Held in Trust

It’s an interesting Psalm, partly because it does not seem to ring true; and when that happens in the Bible we might be on our way to an insight.

Psalm 8 says, “what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?  Yet You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:4-5)   And now here comes the kicker, “You have given him dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.” (Psalm 8:6-8)

You might say, “Well, that would be nice.  All the beasts of the field?  ‘Hey bear, leave that alone,’ and it does?  ‘Hey deer, come on over here,’ and it does?  ‘Hey fish, jump in the net, OK?’  But you know, I haven’t seen any of that lately.”

You would be correct.  That’s why so many interpretations of Psalm 8 say, “this is obviously about Jesus.” Yes, it is, and that is a good beginning.  But we should not stop at the beginning. This is Ascension Day and this psalm has a lot to do with the Ascension of Jesus.

Jesus is the Son of Man, and for a while He took a place lower than the heavenly beings.  He was born and made Himself part of the flesh, blood, bone and skin collection of human beings – one of us.  Paul says, “He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking on the form of a servant …” (Philippians 2:5-11)   But even as Jesus took on our lowly nature, the world of nature was coming back into harmony with Him.  Mark tells about the temptations in the wilderness like this, “He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan.  And He was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to Him.” (Mark 1:13) Jesus was restoring the original pattern of creation, standing in our place. In His person Jesus restored the proper relationship between mankind and nature. Jesus holds that in trust for us until the day of the resurrection when we are glorified. 
 
Jesus went further. “He became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8)  And as Jesus laid down His life, the natural world responded. Matthew reports, there was darkness for the tree hours, and “the earth shook and the rocks were split.” (Matthew 27:45, 51) But then there is the victory. "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name." (Philippians 2:9)The whole creation joins in praising Him. (Revelation 5:13)
 
I haven’t even named the verses that talk about wind, waves, water, wine, bread, fish, and a fig tree.  All of creation is subject to Jesus.  In fact, the whole creation longs to be subject to Him.  “… the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” (Romans 8:20-22)   

But once again this is Ascension Day.  We are celebrating that Jesus (our brother) ascended (as our brother) into heaven. He rules all things and God has given Him the name above all names – and He is still our brother.

When the Psalm says “son of man” (Psalm 8:4) it is calling Jesus your brother. When it says, “You have put all things under His feet …” (Psalm 8:6-8) it is calling you His brother or sister. You see, the victory He won; He won it for you.  And Jesus has taken the place of glory, but the glory of Jesus is to make us glorious. 

There is a part of the letter to the Hebrews that meditates on Psalm 8. It says He “was made lower than the angels … that by the grace of God he might suffer death for everyone.”  And then it talks about, “bringing many sons to glory” and says, “That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers …” (Hebrews 2:9-11)
 
Jesus has dominion over the created world. But He does not hoard dominion for Himself alone. What Jesus holds He holds for you. He holds it in trust until the day when He can bring us all into glory and fully share the glories and blessings with us. The ascension and glory we celebrate today is actually a promise of our future.  Like Paul says, we “groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:23)   The apostle John joins in and says, “when He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2)

Lord Jesus, fill my vision this day with the promises You have given, that one day I will see Your glory and share in the blessings of eternal life. One day You will bring me into the full glory You have prepared, and I will celebrate and sing, and then live forever. Right now, in the middle of following You, help me to live in hope, and trust You for each of the days that come along. Amen.

“Is He Safe?”

“Is he quite safe?”
“Who said anything about safe?  ‘Course he isn’t safe.  But he’s good.”
That is a part of a conversation C. S. Lewis wrote in his book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe .  It is written to make a point about God.

Tomorrow is the Day of the Ascension.  We celebrate that Jesus ascended into heaven, to sit at the right hand of the throne of God; to take all power and rule all of creation; and to gather His kingdom until He comes to judge the living and the dead.  Is He safe?

Ask the disciples who left behind their lives of fishing, gathering taxes, and more, in order to be sent out, scattering all over the ancient world and all but John confirm their witness through a martyr’s death.  Or Abraham who left his father’s house to go to a land God would show him.  Or Paul, who was confronted by Jesus, who then sent him far away to the gentiles, to bring the Gospel and suffer for the name of Jesus.  Is He safe?  I imagine each one would join C. S. Lewis in saying, “Who said anything about safe? … But He’s good.”

