Month: August 2024

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The mystery of the faithless village.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?” The man looked around. “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.” Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly. Jesus sent him away, saying, “Don’t go back into the village on your way home. Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭22‬-‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus, arriving in Bethsaida, is met with folks bringing him a man who is blind. Bethsaida, home to apostles Peter, Andrew, and Philip, was also known as the city that rejected the gospel. “Bethsaida has come to represent those who have heard the gospel, understood God’s plan of salvation, and rejected it. Jesus implied that their eternal punishment would be harsher than that of those who did not have such a privilege (Matthew 11:22).”

Mark notes some particularly odd details about Jesus healing this blind man. One, Jesus led him out of town. People brought the man to Jesus, then Jesus walked him away from the crowd. Why?

Looking up some of the commentaries, they suggest that Bethsaida, as a city, was known for a lack of faith. Similar to the sad pronouncement about Jesus’ own hometown, Nazareth, where few miracles were done because of unbelief, (Matthew 13:58). Jesus’ compassion for the man meant that he needed to remove him from his neighbors, even though they brought him in the first place. Can a city-vibe of unbelief be so strong, so prevalent that it prevents God from moving in miraculous ways? It seems so with these cities. This may be why Mark points out the second oddity.

Jesus had to touch the man’s eyes TWICE! And, after the first touch Jesus asked him IF he could see anything? The man responded honestly, I see but everything is blurry. Well that won’t do at all. Jesus touched his eyes again. Mark writes, ”his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly, (‭‭Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭25‬). Was this “second touch” also necessary because of the deep lack of faith in the man’s village? Did unbelief dull this man’s own faith? This also seems to be the reason.

The city’s anemic spirituality might also explain the third strange thing that happened. Jesus told the man – “don’t go through the town on the way home.” Wow, that’s specifically weird too. Normally, Jesus would say, “don’t talk about your healing,” or “go and show yourself to the priest,” who would verify and document the miracle. Jesus was clearly trying to protect this man’s fragile faith and didn’t want the town trashing his belief or his healing.

Do you find that we have a lot of cities that are known for unbelief? Traveling around the United States, folks were surprised that California has believers at all! We’ve got top healthcare, technology and personal rights, why would California need faith? If you live in California, as a believer and fellowship at a Bible believing church, you know it’s true – faith is a rare spiritual attribute in our cities. I’m certain that Jesus would be cancelled because of his sermons and miracles. People are in awe and wonder when a pictogram of Jesus’ face shows up on toast, a tree or a cloud, but a real miracle would be mocked on late night comedy shows.

Faith is harder to find and to live by in some of our own towns. Yet, Jesus still finds a way to take the hurting by the hand, lead them away from disbelieving crowds, touch them twice if necessary, and send them back home, avoiding the negative gossip-gab places. Jesus’ faith finds a way to help our unbelief!

Prayer

​Dad,
There are places and people of influence who not only lack faith, they mock it! I am so fortunate that you got me out of town, away from my friends and touched my life as a teenager. You broke through to me and for me! I know you will do that for many who are broken and hurting. When they seek you, they will find you! Thank you for faith that rescues us even from unbelief. Amen.

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David’s moral wishlist.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs. I will be careful to live a blameless life— when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil. I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭101‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It is believed that Psalm 101 was inserted toward the end of David’s life, but it’s obvious that he wrote it when he was young, likely before becoming king. I like what one commentator used as the word that described David’s intentions to rule his country well, DETERMINATION.

David was determined to do right. David was anointed king three times. Samuel anointed David in his youth, (1 Samuel 16:13). After Saul’s death he was anointed king over the tribe of Judah at Hebron (2 Samuel 2:4). Seven years later he was anointed king over all the tribes of Israel (2 Samuel 5:3). But as life unfolded in David’s life, he lost sight of his original passion for God and justice. What was it that cooled or shifted his focus of being this righteous standard he had set for himself. David had a front row seat to observe what power, authority and wealth had done to his predecessor. He watched Saul’s spiritual life unravel right in front of him, throwing a spear at David because of the king’s spiritual torment. Is seeing a bad example of leadership helpful to guide one’s own idea of a good leader? I think it is. Yet, it is clearly not enough to be different. A great leader has to grow beyond just doing better than the person before them.

