Luke 11:29-54

The comparison between Jonah and Solomon and Jesus is interesting. One greater than them is here. How would you act if you were around someone wiser than Solomon?

In the conversation about tithing, I'd never notice, buried in the conflict, the theological reason why tithing is important. They were tithing religiously yet missed, or passed by, the justice and love of God. Tithing should be connected to justice and love!

I can't help but think of false religions, how they place great burdens on people. They don't go into grace and they hinder others from going in, too. I also worry how many pastors will hear from God, "You have taken away the key of knowledge." Frightening words for someone in my position.

Luke 11:1-28

Jesus' disciples ask him to teach them to pray, like John taught his disciples to pray. Apparently that's one of the key things you should learn from someone who helps you walk with God. What would I learn if I asked Jesus to teach me to pray? Jesus says, pray about God's stuff, then pray about your stuff -- His kingdom, his will, then my daily bread, my forgiveness and temptation. The closer we connect our needs and desires to God's agenda, the more pleased he will be to respond.

Even if God were unwilling, like the friend in the night, he can be prevailed upon by persistence. But he is more like the father who is looking to give good gifts to his children. The best gift he gives is the Holy Spirit.

There is no coincidence that the Beelzebul controversy and Jesus clear claim of spiritual authority follow his instruction on prayer. Prayer and spiritual authority and spiritual victory go together.

Luke 10:21-42

This section is one piece. The lawyer came up with this summary of the Old Testament law, not Jesus. Jesus didn't let it rest as mere belief, but told them that "doing" it was the key. That made the lawyer feel like he needed to justify himself. How many of us need to justify why we don't do what we know or say we believe?

Luke shows us what loving your neighbor looks like. It looks like caring for anyone who needs you. Jesus asked, "Who was a neighbor to this man?" Only one answer is possible: The one who showed compassion.

Luke then shows us what loving God looks like. It means soaking up Jesus words and spending time with Him . . . not serving Him! Everyone I know who has ever put church work before relationship with Jesus (and there have been many) usually come to that realization with a similar smugness and self-righteousness that Martha has here. Mary's part, love for Jesus, can never be taken away from her!

Luke 10:1-20

The harvest Jesus sends these workers into is interesting. It is plentiful. Serving in the harvest is a joyful experience. But, there is a shortage of workers. Why? One reason might be that you harvest like sheep among wolves. You can get killed, eaten alive, in this harvest!

In principle, Jesus instructs his deputies to work with those who are responsive. Don't waste time on the disinterested. This is instructive for any of us who are trying to serve in Jesus' stead.

The delegated authority of Jesus that made the demons subject to them and caused Satan to fall from heaven is ours, too. We are to pray, "in his name." We are to use his authority as we pray. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 is all about the delegated authority of Jesus. I underestimate the spiritual authority that a Christ-follower on Christ's mission possesses. Wow!

Luke 9:38-62

The boy with the unclean spirit gave Jesus an occasion to explain what he expects from his followers. He told his disciples they were an unbelieving and perverted generation because they cast out this demon. Jesus considered spiritual impotence to be unbelieving and perverted. Wow!

Jesus gets serious about getting to Jerusalem. The disciples didn't understand. When the Samaritans didn't either, John and James were ready to call down fire from heaven. It is interesting how quickly people who don't understand are quick to invite God's condemnation on others!

Great principle: Whoever is not against us is for us. Usually we operate with the opposite principle. This is much more inclusive and inviting.

Luke 9:1-37

I love that the preaching of the twelve got results. The delegated preaching responsibilities caused word about Jesus to swirl through the whole countryside. Speculation about Jesus was everywhere, even in the palace. They had him as a prophet or John the Baptist -- Messiah never occurred to anyone. Herod was worried.

Peter confessed Jesus as Christ when they were praying. Jesus prayed before feeding 5,000. Would someone writing my life talk that much about my prayers?

I am supposed to take up my cross, not once and for all, but literally, "according to the day." Cross-bearing is a daily thing. Each day requires a different and distinct dying!

Jesus, Moses and Elijah spoke about Jesus' death. This was the conversation he had been trying to have with his disciples. The mount of transfiguration was not a spectacle or some glorified show-off experience, it was a strategy and encouragement summit in the face of the cross!

Luke 8:26-56

This crazy man who breaks chains and lives in graveyards may be the most frightening person in the whole Bible. The ending is great. The townspeople find this man sitting there talking to Jesus in his right mind. So, they ask Jesus to leave. Jesus tells him to go to his family and next thing you know he's preaching to the whole area. What would it be like to be refused by Jesus like this man was. Hmmm.

Jairus was the ruler of the synagogue. I wonder what it did to their synagogue to have Jesus raise his daughter from the dead? These parents apparently kept it low key as Jesus asked them to. Not very many people did.

Luke 8:1-25

The woman who washed Jesus' feet prompted Luke to list the other women who also followed Jesus. At least that must be why there is this interesting short little list of women.

The parable of the sower seems clear enough. Those who bear a hundred-fold with endurance are saved. There are a variety of reasons why the others don't:

• Immediate distractions steal the word.
• Heart hearts don't support the word for long.
• The word gets choked out by the cares of the world.

The parable of the light and the bushel is not like the little song either. It is not my light. It seems to be about God making things known.

When Jesus is in the boat it will not sink. What a great thing to remember and what an easy thing to forget. The appropriate response to his intervention is fear and amazement.

Luke 7:36-50

This sinful woman is the perfect foil for the Pharisee's hollow religion. Oddly, he had no sooner told they Pharisees that they consider him a glutton and a drunkard than one of them invited him over for dinner. Somehow this woman knew Jesus would be at Simon's house -- curious. Curious she would choose this meal to make a spectacle instead of all the other meals Jesus ate! This would have been the most awkward opportunity.

Their formality, pretense of goodness and heartlessness were all exposed by this woman's act of love. Washing his feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair, kissing hi feet and pouring myrrh on them would have been frowned on everywhere I've ever been. It's not really normal. To Jesus it seemed like an appropriate and proportional response.

Jesus' question, "Who loved more?" And his answer, "The one who was forgiven more," give me insight into how I encourage love for Him. I must remember how much I've been forgiven. I trust the sterility of my expressions of love are not proportional to my experience of forgiveness!

Jesus tells her that her faith has saved her. Yet, nowhere else does it talk about faith. . . only love. Jesus sees them as one in the same -- to believe is to love.

Luke 7:1-35

The Centurion recruited the Jewish elders to speak to Jesus on his behalf -- an interesting approach!. His understanding and faith seemed to clearly apprehend the authority of Jesus. This gentile had grasped what everyone else had missed -- Jesus had the right and authority to do whatever he pleased!

It looks like Jesus couldn't help but show compassion to this widow who had also lost her son when he stumbled upon a funeral procession. He had compassion and everyone, everywhere, heard of Him because of it. They drew conclusions about Him that came from the Bible.

I love the last line in Luke 7:35, "Wisdom is proven right by her children."

Luke 6:27-49

Luke 6:31 signals a new standard for the treatment of both friends and enemies. The treatment of those who cannot help us is one of the marks that distinguishes Christ-followers from others.

The measure God uses in return for justice is equal justice. The measure he uses for generosity is overflowing, pressed down, and shaken together. God is serious about encouraging generosity.

From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. This may be the key diagnostic principle in all the Bible. What is treasured in the heart is what comes out, whether good or bad.

Unlike the children's song, the one who hears and does Jesus' words is the wise builder with a strong foundation. It is not simply the person who "believes".

Luke 6:1-26

Am struck again at how directly Jesus went after the Sabbath issue. The pharisees brought the man with the withered hand. Jesus stood him up in the middle of the group to make sure they had the conflict they were after. He is Lord of the Sabbath. . . don't mess with Him!

