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.

Redeeming a narcissist

Daniel 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

One of the worst kinds of mental illness is narcissism. It is particularly bad because the person with the condition is either unaware or uncaring.  King Nebuchadnezzar’s successful kingdom had gone to his head and he had a habit of regularly reflecting on his own greatness.  Daniel, the prophet and high government official, had interpreted a(nother) dream the king had and indicated that he was heading for a hard time – a lapse in sanity during which he would not be around people but live as an animal outside.

This verse comes after that experience.  Prior to this proclamation, we have only Nebuchadnezzar’s acknowledgement of the God of Daniel or the “God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego”.  The LORD shown vividly through mind-blowing miracles was still the God of others.

It is of extreme interest that it was ONLY the humiliating, degrading fall from even basic humanity that convinced the king that God was his personal God.  I’ve heard the love of God called “terrible” because of cases like this.  He loves people so much he will let them go through utterly contemptible and disgusting seasons so they can discover the grace and mercy that only comes from heaven.  And it changes lives at the most basic, existential level.

Moreover, it is the nature of this particular person that is so instructional.  He’s a self-made, triumphant uber-achiever, a king of kings in his own right.  And he was beloved, honored and even worshiped.  I have to think Daniel was praying in love for him to know the God of Israel, but we don’t have that specific detail in the account.

Do I have bullies, oligarchs and those in positions of power? Do they define their style of leadership with arrogance and even self-adoration? These narces (narcissists) are absolutely candidates for grace, though it is dramatically up to God to architect and accomplish His kingdom move in their lives.

Let me be there to love them through the seasons where the mighty fall.  It’s why I was there to begin with, to see them through the seasons.

If I am in the midst of putting up with those like this, let me gain faith from this story, not for my triumph but for that of the Almighty.  Indeed, let me be conquered by love instead of resentment and bitter hatred.  That alone shows Kingdom reign.  Bring it on!

Not a fair fight

Scripture:

Revelation 19:20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.

Observation:

The beast had been revered by people by reason of its invincibility in battle (13:4), yet once the battle comes against Christ and the armies of heaven, there is no battle. The beast is simple “captured” and the battle is over. And his armies are slaughtered. There is no mention of their being even a fair fight. Such is the vanquishing of evil in the end. His sidekick, the false prophet, was likewise simply arrested and held. Then their punishment is carried out – to be thrown alive into the lake of fire. In both the captivity and sentence carried out, the intentions and end results of the work of the beast and the false prophet have come full circle. For it was their goal to put souls in prisons of fear and shame, resulting in addictive and debasing behavior that further bound them. And after that, to bring their followers into hell itself. Their desire was to take the God-granted gift of freedom and life and pervert it into slavery and death. So the Lord gave them exactly what they had wished on his creation.

Application:

Rather than look for a personal, historical beast – which may or may not be a valid exercise – let me ask – what is my beast? Am I held captive by any being or movement or organization or group that would blunt my freedom, won by Christ on the cross? Do I allow the person of Christ into whose image I am being molded, to be buried beneath some other image or likeness? The road leading to destruction has hundreds of such images, boasting very real and valuable earthly rewards. While awards and rewards do follow a righteous life, let the righteousness of God motivate me and not what glitters. May I receive commendation as His servant and only passingly as one commended by humans.

Also, may I do everything I can to win freedom for those whose lives I can truly grace. Let them be energized towards liberty of being – avoiding that which is blatantly sinful and thus, binding in its result. Let me preach Christ with love, mercy and wisdom, including the judgment that follows walking away. In that, let me also grant forgiveness over my own inflicted punishment. For my anger is not as God’s and the sentences I would pass fall far short of his long-suffering mercy. I will throw no one into a lake of fire or even a too-hot hot bathtub. But I can love those who hurt people (even me) and pray for those who have chosen darkness – so far.

Prayer:

Father, You alone can judge for eternity. And You alone can capture Your enemies – the real ones. Let me walk in holy fear and righteousness that comes from You through Christ. Amen.

How to prove love

John 21:17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Though Peter was being reinstated/restored, Jesus can ask this of any one of us. At any time. Three times in a row. Peter was exasperated by the three times, but he had denied Jesus the same number.

For the man who boasted of all he would do to show his love and devotion for his Lord (and then fail miserably), the instruction “Feed my sheep” pointed to the exercise of gifts that Peter may not even know he had – humility, patience and sacrifice. THAT would be how Peter’s love for Jesus would be worked out.

