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Heaven’s Feast: A Glimpse at the Banquet God has Prepared for Us

Every now and then, God peels back the curtain of heaven and offers us a glimpse into its glory. Sometimes it’s revealed as a judgment scene (Mt. 25:31-46). Sometimes it’s a military scene where God’s people meet the King after battle and escort him in a parade back to the city (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Sometimes the sky is pealed back to reveal the spiritual reality behind the curtain (2 Kng. 6:16-17). Sometimes God invites someone to step into heaven described it as gold streets and pearly gates (Rev. 4:1; 21:15,21).

Then there’s the great banquet meal, a theme often repeated throughout Matthew and Luke (Mt. 22:1-14; 25:1-13; 26:29; Lk. 14:15-24; 22:18 [I might add that Luke includes ten meals in his gospel all adding a layer to the heavenly or eschatological banquet]). Essentially, meals are important to God and his description of the meals invite us into a taste of eternal glory. In an ancient society where no middle class existed, poverty was pervasive and starvation was common, people were living day-to-day (Mt. 6:11a). Thus, a future meal, larger than any Thanksgiving meal we’ve experienced, with God at the head of the table, conjured visions of salivating delight.

Before exploring one of the banquet scenes in Luke 12, a little cultural background is needed. The role of the father and eldest son at the banquet is crucial to the heavenly banquet. During the first century if a family hosted a meal, the responsibility of the father, particularly the son, is to serve the guests. The Son waits on them hand and foot (literally ensuring the guests feet are washed, drinks are filled, and food is set). The father oversees the son to ensure the guests are made to feel welcomed. The shame occurring in Luke 15 is that the elder son refuses to take his place by his father’s side at the banquet for his brother. The greater shame is forcing the father to leave his guest to settle a family dispute. If the older son had questions about his father’s rights, he should have waited till the guests had left to address them. He should have honored his father by standing by his side.

We tend to have that reversed. Our culture, usually, places the women in the serving, hospitality role instead of the men. They cook the meals. They set the table. They welcome the guests. They refill the cups. Daughters are taught to serve while boys are allowed to play (generally).

I saw this worked out – in the worst negative way possible – at a home Cile and I were visiting. The wife and daughter prepared the meal for a church home group. The husband came in from work, washed his hands, ignored his guests and immediately plopped himself down in his recliner and faced the television. After his wife brought his soup to him, some spilled on him. He didn’t shout or yell, but his facial expression and gestures were filled with anger. His message was clear, she was there to serve him and had failed to do so. As I watched the scene unfold, I wanted to bop him in the head with my bible.

So the banquet scene unfolds in a context driven by service, watchfulness and faithfulness (Lk. 12:35-40). In the midst of Jesus’ exhortation, he describes himself as dressing to serve and waiting on those at the table (v. 37). Jesus doesn’t see himself as sitting at the head of the table barking orders, though he has the authority to do so. No, falling in line with his own character and cultural norms, he’s the eldest Son of the Father who honors God by serving us at heaven’s feast.

As I reflect on this future banquet scene, I almost can’t wait to sit at the table with Jesus with him asking, “Jon, is there anything else I can do for you?” It also makes me reevaluate my role as the host in my own home.

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified)

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Broken Heart: When God’s Word is Misused & Abused

Scripture may be a window into God’s heart, but it’s through a very complex lens. It was written over a vast period of time (traditionally 1500 years by forty individuals) including multiple cultures and three primary languages (Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic). The original audiences, who received portions of Scripture at a time, were far from uniform. The Hebrews of the Pentateuch looked nothing like those in the divided kingdom nor like the exiled Israelites. By the time of the New Testament, the issues in Corinth looked nothing like the issues facing Philippi nor even the ones in Asia Minor where John sent his Revelation. Scripture is filled with multiple genres (poetry, narrative, prophetic, wisdom, law, genealogy, apocalyptic, et. al.) and sometimes we can find sub genres amidst the main genres (i.e. parables and poetry contained within narrative). None of that addresses the reading level of Scripture or translation ideologies.

