Smelly

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. (II Corinthians 2:14 ESV)

Smelly

Our senses are not equal.  Our sense of sight requires light to function.  Our sense of touch is more relative than our other senses.  Our sense of hearing is most apt to illusion.  Our sense of taste is apparently more individualistic.

And our sense of smell, I recently read, has a longer memory, is more sensitive to slight changes, is more independent, and provides both stronger pleasure and stronger aversion.

It is the super-sense.

Maybe that is why Paul uses it as a metaphor to our duty and opportunity regarding presenting Christ daily.  Our words, actions, motivations, and even facial expressions are bulletin boards for Christ… they are symphonies for Christ… they are feasts for Christ… but Paul says our ‘living for Jesus’ is like a fragrance. 

It will be remembered.  It is noticeable instantly.  It is unique to our situations.  And it, the gospel, both spoken and lived, will change the world.

We are peculiar, we get to smell.

Refuge

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,  that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood. (Joshua 20:1-3 ESV)

Refuge

My favorite part of the television show, Dragnet, was the part at the end where the criminals received their sentence… their just desserts.  That, I believed back then, is what SHOULD happen to all law-breakers.

Therefore, I used to mistrust these verses.  Joshua, following God’s instructions, set up cities of refuge, where people could flee from justice, and I was skeptical.  Why did God set up those places?  Surely, myriads of guilty people would hide there, avoiding their just desserts.  What would the cops of Dragnet have done??

But now I know differently.  Those places of refuge were not intended for all those dastardly criminals.  They were intended for me.

And I have a better refuge.  I do not have to travel to a distant city to find safety from my guilt.

Because Christ Jesus is my refuge.

Those refuge-cities were nothing more than a hint of the real refuge that we ALL need.  They were a hint of a savior.  They were a hint of Christ Jesus.

We are peculiar, we who need refuge have it.

The Secret

“But who do you say that I am?”  Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:15,16 ESV)

The Secret

Poor Simon Peter is remembered for his temper, his denial of Christ, and the argument he lost with Paul.  But this statement is more noteworthy than all his failures.

He knew who Jesus is.

Our lives, situations, and circumstances are complicated.  Our past is cloudy, our present is misty, and our future is stormy.  We have forgotten what to do.  We are confused about what to say.  We are afraid to think, for fear of being wrong.

But Peter knew who Jesus is.

Our nation is confused. Our history is forgotten. Our investments are valueless.  Our friends are not friendly.  Our families are disconnected.

But Peter knew who Jesus is.

Our consciences are singed.  Our doctrine is disrespected.  Our words are misquoted.  Our churches are more socially relevant than Christ-centered.

But Peter knew who Jesus is.

And that is foundational, necessary, hope-bringing, and salvific.

We are peculiar, we know who Jesus is, too.

Simplicity

He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3 ESV)

Simplicity

I recently bought a bunk-bed that had to be assembled.  The instructions were right there in the bottom of the box.  Two tools, thirty minutes, and some elbow grease were all I needed, according to those instructions. But I decided to be smarter.  I looked up on the internet how to put this bed together.  The video I chose was thirty minutes long, and involved six tools, forty minutes, two helpers, and a GPS. 

I might be exaggerating.

But the internet’s directions were so much more complicated and difficult than the manufacturer’s directions.

But I had to make things complicated, didn’t I?

God’s Laws work the same way.  While we try to make things complicated with situational ethics, cultural analysis, hierarchies of needs, and careful hedging around God’s statements…  His Laws are usually quite simple.  Not popular, but simple.  Not comfortable, but simple.  Not easy, but simple.

Let the world’s standards be complex.

We are peculiar, following Jesus is simple.

Childish

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. (I Corinthians 14:20 ESV)

Childish

The world sees Christians as unsophisticated.  The world accuses Christians of being socially, politically, and historically immature.  The world thinks that Christians are old-fashioned, out-of-date, and silly.

But those are good things for us to be.

