Tag: Grace

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Losing our footing.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen. ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Peter’s warnings about such things that happen in the last days. He writes about folks who are carried away, using the Greek word, “sunapagó.” The New Testament description of being led away or carried along with others. Culture has always been a powerful force of influence on us! We are relational beings, so we are especially affected by social viruses that spread quickly through popularity, influencers and a strong desire to belong. As with any temptation to wander away, we see the flashy objects that look good, even desirable – sound familiar? When our eyes are fixated on what looks good to our eyes and makes us look wise, it should tip us off that there is normally an enemy whispering for us to eat it and share it others.

Peter matches this idea of being enamored and swept off our feet with another powerful word. He writes that these cultural icons we are so smitten with are actually “athesmos.” The term “athesmos” is used to describe individuals or actions that are contrary to divine law or moral order. It conveys a sense of being without regard for God’s commandments or ethical standards. In the New Testament, it is often used to highlight the moral corruption and rebellious nature of certain people (Biblehub).

These influencers can cause us to lose our own secure footing (New Living Translation), our own “stérigmos.” The word for being firmly established or having a stable foundation. It conveys the idea of spiritual steadfastness and the ability to remain unwavering in one’s faith and convictions. Can the lure of culture mixed with the corrupt morals of powerful carriers cause us to LOSE our own stability in Jesus? Peter says – YES, absolutely. Peter also says that we should know better. Of course we know with our head, but we allow our hearts to be swayed, longing to be in with the crowd.

The antidote to these powerful social viruses is to constantly grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. To “auxanó” grow or increase our spiritual and communal development! Staying curious, humble and continually learning and investing in our primary relationship with God. There is a lust of belonging or going along with the current trends of others. We often fear of standing out or standing up for what we believe. We must stand not shrink! We must lead not be led or swayed! Paul told the Corinthians, who faced a plethora of plurality and squishy morals – stand firm in the faith, be strong!

Prayer

​Dad,
There are so many flashy, lusty lures and shiny people to distract us from keeping our eyes on you. It is constant and consistently dangled in front of us. It’s like the scene of the forbidden fruit of good and evil playing on repeat over and over again. Except this fruit is not good! Sin is so powerful. Our disordered desires so subtle. We need the power of your grace to hold us fast, keeping our footing secure as we grow. Help us be strong. Amen.

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The call.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Lord gave me this message: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant. ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jeremiah records the moment that he received the call to be a spokesperson for God. Jeremiah was about 17 years old and faced rejection, depression, and loneliness for 40 years. He was known as the “Weeping Prophet.” Interestingly enough, Jeremiah, like many others who tried protesting God’s call, said, “I can’t speak and I am too young.” God did not take “no” for an answer.

Oftentimes we wrestle over the idea of a “calling” from God, not just because of feeling ill equipped, but also having a little bit of understanding of the scope of what this calling would mean. Finding leaders is always hard, I have found the best of them are resident and uncertain of their abilities. There’s something suspicious of people who are overeager to say yes! This also means we struggle with the idea of “free will” and the ability to say NO to God. We’ve seen some examples of this, especially with our angry prophet, Jonah! Jeremiah gets his orders and God promises to give him the words to speak and somehow even the nerve to stand up to kings and nations. Scriptures leave no record of how he died. Church tradition suggests that Jeremiah was stoned to death in Egypt by the Jews. We do know that the grief he bore was because of the stubbornness and hard hearted response from Judah’s kings. Jeremiah delivered God’s words to five kings, Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. God even forewarned Jeremiah that he would be a part of dethroning, “tearing down,” and uprooting kings and kingdoms. He was faithful to deliver what God told him to say to the nation right up to the time they were captured and led to Babylon, to become slaves serving in a 70 year time out from God.

For the majority of prophets, they were given a tough assignment, speak God’s words and warnings. Kings rarely listened. I am reminded that Nathan had the courage to confront David about his heinous sin of adultery and murder. He cleverly delivered the correction in the form of a story of someone being taken advantage of, triggering David’s own sensitivity towards the underdog. The prophets are heralded as heroes, and they were. But they were not treated as such in their day. Jesus points out the ignored truth in Matthew and Luke’s gospels, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets.” As well as this also in Luke, “Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them.” The religious leaders loved quoting and bantering over what the prophets said, blind to the fact that, in their day, their words were not received. So, when the prophets spoke explicitly about the messiah, detailing what this future deliverer would look like and act like, future religious leaders chose to twist the scriptures to fit their own projected desires of Israel once again rising to become a superpower on the global scene.

