Let’s turn our attention to Luke 20:19-25. This section in my Bible is titled “Tribute to Caesar” – it is the passage where the Pharisees are once again trying to trick Jesus into saying something that will get Him tossed in prison or killed.
In this case, they pose the question about paying taxes to Caesar, is it lawful for the Jews to do this? In this instance, the tax is a “poll tax” and every person living in the Roman Empire was required to pay it. But that was the sticking point for these Pharisees; they didn’t want to give money to the Romans because they weren’t Romans! Also, it probably had a lot to do with their love for money, as has been pointed out many times before in Luke’s gospel. But here they are, hoping Jesus will agree with them – then they could go running to the nearest Roman soldier and have Him put in jail. Or, better yet, maybe He would say that the Jews do have to pay this Roman tax and then the people will turn against Him. They really felt they had set the perfect trap!
All my life I have heard this story, and it has always been taught to me as a message that good Christians will do both: pay their taxes AND give money to their local churches. Render to Caesar what is his, and give to God what is His. This passage has always been presented to me as a teaching on the proper use of our wealth and possessions.
Now let’s take a closer look at Jesus’ response; “Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” In my NASB Bible there is a little number next to the word “likeness” and looking in the margin, I see the word “image”.
Let’s connect the dots. In Genesis 1:27, we are told, “God created man in His own image”. When Jesus tells the Pharisees to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, He is saying the ownership is based on whose image is on the thing in question. Likewise, when Jesus says, give God what is God’s; He isn’t really talking about money at all. He wants these people to give themselves, their lives, and their every waking moment to the Lord God, whose image He stamped on each and every person when He created them!
I think the true sense of this passage is not about the stewardship of our money, but about the stewardship of our lives. The very image of God, stamped on you by God Himself, means He has ownership over you — and Jesus is saying, give to God what is His!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Creation Matters to Science
Last night I went to bed hoping to write this essay in such a way that scientists would realize they should be open minded enough to allow for the possibility of Divine Creation when examining how something came to be, most importantly, for the issue of how life itself began. But this morning I have a new message on my heart. I realize the Theory of Evolution has serious flaws, so much so that it should no longer be considered scientific. As a result, I’m left wondering why in the world we are still using this outdated theory to teach our young people!
In the year 2000, I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Biology after a long struggle with various professors and the college administration over Evolution. They felt strongly then that a biologist could not possibly contribute anything meaningful to their field of knowledge without a firm foundation built on the Theory of Evolution. Their insistence made me sympathetic to the first naysayers of the flat earth theory. Unfortunately, I think their opinions have probably not changed since then.
However, during the past decade, many researchers have come forward saying there are several problems with the 150 year old Theory of Evolution. The most glaring and damaging of these problems is that Darwin made his hypothesis without the knowledge of modern molecular biology. In 1850, as Darwin was formulating his ideas, the cell was the smallest unit for biologists. Today we know that each cell contains a city’s worth of manufacturing facilities and transportation vehicles.
Because of our modern microscopes, we are able to now see the vast array of complexity that makes up each one of our cells. Imagine believing that you could randomly drop Scrabble tiles from your hand onto the floor, fully expecting them to land in such a way as to correctly form a complete sentence. It sounds ridiculous to even try. But this is the type of problem Evolutionists are facing when it comes to current findings in the field of molecular biology – but on the scale of dropping Scrabble tiles to form an entire set of encyclopedias!
The highly specific amino acid sequence in just one piece of DNA is hundreds of thousands of characters long. And this extreme complexity exists in even the most simple of single-celled organism. Yet the Theory of Evolution requires DNA is the result of random chance – that each amino acid took the right place in line to perform the necessary function without Intelligence putting things in order.
Continuing to teach this obviously flawed “chance” point of view in our public schools dampens our ability to discover new truths; especially when one considers that molecular biologists have now proven random processes cannot explain the information encoded in our DNA. Yet our classrooms continue to erroneously use the randomness of Darwin’s theory as the basis to teach our young people about complex cellular structures.
