Intentions

But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” (Luke 13:14-16)

How often do we take our eyes off of Jesus and become filled with anxiety, pride and fear? Here I can only assume this leader was first and foremost disturbed that the people were looking to Jesus and not him. Secondly this incident likely frightened this leader. This miracle was outside of normal, expected conduct and so therefore uncontrolled. The Pharisees labeled Jesus' miracles as work which shouldn't be done on the Sabbath, but as Jesus points out there is work which is permissible on the Sabbath. Here feeding and caring for an animal was acceptable, but helping a person wasn't.  

Jesus was working seemingly outside of the rules of society and religion. His focus was on the Father through ministering and teaching others. The leaders were essentially saying, "stop  rocking the boat Jesus!!!". I believe Jesus scared the crap out of the religious leaders of His day. They tried to control Him and subsequently His disciples. When they realized this wasn't possible they began to persecute and kill Jesus and His disciples, which only caused Christianity to grow and prosper. 

So often religion is nothing more than a means to an end. That end is to rule over and control the hearts of man. However, where religion fails, a relationship with the living God doesn't. Christians need to be aware of  their own selfish motivations, agendas, fears and anxieties. God cannot exist in a box of human making. He won't be contained in human doctrines or interpretations of scripture. The point of Christianity isn't to learn how to control God or figure Him out, which is the point of religion. The point of Christianity is to look to a relationship with Jesus Christ. The steps we take, the process we go through and the things we do are all meaningless if this relationship isn't there. 1 Corinthians 13 states that if love isn't present in all we do then our actions are meaningless, even a miraculous event. It all comes down to the two greatest commandments.

Giving it All Away?

"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:32-34.

Is it just me or are these extremely challenging verses? What's Jesus' point here? What's He trying to tell us? Surely He can't be serious?!

These verses, and others like them, are so quickly dismissed in many churches as not applicable for today or as foolishness if we take Jesus' teaching here literally. To take this lesson literally is often viewed as foolish as taking His lesson on cutting off a limb or cutting out an eye or His lesson on eating His flesh and drinking His blood (though many Christians do believe this. See transubstantiation). Are we really required to maim ourselves or become cannibals? 

Take a look at Jesus' lesson on eating His flesh and drinking His blood: "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63). The point I believe Jesus is trying to make in this particular lesson is the importance of faith and the intentions of our hearts. However, as we are now, our flesh and spirit are intertwined. As we discover in reading the book of James we quickly learn that our actions are linked to the state of our hearts.

Here's the real question: What are we chasing after and to what end?

Interesting that Jesus starts this lesson in Luke 12 with "Do not fear", inferring that it is fear, more than greed or lust which often holds us back in our faith and from receiving blessings. It is also interesting to consider self-justification and fear as the two biggest motivators behind nearly all decision making. These two motivators are addressed extensively throughout the bible as detrimental. This is why true Christianity and the lessons Jesus taught are so challenging and essentially "earth shattering". Interesting how these two human motivators are so diametrically opposed to faith, love and hope.

I believe one primary lesson Jesus is teaching is against fear and how fear imprisons us. Here Jesus is specifically addressing fear in the context of wealth and provisions. Jesus took the time in the previous verses to emphasize God's love and promise to provide, so long as we don't resist Him. Essentially, if we set our eyes on the kingdom of God, we will be provided for. Yet we still wane in our faith and look to our bank accounts more than Jesus... Am I the only person who struggles with this?

Does this mean we should all sell everything? I believe the point Jesus is making here isn't to look at our income and savings, but to consider what or who we are truly putting our trust in. However, perhaps most of us should take this lesson literally? I don't know for sure. The older I get the more I feel Jesus' words ought to be taken both figuratively and literally. Take a moment to consider what would happen to your life if you did sell everything you owned and gave it to the poor. However, in considering this we must also consider 1 Corinthians 13:3 which states: "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing." 

