Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against…" Luke 2:34
Some people and some things that are said make us all feel good. Let me tell you the first example I thought of: Jackie DeShanon’s 1965 hit “What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love.” Most people think accounts of Jesus’ birth belong in that same category. Sweet little baby with angels, shepherds and wise men all around: what’s not to feel good about?
However, the passage we read from Luke reflects something else. The elderly Simeon prophesies that this child-to-become-a-man will cause the falling and the rising of many. There will be something about his message that will lead some to triumph but others to tragedy.
He offers good news to anyone and everyone, but not everyone will rise because not everyone will welcome the message of his kingdom. Some will be sure that they have a better way. They will either find him offensive or irrelevant. They will speak against him or ignore him. Though he came to condemn no one, on the last day the words he has spoken will judge them (John 12:48). If they protest the unfairness of this, they will surely be reminded that they had a choice and they rejected God’s extravagant generosity. While others rise, they will fall.
Jackie DeShannon had a feel-good song that became a big hit. The story of Jesus belongs in a different genre.
12/27/09
12/21/09
The Inconvenient Path to Peace
Luke 1:79 --“to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death,to guide our feet into the path of peace."
Luke 2:14 -- "Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
We are not surprised at all to find statements about peace connected with the birth narrative in the Jesus story. “Peace on earth” may be one of the phrases most associated with the nativity story. But here is where we may need one of the most radical changes of our minds.
I’m afraid too many people sing about peace on earth and good will to men without seriously considering what Jesus taught his disciples about the pursuit of peace. Contrary to the Empire that believed the Pax Romana – the peace of Rome – was maintained through a strong standing army ready to violently crush any rebellion, Jesus taught his disciples to love their enemies and do good to them.
Contrary to his own Jewish countrymen who believed God’s peace on earth would be established by a forceful and violent overthrow of the pagan invaders, Jesus taught his disciples to pray for their enemies and to go the second mile for those very invaders.
Isaiah had prophesied of the coming kingdom where men would beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks and learn war no more. The Jews believed that would happen, but only after they had destroyed the Gentile unbelievers.
When Jesus came he was saying, “No, we are going to start living the kingdom right here and right now in the middle of the world and all its wars. We are going to be citizens of heaven and conduct ourselves by the standards of the age to come. And in the middle of all the fighting and the killing, we are going to practice peace and return good for evil. And in this way we will show them the real path to peace.”
Is anyone listening? Is anyone willing to change his mind this much?
FOCUS SCRIPTURES
Isaiah 2:3-4
Many peoples will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
Matthew 5:43-48
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Luke 6:27-36
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 2:14 -- "Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
We are not surprised at all to find statements about peace connected with the birth narrative in the Jesus story. “Peace on earth” may be one of the phrases most associated with the nativity story. But here is where we may need one of the most radical changes of our minds.
I’m afraid too many people sing about peace on earth and good will to men without seriously considering what Jesus taught his disciples about the pursuit of peace. Contrary to the Empire that believed the Pax Romana – the peace of Rome – was maintained through a strong standing army ready to violently crush any rebellion, Jesus taught his disciples to love their enemies and do good to them.
Contrary to his own Jewish countrymen who believed God’s peace on earth would be established by a forceful and violent overthrow of the pagan invaders, Jesus taught his disciples to pray for their enemies and to go the second mile for those very invaders.
Isaiah had prophesied of the coming kingdom where men would beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks and learn war no more. The Jews believed that would happen, but only after they had destroyed the Gentile unbelievers.
When Jesus came he was saying, “No, we are going to start living the kingdom right here and right now in the middle of the world and all its wars. We are going to be citizens of heaven and conduct ourselves by the standards of the age to come. And in the middle of all the fighting and the killing, we are going to practice peace and return good for evil. And in this way we will show them the real path to peace.”
Is anyone listening? Is anyone willing to change his mind this much?
FOCUS SCRIPTURES
Isaiah 2:3-4
Many peoples will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
Matthew 5:43-48
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Luke 6:27-36
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
12/13/09
God with Us
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." Matthew 1:22-23
In our last installment we saw that the child born in Bethlehem was bringing more that season’s greetings or the “most wonderful time of the year.” He was bringing the kingdom of God. That kingdom is about the breaking of the age to come into this present age. It is about the divine intersecting the human realm. It is about Immanuel—God with us.
