" -Mark 14:32-42

It is troubling enough to find that I am the cause of that grief. It is even more troubling to find myself nodding along with Jesus in the first paragraph. I think, yes I know what it feels like to be distressed to the point it feels like death. But no, I don't. It is only in my arrogance that I find myself any more than a disciple in this story.

Failing to watch. Failing to pray. I do not know what to say. This is me.

Looking at Jesus so full of sorrow must have been such a humbling experience for his disciples. I pray that it is a humbling experience for me.

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Just do it

Today, I am thinking about the hopeful foolishness that we hear in Peter's voice here.

"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written:
'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."

Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not."

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."

But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same. -Mark 14:27-31

I sort of want that hopefulness. I want to declare before taking a step down the next step of road that I will not stumble, I will not walk off of the path. I will not go against my Lord's commands.

But when I think of this, I soon realize that it is not the promise that matters. It is my actions that matter. Jesus asks,

"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'

" 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.

"Which of the two did what his father wanted?"

"The first," they answered.

-Matthew 21:28-31

The danger for me as a Christian is to be the kind of son who says I will, but does not do it. Jesus makes the application to the pharisees, and when I am like them I am even worse because a pharisee says I am, when he is not.

Lord, I love your teaching. You remind me of such important truths in your Word. When I consider the love and forgiveness you had for Peter, it is a huge relief because I need that forgiveness. Help me Lord to be disciplined by you so that I can be more and more capable of doing what you say. Make me faithful; to my promises, to you my Savior.

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Is Oneness closer than Unity?

I feel like I'm jumping the gun as I get ahead of the timeline of Holy week, but as I read this, I think, wow, today this is the unity that is essential.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."

Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. -Mark 14:22-26

I love how in this communion, we participate. But I notice that thought the disciples partake, they don't offer anything. They surely offer praise in a hymn. They even offer their presence, and submit their individual will to that of Christ. But there is no value that comes from something they are doing.

We are nourished by the meal. We receive strength. The Covenant is fulfilled. God's promises are coming true in this Supper.

I also think shame on us for the times people have thought to add to or subtract from the glorious offering Jesus makes here. It seems like there are times we make small the sacrifice of our Lord by making large the interpretation we apply to it. Maybe I struggle because I have spent more time in discussion of the meal than I have in the partaking of it.

I pray, God, that you would provide blessings as we teach people of communion--that the purpose of the teaching would always be that the teaching itself fades in the face of your real presence in the sacrifice.

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Unity and Betrayal

I was talking yesterday about the fact that it seems like there are no characters who are pure, few stories about people who are simply good. (Except Samwise Gamgee, and Yoda of course)
As I read Scripture, again it is true that the more we get to know about people in the Bible, the more we are disappointed in their fallen state. It is hard to stomach the scene as the passover should have been a night of brotherhood and unity before the storm to follow. One more opportunity for Jesus to teach, and one more opportunity for the disciples to partake of his love in a very physical sense. But things are strongly tainted by Jesus' ominous prophecy.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"

So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, 'The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there."

The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me."

They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely not I?"

"It is one of the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." -Mark 14-12-21

How could they stand it? How is it that Peter doesn't draw his sword right here at the table?

Even as I ask the question, i find the answer apparently in these words. "They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, 'Surely not I.'" It was not because of a lack of desire to fight Jesus' enemies, but out of fear and sadness at the truth of their own hearts.

Not even the disciples was able to know for sure that they wouldn't be the weak one. And though this lack of strength might be troubling when we see it in ourselves, it is not troubling when it leads us to simply acknowledge our lack of strength, and seek the true source.

When we talk to Jesus, we can say, Surely not I Lord. And Jesus can look us in the eyes, and say "I gave myself for you to redeem you from all wickedness and to purify for myself a person that is my very own, eager to do what is good." -Titus 2:14

When we are troubled and weak. He is not.

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Confidence

I wish perfect words existed. I try to hold onto the truth. I often find my mind incapable of grasping what it means to have faith--to put my confidence in the Lord. These words help keep it simple for me.

This is what the LORD says:
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who depends on flesh for his strength
and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

He will be like a bush in the wastelands;
he will not see prosperity when it comes.
He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.

He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."

-Jeremiah 17:5-8

Today I am thankful that God doesn't just use words. He uses a tree, and a desert, and a stream. Me makes it as real as I am capable of grasping it.

These words are a warning against any placement of value on the things I can do. They warn me not to even depend on my understanding. They tell me not to turn away from God, and they ask me to rest in his grace.

I picture the scene of the green tree surrounded by dry brown grass. And I say in my head, good job God. Not, good job tree, way to put your roots down there. Way to go God. It was really smart of you to make that possible.

