All Scripture …

𝟭 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝟯:𝟭𝟲-𝟭𝟳 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝗱-𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸.

The Word of God, the Bible, has been denigrated. It has been assigned as a noteworthy set of writings, perhaps useful in their time. It has been the subject of humiliation and abrogation, canceling any importance it could have in the lives of readers. There are, of course, passages that are both puzzling and in need of contextual explanation. There are popular misinterpretations that have been co-opted to justify even the evilest doctrines and actions.

None of that sullies its intent and overall accomplishment in the lives of people of faith. It arrests sin, does not promote it. It corrects, does not condone. The righteousness it engenders testifies to the voice that speaks through the human lives used to record its words.

Paul was describing only the part of the Bible we call the Old Testament. He had the equivalent of a modern day PhD in theology and the Tenach (with the Jewish Talmud – rabbinic teachings) was his specialty. He had no way of knowing his letters to Timothy and the early churches would be incorporated into the canon – the books making up the New Testament. Yet his words here apply to his own writing.

Critics of the Bible – and they are nothing new as a group – harp on things like details (where the oral tradition was not as concerned) and historical accuracy (erecting their own criteria). All the while, combining their reading of the text with faith and being inquisitive as to its ability to teach and correct is avoided for reasons of fear (Hebrews 4:2). If the Bible had those attributes, it would imply change and repentance. Those things are not acceptable to devoted critics.

It is the proposition of scripture that humankind NEEDS teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness – and that, only from the hand of Almighty God. We are not righteous in ourselves, indeed so sinful that Jesus needed to die to set things right with His Father. That story is the primary one to allowing scripture to do its work – or rather, we could say it is the first work scripture does.

The sorrow of the unrealized fruit waiting for anyone who neglects the jewel which is the Bible is great, but it’s also waiting patiently to be discovered for all. I remain eternally thankful for its work in my life.

Kindness for the controller

𝙅𝙤𝙝𝙣 11:21 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙖 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙅𝙚𝙨𝙪𝙨, “𝙇𝙤𝙧𝙙, 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚, 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙙.”

The would/could/should haves – part of our entitled commentary to God about our take on life after events happen. While it’s perfectly understandable and good to review things that went wrong in order to prevent them from going (as) wrong next time, it’s presumption to read God the riot act. We simply don’t have the equipment or certainly the authority to instruct the Lord of our lives as to how things SHOULD have gone.

For Martha, this was completely in character. Though she followed this statement with “But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” (v 22), that was a self-perceived consolation to the sovereign will of Martha. This was the person who bossed her family around – taking umbrage that her sister Mary would not help her do her frantic, frenetic (and never ending) preparation, cleaning and (re)ordering of things for the guests. No, said Jesus, you can be like that, but Mary will certainly be allowed to sit and listen regardless.

It’s miraculous Jesus did up upbraid Martha – cut her down to size and knock her off her high horse. But he did not. As always, Jesus knew what was in a person, and Martha was hurting inside. We have no history regarding her past, but the need for control and intolerance of things not going according to plan is well understood even in our own lives. Martha had just lost her brother. Among the spectrum of things going wrong, that would be a biggie. Her pain in watching a loved one get sick and die is a well-known human experience. One of the earliest expressions of grief is anger – which blames. There’s little question that Martha had seen loss, along with personal criticism and shame. She felt things deeply.

It would seem a suitable emotional reaction to put Martha in her place, to let her know how selfish her manipulative control really was. But Jesus didn’t do that and it’s remarkable. Instead, Jesus grieved with her and then showed real sovereignty – that of Almighty God – and raised her brother Lazarus from the dead. That’s how God moves in the lives of the bossy, controlling, bullying people – shows them goodness in the dearest way.

It is so easy to sting back the people who dig and weasel and push and scratch their way into ordering your life according to THEIR program. Jesus shows what they need. Hardly acquiescence to their insistent wranglings but kindness in spite of them and in response to them. As usual, Jesus turns the world upside down and heals it. He’s glorious.

Dodging a despot’s paranoia

𝟭 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝟮𝟮:𝟴 ” 𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲? 𝗡𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲. 𝗡𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲, 𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆.”

David was a rising star in Israel. The esteem he was held in had surpassed that of King Saul. That didn’t just irk Saul, it drove him into deep suspicion.

There was presumed treachery that filled Saul’s heart and his thinking:

𝟭 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝟭𝟴:𝟴 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝘆; 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗹𝘆. “𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀,” 𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁, “𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗼𝗺?”

Now, Samuel the prophet had already told Saul that he had been rejected as king – by God. Saul’s hold on power, then, was only by human means. And in the tradition of royal families, there was a dynasty to be upheld and defended. Threats like David needed to be eliminated.