David’s own words in this Psalm must have haunted him as he looked back, he wrote, “I refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar!” Or, “I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.” These are evidence of a young man’s battle to control his own thoughts, disorder desires and overcome temptations that come his way. Job declared that he had made a covenant with his own eyes, “not to look with lust at a young woman,” (Job 31:1). When David was coming into his years of being a king at 30 years old, his intention, his determination was to NOT put up with conceit or pride. As it turned out, David’s moral wishlist ended up becoming his downfall. What he hated at thirty, he succumbed to at fifty. What do you think caused such a shift from passion to do right to passion to do whatever he wanted? Twenty years of battle victories led to kingdom wide peace and wealth. David no longer needed to go to lead his army against his enemies. He was too valuable, too important, too busy? In the spring when kings go off to war, David stayed home, (2 Samuel 11:1). Everything had been conquered in David’s life, except the desires within his own soul!

I get why this Psalm was inserted into the songs of praise at the end of David’s life, it is a reminder to guard our hearts and stoke the righteous passions of our youth even when we’ve made it, especially if we’ve won.

Prayer

Dad,
There are so many lessons to be learned from great men and women in the Bible. The heroic stories, the rags to riches stories, the famous “such a time as this” stories, all of them are so inspiring. Yet, David’s extraordinary life is one example of how quickly things can turn when I lose sight of the most important thing, the number one priority relationship in my life – you! I had wild and crazy expectations of changing my world and Your Church when I was young. Now, I just want to fulfill my calling and tend to my most precious relationships. I need your grace and mercy to finish strong and end well.

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Circuitous ways of God.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭45‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

From a dreamer, to a pit and prison, then second to the Pharaoh. How does God do it?

God didn’t make Joesph naively, arrogantly, tattle on his older brothers nor blab his extraordinary dream to them. God didn’t make the brothers HATE their spoiled, aka, “well loved” son of Rachel & favorite in the family. God didn’t make Jacob send the young lad to spy on his boys. God didn’t make the boys decide to kill the dreamer and throw him into a pit. God didn’t make Judah convince his brothers to sell Joseph into slavery and make some extra money.

Then there’s the whole providential encounter with Potiphar who happened to be captain of the guard for Pharaoh. Potiphar, seeing Joseph’s potential and God’s blessing, promoted him to manage his entire estate! Of course Potiphar’s wife had other plans and entrapped him, forcing Potiphar to save face and throw Joseph into the king’s prison.

All along God was working out timing and details to position Joseph where he needed to be, when he needed him to be there. That timing meant that Joseph had to wait it out in prison, being passed by even though he had become skilled in interpreting dreams. Finally the time came when the Pharaoh had a very disturbing dream, a dream, he knew was critical for his life and the lives of those he ruled over. The king’s cupbearer remembers Joseph and Pharaoh sends for him.

Joseph had learned humility, and lots of patience. Joseph had spent 10 years as a slave and 3 years as a prisoner. 13 years for God to build character in Joseph and put together an extraordinary plan to save Israel. Joseph confidently told the Pharaoh, “It is beyond my power to do this, but God can tell you what it means and set you at ease,” (Genesis‬ ‭41‬:‭16‬).

We look at the incredible success story of Joseph and often forget the difficult seasons for God’s plans to come together – PERFECTLY! God’s timing is amazing. This is why Joseph, when looking back on his life and all the pain-points had time to process what had to happen – “It was God who sent me here ahead of time!” Humans did what humans do, but God used every moment to fulfill His will!

Are you facing a difficult season in your life? God has not abandoned you. He is with you. It may very well be a part of plan that requires seasons of waiting or even suffering. Have you come through a time that was horribly dark and you felt your life was over and all your dreams were crushed? Looking back, can you now see some purpose, or timing of why things happened the way they did? I pray you see God’s hand of provision and purpose in your previous shadows. God knows and sees, and ultimately has purpose in everything, even if we can’t immediately see it. Trusting Him and staying very close, keeping our heart open and soft builds our faith and protects us from bitterness, blame and anger.