I am thankful that every word tells me not to fear. Do not claim responsibility for your life. just don't run from his love. Do not try to know more than him, or be more than he commands. Do not try to build yourself into something different.

If a tree can be shepherded, we should be shepherded trees. The shepherd shows the path to the nourishment, and provides protection. The shepherd sees the world (sorry animal-lovers) from a higher frame of reference. And in this case we learn that God's instructions for us are simplified to what is essential for us as broken beings. We cannot see things clearly now. We cannot understand everything that has been planned. But we can be loved and be nurtured, and we can through the treeherder's grace, live and grow and bear fruit.

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Woven

These words are great for someone like me to remember. As a life-long christian words that are directed at the Jews in the New Testament are often very good reminders against becoming arrogant, overconfident or calloused to spiritual matters.

¹⁷If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, ¹⁸do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. ¹⁹You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." ²⁰Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.
²¹For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. -Romans 11:17-21

These words are spoken as a warning to the gentiles, but the truth of the matter is that as someone who has faith, and has had faith for a long time we start to think something good is coming from us. This picture of the olive tree reminds me not to be focussed on value in me as a branch, but to look for value in him the vine.

It reminds me not to feel like I as a branch have contributed to my place as a branch, and not to assume that I have something special and unique that gives me power to control my fate.

I don't and can't take any responsibility for being grafted, and more than I can take responsibility for getting myself water or nutrients. And I must accept the place on the vine that I have inherited, and not think of my self too highly or too lowly.

The only part of me that is worth something is the part of me where I stop being only myself, and God's presence begins.


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Bound

Sometimes truths are hard to accept. In this section from Romans, we are faced with a truth that I know I don't want to accept.

²⁵I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. ²⁶And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
"The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
²⁷And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."

²⁸As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, ²⁹for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. ³⁰Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, ³¹so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. ³²For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. -Romans 11:-25-32

The thing that is hard to accept? You may have noticed that verse 32 says that we're bound by God to disobedience. This does not feel like good news. I want to be freed. In fact, selfishly, I want to free myself. I want to be so strong, and so pure that I can turn away from all previous patterns of disobedience.

God is making me accept the hard truth here. He is telling me, Don't be arrogant Joel about your election. Believers have been hardened. God has used even the hardening of his chosen ones to further the power of his love and gospel.

God, in this section you are calling the lifelong chosen ones to task.

God, help me first of all to admit my inability to save myself. Alone I am a selfish wanderer. In you I have purpose and I bear fruit. Help me avoid the sin of denying my bondage to sin. Then help me understand why you allow us to be tied to our disobedient hearts even though we know you and your love.

Let me be moved by seeing your loving plan unfold. Let me watch you turn disobedience into freedom from punishment. Let me not be discouraged when I look down and see the scars from the serpent snapping at my heel. Let my continued disobedience result in solid reminders that he is crushed. Maybe he is daily crushed. but surely it is not in my power to do it.

But it is in your power. It is in your person to save all. It is in your plan to take those of us who struggle to admit our failures and ask you for help. But you have set the plan in motion to rescue us before we were even here to ask.

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deepness

When we think about how wise you are Lord, help us not to be afraid. Help us not to be overwhelmed. Instead, rather, let us be inspired.

These words are a doxology. A word of honor to your name.

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

"Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"

"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"

For from him and through him and to him are all things.

To him be the glory forever! Amen.

-Romans 11:33-36

We want the honor and the glory to be yours Lord. We desire that the one thing that would cause people to shout praise would be wonder at your amazing ways.

We desire to know your glory more deeply. These words make it clear that riches come with depth. We do not discover riches in you and take them for ourselves. That's not how it works. It is more correct that we want to know your riches more, that we may draw others' attention to them. We do not want to exploit your blessings. We want to notice new ones, so that we can point at you and say to the world, look at this amazing God. Let's worship him. Let's lift up the name of our Savior for all to see.

It's true that I often crave something deeper than A sunday school message. For someone who has believed from childhood that God sent his son to die on the cross to forgive the sins of the world, it can be difficult to remain enthused by that message at times.

But sometimes, knowing him deeper can't happen because I am deeper in something else--selfishness.

As I try to tread water, I drown in selfish waters. I flail and kick and cry out, but I can't stay up. Gasping for breath, I give in and admit that I am not strong enough to stay above water. Resigned to my fate I relax, powerless. My head pops through to the top of the water, and oxygen-rich air fills my lungs. Looking around, I catch glimpses of others who calmly float. Breathing deeply, floating by the grace of God, I realize that he has designed us to float above the water of selfishness.