I believe science is important. Our society, the health of our people, and our standard of living are all bettered when we expand our scientific knowledge base. That’s one of the reasons I chose to study science! But I am appalled that we are teaching our young people this same old theory, proposed in the darkness of a pre-molecular era.
Unfortunately many established scientists are still unable to let go of their strong evolutionary bias. And just as I was persecuted ten years ago, young people today with Intelligent Design viewpoints are still being shunned and discouraged from pursuing scientific research or teaching positions. The result is an even more biased community of researchers and teachers, all sharing a flawed point of view and unable to recognize the validity of contrary conclusions. I, for one, am uncomfortable knowing that a particularly bright and gifted individual might be kept from contributing to society solely because of their “God Created” worldview.
There came a time in history when bold rebels took a stand to stop the teaching of the flat-earth theory. Today, we need a similar bold spirit to rise up in our education systems and insist evolutionary teaching also be stopped. Molecular biology has proven this theory is false, Darwin was wrong. Continuing to silence the possibility of Intelligent Design hinders the scientific community’s ability to perform productive research. The very foundation of what we do as scientists is to look openly and honestly for real answers. As researchers we are to follow the data, not our personal opinions and preconceived notions.
I write this with the hope that one day my great-grandchildren will use a textbook that uses Evolution only as an example of how flawed science can be. But more importantly, I want them to be able to state their personal views without fear and prayerfully it will be that their Lord Jesus is the Creator of all things, both seen and yet unseen.
For further information:
The Collapse of Evolution, Huse
The Evolution of a Creationist, Martin
The Signature of God, Jeffrey
Darwin’s Black Box, Behe
Darwin on Trial, Johnson
Signs of Intelligence, Dembski
In the year 2000, I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Biology after a long struggle with various professors and the college administration over Evolution. They felt strongly then that a biologist could not possibly contribute anything meaningful to their field of knowledge without a firm foundation built on the Theory of Evolution. Their insistence made me sympathetic to the first naysayers of the flat earth theory. Unfortunately, I think their opinions have probably not changed since then.
However, during the past decade, many researchers have come forward saying there are several problems with the 150 year old Theory of Evolution. The most glaring and damaging of these problems is that Darwin made his hypothesis without the knowledge of modern molecular biology. In 1850, as Darwin was formulating his ideas, the cell was the smallest unit for biologists. Today we know that each cell contains a city’s worth of manufacturing facilities and transportation vehicles.
Because of our modern microscopes, we are able to now see the vast array of complexity that makes up each one of our cells. Imagine believing that you could randomly drop Scrabble tiles from your hand onto the floor, fully expecting them to land in such a way as to correctly form a complete sentence. It sounds ridiculous to even try. But this is the type of problem Evolutionists are facing when it comes to current findings in the field of molecular biology – but on the scale of dropping Scrabble tiles to form an entire set of encyclopedias!
The highly specific amino acid sequence in just one piece of DNA is hundreds of thousands of characters long. And this extreme complexity exists in even the most simple of single-celled organism. Yet the Theory of Evolution requires DNA is the result of random chance – that each amino acid took the right place in line to perform the necessary function without Intelligence putting things in order.
Continuing to teach this obviously flawed “chance” point of view in our public schools dampens our ability to discover new truths; especially when one considers that molecular biologists have now proven random processes cannot explain the information encoded in our DNA. Yet our classrooms continue to erroneously use the randomness of Darwin’s theory as the basis to teach our young people about complex cellular structures.
I believe science is important. Our society, the health of our people, and our standard of living are all bettered when we expand our scientific knowledge base. That’s one of the reasons I chose to study science! But I am appalled that we are teaching our young people this same old theory, proposed in the darkness of a pre-molecular era.
