Guarded (1 Peter 1:1-12)

Monday, March 31, 2008

Psalms 1,2,3; 1 Peter 1:1-12


Due to a little bit of demand (as opposed to popular demand) I'm going to continue with the Restoration Project beyond Matthew. I'm going to give a try at commenting devotionally on the epistle readings for the Daily Office lectionary this Easter season. Already I see that I would much rather break 1 Peter up into smaller sections, but we'll give it a go.

[Secondly, what a disappointment that Davidson could not overcome Kansas. It came down to the very last shot, which is saying so much for the little Presbyterian school from just north of Charlotte, NC - but what a great and fun story! ]

+ + + + +

"you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
(1 Peter 1:5)

Leading up to Peter's comments about the necessity of being grieved through various trials, he first speaks of a series of truths about God's people scattered around Asia. It's important to hear and hold onto these before we mull over the reality and necessity of fiery trials.

First, they are elect, or chosen, exiles according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood. To begin with, in his salutation, Peter invokes the "Trinity" and uses covenantal language - election, exile, sanctification (being "set apart"), obedience, blood - as he addresses these believers, sprinkling themes he will refer to throughout his letter to them.

These first two verses are so rich, and deserve much thought and meditative prayer. But we move on. Peter blesses God that, according to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus, to an imperishable inheritance kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Peter will immediately move on to speak of trials and their strengthening, purifying effect on our faith. But first he says we are guarded by God's power. The power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, the power of the sanctifying Holy Spirit who implants the life and hope of God within us, this power guards us. There is a sense here that those of us who are not safe at home in God's eternal city, the new Jerusalem, who are scattered as exiles in this world, nevertheless are still guarded by God for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. We who have been chosen, set apart and cleansed, will be saved.

Whatever trials we face - pain, confusion, questioning; the loss of people or what seemed so promising; difficulty, persecution, even death - we are being guarded by God's power to the end that we will be saved through the trials and from the trials. And whatever "fire" we do pass through has been permitted past the guardianship of the Father, and the Son, and the Spirit, as a necessity, in order that we might trust him more deeply and fully, and know more and more of him, and through it all, in the end, that our faith in its fired purity and brilliance will result in praise and honor and glory to him who

• chose us
• set us apart for himself and for obedience to Jesus
• bought and cleansed us with his blood
• gave us new birth through Jesus' resurrection
  
• gave us a living hope
• gave us an imperishable inheritance
• guards us by his power
  
• purifies our faith through our trials

Yes, faith is a big factor in these opening verses. But clearly, it is trust/belief in someone who has done some things on our behalf totally apart from our ability, nobility, goodness, power, or even desire to do so. It is neither blind, nor generated by us as a way to cope. It is the result of having been chosen and sanctified and sprinkled with the blood of the covenant; it is the amen of the great mercy and the new birth and the living hope and the imperishable inheritance and the guardianship of God. It is a gift and a grace.

This whole section concludes with Peter saying that angels "long" (or lust, literally) to look into this message of the gospel of God in Christ. This too is how our faith is purified and strengthened to his honor and glory - it is as we consider again and again the beauty of the Lord and all he has done. As we remember the story for which we have been captured. And as we look at him who loves us so much he went through the ultimate fiery trial on our behalf, and who promises to be with us in ours (Isaiah 43:2; Daniel 3; Hebrews 12:5-6).

[ cf. Psalms 1, 2, 3]

week of March 30

Prayer for 2nd Sunday of Easter

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Readings for week of March 30

30 Acts 2:14a,22-32; Ps 111; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31
31 1,2,3; Exod. 14:5-31; 1 Peter 1:1-12; John 14:1-17
April
1 5, 6; Exod. 15:1-21; 1 Peter 1:13-25; John 14:18-31
2 119:1-24; Exod. 15:22-16:10; 1 Pet 2:1-10; John 15:1-11
3 18:1-20; Exod. 16:10-22; 89:19-52; Matthew 7:7-12
4 16,17; Exod. 16:23-36; 1 Pet. 3:13-4:6; John 16:1-15
5 20, 21:1-14; Exod. 17:1-16; 1 Pet. 4:7-19; John 16:16-33

see you Monday

I'm going to take a few more days off, but I will probably post devotions on the 1 Peter readings beginning next Monday.

Peace

God with us (Mt 28:16-20)

Thursday of Holy Week, March 27, 2008

Matthew 28:16-20

"And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
(Matthew 28:20)

Matthew's last verse brings back the promise of chapter 1:23 -
"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel"
(which means, God with us).

Though we never hear him called "Immanuel" - we have here in the conclusion of the gospel a wrapping together of the coming of the Son of God (3:17), the son of David, the son of Abraham (1:1), the Christ, the son of the living God (16:16). "He has risen, as he said" (28:6). He will always be "God with us," as he said.

And he is with us even in this going before us to meet us in the place to which he calls us, and goes forth with us in the work he has given us to do - making disciples, baptizing them into the life of the Trinity, and teaching them to obey his commands (the commands we not only teach with our mouths but demonstrate with our actions - by our obedience).

This life with him and work with him is a corporate enterprise. It's not just me and Jesus. Even as we are to immerse people into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, into the life of the Trinity, the holy community, so we are called to this work together, in bands of disciples who experience his presence in their midst, who worship him, listen to him, and obey him together.

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
(Matthew 18:20)

Christ has died, Christ is risen... (Mt 28:1-16)

Easter, 2008

Matthew 28:1-16


My message Easter Sunday began by focusing on the message of the angel: "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified."

First, we seek him who was crucified. These woman were eyewitnesses of his death and of his burial. Their following Jesus led them to the cross, and their seeking Jesus brought them to the tomb. This is where we have to start too - with the end of our hopes and dreams, of our understanding of how things could or should have been, the end of our living life our own way, with letting go and total surrender.