Someday we will be freed from these sinful bodies and then we will fly. All praise to the one who has lifted us up. Calm my doubts and fears wondrous God and make me rest in the arms of your grace.


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Pattern

After four days at a Christian camping conference, you'd figure I'd have thoughts connected to what I learned. One thing that I enjoyed was that the main speaker, just happened to go to the same scriptures that I go to to talk about what God wants our lives of love to be like. One section we both love is Romans 12.

¹Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

²Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

³For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. ⁴Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. ⁷If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; ⁸if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

-Romans 12:1-9

Yesterday I wrote about the next section, verses 10-21, about what Christian love looks like. Today we go back a step. Where does Christian love come from?

In view of God's mercy. I love that phrase. Even though sometimes it is talked about in a classroom way. The classroom truth is that the therefore in verse one takes us back to all of Romans' descriptions of the fallen man and our need for the law to show us our fault. But we also see that the law does not save. Only the undeserved love of Christ saves us and makes us new creations. And then we read that our new creations are not capable of doing all the good that we want to do, or to stop doing all the things we don't want to do. But the question is still considered. If perfection is not possible, but righteousness is the pattern, how can we live it?

It is not the world's pattern. It is one of sacrifice. I don't know if people want to sign up to be sacrificed, or enslaved, or imprisoned. But in view of Gods' love for us, isn't that the pattern? Didn't Jesus make it clear that his path is one of persecution. Isn't it obvious that it is not one of comfort. Isn't there a reason Paul talks almost pridefully about being a prisoner for Christ?

Do we want to be a slave to the Holy Spirit? I think yes, as much as our weak-willed bodies can submit to his will. maybe if the picture of being enslaved is too much we can consider in step to mean a dance.

AS we dance with the Holy Spirit, we must submit enough to let him lead. Whatever our spiritual gifts, whatever our weaknesses that God wants to use to show his power, whatever the personal risk or discomfort, we mirror his footsteps.

It was not, by any means painless when Christ walked in love. It will not be by any means painless when we do. But it will be love. Sacrificial love--unearned love--it will be. Sober and cheerful. Delighted in sacrifice. Let's battle the big three, the devil, the world and our sinful flesh by feeding the hungry, loving the lonely, and passing on the teaching that is likely to land us in an uncomfortable spot. Let us follow the pattern that our Savior laid out.

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Love is all you need

I love trying to hold onto opposite Truths. Maybe love is the wrong word. I want to. I would delight in any moment when I am able to. It is hard. But the rewards are worth the challenge.

Opposite truths:

-God's standards are the highest for me and you and we don't measure up.
-God loves us completely regardless of our failings or weaknesses.

Let's hold onto both of these truths. and then when we are sure that God loves us completely, let's turn around and love everyone the same way he does. (Isn't it fun to be dedicated to optimism?) Let's love this way.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. -Romans 12:9-21

Wow. Yes, lets. We will try to hold all of those exciting fulfillments of love before us as the standard. But then let's not judge ourselves too harshly if we are not able to mourn with the mourning and celebrate with the joyful simultaneously. Let's be dedicated to helping the hungry enemy, and not shake our heads in disgust that we forgot to pray while we were cooking the meal. There is a time for everything does not mean that now is time for everything. We can free ourselves from guilt knowing that now is still the battle, and the important thing is not that we win the whole war ourselves. The important thing is that God chose us for his side. Let's surrender our desires for perfection independent of him and submit to obeying his commands one at a time.

Today, let's delight in being simply obedient to one thing on this list. All we need is love. That makes it sound simple. Don't confuse this statement with "all we need is to love perfectly." The truth is that all we need is the love that we are already surrounded by.

Thanks Jesus for being love for us that we might dwell in that love.

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Ornaments

I recently had a conversation where I was looking around at a worship facility and I was saying something to the effect of, “Wow, some people really overdo the decorations of their worship facility. It’s like they don’t realize that that space is only used sparingly, and it’s not like they can take the decorations with them to heaven anyway. Surely there could have been better uses for that money.”

Then I read Mark 14:1-11. These words of Jesus convicted me.

Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. "But not during the Feast," they said, "or the people may riot." While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly.

"Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. -Mark 14:1-11

It is definitely true that I can go so far as to be arrogant enough to decide that certain earthly things have value. I would perhaps provide comfort for the worshipers in the pew before I would “waste” money on expensive candles, or gold altar implements. I would probably criticize a church for having poor coffee, even if they chose to have their energy poured into beautiful altar decorations.

