Worship for the Weekday
God’s Own People
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1 Peter 2:1-12
1. So put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander. 2. Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation; 3. for you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 4. Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God's sight chosen and precious; 5. and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6. For it stands in scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame." 7. To you therefore who believe, he is precious, but for those who do not believe, "The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner," 8. and "A stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall"; for they stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10. Once you were no people but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy. 11. Beloved, I beseech you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh that wage war against your soul. 12. Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in case they speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10. Once you were no people but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy.” God’s own people! What an honor and a privilege! God calls us out of the darkness of our sin and our shame into the marvelous light of His love and His truth! To those who don’t know the Good News we may seem “holier than thou” or even a little bit silly or naïve. But it doesn’t matter that they think that about us. What matters is that they notice we are different. Then we pray that God will give us the words to back up our actions. That He will present us opportunities to clarify with words what we demonstrate with our actions. That we will have an opportunity to share the Good News of our salvation with the unsaved, with the worldly, with those living in darkness.
The world becomes a stumbling block if we aren’t careful. There are so many attractions and splendors and so many appeals for us to satisfy our every whim! Satan tells us its okay to have more and more and more. You deserve it! You work hard! You deserve everything your heart desires in this world. But in fact, we deserve nothing. We are freely given a priceless gift, so precious that Satan doesn’t want us to look upon it! Because once we see the wonderful prize of eternal life in heaven, everything else pales in comparison!
So we must look heavenward. We must seek the riches of God’s treasurehouse. We must live in such a way that others notice we are different. And then we must tell them why! God not only wants our souls, but He wants everyone’s – and our responsibility is to spread the word of life to everyone – so that every soul on earth can be won for Jesus Christ.
I hope you spend your day basking in the marvelous light of God’s love, spreading the Good News that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.
Mary
Hearts fixed on Home
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Philippians 3:12-4:1
12. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13. Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15. Let those of us who are mature be thus minded; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, God will reveal that also to you. 16. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17. Brethren, join in imitating me, and mark those who so live as you have an example in us. 18. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19. Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20. But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21. who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to himself. Phi 4:1. Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Once we’re saved, it’s easy to settle for that truth. I think sometimes we feel as if we’ve done enough to further the kingdom of God. We’re tired and we deserve a rest. We look around and see all these comfortable, settled people and we think we must have missed the boat! But exactly the opposite is the case! Paul urges the people of Philippi not to “rest on their laurels” and fall back into living a life unworthy of their faith.
Paul was tireless in his mission. He seized every opportunity to preach the Good News to every person he met—whether they wanted to hear it or not! No matter who they were – prison guards, strangers on the street, seekers who came to visit him, even the rulers of the time—knowing he was risking physical harm or death for doing so. He refers often to his past – a former persecutor of Christians. His zeal is not because he wants to make up for lost time, but because of his gratitude and joy at being used by God in spite of his past! That is certainly reason to rejoice!
My NIV translation of the first part of v20 says, “But our citizenship is in heaven” This was an important and meaningful term to the First Century recipients of this message. My Bible Readers Companion points out that “citizenship conveyed the right to hold office, the privilege of appeal to Roman courts, and protection anywhere in the empire.” But Paul contends that the citizenship he claims, and invites—more, compels us to join has far greater benefits! Eternal life! Fellowship with Christ! Sitting at God’s feet in heaven! Those future rights are conveyed to us when we live as if we already have them here on earth.
Our joy at our future inheritance should be so great that we cannot help but declare and proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of all!
I hope you spend your day living as a citizen of heaven, standing firm in the Lord.
Mary
The New Commandment
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John 13:1-17
1. Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2. And during supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3. Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4. rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel. 5. Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. 6. He came to Simon Peter; and Peter said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?" 7. Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand." 8. Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part in me." 9. Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" 10. Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he is clean all over; and you are clean, but not every one of you." 11. For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, "You are not all clean." 12. When he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13. You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
“having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” Jesus simply cannot express how much he loves us—except when he goes to the cross. Even then, in human terms, that expression even falls short of demonstrating a love so deep and so strong, so pure and so complete. In “The Purpose-Driven Life” Rick Warren says that Jesus hung on the cross, arms outstretched, telling us to his last breath, “I love you this much.”
So what does foot washing have to do with all of that? In the Middle East, sandaled feet got filthy and dusty, just in the course of a day. Traditionally, the lowliest servant in the household was given the task of washing the feet of dinner guests. This night, none were apparently available. Jesus took this opportunity to demonstrate and summarize his message. He took on the role of the lowest ranking servant. He knelt at the feet of his friends. And he washed the dust from their feet.
This imagery is important. Because Jesus was adored by his disciples. They loved him deeply, passionately. And though they did believe he was who he said he was, they didn’t fully understand him or his message—until the resurrection.
This scripture applies to us, because it goes counter to what our natural instincts tell us. And it certainly goes against everything that advertisers tell us. Our survival instinct kicks in here – survival of the fittest – look out for myself, because no one else will. We still have the internalized instincts of the cave men! And advertisers will tell us to grab for everything in this world we can get our hands on. We deserve it. We’re worth it. We want it, we should have it.