Am humbled by Jesus' prayer life. I can't escape how he prayed all night before choosing the twelve. I somehow think a quick 30 minutes will cover it. Jesus was always in prayer. These twelve men changed the world!

These beatitudes are different from what Matthew records. Here there are woes, not just blessings. Happy are the poor (not just in spirit) and happy are the hungry (not just for righteousness). His woes and blessings are built upon a divine reversal someday.

Luke 5

Sometimes I feel like I've never even read this book before.

Jesus effortlessly moves from one draining/amazing miracle to another. He raised Peter's mother-in-law by "rebuking" the fever. Interesting.

Before calling Simon, Jesus commandeered his boat, preached from it, went out with them into the deep, brought in a record catch, returned to shore, and THEN dismissed the crowd. This was a public event!

Peter had already been fishing. He replied to Jesus, "By your word we will do it again." That is how I feel about many of my 'fishing-for-men' experiences. If only He would fill the nets with people!

After cleansing the leper and many others, Jesus withdrew to the wilderness to pray. Any connection between his being filled with the Spirit and his prayer?!

After he healed the paralytic, everyone was amazed and said, "Today we have seen something incredible." Do you think? I love the understatement.

Levi left everything and followed Christ. . . except his friends. He threw a party to bring them along with him to Jesus!

The wineskins parable is almost universally misapplied. Jesus' takeaway is simply, "The old wine is better!" He is not celebrating the new, but the old.

Luke 4

The Spirit is doing a lot of leading. He led Jesus to the wilderness, "by the power of the Spirit." I need the Spirit more than I realize.

Luke speaks of the temptation lasting 40 days, yet only records three! The first two are temptations to "prove yourself." He continued to face those even while hanging on the cross. The third one has the hiss of the serpent, "Worship me and I'll give you glory and authority." It is the promise of what Jesus left behind in Philippians 2. The devil left him, literally, "for now."

Jesus got a stiff reaction when he mentioned the widow of Zarephath and Naaman. It is hard to overestimate the anti-gentile sentiment of Jesus' day. Their reaction, though, seems out of proportion to the offense. Which is a good indication more is going on that meets the eye.

I wonder what it would have been like to go home to your podunk Judean town and preach the kingdom of heaven! Wow.

Luke 3

Never really noticed many of the details before. Luke lists four different levels of governmental leadership to help accurately record the time of John's preaching.

A tax collector wondered what it meant to work the works for repentance. So, John told him very specifically.

John did not hold forth in an ideal spot for church growth or missional strategy. Yet the Spirit of God got his work done there in the wilderness.

Luke says very little about Jesus' baptism and a lot about his genealogy. . . all the way back to God! It does not include the rogues that Matthew's version does.

Luke 2

It is interesting to read the Christmas story outside of December. Some observations come more easier outside "the season."

The "Heavenly host" is literally a heavenly army! Heaven was rejoicing at the birth of Jesus. The shepherds caught some of the overflow of heaven's delight.

"This will be a sign to you. . ." implies they were supposed to go looking. "Everyone marveled . . ." implies that the shepherds were quick to tell people about Jesus. These are two great responses -- Seek and Tell.

Joseph and Mary marveled at Simeon's words because he so clearly identified their baby as the Jewish messiah! His use of the Scriptures is impressive.

When Jesus was in the temple explaining why he missed the car ride home, his parents did not understand what he was saying -- the first of many times.

Luke 1:39-80

What a long chapter!

I am impressed by Mary's Song. She knew her Old Testament Scriptures. And, she knew how they connected to her Son. One of the facets of her virtue and righteousness is her knowledge of the Scriptures.

Zechariah's song of praise, likewise, was full of Scripture. What was going on with these babies was a Bible thing if it was anything!

In the womb, John jumped for joy. I wonder how Elizabeth knew that joy motivated him?

Luke 1:1-38

The angel makes the relationship of John with the Elijah prophecy in Malachi very explicit. He does not want us to miss it. He will do what Malachi prophesied.

John is an answer to prayer for a faithful, childless old couple who, month after month, had lived with renewed disappointment. The angel prophesied a ton of joy! He was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb. God, fill my children with your Spirit.

The angel was also very clear with Mary that Jesus is the promised Messiah to sit on David's throne. He connected her child with the promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-4 and with the Davidic Covenant in 2 Samuel 7:13-16.

Mark 15:33--16:8

That Jesus would be able to call with a loud voice is remarkable. What he called is stunning and I'm sure was the greatest agony of the cross. The silence of God here is deafening. "Why have you forsaken me?"

Simon of Cyrene was just passing by but was conscripted to carry the cross and his life was changed. The centurion on the job noted, "surely this is the son of God." His life was changed, too. Joseph of Arimathea was a respected council member. What a week it must have been for him. Was he already sick that he had prepared his grave already?

From the silence of a sabbath with a defeated Messiah to the wonder of an empty tomb -- Whoa -- What a ride for the women and the disciples! Mark stops at the resurrection. "He's not here. Go to Galilee. Period!" Everything changes with that news!

The longer ending is very different from the gospel in style and content. It is generally not considered to be an authentic part of this gospel.

Mark 15:1-32

In the end, it comes down to this. Everything here is wrong. Political gamesmanship disregards justice. Insult is added to injury. The mockery in the midst of it all is breathtaking. And then, the temptation, "If you come down, then we'll believe." That sounds very much like his temptation by Satan in the wilderness.

What happened to Barabbas and what happened to me is the same. Jesus stepped in for both of us! What enduring love not to opt out at any point in this tortuous ordeal!

Mark 14:53-72

What a sad few verses. The bravado of Peter and the others is short-lived as they not only flee, but as Peter denies Jesus. It would almost be comical if not so tragic. Everyone was either a regular employee of the priest or there to hear the trial of Jesus. Since Peter wasn't regular, there was really no denying he was there with Jesus.

The false witnesses couldn't agree, but when confronted with the truth they all called it blasphemy because they had already decided it wasn't true. That is a serious mistake.

I hate the spitting part!

Mark 14:27-52

Why is this prayer in Gethsemane in the Bible? To show conflict within Jesus, maybe. To show obedience and submission to the Father's will, for sure. To show the feeble will of the disciples. To show the importance of prayer. To show the centrality of the cross, after all, God was able to do anything and He still sent Jesus to the cross.

I think, if I was a disciple, the prayer in the garden would have been the same. I'd have probably slept, too. It was late after all and their eyelids were heavy. Jesus' technique for avoiding temptation is simple -- Watch and Pray.

The betrayer's kiss will forever be the ultimate story of betrayal. The evil is almost suffocating.

Where does the naked fleeing man come from? What a curious detail! How would you like to be in the Bible for that reason?

Mark 14:1-26

The tension in this chapter is thick. The extreme consternation at this woman who gives her heirloom vase of perfume to Jesus shows us something deeper is truly the issue.

One might look at Judas' betrayal as a result of fiscal differences with Jesus. . . if the results were in proportion to the difference.

I love the random guy with the jar standing in the city waiting for disciples to come along. What a role in this eternal drama! The passover night is a sober and tender one.

Mark 13

No one knows the day or the hour. So. . . watch.

A few things keep me off-balance here:

• This generation will not pass away before these things happen (Mark 13:30) and many of the things did happen then.
• On the other hand, the celestial catastrophes and the Son of Man coming on the clouds and the gospel being preached to all the nations make it seem like it is still future.
  

The one who stands firm to the end will be saved (Mark 13:13). How many times I am tempted to quit? Things were much worse then than they are for me!

Mark 12

Mark's editorial comment, "They knew he spoke this against them. . .", tells us how obvious and how stinging this story was to the original listeners.

Jesus saw the real issues behind their questions. I think the "render unto Caesar" answer is the best answer to any question ever!

