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February 1

Mocking Birds

Matthew 27:35-44

My father was a soldier.  As is the custom in the US Army, he was transferred frequently.  Each transfer meant that I would enter a new school, alone and friendless.

The first week fit a very predictable pattern.  The boys in your class (or gym class, in high school) would beat you to a pulp.  No words could prevent it;  it was never a "fair' fight; it was a beating.  There was no sense appealing to the school authorities;  they condoned it.  If you managed to injure one of your tormentors, you were the one the coach got after.  After all, a new kid should learn his place. 

The remarkable thing about this—is that it is not remarkable.  It's ordinary.  It's the way the male of our species behaves.  It is the way of the world.  If you call it "wrestling" and put it on TV, you can sell it.  It's not only vicious, it's entertainment.  Mocking someone else, especially one who is suffering, is something we consider as prize fun.

It's the way of the world.  Christ sees it here, as well, on the Cross. 

·         The religious authorities do not call for mercy or even decorum;  it's a public spectacle, they join in too.

·         People just passing by make the most of it.  After all, you don't get to do this every day.  Let's show the children how.

·         Even the thieves crucified with him joined in—does it ease their pain to increase his?

We often skip over this section of the Gospel.  You seldom hear a sermon on the subject.  Perhaps there is a reason for this.

·         One reason we have this passage is to show us just how much the innocent Christ suffered—for us.

·         Another reason is simply this:  it holds up a mirror to our own character.  The religious authorities, the passing crowed, the two thieves—we're there, somewhere in that mix.

We may say to ourselves that we would never have done such a thing.  But as often as we've done it to the least, we've done it to him. 

Lord, it is painful to think that we are such sinners—but we are.  How great is your mercy!  In you there is not only forgiveness but acceptance—a welcome into the kingdom of God.  That you would be the sacrifice for your mockers is indeed "amazing grace."

February 2

Whatever You Ask

John 15:5-8

It is a difficult passage.  It is fairly clear that Christ has promised his disciples—including us—that we can have whatever we ask for.  The practical reality, however, is that there seem to be some slight restrictions on just what God will provide. 

The matter is usually explained away, if explained at all.  But perhaps it is not that difficult to comprehend.  If you want to know what God will and will not do, you must begin with another question:  "Why?"

Why would God grant us the right to ask, and make such promises about his delivery?  The answer is quite simple:  this is to the Father's glory.  We are to be living testimonials to the greatness of God. 

How does He want us to do this?  By "bearing much fruit."  That metaphor is easy to understand;  he wants us to be productive Christians, full of good works and ready to spread the Gospel.

So, productive Christians, full of evangelism and good works, find their prayers answered.  Others do not.  That's not hard to believe.  God would favor such disciples.  So how do we achieve that status?

We must "remain in Christ."  His words must remain in us.  The latter tells us to study the Scripture;  what does the former mean?

·         "In Christ" there is no condemnation for sin (Rom 8:1). 

·         "In Christ" we are given God's grace (1 Cor. 1:4)

·         "In Christ" we are reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:19)

So we see this begins with our forgiveness "in Christ."  But we must go beyond this.

·         "In Christ" we are one body (Rom 12:5)

·         "In Christ" we are God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)

·         "In Christ" we are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17)

There are many others.  But we see the point.  As we are transformed in Christ, we draw closer to God—and our prayers are more effective.  Ultimately, in Christ, we are called to eternal glory (1 Peter 5:10). 

Father, how easy it is to be discouraged when our sins prevent our prayers from being heard.  Forgive us, Lord, and teach to grow closer to you each day.  You will call us to eternal glory at the return of our Lord.  In the meanwhile, let us abide in Christ—so that his return finds our trip to glory a short one.

February 3

Fat Free Ice Cream

Galatians 5:22-25

If you weigh enough, you will eventually try all manner of things to lose weight.

One of the odd substances that you will attempt to consume is "fat free ice cream."  With any luck you will find a flavor which is also labeled, "No Sugar Added."  Ignoring any potential content of sodium or other nasty ingredients, you try your luck with the well colored mixture of soy beans and chemicals of an indeterminate origin.  It does not do to inquire too closely as to the recipe.  What counts is this:  it's not prohibited by your diet.  And the taste vaguely resembles what you remember from your childhood so long ago—real ice cream.  Well, at least it's at the same temperature.

Sometimes we feel the same ambivalence towards the fruit of the Spirit.  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control sound very good—but we'd really like to trade these bland substitutes for some vicious anger, a little revenge and some spectacular getting even.  Why is it that we yearn for the sins these things replace?  Is evil really tastier than light and peace?

It is.  It is, if you have not crucified the old self.  If you have not made the decision to turn your entire life over to Jesus, you will continually see the struggle as one of desire versus rectitude.  And desire seems so wonderful;  what would one little bowl of real ice cream hurt?  Why would one want to continue eating the soybeans and anonymous ingredients?  Why is this such a problem?

The answer is found in one of the phrases given here:  "those who belong to Jesus."  We see these words and think of our claim to Him:  He is our savior.  This is true.  But do you not see that it is equally true that He claims us?  It is not our claim to him which is our salvation;  it is his claim on us.  If we claim him and he ignores us, we are doomed. 

How, then, can we have him claim us?  Only by giving up our claim to ourselves;  only by surrender.  We must crucify the sinful nature so that he can become Lord and Savior.

Lord, we so much want to hang on to the sins that offer vengeance;  the sins that promise quick gain;  the sins that inflate our egos.  Deliver us from such;  help us to turn ourselves—all of ourselves—over to you as Lord and Savior.

February 4

2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

In this passage Paul is speaking about the persecution and trials endured by the Thessalonians.  He takes a different view than many of us do;  he brags about them.  He considers the perseverance these things produce, and he holds them up as example to others (and indeed to us.)

He draws two inferences which still have disturbing implications:

·         First, he tells them that they have become worthy of the kingdom of God.  If we suffer with him, we will reign with him.

·         He also concludes that God's judgment is just.

That last takes some explaining.  At first look, it seems hard to understand the connection to judgment being just.  But the connection is there;  Paul just assumes you'd understand it.  Since you know the righteousness of God, you should immediately count on two things:

·         First, that God will pay back those who are evil for the evil they have done.

·         Second, that God will bring relief to his children at the same time.