Who wants to recognize the call of God on their life? Who wants to acknowledge they are ill equipped and cannot speak? It is still difficult to accept today! Not as prophets to the nations, but simply acknowledging God’s hand on one’s life. As one who begrudgingly said yes to God’s calling, also at seventeen, it was a heavy decision. I really didn’t know exactly what I was saying yes to! I was learning both discipline and obedience at the time. God had to present the question several times before I gave in and said yes. Do I regret it? No. Is it hard to live up to and stick with it all these years later? Yes, it is often difficult, lonely and a struggle. Yet, I still carry the gratitude and responsibility of being obedient to God.

Prayer

​Dad,
Reflecting on Jeremiah’s calling and knowing his story, I am reminded of my own life. I am nowhere on the same level as the Old Testament prophets, it’s not even close. But still, I do carry the weight and responsibility of Your calling. It is a high and difficult honor! I still feel unworthy. I don’t stutter as much in my speech, but I still stutter in my soul! I feel your heartbreak when I am not obedient or see the anguish of those who will not listen to your words and obey you. You will make our paths straight only through submitting to Your will. Am thankful to walk in this path of the “called?” I am thankful for your grace, forgiveness and mercy to even begin to still hear your voice beckoning me to come and follow. Amen.

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Does God “gentle parent” us?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child. ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Gentle parenting is a current style used by many to positively, affirmingly, understand their child’s behavior and allows them to self-correct. “A parenting style that focuses on empathy, respect, and connection to help children develop strong social skills and emotional intelligence.” And, “Gentle parenting focuses on parenting children without shame, blame, and punishment. This style of parenting centers around collaboration between parents and children.”

The author of Hebrews leans on an ancient Proverb and gives us a practical interpretation, Proverbs 3:11-12. Proverbs ends with this, ”For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.” Proverbs uses the Hebrew word for discipline, “yakach,” to decide, adjudge, even to argue! Hebrews uses the Greek word, “paideia,” the rearing of a child, training, discipline, correcting and proving. The Greek has the idea of chastening or purifying. This shows up in verse 13, where the Greek word, “mastigoó,” to scourge, appears. There is just no way around this very strong use of physical pain to be used in training. Does God send “severe pain” in the best eternal interests of the believer?

Anyone who studies the idea of the discipline, even in the context of learning skills, especially in sports, knows that pain is critical in the development of our own muscles! Pain may not be literally delivered in physical whippings or beatings, but life itself frequently delivers warnings in the learning process. When we fall, touch fire or electricity we experience pain! It’s a really good reminder, even an educator, to not repeat the behavior. The focus of the verses, here or in Proverbs, is not really the pain of discipline, it’s the idea that correction, chastening and proving is an act of love! For a parent of a young child to withhold warning, correction, even proper, age appropriate physical pain, to train a child about authority and boundaries would not be love. Proverbs speaks of the reason it is so critical, “foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child! “ It is also bound up in the human heart. The Hebrew word for foolishness, “ivveleth,” is from the word, “evil.” Look, if we came out of our mother’s womb with a moral sense of goodness, purity and wisdom, then parenting would hardly be necessary. Ah, but we are not born with an internal sense of good, are we? We use the word for babies referring them as innocent, but that’s just because they are needy and defenseless. It doesn’t take long for any parent to realize they have a self determined will and most, not all, are excited to challenge you.

However, whether you believe in gentle parenting or hard boundaries with gentle, physical consequences for clear challenges from a child, the point is God does discipline us. And, God does so with physical corrections because he loves us. What does it look like? It’s different for every person. I believe that God uses circumstances and even people to deliver His discipline. What have you learned? Have you recognized correction from God? If you wonder what will happen when we purposely continue to choose sin, challenging God with his own loving boundaries, God will step in to keep us on His path.

Prayer

​Dad,
Not only do I believe your Word when you clearly discipline those you love. I have experienced your correction, and have learned to recognize it and respond with confession and repentance. I know it’s for my own good. I know it’s because you are watching, and are actively keeping me accountable because of your faithfulness, patience and love. Thank you for your boundaries, and your discipline! Amen.

