Getting the Big Picture

I have meditated and dug deep into the books of John and then Luke over the past several months. Getting into the details teaches me so much about God and helps me to personally make changes in my life as I understand more who I am in God’s kingdom. But once a year, I like to do a ‘fast read’ through the Bible because it helps me get more of a ‘big picture’ look at what God has done and is doing through generations of people. And it seems every time I do this, God gives me a better look at a particular attribute of himself such as his holiness, his righteousness, his creativity, his awesome love, his power, his authority, etc.

It seems that sometimes we get hung up on details when what God is trying to teach us is a larger concept. For instance, we argue about whether or not the world was created in 6 literal days with one literal day of rest. I fully believe God, being the Creator, also is in charge of time. It doesn’t really matter so much what I believe about that. What matters is that God is and that he created and that he pursues us and that his desire is for us to walk with him. I believe that is what Genesis 1-2 are all about.

When I look at the order of creation, I notice that light was created on Day 1 and that the sun, moon and stars were created on Day 4. So when scientists try to use the argument about the time it takes light to travel to say that the world is billions of years old, I smile. Since God created light, I imagine he has the authority to tell it what to do and just because in this age it takes light time to travel does not mean that during the creation it took the same amount of time to travel.

On the other hand, I notice that Days 1, 2 and 3 did not have the sun for the earth to rotate around to make a 24-hour day. On Day 1 he separated the light and the dark and created day and night. On Day 4, he put the sun in place and likely began the rotation of the earth around it, spinning on its axis and time as we understand it began. So, maybe Days 1, 2 and 3 were not 24-hour days. Only God knows. I’m okay with it either way. I think there are bigger things to be learned in the Creation account that matter a whole lot more.

I am excited as I begin this journey for 2010. What will God show me about himself during this ‘fast read’? Over the next several months, God willing, I hope to blog glimpses of God as I see him interacting with humanity from Adam in Genesis through the Revelation. As I begin this ‘fast read’, I am reading in 5 different sections of the Bible each day – Genesis, Job, Psalms, Matthew and Acts. Already, I am seeing that God interacts personally with us. He walks in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. Job and his friends are seeking wisdom and understanding of how God works. Job’s friends keep trying to put God in a box and make him behave in a way they can understand. The Psalms are the emotion of the experience with God – seeking God and looking to God for help in times of struggle and praising God because he is God. Matthew begins the account of God coming to us in human form through Jesus Christ. And Acts transitions us into the last days when God’s kingdom takes on a new look. We look at the church as it began in Acts and get glimpses of where we might need to do some adjusting in today’s church where we have, like Job’s friends, tried to put God back into a box and make him behave in certain ways.

May God open my eyes to see his truth in the pages of his inspired Scriptures.

Open Minds, Open Hearts

Jesus is alive! Several people have seen and talked with him. I can imagine the excitement and story-telling going on as the disciples and others met together, regrouping and reimagining where to go from here. The mood likely had gone from sad to joyful, but with a lot of confusion and anticipation of what might be.

“While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.” Luke 24:36-42

No, it is not their imaginations. They all saw him. They touched him and their hands didn’t go right through him but stopped at his flesh and bone. Indeed there were scars. And because he could tell they were struggling to believe, he demonstrated eating for them. He definitely was not a ghost.

Now with that out of the way, Jesus began to teach them once again. “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” Luke 24:45 And he also gave them focus and direction once again. “… and repentance and forgiveness will be preached in his [Christ’s] name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:47 Acts 1 tells us that Jesus appeared to his followers for a period of 40 days, teaching them. And then, “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” Luke 24:50-53

How hard it must have been to watch him go. Yet, in his going, the Holy Spirit was poured out and they began witnessing, giving many others the opportunity to also know Jesus and what he did for them. And as they witnessed, the Church grew, the kingdom expanded and continues to expand each time another person looks into the eyes of Jesus and says, “Thank you.”

There are many today who call themselves Christians who have never really looked at Jesus on the cross and after the cross touched his scars and accepted the bread and wine he offers – his life for ours. They have not sat with him listening to him teach from Scripture. And they have not accepted his commission to tell others. How much they are missing!

Oh God, please open my eyes to see you. I don’t want to miss what you are doing in my life and in the lives of others. Today I choose to walk with you and listen to you as you teach me through the Scriptures and through the circumstances of my day. I am so very grateful for what you have done for me and I worship you with my whole life. Thank you.

He is Alive and on the Move!

There are some who believe that God probably created the world and put everything into motion and then he checked out. I don’t know if they think he got old and died, if they think he got killed on the cross, or if they think someone else killed him. At any rate, they are not tuned in to a living God who cares deeply about the people he created.

I have been waiting, sometimes not so patiently, for this portion of Scripture. I can hardly bear to walk with Jesus on the journey to Jerusalem and then to the cross. But today, I can celebrate. He is alive!

“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, to be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ Then they remembered his words.” Luke 24:1-8

What a shock! Still mourning and grieving their loss, the women approached the tomb thinking they would need to find help to get the stone rolled away. What luck! The tomb is open. Someone else must have had the same idea. But then they see the angels. The angels must have been giddy with delight to tell the women that Jesus has risen. Could it be? After three days he has risen? The women go to the Apostles and tell them everything that happened. “But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.” Luke 24:11-12

Peter… I wonder why it was so important to him to check this out. Like many other situations with Christ, Peter is the one who jumps in with both feet and then wonders how deep the water might be. He left his hiding place and ran to the tomb to see for himself. Indeed the body is gone. Now what?