While Scripture is complex, it does not give us a step-by-step process for reading or interpreting it. It’s as if God believed mankind was smart enough to figure out how to handle his word. It does give us some warnings about abusing Scripture, and it’s a reoccurring theme in the New Testament. For instance, in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, he restored how Scripture was intended to be used instead of how the religious leaders used it to validate their self-righteousness (Mt. 5:21-48). Paul exhorted Timothy to handle God’s word properly (2 Tim. 2:15), and of course the irony is how often that verse has been misused. Peter acknowledges how “ignorant and unstable” people distort Scriptures (2 Pet. 3:16). Finally, John’s warning not to “add or take away” is a colloquial phrase to alert them against abusing Scripture, specifically his apocalypse (Rev. 22:18-19). You can almost hear the writers testifying how manipulating Scripture is a way of breaking God’s heart.

I could spend some time discussing necessary steps to unlocking Scripture to safeguard how we handle God’s word respectfully. If I did I’d cover things like context, background, key words or themes, genre and much more. But now is not really the best time or format for such a discussion. Instead, following Scriptures’ lead, we might look at some end-results to show how devastating some approaches to Scripture actually are. The fallout includes how much we’re actually breaking God’s heart.

When Scripture is used to promote sinfulness, we either pursue happiness at all costs or one hold a corrupted view of grace (Rom. 6). Anytime we try to justify behavior contrary to the will and character of God we break his heart. Instead, when confronted by the sinfulness in our lives, we repent and stop the behavior to re-align ourselves with God. Only then does healing begin.

When Scripture is used to justify hatred we’re appealing to our own sinful nature. By the first century the Jews defended their loathing for the Samaritans and the Gentiles by misusing Leviticus 19:18, believing that “neighbor” is proximity to you. Not only does Jesus challenge that assertion in Luke 10:25-37 but he explicitly calls for us to pray for our enemies and those who do us harm (Mt. 5:43-47).

When Scripture is used to promote divisive sectarianism instead of faith and unity, we’re breaking God’s heart. Oddly, people who have a high view of Scripture tend to look for reasons to separate and divide. Denominational loyalty of “we’re right and they’re wrong” ignores the possibility that we might be wrong too. Political loyalties, a dangerous threat to Scriptures’ integrity, tends to choose a handful of issues that may line up with Scripture while ignoring others that don’t. For instance, abortion may very well be murder, but ignoring the plight of the homeless or refugees is just as sinful. Many social issues from race relations to poverty should be shaped by a healthy view of Scripture, but many times are driven by a political bent view of Scripture. And God’s heart breaks.

For those of us who hold a high view of Scripture, our challenge is to remove our own blinders in order to hear God’s voice speak to us. It’s easier said than done. But as James says, “Blessed is the one who does what the word says and not merely listen to it” (my paraphrase from James 1:22). When that happens we mend a broken heart, and that heart is God’s.

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is Glorified!)

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Following In HIs Footsteps

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps . . . when they hurled insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
(1 Peter 2:21-23)

When Peter was instructing slaves on how to respond to abusive masters, he pointed them to Jesus. He’s the example they should follow. In the midst of insults, threats and violence Jesus never struck back. He trusted God. Did it work out for him? No. He was executed. But he trusted God and is the example set not only for slaves but for all of us.

Peter understood the role of following Jesus. By the time he wrote his first letter he’d been following Jesus for some thirty years. Also, he understood failure in following Jesus because he himself tripped and fell early on in his discipleship.

Mark 8-10 unveils that early journey of the disciples. The trip begins in the northern Gentile region of Caesarea Philippi (named for Caesar Augustus and Philip of Macedon [i.e. Alexander the Great’s father]), and was a political hotbed too. Here Peter makes his confession and gets into a heated discussion with Jesus over the role of his Messiahship. As Jesus heads back to Jerusalem he passes through Galilee where the disciples argued over their own greatness. Finally, when they were headed up to Jerusalem, James and John made their ego-driven request for the seat of power. Let’s take a moment and unpack each of these moments.

* Caesarea Philippi (Mk. 8:31-38). In clarifying his role as the confessed Messiah, Jesus points to discipleship. He links his impending death, his first prediction, to those who wish to follow him. If Jesus is going to the cross and his disciples are going to follow him, then following in his footsteps means suffering even to the point where you’re willing to sacrifice your own life. Discipleship demands us to choose to loose life in order to gain it, which is exactly what Jesus did by going to the cross.

