This morning, I read of the blessings that the Lord bestows on those who obey Him, AND of the curses that the Lord bestows on those who forsake Him. [1]
The Lord made a covenant with His people. He commanded them not to turn away from Him to serve other gods… that there would be no root among them that brings forth bitterness. He warned them not to defy the covenant, saying, “Let it not happen, when he [anyone among them] hears the words of this curse that he blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall have peace, even though I follow the dictates of my heart.’ As though the drunkard could be included with the sober.” [2]
During a conversation with Peter, Jesus asked him, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” [3] “These” most likely refers to the fish that they were eating. Fishing was Peter’s career. His identity was tied to fishing, but what about Jesus? Did Peter love Jesus enough to tend sheep for Him? Love impacts our decisions. Love for the Lord leads one to lay down one’s own ambitions for the sake of others. This the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.
May our love for Jesus exceed all other loves! May we focus on feeding the Lord’s sheep with spiritual food rather than on feeding our flesh. May He be glorified in our lives! God’s blessings are on those whose heart is steadfast with Him.
[1] Deuteronomy 28:1-68
[2] Deuteronomy 29:19
[3] John 21:15
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Sunday, March 29, 2020
He Obeyed And Sacrificed
Before I get to the story of Jesus, I want to speak of Israel’s first king. His name was Saul.
God spoke to Moses long before Saul was born. He said to Moses, “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God. Therefore it shall be, when the Lord your God has given, you rest from your enemies all around, in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, that you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget.” [1]
The Amalekites attacked the weak and weary of Israel when Israel was no threat to them. It was a slaughter. God gave the Amalekites a long opportunity to repent of their sin.
After the Lord anointed Saul to be Israel’s first king, he said to him, “I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them…” [2]
Saul attacked the Amalekites and defeated them, but he spared their king and the best of their livestock. He failed to adhere to God’s plan… as king, which was his job.
The Lord told Samuel, “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” [3]
The Lord’s word to Saul via His messenger Samuel was, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.” [4]
Fast forward to the Garden of Gethsemane! Jesus is kneeling and praying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” “Being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” [5]
Jesus obeyed God’s plan. He drank the cup of God’s wrath against humanity’s sin. He did not disobey God’s plan for Him. He also sacrificed. His sacrifice on the cross was for our disobedience and rebellion… not His own.
Earthly kings cannot save us from death. Jesus can! Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He raises everyone who believes in Him from the dead. He gives believers in Him eternal life. Salvation is His gift to everyone who believes in Him.
[1] Deuteronomy 24:17-19
[2] 1 Samuel 15:1-3
[3] 1 Samuel 15:7-11
[4] 1 Samuel 15:22-23
[5] Luke 22:41-44
God spoke to Moses long before Saul was born. He said to Moses, “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God. Therefore it shall be, when the Lord your God has given, you rest from your enemies all around, in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, that you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget.” [1]
The Amalekites attacked the weak and weary of Israel when Israel was no threat to them. It was a slaughter. God gave the Amalekites a long opportunity to repent of their sin.
After the Lord anointed Saul to be Israel’s first king, he said to him, “I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them…” [2]
Saul attacked the Amalekites and defeated them, but he spared their king and the best of their livestock. He failed to adhere to God’s plan… as king, which was his job.
The Lord told Samuel, “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” [3]
The Lord’s word to Saul via His messenger Samuel was, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.” [4]
Fast forward to the Garden of Gethsemane! Jesus is kneeling and praying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” “Being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” [5]
Jesus obeyed God’s plan. He drank the cup of God’s wrath against humanity’s sin. He did not disobey God’s plan for Him. He also sacrificed. His sacrifice on the cross was for our disobedience and rebellion… not His own.
Earthly kings cannot save us from death. Jesus can! Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He raises everyone who believes in Him from the dead. He gives believers in Him eternal life. Salvation is His gift to everyone who believes in Him.
[1] Deuteronomy 24:17-19
[2] 1 Samuel 15:1-3
[3] 1 Samuel 15:7-11
[4] 1 Samuel 15:22-23
[5] Luke 22:41-44
Saturday, March 28, 2020
The Proper Distinction Between Law And Gospel
“The Law tells us what we are to do. The Gospel reveals to us what God is doing.
The Law is speaking concerning our works. The Gospel, concerning the great works of God.
The Law gives people a sense of right and wrong. The Gospel is an invitation to partake of heavenly blessings.
The Law is to be preached to sinners who feel secure to keep sinning. The Gospel is be preached to sinners who feel alarmed about their sins.
The Law contains threats for sinners. The Gospel contains no threats at all, but only words of consolation.
The Law produces thirst; it leads the hearer to hell and slays him. The Gospel refreshes the hearer and leads him to heaven.