Here we are back to, “What’s the point?” Jesus offers us so much more than any advertiser could ever sell us! He offers us His life! Which gives
us eternal life! How could you market that during the Super bowl? How could you sell that in a glitzy package? How can that pull up in your driveway? How can you wear that on your finger? How can you consume that?
Jesus is the source and the reason for everything in our lives. He should be, anyway. He wants us to forego the excesses of this generation. The only competition we should enter into is the competition to do more for God’s world. To serve more, to help more, to love more, to do more to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Unless one of those corporate CEO’s has more to offer me than Jesus did, I’m not buying into it!
We are to do everything we can for others. And it may mean taking a long hard look at how we spend our time, our money, our energy—our lives. And we may need to adjust some of those. Our worth is because of our value to God. He created us and loves us beyond imagining. Our value is in being His. We deserve nothing. He offers us everything. We need nothing but Him. And he waits for us to find Him. Put that on the evening news! I dare you!
I hope you spend your day washing the feet of even the most difficult people in your life. Practicing servanthood as an art form.
Mary
The Fellowship of the Believers
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Acts 2:42-47
42. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43. And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44. And all who believed were together and had all things in common; 45. and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need. 46. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, 47. praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
This scripture expresses a world that I have always longed for, but have believed to be unrealistic and too idealistic to be practicable. But this morning I understand these words in a different way! The early church was vital and full of energy and the joy of the newly converted was contagious and exciting. The energy was almost tangible and others, outsiders, were drawn to this joyful, generous, loving community. Once they were drawn in, the “work” began! When you really want something, the sales job is much easier! That’s really sacrilegious! I hope no one is offended by that secular analogy! But truly, who wouldn’t want to be part of community where no one was in spiritual or physical need. Everyone helped everyone else. Everyone made sure that no one went without. And everyone preached the Word to anyone who would listen.
This, to me, is the model for how a church should and could be. We must be inviting and warm and we must exude the joy and energy of our salvation! Once people are drawn in, we can start preaching the word to them—as the reason for our joy and warmth and love – and the source of it. But also we can and should model our individual lives this way. When we see someone in need, we should do what we can to meet their need – either by ourselves, with the help of our friends, or with helpful advice and direction to others who are able to help. It means giving a few dollars to the woman or man on the street corner; and donating food to the food bank; and doing mission work; and even just being kind and loving to our families and our neighbors and to everyone we meet.
That’s a tall order! But it is what Christ expects of us. These words weave together the model for us to follow. Their regular practices: they met regularly, praising God, and breaking bread (communion) and shared everything so that no one was in need. They drew each other in, and they drew in all on the fringes, and then they reached out beyond their comfortable community and preached the Good News of Jesus Christ to all who would listen. And everyone, absolutely everyone wanted what they had. Everyone, absolutely everyone wanted their joy, their peace, their love.
I hope you spend your day devoting yourself to the apostles’ teaching, praising God and having favor with everyone you meet.
Mary
More Than Conquerors
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Romans 8:28-39
28. We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. 29. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. 30. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31. What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? 32. He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? 33. Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; 34. who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36. As it is written, "For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." 37. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39. nor 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.
I don’t really feel like a conqueror this morning! I woke up thinking about my “to do” list for the day and for the remainder of the week and got pretty crabby. There are also several people in my life for whom I’m concerned and for whom I have been lifting “extra” prayers. So it’s “going to be one of those weeks.” That’s what I might be tempted to say and think. OK I did think it. But then I was directed to Romans. “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him”
With this kind of knowledge – provided to us through our faith – it’s really impossible to believe that the momentary distractions, disruptions, and generally unpleasant tasks that intrude on our time and deplete our energy are nothing in comparison to what Christ sacrificed for us. And more—when compared to what awaits us in eternity, we should be on bended knee thanking God unceasingly for the light and momentary troubles of this time in our lives! Christ died. He was raised from the dead. If God can do that, he won’t have any trouble with the annoying “to do” list items!
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?. . . No in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor 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.” I need a love that big this morning! I need it every morning! And every afternoon, and every night, and every single minute of every single day.
I hope you spend your day repeating over and over again, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” What better way to begin our week?!
Mary
A Living Hope
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1 Peter 1:1-9
1. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2. chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4. and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5. who by God's power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, 7. so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8. Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. 9. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls.
Early Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor. The people being addressed in this letter were present in Jerusalem @ Pentecost. They were there when the Holy Spirit descended!
My NIV translation of v1 says: “To God’s elect, strangers in the world.” Our true home is in heaven. While we’re on this temporary earth in these temporary bodies, we long to “go home.” God knows that once we are saved we have an even more difficult time living as strangers, aliens, sojourners in this world. He sent Christ as the perfect example of how to live, and Christ sent the Holy Spirit to help us, to fortify us, to guide us, to reassure us. How is it possible to conceive of a love so great that everything, absolutely everything, we need for eternal life is given to us? We don’t even need to ask for it! It’s already there, available and freely offered! It is unimaginable!