Prayer

​Dad,
When I was young I would have never been able to see the providential opportunity in Joseph’s story. Yet, now that I am older, I not only see it clearly, I am able to understand through my own experiences of frustration, confusion and lots of questions with no answers. Trusting you, kept me sane. Leaning into you, kept my heart soft. Listening to your Word and being obedient, helped me forgive and release those who hurt me. I am thankful for your timing – it is not only perfect, it is beautiful. Amen.

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Seasons just make sense.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

”For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

By chapter three of Solomon’s “life experiment,” we begin to see some real insight and the wisdom of God begin to kick back into place. The general idea of chapter three is so obvious, but because of our human brain, it is also painfully and often ignored!

The heading: A Time for Everything.

It’s like our lives often feel like they are left in a spin cycle of teenage angst. We forget that nothing we experience here in life lasts forever. Sure, Murphy and his odd law of continued failure and doom may be the exception, Edward A. Murphy Jr. said, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” History, however, proves that impossible. Things do go wrong, but things also go right plenty of times. But even Murphy, as an American aerospace engineer, would agree, those calamities led to new creative possibilities.

Solomon walks us through the highs and lows of being human. He calls them seasons. If you live in normal parts of the United States, you get four distinct seasons. California only two seasons, summer and not summer. Our lives come with their own God-given seasons each year. Just reading the seasons listed here in chapter three makes me feel more normal. When a teen goes through their first love, followed by their first heartbreak, it’s painful wisdom to let them know that life is not over when that person breaks up with them. In terms of these seasons, these life episodes, they don’t last forever.

Grief, pain and extended suffering tend to last the longest, but even these do not triumph over the human spirit and will to rise up even in the midst of dark situations and surroundings. The sun will set today but will return tomorrow morning. What I love about chapter three is one of Solomon’s most powerful thoughts. It needs to be life-long meme – ”Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end,”(Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬).

Even in the seasonal downturns, if we really think about it, can be beautiful in their own way. Did you know that even our tears are different under various emotional states? Emotional or “psychic” tears have more protein-based hormones. Yet, even the molecular structure of emotional tears are different. Tears of joy look different from tears of sadness! The body doesn’t lie.

God is the one who not only brings comfort in tumultuous times, He can bring an odd, even euphoric PEACE. It might not make sense, but it’s very real. I have spoken with folks who have lived a very hard, very tragic life, yet never show it in their words or behaviors. I feel sorry for them, yet they encourage me. I guarantee you, they are not faking these calm, sturdy, hope-filled moments. God has gifted them with a delightful presence of peace that surpasses our comprehension. It’s an encouragement to remember – in God’s economy, His Kingdom here, yet coming, He makes all things beautiful in His time.

Prayer

​Dad,
Now that I have taken a few trips around the sun, experiencing the lowest of lows in chaos, loss and grief as well as the highest of highs in love, gain and wonder, I completely agree with Solomon’s perspective. You become more extravagantly beautiful through the lens of joys and sorrows. And through all of the seasons of life thus far, I am humbly grateful to live seeing the fulfillment of every promise you’ve made. Great is your faithfulness! Amen.

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Are social viruses real?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

But the disciples had forgotten to bring any food. They had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat. As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus seems to believe so. Mark’s gospel captures an odd blowback to the disciple’s argument about who forgot to bring enough food.

Food among men is always a heated topic. Most men are driven by base desires like food, sleep and another I won’t mention here. How often did Jesus have a foody discussion with his disciples? How about staying awake for prayer? I believe Mark’s gospel exposes raw emotions on purpose. It shows the reader that Jesus, being fully God and fully human, had human desires, but kept them in check without sin. The disciples, are totally and observably human!

