Columnists

I’ve started to skip over reading newspaper columns written by local columnists. Even the religion columns, written by people of faith and local pastors, have become self-focused rather that issue focused. The columnists have made themselves the central figure in all the anecdotes, examples, jokes and story illustrations. Critiquing these columns has given me a greater appreciation for the New Testament writers who kept the focus of their narrative on the ministry of Jesus. For instance, Luke inserts himself only in the introduction of his Gospel, “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:1-4 NIV).

Sheep Without a Shepherd

President Trump sent a message to the human caravan of people trying to force their way into America, “Turn back. You will not be allowed to enter the US.” However, the people are not listening to the President, but rather to the leaders of the caravan. I’m somewhat surprised that US officials haven’t spent more time trying to discredit and expose these faux leaders to the people in the caravan. Without these leaders the caravan would become shepherd-less and disperse. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep” (John 10:11-13 NIV).

A Time is Coming

The mass shooting in a Pittsburgh Synagogue has left the Jewish community reeling and America grieving. In his online rantings the perpetrator wrote, “They are committing genocide to my people. I just want to kill Jews.” Not only did the killer hate Jews, but I suspect that in his warped mind he felt he was doing America a service by killing Jews. I see a similar situation in New Testament times when Jewish leaders of the day felt threatened by Jesus and his disciples and they wanted to kill them. Jesus said to his disciples, “All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you” (John 16:1-4 NIV).

Understanding vs. Accepting

Jesus told the Jews, “Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:49-51 NIV). Some disciples could not accept the teaching that the flesh of Jesus was real food and his blood real drink and many turned back and no longer followed Jesus. The NIV study footnote on John 6: 60 states the, “Teaching was hard to accept, not hard to understand.” The same thought process is prevalent today. We understand what the Word of God says…we just don’t want to accept it.

Where Your Treasure Is

A woman in a television ad said, “The good we do here is the only thing that will be left when we leave this earth.” I have to laugh at the thought of society, or even my family for that matter, remembering my good deeds beyond a couple of generations. Jesus, on the other hand, puts our legacy in heaven, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:19-20 NIV).

Thieves and Robbers

Even though America’s immigration laws need to be restructured, there still remains today a legal gateway for people to immigrate to the US. Those who illegally force their way into America are in effect, stealing our national sovereignty. Jesus used the Shepherd and His Flock as a figure of speech to demonstrate a similar situation on the religious landscape. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep… “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:1-2, 7-9 NIV).

I Pledge Allegiance

As I watch video news reports of the human caravan trying to reach the US I’m struck by the fact that these folks carry with them flags of Honduras, Guatemala, Venezuela and Mexico. They obviously love their own countries and do not want to relinquish their national identity. They want to live on American soil, but are unwilling to take up the American flag. I see a similar picture in those who want the blessings of the cross, but are unwilling bear allegiance to Christ, or to take up their cross. Jesus said, “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt 10:37-39 NIV).

Stop Sinning

An invalid of 38 years was at the Sheep Gate and Jesus asked if he wanted to get well. Jesus healed the man, “Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you”” (John 5:14 NIV).  I’m now trying to wrap my head around how an invalid of 38 years continues to sin.

Fulfillment of Scripture

On more than one occasion Jesus read or reference a passage of Scripture and then He told those listening He was the fulfillment of that Scripture. When I read the Bible, I look for ways to apply the Word to my life, but I’ve never consciously looked for instances where I too am the fulfillment of Scripture. Paul said, “Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith” (Gal 3:6-9 NIV).

Make Your Election Sure

This is the season of elections and on a worldly level we sometimes feel desperate to have our candidate win. Believers too have an election where we need to make sure we will receive a welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Peter said, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins” (2 Peter 1:5-9 NIV).

A Reboot

Physical demon possession is very real and not something I joke about. However, electronic possession is another thing all together. I just purchased a new cell phone and the apps, which have demon-like characteristics, are intent on taking control. Icons move, auto-correct speaks its native language and Bixby refuses to leave no matter how many times I’ve cast it out. I’ve learned that some instances call for turning the phone off and doing a reboot. Spiritually speaking there are times when people of faith also need to do a reboot. Peter said, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus” (Acts 3:19-20 NIV).  

The Lottery

Although it’s frowned upon by some believers, there are people of faith who play the lottery, bet on horse races and wager on sports teams…and sometimes they actually do win a jackpot. There’s no doubt in my mind that these winners are convinced their good fortune is a blessing from the Lord. However, the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness gives me pause. For 40 days Jesus was tempted by the devil, “The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours” (Luke 4:5-7 NIV.)

Begging Him

Merriam-Webster defines “beg” as: To ask for as charity; to ask earnestly for. People begged Jesus to heal them, or to heal their loved ones — those with leprosy, the blind, the demon possessed. When the Lord hasn’t answered one of my prayers for healing, I often revert to asking Him for peace, understanding and acceptance in the situation. However, I’m now wondering if, by changing the focus of my petition, I’ve forgotten how to beg. Mark recorded, “As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed” (Mark 6:54-56 NIV).

