Mark 15:1-25
I've been told by a couple of people that I am scary. Now that surprises me. I certainly don't view myself as scary. I don't try to be scary. I don't sit around thinking up evil plans. I really try to follow the Lord's command on thinking on things that are of value and of good repute. When I do have occasions where I become aware that I am thinking about someone who has wronged me, I really do try to forgive them and pray prayers of blessing for them. Someone once told me that I am viewed as being scary because I am quiet. In general I am quiet because I really have nothing to say that I think is of value. It’s kind of like that commercial for the movie Nemo. Remember Dora's line in the commercial? It was, "Nothin' in the noggin." That is usually why I am quiet, "Nothin' in the noggin." If there is nothing of value to say, then why say anything? Apparently, that is very disturbing to some people.
Jesus was being tried. In today's passage He answers only one of Pilate's questions, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
Jesus' answer is five simple words in English (two in Greek), "It is as you say." In Mark's passage nothing else of Jesus speech is recorded until He is on the cross. It was disturbing to Pilate. He couldn't understand why a man being charged with crimes that could take his life would not defend Himself. Was it because there was nothin' in the noggin? Jesus had plenty of value to say. He could have spoken words that would have gained His release, had he chosen to speak them. What was going on in Jesus' mind? Why was He quiet? He came to die. His will was being played out by being quiet. His mind was active. What was going on in His mind during this time?
Was Jesus contemplating the sin of the Chief Priests or Pilate? Was He wondering upon the cry of the crowds to crucify Him? Was He fixed on Judas' betrayal or Peter's denial? Was He focused upon the torture of the soldiers? Maybe He was dwelling upon what He saw in the cup in the Garden of Gethsemane. Perhaps He thought of the coming Father's rejection of Him. I think Hebrews 12:2 hints at the answer, "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame." He was simultaneously aware of the pain and shame that He was enduring and of the joy that it would accomplish. He knew it would not be long and He would be seated once again at the Father's right hand. What joy would be there! Joy would be there because He would have accomplished the Father's will and purchased our redemption! He could see what His death and resurrection would affect in my life. My sin would be gone. I would have His righteousness! That would bring Him joy. Yes He was fully aware of the pain. But He was focused upon the joy to come.
There was plenty in His noggin. Part of what was there were thoughts of joy about the Father, about you and me and about the billions of people that He was redeeming. The next time that you are in pain, especially because of something somebody else has done, think upon the glory of Jesus. In the midst of His pain He thought of the joy to come. He thought of you. In your pain, think of Him and the joy to come. When there is nothing in the noggin, why not consider His glory. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
March 16, 2010
Exodus 27
This morning I arose and came downstairs. The lights were all on. Now, I was the last one to bed and I distinctly remember turning off all of the lights but the one over the kitchen sink. I leave it on as a night light. When my ten-year-old awoke, I asked him, “Why did you turn on all the lights last night?” He replied, “I had to go to the bathroom, and I was scared.” I think it is almost a universal thing that at some point in our lives, we are all afraid of the dark. That is the basis of the horror movie industry. As we get older we lose some of that fear of the dark; however, a little bit of it is still there. It is what gives us the adrenaline rush at a scary point of the movie. Without that adrenaline pumping, we probably would not enjoy the movie. The comfort of the light is that we know what is there. Light reveals reality. Darkness hides reality.
Do you suppose things are that way because God is light? His glory always seems to be associated with some form of light. Here in the instruction of the building of the tabernacle, He commands that a lamp, fed by pure olive oil, be tended by the priests 24/7. Why would that be a necessity in a culture where there are no electric lights. Why would there be a need of this in a culture that goes to bed with the sun and rises with the sun? Who would be coming to the Tabernacle at night? Would it not be that the place of His dwelling should be a place where light always reveals reality? Would it not be that somewhere in the dark night of our twisted realities there always needs to be a beacon of light? In the reality of His presence, the darkness flees. His light dissipates all fear but fear of Him. With the first glimpse of His light, if we will step further into His light, even the fear of Him is dissipated because in the light we see our sin. In the light we confess what we can no longer hide. In the light we confess our sin. In the light we find His forgiveness. In the light the sin is burned away; it is purged; it is cleansed. In His light we find boldness to approach the throne of grace! It is a delight (I wonder about the etymology of that word) to be in His light, His glory. Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Mark 14:53-72
What is the old saying? "Follow the money." If you really want to know politics, follow the money. It is cynical, but true. The liberal media loved to use this old axiom against President Bush. Human nature does tend to be influenced by the flow of money. I am not aware of ever having had the occasion to dwell in the company of the rich and famous. So, I don't really have any personal experiences to share here. But it does seem in human events that money is power.
They were desperate to be rid of Him. Annas had been the high priest himself for at least 7 years. Each of his 5 sons had a turn at being high priest. Now his son-in-law, Caiaphas, held the high priesthood. Annas' family made lots of money from the trade in the temple courts. They used their money to buy friends in the Roman Empire. (The Emperor had the final approval of who would be High Priest.) Jesus had demonstrated at His Triumphal Entry and in His cleansing of the temple that He was a definite threat to their financial power and therefore their political power. A few years earlier the Sanhedrin had lost the right to try capital cases. This was not a true Sanhedrin trial. Had it been intended to be a true trial, then it was totally illegal. It was only an examination to demonstrate to all of the Sanhedrin that Jesus was a threat to the nation. Follow the money.
They brought in witnesses of Jesus' teaching. But Jesus refused to answer any of their questions. Superior as He is, there was no need for Him to enter into any kind of debate with them. And anyway, He came to die. In their utter sinfulness they were merely cooperating with His plan. After hours of examination and cross examination, the frustrated high priest asked Him, "Are You the Christ the Son of the Blessed?"