At a certain point, I go too far. All people could argue for their preferences. The only exception is the one person who is above all. There is one that truly deserves honor, perfume, ornamentation, or songs of praise. The music isn’t for me. The soup supper isn’t for me. My comfort isn’t necessary for worship. It is so that the name of Jesus cold be praised that we gather. We can have a sense of urgency for that praise.

I often criticize what I call “seasonal decorations.” My friends will laugh because they know it’s true. It seems like so much work that will simply have to be undone. Today I see their value. If the season is one in which special honor and praise are being offered to the one worthy. If it is to give the name of Jesus Christ special remembrance that such time is spent on decorations or special worship arrangements, or gatherings in the home are centered around telling of Christ’s story, then bring on the seasonal decorations.

Perhaps I have become too cynical about “holidays.” It is not okay to be cynical about Easter, or Christmas, or any Christian festival, but as the world lumps them together and creates cultural holidays, I need to be reminded of Jesus words, “But you will not always have me.” This is the reason to take time to cut down the evergreen and spend a whole day decorating it: because it is not always Christmas Joel. It is not always Maundy Thursday or Good Friday. As we walk with Jesus through the rough days ahead in holy week, it is important for us to remember that there is value to this time; that our time on earth to be filled is short, that the time to overflow onto the people around us is short. Let’s not sell our nard on ebay to pay the electric bill.

Let’s turn off the lights, and pour praise upon Jesus’ head and shoulders.


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Agapetos

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Sometimes I read epistles for little nuggets of Truth to carry around in my head. There was a day in a Bible study that stands out to me. I was reading 1 Timothy from that point of view. Grasping at the truth expressed in little paragraphs, and My friend Matthew went on to describe what he was seeing as he read. And he went on to describe a picture that come right from the text, but considered the audience, and the message. The time and place of the message communicated not only the specific teaching itself, but also created a picture of this group of Christians, acting the way the invisible church looks when it starts to become visible. The body of Christ re-manifested.

Philemon doesn't get much play probably because of its lack of truth teaching.

But when read for a picture of Godlove or Christfamily in human form, it is profound. True brothersisterhood is dripping from the words.

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

-the book of Philemon

I wanted to go through and highlight the words and phrases that communicate the deep love of these brothers and sisters in Christ. This simple truth is that to dissect in this case might be to kill. Just consider the love between all the parties concerned. Paul claims to have spiritually given birth to Onesimus. He calls both Philemon and Onesimus "agapetos," meaning beloved (note the root=agape). I don't even feel the need to continue to describe the unity in faith and service that all who are involved in this church meeting in Philemon's home.

What I do want to say, is how excellent. How delightful is it to know that God does these things. He somehow shines light in a dirty, broken world. Through dirty broken individual he builds his Body, and lets his spirit and love inhabit us when we are joined together in his name.


Thank you Jesus Agapetos.


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The Night Watchman

It's a funny day to write about Jesus' words of warning. It just so happens, that as I have been writing every day for a few weeks, I begin to be tempted not to write every day, which is my original goal. Someone could argue that that goal is self-imposed, and I should feel comfortable taking a break, if I feel like its a good idea.

But it does not feel like a good idea. The thought that I should not write today is coming from the fallen man in me, that doesn't want to spend time reflecting on God's Word today. "You've had enough Bible already, and you will only be surrounded by it more again in the days to come. Just relax..." These are the words that swirl through my brain as I postpone sitting here. I am almost glad now for having the temptation, because it has led to Jesus' words having unique, urgent impact to me right here and now.

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' " -Mark 13:32-37

I may not have felt on most days that I need this warning. Many hours and days I feel like i am the opposite of sleeping. I feel like I am a headless chicken frantically running around directionless, but running just the same. Other days God lays a very specific task on my plate and says, "Joel, bear fruit." And so fruit appears through me from him. and I can hardly rest to breathe on those days.

And so getting caught in bed does not always seem like a realistic warning, until I think about the things that I know are beneficial, that I slack on because though my new man knows they are immensely valuable, my old self sees them as requiring effort.

Given Jesus' picture of a watchman, it seems valuable to look at myself to see what kind of night watchman I am. How often am I the late night security guard who switches channels on the security monitor to watch youtube videos. As the thief arrives, I am confident in my websearching because of all the previous nights when their was no thief.

Thank you Jesus for the reminder. And thank you for not telling me the day or the hour. I know I would be even less faithful if I knew. Thank you also for repeatedly waking up your disciples in the garden. You forgave them and reminded them of their mission, and I know you forgive and remind me also. You are good to me.