"God with us." Those three words tell us what life is not. It is not about people whose lives are as meaningful as a rock trying to use all the intellectual or literary or musical talent, they just accidentally have, to try and give it some meaning. It is not about trying to find enough entertainment, diversion or substances to help one forget it has no meaning.
"God with us." Life is about God who gives life its purpose. It is about God who wants to be with us. It is about a God we need to be with. It is about a God who comes to us. Specifically in this story, it is about a God who comes to us, first as a child. It is about a God we would never make up, who comes to us in weakness, even though he still has all power.
Life is about a God who comes to us, but who gives us a choice. In Jesus and in the Holy Spirit, he let’s us know: “God with us.” In our hearts we have to decide to say: “And I am going to be with God.”
Focus Scripture
John 1:7-14
He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
In our last installment we saw that the child born in Bethlehem was bringing more that season’s greetings or the “most wonderful time of the year.” He was bringing the kingdom of God. That kingdom is about the breaking of the age to come into this present age. It is about the divine intersecting the human realm. It is about Immanuel—God with us.
"God with us." Those three words tell us what life is not. It is not about people whose lives are as meaningful as a rock trying to use all the intellectual or literary or musical talent, they just accidentally have, to try and give it some meaning. It is not about trying to find enough entertainment, diversion or substances to help one forget it has no meaning.
"God with us." Life is about God who gives life its purpose. It is about God who wants to be with us. It is about a God we need to be with. It is about a God who comes to us. Specifically in this story, it is about a God who comes to us, first as a child. It is about a God we would never make up, who comes to us in weakness, even though he still has all power.
Life is about a God who comes to us, but who gives us a choice. In Jesus and in the Holy Spirit, he let’s us know: “God with us.” In our hearts we have to decide to say: “And I am going to be with God.”
Focus Scripture
John 1:7-14
He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
12/6/09
Inflatable Jesuses and Kingdom Living
Driving near our home you can see an inflatable manger scene right there in a yard with about ten other inflatables including, Frosty the Snowman, Santa in race car and a train loaded with Christmas gifts. It is the time of the year when Jesus shows up in all kinds of places and in many songs.
For the next four weeks I want to look at some Bible texts connected with the birth of Jesus, and hopefully see some things often overlooked this time of year.
Today let’s consider Luke 1:33 where the angel says to Mary, “and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." That little child who would be “asleep on the hay” was coming to bring a long-awaited kingdom. He was coming to rule and reign. He was coming not to bring us the Christmas season and give us another yard ornament, but to become absolutely sovereign in our lives.
We know that Herod felt threatened when he learned men from the east had come seeking this child of destiny. Herod’s paranoia is well known to historians, but in this case he was right about something. This child was bringing a kingdom that would stand opposed to the kingdoms of this world.
The king himself would come as a little child, enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and wash the feet of his followers. Those who accepted his rule would live by values opposite of those of this world. They would be so captured by the age to come that they would not live so much as people of this nation or that one, but as citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20).
Let me challenge you this season to evaluate everything in light of the kingdom life and values that this child brings.
Focus Scriptures
Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Matthew 5:3 and 10
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 6:9-10
9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (emphasis added).
For the next four weeks I want to look at some Bible texts connected with the birth of Jesus, and hopefully see some things often overlooked this time of year.
Today let’s consider Luke 1:33 where the angel says to Mary, “and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." That little child who would be “asleep on the hay” was coming to bring a long-awaited kingdom. He was coming to rule and reign. He was coming not to bring us the Christmas season and give us another yard ornament, but to become absolutely sovereign in our lives.
We know that Herod felt threatened when he learned men from the east had come seeking this child of destiny. Herod’s paranoia is well known to historians, but in this case he was right about something. This child was bringing a kingdom that would stand opposed to the kingdoms of this world.
The king himself would come as a little child, enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and wash the feet of his followers. Those who accepted his rule would live by values opposite of those of this world. They would be so captured by the age to come that they would not live so much as people of this nation or that one, but as citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20).
