John the Baptist

Readings for today: Numbers 19-20, Luke 1:1-25, Psalms 56, Proverbs 11:8

"Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." (Luke‬ ‭1:13-17‬)

John the Baptist is one of the most remarkable figures in all the Bible. Miraculously conceived. Filled by the Holy Spirit while he was still in the womb. Nazarite from birth. From the beginning, John was destined for greatness. It was his special calling to prepare the way for the Lord. To make ready the people for Jesus. To turn the hearts of the children of Israel back to Yahweh. John was Elijah reborn. He had the same spirit. The same power. He spoke with the same authority. And the people came to him in droves.  

John was very popular in his day. His fame grew to the point where he caught the eye of Herod and the other ruling elite. The crowds he drew were large. The message he preached strong. At the height of his influence, John baptizes even Jesus Himself. This represents the turning point in his ministry. From this point forward he would decrease while Jesus increased. His own disciples would leave him to follow Jesus. One might think John would grow jealous or anxious or frustrated. Not so. John knew his role. John understood his place. It would be his particular glory to build up a ministry so that he might hand it off to Jesus.

John’s story is a powerful one for us preachers. We spend our lives ministering to the congregations God places under our care. We pour our hearts into growing our churches deep and wide. We reach the lost. We disciple believers. We engage in God’s mission both domestically and abroad. However, as our ministry influence grows so does our pride. We start to believe our own hype. We start to believe we play some kind of indispensable role in God’s Kingdom. And when called to hand our ministries off to someone else - be it another leader or successor - we often struggle. Our pride gets in the way. I’ve seen it happen time and time again. I’ve experienced it in my own heart as well.   

Reflecting on John the Baptist is good for me. I know my gifts pale in comparison to him. I know my calling is to the ordinary whereas his was to the extraordinary. Certainly, no one would ever mistake me for Elijah! ;-) Many years ago, God spoke three words to me very clearly in a time of prayer. These three words have become the foundation of my life and ministry. They are three words I repeat to myself almost every day as I serve the Lord.  

Obscurity. Anonymity. Insignificance. First, God wants me to labor in obscurity. To be content in the field where He’s planted me. To not seek greener pastures than the ones He’s provided. Second, God wants me to embrace anonymity. At the end of the day I want Jesus’ name to be famous. As the arc of my career comes to a close, I hope to retire as the church janitor. That would be a truly glorious end to my ministry. Third, pursue insignificance. The true measure of a pastor is not in the crowds she can draw. It’s not the influence he wields. It’s not the buildings she builds or the number of ministries he launches. It’s her deep love and devotion to God. It’s his willingness to perform the most menial of tasks in service to Christ. This is my heart. This is my calling. This is what I learn from John the Baptist. 

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 21:1-22:20, Luke 1:26-56, Psalms 57:1-11, Proverbs 11:9-11

Signs and Wonders

Readings for today: Numbers 16:41-18:32, Mark 16, Psalms 55, Proverbs 11:7

One of the things we hear about when we go to Africa are all the signs and wonders God is accomplishing through His people. Healings. Casting out demons. Miraculous deliverance from those who are trying to kill them. These stories are incredibly common where we go in Ethiopia and it makes me think immediately of the Great Commission from the Gospel of Mark.

 “And Jesus said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark‬ ‭16:15-18‬)

As westerners, we have a hard time with miracles. We tend to doubt they actually exist. We look for more natural explanations. Why did Aaron’s rod bud? Why did the early Christians or those in the developing world seem to have the ability to cast out demons? Heal the sick? Speak in tongues? Tred on serpents and scorpions without being injured? We want to know if these things are real or if these other Christians are gifted with some special ability not accessible to us?  

However interesting these questions may be, they are not the main ones we should be asking. God gives signs and wonders - in whatever form - to authenticate His message to us. They are not ends in themselves but serve to confirm what God has already said. Why did Aaron’s rod bud? God was confirming his leadership publicly in front of all of Israel. Why did the early Christians have the ability to cast out demons, heal the sick, and speak in tongues? God was confirming the truth of the gospel in front of both the Jewish and pagan world. What is the primary sign for us today? The Bible. It is a miracle all its own. 66 books written over several centuries by different authors all declaring the same message. God confirming what He has to say through His Word to His people. 

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 19-20, Luke 1:1-25, Psalms 56, Proverbs 11:8

Refusing to Accept our Place

Readings for today: Numbers 15:17-16:40, Mark 15, Psalms 54, Proverbs 11:5-6

Today’s reading strikes a chord every time I come across it. “They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, "You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?" (Numbers‬ ‭16:3‬) I resonate with the sons of Korah. I tend to agree with their complaint. I too want to believe that every single human being is equal in the eyes of the Lord and worthy of serving in His presence. I’ve been raised in a democracy after all and trained from birth to believe one can achieve anything if they just set their minds to it. 

This is part of what makes the Bible so challenging. There is a significant cultural gap between the ancient near east culture of Israel and the 21st century United States. Israel was no democracy. God Himself was her king. As such, He held the power of life and death in His hands. He decided who got to serve and what role they would play. Moses was God’s appointed leader. Aaron was God’s appointed priest. The rest of the Levites each had their appointed role as well. But it was clear they were not satisfied. They too aspired to the priesthood. They too aspired to lead.   

Theologian Sally McFague has persuasively argued that sin is the refusal to accept our place. From the very beginning, the reach of human beings has always exceeded their grasp. Adam and Eve were not content with their role in the Garden of Eden so they ate the fruit in order to become like God. The people who built the Tower of Babel sought to make a name for themselves on the earth. The pagan nations of the earth created their own gods who they could manipulate and control. This has always been the case with human beings and Israel is no different. The families of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram all wanted more so they rebelled against God’s ordained leadership and suffered the consequences. Their supernatural death served as a stark warning to all of Israel of the cost of rebelling against God.  

It’s a scary story. It’s not one we read our children at bedtime. But it is worth pondering and praying over. Our sinful hearts are naturally wired to rebel against God. We are naturally inclined towards sin and evil. We naturally refuse to accept our place in God’s created order. Jesus shows us a different way. He shows us the path of true obedience as He accepts His Father’s will and submits to death on a cross. It’s a beautiful picture of faithfulness that results in the salvation of all who believe.  