Interesting the Sadducees asked a question about something they didn't believe in. They were deceived because they did not know the power of God or the Scriptures. How many people today are easily deceived for the same reasons?

Mark 11

This whole chapter is amazing. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey then walked back to Bethany! He was deliberately identifying himself with Zechariah 9:9.

I'm sure they didn't fill the temple with money changers overnight. There was a gradual creep as they adapted ideas that made it easier started out making it easier to for people to worship. One thing led to another and they were stealing from people in the name of God!

I'd like to figure out this fig tree situation. Mark says, "It wasn't time for figs." This wasn't about fruitfulness or cursing. Jesus made it about prayer and faith when they came back and found it shriveled. It is a picture of the level of authority he had and was passing to them. "Ask believing, and you will receive it." What do I really believe God will do when I ask? Not enough, that's for sure.

Mark 10:31-52

Jesus pulled his disciples aside from the crowd to tell them of his death. Not everyone got the same level of information.

That all the disciples were indignant with James and John shows how little they understood what Jesus teaches in these verses. It is NOT natural to serve. Perhaps their question is positive in some regard. Maybe they understood a glimmer of what it meant to rise again. . . maybe.

Jesus made Bartimaeus, even though it was obvious to Jesus, what he needs. He did not need the information. Even normal people can figure out that a blind person needs to see. Jesus likes to be asked!

Mark 10: 1-30

This is one of my favorite chapters in all the Bible. Watching Jesus move through these unusual pastoral experiences back-t0-back makes me love and admire him all the more. I love how the disciples are all trying to keep up with and understand him.

The passive voice in the verb "be one flesh" is interesting. It is something done to the couple, they are made to be one flesh. The beginning in Genesis is the standard for marriage and divorce.

Unless you come to the kingdom as a child, you can't come. I illustrated this for Layne, who was sitting on my lap, by talking about her falling into the deep end of the pool. She won't get out unless she calls for and accepts help, like a little child.

The disciples marvel, more than once, at how hard it is to be saved.

Mark 9:14-50

This father says, "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief." This may be the perfect prayer, certainly one I need to pray all the time. Then he stumbles as he asks, "If you are able. . . " Jesus objects to the question! He will NEVER have ability problems in response to my requests.

The disciples couldn't cast out this demon and asked why. Jesus told them, "It comes out by prayer." Yet, the text doesn't record Jesus praying as he cast it out. I wonder how many things I'm unable to do that I would have been able to do if I'd prayed?

As the disciples argued about who was the greatest, Jesus took a child and stood him up in the middle of them. Show and tell! Jesus thinks we should take sin seriously enough to cut off body parts to avoid it!

Mark 8:31-9:13

I've not read straight through the chapter break like I did this time. But this is a clear foreshadowing of his death and resurrection. He talked about his death at the end of chapter 8 and gave a demonstration of his resurrection in chapter 9.

Mark 8:36ff is the most forceful, the clearest definitive statement about following Jesus in the Bible. How easy it is to stop short , to work to save your own life, and give lip service to following Jesus. Oh, God, help me go all the way!

The transfiguration shows many things. Not the least of which is the stupid things people say and do when they are afraid. "Let's build three tents."

I do love the disciples attempts to figure out what they just experience. I think they made progress as they processed what happened on the mountain.

My Apologies for not posting

Sorry I haven't added to this for the past couple days. I'll be back on Saturday or Sunday. Thanks for your patience with me.

Mark 8:1-30

Jesus asked the same question this time as he did when he had 5,000 to feed, "How much bread do you have?" Assessment was the first step in the miracle process. If they'd had a warehouse, I suppose a miracle wouldn't have been needed. Jesus is fond of doing miracles with ordinary ingredients. If I'm going to ask Him for a miracle, I can expect him to ask me first, "What do you have?"

Jesus minced no words with them. They were not getting it. He applied to them the same quote from Isaiah that he used on the Pharisees. Not a complimentary quotation, either.

The blind man was healed in two stages. I don't normally think of miracles taking place in steps. In fact, I wonder how many miracles I miss because I give up on them too early.

Mark 7

When Jesus quotes the Old Testament, he does so with extraordinary power. His language is more graphic with his disciples that with the crowd (he explains about the latrine). Jesus' message is about heart transformation, not mere external conformity to rules. What is in your heart will come out!

Jesus went to Tyre to hide!

This woman believed that even the scraps from Jesus would be adequate to heal her daughter. Why did Jesus initially accept cultural barriers between himself and this woman?

"He does all things well." What a good conclusion once the deaf, mute man talked. No one complained at that moment about the long years he had been deaf and mute throughout his life. He does do all things well.

Mark 6:30-57

Cool things about this text:

• Jesus was on a retreat. He was so busy he didn't have time to eat. . . I always have time to eat!
• The disciples had already researched how much bread and fish they had before Jesus even asked.
• He prayed while they strained at the oars. In the end, they both made it the same distance. I wonder if I prayed more and strained less, if I'd get as far?
• He walked on the water because he wanted to go to them. His was a relational motivation that turned out to be quite spectacular.
• They did not learn the lesson of the loaves. . . so they were surprised.
  

They had witnessed the two most spectacular supernatural events, back-to-back, prior to the resurrection. They were face-to-face with majesty . . . and they missed it. Their hearts were stubborn. Oh, God, don't let me be like that!

Mark 6:1-29

The barbarity of this section of Scripture is paralleled only, perhaps, by the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. A whoring mother who uses her sexuality to gain intimate access to the king, trains her daughter to do the same and then twists it into the murder of an innocent man. The girl receives the head of John the Baptist on a serving platter and gives it to her mom. I wonder how she slept that night with the head sitting on her dresser staring at her?!

The clear, bold preaching of John made Herod afraid, yet glad to hear him. And, it made Herodias angry enough to kill him. That had to be great preaching! Apparently the disciples' preaching resembled it because people thought John might have come back from the dead.

Mark 5:21-43

Jairus was the ruler of the synagogue. It is easy to forget how antagonistic religious leaders were to Jesus. This is a bold and desperate concession on his part.

Don't know how I'd missed this before but the woman had been suffering for 12 years and the girl who died was 12 years old.

After they heard the girl was dead, Jesus told the man, "Don't fear, only believe." In the heat of that moment, when your precious daughter just died, that must have sounded ridiculous. I suspect those same words would have sounded even stranger and harder to the woman who'd suffered for a dozen years. Yet, Jesus healed both the acute and the chronic problem -- one in dramatic fashion, one without even looking.

The disciples' statement, "How can you say, 'someone touched you,' when there is a crowd pressing you on every side?" and Jesus' response to the woman tell me that many can be in close, close proximity to Jesus and still not have any experience of his power! God, don't let me be part of a crowd that hangs around Jesus but misses His power because of a lack of faith.

Mark 5:1-20

The spiritual presence of Jesus was so obvious the demons reacted to him from a great distance! A crazy, violent man with invisible demons recognized a Galilean traveler who was invisibly the Son of God. His spiritual power and presence could not be ignored.

The drama of the drowning pigs gets most of the attention, but the commission of this newly freed man is a great commission for every believer, "Go to your home, to your people, and tell them what the Lord has done for you and of his mercy." That mission was more important than traveling with Jesus!

The pig farmers reject Jesus out of fear. Jesus will mess with your business!

Mark 4:21-41

I love the focus on the futility of human effort in these two parables. The grain grows "automatically" when the farmer sleeps. He told them the kingdom would grow undetected and appear to be doing nothing. And the farmer only contributes going to sleep.

Then Jesus goes to sleep himself. They did not see the connection and were terrified of the great storm. Then Jesus wakes and calms the storm and they are even more afraid of the great calm and the king who ruled the sea.

Mark 4:1-20

I love this! The sower is indiscriminate about dispensing the word. He even appears careless.