The men are in a boat, crossing the sea of Galilee, and someone forgot the midday meal! Apparently one “Boy-Scout” (always be prepared) brought just enough for himself. I completely understand their frustration. When I was younger I was insanely driven by meal times being ON TIME. I was convinced that if I didn’t eat I would turn into Mr. Hyde in front of my wife and kids. It was totally a self absorbed lie! I just needed to learn patience, but I hid it under hunger.

The disciples tore into each other with blame and shaming one another with no finger-food pointing! Blaming and shaming is not a listed as a Biblical one-another for how we treat each other. It was Jesus response to their outburst that intrigues me.

Jesus warns them – Watch out (horaó) see, perceive, or attend to what is happening here! “Beware,” Jesus says, (blepó) to see something physical, with spiritual results. Why two words of warning? It’s like a teacher that snaps their fingers TWICE or claps their hands getting the attention of the class. It’s a way of stopping, interrupting our brains that are already tracking down a useless path. It’s a full 🛑. Listen and pay attention. Oh, how Jesus is the master of using very emotional, carnal situations and bringing us back to real life – the spiritual life! Have you experienced a “SNAP-SNAP” moment from the Holy Spirit? I have.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere Jesus drops this line about yeast. Yeast in the New Testament is normally used to illustrate sin. But it is useful to understand a whole other mystery. How yeast works. One thing is for sure, it replicates quickly throughout bread. Yeast has a phenomenal growth rate and can duplicate itself every 90 minutes by a process called budding. In bread it’s yummy, in our bodies the fungi is deadly. In Jesus’ warning I’m sure it’s a bad function of yeast and not a good one. If we are the dough, then Jesus’ point of being exposed to the hungry fungi of the Pharisees and Herod is a very bad thing.

What do the Pharisees have in common with Herod? Why is their “yeast” extremely dangerous and viral? Was it their religious hypocrisy? Saying one thing, but living completely different? Was it their spiritual abuse of power? Was it their misrepresentation of God? What did the disciples argument about food have to do with the evil yeast of these religious leaders?

Jesus draws their attention to the one loaf of bread they did have and reminded them to focus on the miracles of supernatural replication of bread served to the masses of people. Ah, then maybe the bad yeast warning had more to do a lack of faith? Can a lack of faith, like a fast spreading virus, be contagious? Let me ask this. Who and what was in the boat? The disciples were physically in the boat. But also, Jesus was with them in the boat. What else was in the boat? One loaf of bread!

How quickly we forget the miracles of yesterday and instead become distracted, with our lack of perception, that the same God that provided BEFORE is with us NOW. Jesus may have been talking about the social virus of UNBELIEF! Both the Pharisees and Herod had all the facts, the necessary proof that Jesus is the messiah, yet lacked faith, they would not believe.

Jesus was warning the disciples not to allow unbelief to capture and control their hearts, minds and stomachs! It happens that fast. Jesus was in the boat WITH a loaf of bread yet they worried that they would go hungry!!! That’s hilariously human, right? We would say, “If the bread had been a snake, it would have bit them.” Jesus told us when a child asks their father for bread, a good father does not give them a snake, he gives them good food to match his great love! Snap Snap – pay attention when the social virus of unbelief comes to steal our faith.

Prayer

​Dad,
I believe, but help me with my unbelief. Help me to stay clear of social viruses that would steal my faith in you. You are my hope and provision. Amen.

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David’s hit song, “Do not destroy!”

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. Interlude My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭57‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The thought of David being a singer, songwriter & musician is just mind blowing. David landed his first real job, outside of tending his father’s sheep, with King Saul. David was hired by the King to provide a soothing, relaxing musical ambience for the court. Saul hired him because David’s music calmed the ever-growing tension in the King’s life. The reason for Saul’s distress – God had not only withdrawn His own Spirit from Saul, but gave him a bad one – a tormenting one! This filled Saul with depression and fear ‭‭(1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭14‬). Saul’s guys promised the King a talented harpist who would help calm him. It was David’s talent that landed him the job working as Saul’s armor bearer and musical therapist!