So, how would I (and we) receive the instruction “Feed my sheep”? We might think of great accomplishments that would prove how much we love Jesus. But those are mostly just parades before people. Instead of worrying about how I’m seen, I want to ask how I can help the least of these my brethren. Because that’s love.

Alive

Years ago I did a study of the ministry of the risen Christ.  I found that it was pure encouragement, hope and restoration.  Then I wrote a song about some of the people to whom he appeared and ministered.  I guess we could codify this and call them the “Stations of the Resurrection” 🙂

(Road to Emmaus)
Are you betrayed by empty dreams?
Walking far away from the promise you had
Broken and sad
There’s a Friend you don’t discern
Walking with you, from His stories you learn
In your heart they burn

(Thomas in his doubt)
Have discouragement, disgrace
Slowly snuffed all of your trust and faith
In your doubt you wait
Jesus comes into the room
Invites you come and put your hand in His wounds
He endured for you

(Peter in his denial)
Have you failed the test of faith?
Called down curses in self pity and fear
Now guilt is all you hear
Behold, He calls to His side
Lifts your head and wipes away all your shame
And sets your faith aflame

(Chorus)
Alive! Jesus is alive!
The stone that held Him rolled away
He’s with us here today
He’s Alive! Jesus is alive!
The Lamb of God who died is raised
Worthy of all praise

Gracious sobriety

Scripture:

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,and being sober minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Christ.

Observation:

This exhortation is one with goals, with end-results. The first one is action – a walking out of faith that accomplishes love, caring and helping others. Peter knew well the actions of Jesus – in Peter’s own words from Acts 10:38: “… He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”  

That action comes from a prepared mind. It’s a mind that is sober – not from wine and strong drink or substance abuse – but sober from the pride, anger, envy, greed and malice of the world we live in. A focus on Kingdom work cannot coexist with focus on those passions. The hope – both future hope and present reality with confident assurance – is to be directed towards grace. In an earlier verse (v 5), Peter talked about salvation being in the future – likewise here. The revelation is yet to come. But since we know of His grace and salvation, the instruction and exhortation is to bring it forward (and pay it forward) into present life.

Application:

This verse militates against both complacency and laziness on one hand and being drunk with the passions of the world on the other. That is, I can be so taken with leisure that I sleep through the call of God. Or I can be so taken with worldly issues, conflicts and intrigue that I get busy with the wrong motives and/or thus, do the wrong things. I need instead to be governed and motivated by grace and love. Hope can be set on lots of things – this year’s project at work, growth in power or advancement of all kinds with material, relational, prestigious and other kinds of reward. If any of that should come, so be it, but they are not the focus. No, that is the Kingdom of God, as Jesus himself demonstrated. So the questions come quickly and pointedly. How can I live counter-culturally like this, taking in the words and passions of my day and not changing mission? How can I give of myself to project the love of Jesus? How can I think, speak and act out of that love to the people in my life? Let me never stop seeking and learning more about grace and salvation, for there is always more to learn, other application to make and more to come.

Prayer:

Father, this is your doing. If I am your child – and You say (and so I believe) that I am – it is your work and calling that has established that. Grant that I might make adjustments of focus and concern. Give me wisdom graciously that I might love and heal as Jesus did, where and how you have called me to live. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Victory song revisited

Scripture:

Psalm 149:6-7 May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples

Observation:

Here praise is associated with warfare. This psalm is a song of victory. And the warfare is being carried out and has the aim of judging injustice. It is also fighting – with the motivation of vengeance and punishment – in the national interest of ancient Israel, who, when they walked with God (which was not always the case) were blessed to have Him go out with their armies. In that alliance and in that covenant, it was payback time – not by any human agency but as promised by God. Now, every nation in the ancient world claimed their gods were the reason for any prosperity or prominence or victory in battle. When bad times befell them it was because those gods were somehow (even capriciously) displeased. There was no association with the ethics or actions of rulers or the people. They thought and behaved as they would, driven by tribal loyalties, fear and pride. The God of Israel had a covenant people. God’s actions were not always on their behalf, for as they practiced injustice and oppression and idolatry, the warnings came and then the actions to give victory to their foes. National pride did not matter. Multiple times in this psalm, the recipients of the victory are called “saints”- those living godly, merciful lives. They were thus positioned to receive honor, and that, from God’s hand.