Salvation comes to those who submit their lives to Christ. To those who accept His Lordship over their lives. The Kingdom of God is not a democracy. Jesus is indeed enthroned on the praises of His people but He does not maintain His Lordship by popular vote. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess - whether they want to or not - that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 16:41-18:32, Mark 16, Psalms 55, Proverbs 11:7

Missing a Day

Readings for today: Numbers 14:1-15:16, Mark 14:53-72, Psalms 53, Proverbs 11:4

So I missed a day. The combination of Daylight Savings, traveling to Portland, speaking at a missions conference, and returning home for a sermon planning retreat left me no time to sit quietly with the Lord and reflect on His Word. Some days are like that, aren’t they? You wake up late. Rush to get the kids dressed and off to school. Barely get to work on time. You’re already behind. You cruise throughout your day, knocking stuff off your list. You pick the kids up after school. Take them to practice. Hit fast food along the way because you’re going to be at the dance studio or baseball diamond all afternoon and evening. They do their homework in the car. You finally get home and you’re exhausted. It’s called life. And we live it with the pedal down most of the time.  

Here’s the thing to remember. God is with you. Every step of the way. He’s with you as you rush to get ready in the morning. He’s in the car as you drive your kids to school or commute to work. He’s there at the office waiting for you. He’s guiding your hands throughout the day. He loves watching your children do what they love after school. He’s giving them wisdom as they do their homework. He’s there when your head hits the pillow at night. Missing a day in your Bible reading or falling behind in your Bible in a Year reading plan has no bearing on His love for you. He is a good Father. He sees your life and understands the pressure you’re under. He’s not trying to add one more thing to your already overloaded schedule.  

So yesterday was crazy for me. But I’ve learned over the years how to tune my heart into God no matter what I may be engaged in. Yes, I didn’t get to my reading but I did sense God’s abiding presence in everything I said and did. I had a fantastic time at Portland Christian Center with some friends who have become very dear to me. Preaching at their missions conference was one of the great blessings of my life. I loved meeting their missionaries and encouraging them. Loved spending time with spiritual mentors like Ray and Linda Noah. Loved connecting with my wife as I sat in the lounge at the airport waiting for my flight. Loved re-connecting with Pastor Gary and Pastor Matt at the airport before being heading up the mountain for our retreat.  Throughout it all, God ministered to my heart. Encouraged my soul. Stirred an even greater passion in me for what He’s doing in the world. This is the fruit of a strong devotional life and I hope you sense something similar being born in your own life as well. 

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 15:17-16:40, Mark 15, Psalms 54, Proverbs 11:5-6

Out of the Box

Readings for today: Numbers 11:24-13, Mark 14:22-52, Psalms 52, Proverbs 11:1-3

God’s ways are not our ways. Just as soon as we try to squeeze God into some kind of box, He breaks out. 70 elders are raised up to help lead the nation. They gather at the sanctuary to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is poured out and shockingly, two men who remained in the camp start to prophesy. Joshua, jealous for his mentor Moses, wants to stop them but Moses recognizes God cannot be confined to Joshua’s box. Israel receives the Law of God forbidding intermarriage with those who are not part of God’s poeple. Miriam and Aaron want to apply God’s law to Moses’ marriage. They believe his marriage to a Cushite woman disqualifies him on some level from being the supreme leader of Israel. But God reminds them He will not be confined to their box. “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth...And God said, "Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord." (Numbers‬ ‭12:3, 6, 8‬) Twelve spies are sent into the Promised Land. They find it to be a good land. A fruitful land. A blessed land. Flowing in milk and honey. It is everything God promised. But there is a problem. "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are...The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them." (Numbers‬ ‭13:31-33‬) In their fear, they take their eyes off of God. Despite all the miracles they’ve seen and experienced, they still put God in a box. 

How often do we make the same mistake? How much do we limit God through our disbelief? How many times do we stick God in a box? Maybe it’s our theology. We believe more in our theological system than we do in Christ. Maybe it’s our culture. We believe more in our cultural understandings of the gospel than we do in the gospel itself. Maybe it’s our human frailty. We trust more in our own wisdom and strength than we do in God.

This is deeply challenging and deeply practical. The other day, I spent time with several middle and high school boys. We talked about how Jesus requires us to sacrifice everything in order to follow Him. Our wealth. Our gifts and talents and abilities. Our success. Our future. Everything that we have and all that we are is to be surrendered to the Lordship of Christ. In return, Jesus offers us eternal life. Abundant life. Kingdom life. Life so precious and beautiful and glorious, it absolutely dwarfs whatever we may experience in this world. But we live in this world. And the expectations of this world too often frame how we understand God. So we have to fight to stay focused on Jesus. To see the world through His eyes. To let His expectations shape our expectations and His promises shape our understanding of life, the world, and our future.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 14:1-15:16, Mark 14:53-72, Psalms 53, Proverbs 11:4

The Burden of Leadership

Readings for today: Numbers 10-11:23, Mark 14:1-21, Psalms 51, Proverbs 10:31-32

A few days ago, an old article began reappearing in my Twitter feed. Written for Forbes, it lists the nine toughest leadership roles in our culture today. Pastors come in at #5. “Being a pastor is like death by a thousand paper cuts....You’re scrutinized and criticized from top to bottom, stem to stern. You work for an invisible, perfect Boss, and you’re supposed to lead a ragtag gaggle of volunteers towards God's coming future. It's like herding cats, but harder.” Now I am not sure my job is any harder than anyone else’s but I do sympathize with the sentiments of the article. Leadership is hard. The burden is heavy. The struggle is real. No matter what sphere of life you are called to lead in - and I truly believe all of us are “leaders” in one sphere or another - it comes with a lot of stress. How one responds to the stress often determines the success or failure of the leader. 

Moses felt the stress of leadership. Listen to what he says to the Lord after what seems like the umpteempth time the people of Israel complained. "Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child,' to the land that you swore to give their fathers? Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me and say, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.' I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness." (Numbers‬ ‭11:11-15‬) Think about all Moses had accomplished up to this point. At eighty years of age, he had returned to Egypt where he was wanted for murder to confront Pharoah. After levying plague after plague, he successfully secured freedom for the people of Israel. He leads them out with great wealth and possessions. He parts the Red Sea. Feeds them in the wilderness. Brings water from a rock. He performs miracle after miracle and yet Israel remains so ungrateful. They continue to grumble and complain. At the first sign of hardship, they start whining about going back to Egypt. They criticize and attack his leadership. They come after his family. They question his ability. Can you imagine how frustrating this must have been? 

So Moses asks God to kill him. He’s tired. He’s weary. He’s depressed. He’s anxious. He’s come to the end of himself. He’s on empty. He’s got nothing left. Ever felt like that? Interestingly enough, the toughest job Forbes lists in its article is parenting. Staying at home to raise the kids. Anyone who’s ever been a parent knows the struggle of watching your kids grow up. The joy and the sorrow. The excitement and the anxiety. The pride and the fear. It’s quite a rollercoaster. Moses sees himself as a kind of parent to Israel. Like God put him in charge of raising hundreds of thousands of children. Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Did I nurse them as they grew? How am I going to feed them? How am I going to provide for them? How am I going to raise them to maturity? The burden is simply too great so he cries out in anguish and despair. 