This Psalm presents quite the flip in the script of David’s life. Now years later, after serving the king, defeating Goliath and leading Saul’s army to multiple victories- David is now a cave dweller, an outlaw, running for his life. What does David do, now that he’s in his own crisis? He writes more songs. Can’t you hear the amazing acoustical echoes deep in the caves of Adullam? I don’t know if it made the top ten list on ancient spotify playlists, but in his distress David writes and sings the song, “Do not destroy!” Maybe it was a harp, heavy metal sound?

David later had this song put into the book of Psalms and we have it still today. David singing out to God, “I look to you for protection, hiding beneath the shadow of your wings…” What beautiful words, written and sung in distress. We don’t know the musical tune or melody line, but we sure know the lyrics, right?

When we feel someone or something is pursuing us. When we can’t seem to catch a break from things going wrong. When there are multiple days of exhaustion just holding onto hope that it will end soon and life can return to normal. We’ve all had these Adullam/cave moments, or multiple cave days in a row. Maybe we don’t sing it, but it helps to read this Psalm out loud to an audience of one. Oh God have mercy on me!

Prayer

​Dad,
The song out of Psalm 34 comes to mind, “I sought the LORD, and he answered me.” This song, “I trust in God,” by Elevation has been circulating in my mind and it has truly been helpful to lift my soul and bring peace. Your Word is powerful to heal and to comfort whenever I am stressed or in distress. Thank you for the presence of your Holy Spirit being with us in troubled times. Amen.

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God is waiting – for what?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction. ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Apostle Peter seems to just toss this brief, but powerful thought into his letter to the Church.

God gives the gift of time for people to be saved!

The context of these verses is Peter expanding on the “Day of the Lord.” An ominous reckoning of all time and space where people have been allowed to do as they please, making their eternal choices all through their life. This culmination, this final accounting, is coming, but not yet! What holds back God’s judgment, wrath and justice, even in these days, thousands of years later? God’s own long suffering, His patience so that none would suffer eternal destruction.

Earlier in the letter Peter writes, “”The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent,”(‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬). Patient for our sake? How awful for folks to throw their fist in God’s face and arrogantly defy his grace and mercy thinking that the finality of all things, the accounting, reconciliation of all deeds will not be judged! Why do they test God? Do they think this ancient document is too old, being written thousands of years ago?

Peter’s haunting words still ring true – “…in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again?” Peter warns the reader, you don’t understand two things: One: God is outside of time, He created it. To God, time is different. “A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day,” (2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬-‭4‬, ‭8‬). Two: This apparent pause of time is purely because of God’s patience! So God has delayed the final day, that “DAY of the Lord,” a few “days” just so that of our stubborn stone hearts might be softened, our concrete conscience might be broken. The Apostle Paul mentions similar in Romans 2:4, Romans 9:22 & 1 Timothy 1:16. What a warning for those who mock God even as He extends His grace to accommodate our foolishness!

God waits for people to turn to Him and come home!

Prayer

​Dad,
I have seen too much! I know too much to allow myself to take your grace, mercy and extended patience for granted. Even while I was opposed to You, You extended a chance at redemption, a life filled with so much joy and adventure. I grasped it by faith and I will never let go. I am extremely grateful You made yourself real to me, even as a teenager. So much of life was yet ahead and even though I was slow learner, I had time to grow and mature in my walk with you. I took advantage of your patience and was the beneficiary of a great life! I do not fear that “Day,” because I have been spared. My sin and shame have been wiped clean because of Jesus. Yet, I long for those who do not yet know you or have wasted their years trying to run from your grace. Thank you for your loving patience towards them as well. Amen.