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Teacher

It is a great thing that when Jesus came to earth he took on the role of a teacher. As I have been reading about Jesus' time in Jerusalem during holy week, it is fun for me to realize that many little stories or nuggets of teaching that I have heard over and over in my life come from this time in Jesus' ministry.

How wonderful it is that Jesus would sit in the temple and people-watch, or maybe, teachable-moment-watch, with his disciples even though he knew that he was facing the worst suffering imaginable in a few days time.

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on." -Mark 12:41-44

Our God is the teacher who sits down with his students even after the "lesson" is over. So often that is when the real lessons occur.

It is a motivation to me to know that he can be so calm in the face of his future suffering. Not that he is lethargic--he is in the middle of a day of teaching the people how their expectation of the messiah is off. It is more that he hasn't become the overburdened, stress-out person that I become when I have something big coming up (not that the things I do are "big" on this scale).

I am glad too that at the point in my life when I have been being told these stories over and over, that Jesus is real and fresh. When I open Scripture, when I read the text of Jesus' passion week, though I know the story well, there is more there than the Sunday School picture I have planted in my memory. Living Jesus who reigns now and forever is walking and talking and teaching his disciples. He is willing to sit a while with me, waiting for the teachable moment. His teaching is not old or over. It is present.

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Holding on

After being challenged in debate by a bunch of the teachers of the law, probably a scene broke out. But one of the teachers didn't understand. He came over excited to talk with the "one who teaches with authority" about the most important commandment. It may sound like another trap, but in this case asking a hard question isn't a trap, but simply asking a really tough question for the sake of receiving an answer.

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. -Mark 12:28-34

It is fun for me every time I am re-focused on these commandments. It is a great combination of the Old Testament law and the New testament one. Maybe I've talked about this a lot in my life, but it is so fun for me that Jesus is able to reinforce the most important part of the commandments by quoting Moses. These words come from his presentation of the ten commandments in Deuteronomy:

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. -Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Fun should not be the word. I don't love commandments in one sense, because I cannot at all attain them. But simplified, these directions are almost freeing. These are the force--the meaning--behind all the law. Jesus says in Matthew's telling of the same account:

"All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." -Matthew 22:40

And so for a person like me, who is striving to understand the direction and will of God in my life, it is a beautiful things to have things simplified. No command can go in a different direction than these. When my imperfect head spins, and I don't even know what to ask God for, I can rest in the request for the strength to do these two things. Sure, life gets confusing and complicated. Sure situations arise where I can be awfully unsure of exactly what God would have me do. But I can use these two commands as a compass. Point me in the way to love you fully God. Shine your light on the footholds that will allow me to love my neighbor most effectively. Maybe even let me call it fun to walk in the path of your commands, now that I don't have to fear death.

Let me be like this teacher who was at least wise enough to know that serving the one God is the way. I do not want to create a long list of dos and don'ts that become little gods as I strive to keep them all.

Jesus, in your words we find the commands to focus our life. In your works we find the solution for the problem of death.


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Wine Tax

Most people don't like taxes. People don't like someone coming along to take what they think is rightfully theirs. It must have seemed like Jesus was doing this. He was possibly continuing his answer about where his authority comes from by reminding them, that their authority is from God, and that they haven't been acting that way.

He then began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.

"He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, 'They will respect my son.'

"But the tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

"What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. Haven't you read this scripture: " 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?"

Then they looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away. -Mark 12:1-12

What a loud voice it would take to teach ourselves this lesson! I feel surrounded by voices shouting the message my sinful nature wants to hear. We live in a culture ( I can't personally speak for the rest of the world) that thinks of taking care of number one. The money we have is ours. The things we possess are ours. Extra money should be spent to make us extra happy. Even for someone who gives God a percent of his income, it is easy to fall into the trap of viewing everything else as mine. I like to be comfortable, and collect, and be entertained.

It feels revolutionary to consider making myself uncomfortable for the sake of giving back. Putting God's money to work for his will not mine feels scary and dangerous. It should not. I want to feel more at peace with it in his hands than mine.

And this section is not really even talking about money. I think we are the branches. We have been created and cultivated to grow fruit. It is part of the Father's plan that we should bear fruit for his kingdom--that we would grow to proclaim his righteousness (and all these things will be added unto us).

Thanks Jesus for being willing to suffer in the face of the teacher's sinfulness. It is reassuring to know that you came for their redemption. Help us to be better tenants as you have left us the vineyard. Let us bear fruit that will last.

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Questions

It is good to see Jesus fight back against the pharisees. Often he responded to their trap with something they hadn't thought of. And this situation may be the same. But he put the ball on their court. They were clearly trying to force him to damage his own reputation. But he wouldn't do it for them. Not if they were not willing to put their reasons out their for the public.