And yet this leads to the message, "He is not here, for he has risen, as he said... and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him."

This all ties in with the Colossians reading for Easter Sunday:
"Since you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God..." (3:1-4)

We seek him who was crucified, who is risen, and who is going before us. We seek the things that "are above." This means things that are of God and of the life of the risen Lord Jesus, things that have their life and source from God in heaven and not from a human, worldly or devilish source (cf. James 3:13-18). Paul goes on to say in Colossians 3 that the things that are above look like compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness, love and peace - which, in fact, are very "earthly," or this worldly, in the sense that they are to be manifested in this real world with real people.

Jesus is indeed alive and going before us. We have life and future and hope in him. In his resurrection he has conquered sin and death and every enemy that seeks to kill, steal and destroy the people God created and loves. As we do our business at the cross and at the tomb, and as we experience new life in relationship with Jesus Christ, we are called out and into his future. He is going before us. He has work for us to do, joining him in his continuing mission. Let us seek him, let us worship him, let us go forth in the name of Christ.

resting on the Sabbath (Mt 27:57-66)

Holy Saturday, March 22, 2008

Psalm 17; Matthew 27:57-66


Prayer for Holy Saturday
O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Whoever mocks and reviles Jesus, whoever plots and conspires against the Lord, his purposes, or his people will in the end be frustrated and fail. Whether disciples (Judas), religious (chief priests, elders, scribes, Pharisees, Caiaphas), populous (crowds, the "world"), political (Pilate), prisoners (the crucified robbers), or the powerful (Roman soldiers) - we can rest in Jesus. We can trust in the Lord, and his victorious suffering and triumphant death. He has made a public spectacle of them and triumphed over them all in his cross. He will make all things right, and we shall rise with him.

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
(Psalm 17:15)

Faithful cross, Noble tree (Mt 27:1-56))

Good Friday, March 21, 2008

Psalm 16; Matthew 27:1-56


Prayer for Good Friday
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Anthems before the Cross

(1)
We glory in your cross, O Lord,
and praise and glorify your holy resurrection;
for by virtue of your cross joy has come to the whole world.

May God be merciful to us and bless us,
show us the light of his countenance, and come to us.

Let your ways be known upon earth,
your saving health among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

We glory in your cross, O Lord,
and praise and glorify your holy resurrection;
for by virtue of your cross joy has come to the whole world.

(2)
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

If we have died with him, we shall also live with him;
if we endure, we shall also reign with him.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

(3)
O Savior of the world,
who by thy cross and precious blood hast redeemed us;
Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.


Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle
(I love this hymn)

Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle; of the mighty conflict sing;
tell the triumph of the victim, to his cross thy tribute bring.
Jesus Christ, the world’s Redeemer from that cross now reigns as King.

Thirty years among us dwelling, his appointed time fulfilled,
born for this, he meets his passion, this the Savior freely willed:
on the cross the Lamb is lifted, where his precious blood is spilled.

He endures the nail, the spitting, vinegar, and spear, and reed;
from that holy body broken blood and water forth proceed:
earth, and stars, and sky, and ocean, by that flood from stain are freed.

Faithful cross! Above all other, one and only noble tree!
None in foliage, none in blossom, none in fruit thy peer may be:
sweetest wood and sweetest iron! sweetest weight is hung on thee.

Bend thy boughs, O tree of glory! Thy relaxing sinews bend;
for awhile the ancient rigor that thy birth bestowed suspend;
and the King of heavenly beauty gently on thine arms extend.

Praise and honor to the Father, praise and honor to the Son,
praise and honor to the Spirit, ever Three and ever One:
one in might and one in glory while eternal ages run.

Closing prayer of the Good Friday liturgy

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


"You will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption."
(Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:27)

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday, March 20, 2008

Psalm 15; Matthew 26:20-75


"Drink it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
(Matthew 26:27-28)

All of the events of Jesus' Passion that we read about today and tomorrow especially are part of this "pouring out," this emptying himself of his life on our behalf. We see him betrayed, being "pressed" in the Garden of the "Olive Press" (Gethsemane), surrendering his will to the Father's will, being seized and arrested and not resisting, false charges trumped up against him, his simple testimony that he is the Christ, the Son of God, his not defending himself even to a single charge, and his closest friend's denial. He has invited and called his disciples to follow him, to take up their cross and go with him and be with him. He shares his last meal, the Passover feast with them, and he asks them to stay awake with him.

Tomorrow, the blood will literally pour out as he is scourged and crucified "for many for the forgiveness of sins." But for today, go with him, in your heart and mind, to his last supper, to dark Gethsemane, to the judgment hall...

Go to dark Gethsemane, ye that feel the tempter's power;
your Redeemer's conflict see, watch with him one bitter hour.
Turn not from his griefs away; learn of Jesus Christ to pray.

See him at the judgment hall, beaten, bound, reviled, arraigned;
O the wormwood and the gall! O the pangs his soul sustained!
Shun not suffering, shame, or loss; learn of Christ to bear the cross.

Calvary's mournful mountain climb; there, adoring at his feet,
mark that miracle of time, God's own sacrifice complete.
"It is finished!" hear him cry; learn of Jesus Christ to die.

[Early hasten to the tomb where they laid his breathless clay;
all is solitude and gloom. who has taken him away? Christ is risen!
He meets our eyes; Savior, teach us so to rise.]


Prayer for Maundy Thursday:
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

betrayal (Mt 26:14-19)

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Psalm 14; Matthew 26:14-19


Pilate has the distinction of being the only human being, besides Jesus, named in the Creed. Judas has the distinction of being, well, a Judas - whose name itself has come to mean betrayer.