Jesus masterfully blends two Old Testament Scriptures to give them the truth and the answer that they desired, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." Psalm 110:1 says, "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.' ” This is the second most quoted verse in the New Testament. Jesus had used it earlier in silencing His questioners. Peter quotes it as he addresses the Jerusalem crowd on the day of Pentecost. The writer of Hebrews quotes it in showing the superiority of Christ. Paul alludes to it in explaining death and resurrection in 1 Cor. 15: 25,26. Saying to the high priest that he would see Him sitting at the right hand of the Power was a clear claim to the Jewish mind of being the Messiah. It was a clear claim to the Jewish mind of being divine.
Jesus blends Ps 110:1 with Daniel 7:13, “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him." Quoting the Daniel passage to the Jewish mind was a clear claim of being the Messiah. To the Jewish mind it was a clear claim of being divine.
Indeed there is a throne in heaven. He who sits on the throne rules the Universe. Jesus is making claim to being the One who will sit upon it. It is that throne that is referred to in Revelation 4&5. It is Jesus upon that throne that the host of heaven worship by saying, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” What does he receive? He receives power and riches. Do you want to experience real power? Follow the money. The real money is not silver or gold or U.S. greenbacks or stocks or lands. The real riches are the Lord Jesus Christ. It was this One they held in chains. It was this One Peter denied. It was this One who died for me. If you want riches that last for eternity, it can only be found in Him. Follow the money. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
This morning I arose and came downstairs. The lights were all on. Now, I was the last one to bed and I distinctly remember turning off all of the lights but the one over the kitchen sink. I leave it on as a night light. When my ten-year-old awoke, I asked him, “Why did you turn on all the lights last night?” He replied, “I had to go to the bathroom, and I was scared.” I think it is almost a universal thing that at some point in our lives, we are all afraid of the dark. That is the basis of the horror movie industry. As we get older we lose some of that fear of the dark; however, a little bit of it is still there. It is what gives us the adrenaline rush at a scary point of the movie. Without that adrenaline pumping, we probably would not enjoy the movie. The comfort of the light is that we know what is there. Light reveals reality. Darkness hides reality.
Do you suppose things are that way because God is light? His glory always seems to be associated with some form of light. Here in the instruction of the building of the tabernacle, He commands that a lamp, fed by pure olive oil, be tended by the priests 24/7. Why would that be a necessity in a culture where there are no electric lights. Why would there be a need of this in a culture that goes to bed with the sun and rises with the sun? Who would be coming to the Tabernacle at night? Would it not be that the place of His dwelling should be a place where light always reveals reality? Would it not be that somewhere in the dark night of our twisted realities there always needs to be a beacon of light? In the reality of His presence, the darkness flees. His light dissipates all fear but fear of Him. With the first glimpse of His light, if we will step further into His light, even the fear of Him is dissipated because in the light we see our sin. In the light we confess what we can no longer hide. In the light we confess our sin. In the light we find His forgiveness. In the light the sin is burned away; it is purged; it is cleansed. In His light we find boldness to approach the throne of grace! It is a delight (I wonder about the etymology of that word) to be in His light, His glory. Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Mark 14:53-72
What is the old saying? "Follow the money." If you really want to know politics, follow the money. It is cynical, but true. The liberal media loved to use this old axiom against President Bush. Human nature does tend to be influenced by the flow of money. I am not aware of ever having had the occasion to dwell in the company of the rich and famous. So, I don't really have any personal experiences to share here. But it does seem in human events that money is power.
They were desperate to be rid of Him. Annas had been the high priest himself for at least 7 years. Each of his 5 sons had a turn at being high priest. Now his son-in-law, Caiaphas, held the high priesthood. Annas' family made lots of money from the trade in the temple courts. They used their money to buy friends in the Roman Empire. (The Emperor had the final approval of who would be High Priest.) Jesus had demonstrated at His Triumphal Entry and in His cleansing of the temple that He was a definite threat to their financial power and therefore their political power. A few years earlier the Sanhedrin had lost the right to try capital cases. This was not a true Sanhedrin trial. Had it been intended to be a true trial, then it was totally illegal. It was only an examination to demonstrate to all of the Sanhedrin that Jesus was a threat to the nation. Follow the money.
They brought in witnesses of Jesus' teaching. But Jesus refused to answer any of their questions. Superior as He is, there was no need for Him to enter into any kind of debate with them. And anyway, He came to die. In their utter sinfulness they were merely cooperating with His plan. After hours of examination and cross examination, the frustrated high priest asked Him, "Are You the Christ the Son of the Blessed?"
Jesus masterfully blends two Old Testament Scriptures to give them the truth and the answer that they desired, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." Psalm 110:1 says, "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.' ” This is the second most quoted verse in the New Testament. Jesus had used it earlier in silencing His questioners. Peter quotes it as he addresses the Jerusalem crowd on the day of Pentecost. The writer of Hebrews quotes it in showing the superiority of Christ. Paul alludes to it in explaining death and resurrection in 1 Cor. 15: 25,26. Saying to the high priest that he would see Him sitting at the right hand of the Power was a clear claim to the Jewish mind of being the Messiah. It was a clear claim to the Jewish mind of being divine.
Jesus blends Ps 110:1 with Daniel 7:13, “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him." Quoting the Daniel passage to the Jewish mind was a clear claim of being the Messiah. To the Jewish mind it was a clear claim of being divine.