The Foundation

Hurricane Michael devastated the beach front Florida panhandle. After watching video of the destruction, I have a profound new appreciation for the Lord’s thoughts on the Wise and Foolish Builders. Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matt 7:24-27 NIV).

Best Seller

I listen to cable TV news the same way many people listen to the radio. Hardly a program segment goes by without the host, guest or the news anchor promoting their most recent book. No doubt all these authors have dreams of their books becoming a number one best seller, and in fact some do make the best seller list. I’m quite certain the Gospel writers never promoted their books and could not have imagined they would become contributors to the best selling Book of all times. Luke introduces his book, “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:1-4 NIV).

Rolled Away

Jesus died and was placed in the tomb. “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb” (Mark 16:1-3 NIV)? There are times in our lives when we come up against situations that are out of our control and we too worry and wonder about who will roll the stone away. We need to be reminded that an angel of the Lord rolled away the stone even before the women got to the tomb.  

I See You

 During most communion meditations the speaker will explain that the emblems, the cup and the bread, are used in remembrance of Jesus. They are a reminder of the Lord’s sacrifice — his life, death and resurrection. Recently a speaker caught my attention when he said, “You should see Jesus in the cup and you should see Jesus in the bread.” I was reminded of a picture illusion where you try to find a picture within a picture. As Christians we train ourselves to look for the Lord in our everyday life, but even mature believers can sometimes fail to see Him. Jesus said, “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’” (Matt 25:37-40 NIV).

The Stoning of Kavanaugh

The Judiciary Committee Confirmation hearing for Judge Kavanaugh, as well as the confirmation vote in the Senate, was riveting. Both events reminded me of the account of Stephen before the Sanhedrin where false charges were brought against him in order to stir up the people, the elders and the teachers of the law. “Then the high priest asked him, “Are these charges true”” (Acts 7:1 NIV)? In the form of a history refresher lesson Stephen called out his detractors, then looked into heaven and saw the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. “At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul…And Saul was there giving approval to his death”” (Acts 7:57-58, 8:1 NIV). Similar to Saul, Republican Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski gave her approval for the stoning of Kavanaugh in order to kill his nomination to the Supreme Court.    

Learning Our Lesson

I struck up a conversation with a young receptionist and learned that the previous weekend her boyfriend physically abused her and, in her anger and her escape, she totaled her car. With bruises on her arms and the scratches on her neck I encouraged her to file a police report, but she had already decided to chalk it up to a bad experience, “I’ve learned my lesson. I got rid of my boyfriend and I won’t ever let this happen again.” She then went on to say that this was not the first time the boyfriend had knocked her around. Common sense tells me she should have learned her lesson after the first incident. However, Paul reminds me that common sense doesn’t always win out over our actions, “So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members” (Ro 7:21-23 NIV).

Exploiting the Church

I was surprised when I read that Judas Iscariot was given the same abilities as the rest of the disciples. “He [Jesus] called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness” (Matt 10:1 NIV). As keeper of the moneybag Judas was known to help himself to the money and he betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Lacking any scruples where money is concerned, I have to wonder if it crossed his mind to ask people to pay him for driving out evil spirits, and healing disease and sickness. People today who exploit the church for financial gain would do well to heed the same warning Peter gave to Simon the Sorcerer, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin” (Acts 8:20-23 NIV).

Iron Sharpening Iron

I recently had a great conversation with a Jehovah’s Witness. She said, “I know we don’t come from the same faith, but when I had a family crisis I thought of Jesus saying…” For the next 30 minutes we mingled Scripture with our life experiences. Neither of us were on a soapbox preaching at one another, nor were we trying to convert the other to our denomination. It occurs to me that within our own denominations we’re so busy practicing fellowship that we neglect in-depth Scriptural conversations. Proverbs reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17 NIV).

For All Have Sinned

Because of the sexual misconduct allegations from Christine Blasey Ford against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh I looked up sexual assault in the dictionary. Generally speaking sexual assault is defined as any unwanted sexual contact. I believe that most women today can all say we have experienced some sort of “unwanted sexual contact.” However, I’m not convinced that the sin connected with unwanted sexual contact always rises to the level of assault. For instance, young neighborhood children convincing a younger child to play doctor, or having to dodge old Uncle Herb at family reunions because he hugs women to tightly just to cop a feel. The Psalmist wrote, “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:8-12 NIV).

Righteous Indignation

During confirmation hearings for the Supreme Court, nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh came out with verbal guns blazing. Not only was Kavanaugh defending himself against accusations of sexual misconduct from Christine Blasey Ford, but he put the committee and the public on notice that he intended to fight to stop people from disparaging his reputation and his character. Similar to people accusing President Trump of not acting Presidential, some people are now saying that Kavanaugh’s righteous indignation wasn’t the decorum they expect of a Supreme Court Justice. Jesus faced the same situation in his day when many thought He wasn’t acting Christ-like enough. Who could have imagined the Messiah would have done a housecleaning in the temple, “Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves” (Matt 21:12 NIV).