Satanic opposition comes, not to the sower, but to the recipients of the seed, by removing the word before it can take root.

For others, their rapid response is related to their rapid demise. They lack sufficient root. Perhaps care should be taken to cultivate so they can take root better. It is best NOT to insist on a fast response unless there's deep soil.

The word may be choked out by lack (the cares of the world) or by plenty (the deceitfulness of riches).

Any farmer knows the purpose of this parable is the grain in the end. What farmer is content with live, but sickly plants that don't produce a harvest? He is not sowing a lawn!

Oddly, the parables are intended to hide the spiritual reality of the kingdom from hard hearts.

Mark 3

Jesus knows he's in a trap. I love the drama of Jesus calling the man to the center. He frames the issue in a way that it is both clear and incontrovertible. Then he looks around very deliberately with grief. . . and heals the man. Sweet! This is very instructive in dealing with difficult people who oppose you on inadequate grounds.

He chose the twelve -- that they might be with him. What a gift! I choose you to be with me. Oh, to be with Jesus. They were chosen to preach and have authority over demons, too.

Mark is the clearest of all gospels about the unforgivable sin. He says, "because they said he had an unclean spirit." He actually has the Holy Spirit. That is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit to call him unclean. He suggests, too, that Jesus has bound the strong man and is plundering his house. How fun to be in on that!

Mark 2

I love the pace of the gospel of Mark. Everything happens almost "immediately". Bored? Read 10 more verses and we'll be on to something new.

Paralytic: Jesus saw their faith. It was the faith of the friends, too, that influenced Jesus. This man did not walk just because Jesus forgave his sins.

Matthew: There were no steps between following Jesus and introducing Him to his friends. No classes. No baptisms. Jesus made it clear that his motivation was to help the sick, not the well. I know I have a disease he must cure!

Fasting: Maybe I need to take more seriously this discipline of fasting since the bridegroom is gone now.

Sabbath: Two principles -- The Sabbath is made for man, not the other way around. And, Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath.

Mark 1:21-45

So much happened in this text! Jesus bursts on the scene with authoritative preaching and exorcisms. At the height of his popularity he withdrew to pray and came away with a change of plans because, "This is why I came." Jesus was clear on why he came so he could resist the pull of opportunities that looked fulfilling, but were off-target.

He spoke harshly to the lepers and sent them away. Jesus is nice. He's not supposed to speak harshly with people, is he? He told them not to talk but they did. Was their love (and appreciation) for Jesus in conflict with obedience to him? Hmmm. Clearly their disobedience had significant consequences for Jesus' freedom in that area. He had to withdraw to the hills.

Mark 1:1-20

Mark starts where no other gospel writer begins. He starts with John the Baptist and the prophecy in Isaiah. John baptizes for repentance.

The voice from heaven is very emphatic, "You are my beloved son. In You I am well pleased." This voice seems to be intended for Jesus and serves to prepare him for his testing in the wilderness.

Jesus' time in the wilderness is quickly summarized compared to Matthew.

Matthew 28

The women found Jesus' tomb empty. The 'go ahead to Galilee' message was the first they delivered. They gather there and Jesus spoke to them.

The insertion about the chief priests paying the guard extra to change their story is amazing. That grave yard has been a topic of conversation ever since.

The relationship between the authority of Jesus and the mission of the church cannot be overstated. His authority is over both the opposition and the church. This statement makes baptism submission to Christ's authority, if nothing else.

Matthew 27:35-66

I cannot read about the cross of Jesus without loving him. The mockery alone, forget the nails and thorns and the torturous design of crucifixion, would have made me come down in anger and destroy them all. His executioners were vicious.

The security of the tomb was important to Matthew. Its newness, rock carved character and known location comprise much of his description. It interests me how quickly the elders of the people remember the resurrection and take precautions. . . and how quickly his disciples forget it. That it was them and not the disciples is an ironic twist in what, up until now, was a gruesome story.

Matthew 27:1-34

I am sad in the pit of my stomach at reading this. The horror of it breaks my heart. The cold-hearted release of a guilty man and the purple-coated mockery, the thorn-pounding beatings make my heart sick.

Oh, Pilate washes his hands in a futile attempt to erase his guilt. The people eagerly accept the guilt on behalf of their children, too.

Matthew 26:57-75

The Jewish leaders did not, apparently, stop for one moment to consider whether the claim they asked Jesus about and that he admitted to might have been actually true. They were so blinded by their anger that the killed the one who claimed to be the Messiah. That is a big, big mistake, if you are wrong and He is right. The verse Jesus chose for support was interesting.

Never noticed before that the servants understood Jesus to be both from Galilee and from Nazareth. And, Peter was linked to Jesus who was from both places.

The courtyard is a haunting place. It's not outside where you would never be spotted. It's not inside with Jesus. It is the in between place of perceived safety where denial lurks right around the corner!

Matthew 26:26-56

The order of the passover meal would have been important because of the way Jesus spoke, "This is my body." The disciples would have heard that to be very particular. He took from the passover meal, just what he wanted to represent his body and his blood. He did not just take any wine or any pastry from any meal.

Jesus' strategy for fighting against temptation then, is the same as it is now, "Watch and pray that you do not enter into temptation." I need that advice just like they did.

I do feel sorry for them. Their eyelids were heavy!

Matthew 26:1-25

A very interesting stylistic observation on the plot -- Jesus is talking to his disciples then the leaders gather. In two places, at the same time, different preparations are going on for the crucifixion.

After the disciples comment about money of the poor, Matthew records, "Knowing . . . Jesus said." He knew this was a smokescreen. Makes me wonder how many times I make comments or objections that Jesus sees right through. Very interesting that this will repeated wherever the gospel is preached.

This must have been the most sober dinner event ever. They wonder, "Is it me?" How deceptive sin is, that they would not know or pretend not to know whether or not they would betray Jesus. Yikes.

Matthew 25:31ff

Noticed for the first time that this is a judgment of nations, not individuals. How does that change things? Does it mean that some of the response to the least of these is to be corporate, or national, or ethnic? As I considered that the least of these are Jesus' brothers, I could not help but be proud of New Life church. So many are doing ministry in these places.

Am impressed at how unwitting people are when they sin. "When did we do this?" they asked. What a question. Apparently neither the sheep nor the goats were what they would be evaluated on.

Matthew 25:1-30

The kingdom is like this parable. Jesus is really wanting us to figure out what life is like when He is the king.

I am most interested in why Jesus refuses people. Here he turns away people who want in. Why? Maybe the kingdom is not about getting the most people in that can possibly be crammed in. Perhaps it is more about their relationship to the bridegroom and how important he is to them!

The talents are different than we normally think of them. They are given to people based on their ability (or you might say talents are given based on talent!). They represent opportunity. What will you do with the opportunities given?

The foolish servant here is one who fears his master and miscalculates his character. That miscalculation cost him everything... wow! Conversely, a right view of God prompts right actions.

Matthew 24:29-51

These verses form a refrain from a song of the 60's or 70's, "I wish we'd all been ready." The assumption of that song was that this could happen any moment, but the thrust of this passage (Matt. 24:32-35)is that it will happen in their generation.

Jesus connects the certainty of these things with the truthfulness of His word. His word is true. . .therefore they can count on these things happening in their generation.

The celestial cataclysm is the piece of this chapter that makes many think that these events are still to happen and make it hard to understand in the past tense.

Matthew 24:1-28

One thing is clear: There will be false prophets and false Christ's in these lase days. Jesus says that three times.

The abomination of desolation in the temple, spoken of by Daniel, seems to be the key to understanding this passage. Almost every other reference seems to be very general.

The 'elect' play a larger role than I might expect. I'd expect Jesus to talk about it differently.