But David had no intention of overthrowing Saul; he served the king with exemplary loyalty. He was NOT, as the king accused, lying in wait for him. He was fleeing for his life from a murderous tyrant.

The paranoia that governs the life of some in power causes acts of malice towards even the most innocent and upstanding people under them. Indeed, the worst thing you can do under a tyrant is do your job well. Any acclaim that comes your way is perceived as something taken away from the despot. There can only be one star – the ruler.

While autocratic, tyrannical, even murderous rulers do exist in the world even today I am thankful to never have one running political things where I have lived; at least to the extent of hunting down their enemies to kill them physically. However, the controlling spirit of stultifying leadership is everywhere, and I have seen that.

If I’m under such an authority, I do think it’s God’s will and self-preservation to escape or hideout in the corners such as David did. While it is part of any employment to do what it takes to advance the corporation or organization, being slain in reputation, limited in future development or otherwise discredited and disparaged is harmful to the soul. I have been there; and my refuge was lateral movement. Escape is not always possible, so shelter is advisable. I prayed, I moved as I saw opportunity.

If I AM in a role of authority, woe to me if I become jealous towards those who report to me – I need to fight that zealously. For indeed, may they be more gifted and productive than I am. I need to promote them, even above and beyond me, seeing my role in their lives as nurturer, even for a short season. And in that role, I rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15), at any advancement.

Hierarchy is solidly scriptural and may I live in the structure with a heart after God.

Hometown mediocrity

𝗟𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝟰:𝟮𝟯‭-‬𝟮𝟰 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺, “𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗯𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗾𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗯, ‘“𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻, 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳.” 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗺, 𝗱𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹.’” 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱, “𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆, 𝗜 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗻𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻.”

When Jesus came to Nazareth in Galilee after being tempted by Satan for 40 days, he was confronted by offended unbelief. When they heard the grace that he spoke, the people noted he was (only) Joseph’s son, which was not accurate biologically/spiritually. They could and would not allow anyone from their midst to attain any exalted position and gifting. The status quo of “normalcy” – meaning mediocrity at best – needed to be maintained.

There is no person upon whom God coerces faith. It must come from within a person; an act of spiritual volition. The good news is that it can grow, and that involves tearing down strongholds of pride and envy. Those things stand in the way, and from this passage we see that they are tribally enforced and expressed.

Where do I deny the supremacy of Christ? Where do I insist upon his mere humanity? I may well hold his deity in formal belief, but what about his effect upon my own life? Do I hold up my requests and intercessions as proof points of his power and care on my behalf? That’s subtle, but greatly effective at putting myself on the throne where I do not belong. He needs free reign in me, not the restrictions created by my being his “hometown”.

On the flip side, where do I see myself and others pulled down, dumbed down and made to conform to the lower expectations, talents and attainments of others? It’s inappropriate to exalt oneself and completely in order to serve. And service will, by nature, grow people in gifts and talents well beyond those of others. But let it be known – envy is not absent among those beholding such growth – whether they behold as leaders or followers. There are resident controlling spirits that keep people where they are even as they atrophy and the grace that had been there dissolves.

The counter to the offense taken by the people is humble spiritual organism – a unassuming faith that is ever out-looking and growing. I need to allow it in me and foster and contend for it in my environment.

Fellowship of murderers

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟭𝟱:𝟳‭, ‬𝟭𝟭 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗮𝘀 …. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱.

The annual prisoner freedom ritual was meant to keep the peace between Rome and those of occupied Israel. There is no biblical record of it being done throughout the Roman Empire, but that would be consistent with the concessions made to maintain control yet allow some local political fervor to simmer. Indeed, the Pax Romana (Peace of Rome) operated at the tips of swords and spears. So, not really peace at all.

That Barabbas was a murderer (likely of one of the opponents of Israel) was an appeal to his candidacy for release. But that he was a murderer at all was perhaps more so, for his advocates were actively using Roman force to murder the One who served neither their aspirations nor that of Rome – Jesus Christ. He was far scarier than any mere criminal or insurrectionist, because His insurrection was against their sin and corrupt authority. He had to go.

The riddle of the cross is that when humankind does its worst, God’s best results. Murderers free murderers and at some level even flaunt their actions with a destructive arrogance that hurts themselves more than anyone else. God pays love forward through His Son and establishes eternal supremacy over the small reign of small people.

The cross wins. Always and forever. In my life and that of all humanity.

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.

Objections to the ordained

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟮𝟭:𝟭𝟱‭-‬𝟭𝟲 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲, “𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱!” 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗺, “𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴?” 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺, “𝗬𝗲𝘀; 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱, “‘𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲’?”

