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May 26, 2014

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]“But [Peter] said emphatically, ‘If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.” (Mk 14:31 ESV).

In the words of Peter, I see myself. I would have joined with the rest of them in making a bold commitment. In my struggle with temptation and sin I say, “I will not deny you.” And like Peter, I mean every word—when I say it. Yet to be honest, Peter’s commitment went deeper. In his passion for Christ, he was willing to die with Jesus. I long for that level of commitment. I’d like to say that I would do the same. But as the all too familiar story goes, Peter does not make it, and neither do I.

I deny Jesus as I cave to temptation—again. The struggle takes too much effort, redirecting my thoughts again and again to what is noble, right, and good. I react angrily to circumstances rather than holding my tongue in patience. I cower from people who may not like me or affirm my beliefs. It’s easier to ignore than engage.

Later in the Garden, Peter made a good show when he sliced off the ear of Malchus. But Jesus didn’t fight; in fact, he rebuked Peter and gave himself up. I can understand that Peter’s courage waned. Courage to stand is hard when it looks like God has given up. Just watch the news. Evil seems to prosper, and those who claim to know God are mocked and marginalized. It’s easy to lose your nerve when God doesn’t seem to be doing anything.

But then I look at the text more closely. After Peter objected to Jesus’ prophecy, Mark records that Jesus still asks Peter to watch and pray with him in the Garden (vv. 32-34). In his darkest hour, knowing full well that Peter would not stand the test, Jesus still wanted the companionship of a weak braggart.

In that is my hope. “Standing for Jesus” is not about what I can do for God. Rather, it is about what God has done for me. He wants me near. O Lord, keep my eyes on Jesus—and help me to stand with him.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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May 19, 2014

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Sometimes God uses images to communicate truth that are as shocking as they are earthy. About 600 years before Christ, God’s people had fallen into self-centered worship. There was religious activity, yet evil was everywhere. The prophet Jeremiah complained, “Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?” (Jer 12: 1). It’s hard to watch the nightly news and not ask the same questions.

God told the prophet to buy a linen loincloth, and without rinsing it, put it around his waist. Jeremiah did as he was told. Later, God told the prophet to and hide the loincloth between some rocks near a river. After many days, God told Jeremiah to retrieve the loincloth. The prophet did, and “the loincloth was spoiled; it was good for nothing” (Jer 13: 1-7).

God explained that as the loincloth was spoiled, so would he spoil the pride of his people. His people, who were stubbornly following their own hearts in their worship and their ways, had become good for nothing. But why communicate this message with a loincloth?

God used this image to remind his people of their true calling. As the loincloth is an intimate piece of clothing, God had redeemed his people from obscure slavery to be a special people, intimately connected to him. They were to be “a name, a praise, a glory” (Jer 13:11). Their pride-filled, self-centered worship had rendered them as useless as soiled underwear.

The message of Jeremiah’s underwear is that rampant evil in society is connected to the pride of God’s people. Selfish pride is a blemish on the beauty being revealed in those who are redeemed. Note that God is not denying his intimate connection with those he has redeemed; instead, he is lamenting that failing  to embrace their privileged status leads to uselessness.

The tarnishing effects of self-centered, pride-filled “worship” are just as powerful today. Those who are redeemed by Christ have a glorious position—an intimate relationship with God even greater than that enjoyed by Judah in the days of Jeremiah. Yet, self seeps into every crevice of life like the muddy water through the rocks surrounding Jeremiah’s loincloth. Pride blemishes the glory of our intimate relationship with God. Relationships are weakened, fruitfulness is stymied, and evil is unchecked.

The cure lies in the status God gives. The work of Christ cleanses us and frees us from the chains of self-centered pride. Our usefulness is grounded in the finished work of Christ, as he furthers the work of redemption through us. In him, we have “a name, a praise, and a glory” that will never go dim.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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May 12, 2014

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]“… but Mary remained seated in the house.” (John 11:20 ESV)

I recently heard a pastor read the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, and this statement grabbed me. It may have been the way he read the text, or more likely, because of what I had experienced in my relationship with Jesus just a few days before.

Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus; John is careful to tell us that (Jn 11:5). Yet, when the sisters sent for Jesus saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill” (v. 3), Jesus stayed where he was for two days. In fact, he even said, “This illness does not lead to death” (v. 4). The text does not tell us if the messenger the sisters sent delivered Jesus’ response to them. But if he did, it’s possible the messenger brought Jesus’ reply after Lazarus had died. When Jesus does arrive, Lazarus has been dead for four days. I can imagine the shock of sending for Jesus, hearing his reply that the illness will not lead to death, and then witnessing the death and burial of one you thought that Jesus loved. Was Jesus wrong? Why didn’t he come?

Mary probably knew the situation: Judea was not a safe place for Jesus. The religious leaders had wanted to stone him (Jn 11:8, 10:31). Yet, Jesus had escaped his enemies before, and he loved Lazarus. Jesus had the power to make Lazarus well, and he could overcome his enemies. But, Jesus didn’t come, and Lazarus died. Jesus did not do what Mary wanted, arguably even expected, him to do. Jesus wasn’t there, and his absence made the hard circumstances of Lazarus’ death even more difficult. Though the text does not tell us exactly why, it makes sense to read that when Mary heard that Jesus was coming, she did not go out to meet him like her sister Martha.

That’s what resonated so much with me. At happens from time to time, I was wrestling with discouragement. In my mind, I can see clearly what Jesus should be doing in my life. In my head I know he loves me, but my circumstances dull my heart to agree that it is true. I struggle with relational paralysis. I’m not opposed to going to Jesus; I just struggle with actually doing it because he has not done what I expect him to do.