Paul quotes our psalm today, Psalm 14, in Romans 3, to argue that no one seeks God, none who does good. David seems to make a distinction in the psalm between the "fool" or "all the evildoers" and "my people" or "the generation of the righteous." Paul uses the psalm to argue that all people, Jews and Gentiles alike, are sinners and need to be justified by Jesus Christ. In this reading of Psalm 14, Jesus is the poor and righteous one, even the salvation to come out of Zion.

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds,
there is none who does good.
The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man,
to see if there are any who understand (or, "act wisely"),
who seek after God.
They have all turned aside;
together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good, not even one.
Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
who eat up my people as they eat bread
and do not call upon the LORD?
There they are in great terror,
for God is with the generation of the righteous.
You would shame the plans of the poor,
but the LORD is his refuge.
Oh, that salvation would come out of Zion!
When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
(Psalm 14)

Betrayal has been in the news quite a bit, coming out of the governor's office in New York. In addition to the righteous crusader being exposed as a client in a prostitution ring, the newly installed governor has also announced that he had several affairs after finding out that his wife had had an affair. Brooke saw an old acquaintance yesterday, who has gone to the same church for thirty years. In the conversation this dear sister shared how she doesn't get involved in anything at the church anymore (like studies, fellowships, etc.) because that way you won't get hurt...

How did Jesus deal with betrayal? In the words of the psalm, he made the LORD his refuge (v. 6), and called upon the LORD (vs. 4), and remained "righteous," even in "the generation of the righteous" (v. 5). He proceeded to make plans to keep the Passover with his disciples. First, he kept on with his "spiritual disciplines" if you will, to keep the Passover with its remembrances and prayers; and second, he intended to observe the Passover with his people - his community, his followers, his friends, those who were yoked with him. In the midst of betrayal he didn't remove himself from all other relationships, but maintained and intentionally remained connected.

I remember hearing Bruce Larsen years ago saying that we've been taught to love God and trust people, and that that it not quite accurate and actually undermines us. What the Bible teaches, he said, was to trust God and love people. That's what I see Jesus doing in the face of betrayal. Again, it is the way of the cross. It is the way that the divine life manifests itself in human life. It is the way of life and to life. It is the way of Jesus.

[1. I do believe this is absolutely essential and the first steps to take. It does not address other important questions like setting healthy boundaries, or legal action. It does say, however, that such things should not even be considered without trusting in God to heal and deliver while continuing to pray, worship, and read the Word, and staying connected to "the generation of the righteous."]

[2. We're not going to discuss it here, and probably won't get to it in the next few days, but I would encourage you to think about Passover and how it ties in with Jesus mission, and how intent Jesus is on keeping it and connecting his death with the Feast. It's not accidental that this is the Feast at which he is delivered up to be crucified...]

Prayer for Wednesday of Holy Week
Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

anointed (Mt 26:6-13)

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Psalm 13; Matthew 26:6-13

“In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial."
(Matthew 26:12)

The disciples are indignant that this woman "wastes" a good $20,000 to $30,000, maybe more (the other gospels tell us it was worth 300 denarii - or 300 days of a laborer's wage) - it should have been given to the poor. I bet if Jesus had seen or heard of her quietly selling the ointment and giving it to the poor, he still would have thought it was a good thing. He doesn't dismiss ministry to the poor, he just places his presence in the days before his crucifixion as more important.

The time is drawing near, and perhaps this devoted woman had heard Jesus and believed that he really would die during the Passover feast. Perhaps not. But she loved him, and honored him, and lavished expensive fragrant ointment on his head. And he blesses her blessing him; he honors her honoring him... "She has done a beautiful thing to me" (v. 10)

Jesus has his pending suffering and death on his mind, and whether or not she meant it, he receives the outpouring as an anointing for burial. “In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial" (v. 12).

I think we can we say that Jesus loves it when people passionately and compassionately pour themselves out for him, especially as it relates to a response to his death for us. Isaiah 53:12 says "he poured out his soul (or "life") to death." And as we heard Sunday, Philippians 2:6 reads, he "emptied himself" (RSV, NASB). When our ministry to him, or in his name, mirrors his outpouring, or is an echo of it reverberating in our hearts and through our actions, he is blessed. In other words, when his pouring himself out in death so impacts and radically transforms us that we pour ourselves out, lay our lives down, even to the point of death, I think he is "satisfied" (Isaiah 53:11).

Prayer for Tuesday in Holy Week
O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


“Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her”
(v. 13)

prediction 4 (Mt 26:1-5)

Monday, March 17, 2008

Psalm 12; Matthew 26:1-5

-----
I have tried to arrange our readings this week to approximate with the events of "Holy Week." So we will have some short readings and some longer readings - feel free to space it out more evenly if you like.
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"the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."
(Matthew 26:2)

This may be Jesus' fourth clear prediction of his death (16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19). The previous three are identified together because there he included that he would be raised... which still is hard to hear after all your gaskets are blown because the "Messiah" has said he will be delivered over and killed: "That does not compute."

This is the second time Jesus predicts that he will be "crucified;" in 20:19 he said he would be delivered over to the Gentiles to be crucified. This showdown will get political, the leaders of the Jewish people will somehow pull in the Roman occupying and ruling leaders to get rid of him.
"The Roman citizen was exempt from this form of death, it being considered the death of a slave (Cicero In Verrem i. 5, 66; Quint. viii.4). The punishment was meted out for such crimes as treason, desertion in the face of the enemy, robbery, piracy, assassination, sedition, etc." (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, "Cross").