At the end of the day, and perhaps our lives, we need to look to Jesus and ask Him. We need to develop a better dialogue with Him. The disciples asked Jesus many questions. God is not offended at our questions or mad with our doubt. He wants to dialogue with us.  Maybe some of us need to sell everything we have and give it to the poor? Maybe we all need to do this? Maybe not? Maybe we need to take sin so seriously that we would be willing to sacrifice a limb if it meant we could live without sin in our lives? Since this isn't possible, perhaps we should consider we need this level of dedication and sacrifice (see Genesis 22, particularly verses 12-14) to truly understand what Jesus did on the cross to free us from the bonds of sin.

"He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,

And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8

Love You More

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.”
Though I can speak all languages, even perhaps angelic tongues, if I do not have love what I do say is meaningless. No matter how eloquent my speech or that I can speak in all languages so that all can understand my speech, if I do not have love as my priority, it's meaningless. So then, even if all around me are struck with wonder at my speaking abilities and language skills, if I have not love what I say is just sounds without meaning.

“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”

Even if I have the gift of prophecy and faith in God to provide for all knowledge, all things and miraculous ability and do not have love, then any understanding I have or any miracle performed through me is as nothing. Further anything I would do, no matter how fantastic and filled with knowledge would be worthless without love. 

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”

If I give everything I own to help others needier than I and even give my life over in service to God, but do not love, all this sacrifice is for nothing. There is no formula. 

“Love suffers long and is kind; “

Love reveals itself in us when we are patient, long suffering and kind towards others, even when the other person reciprocates nothing. 

“love does not envy;”

When you love someone you aren't jealous of their things, status or relationships. 

“It does not boast, it is not proud.”

When you love you do not go around telling everyone in hopes they will see you in a better light or think more highly of you. 

“It does not dishonor others,”

When you love someone you don't treat them shamefully or badly or put them down, even if they treat you this way. 

“it is not self-seeking,”

To love doesn't involve selfish gain. Loving someone means you love them even if you get nothing from them. We love because God first loved us.

“it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

When you are filled with love you aren't easily angered when people hurt you. When others hurt you, and everyone will at some point, you may discuss it but you'll quickly forgive and forget their wrong against you. 

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

Love does not enjoy seeing others suffer, even if you feel they deserve it. Instead when you truly love someone you rejoice when they see truth in their lives even if it doesn't help or benefit you. 

“It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

When you love someone you always seek to protect them, even from themselves, if possible. Further you trust them, even after they break a trust because you forgive and forget. You always hope for the best from them, even if it seems as though they'll never change and you abide with them and never cease in being there for them. 

“Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part.”

There's no way anyone can know everything living as we are now: broken and sinful. Even if everything else ceases and fails, love remains and will never fail.

“But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” 

However, we will know all when Jesus returns and what we thought we knew will depart and only faith, hope and love will remain. 

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”

We are all like children aspiring to be mature. How often do we seek out selfish and childish solutions to our problems? We need to put these childish things away from us. When we see Jesus face to face, not as we see Him now, dimly, then we will truly know all and capable of being fully mature in Him. 

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (I Corinthians 13:1-13)

The Capable Woman

Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance. (Luke 8:1-3)

Someone mentioned these verses to me a few years ago. I must admit I'd overlooked them for many years. I find it interesting in ancient culture that Jesus' ministry appears to have been financially and physically supported by women, while the men seemed to primarily be witnesses, some emotional support and occasionally ministers of God’s word to others in Jesus’ name. Though the bible is very clear on gender roles it's interesting to note that so many women loved, provided for and ministered to Him the way loving mothers or sisters might. 

We so often see in modern times how the roles of men are seen as somehow better than the roles of women and yet it has been women who have in many ways been closer to Jesus' heart and ministries. It was women who Jesus first revealed Himself after His resurrection. It was a woman who with an expectant heart listened and believed at His feet. It was women who seemed to not only listen but to act on what Jesus taught. It was women who supported Jesus financially. It was women who had the boldness to stay with Him when nearly all others left. It was the example and gifts of women in Timothy’s life which Paul reminds him (almost as a sort of spiritual inheritance) to follow, not the men. It was a woman (my mother) who certainly had the most impact in my life both in an emotional and spiritual sense. However, it often seems many times the real life examples and the verses which detail the impact of women are somehow overlooked or seen as unimportant in the church and so perhaps the roles of women are seen as unimportant. As a result young girls are taught to believe they can fulfill the roles of men as well or better than men. And why not? Women can be as smart, successful and strong as any man right? Then the question becomes: what is the purpose of having distinctive roles? Can’t men do what women are called to do and women what men are? Shouldn’t positions and roles in life be determined more by ability rather than God?! A woman deserves the same benefits men have when they fulfill their roles; the same fame, power, money and opportunities for success in life… Right?!

