Luke I: Numbers

Luke I

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:7 ESV)

Numbers

Democracy is a great concept in political development.

Balanced budgets are a great concept in financial management.

Tape measures are a great concept in building construction.

But one set of numbers is surprising.  The tally total in heaven does not cause the reaction we would expect.

Heaven rejoices more over one returning prodigal son, than the joy of ninety-nine who did not wander (as far).

Now, to be clear, we are comparing infinite joy over the one… and ninety-nine times infinite joy over the ninety-nine.  And infinite does not multiply… so in a sense, the total joy is the same.

But somehow, the returning ONE results in more joy!

I actually believe that most, if not all, of us wander.  Some more prominently than others.

And when we return, heaven rejoices.

Heaven rejoiced, rejoices, and will rejoice over the salvation of every child of God, clinging to Christ.

Mark III: Verbs

Mark III

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. (Mark 1:15 ESV)

Verbs

English verbs are boring, so it is no wonder that English Grammar is unpopular.  But when Mark wrote Jesus’ words here, he used what might be an unexpected form of the verbs, “repent and believe.”

While commands, they are also present tense.  Meaning that we are not commanded to repent once, and then we are done.  We are not commanded to believe once, and then we are done.

Instead, repenting and believing are our constant (joyful) tasks.

We keep repenting because we keep sinning.

We keep believing because we keep needing.

We keep repenting and believing because everything that happens to us, everything that we do, and everything that we are, happen to push us to Jesus… His life, His cross, and His empty tomb.

Repent and Believe.

Mark II: Serving

Mark II

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45 ESV)

Serving

I once sat in a hotel lobby for a few hours.  I was waiting, and had a good book to read, I expect.  But my attention was grabbed by a middle-age man who was also hanging around the lobby.  He was not particularly well dressed, and looked like he would be more comfortable at Cracker Barrell, than at The Gilded Fork.

What I noticed was that he was being surprisingly helpful.  He carried guests’ luggage.  He brought coffee to thirsty-looking visitors.  He opened doors, cleaned messes, and listened to old folks tell tales, and he smiled.

I was far too lazy to join him, but I did ask him why he was so active in this way.

He quoted this verse to me.  He had recently purchased the hotel, and he said, “I have come not to be served, but to serve, like Jesus.”

I might have argued his theology and his placement of himself in Jesus’ shoes… but instead I thanked him, and accepted his coffee.

What a world we would see if more of us came to serve.

Mark I: Ransom

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45 ESV)

Ransom

Jesus, as the Only Begotten Son of the One True Living God should be on the top of every list of what matters, who is important, and why existence exists.  He is valuable, powerful, noteworthy, and necessary.

He should never have had to be a ransom.

Most of us have not experienced ‘ransom’ in our lives, but we can understand what a ransom really is with some similar examples.

I am willing to pay the bank a monthly mortgage check because my land and house are worth more to me than the insignificant money. That is like a ransom.

I am once traded a Fender electric guitar, an amplifier, and a watch for a Martin 12-string guitar.  I did it because the Martin was worth more to me than the Fender, amp, and timepiece. That is like a ransom.

I have stayed awake most of the night grieving for, crying with, and praying around a hurting friend.  Because a friend’s heart is worth SO much more than my time. That is like a ransom.

And Jesus, THAT Jesus… showed that He values His people (as a group AND as individuals)  more than He valued His heavenly home, His eternal rest, and His very life. That is like a ransom.

He chose to ransom, to exchange, HIS life for those who believe in Him.

He sees you as MORE important than Himself!

Matthew IV: Who's the Boss

Matthew IV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”(Matthew 28:18 ESV)

Who’s the Boss

Poor Denethor, from The Lord of the Rings trilogy.  He, and his ancestors back for twenty-six generations, served basically as Kings of Gondor… but everyone knew they were officially only Stewards.

Everyone but Denethor, that is.

He had only the authority that had been delegated to his family hundreds of years earlier.  But he wanted to be king.  More than that, he thought of himself as king.  He thought he was the boss.

We are in Denethor’s boat.  We have authority.  In some place or another, everyone has authority.  We get to tell someone what to do.  Even if it is only the dog.

But we have no authority other than what King Jesus has delegated to us.  He was given all authority by His Father… and He has passed some of it on to us.

But He is the boss, not us.

And it is a good thing.  I am reminded daily, in every area of authority that I have been given, that I am a poor steward.

But Jesus is a great receiver of the Father’s delegation… as well as a great delegator.

But let’s remember that we are stewards… not bosses.

Matthew III: Love

Matthew III

And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39 ESV)

Love is hard.  We prefer to love others with ALMOST all of our heart, soul, and mind.

We hold back a bit.  We stop loving others quite so much when they do not deserve it.  We stop loving others quite so much when they have hurt us. We stop loving others quite so much when they have hurt someone else.  We stop loving others quite so much when we feel sick. We stop loving others quite so much when we are afraid.  We stop loving others quite so much when we do not feel loved. We stop loving others quite so much when facing injustice.  We stop loving others quite so much when we do not feel like it.  We stop loving others quite so much when it does not profit us.  We stop loving others quite so much when we forget to love.  We stop loving others quite so much when the other person is not likeable.  We stop loving others quite so much… well… you get the idea.

Love your neighbor as yourself…. because that is how our brother, Jesus, loves us AND them.

Matthew II: Everything

Matthew II

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. (Matthew 22:37,38 ESV)

Everything

Love is hard.  We prefer to love God with ALMOST all of our heart, soul, and mind. 

We hold back a bit.  We stop loving Him quite so much when He confuses us.  We stop loving Him quite so much when we are exhausted.  We stop loving Him quite so much when we are busy.  We stop loving Him quite so much when we are embarrassed.  We stop loving Him quite so much when we are hurting.  We stop loving Him quite so much when we are distracted.  We stop loving Him quite so much when we are loving something else.  We stop loving Him quite so much when we forget.  We stop loving Him quite so much when we… well… you get the idea.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  Because that is how He loves us.

Matthew I: Generations

Matthew I

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, (Matthew 1:1 ESV)

Generations

I am aware of some of my historical ancestors.  In recent past generations we have a horse thief, romance, immigrants, nobles, entrepreneurs, a hobo, tradesmen, sufferers and victors.  But I am not really aware of very many specifics beyond a few generations.

I also look ahead with anticipation for what my children and grandchildren might accomplish.  But they have rarely clung to any of my plans or schemes.

But God plans better.

The often overlooked genealogies in the gospels are not space-fillers.  They demonstrate that not only does God plan, but His plans span generations.  All of recorded history, in fact.

And He plans well.  His plans brought us Jesus.  And His plans brought us you and me.

We praise our nation’s 200+ years.  We praise our civilization’s almost accidental accomplishments.  We praise what we know or suspect about history.

But God’s plans are generational, profound, salvific, and loving.

And they continue…

Malachi III: Herald

Malachi III

Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. (Malachi 3:1 ESV)

Herald

Christmas is coming.  I know, it is only October, but already we can see Christmas sale items in certain stores.  Plans for celebrations, plans for musical events, and plans for parties are probably in the works all around you.

And while that might SEEM annoying, perhaps it is not…

God sent a messenger, it turned out to be a Baptizer named John, to get the world ready for the Messiah.

God sent other helpers, people like Simeon and Anna, shepherds and wise men, Mary and Joseph, to get the world ready for the Messiah.

God sent angels, too.  In fact, we call them Herald Angels because they served this function, too.

The more important the event, the more we see Heralds.

And it is not a bad thing to get ready for Messiah Day.  In fact, perhaps this year, instead of just getting ready for presents, eggnog, and the Grinch… we could start already listening to the Heralds… Malachi… John the Baptist… the gospel-writers… the Holy Spirit.

We need a Messiah!  And He came… He comes… and He is coming!

God sends Heralds to help us get ready.

Malachi II: Assurance

Malachi II

For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. (Malachi 3:6 ESV)

Assurance

It is great that trees change.  A sapling is hopeful, and full of promise.  A fully grown tree is both secure, and full of life.  The seasonal changes of many trees give us variety, beauty, and a sense of time.

A dog might be cute, at first, as a puppy.  Similarly, a young kitten brings giggles and smiles.  But after a few years of that, we might be ready for something completely different.

Lunch is always welcome.  But if we had SpaghettiOs for lunch every day, for thirty years, lunch would not be our favorite meal.

Change is a good thing.

 But not when it comes to God.  He graciously saves His people.  And never changes His mind.  He lovingly provides for His people.  And never changes His intentions.  He declared that His Word IS His Word.  And never has to edit due to changing circumstances.

The Lord does not change.

And that is good.

Malachi I: The Wrong Side of the Equation

Malachi I

I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob  but Esau I have hated. (Malachi 1:2,3 ESV)

The Wrong Side of the Equation

Sometimes I like the idea of algebra.  Particularly, I enjoy moving the variables and constants around in an equation so that we can understand ONE variable, better.  A+B+C= D, becomes A= D-B-C, if we want to know what “A” is.