* Capernaum (Mk. 9:30-37). Instead of contemplating Jesus’ second prediction for his death, they decided to argue over who is the greatest among the Twelve. So Jesus, assuming the role of authority and of a Rabbi by sitting down, takes a child into his arms and tells them to become like this child. Such a move says nothing about innocence but about status. Unlike today where children are often propped up and showcased, first century children were rarely seen and never heard from. They had no say and no power in society. At best they were a symbol of hope (e.g. oldest son will inherit a double portion). Becoming a child means giving up rights, power and status, which is exactly what Jesus did by allowing himself to be vulnerable to the suffering he experienced at the cross.

* Jerusalem (Mk.10:32-45). After Jesus makes his third, final and most graphic prediction of his death, James and John requests seats of power and authority. Jesus’ response asks them if they can drink the cup he drinks from and be baptized with the baptism he undergoes. While they agree they can, they don’t grasp Jesus’ point. The “cup” and “baptism” is his suffering that was at his door and the disciples will participate in that suffering as well. Jesus’ final conclusion to the discussion is claiming that he came to serve not to be served, and to give his life for others.

This past week I was watching a mini-documentary that followed one person’s journey through the Holy Lands. They called it “Following in the Footsteps of Jesus.” They went to the Jordan River, Jerusalem, temple mount and Gethsemane. I can imagine that something powerful occurs when you step into those historical places. Then again, something even more powerful occurs when followers follow Jesus in his footsteps by embracing his sufferings.

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)

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Sound of Silence

When the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee, they found themselves in the midst of a terrible storm. Fishing boats could hold a dozen men. Life jackets were yet to be invented and the men in the boat had little by way of flotation devices. Between the winds, rains, crashing waves and screaming men the only quietness present was Jesus sleeping in the stern. Once awake, Jesus called for the quiet (Mk. 4:39) and the sound of silence was heard.

Elijah was on the run. The loud voices he heard threatened his existence. Though he carried a victory trophy off of Mt. Carmel, his victory lap wasn’t fueled by cheers but jeers. Queen Jezebel intimidated, pressured and made impending threats against Elijah. He stopped listening to God and only heard the voice of fear. So he ran to Mt. Horeb where he encountered God. Only when God came to him, not in the loud fires, earthquakes or wind but in a gentle, quiet whisper (1 King. 19:12) was the sound of silence heard.

The Psalmist recites the mighty works of God. His power is unmeasurable as he causes desolation, and bring wars to an end. God, he declares, will be exalted among the nations. God’s actions are clearly noise-making and attention grabbing. However, the charge given for us is “be still, and know that (he) is God” (Ps. 46:10). Only in our own stillness can the sound of silence be heard.

The noise level in our society has been documented. We get up in the morning and turn the television on. We jump in our cars and the radio entertains us. The factory, the school, the office, the store and the city congestion is filled with noise and very little chance to quiet the noise. At the end of the day the television is turned on again until we head to bed but not before turning some music on as we fall asleep. Where do we find the sound of silence?

I’m really no different. I work better with music, both in the office and in the yard. When I work out I have my earbuds tied to my music of the moment. I like having the radio on NPR news or syncing my music while driving down the road. I feel the sound of silence is almost disturbing, but may be necessary.

The Psalmist describes the righteous as one who “meditates on God’s law day and night” (Ps. 1:2). The meditation forces an individual to shut the rest of the world out in order to allow God’s word to penetrate his/her heart. With the noise and distraction removed, one can devote his/her entire focus on God and to try understanding what his will is for our lives. We meditate on his word. We process its meaning. Once confronted with his truth, we change our lives. We find that moment in the sound of silence.

We live with far too much noise yet we’re so conditioned by the noise. The noise we allow to penetrate our lives shapes our world view and is far more pervasive than we’re often willing to admit. While this has always been true, we may be facing epidemic proportions for a couple of reasons.

For one, the electronic devices we own, particularly our cell phones, could be triggering our brains to produce dopamine. In other words, we’re getting a burst of feel-good energy by tuning to our phones to check our FaceBook status or to read an article or to see the pictures on Instagram. In other words we’re getting a high and we’re wanting to experience that high over and over again. And if we’re not getting something from our phones, as some might argue, why do we struggle to walk away from them?