If being sophisticated means dwelling between the nuances of morals, ethics, and God’s Law, let us not be sophisticated.  If being mature means having deadened consciences, let us not be mature.  If being modern, timely, and serious means denying the eternal and reliable Word of God, let us not be those things.

Really, the world has it backwards.  God’s society and Kingdom are true sophistication.  God’s view of truth, relevance, and history are true maturity.  God’s ways are true-fashioned, the right date and exciting.

We are peculiar, in these things, we get to be as “childish” as God.

Troubles

So He became their Savior. In all their troubles, He was troubled, too.  (Isaiah 63:8,9 The Message)

Troubles

I stood in the grocery store staring at the pasta section.  The pasta section had no pasta.  I had planned a meal that centered around pasta, because pasta is always available.  But the pasta section had no pasta.   I was even willing to buy weird pasta, maybe kale-based, or gluten-free, or organically-produced.  But the pasta section had no pasta.

I was more angry at the grocery store than I had a right to be, maybe.  I was over-reacting to the pasta shortage, perhaps.  I was not in the dire straits I thought I was, most likely.

But my frustration slipped away when a family stood next to me for a moment.  Mom uttered, “what?  No pasta?”  An elderly man, his cart full of tasty treats approached the empty pasta shelves and shook his head in disappointment.  An employee, filling a cart for a virtual customer stood and gaped for a moment… then clicked something on her keypad and walked away.

And somehow, I felt a little better. 

Isaiah is considering the troubles of God’s people.  Worse than no pasta.  Worse than high gas prices.  Worse than offensive television shows.  Worse than poor politics. 

Isaiah offers comfort to God’s people.  He writes that God’s people do not suffer alone.  The Messiah, the Christ to come, suffers alongside us.

If community grocery shortages of pasta can ease my heart, how much more does the knowledge that the Messiah, my Savior, my very God chose to suffer the troubles justly due to me, right alongside me.  Sometimes even suffering instead of me.

He only does that for His beloved people.

We are peculiar, our troubles are shared.

Fully

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (I Corinthians 13:12 ESV)

Fully

When I eat, I usually eat all the food on my plate.  When I read a book, I usually finish it.  When I mow the lawn, I usually mow it from edge to edge.  We are usually more comfortable with completeness, than we are with half-finished things.

Maybe that is why we are discouraged spiritually, often.   Because we do not see how the eternal story ends.  We see incomplete salvation.  We see unfinished sanctification.  We see partial Godliness.

And we yearn for the grand end of the story.

But not for long.

In that place where love fully is, we will see things as they are.  Paul encourages us in this verse by reminding us that just as we are absolutely known by Christ… we will absolutely know Him, His Kingdom, and all we need to know.

Outside of Christ, no one has that.

We are peculiar, we will know fully.

Success

…so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. (Galatians 2:16 ESV)

Success

No matter how hard I tried, I could not get the solder to melt and connect the two pieces of copper pipe. Newer technologies had not yet been invented, so heating the pipe sections, and melting the bit of solder to seal the two pieces were my only option. I tried everything I could think of. A unstoppable tiny trickle of water was leaking into one of the sections, and that water kept cooling the metal just enough to stop my efforts.

Finally, I called my father. And he had some practical advice that came from his wealth of experience. The final, successful solution involved some strips of wool, a few timely hammer blows, and three torches.  Calling my father worked where depending on my own ability had failed.

While not a perfect analogy, this is similar to the gospel.

When we try to achieve the perfection required to meet the entrance requirements of heaven, we fail.  Trying harder does not work.  Trying again does not work.  Trying another way does not work.  We sin.  And  our sin stops us.

But we can call on Jesus.  In fact, as Christians this is exactly what we have done.

Jesus does more than give us a trick to solder copper pipes. 

He pulls us into heaven. Our faith in Him opens heaven’s door, previously shut tight against us.  Our own efforts do not, have not, and will not work.  Works do not work.

Success on the heaven path is only ours when we call out to Jesus, when we believe Him and believe in Him. 

This makes us the most peculiar of all. Everyone else is still trying to make it on their own.