So the logical question is, when?  Paul tells us that this will be done when Christ returns in power.  On that day God will punish those who neither know nor obey the Gospel,  (The words in the Greek imply someone who refuses to look and understand).  What will he do with them?

·         Theirs is an eternal destruction.  The fires of hell are symbolic, not mythical.

·         They will be shut out from the presence of God.

·         They will be cut off from the majesty of his power.

We, on the other hand, will see him and glorify his coming, marveling at his presence.

Pretty black and white, isn't it?  Perhaps this makes you uncomfortable, thinking of someone you know who has decided not to decide for or against Jesus Christ.  You know their fate;  you do not know the time of your Lord's coming. 

Lord, give us the love which conquers fear, words which come from you, and the patience to be persistent but not a nuisance.  Give us opportunity to tell our friends and family about you—and give us courage to seize such opportunities.

February 5

Perils of Victory

Genesis 14:18-20

This scene is a familiar one to students of the Bible from the references made to it in Hebrews.  If we did not have that passage, we might simply skip over this as one more in a series of drab battles to be recounted.  But there are lessons in here for us.  We are often taught to bring our troubles to the Lord;  Abram (later Abraham) here shows us that we need to bring our victories to the Lord as well.

There are perils in victory which do not arise in time of trouble or defeat.  These perils come from our natural reactions.

·         We forget that the battle belongs to the Lord.  We recall our own efforts, the brilliance of our strategy and tactics, and forget who rules the universe.  It is easy to give in to self-admiration.

·         We may come to rely on our own strength.  Abram's men were trained for war.  He had made preparations for just such troubles.  It's easy to move from "I did my part" to "I did it all."

·         We may fail to give God the glory.  We might credit him at prayer but in public take all credit.  There are warrior Psalms in the Bible for a reason.

·         We may fail to ask God's blessing on the result.  Often we see war return to a victorious nation because they relied on their own wisdom, not God's blessing.

·         We may fail to give God the tithe dedicated to destruction.  If we do not recognize him in material things, we deny him.

But if we do as our Lord commands, do you not see that the Lord himself will come out to meet us, bringing the bread and wine which denote salvation itself?  It is God's good pleasure to honor his servants who have been faithful.  By his words and actions Melchizedek (the name means "king of righteousness") places blessing where it belongs:  from God upon Abram, and upon God from us all.

Lord, we are quick to come to you in our times of trouble, but so often ignore you in the hour of triumph.  Give us the grace we need to deny our own pride and give glory to you.  As we are made the victor by your hand, let us in return bring the tithe of the fruits of victory.  Grant us victory in our battles, Lord, and grant us sense enough to know who gave it to us.

February 6

Rely on His Love

1 John 4:13-18

There is a gem hidden in this passage.  The most often quoted portion comes from the sixteenth verse:  God is love.  But look just before that line;  the gem is there.  "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us."  So many of us know about God's love for us, but sadly have never relied upon it.

How do we know that God loves us?  The question may seem a simple one, but we should have a ready defense when asked.

·         For each of us, our testimony might begin with the work of the Holy Spirit within us.  If you know the Spirit is in you, then you can testify to the changes made in your life. 

·         There is also the documentary evidence which we call the New Testament.  The searcher is counseled to seek the evidence available;  there is plenty of it.

All this, of course, depends upon knowing the love of God, shown so greatly at Calvary.  If you do not know his love, your testimony will be weak.

If you know God's love for us, it still may not be sufficient.  God wants us to rely on his love.  We are to put our confidence in the fact that God loves us.  There are two aspects to this:

·         First, we must live in love daily.  How could we not?  If we have the Holy Spirit, should we not be those who imitate God in the flesh?  So it says, "we are like him."

·         Next, we will have no fear of judgment.  When our Lord comes again, those who live in his love will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Perfect love drives out fear.  This is true whether the fear is for Judgment Day or this afternoon.  Those who love with the intensity given by the Holy Spirit often seem foolhardy to those around them.  How do they get away with it?  They have been made perfect in love.  The word "perfect" in the original means "fit for a specific task."  The love of God, modeled in Christ, implanted by the Holy Spirit makes us fit for the purposes God has planned for us.  But we must recognize that—and rely on it.

Heavenly Father, we are often so timid in your work.  May your love drive out our fears.  Give us the calm boldness so common to the great saints of the church.  Fit us for the tasks you have chosen for us, and lead us so that we not only know that you love us, we come to rely on that as a very present fact.  We seem so small in our own eyes;  make your strength perfect in us.

February 7

The Uses of the Question Mark

Matthew 26:6-13

The passage is a familiar one.  The woman pours the perfume over Jesus, anointing him for burial.  The disciples object;  what a waste!  Even at two thousand years distance, it seems an extravagant thing. 

Much may be learned by listening to the questions the Master asks.  "Why are you bothering this woman?"  Note the verb;  they are annoying her!  The question mark is a very useful piece of punctuation:

·         Who has responsibility for this jar of perfume?  Did she not acquire it herself?  Isn't it hers to do with as she pleases? 

·         Who set you up as judge over her?  Is she your servant, or your child, so that you correct her this way?

·         Have you no concern for harmony among the followers of Christ?  Your words stir up anger;  shouldn't you go to her privately first?

·         Is not God able to provide far more than the worth of this jar of perfume?  Have you lost all confidence in the one who knows how many hairs are on your head?

·         Does not the Lord work in her life as well as yours?  Is it yours to criticize his workmanship?  No doubt she is as yet unfinished;  but when did you achieve perfection?

·         Have you sought the Father in prayer over this matter?  Or are you so accomplished a Christian that you have no need to ask the Father what His will might be in this?

It is easy to criticize others for their actions; but it gives us a false sense of righteousness.    Worse yet, we can become so critical of everyone and everything (in the name of righteousness, of course) that our hearts become hardened.  We will perform no act of devotion to God because the hardness of our hearts shuts in what little love is left.  It is possible to be proud of the righteousness you practice and the love you don't show.

Lord, keep our hearts open to your words.  Do not let us become so concerned with what others are doing for you that we fail to look in the mirror.  Help us to remember that our Master is you;  you will judge.  We should not;  help us then to remain humble in your sight, so that on the Day of Judgment we might be indeed lifted up. 