Secondly, the twenty-four hour news cycle has elevated and exasperated negative news stories which prey on our emotions. Because of lack of downtime, we’re not given any recovery to process the information effectively. Not only the news itself, but the news organizations fill their evenings with pundits whose messages have to be crafted in a way to draw you back into their viewership (talk radio programs employ the same tactic). They do this through anxiety and manipulation. Thus, it’s mostly fear-mongering and “worse-case-scenarios” while villainizing and dehumanizing opponents. It appeals to our sinful nature, and like an animal thirsty for more blood we tune in day after day after day. Such negative and constant diet of fear messages shapes our world view, robs us of joy and terrorizes our soul.

One way to combat the negativity and fear that permeates throughout our day is to lay the phone down, turn off the noise and pray. Meditate on Scripture and its message of faith and hope. Pray that you will not leave God for the drama, but stay in the security of his arms. When you sit in the sound of silence long enough, you’ll begin hearing his voice (Jn. 10:4).

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)

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Something Awesome * Something Breathtaking * Something Terrible

The mouth of the Columbia River is treacherous and considered the most dangerous water to navigate in the world. The deep strong river water currents collide with the Pacific Ocean waves making navigating nearly impossible. Most ship wreckages occur from running aground because of the large sediment deposits made by the Columbia.

The clear threat to the shipping lanes forced lighthouses to be built on the Oregon and Washington sides of the Columbia River. However, one more lighthouse was needed to ensure the safety of the ships, and the only location adequately positioned was a bolder named Tillamook Rock, shaped like a sea monster and located a mile off the Tillamook, Oregon coastline.

The year was 1879. Construction on the site began with surveying, building a temporary housing for the workers, dynamiting the rock to provide a level foundation to erect a permanent lighthouse structure. Between the running current and cold winds, danger lurked at every step. The Oregon coastal waters near Tillamook hover at fifty degrees year-round (ten degrees colder for winter months and warmer for summer months) making its waters miserably cold at its best. Fog rolling in severely limits vision. Storms made securing the rock nearly impossible as the crashing waves easily topped the six stories that comprised the rock.

For some 500 days crews diligently worked on converting the mammoth rock into a home base for the Tillamook Lighthouse. Even though modern advances of technology (by our standards) eluded the workers and the building was conducted by “primitive” methods, death claimed no workers; local Oregonians refused to help in construction because they feared the dangers. As for the weather conditions, combined with the isolation from civilization for those working at the facility, the lighthouse earned the nickname, “Terrible Tilly.”

Terrible. Only in the sense of something awesome and breathtaking. I think of those words used to describe the sea monster monument off the coast of Oregon.

Terrible. Only in the sense of something awesome and breathtaking. I think of qualities easily associated with God.

When we come into the presence of God we stand before someone so awesome it is beyond measure. He is “the Lord Most High who is the King over the entire earth” (Ps. 47:2). As our understanding of the world and universe continues to expand, so does our understanding of a God who called all of this into existence. Instead of seeing God as smaller – too small to create – we find a God who is far greater and more powerful than we can ever imagine.

When we come into the presence of God we stand before someone who takes our breath away. The Psalmist describes the heavens as declaring his glory (Ps. 19:1). Words cannot express our thoughts or imaginations when we look into the sky and watch the rising sun’s colors . . . or mesmerized by the fall colors on the trees . . . or star struck by the constellations . . . or fixated on the mountain as they touches the sky . . . or the beauty of a river cutting through the gorge . . . or studying a robin building a nest in the apple tree of your front yard. When we experience those moments, we’re getting a reflection of the glory God bestows, and even that is breathtaking.

When we come into the presence of God we stand before someone terrible, not in the since of evil but in the sense of his holiness. His holiness is a raging fire which consumes all evil and sinfulness. Awesome, as a word to describe God, can be interchanged with “terrible” (e.g. Psalm 47:2 in the KJV uses “terrible” where the NIV uses “awesome). Thus, God is to be feared, respected and revered. Flippant following will only end in a terrible crisis.

1957 saw the Tillamook Lighthouse decommissioned as the expense to maintain her far exceeded the appropriate and reasonable funds. But with her always came qualities we find in God: something awesome, something breathtaking and something terrible. And like God, she’ll be there forever.

