Matthew 21:44
"He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."
There are only two ways to view Jesus Christ, the stone the builders (Israel) rejected (Mt. 21:42); either we will be broken and contrite, resulting in repentance and conformity to His image, or we will be hardened, resulting in judgment and discipline or punishment. Neutrality is not an option. To look to Jesus with casual familiarity or passive curiosity no better than disdain. For what Jesus has done on the cross alone demands something far greater than a pleasant thought or quaint nostalgia. To look to Jesus and be anything but broken is to miss the significance of His life and sacrifice. Such a response is both a moral and personal offense to God the Father who has given His only Son as the perfect sacrifice for sinful men. Such a response demands His judgment, discipline and punishment.
So how do I see Jesus? Do I read my Bible and listen to stories of Jesus with quaint familiarity or do I force myself to be broken by the person and work of Jesus Christ? Do I view the cross as a fortunate demonstration of God's love for me or as the heart-breaking and life-changing, saving and sanctifying work of a Holy God on my behalf. When I look to Christ and His cross I ought to be brought to be wrecked and reduced to repentance, obedience, purity, self-sacrifice and conformity to His image and nature. Far too often, for me, Jesus is simply too familiar.
Father, break me. Discipline me and shape me to see Jesus Christ, His work and the cross as You would have me see them. Let me be broken and contrite. Drive me to repentance, obedience, purity and conformity that I might walk away changed; looking more and more like Your Son each day. Amen.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Kingdom Upside-down
Matthew 20:16
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
Matthew 20:25-28
"Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
The kingdom of Jesus is upside-down to a kingdom of this world mindset.
If you want to learn to live and speak and act and treat others like Jesus, watch the world and do the opposite.
Serve instead of Lord.
Give instead of hoard.
Wait to be last,
instead of rushing right past.
Lift up rather than tare down.
Smile instead of frown.
Care for the poor,
don't close your door.
Keep no record of wrong,
but forgive all life-long.
Lord - let me live more counter-culturally and counter-intuitively. Help me keep your kingdom priority in mind. Amen.
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
Matthew 20:25-28
"Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
The kingdom of Jesus is upside-down to a kingdom of this world mindset.
If you want to learn to live and speak and act and treat others like Jesus, watch the world and do the opposite.
Serve instead of Lord.
Give instead of hoard.
Wait to be last,
instead of rushing right past.
Lift up rather than tare down.
Smile instead of frown.
Care for the poor,
don't close your door.
Keep no record of wrong,
but forgive all life-long.
Lord - let me live more counter-culturally and counter-intuitively. Help me keep your kingdom priority in mind. Amen.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Matthew 19:21
"Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
When the rich man asks Jesus about how to receive eternal life, Jesus gives an unexpected answer. He does not talk about faith or trust or a Christ-centered belief system. Instead, Jesus turns to the ten commandments (specifically the five that deal with earthly relationships; vs. 18-19) and concludes that perfection comes by sacrificing for the poor. Doesn't that sound like Jesus is teaching salvation by works?
Yet Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
The truth is that Jesus is not teaching that salvation comes by works. He is proving that our salvation will be proved by our works. The validity of our faith is tested by how we live it out. If we truly love God and love our neighbor as ourselves (Mt. 22:37-40) then we will hold nothing back from God and others. To say we love God with our lips and then deny Him with our lives, possessions and relationships is no love at all. Furthermore, how can we say we love God who we cannot see if we do not love our neighbor who has been created in His image?(1 Jn. 4:20)!
So what am I withholding from God? Where am I loving only in thought or word and not in action and sacrifice? "For (I am) God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for (me) to do" (Eph. 2:10).
Father, let my faith be true. Teach me to sacrifice and hold nothing back in my love for You and for others. Sharpen my hearing to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Let my faith be known by what I do, not only by what I belief. Amen.
"Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
When the rich man asks Jesus about how to receive eternal life, Jesus gives an unexpected answer. He does not talk about faith or trust or a Christ-centered belief system. Instead, Jesus turns to the ten commandments (specifically the five that deal with earthly relationships; vs. 18-19) and concludes that perfection comes by sacrificing for the poor. Doesn't that sound like Jesus is teaching salvation by works?
