Tag: Jesus

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Storm sleeping peace.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭35‬-‭38‬ ‭NLT

Mark’s gospel, with its raw and punchy language, tells a progressively radical truth that Jesus has power over all things – proving He is God.

Jesus has healed the sick, kicked out demons and here he has power even over nature itself! It’s just my opinion, but open water in daylight is a delight. However, open water at night is a fright!

Whether it’s lake or sea, creepy things happen on the water when it gets into the bewitching hours of the night. Some of the disciples were seasoned fishermen, but even then, they respected the lake, especially at night.

Lake weather is tricky. The water can be like glass in the morning, but by three O’clock the winds can often create white capped waves. I was once in lake storm as a boy with my grandparents. We had a nice sunset cruise and had finished dinner out on Lake Mohave. It was dark, but my grandfather didn’t seem at all worried. Then, out of nowhere the wind turned into a squall. The waves were coming in and even over the boat. Grandpa had to head for shore as quickly as possible. He was scared that we would capsize! We spent the night at some random folks campsite. I’ll never forget it.

In this passage, as Peter tells this story to young Mark, the lake storm was fierce! It describes enough of the scene that anyone who’s been in a boat, in a storm like this, knows how terrifying it is. Then suddenly the story shifts to Jesus. It was Jesus’ idea to cross AT NIGHT. Where is Jesus and what is he doing? He’s sleeping in the stern on a pillow! The tumultuous storm with wind and wave, the men yelling out commands to row and bilge out the water as it came into the boat. Jesus was at peace – asleep.

The disciples woke Jesus up, not because they thought he could help, but because they were shocked that he seemed so disengaged with what was happening. They asked him, “Don’t you care?” They weren’t just being dramatic they thought this was the violent end to their life! The paraphrase would be, “how can you sleep as we go to our deaths?” Ouch, that’s gotta hurt! Jesus heard their fear and a complete lack of understanding about who was in the boat with them that night!

Jesus woke up and spoke to the storm. He spoke to the winds and waves! He spoke to nature itself like it was some petulant pet who had just misbehaved. ”he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. How is this supernatural miracle different from the others? The other miracles were of flesh and spirit – healing and exorcism. This was of the wild and irrational forces of the earth itself!

Commanding the wind to stop is a miraculous feat all on its own. But Mark tells us that even the waves stopped their motion! Jesus spoke two very cool Greek words to the wind; “siópaó” be quiet, and “phimoó” muzzle it! The wind obeyed its master and immediately “kopazó” grew weary of its gale. The waves also submitted and became greatly “galéné” calm. I’m not a physicist, but I’m pretty sure that stopping the wind and wave in motion is impossible! I can kind of see how the wind would die down quickly, but stopping waves in motion? How’s that work?

The object lesson of Jesus power over all things is certainly apparent because the disciples instantly feared Jesus more than the storm and asked “who is this guy?” Who is this, that wind and sea might obey him? God was in the boat. God was in the storm with them. And, when God made nature match his own internal character and emotion of PEACE, we should understand how powerful he really is! Are we capable of being calm in life’s worst storms? Is God with us? Why do we still fear? Can we have storm sleeping peace?

Prayer

Dad,
You are my peace in the middle of the storms that quickly arise all around me. Jesus did not have the disciples avoid the storm, Jesus took them through it. That’s how it is, right? Not peace avoiding the storm. It’s peace within the storm? When I am overwhelmed with fear, I need your peace that surpasses my understanding. Amen.

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The Teacher’s Shtick.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭33‬-‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Every great speaker or teacher has a shtick, a method, a way of setting them apart from the others in their profession. Rabbi’s told stories and they are really good at it. Think of a Andy Griffith giving Opie a life lesson or helping Barney learn how to be Sheriff himself one day. Mark writes about Jesus’ shtick, His go to method of teaching truth woven in with miracles and stories. Mark uses the word, parabolḗ, parable – which literally means to cast alongside. A well known teaching aid used in ancient times and still used today.

Parables are amazingly helpful when a real life object lesson, illustration or story is presented alongside the lesson to be learned, thus “casting additional light” which is often fictitious or metaphorical, but sometimes true itself. What makes this chapter even more unique is that Jesus tells three seed parables, but throws in a light or lamp illustration as well. This lamp parable gives a spotlight not only on the multiplying effect of truth, but also what these teaching aids do to help us listen, process and eventually learn how to apply truth to our everyday life.