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Walking-dead leaders.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

This message from the Lord was delivered to King Baasha by the prophet Jehu son of Hanani: “I lifted you out of the dust to make you ruler of my people Israel, but you have followed the evil example of Jeroboam. You have provoked my anger by causing my people Israel to sin. So now I will destroy you and your family, just as I destroyed the descendants of Jeroboam son of Nebat. The members of Baasha’s family who die in the city will be eaten by dogs, and those who die in the field will be eaten by vultures.” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You may have known this, but I did not. Rehoboam (Solomon’s son) was set to become the next king. Another leader, Jeroboam, returned from Egypt and led a group of people to confront Rehoboam with a demand for a lighter tax burden. When Rehoboam refused the demand, ten of the tribes rejected Rehoboam and David’s dynasty, splitting the nation. The flashpoint of contention is found in 1 Kings 12:1-16, where Rehoboam seeks advice about taxation from his father’s leaders verses his own young, up-and coming ones. He went with his young leader’s advice and it was a disaster – 10 tribes walked out, becoming the collective nation called Israel. This passage of the history of the kings, identifies God’s response to evil leaders.

The saddest, hardest part, is that the kings of this division were the worst of the worst leaders, eventually causing the tribes to be completely wiped out and actually disappear from history. The kings mentioned in these chapters are called out for their sins and the responsibility of leading the entire nation to sin against God! Here they are – all 19 of them: Jeroboam, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omari, Ahab, Ahaziah, Joram (Jehoram), Jehu, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jeroboam II, Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah, Hoshea.

Is a national leader powerful enough to lead millions of their citizens to sin against God? History proves that it did happen, and still happens today. Is God more angry when a leader leads people into rebellion against him? When does He wait for natural consequences to kick in? When does God step in out of mercy? These are difficult questions to reflect on when reading the Old Testament.

In our modern thirst for justice, we often fail to see the wrongs and injustice of leaders who hubristically lead people into sin, rebelling against God and His ways. What God gives us is not just right and true, but good and healthy for the nation and our world! What we mistake for freedoms FROM God’s rules is actually the most insidious of lies masquerading as truth. Even though our own ways are destructive and toxic, we buy it, believe it and follow it because of our own hardened, disordered desires that blind us. How do we discern what leader is the best for our own country?

Prayer

​Dad,
As I look at that landscape of history and see your hand at work, it makes me wonder about our nation’s current dilemma. Our own leadership as president, congress and supreme court seems to be an unmitigated disaster. It’s so very frustrating to watch the octogenarian principal players, mired in complicated oversight that has become the standard of governing this nation. We long for good leadership! We long for just, wholesome, honest and trustworthy leaders. No wonder the Church is divided politically, we still struggle to unite spiritually! God help us! We cry out to you to make things right. We pray that you would resolve the deep hurts and frustrations among the poor, broken and suffering. We repent of our selfish sins of arrogance, indifference and passivity of injustice masked as freedom. Forgive us. Save us from ourselves! Give us leaders who are wise and capable of a godly rule of true authority. Amen.

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Demanding signs.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign.” So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

After a brief but interesting mention of leaving the city Dalmanutha, which only shows up in Mark 8:10, Jesus has this confrontation with Pharisees. This time Mark writes of a dispute or challenge between Rabbis. This “argument” is not uncommon among Rabbis of that day. Religious leaders had become accustomed to thrashing over theology for fun, entertainment and education. You will still find this today, happening around different gatherings of denominational disputes, arguing the deep but useless depths of old, stale tensions of Christianity. For most people it is boring, but few realize its dangers and sway on younger believers. Asking Jesus for a sign was probably the quickest way to discredit him.

It is ironic that Mark’s gospel is filled with signs and miracles, progressively more supernatural as the Messiah eventually raises Lazarus from the dead! NLT using the word “demand,” from the Pharisees, may be too aggressive, the word also just means to seek or search, coming from the word investigate. Ah, but the Pharisees were indeed “testing” (peirazó) or even tempting him. Does this sound like the similar situation where Jesus was led, by the Holy Spirit, to be tempted by Satan? Maybe it was.

When the men, who supposedly worked for God asked Jesus this to “prove” or authenticate (sémeion) his authority, Mark notes that Jesus physically reacted to their request, groaning deeply (anastenazó). I don’t think Jesus was into doing some performa, cheap tricks to prove himself. Every single miracle had a purpose behind it! Every miracle was driven by mercy, the one of many godly attributes the religious leaders had long forgotten.