Look at how God responds.  “Then the Lord said to Moses, "Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone.” (Numbers‬ ‭11:16-17‬) God doesn’t leave Moses alone. He provides friends and colleagues to share the load. It is not up to Moses to do this on his own. This project doesn’t rise or fall with Moses. Seventy elders are raised up by God to help lead and guide the people. They are filled with the same Spirit. They are given some of the same gifts. They will lighten the load. 

Why is leadership so hard? Because we too often go it alone. I’ve known too many pastors who crash and burn because they have no friends. No colleagues to share their burdens with. I’ve known too many moms and dads who refuse to let others come alongside them and help. I’ve known too many business leaders who think their business cannot survive without them. Too many teachers who believe the success or failure of each child rests on them.

Friends, leadership is a gift to be shared. I know I would not be where I am today without a phenomenal wife who stands by my side. Four great kids who are learning to take responsibility for themselves. Elders in our church who prayerfully seek the mind of Christ and are eager to share the burden. A staff team that truly loves and supports one another. It is awesome. Who has God put in your life to share the load? Who has God raised up to carry the burden with you? Don’t be afraid to ask God for help! Ask Him to do for you what He did for Moses. 

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 11:24-13, Mark 14:22-52, Psalms 52, Proverbs 11:1-3

A Holy Priesthood

Readings for today: Numbers 8-9. Mark 13:14-37, Psalms 50, Proverbs 10:29-30

“Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine...For they are wholly given to me from among the people of Israel. Instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the people of Israel, I have taken them for myself. For all the firstborn among the people of Israel are mine, both of man and of beast. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I consecrated them for myself, and I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel. And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the people of Israel, to do the service for the people of Israel at the tent of meeting and to make atonement for the people of Israel, that there may be no plague among the people of Israel when the people of Israel come near the sanctuary." (Numbers‬ ‭8:14, 16-19‬)

Israel belonged to God. They were His chosen possession out of all the nations of the earth. He had redeemed them from slavery in Egypt and thereby laid claim to their very lives. They were not their own. They were not “free” to choose or not choose God. He had chosen them. He had saved them. He had rescued them. He had made His covenant with them. No matter where they went or what they did or how they acted, they remained His children forever. In order to remind them of this great and awesome truth, God told Moses to set aside one entire tribe...the Levites.  They would not be counted in the census. They would not be considered “part” of Israel. They would have no inheritance in the Promised Land. Their “inheritance” would be God Himself. They would be set aside to serve Him in His Tabernacle and, later, His Temple. They would play specific roles within the worshipping life of Israel. They would guard the sanctuary. They would set it up, tear it down, and transport it day after day. From birth they were set apart, consecrated to the Lord’s service. It was not a vocation they chose but a calling God had placed on their lives. 

Fast forward a few thousand years. One greater than Moses is born. A high priest greater than Aaron has come. The Old Covenant is fulfilled. The New Covenant is established. “In speaking of a new covenant, Jesus makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” (Hebrews‬ ‭8:13‬) The reality is the Old Covenant was always temporal. Always bound to a particular cultural situation. Always designed to point us to a new and better covenant which Jesus Himself would die and rise to guarantee. “This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.” (Hebrews‬ ‭7:22‬) The ceremonial laws of Israel were culturally bound to a particular time and place. To a particular situation in history. Even the moral law which remains binding only serves to show us our weakness and imperfections. Therefore, it is useless to save. “For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.” (Hebrews‬ ‭7:18-19‬) Jesus is that better hope! And through His life, death, and resurrection, God once again lays claim to our lives. He chooses us. He redeems us. He purchases us with His own blood. And because He Himself is the eternal high priest, interceding for us continually in the heavens. And because He Himself is the eternal sacrifice, fully atoning for the full weight of all our sin. “He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him...” (Hebrews‬ ‭7:25‬)

In Christ, we belong to God. We are His treasured possession. His chosen people. As such, we are not our own. Our lives are not our own. Our future is not our own. All that we have and all that we are and all that we achieve is not ours to hold onto but rather ours to offer in service to God. How different would life be if we understood this great truth? 

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 10-11:23, Mark 14:1-21, Psalms 51, Proverbs 10:31-32

The Bible’s Prayerbook

Readings for today: Numbers 6-7, Mark 12:38-13:13, Psalms 49, Proverbs 10:27-28

When I read through the Psalms I try to imagine what the composer must be experiencing. What is he referencing when he says, ““But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.” (Psalms‬ ‭49:15‬) Is it disease? Is it depression? Is it life circumstances? Is he fearful of the future? Afraid of his enemies? Is he having a hard time being patient for God’s Will to come about? Or the flip side, what happened that caused David to write, “When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence. For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment. You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever. The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities you rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.” (Psalms‬ ‭9:3-6‬) Had he just won another victory? Had he just put his enemies to flight? Is he referring here to the Philistines or to the people who were still following the house of Saul in Israel? Can he sense the fulfillment of God’s promises are near? As always, I love David’s honesty and transparency...“Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalms‬ ‭10:1‬) He’s not afraid to cry out to God from the depths of his heart.

Throughout history, the people of God have returned over and over again to the Psalms to learn how to pray. They have used them as a guide for prayer. They have prayed these words back to God. Made them their own. Prayer can be difficult. It’s challenging to move beyond the rote prayers we learned in our youth. It’s challenging to be honest and real with God. Frequently it can feel like our words are inadequate. Self-centered. Foolish. Like they bounce off the ceiling back into our laps. So many Christians I know and love struggle with prayer. Often when they ask me how they should pray, I will point them to the Psalms. Not just to repeat the words but to reflect on them and make them their own. Reflect on the feelings and emotions. Reflect on the heart of what David is saying. Let his heart’s cry resonate with your heart’s cry and lead you to express your deepest thoughts to God.

Our God is safe. He is a refuge. A stronghold. Our deliverer. We are the apple of His eye and He hides us in the shadow of His wings. He is our protector. Our comforter. Our friend. We can tell Him anything. The deepest desires of our hearts are not hidden from Him. Nor are the wounds. The hurts. The disappointments. The fears. The failures. God rejoices with us when we experience success. When the victories come in our lives. God weeps with us when struggle. When we grieve. God fights our battles for us. We may not always understand His ways. We may not always agree with His timing. His answer can be “No” just as easily as it can be “Yes.” It can even be “Not Yet.” Through it all, God is God and we are not and prayer reminds us the best place to be is at His feet.