February 8

A Problem of Church and State

Daniel 3:13-28

One must have at least a little sympathy for Nebuchadnezzar.  All he really wanted—it is a modest goal—was to be recognized as the supreme ruler of all things.  Since he knew that he was such, surely the rest of the world could take a few minutes to acknowledge that, right?  It's an early example of the friction between church and state.  The state wants to use the church for its own ends;  more specifically:

·         The church can be used to enforce loyalty.  If people have loyalty to the church, that loyalty can be transferred—if only by symbolic worship.  This shows the power that the church holds over people—and power is the goal of the tyrant.  Because the act of worship is so small and so seldom, some will say, "What's the problem?"  They should consider the effect on others.  Is the church to place the highest of loyalties to the state, or to Christ?

·         The church can make a government "legitimate."  Especially in times of turmoil, people look to the church for the solid foundation.  Governments know this;  and that fosters the corruption so commonly found in the Middle Ages in this.  Is it really so wonderful that many see the words "Christian" and "Republican" as interchangeable?

·         The church can help stifle dissent.  The church carries the moral authority of God on earth.  It has a great deal of power which cannot be obtained in legislation—the power to define what is and is not spoken of.  Bending this power to the tyrant's ends is a familiar story.

But—God be praised, there are men like these.  No matter what the king will do, they will not submit.  Are our times so different?  More importantly, are we as strong as they?

·         Is our obedience to the death, or only when convenient?

·         Is our faith in God so strong?

·         Is our love for God so deep?

Lord, deliver us from being Christians only when it is convenient.  Increase our obedience; strengthen our faith;  deepen our love for you so that when the world challenges your church, we your church will reply as these men did.  Ready for martyrdom yet confident that you will prevail—give us courage for that.

February 9

Impulse Obedience

Jeremiah 42:1-6

September 16—the Sunday after 9/11—the churches of America were crowded.  Shocked Americans turned to God in large numbers. 

This passage comes from just such a time.  The people who approached the prophet Jeremiah were on their way to Egypt.  They were fleeing the wrath of the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar.   Since some of them were involved in the assassination of the governor he appointed, this would seem to be a reasonable course.  They are a part of the remnant of Judah, the poor left in the land when Nebuchadnezzar took Jerusalem.  Once they were many, now they are few.  Times are tough.

Since the prophet is there on their way, they ask him to ask God for advice.  But note the phrasing "the Lord your God."  Not "our" God, your God, if you please.  And we'd like to know, please, where we should go and how we should hide when we get there.  They are so much in earnest that they promise to do what the Lord says.  It is an empty promise.

Jeremiah agrees to inquire of the Lord.  God takes ten days to get back to them.  In those ten days these folks have had time to think.  When Jeremiah tells them to stay in Palestine, their reaction is predictable:  they accuse him of being part of a conspiracy to get them turned over to the Babylonians.

Why is this so predictable?  Because they conspired against their governor.  They see in Jeremiah a man like themselves.  Since surely God could have given an answer within a few moments, it's obvious that the ten days was just a ruse to slow them down. 

What were all those extra people doing on September 16th?  Whatever it was, it didn't last.  It is likely that God refused to give them the flash of divine inspiration which exactly fit their preconceived notion.   When God refuses to give us the answer we want, it's obvious that something's wrong.  Many preachers told them exactly that:  something's wrong.  Not with God, but with our nation.  Like this stubborn remnant, we refuse to repent.  God will treat us as he treated them;  first warning, then condemning. 

Lord, you provide our nation with warning:  the time of repentance draws to a close.  The time of disaster is near.  Give your people wisdom in their words and courage in their speech.  Let the spirit of revival fill the land, and hearts turn once again to you.

February 10

There Is Peace

Ephesians 2:14-18

Put yourself in the man's place:  you are the director of a very exclusive summer camp—a playground for rich kids.  Your reputation is your livelihood.  How do you feel when you see, coming down the lane to your camp, fifty to sixty leather clad motorcyclists?  Does this match well with your reputation of taking only America's elite?

Well, it actually does.  The motorcyclists in question were all riding behind one Malcolm Forbes, founder of Forbes magazine and quite acceptably wealthy.  (Incidentally, the name of the motorcycle club was "The Capitalist Tools.")  He'd come to visit his granddaughter—who was kind enough to vouch for him.

The camp director reactions are typical of most of us.  The early church went through something similar.  The first Christians were Jewish—and they looked down on everyone else.  It's not surprising; most of the pagans lived in a very decadent lifestyle.  Those under the Jewish law felt themselves superior, morally.

But Christ abolished the basis for that.  Because he fulfilled the Old Testament Law, he removed the cause of hostility between the Jews and the Gentiles.  The two camps were now one, if they would but accept it.

Christ did more than that.  He also broke down the barriers of hostility between God and man.  He enabled us to become the children of God—which incidentally makes us brothers and sisters.  All now come to God through Christ; there is one path.  None of us can claim moral superiority;  we are all sinners.  From this we should see the church being the least exclusive of bodies.

But do we?  Most of us have now done away with the idea that a church should exclude people based upon their social position—at least in any official sense.  But sometimes we exclude by failing to include.  We're all perfectly willing to support a ministry to the homeless—someplace else. 

Our Lord makes it perfectly clear:  the church is not a social club whose membership is limited to those who are "in."  It is a hospital for sinners.  We would not tolerate a hospital that turned away patients in need merely because of their place in society.  We should apply the same standard to ourselves.

Lord, deliver us from the blindness of familiarity.  Open our eyes that we may see the fields "white unto harvest."  By your grace may we be those who hold open the door, calling all who are willing to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

February 11

The Lamb of God

Revelation 5:6-14

It is with some reluctance that we move into the book of Revelation.  The work has a great variety of interpreters, most of whom are sure everyone else is wrong.  But in this passage we find some common ground;  upon that we may stand.

"Worthy is the Lamb."  The phrase, "the Lamb of God" occurs only in the Gospel of John, quoting John the Baptist.  John, the last of the Old Testament period prophets, echoes the words of Isaiah in this.  No one else records these high, holy words.

It is fitting that John the Apostle should be the one.  He was the closest friend Jesus had on earth.  When he referred to himself, he used the phrase, "the disciple whom Jesus loved."  Alone among the Apostles, he died a natural death.  It would take one so close to the Lord to see the truth:  the wounds of Jesus make him worthy.