Jesus profoundly says, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.” Jesus used another linguistic trick here, playing a word alliteration game to help us remember. He uses the Greek word “metron” (measure) three times in rhythm driving the point home – use the measurement of how well you listen to measure how its usefulness to you. Then, Jesus will use that same measurement to decide how much MORE he gives you. Jesus gives us more truth, more understanding based on our listening capacity and our ability to put it into practice. It’s a compounding reinforcement of truth.

Let’s say we go for a walk in the woods and I want to teach someone survival skills. As we start out I say, “Look at those flowers over there.” Then I say, “The flowers are purple today.” The listener may think nothing of it. But after a bit more walking, I say, “Look at those flowers over there,” and ask, “What color are they?” The learner may say, “orange,” or “yellow.” Then at the end of the hike we stop and look over a field of flowers with many beautiful colors. I tell them that some are good for food, but others are poisonous. Then I ask, “What color was the first group of flowers spoken of at the beginning of the walk?” The ones who listened would remember their color? Did you remember without having to look back a couple of sentences? What if I told you that your survival depended on your knowledge of the color of the flowers? Let’s say the purple flowers are safe and eatable, but the others are deadly. Truth would be compounded into very useful information should you be stranded without food.

Jesus also highlighted a known necessity for learning – a healthy curiosity. The curious listener is a lifelong learner! Mark makes a profound observation in his gospel of Jesus’ life. Mark says, “In public ministry, Jesus never taught without using parables.” God wants us asking, seeking and knocking. God answers when we do! But maybe God answers to the measured level of our listening.

Prayer

​Dad,
I’m pretty sure that people only see the Bible as a means of knowing You, learning about Your will and ways. And, that’s true. But Your Word, being a lamp and light reveals not just spiritual truth, but also knowledge and wisdom of how the world works, how life itself works. Your Word goes far beyond just teaching us about yourself, it does just as much to teach about ourselves and others as well. Help me Oh Lord, not just be a multiple measured learning, but a compounded effective teacher as well. Amen.

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God wants seekers.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven. Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Mark gives a now famous parable (a simple story with a hidden truth), and gives us the Jesus’ commentary, like the director’s comments about the story and the bonus explanation. Jesus wants his disciples not only know the meaning of the parable, but maybe even pickup the teaching style itself.

Does God hide for us to find him? Both Matthew and Mark write, “Then he told them many things in parables.” An old quote rings true, “For when the disciple is ready the Master is ready also.” Learning seems to require curiosity! Parables and object lessons both help us to mentally dig a little, forcing our brains to get a little messy meddling in the dirt of a plethora of information. Parables encourage us to connect the dots, to make sense of what we hear. How often do I approach God with everything but patience, humility and a holy openness of curiosity? I have needs. I want answers. But to sit and be still? Or to come to God’s Word just to hear His voice echo through the pages. As the reader, what am I looking for? Truth? Knowledge? Results?

I come to the words in this story without the context of the original listeners. I am missing the wispy-wind off the lake. That smell of fresh water mixed with what reminds me of lake-life. The feeling of sand beneath my feet. And hearing the Master’s words reverberating off the water.

I am not lost to the irony of Jesus telling a farming story while delivering it from a boat! Jesus often told stories while he was in the environment of the story itself. Picking a grape while talking about wineskins or picking figs along the road while teaching about the dangers of looking like religious leaders, but not capable of producing real spiritual fruit. Jesus speaks of sowing seeds while on the water. Maybe it was a farmer’s meetup at the Galilee shores that day?

Jesus, remembering the words of Isaiah (6:9-10), knew that he was both experiencing and fulfilling what the ancient prophet foretold – they will see and hear, but will learn nothing! Jesus was also fulfilling the truth of what Ezekiel was teaching the Israelites about disappointment of hearing, but never following through with doing. Ezekiel (33:32) writes, “Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.”

Doesn’t that just sound like us today? We may know a lot of God’s Word and even about God’s character, but it MUST show up in our lives as behaviors. Followers of Jesus were never meant to be simply Snapple-cap facts or some form of Bible-pedia. Jesus promises, when we seek we will find him. However, the proof of finding is most effective in others when we DO what God’s Word says to do. If you have found Jesus, now what are you going to do with your life?