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)

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Name on the Throne

The death of King Uzziah brought a level of uneasiness if not unrest to the Southern Kingdom. Under Uzziah’s leadership Judah experienced everything a politician could hope for: economic prosperity, significant building projects and peace. With the military success and joint ventures with Israel, Judah saw the Northern and Southern Kingdoms almost as large (and prosperous?) as the united Kingdom of Israel under Solomon’s reign. For most of his 52 years Uzziah walked with God. The last dozen years his heart was not loyal and he suffered from leprosy as punishment. Yet the people loved their king and his death created a void and brought fear of an uncertain future.

His death is the marker for Isaiah’s vision (Is. 6). When this king died, Isaiah saw the true King of Israel on his throne with only the hem of God’s garment contained in the temple. Smoke filled room and strange looking seraphs sang “Holy, holy, holy” to the God of the universe. While uncertainly and unrest was unfolding in Judah, consistent control over all creation was present on the throne in heaven. God’s reassuring message was, “It’s ok. I’ve got this” because his Name is on the Throne.

Exile is a constant reminder of failure. The people of Israel failed to keep God’s covenant. The walls around Jerusalem failed to keep the Babylon army from penetrating the city. The people of Judah believed that God failed to protect them. Enter Ezekiel. When we pick up the story he’s thirty years of age, the same age a priest begins ministering in the temple. But he’s not in the temple; he’s in exile. Abandoned. Forgotten. Living out his life as a failure in captivity. If his dream was to minister in the temple, his dream morphed into a nightmare as he was part of the caravan to Babylon. The future was going to get worse before it was ever going to get better.

The marker for Ezekiel’s first vision was at the thirtieth year and fourth month, about the time he should have entered the ministry. God comes to Israel in a powerful windstorm, but the vision is complicated. God’s being carried by a wheel within a wheel to Babylon where he will take up residence with the exiled. The strange looking seraphs are with him and the description of what Ezekiel saw and paints is indescribable. God’s presence and reassuring message is clear, “I’m with you. It’s ok. I’ve got this” because his Name is on the Throne.  

The Lord’s Day on the Island of Patmos is the marker for John’s vision. The churches of Asia Minor were under two threats from the outside. The Jews were harassing the Christians at the local level, with Domitian calling for an all-out assault against the Church. While emperor worship was common in the first century, Domitian wanted people to worship him while he was still alive. The confession of the Church, “Jesus is Lord,” was unpatriotic and a threat to the State. So Domitian demanded loyalty, and those who refused to confess their loyalty faced the strong arm of the Empire. With only one apostle alive, the church at the end of the century was transitioning into dark and uncertain times.

John is invited into heaven where God showed him what will take place (Rev. 4). He witnesses the glory of God. The strange looking seraphs are once again present singing “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Lights were blazing with thunderous reverberations. A great sea, so calm and clear it looked like crystal glass, was before the throne. John sees God sitting on his throne with twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones; the elders fall to their knees and lay their crowns before God. A rainbow encompasses God’s throne. God’s presence on his throne is hardly passive but an active rule reassuring John and the Church, “It’s ok. I’ve got this” because his Name is on the Throne.

The Church continues to face turbulent and uncertain times. Entrenched in our own culture, surveys continue to show little to no moral difference between those actively engaged in congregations and those who are not. The active shootings we’ve witnessed in schools for twenty years has begun bleeding over into churches; people live in fear. Speaking of fear, the demographics shift and rise in minority groups coupled with embedded racism has caused much angst. Political party loyalty has almost become a test of Christian fellowship, while a National Christian faith is undermining the Gospel of Christ. In the meantime, church attendance and loyalty in America is shrinking as well as a vision to bring the Gospel to the world.

Yet in turbulent and uncertain times, we can be assured that God still sits on his throne in power and authority. He is actively overseeing his creation and his Church. His reassuring message to his church today remains, “It’s ok. I’ve got this” because his Name is still on the Throne.

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)

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News: Finding Good Amidst So Much Bad

I opened my newsfeed on FaceBook and found an article about a high school teen in Washington DC provoking a response to a Native American elder. The teen was wearing a red MAGA hat and the Native American beating a drum was a Vietnam Vet. The outcry on social media was loud. Then another story broke where the Native American elder was the one who provoked the teen and the outcry against him was just as loud. If the story didn’t contain enough controversy, another story revealed that a black hate group was taunting the teens and the Native American elder claimed to be running interference between the two groups. And the rage on social medial started coming to a boiling point. Amidst so much bad, where can you find any good?