Our hope is not wishful thinking! It is deeply rooted in the truth of the risen Lord. It is bound up in the history of the world. It is certainty of what awaits us in the next life! God created us with a longing for Him, deep inside our souls! And we spend our whole lives seeking Him, searching for Him. But the truth is that He is within each of us. And each of us possesses a miniscule, smaller than microscopic particle of Him through the Holy Spirit which unites us all as the body of Christ.
As Christians, we are able to persevere because we are shielded by God’s power, but also by our faith. The temporary sufferings in this life will pass away. Our longing for eternal peace and joy and fellowship of the believers spurs us on. Our faith assures us that we will receive all of these – and more: the face of God.
I hope you spend your day seeking the face of God; spurred on to perfection by the living hope of what awaits us in eternity.
Mary
Living for God
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Philippians 2:6-11
6. who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7. but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 9. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11. and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1 Peter 4:1-11
1. Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same thought, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2. so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer by human passions but by the will of God. 3. Let the time that is past suffice for doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4. They are surprised that you do not now join them in the same wild profligacy, and they abuse you; 5. but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6. For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead, that though judged in the flesh like men, they might live in the spirit like God. 7. The end of all things is at hand; therefore keep sane and sober for your prayers. 8. Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9. Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another. 10. As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11. whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God; whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen
Don’t look back with regret. Our conversion/salvation/redemption allows us to live in a way that is acceptable to God. Our faith allows us to forego approval from this world. Our belief in the risen Lord allows us to endure ridicule, contempt and possibly even persecution. But we don’t have time to worry about that!
We have a lot to do! We have gifts to employ for one another! We are to be good stewards of God’s varied grace! The end of all living things is at hand! We must keep sane and sober for our prayers! V4 in 1 Peter says “They are surprised that you do not now join them.” This world holds many attractions and temptations and lies. And seeking after immediate gratification, creature comforts and worldly approval is human nature. But Christ, who took the form of a human being showed us what is expected--and possible.
His divinity did not diminish his message. His refusing to call upon it and its power hold the key to the truth we live by. Christ, fully human, chose the path of servitude and suffering over power and glory. He resisted temptation as a man, he suffered as a man. He arose from the grave divine. That is what God expects, desires, and ultimately promises us! Repent, love each other as I love you. I created you and I love you. I made you who and what you are. Live life to the fullest. Never miss an opportunity to do good. Never complain. Never regret the price you’ve paid.
Because He loves us. And He waits for us in heaven. And we long for Him. And we cannot help but confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I hope you live your day deliberately choosing the path of love, practicing hospitality, and employing your gifts at every opportunity.
Mary
Be Holy
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1 Peter 1:13-23
13. Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15. but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16. since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." 17. And if you invoke as Father him who judges each one impartially according to his deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile. 18. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19. but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20. He was destined before the foundation of the world but was made manifest at the end of the times for your sake. 21. Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart. 23. You have been born anew, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God
My NIV translation of v17 says, “Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your life as strangers here in reverent fear.” I work with a woman whose family fled Iran during the last war in that part of the world. Her father still barely speaks English. She works two jobs because her parents have still not adapted to our language and to our way of life, and she helps support them. She is the caretaker. When I think of reverent fear I think of her parents. They were quite wealthy in Iran. I don’t remember if she ever told me what her father did – a government job I think. But they feared for their lives so they came to America and left everything behind. They have a reverent fear for the freedoms America offers. Her dad just recently relented and has begun using a cell phone so she can keep track of his adventures in the car! (That’s a tale for another day!) They are grateful for their freedom. They love America. They have a reverent fear of the potential and for the possibilities America offers them and their family. (They have seen first hand what can happen when power is abused.)
That’s what Peter is telling us to do. Leave behind everything, absolutely everything of worldly value and seek after only the imperishable word of the living God. There’s that word “abiding” again! “the living and abiding word of God.” We are to live in reverent fear of the salvation won for us. We are to be ever in awe of the loving and gracious God who planned for our salvation eons before He even spoke the first stars into being! We are to live as aliens – set apart from a world that honors wealth and power and corruption and greed. Our fear is of retribution for living as one conformed to the world.
Aliens love their new country, where they find refuge, safety, security and freedom. Peter is telling us that it’s okay to live in the world – but we must be careful, deliberate, and yes, fearful, when making decisions about in what and in whom we seek our refuge, safety, security and freedom. There is only ONE source of all of those. The risen Christ has already been revealed to us! He is our role model and perfect example. He is our savior and He is the source of all we need to live.
I hope you spend your day in fearful awe and wonder at the sacrifice of Christ. And that you spend your life living as a stranger in this world.