I find it very interesting that very few of Jesus’ miracles were “performed” with any religious leaders present to witness the supernatural. They kept hearing stories and testimony of such things. I only know of one, early on, where Jesus healed a man with a withered hand, on the Sabbath and in the synagogue (Luke 6:10).

Here in Mark, they want to see a miraculous act, but we know that later, when Jesus does miracles, the religious leaders call Jesus a fraud and a fake, even declaring he does so as a servant of Satan himself! We need to understand, the Sanhedrin had a very meticulous system of verifying miracles. They required multiple eyewitness testimonies, and backed it up with the fact that a priest had to examine and clear a physical exam to allow the person to be among the community again. It was all meticulously recorded. Wouldn’t it be great to find those records the religious leaders kept on Jesus during that time!

When Jesus asked the question, “why do these people…” he wasn’t directing that at the needy, sick and broken. He was speaking to the “people” in religious authority. And, when he said he would not give this generation any such sign, who do you also think that was directed towards? Right! The generation of hardhearted, sons of snakes and vipers!

Would I ask God for miracles demanding a show of power to shut the mouths of His critics and modern-mockers? Oh, I’ve wanted that! Or, would Jesus still be reserving miracles, signs and wonders for those who are truly seeking and needing hope? Early on in the gospels Jesus kept telling those who were healed to keep it quiet. We now know that this was all about God’s timing of revealing Jesus as the Messiah! But what if miracles are still supposed to be quiet, intimate expressions of God’s mercy to the broken? Does God have need to display His power to prove His existence? I don’t think that’s how it works. What do you think? Miracles are incredible at drawing a crowd, but is that why Jesus did them? Is that what we think will soften a person’s heart and turn them towards God? It certainly didn’t work on the super-religious.

Prayer

Dad,
I’m not okay with demanding signs. Sure, I want to see and feel your presence working in our selfish, self-reliant culture. But, maybe if folks aren’t seeking, they just won’t find you, even with some flashy miracle-lure of the supernatural. I know plenty of plain-old people in a world of hurt and pain that need you. May your compassion and mercy lead and guide us just as it did so with Jesus! May your love shine in the darkest of places where people find themselves trapped and imprisoned. Help us to be your grace extended to allow the hurting to see you through us. Amen.

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Too shy to tell?

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Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. Psalms‬ ‭107‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Ezra takes a moment here in this Psalm to declare the goodness of God. They are returning from Babylonian captivity and are not only excited to be free and return to their own land, but they are grateful for the lessons learned!

Are you in a dark place, walking through the shadows of life? I have been there! Several years ago I was fired from a ministry position. The first thirty days were filled with anger, grief and sheer panic! I didn’t know if I was being punished or disciplined by God or just experiencing suffering through “church hurt.” I was sidelined, like a timeout for an entire year!

But also during those first few months, something extraordinary happened. I had friends and family checking in with me, taking me out to lunch and just sitting with me in my grief – it felt like such a Job season. God was closer than ever! God was present in mercy, encouraging me through His word and through the words of others. It was surreal to experience God going through it, not getting out of it quickly.

It is interesting to me that we don’t often share our sorrows with each other and even more mind-boggling that we don’t share the moments of victory! When the shadows lift, the clouds dissipate and the sun shines brightly once again. It’s wonderful to share grief – a burden shared is lighter. But it’s even more exciting to come out of exile and share with friends just how good God was the entire time.

His faithful love does ENDURE! And God still redeems our brokenness, our sins and sorrows. We should not be shy about telling others that God is real, He’s close and He cares. Give thanks then tell your story?

Prayer

​Dad,
Whew, those were really dark days. I remember spending a lot of time (because I had an abundance of time) in the Psalms, grieving, crying and searching for answers. But not once did I feel alone. You were with me. Your comfort and peace gave me strength and kept my mind from spinning off into thinking or acting foolishly. I will tell of Your goodness to me. You redeemed that year and brought me so many opportunities and blessings. Thank you for grace and mercy. Amen.