We can understand that in a way.  When the war is over, no one listens to the tales of a heroic file clerk.  Old soldiers carry their wounds with them;  the medals may stay home, but the scars are the evidence of their sacrifice.

Isaiah tells us that "by his wounds we are healed."  They are the scars that tell the story of Calvary;  we should expect to see them transformed into beauty without losing their importance. 

"Worthy is the lamb that was slain."  Only by the sacrifice on the Cross is this established.  By this Christ is proclaimed worthy, for he was slain.  He gave up his life that we might have life.  More than that, he did this not for a select few, but for every tribe, tongue and nation.  All who believe may experience the healing in Christ's wounds.

Here we see the seven fold worthiness of Christ.  Ask yourself:  do you honor Christ with these?

·         Power—do you use it for the kingdom of God?

·         Wealth—is it at the disposal of the kingdom of God

·         Wisdom—is your counsel freely given to those in need?

·         Honor—do you honor him in word and deed?

·         Glory—is he the one who receives your adoration?

·         Praise—do you proclaim his name to others when you speak?

When He comes again, all will see. 

Lord, by your strength and wisdom, keep us ready for your return. Grant that we may see you coming with the angels, and rejoice at the sight of it.

February 12

Ark of the Covenant

2 Chronicles 8:11-19

There is a curious sense of foreboding in this passage.  Solomon's father, David, was described as "a man after God's own heart."  The title of king was handed down to Solomon;  ultimately, the description was not.  The problem started here, with Solomon's wife from Egypt.

Solomon has a clear understanding of the concept of holiness.  Once the Ark of the Covenant, also called the Ark of the Presence, has passed through a place, that place becomes holy—for God was there.  David's palace has held the ark;  it is therefore holy. 

Note, please, that Solomon sets the Temple worship service as he was directed by his father.  Everything is as God instructed David—except that wife. 

Formal worship is not much practiced in our day.  We condemn it as being "just ritual."  But this ritual portrays our Christian life:

·         Is there prayer in the worship?  It is a model for the Christian's prayers.

·         Is there giving in the worship?  Then there should be charity during the week.

·         Is there witnessing in the worship?  Then our conduct and words should testify of Him.

·         Is there encouragement in worship?  Then we should encourage one another.

·         Is there praise in the worship?  Then the world should hear us praise the Lord each day of the week.

Perhaps the highest use of worship is to exemplify the truth proclaimed by the church.  We do this in the Lord's Supper, which proclaims the Lord's death, burial and resurrection—until he comes again.

Worship and our service are vitally connected.  But if we allow sin to continue in our lives, worship can become nothing but formality and a place to exchange jokes.  In worship we picture the fellowship we have with the Lord.  If sin breaks that fellowship, we are doing nothing more than a stage play. 

Lord, grant us a pure heart in worship, so that we may be pleasing to you.  Keep in our minds the repentance required for Communion;  keep in our hearts the joy of fellowship with you.  May our worship always portray our hearts.

February 13

The Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew 13:44-52

Jesus teaches us about the kingdom of heaven by means of parables.  These short stories show us aspects of the kingdom—sometimes not quite what we think.

The treasure in the field.  Most of us can see the main idea here:  that whatever it takes to get into the kingdom, it's worth it.  Once you found it, get it!  But consider the fellow who sold the field;  he didn't know what he had.  He lost the kingdom not because someone stole it, but because he was ignorant.  There are Bibles on the shelves and Bibles in the hearts.  The difference is an open heart to an open Bible.

The pearl of great price.  The message here is a bit different.  We obtain many good things in our lives.  We are taught here that we must be willing to part with all of them for the sake of the kingdom.  It is not so much the evil things in life which keep us from the kingdom;  it is the good things which shove the best thing aside.  Is it wrong to have a neat and tidy house?  No.  But if that keeps us from the kingdom, of what value is it?

The fish in the net.  A recurring theme in Christianity is the desire to get away from this world, to retreat to a place where Christ's love can be met in full.  Religious retreats, monasteries, even prayer closets are used for this.  But for most of us at most times, we are in the world but not of it.  The time will come, however, when we will be separated.  We need to prepare for that day.

Things old and new.  If we are to learn about the kingdom of heaven, we need all the help we can get.  We are not to neglect the Old Testament;  rather, we are to use its wisdom and counsel to better understand the New Testament.   For example:

·         In the Old Testament, we see God the Father displayed.

·         Over and again there are examples in the Old Testament—of the folly of sin and the wisdom of obedience.

·         In times of trouble, the wisdom of Proverbs and the words of the Psalms are of great comfort.

·         The key to prophecy is found in the Old Testament.

Gather up the treasures before you, both old and new, and with them enter the narrow gate.

Lord, we are richly blessed by the words of the Scripture.  Keep us in the habit of studying them daily, that we might understand your heart.  Grant that we may know that our path has indeed led to your narrow gate.

February 14

Spectator Sports

Ephesians 4:11-13

The plain truth of the matter is clear:  Christianity is not a spectator sport.

You might think otherwise.  There are certainly plenty of people about who are holding some of the positions mentioned here.  Teachers in particular seem to abound.  But perhaps it would be clearer to our football minds if instead of saying, "apostles, evangelists, prophets, teachers" we said instead, "scouts, recruiters, trainers and coaches."  Then at least we'd get the idea:  everyone on the team has a task to do.  If you don't fit one of those four categories, you're on the field.

Note something else:  scouts, recruiters, trainers and coaches are there to serve the team.  They do their part by preparing others.  On game day, the victory must be won by the team—not the coaches.  The coach's task is to prepare the team and guide it. 

Interestingly, there is no sense here that the preparation is of an academic nature.  Quite to the contrary:  we are to be prepared for "works of service."  The function of the teacher, for example, is to prepare the church to perform the acts of (for example) charity required of the Christian.  It is not sufficient that the teacher teach well, provide an example and encourage his students;  the Christians in the classroom must then "go and do likewise."

There is a purpose in all this.  It might surprise you that the end purpose of teaching charity might not be simply feeding the hungry.  This is good—but not the main purpose.  What we really are looking to do is to build up the body of Christ, the church.  How do we know when we're successful?

·         When that body is united in faith.

·         When that body is united in its knowledge of Christ.