Mary
God's Sufficient Grace
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
1. I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven -- whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise -- whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows -- 4. and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7. And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. 8. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; 9. but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Hebrews 4:14-16
14. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
1 Peter 5:10-11
10. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. 11. To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
We never do learn what Paul’s “thorn” is. It’s not revealed anywhere in the bible. Perhaps Paul wanted it that way! He wants no part of sharing in the glory of Christ – except to declare the truth of His great sacrifice and the victory He won for us on the cross. Paul wants no recognition, except as a disciple of Jesus Christ. He wants no credit for enduring whatever “thorn” is in his life, because Christ endured even more.
Paul refuses to be viewed as model of Christianity. Because He wants only Jesus to be seen in that light. Paul’s work – his passion – his mission – is to spread the Good News. And the fact that God is using him, that God has revealed to him what almost no one else in the history of the world has ever seen and lived – that is all he needs to endure the thorn, the suffering, his own human frailty.
We never do learn what Paul’s vision was, either! God wanted to reveal it to him so that he would have the strength and the courage and the passion to be empowered to preach the salvation message!
Paul doesn’t hold himself up as example of greatness. He was a sinner of the highest order before his conversion. It almost seems as if he might be trying to make up for his past sins, but we know that can’t be true, because Paul fully and completely understands that he doesn’t need to keep beating himself up! Christ erased our sin! But I think Paul may feel compelled to “make up for lost time.” And he probably also understands (perhaps through his secret, sacred vision?) that his very life is at stake and he could be executed at any moment. He doesn’t want to miss out on one more chance to save a soul!
I recently underwent a “third heaven” experience. I have been bearing some burdens for a long, long time. And God took those from me! He released the demons – the “thorn” in my flesh. For a few days I thought, “Oh, thank you Lord. Now I can get on with the business of living as you would have me live. Now I can be more courageous, more profound, more energetic and driven to spread the good news of our salvation through Jesus Christ!” But guess what?! There are other thorns! They’re not as big and painful, but they are certainly in the path. They're not as deeply imbedded in my flesh, but they are certainly attached pretty firmly!
But I know that God does not intend for me to become too conceited. He wants me to continue to rely upon Him and Him alone. I can’t explain what happened on that day! While my experience can't be compared to Paul’s, I felt closer to God that day than I have ever felt. And He intends for me to stay by His side—because He is always available, always ready, willing and far beyond able to pluck each thorn out and heal the wounds. I know this is true.
"10. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. 11. To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
I hope you spend your day rejoicing in the thorns in your flesh; full of gratitude and certainty that God will pluck them each away and He will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you.
Mary
Abiding in God’s Love
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1Peter 1:23
You have been born anew, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
John 15:4
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
John 15:9
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.
1John 2:27
but the anointing which you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that any one should teach you; as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in him.
1John 3:24
All who keep his commandments abide in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us.
1John 4:13
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his own Spirit.
Webster’s New World Dictionary defines abide as:
to stand fast; remain; go on being; to stay or reside (in or at); and abiding as:
continuing without change; enduring; lasting.Abide. That word has knocked around my head during the last 24 hours. Abide. I think even the word itself is comforting. But it is more comforting still, and reason to rejoice, that Christ invites us to abide with Him. And that He has given us testimony that when we choose to abide in Him and in His word, the world cannot harm us, it cannot turn us away from the truth, it cannot destroy our will. Because when we abide in Christ, we are enfolding ourselves in His saving grace and power. We are hiding ourselves away from sin and worldly cares and influences.
When we abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit blankets us with supernatural protection. John 15:9 quotes Jesus’ invitation, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.” And abiding in His love is often the only way we can defeat our own demons, our own struggles, our own faltering faith. God’s word is unchanging. We can stand fast in His promises. We can endure anything because of what Christ endured on our behalf.
Abide in Him. He has given of us his own Spirit.
I hope your day is spent abiding in the Father’s love, made visible and perfect in Jesus Christ.
Mary
Righteousness Through Faith
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Romans 3:21-31
21. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, 22. the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; 23. since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24. they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, 25. whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins; 26. it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus. 27. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On the principle of works? No, but on the principle of faith. 28. For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law. 29. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30. since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of their faith and the uncircumcised through their faith. 31. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
This scripture begins with "But now" – contrasting righteousness manifested through the law, and righteousness apart from the law. Since none of us is without sin – righteousness (salvation/redemption) is impossible to achieve on our own (through the law). It is only because of God’s gift of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice that we are saved/become righteous.
That doesn’t mean we should give up and decide that if we are saved by grace, then why try to find justification through the law – through obeying the law and living by it? We continue to strive for perfection because of Christ’s sacrifice. In gratitude and full of guilt and human frailty, we continue the pursuit of perfection in and through Christ Jesus. Though we know it is impossible to achieve, we strive for it nonetheless. It is the only way we can even begin to demonstrate our recognition of and gratitude for God’s grace.