Jesus didn’t leave them wondering too long. “That same day two of them [followers of Jesus] were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they walked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.” Luke 24:13-15

Jesus walked and talked with them about the events that had occurred over the last several days. “He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Luke 24:25-27

How awesome it would have been to have walked with Jesus and have him explain the prophecies and Scripture to me. Yet, with his Holy Spirit, he does that every day for me. As I read and study Scripture, he continues to open my mind and teach me wonderful and awesome things.

They convinced him to stay with them that evening. “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” Luke 24:30-31 It is in the giving of his life that our eyes are opened to recognize him. Until we reach out and accept the bread and wine he is offering us acknowledging what he did for us, we cannot see who he really is. If we do not understand that he took the punishment we deserve for our sins, we cannot understand that he is more than a good man who said a lot of good stuff. He is the Christ. He is our Savior.

“They asked each other, ‘Where not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’ Then they got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.” Luke 24:32-35

Oh the excitement that must have been there! Who will see him next? What will he say? Something has changed. He doesn’t seem as tied to his sandals and paths to get places. He is alive and one the move!

Looking at the Cross - Once Again

They could not believe what was happening. How could their Messiah be hanging on a cross? Surely God would rescue him.

“It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness had come over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.” Luke 23:44-45

Three hours of darkness! It must have been terrifying. Yet, the followers of Jesus kept hoping for the miracle that would bring him down from the cross. Then Jesus called out one more time, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Luke 23:46 And he breathed his last breath and died. Matthew tells us that when Jesus breathed his last, “The earth shook and the rocks split.” Matthew 27:51 It must have been a terrifying moment. “The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, ‘Surely this was a righteous man.’ When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.” Luke 23:47-49

They had watched Jesus heal many people. They had watched him raise several people from the dead. Surely he was the Messiah. But how could this Messiah be dead?

The people who had gathered to watch were also terrified by the darkness and the earth shaking. They beat their breasts. In their culture, this was a sign of remorse. “After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.” Jeremiah 31:19 It seems that the hearts and consciences of the people were at least a little stimulated here. They may have, for the first time in this event, actually feared God and what he might do to them. I wonder if any of them were part of the 3,000 that came to faith at Peter’s great sermon on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41).

“Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.” Luke 23:50-54

John tells us that Nicodemus also helped Joseph. Nicodemus had come to Jesus by night to ask him questions (John 3). He argued in Jesus’ favor at a Council meeting (John 7:45-52). It appears not all the Jewish leaders were in favor of getting rid of Jesus. And now, when the disciples are too terrified to come forward, these two men, Joseph and Nicodemus, came together to take the body down from the cross and give it a proper burial.

The women followed them to the tomb and saw where the body of Jesus was laid. “Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.” Luke 23:56 I wonder if they didn’t trust the men to have done it right or if they just needed to lovingly care for the body one more time. How difficult it must have been to leave their Messiah and go home and wait.

I’m so glad that I know the end of this story. So many people stop here. They believe Jesus was a good man – like the Centurion. But they don’t believe that he was indeed the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God. They are willing to stay at a distance, maybe even beat their breasts once in a while when the sky gets dark and the earth shakes, and then go home and forget about who he is and what he did for us.

“Once again I look upon the cross where you died. I’m humbled by your mercy and I’m broken inside. Once again I thank you. Once again I pour out my life.” (Once Again written by Matt Redman)

On the Way to the Cross

So many times in Jesus’ ministry, things happened on the way. People were healed, people were forgiven, and people were restored. Jesus didn’t wait to get to the cross or until he rose again to begin his ministry of forgiveness and restoration. And just because he was beaten to within an inch of his life and taking his last steps literally on his way to be hung didn’t mean that he would stop now. He still knew who he was, where he came from and where he was going and he knew what his mission was here on earth.

“A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ For if men will do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Luke 23:27-31

If men will do these things to the Son of God himself, then those who follow him surely will not be spared. Well, that just blew a huge hole in the ‘prosperity gospel’. Somewhere along the line, many in the church believe that if we follow Jesus, we will be protected from any physical harm or hardship. In fact, they believe, if we follow Jesus, we will be financially well to do, never be sick and never lose someone we love in an accident. And when life happens and we have to deal with losing a job or worse yet losing a spouse or child in an accident or to cancer, many question their faith and some turn away from God saying he can’t exist if he let this awful thing happen.

But God never promised us that nothing bad would happen to us in this life. In fact, Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 The promise is that when we walk with Jesus, he will give us the strength to deal with the hardships in this world and we have the promise of eternity with him, free from the pain and sickness and death this world brings. “Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:16-17

Jesus was nailed to the cross. “The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘if you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’” Luke 23:35-36 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34. Indeed they did not. There was only one reason God did not destroy the world and all that was in it at that moment. Not because he couldn’t or was a God without power and not because he didn’t know what was going on. The only reason those who mocked Jesus were allowed to go on was because of the awesome and powerful love of God allowing them to live.

As I was teaching our teenagers how to drive, sometimes aggressive drivers would weave through traffic going 80 mph while others on the road swerved out of their way and hit brakes to let them in. I would say to the student driver, “That person is alive not because he is a brilliant driver, but because others choose to let him live.” In this case, the soldiers and rulers who mocked Jesus were still alive because God chose to let them live, not because they were so smart or powerful. In fact, they unwittingly helped accomplish the plan of salvation that God had laid out before the foundations of the world came into being.

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’” Luke 23:39-43

Teaching on the way to the cross, forgiving from the cross, and promising paradise to a sinner who at the last minute discovered the real meaning of the kingdom of God. What an awesome and powerful love was motivating Jesus that day!