Let me challenge you this season to evaluate everything in light of the kingdom life and values that this child brings.
Focus Scriptures
Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Matthew 5:3 and 10
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 6:9-10
9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (emphasis added).
11/29/09
Don't Freeze-Frame
by Sheila Jones from her new book My Bucket of Sand
The other day I was looking at a picture of my husband taken about five years ago in a park. My eyes were drawn to the background where I saw a child wearing blue jeans and a red shirt. He was running—frozen in the posture of pumped arms and legs.
Though he was moving quickly, though he had assumed many different poses within a few seconds’ time, in this photograph he will always be in this position—trapped—captured—no escape—freeze-framed.
Though he will change clothes many times in his life, in this photograph he will always wear blue jeans and a red shirt—trapped—captured—no escape—freeze-framed.
With each other, we can freeze-frame a hurtful action, a senseless statement, a stupid idea. Then forever in our minds, this is who that person is. He or she is characterized by the snapshot of that moment.
And yet there are so many more moments in a person’s life that define them fully. Millions of frames in the moving picture of their grace-filled, imperfect life—times of great sacrifice and love, times of noble deeds and insightful comments, times of deep faith and strong conviction.
I don’t want to be freeze-framed in anyone’s mind. And I don’t want to freeze-frame anyone else. Sometimes we don’t even know we have done it—that we have judged someone on the basis of frozen evidence.
I am so grateful that God does not freeze-frame me when I am being prideful, or when I am being selfish or jealous. Through the grace of Jesus, he lets the picture keep moving and forgives me as I go. I am never trapped or captured in my sin.
Let’s not freeze-frame each other. Let’s start the action and let people move on in our minds—let them continue to grow, mature, change…and be forgiven.
The other day I was looking at a picture of my husband taken about five years ago in a park. My eyes were drawn to the background where I saw a child wearing blue jeans and a red shirt. He was running—frozen in the posture of pumped arms and legs.
Though he was moving quickly, though he had assumed many different poses within a few seconds’ time, in this photograph he will always be in this position—trapped—captured—no escape—freeze-framed.
Though he will change clothes many times in his life, in this photograph he will always wear blue jeans and a red shirt—trapped—captured—no escape—freeze-framed.
With each other, we can freeze-frame a hurtful action, a senseless statement, a stupid idea. Then forever in our minds, this is who that person is. He or she is characterized by the snapshot of that moment.
And yet there are so many more moments in a person’s life that define them fully. Millions of frames in the moving picture of their grace-filled, imperfect life—times of great sacrifice and love, times of noble deeds and insightful comments, times of deep faith and strong conviction.
I don’t want to be freeze-framed in anyone’s mind. And I don’t want to freeze-frame anyone else. Sometimes we don’t even know we have done it—that we have judged someone on the basis of frozen evidence.
I am so grateful that God does not freeze-frame me when I am being prideful, or when I am being selfish or jealous. Through the grace of Jesus, he lets the picture keep moving and forgives me as I go. I am never trapped or captured in my sin.
Let’s not freeze-frame each other. Let’s start the action and let people move on in our minds—let them continue to grow, mature, change…and be forgiven.
11/22/09
My Wife's Bucket
When you hear the title “My Wife’s Bucket,” you might guess that this is about all the things I have done wrong in our marriage, but you would be wrong. No, Sheila’s new book, My Bucket of Sand, has just been released, and I want to weigh in and say a few things.
Over the years I have heard Sheila share many of these stories, thoughts, and analogies in different contexts and have seen their impact on so many people. I cannot count the times when I was leading a group using my carefully prepared thoughts, when Sheila would think of an analogy or an image to share with the people to illustrate the point. Then in the discussion that would follow, what I would hear more than anything would be, “Like Sheila said.” Sometimes it’s a little hard on the ego, but that is what we want—to die to our pride. Right? God has given her a gift of taking the everyday things that happen to us and using them to illustrate vital spiritual truths.