God is the God of the impossible! He created us in His image and likeness – but not exactly like Him! He sent Christ to earth as a sign of what waits for us! Perfection will be achieved in the next life – if we strive for it in this one! God has forgiven all our sins – not just our own, but those of absolutely everyone – even those we don’t like, even those who we consider detestable, even those we think are not deserving of God’s grace. It is available to ALL. We are not question or resent God’s all-encompassing grace! Paul contends that since we are all sinners, we need to be sure of our own hearts and own minds, and our own souls—and let God worry about the state of everyone else’s.
We still must minister to those who may otherwise miss the truth of God’s grace. We still need to be loving and kind and
gracious to everyone, regardless of our personal feelings for them. We are to obey God and do our very best to be an example to others – striving to be more and more like Christ – while recognizing and acknowledging that it is an impossible goal.
I hope the goal of your day is to strive for perfection. And that you thank God that striving for it is all He expects and commands.
Mary
Stubborn Israel
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Isaiah 1:1-9
1. The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. 2. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: "Sons have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. 3. The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master's crib; but Israel does not know, my people does not understand." 4. Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, sons who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. 5. Why will you still be smitten, that you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and bleeding wounds; they are not pressed out, or bound up, or softened with oil. 7. Your country lies desolate, your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence aliens devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by aliens. 8. And the daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a lodge in a cucumber field, like a besieged city. 9. If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah.
Isaiah 48:1-11
1. Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and who came forth from the loins of Judah; who swear by the name of the Lord, and confess the God of Israel, but not in truth or right. 2. For they call themselves after the holy city, and stay themselves on the God of Israel; the Lord of hosts is his name. 3. "The former things I declared of old, they went forth from my mouth and I made them known; then suddenly I did them and they came to pass. 4. Because I know that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew and your forehead brass, 5. I declared them to you from of old, before they came to pass I announced them to you, lest you should say, `My idol did them, my graven image and my molten image commanded them.' 6. "You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forth I make you hear new things, hidden things which you have not known. 7. They are created now, not long ago; before today you have never heard of them, lest you should say, `Behold, I knew them.' 8. You have never heard, you have never known, from of old your ear has not been opened. For I knew that you would deal very treacherously, and that from birth you were called a rebel. 9. "For my name's sake I defer my anger, for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. 10. Behold, I have refined you, but not like silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. 11. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.
It’s not looking good for Jerusalem, is it? Isaiah cannot for the life of him understand why God’s chosen people continue to sin. Why they worship idols, and go their own way, when the truth has been revealed to them. But that must be how it is to be a prophet! God may reveal truths to you, but others don’t hear. God may give you a message to save all of mankind from certain doom, but their hearts are hardened and their minds closed. God kept it up, though! He loves us too much to leave us alone, lost and wandering without a beacon.
By Chapter 48, Isaiah was projected into the future, just as John was in Revelation. God reveals to Isaiah that he will send a sign that cannot be denied. God recognizes that we are stubborn and slow to hear the truth; and slower still to change. We worship idols—we even make ourselves gods in our own eyes! We live to satisfy our every whim and desire without a thought for God’s desires. He made us to worship Him. When we refuse to do that we sin. When we worship money, our children, athletes, power and influence, politicians, and military strength, ourselves – we are telling God that He is not the most important thing in our lives! Throughout the history of the world, God continually gave us another chance to be redeemed—to “get it.” And even with the final sign--Christ crucified and risen – we struggle to make right decisions, to choose the right path, to live rightly. We continue to suffer the consequences of our choices!
God makes it pretty clear: “My glory I will not give to another.”
I hope you spend your day glorifying God, worshipping Him and rejoicing that you are being refined in the fire of His love.
Mary
In the Beginning . . .
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Genesis 1:1-3
1. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters. 3. And God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
Psalm 102:25
Of old thou didst lay the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
Psalm 90:1-2
1. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.
Isaiah 45:18
For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it a chaos, he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the Lord, and there is no other.
John 1:1-5
1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. He was in the beginning with God; 3. all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Matthew 4:4
But he answered, "It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
2 Corinthians 4:6
For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
In Hebrew, the word “create” is used only in reference to divine activity, never to human. By a mere passing thought, God hovered over what would become our earth! At the mere utterance of four words, God put in place the sun -- necessary for all existence. He also created the night and thus set in place the endless, timeless repetition of day after night after day after night.
I like the thought of that certainty, that rhythm, that repetition. It is reassuring that God has an on-going and everlasting plan for His creations! I can remember talking to my Dad when I was very young about how it was impossible for God to “always have existed” because it wasn’t logical! He assured that it was true, and that in that mystery we could be assured that God always would exist and remain in charge of our lives.
God was very busy and very creative! He gathered, separated, filled and gave form to the whole world – and then when everything for our existence had been brought into being, He created us – in His image and likeness – so He would have others to share in the glory of His works!
And from the beginning God revealed the truth of His creative reasoning to man – and throughout history He inspired the prophets to share the words that would enlighten men’s hearts and turn them back to Him.