Indeed there is a throne in heaven. He who sits on the throne rules the Universe. Jesus is making claim to being the One who will sit upon it. It is that throne that is referred to in Revelation 4&5. It is Jesus upon that throne that the host of heaven worship by saying, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” What does he receive? He receives power and riches. Do you want to experience real power? Follow the money. The real money is not silver or gold or U.S. greenbacks or stocks or lands. The real riches are the Lord Jesus Christ. It was this One they held in chains. It was this One Peter denied. It was this One who died for me. If you want riches that last for eternity, it can only be found in Him. Follow the money. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Monday, March 15, 2010
March 15,2010
Exodus 26
He can even make tents reflect His glory! The Gospel is told even in how he instructed them to build the tabernacle. The layers of the tabernacle progress from symbols of the darkness of sin and death, to the red ram’s wool expressing the vicarious atonement of Christ, to the removal of the darkness, and finally to the golden glory of God. He even makes architecture to praise Him! . Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Mark 14:27-52
I tend to remember things that are unusual in my life. When my brother Bill, 5 years older than me, was in college, he used to preach youth revivals in Baptist churches in Oklahoma. He developed a team to help him. I was part of that team. One of the things that we did with some regularity is that we would get together at the church and pray. Usually our prayer meetings were at night when no one else was around. We would sit, kneel or lay prostrate on the sanctuary floor, usually in the dark, and pour our hearts out before the Lord. I remember those meetings with fondness because I always seemed to sense the presence of the Lord there. However, one February night we seemed to be struggling in our prayer. One of the members rebuked the enemy in the Name of the Lord, commanding the enemy to leave. Just as he did that a gigantic gust of wind swept by the church and the Sanctuary doors flung upon and shut. It was unusual to say the least. Those prayer meetings are part of what the Lord used to bring many to Christ.
Some have said that everything Jesus did, He did by prayer. I agree. As a matter of fact, I would say that Jesus’ whole life was really one continuous prayer meeting. Gethsemane was the dénouement of that prayer meeting. In His communion with God, He looked into the cup that He was about to drink. It was full of every vileness that man has ever committed or ever will. And there the battle was won. He chose to drink of the cup. How He needed some to watch and pray with Him! But alas, the disciples were just like me. They fell asleep on the job.
Peter had professed that all might stumble but he would die for Jesus. He missed the frailty of his own flesh. But Jesus knew his frailty. That is the glory of Jesus! He knows our frailty and loves us the same. He knew Peter would fall asleep praying and He loved him the same. He knew that without the communion with God, Peter would be powerless. But He loved him the same. He knew that Peter would deny Him not once but three times. But He loved him the same. Are we powerless? It is probably a lack of prayer. Should that keep us from prayer? No! He loves us and is always calling us to Himself. That is the glory of our Lord. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
He can even make tents reflect His glory! The Gospel is told even in how he instructed them to build the tabernacle. The layers of the tabernacle progress from symbols of the darkness of sin and death, to the red ram’s wool expressing the vicarious atonement of Christ, to the removal of the darkness, and finally to the golden glory of God. He even makes architecture to praise Him! . Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Mark 14:27-52
I tend to remember things that are unusual in my life. When my brother Bill, 5 years older than me, was in college, he used to preach youth revivals in Baptist churches in Oklahoma. He developed a team to help him. I was part of that team. One of the things that we did with some regularity is that we would get together at the church and pray. Usually our prayer meetings were at night when no one else was around. We would sit, kneel or lay prostrate on the sanctuary floor, usually in the dark, and pour our hearts out before the Lord. I remember those meetings with fondness because I always seemed to sense the presence of the Lord there. However, one February night we seemed to be struggling in our prayer. One of the members rebuked the enemy in the Name of the Lord, commanding the enemy to leave. Just as he did that a gigantic gust of wind swept by the church and the Sanctuary doors flung upon and shut. It was unusual to say the least. Those prayer meetings are part of what the Lord used to bring many to Christ.
Some have said that everything Jesus did, He did by prayer. I agree. As a matter of fact, I would say that Jesus’ whole life was really one continuous prayer meeting. Gethsemane was the dénouement of that prayer meeting. In His communion with God, He looked into the cup that He was about to drink. It was full of every vileness that man has ever committed or ever will. And there the battle was won. He chose to drink of the cup. How He needed some to watch and pray with Him! But alas, the disciples were just like me. They fell asleep on the job.
Peter had professed that all might stumble but he would die for Jesus. He missed the frailty of his own flesh. But Jesus knew his frailty. That is the glory of Jesus! He knows our frailty and loves us the same. He knew Peter would fall asleep praying and He loved him the same. He knew that without the communion with God, Peter would be powerless. But He loved him the same. He knew that Peter would deny Him not once but three times. But He loved him the same. Are we powerless? It is probably a lack of prayer. Should that keep us from prayer? No! He loves us and is always calling us to Himself. That is the glory of our Lord. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Sunday, March 14, 2010
March 14, 2010
Mark 14:1-26
Like many families when I was a kid, we raised many things. At one time or another we had a cat a dog, a covey of rabbits, a parakeet, a hamster, and a variety of fish. But I will never forget raising a bunch of roosters. We bought them as chicks from Stillwater Hatchery. We raised them to the right size and age to eat. Mom was really good at killing those guys. I suppose that I could tell a story or two here, but I will spare you. But one of the things I remember was that having raised the roosters, it put a new light on eating chicken, especially those chickens. One of the roosters I had named Crooked Finger because he had a crooked toe. As we ate the fowl, I often wondered, "Is this Crooked Finger?" Somehow that chicken meat didn't taste quite as good to me as the chicken purchased at the grocery store. (Oh in case you are wondering, we didn't eat our other animals. Just thought you ought to know.)