Unfortunately many established scientists are still unable to let go of their strong evolutionary bias. And just as I was persecuted ten years ago, young people today with Intelligent Design viewpoints are still being shunned and discouraged from pursuing scientific research or teaching positions. The result is an even more biased community of researchers and teachers, all sharing a flawed point of view and unable to recognize the validity of contrary conclusions. I, for one, am uncomfortable knowing that a particularly bright and gifted individual might be kept from contributing to society solely because of their “God Created” worldview.
There came a time in history when bold rebels took a stand to stop the teaching of the flat-earth theory. Today, we need a similar bold spirit to rise up in our education systems and insist evolutionary teaching also be stopped. Molecular biology has proven this theory is false, Darwin was wrong. Continuing to silence the possibility of Intelligent Design hinders the scientific community’s ability to perform productive research. The very foundation of what we do as scientists is to look openly and honestly for real answers. As researchers we are to follow the data, not our personal opinions and preconceived notions.
I write this with the hope that one day my great-grandchildren will use a textbook that uses Evolution only as an example of how flawed science can be. But more importantly, I want them to be able to state their personal views without fear and prayerfully it will be that their Lord Jesus is the Creator of all things, both seen and yet unseen.
For further information:
The Collapse of Evolution, Huse
The Evolution of a Creationist, Martin
The Signature of God, Jeffrey
Darwin’s Black Box, Behe
Darwin on Trial, Johnson
Signs of Intelligence, Dembski
Creation Matters to Salvation
I suppose everyone has that one thing that makes it so hard to bite your tongue when you hear it. Maybe you’ve just overheard the conversation of two total strangers and you’re arguing with your inner-self over whether to speak up or not. Or maybe someone on television says something and you just can’t help talking back to them as though they can hear your passion and reasoning. . . .
For me, that “one thing” is when Bible-believers deny the Genesis account of Creation. I know there’s a group of readers who just rolled their eyes. Maybe you think this Old Testament stuff isn’t important – what really matters is Jesus and spreading the gospel. Maybe you feel the debate over Creation and Evolution is pointless, even silly. And the last thing you need is to be dragged into an argument that can’t be won.
But the Bible is jam-packed with passages saying Divine Creation is very important to God. You can’t really read the Psalms, the discourse of God with Job, or the account of the Creation week in Genesis without realizing the Bible’s clear statement that God is the Creator. However, there are also New Testament passages I think most Christians overlook. The doctrine of Divine Creation plays a pivotal role in evangelizing un-churched people, both here and abroad.
Beginning with the four gospels, there is a notable difference in the writers’ presentations. John wrote to the Gentiles and begins his gospel declaring Jesus to be the Eternal Word, and Creator of the World. John 1:3 “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” On the other hand, Matthew, Mark and Luke were written to the Jews who were already well-schooled since childhood regarding God as Creator. Their familiarity with Genesis, Job, and the Psalms meant these gospel-writers could skip this lesson and jump right into arguing Jesus to be their promised Messiah.
This pattern is continued by Paul in the book of Acts. Whenever he preached to the Gentiles, he began by introducing God as Creator. Acts 14:15 “. . . you should turn from these vain things to a living God, ‘who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them’” And Paul says to those who “worship in ignorance” to an unknown god in Acts 17:24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth . . .”
But when Paul spoke directly to the Jews, he omitted this fact. Here, he begins his sermon recounting the nation’s time in Egypt -- Acts 13:16, 17 “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt . . .” And here is Paul reasoning with the Jews in their synagogue -- Acts17:3 “explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying ‘This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.’”
When witnessing to the lost, we need to follow the examples of John and Paul and begin with the beginning of the story – God created! Many Christians today fail to recognize how un-churched our country has become. We often assume everyone knows God is the Creator, but nothing could be further from the truth.
However, our biggest mistake is when we act or speak as if the whole issue doesn’t matter at all. For you see, one isn’t truly saved by believing in a false Jesus -- someone other than the true Jesus. And the true Jesus IS our Creator.