They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?"

Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism—was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!"

They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men'...." (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)

So they answered Jesus, "We don't know."
Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." -Mark 11:27-33

Silence communicates volumes. Asking a good question can sometimes really relieve stress in a tough situation. Jesus seems to master both. (Don't worry, this week he isn't backing away from declaring himself God's son. In the next verses he tells a parable that makes it clear by which authority he acts.) He is not someone they can control or manipulate. He doesn't let the difficult situation distort his message or his actions.

Let us be moved by Jesus not to fear tough situations, where the only options seem to be bad ones. Let us ask questions and focus our thinking on God's truth. Let us not try to defend our honor or give ourselves a good name in situations where the important thing is not to let the truth be distorted. Let us honor the authority of the one who shares it with Jesus.

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Zeal

The section of Jesus' holy week before me today is one that seems to trouble people. I have read people's thoughts about disbelieving that Jesus would do such a thing as flip over tables, or use a whip made from cords (present in John's account). I have no such doubt. This is the Jesus I know.

He uses the whip to drive out the animals, and flips over the moneychangers' tables to show that the greed they demonstrated was disdainful. I have no problem reading that he would take the purity of God's very seriously, and that he would make a scene to prove a point, and to communicate to future temple-goers where he stood on this issue. Sure, Jesus is gentle enough to care for the little children. But he also came not to bring peace, but a sword.

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.

And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers."

The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. -Mark 11:15-18

I love that Jesus was in such close communion with his father that he was able to know when the right time was for public displays of revolution. There were certainly other times in his ministry where he was much more careful not to openly attack the actions of others, because it was not the right time.

I delight in knowing a Savior who was able to let his gentleness be evident to all, and to never be lacking in zeal. This is obviously a tough balance for us to have. Let's not shrink back. Let's search the scriptures so that we can confidently seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. And let's be willing to cast out things that are obstacles to those goals.

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Running and Joy

Yesterday I found myself running down the road with my two-and-a-half-year-old, Lucy. It was a delightful picture for me because she loves running. She has not a care for where we are going, or how far away the destination is. She is provided for, so she is content. In this moment she is simply taking great joy in the act of running with her Papa.

You might already being to note what meaning I drew from this experience. As I looked down at her, I saw her little legs, bounding forward uncontrolled as I pulled her on, and her free arm flailing in an undisciplined enthusiasm. Her face radiated pure pleasure.

That untainted joy is probably too much for us to expect as we sit on this side of perfection. But it is definitely the goal that God has for us. He made us for joy and delight. Any number of times he describes heaven as a banquet or celebration. And this attitude is very fitting. Listen to the transformation of the psalmist. The tone begins somber, but the joy cannot be kept away.

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.

Then I called on the name of the LORD : "O LORD, save me!"

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.

For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,

that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted."

And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars."

How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains.

I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,

in the courts of the house of the LORD—in your midst, O Jerusalem.

Praise the LORD. (Hallelujah)

-Psalm 116

I like to think of "walking in the way of the LORD in the land of the living as very similar to Lucy's run. I think of us letting our Papa do the directing and pulling, and us simply free to joyfully stride.

Obedience in this psalm is so praise-filled. Let ours be.

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Vaguely Better

It's a little sad that I am so impressed by Jesus' ability to do God's will. I would love it if I saw him acting obediently to God's will, and thought, "Yup, that's just how we do it." Sadly, so often the narrow road doesn't seem to satisfy. What is is about the broad road that is appealing?

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." -Matthew 7:13-14

There should be nothing outside the road to life that is desired. Trusting the words of Jesus and the promises of God, we should rest in his protection--on his path. But I imagine that somewhere in our heads we all have a mental picture of what life might be like on the wide road.

Our imagination might be as simple as the scene in The Hobbit, when their path through the forest of Mirkwood becomes cold and hungry and dreary. They see a bit of light, showing them warmth and smelling of food, and most of all hinting at joy, and they abandon the warnings and promises of Gandalf. They leave the path, only to spend the next chapters at death and danger's doorstep.

We might imagine people off the narrow road living lives of glamour, and comfort. We might imagine that they have a simpler existence, ignoring the future consequences of their actions and indulging in a selfish joyfest. The Devil may hold a carrot in the darkness (or any prohibited pleasure), for us to long after.

We want to know what it would be like if we just gave up on seeking God's will, and spent our time following our own desires. But the Truth speaks to us, reminding us of the times we have chased our own happiness, leaving our Savior's side, and finding ourselves delighting briefly in ignorance, until we landed in a place more isolated and complicated than we could get out of on our own.