In the Law we hear the tenfold summons, “Thou shalt.” The Gospel does not require anything good that man must furnish not a good heart, not a good disposition, no improvement of his condition, no godliness, no love either of God or men. It issues no orders, but it changes man. The Gospel plants love into his heart and makes him capable of all good works. It demands nothing, but it gives all. Should not this fact make us leap for joy?” [1]
“The LAW was given by Moses, but GRACE and TRUTH came by JESUS CHRIST.” [2]
“Thus, it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that REPENTANCE and REMISSION of SINS should be preached IN HIS NAME to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the PROMISE of MY FATHER upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are ENDUED with POWER from ON HIGH.” [3]
After the Law, after the Gospel, next comes the Promise of the Father which is the blessed Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the enduement of power from on high. He helps us to live a new life.
[1] Excerpts from “The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel,” by C. F. W. Walther, Concordia Publishing House, 1929
[2] John 1:17
[3] Luke 24:46-49
The Law is speaking concerning our works. The Gospel, concerning the great works of God.
The Law gives people a sense of right and wrong. The Gospel is an invitation to partake of heavenly blessings.
The Law is to be preached to sinners who feel secure to keep sinning. The Gospel is be preached to sinners who feel alarmed about their sins.
The Law contains threats for sinners. The Gospel contains no threats at all, but only words of consolation.
The Law produces thirst; it leads the hearer to hell and slays him. The Gospel refreshes the hearer and leads him to heaven.
In the Law we hear the tenfold summons, “Thou shalt.” The Gospel does not require anything good that man must furnish not a good heart, not a good disposition, no improvement of his condition, no godliness, no love either of God or men. It issues no orders, but it changes man. The Gospel plants love into his heart and makes him capable of all good works. It demands nothing, but it gives all. Should not this fact make us leap for joy?” [1]
“The LAW was given by Moses, but GRACE and TRUTH came by JESUS CHRIST.” [2]
“Thus, it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that REPENTANCE and REMISSION of SINS should be preached IN HIS NAME to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the PROMISE of MY FATHER upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are ENDUED with POWER from ON HIGH.” [3]
After the Law, after the Gospel, next comes the Promise of the Father which is the blessed Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the enduement of power from on high. He helps us to live a new life.
[1] Excerpts from “The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel,” by C. F. W. Walther, Concordia Publishing House, 1929
[2] John 1:17
[3] Luke 24:46-49
Monday, March 23, 2020
Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus
“Let us ever walk with Jesus,
Follow His example pure,
Flee the world, which would deceive us
And to sin our souls allure.
Ever in His footsteps treading,
Body here, yet soul above,
Full of faith and hope and love,
Let us do the Father's bidding.
Faithful Lord, abide with me;
Savior, lead, I follow Thee.” [1]
Follow Jesus! Flee the world, which would deceive us.
“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known— ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams.” [2]
There is no other god but the One true God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Don’t listen to anyone who tries to convince you otherwise.
“If your brother, the son of your mother, your son or your daughter, the wife of your bosom, or your friend who is as your own soul, secretly entices you, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods…’” [3] Don’t listen! Don’t exchange an eternity with God for the sake of a family member, spouse, child, or friend. God does not want us to give up eternity with Him for the sake of unity with an idolatrous family member or friend.
“If you hear someone in one of your cities, which the Lord your God gives you to dwell in, saying, ‘Corrupt men have gone out from among you and enticed the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods.’” [4] Don’t go after other gods when neighbors do.
The Lord advises, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.” [5] Did you hear that? Be zealous for the Lord all day! There is a hereafter. You don’t want to miss it.
May the Lord help us to remain steadfastly devoted unto Him. Not competitive, but as Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” [6]
[1] Sigismund von Birken, 1626-1681
[2] Deuteronomy 13:1-3
[3] Deuteronomy 13:6
[4] Deuteronomy 13:12-13
[5] Proverbs 23:17-18
[6] John 13:35
Follow His example pure,
Flee the world, which would deceive us
And to sin our souls allure.
Ever in His footsteps treading,
Body here, yet soul above,
Full of faith and hope and love,
Let us do the Father's bidding.
Faithful Lord, abide with me;
Savior, lead, I follow Thee.” [1]
Follow Jesus! Flee the world, which would deceive us.
“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known— ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams.” [2]
There is no other god but the One true God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Don’t listen to anyone who tries to convince you otherwise.
“If your brother, the son of your mother, your son or your daughter, the wife of your bosom, or your friend who is as your own soul, secretly entices you, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods…’” [3] Don’t listen! Don’t exchange an eternity with God for the sake of a family member, spouse, child, or friend. God does not want us to give up eternity with Him for the sake of unity with an idolatrous family member or friend.