His final word was, of course, Jesus. The timeline in my bible indicates that the world as we know it existed 2500 years before Christ came on the scene. So maybe in about 500 more years we will have figured it all out and live rightly!
I am comforted and relieved that God is truly manifest in our world. I am overwhelmed and awed that He could continue to love us in a time when the world seems to be spinning out of control! I’m sure He is saddened and disappointed by his beloved creations! But I am equally comforted and relieved that I can run to Him and that by a mere thought of His power and might, I can be re-energized and that the Holy Spirit is reignited in me to continue the works for which God created me!
I hope you spend your day in the certain assurance that God existed before time began and that we are unable to sin so deeply or so horribly that we are beyond redemption -- through Jesus Christ.
Mary
Mary the mother of Christ
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Luke 1:26-38
26. In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27. to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28. And he came to her and said, "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" 29. But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33. and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end." 34. And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?" 35. And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36. And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37. For with God nothing will be impossible." 38. And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
In some faiths, Mary the mother of Christ is held in almost as high regard as Jesus himself. She is worshipped and prayed to and adored. She is truly a “key player” in the salvation story! She deserves our gratitude and admiration for her obedience and for her faith and for her courage.
Last Sunday our church honored mothers (and all women) in the way we usually do – by giving each woman a carnation in recognition of the fact that all women serve as our mothers in some fashion. And I started thinking about Mary. I thought of how the angel came to her to tell her God intended to use her in the fulfillment of the scripture. I wondered if she immediately responded in faith and obedience, or if she needed time to think and to sort out her feelings and then obeyed.
What matters, though, is that she did obey. Of course God would have found another to use for his plan, but He didn’t need to search any farther. What kind of mother was she? Probably not that different from most mothers today. She loved her son beyond words, I’m sure. And she prayed for him and his future. I don’t think she knew all along what God’s ultimate plan was for her baby--she may have believed that he would be a ruler in the literal, human sense as was the interpretation of her contemporaries. I bet she just thought he was “different.” So wise, so odd, so old for his age, so busy, so anxious to get on with living . . .
In my denomination, we don’t talk about Mary much. Primarily at Christmas time. While I don’t believe we should pray to her—she certainly deserves more credit and recognition than we give her. But that’s what being a mother is all about, I guess. Mothers do so much that goes unnoticed, unappreciated, unspoken – it’s who and what we are and do. It’s what is expected – ideally – of mothers. We are given a gift – just like Mary was – and we give a gift – just as Mary did. We are to shape and teach and love our children so they can become the adults God intends them to be. And it’s not always easy. In fact, sometimes its downright exhausting and unattractive. It’s not always happy and fun and full of music and dancing barefoot in the grass. It’s often bittersweet, and hard work, and getting the grass stains out of that best pair of “church pants.”
Did Mary have some enhanced ability to allow her son to grow up to be so different than the other children? Did she have a larger capacity for patience and hope than I? Did she have great inner strength and fortitude that surpasses mine? Or was her faith all she needed?
Someone smarter and wiser than I will need to answer those questions, but I think on future Mother’s Days it would be appropriate to honor and recognize the most important mother in human history – rather in
all of history.
I hope you spend your day striving for Mary’s obedience, and that today and every day your faith will be all you need to do what needs to be done.
Mary
Imitating Christ
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Technical difficulties (mine!) this morning! Sorry for the delay!
Romans 9:30-33
30. What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith; 31. but that Israel who pursued the righteousness which is based on law did not succeed in fulfilling that law. 32. Why? Because they did not pursue it through faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33. as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall; and he who believes in him will not be put to shame."
Philippians 2:1-11
1. So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2. complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. 4. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6. who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7. but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 9. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11. and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Paul warns that the biggest threats to our faith are often not from external forces, but are from within “the body of Christ.” To avoid conflicts, to ensure that no one hold himself in too high a regard, that no one assumes to be the example of proper Christian service, to prevent one from thinking he is saved by his works, Paul admonishes us to look to Christ himself as our example.
The biggest threat to our own salvation, is our humanity! We tend to think that we are so busy “doing” things that we are surely winning eternal life! We forget that that prize has already been won for us! When we do works, it should be out of gratitude for that gift, and in recognition of our inability to ever earn what God has already freely offered! We are to serve others as Christ demonstrated in the washing of the disciple’s feet, and in the healing of the lepers, and in every “miracle” he performed. If you’ll do some research, I think you’ll find that Christ never took credit for the miracles – He always gave the glory to God.
That is how we are to conduct ourselves. That is how we are to live. We become less that others may become more. We humble ourselves that others may have glory. We serve others that they may have rest and strength and energy. We become like Christ – both in His perfect humanity, and in his divinity, when we set Him in our sights as the example for living. We become like Christ when we seek to please only God, when we desire to be loved and honored and accepted only by Him. We become like Christ when we give all the glory to God, and take none for ourselves.
That behavior goes counter to our natural instincts! But Jesus came to earth and lived as a human being to show us that it is possible to pursue (notice I didn’t say achieve!) perfection when God is the source of our strength and His glory is the purpose of every act and thought and breath
9. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11. and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father
I hope you spend your day confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Mary
Abraham – Friend of God
James 2:14-26
14. What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? 15. If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, 16. and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? 17. So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. 18. But some one will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. 19. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe -- and shudder. 20. Do you want to be shown, you shallow man, that faith apart from works is barren? 21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? 22. You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works, 23. and the scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness"; and he was called the friend of God. 24. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25. And in the same way was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26. For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.
Romans 4:1-3
1. What then shall we say about Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2. For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3. For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."
Abraham was considered a “friend of God” before he placed his son on the altar. He was
justified” by his trust in God – faith before works! These scripture are not saying that our good works will not be rewarded. Nor are they saying that we’re not saved by our faith in God. What they are saying is that real faith is demonstrated by an inability NOT to do works!
If I show up at church every time there is a function—mission activity, pot luck, set up chairs and move furniture, teach Sunday school and serve on a committee, attend services every Sunday, and work and work and work for the betterment of the church, it is all meaningless if it is not done as an act of worship! Meaningless! Not that many who serve are not faith-filled and righteous! I’m not saying that at all—neither is James. He is saying that works without faith are worthless.
Further He tells us that faith without works is not genuine. Once we are saved by our faith in God, we cannot help but behave accordingly. Abraham’s faith was active – and his faith was completed by his willingness to sacrifice Isaac. His actions (works) were an extension of his genuine, saving faith in God. So neither faith nor works are exclusive of one another! We can do works, but are not saved by them. We may have faith, but if that faith is not demonstrated through works, then we are not saved—because our faith is not genuine. True saving faith is unable to exist in isolation or secret! Through God’s grace, we are saved, and we are compelled to declare our salvation to the world! We are unable to be silent! Out of love, we desire to share our faith with others--so that they may share in our salvation.
Faith. Works. Love. Salvation. Woven together like a tapestry for eternal life.
I hope you spend your day demonstrating your belief in God, that it may be reckoned to you as righteousness.
Mary
Pray Continually
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1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
16. Rejoice always, 17. pray constantly, 18. give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19. Do not quench the Spirit, 20. do not despise prophesying, 21. but test everything; hold fast what is good, 22. abstain from every form of evil. 23. May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24. He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
Ephesians 6:18
Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Today is a National Day of Prayer. Pray at all times; pray constantly. Paul urges us not to wait for an assigned day to pray, and he preaches that we should be in constant, ongoing, fervent, unrelenting, passionate prayer to the God who sent His son to earth to pay the price of all of our sins.
But it’s exciting to think that all over the country people are praying! One day when people may stop and deliberately pray – for themselves, their families and friends, their teachers, pastors, fire fighters and police officers, for their neighbors and their churches—and even for their “enemies.” That kind of power is unstoppable! Imagine the prayers of millions of believers being lifted to heaven throughout this day!
We may certainly rejoice not only today, but always, because of Jesus Christ. We are to fan the flame of the Holy Spirit, not only today, but at every opportunity – by testifying to our faith, and spreading the Good News to everyone we meet. Today we may make a concerted effort to be “extra holy” and avoid sin, but perhaps today we can re-commit to make it our life’s goal to be sanctified and blameless. Today we may ask God to grant wisdom to our local and national leaders and decision makers, but every day we have the responsibility to identify when they are “falsely testifying” and leading us down a path not of peace and salvation, but of unholy actions and despicable outcomes—and vote responsibly and to protest against ungodly actions. Keep alert with perseverance,
Rejoice always in our salvation! Give thanks in all circumstances. As Christians we know that we may rejoice because heaven awaits us. Continual prayer is a natural result and desire due to that great promise and certain future!
Rejoice, pray, keep alert, abstain from evil, test everything.
May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.. He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
Mary
The One Who Comes from Above
John 3:22-36
22. After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptized. 23. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized. 24. For John had not yet been put in prison. 25. Now a discussion arose between John's disciples and a Jew over purifying. 26. And they came to John, and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him." 27. John answered, "No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. 28. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him. 29. He who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice; therefore this joy of mine is now full. 30. He must increase, but I must decrease." 31. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all. 32. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony; 33. he who receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for it is not by measure that he gives the Spirit; 35. the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. 36. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him.
John’s disciples knew that he had been testifying about Jesus, but they were jealous of Jesus, because they loved John so much. John reassures his own disciples that Jesus is supreme, that He is the one they must now follow. He is the fulfillment of everything John was born for, prepared for and has worked for! He is glad, not envious or bitter—like a best man at a wedding, he rejoices not because of his own good fortune, but out of love and care for the bridegroom!
John doesn’t mind playing “second fiddle” to Jesus, his cousin, because He is so overjoyed that the prophecies of many centuries have been fulfilled—before his very eyes. He has seen the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus and he has heard God’s testimony about His beloved son. That is quite a legacy: to have obeyed God, to have seen your life’s work come to fruition, and to see before your very eyes the promise of the millennia fulfilled! John must have felt overjoyed, awed, humbled and almost relieved!