The word crucify would immediately trigger such thoughts and images in the minds of those who heard such predictions, and those early readers of the gospels. Without going into it here, when Paul writes in Colossians 2:15 that God "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him (or it, ie. the cross)," he may be referring to all structures of power, everything that in one way or another demands that we bow down to them and obey them, not just strictly the devil and his demons. (more on this may show up on the dicristina blog in the future)

So the high priest, the chief priests, and the elders of the people gather to plot to arrest Jesus by stealth... lest there be an uproar among the people. Elders of the people are supposed to be wise, mature, and to function for the life and health of the community - these elders totally missed it.

Note, too, their concern that the people would not go along with their plan. There really is little or no evidence that all those proclaiming him in his triumphal entry turned their "Hosannas" to "Crucify him!" It makes for good drama on Palm Sunday, and probably does speak to an evil bent in us, but I don't think it's true to the story. Perhaps more on this in a few days...

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Prayer for Monday of Holy Week)

Holy Week prayer & readings

Prayer for Palm Sunday
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Readings for Holy Week

16 Isaiah 45:21-25; Ps 22; Phil. 2:5-11; Matt. 26:36-27:66
17 Psalm 12; Matthew 26:1-5
18 Psalm 13; Matthew 26:6:13
19 Psalm 14; Matthew 26:14-19
20 Psalm 15; Matthew 26:20-75
21 Psalm 16; Matthew 27:1-56
22 Psalm 17; Matthew 27:57-66

righteousness (Mt 25:31-46)

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Psalm 11; Matthew 25:31-46


"'Come you who are blessed by my Father...'
Then the righteous will answer him, saying 'Lord, when did we see you...?'
And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'"

We heard a strong and inspiring message on this text Thursday evening at the first Men's Barn Ministry Supper by Chaplain and Pastor Mike Thomas. He reminded us of sins of commission and of omission, of poor man Lazarus and the rich man who neglected him, of the priest and Levite and the Good Samaritan... Thank you Mike. And last night Brooke and I were privileged to hear Bill Clark from the International Justice Mission (www.ijm.org). Bill shared about what IJM is doing around the world to rescue people from human trafficking, slavery, sexual violence, and widow land seizure. Indeed God's heart is with the poor and powerless, and he wills that justice roll down like rivers; this ministry has exploded in the last ten years, and young people especially, are all over the vision and the work. Thanks be to God.

This parable of the sheep and the goats is not only the last parable Jesus tells in Matthew, but may be the best known - certainly the best known of the last three eschatological parables.

First, let me link you to a site where you can download an excellent sermon on Injustice from James 2 by Tim Keller. You'll find a number of sermons there, all of which relate to his new book "The Reason for God" which answers skeptics' various criticisms of Christianity.
Keller on Injustice

Now for a few comments:

First, I want again to highlight this term "righteous" and the way that Jesus in Matthew emphasizes that what we do matters. In fact, that what we believe and what we do are connected, hearts and actions are inseparable... eg. that a good tree bears good fruit. The theme is all through the Sermon on the Mount. This term, "righteous," is one way of talking about those who relate rightly in all their relationships, not only with God but especially with those in need in the community. It's all through the prophets, the psalms and proverbs; it's alluded to in the psalms for yesterday and today (more in how the wicked pursue and oppress the poor and powerless, in other places we see that the righteous do the exact opposite... just like the LORD):

In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor...
He sits in ambush in the villages;
in hiding places he murders the innocent.
His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;
he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket;
he lurks that he may seize the poor;
he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.
The helpless are crushed, sink down,
and fall by his might... (10:2, 7-10)
Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand;
forget not the afflicted.
Why does the wicked renounce God
and say in his heart, "You will not call to account?"
But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,
that you may take it into your hands;
to you the helpless commits himself;
you have been the helper of the fatherless... (10:12-14)
O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart;
you will incline your ear
to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more (10:17-18).

For the LORD is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face (11:7).

Second, I note that the blessed righteous were just as surprised as the cursed and doomed "omitters". Jesus calls the "sheep" blessed - was it because they did all this stuff? Or did they attend to those in need because they were blessed?? They weren't all self-congratulatory, "Oh good, we were hoping you noticed all the good that we did" or "we certainly are more righteous than those goats, and deserve to inherit the kingdom!" It seems more a natural outflow of being blessed by their Father in heaven. Just as sheep follow the shepherd, listening to his voice and going where he leads, so these listened to and followed Jesus. As they had received grace and mercy, so they extended grace and mercy; as they had been loved unconditionally, so they loved unconditionally.

Jesus is "deadly" serious about his followers being like God, and being like him, in all relationships - not absolute moral perfection, but on the Way with a heart firmly set in that direction. God is making all things right, which includes justice for the poor and powerless - one day he will fully and finally do so. For now, we, the church, are to be doing so... like Mike Thomas and IJM, and all those blessed who don't even realize they are ministering to Jesus in sharing what they've received through him, grace and mercy, unconditional love, and tangible help in the midst of real need.

the master's joy (Mt 25:14-30)

Friday, March 14, 2008

Psalm 10; Matthew 25:14-30


"'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'"
(Matthew 25:21,23)

The second "eschatological" parable Jesus tells regarding being prepared for the end and for his return has this economic dimension. Of course, perhaps the first one had an economic aspect to it in that the five foolish virgins were too cheap initially to bring extra oil...

While all three have to do with readiness and preparation, the first uses the image of wedding / celebration / relational / anticipation of union and joy while the second uses the stewardship of another's resources to make the point.

We have been taught to listen for the "gotcha" in a parable, that a parable has this one jolting twist that was supposed to reverberate in your heart and head as you walked away. I'm pretty sure that in today's parable it has to do with the one talent servant, either his wimpiness or the master's harshness with him.