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Too shy to tell?

Reading Time: 2 minutes

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.

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How to return home.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord! Psalms‬ ‭111‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Psalm 111 is a tribute, written by Ezra the high priest and scribe, AFTER returning from 70 years of captivity in Babylon. To be clear, everyone knew why Israel was taken into slavery. The citizens had not only walked away from God, disregarding His laws and warnings, they had given themselves wholly to other gods, foreign gods – FAKE gods! God’s prophets, His spokespersons had been warning both the leaders of Israel and the prominent families to turn their hearts back to God. Israel consistently chose to do their own thing. Now, after 70 years, their city, their temple was decimated. Their kings, dead. Their brothers and sisters in the ten tribes that had split off from the whole, lost forever. The only ones to return were the remnants, the “root of Jesse,” as they were called.

Yet, in all this loss and penitence. In their humility, they found their heart for God. In mass they repented and made the journey back to rebuild what had been destroyed. Even though their hope was a flickering flame, a smoldering wick, just barely showing light, they remembered their God. Ezra writes, “He causes us to remember his wonderful works.” In complete misery of loss they remembered God and their own hearts turned, once again, towards Him!

How does one come back from devastation? How does one return to rebuild their entire life? How does one find hope in their future? Israel recognized their sin and remembered their God! Captivity wasn’t God’s fault, it was His love and discipline, going to extremes to keep His people from complete and utter destruction. The human heart, left to its own desires, will crash and burn and destroy everyone and everything around them. We are desperately wicked and strive against God to have our own way and do our own thing. God intervened, putting the nation in timeout until they came to their senses.

Psalm 111 captures the results of them turning their hearts towards God as they make their final assent back up to the city of Jerusalem. Ezra, returning and reflecting on the years of loss, looked up the road to Jerusalem. Then his eyes continued to look up, high into the heavens and thank God. What do you do to return? You look back and see your own decisions that led to devastation. You look up the road to see the restoration of your own future. And, you look even higher, to see God and thank Him for His righteousness, grace and mercy. This is the lesson of Psalm 111. Don’t quit. Don’t wallow. Don’t wait! Come home.

Prayer

​Dad,
What awaits us when we return home? Is it judgment, shame and humiliation? No! What awaits us is exactly what awaited Ezra and Your people – righteousness, grace and mercy. You want us to win. You want us to be well. You want us to live! Thank you oh Lord, for the means of mercy to see our failures and poor decisions. Thank you for the gift of seeing our past with the ability to turn to you and see our future. Thank you for real and genuine hope in the plans you have for us, if we would just turn and return. Amen.

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When you know you know.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. ‭‭Acts ‭20‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Remember Paul received a very specific call from God to go to Jerusalem (Acts‬ ‭23‬:‭11). But remember that Paul had earlier received a general call to the Gentiles (Acts ‭22‬:‭21). Also, remember that Paul received both general and specific callings under extreme circumstances! His words started a religious riot among the warring religious gangs of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

In these verses above, Paul says he doesn’t exactly know what it will look like. Except he knows there will be prison and suffering involved. All he knows is that he must go and is determined to finish what God had assigned him. What part does pure GRIT play in pursing God’s calling? We know it takes faith! Maybe grit is a synonym for faith?

Speaking of grit, Paul shares with the very wild and talented people in the churches of Corinth his most transparent expression of exasperation! The churches had been listening to fake preachers brag about their pedigrees and their “burden” to spread the manure of a false gospel! Paul writes of his own riotous, quite miraculous journey to fulfill the calling of God. Because, when you know, you know.

Paul writes about prison-time, beatings and left for dead. Five times he received the famous thirty-nine lashing (believing that 40 would kill a man, it was merciful to do 39) from religious leaders behaving as thugs. Three more beatings with rods. He lived after being stoned. He survived three shipwrecks, including a night and day drifting in the open sea. He faced dangers from rivers and from robbers, deserts and seas. He worked tirelessly, hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. He had been hungry and thirsty and often gone without food. He had shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep warm. Then, besides all that, he carried the daily burden of concern for all the churches (‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭23‬-‭28‬).