Jesus is the King.  He is King of kings and Lord of lords.  Jesus is seen in Daniel’s vision of “one like a son of man … given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples nations, and languages should serve Him”. (Daniel 7:13-14)  All other kingdoms are swept away and His kingdom is everlasting. As the King Jesus has the right to decide that my life will go the way He decides, and not the way I thought it would. Is He safe?

Jesus calls us to follow. He tells us there is a cost. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)  Is He safe?  And Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  Is He safe?  Almost two thousand years later (still in our days) in so many places around the world Christians suffer for their faith; for the name of Jesus.  And all around the world Christians say, “Who said anything about safe?  But He’s good!”

What did the disciples of John the Baptist hear from Jesus when they came and asked?  “The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the good news preached to them.” (Matthew 11:5)  He’s good!  Sinners had their sins forgiven.  The thief on the cross had heaven opened.  Mary Magdalene had her total despair taken away on Easter morning outside the tomb when when Jesus called her by name.  He’s good!  Lazarus got to be at the feast -- after Jesus interrupted his being dead.  Thomas had his doubt and denial dispelled.  Paul was turned from a persecutor to a Christian singing and praying and telling about Jesus even in the jail at Philippi.  He’s good!

So here we are in the middle of all kinds of things happening.  There is a virus.  There are problems with jobs and keeping businesses opened.  There are controversies and disagreements all around us, among our friends, and conflicts in our own thoughts and feelings.  We could be asking “Is it safe?”  We have no idea what is coming in the next week, month or year. 

But remember what Paul wrote to his friend Timothy, from Rome while under arrest.  “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12)  We know that Jesus our Redeemer is with us, “all the days”. (Matthew 28:20)  His promises are all over in the Bible. Our sins are forgiven. We have been set free by Jesus. (John 8:31-36) And We have the righteousness of Christ as a free gift. (Romans 3:21-25)  We know how everything will turn out.  It's going to be glorious!

I started saying years ago, “The most important thing in any journey is who you are traveling with; all the rest is just scenery.”  (That’s what we sometimes called that endless detour that seemed to lead all over the place, and then it was getting late and when would we ever get there? And then I would say how I had a wonderful and beautiful traveling companion; and maybe my wife would smile -- for a while. [Don't tell her I wrote this.])  

Well, boy do we have some "scenery" right now. And when are we going to get there?

But I think back to how these meditations started.  Jerod texted me, “Remember God is still in control, not corona virus.”  

He still is.  And “Who said anything about safe?  But He’s good!"

Lord Jesus, in the middle of everything that is happening, and when I am unsure and beginning to worry, or even worse; help me. Remind me of Your constant presence. Remind me that You are Lord of Lords and King of kings, and that You are in control. Strengthen my faith as I struggle to trust. Calm my fears that I may be clear-headed. And help me to see the many daily provisions that come from You. So, dear Savior and Friend help me to grow in faith, in prayer and in the spiritual life. Amen.

“... All the Days ...”

I noticed this while writing a devotion (April 24) on what Jesus said at the end of Matthew. Usually we hear it like this, “And, behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) But when you look very close you find “extra promises” tucked in. 

Back then we talked about the word order, and how Jesus used the name of God, "I AM." He made the name of God part of the promise to be with us.  In fact, in the Greek word order Jesus did something very interesting. He put the words "with you" in the middle of the words "I … Am." The verse actually reads, "I with you Am ..." The promise "with you" is embedded within the name of God. That’s who He is.  He is the "with us" God. 

There is more.  We usually read the word “always”. But it is actually three Greek words there, and they are much more specific.  The Greek “pasas tas haymeras” (πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας) means “all the days”. (It's time for me to get excited all over again.) 

I love this!  It is not simply some undefined “always.”  "All the days" means every one of my days, each one of them, with all the variety of things that happen.  It means the days that go wonderfully from beginning to end.  It means the miserable days when we push through the dreariness and carry some heavy burdens.  It means the days of unexpected surprises, and it means the days when we start out and nothing seems to go quite right or fit together, from getting up to sitting down at the end. "All the days" means a lot!