The Passover meal had been celebrated for over 1470 years by the Jewish people by the time of Jesus' death. Oh sure, there were generations of the nation where the feast was almost lost, but God was the one who initiated the feast, and He always brought back a revival of it. Understanding the Passover is central to understanding the Bible and the whole earthly ministry of Jesus, the Christ. Exodus 12 gives the instructions for how the original Passover was to be carried out. On the tenth day of the first month of the Jewish calendar, each family was to select one lamb. It was to be a lamb without blemish. They essentially lived with the lamb until the 14th day of the month. At twilight they were to slay the lamb, to put blood on the doorposts and lintel, to roast the lamb, and to eat it. All who participated in this event would be spared the visit of the Death Angel that night.
I think selecting the lamb 4 days before slaying it did more than just make sure it was a lamb without blemish. I think it reinforced the whole idea that this innocent being was dying in your place and you could live only by consuming it. Chickens are not the brightest of animals, but they certainly are not as cuddly as a lamb. Was there any emotional bonding between the people and the sacrificial lamb? Who knows! But I suspect there was some.
Jesus makes it very clear to the disciples that He is the central figure in the Passover meal. Covenants at the time of Moses were sealed with a meal. The Passover meal was the covenant meal between God and Israel. He was calling them out of Egypt, calling them out of bondage. But Israel was unable to keep the commands of the covenant. Because of their inability to obey, Jeremiah, at the destruction of Israel, promised a New Covenant which Israel would be able to keep.
Jesus says that His body is the New Covenant through which we are spared the visit of the death angel and given the ability to obey Him. It is one thing to know of Him sacrificing His body for me. It is entirely another to know Him and consider that it was for me that He literally chose to die in my place. The chickens and the lambs didn't have a choice in the matter. He chose to die knowing full well what He was doing. That is part of His glory. He knew. He chose. He died that we might live. It adds a whole different light to communion, particularly when we have bonded to Him in a daily pursuit of His glory. It reminds us of His great love. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Like many families when I was a kid, we raised many things. At one time or another we had a cat a dog, a covey of rabbits, a parakeet, a hamster, and a variety of fish. But I will never forget raising a bunch of roosters. We bought them as chicks from Stillwater Hatchery. We raised them to the right size and age to eat. Mom was really good at killing those guys. I suppose that I could tell a story or two here, but I will spare you. But one of the things I remember was that having raised the roosters, it put a new light on eating chicken, especially those chickens. One of the roosters I had named Crooked Finger because he had a crooked toe. As we ate the fowl, I often wondered, "Is this Crooked Finger?" Somehow that chicken meat didn't taste quite as good to me as the chicken purchased at the grocery store. (Oh in case you are wondering, we didn't eat our other animals. Just thought you ought to know.)
The Passover meal had been celebrated for over 1470 years by the Jewish people by the time of Jesus' death. Oh sure, there were generations of the nation where the feast was almost lost, but God was the one who initiated the feast, and He always brought back a revival of it. Understanding the Passover is central to understanding the Bible and the whole earthly ministry of Jesus, the Christ. Exodus 12 gives the instructions for how the original Passover was to be carried out. On the tenth day of the first month of the Jewish calendar, each family was to select one lamb. It was to be a lamb without blemish. They essentially lived with the lamb until the 14th day of the month. At twilight they were to slay the lamb, to put blood on the doorposts and lintel, to roast the lamb, and to eat it. All who participated in this event would be spared the visit of the Death Angel that night.
I think selecting the lamb 4 days before slaying it did more than just make sure it was a lamb without blemish. I think it reinforced the whole idea that this innocent being was dying in your place and you could live only by consuming it. Chickens are not the brightest of animals, but they certainly are not as cuddly as a lamb. Was there any emotional bonding between the people and the sacrificial lamb? Who knows! But I suspect there was some.
Jesus makes it very clear to the disciples that He is the central figure in the Passover meal. Covenants at the time of Moses were sealed with a meal. The Passover meal was the covenant meal between God and Israel. He was calling them out of Egypt, calling them out of bondage. But Israel was unable to keep the commands of the covenant. Because of their inability to obey, Jeremiah, at the destruction of Israel, promised a New Covenant which Israel would be able to keep.
Jesus says that His body is the New Covenant through which we are spared the visit of the death angel and given the ability to obey Him. It is one thing to know of Him sacrificing His body for me. It is entirely another to know Him and consider that it was for me that He literally chose to die in my place. The chickens and the lambs didn't have a choice in the matter. He chose to die knowing full well what He was doing. That is part of His glory. He knew. He chose. He died that we might live. It adds a whole different light to communion, particularly when we have bonded to Him in a daily pursuit of His glory. It reminds us of His great love. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Saturday, March 13, 2010
March 13, 2020
Exodus 24
Have you ever wanted to have dinner on the grounds with God? Sounds pretty cool, does it not? Can you imagine sitting on the mountainside eating and drinking while God reveals Himself in some form nearby? If you were going to describe to others what God looked like, would the only description be that under where His feet were looked like paved work of sapphire stone? Could it be that they do not describe what God looked like because they couldn’t? Perhaps all they saw was just a cloud of glory, maybe a brightness of representation that let them know He was there. After all, the Apostle John told us twice that no one has seen God at any time. So what did they see? Whatever they saw, the only thing they described was where His feet were.
I wasn’t sure I knew exactly what a sapphire was or looked like, so I went to the internet. A sapphire is generally a blue gem stone, aluminum oxide Al2O3, but it can be other colors depending on what other minerals are mixed with it. When it is red, we call it a ruby. My high school class ring has a blue stone in it. I am not sure if it is a sapphire, but it sure is pretty. So were all the sapphires on the internet.
