The undergirding word

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘀 𝟮𝟵:𝟭𝟴 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁; 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗱𝗼𝗺’𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

The “revelation” in this verse denotes a prophetic vision – a word from God concerning the current times and circumstances of the people. There are many instances of the Lord speaking through prophets, and it was often a word of correction or judgment, in response to sin or the ongoing obstinance of the nations. It happened in addition to the written Law of Moses. And the Law of Moses – the first 5 books of the modern Bible is what “wisdom” is in the verse (the word is “Torah” – Hebrew for Law).

Taken together, the lack of a recent, fresh prophetic word is taken by people as a signal to walk away from following God, to cast off restraint, give in to temptation or go after other pursuits. It is a dangerous proposition (as the KJV states – “the people perish”).

But blessed, or happy, is the one – now pointing to the individual – who remembers the eternal word of God and maintains restraint.

In the practice of corporate faith, there is an ongoing “vogue” of the latest thing spoken and heard. The fresh word from a prophet has a crisp feel to it; a relevance and personal, contemporary touch. There is a vibrant, vital preaching or worship ministry happening, and it captures hearts and attracts many followers. Growth may be exponential and blessing abundant and rich.

But, invariably, the season ends. The Lord ends it, if for no other reason than people start to depend upon it. As Keith Green sang – “nothing lasts except the grace of God by which I stand in Jesus”.

As a result, there can quickly develop a “what have you done for me lately?” accusation towards God. But God is not duty bound to provide a constant flow of special words for people or sustain any given movement or ministry. We have been given another, more eternal and powerful word already. That is what the blessed one has, undergirding it all.

Firstly, it is necessary test for any sermon or prophecy to align with the given Word of God. Secondly, to experience prophetic words and in-season messages and on-fire ministries should not be a source of pride; yet that can and does happen. With that pride, when the experience ceases, so do faith and obedience. Being rooted and grounded in the Word is critical at those points.

And likewise, there is no room for pride among those to heed wisdom’s instruction either, for wisdom demands humility. And there is blessing or happiness in being kept safe and in faith.

Stories that span generations

𝗣𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝟳𝟭:𝟭𝟴 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘆, 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗲, 𝗺𝘆 𝗚𝗼𝗱, 𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲.

The old are discarded. That is nothing new. They are disregarded. Though they tell stories of their adventures, it’s presumed that they are either delusional or exaggerating. And sometimes they ARE. Their view of the world is assumed to be as the world was, not as it is. And sometimes their perspective IS dated like that.

It is easy, then, for an old person to think God has also cast him/her aside as yesterday’s news and an artifact only of how things were. That person can grow to expect only impoverishment of spirit and death. The slow descent into bodily decline can be seen to mirror one in the spirit. “Not so!” says the psalmist.

The lessons learned and experiences had are of vital importance to the next generation, without exception. The verse says nothing about the reception the declaration of God’s power will be received by those who are younger – and the old person will do well to consider how s/he received the same testimony. The acts of God among the lives of humans is BEST passed on by eyewitnesses, as it is an ongoing narrative for those of any age who believe.

𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴:

Stories may be dismissed as hyperbole and myth. If you’re old and have seen, tell them anyway. The speaker may be maligned and humiliated due to ageism and prejudice. God’s stories find their way across the generations nonetheless.

Nor is the immediate response of the younger listeners a gauge as to net effect of the testimony of the old. It never was. Nor is the complete embracing of all that is said, for it is only God’s Word that doesn’t return void, not the word of humans. As the trustworthy statement goes – “God has no grandchildren”. Faith is not passed on via DNA. God will touch whom he will; be in prayer that he amplifies the word of your testimony, O veteran of spiritual warfare. God has not abandoned you, don’t you abandon his work in you. 

Finishing the project

Luke 14:28-30 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

Jesus described the all-too-familiar problem of lowballing estimates for projects.  In a corporation, it’s common practice to preach cheap to management then ask for leniency when there are cost overruns.  And given the miserly control and fear of investment among C level executives, it is arguably the only way to get anything meaningful and substantial done.  Projects are treacherous ground even so because funding can be pulled any time.  Monies are counted quarterly no matter what projects are happening.  I will personally testify about 60% of my projects being canceled before completion, with people who were vital to those projects summarily laid off.

