The loving eye and the bridle

𝗣𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝟯𝟮:𝟴-𝟵 𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗴𝗼; 𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘆𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂. 𝗗𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗲, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂.

David came to his senses in Psalm 32 and opened his life to God, confessing sin and receiving forgiveness. When he had remained silent (vv 3-4) it had physical consequences – pain and exhaustion. But when he allowed God’s voice and conviction to come into his soul, he received pardon and regained God’s protection over his life. The famous “You are my hiding place” lyrics (v 7) are among the greatest statements in the Word of God about the shelter provided to the penitent.

The above verses are written as God’s words to David, and all readers. Whatever sin was confessed and forgiven is forgotten and God shows the way forward. It is his instruction that leads – and never into more iniquity. His advice and direction come from a motive of pure love and never manipulative self-advancement (God is quite secure as Lord over the universe).

Yet, obstinance is always a possible reaction from the human heart. Whether it stems from unbelief in God’s love and goodness or a desire to plot one’s own course, it reduces the person being directed to the mentality and willfulness of a brute animal. Even as humankind understands the need for means of controlling horses and mules, the rebellion of heart against God who grants the dignity of free will is held up as a right. And a right it is, but not without consequence.

Instruction is only good if it is imported as direction. Otherwise, it sits only as a varying opinion, and there is no shortage of those on the earth. Do I believe there is a God? Yes. Do I believe God’s instruction is a better teacher than my own wayward heart? Yes.

The walk is treacherous still, for the motives of people creep in, some even portending to speak for God – and others who really do speak for God in my life. The “loving eye” is key for me to see. God is for my good, not my control or frustration. May I see and walk with that knowledge. Amen.

Little man in a tree

Luke 19:9-10 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Zacchaeus was a traitor.  In the occupied nation of Israel, he chose to work for the enemy, the occupying force, exacting taxes from his countrymen.  The people hated tax collectors like him, and from his testimony, he was hardly upright even in siding with the Romans.  He ripped people off.

When Jesus came to his neighborhood, Zacchaeus climbed a tree to get a view of the prophet as he passed.  He did not call out to Jesus, but Jesus called out to him, singling him out for a home visit (yes, Dr. Jesus makes house calls).  We don’t have the conversation recorded between them but if one questions the art and need for compassionate, confidential confrontation and counsel (hey look, 4 C’s) in ministry just know Jesus did it regularly.

As a result, Zacchaeus emerged from it promising to repay anything he had stolen times four (that would be good interest on one’s money) and to give half of his possessions to the poor.  He became thumbs up to the rich young ruler’s thumbs down (see Luke 18:18ff) regarding surrendering his goods to follow Jesus. 

Those looking on scoffed at the idea of Jesus visiting the short man, calling him a “sinner” due to his occupation and practice.  They were right.  Yet, Jesus’ statement that salvation had come to his house (a pun really because Jesus’ name means “Salvation”) and that he too was a son of Abraham advances a proposition that no one, NO ONE is excluded or shunned from saving grace.  His statement that He came to save the lost goes perfectly with his initiating street-to-tree contact with Zacchaeus from the outset.  It was intentional and absolutely consistent with His purpose.

Who do I exclude, calling names and placing him or her outside grace?  I’m dead wrong when I do that, because Jesus calls such a person out of their perch and into love.  What group does culture or political tribe say is untouchable by grace?  Dead wrong again, that group is the target and early recipients of grace.

How can we (and I) change from an individual who came into Christ as a beggar for mercy turn into a judge and/or soldier keeping people out of our bunker and inner circle?  We have no basis for exclusive pride, but only thanksgiving, because:

Romans 5:8 … God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

There are neither gradients nor varieties of sin in that verse because without Christ, we are Zacchaeus up in a tree.

Saving a miser from misery

Luke 19:9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.

The people of Israel hated tax collectors, who worked for the occupying Romans. Not only were they compromised in their loyalty, but they used their power to extort more money than was truly owed. Everyone knew they were thieves, also.

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, so we can imagine, though not told, of a pyramid scheme of graft he utilized to acquire great wealth. He was also of short stature, such that when Jesus came by, he had to climb a tree in order to see. It must have been startling to hear Jesus tell him to get down because he had to spend the day at his house. Startling and scandalous, because to visit someone like that was thought to be an endorsement of their life and practices, perhaps to curry favor or gain wealth for oneself.

But Jesus had other plans. We do not know the conversation, but Zacchaeus emerged from their time together joyfully repentant. He would restore four times what he had gained illegally and give a full half of his wealth to the poor. In a short time he went from miser to benefactor.

Jesus’ proclamation that “salvation has come to this house” could have been seen as a pun, since Jesus’ own name – Yeshua – means salvation. But more vital is his inclusion of Zacchaeus as a son of Abraham. His restoration was something Jesus needed to accomplish that day.

So, do I look on crooks in high places with a condemning heart? It is certainly in vogue these days to do so. Are they hopelessly doomed to be bound in their own greed and pride? Or do I see the will of God that salvation would come to their house? Oh, let me drink that spirit in! Let me be strengthened with such grace that I could see my very oppressors saved, smiling and generously loving where before they were only using me and others like me. Is this enabling? Is it making myself vulnerable to new and even worse hurt? Not if my steps are ordained by the Lord.