Matthew 23

It is no small wonder Jesus was crucified for walking into the Jews temple on their biggest holiday and saying things like this! Certainly the situation warranted these harsh comments, but the comments also warranted their hatred.

His denunciation is down to the details, including fashion styles and the wording of vows. No general or theoretical denunciations here.

It is hard to believe Catholicism survived teachings like this -- Don't let anyone call you teacher or father!

The refrain, "woe to you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites," has such a haunting effect. The offense is that they appear to be something they are not. They appear good and they are not good.

The tithing paragraph is instructive about church life. The external standard of 10% is easy to apply, and to accept, and allows people to miss the weight of the law. How many times do we decide on some external standard, that people may readily accept, and divert attention or circumvent true heart response to God? Jesus compares this to straining at a gnat (the 10%) and missing the obvious and camel-like demands of God! How easy it is to do this with our kids, too.

Matthew 22:23-46

Jesus' response to their question is to the point, "You are deceived, Don't you know the Scriptures or the power of God?" It is also paradigmatic. The life of the Christian is to know the Scriptures AND to know the power of God from experience. The Scriptures and experience with God form two safeguards against practical and doctrinal error.

How would Jesus' answer have been different if the lawyer had been earnestly wanting to know the most important things instead of simply trying to trick Jesus?

Matthew 22:1-22

I read this passage to Layne. As I read it, she interrupted and said, "I wouldn't invite bad people." I told her that is what is so great about God. You don't get invited because you're good enough. We are invited to the feast because we are the highways and byways people. Some people ignore the invitation because they are hostile to it. Others ignore it simply because they are too busy!

The next paragraph states they were trying to trick Jesus. When I read that, Layne said, "Seems like its getting close to Jesus dying on the cross!"

I love the absolute, inescapable yet subtle claim of ownership, "Render to God what is God's!"

Matthew 21:28-43

These two stories frame Jesus' perspective on not only the inclusion of the Gentiles, but on the rejection by Israel. What a strong statement, "tax collectors and prostitutes are going into the kingdom of heaven before you!" The scribes understood without question that he had directed this story at them. That can't be a good feeling. They themselves gave Jesus the answer that the vineyard owner would destroy the farmers and give the vineyard to another. Their "aha moment" was that God would destroy them and give heaven to another.

Matthew 21:1-27

The connection of the Triumphal Entry to Zechariah 9:9 is so obvious and strong that a devout Jewish reader would immediately recognize it. Jesus was riding in as a king, a unique kind of king.

"My house will be a house of prayer." The issue when Jesus cleaned out the temple was religious abuse, not money itself. The money changers and sacrifice sellers were withholding from people God's approval. They would have to buy a sacrifice to get right with God. What is that worth?

I still don't get the fig tree. . .

I love Jesus' response about John the Baptist. He actually was in the same predicament that he placed them in. If he said his own authority was from God, they'd have stoned him. If he said it was from man, they knew better because they were the authority. So, his answering a question with a question was brilliant!

Matthew 20

Again, "The kingdom of heaven is like..." What is the kingdom like? It is like some people getting what they deserve and some people getting way better than they deserve. The order of paychecks is reversed to show this off. This is little more than an apology for grace. Life in the kingdom is like GRACE! I cannot help but notice that God's grace prompts badness out of some people. I guess that happens when others get more grace than me.

Jesus asked Zebedee's wife and the blind beggars essentially the same question, "What do you want me to do for you?" This is a great question to focus my prayer. Every morning when I hit my knees I need to ask this as though Jesus was asking it of me himself. I think Jesus likes to be asked.

Matthew 19

Am struck again with the repetition of the phrase, "Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew is describing a kind of life that is subject to a heavenly king. We don't think in those terms very often, but it makes sense of many of the demands of Christ.

In the Q&A about divorce Jesus' appeal to the beginning and to God's initial design appear to be the structure from which we must think about divorce. We cannot think about divorce apart from the design of marriage.

The so-called, Rich Young Ruler feels some kind of need, though he is not sure of what. But it is that lack, that insufficiency that drives him to Jesus. I cannot escape, either, how hard Jesus is on him! What if Jesus were that hard on me! Saving a rich person appears to be the hardest thing on record. . . without God it is impossible!

Matthew 18

Jesus delivers the first 14 verses with his hands on the shoulders of a child. He is an example of humility necessary for everyone who would enter the kingdom. He is cause for a warning to any who might lead a little one astray. Is "his angel" a reference to a guardian angel?

The procedure of Matthew 18:15-18 is for interpersonal offenses. I can see where other offenses that may need to be dealt with other ways.

The kingdom of heaven is like this servant who has been forgiven much and who then struggles to forgive a fellow servant. Forgiveness comprises the whole fabric of being a Christian. Jesus connects my having been forgiven much with the need for me to forgive much. This is one of the fundamental structures of being Christian.

Matthew 17

Again, what Jesus was saying about Elijah took the disciples a long time to understand. But, to their credit, they were trying to apply the Scripture (Malachi 4:5) to their present experience.

When they come down and encounter the demon possessed boy, Jesus points out the lack of faith, twice. If lack of faith was a problem for them, how hard it must be for Him to put up with me.

Another statement about Jerusalem. The march to the cross cannot be ignored!

Matthew 16

I find the literalism of the disciples entertaining. Jesus wrangles them into understanding that he's talking about teaching of the Pharisees, not actual bread. If creating understanding was that much work why not just say, "Beware of the Pharisees' teaching?"

Jesus' immediate reaction to Peter's confession, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," tells us the source of faith: "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my father in heaven." Comprehending who Jesus is requires supernatural intervention. You cannot 'get' Jesus apart from God's grace.

Two things happen once he is identified as the Messiah. He tells them not to tell. He couldn't deal with a lot of messiah-talk. And, he starts to tell them about Jerusalem. They do not like the Jerusalem-talk, either.

Matthew 15: 21-39

Jesus does not treat this Canaanite woman like I expect. He appears to exercise the racial prejudice of the day. Nothing extraordinarily counter-cultural here. Then, just like that, he heals her daughter. The lesson here, faith transcends ethnicity. Her words about the dogs getting crumbs from the table must be one of the greatest lines of faith ever spoken. This woman and the centurion both argue in faith with Jesus. He found them both admirable. Gentile readers do sometimes blow by the racial tension in this text.

I wonder if any of the disciples looked out over the sea of 4,000 and thought, I wonder if he can do it again?

Matthew 15:1-20

Jesus is very clear that what you do on the outside is not what defiles you. Your heart is either defiled or not. The leading spiritual indicator which will show the condition of the heart is the words we speak. Everything comes from the heart (Proverbs 4:23). This passage provides a long list of sins that come from the heart. But, words come first. What do my words say about the condition of my heart?

Jesus engaged in conflict with Pharisees and scribes; he summoned the crowd to listen in; the disciples received personalized Q & A. Flexibility in communication is one key, humanly speaking, of Jesus' effectiveness.

Matthew 14

These are defining moments in the earthly life of Jesus. Both feeding the 5,000 and walking on water happen in the context of grief. The loss of John the Baptist drove him into the wilderness and he was followed by a hungry mob. I'd have been so mad at the crowd for ruining my retreat! Finally, dismissing them he went to the mountain to be by himself. Walking on water was a simple convenience that allowed him solitude.

The disciples were terrified when they saw Jesus walking on the water because they experienced him in a place and in a way they did not expect. It is disturbing to discover Jesus by surprise. It would be even more terrifying not to find him when you look for him.

Matthew 13:31-58

The parable of my life and our church is the parable of the treasure. Either the treasure is worth venturing everything to gain, or it isn't. It is a joyful thing to lose everything yet gain something of more value.

Jesus explains the parable of the weeds by saying simply, "This is that. . . and this is that." This is not the best way to understand parables unless you have Jesus telling you what is what. My chief question, though, is why? Why leave the weeds there now?