Application:

“Vengeance is mine says the Lord, I will repay”. I must own that in my heart. Because any expectation I have of God fighting my battles is based upon His timing and motivation, not my own. Even more than ancient Israel, God is hardly my national or personal henchman, concerned with my individual or tribal aspirations or interests. I have been dubbed a “saint” by sovereign action, therefore the sovereignty of all action is apart from my control. It’s not that I don’t have influence; I do – through prayer and worship. But in this war that I am engaged in – bigger than me and with forces not of this world – there is fighting and victory, with casualties and pain. However, let me get this right- in this war we take no prisoners but instead set them free. Every human enemy I would perceive – and I mean the worst – is a candidate for grace. The justice executed fell upon Jesus. In Him alone do I have any victory. Contemporary even in my victory, he sits at the right hand of God until his enemies are made his footstool. So the battle rages and one that we don’t even fully see. We participate in that warfare and we sing his high praises every time the enemy is defeated, as freedom reigns and redemption is accomplished in and around us. The “nations” and “the peoples” of this psalm are demonic legions, though sometimes humans align themselves to the extent that it causes their own personal demise. My fight is save life, not destroy it. To establish grace, not to dominate. May I do it with a strength not my own.

Prayer:

Praise the name of the Lord our God who trains my hands for battle. For the battle and the victory belong to You O God.

The caste of grace

Scripture:

Luke 7:39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”

Observation:

Jesus was dining at the home of Simon, a Pharisee. We aren’t told why Jesus was invited to dinner, though cultural knowledge of that time points to the gain in prestige by associating with celebrities and people of stature. It certainly wasn’t Jesus’ motive; that is revealed as the story continues. A woman – described as a “sinner” prior to the verse above, discovered he was there, entered the house, poured expensive ointment on his feet, mixed with her tears. We aren’t given the reason for her tears, but it is logical to assume she wept in sorrow for her sins. The sight disgusted some of the other guests, and we have the words of one of them above. He spoke them to himself – so he was essentially thinking out loud. He was the one who invited Jesus – likely for the reason just discussed. We see in his words a man who is judging Jesus’ status as prophet and coming to a conclusions based upon his perception of what a prophet would discern and do with that discernment. In his mind a prophet would certainly know the flawed life of a person. And having that knowledge, a prophet would certainly distance him/herself from such a person. Implicit in these thoughts is a caste system long erected and practiced by the religious leaders of the day. There were those inside and those outside the favor if God. And there was no way to bridge the gap. But in his arrogance he in fact showed that he was outside the favor of God, who includes and redeems. Jesus’ words that follow show admiration for this woman and testify that she cared about Jesus more than anyone else in the room. The shame they heaped upon her was in fact shame on them.

Application:

It is easy to denounce bigots, particularly religious ones. The temptation is to line up to defend the weeping woman, for she is defenseless and her motives pure. But the way to connect to this story that will make a difference in my life is to allow God to search my heart for my personal system of judgment. Who are my “sinners”? Certainly I have been hurt personally and those hurts have patterns as do the people who caused them have characteristics. I can find them permanently guilty of offenses I will never allow them to be forgiven for. I can view people like those and lump them together. And just like the Pharisee at Simon’s house, I will judge others by association. Or maybe there are those I just think lesser than me. I was honored by the friendship of someone years ago. We had a running joke (and truly it was a joke) that he was a “lower life form”, just to make him laugh. Years later he drank himself to an early death, all alone and isolated from family and friends. It’s not a joke any longer. None of that will do in a life that honors Christ. All, ALL, are eligible for grace. And a true prophet knows true grace. The way to identify a prophet is not only the gifts and acts performed but the purity of love they stem from. Every hard-as-nails seer, predicting judgment and wrath, has love as his/her basic motive. God does not delight in judgment but in mercy. And in giving grace to the humble. Let that be what I do. Without judging and without ceasing. There are those who will take advantage of kindness, whose attitudes and actions sink into darkness by habit. That gives me no permission to be unloving or unkind. Let my soul know it well.

Prayer:

Search my heart O God. Reveal to me my bigotry, my rivalry and judgment. Let me put those attitudes away and love and accept as You do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Itinerant purpose

Scripture:

Luke 4:42-43 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

Observation:

While in the synagogue of his hometown of Nazareth Jesus had pronounced his commission, citing Isaiah. He traveled to Capernaum in Galilee and beginning to deliver and heal the people. At the end of Luke 4, he left the people to be alone in “a desolate place”. But his celebrity and the needs of the people inspired them to seek him out. By popular demand he was to continue his work with them as he had been. And the passage says that the people would actually have kept him among them, ministering to their needs indefinitely – until they deemed it fit for him to move on. He was to be, in their mind and intention, their private prophet. But that was not to be. He announced that his news – the setting free of captives cited in his commission – was not only for their one town but for many. It was the purpose for which he was sent.