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 8-9. Mark 13:14-37, Psalms 50, Proverbs 10:29-30

Proximity

Readings for today: Numbers 4-5, Mark 12:18-37, Psalms 48, Proverbs 10:26

It’s amazing how history repeats itself. I meet so many people who have the same exact question as the scribe who approached Jesus in today’s reading. “Which commandment is the most important of all?” It’s a loaded question for sure. I often have to dig deeper to get the heart of why they’re asking. Is it because they’re trying to find a loophole? A godly excuse to go on living as they did before they met Christ? Is it because they’re new to the whole Christian thing and honestly do not know? Is it because their heart has been pierced with repentance and they want to please God? There are all kinds of reasons people ask this question and their answers reveal their proximity to the Kingdom of God.

Jesus is the Kingdom and His answer reflects the truth of who He is. “The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark‬ ‭12:29-31‬) There is no hesitation. No confusion. Jesus quotes the famous Shema which is the heartbeat of the Jewish faith and then ties it to the love of neighbor. It’s a beautifully distilled picture of God’s heart for His people. It’s what all the rules and regulations from Leviticus and Numbers point to and find their fulfillment in. What God desires more than anything else is a relationship with His people. He loves them and He longs to see His love returned. 

The scribe understands this as well. Listen to his response which Jesus affirms.  “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." (Mark‬ ‭12:32-33‬) He gets it. An expert in the Law, he doesn’t confuse the Law with God. Doesn’t confuse keeping the Law with a relationship with God. He understands that everything he’s been taught. Everything he’s dedicated his life to as a legal expert. Everything he teaches others under his authority points beyond itself to this one great truth...love God with all you are and all you have and love your neighbor as yourself. 

There’s a part of me that thinks we should simply preach this passage over and over again. For until we master it - or it masters us - we cannot go any further. All the theology and Bible study and mission trips and tithing and praying won’t matter if we have not grasped what it means to love God with all our heart and mind and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves. This is the foundation for all the rest. This is the core of what we believe. It is essential to who we are as Christians. Now, will we ever arrive? Will we ever do this perfectly? Of course not. Let’s not let our imperfections give us an excuse to dodge the issue. Despite our sinful condition, loving God and loving neighbor should be our all-consuming passion. It should be the first thing we think of every morning as we wake and the last thing we think of before we go to sleep. How can I love God more? How can I love my neighbor more? How can I so rest in Christ that these desires naturally arise from a heart that’s been regenerated by the Holy Spirit? These are the thoughts that should occupy our minds far more than the mundane challenges we face every day. Friends, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians‬ ‭3:1-3‬)

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 6-7, Mark 12:38-13:13, Psalms 49, Proverbs 10:27-28

Perspective

Readings for today: Numbers 2-3, Mark 11:27-12:17, Psalms 47, Proverbs 10:24-25

Yesterday I had the pleasure of worshipping alongside a beautiful little four year old in our church family. She had wandered from her dad and ended up in the seat next to me where she could watch her mom lead us in singing. She was fascinated watching her. She tried to copy her motions. Tried to sing some of the words. Finally, her desire to be with her mom got the best of her and she started shuffling slowly but surely towards the platform. With each step, she looked back waiting to see how I would respond. I simply smiled and waved. She kept going. She got to the first step and turned around. Suddenly she became very aware of the whole congregation. She paused and started to lay down. That’s when dad stepped in. 

It’s a precious story. One that teaches us about the power of perspective. The little girl held a limited view of what her mom was actually doing until she got to the platform and her eyes were opened to the hundreds of people in the room following her mom’s lead. In our reading for today, Jesus shares a parable that’s intended to broaden our perspective as well. You and I have such a limited view of the world. We tend to focus on what’s right in front of us and fail to grasp the bigger picture. We are trapped within the time/space continuum and are forced to take life as it comes. We do not have the capacity to grasp the infinite with our finite minds. So Jesus reminds us what God’s been up to all along. 

A man planted a vineyard. Protected it with a wall and a tower. Made it productive with a winepress. He entrusted it to some tenants and then departed. Sound familiar? In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Light and darkness. Sun, moon, stars, and planets. Water and land. Trees, bushes, and flowers. Animals, fish, birds, and insects. God made them all. Placed them on this earth. And then entrusted it to our care. To the creature He made in His own image. Humanity was given this one charge. Be fruitful. Multiply. Fill the earth. Exercise dominion over all I have made. Sadly, the tenants rebelled. They beat and killed the servants who were sent to check in on them. Finally, the vineyard owner sent his son. Surely they will recognize him when he comes! They do indeed and they murder him in cold blood, thinking if they get rid of the heir, they will inherit the vineyard. Humanity rebelled against God. Went their own way. Chose their own destiny. The result has been thousands of years of pain and suffering, exploitation and abuse, violence and death. God hates what He sees. Hates what’s happening to His world. So He sends prophet after prophet to remind humanity of her high calling. But humanity rejects and beats and even kills the prophets. So God - in the ultimate act of love and mercy and grace - sends His Son. Surely they will listen to Him! It’s not to be. Humanity takes Jesus and hangs Him on a cross, thinking if we get rid of the heir we can establish our reign and rule on the earth. What will happen to those tenants when the owner finally comes? What will happen to humanity when God finally comes? Judgment. Punishment. Eternal death. 

How do you make sense of the world around you? Do you look at things from God’s perspective or do you trust only what your eyes can see? What your hands can touch? What your senses can perceive? Friends, it is so easy to lose sight of who truly owns the world. It is easy for us to fall into the trap of believing we are the center of the universe. Yes, God loves us but not in a sentimental, sappy, enabling kind of way. His love is fierce and loyal and jealous. He will brook no rivals. He will not compete with the things of this world for your attention. He will not allow you to persist in sin or call good “evil” or evil “good.” God defines the reality into which we must fit...not the other way around. And He disciplines those He loves, constantly making and remaking us into the image of Christ. 

No matter what you may be going through in your life right now - good, bad, or ugly - ask God to help you see your life through His eyes. Ask Him to give you His perspective and rejoice in how He uses even the hardest of trials to make you into the image of His Son.  

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 4-5, Mark 12:18-37, Psalms 48, Proverbs 10:26

9/11

Readings for today: Leviticus 27:14-34, Numbers 1, Mark 11:1-26, Psalms 46, Proverbs 10:23

I once knew a man who was serving as a pastor in New York City when the towers fell. His church was located on Fifth Avenue just a few miles north of the World Trade Center in mid-town Manhattan. On the day when the planes hit the towers, Manhattan was in chaos. Billows of ash and smoke filled the streets. Police sirens filled the air as first responders rushed to the scene. People were terrified and running scared. My friend was in his office that day. He heard the commotion. He looked out his window and saw what was happening. He threw on his clergy robe and ran out into the streets to bring as many people as possible into his sanctuary. Hundreds of people filled the space. Weeping. Covered head to toe in ash. Most in shock over what they had just witnessed. They did not know each other. They had been brought together by great tragedy. And in the midst of the gathering, my friend got up to speak. 

 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress...Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalms‬ ‭46:1-7, 10-11‬)

After the service, many people approached my friend asking for the source of his comforting words. Was it some famous poet? Philosopher? Some eastern mystic or guru? They were surprised to hear these words came from the Bible. In the weeks and months ahead, many of those same people would return to the church to seek comfort. It became a safe space for them to process their pain. Many of them received Christ and began a new walk of faith. It was a powerful example of the Living Word of God in action. God drawing His people to Himself in the midst of a national tragedy.  

God is still a refuge and strength to those who seek Him. A very present help in trouble. Those who love God do not need fear though the earth gives way or the mountains crumble into the heart of the sea. We do not fear because we see the river that flows in the midst of the city of God. A river whose streams make glad the heart of God. Because God is with us, we shall not be moved for to live is Christ and to die is gain. So let the nations rage. Let the kingdoms of this world totter. The Lord of hosts is with us, friends! The God of Jacob is our refuge! 

Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 2-3, Mark 11:27-12:17, Psalms 47, Proverbs 10:24-25

Consequences

Readings for today: Leviticus 25:47-27:13, Mark 10:32-52, Psalms 45, Proverbs 10:22

I grew up in a home where good behavior was rewarded and bad behavior punished. There were consequences to one’s actions. Positive. Negative. Otherwise. It is tempting to read Leviticus 26 and assume the Kingdom of God works much the same. Follow God’s rules and you will be blessed. Ignore God’s rules and you will be cursed. Obey God and it will go well with you. Disobey God and life will get hard. The text itself promises rain, good harvests, great victories, and the abiding presence of God to those who are faithful and it warns those who are unfaithful of famine, drought, defeat, and abandonment.

There is a branch of Christianity that makes much of verses like these. They promise health and wealth to those who have enough faith. They encourage people to put God to the test. To use their obedience to get what they want from God. When things don’t go well, they blame the victim. They tell people they obviously haven’t been obedient enough. They don’t have enough faith. They tolerate too much sin in their lives. It’s a toxic version of the Christian faith. 

So what can we draw from verses like these? They seem so clear. Their promises so sure. Like every passage in Scripture, we have to read them against the backdrop of the larger story. The covenant of works was first established with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They were given clear instructions, a law to follow, and the promise of paradise. However, they disobeyed. In their disobedience, the very ground began to reject them. All the curses listed in Leviticus 26 came to pass as humanity was exiled from Eden into a now broken, hostile, and sinful world. From this point forward, life would be chaotic and unstable. One could do all the right things but still experience the curse. One could do all the wrong things and seemingly receive the blessing. The world turned upside down. 

Only God can make things right again and thankfully, He establishes the covenant of grace. Established on His unconditional love and predestined according to His sovereign will, God reaches out to humanity. He clothes Adam and Eve after their sin. He saves Noah and his family from the flood. He taps Abram and Sarai on the shoulder in Ur. None of these people are perfect. None of them are able to keep the Law or earn the blessings promised in Leviticus 26. But all of them walk with God. Their hearts are hungry for more of His glory. More of His presence. More of His love. They want nothing more than to serve Him faithfully all of their lives. Sin prevents them from being able to do this perfectly but it never stops them in their tracks. Even more important, sin presents no barrier for God. He reaches out to them in spite of their sin. In the midst of their disobedience. In the face of their rebellion and He grants them grace. He rejoices with them when the rains come and harvests are good and their enemies are put to flight. He grieves with them when they face drought, famine, disease, and death. No matter where they go or what they do, God is with them.  

God is with you, friends! He promises never to leave you or forsake you! He is with you when you wake. With you when you sleep. With you when you work. With you when you play. There is never a moment when you are alone. This is great news! God loves us so much and continues to show us grace even in our sin.  

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 27:14-34, Numbers 1, Mark 11:1-26, Psalms 46, Proverbs 10:23

Rich Young Ruler

Readings for today: Leviticus 24:1-25:46, Mark 10:13-31, Psalms 44:9-26, Proverbs 10:20-21

The story of the rich young ruler is one of the more well-known in the gospels. Jesus is traveling up to Jerusalem, preparing to lay down His life for the sins of the world. Along the way, a young man approaches Him with urgent question...”What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus responds with the typical Jewish answer. “Keep the commandments.” The young man gets excited. “I’ve kept them all since my youth.” Jesus looks him with love in His eyes. He knows what’s coming. Knows He’s about to expose the idolatry of the young man’s heart. “Go. Sell all you have. Give it to the poor. And come follow Me.” The young man turns away. 

There are so many dynamics in play here. The longing of the young man for eternal life. The tender love of Jesus as He looks into the young man’s heart. The faithfulness of the young man as he sought to honor God by keeping all the commandments. The challenge and invitation Jesus offers the young man. The deep sorrow he feels as he turns away.

I find these same dynamics in play in my own heart on a regular basis. I too long for eternal life. I wonder at times if I have done enough. I question my own faithfulness. Thankfully, I have also experienced the tender love of Jesus as He ministers to my heart. Assures me of His forgiveness and grace. Reminds me my salvation doesn’t rest on my work. I too have sought to keep God’s commandments. To live faithfully according to His Word. And I have felt the bite of Jesus’ challenge to give all I have away for the sake of the gospel. 

Where do you find yourself in this story? Try reading it again but slowly. Savor every word. Ponder every question. Reflect on every statement. Allow God’s Word to sink deep into your soul. Do you feel the urgency of the young man’s initial question? The pride of knowing you live faithfully according to God’s Will? The sorrow of the young man’s rejection? Have you experienced the tenderness of Jesus? Do you know you are the object of His unfailing love? Have you found the courage to walk by faith, sell all you have, and follow Christ? 

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 25:47-27:13, Mark 10:32-52, Psalms 45, Proverbs 10:22

Sabbath

Readings for today: Leviticus 22:17-23:44, Mark 9:30-10:12, Psalms 44:1-8, Proverbs 10:19

The first feast of the Lord listed in Leviticus 23 is the Sabbath. One day a week set aside for rest. Hardwired into creation itself, the Sabbath may be the most important and most neglected spiritual discipline of our time. The world runs 24/7. The ubiquity of social media creates an expectation that we must be “on” all the time. Most of us feel like we can’t get away from our work even for an hour much less an entire day. As rates of anxiety and depression rise, accompanied by self-destructive coping mechanisms of self-harm, addiction, and suicide; one must ask the question, is it time to re-commit ourselves to a weekly Sabbath?