We are peculiar, faith saves.

Substitute

But we see Him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:9 ESV)

Substitute

I have done a fair bit of substitute teaching. When, for whatever reason, a teacher is unable to teach, they seek a substitute. Someone to do the work they are unable to do. Other occupations also require occasional substitutes. I know of substitute nurses, substitute receptionists, substitute mechanics, substitute salespeople, substitute coaches, substitute chefs, and substitute postal workers.

But there is one substitute that is more important than any of those.

We, because we are rebels against God, are supposed to die. And that death is supposed to lead to eternal punishment.

But Jesus is our substitute.

He dies instead of us. He, eternal and infinite, suffered our punishment in that eternal and infinite moment on the cross when He said, “It is finished.”

Without that substitution, we would have a terrible job ahead of us.

We are peculiar, we have a substitute.

Uncursed

No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. (Revelation 22:3 ESV)

Uncursed

When I think about a curse, I remember an episode of an old television show, Round the Twist. In this whimsical show, a young boy was cursed by a pirate treasure to add, “without my pants” to every sentence he spoke.

“I’m heading to school, Mom! (without my pants…)”

“I’m going to mow the lawn! (without my pants…)”

“Here is your birthday present! (without my pants…)”

The show ended when the curse was lifted, and there was much rejoicing.

We are cursed, too. Adam caused all of creation to be cursed.  Death, ever since Adam’s fall, effects everything. Obviously, human beings, but all or life on earth is trapped in a cycle that leads to death.  Your favorite tree, your best cattle, your cute kitten, planetary orbits, as well as the paths of comets and asteroids all decay, wear out and die.  Everything is broken. Sunlight provides energy but also burns.  Rain nourishes crops but also comes in draughts or floods. Gravity not only holds things together, but it makes us stumble and fall.

But Jesus is removing the curse and its effects. Already, for Christians, death is not a terrible end, it is also a triumphant entry. And more curse-ending is coming!

We see it in scientific and technological improvements. We see it in better plants, animals, and travel methods. We see it when diseases are defeated, knowledge is increased, and society improves.

Those things are not just humans getting smarter.

Those things are the effects of Christ Jesus beginning to end the curse!

We are peculiar, we can see the end of the curse.

Finishing

There remained among the people of Israel seven tribes whose inheritance had not yet been apportioned. So Joshua said to the people of Israel, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?” (Joshua 18:2,3 ESV)

Finishing

I am still organizing my shop.  I am still path-building our woods.  I am still dewey-decimalizing my library.  I am still READING that library.

Some tasks never seem to be done.

And for the world, that is frustrating.  But God usually gives His people Joshua-type folk to finish the important tasks God gives us.  Joshua helped the seven remaining tribes gain their inheritance.  David helped the twelve tribes become one nation, under God.  Isaiah helped the separated kingdoms understand God’s hope.  John the Baptist helped the people of God be ready for the Messiah.

And Jesus… well, in Philippians 1:6, Paul says it this way: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

It seems like our work is never done.  When will we be like Christ?  When will we love as we are loved by Him?  When will we really enter His kingdom?

But Jesus does THE work for us.

We are peculiar, Jesus finishes for us.

Puffing

We know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. I Corinthians 8:1 ESV)

Puffing

I have had trouble breathing.  Asthma, effects of old age, smokey atmosphere, mountain air… these things have all given me difficulty inhaling and exhaling.  I wheeze, and snortle, and huff and puff.

And while that huffing and puffing SEEM to help, I am still out of breath.  I am still exhausted.  I am still short of air.  I am still weak.

I do not know if Paul was an asthmatic, but he seems to understand how useless puffing is. Puffing is empty.  Puffing is weak.  Puffing, while displaying the appearance of help, does nothing.

But Christians, because we have experienced the love of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are built up by God instead of puffed up with our own knowledge.  Or at least we can be.

We do not need to depend on the puffing of our own knowledge, ability, personality, or spirituality.  We get to be built up by God.

We are peculiar, we do not need to puff.