Solomon speaks clearly about the things men do. He finds them meaningless, as any ecclesiastic reader would suspect. But how essential it is that we recognize that the ways that we might create our own pleasure in this world are merely a chasing after the wind.

I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

What is twisted cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted. -Ecclesiastes 1:12-15

It is us that are chasing after the wind if we think to try and take something from the wide road and sneak it or weave it into our lives on the narrow path. Solomon says, "What is twisted cannot be straightened." I say why would we chase after dimly lit mirages?

God lets us wander. He does not force us to stay. He wills us to stay. His Spirit empowers us to stay. But that sad truth is that time and time again we chase man-made futures and empty dreams we can create for ourselves, and we wander from the clear path to the place that is already being made ready for our eternal delight.

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Resolve

Often I think of Palm Sunday as this glorious celebration. Maybe this is a weird day or something, but I am sensing foreboding and danger. It almost seems at though Jesus is acting out of steely resolve. I am not imagining him kissing babies and doing the parade wave. (It's quite possible that he was doing both) As I read this section, and the section in Matthew 21, I see Jesus fulfilling prophecy, for sure, and being honored. But it seems like Jesus is more focused on the task before him.

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' "

They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.

Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. -Mark 11:1-11

One of the things that we no for sure, since we can't know what Jesus' facial expression was during his ride (and we don't need to), is that Jesus knew what had to happen. Jesus had been explaining the future to the disciples so that they would be ready for the suffering coming up. And he is knowingly, willingly, lovingly, walking into a trap with the resolve that only our Savior could muster.

How I long to have such a focused resolve. Jesus is so opposite of the blowing side to side in the wind that I embody. I sway. I falter. He stands firm and resolute.

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Wanting to be Great

I was in a conversation yesterday about how I don't really think that I have a strong desire to climb a ladder--for advancement in a business. Then I read these words, and I am convicted. The truth is, I want to be great. I probably too often think with the voice of these sons of thunder.

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."

"What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.

They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."

"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"

"We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as 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 slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." -Mark 10:35-45

I think I've grasped at the picture of Jesus service many times in my life. I relish the picture of washing the feet of the disciples, and I have almost found a way to create an honored humility.

Jesus does not teach an honored humility. Drinking his cup, getting on your knees and putting your hands and face on some dirty feet are not honored humility. Perhaps I've gotten used to the the praise that accompanies the widow's great offering or the blessing Jesus poured on Mary after she poured perfume on his feet she wiped them with her hair.

Is it possible that in order to understand true service we have to separate these action from their praise? Jesus doesn't march out with his head high as brings the foot-bowl to the table. I picture silent, unlauded surprise at his humility. As we ponder the Lenten story we do not confuse the Palm Sunday honor with the Good Friday walk. Jesus did not claim greatness even when his actions were the most great.

I cannot act to receive a reward. We live in a culture where most people work somewhere where they provide a service and are paid for that service. We are used to people who serve well being paid or honored for their service.

Perhaps this is why our heroes are so often masked. They show us how to put their life on the line without wanting anything for themselves. They obey a code of honor and receive no personal honor for it. How fun would it be to hide in the shadows and serve in an unknown capacity? I pray that we all answer enthusiastically that this is what we desire. It is possible that we do not always. Lord forgive our selfish need for gain.

Scales

A week ago, I was writing about the word disbelief. When I first read the words of Jesus today, I was confused. They are so clear, and it led me to question many of the disciples actions. But then I started to consider the concept of how upsetting these words would be to them. How unlike the reality they had in mind. Their sinful flesh may have questioned whether Jesus was losing it. Regardless of my speculation, though I really enjoy how clear Jesus is with them.

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise." -Mark 10:32-34

When it says the disciples were astonished. It almost seemed as though they followed in simple disbelief. If anyone were to understand his plans, surely it would be them. But as the plan begins to become reality, they follow on astonished. Apparently, according to Luke's account, they were simply unable to understand Jesus. Maybe this is similar to the way in which some of Jesus' parables taught truth to some, but only caused others to scratch their heads.

The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about. -Luke 18:34

When I think about something being made very clear to them, and having them still fight against it, or speak out about how it will never happen, I start to hear my own protests when things do not go the way I have planned.

Surely not I Jesus, I hear myself say. There must be another path we could take. There are easier roads perhaps that will get us to where you want to take us. I am dissappointed to hear myself talking in the tone of disbelieving Peter. (though I'd rather that tone I guess that n the tone of Judas, who would have heard three predictions of his own act of selfish betrayal. Mark 8, 9, and 10 all include a prediction.)