I keep a Sabbath. Every Monday I purposefully set aside all my work. I do not answer email. I do not answer phone calls. I do not respond to texts. I am adding a social media fast as well starting this week. I spend time in worship. I spend time talking to my accountability partner of almost twenty years. I spend time reading, resting, relaxing. I go to the gym. I spend time with my kids when they get home from school. We do not schedule any events on Monday evenings if at all possible. This weekly rhythm acts as a “speed bump” in my life, slowing me down on a regular basis.  

Are there times when I violate my Sabbath? Yes. If I fail to be diligent and get all my work done in the previous six days. If I’m working on a big project or taking on a new role. If I’m under a significant deadline. However, I try to build in extra rest after those seasons come to an end so I dial life back to a sustainable pace.  

My life is busy. I have four teenage children who deserve my time and attention and love. I serve as the senior pastor for a Kingdom-minded church in a community with many needs. I serve as an adjunct professor teaching graduate students about evangelism and mission two semesters every year. I serve as a board member for a growing mission organization that’s doing amazing work in the Horn of Africa. I’ve been given opportunities to serve at different levels of my denomination. It’s a rich and full and beautiful life. Without a Sabbath, I would quickly burn out. 

I know your life is busy as well. Work. Family. School. Church. Kid’s activities. I am sure you feel like you barely get through each day. Let me encourage you to master your schedule. To wrest control of your life from the enemy who wants to drive you to exhaustion and burnout. Set aside one day out of every week for Sabbath rest. Turn off your phone. Fast from social media. Create a “no-tech” zone in your life for just 24 hours. Rest. Relax. Take a walk with those you love. Worship. Spend uninterrupted time with God. Let Him renew and restore you for the week ahead. There is no “one” way to keep a Sabbath. The only guidance Scripture gives is worship and rest. Gather with God’s people to give Him the praise He is due and then do whatever you need to do to relax and let your mind and body recover. Keep the Sabbath day, my friends. Your very life depends on it.  

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 24:1-25:46, Mark 10:13-31, Psalms 44:9-26, Proverbs 10:20-21

Thin Spaces

Readings for today: Leviticus 20:22-22:16, Mark 9:1-29, Psalms 43, Proverbs 10:18

Years ago, I encountered the idea of a “thin space.” A place where the veil between this world and the next becomes permeable, even translucent. All of a sudden, we can see into God’s world from our world. The dimensions of heaven and earth merge and intersect. It is the space of miracles. The space where the divine meets the mundane face to face. 

I believe the Bible records such a space when it describes what happens on the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus has just given his disciples a promise. Some of them will not taste death until they get to see the Kingdom of God come in power. Six days later, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. Once they arrive on the summit, Jesus is “transfigured” before them, meaning He appears to them in all His divine glory. His robes become radiant, taking on an intensity never before seen on earth. Elijah and Moses, the greatest of the Old Testament saints, appear beside Him. They begin to converse. A cloud overshadows them and a voice thunders from the atmosphere surrounding them, “This is my Beloved Son, listen to Him.” They fall on their faces in reverent fear. 

Where is heaven? Is it up in the sky somewhere? Perhaps deep into outer space? The famous Russian cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, was asked if he found God when he went to into space. No, he replied. I searched and searched but He was not there. Heaven is not a physical place residing somewhere out there in the farthest reaches of our universe. It lies in another dimension altogether. “Heaven” and “Earth” are simply different names to two different dimensions of Life. Death is the gateway between them. The dimension of heaven exists all around us all the time. In fact, the very word translated “heaven” in the Scriptures can also mean “atmosphere.” That’s how I prefer to think about it. We are immersed in it even though we cannot see it. God speaks to us from the air surrounding us. The saints who have gone before us are constantly moving in and among us. All of them waiting for the day when God finally brings these two dimensions together once and for all. 

Perhaps the most common “thin space” I encounter is the one surrounding the death bed of those we love. Whenever a person crosses from this dimension of life into the next, they are never alone. They pass from the arms of those they love into the arms of Jesus. It’s a sacred moment. Many years ago, my mother was caring for her parents as they lay dying. My grandmother was suffering from end stage dementia. She had literally been catatonic for years. Never spoke a word. Never responded to anyone’s voice. She just lay curled up in the fetal position in her bed. As the end drew near, the people with her were startled to see her sit straight up, hold out her arms, and exclaim, “I see angels.” Then she passed.  That’s a thin space. 

What about you? Where have you encountered “thin spaces” in your life? For instance, did you know that when you received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you were given the gift of the Holy Spirit? That’s right! At salvation, the Third Person of the Trinity comes to take up residence in our hearts! This means Christians are literally walking, talking “thin spaces”, mediating Christ wherever we go! In whatever we do! Through whatever we say! Think of everyone you will encounter today. How can you let Christ who lives in you speak through you to their hearts? How can you be the “thin space” through which God speaks and draws others to Himself? 

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 22:17-23:44, Mark 9:30-10:12, Psalms 44:1-8, Proverbs 10:19

The Golden Rule

Readings for today: Leviticus 19:1-20:21, Mark 8:11-38, Psalms 42, Proverbs 10:17

Raise your hand if you knew the Golden Rule came from Leviticus? Now repent because you broke the 8th Commandment! :-) Most associate the Golden Rule with Jesus and rightfully so. After all, Jesus repeats it as part of His teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 7:12) However, very few people realize that God first enshrined this rule in law in Leviticus. Lost in all the conversation about sacrifices and priestly garments and what one should eat or wear is this beautiful picture of community life in Leviticus 19:9-18.

We see God’s heart for the poor and less fortunate...“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.”

We see God’s concern for honesty and transparency..."You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.”

We see God’s compassion, especially for the less abled in our midst..."You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning. You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.”

We see God’s desire for justice and righteousness and truth..."You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.”

And finally, we see God’s admonition against hate, anger, rage, contempt, and most of all, vengeance..."You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”

This are massively applicable in our world today! Could you imagine a community of people who sought to put these into practice? On a daily basis? Who gave generously? Dealt honestly? Showed compassion? Fought for truth? Laid aside anger and rage and malice and hate in the name of love? Hopefully you can! It’s called the Church! Now I know no church is perfect. After all, it’s full of imperfect sinners like me who struggle to keep God’s law faithfully. However, as we seek God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we can expect to see some of these same behaviors break loose in our lives! We can expect to bear this kind of fruit for the Kingdom! And as brothers and sisters called into community together, we can make a HUGE difference in the world today! That’s the call! That’s the challenge! That was God’s plan for Israel and it’s still God’s plan for His people today!