Prayer

​Dad,
You found me. And, I was a mess when you did! I am so thankful you rescued me when you did. Now, I have spent the entirety of my life fulfilling Your calling on my life. The sum total of my life will be seen as a surrendering to Your will and Your ways. Let my actions always reflect what I know about You. May everyone see Jesus in and through me. Amen.

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Was Jesus mad?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said. But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

His family thought so! Mark’s gritty journal records a rare moment where Jesus’ mother and brothers may have thought he had truly lost his mind. It was commonly known at that time that ANY gathering that gained a crowd would catch the attention of the Roman authorities. I mean if Rome stood out for anything, it was law and ORDER – emphasis on order. As a culture, they weren’t known by “Pax Romana” (Roman Peace) for nothing. Peace at all cost was the way the Roman government would promise their citizens the safety, calm and quiet they paid good taxes to enjoy the “Roman Way.” Sound familiar? Yeah, riots, protests, homelessness, mayhem, violence and vigilantes do not make for a peaceful culture.

When Mark begins this confrontational passage, he does so by writing, “the crowds began to gather again.” To the casual reader, it means nothing. But to the first century reader, it means TROUBLE. Jesus’ mother, Mary, not only feared for her son’s life, she also feared for their family future as well as their community. A good Jew deeply care about the welfare of family and the community! These were not individualistic thinkers like we are today, they were group thinkers.

To further complicate things, the religious leaders were trying to figure out a very real dilemma – who is this guy and where does he get his charisma, his confidence and his authoritative demeanor? Why would demons obey this guy? Their answer: Jesus works for Satan! It just made sense to them. When the Jewish Scribes encountered Jesus, he baffled them. The Scribes worked for God. They meticulously study the Law. In their minds, the only reason a demon would obey Jesus is because he was their master. Oooh, get that. Jesus was in fact their master, but it did not mean that he was working with or for Satan, the trickster, the liar! Jesus gave them a little logic lesson about how the world works – civilization works because of unity, not division. It works because of cooperation not coercion. Jesus said, “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse.”

Back to Jesus being mad. Most likely using the guise of Jesus being “crazy,” (existémi) not behaving like yourself, beside yourself, or mad – Jesus’ family were telling the crowd, “don’t listen to him.” They were not trying to stop Jesus from preaching or healing, they were trying to get the crowd to disperse before the guards showed up! Who knows, maybe there were already Roman guards keeping an eye on the whole scene!

In verse 31, Mark tells us that Mary sent word into the house, “come out, we want to talk to you.” Mark writes, “There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” This is when Jesus famously answers the messenger’s request with an amazing moral dilemma. First, Jesus asks, “Who is my mother?” “Who are my brothers?” Where is Jesus going with this line of thinking? Then he says, “Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Whoa. Bottom line, Jesus is not mad, he’s right. Jesus is not crazy, he’s smart, he’s wise.

There are some moments, there are some decisions where obedience to God’s will overrides the apparent need for safety and security. God is NOT safe. God’s will is not safe. Security, here, in this life is NEVER guaranteed! However, God’s will, God’s way is both safe and secure in fulfilling God’s plans. “Thy will be done!” Jesus was never “safe,” as we would understand it as “beyond harm.” Jesus was on mission to the most unsafe decision he would ever make! The Apostles were never safe. Most of them were martyred for their faith. The Apostle Paul was never safe. Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-27.

Jesus wasn’t mad, he was obedient. Will we choose safety or security over obedience? Also remember, obedience doesn’t look like some act of terrorism, violence or protest. Obedience is proclaiming and living the truth of the gospel – which is the gospel of peace and of love. Let God handle the judgment.

Prayer

Dad,
Let my life declare the power of your salvation. Let my words be graceful and merciful. Let my life match my words. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven! Amen.

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Meals with Jesus.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

”Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Mark’s gospel records these really punchy moments when Jesus just seems to casually invite people to follow him and then either gets invited or invites himself to a home cooked meal. When Levi (Matthew) throws a dinner party, who gets the invite? Yeah, a bunch of HIS friends, other tax collectors! But Mark adds some spicy flavor to the scene when he adds that Matthew also invited, “and (hamartólos) sinners.” Hmmm, what sinners do you suppose paired with wealthy, Jewish traitors? Yes! Probably those filthy lucre, money-grabbing, financial tycoons.