Clean

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:7 ESV)

Clean

Recently I saw an old photograph of little Tommy in a brand-new Easter suit.  Bowtie, matching jacket and shorts, and a crisp white shirt.  I had not thought of that Easter morning in quite some time.  But the picture reminded me of the remainder of that day.  I sure looked sharp, if I do say so myself.  But by the time we got to church I was already messy.  My knees were gravelly.  My shirt was stained.  My jacket was grimy.  My mouth was crumby.  My hands were… well… you get the idea.  I did not stay clean for long.

My clothes do not stay clean.  My car does not stay clean.  My hands do not stay clean.  My mouth speaks unclean things.  My mind returns to selfishness. I do not stay clean in any way for long.

But I do.

Because Jesus makes Christians clean.

To be clear, we do still get dirty, very dirty.  Our sins add up quickly, compounding like interest.  But amazingly Jesus cleans us by paying for them, and by obeying God on our behalf.  So that in our just God’s eyes, we are clean.  Completely.  Permanently.  Joyfully.

“Whiter than snow,” does not refer to the tint or shade of white.  “Whiter than snow,” means foundationally.  “Whiter than snow,” means better.  “Whiter than snow,” means fully, in God’s eyes.  And only His eyes really matter.

This cleaning only happens because of Christ.  It only happens through Christ.  It only happens in Christ.  It only happens to Christians.

We are peculiar, we are clean.

Exclamation Points

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you!  (Zechariah 9:9 ESV)

Exclamation Points

We do not often speak with exclamation points.  We have learned, it seems, to hesitate before declaring enthusiasm.  Even when good things happen, we expect those things to end soon.  We would rather, sometimes, be doubters than enthusiasts who are proven wrong.

And the world is right to have that attitude.  They do not know the future.  They do not know true hope.  They do not believe God’s promises.  And if they did, the coming of the king would be bad news, not good.

But since God loves His people, since God blesses His people, since God has declared that the end of the story is better than the beginning, since God enthusiastically loves us… we can face the present and the future with excitement, anticipation, and joy.

We are peculiar, we can and should use exclamation points!

Knowledge

So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (I Corinthians 2:11 ESV)

Knowledge

I do not understand what people think.  I do not understand why people eat kale.  I do not understand why people do not like Star Trek.  I do not understand why people drive under the speed limit.  I do not understand why people have fish as pets.  I do not understand why people invade other countries, laugh at stupid jokes, enjoy bad television, or pay so much money for first class air-travel.

And even if you explain yourselves, I probably still will not understand.

Even though His thoughts are even more different than my thoughts, though, I can understand God.  Certainly not everything He thinks.  I do not understand His highest gracious thoughts, or His lower detailed thoughts.  But He, or His Spirit, explains the most important things to me. 

Things like salvation, sovereignty, joy, and love, all of which depend on Jesus.  His Spirit teaches me that “Jesus” is the answer to every problem. His Spirit teaches me that even those questions that I still do not yet understand have an answer, and that answer is, “Jesus.” 

We are peculiar, we have knowledge.

Relief

Then God spoke to Moses: “Take the blasphemer outside the camp. Have all those who heard him place their hands on his head; then have the entire congregation stone him. Then tell the Israelites, “Anyone who curses God will be held accountable; anyone who blasphemes the Name of God must be put to death.” (Leviticus 24:13-16 The Message)

Relief

Cheating on your taxes is perilous.  The IRS is not known for kindness, understanding, or patience.  Be assured you will not get away with it. 

And God is even more severe.  For many, this passage should be terrifying.  Blaspheming, using God’s name as a curse, or expression of anger and pain, or casually brings a very severe punishment here.

God takes all sin seriously.  The justice of God demands punishment. 

But for Christians, this expectation, while serious, does not cause fear.

Because God was absolutely honest when He declares that blasphemy will be punished by death.

For Christians, though, Jesus was punished instead of us.  It is not that we get away with it… it is that Jesus was killed instead of us.  It is not that God nicely ignores our disobedience… it is that Jesus was already punished instead of us.  It is not that our sins are too small to notice… it is that God notices and Jesus pays the price.