Let me have a prophetic glimpse of what it means to include the wayward despot among the people of God. Let me make sure that person knows s/he is welcome in the family, that there is no condemnation awaiting his/her coming clean and coming to faith. And let me spend time as Jesus did, compelled to speak life to the cold and dead.

Roger Daltry sang the word “No one knows what it’s like to be the sad man, to be the bad man, behind blue eyes. No one knows what it’s like to be hated, to be fated to telling only lies.” Indeed. And no one knows what it’s like when salvation comes to his house.

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

Cut to the heart – Acts 2:37 (October 13, 2014)

Scripture:

Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Observation:

It was Pentecost, the Jewish feast denoting the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mt. Sinai 50 days after the exodus from Egypt (aka Passover). Jews from all over the Roman world came to Jerusalem to celebrate, to meet and worship in the temple in the spiritual center of the Jewish faith. The apostles, along with other believers in Jesus, had gathered in the upper room of the house nearby and a supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit took place. There was the sound of rushing wind, a visible sign of tongues of fire resting on each one and the sudden ability to speak in the languages of all the Jewish people gathered, as they praised God. They were accused of being drunk but many were deeply puzzled by what this meant. The Apostle Peter stood and gave an explanation of the phenomenon, saying it was the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy. He spoke of the death of Jesus, slain by the very people present, of Jesus’ real identity – God the Son and of the need to embrace Him by faith as Lord. The same Holy Spirit that caused the manifestation gave power to the words of Peter, and those listening were deeply moved (“cut to the heart”) and asked “what shall we do?” Peter would direct them to be baptized and believe and to begin a life of faith in the Jewish Messiah, Jesus.

Application:

The death of Christ did not write a dark chapter in the love story of God for His chosen people. It was the greatest expression of love God ever had for them. Peter was talking to those to had shouted “Crucify” on the hill that day, but God was extending His saving grace to them all, both at the crucifixion and now at Pentecost. If I dare hold onto grudges, even for murderers and bloodthirsty people, I have established a higher standard of acceptance than God Himself. The message that Peter gave had no denial of the crime they had done; but it presented a generous, glorious heart of grace to those who had declared themselves bitter enemies of Jesus. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, it hit pay dirt in their hearts, bringing deep remorse and a desire to make things right. Let this be my message, not avoiding the topic of sin and the twisted heart that commits it, hating God and His Son and any form of righteousness that does not produce personal gain. Yet guilt turns to conviction when salvation is offered. For there is a strong and redeeming answer to “Brothers, what shall we do?” Indeed there is a whole life to be lived in the light of the truth, light that allows believers to let down their defenses and serve in humility and in loving community. There were 3000 added to the church that day through faith in Christ and there would be millions more. May I be faithful to the message.

Prayer:

Father, this is Your Word. It is the purpose for which I have believed. You never stop loving, never stop reaching and drawing people. Let me be part of that I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

2 Samuel 1:23-26 (April 26, 2010)

Scripture:

2 Samuel 1:23-26 Saul and Jonathan were greatly loved  during their lives, and not even in their deaths were they separated.  They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.   O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet  as well as jewelry, who put gold jewelry on your clothes.  How the warriors have fallen in the midst of battle! Jonathan lies slain on your high places!  I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan! You were very dear to me.   Your love was more special to me than the love of women.

Observation:

The lament of David over the death of Saul and Jonathan is not full of tangled emotion as one might expect.  His pursuer, Saul, was finally destroyed.  And his best friend on earth, Saul’s son Jonathan, was killed with him.  But there is no hint of joy or even accusation concerning the person of Saul in David’s song.  Instead there is only deep personal grief.  Saul and Jonathan, often quarreling about David, were together in their final battle.  Their strength in earlier battles was remembered in David’s eulogy.  The nation of Israel had been blessed during Saul’s reign, even though he had turned treacherous towards his enemies.  And the death toll during the battle was much greater than these two, of course.  David then recalls his deep love for Jonathan, who would have given the crown to David and served him as a faithful servant, even as David had served his father Saul.  There is no deeper brotherly bond in scripture than these two.  And now that Jonathan was gone forever, David’s tears are real and come from deep within.

Application:

Am I forgiving my enemies and those who spitefully use me?  Do I give them their due regarding their strengths and all the good they do for the group of people who surround them, the community and the nation?  If not, I need to start making that inventory, for it will help me greatly to forgive them.  I can see that practice in this lament of David.  He never forgot the good things about Saul, never gave up on hope of reconciliation.  May I learn that and draw it into my heart as well.  For in there is the strength to hope.   Am I allowing myself to have close friends like Jonathan?  Do I maintain those friendships across the years and distances?  I am a poorer man when I fail to do that.  For the Jonathan’s I have are a gift from God and if I fail to honor my friendships with my time and energy, I will eventually be deeply mourning that even as David did in this passage.  Finally, let me learn to write down my songs, particularly at the crossroads of my life, for they seal my history and the history of my times and people, with closure and summary that enriches those who will follow.

Prayer:

Father, I thank You for the person of King David.  You are the One Who forged royalty in his life even as he was a poor shepherd boy.  And You taught his hands to play the lyre and sing for the whole nation.  Grant that I may have a heart as his, seeing things the way You showed him to see, so that I might have all the balance as life goes forth from Your hand.  In Jesus’ name, amen.