The religious leaders just could not understand why any self-respecting Rabbi would party with sinners. The New Living Translation takes some extreme liberties in translating the word “sinner” into “scum” when the asked, “why does he eat with sinners?” Of course, Jesus often attended religious folks dinner parties as well, so it is true, He ALWAYS ate with sinners.

Jesus gives a life-lesson still used today, “healthy people don’t need a doctor,” (ischuó), strong, powerful, healthy people have no “needs” at all! Ah, but (kakos) badly (physically or morally) evil, miserably sick people do. Pseudo “healthy” folks can only live in denial for so long.

Jesus is calling and looking for the (hamartólos) sinful person not the (dikaios) the innocent or righteous in their own eyes. Jesus eats with whom He pleases, both the sinner and the righteous. But who needs God the most? Don’t both equally need Him? Ah, but only one is willing to admit their illness.

Prayer

Dad,
These stories about Jesus eating and meeting with all kinds of people often challenge me. They not only challenge how I view myself, as a sick-sinner or a self-sufficient righteous type. These stories also challenge my thinking when it comes to who I eat with or hang out with. Meals with people are usually pretty intimate, especially in our homes. There’s a lot of trust when inviting people over to share in a meal. Do I only invite those over who look like me and believe like me? Normally, the answer is yes. But, what if I invite myself over to other’s houses as well – bringing food with me of course? What a great idea! Thank you for finding me and coming to me even while I was and still are a sinner! Thank you that my righteousness, my innocence doesn’t come from within me, but from you! Amen.

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How did Jesus know?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Mark’s gospel captures the moment when Jesus heals a man who was paralyzed and was carried to Jesus breaking through the roof of Peter’s mother-in-law’s house. Jesus addressed the most critical need of this man first, saying, “your sins are forgiven.” This was shocking to everyone who was there. It is still shocking today. But some teachers of the law criticized Jesus in their own minds. Mark tells us, Jesus knew what they were thinking. Stop right there.

Jesus not only knew what the paralyzed man needed most, he also knew what the religious leaders were thinking! Was this a guess? Was Jesus just “reading the room”? Jesus answered their thoughts and verbally responded to them! This isn’t the first time this happened. It is often noted that Jesus knew the thoughts of those around him. Yet, in some cases, like the woman with a genetic blood disorder, Jesus had no idea who touched his prayer tassel? What’s going on?

Here’s the question; how did Jesus know the thoughts of those around him? If our answer is, “oh, that’s easy, Jesus is God, therefore of course he knows the thoughts of others.” But the Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus laid those abilities down as a human being, “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Phil 2:6-7. Did Jesus “know” out of his divinity or his humanity? The reason I ask, “how did Jesus know”, is because I believe Jesus wanted his followers to do the same kinds of miracles he did. Jesus sent them out to heal the sick and kick out demons. Would his disciples need to know the thoughts of others too? Could they? There is very little written about this from Bible Commentaries and I get it – it feels sketchy to even think about it, like it’s extra-Biblical and should not be talked about. I do not want to theologically wander outside of scriptural lines at all. But I have always wondered if Jesus, being fully human and fully God did not humanly, lean on the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit in situations like this.

Clearly, we are told that the Holy Spirit came down on Jesus (Luke 3:22) and he was also full of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1). And, Jesus also his disciples to receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22). So it makes sense that Jesus was simply modeling something he expected his disciples to follow in, namely, to depend on both the leading and power of the Holy Spirit. Paul does write about discernment as a spiritual gift in 1 Corinthians 12:10 – a form of God’s wisdom and knowledge in distinguishing between good and evil. This is just one of my constant curiosities as we learn to be a disciple and make a disciple. Can we know? Should we know?

Prayer

Dad,
You are fully aware of those moments in my life that you have asked me to step out in faith to speak or do something specific to help someone who is hurting or in need. In those moments, I believe that I “knew” things that would be impossible to know on my own. The problem was that I had to figure out a way to say it without being religious or weird. I generally asked if what I was hearing was something they were dealing with. While my heart was pounding out of my chest, I would proceed with caution. It was terrifying to step out in faith in those moments, but I was obedient. Nowadays, there has been so much nonsense and hurt in these areas of “speaking words” over or with people, that I just have a harder time being obedient. Now, as an “older” Pastor, I want to be more “careful,” and that makes it even more difficult to discern and be obedient. Help us, God! Help us be completely dependent on your Holy Spirit and still be able to serve those who need you!