And in the middle of all those days there is the name of God. “I AM” is with us and writes His name over our every moment and breath. Jesus puts His name into every morning and evening.  And He says "with you" every noon and nighttime.  Our Lord and Savior, the great Immanuel, gives Himself into everything we face "all the days" and His name is there in every blessing of "all the days."

This is our God who writes and speaks His word and does not hesitate to get very specific. He is much more personal about it than to leave it with just "always." Psalm 46 says, “God will help her when morning dawns.” (Psalm 46:5)   And Psalm 23 says "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." (Psalm 23:6) In one of my favorite psalms, David celebrates how God knows him and watches over him no matter where he might be. He saw my unformed substance and all my days were written in His book. And then he says, “When I awake, I am still with You.” (Psalm 139:18)

It is tremendously important that Jesus entered into our time-bound existence.  He doesn’t simply look down and see our hours and moments.  He came to and share days and nights.  And Jesus set aside specific days to do the work of salvation. Our salvation was marked out in the day of riding into Jerusalem.  And then four days later the evening of the Passover in the upper room, the night of prayer, the morning of trial, and the afternoon of the cross.

The victory over death is marked out as the third day.  Luke says “on the first day of the seek, at early dawn”. (Luke 24:1)   And there will be a specific day when we will rise; the day we stand before Jesus; the day He gathers the whole world together and says before the Father and all creation that we are His.

Lord Jesus, until that day when I see You face to face, until the day when You raise my body and call me blessed, until the endless days of glory begin; thank You for Your promise for all the days of the journey. Thank You for the days of being with me, through days of blessing, days of burdens, and days of prayer. Thank You for the many times You called me Your own and reminded me that You put Your name on me. Amen.

Self-Control Day

It happened at a Youth Group activity; a bonfire event.  I brought along my Bocce Ball set.  That is a kind of “lawn bowling” game where you mark out an area, toss a small target ball and take turns rolling the larger balls to try to get the closest (with 2, 4, 6, or 8 players). Scores are tallied, added up and after a number of turns someone wins.

We tried it out, played a game, and then …   One of the young people challenged me.  He said, “I have muscle memory that comes from playing basketball, so I think I am going to beat you.”  He did.  Badly!

We admire the muscle control that our athletes show, watching their achievements and the self-control of amazingly precise movements and achievements.  In fact, just this spring there was a 10 part special about Michael Jordan.  I remember being amazed by the things he could do as he flew through the air, changing his shot several times as he went, avoiding one, and then another defender.  It was astonishing self-control.

But there are other areas; different parts of life where it is equally important to have self-control. In those areas it is over our emotions, thoughts, impulses, desires, and beliefs.  This is how we were made. We were created in the image of God, with a rational soul.  That means we are not to be guided, like the animals, by instinct and impulses.  We are called to rule over our impulses, just as God counseled Cain, “sin is crouching at the door.  Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:7)   Cain lost control and was controlled by his sinful urges. 

There are numerous urges, feelings, emotions, imaginings and more that rise up from inside, swirling around and mixing within us.  It can be a confusing turmoil inside – and haven’t we all been there.  Feeling our way through, figuring out for ourselves what is right and wrong can end us up being in an absolute mess.  Jeremiah was right.  The heart can be “deceitful above all things … who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)   We need guideposts and landmarks.

The guideposts begin with God and what He has done.  That is why the 10 Commandments begin, “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (Exodus 20:2)   In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus began by pronouncing a set of blessings that He brings (Matthew 5:3-11)and then declared that He had come to fulfill the law. (Matthew 5:17)  You see, God always begins with what He has done. With the Israelites He reminded them of how He set them free through the blood of the lamb; and with us how He has set us free through the blood of the True Lamb.  When you read through the letters of Paul and others in the New Testament, it is fascinating just how much of the letters are simply telling about Jesus.

"Self-Control" is a good ending, the last in the list of the “fruit of the Spirit.”  Endings are important.  Jesus ended the Sermon on the Mount, saying, “Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24)   So He tells us to look back over everything He preached in Matthew, chapters 5, 6, and 7. 

"Self-Control" looks back over the rest of the list, and encourages us to seek the things of God as disciples of Jesus.  It is very different from a list of don’ts.  The fruit of the Spirit is what the Holy Spirit is working in us, forming within us, and guiding us into.  We want these things to fill our life. 