I know… it is math… but…

When Malachi states that God loved Jacob, but hated Esau, we are quick look at the second part of that statement and scowl… how unfair God seems! How prejudicial! How judgmental!  God hate?  Harrumph!

And sometimes we easily move to examining TODAY’s people-groups… and make declarations about God’s similar hatred towards some group or action or person.  And we almost seem to enjoy noting God’s hate, and move to join him.  God hates THOSE folk… so I will hate them, too, we say.

But that is not the right side of the equation.

God actually loved Jacob.  That should startle us, amaze us, confuse us, and comfort us.

The message of God’s Word is not merely a list of those whom God hates.  If push comes to shove, He SHOULD hate all of us.  We sin.  We rebel against Him.  And God, by His very nature, must hate that sin, and does hate that rebellion.

God hated Esau?  Of course He did!

But God LOVED Jacob?  The worse brother… the sneaky, lying, conniving, arrogant, mean, thoughtless, selfish brother?  That is an amazing grace!

I have not figured out all the reasons that God should hate all those ‘others’ out there.  They are myriad. 

But more than that, I have not figured out the reasons that God LOVES Jacob… or Abraham… or Moses… or David… or Paul… or me.

But I am startled by His love.  I am amazed by His love.  I am delightfully confused by His love.  And oh, His love comforts me!

Zechariah III: Real Means

Zechariah III

Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6 ESV)

Real Means

Recently I split some logs for firewood.  A lot of things went into that stack of logs, small planks, and kindling.

I noticed that a  storm knocked down a good-sized tree.  My chainsaw cut the tree into sections.  An axe, wedge, and mallet further diminished the size of the wood pieces.  A newly purchased hydraulic log-splitter made more pieces.  And my wheelbarrow carted them around the yard.

But behind it all was my will, my thoughts, my effort, and my energy.

In the same way, God’s Spirit is behind everything that He does in the world.

More than just His desire and focus, God’s Spirit is a being… an entity… a part of the Trinity.

And while often relegated in Christians’ minds to inner thoughts and feelings, the Spirit is actually VERY active all the time!

The Spirit is the means by which God brings His might and power to bear.

The Spirit was active in creation.

The Spirit is involved in raising kings, and feeding the hungry.

The Spirit was key in the Incarnation.

The Spirit is part of Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification.

The Spirit of God is how God does what God does.

Zechariah II: Eye Apples (again)

Zechariah II

For thus said the Lord of hosts, after His glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.  (Zechariah 2:8 ESV)

Eye Apples (again)

The idea of God’s people being the apple of His eye means that we are precious to Him.

It is also a fun play on words, one that resonates with other parts of Scripture.  The word for apple, and one of the words for mankind, in Hebrew, are very similar.  Basically, it is “ish.”  So if this phrase were said out loud, it would sound like, “Ish of ish.”

Which is remarkably like the Nicene Creed’s description of Jesus Christ: “God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God…”

The creeds are not Scripture, of course, but they are great summaries of what many Christians believe.  And here, we are reminded that to God, His people are profoundly important.

Not merely a part of creation, but the central part.

Not merely a random result of a mechanical universe, but God’s precious folk.

Not merely an average, mean, or median… but the central part of God’s focus.

Again, God’s people are deeply loved.

Zechariah I: Eye Apples

Zechariah I

For thus said the Lord of hosts, after His glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.  (Zechariah 2:8 ESV)

Eye Apples

What does it mean to be the apple of God’s eye? 

For those who first heard Zechariah’s words, the apple of an eye meant the most important core part of them. 

More than merely the pupil, the apple of an eye referred to the deep central part of who we are.

The apple of our eye is protected.  Think how quickly we duck when something flies towards our eye. 

The apple of our eye is our focus.  When we speak to someone, we do not talk to their chin, their elbow, or their big toe.  We look them in the eye.

Our facial expression centers around our eye.  A smiling mouth means nothing without that eye-twinkle.  A blushing cheek is given meaning by a gentle eye.  Anger is not just displayed in breath and eyebrow, but the eyes speak anger like nothing else.

And WE are the apple of GOD’S eye!

So, He protects us.

So, we are the way others encounter God.

So, we are the way God is displayed to the world.

So, God sees us as His central focus, a most important part of Him, even His core.

In other words… oh you apples… you are loved!

Haggai II: Greater

Haggai II

The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts. (Haggai 2:9 ESV)

Greater

The glory of the past, maybe particularly the past of God’s people, always looks shiny.   But God’s present house is greater than that past house, He says.

So do not look back to the good old days and worship those past wonders.  Instead, open your eyes to the glories of God’s present house, His present Kingdom, His present work.