Yet Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
The truth is that Jesus is not teaching that salvation comes by works. He is proving that our salvation will be proved by our works. The validity of our faith is tested by how we live it out. If we truly love God and love our neighbor as ourselves (Mt. 22:37-40) then we will hold nothing back from God and others. To say we love God with our lips and then deny Him with our lives, possessions and relationships is no love at all. Furthermore, how can we say we love God who we cannot see if we do not love our neighbor who has been created in His image?(1 Jn. 4:20)!
So what am I withholding from God? Where am I loving only in thought or word and not in action and sacrifice? "For (I am) God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for (me) to do" (Eph. 2:10).
Father, let my faith be true. Teach me to sacrifice and hold nothing back in my love for You and for others. Sharpen my hearing to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Let my faith be known by what I do, not only by what I belief. Amen.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
reconciliation and prayer
Matthew 18:19-20
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Most often I hear this verse quoted to claim things in prayer. However, this verse is not really about prayer, but reconciliation. This passage rests between Jesus' instructions on how to restore a wayward brother and the parable of the unforgiving servant. This passage seems then to be the secret to forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration. If, when we are offended, we choose to respond in prayer along side our sinning brother (and perhaps one witness, vs. 16) then reconciliation and restoration is promised, it's inevitable. Prayers is the essential tool that places everything back into God's perspective. When we remind ourselves who God is in adoration (forgiving and merciful), vulnerable confess our sins, humble thank Him for His forgiveness and ask Him for the strength and resolve to reconcile, we can't help but receive what we ask for.
Father, teach me to make prayer my first response to an offense. Teach me to pray and not judge. Amen.
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Most often I hear this verse quoted to claim things in prayer. However, this verse is not really about prayer, but reconciliation. This passage rests between Jesus' instructions on how to restore a wayward brother and the parable of the unforgiving servant. This passage seems then to be the secret to forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration. If, when we are offended, we choose to respond in prayer along side our sinning brother (and perhaps one witness, vs. 16) then reconciliation and restoration is promised, it's inevitable. Prayers is the essential tool that places everything back into God's perspective. When we remind ourselves who God is in adoration (forgiving and merciful), vulnerable confess our sins, humble thank Him for His forgiveness and ask Him for the strength and resolve to reconcile, we can't help but receive what we ask for.
Father, teach me to make prayer my first response to an offense. Teach me to pray and not judge. Amen.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Jesus described
Matthew 17:2
"He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light."
I find it ironic how Matthew inadvertently describes Jesus using Jesus own character and nature. When Jesus humanity was peeled back, the only words that even begin to describe who we see are the very essence of who Jesus is.
"like the sun" - Rev. 21:23 "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp."
"White as light" - John 1:9 - "The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world."
John 8:12 - "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
There is no comparison, analogy or metaphor that works for Jesus. He is like nothing on Earth and only He can adequately describe Himself. To see Him, we must strip away all our humanity and all that is earthly and focus on Him and His character alone.
Jesus, help me to see You and know You more fully. Open my eyes and illuminate my heart and mind to see You for You, apart from my own humanity. Peel back the veil and let me know You. Amen.
"He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light."
I find it ironic how Matthew inadvertently describes Jesus using Jesus own character and nature. When Jesus humanity was peeled back, the only words that even begin to describe who we see are the very essence of who Jesus is.
"like the sun" - Rev. 21:23 "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp."
"White as light" - John 1:9 - "The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world."
John 8:12 - "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
There is no comparison, analogy or metaphor that works for Jesus. He is like nothing on Earth and only He can adequately describe Himself. To see Him, we must strip away all our humanity and all that is earthly and focus on Him and His character alone.
Jesus, help me to see You and know You more fully. Open my eyes and illuminate my heart and mind to see You for You, apart from my own humanity. Peel back the veil and let me know You. Amen.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Remembering God's Provisions
Matthew 15:33, "His disciples answered, 'Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feel such a crowd?"
Here, Jesus is about to feed the 4000, just one chapter away from His feeding of the 5000 and the disciples seem to forget who Jesus is and what He can do. In less than a chapter they have forgotten that He is "the bread of life" (Jn. 6:33).