But what I'm "stuck" on is how much this man entrusted to his servants ("to each according to his ability" v. 15). A talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years wages for a laborer. Translated into our day, that would be anywhere from $300,000 (@ $7.50/hr) - $600,000 ($15/hr) or more.

That's a lot of money for a servant / slave to be entrusted with! And not only that, when the master comes to settle accounts, he says "you have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much." The first servant received anywhere from $1.5 million to $3 million. "At once" he went and traded with them and doubled his master's resources. Granted, the master knew that this guy had the ability to be entrusted with so many resources (this much money could employ a lot of laborers for a long time), but he also had the intrepidity, the fearlessness to just go out and start trading it. I guess the terminology in stock trading terms is that this guy had a "high risk tolerance."

I'm wondering what the "little" the servants were entrusted with is in reference to: how much the master actually owned, or to how much he was consequently entrusting to the servant. Either way, to me 3 million dollars is not a little! It's a lot of money with which to freely trade "at once" - no research, no dividing up the assets and letting some of it be risked in a high-yield potential investment, putting some in consistent performing mutual funds, and preserving a part for safe investing in bonds or CD's or even a money market or savings account.

The first two servants are addressed as "good and faithful," the third as "wicked and slothful." The first two did what was expected of them. Their faithfulness seen in both using their abilities to add value to their master's estate and in their seeming recklessness in trading with his money. Somehow they were confident and fearless; they knew either that this money was nothing compared to the master's vast resources, or that the master would be blessed by their seeking to not only manage, but multiply, his money. They knew that being entrusted with the master's possessions required an accounting, in fact, it required that they do something - ie. servants serve.

The wickedness and slothfulness of the last servant was not really in his doing nothing, he went to the effort of digging in the ground and hiding his master's money. It was, then, in what little he did, and his motivation for doing so - "I was afraid..." (v. 25). He did do something - but he did not serve his master, but himself. What he did was contrary to the purpose of the stewardship, contrary to the purpose of the talents. This reminds us of early on in the gospel when Jesus says that people do not "light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all the house" (5:15). [But lest we "over-spiritualize" this parable, let me be clear that I do think at least part of Jesus' point here is that there will be a material, economic accounting to be made on that day.]

So, do we enter into the joy of our master because we've been "good" (moral uprightness, avoiding sin, converted lots of people, added economic value to God's kingdom, etc.), because we were successful and have plenty to show for our efforts for the Lord? It's not payment for our work, but it does seem to be reward for faithfulness, and simple wisdom on the master's part in the stewardship of his stuff.

It's interesting how "faithful" and "slothful" seem to be antonyms here, as they parallel each other in the designation of the servants.

Good and faithful
Wicked and slothful

Fearless and faithful
Afraid and slothful

There's a real sense that in Christ we have already entered into the joy of our master. If we are baptized into him, then God says to us also, "You are my beloved child, with whom I am well pleased." Thankfully, Jesus did not remain "hidden" in heaven, but was faithful; he is the son who took on the very nature of a servant, and in faithfulness and in fearlessness risked everything on our behalf, and he has gained everything.

So we too, working with God who so powerfully works within us, cooperating with the Spirit who indwells us and who is transforming us into the image of Christ, with our hearts set on the goodness and faithfulness of God towards us, and on the joy set before us and his joy over us, use what has been entrusted to us to the glory of God.

"Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand;
forget not the afflicted.
Why does the wicked renounce God
and say in his heart, "You will not call to account"?
But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,
that you may take it into your hands;
to you the helpless commits himself;
you have been the helper of the fatherless..."
(Psalm 10:12-14)

ready, set, wait (Mt 25:1-13)

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Psalm 9; Matthew 25:1-13


"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
(Matthew 25:1-13)

Jesus now shares three parables to conclude his discourse on the last days. He has just said in 24:50 that "the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

This first parable follows that thought, "Then" or "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom..." (25:1). Five of them are unprepared, thoughtless, and dishonor the wedding party. These girls (virgins, perhaps not even teenagers yet, or very young teenagers) were to light the way to the bride's home, in celebration, for the bridegroom to ceremonially come to get his bride. The virgins were sharing in the joy of the bride and anticipating their own weddings. It was not uncommon however, once the torchbearers were ready for the ceremony, for the groom to be delayed. That's his prerogative on his special day, the procession members were not there for themselves - it wasn't their celebration - they were there for the bride and groom.

Their unwillingness to wait and watch in readiness was evidenced by not bringing flasks of oil for their lamps, thus in effect saying they'll participate if the bridegroom comes on their timetable and is not delayed. And such would be a huge insult to the bride and to the groom - and indeed they would not be welcome to share in the families' joy.

Jesus is saying in a number of ways that we are to live in readiness and expectation, and that we can expect that his coming to make all things right may be delayed. I think he's also inferring that to insist on our schedule, our plan, our way of conducting our lives, is to be a "wicked servant" (24:48) and a foolish members of the wedding party.

How often do we think God is going to do something in a certain way at a certain time? And when that does not happen as we expected, or planned for, or prayed for, we are disappointed, or angry, and even rebellious in our attitude? This can be something as little as how we relate to those closest to us ("because you did that, I'll respond this way!"), to hurts or griefs ("this justifies getting drunk..."), to major decisions in our life ("I really believed I was supposed to get that job, or get into that school, I'm not going serve the Lord so seriously for a while...").

Perhaps by extension we could also say that to live in such a way insults not only the Lord but also his church. For this is the great event we look for and long for:

"Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like th roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure" -

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." (Revelation 19:6-9)

Once again, a core issue before us is relationship and heart attitude. A right relationship, love with all one's heart, is all about the attitude, intention and desires of the heart. And this heart attitude manifests itself in outward actions (righteous deeds). I think this is what Jesus is getting at, metaphorically giving us graphic pictures that impact us and reveal his heart for his people - not to scare them with "do this or else!" but to describe faithfully living through times of waiting and suffering and wondering, and especially the Time of trial and testing and tribulation.