Thank you, Jesus, for not quitting on the way to the cross. Thank you for completing the work you came to do in the midst of great pain and suffering. Thank you for doing that for me and for every other sinner who comes to you accepting your grace and salvation you offer to us not because we are so smart or worthy, but because of your love.

It's Not Fair!

Though there were laws that protected Roman citizens, those laws did not extend to the Jews living under their rule. Torture of the prisoner was not uncommon. But in this case, they obviously did not know who they were torturing. At any point, Jesus could have walked away. God could have struck those doing the torturing dead in an instant. But he did not. So they taunted, insulted, and beat him.

“At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together and Jesus was led before them. ‘If you are the Christ, they said, ‘tell us.’” Luke 22:66-67 Were they asking because they might want to believe? Or were they just trying to get him to say it out loud in their presence, testifying against himself in their case of blasphemy?

Jesus chose very carefully when to speak and what to say during his ‘trial’ which began in the religious courts. “If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” Luke 22:67-69 They knew the prophecies. They taught the Scripture. Yet, they were unwilling to admit that Jesus was the Christ.

“They all asked, ‘Are you then the Son of God?’ He replied, ‘You are right in saying I am.’” Luke 22:70 That was all they needed to hear. Now they would take him before Pilate and ask that he be killed. Under Roman rule, they could not kill him themselves. But they had to make their case of interest to the Romans in order to get the death sentence. So they accused him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king.” Luke 23:2

That ought to get him. They had to stretch and twist things and downright lie. But if the Romans bought it, he should be done away with shortly. Pilate didn’t buy into it quite so fast. He simply asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” and Jesus answered, “Yes, it is as you say.” Luke 23:3 If anything should have angered Pilate, that was it! Calling himself ‘King of the Jews’ was not the wisest thing to do if Jesus wanted to save his skin. It was for fear of this very thing that Herod had killed all of the Jewish children 2 years of age and younger about 30 years before.

But Pilate did not answer the way the religious leaders thought he should. Rather, he said, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” Luke 23:4 I wonder how Pilate came to this conclusion. John gives us a little more information regarding the discussion Pilate had with Jesus. “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” John 18:36 Apparently, this made way more sense to Pilate than what the religious leaders where telling him about Jesus. There was no army with weapons marching against the Roman Government.

Pilate decided he could get out of this one by sending Jesus to Herod because Jesus was a Galilean and would have been under Herod’s jurisdiction. “When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.” Luke 23:8-9

I wonder why Jesus remained silent. It sounds like Herod wanted to know more about him. But Jesus looks on the heart, not the outward appearance. He saw right through Herod and knew that he only wanted to be entertained and ‘in’ with the latest fashion or story to ‘one-up’ somebody. Since Jesus wouldn’t ‘perform’ for him, “Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate.” Luke 23:11 It seems that Herod could find no reason to give Jesus a death sentence either.

Pilate called together Jesus’ accusers and the people and gave his verdict. “I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” Luke 23:14-17 End of case. That was a close shave, Jesus.

But there was a loud outcry from the crowd shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Luke 23:21 After two more attempts to settle the crowd and release Jesus, Pilate finally caved in to the crowd releasing a known criminal who had been in prison for insurrection and murder and surrendering Jesus to the punishment they asked for. (Luke 23:23-25)

Fair? I don’t think so. But if God was about fair from our perspective, we would all be punished severely. Even in our holiest of moments, we fall so short of God’s holiness. This was all part of his plan and Jesus willingly went to the cross to build the bridge for us to get back home into the presence of our holy God. And little did Pilate know that he was sending Jesus right to the throne of his Kingdom, sitting at the right hand of the mighty God. (Luke 22:69)

Changed by Being with Jesus

Jesus had been taken to the house of the high priest. While we don’t know what happened to all of the disciples as they apparently scattered when Jesus was arrested, we are told that Peter followed at a distance. John adds that another disciple was with Peter following which was likely John, himself. This other disciple was allowed to go further because he was known to the high priest. But Peter was waiting outside. He was likely hanging out in the shadows around the edges of the courtyard. But it was cold and when a fire was made in the middle of the courtyard, Peter’s need for warmth overcame his fear at the moment.

“But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” Luke 22:55-56 It was a moment of reckoning for Peter. Would he admit that or deny that? Obviously, he wanted to save his own skin. What would happen if he admitted he had been with Jesus? Would he get pushed next to Jesus and accused as well? He wouldn’t be able to help from there.

The risk was so high. And Peter decided to take the safe way out and deny that he knew Jesus. “Woman, I don’t know him.” Luke 22:57

“A little later someone else saw him and said, ‘You also are one of them.’” Luke 22:58a Peter has a second chance to make that decision. Will I admit the truth or deny it? Again he chose the safe way out. “Man, I am not!” Luke 22:58b

“About an hour later another asserted, ‘Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.’” Luke 22:59 Why on earth had Peter not left by this point? What kept him there? I wonder if he was still holding on to the idea that he could in some way set Jesus free – he just had to watch for the opportunity. He still had his trusty little sword and he was a tough guy and knew how to use it. Or at the very least, he wanted to be nearby when Jesus miraculously walked away one more time. Peter apparently could not stand to be separated from his teacher, his rabbi.

And one more time, “Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:60-62

Were they tears of shame? Or were they from defeat, disappointment, or exhaustion? Likely it was all of the above. When I think of all that happened in that 24 hours, there had to be both physical and emotional exhaustion. At his weakest moment, Peter had to make life and death decisions. At this moment, Peter – maybe for the first time in his life – realized that he was not superman and he couldn’t save his friend and teacher from disaster. He was defeated. And when Jesus caught his eye, I believe Peter felt extreme shame that he could not be the man he thought he was when Jesus needed him most. He could not be the man he thought Jesus thought he was. This day had not gone at all like Peter had anticipated. In fact, it couldn’t have gone more wrong.