But it's easy to judge the disciples for their forgetfulness and short-sightedness. It's a bit more difficult to examine our own lives and ask about our own manner of faith and trust. How often has God provided for our needs, protected us, preserved us or promoted us and we forget before the next trial or test arises in our lives? We worry and wonder and wander and work to find a solution all the while Jesus is waiting for us to come to Him. All the while, Jesus is testing us to see if we will trust in Him and acknowledge Him as the bread of life, the living water. He is more than sufficient to meet all my needs... and there is always plenty left over. None of God's provisions should be wasted in our lives (Jn. 6:12) - we should be overflowing with blessings and find a way to collect them all to provide for others. It all comes back to faith and remembering that He is more than able to meet all our needs according to His riches in Glory (Phil. 4:19).
Father, deepen my faith and remind me always of who You are. Be my Bread of Life and may I be sustained by You alone. Amen.
Here, Jesus is about to feed the 4000, just one chapter away from His feeding of the 5000 and the disciples seem to forget who Jesus is and what He can do. In less than a chapter they have forgotten that He is "the bread of life" (Jn. 6:33).
But it's easy to judge the disciples for their forgetfulness and short-sightedness. It's a bit more difficult to examine our own lives and ask about our own manner of faith and trust. How often has God provided for our needs, protected us, preserved us or promoted us and we forget before the next trial or test arises in our lives? We worry and wonder and wander and work to find a solution all the while Jesus is waiting for us to come to Him. All the while, Jesus is testing us to see if we will trust in Him and acknowledge Him as the bread of life, the living water. He is more than sufficient to meet all my needs... and there is always plenty left over. None of God's provisions should be wasted in our lives (Jn. 6:12) - we should be overflowing with blessings and find a way to collect them all to provide for others. It all comes back to faith and remembering that He is more than able to meet all our needs according to His riches in Glory (Phil. 4:19).
Father, deepen my faith and remind me always of who You are. Be my Bread of Life and may I be sustained by You alone. Amen.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Energized by serving
Matthew 14:13-14
When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
After receiving the news that John the Baptist, His cousin, friend and partner in ministry had been beheaded for His sake, Jesus needed some down time. Yet it wasn't His alone time that seemed to rejuvenate Jesus. It was His ministry of healing and caring for the poor that seemed to bring Him strength and encouragement. In fact, He was so strengthened and energized by this ministry that He did not want the crowds to go away (vs. 16). Instead, He feeds the 5000+ people in the crowd! The only thing that drove Jesus back into solitude was the crowds desire to make Him king by force (Jn. 6:15).
This is not to minimize the importance of quiet time with God, but the question that presses on my heart is this, "Do I view ministry and serving as a burden or a blessing?" When I feel down or discouraged do I withdraw and become self-focused or do I embrace serving, the gift of God to draw my attention away from my own troubles and worries and place them back on Him and His priorities? The next time I feel like wallowing in my own self, will I chose to look outside myself and see the ministry before me?
Father - turn my eyes away from myself and let me focus on You and Your ministry. Let me be re-energized by serving and caring and giving and healing. Let me receive Your ministry as I minister to others. Amen.
When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
After receiving the news that John the Baptist, His cousin, friend and partner in ministry had been beheaded for His sake, Jesus needed some down time. Yet it wasn't His alone time that seemed to rejuvenate Jesus. It was His ministry of healing and caring for the poor that seemed to bring Him strength and encouragement. In fact, He was so strengthened and energized by this ministry that He did not want the crowds to go away (vs. 16). Instead, He feeds the 5000+ people in the crowd! The only thing that drove Jesus back into solitude was the crowds desire to make Him king by force (Jn. 6:15).
This is not to minimize the importance of quiet time with God, but the question that presses on my heart is this, "Do I view ministry and serving as a burden or a blessing?" When I feel down or discouraged do I withdraw and become self-focused or do I embrace serving, the gift of God to draw my attention away from my own troubles and worries and place them back on Him and His priorities? The next time I feel like wallowing in my own self, will I chose to look outside myself and see the ministry before me?
Father - turn my eyes away from myself and let me focus on You and Your ministry. Let me be re-energized by serving and caring and giving and healing. Let me receive Your ministry as I minister to others. Amen.
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