Once in high school I was attending Falls Creek Youth Camp. It was my last year to attend as a student. I had been attending every year since I was 13. I was sitting with my chin on my hands when I saw a reflection in one of the facets of the stone of my class ring. It was a reflection of three crosses on a hill far behind me. I had never been aware of the crosses before, so it startled me when I saw them. Do you suppose that the reason they mention the sapphire pavement is because it gave a reflection of what God looked like? Maybe even the reflection was full of glory that is indescribable much like the joy which comes from Him, which is unspeakable. Sometimes His presence is like that. He is there all along, but He moves in a special way, and suddenly we see Him in a way that we had missed for years.
How did that sapphire pavement work? Did it move as He moved? Surely He didn’t just stay in one spot during the whole meal. Did the ground or rock below Him just suddenly turn a lovely shiny blue with cut facets and joints like pavement as his glory moved above it? When He moved on, did the ground remain for a little while like sapphire pavement, or did it instantly return to its old drab self. His glory is like that. We are drab and lifeless, and then He shows up. Suddenly life is full of color. There is a vivacious, vibrant color and beauty in life that just wasn’t there before, and it wasn’t there before we were aware of His presence. Those who are far away see the reflection of His glory in us for we have become living stones reflecting His glory. Does it startle those who have never seen it before?
Then Moses and Joshua are invited by God to go up on the mountain with God. Of course they take God up on His offer. Moses instructs the others to wait for Him. As Moses & Joshua ascend into the cloud of glory that covered the mountain top, they disappeared. They took on the appearance of fire as the ascended. What do you think Aaron, his sons and the 70 elders thought as they beheld the sight. How long do you think they hung around? Forty days is a long time. Since Moses and Joshua ascended into a cloud of fire, do you think the elders thought they were consumed by God? Sounds scary to me. But then, experiencing the glory of God is a fearful thing. Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Mark 13:21-37
One of my favorite pictures of space can be viewed at http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/image/astro/hst_deep_field.jpg The caption tells that it is a narrow "keyhole" of deep space. The image covers a speck of sky 1/30th the diameter of the full Moon as seen from the earth. This is so narrow! Only a few foreground stars in our Milky Way galaxy are visible and are vastly outnumbered by the menagerie of far more distant galaxies. The galaxies are nearly four billion times fainter than the limits of human vision. The field is a very small sample of sky area. It contains hundreds of galaxies. Each galaxy contains billions of stars. Yet this small speck is typical of the distribution of galaxies in space. Our Lord created each of these galaxies and stars and He calls them all by name. I cannot get my mind around the immensity of the universe much less the immensity of my Lord who created and knows it all.
It amazes me that people can believe that Christ has returned. When He comes, the powers of heaven will be shaken. His glory will exceed that of the heavens. It will be unmistakable. We are given two clear commands until His return, preach the Gospel and watch! Our Master is coming. His glory far exceeds that of the heavens. Knowing His glory is more than enough motivation to preach the Gospel. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Have you ever wanted to have dinner on the grounds with God? Sounds pretty cool, does it not? Can you imagine sitting on the mountainside eating and drinking while God reveals Himself in some form nearby? If you were going to describe to others what God looked like, would the only description be that under where His feet were looked like paved work of sapphire stone? Could it be that they do not describe what God looked like because they couldn’t? Perhaps all they saw was just a cloud of glory, maybe a brightness of representation that let them know He was there. After all, the Apostle John told us twice that no one has seen God at any time. So what did they see? Whatever they saw, the only thing they described was where His feet were.
I wasn’t sure I knew exactly what a sapphire was or looked like, so I went to the internet. A sapphire is generally a blue gem stone, aluminum oxide Al2O3, but it can be other colors depending on what other minerals are mixed with it. When it is red, we call it a ruby. My high school class ring has a blue stone in it. I am not sure if it is a sapphire, but it sure is pretty. So were all the sapphires on the internet.
Once in high school I was attending Falls Creek Youth Camp. It was my last year to attend as a student. I had been attending every year since I was 13. I was sitting with my chin on my hands when I saw a reflection in one of the facets of the stone of my class ring. It was a reflection of three crosses on a hill far behind me. I had never been aware of the crosses before, so it startled me when I saw them. Do you suppose that the reason they mention the sapphire pavement is because it gave a reflection of what God looked like? Maybe even the reflection was full of glory that is indescribable much like the joy which comes from Him, which is unspeakable. Sometimes His presence is like that. He is there all along, but He moves in a special way, and suddenly we see Him in a way that we had missed for years.
How did that sapphire pavement work? Did it move as He moved? Surely He didn’t just stay in one spot during the whole meal. Did the ground or rock below Him just suddenly turn a lovely shiny blue with cut facets and joints like pavement as his glory moved above it? When He moved on, did the ground remain for a little while like sapphire pavement, or did it instantly return to its old drab self. His glory is like that. We are drab and lifeless, and then He shows up. Suddenly life is full of color. There is a vivacious, vibrant color and beauty in life that just wasn’t there before, and it wasn’t there before we were aware of His presence. Those who are far away see the reflection of His glory in us for we have become living stones reflecting His glory. Does it startle those who have never seen it before?
Then Moses and Joshua are invited by God to go up on the mountain with God. Of course they take God up on His offer. Moses instructs the others to wait for Him. As Moses & Joshua ascend into the cloud of glory that covered the mountain top, they disappeared. They took on the appearance of fire as the ascended. What do you think Aaron, his sons and the 70 elders thought as they beheld the sight. How long do you think they hung around? Forty days is a long time. Since Moses and Joshua ascended into a cloud of fire, do you think the elders thought they were consumed by God? Sounds scary to me. But then, experiencing the glory of God is a fearful thing. Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Mark 13:21-37
One of my favorite pictures of space can be viewed at http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/image/astro/hst_deep_field.jpg The caption tells that it is a narrow "keyhole" of deep space. The image covers a speck of sky 1/30th the diameter of the full Moon as seen from the earth. This is so narrow! Only a few foreground stars in our Milky Way galaxy are visible and are vastly outnumbered by the menagerie of far more distant galaxies. The galaxies are nearly four billion times fainter than the limits of human vision. The field is a very small sample of sky area. It contains hundreds of galaxies. Each galaxy contains billions of stars. Yet this small speck is typical of the distribution of galaxies in space. Our Lord created each of these galaxies and stars and He calls them all by name. I cannot get my mind around the immensity of the universe much less the immensity of my Lord who created and knows it all.