“If you hear someone in one of your cities, which the Lord your God gives you to dwell in, saying, ‘Corrupt men have gone out from among you and enticed the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods.’” [4] Don’t go after other gods when neighbors do.
The Lord advises, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.” [5] Did you hear that? Be zealous for the Lord all day! There is a hereafter. You don’t want to miss it.
May the Lord help us to remain steadfastly devoted unto Him. Not competitive, but as Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” [6]
[1] Sigismund von Birken, 1626-1681
[2] Deuteronomy 13:1-3
[3] Deuteronomy 13:6
[4] Deuteronomy 13:12-13
[5] Proverbs 23:17-18
[6] John 13:35
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Speak God’s Word
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” [1]
God reveals to us in Jeremiah a man whose “heroism” is based on divine grace. Before he was born, God called him. Before he did anything good or bad, the Lord ordained him.
“Then I [Jeremiah] said: ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.’” [2]
God’s heroes are unlike worldly heroes. They have no confidence in themselves. They don’t seek to be the focus of everyone’s attention. They can live without worldly applause.
“The Lord said to me: ‘Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord. Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.’” [3]
The Lord gave Jeremiah marching orders:
Don’t speak negatively of yourself
Go where I send you
Speak what I command you to say
Don’t fear your audience
I will deliver you
The Lord’s equipment for Jeremiah was His Word.
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word, the Bible. Help us to faithfully speak for You as many have done and as many are still doing. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.”
[1] Jeremiah 1:5
[2] Jeremiah 1:6
[3] Jeremiah 1:7-9
God reveals to us in Jeremiah a man whose “heroism” is based on divine grace. Before he was born, God called him. Before he did anything good or bad, the Lord ordained him.
“Then I [Jeremiah] said: ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.’” [2]
God’s heroes are unlike worldly heroes. They have no confidence in themselves. They don’t seek to be the focus of everyone’s attention. They can live without worldly applause.
“The Lord said to me: ‘Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord. Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.’” [3]
The Lord gave Jeremiah marching orders:
Don’t speak negatively of yourself
Go where I send you
Speak what I command you to say
Don’t fear your audience
I will deliver you
The Lord’s equipment for Jeremiah was His Word.
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word, the Bible. Help us to faithfully speak for You as many have done and as many are still doing. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.”
[1] Jeremiah 1:5
[2] Jeremiah 1:6
[3] Jeremiah 1:7-9
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Remember
“The Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, which flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey.” [1]
“Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments…” [2]
“[Lest], when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God...” [3]
“Then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’” [4]
“You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…” [5]
Remember! Sometimes it takes something drastic to jar our memories. We become so focused on the here and now that we forget the there and later. Remember, the Lord is bringing us to a land better than the land of Israel. He is bringing us to an eternity with Him in paradise.
“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he [Lazarus their brother] was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.” [6]
Lazarus died during that two-day delay, but Scripture tells us that Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary. Jesus had a plan. He was going to reveal His great love for these two sisters by not healing their brother when he was sick. His plan was to heal Lazarus after he was dead.
“Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless, let us go to him.” [7]
Jesus told His disciples that He was glad for their sakes that He was not present when Lazarus died. He had a plan. His plan was to raise Lazarus from the dead to boost their faith in Him.
During this season when bad reports flow like a mighty river, let us remember the Lord. He is bringing us to better place. This world is not where it all ends. There is still more life to come, and it is a better life when we believe in Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” [8]
[1] Deuteronomy 8:7-8
[2] Deuteronomy 8:11
[3] Deuteronomy 8:14
[4] Deuteronomy 8:18
[5] John 11:5-6
[6] John 11:14-15
[7] John 11:25-26
“Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments…” [2]
“[Lest], when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God...” [3]
“Then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’” [4]
“You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…” [5]
Remember! Sometimes it takes something drastic to jar our memories. We become so focused on the here and now that we forget the there and later. Remember, the Lord is bringing us to a land better than the land of Israel. He is bringing us to an eternity with Him in paradise.
“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he [Lazarus their brother] was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.” [6]
Lazarus died during that two-day delay, but Scripture tells us that Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary. Jesus had a plan. He was going to reveal His great love for these two sisters by not healing their brother when he was sick. His plan was to heal Lazarus after he was dead.
“Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless, let us go to him.” [7]
Jesus told His disciples that He was glad for their sakes that He was not present when Lazarus died. He had a plan. His plan was to raise Lazarus from the dead to boost their faith in Him.