So when we read of this stoning in Leviticus… we can feel relief.  A sad relief.  A serious relief.  But a peaceful relief.

We are peculiar, God gives us relief.

Soon

Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this. (Isaiah 56:1,2 ESV)

Soon

How soon is, “soon?”

Soon seems a long way off when waiting for ice cream.  Soon seems a lot nearer when waiting for dentist appointment day.  Soon seems distant when waiting for birthday parties.  Soon seems closer when waiting for the repair bill to arrive.

Soon seems very relative.

But when God promises that His salvation is soon, it is nothing but good.

Perhaps because it is so absolute.  Perhaps because it has already been paid for.  Perhaps because in most ways, it has already arrived.

The next Star Wars movie, as something coming soon, is difficult to wait for.  Spring weather, as something coming soon, is difficult to wait for.  Vacation, as something coming soon, is difficult to wait for.

But our salvation happened on the cross, and the resurrection, and the ascension.

We are peculiar, soon is easy.

Easy

 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29,30 ESV)

Easy

Many things are difficult for me.  Navigating the internet is tricky.  Driving on icy roads is complicated.  Reading books about nuclear physics is hard.  Translating Icelandic Sagas is intimidating.  Explaining the Electoral College to millennials is confusing.

But for Christians, following Jesus is easy.

For the world, following Jesus is impossible.  God’s law is self-sacrificing.  Obedience goes against human nature.  Worshiping the ‘completely other’ God is so very hard.

But for Christians, Jesus enables, empowers, instructs, and energizes our efforts.  More than that, when (not if) we fail, HE has obeyed, is obeying, and will obey on our behalf.

We are peculiar, His yoke is easy.

Ears

He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 11:15 ESV)

Ears

I once had the opportunity to tutor a group of deaf students in College Algebra.  I communicated with them through writing on scratch paper, gestures, and facial expressions.  Even though they were bright, motivated, and attentive, I rarely felt they were able to grasp the intricacies of the mathematical lessons.

Sometimes, at brilliant moments, I would blurt out a word, or phrase, or sentence that explained the algebraic concept, but of course, it didn’t help.  By the time I wrote, drew, or pointed, it was too late.  Algebra is difficult without hearing.

The people of the world are deaf, in a way, too.  God speaks in creation, in history, and most importantly in His Word.  But everyone can not hear it.

Everyone does not have spiritual ears.

But God’s people do.

We do not always pay attention, or respond well, or like what we hear.  Particularly when He reminds us of our sin.

But we do have ears to hear.

We are peculiar, we have ears.

Repeat

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:22 ESV)

Repeat

In the last couple of years, I have built around a dozen plastic models.  Those models that teenagers put together of cars, plains, ships, and rockets.  I am not that good at it.  But I keep trying, because I value the experience, the process, and the finished product.

A while ago, I received a locksmith’s kit, and instructions on picking locks.  Not to begin a new nefarious career, but because it seemed potentially useful, helpful to improve my small muscle movement, and it is fun.  I’m not that good at it.  But I keep trying, because I enjoy it, I just might need the skill, and it occupies my hands while my mind does other things.

My grandfather loved his lawn more than I loved mowing it for him.  I was young, hurried, and bored.  My rows were probably not straight, and the edges unkempt.  But he kept asking me to do the chore for him.  He kept trying, because he was teaching me, he enjoyed my company, and he loved me.

Often the world does not let us repeat.  If we are not good at something, or it is not seen as profitable, or the watchers become impatient, we are not given repeated chances.

But God’s children are permitted to repeat.  Encouraged to repeat.  Welcomed to repeat.

It is not just forgiveness that happens seventy-seven times.  God does not grow impatient with our efforts, angry at our failures, or tired of us trying.

Perhaps because Christ has already acted obediently on our behalf, and that is what He sees.  Perhaps because His patience is born out of eternity.  Perhaps because He loves us.

We are peculiar, we get to repeat.