My mother has been one of the wisest, intelligent, gifted, loving and godly people I’ve ever known. If she really wanted to I’m sure she could’ve been anything she put her mind to. However, she made a choice early in her life that she wanted to be a housewife and spend her time and energy into pouring into her family, especially her children instead of a career. Some women may think to themselves “what a waste!”, but my mother never regretted her decision to pursue what she believed was right. I’ve learned that just because you have the ability and competency to do something doesn’t mean you should pursue it. We have the choice to take the gifts, or crowns, God gives us and either put them on our heads or lay them at the feet of Jesus. It’s really just that simple. It should be clear that any of us can justify any of our actions, no matter how wicked. I read Hitler’s book a few years ago and found that he had tons of justifications, which sounded so good for a moment, even though Hitler is widely known as one of the most evil men of the 20th century. Even Hitler found seemingly valid justifications for the horrors he let loose on this world, so imagine how easy it would be to justify using the gifts God has given us to pursue wealth, fame and power in the Christian community?

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. (John 12:43)

Now I’m not suggesting that every woman should fill some sort of stereotypical role or to be a slave to her family or even a stay at home mom. Neither would I suggest that men seek out fame, money, power or success. The roles were never intended to promote personal agendas but rather to leave room for God to work through us, while truly trusting in Him to provide for us. Men who teach and/or lead certainly have the opportunity to garner favor, fame, power and money if they seek this. Just the same women can garner fame even from their roles. Look at mother Theresa, even though she herself never wanted the fame, she has it none the less simply because she fulfilled her role as a woman of God in loving and ministering to the physical needs of the least of these and it was noticed. Most godly men and women fulfill their roles and never receive any recognition for it. My mother made a choice to be a stay at home mom and never looked back. She saw this as her service to Jesus and the best way to glorify Him was to pour into her three boys and her husband, my dad. She made the decision to stick by her husband even though he wasn’t the easiest person to live with and even though he didn’t meet her every need. She had the opportunity to use her gifts and talents to prosper herself, but she didn’t. There have been plenty of women who have seeming done much more than my mother and women who have certainly been way more popular, rich and famous than my mother, but I’m convinced God saw what my mother did and her reward is based on how much she loved and her obedience to God rather than on how successful she was, at least in a worldly sense. Fame and money will ultimately burn. It is our ability to be obedient to God, to love others and trust in Jesus which builds up eternal treasures.

The Good Life

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

My life hasn't gone at all according to my dreams and plans. My struggle comes in trusting in God's goodness and His ultimate designs and plans for my life. I feel every human being deeply desires two things in life: Relationship (to love and be loved) and Purpose (a reason why we were born). Thus the drive and strong desire to work, get more involved at our churches and start a family. While I believe all of these desires are good and placed there by God, they might not happen the way we had hoped and planned. Why?

The bible speaks often of rewards and how we will be rewarded based on our works. (Revelation 22:12) Well what is this reward? Ruling? There are indications of this. Crowns and glory? Also the bible speaks on this. However, I believe the reward answers our deepest longings for relationship and purpose. I believe we were created for relationship with God. Sin is born out of our desire to find satisfaction in anything other than God. Ultimately both our salvation and reward can both be found in Jesus. To know Him as we are now fully known. In Him we find the mending of the fall, the broken relationship with God. In Jesus we find both the relationship we were created for and the fulfillment/purpose we deeply long for. This life can be a frustration at times since the world and everyone in it is broken and the love we find will be conditional and imperfect. So “we love Him because He first loved us” becomes a more practical every day understanding (1 John 4:19). So as sinful people who love conditionally, we are able to better love and receive love from other sinners because we love and are loved by a perfect God who loves us unconditionally. Our purpose? To encourage the saints and fulfill the Great Commission. While this love and purpose can certainly be fulfilled in marriage and starting a family, we are not promised this.