·         When that body is mature.

The key to this is Jesus Christ.  When the church is mature in her understanding of Christ, all the other elements of the faith fall into place quite naturally.  Your teachers are preparing you to be like Christ; to do that, you must know him deeply. 

The coaches and trainers can only do so much.  The team must respond to this, or lose.  Check your response;   are you one who warms the bench, or are you on the field?

Lord, put it uppermost in our minds that you are our example as well as Lord.  May we learn to imitate you in all our ways for all our days.

February 15

Jumping the Grand Canyon

Matthew 16:21-28

One of the great motorcycle stunts that has (as yet) not been done is this:  jumping a motorcycle over the Grand Canyon.  I have no intention of trying it, but if I did there is one thing you may be sure of:  I wouldn't try to make it in two or three hops.  It's one—or not at all.

Following Christ is like that.  It can't be done in small jumps; it requires the long leap.  In this passage, Peter is trying to do it in small jumps—much less risky.  No doubt he made that point to Jesus.

Christ's reply tells us much about the nature of entering the kingdom of God.  If you want to enter the kingdom in small steps, taking no risk, being very hesitant, here's the result:

·         First, you are on the wrong side.  That's what Satan wants you to do.

·         Next, you're setting a very bad example.

·         The reason for this:  you're thinking that God's kingdom is like any other social organization.  And it isn't.

So what should you be doing?  How do you cross this canyon in one mighty leap?

·         You start by "denying yourself."  As in self-denial.  In short, you put Christ first in everything. 

·         You must take up the cross.  You are going to suffer as a Christian;  you are going to be persecuted in one way or another.  Accept it with joy.

·         Then, simply, follow Him.  Every day, in all ways, in all places and circumstances, follow Him.

Does that seem rather radical?  Highly risky?  You're right.  It is very much like jumping the Grand Canyon.  If you're going to do it, you'd best put all your effort into it.  Put up with the heat, dust and inconvenience;  endure the pain—and don't look back. 

Why is this so?  Because Judgment Day is coming.  The day is coming when God will determine who has jumped the "great gulf fixed" between damnation and salvation.  There is only one way to do it, and Christ gives it here.  On that day, there will be no half measures.  Those who want to get by with half measures now will find themselves on the wrong side then.

Lord, help us—that our commitment to you be made complete, our will determined, so that we may welcome Judgment Day.

February 16

Shame

Mark 8:34-38

Shame.  At one time it was the staple of mothers and school teachers;  the phrase, "Aren't you ashamed of yourself?" was used for all sorts of motivation.  Whether it was to do your homework or wear clean underwear (lest you be killed in a traffic accident and be ashamed of your dirty t-shirt), shame was turned into the moral motivator of choice.

It is a curious compound, comprised largely of righteousness and pride.  The element of pride is used as the motivating factor;  the element of righteousness as the goal.  For this reason it was seldom used to motivate you to humility. 

Note, please, that shame could be used for almost any purpose:

·         Some of those purposes were righteous:  from clean underwear to how you treat your sister.

·         Some were not so righteous:  the same method is still used by gangs to obtain compliance.

But one thing is consistent:  shame is a window on the soul.  The things that shame you, those you consider evil.  Those that do not are acceptable.  Your view of righteousness can be seen in the things you avoid lest you be ashamed.

So then, what can we say of the one who is ashamed of Jesus Christ?  The world tells us we should be:

·         We hear that Christian missionaries are "destroying the native culture" and should be stopped.  Many of those missionaries are doing so quite effectively.  Should they be ashamed of the Gospel?

·         We are told that we "impose our morality" on others, and we should be ashamed of that.  Should I be ashamed of my intolerance of evil? 

·         Most of all, we are told we should be ashamed of being "fanatic, wild-eyed right wing fundamentalists" - that is, people who put Christ above all else.  Christ is OK as a hobby;  but not as Lord.

What will we say to Him when He returns?  That we were ashamed of the Gospel?  That we were ashamed of our intolerance?  That we were ashamed of Him? 

Shame—a window on your soul.  How's the view?

Lord, grant us courage to stand as you would have us stand.  Give us faith to stand for you in a world which has no shame.

February 17

Surpassing Righteousness

Matthew 5:17-20

"God will forgive me—it's his trade."  (Variously attributed to the philosopher Heinrich Heine, Catherine the Great and Voltaire).

This remark—supposedly on someone's death bed—is the cynic's dismissal of righteousness.  Righteousness is difficult, requiring regular practice.  It gets in the way of pride and egotism.  Since it is difficult, we often seek an excuse.

The excuse the Christian often finds is this:  over and again, we are taught that legalism—a blind obedience to nitpicking rules—is not the way of Christ.  Indeed, Christ came so that we might have a better way to God, to reconcile us to the Father.  But you may take that in two ways:

·         Some take it that Jesus has abolished all the rules.  He is the radical replacement of the Jewish Law.  It's all about forgiveness, and surely He will forgive me.

·         Others see it differently.  The goal—righteousness—has not changed.  What has changed is the method of obtaining it.

This passage makes it perfectly clear.  Christ did not come to be a radical replacement of the Law;  He came to be its complete, logical fulfillment.  Among the Scribes and Pharisees were some who were diligent in following not only the letter but the heart of the Law (e.g., Nicodemus).  Their observance was strict, often exceeding the requirements of the Old Testament.  Christ confirms for us that even this level of righteousness is not sufficient. 

It's easy to rush on, telling the world that Christians must pick between two methods of righteousness:

·         The righteousness that comes from the blood of Christ at Calvary for our forgiveness, or

·         The righteousness of devout, pious good works.

We quickly pick the first option—and in so doing often deny that Christ calls us to do the second as well.  Works are not sufficient.  Faith is—but faith without works is dead.  If your life is not alive with the good works of the faithful Christian, what will you say to your Lord on the day that heaven and earth do pass away?  Will He grant you forgiveness without repentance; grace without obedience; welcome without the walk with Him?

Lord, move in our hearts so that we might be those who show the righteousness you give in the faithful lives we lead.  Lead our lives so that all may see the works of faith and praise you for this.