Jesus is not deterred. He arrives, and Martha reminds him that he could have prevented Lazarus’ death (The reminder possibly included a measure of rebuke). Jesus patiently teaches Martha and calls for Mary, who quickly responds to his call (Jn 11:28-29). Mary also tells Jesus what he already knows (v. 32), but instead of rebuking her, he weeps over the grief caused by death (v. 35). In his weeping, Jesus is indignant at the damage caused by the enemy of God’s good creation (1 Cor. 15:26).

My unfulfilled expectations about what God should be doing in my life triggers a descent into relational paralysis. But, God does not give up on his struggling servants. He calls, and grieves, and continues with his perfect plan of redemption. He revives my spiritual deadness and gives me the power to believe in him. O for the grace to trust him more.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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May 5, 2014

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Recently, I have been arriving to work early in the morning. I enter a parking lot that is almost completely empty, and I have my pick of the empty spaces. Yet, the decision is difficult – what does the choice say about me? I could pick the spot closest to the door, but then someone coming behind me, who needs a closer space more than I do, will be left with a longer walk in the cold and rain. In the last two days, after I have parked some spaces away, I’ve seen two different people zip into the “prime space,” and I wondered if they struggled with their decision. I was reminded of two things:

In Matthew 23, Jesus speaks prophetic woes against the Scribes and Pharisees. He tells them, “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11-12 ESV).

I also remember a story I heard years ago about a pastor of a large church. When the congregation moved into a new building, the staff reserved a parking space near the church office with a sign “Reserved for Senior Pastor.” Not too long after, the pastor was teased that he was special because he got a parking spot near the door. The next day, the pastor asked the staff to remove the sign, and he began to park in a space far from the door.

As I watched these people leave their car for the short walk to the door, I had to confess my struggle with “parking space righteousness.” I wondered if the choice of a prime parking space communicates the attitude of the heart. It is in the details of life that the attitude of my heart is revealed, and that makes me wonder, “Would Jesus take the prime parking place?” Yet, I also need to ask another question: “Would Jesus judge the attitudes of others who choose to park in the prime space?”

Either way, I must confess my tendency to exalt myself – whether it be in choosing the prime space or in thinking that I am better than others in choosing to give up the prime space. True humility comes from having the mind and manner of Christ, which can only be wrought in me by the work of the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God, who patiently endures with me as I struggle to serve others with the strength that he provides.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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April 28, 2014

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Recently, I read a review of a book critiquing the theology and methodology of a very popular pastor in the PCA. The review appeared in the magazine of a sister denomination. As I read, I wondered, “With all of the unbiblical ideas and behavior that exist in the world, why is it so important to critique a pastor who shares the same biblical and doctrinal commitments?”

I know what Proverbs says:

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:6 ESV)
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 ESV)

But James, who is very familiar with Proverbs 27 (practically quoting 27:1 in James 4:13–14), writes:

11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:11-12, ESV)

I agree with those who say the “law” being judged is that which finds concise expression in the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18). This section of James has in view personal relationships within the Body of Christ. Quarrels and fights are not to exist among the people of God—but they do (4:1). The solution is humble submission to each other (4:7, 10), what earlier James termed “the royal law” (2:8) or “the law of liberty” (2:12). James is merely repeating Jesus, when he said that the Great Commandment was to love God with all your being and your neighbor as yourself.

We must be very careful with the common defense: “I’m just having a public discussion of public teaching.” To a watching world, an unsolicited public critique of the views of someone with whom you share so much in common appears to be rivalry rather than love. And Jesus clearly said the world will know we are his disciples by our love for one another (John 13:35).

So how do we help others stay sharp? How do we faithfully wound a friend (who is straying)? We do so in love by holding our tongue in public until we have spoken to the friend in private—even when the issue is the friend’s public teaching. If our relationship is not strong enough for that level of communication, we should reserve our comments for blatantly unbiblical views or behavior, and pray that God will lead others to offer the needed correction. Or even more radically, we could begin the work of building a friendship, and in the process come to understand better the one we were so eager to critique.

Jesus commanded his followers to love, but he never said it would be easy. Neither did he say it was impossible. To love well means you die to self, and self-sacrifice is only possible through the redeeming work of Christ. He gave himself so that people with imperfect theology and bad behavior could learn to live together in love.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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April 21, 2014

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Whether the root cause is busyness or faithless anxiety, sometimes the mind races with the thoughts of the day. Emotions swirl between excitement and dread, happiness and depression. There is a longing for the presence of God. The psalmist pictures such mental and emotional churning with the image of a waterfall. He says to God:

Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me (Ps 42:7 ESV).

Waterfalls can be soothing, as the sound of the current cascading over stones can lull someone to sleep. In this case, however, the psalmist sees himself caught in an eddy, with the incessant stream swirling over and around him. His soul is cast down and in turmoil. Yet, in the LORD he finds his hope.

By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life (Ps 42:8 ESV).

True to his covenant, the LORD causes his steadfast love to work in the lives of his people. This love flows from the very nature of God, regardless of man’s circumstances or his perceived merit. God sends forth love, designed to give strength, to make whole, to give peace, to raise up. The LORD’s love triggers a song, a prayer of praise offered by one who lays hold of the never-failing love of God. The LORD is the giver and sustainer of life.

Though the turmoil leads to feelings of abandonment, the psalmist realizes the only sure path is one that trusts in God:

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God (Ps 42:5, 11 ESV).

Churning thoughts and emotions can overwhelm the restless heart. Yet in the midst of turmoil, we must lay hold of the work of God. He takes initiative to send forth his love in the storm of a fallen world. May you sense his presence and peace as you face the circumstances of today.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]