I opened a magazine to read about developments in our government. The shutdown has gone on longer than any previous shutdowns, with both parties digging in their heels deeper and deeper, finding an end in sight seems to be a work in vanity. With the positions clearly marked out, it’s nothing more than a power struggle and the citizens are the collateral damage. As the shutdown continues some 800,000 federal workers have missed two paychecks and most are living paycheck-to-paycheck. The ripple effect of the shutdown is predicted to have strong negative effects on our economy and making our nation vulnerable to outsiders. Amidst so much bad, where can you find any good?

I turned onto the news and witnessed a disturbing video showing the Governor of New York signing an abortion bill into law. New York now protects women’s rights to opt for an abortion into the third trimester so long as “the woman’s life was in danger” or if “the (baby) could not survive outside the womb.” When the bill was officially signed, the legislators erupted into a raucous applause. The sad irony is that while signing this aggressive abortion bill into law, New York has suspended Capital Punishment since 2004 because it was viewed as unconstitutional (or immoral?). Amidst so much bad, where can you find any good?

I opened my bible and started to read. The Apostle John had been banished to the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea (part of the larger Mediterranean Sea), just west of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). The churches in the region were facing two foes standing against them. While a secondary conflict came from local Jewish Synagogues, their primary source of conflict originated from persecution by the Roman Empire. If written during the time of Domitian’s reign (A.D. 81-96), the church was seeing unprecedented attacks while the Domitian initiated emperor worship. Loyalty to the State or to Jesus was the line in the sand and it looked like God was doing nothing about it.

God’s been accused of slacking his duties before. Job claimed he could run the universe better than God could. Habakkuk wondered why God had done nothing about Israel’s continued lack of justice. When God said he was raising up Babylon to punish Israel, Habakkuk couldn’t believe it. While Israel was bad, Babylon was worse; how could God do that? Finally, when the disciples were caught in a storm at sea, Jesus was sleeping on the job.

So John witnesses a revelation from God. As he’s invited into the heavenly realm he sees God firmly established on his throne. Twenty-four elders were sitting on twenty-four thrones which surrounded God’s throne. Flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder burst from the throne. Before the throne was sea, so still it looked like glass and clear as crystal. Four living creatures sang day and night of God’s holiness. Then the elders bowed in reverence to God laying their crowns before him (Rev. 4).

Here is where you find the good amidst so much bad. For God to remain on his throne means he has not been removed and his enemies cannot threaten him. God will lead John to realize that judgment will come to those who have threatened, persecuted and bullied his people; that justice will be swift and sure. In other words, God’s got this and we need to stop worrying or panicking. As Habakkuk came to realize, we (i.e. the righteous) live by faith (Hab. 2:4) not by fear, and we believe that “the Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth be silent before him” (Hab. 2:20).

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)

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WaterMark: God’s Always Had a Thing for Water

God’s always had a thing for water.

Seventy-one percent of the earth is covered by water with ninety-six of all earth water found in the oceans. These two percentages do not include the amount of water found in the air. The human body contains sixty percent water which is necessary for the brain, blood cells, tissues to regulate temperature and other bodily functions. They say you can abstain from food for a month, but you cannot go a week without water. And of all the sports drinks marketed, the best one for hydrations is simple water.

God’s always had a thing for water.

Scripture is filled with water stories where God’s watermark is all over his redemptive plan. With the world corrupted and every thought of humanity was bent on evil (Gen. 5-6), God devised a solution. He used water to purge the evil in order to refresh the earth. He saved one righteous man and his family by way of an ark to house Noah, his family and a remnant of the earth’s animals. Water became the mark that separated those who were saved versus those who perished in the food.

With Israel pinned in – the sea on one side and Pharaoh’s army on the other – no escape plan was evident (Ex. 14). Israel was circling as if they were lost. Destruction seemed imminent. The people cried out to God, and Moses took their pleas to the Almighty. At God’s instructions, Moses took his staff and raised it. The waters parted as Israel passes through safely and the Egyptian army was destroyed. With the threat behind them, water became the mark where Israel left their life of slavery and began a life of freedom.