Doesn’t this sound like a great prep-talk or sermon about the wonderful “calling of the Lord?” Paul wasn’t complaining to the Corinthian community, he was bragging about God’s power, seen through one human life. Paul knew what he knew and with that grit, he did far more than just survive this life on a dark planet – he thrived and flourished! Paul made it to Jerusalem to share the gospel with Caesar himself. God’s blessing, His grace, mercy and protection would not be found in Paul’s fame, money or power. It would be found in a spectacular resilience and strength to accomplish His will.

What is your calling? Don’t be afraid to ask. And don’t be afraid to hear the answer. I am no Paul, but thankfully God has called me. I am called to the broken. I am called to restore hope in those who have been told they are worthless because of what they have done or what others have done to them. I desire to be a hopebroker to the very end!

Prayer

​Dad,
A full third of my life was a struggle! A struggle of value, identity and purpose. You gave me a life that I could not ever of dreamed. It has been above and beyond adventurous along with some adversity. I was and still am determined to fulfill the calling you have given. With the grit of your grace I will be faithful. I know that I know. Thank you. Amen.

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Urgency of Jesus return.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. ‭‭James‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The “parousia” (a presence, a coming), the snatching, the “rapture,” as we know it today. It was 100%, absolutely expected within the first century of the New Testament Church! Why? Because all the signs were there – namely unprecedented persecution. The world as they knew it was ending. The powerful Roman regime was falling apart and global chaos was at an all time high.

Of course Jesus was returning – SOON. But he didn’t. One hundred years has turned into two thousand years, and the world cyclically got WORSE, not better. Think of the wars, conflicts, pestilence and disasters over the years. Who would read the words and warnings of Jesus himself and NOT think of the end, the apocalypse?

The hard news is this, the Lord’s return was intended to inspire HOPE not escapism! God was at work, so that NONE would die without believing and committing their life back to himself. God’s mercy is extremely long suffering! His grace is abundantly patient. After all these years, do I still believe in the return of Jesus Christ in His second coming? Unequivocally YES. However, am I weary of all those who secretly figure out some formula promising the date Jesus will come? Do I want him to return? Of course I do. The “parousia,” still gives me hope that there is a finality, an end, when, like childbirth, we see the beginnings, the Braxton Hicks of pain, when we know delivery is soon. The second coming is just the beginnings of the end.

However, I am not looking to get out of this world. I am looking for God’s presence to sweep over our globe bringing many to himself, a last effort of mercy to flood the planet like the water that covers 70% of the earth! I can be patient, as James encourages, because God knows what he’s doing. I trust in God, His timing and His will for all our lives. Sure, I can pray, “come quickly Lord Jesus,” as Revelation 22:20 says. But I am looking for signs of renewal, not rejection. For signs of a last revolution, not the great rebellion. My rapture glass is half full, not half empty!

Prayer

​Dad,
Ever since I learned of the rapture and its resurgence in the late seventies, it was terrifying and ominous for sure. But my life in You was just getting started! And, there were still a lot of people I wanted to see come to faith. I had no problem with the idea of delaying justice or judgment when I knew that you had saved me and called me out of my own sin. I wanted so many others to experience similar. Everyone was looking for “the antichrist,” while I was just getting to know THE Christ, your Son. I wouldn’t dare ignore any of the signs you have given us in Your word, but I would much rather look for the stirrings and signs of miracles, wonder and folks turning their hearts towards You! I agree with Peter, that none would perish, but that all should come to repentance! Amen.

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Picking your own perfection.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?” Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.” Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬-‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It would be interesting to have a list of the stories where Jesus tangled with the Pharisees and religious leaders specifically over breaking the Old Testament Laws of God.

Way back before God gave Israel the Ten Commandments, God instructed Moses to appoint 70 elders. God told Moses, these guys were specifically given to “bear the burden of the people,” you know, the needs, questions and constant complaints that people bring to leaders. And, God promised to take some of the Spirit on Moses and give it to these elders, kind of a Spirit-share program (‭‭Numbers‬ ‭11‬:‭16‬-‭17‬). Fast forward all the way to the New Testament, where we find those 70 elders then made up what was called the Sanhedrin. I’m not sure the promised “Spirit-shared” part came with this group throughout history. Combine this with the fact that after Israel returned from Captivity, the spiritual leadership (elders and priests) had seriously fallen apart because of years of idolatry, abuse of kingly appointed power and a general deterioration of true spiritual living. Even the Prophets would cease to exist.

Through Ezra the Scribe, a school for scribes was established. This from Chabad.org, “Ezra was born in Babylon, like many of the other great leaders, patriots and sages which the Jewish community in exile had produced. By profession he was a scribe; he used to write scrolls of the Torah, which he knew so well. Ezra was also a priest, a member of the priestly family of Aaron.” The construct of these socio-spiritual-political leaders would form the basis of the New Testament leadership that had many confrontational episodes with Jesus.

But policing the law would be more difficult than anyone would imagine. The “law” had exponentially expanded well beyond anyone’s capacity to keep it. It went from 10 Laws to 613 rules concerning the details of how to behave towards God and others. The 613 are basically rules on what to do when things go right, but also when they go wrong – 248 Positive Commandments (do’s) and 365 Negative Commandments (do not’s). But wait, there’s MORE! To make sure they followed every possible exception to the rules, they ended up with thousands of rules to legislate the original rules. There are even hundreds of “fence laws,” called “Eruv,” all dictating how to “legally” break the Sabbath!

Suffice it to say, managing these rules upon rules took up a lot of time and resources. The sad part is that by the time of Jesus, these rules had become so complicated they clouded the original intent of God’s plan. The average person just gave up trying to figure out how to please God. In fact, there was no real way to keep all the laws, therefore, no one could make God happy!

Because Jesus had a growing number of people talking about him and following him when he and his disciples came into town, the religious police/leaders felt it was their duty to confront him on his not-so-orthodox approach to their interpretation of the law. They had people watching and waiting for him, so the religious authorities could catch him in the act.

Of course there were plenty of opportunities! The Sabbath was the lightning rod of sacred confrontations. The Sabbath would be the low-hanging fruit because it would take place weekly and it was very noticeable if individuals were not keeping the expansive interpretation of the original Exodus 20:8, “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” Modern orthodox Jews even consider switching on or off an electric light a violation of the Sabbath because it “kindles or extinguishes a fire.”

Jesus loved breaking the additional human traditions because it allowed him to speak to the nonsense of our constant, nonsensical need to add to God’s law, thus proving our holiness or worthiness. FYI, Jesus was technically NOT breaking the Sabbath law because there is a huge difference between “harvesting,” grain – ie: WORK and “picking” food for a snack.

I wonder how much “church hurt” has been caused by people extending and adding to God’s intent for good, healthy behaviors into something restrictive and legalistic? Just think about all the hat, hair, pants and tattoo conversations! As long as I have a solid list of “do’s and don’ts,” I can depend on them instead of the righteousness that can only come through believing and trusting in Christ’s perfection for me.

Prayer

Dad,
I don’t know how folks have time to observe or monitor everyone else’s “supposed” sins, when we have so many of our own! I can barely keep up with my own shortcomings and failures – let alone track someone else’s. Help us God! Help me to not just think more like Jesus, but behave like him towards others. I have no desire to be the religious police, shaking down other’s sins! Let your grace and mercy continue to push against my tendencies to judge others. And, thank you for your perfection when you see me through the righteousness of Jesus.

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God Math – 10 to 1.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. ‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭33‬-‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

John is the only apostle/journalist to write about Jesus’s foot-washing experience. Jesus, knowing the Father had given him authority over everything, grabbed a towel and started washing feet? Wow, such a powerful moment!

Peter complained about how awkward, no… backwards, this was. Jesus then tells him about the master model, when the teacher sets the expectation of how things are done, you do it. Jesus teaches his learners one more illustration – it’s God Math. Jesus told them, “I am giving you a new commandment.” Can Jesus add or subtract anything from God’s commandments?

When Jesus points out the ONE, he’s boiling down, simplifying and communicating what God asks of us. The 10 commandments were the law. Jesus, earlier on, talked about getting down to 2 commandments, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” And, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus even told them, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40). Ten laws simplified into two. Now Jesus does it again, ten to two to one. “Love one another. As I have loved you” (John 13:34). Many of the New Testament letters to the churches continue to quote Jesus words – 1 John 3:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Galatians 6:2; 2 Peter 1:7.

Yet, the new isn’t a replacement of the old ten commands, or even the two commands (love God, love others). This new simple and easy to understand command doesn’t do away with the law or our obligations to God and each other. No, it’s new in terms of the best way to go about fulfilling the ten or the two – it’s new and improved, not new to substitute.

When we think of the best way to love others. When we think about how to resist judging others, thinking we are far better or superior in our faith. When we think about how much patience, kindness and mercy we will need to go the full measure of love towards someone. We should think about how God has done so to us, and in us.

God loved me so much that he forgives. God is extremely patient and merciful – time and time again. That’s exactly how we should love others! When I realize that I get frustrated when folks ignore my attempts to love them, keep failing my expectations or outright betray my love – my first thoughts could be. “Oh yeah, I’ve done that to God!” Yet, God still comes after me, forgives me. Loving others as God has loved me fulfills the law of Christ!

Prayer

Dad,
I can easily see how this works when I get frustrated or even judgey with others. I just need to remind myself of how I WAS or how I AM in my relationship with you. It’s easy to just admit, “I’m not perfect.” It’s much harder to remind myself that others aren’t either. If I can receive grace for myself, I should certainly extend it to others! Thank you for the simple way to help me love you and love others by just following your example.

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Change Orientation.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Once when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t your disciples fast like John’s disciples and the Pharisees do? Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Mark records an interesting conversation with Jesus that seemed to start with an amazing spiritual discipline, like fasting and end with a couple of object lessons about change. First of all, the NLT (New Living Translation) makes it sound like the disciples of John and of the Pharisees are using the old avoidance phrase, “some people” say. The original language is not so loose. In the Greek, it’s just “they came.” Pastor’s hate these kind of scenarios when “some people” say… who is “some people” we ask?

Jesus answers the thinly veiled question, but then goes for the motivation behind the question. Who does this? How does Jesus do this? Are there always questions behind the question? Jesus then switches to two object lessons about mixing old with new. It never works!

Jesus gives a quick, two-verse illustration, about patches and wineskins. Don’t both object lessons serve the point that old and new cannot exist in the same space? And isn’t it also clear that the old will not allow the new to coexist, but in fact will destroy both? Is this about fasting at all? It seems that Jesus is having a completely different conversation with these disciples.

They aren’t really asking about fasting and Jesus doesn’t really want to talk about fasting, in this context, either. They are both talking about change. Jesus knows that massive change is coming and he also knows that “some folks” are not comfortable with it. Jesus is, in fact, introducing a whole new way of doing everything. He knows that the fulfillment of the Law and everything under the Law will look completely different under a new freedom, and a new perspective on grace and mercy. The entire Old Testament system will go through cataclysmic change now that God has become flesh and that God will fulfill his promises to redeem humanity!

Christianity is not a patchwork, nor an old-wine way of life. Christ did not come to patch up the Law to keep it limping along, forever failing to change our hearts. He also did not come to allow a flat, fervent-less wine to try to express the exuberant joy of walking with God. The Law was a temporary stop-gap, a burden! When we grab the ethos, thinking or application of the Old Testament Law into the new and better experience of Christ’s efficacy and efficiency for our salvation, we are trying to patch God’s plan. When we keep trying to introduce the effervescent, actively expanding grace and joy of new life into the forms and confines of the Old Covenant, it will blow up!

Jesus couldn’t wait to introduce the fresh air of living by the Spirit but folks wanted to keep living in the caves of the law, breathing staleness of dead air! No wonder people would give up everything to follow Him! Jesus brings life to the fullest, no longer dimmed or dinged by our sin! Who doesn’t want that? I’ll tell you who. Folks who desire the guardrails of the Law, because a life in the Spirit feels like a lack of control. And it is. It’s a surrendering of faith to the control of the Spirit. I’ll take the new clothes of Christ and the bubbly joy of the new wine thank you!

Prayer

Dad,
I love your Law as instruction and to know you better. But I also love living by Your Spirit! The fresh, exhilarating wind of hope, mercy and grace is intoxicating. I will gladly give up control of my will to accomplish Yours. I will gladly walk in the Spirit, rather than my own flesh. Getting my way not only brings death it means crushing disappointment! It’s Your way now. Thank you for freedom to do what is right, and not just anything I want to do.