How tragic that Jesus is rejected by his friends and relatives in his home town, because they can't get over knowing his family.

Matthew 13:1-30

We enter Jesus' teaching in parables. Why does he teach this way? He says it is to separate between those with grace and those who don't have grace. It is specifically to divide those who get it and those who don't. This is the point of Isaiah's words.

Interesting that the thorns are the cares of the age and the deceitfulness of riches. Interesting to read this in a recession. Either we have riches and are deceived into trusting them, or we have concern about our security and about where the next paycheck is coming from. These are just two sides of the same problem.

The parable of the sower makes it clear that a person can give a false response to the gospel.

One of Satan's strategies is to actively snatch away the word. It is no accident this passage is on Superbowl Sunday. I wonder how many millions of people will forget what was preached in the morning because the commercials in the afternoon are so entertaining?

Matthew 12:33-50

This discussion of the tree and its fruit is different from a very similar discussion in chapter seven. In chapter seven he uses this same image to keep us from being deceived by false prophets. Here it is about words and actions of all of us. He gives sobering words about accountability. . . for every idle word!

Nineveh repented at Jonah's preaching. The Queen of the South recognized Solomon's wisdom. They are interesting choices of judges. Jesus is greater than a lot of people. I wonder why he chose Jonah and Solomon?

When the unclean spirit is cast out and then returns, Jesus seems to be referring to the nation, not to an individual. The same is true with the judgment of Jonah and the Queen of the South. It has corporate, not individual.

Matthew 12:1-32

Jesus' conflict over the Sabbath began because the Pharisees were watching him walk through a field. Seems to me they should get a life!

This observation of grain plucking began the argument, then Matthew says, "He went to their synagogue." I expect he went looking for a fight. It was his design to continue this conflict, not theirs, even though they brought the man with the withered hand and intended to fight.

A bruised reed he won't break and a smoldering wick he won't snuff out. I love that!

When accused of casting out demons by Beelzebub Jesus uses four lines of argument to refute them:

1. "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
   
2. Your sons cast out demons. How do they do it?
3. If I cast out demons by the Holy Spirit then the kingdom of God has come. (This is the heart of the issue).
4. Bind the strong man, then plunder his house.

How is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit different from speaking against the Son of Man? It seems that their blasphemy against the Holy Spirit here consisted of accusations against the Son of Man.

Matthew 11

John the Baptist sent two of his disciples to Jesus. It was his anxiety not theirs that prompted the questions. Jesus' answer is experiential, but experience that connects to Scripture. I think that is THE way to confirm faith, experience connected to the Scriptures, not experience alone or the Scriptures in a vacuum. It is true. . . and it is true for me.

John was so rigorous with his religion they thought he had a demon. Jesus was dismissed because he was open to outsiders. Wisdom is proved by her actions. Wisdom necessarily results in actions that will vindicate misunderstood choices.

These "woes" indicate that Jesus knew what would have happened, not only what does happen or what will happen. This is a whole new dimension of omniscience.

Jesus invites us to follow him because he is gentle and humble. He says this right after he pronounces "Woe" on entire cities! Hmmm.

Matthew 10:26-41

Jesus anticipated how deeply our fear affects us.

• Fear of opposition.
• Fear of rejection.
• Fear of conflict.
• Fear of going without.
  

All of these are legitimate fears and Jesus dealt with each one. The antidote to fear is the assurance that it will be worth it. God loves you and will make the wrongs right.

Following Jesus does not automatically equate to having a happy family! Here Jesus puts his finger on one of the most powerful idols in American culture. It is very easy, very, very easy to prioritize your family of Jesus. Jesus doesn't want to take second place, even to your family.

Matthew 10:1-25

Jesus sends out the twelve. Matthew starts by saying, "First, Simon. . ." It is one thing to begin the list, that's emphasis enough, but he makes even more explicit the prominence of Peter by saying, "First".

Jesus is very clear in his instructions, down to the tactics for each home and the way to speak before judges. This is a strong example of the importance Jesus placed on equipping. It was not okay for the disciples to go into these cities and do things any way they wanted!

A disciple should be like his master, not least in that they should be disliked by the same people!

Matthew 9:18-38

I love it that the mourners laughed at Jesus! How ironic!

Jesus stopped before he healed the blind men and asked, "Do you think I'm able to do this?" That would be a good question to ask before I pray. I better be convinced about that! These blind men believed without ever seeing a miracle.

Jesus strictly prohibited them from talking about him, but the spoke immediately. News spread. This is almost the same exact wording as in the preceding paragraph. The summary statements in each paragraph are essentially the same.

At the end of the chapter Jesus has compassion on the crowd. And he tells his disciples WHAT to pray for. There is a very short list of things Jesus tells us to pray for. . . workers for the harvest is a key one.

Matthew 9:1-17

Jesus told the paralytic his sins were forgiven, apparently just so that everyone would know he could do it. The guy didn't actually get up and walk until Jesus told him to! Forgiving his sins didn't make him walk.

The tax collector's booth is mentioned simply to get us to Matthew's house. The take away Jesus leaves with the Scribes and Pharisees is simple, "The strong don't need a doctor, the weak do." How does that inform our outreach? It certainly shaped what Jesus did.

Jesus was questioned about why his disciples weren't as religious as the Pharisees or John's disciples. His answer is that new wine goes in new wineskins. I have heard the "new wineskins" cliche used for everything under the sun. I suspect Jesus means something like Christianity (new wine) needs a new wineskin (preoccupation with Jesus) not the old wineskin of external religion.

Matthew 8:18-34

Jesus proves to be in a class by himself. Who else would send followers away? Conventional wisdom would keep whatever followers one could attract and build from them. Does this say anything about attractional models of ministry?

In Jesus' commentary on calming the storm, he connects lack of courage with lack of faith. If Jesus is on it, the ship will not sink!

After the demoniacs confront Jesus and are transformed. The city confronts Jesus and asks him to leave. They are more comfortable with demons than with Jesus! It appears that economics are driving their faith!

Matthew 8:1-17

How to interact with Jesus 101! What breathtaking encounters!

The leper said, "If you will, you are able."
Jesus said, "I will."
I think Jesus likes to be approached like that. It is never a lack of ability that prevents God from responding to my requests.

The centurion cause Jesus to "marvel" at his faith! That's amazing! What would it take for him to marvel at my faith? What would it take for him to say to me, "As your faith, so it will be to you?" Maybe he already does!

Matthew 7

This comical surgery in the first verses is designed to illustrate perspective. No one could have a log in their eye, it is simply a matter of perspective. The standard (log, yard-stick, or sliver -- depending on your perspective) with which you judge is the same that will be used on you. The point is to be humble and care for your own soul, not to ignore your brother.

I love the "How much more. . ." statements about God. This makes it clear to me that I ask far too little of God! I need to change my assumptions and expect Him to be good to me! I wish that was my default, but it often isn't.

It is one thing for the gate to be narrow, but why does the way need to be hard?

The passage about fruit-bearing is one of the most significant warnings in all the Bible. I've noticed in gardening that bad plants don't bear good fruit. Here Jesus says that's true AND that good trees can't bear bad fruit!

How do people prophesy and do miracles in Jesus' name without truly being his. Seems like bad trees bearing good fruit.

Doing Christ's words is the firm foundation, not just knowing them. Knowing them and not doing them is building on sand.

Matthew 6:19-33

Every Christian needs larger doses of this text, especially in a recession. This is the application of what it means to have God for your Father.

• You don't have to worry.
• You don't have to treasure or love things that are fragile.
• You are free to pursue eternal things which gives life substantial purpose and meaning.
• Your Father knows what you need before you ask.
• You can be free from the tyranny of money.
• You can seek first the kingdom of God and be confident that God will take care of the details.
• You can take lessons in God's care from birds and flowers.