Maybe we do not have Solomon’s Temple, but greater, we have Jesus.

Maybe we do not have the seven hills of Jerusalem, but greater, we have the Church.

Maybe we do not have past heroes whose tales are told in Scripture, but greater, we have the Holy Spirit at work in ALL of His people.

Maybe we do not have a physical plot of holy ground, but greater, we have the presence of God among us always.

The past might sometimes look good… but today is better, in the Lord!

Haggai I: Priorities

Haggai I

Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. (Haggai I:8 ESV)

Priorities

If you have flown recently, the flight attendants probably instructed you, in the case of tragedy, to look after yourself first, then look after a loved one.  That probably makes a lot of sense in the air travel world.

But it is not the way God expects and deserves to be treated.

Haggai instructs God’s people to build God’s House first, before their own.  He instructs God’s people to give love to God first, before even their family.  He instructs God’s people to have God be their first priority.

We modern folk, however, treat God like we are in that airplane.

We look after our own selves first, and then focus on Him.

We tithe if our budge allows, instead of giving to God, or even charity, first.

We take care of our own yard and home, and if we have time, the church building or those in need.

It is easy, it seems, for us to give God our leftovers, instead of our first fruits.  Be that time, finances, mental energy, emotional offerings, or focus.

Zephaniah II: Mankind

Zephaniah II

I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the Lord; (Zephaniah 1:17 ESV)

Mankind

But who is mankind? 

First, remember that scripture teaches that ALL mankind have sinned, and fallen short of God’s glory.  Not just the ones with different political views, or different family structures, or different cultures, or different nationalities, or different genders.  God says, here, that God will bring distress on ALL mankind.

That is dire news.

Especially in these days of feel-good philosophies and encouraging words.  We expect God to fit in and bring smiles, butterflies, and birthday balloons.

But distress is what we deserve.

God did not stop there.  He DID bring, as He promised, distress to all mankind.  But, following the pattern He displayed throughout history, He allowed and chose a particular person to bear that distress on His beloved mankind’s behalf.

He brought distress on His Son, our Savior.

He brought distress on Jesus, mankind’s representative.  The One who represents God’s people to God.

So… we either receive distress on ourselves, or we embrace Jesus and He takes our distress on our behalf.  It is a pretty simple choice, really.

Zephaniah I: Calling

Zephaniah I

“For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord and serve Him with one accord. (Zephaniah 3:9,10 ESV)

Calling

Human rebellion against God at Babel caused mankind to speak in many languages.  As time has marched onward, most cultures believe that THEIR language is the one to which God particularly listens. The one in which God particularly speaks. 

That is why many, even today, believe that the English of King James is the best.  During the Middle Ages, the key language appears to have been Latin.   Many cultures have continued to require that worship and prayer be presented in Dutch, or Spanish, or Klingon.  Ok, maybe not the last one.

But the language God speaks has always been the same.  The language that God hears has always been the same.

If we call on the Lord in any other language, He does not promised to hear. 

That language is the Language of the Holy Spirit.  God’s Word is only heard through that Spirit.  Our prayers only reach God’s ears through that language.

And we cannot learn it at school, with a computer program, or with Spiritual flashcards.

We HAVE it when we are Christians.  God grants it to His people.  He changes our mouths and ears so that we can cry out to Him, and know that He hears us!

Habakkuk II: Revival

Habukkuk II

In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy. (Habukkuk 3:2 ESV)

Revival

When it is time for me to lose weight, it starts with me.

When it is time for me to be frugal, it starts with me.

When it is time for me to improve my time management, it starts with me.

But revival does not start with me.  We might think that revival, returning to God, redirecting our lives to Him, is first OUR responsibility, that turns out to be not the case.

Revival starts with God being merciful.

Revival, with church-wide, family-wide, or individually, starts with God being merciful.

Revival starts with God mercifully withholding His wrath, and changing our hearts.

THEN revival results.

May He bring revival in every area it is needed.

Habakkuk I: How to Live

Habukkuk I

Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4 ESV)

How to Live

Anyone who thinks we can impress God has a puffed up soul.  And that soul is not upright. 

Scripture abounds with statements that assure us that all have sinned. 

Birds do not generally swim.  Camels do not dwell on snowy mountains.  Snakes do not eat at kitchen tables.  Nor do humans act righteously.

But we have been given a way to survive.

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

It is that faith that enables us to walk with God. It is that faith that enables us to be the children of God.  It is that faith that enables us to obey Him, to belong to Him, and to enjoy Him.

Start with faith.  The rest follows.