Why did my dad pass away in 2008? Why did my mother pass away last year? Why am I out of work for the 5th or 6th time? Why haven’t any of these past relationships worked out? I believe all these questions will be answered when I am with the Lord. I believe the question "why didn't my life turn out the way I had hoped?" will be answered by Jesus displaying our lives before us as part of His redemptive workmanship. As He wipes away every tear He may say something like: "See I told you I had plans to prosper and not harm you. I told you I had plans for you you wouldn't believe." (Jeremiah 29:11 & Habakkuk 1:5).

Several years ago I told a buddy of mine that I wanted to go to seminary. While even to this day I strongly desire a ministry of teaching, encouraging and discipling I still think back to this friend's response. He said "Everyone wants to do something big and important for God, but all God calls us to do is to Trust and Obey". Now this doesn't mean we shouldn't seek out relationships and purpose in this life. For me it means this is what God is more interested in, in my life. In my relationships, in my work and ministries I am called to trust and obey God. So He is more interested, perhaps, in how He can help me to trust and obey Him more? I can plan my life, but I must acknowledge God's authority in it (Proverbs 19:21). At the end of the day I can either trust in His good character and intentions for my life or I can become embittered towards my circumstances. For me this is a daily struggle, but fortunately He is new every morning and I am called to pick up my cross and put on my armor daily.

Adam and Eve or Adam and Steve?

And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." (Genesis 2:18)

Men and women were created equal, but with important and divine differences. We shouldn't live in ignorance of this nor fight against it. The world does, but Christians ought not to. These differences are not only beautiful, but necessary. When we fight against it we fight against God and the order of His creation and thus will live profoundly discontented lives always seeking but never finding. Since the world accepts and even condones these evil practices many can be led astray and it’s made worse by the lie that for a season many can find “a sense” of the acceptance they’ve been seeking their entire lives, moments of pleasure or happiness. However, even though we may “doing well” in the eyes of the world, we will be miserable and/or dead inside and so the incessant seeking of the flesh continues.

When we ignore the differences between men and women we miss out on an aspect of creation and then wonder why our lives feel so empty. The relationship between a man and woman should reflect the wonder and beauty of God. This is why it's a sacrament of the faith. This is why gay marriage, adultery and fornication are so wrong. Each of these sinful practices are fleshly drives for perceived acceptance and momentary pleasure. They aren’t wrong simply because they are against “nature” or different than “the norm”, or even threatening to a particular way of life. The world makes the issue out to be discrimination and freedom of choice, the way of the world and acceptance, but it's not. Unfortunately, many on the other side of these issues do have prejudice in their hearts as they react out of fear, ignorance and hatred. All of these perspectives are wrong. It’s not about acceptance, freedom to choose, forcing views on others, abandonment, fear or hatred. You see at least the homosexual, the adulterer and the fornicator acknowledge outwardly their deep inward longings to be accepted, to find happiness, pleasure, love and acceptance in a crappy, hurtful and broken world. At least they see the hole in their hearts and are trying to fill it with some form of relationship. However, where they go wrong is in where they seek this. Other broken people, of which comprises all of humanity, are never the answer to these longings. Only a sincere and humble heart seeking after Jesus Christ is the answer. Everything else is at best a temporary distraction. Homosexual or heterosexual doesn’t matter. The sense of longing and deadness will still be there whether it’s sought in a same sex partner or opposite sex.  

Now to the response of the church.

The church seems to always have one of two reactions to these above sexual sins, especially homosexuality:

1.   1.    Excommunication. Get away from us we want nothing to do with you. You are wicked, foul, openly disobedient and outside of the faith. We want nothing to do with you.

or

2.   2.    We love you. We forgive you. We accept you. The above people are wrong. Come join us. No need to repent because you have nothing to repent of.