But the LORD sits enthroned forever;
he has established his throne for justice,
and he judges the world with righteousness;
he judges the peoples with uprightness.
The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you...
(Psalm 9:7-10)

servant (Mt 24:36f)

This was probably my favorite Larry Norman song.
It too ties in with today's reading...

I am your servant

be ready (Mt 24:36-51)

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Psalm 8; Matthew 24:36-51


"Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
(Matthew 24:44)

This is the third passage now the speaks of the "coming of the Son of Man." Jesus says that no one knows the day and hour, not the angels nor the Son, only the Father.

The main point today is to "be ready" - and we do that as we "stay awake," watching for him, and by doing what we has told us to do. Noah did this. God called him and told him what to do, he did it; God told him to get into the ark, and he did it.

Are we looking to him and looking for him? Are we doing what he's told us to do? This begins, first and foremost, with "Repent and believe the good new of the kingdom." It also includes loving the Lord with all our hearts and loving our neighbor as ourselves. If we love someone who has gone away, we will watch for them or for signs that they are returning: whether post cards or letters, phone calls, reports from mutual friends, or like the prodigal father, keep looking out over the horizon for a glimpse of the returning son.

And if we love them, we will do whatever we can to honor their wishes and desires as they come to us. Like our daughter-in-law Monica asked us before our visit to Atlanta about what we wanted to eat or drink, and how Mark and Monica have us sleep in their room in the good bed.

This seems like the sense of this final part of the discourse before the three parables that close it. Jesus also uses the words "wise" and "faithful" and "servant" to describe the dynamic going on here. Again, he is not throwing us in a maze and saying I hope you can find your way out before the bus leaves or you'll be left forever! He is not saying it's all work, work, work out of fear, guilt, and anxiety. He's simply saying something like, "be in relationship with me, be listening and looking. Be faithful and wise. Love me. Have a heart to serve me, and others, and you'll know when I'm coming, and you'll be ready."

A couple of weeks ago Larry Norman died. He was 60 years old and a Christian rock-and-roll legend. Two of his most famous songs were "Why should the devil have all the good music?" (Jesus is the rock and he rolled my blues away...) and "I wish we'd all been ready." That second one I still remember from about thirty years ago (it was actually written 39 years ago!), it's a sad song, and frankly I don't agree with the the whole "Left Behind" theology it foreshadows, but it's apocalyptic and foreboding tone still ring loudly, like Jesus' imagery in our reading today (check it, and other Larry Norman songs, out on YouTube - just listen, the slide show has it's good parts and goofy parts...):

Life was filled with guns and war, everyone got trampled on the floor
I wish we'd all been ready
Children died the days grew cold, a piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
I wish we'd all been ready

There's no time to change your mind, the Son has come and you've been left behind

A man and wife asleep in bed, she hears a noise and turns her head, he's gone
I wish we'd all been ready
Two men walking up a hill, one disappears and one's left standing still
I wish we'd all been ready

There's no time to change your mind, the Son has come and you've been left behind

Life was filled with guns and war, and everyone got trampled on the floor
I wish we'd all been ready
Children died the days grew cold, a piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
I wish we'd all been ready

There's no time to change your mind, how could you have been so blind
the Father spoke the demons dined, the Son has come and you've been left behind


"Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes."
(vs. 45-46)

gathered (Mt 24:29-35)

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Psalm 7; Matthew 24:29-35


"And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." (Matthew 24:31)

Tribulation, the sun, moon, and stars failing, every tribe mourning when the sign of the Son of Man appears in heaven, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. They will see him as clearly as lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west (v. 27). This may be the main reason Jesus referred to himself as the "Son of Man" in the gospels; it is a reference to Daniel 7:13-14,

I saw in the night visions,
and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
that all people, nations, and languages should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.

If indeed this whole section concerns three different things, (1) the destruction of the Temple / Jerusalem, (2) the last days, and (3) the Coming of the Son of Man, then this paragraph would seem to refer to the last days immediately being followed by his coming, which will be unmistakable and in which his people will, without doubt, participate.

What is much less clear is what Jesus means by saying that "this generation will not pass away until all these things take place" (v. 34). Again, I think we need to hold these things lightly and onto Jesus tightly - but I'll share what I briefly read from the "NET" Bible footnotes (http://www.bible.org/netbible/). This is one of the hardest verses in the gospels to interpret. "Generation" could mean (1) the race of the Jewish people, (2) humanity, (3) the people living when they see the portent in the heavens (v.29). None of these is particularly satisfying, though probably the third makes the most sense. Similar to this is Matthew 16:28 where Jesus says that "there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." Perhaps we'll get some more clarity on this by the end of Matthew's Good News.

Finally, Jesus assures us that "heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away" (v. 35). The tone of all this is assurance - Jesus is not trying to frustrate or confuse or frighten us. When he says that he will send his angels to gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other, he is assuring us that his chosen ones, his own, the ones he has his eye and his heart on, will be gathered to himself. They will be intentionally and definitively sought out and found and brought to him. None lost finally. Whether "lost" at sea, or burned at the stake, or dismembered or beheaded; whether forgotten in a prison cell, or buried in an unmarked grave; or whether just an "insignificant" Christian, whose life didn't seem to make a difference... The glorious, victorious Son of Man will commission his angels and we will be brought home.

* * * * *

Again, it's amazing how these "random" Scriptures complement each other...