During this season when bad reports flow like a mighty river, let us remember the Lord. He is bringing us to better place. This world is not where it all ends. There is still more life to come, and it is a better life when we believe in Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” [8]
[1] Deuteronomy 8:7-8
[2] Deuteronomy 8:11
[3] Deuteronomy 8:14
[4] Deuteronomy 8:18
[5] John 11:5-6
[6] John 11:14-15
[7] John 11:25-26
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Be Clean
Due to a pandemic, the government wants everyone to constantly wash their hands. I looked at the word “unclean” in the Bible. Using BibleGateway.com set on the New King James Bible Version, I could see how many times the word “unclean” appears in the Bible. Here are stats:
124 x – Books of Moses
153 x – All Old Testament including Books of Moses
22 x – Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke
44 x – All New Testament books including the Gospels
197 x – The entire Bible
The Book of Leviticus uses the word “unclean” ninety-two times. Many of these passages state that if a person does ____, or eats ______, etc., they are unclean.
The Gospels use the word “unclean” most often to refer to a person who had been defiled and negatively affected by an unclean spirit.
“Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out…” [1] Jesus removed the unclean spirit from the man and people were amazed. “Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned themselves, saying, ‘What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.’” [2]
Jesus gave authority to His disciples to cast out unclean spirits. “And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.” [3]
The ministry of casting out unclean spirit continued after Jesus ascended to heaven. “Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.” [4]
The Bible associates uncleanness with sin done in the body. “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” [5] “For this you know that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” [6]
New Jerusalem is a place that is free from uncleanness. “There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” [7]
Jesus is the key to victory over unclean spirits. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” [8] His blood cleanses our conscience so that we hear and obey His Spirit’s voice and leading.
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son into the world. An atoning sacrifice for our sins! We ask that You forgive our sins and cleanse our land from unclean spirits that defile people. Please bring about newness through the indwelling presence of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.”
[1] Mark 1:23
[2] Mark 1:27
[3] Mark 6:7
[4] Acts 5:16
[5] Romans 1:24-25
[6] Ephesians 5:5
[7] Revelation 21:27
[8] Hebrews 9:14
124 x – Books of Moses
153 x – All Old Testament including Books of Moses
22 x – Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke
44 x – All New Testament books including the Gospels
197 x – The entire Bible
The Book of Leviticus uses the word “unclean” ninety-two times. Many of these passages state that if a person does ____, or eats ______, etc., they are unclean.
The Gospels use the word “unclean” most often to refer to a person who had been defiled and negatively affected by an unclean spirit.
“Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out…” [1] Jesus removed the unclean spirit from the man and people were amazed. “Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned themselves, saying, ‘What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.’” [2]
Jesus gave authority to His disciples to cast out unclean spirits. “And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.” [3]
The ministry of casting out unclean spirit continued after Jesus ascended to heaven. “Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.” [4]
The Bible associates uncleanness with sin done in the body. “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” [5] “For this you know that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” [6]
New Jerusalem is a place that is free from uncleanness. “There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” [7]
Jesus is the key to victory over unclean spirits. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” [8] His blood cleanses our conscience so that we hear and obey His Spirit’s voice and leading.
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son into the world. An atoning sacrifice for our sins! We ask that You forgive our sins and cleanse our land from unclean spirits that defile people. Please bring about newness through the indwelling presence of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.”
[1] Mark 1:23
[2] Mark 1:27
[3] Mark 6:7
[4] Acts 5:16
[5] Romans 1:24-25
[6] Ephesians 5:5
[7] Revelation 21:27
[8] Hebrews 9:14
Monday, March 16, 2020
Humble Yourself Before The Lord
At 4 am this morning, I was thinking of winnowing, potsherds, Zedekiah and a time in my life when a song by Second Chapter of Acts helped me.
John the Baptist said that Jesus winnows out chaff and collects wheat. [1]
Jeremiah told religious leaders that they would become like the broken potsherds that were disposed of outside their city. The blood of innocent children sacrificed to idols was on their hands. They refused to repent. [2] Americans have torn millions of babies from the wombs of mothers. Many have been warned not to sacrifice these unborn babies on the altars of their own convenience but did it anyway.
Zedekiah was a king who feared people more than God. He put his chips on people rather than on God and lost. The King of Babylon slaughtered his sons before his eyes. Afterwards, his eyes were put out and he was bound with bronze shackles. [3]
The song, “Humble Yourself” by the Second Chapter of Acts came to me during a difficult time in my life. I was trying to learn Mandarin. We were staying in a missionary’s home while he was on furlough because we had no place of our own. We had little money. Sherry was suffering. A fellow missionary advised me that the only way up is down. Her words upset me because I thought to myself, “How much lower can I go?” But the Lord confirmed that word through the lyrics of the song, “Humble Yourself.”