Forty years later Joshua led Israel into the conquest of Canaan. Certainly the crossing of the Jordan is far less dramatic than the crossing of the Red Sea, and even less dramatic than the battle at Jericho. With the Ark of the Covenant carried by the priests, they stepped into the water where the flow stopped upstream (Josh. 3). The priest stood on solid ground so that Israel could cross the river. Thus, water became the mark where Israel abandoned the wilderness wanderings and entered the Promised Land.

God always had a thing for water.

John was calling Israel to repentance, and calling out the religious leaders for pretending to repent (Mt. 3). As he was preaching, Jesus entered the waters for John to baptize him. John struggled to understand Jesus’ request. Knowing his own sinfulness, he believed Jesus should baptize him. Yet Jesus claimed something greater was at work as his baptism “fulfilled all righteousness” (a baffling comment to say the least). Water became the mark where Jesus the Carpenter retires and Jesus the Messiah began his ministry.

God always had a thing for water.

When Peter stood before the multitude on the Day of Pentecost (Act. 2), he pointed to the tongue speaking as fulfillment of Amos’ prophecy. He then built his sermon around Jesus fulfillment of Scripture as the true Messiah. His conclusion hit their heart like a knockout punch when he claimed, “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Act. 2:36). When they wanted to know how to rectify their relationship with God, Peter called for repentance and baptism. Water, then, became the mark where the sinner transformed into the saved.

God always had a thing for water . . . and he still does.

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)

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Resolve: Words into Action

The moment was a game-changer.

Tuesday night January 14, 1986. Riding in a car with Eddie somewhere between Searcy and Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Eddie had graciously picked me up well after dark at the bus depot and it was a least a two hour drive back to Harding’s campus. At the time he was my best friend and running mate. We logged numerous miles and hours the three plus years we ran together. He’d stand next to me on many occasions, and the most important occasion was when he stood by me at my wedding.

As we left the terminal, we talked about Christmas break and what we did during the holiday season. I told him about my three day ride on the Greyhound bus. Eventually, the conversation turned to our running and how disappointed we were in our performance during the cross country season.

Over the Christmas break Eddie’s mind was working the problem. Our morning runs were out of focus, and I had skipped (i.e. slept in) far too many of them. We had avoided serious weight training and were lacking the necessary strength. Our technique needed perfected. We relied too much on our abilities and not enough on our discipline. In short, we had been training like we were high school boys instead of college men.

Eddie had a plan to address each of these flaws. Morning runs were not an option as we had a five mile course we tackled each weekday at 6:00. One hour before practice (M-W-F), we were in the weight room getting stronger. Before going to bed we challenged each other to 100 sit-ups. After our long runs we were doing technique drills. The more Eddie talked the more excited we got. I was all in and it was going to be a game-changer, until Eddie said, “We start tomorrow.”

I looked at him. I was tired. Three days on the bus wore me out. I wanted to sleep in a decent place and in my own bed. I finally spoke, “Let’s start this Thursday.”

How many times have we said that? We really want to lose the weight, but not today. We want to save money, but not until we spend the cash in our hands. We believe we need more dedication to the assembly, but we’ll start next week. We know we need to meet Jesus in baptism, but we’ve got plenty of time.

Eddie responded, “Jon. If we don’t start in the morning, we won’t start.”

As I reflected on his statement, he couldn’t have been more right. Too many times we have a desire and passion but not enough to implement. We make a good talk; we fail to follow through with a good walk.

The Hebrews writer pulls us into clear focus. He reminds us to act in the present, because if you delay your heart will harden and your resolve will weaken.

Today if you hear his voice ● Do not harden your hearts ● As you did in the rebellion (Ps. 95:7-8; Heb.3:15 [3:7-8; 4:7b])

Where Israel failed in the faith, the author is holding out hope that our resolve will kick in to act so that our “good intentions” will begin bearing faithful fruit.

The Hebrews’ writer isn’t trying to convert his readers, but his message is applicable to conversion (i.e. “Commit your life to Jesus in baptism today!). He’s exhorting Christians who have fallen behind and contemplating giving up to get back in the race. They need to make that decision today without putting it off any longer.