O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge;
save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,
lest like a lion they tear my soul apart,
rending it in pieces, with none to deliver...
Arise, O LORD, in your anger;
lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies;
awake for me; your have appointed a judgment.
Let the assembly of the people be gathered about you;
over it return on high...
I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness,
and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.
(Psalm 7)

elect (Mt 24:15-28)

Monday, March 10, 2008

Psalm 6; Matthew 24:15-28


This section is difficult to interpret, but we can apply some important principles for our devotions today. As I mentioned regarding the previous section we have three themes interwoven in the discourse of chapters 24-26: (1) the destruction of the Temple / Jerusalem, (2) the last days, and (3) the coming of the Son of Man. Probably all three are in verses 15-28.

I'd like to note a few things:
First, Jesus instructs his people, the elect, to flee tribulation if at all possible. He instructs his people to even pray about its timing so that their fleeing might not be hindered. There are times when persecution cannot be avoided, and God will provide strength and the words to testify for him - but obedience to Jesus does not exclude saving one's life, or the life of one's baby, by getting out of town (we see Paul in Acts escaping a city secretly, for example).

Second, this is the second time Jesus warns about false Christs, that is, false messiahs (v. 5) who will come forth in order to "lead you astray" (v. 4,24). Be warned. There will be a time, or times, when people will be pointed to as the great deliverer, the one to lead the world out of its problems, out of its downward spiral. But I don't think this just refers to people - these Christs may be hidden, they may be in the wilderness or in the inner rooms. Could he also be referring to some kind of claimed secret knowledge or special enlightened path? Or could it be something like the voice of the world or of our culture saying, "Buy this and you'll feel better about yourself!" or "Go this way, or do this, and you won't have that problem any more..." ? We are forever tempted with alternative saviors - generally saviors on our terms, that we understand or can control in some way or another. Don't be led astray.

Finally, Jesus says that his coming will be evident and clear and immediate. It won't be hidden or out in the wilderness. We can keep looking to him, trusting him, listening to him, and following him. We ought not be troubled or afraid, ever, that we have missed his coming. Like lightning in the night, like vultures gathering over the dead, it will be unmistakable.

Jesus talks about "the elect" (vs. 22, 24). [I thought that this was the first time, however, with regard to the wedding feast (22:14) Jesus said, "Many are called, but few are chosen." Chosen is the same word in the Greek as elect. And, he will mention them again in verse 31.] Jesus shows concern for the elect; he teaches God's concern in shortening the days of tribulation on behalf of the elect; he warns his listeners ("See, I have told you beforehand." v.25) so that they will not be led astray.

We are chosen. Chosen by God. Chosen by Jesus. And if chosen, then we are his particular concern, his possession, his delight. Though the way to the feast may be fraught with perils, we will get there - he will see to it. Though all around us be spiraling down into hell, he will be the way and show the way. He will never leave or forsake his chosen ones.

I think we'll see more of this tomorrow...

+ + + + +
Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled...
Turn, O LORD, deliver my life;
save me for the sake of your steadfast love...
Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
The LORD has heard my plea;
the LORD accepts my prayer.
All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled;
they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.
(Psalm 6)

Fifth Week of Lent

Prayer for the Fifth Week of Lent

Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Community Bible Readings for week of March 9, 2008

9 Ezekiel 37:1-14; Ps 130; Romans 6:16-23; John 11:1-44
10 Psalm 6; Matthew 24:15-28
11 Psalm 7; Matthew 24:29-35
12 Psalm 8; Matthew 24:36-51
13 Psalm 9; Matthew 25:1-13
14 Psalm 10; Matthew 25:14-30
15 Psalm 11; Matthew 25:31-46

to the end (Mt 24:1-14)

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Psalm 5; Ephesians 6:10-24; Matthew 24:1-14

"But the one who endures to the end will be saved."
(Matthew 24:13)

We are now definitely into Jesus' last discourse which is about last things. It will continue through chapter 25. This section nicely ties together with our Ephesians reading, which is that last section of that wonderful epistle.

False Christs will seek to lead God's people astray, but don't be alarmed. There will be wars and famines and earthquakes, but these are the beginning of the birth pains. You will be delivered up and hated and killed. Many will fall away, betray and hate one another. Love will grow cold.

But the one who endures to the end will be saved; and this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed as a testimony to all nations (cf. 28:19) - and then the end will come.

In this final discourse Jesus speaks of (1) the destruction of the Temple/Jerusalem; (2) the last days; and (3) the coming of the Son of Man. Sometimes it appears to be somewhat intermingled. In this section we have 1 (vs. 1-2) and 2 (vs. 3-14). To what extent verses 3-14 speak of the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem is hard to say, but it certainly also speaks of the end, and ties in the gospel to "all nations" which is one of the themes of Matthew's work.

Paul speaks of the battle with spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God, and the God's armor that is provided for us that we might stand firm in the evil day. And finally, Paul asks for prayer that he may open his mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, that he may declare it boldly as he ought to speak...

I was just reading of the eight Yeshiva students that were killed, and many more injured, in Israel yesterday. This sort of thing could indeed be in our future. And though it is not our present circumstances, the enemy is just as real, to seduce us into powerlessness and seeking our comfort and not being concerned about proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom throughout the whole world.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
+ + + + +

You are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil may not dwell with you.
the boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
you hate all evildoers.
You destroy those who speak lies;
the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man...
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.
For you bless the righteous, O LORD;
you cover him with favor as with a shield.
(Psalm 5:4-6,11-12)

he who comes (Mt 23:37-39)

Friday, March 7, 2008

Psalm 4; Matthew 23:37-39


"For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."
(Matthew 23:39)

This passage flows out of Jesus' last comments against the Pharisees, calling out the persecution and murder in their hearts. And yet he laments the city's rejection of him.