[Verse 1]
“You pick the crown
And you have found
Pride comes before a stumble
The bigger you are
The harder you fall
Don’t harden your heart
When you hear Him Call
[Verse 2]
Don’t think of yourself as overly smart
God uses your mind
But looks to the heart
To see if your thoughts are open and true
Cause He really cares what you’ve been up to
[Verse 3]
Don’t worry or fret
You’ll get what you need
The flowers He clothes
The sparrow He feeds
And you will receive a greater reward
By putting your faith and trust in the Lord
[Chorus]
Humble yourself before the Lord
Humble yourself
Humble yourself before the Lord
Humble yourself” [4]
After I humbled myself before the Lord, He did come through for me. The Lord winnowed out the chaff from my life and preserved its wheat. As soft clay in His hands I was not shattered. I was shaped. The Lord did lift me up.
[1] Luke 3:17
[2] Jeremiah 19
[3] Jeremiah 39:3-7
[4] Songwriters: Anne Herring / Jim Tenneboe, Humble Yourself lyrics © Latter Rain Music, Emi Christian Music Pub Obo Latter Rain Music, Midi Mouse Music
John the Baptist said that Jesus winnows out chaff and collects wheat. [1]
Jeremiah told religious leaders that they would become like the broken potsherds that were disposed of outside their city. The blood of innocent children sacrificed to idols was on their hands. They refused to repent. [2] Americans have torn millions of babies from the wombs of mothers. Many have been warned not to sacrifice these unborn babies on the altars of their own convenience but did it anyway.
Zedekiah was a king who feared people more than God. He put his chips on people rather than on God and lost. The King of Babylon slaughtered his sons before his eyes. Afterwards, his eyes were put out and he was bound with bronze shackles. [3]
The song, “Humble Yourself” by the Second Chapter of Acts came to me during a difficult time in my life. I was trying to learn Mandarin. We were staying in a missionary’s home while he was on furlough because we had no place of our own. We had little money. Sherry was suffering. A fellow missionary advised me that the only way up is down. Her words upset me because I thought to myself, “How much lower can I go?” But the Lord confirmed that word through the lyrics of the song, “Humble Yourself.”
[Verse 1]
“You pick the crown
And you have found
Pride comes before a stumble
The bigger you are
The harder you fall
Don’t harden your heart
When you hear Him Call
[Verse 2]
Don’t think of yourself as overly smart
God uses your mind
But looks to the heart
To see if your thoughts are open and true
Cause He really cares what you’ve been up to
[Verse 3]
Don’t worry or fret
You’ll get what you need
The flowers He clothes
The sparrow He feeds
And you will receive a greater reward
By putting your faith and trust in the Lord
[Chorus]
Humble yourself before the Lord
Humble yourself
Humble yourself before the Lord
Humble yourself” [4]
After I humbled myself before the Lord, He did come through for me. The Lord winnowed out the chaff from my life and preserved its wheat. As soft clay in His hands I was not shattered. I was shaped. The Lord did lift me up.
[1] Luke 3:17
[2] Jeremiah 19
[3] Jeremiah 39:3-7
[4] Songwriters: Anne Herring / Jim Tenneboe, Humble Yourself lyrics © Latter Rain Music, Emi Christian Music Pub Obo Latter Rain Music, Midi Mouse Music
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Heavenly Jerusalem
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” [1]
“You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect.” [2]
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,
‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
And He will dwell with them,
And they shall be His people.
God Himself will be with them and be their God.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.
There shall be no more pain,
For the former things have passed away.’” [3]
“I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it.” [4]
“There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” [5]
[1] John 5:24
[2] Hebrews 12:22-23
[3] Revelation 21:1-4
[4] Revelation 21:22-23
[5] Revelation 21:27
“You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect.” [2]
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,
‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
And He will dwell with them,
And they shall be His people.
God Himself will be with them and be their God.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.
There shall be no more pain,
For the former things have passed away.’” [3]
“I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it.” [4]
“There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” [5]
[1] John 5:24
[2] Hebrews 12:22-23
[3] Revelation 21:1-4
[4] Revelation 21:22-23
[5] Revelation 21:27
Friday, March 13, 2020
Spiritually Mindedness
Jesus taught, “Most
assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot
enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that
which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You
must be born again.’” [1]
There is a naturalization process to enter God’s
Kingdom. We must believe in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who became an
atoning sacrifice for us. Only Jesus gives the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is
the One who births people anew so that we have a new heart and spirit to honor
God.
“Those who live according to the flesh set their
minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit,
the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be
spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against
God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those
who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but
in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does
not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” [2]
“Dear Heavenly Father, during these perilous days
of evil reports, thank You for the Good News that our Redeemer lives. Thank You
for the gift of the transforming Holy Spirit. Thank You for spiritual rebirth
and mindedness.”