Both of these responses are wrong and not taught anywhere in scripture.

The crowd in camp 1 have missed the lesson of 2 Corinthians 2 about forgiving the offending brother. Also they ignore 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 with regards to the Christian response to the non-believer (i.e. the Christian worldview shouldn’t be expected or forced on anyone).

The crowd in camp 2 ignore Matthew 18 about confronting and responsibility to the sinful brother and 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 about the churches response to the sinful brother. They also completely miss the need for repentance (turning from sin to Jesus). While forgiveness and love are paramount in the Christian life, love is meaningless without a response and that response is often times repentance. 

If one person tells another they love them, but are unwilling to commit to an exclusive relationship, risk their own heart or tell them when they cross a boundary or hurt them, then is this really love? In the same way if we say we love God and others, but are cruel, unforgiving and intolerant how are we showing love? If we never set boundaries, enable destructive behaviors, never confront or admonish how are we showing love? It's far too easy to marginalize or dismiss people and it's too easy to accept others without boundaries.

We are all free to make choices which can ultimately destroy us, but does this mean others should stand around as bystanders using the excuse of "This is the choice they made, so we ought to accept it. Didn't Jesus say to love one another and not judge?" or “They are too broken to be concerned with” then criticize and do nothing to help. The response is to hold to Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). Jesus always loved and yet He was always clear about what was wrong and why. He loved too much to allow us to keep on sinning in ignorance, but loved us enough to know we would. Yes His message was one of love, but also repentance.

Personal Jesus: Doing what is right in my own eyes

And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27)

So often men turn simple things, which were intended to be simple, into detrimentally complex matters. Why? Control. We are afraid of the unknown and the intangible. However, when we quantify something or someone, when we label it or them, it or them loses some of it's awe. It's original sin continually slapping us in the face. The desire to be like God and it takes on so many different aspects that it can hide behind even seemingly holy things. Look at Mark 6: Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 

See here how these people brought Jesus down to their level and stripped Him of His godhood. Now don't be too quick to dismiss their argument. Would you really have been so quick, if you were one of these people, to chastise them and stand for Jesus? Knowing what you know today perhaps, but if you were there, if Jesus had played with your kids as a child, if you had paid Him to work on your home or to build something; would you be so quick then to come against these people? It's far too easy to stand in judgement of these people. It's far too easy today, 2000 years removed, to make Jesus out to be this ethereal spirit man who is unreachable and these types of people as fools who should've known better. If you can try to understand the position of these folks, or the Pharisees, then you can start to understand the importance of faith and why Jesus continually pushed its importance in the Christian walk. Even here it was the lack of faith which held Jesus back from performing many miracles.

As something or someone becomes more known and understood, fear fades as does awe and mystery. So the question is this desire to quantify and understand stem from a holy desire to know and be known, to be holy as He is holy or to somehow gain the control and upper hand or to control our own destinies? The Jews created many laws around the Sabbath:  Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8) Now holy doesn't equal adding burdens, laws, duties and following old traditions (necessarily). These are all burdens and so work. Jesus was fighting against this false premise throughout His ministry. Why? Well look at the Pharisees. They worshiped their ancient traditions and laws while ignoring the greater things (love and mercy, or God Himself). 

It is very easy to see the Pharisees were closer to the truth than any of the other religious groups of Jesus' day. This is also why Jesus conflicted with them more than the others. It's far too easy for the modern day pot to call the old kettle black. What's the point? The point is everything we do must be only and always to worship Jesus! NOT traditions, duties, comfort, personal beliefs  and especially NOT ANY person (other than Jesus of course)! 

If your church traditions and leaders help you to worship Jesus more, draw closer to Him, fall more in love with Him, trust Him more, be more concerned with God's praise and opinion of you, rather than the opinions and praise of man, then you are where you need to be. However, if your church leaders simply tell you what you want to hear or encourage you to worship traditions, duties and them, get out now! You must throw out any personal beliefs which contradict the bible, your personal Jesus and any traditions and duties which take your eyes off of the real Jesus! If you don't take a Joseph type stance on this (running away from his masters wife) you are in danger of falling, just as Joseph would've if he hadn't taken immediate action. 

Try this: "church wasn't made for man and man wasn't made for church. Both were made for God. However, Jesus was sacrificed for the salvation of man." Everyone must ask themselves how they ought to respond to this. The answer is profound and should impact the way you view God, church and life. Essentially, if its not about Him then something's missing and you should consider a change. 

The Battle With Sin: What's a man or woman to do?

First, we must look at what the Bible has to say on this subject.

How does the Father view us?

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26)

So then...

Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11)

The work/our effort:

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Our calling...

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (I John 5:4, 5)


The problem with simply focusing in on behavioral management without pursuing a filling of the Holy Spirit:

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” (Matthew 12:43-45)


We are not a defeated people! There's nothing in us which is too ugly or broken for Jesus. Yes we need to do whatever we can to move away from any sin especially footholds and strongholds (these are areas which are routine sin struggles in our lives).


Practical steps:

1. Be honest with yourself and others. What sets the stage for the triggers which lead to the sin which so easily entangles? Is it anxiety, depression, anger or something else? What are the triggers? A person, a TV show, a video game, a website, something else?

2. What can we do?

No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. (Genesis 39:9, 12)

Our response needs to be drastic. If we're feeling depressed or anxious or whatever sets the stage we need to flee. Take a walk, pray, get in the bible, get in your car and drive some where, call someone, get some exercise or do what you have to. Jesus uses an analogy of cutting off body parts to move away from sin. In other words do not accept sin in our lives. Fight it!

Then once this passes call someone again, ask them to pray for you and seek out more of God in those immature areas of our hearts.

There's a reason we are called to put on the full armor of God. It's not for looks. It's because we live in a world at war and we should expect and be prepared for battle. We shouldn't be caught off guard.

Are you a casualty of this war or are you more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus? Are you under the lie that you are defeated or the truth that you are a son, or daughter of God?

The Pilgrim's Toll

Today I was praying God would open the door of friendship to me as He did to Moses and give me a heart like His servant David's. Interesting that after I prayed this I read: Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8:19-22)

By this point in Jesus' ministry He was very well known and it was clearly evident His popularity was still very much on the rise. Now consider the oppression of the Roman Empire, the cries of the people for their messiah and Jesus making His powerful entrance into this. It's very likely the scribe in verse 19, the disciple in verse 21 and even The 12 apostles (especially Judas) were all expecting Jesus to be a conquering king messiah. He would not only free them from the oppression of the Romans but take their empire from them. We know now that Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom, spiritual freedom and seat us beside Him as more than conquerors in a spiritual sense. It was this self centered perspective Jesus was continually cutting through and still is.

"Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."

The scribe said "I will go wherever you go". I believe Jesus' reply to him was both specific to the heart of this scribe and revealing a cost of following Him. I believe Jesus is using the foxes and birds as an analogy of creatures of this world (animals and those on the "wide road"), which follows the theme in His second reply. Basically I believe Jesus is revealing a nomadic existence for those who want to follow after Him. Though it's not a promise it does seem to be almost an assumed cost of following Jesus. I know I've seen this played out in my life, my family and many other Christians'.

However, don't take my word for it. Consider the following verses and decide for yourself the implications:

By faith Abraham dwelt in the land of promise as  in  a foreign country,  dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob,  the heirs with him of the same promise; (Hebrews 11:9).

 These all died in faith,  not having received the  promises, but  having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced  them  and  confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.  And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.  But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:9, 13-16)

The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify of it that its works are evil. (John 7:7) 

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.    If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18, 19)

There are multiple tests for the believer in the Bible and it would seem there are various levels. The question is: what do you want? Do you desire a closer relationship with Jesus? Are you willing to count the cost? Are you seeking that better country or are you satisfied with what this world offers?

Know that no one is holding you back; not your parents, spouse, the enemy and especially not God. Jesus desires good and better things for all of us. You are the only person holding you back.

Temptations...

And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. (Matthew 4:2)

Symbolic of baptism: God baptized the world during 40 days & nights during Noah's time, as well as the Israelites as they walked in between the Red Sea at the onset of 40 years in the desert.

Symbolic of suffering and isolation:

The world was purged of sinful wicked men during Noah's time. Noah was more isolated and alone than ever before in his 600 years. The Israelites were isolated from all other peoples for 40 years.

Trusting and obeying God:

Noah did what all his neighbors called crazy. Noah did the insane out of obedience trusting God wasn't leading him astray and would redeem him. Moses led the Israelites into the desert for 40 years obeying and trusting God was leading him and His people to the promise land.

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’  ” (Matthew 4:3, 4)

When we have gone without for an extended period of time it's easy for the enemy to tempt us to do something we know is wrong to provide. Jesus knew His calling and trusted His Father to provide in His calling.

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple,  and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the  Lord  your God.’  ” (Matthew 4:5-7)

His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see the works that You are doing.  For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”  For even His brothers did not believe in Him. (John 7:3-5)

The enemy and other people:

It's interesting how Jesus' brothers had the same perspective as satan and tempted Him in the same way. Satan was up to his old tricks (see the Fall). While Jesus’ brothers didn't believe, projected their selfish need for fame and power, or projected their cynicism and jealousy.

Twisting the word of God:

Satan even used these verses in proper context, but with evil intent misusing the word. How often do we give ear to someone preaching the word with wicked intent simply to use it to our selfish ends?

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (I John 4:1)

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.    Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” (Matthew 4:8-10)

I believe this is the question satan was waiting to ask. The first temptation sought to tempt Jesus to meet the most immediate need of food after 40 days of fasting. The flesh can be a very powerful voice, but Jesus was confident of His identity in the Father and only heard His voice. Then satan tempted Jesus to glorify Himself miraculously before the world and establish His reign as the son of God. However, Jesus know this wasn’t His calling and so trusted the word of His Father. Lastly, satan revealed the shortcut. This is the most extreme and yet perceived easiest and most fulfilling temptation. I will give you the entire world if you worship me! I only wonder why Jesus waited till this moment to order the enemy away? However, in this we can find an example of the temptations we all must face, but with the knowledge that we are hidden in Christ and He overcame all temptations and sin itself.

You know Mary, the mother of Jesus? What was her husband’s name again?...

You know Mary, the mother of Jesus? What was her husband’s name again?...

Reading Matthew 1 & 2 it's interesting to note how often God reached out to Joseph to help him lead and protect his family. There isn't much written about this man. The church, especially the Catholic Church seems to revere Mary the mother of Jesus so much that we almost forget about Joseph. Yes little is written about him, but there’s still enough written that we can learn from. Whatever Joseph was, he was obedient, without question, to God's messages to him.

"Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit". (Matthew 1:19, 20)

Now compare Zechariah’s response:

"But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.  Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”" (Luke 1:13, 18)

Which of these messages is more difficult to accept? That your wife is pregnant by God or that your elderly wife will conceive a son?

I believe the primary difference between these men was based in pride, which in turn directly affected their individual ability to be obedient. Like Mary, Joseph was humble enough to accept the word from God. Without humility and fear of God it is very difficult to hear God's voice, and even if you do it may be warped or nearly impossible to be obedient.

So I’d like to focus on obedience and pride:

I believe the church is far far too feminized. Most men are dazed, confused and allow themselves to be taken out in our churches. I've been in the church my entire life. I've attended many different churches, denominations and even visited a few of the seminaries church leaders are being discipled and mentored in. I'm witness to the pride which derails or at least distracts men from the faith. Instead of being prepared and mentored in the right ways of Jesus these men and women are given only book knowledge and allowed to swell with so much pride they believe knowledge alone will carry them. Then when faced with a real crisis, especially a personal one, they are easily shipwrecked. They are either consumed by the beauty or lust of the eyes, a love of money or so crave the honor of men they make themselves useless, at the very least, or help derail the faith of others at worst.

What can be done? How do we get men engaged in the church? Do we follow the example of leaders like Mark Driscoll who have little to no compassion towards men and are filled with so much pride they are unable to see the pride in their own hearts? Unfortunately, most of the people in leadership in our churches fit into this category, especially if they come out of seminary; from the skinny jeans, metro men leading worship seeking affirmation, to the boastful and confident in the flesh men and women teaching in our churches seeking power and glory. It's all about them displaying their talents. Who gets the glory if a convicted man turns from his sin after Driscoll yells at or scolds his entire congregation? Who gets the glory when the skinny jean metro worship leader shows of his/her vocal range instead of focusing on leading people to worship Jesus? Where is the humility? Where is the mercy? Where is the turning of hearts to Jesus? Is there any hope? Trust and obey! "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)

 So do we become the doormat/milk toast men, the "yes dears" who are unable to deal with their own issues or lead their families and so are incapable and powerless to speak into anyone's life? Many men in our congregations fall into this category. They never engage in life, with Jesus or in their families and so they become utterly useless. These are men living continually in fear, apathy and anxiety. What can these men do? Are their lives over? No! Find your confidence in Christ alone. Find your identity in Christ alone. Engage and start actually leading your wives in loving boldness and confidence. Engage life and pursue relationships. Don’t wait for your wife, kids, family, friends or even God to reach out to you. Step out in faith and start living life. God is the only one who will reach out to you, but how can He reach out to you if you feel hopeless, have closed off your heart and won’t engage life? There’s not much for Him to grab hold of?

Or do we become angry manipulators abusing and using every relationship in our lives? These types of men comprise most of the remainder of men in our churches. These men struggle with inferiority, insecurity, selfishness and pride so much that they self-destruct every relationship in their life. What is their hope? Jesus! More prayer and more time in the word. More time asking God to change them and asking for His guidance in relationships. I’m probably closer to this type of man and so I promise you if you ask God to help grow you into a better man and be more of a servant leader in your relationships, and really mean it, He will answer. I’m not suggesting you will like His answer, but He will provide it.

Mary is lifted up for her humble obedience, but let us not neglect what is said of her humble and obedient husband. Every man could learn a huge lesson in obedience from this man and he didn't have access to the Holy Spirit. I’d encourage you to read Matt. 1&2 for a few examples of Joseph’s obedience to God.

Come Out of Egypt!

"and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,  “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”" (Matthew 2:15)

This verse references: “When Israel  was  a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt  I called My  son. As they called them, So they went from them; They sacrificed to the Baals, And burned incense to carved images." (Hosea 11:1, 2)

It's interesting that in Matthew, Jesus is referenced, but in Hosea disobedient Israel is clearly referenced. So was Matthew intentionally taking scripture out of context just to prove Jesus is the messiah? 

This assumption has to be false for two reasons: 
1. This letter was originally written in Greek, to Greek speaking Jews, who were very familiar with OT prophesies and genealogies. Most likely these Jews would have direct or indirect access to the Torah and writings of the prophets. 

2. Matthew was one of the 12. "And beginning at  Moses and  all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." (Luke 24:27) it's unlikely these two disciples kept this teaching to themselves and further Jesus made later appearances to His disciples. So, Matthew was quite aware of the teachings of the OT and how they directly related to Jesus. 

So what is the implication of this if both the OT and NT references are correct? Simple, we must combine both. These verses teach that Jesus is the son of God who took on the identity and sins of His chosen people because He is the only perfect high priest and sacrifice. Here's the huge theology shattering (for some) implication: While John 3:16 states God loves the world, the above verses make it clear salvation is only for His chosen people who are set apart. 

One other thing before I conclude this post... I was looking up additional information about this verse on the internet... I came across an intelligent sounding blog post about this verse which was complete rubbish. The author was so uneducated on this passage that he confidently stated that the Herod who slaughtered the babies was the same Herod who beheaded John the Baptist. This is completely wrong!!! These were two different Herod's. I'm sure they were related, perhaps even father/son, but they weren't the same individual. Chapter 2 clearly states that Jesus was still a child when Herod died. In reading Luke chapter 1 (I believe) you can read about the birth of John the Baptist and you'll easily figure out that Jesus and John were very close in age. Anyway, just saying...