Colossians 1:16, 17 “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
You can’t hope to win a lost soul by introducing Christ and not making it clear exactly who He is: by Him all things were created! Presenting a Jesus that is not our Creator, leads to faith in a false Jesus.
But for me, the most interesting Creation passage is found in the book of Revelation. We’re told throughout the New Testament to spread the gospel of Good News that leads to salvation. Here John shows us the doctrine of Divine Creation is critical to that gospel message.
Revelation 14:6-7 “And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”
From this single passage, it is possible to argue that declaring a gospel without saying “God created” is not really the complete biblical gospel.
So if we take the time to look honestly at these passages we will find the doctrine of Divine Creation clearly matters to the Lord God and to our eternal salvation. Therefore, it should greatly matter to every Bible-believing Christian as well. After all, could it really be that an all-wise and loving God would start His great book of divine wisdom and revelation to us with words that are trivial and unimportant?
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
For me, that “one thing” is when Bible-believers deny the Genesis account of Creation. I know there’s a group of readers who just rolled their eyes. Maybe you think this Old Testament stuff isn’t important – what really matters is Jesus and spreading the gospel. Maybe you feel the debate over Creation and Evolution is pointless, even silly. And the last thing you need is to be dragged into an argument that can’t be won.
But the Bible is jam-packed with passages saying Divine Creation is very important to God. You can’t really read the Psalms, the discourse of God with Job, or the account of the Creation week in Genesis without realizing the Bible’s clear statement that God is the Creator. However, there are also New Testament passages I think most Christians overlook. The doctrine of Divine Creation plays a pivotal role in evangelizing un-churched people, both here and abroad.
Beginning with the four gospels, there is a notable difference in the writers’ presentations. John wrote to the Gentiles and begins his gospel declaring Jesus to be the Eternal Word, and Creator of the World. John 1:3 “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” On the other hand, Matthew, Mark and Luke were written to the Jews who were already well-schooled since childhood regarding God as Creator. Their familiarity with Genesis, Job, and the Psalms meant these gospel-writers could skip this lesson and jump right into arguing Jesus to be their promised Messiah.
This pattern is continued by Paul in the book of Acts. Whenever he preached to the Gentiles, he began by introducing God as Creator. Acts 14:15 “. . . you should turn from these vain things to a living God, ‘who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them’” And Paul says to those who “worship in ignorance” to an unknown god in Acts 17:24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth . . .”
But when Paul spoke directly to the Jews, he omitted this fact. Here, he begins his sermon recounting the nation’s time in Egypt -- Acts 13:16, 17 “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt . . .” And here is Paul reasoning with the Jews in their synagogue -- Acts17:3 “explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying ‘This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.’”
When witnessing to the lost, we need to follow the examples of John and Paul and begin with the beginning of the story – God created! Many Christians today fail to recognize how un-churched our country has become. We often assume everyone knows God is the Creator, but nothing could be further from the truth.
However, our biggest mistake is when we act or speak as if the whole issue doesn’t matter at all. For you see, one isn’t truly saved by believing in a false Jesus -- someone other than the true Jesus. And the true Jesus IS our Creator.
Colossians 1:16, 17 “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
You can’t hope to win a lost soul by introducing Christ and not making it clear exactly who He is: by Him all things were created! Presenting a Jesus that is not our Creator, leads to faith in a false Jesus.
But for me, the most interesting Creation passage is found in the book of Revelation. We’re told throughout the New Testament to spread the gospel of Good News that leads to salvation. Here John shows us the doctrine of Divine Creation is critical to that gospel message.
Revelation 14:6-7 “And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”
From this single passage, it is possible to argue that declaring a gospel without saying “God created” is not really the complete biblical gospel.
So if we take the time to look honestly at these passages we will find the doctrine of Divine Creation clearly matters to the Lord God and to our eternal salvation. Therefore, it should greatly matter to every Bible-believing Christian as well. After all, could it really be that an all-wise and loving God would start His great book of divine wisdom and revelation to us with words that are trivial and unimportant?