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 20:22-22:16, Mark 9:1-29, Psalms 43, Proverbs 10:18

Sexual Restraint

Readings for today: Leviticus 16:29-18:30, Mark 7:24-8:10, Psalms 41, Proverbs 10:15-16

One of the hallmarks of the Judeo-Christian faith is its sexual ethic. From the opening pages of Genesis, God makes clear His design for sexuality. It is to be enjoyed within the boundaries of covenant marriage between one man and one woman. The physical act of sex is one sign among many of the “oneness” God created us to reflect as His image-bearers. Though it is often claimed otherwise, Jesus Christ affirms God’s design in Matthew 19:4-6 as does the Apostle Paul throughout his letters. This ethic is consistently portrayed throughout Scripture as the norm. The pattern. The paradigm for godly human relationships. Are there examples where God’s design is not followed? Absolutely. Polygamy, adultery, incest, rape, etc. all make their appearance in the Scriptures, many them being committed by God’s people. However, at no time does God affirm them as acceptable alternatives to His design. 

The sexual drive of human beings is a powerful force. Almost impossible to resist. God knows this because He created it in the first place. Corrupted by the Fall, it leads to all kinds of self-destructive behaviors. Just look at the Canaanites as an example. Their culture was rife with sexual immorality. The fertility rites of their religion were essentially largescale sexual orgies in which the priests and priestesses had sex with multiple men and women. They also might re-enact Baal’s copulation with cows or offer their children as sacrifices. They communed with the dead by having sex with their closest living relative. All this in an effort to ensure the harvest for the coming year. Archaeological evidence suggests most Canaanites lived in fear of their priests. Marriages and families were torn apart and the unwanted children of these annual unions were often slaughtered on altars to Baal or Dagon. Sexually transmitted disease was likely epidemic; rape was perhaps as common as it is in the worst of today's war-ravaged nations. It is against this horrific backdrop that God issues the laws concerning sexual behavior in Leviticus 18. 

Sadly, humanity refuses to listen. Sexual restraint is considered antiquated at best, bigoted at worst. Even the suggestion that sexuality be reserved for covenant marriage between a man and a woman is considered hate speech in some circles. Human beings desire sexual freedom above everything else but what have we gained? Shattered relationships. Rampant sexual abuse. A rise in sexually transmitted disease. Thousands of unwanted pregnancies. Does any of this give us pause? Cause us to stop and reflect that maybe our way is not the best way? No. Instead, we seek ways to make sex “safer.” We ignore the emotional toll it takes in a person’s life. We kill our babies in the name of “choice” because we don’t want to face the very real consequences of our actions. Far from making progress, we have simply reverted to type. We are no different, and certainly no better, than the ancient Canaanites! 

There is only one way to experience true sexual freedom and that is to live within the restraints God has set up. They are for our good. For our protection. They are designed to help us flourish as human beings and experience the depths of intimacy. There is nothing like giving one’s whole self - body, mind, and soul - to a member of the opposite sex within the sacred covenant of marriage. It is designed to be a reflection of the unity God desires to have with His people. Some will argue this isn’t fair because not everyone can get married. Not everyone experiences heterosexual desire. Not everyone is able to find their soulmate. I understand and I grieve. It is a tender subject for me personally as I walk alongside those I love. Our world is truly broken. Our sexual desires are disordered, misdirected, and all jumbled up. All of us look forward to the Day when God makes all things new and sets all things right. On that Day, marriage will cease to exist according to Jesus because we will enjoy perfect intimacy with Him and with one another. No one will be left out. But until that Day comes, we must submit our sexuality to God. We must embrace God’s design. Sexual faithfulness within the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman or sexual faithfulness in celibacy as a single person. 

I know that last statement sounds scary and again, unfair. It feels like God is robbing many of us of something very special. Unrequited sexual desire can lead to a sense of existential loneliness which is painful and all to real to so many in our world today. Depression, despair, and suicide haunt our loved ones who are struggling. This is where we must cling to the sufficiency of Christ. He is more than enough to meet all of our needs. He is faithful to comfort us in the midst of our grief. He gives us the strength to follow His commands. He recognizes we will suffer in this life and He promises He will make it up to us in the world to come. Furthermore, Christ does not leave us alone or adrift. He gives us the gift of His church. A family. A community of believers to fill the empty void in our hearts. Now I get the church is all kinds of messed up. The sexual abuse propagated by Roman Catholics and Protestants alike is terrifying and traumatic. But that’s not every church. In fact, it’s not even most churches. Most churches are like families where people from all walks of life can connect and find community.

Friends, if you are struggling to submit your sexuality - in whatever form - to Jesus, I want you to know you are not alone. I am here for you. PEPC is here for you. If you live out of state or out of the country, chances are there is a church nearby where you can go and find hope. You will be accepted for who you are. Given the space to wrestle with temptation in an authentic way. You will find a safe space to express your doubts, fears, and anxiety. Most of all, you will be challenged to fix your eyes on Christ and find your deepest satisfaction and fulfillment in Him. 

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 19:1-20:21, Mark 8:11-38, Psalms 42, Proverbs 10:17

Inside Out

Readings for today: Leviticus 15:1-16:28, Mark 7:1-23, Psalms 40:11-17, Proverbs 10:13-14

 “And Jesus said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." (Mark‬ ‭7:18-23‬)

How does transformation happen? From the outside in? Or the inside out? Human beings seem naturally inclined to believe the former. If we just enact the right laws. If we just enforce the right rules. If we just require the right behavior then we can achieve a more equal society. If we can just reform the system. Depose corrupt officials. Replace those in power then we will have life, liberty, and justice for all. Of course it never does work out that way. Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. As soon as anyone achieves a certain level of power, privilege, and wealth; they soon find themselves doing all they can to protect it. Preserve it. Use it for their own benefit. Human beings simply cannot transform themselves. No matter how hard we try, we simply cannot work our way to righteousness. 

Jesus shows us a different way. According to Him, the problem lies within. His diagnosis is a broken heart. Our thoughts, attitudes, feelings, and actions are merely symptoms of a deeper, more pervasive disease. Our hearts are corrupt. They are full of all kinds of evil thoughts. Lust. Covetousness. Jealousy. Anger. These things are always lurking beneath the surface waiting for the right moment to emerge. The only hope we have is a heart transplant. We need Jesus to remove our hearts of stone and replace them with hearts of flesh. Hearts sensitive to the things of God. Hearts purified by the indwelling presence of the Spirit of God. Once our hearts have been healed then we can go to work on the rest. Without this heart transplant, we will always be fighting a losing battle against ourselves. 

Of course, we cannot force transformation. We cannot legislate saving faith. People are free to make their own decisions as to what they believe. This is why we must get on our knees and pray. Pray for God to move. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on all flesh. Pray for revival across our nation and our world. Only God can bring about the transformation we all need and want. Only God can bring justice and righteousness to the earth. Only God can renew and restore all creation. May each of us pray fervently for God to do His work in our hearts and in the hearts of those we love that might become the people He created us to be.  