In one of his last letters Paul wrote, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

This is also how Martin Luther ended each of his explanations of the commandments.  What are those things of God that the Holy Spirit is calling us into.

Lord Jesus, fill me with Your Spirit and with Your Word, that I may desire the things of God, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness. You have paid the price to bring me into Your love, Your joy, and Your peace. Lead me as Your disciple that in learning of You I may grow in the all of the fruit of the Spirit. Guide me that I may pursue the things of God, and in learning them may learn of You, until that day when I see You face to face and celebrate all that You will have done in my soul. Amen. 
​

Today is Gentleness Day

Gentleness is eighth in Paul’s list of the fruit of the Spirit. It is part of the image of God that the Holy Spirit is forming within us.  Now it may be a surprise but gentleness has to do with power and might.  Weakness is not gentleness and can never be gentleness.  But when one who is strong enough to do damage, instead devotes their strength to care for the weak and helpless that is gentleness.  It is power and might restrained and focused to do good to the weak and little.

Think about the prophecy about Jesus, “a bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out”. (Matthew 12:20; Isaiah 42:3)   This is the gentleness of God.  He could have poured out wrath, and was entitled to.  Where our lives were damaged and filled with sin, He could have simply judged us.  Where our spiritual life was almost gone and all we had was a faint memory of God giving some sort of promise, He could have turned away.  But instead Jesus brought healing; and instead He brought the promises of God’s love and friendship back to us.  And Jesus did this through setting aside His infinite power and bringing the gentleness of God to the cross.  Even the soldiers in their arrogance and might swinging the hammer and driving the nails – they were in the hands of the almighty God who did an act of unimaginable gentleness, receiving their violence and praying for their salvation.  The gentleness of God.

Or think about the picture of the Shepherd, strong to defend his flock.  Back to back the two parts of the image form as Isaiah prophesies, “Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and His arm rules for Him, behold His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him. / He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:10-11)

Jesus said “Come to Me all who are weary and burdened ….  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle … and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)   His might, coming to us in His gentleness breaks down our walls of unbelief and brings us into the kingdom of God.  That is exactly the mystery Paul was talking about when he said “the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:25)

And now God sends His people out into the world.  The disciples knew they had the power of God backing them up.  But they were not sent out to demonstrate power, or stride through the world doing one miracle after another.  ((“These are not the doings you are searching for.”))  They and we are sent out into a world filled with one after another massive shows of power.  The world has enough demonstrations of power. They are easy to find.  We are sent to bring something different;. It is a different kingdom, a different message from God, and a different kind of power.  We are sent with words from God that have “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes”. (Romans 1:16)

It is a part of the work of the Spirit to form the “fruit of the Spirit” within us, and so form us into the image of God. Since it is part of the image of God, do not mistake gentleness for weakness or timidity.  It is quite the opposite. It is strength that is focused; power that is held back; and might that is put to the purpose of saving, helping, caring for, and defending those that are weak. Think of the tough policeman rushing to the aid of a little baby, protecting and holding him close until he can give him back to his mother. Think of a fireman carrying a frail grandmother out of a burning building, using all of his strength to guard and protect her. These are examples of how the character of gentleness is exhibited in the world. There are many more.

There are a lot of stories we have seen and heard, and we know there is an amazing goodness in them. Every one of them is an image of the almighty, gentle God and Savior we know. God Himself and every part of His character is what the world so desperately needs.

So this day, think on gentleness. And look for the chance to be gentle. In being gentle you show something of the image and character of God. 

Lord Jesus, form me as Your disciple, remaking and fashioning who I am. By Your Holy Spirit work deeply in my heart and soul, that more and more I may show the love of God in my attitude and the power of God in acts of kindness and gentleness. I pray and I ask that my life, my words, and my acts may bring praise to You. Forgive me where I have failed. Restore me and lead me, my Savior and Friend. Amen.

The "Fruit of the Spirit" Spiritual Exercise

“This is ‘kindness day’ so you need to think about the kindness of God, and then look for a way to show kindness.”  That was a part of a conversation this last week.  After the conversation, I promised I would explain it more in today’s meditation. 