Indignation – anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment – is a human sentiment that can be produced by a perceived lack of respect or regard for high position and authority. Rank rebellion very often creates indignation among the powers that be, because it is a challenge to their position as the powers that be. In the praise that accompanied Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, there was high regard afforded the Lord for all he had done for people. The chief priests and scribes had never been praised like that. It was not rebellion but celebration. Yet, they were angry.

Jesus did not back down when they confronted him. This “riff raff” was acting in complete propriety. The infants and young children were glorifying God in the person of His Son. At the core of the objection was his identity. And THAT was at the core of why he was executed; the authorities accused him of blasphemy.

The Lord had prepared – ordained – the praise of the people. It was predestined that the people would shout “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (21:9). And Jesus was predestined to ride the donkey into town (Zechariah 9:9, more than 500 years before). The accomplishment of God’s ordained plans dwarfs the intents and wranglings of potentates and their minions, however powerful and exalted.

Am I among those laying down their cloaks and palm branches to welcome this gentle King riding the donkey? Or am I objecting to the hubbub and fuss? Do I crown him King or just a momentary celebrity who had some healing powers? It is a critical decision to this day.

Jesus is Lord.

Hope over human despair

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟭𝟵:𝟮𝟱‭-‬𝟮𝟲 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱, 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴, “𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗱?” 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱, “𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲.”

Jesus had astounded his followers by saying that only with great difficulty could the wealthy attain eternal salvation.  At the time, the religious authorities were all men of means, vaunting their wherewithal above those who were poorer.  Earthly wealth was, then, associated with heavenly destiny in the minds of the people.  Not so, said Jesus, quite the opposite.

Logically then, if the rich could not be saved, how much less those who had less?  “Who then can be saved?” was a question aimed at all humanity.  Jesus’ words had effectively disqualified everyone according to their understanding.  The disciples were expressing their despair.  It underscored how lost and hopeless was humankind.  But Jesus gazed at them when they asked it to focus his answer directly to their fear. 

Salvation was and is impossible with humanity’s reason and work.  We don’t earn heaven, God grants it.  All things being possible with God leaves no one out of redemption’s reach.  It is no statement of universal salvation but one or universal invitation and opportunity. 

Salvation is only one of many things people cannot do.  And certainly, people disqualify each other.  People even damn each other.  Not so with God, who desires that no one perish. 

Believing that all things are possible with God should change me as it should change anyone who believes it.  Is my prayer life in sync with this fact?  Do I develop faith that God will do what only God can do?  Do I persist in that faith? 

The draw of hopeless humanity is ever present and accusing, pulling down hope and the great expectations that God would engender.  The impossible riddle goes deep for it is exactly the hopeless ones that God wants to bring his Kingdom.  Yet, they rehearse and practice hopelessness and downward progression.  Let me be encouraged in my faith to counter with love.  In Jesus’ name.

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.

The warped faith of a tyrant

Matthew 14:1-2 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.”

In the family line of Herod, murderous oppression was a common way to maintain one’s reign.  Herod the Great had killed all the boys in Bethlehem in an attempt to snuff out Messianic prophecy.  His son Herod Antipas, in this passage, had murdered John the Baptist for calling out his unlawful marriage to Herodias, who had formerly been married to his half-brother Herod Philip. 

It is tempting to presume these men had no faith in God or his role in the affairs of humankind.  But the words above prove that they certainly did have a fearful faith in the God of Israel (Herod’s line was Edomite).  For if in Herod’s estimation John the Baptist could be raised and could perform miracles, he held the man he had beheaded in high esteem.  This is also verified in the account of John’s execution elsewhere – Herod was afraid.

There is a misplaced presumption of faithlessness in bullies and oppressors.  They are often in desperate fear of judgment – they know what they’ve done is evil and see no way out except brutality and human force.  Yet, Jesus saves monsters; it’s a fact and recurrent testimony.  Saul of Tarsus came to faith and many believers were still incredulous because he had singled out Jesus followers for persecution and destruction.  Yet, God saved.

Herod would never repent of his ways, and would later die a horrible death which is clear judgment of God.  But, the fact that he had enough faith to recognize the person of John the Baptist shows a projection onto God of tyrant – much like himself.  This provides prayer insight and wisdom concerning our dealings with such people.

May I never see God as one who imposes his will with violence and ruthlessness, but one who is slow to anger.  Let me never see God as one to be outmaneuvered via human wranglings and selfish pursuits.  Let me be pliable and listening to God’s heart, sensitive to his call and move.  In Jesus’ name.