But this mini-parable is applied to a life following Jesus.  The level and cost of a lifelong commitment is often underestimated.  If you’re going to put parents, family or life’s pursuits ahead of your devotion to Jesus Christ, don’t bother saying you’re his disciple.  The balance here is that devotion to Christ will make you love your family even more.  It’s a matter of what reigns supreme.  And in this passage, Jesus stresses the long-term nature of a life given to him.  If your weariness causes you to abandon following him, you failed in your original estimate of cost.  Those around you who said it was only a phase are proven right in what they said.

There is no management to appeal to in order to increase corporate commitment to the project called my life.  Jesus paid for that life on the cross once for all.  It’s never the case that there isn’t help for me to continue in my following him or in all he’s called me to.  But there is also a giving up I can fall into if I try to do things on my own too much, things don’t go my way or my resilience is so low that fatigue makes me simply walk away.  Following Jesus, carrying my particular cross and letting him mold me into all he wants me to be is a lifelong project.  Indeed, I am his project.  For life.  May I finish (or be finished) well.

Scourge of the unfaithful

𝗟𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝟭𝟮:𝟰𝟳‭-‬𝟰𝟴 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹, 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻, 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲.

Peter had asked whether Jesus’ parable of readiness for his return was given for the disciples only, or all people. Jesus responded by describing the phases of judgment that will occur when he returns for his bride, the church. The overall advice to draw from the passage is “Be Ready”. That is, fight any temptation to slough off and become lax or negligent in one’s responsibilities. The picture is of diligence.

The word for “beating” means to flay or scourge – to whip, that is. It’s punishment in some form. The servant in this case is a believer in Christ who has not maintained a life directed by what s/he has learned and practiced. The shirking or malpractice of a life Jesus has saved will be punished to varying degrees. It’s hard to know what form it will take – if this refers to judgment that occurs after this life. If it is in this life, the blows can take many forms, including loss and removal from prominence.

The blows to be rendered to the disobedient servant is a clear warning to desist in abusing or ignoring what has been formed in the life of the servant. That admonition should be enough to get the believer’s attention.

The final sentence (“Everyone to whom …”) both predates and corrects the following Marxist statement:

“𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑”

.. as that translates into redistribution of goods by the state. The oppression wrought by forced acquiescence to that iron-fisted edict has physically killed millions.

Jesus is speaking of willful giving – heaven’s purposes surely do require more from those with more. But it is out of the obedient heart of the servant and as directed by God that the “more” proceeds. It is to God that the servant of the gospel reports, and it is for (and truly, to) God the well-endowed servant gives. The demand is an expectation of love.

The passage is stark in its declaration of judgment for believers. The servants described are NOT those outside of Christ. It’s chilling in its duty-bound cause and effect proclamation, but what do I expect to happen to abusers within the Kingdom? Or do I judge them as not part of the Kingdom because of their bad words and actions? I am not the judge, I beat no one and can look on no one with an eye for revenge or payback. That’s God’s job.

For me, the message is to remain diligent in my relationship with Jesus and my fellow believers. Do NOT let my love grow cold and keep trusting God for all he will do.

The vast treasure of the little flock

𝗟𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝟭𝟮:𝟯𝟮‭-‬𝟯𝟰 “𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁, 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸, 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗼𝗺. 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘆. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗹𝗱, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘆𝘀. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼.

After pointing out God’s glory in all creation – in birds, flowers and grass and saying how trite they were – even in their existence – to human beings, Jesus gave the “therefore” passage above. It’s both supremely endearing and challenging, even convicting.

The “little flock” is nonetheless the object of God’s pleasure and recipient of the very Kingdom of God. This flies in the face of any “big flock” mentality. Small is good in this passage, and of course Jesus was speaking to the small band of original believers. As the church grew, “little flock” would no longer describe it, except in comparison with the overall population.

A strong part of Jesus’ description of the creation was God’s care for it. It was and is God who waters the earth, sends sunlight to plants and provides food for all the animal kingdom. This is an indication of his care for people, whom God cares about more. There is hierarchy in the creation, and humankind is its apex.

The instruction to sell possessions and give to the needy implies that one has possessions and one is not needy. Far from any human socialistic system, this is generosity after God’s own heart.

And once exercised, there is a new treasure obtained. This is a restatement of the proverb:

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘀 𝟭𝟵:𝟭𝟳 𝗛𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗗, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲.

… which is an almost scandalous truth concerning the heavenly economy. God becomes the debtor to human kindness and generosity. A reward is kept in eternity for the generous.

The final statement – “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” – shows that giving one’s possessions takes them off the throne of one’s life. You cannot worship something you give away and even renounce. Once done, the heart of a person – his/her intents and purposes – are directed and reside in heaven.

So, who is needy around me? Hands would go up if the question is asked. But clearly, there is godly counsel to be gained in this. Do I give grudgingly of any resource – finances, time, energy, etc. ? If so, that needs cleansing and correcting. I have freely received; get over yourself O my heart.

Do I demand notice and reward for my acts of kindness in this life? If so, Jesus says I have received my reward in full. That is NOT the treasure described in this passage. Give and I will prime the pump of blessing in my own life; that is very true. Let me be God’s conduit – his pipe – of blessing. Let it flow.

Turning towards the good news

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟭:𝟭𝟰‭-‬𝟭𝟱 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗲, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴, “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱; 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗹.”

Mark 1 covers a lot of history of Jesus’ life in just a few verses, but this statement from the Lord at the beginning of his ministry is both terse and deeply engaging.

The time being “fulfilled” provides the historical context for the life and ministry of Jesus. It happened exactly when God determined it would, and all things were set in place. From the dire spiritual state of the nation of Israel to the rule of Rome, with all the roads and travel lanes that had opened, the point of Jesus’ entry onto the scene was ordained.

The kingdom of God being “at hand” announced what was now available through Christ. Humankind would be touched as never before with miracles, teaching and opportunity to walk out lives directed and blessed by God the Father in Heaven. “It’s right here” says Jesus, come and get it.

There is no translation of the Greek word for gospel – εὐαγγέλιον (pronounced euangelion) – means anything gloomy or burdensome. It simply means good (“eu” prefix) news or message (angelion). Jesus repeatedly urges people to believe it – that there is good will from God for them in life – both to save and restore and give hope and a future. It makes all the difference in how people live.

Coupled with the word for “gospel”, “repent” – meaning turn and go the other way – refers to mindset and faith that is “bad news” or at least laced with that. Rather than thinking about this sin or that, the call is to change our minds and believe that God loves and cares for us. All other actions and thoughts related to believing the bad news simply fall away – though some certainly die hard.

Let me then believe, practice and thus preach the good news where and when God enables and opens the door. He loves me and loves us and wants the best for us.

The angst and the lightning

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟮𝟰:𝟲 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝘀. 𝗦𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱, 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝘁.

…

𝟮𝟰:𝟮𝟳 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁, 𝘀𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗻.

So much turmoil in Matthew 24! So much cataclysm and soul-wrenching upheaval. The life of a Jesus follower is to be marked by the animosity of the world and endangered by the reaction of sinful humanity towards the message of the cross and its living out. The war in the heavenlies will become war on earth.

In fear, there is a settling of conviction or an alignment with anyone and anything that seems to alleviate the threats. That is why Jesus said to not be alarmed. Far from just turning off the alarm switch, the peace that a believer can have is based upon faith that Jesus remains in control although it looks like the opposite. Believers will be put to death in an effort to stop the move of God’s Kingdom (some have tried, see Josef Stalin). Still the end is “not yet”.

It does little good to hand-wring and development of worry warts in advance of the end times. Even less good is the perverse glee who imagine the coming of Christ – verse 27 – without the unpleasant events leading up to it – verses 1-26. Even less useful than that is the false prophecy that portends to know the time of his arrival and makes survivalist preparations (absoLUTEly without scriptural instruction). This is to the shame of God’s people, for it is cultic, and driven by anything but love (which has grown cold).

There is a hopeful sobriety that awaits the second coming of the Lord, come what may. Trusting God with today’s events is always the way to live in Christ. His Word is a lamp, not a floodlight (Psalm 119:105). Because, when Jesus does return to planet earth, no one will be mistaken. No false messiahs or false refuges will compare to the true glory or speed of his descent.

Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Prophets and profits

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟮𝟯:𝟯𝟰‭-‬𝟯𝟱 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗜 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀, 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗳𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻, 𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵, 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝗯𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗭𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗵, 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗿.