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Luke's Centurion
In Luke chapter 6 we find Jesus teaching about what a true disciple of His would look like: poor in spirit, humble and repentant, obeying the golden rule, loving his enemies, being generous, etc. Then in chapter 7, messengers arrive from a Centurion who is a living example of this very same kind of person.
The Centurion’s love for others is clearly shown. Notice the care and concern he has for a slave. (In this culture, slaves would be disposable property!) And see how this particular Centurion is so well respected that the Jewish elders even say “he is worthy”. The full impact of those words might be easily overlooked, so let me repeat: the Jewish elders are calling a non-Jewish person “WORTHY”! He must have done some remarkable things for them to have this attitude. Yet the humility of the Centurion is evidenced by his own response later in the story, “I am NOT worthy”.
We also see his generosity, having been responsible for building the Jewish synagogue. Some commentators feel that this man may have converted to Judaism and so he had the synagogue built so he could listen to teaching each Sabbath. The exact motive is not given here in Scripture, but his generosity shines through.
Again, this Gentile man has proved to be the example for the lesson taught by Jesus in the previous chapter – THIS is what a true disciple of His is like. And this was completely turned around for the Jews; Centurions were Roman soldiers, the enforcement agency for the tax collectors! Being outsiders, they were generally despised. But Jesus, on the other hand, gives the man praise for having such exemplary faith.
Things haven’t changed much in our day. A lot of folks still think that powerful religious leaders are obviously blessed by God, or that those with great wealth are blessed. We are just as blind sometimes to what a true disciple looks like, and we often fail to BE one because of our blindness. Here are those qualities again: poor in spirit, humble and repentant, obeying the golden rule, loving our enemies, and being generous.
The Centurion’s love for others is clearly shown. Notice the care and concern he has for a slave. (In this culture, slaves would be disposable property!) And see how this particular Centurion is so well respected that the Jewish elders even say “he is worthy”. The full impact of those words might be easily overlooked, so let me repeat: the Jewish elders are calling a non-Jewish person “WORTHY”! He must have done some remarkable things for them to have this attitude. Yet the humility of the Centurion is evidenced by his own response later in the story, “I am NOT worthy”.
We also see his generosity, having been responsible for building the Jewish synagogue. Some commentators feel that this man may have converted to Judaism and so he had the synagogue built so he could listen to teaching each Sabbath. The exact motive is not given here in Scripture, but his generosity shines through.
Again, this Gentile man has proved to be the example for the lesson taught by Jesus in the previous chapter – THIS is what a true disciple of His is like. And this was completely turned around for the Jews; Centurions were Roman soldiers, the enforcement agency for the tax collectors! Being outsiders, they were generally despised. But Jesus, on the other hand, gives the man praise for having such exemplary faith.
Things haven’t changed much in our day. A lot of folks still think that powerful religious leaders are obviously blessed by God, or that those with great wealth are blessed. We are just as blind sometimes to what a true disciple looks like, and we often fail to BE one because of our blindness. Here are those qualities again: poor in spirit, humble and repentant, obeying the golden rule, loving our enemies, and being generous.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
On Being Content
Luke 4:40 “While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them.” The first time I read this verse, I paid attention to the healing that was going on; you probably did too just now. But I want to take a look at the opening words – “while the sun was setting”.
Chapter 4 of Luke’s gospel has been telling about a busy day in the earthly ministry of Jesus. Our Lord had been teaching at the synagogue in the morning and was confronted there by a demon-possessed man. He casts out the demon and is invited to Peter’s house to heal his very ill mother-in-law. And now the sun is setting. No doubt the news had traveled quickly that day throughout the area that Jesus had taught “with authority” and also demonstrated authority over demons and disease.
No doubt as well that people were anxious to bring their sick or lame loved ones to Jesus for healing. But here we read a curious thing – the people did not start arriving till sundown . . . . The time here is an important part of the story, but Luke seems to miss telling his Greek readers why this matters and I’m guessing it is because they wouldn’t understand why it was such a big deal. And I’m not sure I really “get it” either, but here’s my best shot:
The sun was setting meant the Sabbath was ending! Sabbath laws forbid traveling or carrying things. These people had in their midst a healer, THE Healer, and they couldn’t overcome their legalism and traditions to take their loved ones to Him for healing. This is so very sad! I’m not familiar with any orthodox Jewish families and so it is very difficult for me to imagine this mind set. But how do you wait all day to take your loved one (who may be literally dying!) to see the One who can bring healing? But that’s just what they did. “While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick . . . brought them to Him.”
I’m so much a loss for words here. I really am just not sure why this story grips me so – but it does. My eyes begin to swell with tears at the thought of people waiting all afternoon, anxiously watching the sun creep along its path in the sky – and then finally heading out to seek the Healer! Really? Tears? Yes, I know it sounds so pathetic and I can’t explain it. But the sadness doesn’t end here . . . .
Luke 5:39 “And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’” These have got to be some of the saddest words ever spoken! How often has the gospel been preached to someone who already has “religion” and they reply “no thank you, my old religion is good enough!”? And here these Jewish folks have the Living Gospel right in their midst and they would rather follow their traditions and thousands of rules than turn their lives and their sick loved ones over to Him who can truly heal. They are comfortable and content with the faith of their parents and can’t bring themselves to part ways with family tradition.
It was for this reason that Peter INSISTS that the Jewish converts on the day of Pentecost are baptized – he knows their hearts’ desire to just patch on this new found religion to their old ways. But he won’t let them, and so the call to repent is followed with “and be baptized” into Christ! (Acts 2:38). Make a clean break from the religion of your families and publicly show everyone in Jerusalem that you are now IN CHRIST. Some of those 3,000 baptized that day may have been left with nowhere to go, literally they had just turned their backs on their families and they were no longer welcome at home!
I am sure that some of the sharing of possessions that we see in the opening chapters of Acts came from heart-felt joy and love, but I'm equally sure that some of that was brought about by necessity. Many of those who chose to be "baptized into Jesus Christ" would have nowhere to go. Unless their entire family was baptized with them, they would be un-welcomed in their homes that evening. Furthermore, many would soon become unemployed if their Jewish employers learned of their baptism into Christ. Sharing was a very needful thing for these folks.
Interesting, I heard tell that the crowds estimated on that day in Jerusalem were over one million – that means less than one-third of one percent actually decided to become baptized into Christ. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He did not change the path to eternal life on that Day of Pentecost. Jesus tells us that the way is NARROW and FEW are those who find it. The way did not become "wide" for that day and then somehow become "narrow" again later.
Lesson: Be careful what you are content with! Luke 5:39 “And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’” Sad words indeed.
Chapter 4 of Luke’s gospel has been telling about a busy day in the earthly ministry of Jesus. Our Lord had been teaching at the synagogue in the morning and was confronted there by a demon-possessed man. He casts out the demon and is invited to Peter’s house to heal his very ill mother-in-law. And now the sun is setting. No doubt the news had traveled quickly that day throughout the area that Jesus had taught “with authority” and also demonstrated authority over demons and disease.
No doubt as well that people were anxious to bring their sick or lame loved ones to Jesus for healing. But here we read a curious thing – the people did not start arriving till sundown . . . . The time here is an important part of the story, but Luke seems to miss telling his Greek readers why this matters and I’m guessing it is because they wouldn’t understand why it was such a big deal. And I’m not sure I really “get it” either, but here’s my best shot:
The sun was setting meant the Sabbath was ending! Sabbath laws forbid traveling or carrying things. These people had in their midst a healer, THE Healer, and they couldn’t overcome their legalism and traditions to take their loved ones to Him for healing. This is so very sad! I’m not familiar with any orthodox Jewish families and so it is very difficult for me to imagine this mind set. But how do you wait all day to take your loved one (who may be literally dying!) to see the One who can bring healing? But that’s just what they did. “While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick . . . brought them to Him.”
I’m so much a loss for words here. I really am just not sure why this story grips me so – but it does. My eyes begin to swell with tears at the thought of people waiting all afternoon, anxiously watching the sun creep along its path in the sky – and then finally heading out to seek the Healer! Really? Tears? Yes, I know it sounds so pathetic and I can’t explain it. But the sadness doesn’t end here . . . .
Luke 5:39 “And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’” These have got to be some of the saddest words ever spoken! How often has the gospel been preached to someone who already has “religion” and they reply “no thank you, my old religion is good enough!”? And here these Jewish folks have the Living Gospel right in their midst and they would rather follow their traditions and thousands of rules than turn their lives and their sick loved ones over to Him who can truly heal. They are comfortable and content with the faith of their parents and can’t bring themselves to part ways with family tradition.
It was for this reason that Peter INSISTS that the Jewish converts on the day of Pentecost are baptized – he knows their hearts’ desire to just patch on this new found religion to their old ways. But he won’t let them, and so the call to repent is followed with “and be baptized” into Christ! (Acts 2:38). Make a clean break from the religion of your families and publicly show everyone in Jerusalem that you are now IN CHRIST. Some of those 3,000 baptized that day may have been left with nowhere to go, literally they had just turned their backs on their families and they were no longer welcome at home!
I am sure that some of the sharing of possessions that we see in the opening chapters of Acts came from heart-felt joy and love, but I'm equally sure that some of that was brought about by necessity. Many of those who chose to be "baptized into Jesus Christ" would have nowhere to go. Unless their entire family was baptized with them, they would be un-welcomed in their homes that evening. Furthermore, many would soon become unemployed if their Jewish employers learned of their baptism into Christ. Sharing was a very needful thing for these folks.
Interesting, I heard tell that the crowds estimated on that day in Jerusalem were over one million – that means less than one-third of one percent actually decided to become baptized into Christ. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He did not change the path to eternal life on that Day of Pentecost. Jesus tells us that the way is NARROW and FEW are those who find it. The way did not become "wide" for that day and then somehow become "narrow" again later.
Lesson: Be careful what you are content with! Luke 5:39 “And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’” Sad words indeed.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Saved for What?
Luke 1:74-75 “To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.” –from the prophecy of the Priest Zacharias.
I love these two verses because they make it perfectly clear what we are saved FROM and what we are saved FOR. We are saved FROM our enemies and we are saved FOR serving Him. And WHEN do we serve Him? ALL OUR DAYS! This is not saying an hour on Sunday morning is acceptable. Far from it! The strong implication here is that we are to do this EVERY day and ALL day long!
Luke 3:9 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (From the preaching of John the Baptist). This verse is really very similar to what Zacharias (John’s father) had said 30 years earlier – the purpose in our being redeemed is to serve Him all the days of our lives: “bear good fruit!”
And this teaching also reminded me of what the Lord told Moses to say to Pharaoh – “Let My People go, that they may serve Me!” (Exodus 8:1). We tend to forget about the “serve Me” part and just focus on the new found freedom we have – yippee, no more being a slave in Egypt. But wait, we’re still to be slaves, bondservants who serve the Lord God our Maker. The Apostle Paul teaches that very lesson quite plainly in Colossians 3:24 -- “It is the Lord Christ who you serve.”
However, telling people that they are saved to serve may not appeal to them. So do we risk them not accepting salvation because they are lazy? Well, I don’t think that this is even an issue. If the Lord has called them, they will get saved! And secondly, we don’t need to tell someone who is truly saved that they need to serve the Lord. They will do just exactly that out of love and thankfulness for all the Lord has done for them. Right?
Luke 7:47 “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” – Parable of Two Debtors as taught by Jesus.
I love these two verses because they make it perfectly clear what we are saved FROM and what we are saved FOR. We are saved FROM our enemies and we are saved FOR serving Him. And WHEN do we serve Him? ALL OUR DAYS! This is not saying an hour on Sunday morning is acceptable. Far from it! The strong implication here is that we are to do this EVERY day and ALL day long!
Luke 3:9 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (From the preaching of John the Baptist). This verse is really very similar to what Zacharias (John’s father) had said 30 years earlier – the purpose in our being redeemed is to serve Him all the days of our lives: “bear good fruit!”
And this teaching also reminded me of what the Lord told Moses to say to Pharaoh – “Let My People go, that they may serve Me!” (Exodus 8:1). We tend to forget about the “serve Me” part and just focus on the new found freedom we have – yippee, no more being a slave in Egypt. But wait, we’re still to be slaves, bondservants who serve the Lord God our Maker. The Apostle Paul teaches that very lesson quite plainly in Colossians 3:24 -- “It is the Lord Christ who you serve.”
However, telling people that they are saved to serve may not appeal to them. So do we risk them not accepting salvation because they are lazy? Well, I don’t think that this is even an issue. If the Lord has called them, they will get saved! And secondly, we don’t need to tell someone who is truly saved that they need to serve the Lord. They will do just exactly that out of love and thankfulness for all the Lord has done for them. Right?
Luke 7:47 “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” – Parable of Two Debtors as taught by Jesus.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Moses, Manna, and Me
It always surprises me when one of the great leaders in the Bible seems to lack faith. I understand they are human; they have failures just like I do. But I constantly find myself expecting more from them than I do myself. In Numbers 11, we find Moses having a bad day. The people were grumbling at him (and at God) because they were tired of eating manna.
Then Moses grumbled at God too. It is one thing to prayerfully let the Lord know what is bothering you, it is quite another to say, “So if You are going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once…!“ (Numbers 11:15). When I first read this, I was actually shocked at how calmly the Lord replied to Moses.
Next the Lord promises Moses that the people shall have meat to eat. But Moses (same guy who brought the plagues to Egypt and then parted the Red Sea on God’s behalf!) couldn’t understand where God would get enough meat to actually make that happen. “Should all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?” (Numbers 11:22). It is as if Moses is saying, “Hey, there aren’t enough fish in the oceans!”
But I love God’s reply in verse 23, “Is the Lord’s power limited?” And then, of course, the rest of the chapter is the story of how He did just exactly as He said He would and the people all ate meat!
But here’s an application question from this Old Testament story: What is it that you think God can’t do for you? In Luke 8:22-25, we find the disciples being overcome with fear as their boat was taking on water and being tossed about in the fierce storm. Is there a “storm” in your life right now that just seems too big and too fierce for the Lord Jesus to bring under control?
Then Moses grumbled at God too. It is one thing to prayerfully let the Lord know what is bothering you, it is quite another to say, “So if You are going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once…!“ (Numbers 11:15). When I first read this, I was actually shocked at how calmly the Lord replied to Moses.
Next the Lord promises Moses that the people shall have meat to eat. But Moses (same guy who brought the plagues to Egypt and then parted the Red Sea on God’s behalf!) couldn’t understand where God would get enough meat to actually make that happen. “Should all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?” (Numbers 11:22). It is as if Moses is saying, “Hey, there aren’t enough fish in the oceans!”
But I love God’s reply in verse 23, “Is the Lord’s power limited?” And then, of course, the rest of the chapter is the story of how He did just exactly as He said He would and the people all ate meat!
But here’s an application question from this Old Testament story: What is it that you think God can’t do for you? In Luke 8:22-25, we find the disciples being overcome with fear as their boat was taking on water and being tossed about in the fierce storm. Is there a “storm” in your life right now that just seems too big and too fierce for the Lord Jesus to bring under control?
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