February 18

Pot of Gold

Mark 10:17-22

"Anybody can manage with a pot of gold."  (David T. Kearns)

Have you ever wondered, deep down inside, whether or not you are really the person you portray to yourself?  It's easy to be a giving person in America, the richest nation in the world.  It's easy to speak out for the Gospel in the home of free speech.  If you decide practice humility, you can even do that in America.  Wealth makes a difference.  But it also conceals character.  What would happen if that wealth were stripped away?  Would we find ourselves aching for our golden shield to protect us from the truth?

Jesus confronts just such a man here.  By all appearances—even, likely, to his own mind—this man seems to be both godly and favored by God.  Jesus immediately issues the challenge:  "Why do you call me good?"  It's his opening shot:  the man is not dealing with just another teacher, no matter how brilliant.  This is God in the flesh, and he deserves your obedience.

But obedience to what?  Jesus tells him in the words of the Ten Commandments.  He lists here all but one of the "person to person" commandments.  The one he leaves out has to do with envy;  if you have this kind of money, that usually isn't a problem.  The man tells him that he has done these things from childhood.

Jesus does not dispute this.  Rather, he strips away all the good things in the man's life, in order that he might obtain the best thing possible:  Jesus, himself.  He asks him to throw away his golden shield, and follow.

"Follow me."  It has the advantage of simplicity; no codes to memorize.  It happens now; no long range planning required.  It is permanent;  the money is gone, given away.  It is an adventure to the depths of the soul, testing and growing the follower day by day.  Follow him and you may just discover who you really are—and then grow out of it.  No roller coaster ride can compare.

Mark tells us here that Jesus loved the man.  That's why he called him to follow.  That's why he calls us to follow him, too.

Perhaps it's just a matter of how you see things.  This man saw an elegant yacht, its pleasures awaiting him at the marina.  Jesus saw a boat anchor attached to a drowning man.  The yacht and the anchor are connected by a heavy chain; what holds a man to his anchor?

Lord, give us the wisdom to know what to cast off—and the courage to throw it out quickly.

February 19

Jury Duty

Exodus 25:10-22

For most of us, jury duty is a tiresome chore;  a civic duty which we would prefer to avoid.  Our excuses are many, but few of them work.  On one such occasion I had the privilege of being the jury foreman.  The trial itself was, in a way, interesting.

The charge was misdemeanor assault.  The defendant was charged with approaching the alleged victim, swinging his hand up and knocking the cap off his head.  The victim testified that he was in fear for his life.  The defendant pleaded self defense, also in fear for his life.  The policeman who took the report pleaded ignorance;  he had lost his notes.  To the utter shock of both attorneys and the judge, we acquitted the man.  The judge was so stunned that he asked the jury to remain, meet with the attorneys and give them some idea as to how we reached such a verdict. 

Our answer was simple.  The victim was obviously lying.  So was the defendant.  The policeman had no information at all.  Two liars and an ignoramus do not add up to a conviction.

Why, then, were the professionals so shocked?  Because they had heard testimony that we had not.  They knew the defendant was charged (and likely guilty) of several much more serious offenses.  But such testimony was concealed from us.  We passed judgment based upon what we saw and heard.

The same principle applies when we speak of the Ark of the Covenant.  The "atonement cover" (also called the Mercy Seat in other translations) performs the same function.  Symbolically, God's angels watch continuously—but can see nothing but the cover.  The testimony (which would convict us) is hidden inside.  Do you see the picture?

The picture is the same today, for Christ has become our atonement.  When God looks for the testimony which could condemn us, he sees what he has placed between us and his throne—the atonement of Jesus Christ.  By his blood our sins are wiped out;  the accusation fails for want of evidence.  God sees only the atonement of Christ, who has reconciled us to God. 

Lord, may we never forget that our relationship to the Father is created at the Cross, by your blood.  The evidence of the sins that would convict us has been wiped away by the cleansing you bought at Calvary.  Whenever we are burdened by the thought of the cost of our obedience, give us the vision of the cost of your obedience to the Father's will.

February 20

Picture of Atonement

Leviticus 16

Leviticus has long been the stopping point of many programs designed to read through the Bible in a year.  It appears to the reader, at first glance, that the list of rules and regulations for a society three thousand years ago can have no use in our modern world.  But God does not do these things without purpose.  This chapter seems nothing but a set of procedures.  It is actually a picture of the coming atonement of Jesus Christ.

Look first, please, at the series of steps the High Priest must take.  He must first cleanse himself—representing the sinless nature of Christ.  He puts on clean, sacred garments—as we put on Christ when we intercede for others.  He must make offering for his own sin first—for the High Priest in this time is a sinner like us.

Consider next those two goats.  This is the origin of the word "scapegoat" in our language.  The two are chosen for their tasks by lot—casting dice, if you will—which means that they are interchangeable.  One is to be sacrificed; one carries the sins of the people into the wilderness.  So it is with us.  By the sacrifice of Christ our sins are carried away to be seen no more.

Is there more?  Indeed, more than will fit in this short space.  For example, note that only the High Priest can do this.  Only our High Priest, Jesus Christ, could make atonement for our sins.  See too that it is done once a year.   This is symbolic of the fact that Christ's atonement was done once, for all time.

There is one phrase to which we should pay attention.  It is in verse thirteen.  The High Priest is to take some incense and some burning coals with him.  He puts the coals on the ground before the Ark of the Covenant, and throws the incense onto the coals.  This produces a great deal of smoke.  The purpose of this?  It is so that the High Priest will not see the Atonement Cover (the Mercy Seat) - and die.  Why would he die?  Because, as verse 2 tells us, God appears in the cloud over the Atonement Cover; no man can look upon God and live.  The smoke of the incense is between him and death.

The truth of this picture is not revealed until Revelation.  The incense stands for the prayers of the saints.  When we intercede in prayer, we place ourselves between the righteous God and those for whom we intercede.  It is the work of a priest—a royal priest, in the kingdom of God.

Lord, as we intercede for others, let us know that we are on holy ground, priests in your kingdom.

February 21

Self Reformation

Colossians 2:20-23

Paul speaks here of a disease that breaks out occasionally within the church.  Sometimes it is widespread;  other times, it affects only one person at a time.  But it has never been completely extinguished.

The symptoms are easy to spot:

·         It has the appearance of wisdom.  This is usually achieved by demanding a bit more from the Christian.  You pray an hour a day?  Our method has you pray two hours a day.  Think how pious you will look!