[1] John 3:5-7
[2] Romans 8:5-9
Monday, March 9, 2020
The Captain of the Host Is Jesus
“When we cried out to the Lord, He heard our voice and sent the Angel and brought us up out of Egypt; now here we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your border.” [1]
“For the Lord is marching on
And His army is ever strong
And His glory shall be seen upon our land
Raise the anthem, sing the victor's song
Praise the Lord for the battle's won
No weapon formed against us shall stand
For the Captain of the host is Jesus
We're following in His footsteps
No foe can stand against us in the fray
We are marching in Messiah's band
The keys of vict'ry in His mighty hand
Let us march on to take our promised land
For the Lord is marching on
And His army is ever strong
And His glory shall be seen upon our land.” [2]
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Captain of the Armies of Heaven. [3] Old Testament Joshua was a type of Christ in this sense. Jesus Christ is also our Good Shepherd. [4] He leads His sheep to green pastures. [5]
“Then the seventh angel sounded: and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” [6]
Links below:
A study on “The Angel of the Lord” or “Messenger of the Lord.” Angel is Greek for messenger. A teaching about Theophany (the pre-incarnate appearance of Christ) in the Old Testament
https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_26.cfm
YouTube presentation of the song, “For the Lord is Marching On”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opo0f84QqzM
[1] Numbers 20:16
[2] “For the Lord is Marching On” song by Kent Henry
[3] Revelation 19:11-14
[4] John 10:11
[5] Psalm 23:1-2
[6] Revelation 11:15
“For the Lord is marching on
And His army is ever strong
And His glory shall be seen upon our land
Raise the anthem, sing the victor's song
Praise the Lord for the battle's won
No weapon formed against us shall stand
For the Captain of the host is Jesus
We're following in His footsteps
No foe can stand against us in the fray
We are marching in Messiah's band
The keys of vict'ry in His mighty hand
Let us march on to take our promised land
For the Lord is marching on
And His army is ever strong
And His glory shall be seen upon our land.” [2]
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Captain of the Armies of Heaven. [3] Old Testament Joshua was a type of Christ in this sense. Jesus Christ is also our Good Shepherd. [4] He leads His sheep to green pastures. [5]
“Then the seventh angel sounded: and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” [6]
Links below:
A study on “The Angel of the Lord” or “Messenger of the Lord.” Angel is Greek for messenger. A teaching about Theophany (the pre-incarnate appearance of Christ) in the Old Testament
https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_26.cfm
YouTube presentation of the song, “For the Lord is Marching On”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opo0f84QqzM
[1] Numbers 20:16
[2] “For the Lord is Marching On” song by Kent Henry
[3] Revelation 19:11-14
[4] John 10:11
[5] Psalm 23:1-2
[6] Revelation 11:15
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Plague Stopped by an Atoning Sacrifice
“Moses said to Aaron, ‘…take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the Lord. The plague has begun.’ “He… made atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; so, the plague was stopped.” [1]
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” [2]
Once an atonement was made, the plaque among the Israelites stopped. God loved us and sent His Son to be an atonement for our sins. Faith in Christ’s redemptive work on the cross destroys the destructive consequences of sin… both in this world and the next.
“Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him—for the redemption of their souls is costly, and it shall cease forever—that he should continue to live eternally, and not see the Pit. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. Selah” [3]
Human pride scoffs at yielding itself to God. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.” [4] May the Lord grant us the grace of humility, the blessing of brokenness and the gift of contrition. The Lord urges us, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” [5]
Don’t be destroyed by the curses of sin. Claim the blood of Jesus Christ shed for the forgiveness of your sins! Let Christ take whatever is coming against you, and let Him halt and reverse the effects of the plague.
[1] Numbers 16:46-48
[2] 1 John 4:10
[3] Psalm 49:6-9, 15
[4] Psalm 51:17
[5] Luke 21:34-36
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” [2]
Once an atonement was made, the plaque among the Israelites stopped. God loved us and sent His Son to be an atonement for our sins. Faith in Christ’s redemptive work on the cross destroys the destructive consequences of sin… both in this world and the next.
“Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him—for the redemption of their souls is costly, and it shall cease forever—that he should continue to live eternally, and not see the Pit. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. Selah” [3]
Human pride scoffs at yielding itself to God. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.” [4] May the Lord grant us the grace of humility, the blessing of brokenness and the gift of contrition. The Lord urges us, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” [5]
Don’t be destroyed by the curses of sin. Claim the blood of Jesus Christ shed for the forgiveness of your sins! Let Christ take whatever is coming against you, and let Him halt and reverse the effects of the plague.
