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.