·         It carries self-imposed worship.  The authority for the changes you make comes from yourself, or other people—not from what the Scripture teaches.

·         It's particularly hard on the body.  Your body goes from being the temple of the Spirit to the whipping boy.

The rules for such a system usually start with "Don't."  Sometimes these rules are self-imposed.  You have a problem; perhaps you drink too much.  You create a rule (Do not have wine before dinner).  As the problem leaks around your rules, you create more rules (and don't drink after lunch, either).  But—usually sooner than later—the rules stop working.  Their authority is you;  and you can't hold yourself.

Sometimes these rules are imposed by a religious leader.  This set of rules has a great deal more prestige—after all, he has his own show on Christian television.  And that's what the system is:  show.  You get the appearance, not the reality.

Why?  Because both these methods are the world's way of doing it.  These rules pass with time.   They seem good for a time, but later they become disused and abandoned.  (I'm told there was a good reason for that haircut monks get.)  Things of the world pass away with time.

The things of Christ, however, are eternal.  They do not pass away.  So if you use his method, it works—for life, and beyond.  His method is to change your heart.  It is the desire in your heart that He rebuilds, so that you look at things with the eyes of eternity.  The rules which held off the feeling of guilt until you failed to keep them are replaced.  They are changed into the love in your heart which is given by God.

Lord, may we always know that you are not a system nor an ideology;  you are Lord—of all.

February 22

No Bed of Roses

Romans 3:21-26

"Even bein' de Lawd ain't no bed of roses."  Richard Berry Harrison.

God is eternal and unchanging.  His character today is the same as it was in the beginning.  His creation reflects that.

God is a God of justice.  Over and again we hear Him described as the one who defends the orphan and the widow.  What then, are we to make of his reaction to a very important fact:  all of us are sinners.

His reaction must take account of another pillar in his character:  God is love.  His anger lasts but a moment;  His love is forever.  What, then, can the God of justice and love do?

His solution is simple:  He came in the flesh, to die, as an atonement for sin.  Upon Christ himself he cast the penalty for sin, and Christ paid it.  It is the measure of his character:

·         It is the measure of his justice.  Only the atonement made by the death of a truly innocent, sinless man would be sufficient to deal with sin.  All of us are flawed;  none of us would do.  Nothing less than pure innocence would do.

·         It is the measure of his love.  To take upon himself the flesh of mankind is a descent beyond our imagining;  to die for our sins in that flesh could only come from the divine imagination.  There is no greater love.

The concept is staggering of itself;  but then see how God offers the result to us.  We would certainly demand a strict obedience to rules to share in this love—but God does not.  Indeed, the price of salvation is so great that none of us could afford it;  so He gives it away.  He asks only that you trust Him.

Only God is sufficient in justice;  only God is sufficient in love.  He is therefore both just and justifier.  He sets before us no system of regulations, but the intense love this sacrifice produces has prompted those who love Him to great heights.  Such devotion cannot be commanded;  it can only be inspired.

There is no predicting what a lover of Christ will do—for there are no limits on what he can do.

Father, your justice is sure, your mercy is sweet to our ears.  Move in our hearts so that we may love you more, as you have loved us.  Do not let us become frightened by what is;  rather, let us partake in what will be—the glory of your kingdom.

February 23

Prisoners of Hope

Zechariah 9:11-12

A man is a prisoner of whatever keeps him captive—and we are the prisoners of hope.

We are the ones who are held captive by hope:

·         We put our hope in his word, the Scriptures, for in them we find life.

·         We put our hope in his Word, who is the author of life.

·         Indeed, ours is a living hope—Christ Himself!

This hope comes down to us from the earliest days of the Scripture.  Job tells us that his redeemer lives, and that he himself—not a descendant, Job himself—will see him face to face.  From there to Revelation, where the return of our Lord in glory is symbolically portrayed, the theme of the Scripture runs true:  our hope is in the Lord.

How can we have this?  What kind of fools are we, proclaiming that the dead in Christ shall rise to meet him (and us) in the air?  We are the fools with the evidence:  the risen Lord.  But there is more:

·         We cast our hope on his unfailing love—as Job says, He will long for the works of his hands.

·         We cast our hope on his faithfulness, righteousness and justice—having given His word, it cannot be broken.

More than that, we know that the Father cherishes those who put their trust, their hope in Him.  He raised Christ from the grave;  by the same Holy Spirit—given to us as guarantee—he will raise us as well.

What, then, should be our attitude?  Very different from those who eat, drink and are merry for tomorrow they die:

·         Hope produces boldness in us.  Our Lord has triumphed over death, and therefore we do not fear it.

·         Hope produces joy.  You have but to go to the funeral of a solid Christian to realize that the mourning is for our loss, not the homecoming of our friend.

Even in death, the righteous have a refuge in our Hope. 

Lord, keep us mindful of our hope.  May we always be ready to give the reason for this hope, never forgetting the Resurrection power in our lives.  Grant that we may pass this on to our children and grandchildren, so that at our funerals they will say, "His hope is in the Lord, therefore it is sure."

February 24

Glory, Honor and Splendor

Revelation 21:22-27

The interpretation of the Book of Revelation is not without its problems.  In our time, the preferred scheme of interpretation has shifted from that of metaphor to a more literal interpretation.  It is important to remember, however, that just because an interpretation is more literal does not necessarily mean it is more correct.

Here is an example of the difficulty.  We see the glory of God the light of the New Jerusalem, the Lamb its lamp.  Older interpreters, given to metaphor, take this light to mean the enlightenment and understanding given to mankind.  God's glory is its source;  it comes to us by the teaching (delivery, if you will) of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.  Newer interpretations take this literally, to mean light in the physical sense.

The older method carries a great gem of wisdom here.  The city needs no sun nor moon because of this light.  When our Lord returns, the wisdom and guidance we seek in the Scriptures (a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path) will come directly from God.  We will be in such close contact with him that no longer will we seek to understand by asking each other;  the light will be everywhere.

The early readers of this passage would have been struck by the fact that the city never closes its gates—at all times those in the book of life are welcome there.  The city takes in only the good and the pure—the splendor of kings.  It rejects the impure, those who do shameful and deceitful things.  No matter what your interpretation, this is a glorious and great thing.