It began with an experience many years ago.  I was with a missionary who was falsely accused, who had to leave the post they had put their heart into.  In the middle of their deep sadness we talked.  We talked for hours as we journeyed out of the country.  What to do?  What was God’s purpose?  Where to turn and where to focus when everything they had devoted years of their life was taken away.  How to find guidance in God’s Word.  I shared a spiritual discipline built around the “the fruit of the Spirit” from Galatians 5:22-23.

We start with one simple question:
There is the outer life, everything happening around you in the world, good and bad.  And there is the inner life, the life of the soul, and in that inner life there is you and God.  Which of them is the more important?  The most basic truth in life is that your connection with God is the most important thing in life.  It is where everything else comes from.

Second, no matter what is going on in the world all around you, God is still working within your soul.  He is still forming and fashioning you, transforming you in His image and forming what the Bible calls “the mind of Christ” within you.  That is a guarantee.  It is not a maybe.  And it is not a “hope so.”  The other things will come, and they will happen in God’s good timing.  But for right now God the Holy Spirit is forming within you the fruit of the Spirit.  You can be sure of that.

This is important for us when things around seem to be going off the rails.  The work of the Spirit within you is a constant.  It is something to turn to, to focus your inner self and do so in harmony with the Spirit of God.  This is important when everything is going your way.  It brings you back to those basic things that need to be down deep in the core of who we are.  

Since that conversation, I have turned to that spiritual discipline numerous times; sometimes in the middle of massive struggles; other times to keep focused on God’s blessings and the work of the Kingdom of God.  I have counseled others using this.  It helps in sorting out a lot of things in life.

Here is the pattern of this discipline.  Every day focus on one aspect of “the fruit of the Spirit”.  They are: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”. (Galatians 5:22-23)   When you focus on those things you know the Holy Spirit is working on and forming in your soul, you cannot miss.  Paul said as much, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)

This is how I have practiced it. Match each day of the month to an aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit:
(1) love, (2) joy, (3) peace, (4) patience, (5) kindness, (6) goodness, (7) faithfulness, (8) gentleness, (9) self-control.  Each month there are three full cycles and a few days left over: 1-9; 10-18; 19-27; and the remainder.  Or, after the 9 th , add the digits (sometimes twice).  So the conversation, “This is kindness day …” happened on the 14 th of the month (1+4=5).  May 29 th will be “joy day” (2+9=11; 1+1=2).
 
Here are some starter questions:

1. Love day: How does God show His love: to sinners?  To the human race?  To me?  In Christ? And how do I live in the love of Christ?
2. Joy day: What is joy? How is that different from happiness? How did Jesus show joy? How will He show joy at the end? How do I keep the joy I have in Jesus? How do I share it?
3. Peace day: What does the Bible tell me about peace? How can I bring peace to those in my life?
4. Patience day: How has God shown patience toward me? What is God teaching me about patience today?

It has been interesting how many times someone has walked into the office, sat down with me, and said, “It’s patience day!” And then we talk for a while.
 
Today is faithfulness day, the 16 th . 
God has been faithful. He has remembered His promises. He has answered our prayers. He has sustained us through trials, and given His blessings every day of our life. Think of the hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness” (LSB # 809). As the Holy spirit leads me how can I show faithfulness in my life?
 
Tomorrow is “gentleness day.”

Lord Jesus, work in my heart and soul. Form Your image within me. Help me learn from You the love, joy, peace, and patience. Form my attitudes and lead me in showing kindness, demonstrating goodness, living in faithfulness, and showing gentleness to those around me. By Your Spirit teach me self-control. Where I fall and fail, restore me and renew me in Your will and ways. Amen.

Now that we know we are all mortal …

One of the effects of the global pandemic is this.  So many of us have been ignoring the fact that we are mortal.  We have been pretending, distracting ourselves, filling every stray moment with entertainments, and again just plain ignoring.  But for a whole lot of us, that is gone.  We are mortal and there is no denying it.  What does this mean for us?  There are lessons we should remember from these days.  Some of them are sobering.  Others are hopeful and joyful.