It amazes me that people can believe that Christ has returned. When He comes, the powers of heaven will be shaken. His glory will exceed that of the heavens. It will be unmistakable. We are given two clear commands until His return, preach the Gospel and watch! Our Master is coming. His glory far exceeds that of the heavens. Knowing His glory is more than enough motivation to preach the Gospel. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John
Friday, March 12, 2010
March 12, 2010
Exodus 23
Our mayor and one city councilman have been in the news a whole lot over the last six months. If you are from Stillwater, unless your head is buried in the sand, you are aware of the accusations that are flying between them. The mudslinging has been so great that it has resulted in a successful recall petition for the mayor and possibly for the city council member. Both men categorically deny that the charges brought against them are true. Most of us sit back shaking our heads and groaning. What a waste of time and effort and good talent. We wonder what would happen if the same amount of effort went into solving our cities problems as goes into mudslinging. I guess this demonstrates the truth of Proverbs 29:2: When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.
In this instance I am not even sure that I am going to try to sort out the truth. Obviously somebody, if not both parties, is circulating a false report. It is possible that one of them is totally innocent. Hmm. . . Can we really know if either party is telling the truth? This one thing I know. I can be responsible for myself. I will determine that I will not pass along false reports. I will choose to not cooperate with evil people by telling lies on the witness stand. I will keep myself from joining a crowd that intends to do evil. When it comes to speaking, I will not be swayed in my testimony by the opinion of the majority. If in the pursuit of doing and saying what is right, I am slandered, then I will determine to love the one who slandered me. If I find my slanderer in trouble, I will help him. I will not waste time trying to subvert my slanderer’s progress, but I will take rest. I will spend a little time each day and at least one day a week focusing upon the One who gives me rest.
Why will I do this? I will do this because the One who created me is Truth. He will have nothing to do with falsehood. The One who created me is love. He will not have me hate those whom He loves. The One who created me rests. When I have done what He wants me to do, I have time for rest—no matter what anyone else demands of me. I determine to do these things because the One who created me demands obedience. I fear Him and seek to obey Him. Why? I do it because of His glory. He is true, just, love, rest and demands my obedience. Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Mark 13:1-20
A couple of years ago while attending our District Conference, we were able to get some free tickets to go tour the Biltmore Estate which was only about 20 miles away. Normally the tickets are in the neighborhood of $38.00 each. So, we jumped at the chance to go. For those of you who do not know, the Biltmore, America’s largest house, was built by one of the richest families in the USA shortly before the turn of the 20th Century. Its opulence is simply stunning. It was built as a summer home in the mountains of North Carolina near Ashville. The master bedroom is bigger than my house. The house includes a swimming pool, bowling alley and gymnasium. The estate was amazing. It made me marvel. I received a taste of what it was like for the disciples when they visited Herod’s temple in Jerusalem.
When we looked at the parallel passage of Matthew 24, we saw the glory of the temple buildings. But Jesus desires that we gaze at a different type of glory. That is why He gives this instruction about His second coming. We desire to live in the glorious temples that are full of beauty. After all, did not Jesus say, “I have come that they might have life and that they may have it more abundantly.” If we define abundant life as the material goods one might posses or the good living situations and relationships into which one may enter, then the disciple of Jesus ought to focus on living in glorious temples. But Jesus has made it clear that life does not consist in the abundance of the things one possesses. It is difficult to embrace that concept day after day, week after week month after month, year after year. But it is nonetheless needful.
The glory of the Lord reveals itself not in buildings but in changing sinful creatures to people who reflect the high moral quality of the Lord. That change is only revealed in adverse circumstances. In the midst of adverse circumstances one who wants to live in the Biltmore will quit. One day the loss of all beautiful buildings will come. Along with it will come the loss of secure nations, security from tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts etc. But in the midst of it all, the Gospel will still go forward, preached by those who don’t focus on the beautiful buildings but rather focus on their beautiful Lord. Now that is glory! Some people have so fallen in love with their Beautiful Lord that they give up the ‘Biltmore’ to proclaim His glory! Not only will they give up the Biltmore, but they will endure war, disaster and martyrdom for Him. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Our mayor and one city councilman have been in the news a whole lot over the last six months. If you are from Stillwater, unless your head is buried in the sand, you are aware of the accusations that are flying between them. The mudslinging has been so great that it has resulted in a successful recall petition for the mayor and possibly for the city council member. Both men categorically deny that the charges brought against them are true. Most of us sit back shaking our heads and groaning. What a waste of time and effort and good talent. We wonder what would happen if the same amount of effort went into solving our cities problems as goes into mudslinging. I guess this demonstrates the truth of Proverbs 29:2: When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.
In this instance I am not even sure that I am going to try to sort out the truth. Obviously somebody, if not both parties, is circulating a false report. It is possible that one of them is totally innocent. Hmm. . . Can we really know if either party is telling the truth? This one thing I know. I can be responsible for myself. I will determine that I will not pass along false reports. I will choose to not cooperate with evil people by telling lies on the witness stand. I will keep myself from joining a crowd that intends to do evil. When it comes to speaking, I will not be swayed in my testimony by the opinion of the majority. If in the pursuit of doing and saying what is right, I am slandered, then I will determine to love the one who slandered me. If I find my slanderer in trouble, I will help him. I will not waste time trying to subvert my slanderer’s progress, but I will take rest. I will spend a little time each day and at least one day a week focusing upon the One who gives me rest.
Why will I do this? I will do this because the One who created me is Truth. He will have nothing to do with falsehood. The One who created me is love. He will not have me hate those whom He loves. The One who created me rests. When I have done what He wants me to do, I have time for rest—no matter what anyone else demands of me. I determine to do these things because the One who created me demands obedience. I fear Him and seek to obey Him. Why? I do it because of His glory. He is true, just, love, rest and demands my obedience. Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Mark 13:1-20
A couple of years ago while attending our District Conference, we were able to get some free tickets to go tour the Biltmore Estate which was only about 20 miles away. Normally the tickets are in the neighborhood of $38.00 each. So, we jumped at the chance to go. For those of you who do not know, the Biltmore, America’s largest house, was built by one of the richest families in the USA shortly before the turn of the 20th Century. Its opulence is simply stunning. It was built as a summer home in the mountains of North Carolina near Ashville. The master bedroom is bigger than my house. The house includes a swimming pool, bowling alley and gymnasium. The estate was amazing. It made me marvel. I received a taste of what it was like for the disciples when they visited Herod’s temple in Jerusalem.
When we looked at the parallel passage of Matthew 24, we saw the glory of the temple buildings. But Jesus desires that we gaze at a different type of glory. That is why He gives this instruction about His second coming. We desire to live in the glorious temples that are full of beauty. After all, did not Jesus say, “I have come that they might have life and that they may have it more abundantly.” If we define abundant life as the material goods one might posses or the good living situations and relationships into which one may enter, then the disciple of Jesus ought to focus on living in glorious temples. But Jesus has made it clear that life does not consist in the abundance of the things one possesses. It is difficult to embrace that concept day after day, week after week month after month, year after year. But it is nonetheless needful.
The glory of the Lord reveals itself not in buildings but in changing sinful creatures to people who reflect the high moral quality of the Lord. That change is only revealed in adverse circumstances. In the midst of adverse circumstances one who wants to live in the Biltmore will quit. One day the loss of all beautiful buildings will come. Along with it will come the loss of secure nations, security from tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts etc. But in the midst of it all, the Gospel will still go forward, preached by those who don’t focus on the beautiful buildings but rather focus on their beautiful Lord. Now that is glory! Some people have so fallen in love with their Beautiful Lord that they give up the ‘Biltmore’ to proclaim His glory! Not only will they give up the Biltmore, but they will endure war, disaster and martyrdom for Him. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Thursday, March 11, 2010
March 11, 2010
Exodus 22
Much is being said about our health care system today. No matter where you fall in the debate on health care and how much the government should be involved, one thing we can all agree on is that in an ideal world we want everyone to have equal access to health care. The problem is that we do not live in an ideal world. We all want equal access to health care until it begins to reduce my pocketbook to the extent that I would have to lower my standard of living. It is easier to talk about taxing those who make more than I do, rather than see it as my responsibility to help others. Numerous studies suggest that the more unequal the income distribution in a country, state, or city, the lower the life expectancies for people at all income levels. Some social commentators have suggested that having a greater income gap between rich and poor reduces the willingness of the rich to help. (Well, duh. . . isn’t that human nature?) They further argue that the higher the income gap, the less social cohesion exists in a community. This produces social isolation. Social isolation is known to be a health risk factor.
Maybe we are approaching this all wrong. Rather than trying to solve the problem with government intervention by mandating certain economic interventions, maybe we should be focusing upon our hearts. What motivates a society to seek more social cohesion, less economic disparity? I think the record shows that it is not government intervention that leads the way. Rather, it is government intervention that happens when the hearts of a large number of its governed are changed. How do we change hearts? I think it only happens when we continually spend time gazing at the heart of God. How does gazing at the heart of God change us?
Look at these verses found in today’s passage.
5“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed, and lets loose his animal, and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.
21“You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
22“You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. 23“If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; 24“and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
25“If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest.
Several times in this passage, which deals with civil law, the principle of restitution is mentioned. What does this tell us about the heart of God? Israel was not to oppress a stranger. What does this tell us about the heart of God? Israel was not to afflict a widow or an orphan, lest His wrath become hot. What does this tell us of the heart of God? Israelites were not to lend money at interest to fellow Israelites. What does this tell us of the heart of God? He is a God who desires that we live at peace with each other. He desires that will live with justice and mercy toward each other. He has a special heart for the helpless. He is angry when we take advantage of the helpless. Isn’t that fantastic? Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Mark 12:28-44
I have five children, four sons and a daughter. One of the principles that Laura and I have tried to live by in child raising is that they should always treat us with respect. Blatant, premeditated willful disrespect has always been a spanking offense. The commandment to honor your father and mother is the first commandment with a promise. We desire that they should enjoy that promise. But even though we have trained them to give us that respect, I would never ever expect them to call me, 'lord.' That would be weird. 'Sir,' yes, I expect that at times. But in my mind, 'lord' is reserved only for God. And you had also better believe that my children will probably never hear me call them, 'lord,' except in jest. That would be just . . . unnatural. Likewise, I will never hear my parents call me, 'lord.' That would be just . . . wrong.
Jesus had endured a barrage of trick questions from the religious leaders in their efforts to discredit Him. He masterfully answered each and everyone. The last one was probably not so much a trick question as just plain curiosity as to how Jesus would answer, "Which is the first commandment of all?" The first commandment is to love Yahweh, your God, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself. Check the Law out. If we could completely fulfill those two commandments, we wouldn't need any others. Jesus answered beautifully and everyone knew it.