Matthew 6:1-18

Why is secrecy such a value here in prayer and fasting? It must be because God wants to contrast the inward nature of true spirituality with the external show of false spirituality. Jesus is not advocating the neglect of spiritual disciplines; they are still done. They are just done differently. He is advocating care about our motives as we do the spiritual disciplines.

The advice about prayer is, "Don't. . . Don't. . . Do. . ." Don't be like the religous. Don't be like the pagan. Do pray like this, "Our Father..."

The Lord's prayer has interesting form in the Greek language, one we don't have in English, third person imperative. That's where the translations of "LET your will be done." It is different than "Do your will." It shifts to second person imperatives, which you would expect, at "Give us this day..."

Interesting, too, that the bread is for today, not for later.

Matthew 5:21-48

Here Jesus begins a formula that redefines righteousness. The formula is a variation on this theme, "You have heard from old, but I say to you." Jesus drills deeper on righteousness. None of us can say that we've done the law, even the ten commandments, if we've just kept them on the outside.

Some unrelated observations:

• It is more important to be reconciled to your brother than it is to go to worship. (Matthew 5:23-24).
• The heart-level standard for adultery is desire. If I desire someone I am not married to, so that they meet a need, real or imagined, in my heart I am crossing the line. If I am looking or thinking in such a way that it will be about me, then I am committing adultery. God made marriage for the satisfaction of my needs and desires. My contemplation of someone else in connection with those desires is sin.
• It is hard to believe the rabbis taught that it was fine to hate your enemies (Matthew 8:43-44), but Jesus elevated that teaching by requiring love even for those we consider enemies. We are to love those we don't like.
• If the law was not a high enough standard, Jesus wants us to be perfect, like our Father in heaven is perfect.
• God's perfection is seen here in the context of loving enemies!
  

Matthew 5:17-20

The relationship of Jesus to the law is very important, as is the relationship of the law to the believer. What does it mean to fulfill the law? In what respects does he fulfill it? Does that mean it is no longer binding, or that it is? I think their are few hints:

• The law endures, down to the smallest penstroke.
  
• The law makes some difference still because if you break it and teach others to break it, you are, shall we say, demoted. And if you keep it and teach others to keep it you will be great in the kingdom.
• The law is ineffective for establishing righteousness (Galatians 2:21; Galatians 5:4). You cannot acquire a righteous standing before God by keeping the law. . .unless you outdo the Pharisees and Scribes. . .which won't happen.

I think Jesus fulfilled the law in that he kept it perfectly and met it's moral demands. He was perfectly righteous. He, then, can declare righteous, or pass on his righteousness, to those who believe in him (Romans 3:28). So, the law cannot establish righteousness in a person (Romans 8:3; Galatians 3:11), though it is the perfect revelation of God's righteousness (Romans 7:12-16). As God's perfect revelation, the law makes known sin (Romans 5:13; Romans 5:20). When a believer is identified with Christ in his death, we die to the law and its authority as the benchmark for our righteousness is ended (Romans 7:1-4). The result is not antinomianism, but spiritual fruit.

I think Jesus fulfilled the law in that he was the perfect sacrifice for sin which was prefigured in the sacrifices demanded in the law (Hebrews 9:19-28). Thus, as a fulfillment of the law, Jesus was the one who could forgive sin and establish righteousness.

This was more than I bargained for. While there may be more to say about the role of the law in convicting sinners of sin (Romans 3:19-20), I hope this discussion was helpful.

Matthew 5:1-16

The sermon the mount is the first sermon recorded by Matthew and it begins with the word, "Blessed". It can rightly be translated, "Happy." His ambition in coming is not to make life harder, or less happy, but maximally happy. The irony of this happiness is that it comes in the opposite way that people naturally pursue it. That is evident from the first line, "Blessed are the poor in spirit." Happy are those people who do not make much of themselves or feel they need to stand up for themselves, but who are gentle and humble.

Next he tells them they ARE the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This is not primarily an exhortation to behave a certain way. It is a statement of fact. It is the explanation for God's plan of lighting and preserving the world. And, then that fact must result in lights shining and salt being salty, otherwise God's program for this world is not going to work.

Matthew 4

I noticed four things about the temptation temptation of Jesus:

• Satan assumes it is within his power to turn stones to bread with a word! Otherwise, it wasn't much of a temptation.
  
• Satan transported Jesus to two unique, physically challenging places, in order to perform his temptation. The physical changes necessary for those temptations would have been very unusual.
  
• The first two temptations were identity temptations, "If you are the son of God. . ."
  
• Satan believed the glory of the world was his to give Jesus, if Jesus would worship him. Jesus did not challenge him on that point.

Jesus' move to Galilee (Matt. 4:13), prompted by John's imprisonment, was well into his ministry. One of the evidences is the calling of the disciples. What person in their right mind would leave their family, leave their job, and follow a perfect stranger? Probably not even disciples. They must have known him and had some kind of experience with him before he asked them to become fishers of men. There is no substitute for experience with Jesus.

Kerri Wins!

Thank you to those who signed up as followers. I drew straws for the planner give-away. Kerri Corbett was the winner. Congratulations!

For the rest of you, if you don't have something to write in that will record your thoughts, I strongly recommend stopping by Borders or Barnes and Noble and buying a Daily Planner. They'll be 50 - 75% off this time of year.

Here is a picture of how I use the journal. The first section is notes from my reading. The second is my attempt to be observant of my soul and my prayer life, and the third is a record of the day before (since my Quiet Time is first thing in the morning).

Matthew 3

Matthew does not waste any words flattering John. John does not waste any words flattering the pharisees. His simple message is, "Flee the wrath to come." Would anyone today stick around for that message? Was it a better message then than it would be today?

"This is my beloved son in whom I am well-pleased." What would those words have meant to Jesus, or to any son, on the eve of his great trial in the wilderness? Was that phrase the subject of some of the spiritual meditation that he did in those 40 days? Did his being approved by God have anything to do with his eagerness to resist the enemy of God? What if I believed God accepted me, would that make any difference in my willingness to resist His enemy? Is resistance to temptation strengthened more by the knowledge of approval or by the hope that one can earn approval if he resists?

Matthew 2

One of the great things about reading the New Testament through in a year is that the Bible celebrates Christmas in January. . . just like New Life Church.

Two things stood out to me this time through. First, while Herod had good reason to be suspicious and agitated at the birth of a new king, a rival, the text says the whole town was stirred up. The news of the birth affected the citizens the same way it affected the king. I suspect, however, that they were stirred up for different reasons than Herod. No matter what, the news of a baby king was not quiet news. It leaked out and was one of the factors that led Herod to take such violent action.

Second, the angel told Joseph, twice, take "the child and his mother." This is not the normal way you would refer to a wife and baby. It clearly highlights the child and fades the mother into the background. This is a far cry from the exalted place Mary receives in Catholicism.

Matthew 1

I was struck that the New Testament would begin with a genealogy. Establishing the lineage of Jesus must be important to Matthew. I suspect it is somewhat like the importance of Barack Obama being a U.S. citizen. Does he have a right to his office?

I was also impressed with the rogues who were present in the genealogy. Why didn't God want a squeaky clean pedigree for His Son?

No two names in all the Bible bring more comfort than the two names mentioned in Joseph's vision, Jesus and Immanuel. This boy will save his people from their sins and he will be God with us!

Matthew's Genealogy

I know I wasn't going to start posting until tomorrow, but maybe this will get us off to a rolling start with the first chapter of Matthew.