Out of these ashes of these tears, something happened to Peter. It took a few months, and a few more interactions with Jesus between the time he rose from the dead and he ascended into heaven. But Peter was given another chance. The Apostles were carrying on as Jesus had instructed them to do. In Acts 4, we see Peter and John brought in before the Sanhedrin. They are being questioned because they are teaching that Jesus rose from the dead and many people were becoming believers. “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is ‘The stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.’ Acts 4:8-12

Because Peter was finally emptied of himself, he was able to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Now he spoke boldly in public – no longer in the shadows denying that he knew Jesus. In fact, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

There was no denying it now. Everyone could tell – Peter had been with Jesus.

I wonder each day as I interact with others, can they tell I have been with Jesus? Have I been emptied of myself, my ideas, my self-importance so that I can be filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly proclaim the gospel of salvation through every action and every word? Is it written all over me in bold letters, “This person has been with Jesus, of that there is no doubt!”?

The Usual and the Unusual

Having grown up in a Christian home, I can’t remember not knowing how to pray – memorized, recited prayers at mealtimes and at bedtimes to begin with. And anyone who grew up in a Christian church learned the Lord’s Prayer – maybe as young as in the nursery. There are times when I think I am really communicating with God in prayer. And there are times, especially when I am tired, that even my ‘spontaneous’ prayers begin to sound memorized saying pretty much the same thing over and over, and not sure if God might be yawning with boredom. When I’m really tired, I may even fall asleep mid-sentence in my prayers. This appears to be the state the disciples were in this particular evening.

“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you will not fall into temptation.’ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed. ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. ‘Why are you sleeping?’ he asked them. ‘Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.’” Luke 22:39-46

Going to the Mount of Olives was an ordinary occurrence in Jesus’ schedule since he had come to Jerusalem. “Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.” Luke 21:37-38 The Mount of Olives is where Jesus went to get away from the crowds, to pray, and to be alone with his disciples.

I wonder how the disciples could fall asleep while Jesus was praying earnestly. Apparently, this wasn’t so unusual to them. Jesus had been coming to the Mount of Olives to pray regularly. The disciples were too tired to notice the emotion in his prayers this time. And dealing with their own sorrow at all his talk about leaving them, they fell asleep.

While coming to the Mount of Olives and praying was a usual pattern for Jesus, this was about to become a most unusual night. If ever Jesus wanted to turn back from the plan, this was it. His physical body was in anguish. He asked the Father if he could be relieved of this burden – this task he was about to accomplish. Yet in the end, he was willing to do as the Father willed. It is comforting to me to know that an angel came and strengthened him. I wonder if the angel pushed the hair back from Jesus’ face wet with tears and while gently stroking his head began to repeat all the reasons the decision had been made for Jesus to come as a sacrifice for the sins of many. I wonder if the angel whispered of the Father’s love for his Son. I wonder if he told Jesus, “Hang in there just a little longer and you will soon be back with the Father forever.”

And I wonder if Jesus was disappointed when he found the disciples sleeping. In his hour of deepest need, his closest friends could not stick with him, praying for him and for themselves. It seems that Jesus alone knew how much they needed to be praying. They did not understand.

“While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them.” Luke 22:47 How was Judas able to lead them straight to Jesus? Jesus was doing the usual – praying at the Mount of Olives in the Garden of Gethsemane. There he would be away from the people who the religious authorities feared. It would eliminate the possibility a crowd could turn on them and an uprising would be real, not imagined.

“He [Judas] approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22:47-48 Did Judas really think Jesus didn’t know what he was doing? Jesus had already told him that he would betray him at the Passover meal. If Jesus had wanted to escape, he could have gone somewhere else that evening. He knew what was about to happen. Poor Judas – so deceived by Satan. But Jesus was not ignorant to what was happening.

I’m quite certain at this point, the disciples were awake. They were ready to strike with their two swords and defend Jesus. Well, maybe they were still dreaming – that they were more in number and had more weapons. One of them even got off a good swing of the sword and cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest. John tells us it was Peter – not too surprising. But Jesus intervened. “’No more of this!’ And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.” Luke 22:51

“Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him. ‘Am I leading a rebellion that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour – when darkness reigns.’” Luke 22:52-53

Oh Jesus, you could have avoided the cross so easily. Yet, you went through with the plan that was in place even as the world was created in order to save us. I so much wish there could have been another way. Thank you for loving me so much that you would do this for me. I love you.

Two Swords are Enough

Jesus had come to Jerusalem. The religious authorities were trying to find a way to arrest him. He was being watched at every turn, being questioned with intent to corner, and generally hounded by those who wished to get rid of him. In that context of this tension, Jesus ate his last Passover meal with his disciples. He explained his coming death and gave them the bread and the wine as a way to remember what was yet to come. Judas had gone to set up his arrest. The disciples had argued over who was the greatest. Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him not once but three times.

Following this, Jesus than began one more conversation with them. “’When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?’ ‘Nothing,’ they answered. He said to them, ‘But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.’ The disciples said, ‘See, Lord, here are two swords.’ ‘That is enough,’ he replied.” Luke22:34-38

I wonder why this Jesus who has taught them to love their enemies now tells them to sell their cloak to get a sword if they did not have one. And more confusing, why did he then say that two were enough? And why did they need provisions now? Was God no longer able to care for them as he did in the past?