The parable of the landowner who sent his servants to collect rent was very thinly veiled. The religious rulers and authorities in Jerusalem were rebellious tenants, lording what they knew and what they had over the people. Any prophet sent to call them to righteousness that was the heart of the Law of Moses, was maltreated, even killed. Such talk threatened their position. Prophets endangered their profits.

The generation of leaders alive at the time Christ’s arrival in Israel were to bear the guilt of all who came before. That’s because it was no mere prophet visitation they witnessed – it was God the Son. Their crucifying him would carry the guilt weight of all who came before; such was the miraculous and doctrinal witness they had seen. They had seen it and attributed it to the work of the devil, blaspheming the Holy Spirit, the only unpardonable sin.

There is no payback in justice, only a making right of wrong. In that there is punishment for the wrongdoer and some of that is severe, even eternal. The prophets uniformly strongly advocated for justice for the poor, and ministry on behalf of the downtrodden was central to Jesus’ purpose on earth as well. Many of the miracles not only restored physical well-being but elevated their recipients to a better, more productive and permanently rewarded life. Arguably, the prospect of lifting people up (from under foot) was the central terror of the religious leaders. They NEEDED poor know-nothings to exploit and serve them. In the theology of the religious rulers, the poor pleasing them was the same as pleasing God.

Do I resist the prophet? Do I cling to position and whatever power I have come into – including the power of influence? I certainly do not want to. While New Testament prophecy is to undergo testing (𝟭 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟱:𝟮𝟭 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱), corrective words spoken tend to be opposed.

Without question, “prophets” can be equally intoxicated with power as anyone else, but there is a real deal. Authentic prophecy is not necessarily pleasing; it brings me up short.

It was God’s love that motivated Jesus. It was God’s love that motivated those who came before. Love pulls no punches but is expended for my good. A strong ploy goes on in the mind where the supposed motives of those who don’t please me become malicious and oppressive. While that can happen, let me learn to take those thoughts captive and let God speak. For I need to hear all God says.

The inner wash

Matthew 15:18-20 “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

The “traditions of the elders” and nothing in scripture or the Law compelled the Jewish leaders to wash before eating.  It’s certainly not a bad idea but the compulsion is overplayed.  It was a point of compliance forced on the people by those who “knew best”.  Except, they did NOT know best.

Jesus’ description of what comes out of the mouth – in words which turn into deeds – is a list of depraved output that brings people into their worst state.  They reveal something very broken inside and that brokenness dwarfs any hand-washing or external action to cleanse the skin or extremities.  A good adage is “you can’t wash your heart”, because only God can do that.

The call is to integrity – to be the same person outside as inside.  It means acknowledging the ugliness and filthy thoughts within and allowing God to heal and cleanse.  It means not trying to look good (or look bad) or compelling others to look good.  As the evil-doer, adulterer and murderer and then heart-broken King David said:

Psalm 51:6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

For it is not merely delusional to hide what’s inside, it’s deadly.  As David had ceased doing (though he knew better), let me let God do this:

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

It is a sign of saving faith that I allow the light to shine even on my most shameful parts.

Of yeast and faith

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟭𝟯:𝟯𝟯 𝗛𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲. “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿, 𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱.”

You can’t see leaven, yeast, in flour once it’s kneaded in. Yet its effect is readily apparent once the yeast starts to ferment, producing carbon dioxide which causes the batter to expand, or rise. And there are many things whose growth and development is undetectable by the naked eye.

Spiritual growth and maturity is largely unmeasurable. Seed is sown, watered but the Lord grants the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). It is a fool’s errand to gauge growth by human-visible development. And it is a marvelous truth that though nothing is seen, the Kingdom and its effects grow in individuals and nations.

Doubt goes both ways – one can doubt in God’s existence and involvement with the world AND one can doubt that doubt. It is simply true that the Holy Spirit moves upon hearts in ways we cannot see.

I am invited to give up both rose-colored and despairing perspectives. It is simply true that I do not know how God is moving and can only operate in faith that the Kingdom IS growing like yeast in rising dough.

Often it requires pure and persistent faith to do this:

𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟲:𝟵 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱, 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗽 𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘂𝗽.

And I do well to find that faith and let it reign this day.