We should not put all our hopes in the things of this life and this world.  There will be disappointments and there will be things we will never have.  The Bible has something to say about this.  “All that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in life – is not from the Father …. And the world is passing away along with its desires, …” (1 John 2:16-17)

Remember the inner life.  Jesus called us to know the life of the soul.  He talked about time with God, “
When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)   He invited all who are weary and burdened to come to Him and said, “you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)   The life of the soul is the inner life and it is important to fill that inner life with the good things of God.  Things like faith, prayer, love, joy, peace, patience and more.  The time we spend in God’s Word, and prayer is an investment in the things that last.  The verse above from 1 John finishes, “the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:17)

Sooner or later this body will fail, and we will stand in the presence of God.  “It is appointed to man once to die and then the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)   To many people that idea is frightening. But for the Christian there are all kinds of promises. We are connected to Jesus. And He said, “Because I live you also will live.” (John 14:19)   Paul says, “neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, … not height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)   Paul tells us about the second greatest hope we have when he says that Jesus “will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body". (Philippians 3:21)   The greatest blessing we will hear from God Himself when we hear God say, “Now the dwelling of God is with man.” (Revelation 21:3)
 
The Bible tells us that we are children of God, adopted into the family of God through what Jesus has done. He has bought us with His own suffering. He has forgiven our sins and given us His own holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21) And He calls us to follow Him and live with Him forever. Spending time with God in worship matters more than most people realize.  How often have we taken it for granted, thinking it will always be there? Worshiping the One who has and gives eternal life; calling on Him in our needs and thanking Him for our blessings; and learning the Gospel of Jesus Christ -- these are the things that open up eternity.  King Solomon said, "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth”. (Ecclesiastes 12:1) God calls us to gather around Him; to remember the Gospel message, that “God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) ; and trust Him that there is a “righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.” (Romans 3:22) Those truths bring our souls into fellowship with God.

This whole business started not long after we heard the words, "Remember, dust you are and to dust shall you return." That was Ash Wednesday. Now it is Easter Season. Remember that Jesus Christ is Risen; that He will return; and that He will call us out of "dust" to be transformed and live forever. Remember the life of the Spirit. And remember the life that is there for you in the words and promises of God.

Lord Jesus, call me to the spiritual things. Call me to the things of the soul. And call me to the eternal things of God. Help me remember the things of the inner life, where You call, deep within my soul, to know You as my Savior, to trust in You through all that happens in this life, and at the end to see Your glory forever. Amen. 
​

Questions

It was during my Junior year of High School.  Like so many others, that was the time in my life when I began asking questions.  I was looking at life, exploring the world, and figuring out what I wanted to believe.  And it was about that time the musical came out “Jesus Christ Superstar.”  The songs caught on, and they were on the radio a lot.  At Church one day a group of us asked the Pastor, “What do you think about it?”  He answered, “Well, they’re asking the right questions.”

That was a fantastic answer.  The questions they were singing were like this: “Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, who are you, what have you sacrificed? … Do you think you’re what they say you are?”  And, “I don’t know how to love Him …”  We understood that it was good for those who did not know Jesus to ask.  Who is Jesus?  Was this all planned?  And how do we relate to this man who is not like us? 

But there was even more. This is how our pastor’s answer hit home:
“They’re asking the right questions”?  We get to ask questions?  This is not just about believing what we have been told?  And we started asking. 

It is a fascinating thing about the Christian faith.  We ask questions and search the Scriptures.  And we welcome questions. This is the most fun part of teaching confirmation; when the students start asking questions.  Some years they think they are getting us off the lesson plan.  But not so.  The entire confirmation class is asking and answering, “Who is Jesus, and what has He done for us?”  Every question, every curiosity, and even a lot of the questions that come out of doubt – all of them lead us to look at Jesus, and we find amazing things in Him.

Jesus taught His disciples (and everyone else) by prompting their questions.  There is a string of events in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus is prompting questions.  

• Jesus was out in the boat on the lake with the storm was raging. After the disciples woke Him and He commanded the storm to stop – they asked, “What kind of man is this, that even the winds and waves obey Him?” (Matthew 8:27) 
• He healed a paralyzed man and the people “were afraid and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.” (Matthew 9:8) 
• From prison, John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask, "are You the one who is to come?” (Matthew 11:3) 
• Jesus taught in parables and the disciples puzzled them over and then came to ask; and Jesus taught them about the Kingdom. (Matthew 13) 
• And then Jesus feeds 5,000 (who is this who gives bread like manna from heaven?) (Matthew 14:19-21) and walks on water (who is this who commands the very elements?) (Matthew 14:25-33) and brings the lesson home, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is? … Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-16)

And then there are the teachings of Jesus. 