Application:

People invade privacy if you let them. Jesus went to a desolate place not to have people follow him, but very likely to be alone. The crowds did not allow that. He would do this vanishing act many times over the course of his ministry, and it was to be alone with God and pray. Do I make that a priority? I have nothing like the celebrity of Jesus of Nazareth but I do have busyness and people vying for my attention. Do I have a desolate place and a time to go there? If not, I need that. And when people are around me, do I cave to their requests or stay on mission?

And I cannot miss the motivation of Christ in this passage. He is NOT after larger crowds and yet greater celebrity. He would absolutely rise to national notoriety, but not because it was his goal or purpose. His goal was to spread the good news of the Kingdom to as many people as he could, accompanied by miraculous signs and wonders. It was the latter part that got people’s attention though the former – discipleship – that the miracles led to. Because, indeed, the work of the Kingdom was not even His alone to do. He would raise up apostles and disciples, sending them out to preach, heal and deliver as he had. The delegation of Kingdom work required that he not just do by himself. He was launching the church. Am I making disciples? Am I delegating the work of the Kingdom? Or at least do I pray and plan to be? I hope so, for the sake of the investment in me. And rather than allowing the crowds to exalt me, let me be found seeking the other gifted ones with no cause, just waiting for the call to glory they do not know exists.

Prayer:

Father, let me not settle for celebrity or notoriety. For you have much more for me to do. The glory is Yours alone; grant that I might live for it. In Jesus’ name amen.

Including the outcast

Scripture:

Luke 3:12-14 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we,what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

Observation:

The ministry of John the Baptist was dramatic. His message was strong and blunt – “Repent and be baptized!” By John’s own insistent admission it was given in preparation of another who was yet to be identified and start his own ministry – Jesus Christ. In fact, the passage in Luke 3 includes the baptism of Jesus by John. But the earliest and arguably the most deeply touched by John’s message were those who knew they had the greatest need to be forgiven. They were also the most despised in the nation. Rome occupied Israel. Among the Israelites, those who profited from that occupation were those who sided with Rome and had betrayed their nation and people. These were the tax collectors. It’s not remarkable that they came to be baptized; they knew the resentment of everyone. And the softening of their hearts – through base conviction brought about by the Holy Spirit – caused them to ask what they should do. John’s reply that they should not collect more than Rome required revealed a sin that everyone suspected – they were padding their pockets. But even the Roman soldiers came to John – who mostly had no interest in the God of Israel. His message to them revealed their sin as well – that they were using their position to take money and pervert justice. They were to do it no longer.

Application:

I need to note that cleansing of sin involves repentance. And it is not only the sentiment of sorrow – as authentic and deep as that feeling might be. Action is required – and not just the behavior modification of human devise that would engineer an improved life. No, this is God-directed cessation or commencement of life’s practices according to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. It is alignment with God’s law of love. Where do I need this? What do I need to put away or pick up in my life? The tax collectors and soldiers found acceptance in the ministry of John the Baptist and arguably nowhere else. They were despised, but John received them. He made no distinction. Immediately I am confronted with my heart’s exclusion of those enemies I would name. Their tribes and origin change across the course of my life, but my resentment of their sins against me and my people have caused my heart to harden against them. God’s purpose is to redeem. Always. John’s message was confrontational. Yet enemies responded because they saw a way out of sin they knew had entangled them. John was a pointer to Christ and his mikvah – the Jewish practice of cleansing by immersion – was only a preparation for salvation. I can also only point to Christ – I do NOT have salvation to offer from myself. Let me learn to confront in love as John did – and bring to Jesus those who respond. John had great courage and unwavering loyalty to God; I am humbled by his life of faith. And though I am NOT John the Baptist wearing camel hair and consuming locusts, though I work on the other side of the cross, let me learn from him and pick up all that is there for me. For he loved the sinner and thirsted for the redemption of his nation. Let me do likewise.

Prayer:

Father, humility dictates that I repent here. I ask with the tax collector “Teacher, what should I do?” Grant me the grace to obey the reply. In Jesus’ name, amen.