[1] Numbers 16:46-48
[2] 1 John 4:10
[3] Psalm 49:6-9, 15
[4] Psalm 51:17
[5] Luke 21:34-36
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Jesus Increase Self Decrease
Jesus and His disciples were baptizing. [1] So were John the Baptist and his disciples. [2] John the Baptist was informed, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” [3]
John responded, “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’” [4]
John compared himself to a friend of the bridegroom who rejoices to hear the bridegroom’s voice. [5] Then, he told his disciples, “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.” [6]
John explained to them that God gave to Jesus the Holy Spirit without measure [7], and that Jesus is the Beloved Son of God, and that whoever believes in Jesus has everlasting life.
“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” [8]
Are we competing with Jesus? Limiting Jesus? Or is Jesus increasing in our lives? Do we believe that He is the One who the heavenly Father loves… the One we should acknowledge and seek to imitate, or do we have other idol-figure in our lives? Perhaps, our own ego? John encouraged his followers by way of example to rejoice in Jesus. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the door to heaven. He is the resurrection. He has everlasting life. He is the way to the Father.
[1] John 3:22
[2] John 3:23
[3] John 3:26
[4] John 3:28
[5] John 3:29
[6] John 3:30
[7] John 3:34
[8] John 3:35-36
John responded, “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’” [4]
John compared himself to a friend of the bridegroom who rejoices to hear the bridegroom’s voice. [5] Then, he told his disciples, “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.” [6]
John explained to them that God gave to Jesus the Holy Spirit without measure [7], and that Jesus is the Beloved Son of God, and that whoever believes in Jesus has everlasting life.
“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” [8]
Are we competing with Jesus? Limiting Jesus? Or is Jesus increasing in our lives? Do we believe that He is the One who the heavenly Father loves… the One we should acknowledge and seek to imitate, or do we have other idol-figure in our lives? Perhaps, our own ego? John encouraged his followers by way of example to rejoice in Jesus. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the door to heaven. He is the resurrection. He has everlasting life. He is the way to the Father.
[1] John 3:22
[2] John 3:23
[3] John 3:26
[4] John 3:28
[5] John 3:29
[6] John 3:30
[7] John 3:34
[8] John 3:35-36
Monday, March 2, 2020
Repentance & Faith
Psalm 38 is of the penitential genre along with Psalms 6, 32, 51, 102, 130, and 143. Penitential refers to repentance of sin. What does repentance look like?
“Your hand presses me down.” [1] David’s agony was because of his own sin. Jesus was made the target of the same agony, but for our sins, not for His own. Jesus sustained the weight for the sins of the whole world. Understanding the agony helps us to understand something of the greatness of the love that sent Him to the cross – for us.
“My iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness.” [2] David’s sins were the cause of the crisis. David hoped that an honest and heartfelt telling of his misery would move God’s compassion.
“My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague, and my relatives stand afar off. Those who seek my life lay snares for me; those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, and plan deception all day long.” [3] David’s misery was unrelieved by either friends or relatives. His loved ones either did not care or could not help David. He also faced determined enemies who constantly plotted his destruction.
“For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.” [4] David chose to allow his affliction to press him towards God instead of away from the God.
“But my enemies are vigorous, and they are strong; and those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied. Those also who render evil for good, they are my adversaries, because I follow what is good.” [5] On the one hand, David felt afflicted because of his lack of goodness before God and on the other hand, he felt afflicted because his peers felt he was too good. “They are my adversaries,” the Hebrew word translated adversaries is the root for the title Satan. “They Satanically hate me, as if they were transformed into so many breathing devils.” [6]
“Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!” [7] The psalm closes with a heartfelt cry. More than anything, David wanted the sense of God’s presence (be not far from me). It is likely that the absence of that sense was David’s greatest trial in this dark season.
David pressed his need before God with urgency and looked to the Lord as his only salvation. The psalm ends without a change in circumstances but with continued faith in God.
[1] Psalm 38:2
[2] Psalm 38:4-5
[3] Psalm 38:11-12
[4] Psalm 38:15
[5] Psalm 38:19-20
[6] 2019 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com
[7] Psalm 38:21-22
“Your hand presses me down.” [1] David’s agony was because of his own sin. Jesus was made the target of the same agony, but for our sins, not for His own. Jesus sustained the weight for the sins of the whole world. Understanding the agony helps us to understand something of the greatness of the love that sent Him to the cross – for us.
“My iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness.” [2] David’s sins were the cause of the crisis. David hoped that an honest and heartfelt telling of his misery would move God’s compassion.
“My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague, and my relatives stand afar off. Those who seek my life lay snares for me; those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, and plan deception all day long.” [3] David’s misery was unrelieved by either friends or relatives. His loved ones either did not care or could not help David. He also faced determined enemies who constantly plotted his destruction.