• The Sermon on the Mount teaches about blessing, prayer, forgiveness, and trust in God's provision -- and Jesus taught these things in ways that had never been heard. (Matthew 5-7)
• As Jesus taught, the tax gatherers and sinners gathered around. And He taught about the prodigal Son and how God and His angels celebrate our coming to faith. (Luke 15)

Christianity invites searching. When you begin to search and ask about Jesus, you find out that He is equal to all the questions you have; even the deepest questions. What is life all about? What does it mean to have a soul? What is good and evil?
 
You learn about God looking at the quiet humility of Jesus and His deep interest in all those around Him. You learn prayer by listening to Jesus’ teaching. And we find the purpose and fulfillment of our lives in our relationship with Him.
 
It is a fascinating thing about the Christian faith. We ask questions and search the Scriptures. And we welcome questions. Was our pastor back then asking questions? Yes, he was, searching the Scriptures and asking questions; learning more about God.
 
Am I still asking questions?  Yes, I am.  And I have found it to be true through the years.  The more I learn about Jesus, the more the Bible opens up about the deep things of God; about our God who created us; about our Savior who came to be one of us, to win us by His blood for eternal life; and about the Holy Spirit who has worked faith deep inside my soul to bring me to Jesus.  As much as I learn, I know there is so much more waiting for God to open it up.

Jesus still continues to fascinate.  And I know I will keep learning more and more about Him for my whole life. Even when we see Him face to face we will still be just getting started.
 
Lord Jesus, lead me to know You, more and more every day. Open up the Scriptures that I may grow in faith, and grow in understanding Your words, Your will, Your love, and Your wisdom. May I grow in my fascination with all that You are, all that You teach and all that You are leading me to, that I may know the wonders of eternity. Amen. 
​

Power, Status and Equality

There is something odd and unexpected about the way Jesus talked with people, and how He related to them. Over and over it does not fit the pattern you would expect. After all Jesus is God; He is almighty; He is all-knowing and able to see our deepest thoughts; and He claims us as “the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.” (Psalm 95:7)

But Jesus moves comfortably through and with the crowds of the humble and poor, welcomes children and sits with Nicodemus the scholar, sits with the woman at the well, and puts mud on the eyes of the blind man. Look through the Gospels and you do not find Him strutting His power or showing off His status. Do you remember the story of Zacchaeus? He wanted to see Jesus, but was short. So He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree. Jesus came by, looked up and said, “Hey Zacchaeus! Come on down. I have to stay at your house today.” (Luke 19:5) It is comfortable, informal and natural, even as Jesus is calling Zacchaeus to salvation. Even when Jesus was rebuking the Pharisees; He was challenging their entrenched beliefs in order to bring them to know the truth.

There are times when Jesus refused to take authority. Once when someone asked Him to make his brother divide the inheritance, Jesus said, “Man, who made Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” (Luke 12:14) At the wedding at Cana when His mother told Him they had run out of wine, Jesus said, “My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:4)
 
But it is not just authority or power. Jesus did not “lord it over” others. He could have. He is Lord. But instead, John describes Him:

• With Nicodemus (John 3:1-17) not lecturing but challenging and explaining.
• With the woman at the well (John 4:1-26) not scolding but talking about water and what she needs.
• With the woman caught in adultery (John 8:2-11) rescuing, asking where are the accusers, and saying “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
• With the man born blind (John 9:1-38) Jesus spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva and put it on the man’s eyes. That is (ahem) a very down to earth thing.

Time and time again Jesus did the “look you in the eye and tell you what’s in your soul.” But even then Jesus was not “lording it over.” In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus talked about His manner. He said to those looking at and asking about Him, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)  “Humble in heart,” He says. Not, “for I am God and you must obey My authority.” 

Humble may be the most amazing characteristic of God ever mentioned in the Bible. Humble in heart or (KJV wording) "lowly in heart". It is unexpected, and it does not fit the pattern you would expect of God. But that is the way Jesus comes to call us. It confronts us with the actual character of God, surprising us and making His claims in a vivid way. There is a one-to-one pattern here. But it is not a sudden change in the Bible. You find it in back in the Old Testament, in the description of the "tent of meeting". “Thus the Lord used to speak with Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.” (Exodus 33:11) Even further back, in Genesis, God came walking in the garden in the cool of the day to spend time with Adam and Eve, calling out to them. At the end of the Gospel of John, Jesus spent time simply having breakfast with the disciples, even cooking the breakfast for them. 