Jesus begins by reminding them how they were welcomed into people’s home as they went out earlier in their ministry. They were provided for by friendly strangers. But now, things have changed. They are in Jerusalem. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” Matthew 23:37 Here they will not find friends who will care for their needs. They must carry their provisions. It is not that God could not have cared for them. God used a Raven to feed Elijah. (I Kings 17) But for this time, in this place, Jesus is telling them to be prepared.

To understand the sword statements, we need to look first at the full context of Jesus' teachings. Jesus at no time in his teachings to this point has ever taught the disciples violence. In fact, he has told them to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. Has he now changed? Is he now telling them to be ready to kill their enemies? I don’t think so.

We also can look ahead to what happened when Peter pulled out the sword and used it to cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus ordered, “No more of that!” and healed the servant. Luke 22:51. This does not appear like an instruction to use the swords for violence – even for self-defense.

So why would Jesus ask them to get swords when there wasn’t even time to do so and then say two would be enough? Looking at what he says immediately after telling them to get swords may give us a clue. “It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me.” Luke 22:37 I wonder if having swords present made it easier for the arrest to occur. If there had not been even one sword there, how could they have accused Jesus of leading an uprising? I believe that Jesus was very, very aware of what was happening. He knew it was now time. “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” Luke 9:51 Jesus knew the prophecy – that he would be numbered with the transgressors. Having swords present was part of the fulfillment of the prophecy.

Jesus suggested that the disciples sell their cloaks to get swords. Cloaks were very important for travelers. It was their warmth at night. A traveler would not easily give up their cloak. Why then would Jesus suggest such a thing, especially if they were not going to use the swords to defend themselves? Since there wasn’t enough time to do this, the intention may have been to help them understand the urgency of the moment.

Just as quickly as he tells them to get swords, Jesus tells them that two is enough. Had he intended for them to use them to defend themselves, it seems he would have made sure they each had one or maybe two. Two would not be enough to defend themselves or carry out an attack on the Romans. But two would be enough to fulfill the prophecy. Yes, two are enough.

Hanging Out in the Crash Zone

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 I wonder why this ended up in the inspired writings of Scripture. Proof positive they are inspired! No one would willingly write out their failures for generations of people to read in the future – unless they were totally changed by God as a result of that failure and the writings were to be an encouragement for those who would come after.

There are many interesting things to stop and meditate on in these couple sentences in the Bible. First, Satan is asking permission. (He asked permission to ‘sift’ Job too.) This underscores for me that when trials come in this life, they are with God’s permission. These are the things that have life-changing opportunities in them depending on how we respond to them. The bigger the trial we go through, the stronger the ministry potential at the other end. And God is cheering for us to make it through the trial – knowing that we have enough faith, hoping we will use it well.

Just as a child develops the strength to walk by falling and getting up again, we develop our spiritual strength and our faith by falling and getting up again. Yet, I observe that when our sisters and brothers in the faith fail, we ostracize them and keep them away from our families so we won’t fall with them. And when current day church leaders fall, we ‘devour’ them and ban them from ministry. It seems to me that we may be silencing some very strong brothers and sisters with great ministry potential. Jesus’ words to Peter were, “And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” What would have happened if the other Apostles would have not allowed Peter to teach because of his failure?

There are many faith stories where people have come to faith because someone else failed and then turned back. When someone truly repents and humbly asks for forgiveness for a wrong they did, it really gets the attention of the other person. True humbleness is rare. Not that we should go around failing on purpose so we can ask forgiveness and get attention. But when those times come, if we are humble and willing to repent and seek forgiveness, much good can come from that. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

One only has to look at the before and after characters of Peter to know why God allowed him to be ‘sifted’ at this time. Peter responded to Jesus’ prophetic words, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Luke 22:33. Peter was full of himself and thought he was Superman! The problem was that he was going to do it on his own power. Jesus told him, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today you will deny three times that you know me.” Luke 22:34 And we see in the following verses, that is exactly what Peter did. When it came time to lay his life on the line, he wasn’t Superman after all. He was just a lot of hot air that deflated rather quickly.

John doesn’t leave it there. After Jesus died and rose from the dead, he was with a number of the disciples and spoke again to Peter asking him three times, “Do you love me?” And as Peter said, “Of course you know I love you,” Jesus asked him to, “Feed my lambs,” to “Take care of my sheep,” and to “Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17 Jesus was asking Peter to take what he learned and use it to teach others. And we know from reading on in the New Testament just how well Peter did that. Because Peter was humbled and all the hot air was removed, he was able to be filled with the breath of the Spirit of God and become a very strong minister of the Gospel of Christ. Now instead of being full of himself, he was full of God’s spirit.

It occurs to me that while Peter was (as usual) the most vocal about defending Jesus to the end, the other disciples were there as well and many of them thinking the same thing. And when Jesus was arrested, they disappeared. Peter got asked if he knew Jesus because he was more visible all along and because he stayed close enough to the action to be noticed. Because Peter was pushed harder, he fell harder. But when he got up, he was stronger.

I wonder how many times I choose the ‘safe zone’ rather than staying where the action is. I might not take as many hits in the ‘safe zone,’ but I also don’t have as much opportunity to share God’s love and salvation with others in that ‘safe zone.’ Maybe it’s time to risk a little and hang out in the ‘crash zone!’

King of the Mountain

From birth, our finite minds center on self. As we grow, we discover there are other people in the world and eventually most of us even figure out that those others have feelings and desires as well. We have this desire to be the best at what we do. So as children, we play King of the Mountain, pushing each other off the chosen location until only the strongest can stay. And as young adults we set out to conquer the world assuming we will come back a victor.