He seems to tie in this word with his "triumphal entry" on the donkey, when the crowds were celebrating "Blessed is he who come in the name of the Lord."

Curiously, he says "you will not see me again, until you say..." Does this mean that unless they have a change of heart they will never see him again? Or does it mean that they will have a change of heart and will see him again?

In any case, Jesus' tender love and compassion is so evident here. It surely is one of the motivations that carried him through his crucifixion. And secondly, it is clear that this honoring and prayer to the true king (remember "Hosanna" means literally "save us now") is crucial. It is an expression of welcoming him, of receiving him; and is connected to the experience of his gracious, redeeming presence - to "seeing" him.

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."

inside (Mt 23:25-36)

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Psalm 3; Matthew 23:25-36

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!... So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
(Matthew 23:27-28)

Clearly Jesus is condemning the scribes and Pharisees for appearing one way outwardly, for show, for honor and adulation, but actually being another way inside: greed, self-indulgence (v. 25), hypocrisy, lawlessness, persecution and murder of prophets (v. 34).

These are things in the heart of every person, at least potentially. The problem is not attending to the heart. The problem is convincing ourselves that our religion is only about what we can manage - how we look or sound or perform our religious duties in front of others.

Jesus came to rescue his people. But as the saying goes, getting the people out of Egypt is one thing, getting Egypt out of the people is another... Jesus indeed came to deliver us from bondage and death, and to transform us by his Spirit beginning with a new heart - but also with a renewed mind and bodies that are slaves of God and of righteousness (cf. Romans 6). Repenting and believing in Jesus, and following him is the start. The scribes and Pharisees would not do this. Following Jesus includes living like he did, it includes embracing spiritual disciplines, as he did, for our equipping and maturity and transformation.

While most of us cannot stand hypocrites, we have our areas where we either are tempted to act that way or actually succumb to the temptation. Because there are places inside us that we would prefer to remain under our control, or comfortably tied to things of the world, or we're too afraid to yield to his gracious healing and rule.

As we've been talking about the last several Wednesday nights, I encourage you to live a "baptized life," continuing to "put off" the way and "put on" the new, and embracing spiritual disciplines as a key way for that transformation to continue. (cf. Dallas Willard's books, especially The Spirit of the Disciplines, Richard Foster's books, especially Celebration of Discipline, Henri Nouwen's books, especially The Way of the Heart).


I cried aloud to the LORD,
and he answered me from his holy hill
(Psalm 3:4)

weighty matters (Mt 23:13-23)

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Psalm 2; Matthew 23:13-24


"You tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness."
(Matthew 23:23)

We look at half of Jesus' "woes" to the scribes and Pharisees today. I simply want to comment on this line (above) regarding what Jesus says are the weightier matters of the law. While tithing is important (that is, Jesus says it should not be neglected either), Jesus calls attention to these weightier, heavier, matters of the law.

Justice - literally "judgment" or "decision" and meaning here something like righteous judgment, decisions made (personally and in the church or community) on the basis of all the law and the prophets, on the basis of what God has said - in particular the prophetic call for justice is most often with regard to the poor and the powerless being treated justly, or that judgments be made without partiality for those without clout or resources.
Mercy - "to show kindness and concern for someone in need" and kindness and concern is shown through practical help. It includes helping people out of their misery or need. Indeed, "Blessed are the merciful..." (5:7; cf. 9:13; 12:7)
Faithfulness - this is obviously related to "faith," but also to covenant loyalty. It relates to God, but also to people.

Jesus said back in the Sermon on the Mount that "whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (5:19). We have also recently heard him say that the "great and first commandment" is "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" and the second like it is, "you shall love your neighbor as yourself" (22:37-39).

These certainly are such weighty matters: loving God and loving neighbor are all about justice, mercy and faithfulness.

God is just and merciful and faithful, and his steadfast love endures forever. And he does not neglect the least. May he give us grace to love and honor him by imitating him, and by working out what he is working within us.

All his ways are justice... (Deut 32:4)
Lord, have mercy on us. (Mt 20:30)
Great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:23)

preach & practice (Mt 23:1-12)

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Psalm 1; Matthew 23:1-12


"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
(Matthew 23:12)

This is the beginning of Jesus' final discourse in Matthew, which will go from chapters 23 - 25. Jesus first discourse is three chapters long, to his disciples and the crowds, and begins with "Blessed are..." Jesus' last discourse is three chapters long, to his disciples and the crowds, and basically begins with "Woe to you..." addressed to his religious opponents.

The preface here, before the "woes," is a comment on the conduct (not the teaching) of the scribes (teachers of the Law) and the Pharisees. These were more influential with the people, the crowds, than the chief priests and Sadducees. And in so doing Jesus instructs his disciples about their conduct in their pending disciple-making mission.

I do think this is hugely important, and yes, I think much of what Jesus clearly rejects here still has found its way into the institutional church, and the clergy too. Pray for us, your clergy, and for yourselves, that we may honor our one teacher and our one Father, that we recognize that we are all brothers and sisters, that we clergy not lay on burdens hard to bear or not help to carry burdens, and that "the greatest among you shall be your servant" (v. 11; cf. 20:26).

Again, this theme of humility, of great reversals in God's kingdom. I am amazed at how much Jesus has emphasized this since chapter 18. It truly is a major theme, and again points to Jesus' mission to bring the kingdom not by power or might, but through weakness, meekness, and the humiliation of crucifixion. When Jesus says, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted," he is not just giving a word of exhortation to his disciples, or just a description of life in his kingdom, he is also speaking of himself, his mission, and his destiny.

"he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name..." (Philippians 2:8-9)

Thanks be to God.