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 16:29-18:30, Mark 7:24-8:10, Psalms 41, Proverbs 10:15-16

Leviticus and Jesus

Readings for today: Leviticus 14, Mark 6:30-56, Psalms 40:1-10, Proverbs 10:11-12

Someone posed a great question from our readings today. Why do Leviticus and Jesus seem so opposed to one another? Especially in their treatment of lepers? In Leviticus, they are considered outcasts. Separated from their community. They are to live in isolation or with others who share their disease. They are not welcome in the Temple. Not welcome in the market. Not welcome in people’s homes. If they do experience healing, the rituals are elaborate for restoration and, knowing how human beings tend to work, they probably still carried the stigma the rest of their lives. Contrast all this with Jesus who welcomed lepers. Healed them. Purified them. Touched them. Embraced them. Jesus restored them to community with a word. It all seems so contradictory unless you take a step back and remember the bigger picture.  

This world is not our home. This world is broken and ruined by the Fall. This world is corrupt and full of sin. It manifests itself in all kinds of ways, disease and death among them. All of us suffer in this world. All of us are subject to its limitations. God’s world (heaven) is not like this world. God’s world is whole and perfect. God’s world is pure and holy. God’s world is righteous and just. Sin and evil do not exist there so there is no suffering, no crying, no pain. Adam’s fateful decision to rebel against God ruptured the connection between our world and God’s world. Severed it completely. Without God, we would have been set adrift for all eternity. No hope of salvation. God, however, loves our world as much as He loves His own. So He bridges the gulf. He keeps the lines of communication open. He gives Moses a plan for a Tabernacle. A place where He will meet with His people. However, God is holy and cannot tolerate unholiness, impurity, or sin in His presence. So the Israelites are given laws in order to keep them pure before God. These laws are given to govern them in a world that his hostile to holiness. Hostile to purity. Hostile to God. A world in rebellion. These laws are not ends in themselves. Living by them is not the goal. They point beyond themselves to the greater reality which is God Himself. This is why David says, “In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required...I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." (Psalms‬ ‭40:6, 8‬)‬ David understands the sacrifices, while good, serve a bigger purpose. They should draw us close to God. They should give us a heart for God. We can never confuse the ends and the means. The same is true for the laws concerning lepers. Yes, leprosy made one impure. Yes, impurity separated you from worship and from community. At the same time, God’s people should extend compassion and care for the lepers in their midst. Provide for them as they suffered in their disease. Rejoice when they were healed and restored. This would serve as a sign that God’s world was breaking into our world through the medium of His chosen people! 

Sadly, Israel failed in this mission. Their own sin got in the way. They could follow all the laws perfectly but their hearts were still corrupt. So God sends Jesus. The living embodiment of God’s world now coming to live in our world. Jesus brings with Him all God’s holiness. All God’s purity. All God’s wisdom and power and authority because He is God incarnate! God has nothing to fear from our world. There is nothing in this world that can possibly hurt Him or harm Him or make Him impure in any way. So Jesus touches lepers and makes them clean. Jesus heals disease. Drives out demons. Raises the dead. All of these things are signs that God’s world has now entered our world. The infinite now occupies the finite. The holy confronts the unholy. The pure overcomes the impure. Sin and evil are put to flight whenever Jesus shows up on the scene. Our world reacts violently to this invasion. Responds by seeking to sever the connection between our world and God’s world once again. Kill Jesus and we’ll finally be free! Free of God’s reign! Free of God’s rule! Free to do as we please! So we hang Jesus on a cross. We commit the greatest sin in human history. Deicide...we murder God. But God’s world is not like our world. God’s life is not subject to death. So He rises from the grave and now the connection between our world and God’s world is made permanent. Sealed by the blood of God’s own Son. No longer will this world be adrift. No longer will sin hold sway. No longer will death and disease have the final word. No longer will impurity separate us from God. Because of what Christ accomplished, all things are made new. All sin is atoned for. Death has been defeated. And we are free to live in this world as citizens of God’s world, embracing the “lepers” wherever they may be found.  

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 15:1-16:28, Mark 7:1-23, Psalms 40:11-17, Proverbs 10:13-14

Church “Success???”

Readings for today: Leviticus 13, Mark 6:1-29, Psalms 39, Proverbs 10:10

 “And Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, "Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.” (Mark‬ ‭6:7-13‬)

I cannot begin to count the number of conferences I get invited to each year promising the latest and greatest techniques to help my church reach our community. Leaders from the most successful churches - (Read: largest in weekly attendance) - keynote session after session letting you in on the secret to their success. Vision. Mission. Philosophy. Core values. Strategy. Frankly, it all sounds very corporate to me. I used to attend faithfully. Every year I would make my way to one conference or another searching for new ideas on how to jumpstart my church. Every year I would return home with books, CD’s, podcasts, and all sorts of other material to help me in my quest. Every year I would become disillusioned and disappointed as my new ideas failed one after the other. Eventually, I burned out on conferences and instead turned back to Scripture. 

It is striking to see the difference between the Jesus way and the way of the American church in the 21st century. Jesus simply sends his disciples out two by two into towns and villages all over Galilee. They take nothing for their journey. No fundraising. No denominational support. No purchasing of property or building of buildings. They literally take what they have on their backs and go. When they arrive at their destination, they pay attention to how they are received. If they are not received well or the gospel is rejected, they move on. If they are received, they stay and minister. By faith, they preach. By faith, they pray. By faith, they cast out demons and heal the sick. And God provides miraculously for them along the way.  

Many call the way of Jesus unrealistic. It doesn’t fit our cultural context. We have needs that must be met. Plans that must be made. Strategies that must be developed. Vision that must be cast. I think God chuckles at our futile efforts. Dick Halverson, long-time chaplain for the US Senate, once remarked, “In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men and women centering on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece, where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome, where it became an institution. Next it moved to Europe where it became a culture, and, finally, it moved to America where it became an enterprise.” Sadly, his words still ring true. Why is the church struggling in America? Why are we losing the cultural battle? Why are so many people leaving the church? Because we refuse to listen to Jesus. We refuse to align our ways to His ways. Our hearts with His heart. 

A friend of mine asked me the other day, “Why is the church failing?” “It’s not”, I replied. Look around the world. The church is exploding in Africa and Latin America and Asia. It’s growing in the Global South and the Far East. It’s thriving under persecution. It’s multiplying under political and social oppression. It’s tearing down the gates of hell in all sorts of places. “Why not here then?” He asked. Great question. The answer is simple. We will not follow the Jesus Way. We continue to abandon the Jesus Truth. So we cannot expect to receive the Jesus Life. The church in America must repent of her sinful obsession with corporate success and instead humble herself at the feet of Her Lord, letting Him guide and direct our steps. 

Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 14, Mark 6:30-56, Psalms 40:1-10, Proverbs 10:11-12