Now it was time for Him to point out their lack. He asks them a simple question. In Psalm 110:1 when David says, "The Lord (Yahweh) said to my lord, 'Sit at my right hand. . . '" It was commonly understood by the rabbis that this Psalm referred to the Messiah, who would be a descendant of David. How can David call Him 'lord?' That would be like a parent kneeling before a child and calling him lord. If that descendant is more than human then it might be acceptable. If that descendant were God and human, it would be required. Moreover if He were God and man it would be required to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
Like the Scribes our problem it that we often want others to recognize us for having fulfilled the law's demands without having truly met them. We want to throw a few dollars at the church and have everyone think, "Wow, they really love God. Look how much they give to Him." Or we pray and want everyone to think, "Wow, that was a beautiful prayer. They must really love God."
Jesus was sitting in the temple seeing the widow quietly give all that she had in the offering box. Nobody else really cared. After all, what difference will a few cents make? He was probably the only one who noticed. But He noticed what was important. She gave all she had. She loved the Lord, her God, with all that she was and had. She was calling Him, 'Lord' by her heart and her actions. The scribes only wanted the attention of people. Jesus, the Messiah, is LORD! He is worthy of all our love, heart, soul, mind, strength, not just a façade for others to see but the real thing that only He sees. Yes, He is the Son of David and David, by the Holy Spirit called Him, "Lord." And it is right and proper because He is the God-Man! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Much is being said about our health care system today. No matter where you fall in the debate on health care and how much the government should be involved, one thing we can all agree on is that in an ideal world we want everyone to have equal access to health care. The problem is that we do not live in an ideal world. We all want equal access to health care until it begins to reduce my pocketbook to the extent that I would have to lower my standard of living. It is easier to talk about taxing those who make more than I do, rather than see it as my responsibility to help others. Numerous studies suggest that the more unequal the income distribution in a country, state, or city, the lower the life expectancies for people at all income levels. Some social commentators have suggested that having a greater income gap between rich and poor reduces the willingness of the rich to help. (Well, duh. . . isn’t that human nature?) They further argue that the higher the income gap, the less social cohesion exists in a community. This produces social isolation. Social isolation is known to be a health risk factor.
Maybe we are approaching this all wrong. Rather than trying to solve the problem with government intervention by mandating certain economic interventions, maybe we should be focusing upon our hearts. What motivates a society to seek more social cohesion, less economic disparity? I think the record shows that it is not government intervention that leads the way. Rather, it is government intervention that happens when the hearts of a large number of its governed are changed. How do we change hearts? I think it only happens when we continually spend time gazing at the heart of God. How does gazing at the heart of God change us?
Look at these verses found in today’s passage.
5“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed, and lets loose his animal, and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.
21“You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
22“You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. 23“If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; 24“and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
25“If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest.
Several times in this passage, which deals with civil law, the principle of restitution is mentioned. What does this tell us about the heart of God? Israel was not to oppress a stranger. What does this tell us about the heart of God? Israel was not to afflict a widow or an orphan, lest His wrath become hot. What does this tell us of the heart of God? Israelites were not to lend money at interest to fellow Israelites. What does this tell us of the heart of God? He is a God who desires that we live at peace with each other. He desires that will live with justice and mercy toward each other. He has a special heart for the helpless. He is angry when we take advantage of the helpless. Isn’t that fantastic? Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
Mark 12:28-44
I have five children, four sons and a daughter. One of the principles that Laura and I have tried to live by in child raising is that they should always treat us with respect. Blatant, premeditated willful disrespect has always been a spanking offense. The commandment to honor your father and mother is the first commandment with a promise. We desire that they should enjoy that promise. But even though we have trained them to give us that respect, I would never ever expect them to call me, 'lord.' That would be weird. 'Sir,' yes, I expect that at times. But in my mind, 'lord' is reserved only for God. And you had also better believe that my children will probably never hear me call them, 'lord,' except in jest. That would be just . . . unnatural. Likewise, I will never hear my parents call me, 'lord.' That would be just . . . wrong.
Jesus had endured a barrage of trick questions from the religious leaders in their efforts to discredit Him. He masterfully answered each and everyone. The last one was probably not so much a trick question as just plain curiosity as to how Jesus would answer, "Which is the first commandment of all?" The first commandment is to love Yahweh, your God, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself. Check the Law out. If we could completely fulfill those two commandments, we wouldn't need any others. Jesus answered beautifully and everyone knew it.
Now it was time for Him to point out their lack. He asks them a simple question. In Psalm 110:1 when David says, "The Lord (Yahweh) said to my lord, 'Sit at my right hand. . . '" It was commonly understood by the rabbis that this Psalm referred to the Messiah, who would be a descendant of David. How can David call Him 'lord?' That would be like a parent kneeling before a child and calling him lord. If that descendant is more than human then it might be acceptable. If that descendant were God and human, it would be required. Moreover if He were God and man it would be required to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
Like the Scribes our problem it that we often want others to recognize us for having fulfilled the law's demands without having truly met them. We want to throw a few dollars at the church and have everyone think, "Wow, they really love God. Look how much they give to Him." Or we pray and want everyone to think, "Wow, that was a beautiful prayer. They must really love God."
Jesus was sitting in the temple seeing the widow quietly give all that she had in the offering box. Nobody else really cared. After all, what difference will a few cents make? He was probably the only one who noticed. But He noticed what was important. She gave all she had. She loved the Lord, her God, with all that she was and had. She was calling Him, 'Lord' by her heart and her actions. The scribes only wanted the attention of people. Jesus, the Messiah, is LORD! He is worthy of all our love, heart, soul, mind, strength, not just a façade for others to see but the real thing that only He sees. Yes, He is the Son of David and David, by the Holy Spirit called Him, "Lord." And it is right and proper because He is the God-Man! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john
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