"No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. 28. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him. 29. He who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice; therefore this joy of mine is now full. 30. He must increase, but I must decrease." 31. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all”
John could have shared in the glory – he could have asserted that he was important to Jesus’ ministry; that he was a key figure in the fulfillment of scripture; that he deserved recognition and honor for his obedience. But he didn’t believe that, nor did he want others to be distracted by anything he did or said—except for his declaration of Christ’ coming to spread the Good News to mankind.
John didn’t mind stepping out of the spotlight to give his relative honor and praise – even at the sacrifice of his own following and support group. He knew that now he could fully rely upon God’s promise – and that was all he needed to live – and to live joyfully and abundantly. The Light of Christ was all he needed. It’s all, absolutely all, we need too!
I hope you spend your day basking in the Light of Christ, content to reflect His glory and good news on everyone you meet.
Mary
The Great Truth
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John 3:16-21
16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 18. He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20. For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21. But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.
John 3:16 is one of the best known and most frequently quoted scripture passages! There is a pro wrestler who uses an adaptation of this to refer to himself! I think that the familiarity may be why the verse seems to have lost some of its “punch.”
God so loved the world. He loves us desperately; passionately; tenderly; beyond human imagining. He sacrificed His Son. His desperation is not out of fear that we won’t love him back—its desperation that we will grow and learn to love him before the end of the world. He so passionately and tenderly cares for us that he longs to have us with him in eternity. He doesn’t want us to miss out on the promise of salvation. His love is the great truth that motivated his plan to send Christ to us.
Whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. That part of the verse eliminates our concern about what we’ll be leaving behind; about how we’ll be remembered. A well-loved child of God, seeking the light of salvation and the radiance of the face of God--that’s what I wait for, live for, hope and trust will be my fate. I struggle daily with the “darkness” of human nature. I rail against the corruption and greed, the hatred and the self-centeredness of corporate moguls, political leaders, military commanders, athletes and actors and musicians – all of whom mankind turns to in the hope of finding a model for living. And it is right and just that I do so.
But when I look in the mirror, when I stop to reflect on my own part in the ills of the world, I must confess my own sin. I must admit that I am not patient with those whom I love the most. I am not kind to the annoying neighbors and acquaintances that want to invade my personal space and time. I am not gentle and loving with myself. I do not do enough to protest and fight the bigger evils in the world. And yet I bow down in gratitude and awe that there is a God who loves me and blesses me for my admissions. His Son took all of my sin and the sin of the world upon himself. For God so loved the world. . .
I hope you spend your day living what is true, relecting the light of Christ, doing deeds that have been wrought in God.
Mary
The costly ransom
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Psalm 49
1. Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 2. both low and high, rich and poor together! 3. My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 4. I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. 5. Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, 6. men who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? 7. Truly no man can ransom himself, or give to God the price of his life, 8. for the ransom of his life is costly, and can never suffice, 9. that he should continue to live on for ever, and never see the Pit. 10. Yea, he shall see that even the wise die, the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. 11. Their graves are their homes for ever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands their own. 12. Man cannot abide in his pomp, he is like the beasts that perish. 13. This is the fate of those who have foolish confidence, the end of those who are pleased with their portion. [Selah] 14. Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; straight to the grave they descend, and their form shall waste away; Sheol shall be their home. 15. But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. [Selah] 16. Be not afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. 17. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. 18. Though, while he lives, he counts himself happy, and though a man gets praise when he does well for himself, 19. he will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never more see the light. 20. Man cannot abide in his pomp, he is like the beasts that perish.
“7. Truly no man can ransom himself, or give to God the price of his life, 8. for the ransom of his life is costly, and can never suffice” Man just doesn’t haven it in him to sacrifice what Christ did. We say we want to, but we turn back to our sinful ways time and time again. And no matter how wealthy we become by worldly standards, we cannot buy grace. This psalmists trusts that our redemption may be purchased only on God’s terms.
No matter how much wealth we acquire, no matter how much power we wield, no matter how much we own, manage or achieve, it will not be enough. Only God can save us. We all share the same fate – eternal life or eternal damnation. The wise, the foolish, the wealthy and the poor. The old, the young, the humble and the proud. Only God saves. And faith in Him and His generous grace is the only path to salvation.
“The ransom of his life is costly.” You can’t afford it. Neither can I. But God already knew that and made arrangements long, long ago as He set the world in place. He knew He would need to give us one shining example; one final demonstration; one ultimate, undeniable word. So we have two choices – really – only two. Trust in God or trust in man. Seek the wealth of salvation or the wealth of the world. Seek God’s peace and His light and His Son, or seek after comfort and satisfaction and wisdom by earthly standards.
God loves us so much. How can we help but choose Him?
I hope you spend your day counting the cost of every decision you make. And consider each right choice a small deposit on the debt we can never repay.
Mary