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Satan goes to Church?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

”Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law. Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.“ ‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬-‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Mark’s gritty gospel tells us the harrowing experiences that Peter went through while following Jesus. Who would ever expect something as crazy as this particular day. On the Sabbath, the God-given, God-commanded, day of rest. In the synagogue, similar to a local church, in Capernaum, Jesus and his team show up to worship God, pray and hear the Word of God taught. Jesus began teaching and it was amazing to all who heard.

However, there was also someone else there that day. There was an infiltrator, an incognito presence masquerading as a God follower. But he was not at all there for the same things as the others. Folks are always shocked that the Bible shreds many stereotypes and superstitions we make up over time because we’ve “heard” what we believe to be truth. One of those fabricated, fake news fallacies – Satan can’t enter a Holy place! Well, Mark would tell us – that’s NONSENSE. In fact, it happens quite often as believers gather, even today! People seem quite put off believing that somehow it’s the local church’s fault when weird and wacky things take place. Hello – there’s a real enemy out there, remember? Don’t blame a church, don’t hold it against a pastor for some creepy experience disrupting your religious “beliefs!” People be people and more terrifying is…Satan be EVIL!

This evil spirit had the audacity to show up in church on a holy day! And, as I have witnessed, they do what demons often do. They intentionally INTERRUPT what God is doing! This one had the cajones to ask Jesus a direct question. “Why are you interfering with us?” Whoa. What a twisted view of reality, right? Who’s interfering with who? The NLT (New Living Translation) takes great liberty in trying to translate the phrase, “what do we have to do with you.” The demonic world obviously knew who Jesus was far sooner than humans. But still, this demon spoke an odd accusation, almost saying, “what business do you have with our agenda?” “Our” agenda? Yeah, Satan and his fallen angels still think they are in charge! One commentator wrote, “if Jesus cast him out, he would use an improper interference.” As if Jesus had no right to meddle in the dark world of the prince of darkness! Oh, but Jesus did have the right, He is the light of the world.

Then the demon switched its thought to something far more terrifying for them – have you come to “apollumi” utterly destroy us? Their end has already been determined. Hell, the abyss, the eternal lake of fire – all designed for Satan and the angels who followed the rebellion against God. Hell was designed for Satan, but it can accommodate all who truly want to join this rebellion against God!

Jesus directly addressed the demon with two commands – be quiet and come out. This is early in Mark’s gospel and Jesus is just getting started; showing the world who he is and what he has come to accomplish. However, Mark wants us, the reader, to know – Jesus is God and has power over all things! Power over darkness and demons is just the beginning, because we discover that Jesus has ultimate power and authority over ALL things.

What a great time to go to church that day, right? When someone asked one of Jesus’ followers, “so how did synagogue go today?” They would have to reply, “you wouldn’t believe it if I told you – you should come and hear this Jesus for yourself!”

Prayer

Dad,
For sure, I would never go looking for demonic episodes like some kind of evil-spirit seeker! But I have seen things and I know it’s real. I do find it interesting that folks seem uneasy when the Holy Spirit does something wonderful, but certainly out of the ordinary. We fear the things we do not understand. There is a huge difference in experiencing the Spirit of God and your life-giving ways verses a spirit of darkness, filled with fear and oppression. It’s like day and night – light and darkness. Thank you for your Word bringing truth to reveal and compel us to see reality. Thank you for grace and mercy to not be completely controlled by evil! Amen.

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Just another extraordinary day.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men. Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The calling of the first followers. Mark’s gospel has Jesus seemingly, randomly, asking men to join him in mission. We know this mission would be exciting at first, but eventually move towards a frightening, grief-stricken ending. We also know that each one of these first followers would later be called to martyrdom!

I don’t know if Jesus knew every detail of his life ahead in these first moments, or if he found out as he went along. If you’re wondering about Jesus’ omniscient ability as God, the Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 2, that Jesus laid that down to fully live as a human being.

I do believe that Jesus received guidance, inspiration and power through the Holy Spirit, just as he would expect his followers to do (us as well). Maybe it was just a morning stroll, talking with God and enjoying the stunning vista of the Sea of Galilee- it is amazing. I find that God often speaks and leads in all kinds of situations. An S.S.A. (situational Spirit awareness) is required.