Then Jesus walks into our lives and captures our imaginations with a different way of looking at the world.

“Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be the greatest. Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.’” Luke 22:25-27

Jesus, God’s only Son, who has every right to ‘lord it over us,’ chose to serve. If the Holy One, full of power and honor, chooses to serve, how can I as a follower ignore that? John told us a little more about that evening with Jesus. “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around the waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:3-5

When I chose to follow Jesus, I was too young to fully understand this idea of serving. But the longer I live, the more I understand. It is in serving that we keep from becoming full of ourselves as we take leadership positions, as we become better known in the world around us. It is in serving that we demonstrate God’s love for others. It is in serving that we come closest to the heart of God. And it is in serving that we keep in touch with those less fortunate than ourselves and learn to love them. As a body of Christ, we learn to be served as well because that is what allows other believers to also serve.

After Jesus had washed the feet of his disciples, he asked them, “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:12-17

Lord, I choose to serve you today by serving others. Open my eyes to see who needs your hands gently washing their feet and your towel wrapped around my waist gently drying them. Help me to love as you love. Amen.

When a Friend Betrays

The Passover was quickly approaching. Jesus has made his entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey with the crowds shouting, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” And the chief priests and teachers of the law are not happy. In fact, they are continuing to look for a way to get rid of Jesus. Satan finds a willing accomplice in Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. Judas knows that the religious leaders are looking for a way to get Jesus away from the crowds. And Judas knows Jesus habits and where he goes to be alone. “And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.” Luke 22:4-6

As they sat at the Passover table, Jesus told his friends, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” Luke 22:15-16. There are four cups of wine throughout the Passover. They tell the story of the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. The first is the Cup of Sanctification (I will bring you out), the second is the Cup of Plagues (I will deliver you from slavery), the third is the Cup of Redemption (I will redeem you with an outstretched arm), and the fourth is a cup of Ingathering (I will take you as my own people). The cup that we know as the communion cup would have been the third cup, right after the meal – the Cup of Redemption. With that cup, Jesus said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.” Luke 22:20-22

“They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.” Luke 22:23 I wonder about this. If Judas was the ‘bad guy,’ wouldn’t they have known? So it would appear that all the time the disciples were with Jesus, Jesus treated his betrayer no differently than the others. And Judas apparently behaved similar to the others. Anyone who has ever been betrayed by a friend in any way would tell you that there is no deeper hurt than being betrayed by a friend. And the closer the friend, the worse the hurt. How could Jesus treat Judas the same as the others? Did he not know?

Actually, I’m quite sure he did know. This same Jesus sent Peter and John ahead to prepare for the Passover. He told them, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there.” Luke 22:10-12 A similar thing had happened with procuring the donkey for Jesus to ride. And early in his ministry Jesus saw Nathanael sitting under the fig tree. Yes, I believe Jesus knew what Judas would do. Yet, he loved him and treated him just as everyone else.

It is a lot easier to ‘forgive’ people for things they do to other people. But when your friends do something that is hurtful to you or someone you love, it is not so easy to forgive. But Jesus knew what he was here on earth to do and he didn’t wait for the big moment on the cross to forgive. Rather, his whole life was a life of grace and mercy and forgiveness. I have so much to learn. I begin to understand even more why it is so important to keep building my relationship with God through prayer, meditation and reading his Word. Loving others in this way is more than I can do within my own earthly flesh.

And I begin to understand that Jesus died for everyone – not just those who are sort of good or very good. He died even for those who have done the worst of crimes against other people. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 There is no one God does not love. He is willing to forgive anyone who comes to him and asks. This love is way more than I can understand, but I’ll keep trying because I want to be more like my heavenly Father.

Does it hurt to be betrayed? Absolutely! Did Jesus feel that hurt? I’m sure of it. Did he love anyway? Yes he did. And then the hardest question of all – Have I betrayed Jesus? Do I need his forgiveness as well? Unfortunately, yes. And hopefully as I grow and learn from him, I will do it less and love him more. I am so grateful that God is a God of second chances.

Desiring to Know

Many people are fascinated by the end times prophesies. Scholars have spent years studying and some even try to predict. But Jesus himself said, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:26 So that would appear to be a pretty worthless activity.

When the disciples asked the when and how we’ll know it’s coming, Jesus didn’t give them a date and time. Rather he cautioned them, “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.’” Luke 21:8-9

Jesus went on then to tell his disciples that there would be “great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” Luke 21:11 But that is not where he wanted them to focus. He told them that they would be persecuted and that some of them would even be put to death for their faith. “But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.” Luke 21:14-15

Then he says an astounding thing. “All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair on your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life.” Luke 21:17-19 He just finished telling them that some of them would be put to death and then immediately follows with not a hair on their head will perish. I wonder how this can be. The disciples have not yet seen Jesus rise from the dead, so I’m guessing they were pretty confused at this point. Jesus has a way of moving smoothly between the physical and spiritual realms and if we don’t follow that transition, we often come up with confusing ideas. In this case, I believe he is saying that their physical bodies are in for a beating, but their eternal bodies will not be harmed.

He goes on to talk about “signs of the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:25-28

As he ends his dissertation on the end times, Jesus gives a warning. “Be careful or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36

There are a few things I know. Jesus will return. There are going to be a lot of catastrophic events prior to his return. When he comes, I will stand before him and give account for my life. All the other details can be argued by scholars and other interested parties. But it won’t change these events. So I intend to focus on being ready, investing each day the Lord gives me wisely, desiring to know him more and therefore seeking after him with all my heart. I can’t possibly know if he will return in my lifetime or if Christians will be here for the ‘great tribulation’ or not or many of the other details that people argue about. Even if I have a healthy curiosity about these events and enjoy a good argument with those with differing views, it won’t change the main event. Jesus is coming and I want to be ready.

While Jesus did teach from time to time about the end times, he focused way more on the kingdom of God and how to be good citizens of the kingdom of God. Those are things I can learn and they will prepare me for an eternity with my King Jesus. I’m going to trust that he has the end times under his control and I don’t need to worry about the details.

How Much is Enough

Should I tithe based on the gross or the net of my paycheck? Should I only give when I can get a tax-deductible receipt? Should I give to beggars who will use it to buy more beer or drugs? Should I give to someone who won’t go get a job to provide for themselves? Should I give to someone who doesn’t spend what they have wisely? What about giving to build a new building or for new furnishings in a building?

“As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘I tell you the truth,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’” Luke 21:1-4

Maybe I’m asking all the wrong questions. Maybe I should be asking questions like, who does ‘my’ wealth belong to? Why do I have it? What am I expected to do with it? Does this mean that God wants me to sell everything I have and give the money all away? After all, that is what he asked the rich ruler to do in Luke 18.

I wonder if there are more issues here than whether I give $10, $100, or $1000 to a non-profit organization. For starters, how about trust? The woman gave everything she had to live on. That was her grocery money, modest as it was. Could I trust in God’s provisions for me enough to give away my grocery money?

Another issue is who does my wealth belong to? “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 Jesus taught parables about managing wealth that belonged to a master. It would seem that we are stewards of wealth given to us by God. So how would God have us use this wealth he has given us?

When I do a search for the word ‘wealth’ in the Bible, nearly all of the references are warnings against putting trust in earthly wealth and regarding mismanagement of wealth and the punishment for that. “Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.” James 5:3

I have ‘things’ stored in my house that I haven’t visited for years. I wonder if others could use those things. I have clothing in my closet I haven’t worn for years. I wonder if others could use those pieces of clothing. I have collections of books and videos that I haven’t read or watched for many years. I wonder if others would find enjoyment in those. And that is just the stuff I don’t use. How much more have I been blessed with that I have hoarded and not shared?

It is so easy to compare myself with others who have so much more than me and think maybe I have this one down. But if I took the time to compare myself to others who have so much less than me, would my heart become more tender and willing to share?

And then, to take it another step, what about my wealth of knowledge and wisdom from Scripture? Is it right for me to ‘hoard’ that and keep it to myself? Do I really understand the good news that Jesus brought us? Am I anxious for others to know and understand how much they are loved by our Father? Am I working to develop the heart and love for others that the Father has? I wonder, if everyone who calls themselves a Christian were to share freely both their physical wealth and their knowledge of Christ, would there be any poverty in the world? Would there be any places in the world where the Gospel was not preached and heard?

God, please help me to be a good steward of all that you have given me. Help me to multiply the gifts you have given me by sharing them with others. And help me to not pass by those who need to hear your good news, but to share that freely as well. You have given me more than enough so that I can share. Help me to hold everything you have given me with an open hand, giving back to you and sharing freely with others.

Head to Head with Pride

Sadducees don’t believe in a resurrection. They thought they could prove their point and teach Jesus something in the process. So in their Jewish tradition of asking a question and then teaching by discussing the answer, they posed a question for him. Basically, it was if a woman’s husband dies and by their custom she marries her husband’s brother because she had no children, and this happens several times, whose wife will she be at the resurrection?

“Jesus replied, ‘The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die, for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. But in the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for to him all are alive.’” Luke 20:34-38

I wonder about heaven. What will it be like? What will we be like? Sometimes it is uncomfortable not knowing. But here is a glimpse of it… “can no longer die… like the angels.” Our identity will no longer be in our spouse but completely in our God. After Jesus rose from the dead, he ‘appeared’ and ‘disappeared’ without going through doors, but he ate fish and bread and they touched the nail scars and his side that had been pierced (Luke 24:36-43). This may be a glimpse of how it will be as well.

But what I’m finding is that knowing exactly what it will be like is not so important. What is important is that I will be with the Lord, the one I love, forever. And as I learn to trust him here and now, I am more confident that the future will be awesome and I don’t need to worry too much about it. I can trust him to have it all figured out and under his control.

“Some of the teachers of the law responded, ‘Well said, teacher!’ And no one dared ask him any more question.” Luke 20:39-40

But Jesus wasn’t done. He had a big question for them. “How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? David himself declares in the Book of psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I can make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’ David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” Luke 20:41-44

What was his point? Why did Jesus ask this question? He didn’t answer it like he often did after posing a question. Jesus was using Scripture that they knew but likely didn’t understand. I wonder if he was making a point with them that for all their pride and arrogance, they didn’t know and understand everything. Because if they did, they would have to admit that he was indeed the Christ.

Jesus then turned to the people who were listening and to his disciples and said, “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.” Luke 20:45-47

Jesus didn’t have a lot of room for arrogance and pride – especially when it hurt other people. He showed us another way – the way of loving and serving others and giving freely with open hands. God who created the universe and everything in it and is holy has every right to be proud and arrogant, but he humbled himself. “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:8 That is the heart of God – the most awesome love for us! There is no room for pride and arrogance in God’s family. Only love, mercy and grace. As one of God’s children, I am going to try to be more humble, loving, merciful and full of grace too.

What Belongs to God?

The teachers of the law and the chief priests have been getting pretty testy with Jesus. He has stolen the affections of the people and his kingdom talk is going to get them all killed yet. They fear the people as Jesus grows in popularity among them. But they fear the Roman government as well. They have to find a way to get rid of this teacher who they believe is giving the people false hope and putting them all in danger.

“Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. So the spies questioned him: ‘Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ Luke 20:20-22

Even as teachers of the law, it appears they were not able to refute his teachings. But they kept probing. I wonder if they truly believed they would find a hole in his theology and embarrass him in front of the people. He just didn’t look like Messiah material to them. And he certainly wasn’t pulling together an army like David did. So obviously, if they let him go he was going to botch things up. They had to find a way to get rid of him or at the very least get the people to quit paying attention to him.

“He saw through their duplicity and said to them, ‘Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?’” Luke 20:23-24

“’Caesar’s,’ they replied. He said to them, ‘Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’” Luke 20:25 They hadn’t won one yet and they were not going to win this one. In fact, when it was all over, Scripture says, “And astonished by his answer, they became silent.” Luke 20:26

Jesus knew what was in their hearts no matter what came out of their mouths. “The Lord says: ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.’” Isaiah 29:13 This is not a new problem. Isaiah penned these words several centuries earlier. It is still a problem today. We go through the motions: go to church, pray before meals, maybe even read our Bibles. But for many, our hearts are still far from God.

What is it that belongs to Caesar (the government)? Our taxes and our obedience to the laws of the land as long as they do not go against God’s laws. What is it that belongs to God? Our hearts! Most of us know what it means to give our hearts to another human being – loving them as we do ourselves.

But how do we give our hearts to God? “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 Do I live to seek God, to look for him, or do I live for myself and maybe see him flash by from time to time. When I find God – even in unexpected places – how do I respond to him?

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” I John 4:7-12

For years, I have prayed, “Lord, let me see others through your eyes.” Interestingly, his answer to that prayer has been to show me how much he loves me and only then will he show me others as he sees them. In fact, I cannot see others as he sees them without understanding his love for me because God is love. When through faith I believe that God loves me, I am free to love others because I know God loves them just as he loves me. And then I realize that God has my heart. It belongs to him.

Whose Vineyard Is It?

As Jesus is teaching in the temple courts the religious elite (chief priests, teachers of the law, elders) come and question him regarding his authority. Jesus has been teaching with authority, driving out demons with authority, healing and forgiving sins with authority. It seems these religious elite cannot reconcile in their minds that Jesus is the Messiah, though he does very ‘Messiah-like’ things. They know the prophecies like, “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” Daniel 7:14 But they don’t want to believe that Jesus is this Messiah. Maybe Elijah returned, but not the Messiah.

Jesus knows that it will do no good to repeat the prophecies they already know. So he responds with a question of his own. “Tell me, John’s baptism – was it from heaven, or from men?” Luke 20:3 Now he has them in a quandary. If they say from heaven, he will follow up with their disregard for John’s teaching and if they say from men, the people will stone them for blasphemy because the people believed that John was a prophet. So they say they don’t know.

Jesus goes on to tell a parable – aimed directly at the religious elite. It is a story of a man who planted a vineyard which he rented to farmers. At harvest time, he sent a servant to get some of the fruit from the vineyard. The servant was beaten and sent away with nothing. He sent another servant and another, and they were also mistreated and sent away with nothing. “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’” Luke 20:13 But the tenants thought if they got rid of the heir, they would get the vineyard as an inheritance. So they killed him. “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” Luke 20:15-16

“When the people heard this, they said, ‘May this never be!’” Luke 20:16

Jesus responded with a quote from their Scriptures, “’The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.’ Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.” Luke 20:17-18

Then the religious elite wanted to arrest him. “But they were afraid of the people.” Luke 20:19

I wonder how it is that the leaders feared the people. Apparently, they could not find a way to refute John’s teaching to dissuade the people from following him. And I wonder why the religious leaders weren’t the first in line to be baptized by John. Could it be that pride was in their way or maybe self-righteousness? If they couldn’t understand their own need for repentance and change, John’s teachings would have made no sense to them. Yet they didn’t stop the people from going to John to be baptized.

And I wonder why this parable made them so angry with Jesus that they wanted to get rid of him. And then I bring my wondering to the here and now. How many preachers and professors of Bible have tried to ‘get rid of Jesus’? They refuse to listen to the voice in the wilderness saying, ‘repent’. And they refuse to bend their knees to Jesus, the one and only Son of God. They believe he was a good man and quite possibly a prophet. But they can’t let him be the Messiah because that would mean big time change for them. They, like the Pharisees and teachers of the law, lead many people astray because of their disbelief. And I cry with the people listening to Jesus, “May this never be!”

And then I wonder how often my pride and self-righteousness has kept me from repentance – from humbling myself before the Lord and others. I wonder how many times I have missed the hand of God working because I couldn’t get myself out of the way. Being broken as I fall is way better than being crushed because I was not willing to be broken.

Jesus was not surprised by the behavior of the religious elite – maybe disappointed, but not surprised.

“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone…” Psalm 118:22

“… and he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.” Isaiah 8:14

“So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.” Isaiah 28:16

" 'Listen, O high priest Joshua and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,' says the LORD Almighty, 'and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.” Zechariah 3:8-10

Oh God, may it never be that I would be crushed because of my unbelief. Open my eyes to see and my ears to hear and my mind to understand who you are and what you have done for me. Just as your finger wrote the commandments on the stone for Moses and the people he was leading, write your will on my heart that it would become the center of who I am. Today I worship you and honor you as Lord and King of my life. In Jesus’ precious and holy name, Amen.