There is a “down on our level” pattern to all this. And there is a “one soul to another” pattern to Jesus' words. With all the surprise and unexpectedness, that is part of what draws and attracts Christians so much to Jesus. This is our God who chose to be with us. And this is our God who chooses to bring us into sharing His glory. And this part of the character of Jesus is exactly why I say, “Not only is He God; He is the one I can trust and want to have all the power and authority in the universe and in my life.”

Lord Jesus, my friend – because You have called yourself my friend. You are the friend I can turn to in every need, and You were my friend when I did not deserve You as a friend. You carried me through salvation, out of sin and into Your grace, out of death and into life. And You did that by giving Yourself for me. Help me always to know You as my friend. And help me always to follow You as my Lord and my God. Fill me with Your word that Your holy will may form my soul and guide my life. Amen.

My Grandfather’s Coal Bin

When I was little (I think 2 or 3 years old) my grandparents used to heat with coal.  My grandfather would shovel the coal into the hopper.  When the house needed more heat, the furnace would turn on the auger and pull more coal into the furnace to burn.  When my grandparents needed more coal, they would call the coal company and they would come by with a truck and the coal would clatter down the chute into the coal bin in the basement.

The company wanted their customers to keep buying from them, so they would include shiny little tags with their phone number.  Those shiny tin tags were the fascinating part, for a 2 or 3 year old.  They were about ½ inch by 1 inch, would not hurt the furnace, and, did I mention, they were shiny?  The shiny part was important.

I remember one time when my grandparents got a load of coal, my older brother and I were allowed (for just a few moments) to dig out some of those tags and gather a little pile of them.  It was fascinating!  (For a 2 or 3 year old anyway.)

So … there was that other time.  Later, one day I snuck down to the coal bin.  Wow!  All that coal, and I could have all the little shiny tags I wanted.  I dug through and carefully piled up first one stack, and then another.  I had one stack that must have been 3 or 4 inches tall and the other one getting close.  And then it got boring, and my mom was calling, so I went upstairs ….

The next part is kind of fuzzy.  I do not remember all of it.  I remember looking up at my mother and her looking down at me – and in the next instant I was in the bathtub. I was probably covered with coal dust from head to foot, and was probably leaving coal dust footprints behind me! 

This is an illustration.

Jesus was the spotless Lamb of God.  He was the Holy One, the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity.  There was no fault, or blemish in Him.  But He came into our world with a plan to take all the sin of the world on Himself.  Even though He was the sinless Son of God, He took my sins and your sins on Himself.

Jesus went to Calvary covered from head to foot with all the sin of the whole human race.  He presented Himself before His Father covered with our rebellion, uncleanness, hatred, moral filth, and selfishness.  Paul says, “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)   What was His Father to do?  Sin must be punished.  As Jesus presented Himself covered with the sin of the human race; all the judgment and wrath of God was poured out on Him. 

The Servant Song in Isaiah 53 says, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted.  But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; ….  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6)  
[At the beginning of this prophecy (Isaiah 52:13) God the Father says, “Behold My Servant”.  And near the end (Isaiah 53:11) the Father repeats “My Servant”.  In New Testament language the Father says, “This is My Beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17 at Jesus’ baptism, and Matthew 17:5 on the Mount of Transfiguration) ]
 
Through all the judgment Jesus continued in faith.  He continued to pray, “Father …” and “My God …”  In this way, through suffering the Judgment with perfect faith, Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice.  The prophet Isaiah says, “The Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; if He would render His soul as a guilt offering …” (Isaiah 53:10)   The offering of the soul is the faith of the soul.

So the offering Jesus made was both perfect in sinlessness, and perfect in faith.  And by that offering Jesus has set us free. 
 
Lord Jesus, I am amazed that You would come, bringing Your perfect life to redeem me, Your perfect faith to cover my faithlessness, and Your holy and sinless soul to be the ransom for my soul.  Help me to see all my sins taken away and carried by You; and to know the freedom and joy that comes to me in Your words and promises.  Amen.