As God guided Jesus, he still had to SEE Simon. Jesus still had to SEE the Zebedee boys. And once he did, he called them out. Somewhere in there, I believe the Holy Spirit said “There they are. That’s them. You know what to do!” or something similar. Of course, we’re not told any of this, I just want you to know God moves in both very spiritual AND very ordinary ways at the same time.

Jesus saw them, he called them and they left everything to follow Him. Do you think maybe the Holy Spirit had been at work in their lives before that morning moment on the beach? I do. I am learning that God is ALWAYS at work (the Bible says so – John 5:17, Rom 8:28). God handles the hard part of working in the human heart! God also handles the providential details that astound us. When Jesus listened and obeyed the Holy Spirit, He was showing us that this is how easy it is to join God in His mission! Yeah, Jesus had to call them out – okay, that part is challenging for many of us. But God had already set the entire situation up for each one of those “yeses” to happen.

It takes a little practice to hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit leading and guiding us to be used of God. It takes a little practice to see God at work. And it does require the response that pleases God more than anything else – FAITH! But, come on, look at what happened when Jesus was obedient – those guys helped change the world. Jesus didn’t turn these ordinary men into extraordinary men. Jesus taught them to do just as he did, SEE, LISTEN AND OBEY. God did the supernatural, phenomenal miracles through them!

Next time you take a stroll, shop for snacks or get stuck in a line at the DMV, look around, listen for the Holy Spirit and wait to see if God might have a supernatural assignment for you. Then make God smile by believing and obeying his offer to join Him on mission. Just do it!

Prayer

Dad,
I get giddy watching you weave a plan together and marvel at watching you work! Sometimes I look around and see a sea of people and remind myself, you are working in that life, and that one, and another one over there, buying lottery tickets. Oh how I love it when a good God plan comes together. It’s like I am peeking into a whole other realm, an other-world experience that happens on the heart level in every human. It gives me Spirit chills to think that you invite us into that kind of Holy mission. Thank you for not just working in me, but working through me as well. Heaven will be filled with glorious stories of our great God! I can’t wait to see it all come together. Amen.

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The Promise.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

”When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him, “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them!“ ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭17‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Nothing captures the depth and breadth of God’s promise keeping ability like the story of Abraham. I am a huge fan of quality shows and movies and one of the best depictions of Abram & Sarai’s story is the 2023 movie, His Only Son. David Helling wrote and directed this little project for the ultra-low price of $250K. It showed in theaters and made over 13 million dollars worldwide! Sure, there are critics of this film’s slow pace, minimal dialogue and small cast. However, the movie captures the environment of ancient Israel, and it was shot in the Mojave Desert, California! Here’s the point that think Helling made crystal clear – for God to physically, audibly, supernaturally, connect with a human being and make a contract of such magnitude is mind-blowing!

This is Yhvh, Yahweh himself, telling Abram He is El Shadday, Almighty God! And Yahweh doesn’t just tell Abram about this contract, this promise, this covenant. Yahweh goes so much further than just making or “cutting” a contract with a human being. In ancient days, a contract between two men was “cut,” by taking a knife to the thigh or arm making a blood covenant or blood bond. You can see the idea, by what we would know as becoming “blood brothers.” When there is a familia bond of blood, there is no breaking it.

But how does one “cut” the thigh of God? There was another way to make a blood covenant, which was just as effective as cutting one’s own flesh. It was the cutting of an animal and using their blood as the substitute for your own. If you’re thinking what I was thinking, it would be, “wouldn’t it be easy to break this ‘substitute’ blood bond?” I mean it’s just the life of an animal. The answer is horrific!

You see when this kind of contract is made with a substitutionary animal there is a caveat. The two contractual parties would mercifully kill the animal, then cut the animal in two, laying each half on either side of a sloped ravine, where the blood of the animal would run and pool in the middle. Then each party would walk through the blood, barefoot, having the blood splash onto their clothing. Here’s the serious part. When this physical, blood walk was done it was understood that if either party BROKE the contract, the blood covenant, the other party could rightfully take the life of the promise-breaker by physically doing to them what they had done to the animal! Can you believe this! Both parties took the blood walk.