“For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.” [4] David chose to allow his affliction to press him towards God instead of away from the God.
“But my enemies are vigorous, and they are strong; and those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied. Those also who render evil for good, they are my adversaries, because I follow what is good.” [5] On the one hand, David felt afflicted because of his lack of goodness before God and on the other hand, he felt afflicted because his peers felt he was too good. “They are my adversaries,” the Hebrew word translated adversaries is the root for the title Satan. “They Satanically hate me, as if they were transformed into so many breathing devils.” [6]
“Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!” [7] The psalm closes with a heartfelt cry. More than anything, David wanted the sense of God’s presence (be not far from me). It is likely that the absence of that sense was David’s greatest trial in this dark season.
David pressed his need before God with urgency and looked to the Lord as his only salvation. The psalm ends without a change in circumstances but with continued faith in God.
[1] Psalm 38:2
[2] Psalm 38:4-5
[3] Psalm 38:11-12
[4] Psalm 38:15
[5] Psalm 38:19-20
[6] 2019 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com
[7] Psalm 38:21-22
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Saved By Grace
The parables of “The Unjust Steward” and “Lazarus and the Rich Man” [1] follow the parables of “The Lost Sheep,” “The Lost Coin,” and “The Lost Son.” [2] Both the unjust steward and Lazarus are men who had nothing to offer the Lord in terms of wealth or a great resumé, and yet, both escape with their lives at the end of their stories.
“He [Jesus] also said to His disciples: ‘There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.’” [3]
The steward or treasurer in this parable of Jesus either messed up or was falsely accused. His rich boss was about to terminate him, so he made friends with his bosses’ debtors by reducing one’s debts by 50% and another’s debt by 20%. He hoped they would take him in after he was fired. Based on the context of the chapter in which this parable is told, I believe the treasurer was just trying to survive.
Jesus told His disciples, “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” [4] The emphasis is not to love worldly wealth more than God.
“Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him [Jesus]. He [Jesus] said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.’” [5]
Money and success are highly esteemed among people who want to justify themselves. But this kind of self-worth is an abomination to God. People are intrinsically valuable to God. He created us in His image. We do not need to prove our value. God loves us.
Jesus told another parable in the presence of the Pharisees. “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate. So it was that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted-up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” “Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and you are tormented.” [6]
The rich man assumed that he was safe due to his abundant provisions, but his life was devoid of God. He had no compassion on poor Lazarus. He had no relationship with God.
Lazarus had nothing to offer God, but a wounded, homeless, and hungry man. The Lord had mercy on Him and brought him to be with Father Abraham. Like the steward of the rich man who failed his master, he knew that he needed grace if he was going to have a place to live in the future. We all need the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be welcomed into His eternal home. He is the only Savior from sin.
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross for my sins. You are my Savior. I trust You to save me though I do not deserve to be saved. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.”
[1] Luke 16
[2] Luke 15
[3] Luke 16:1
[4] Luke 16:13
[5] Luke 16:14-15
[6] Luke 16:19-20, 22-2, 25
“He [Jesus] also said to His disciples: ‘There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.’” [3]
The steward or treasurer in this parable of Jesus either messed up or was falsely accused. His rich boss was about to terminate him, so he made friends with his bosses’ debtors by reducing one’s debts by 50% and another’s debt by 20%. He hoped they would take him in after he was fired. Based on the context of the chapter in which this parable is told, I believe the treasurer was just trying to survive.
Jesus told His disciples, “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” [4] The emphasis is not to love worldly wealth more than God.
“Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him [Jesus]. He [Jesus] said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.’” [5]
Money and success are highly esteemed among people who want to justify themselves. But this kind of self-worth is an abomination to God. People are intrinsically valuable to God. He created us in His image. We do not need to prove our value. God loves us.
Jesus told another parable in the presence of the Pharisees. “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate. So it was that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted-up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” “Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and you are tormented.” [6]
The rich man assumed that he was safe due to his abundant provisions, but his life was devoid of God. He had no compassion on poor Lazarus. He had no relationship with God.
Lazarus had nothing to offer God, but a wounded, homeless, and hungry man. The Lord had mercy on Him and brought him to be with Father Abraham. Like the steward of the rich man who failed his master, he knew that he needed grace if he was going to have a place to live in the future. We all need the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be welcomed into His eternal home. He is the only Savior from sin.
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross for my sins. You are my Savior. I trust You to save me though I do not deserve to be saved. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.”
[1] Luke 16
[2] Luke 15
[3] Luke 16:1
[4] Luke 16:13
[5] Luke 16:14-15
[6] Luke 16:19-20, 22-2, 25
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