I agreed with Eddie as we implemented our plan. Through our resolve we had the best track season in our career. The moment was our game-changer, and with some resolve, it can be yours too.

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified)

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You Da Man: When God Confronts Our Sin

They say perspective is everything. How you view yourself versus how you view the rest of the world speaks volumes about your ego. If you think the world revolves around you, then everything that happens is about you. If you tend to entertain critical thoughts on everyone else but gloss over your own shortcomings, chances are you’re struggling with an inflated self-worth. The result is a stubborn person unwilling to change or repent.

Nathan brought to King David’s attention a rich man with a flock of sheep who confiscated a poor man’s only ewe lamb. The reader in the narrative picks up early on that the story is a parable of David’s sin with Bathsheba as the symbolism and connection to David’s life is too blatant to miss. But David can’t see past his own flaws and sins. Like tunnel vision, he can only see the story before him and exercises (self-)righteous judgment on the rich man. Nathan’s bold statement crashes David’s world; “You da man!”

The challenge for introspective thinking is real and painstakingly difficult to master. We struggle with self-awareness and fail to understand how our actions (negatively) affect the people around us. Yet we’re all too aware of how other people’s actions destroy community and relationships. It’s never my fault; it’s always their fault.

So Jesus talks about the plank and the speck (Mt. 7:3-5). He warns us that when we’re so consumed with the speck in everyone else’s eyes, we fail to grasp the 2×4 consuming our own lives. In a context talking about judgmental attitudes, Jesus tells us to use our judgmental skills on ourselves before turning it on others. Figure out where your own flaw, weakness, sin and annoying habit is before picking out someone else’s. Such a move takes mature introspective abilities. While everyone is capable of such reflection, not everyone chooses the difficult task of removing such a large piece of lumber from the eye.

James uses a different image to drive home his point. He wants us to take a good look in the mirror (Jam. 1:23-25). We brush our hair or wash our face, the mirror reveals what we really look like. Logic says that when we see something wrong in the reflection we’ll change the reality. Examining God’s Word is supposed to have the same effect. We open its pages to cast light on our dark soul. When we see our own flaws, we fix them. We change. We repent. Unfortunately too many of us read our Bibles to confirm, not only what we believe, but also to ignore the sin that needs purging from our lives. At best we’re blinded by our own sin. At worst we’re carry around a judgmental and condemning attitude.

So below are a list of sins we battle on a regular basis. I’ve attributed a name next to them, not only for some humor, but also as a means to appeal to our critical nature. Since we can see the sin so clearly in others, maybe we’ll see the sin in our own lives.

Addict Anna ● A-moral Amy ● Angry Andrew ● Apathetic Anthony ● Backstabbing Beth ● Bitter Barry ● Critical Carl ● Complaining Cary ● Condemning Chloe ●  Controlling Connie ● Disrespectful Danny ● Doubting Debbie ● Gossiping Gary ● Guilt-Ridden Gloria ● Hateful Harry ● Idolatrous Ida ● Immoral Irene ● Legalistic Lucy ● Lusting Lawrence ● Lying Larry ● Prideful Peter ● Racist Richie ● Selfish Samantha ● Self-Righteous Steve ● Tolerant Terry ● Unforgiving Ursula.

In 2003 Jack Nicholson starred opposite of Diane Keaton in the romantic comedy movie Something’s Gotta Give. Nicholson’s character, Harry Sanborn, had spent his entire life chasing younger women and living the “high life” when by circumstances he’s forced to recover at Erica Barry’s home played by Keaton. While I cannot remember the details of the movie, the two characters not only clash with conflicts but end up falling for each other. However, he has some serious character flaws that prevent him from pursuing a long term relationship. Once recovered, Sanborn leaves Barry. Months later, he returns. He tells her that he spent the last months sitting with friends to give an honest evaluation of his character. He confessed it hurt, like opening old wounds. But he also realized how healthy it was to see how others saw him, and how healthy it was to fix those relationships. He was now ready to move forward with a long-term relationship with Barry.

You don’t always have to go back to all the people you’ve known, but it might help. You could take a long look in the mirror and change what is glaring right at you. Or you could ignore the speck in other’s eyes by working on the plank in your own eye. Or through repentance you could “Just be da man!”

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)