Now you know why most ancient contracts were done by cutting a small incision on the thigh or arm! This substitutionary animal contract was expensive, time consuming and very serious! This kind of contract would normally be saved for major contracts between nations over land or joining their tribes together. Here’s the thing, God made the animal sacrifice contract with Abram! And God didn’t just do this with one animal, he had Abram choose five animals! Five animals representing a sacrifice from the most expensive (the heifer), which the wealthy could afford, to the least expensive (pigeon), which the poor could afford. God himself mercy-killed the animals and cut them in half (except for the two birds). Genesis 15:9-18 gives the whole account. After all the animals were laid out, Abram did not walk through the blood pact, committing to the contract. The most shocking part, God himself blood-walked the covenant! Whoa.

Here in this chapter, God asked Abram to take his people, his men and have them “cut” a covenant as well. We know it as circumcision. All of this is amazing when you see the full picture of God’s story, His plan and promises being fulfilled over thousand of years of human history. But you know what? The promise to Abram, later, Abraham was also to all who would follow, even Gentiles (Non Jews). How? These people would not take a blood-walk, not make the substitute animal promise, but would eventually have faith that Jesus was that one who fulfilled our inability to keep the contract with God, He became the blood sacrifice, not a temporary one, like with animals, but the final, eternal one to fulfill the contract that we broke. And according to the covenant rules, Jesus what not just die, but also give his blood as the payment. What should have been done to each of us, was done to Him.

How can this be? What does it require from us today? The same thing God required of Abraham – FAITH. Faith to believe. Genesis 15:6, “Abram believed in the LORD and He counted it to him as righteousness.” The Apostle Paul echos this in Romans 4:20-24. So it is with us as well, “God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.”

Prayer

Dad,
What can I say? What can I do? But offer this heart, Oh God, completely to you. That song by Hillsong is true. I am eternally grateful for the fulfilled contract through Jesus and the fulfilled promise of life with you here and for eternity! Amen.

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Living right side up in an upside down world.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“But the Lord reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne. He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness. The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David writes this Psalm after the victory over Goliath. The Psalm was a song, sung to the tune of “death of a son.” WHAT? A Bible commentary mentions this odd detail about this Psalm, “Upon Muthlabben, or, after the manner according to “death to the Son,” by which some song was known, to whose air or melody the musician is directed to perform this Psalm.” Another admits to the mystery of who this person or what this musical notation is, “To the chief musician upon Muth-labben” which has given rise to infinite conjecture. It may be either upon the death (muth ) of the fool (labben ), as an anagram on Nabal or as Gesenius, “to be chanted by boys with virgins voices,” i.e. in the soprano. Who is Muthlabben, and why did David borrow the tune to give praise to God over the triumph over the Philistines? Apparently, we just don’t know!

Yet, the content of the Psalm is clear, God reigns over all things, all nations and all people. I find it comforting and odd. Comforting that God is completely and totally perfect in judgment and justice. Odd, because that is NOT what many people believe about God! And, clearly God is maligned and misunderstood in modern culture today. God, and “religion,” is blamed for the majority of offenses and pain including slavery, oppression, colonialism, and social inequalities. It matters not that these massive atrocities are because of human sin and selfishness. Who cries and protests of the secular, darwinian, godless barbarity?

Folks proudly declare lies about God as truth and post them as yard signs and bumper stickers. My prayer, similar to David’s is, “Oh Lord, do not let the lies of Satan and humankind obscure or obstruct your goodness from those who seek you!” It’s frustrating to see or hear people call out God to be something He is not. They are 100% wrong about Him. This is further proof of the lies that Satan has permeated and perverted our understanding of God. It becomes difficult to believe and live upright in an upside down worldview. This is the contrarian, revolutionary message of Christ indeed. Jesus’ declaration of truth of who God is, clashes with culture (then and now), but it does so because it bristles against our own self determination and will to be our own god. I want everyone to see God as David saw Him – as a shelter, a refuge, a secure place and safe relationship to run to, not run from.

Prayer

Dad,
I have always found these words David wrote, thousands of years ago, to be true! No matter what I’ve done, what I feel or how desperate things look around me – you have always been my safe place. When I am sad, angry, wrong, happy, or fulfilled I can run towards you. My sin, my past, my stinky attitudes are always before me, yet I can still come to you. Thank you for that place of comfort under the shadow of your wings, that cleft in the rock.