In all the bickering over such passages—and there is plenty of bickering for all—we sometimes miss the point.  It does not matter how we interpret light, nor the form of the Lamb.  These things will be revealed to us directly in God's good time.  Until then, we should focus our attention on what is important now:  is my name in the Book of Life?  Some of us would debate what type of ink and paper compose this book, and in so doing fail to gain a place in it.

How then shall we gain such a place?  By walking in the light;  by bringing glory and honor to the Lord.  By keeping ourselves from impurity, deceit and shame.  By trusting the Name of Jesus, so that our faith is shown in our character and our works.

Lord, keep us mindful of the glorious future you have for us.  Spur our minds to readiness and our hands to the work of the kingdom.

February 25

An Affair of the Heart

1 John 3:18-24

For thousands of years Christians have faced a problem:  the memory of sins past.  With tender hearts we beat ourselves over the things we have done, including the things God has forgiven.  If you do this often enough, long enough and hard enough, you will wind up saying, "I can't talk to God;  I'm not worthy."

Now, do understand that in one sense not one of us is worthy—on our own merits.  But by the grace of God and the Cross of Christ we are forgiven.  That, please note, is a fact.  Guilt, please note, is a feeling.  Our self condemnation does not change the fact.

So how, then, do we get past the feeling?  By remembering that God is truth.  If the truth is that we are forgiven, then we should act like it.

But how do I know that this forgiveness is real?  The Apostle gives us a simple series of tests:

·         First, is your love for God and man shown in action?  Or is it just words?

·         Is your love a true one—or is it a pretense to obtain the approval of those around you?

But what if you have the opposite problem?  Suppose the worry is not your feeling of guilt, but rather its absence.   How, then, do you know that you are forgiven?

·         Do you have confidence in prayer?

·         Does God answer your prayers?

·         Are you an obedient believer, trusting in Christ?

If you pass, you will note one other change in your life:  the Holy Spirit, having been made welcome, will take up residence in you. 

These things are fact, for God is truth.  Facts have their roots in Him, for in Christ all things hold together.  Existence is borrowed from the Self-Existent One—the I AM.  If he says you are forgiven, then forgiven you are.  It's a fact.  Count on it.

Lord, how often we let our emotions stew over sins of long ago!  Things which are past belong to you;  as you have forgiven us, help us to accept and trust in that forgiveness, your grace.  We know it is not something we have earned.  let the love that produced the grace of the Cross inspires us to honor you and love those we meet.  Grant that whatever our hearts may feel, we may know the truth;  we are forgiven.  We know the truth; the truth shall set us free.

February 26

Bread of Life

John 6:48-58

Examine the book of Leviticus and you will find a goodly portion of the rules and regulations laid out there involve food.  Which food the Israelite could eat;  which he could not.  How various foods need to be prepared, or how they should not be prepared.  Is it just possible that God understands that we like to eat?

He takes advantage of that.  Everyone eats;  everyone understands the concept of "good" food versus "unwholesome" food.  In our time we see words like "organic" or "natural" on jars of processed food.  How it can be manufactured and organic is not explained.

Jesus knows:  you are what you eat.  This is true spiritually as well as physically, so he uses here the physical metaphor of food for the source of life:  Himself.  If you want eternal life, the food of that life must be Jesus, the Christ. 

We can see this on three levels:

·         In a very real, physical sense, Jesus was presented to God as the atonement sacrifice for our sins.  Flesh like our flesh, blood like our blood, he was offered for our sins.

·         We celebrate this in the ritual of Communion, the Lord's Supper.  Bread and wine, they are the body and blood of our Lord.  Symbolically, we are feeding on Him.

·         More than that, we feed on him as we pray, meditate upon him, study his words and follow his example.  We take him into our very spirits, by taking in the Holy Spirit.

We know that infants must be fed only with certain foods, for they are not ready for solid food.  Jesus Christ is the food of a full grown Christian.  If we take in this food, we grow.

·         It is sufficient for eternal life.  No other example, no other sacrifice, no other food is required.  He alone is sufficient.

·         It is sure in its work.  Christ himself has told us that we will be eternal; He will raise us up on the last day.

·         It grants us more than life;  it grants us Sonship.  We become joint heirs in the kingdom with Jesus.

The food we need for eternal life is Jesus Christ.  We are taught to examine ourselves before Communion, much as we are taught to wash our hands before supper.  Only the forgiven may eat at this table;  therefore, let us seek His forgiveness while we can.

Lord, the mystery of Communion is great indeed;  help us to live by it even if we do not understand it.

February 27

Wood Gathering

Numbers 15:27-36

 At first glance this passage appears to be rather barbaric.  Here's some poor slob, out gathering a little firewood—hey, maybe he's cold, right?  For his troubles he gets himself stoned to death.  Does that sound fair?

That's why this section begins at verse 27.  In one of those sets of regulations for atonement, Moses here prescribes the penalty for someone who sins unintentionally.  Suppose you forgot which animal you couldn't eat;  maybe you never heard about some restriction.  The sin is still there;  it must be atoned for.  But there is provision for that;  the matter can be handled.

Note, too, that the price paid doesn't depend upon whether you're an Israelite or not.  The same law applies to everybody.  This is not tithing;  this is atonement.

But what about the intentional sin?  How do you feel about the guy who drives his Mercedes (alone) in the car pool lane?  He figures the tickets are cheap compared to his time saved.  He usually gets away with it.  Imagine yourself on the jury in that case.  Just how merciful do you feel?

The people in this case had a dilemma:  they really didn't think that wood gathering was all that big a deal.  But it was on the Sabbath;  I suspect this was not the first offense, given the reaction.  They weren't sure—so they asked.

God's answer lays out some important principles for us:

·         Any sin—at all—must be atoned for.

·         Sin that is intentional—"Hey, he's God, he'll forgive me, right?" is beyond atonement. 

·         The community puts the man to death (much like we trust the state to do today).  It is not personal vengeance but punishment.

·         Each member of the community must participate.  There is a sense that we are responsible for purging the evil among us.

That last is an eye opener.  Many of us are convinced that American society is rapidly flushing downhill—but there's nothing we can do about it.  Or at least we're not obligated.  God sees it differently;  we are responsible for permitting the evil among us.  And his views on punishment are rather strict.

Lord, grant that we may take courage, rise above our opinions and act.  Bring revival in this land you love—beginning with us.