If you read My Bucket of Sand, I have a feeling you will go away thinking this is more a bag of jewels. You will find images she gives sticking with you long after you have forgotten a carefully organized sermon. Now, don’t misunderstand me; there is a place for those. Sheila knows Scripture and understands the importance of careful teaching, and does that herself, but this book showcases her ability to bring a vital truth to down to earth and catch it in a memorable image or analogy.
Next week, I want her to sit at this microphone and share with you her short chapter on “Freeze-Frame.” You may never take another picture without thinking about it. So come back after our Thanksgiving weekend in the U.S. and hear one of her special thoughts.
Over the years I have heard Sheila share many of these stories, thoughts, and analogies in different contexts and have seen their impact on so many people. I cannot count the times when I was leading a group using my carefully prepared thoughts, when Sheila would think of an analogy or an image to share with the people to illustrate the point. Then in the discussion that would follow, what I would hear more than anything would be, “Like Sheila said.” Sometimes it’s a little hard on the ego, but that is what we want—to die to our pride. Right? God has given her a gift of taking the everyday things that happen to us and using them to illustrate vital spiritual truths.
If you read My Bucket of Sand, I have a feeling you will go away thinking this is more a bag of jewels. You will find images she gives sticking with you long after you have forgotten a carefully organized sermon. Now, don’t misunderstand me; there is a place for those. Sheila knows Scripture and understands the importance of careful teaching, and does that herself, but this book showcases her ability to bring a vital truth to down to earth and catch it in a memorable image or analogy.
Next week, I want her to sit at this microphone and share with you her short chapter on “Freeze-Frame.” You may never take another picture without thinking about it. So come back after our Thanksgiving weekend in the U.S. and hear one of her special thoughts.
11/15/09
Marriage Calling Heaven
This week our topic has to be marriage. Sheila and I are returning from a weekend, as I write this, where about 75 couples focused on putting more of Jesus into their relationships with each other.
This retreat was not normal fare, but a bit on the unusual side, fitting with the theme, “Lovin’ on the Edge.” At this retreat there were no expert speakers. No one who spoke was even in a paid ministry position.
Those attending heard from seven couples who work regular jobs including that of stay-at-home moms. Five of the couples have known their marriages at one time outside of Christ before they were disciples. All of them shared how much they needed help and answers before they decided to follow Jesus.
But let me tell you one thing they did not say and one more thing that they did say.
They did not say that after they became Christians it was like they had died and gone to heaven. No, they were all gut-level honest in acknowledging that after their new birth they still had marital challenges. They had times of anger, conflict, defeat, despair and more.
But here is the other thing they all said: They are so thankful to be Christians. But why, if they still have problems? In spite of the challenges they are so thankful to be following Jesus because (1) there is grace sufficient to deal with every failure, (2) there is truth to guide them back on to the path, and (3) there are friends and fellow citizens of God’s kingdom to help them see clearly and sort out their challenges.
In Christ, our marriages don’t always look like they were made in heaven, but there is never is a time when we aren’t getting help from heaven.
Focus Scriptures
Ephes. 5:24-33
Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
Ephes. 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
This retreat was not normal fare, but a bit on the unusual side, fitting with the theme, “Lovin’ on the Edge.” At this retreat there were no expert speakers. No one who spoke was even in a paid ministry position.
Those attending heard from seven couples who work regular jobs including that of stay-at-home moms. Five of the couples have known their marriages at one time outside of Christ before they were disciples. All of them shared how much they needed help and answers before they decided to follow Jesus.
But let me tell you one thing they did not say and one more thing that they did say.
They did not say that after they became Christians it was like they had died and gone to heaven. No, they were all gut-level honest in acknowledging that after their new birth they still had marital challenges. They had times of anger, conflict, defeat, despair and more.
But here is the other thing they all said: They are so thankful to be Christians. But why, if they still have problems? In spite of the challenges they are so thankful to be following Jesus because (1) there is grace sufficient to deal with every failure, (2) there is truth to guide them back on to the path, and (3) there are friends and fellow citizens of God’s kingdom to help them see clearly and sort out their challenges.
In Christ, our marriages don’t always look like they were made in heaven, but there is never is a time when we aren’t getting help from heaven.
Focus Scriptures
Ephes. 5:24-33
Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
Ephes. 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
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