How To Read

One of the reasons for reading the New Testament slowly in 2009 is to read it with fresh eyes, to read it thoughtfully, to take time time to reflect on what God is saying in the text. The simplest way to read with freshness is to ask questions as you read. Questions reading the Bible fall in three categories:

• Observation: What is there? For instance, I notice Matthew starts with a genealogy. Are there any important people in it? Who does he start with? What patterns are there in the genealogy? What are the breaks in the pattern? Observation is the key to getting the most out of your reading. The better the your observation, the more enjoyment you will have in your reading. Just like driving to work, reading the New Testament can grow so familiar you don't notice things any more. Slow down. Pay Attention. Observe what is there.
• Interpretation: What do those things I observed mean? It is very important to consider what they mean before I consider what they mean to me! Many interpretation questions begin with "Why?" For instance, Why would Matthew start the entire New Testament with a genealogy? Why is it structured in sections of 14s? Why does he mention women in it? What is the significance of the introduction to the genealogy?
• Application: What does this mean to me? Once you notice things, you can find out what they mean and then, and only then, you can ask questions about what they mean to you. For instance, if the genealogy has something to do with establishing Jesus' right to the throne of Israel. Application questions might go like this, In what ways does Jesus exercise his kingly right in my life? How should he be king, where he isn't yet? Or, I might apply this another way. If some of the characters in the genealogy were unsavory, yet were shown sufficient grace to have been redeemed into the family line of Jesus, can I expect my unsavoriness to be redeemed, too?
  

I don't have high expectations for this blog post. I only hope it will slow you down as you read. If you'll slow down and ask questions, you'll enjoy it so much more. . . We start in earnest on Monday!

Here's the Plan

Beginning next Monday, January 12, I will begin posting each day some thoughts, questions, insights or thoughts from each chapter. I am currently reading very slowly, so I can catch up with a one-chapter-per-day post. I would love you to share comments on each chapter, or on one verse in each chapter, with the rest of us.

In the meantime, what can you do?

• Read slowly like I am. Begin to develop the habit of sitting down each day at a certain time in a designated place and spending time with the Lord. Take notes so you can share them.
  
• Plan to receive blog updates with some RSS (Really Simple Syndication) reader. You can keep checking back here to see if it has been updated (the hard way) or you can have a service notify you if it's been updated (the easy way, RSS). Here are my suggestions:
• Sign up as a "follower" of this blog. (Point of clarification -- this is what enters you in the drawing for the daily planner. Though several people have indicated an interest in reading the NT, only a couple have signed up to follow). Simply click the link on the left.
  
• If you are on Facebook, go to my profile and find the "Notes" tab and subscribe to notes from me.
  
• Use the buttons to the left called Subscribe. These buttons will create an RSS feed for you. I'm not sure what "follower" does, other than help build a community of Bible readers.

Please let me know how the alternatives work for you. Thank you. I'm looking forward to reading together.

Getting Started, Part 2

What do you need to get started? Well. . . a New Testament. I also recommend that you purchase a daily planner.

A daily planner serves two purposes. It gives you a place to write prayer requests and observations from your reading. More importantly, though, I've found that a daily planner holds me accountable for reading every day. Otherwise, I have a blank page each time I miss.

I have one daily planner I will give in a drawing to one of the first ten people to sign up as followers of this blog. If we don't have 10 sign-ups before next Sunday, I'll draw from those who are signed up by then.

I'll post more on becoming follower and RSS feeds next week.

Getting Started with Bible Reading

My plan this year is to read through the New Testament again. I hope to recruit as many people to join me as will be helped by the experience. Why would we read through the New Testament and use this blog as a tool? Here are a few reasons:

• The Bible was meant to be read in a community. A blog is a way of developing a community and reading at home at the same time! I wonder if God had this in mind . . . Comments will be an easy way for everyone to contribute to the discussion.
  
• The pace should be easy enough. There are 260 chapters and still 360 more days in the year. A chapter a day will more than cover the New Testament with lots of grace for missing. It will take only 22 verses per day to read through the whole thing. More New Testament stats are here.
  
• There is no substitute for reading the Bible. God promises great things to those who read, meditate on and obey His word. No promises are sweeter than Psalm 1:2.
  

I hope you will join me for this journey.

What Motivates Someone To Be A Missionary?

I've often wondered why people become missionaries. What is it that prompts someone to leave the familiar, change their lives, learn languages, put up with inconveniences, and endure hardship?

I don't have the final answer, but I've asked some missionaries what moved them to do what they do. I am interested, in part, because understanding motivations will be the key to recruiting the next generation of cross-cultural ambassadors for Jesus. So, here are a few of my ideas about why people might choose to be missionaries:

1. God told them to go. Almost everyone I talked with cited some sort of call of God on their life as formative in their decision to go on the mission field. Several didn't even know where they wanted to go, but that God wanted them to go.
2. Expectation of a heightened walk with God. (i.e. – John Paton, Hudson Taylor, David Brainerd or Jim Elliot). Read one biography of the men listed above and you are ready to sign up. Read more than one and someone will have to restrain you from going because of the dynamic nature of their spiritual experience.
3. Opportunity to invest your life in a way that will make a difference. I remember stories of missionaries who have gone for a variety of reasons, and God used them to open up entire countries to the gospel. Others left a legacy of hundreds of churches. Others have given their lives to fields that required sacrifice and their blood, sweat and tears won only a handful of converts in a hard field.
4. Be part of the action. This is closely akin to #3. It’s more fruitful in some places than it is at home. There is more opportunity for service in places no one wants to go than there is at home. Missions offers opportunities to be in the fray where it may feel more like the sidelines at home.
5. Love for a certain group of people motivates missionary service. Some missionaries speak of an overwhelming compassion for the plight of a certain people group. Others find themselves mysteriously drawn to the lifestyle in a culture not their own.
6. Ability to relate unusually to a certain group of people. For some it is similar to #5. They have an unusual ability to identify needs and speak to spiritual issues in a group of people. This and #5 are often ways that the call of God (#1) looks to people when they are in the process of decision making.
   

I am hopeful that this will be a start to help someone think about giving their lives so that the nations might be glad (Psalm 68).

A Grand Finale

Taylor played his final basketball game of his high school career. It was senior night where the parents walk out with the kids and are recognized. He sang the national anthem. The only downside was that they lost the game in overtime.

Middle Ground

Peter entered the courtyard of the chief priest expecting to stay close to Jesus. . . sort of. He didn't want to be too close, right by Jesus' side, but give him some credit, he didn't stay away like the rest of disciples.

He took the middle ground, the place that appeared safe. Close enough to count, far enough away to be safe. He couldn't forsake Jesus all the way, but he couldn't follow him all the way either.

An interesting thing happened to Peter in the middle ground. It happens to everyone. He was forced out of it. "You were with Jesus." Even on the middle ground you need to identify yourself. Peter couldn't appear neutral and have the satisfaction of following Jesus. It doesn't work that way. It didn't for him and it won't for us.

I am amazed at how often this is tried still. Even though it has always been unsuccessful. A high school student join her parents in church without much of a fuss, but is a totally different person on Friday night. The end for her will be the same as the end for Peter. This strategy leads to denying Jesus.

In Revelation, Jesus tells the church to be either hot or cold, but don't choose the lukewarm middle ground. The irony is that the middle ground appears safe, but it is the most dangerous. So, choose to be either hot or cold, go all the way in with Jesus or stay away, but don't settle for the courtyard and think you'll be safe. You will get called out. . . and it won't be pretty.

He Went Away Sad. . .

This video reminds me of reading Jesus' encounter with a rich young man in Matthew 19. Tom, I'm sorry about the loss in the Superbowl last Sunday, but I hope it helps you figure this out!

Winter in Oregon

Brazil Trip

McDowell Creek Park in the Fall

Last week I had the privilege to attend a Pastor's Prayer Summit at Camp Tadmor. I was disappointed that I didn't have better weather and didn't find prettier places, until my last day. Then I discovered McDowell Creek Park. Here are some pics: