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.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
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?
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
In-Flight Safety
It seems like everyone dreads the safety films when they’re on an airplane. Over the years, most folks have seen enough of these to give the demonstrations themselves. But that doesn’t make the message any less important. Likewise, bringing up the subject of Bible reading and study habits can cause a lot of church folks to roll their eyes.
In the safety films we’re told to put on our own oxygen mask before trying to help someone else with theirs. That’s true for Bible study too. You’ve got to be well-fed and nourished on God’s Word before you try to give “oxygen” to others. You can’t give away what you don’t have!
Here’s a diet that is sure to fail: Eat just one meal a week, on Sunday mornings from 10:45 to noon!
Deuteronomy 8:3b "Understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord."
Journal Suggestions:
Interview one of your spiritual mentors about their Bible study habits, and then write about the new habits they've inspired you to try.
Recall a valuable lesson you learned as the result of seriously digging deep into the Word of God.
In the safety films we’re told to put on our own oxygen mask before trying to help someone else with theirs. That’s true for Bible study too. You’ve got to be well-fed and nourished on God’s Word before you try to give “oxygen” to others. You can’t give away what you don’t have!
Here’s a diet that is sure to fail: Eat just one meal a week, on Sunday mornings from 10:45 to noon!
Deuteronomy 8:3b "Understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord."
Journal Suggestions:
Interview one of your spiritual mentors about their Bible study habits, and then write about the new habits they've inspired you to try.
Recall a valuable lesson you learned as the result of seriously digging deep into the Word of God.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
"Mind the Gap!"
It has been nearly thirteen years since my husband and I traveled to England to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. We had a blast back-packing around from city to city and riding on Britain’s fabulous system of railways. One of the things we found so memorable was the recording that played over the public address systems in all the subways and train stations: “Mind the Gap!” These three words played repeatedly whenever a train’s door opened and continued until it was shut again—warning passengers, in a distinctly British female voice, that the gap between the platform and the train car posed a danger. The same three words graced the walls of both the trains and the stations in the boldest of red, white, and blue. So you could imagine how I jumped at the opportunity to purchase and take home a key ring with this symbol as a token of our trip.
It has been years since that vacation. I still have the key ring, but my husband has now passed away and that phrase has a new meaning for me. In the hours immediately following my husband’s death, I sat stunned and unbelieving what had just happened. I was crying out to the Lord, feeling so lost and not having a clue what tomorrow would bring. Then I looked down at my lap and noticed the keys I still clutched in my hand. “Mind the Gap!” The phrase was almost audible—but not in the familiar British female voice that had echoed in my mind since our trip. On this day, it seemed like the Lord Himself was speaking to me and saying, “Mind the Gap!”
The shock of being so suddenly widowed awoke me from a deep, comfortable sleep. Over the next couple years, I gained a more biblical perspective on my life and re-ordered my priorities. It was like how the Prodigal Son is described in Luke 15:17; he “came to his senses” when he decided to return home. That’s the sort of thing that had happened to me; I had finally “came to my senses” and realized God expected me to use this time He’s given me to be a good steward for Him and I needed to quit wasting my days dwelling on the past. I needed to press forward and “Mind the Gap!” Eventually, the Lord gently let me see that being widowed wasn’t meant to be a divine punishment from Him. Instead, He had given me the opportunity to see beyond my pain, replacing it with a new desire to serve Him.
Recently, Ephesians 5:15-16 has become very special to me. “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” I like this passage because it reminds me of a dear family friend who just never got tired of doing the Lord’s work. As a young man, he served as an overseas missionary, but he retired from that to become a church pastor, then he retired from that to establish a non-profit camp for people with special needs. He was a living example of what Paul meant by “run to win” and “finish well”. And he had faithfully demonstrated to me what it is to “Mind the Gap!”
But just last week, the Lord helped me to put a new spin on Ephesians 5:15-16. I have an NASB reference Bible that is over-flowing with margin notes. For verse 16, “making the most of your time”, it gives an alternate reading: “redeeming the time”. In case you’ve missed this, let me point out that these Bible translators and editors just equated “redemption” with “making the most of something”! I’m overwhelmed at the thought of how wasteful my life was when I was unredeemed and therefore, serving Satan. But, Praise God, because I am now “in Christ”, He helps me make the most of my time!
I’ve also realized that everyone has a personal gap of their own that needs to be tended. Every believer has a past that can’t be changed and a future they hope for and long for. But beginning today, and until that heavenly future comes, we all have a gap. For some it will prove to be a long road; for others of us, the end may be just around that next bend. But the Lord expects us all to “Mind the Gap!” Take heed to do today what you can to help usher in His Kingdom and His Righteousness.
Turning now to Luke 2:36-38, we read about Anna, a prophetess. Here was a widow of many years who undoubtedly had known heartaches and sorrows. Yet Luke tells us, she served the Lord faithfully, every day in the temple with prayers and fastings—and she proclaimed Jesus to be the long-awaited Messiah. Anna knew her priorities, she was minding her gap, and doing it very well! Likewise, we need to snap up every opportunity to serve Christ and tell others about Him.
But let’s get practical here for a moment—what does one do to “Mind the Gap!”? Well, for instance, I try to balance time spent in the Bible, prayer, witnessing, and fellowship and daily try to do each one. I know that when I do that, my life will become more spiritually balanced and focused on eternity. This, to me, is what it means to “Mind the Gap!”
Redeem your days by making the most of the time God has allotted to you. Rescue each and every day from Satan’s jaws. “Mind the Gap!”
Galatians 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Here are some Journaling Suggestions for you to try:
Tell about someone whose example of “time stewardship” has inspired you.
Recall a day when you were particularly successful at redeeming your time for the Lord.
It has been years since that vacation. I still have the key ring, but my husband has now passed away and that phrase has a new meaning for me. In the hours immediately following my husband’s death, I sat stunned and unbelieving what had just happened. I was crying out to the Lord, feeling so lost and not having a clue what tomorrow would bring. Then I looked down at my lap and noticed the keys I still clutched in my hand. “Mind the Gap!” The phrase was almost audible—but not in the familiar British female voice that had echoed in my mind since our trip. On this day, it seemed like the Lord Himself was speaking to me and saying, “Mind the Gap!”
Recently, Ephesians 5:15-16 has become very special to me. “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” I like this passage because it reminds me of a dear family friend who just never got tired of doing the Lord’s work. As a young man, he served as an overseas missionary, but he retired from that to become a church pastor, then he retired from that to establish a non-profit camp for people with special needs. He was a living example of what Paul meant by “run to win” and “finish well”. And he had faithfully demonstrated to me what it is to “Mind the Gap!”
But just last week, the Lord helped me to put a new spin on Ephesians 5:15-16. I have an NASB reference Bible that is over-flowing with margin notes. For verse 16, “making the most of your time”, it gives an alternate reading: “redeeming the time”. In case you’ve missed this, let me point out that these Bible translators and editors just equated “redemption” with “making the most of something”! I’m overwhelmed at the thought of how wasteful my life was when I was unredeemed and therefore, serving Satan. But, Praise God, because I am now “in Christ”, He helps me make the most of my time!
I’ve also realized that everyone has a personal gap of their own that needs to be tended. Every believer has a past that can’t be changed and a future they hope for and long for. But beginning today, and until that heavenly future comes, we all have a gap. For some it will prove to be a long road; for others of us, the end may be just around that next bend. But the Lord expects us all to “Mind the Gap!” Take heed to do today what you can to help usher in His Kingdom and His Righteousness.
Turning now to Luke 2:36-38, we read about Anna, a prophetess. Here was a widow of many years who undoubtedly had known heartaches and sorrows. Yet Luke tells us, she served the Lord faithfully, every day in the temple with prayers and fastings—and she proclaimed Jesus to be the long-awaited Messiah. Anna knew her priorities, she was minding her gap, and doing it very well! Likewise, we need to snap up every opportunity to serve Christ and tell others about Him.
But let’s get practical here for a moment—what does one do to “Mind the Gap!”? Well, for instance, I try to balance time spent in the Bible, prayer, witnessing, and fellowship and daily try to do each one. I know that when I do that, my life will become more spiritually balanced and focused on eternity. This, to me, is what it means to “Mind the Gap!”
Redeem your days by making the most of the time God has allotted to you. Rescue each and every day from Satan’s jaws. “Mind the Gap!”
Galatians 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Here are some Journaling Suggestions for you to try:
Tell about someone whose example of “time stewardship” has inspired you.
Recall a day when you were particularly successful at redeeming your time for the Lord.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Zacharias and the Blessing - Luke 1
I’ve had the privilege this last week to read through several times the familiar stories found in Luke’s first chapter. I’ve known for quite a while that there is blessing to be gained by doing this – simply re-reading the same passage for many days. Eventually, you begin to notice things that are just simply missed with a casual once through pass of Scripture. I’m convinced this is a key to unlocking some of the mystery of the Bible and I’m personally choosing to use this method for Bible study throughout 2012.
On my first pass through the reading, I usually mark anything that jumps out at me as either a word or phrase I’m unfamiliar with or something I just want to investigate a little further. Then I start digging around in my various Bible resources to see what I can find out. Much to my surprise I found an answer last week to a question I wasn’t even asking. The Priest Zacharias was performing his service in the holy of holies when the angel appeared and told him he and Elizabeth would soon be having a child, John the Baptist.
Luke 1:21 reads, “The people were waiting for Zacharias”. So here’s the question, “Why, what were they waiting for?” And the answer I came across in 3 different resources all said this – they were waiting for him to say the familiar blessing found in Numbers 6:22-27. And what a blessing it is! I’m sure this is familiar to you:
“The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.”
However, because Zacharias doubted the words of the angel, the Lord caused him to be mute and the people waited in vain on that day, they did not receive the blessing they hoped for.
We’re not told exactly what Zacharias doubted. God’s words? The angel is really from God? God’s power to cause his aged and barren wife to conceive? Or was it a combination or all of these that Zacharias was doubting? Even though we aren’t sure what was the cause, we can still learn from his momentary lack of faith.
When we doubt God’s Word, the reality of God’s presence, God’s ability or willingness to act on our behalf, the result is that we, like Zacharias, will be mute. Doubts, of any kind, leave us with our lips sealed, shut tight – unwilling and unable to properly witness to anyone around us. And the result is that we have failed to bring the Lord’s Blessing to others. We no longer tell of God’s wonderful and merciful dealings with us – because we doubt they really happened because of God!
But notice in Luke 1:64, Zacharias was ready to be obedient as evidenced by his choice of name for his son. And now, his once mute mouth, brought forth PRAISES! I think any time we have doubts, if we will just begin to praise the Lord, the doubts will disappear. It is as if the doubts are brought to our minds by Satan’s minions – and they won’t stick around if you’re verbally, out loud, praying, witnessing to others, or singing God’s praises. It would be like in the movies when they splash holy water on a vampire! Praise vanquishes Doubt!
Then something wonderful happens in verse 67, Zacharias is now filled with the Holy Spirit and is used by the Lord to utter prophecy. This is a great lesson for us. Zacharias first praised God, THEN he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and THEN the Lord used him, gave him a job to do – a ministry that only he was able and suited to carry out.
Oh, if we would only learn to do this simple thing – vanquish all our doubts with praise! Then we too can be entrusted to do great things for the Lord, helping to establish His Kingdom. When we praise the Lord, we become useful to our God; it shows our humility and a proper attitude. Praise Him!
Romans 15:13 – “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Journal Prompts:
How have the words of others served as a blessing in your life?
Recall a time when you conquered your fear to speak with someone about the Lord.
On my first pass through the reading, I usually mark anything that jumps out at me as either a word or phrase I’m unfamiliar with or something I just want to investigate a little further. Then I start digging around in my various Bible resources to see what I can find out. Much to my surprise I found an answer last week to a question I wasn’t even asking. The Priest Zacharias was performing his service in the holy of holies when the angel appeared and told him he and Elizabeth would soon be having a child, John the Baptist.
Luke 1:21 reads, “The people were waiting for Zacharias”. So here’s the question, “Why, what were they waiting for?” And the answer I came across in 3 different resources all said this – they were waiting for him to say the familiar blessing found in Numbers 6:22-27. And what a blessing it is! I’m sure this is familiar to you:
“The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.”
However, because Zacharias doubted the words of the angel, the Lord caused him to be mute and the people waited in vain on that day, they did not receive the blessing they hoped for.
We’re not told exactly what Zacharias doubted. God’s words? The angel is really from God? God’s power to cause his aged and barren wife to conceive? Or was it a combination or all of these that Zacharias was doubting? Even though we aren’t sure what was the cause, we can still learn from his momentary lack of faith.
When we doubt God’s Word, the reality of God’s presence, God’s ability or willingness to act on our behalf, the result is that we, like Zacharias, will be mute. Doubts, of any kind, leave us with our lips sealed, shut tight – unwilling and unable to properly witness to anyone around us. And the result is that we have failed to bring the Lord’s Blessing to others. We no longer tell of God’s wonderful and merciful dealings with us – because we doubt they really happened because of God!
But notice in Luke 1:64, Zacharias was ready to be obedient as evidenced by his choice of name for his son. And now, his once mute mouth, brought forth PRAISES! I think any time we have doubts, if we will just begin to praise the Lord, the doubts will disappear. It is as if the doubts are brought to our minds by Satan’s minions – and they won’t stick around if you’re verbally, out loud, praying, witnessing to others, or singing God’s praises. It would be like in the movies when they splash holy water on a vampire! Praise vanquishes Doubt!
Then something wonderful happens in verse 67, Zacharias is now filled with the Holy Spirit and is used by the Lord to utter prophecy. This is a great lesson for us. Zacharias first praised God, THEN he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and THEN the Lord used him, gave him a job to do – a ministry that only he was able and suited to carry out.
Oh, if we would only learn to do this simple thing – vanquish all our doubts with praise! Then we too can be entrusted to do great things for the Lord, helping to establish His Kingdom. When we praise the Lord, we become useful to our God; it shows our humility and a proper attitude. Praise Him!
Romans 15:13 – “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Journal Prompts:
How have the words of others served as a blessing in your life?
Recall a time when you conquered your fear to speak with someone about the Lord.
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