Tag: hope

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Positive spin on Exodus.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Lord brought his people out of Egypt, loaded with silver and gold; and not one among the tribes of Israel even stumbled. Egypt was glad when they were gone, for they feared them greatly. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭105‬:‭37‬-‭38‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David composes a psalm to thank the Lord when the ark of the covenant was brought into Jerusalem. He quotes identical verses in 1 Chronicles 16:8-22 which David also wrote. These short summaries are interesting because they become a commentary on the original story of Israel’s exit out of Egypt. This intentional, repeated story is clearly positioned as praise to God! David cuts to the core, taking multiple chapters of the Exodus, and reduces it down to just several verses.

David’s highlights are all about God’s supernatural provision, God supplying: protection, a cloud above them; a nite-light in the desert with a great fire; meat, flown in with quail; nutritious manna—bread from heaven; water flowing from a rock, out to form a river through the dry wasteland. The way David sees it, God watched over and provided everything they needed for one reason: God remembered his sacred promise to his servant Abraham. It’s all POSITIVE. None of David’s comments mention the mumbling, grumbling attitudes of the people, that constantly threads in and out of the original story. Then, David brings it home with a crescendo closing – “So he brought his people out of Egypt with joy, his chosen ones with rejoicing. He gave his people the lands of pagan nations, and they harvested crops that others had planted.” What a reminder for us! David writes, “All this happened so they would follow his decrees and obey his instructions. Praise the Lord!”

Every time I read the long story of the Exodus, I see so many conflicting behaviors coming from the people. I can’t imagine shifting heart and mind out of 400 years of slavery and a multigenerational settling into the norms of captivity. Yes, God freed them, but everyday brought massive change filled with the fear of the unknown. They were forced to be 100% dependent on God.

In those scenes we see the results of the oldest generation who felt so uncomfortable and displaced that it continually expressed a lot of negative complaining. But mixed with all that, there was also a weird free expression of completely unacceptable of idolatry seen in sexual revelry – obviously picked up from Egyptian culture. God wasn’t just leading them out of slavery, he was leading them into a new state of freedom forming new beliefs and behaviors.

Prayer

​Dad,

David’s psalm really helped me see the difficult dynamics of this massive cultural change the people experienced. They were far more than just physically enslaved, they were emotional and spiritual slaves as well. The only way out, the only way to get Egypt out of their hearts was through obedience to a new master, a good and faithful Lord. The old generation just could not deal with the changes and because of that, they could not enter into the land promised to them. Forty years of struggle to learn obedience and faith and they just couldn’t soften their hearts fast enough. It’s a warning and an opportunity for all of us as we get older and struggle with change. Help us keep our hearts open and obedient Oh Lord.

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A way out.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul, just before this summary about temptations, commentates on the Israelites and the errors of their ways. He lists the things they participated in: celebrations with feasting, drinking and pagan worship (revelry); engaging in sexual immorality; and grumbling. If we wondered why God was so upset with them and judged them harshly, like 23,000 of them dying in one day. Now we know.

Paul takes the examples of the Israelites and brings it to the believers in Corinth. Corinth was a cesspool of sexual experiences, all under the guise of freedoms and rights to express themselves. Corinth went far beyond Israel’s own lust for idolatry. Paul makes it clear to believers – the “freedoms,” sexual interactions and feasts offering food to idols are in actuality participating with demons! In vs 19-20, he writes, “What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods? No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons.” This is why it is critical that we get control of our own desires so that the Holy Spirit can help us not sin, but also not play with demonic forces.

Verse 13 is powerfully famous for a reason. When (not if) we are tempted, the Holy Spirit will show us a way out! We have to see it and seize that lifeline to bear it or escape it. The commonness, or humanness that Paul writes about, is comforting to know that EVERYONE experiences temptations. They are not from God. They tailored from our own desires and specifically targeted by Satan. Our sins, although common are not similar to others sins. One person’s taste for an addiction has little to no effect on someone else. Paul’s words, inspired by the Holy Spirit are convicting and correcting, but they are also comforting! We all get attacked from within and without. But we are also all given a chance to escape and get free of those traps and snares designed to destroy us.

Prayer

​Dad,
As I read about Israel’s sins and begin to think how awful they were, my own soul bears witness that my sins are also before you. This makes it hard to see that I have been made clean by Jesus, but still face my own brokenness. I ask for courage to take that exit that is given to me at the time of temptation, so that I can truly be free. Thank you for your long suffering and mercy on me.

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The truth about God’s prescience.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

”The Lord said to Moses, “Get going, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt. Go up to the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I told them, ‘I will give this land to your descendants.’ And I will send an angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Go up to this land that flows with milk and honey. But I will not travel among you, for you are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I did, I would surely destroy you along the way.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭33‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Knowing what’s going to happen before it happens is almost impossible for humans to handle! It screws with our heads and makes us a little crazy. God does not get emotional, arrogant or narcissistic about power and prescience (foreknowledge). This makes truth rather harsh doesn’t it? When ya know ya know.

God told Moses plenty about His ways and His plans for the people of Israel. His promises are true but also trustworthy. We’re the ones that have hard time hearing about the future, especially when it comes to our own future. We ache to know, but do we really need to know? I think faith is far better than knowledge about the future. It is totally evident that humans crave, if not obsess with knowledge about their own future. Just look at the fascination with horoscopes, tarot cards, crystal balls, tea leaf readings, zodiac, astrological signs and palm readings. Most are all cheap tricks and cons, but it’s the ones that infused with lies from Satan that rattle me.

Here in Exodus, God tells Moses straight out… Go to the land I promised! I have given it to you. And, I will send an angel to clear out the wicked, ungodly cultures and people groups. Moses – get them to the land that flows with milk & honey (representing the joys of an easy life). You collect things like milk and honey, you don’t toil by planting and harvesting this stuff!

God drops in these words, “I’m not traveling with you.” Whoa. I won’t say that God needed some distance from the current and future nonsense the people would get themselves into – flirting with other gods, whining and complaining about how terrible life is as a FREE nation and constantly wanting more. God just lays out the prescience truth – you’re stubborn and rebellious! And the likelihood is that God would destroy them before reaching their promised destination. Ouch. You can’t tell me when we read this we’re not a little offended because Israel is US. Israel represents the best of humanity and it’s still awful. If you can’t see stubbornness and rebelliousness in your own heart, I’m sorry but you’re blind to the truth. Until humanity gets to the promised Messiah, when Jesus mitigates and eradicates sin on our behalf, we’d have to admit – THIS IS US! God in his wisdom told Moses it’s better that I don’t walk with you along the way. God doesn’t just know information about us, God KNOWS every detail of our heart and soul – nothing is hidden from him. Am I grateful that God now sees me through the work of Jesus on the cross, dying, paying for my sin? Of course I am! But there’s not a moment that goes by that I don’t see my little devious, sneaky little disordered desires trying to rule and ruin my life every single day. And that’s sans the Devil “making” me do stuff.

Personally I like God’s straightforward truth. I don’t like people lying to me or shading, bending or softening the truth. God knows because He sees all of time from beginning to end as forever NOW. It’s all current and present for God. So, the truth is, God knows our sin and still loves us! God knows our stubbornness and His mercy is extended to us. God even says our faith in the work of Jesus parlays into righteousness! Wow. I like God knowing and I like NOT knowing about the future. I trust completely trust Him with my life, whatever may come.

Prayer

​Dad,
Oh I’ve been curious about my future, especially when I was young. But now that I’m old and have made quite a few mistakes and missteps, I choose to just relax and trust you with your plans for my life. I’ll still make plans of my own, but it’s with full confidence that you will direct my foot to exactly the place on the path where I need to be. Thank for your grace and mercy, even in my past impatience.

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What’s in your soul?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Arise, O Lord! Stand against them, and bring them to their knees! Rescue me from the wicked with your sword! By the power of your hand, O Lord, destroy those who look to this world for their reward. But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones. May their children have plenty, leaving an inheritance for their descendants. Because I am righteous, I will see you. When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.” Psalms‬ ‭17‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David often writes about the theme of justice. Justice is one of those common ideals that everyone wants but can’t agree on how to deliver it. The other theme is the wicked. For the atheist/agnostic, the question of evil becomes difficult to explain its source. Of course there’s the nurture vs nature arguments, but if it truly comes from genetics – where or how did it begin. Truth: there are wicked people who do evil just because they can, there’s a desire to do so. Why? God declares that wickedness or evil resides in the human heart and its beginnings stem from disobedience, desires and flat-out rebellion. So, in reality, it is “nature,” at least genetically so. But, it’s in all of us! Every single human is quite capable of doing evil for no other reason than the deep disordered desires to be wicked and do horrible things. Our culture has lost its bearings on what defines wickedness, but any honest human has to admit it exists.

This Psalm, likely written by David, addressed an especially wicked act, ordered by King Saul and carried out by his henchman- Doeg. The scene is out of 1 Samuel 22, where Doeg went to Nob and slaughtered the entire town in cruel cold blood! Vs 19 -“Then he went to Nob, the town of the priests, and killed the priests’ families—men and women, children and babies—and all the cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats.” Why? because Saul found out that Ahimelek had fed David and his men.

Interesting that in David’s description and summation of wickedness, he wrote, “destroy those who look to this world for their reward.” What rewards come from wickedness? I think it’s the self determination of being a god and refusing to yield or obey the one true God. This self determination goes to our head, corrupting and hardening our heart. On the other spectrum is being satisfied, satiated and content for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness – Godly pursuits with Godly rewards. David’s final remark about his own righteousness seems to be the results of obedience to God. When he awakes… in other words, after he dies what happens to him? David knows, he will wake to see God face to face! What happens when you die? Many foolishly believe that since they come from nothing, they return to nothing – annihilation. They just cease to exist. That’s their hope? It certainly is evident that if one believes in nothing, and nothing matters, and their end is nothing as well – doesn’t it make sense that there is no reason to do right, or be right? If annihilation is their end, why not live life any way one pleases? According God, that’s a massive mistake. Hebrews writes, “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Whose face will you see after you die? What’s in your soul?

Prayer

​Dad,
I’m with David on this subject of wickedness, justice and righteousness! I do not think my life would have gone well without your intervention. I may have tried to live right or do right, but would not have been able to follow through with it. Eventually I would have given up and just tried to do whatever satisfied me at that time. Basically do whatever I wanted to do! You not only saved me from becoming a horrible version of myself, you gave me so much more to live life to the fullest. Thank you. After I die and then I wake, I too will see your face and be glad!

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Dangers of counting sheep.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

”God was very displeased with the census, and he punished Israel for it. Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt for doing this foolish thing.” Then the Lord spoke to Gad, David’s seer. This was the message: “Go and say to David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will give you three choices. Choose one of these punishments, and I will inflict it on you.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭21‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David wasn’t counting sheep to try to sleep! David wanted to headcount of his people because of his own disordered desires. Counting constituents meant more glory and taxes for his treasury,

We don’t know who wrote the books of Chronicles, but the author wanted us to know this fact: Satan was behind the count! “Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the people of Israel” (21‬:‭1‬). That’s enough to know why this was such an egregious act towards God. Even Joab, David’s hitman, knew this was wrong, “why must you cause Israel to sin? (21‬:‭3‬).” I notice that leader’s choices have consequences on the followers!

God punished Israel. We don’t know what this first round of punishments were, but it Got David’s attention. Of course Satan probably laughed because he got a human to do his bidding! David repent, but wasn’t let off the hook by any means. Forgiveness doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences. God gave David a choice of punishment, and each choice was very harsh: famine, enemies, or a severe plague (21‬:‭12‬).

We don’t know if David did some quick math, thinking:
How many people would die from a 3 year famine?
How many people would die in a 3 month war?
And, How many people would die from a plague?

Here David wanted to count how many people called him King and how much taxes that would bring into his treasury. But now he’s forced to calculate how many people would lose their life because of his thirst for power and money!

David decided that God in his mercy and a possible plague would be less than the famine or sword. Immediately God sent a plague and 70,000 people died. But God wasn’t done. God also sent a powerful avenging or death angel to ravaged Jerusalem. The angel stood ready to act on God’s divine will when suddenly God said, “stop! That’s enough,” The angel paused but stood ready with sword drawn reaching out over Jerusalem. David saw this angel, “standing between heaven and earth.” In that moment David and the leaders of Israel put on burlap to show their deep distress and fell face down on the ground (21‬:‭15‬-‭16‬). The angel stayed, ready and sword drawn all the way until David paid for the place to offer a sacrifice to the Lord and prayed his guts out! Then, finally, “the Lord spoke to the angel, who put the sword back into its sheath‬ ‭(21‬:‭27‬).

Lessons for today:

  1. Stop listening to Satan’s lies designed specifically promising to fulfill our deepest, yet disordered desires.
  2. When one of our team leads says. “what are you doing… this is wrong!” lay down our pride and listen.
  3. Seriously and soberly think about our decisions that affect the people we are called to lead. Our sin may mean severe consequences for others.
  4. Offer sincere repentance. What would be an acceptable and appropriate gift to God, that would cost us, to make things right? And
  5. Stick to counting sheep for sleep, not for making ourselves feel important.

Prayer

Dad,
I see the gifts and grievances in David’s life and realize the highs were certainly high, but the lows were so devastating and destructive. Yet, somehow in all of that you both caught and punished David because you love him, but also he was willing to eventually admit his failures, sin, and he repented. David’s triumphs are celebrated but also his sins are on full display so we can learn. We can see the dangers, not just of sin, but specifically power and wealth as well. Thank you for your mercy and grace to me even in my own failures and sin.

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So grownup for twelve.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.” “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant. ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭45‬-‭50‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Luke tells us that Joseph & Mary continued doing everything according to the law – “When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him” Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭39‬-‭40‬. This finishes Jesus summary of his childhood. The next stage would be the teenage years, but in Judaism, a Jewish boy is considered a man, or an adult, at the age of 13, when he becomes Bar Mitzvah.

Luke gives us a glimpse into Jesus life and mindset at 12 years old. At 12, Jewish boys were expected to participate fully in religious observances, including attending Passover in Jerusalem. This would be Jesus’ final year of preparation before he entered full participation in the religious life of the synagogue. But Jesus did far more than just attend the activities in the temple – he stayed there for three days!

At the same time that Joseph & Mary are discovering Jesus’ disappearance, the religious teachers are being quizzed by the Son of God. Every one of the religious leaders in the temple were amazed at his grasp of understanding God’s law AND the answers that the leaders were asking of him. It is always amazing when a student impresses the teacher with their understanding. For Jesus, it was hunger – driven by his relationship with God and grasping the mission set before him. How do we know that? Because of the answer Jesus gave his mother. When Jesus’ parents showed up looking for him, they asked him, “Why have you done this to us?” They were frantic and seemed to blame Jesus for wandering off and not telling them. Totally understandable from a parent’s perspective. Why three days? There has been a lot of discussion about this three days missing. One was the fact that families travelled together and often cared for each other’s children while on a trip. Three days seem excessive, but at twelve, the assumption is that he knows what he’s doing and whoever has him in their family unit also would assume that Jesus’ parents were completely aware of his absence – which they were not.

Think about this, even at 12, Jesus was gone for 3 days – 3 days is certainly reflected in Jesus time in the tomb! This “missing” time serves well as an early mission reminder of what will eventually take place 21 years later.

Jesus’ comments back to his parents may seem disrespectful, but actually he was letting Mary know that he has figured out a very important piece of understanding. Jesus understood his special purpose within the Temple. Listen to the depth of wonder and certainty in his words, “Didn’t you know – that I must be in my Father’s house?” Luke tells us they didn’t understand, but I’m pretty sure Mary had some chills go down her spine as she heard Jesus say, “my Father.” In the very next verse it says, “And his mother stored all these things in her heart.” Even though Jesus would be in Jerusalem several times, he was only in the temple a few of those times. It was critical, hopeful and endearing for Jesus to be in his Father’s house!

Prayer

​Dad,
What an amazing sense of determination and duty that Jesus felt. To be drawn, not just visit, but to stay for three days. It is in this passion that I am able to see my own drive and duty not to be in a building, but to gather together with Your Church, the body of Christ. It feels right to be among the same mission driven folks that love and serve you. Since the pandemic, I have seen the awful results of people’s decisions to stop gathering with fellow believers. They seem to be weaker in their faith and stronger in their odd beliefs and conspiracy theories! And for those who are parents, it feels irresponsible to not have their children present where believers gather. I believe it is critical to their children’s faith. I also know as things come to the end, that people’s passion to gather, to be the church, grows cold. I wish it weren’t so, but it’s now a reality. Thank you for Your Church, where together, we still hunger and thirst for You!

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Kicking God.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Israelite foremen could see that they were in serious trouble when they were told, “You must not reduce the number of bricks you make each day.” As they left Pharaoh’s court, they confronted Moses and Aaron, who were waiting outside for them. The foremen said to them, “May the Lord judge and punish you for making us stink before Pharaoh and his officials. You have put a sword into their hands, an excuse to kill us!” Then Moses went back to the Lord and protested, “Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!” Exodus‬ ‭5‬:‭19‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The opening scene of Moses and Aaron finally getting an audience with the Pharaoh, is filled with dictatorial vibrato. It’s a lot like trying to go and see the great and powerful Oz! Moses and Aaron deliver the words to Pharaoh and he scoffs at their request saying, “And who is the Lord? Why should I listen to him and let Israel go? I don’t know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.” We know the story, so when we read that we think, “oh, arrogant man, you will soon know God and his ambassadors VERY well.”

Moses tells Pharaoh something I had never seen before, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us,” they declared. “So let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness so we can offer sacrifices to the Lord our God. If we don’t, he will kill us with a plague or with the sword.” What? God would kill them? I don’t remember God saying that He would kill his own people? The Pharaoh doesn’t lay a hand on Moses or Aaron, but he does lay out a plan to make things even more miserable for the people slaving to build his kingdom.

“Pharaoh replied, “Moses and Aaron, why are you distracting the people from their tasks? Get back to work!” Then Pharaoh does what most narcissistic rulers do – he takes his anger out on the people Moses Aaron (and God) care about, declaring “No straw for you – find it yourselves!” Pharaoh directs Israelite foreman’s to quit providing straw for the bricks but still demand the same quota of the final product. Obviously, the Egyptian directors had a well working supply chain of getting straw to the Jewish foreman. Without the supply chain, the work slowed and thus so did the quota of bricks necessary to keep the massive building projects moving forward and on schedule. Really, this would have been a minor problem to the Pharaoh, just slowing down the completion of his own legacy. Egyptians Pharaoh’s, believing themselves to be gods, were obsessed with two things, the memory of their greatness and the amount of statues and buildings dedicated to their glory. This request to put a pause on the work just cut into the Pharaoh’s enormous ego. Pride started a chain reaction of blind stubbornness that would lead to tremendous loss, eventually the lives of all the firstborn males (both human and animal) in his entire kingdom. In this scene, where the Israelite foremen realized that Moses and Aaron had made the Pharaoh angry, they took their anger out on the two ambassadors God had sent to negotiate the Israelites’ freedom, saying, “you make us stink before Pharaoh!” Moses only option is to go to his own source of who he believes is the problem – he blames God for making things worse, not better!

This whole very long story is not about Pharaoh and his self-determined stubbornness to believe his own false narrative of being a god. It is not about the 400 years of enslavement of the nation of Israel, cementing a dark multigenerational slave mentality in the people. And, it’s not even about Moses’ story of going from a convicted murderer to a global leader of the nation of Israel, about two million people. The story is about God’s glory and the redemption of humanity shown through the full scope of what sin has done and what it will do without the savior – Jesus.

Pharaoh kicks the foremen. The foremen kick Moses. And, Moses tries to kick God – blaming Him for ever starting this. But God will not be kicked by our human frustration and little understanding of His ways. God tells Moses, “you ain’t seen nothing yet!” “Then the Lord told Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. When he feels the force of my strong hand, he will let the people go. In fact, he will force them to leave his land!” Exodus‬ ‭6‬:‭1.

Prayer

Dad,
Oh how little we see and understand of your ways! We may be able to look back and figure it out, but knowing your ways in the midst of suffering or frustration of current events takes enormous trust and faith. My first response is to look for immediate cause and effect! Who did this to me and why? I just can’t seem to see things from your perspective. So I must trust you. I must have faith that sees with different eyes and insight. As I piece together your grand plan, I begin to understand that you’ve got all things under control and that all of your ways are true, just and right. That your mercy and love are dedicated to our good, not our destruction. You give us every chance to kneel and submit to you! And in that moment and only in the moment will we find true life to the fullest. Thank You, Oh God.

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Parents doing things right.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

”Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭21‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus was the firstborn in more than one way – Paul said that Jesus is the “firstborn of all creation” in Colossians 1:15 . There is so much information out there about birth order. There are studies, stats, science and lots of controversy. I often wonder if it always comes back to the old B.F. Skinner theories – is it nature or nurture. Are we born with specific traits and characteristics? Or are these personality quirks brought about by our family of origin and the influence of siblings.

Luke, the doctor, is very specific about Jesus’ beginnings. Here in this passage Luke makes sure we know that Joseph and Mary followed the law perfectly. “It was time for their purification offering.” God instructed Moses about the firstborn, “The Lord said to Moses, “Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal” Exodus‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬. The New International Version correctly translates “firstborn,” as firstborn male. “Bakar,” meaning “to be born first” or “to bear early fruit,” is “prototokos,” in New Testament Greek. As mentioned, in the New Testament it refers to Jesus as the “firstborn” over all creation (Colossians 1:15) and the “firstborn from the dead” (Revelation 1:5). Not only is this firstborn son theme an echo of of the death of every firstborn male in Egypt, it is also seen in the entire sacrifice/offering system that God set up to teach humanity all about both the penalty, but also the consequences of sin.

Jesus, was circumcised and dedicated, completely fulfilling Old Testament requirements. In this purification offering, there is fulfillment of prophecy and the future picture of completion for all of us. GotQuestions.org writes, “In the Old Testament, purification was associated with ceremonial cleanliness. The Law of Moses included numerous rituals and sacrifices to achieve purification from physical and spiritual impurities. It [symbolizes] both the cleansing and liberation from impurity.

What effect do you think Jesus’ parents, Joseph and Mary, doing everything right, had on Jesus? It was critical for Jesus’ life and mission. Being the Son of Man and Son of God meant that Jesus’ parents played an important role in his early formation. God trusting Mary to carry, deliver and care for His only Son is pretty crazy! Then relying on Joseph to father Jesus as a foster dad, following every detail of what is required in the Jewish Old Testament Law. That’s a lot of pressure to get it right. There are only a few glimpses into the young life of Christ. But what we do see is Joseph and Mary doing everything humanly possible to give Jesus a wonderfully, normal, orthodox Jewish upbringing. What a difference it makes when parents do things right in raising their children! I have seen the difference in the way my wife, Robin, was raised and the way I was raised. Her parents raised her in a Godly environment and followed God, mine did not.

Prayer

​Dad,
Even though I did not have the benefit of having godly parents or even an attempt at giving me an understanding of who you are, you watched over me. Even as I heard your voice at fifteen, I had a vague sense that I recognized it. There was a strange recollection of familiarity. That gave me comfort and definitely increased the odds of me listening and saying “yes” to you. Robin had a completely different experience with her parents raising her in Godly ways. So we were quite the mixed-marriage when it came to raising our own children. Thank you so much for her parents and her upbringing! I am grateful that you have fathered me all along. And, gave me the opportunity to be a father to our own children. Your grace was more than sufficient!

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Freedom flaunters ruined communion.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

But in the following instructions, I cannot praise you. For it sounds as if more harm than good is done when you meet together. First, I hear that there are divisions among you when you meet as a church, and to some extent I believe it. But, of course, there must be divisions among you so that you who have God’s approval will be recognized! When you meet together, you are not really interested in the Lord’s Supper. 1 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭17‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Apostle Paul is really hard on the churches in the bougie metropolis of Corinth. There was a lot of money, influence and notoriety in the coastal port of the region. And, there was a tremendous success of the gospel penetrating a progressive, multicultural city, where money and power could get you anything you wanted. All of this, of course, is if one had money! But, as it goes with money, if you’ve got it – it changes how one thinks, lives and behaves towards others.

Paul is so frustrated with the Corinthians believers that he writes a biting, snarky comment about their behavior because it in no way reflects the phrase, “love one another.” He writes, “there must be divisions!” Paul taps into the utter disaster of what happens when believers are willing to raise their “freedoms,” above doing what is right. In this case it would mean a raucous, drunken party which immediately causes schisms, division and bad behaviors. Paul recognized the effects of these alcohol fueled parties along with the sin of gluttony. It was exactly opposite of the purpose of communion! Flaunting freedoms and treating others poorly Paul writes, is so evil that it reaches the level of being heresy. “Hairesis” primarily refers to a group or faction that arises from a division or choice, with a negative connotation of causing division or promoting false teachings.

Paul, with tongue-in-cheek, says, oh – this is a great way to get God’s attention – for those who would grab God’s approval by what Christ said would happen in a “divine economy of permission,” such divisions will arise (Matthew 18:7, 24:10, 12). The recognition is not good! God sees us because of our arrogance of liberties instead of our humility in love. Our freedoms in Christ are for doing good, not indulging to press the edge of our sin (Galatians 5:13, 1 Corinthians 6:12). Certainly the “freedom” to party at an alcohol fueled gathering, would not include stuffing our faces with food, and putting ourselves above others.

These “love feasts” were supposed to be common meals, a communion focused on sharing, serving one another and remembering what Jesus had done for us. These excessive “celebrations” became so problematic, that early church leadership had to shut them down, forbidding these kinds of gatherings. This seriously affected the way the church did communion for years to come. The love feasts being banned meant that the bishop would then need to administrate and personally administer communion, changing the experience into a highly controlled sacrament instead of family gathering of stories, laughter and prayer. It became a religious experience for and of individuals, even though they would participate together in a church building. The early church was able to stamp out the abuses of the freedom flaunters but the results were a much different communal experience within the church, the body of Christ.

As I have written about this before, we have reduced a beautiful gathering of family enjoying a meal, similar to what Jesus did with his disciples, to a thimble-cup and cracker. Of course this made it possible to serve communion to hundreds or thousands of people, but it lacks the intimacy of being with close friends and family. We are still able to “remember,” just as Christ commanded, but we do so far more individually, rather than communally. Being in a room with a hundred, or a thousand people is not the same as having a long, leisurely meal discussing the way Jesus’ love has revolutionized our lives.

Prayer

​Dad,
I certainly understand that we can still make communion memorable and effective by sharing our modern communion elements in a church service together. And, I understand how flaunting our freedoms at any gathering can be problematic. But I still long for the intimacy and deep connections that happen around a meal, in this case a very special sacred meal of conscience and consecration. This is just one of those experiences I just wish we hadn’t streamlined for convenience and control. I am happy to think about the future, amazing communion meal in heaven where I am positive it won’t be served in a thimble with a tiny cracker.

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Integrity, us in the light of the sun.

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We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. 2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul in writing his second letter to the churches in Corinth, gets very real with them. We might use the word authentic, non-hypocritical, where Paul’s words match his life no matter where you find him living it. Paul was the same whether you met him in the open-air marketplace on the streets of Corinth. Or you met him at one of the synagogues. Or you met him in one of the house churches that met on Sundays throughout the city. He was even the same person in prison or house arrest in other cities.

Paul writes how “eilikrineia,” sincere with integrity he has been wherever he goes. Integrity is being the same in character no matter the circumstances. It suggests a state of being free from deceit, hypocrisy, or pretense, embodying genuine and unadulterated motives. In the New Testament, it is often used to describe the purity of one’s intentions and the integrity of one’s actions, especially in relation to faith and conduct. Integrity, “eilikrineia” characterized by honesty and transparency literally means, “judged in the light of the sun.”

Men and women have often struggled with some kind of duality of character, where we are one way at work and completely different at home or at church. Those differences show a lack of integrity and doesn’t allow people to get to know the “real” us. Paul despised these facades, believing that it detracts from the work of Christ showing up consistently in each other. What a powerful testimony Paul maintained, especially in the multi-cultural morality of a city like Corinth! Paul was obsessed with being the same no matter if you dealt with him as a businessman on the street or preaching in one of the churches. This also encouraged the Corinthians to live the same – like they were living in the light of the son!

Prayer

​Dad,
I only have one life to live! And, it is with utmost intention that I live the same way at church as I do at home. That I live the same way when out with friends as I do when I am sermonizing or leading as the pastor. I desire to be consistent in my faith, my walk and my ways no matter where people find me. Help me live as Christ. Help me reflect the integrity and authenticity of my savior. Help me not be pluralistic in the way I conduct my life, but rather singular in being myself. Thank you for your grace to live in the light of Jesus! Amen.