Lord, I pray today that you would first allow the scales to be removed from my eyes when I am faced with the truth of your scripture. You so often describe the hard things that we are to do, and yet I act in disbelief, as if those things can't possibly be what you expect. Help me not to act in fear, but in sure hope that you yearn to bless the world through our sacrifice.

Let today be a turn-the-other-cheek kind of day--a day of selflessness--where I hold nothing back for myself, to protect myself. Let the response of people to me be, "This is a hard teaching," because your teaching is one of humble love, and painful truth.


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Be the Sword

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"

"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"

The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." -Mark 10:17-27

This has always been a powerful story for me, because I have a special heart for the rich young man. I identify so much with him. He comes to Jesus like I sometimes do--wanting to be good enough, but not wanting to sacrifice too much. I imagine his energy as he ran up, and I contrast it with the sad walk away. This is the part I identify with.

Even though Jesus says no one is good, he still responds that he has kept all the commandments. He was comparing himself to an earthly standard. I find that I do that a lot. My wife catches me doing this often. I will be explaining how I feel about something, and she will simply respond by asking me why it matters what is a normal amount of goodness. Isn't the standard perfection, not just good enough?

When I am surrounded by Scripture, and when I am moved by my sinfulness and God's love to get out of my rut, then I find myself on the opposite, radical extreme. I find myself wanting to move out into the back forty, and only bring two sets of clothes and a pair of shoes, and a few books.... Matthew will probably remember me describing how fun it would be to have hermit Joel living in the woods in a shelter.

But it is hard to stay on the extreme side long, especially isolated. Holding onto Jesus fundamental teaching makes you really feel like you might become the sword he came to bring. And that is frightening because the sword's job isn't one of comfort. But it is one of importance.

Jesus came with difficult teaching, to face a challenge that is impossible for anyone without him. Often enough, we slide into a rich young man lifestyle. But God be with us and help us to remember that that facing impossible challenge is our situation without Christ.

The Wrong Question

Today, as I continue reading Mark, I find that I have to think about something that is painful and destructive. I'd rather skip this section and talk about letting the little children come to Jesus, but Jesus didn't get to dodge all the difficult questions he was asked.

"Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.

Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"

"What did Moses command you?" he replied.

They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away."

"It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law," Jesus replied. "But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." -Mark 10:1-12

The reality of divorce is troubling, and was troubling at Jesus' time, and at Moses' time, and I expect, because of the hardness of fallen man's heart, there will be trouble until judgment day.

One thing that is great about Jesus, is that he is wise. He is able to keep the most basic and simple truths at the forefront of his mind, and he doesn't let human disagreements, or even unique situations bend the Truth.

Jesus would have angered people by siding with the rabbis who thought it was okay to get a divorce only if certain wrongs were committed by the wife (there was no situation where a woman could seek a divorce that I know of), or the rabbis who taught that as long as the man filled out the paperwork, he could do whatever he desired. (Herod was quite obviously on this side.)

But Jesus heard their question, and responded with THE question. What is commanded? What does God, through Moses tell us about what we are to do? What is God's expectation?

They responded by answering the wrong question. The teachers of the law let the debate be about the interpretation of a Deuteronomy 24 section which was about a specific situation. They debated about this because they were asking the question, "What can we get away with?" not "What has God designed?"

It seems on these grounds that Jesus, maybe shaking his head, would say, no, that's because you are sinful that Moses had to make rules to protect a doubly divorced woman from being taken advantage of. What I want talk about is what God designed. Here in that paragraph he quotes Moses, (God) four different times, twice from Genesis, once from Exodus, and once from Deuteronomy. How inspiring his full knowledge of Scripture is, that since he is the Word, that the Word simply flows freely from his mouth.

Jesus seems to take such a firm stand on this. This seems to be because if he is to be accused of siding with anyone, he wants to be accused of siding with his father alone.

We might learn something valuable from this about dealing with the troubling reality of divorce. Jesus makes a clear effort here to avoid the dangerous path of taking sides between two people who are loved. When the united are split, it's like a deep river fills the gap between the two sides, and there is no way to be on both sides. By supporting the one side, you are caught with your back turned to the other. But Jesus here teaches us that the goal might be to walk on the water. Go to the place that can only be reached by complete trust in God's power, love and truth.

If someone will accuse me of taking a side, let it be that they are frustrated because I have taken God's side again....

Rather than supporting a fallen human's decision, we can spend our time dwelling on what it is that God has commanded. Due to our sinfulness, we will find ourselves lacking. We will recognize that we have not kept the commands, and then find ourselves united in heading to the river--united in our need for God's grace.

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