Asking Jesus to Leave

Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who was possessed by a collection of demons named Legion. Jesus drove them out and when he gave them permission to go into a herd of pigs, the pigs rushed down a steep bank and drown in a lake. When the townspeople learned what had happened and saw that the demon-possessed man had been cured they were afraid. I can understand their fear, but I don’t understand their actions, “Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left” (Luke 8:38 NIV). It gives me pause to know that when we call, Jesus is there; but if we ask him to leave, he leaves.

The Cost of Following Jesus

We are building a house adjacent to our existing residence and although it is now weathered in, the exterior doors are not yet in place. A couple nights ago a neighbor alerted us that he’d seen a guy entering the new house with a backpack and he suspected the man planned on spending the night. In hindsight we should have called the police, but Bill and I took it upon ourselves to check it out. The squatter had already opened up his bedroll in the pantry and was talking on his cell phone to someone about “smoking weed.” Out of the dark Bill said, “Not in my house you don’t!” Quickly stuffing his bedroll in a duffel bag the man apologized as he scurried out of the house. As the man disappeared down the street, I couldn’t help but speculate on where he would sleep that night. There is a cost to choosing the life of a transient or vagabond. Similarly, following Jesus is a life choice and it too comes at a cost. Jesus said, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Luke 9:58 NIV).  

By Invitation Only

In a board meeting and the speaker began his public prayer, “Lord, we invite your presence to this meeting.” While I understand the intent of the man’s prayer, I have to laugh at the idea that the Lord needs an invitation to be in our midst. Jesus said, “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Matt 18:19-20 NIV).

Deserving or Undeserving

Some elders of the Jews petitioned Jesus to heal the servant of a Centurion, “When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Luke 7:4-7 NIV). It’s interesting that others sometime measure us differently that we measure ourselves. The elders thought the Centurion deserving, but yet the Centurion though himself undeserving.  

Highly Regarded

Our current house is on the market and right away we received an offer; however, the offer was much lower than the asking price. After dealing with the indignation we made a counter offer, but it remains to be seen if the buyer will accept it. It’s not that I want more than the property is worth, but neither do I want less. On a personal level I consider myself humble, but it appears I have more to learn when it comes to personal property. Paul said, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself [or your personal property] more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you”  (Ro 12:3 NIV emphasis added).

Watch

When I know someone is coming to my house, whether it is a paperboy, the mailman or a friend, I watch for them. Without a doubt we know Jesus is coming again, yet many of us watch for Him with less urgency and expectancy than we use for a deliveryman.  Jesus said, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matt 24:42-44 NIV).

It’s Our Responsibility

When we sin against another, the last person we want to go to and ask forgiveness from is the one we’ve sinned against. Often, we look to others to help us salve our conscious and absolve us from the sin — God, a friend, a priest, those in authority. Judas did something similar, “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility” (Matt 27:3-5 NIV).

Favoritism

Whether you’re a mom, a grill master, or a restaurant chef, you usually cook for the enjoyment of others. In the church, leadership often gets frustrated trying to please people (music style, programs, etc.) and they may resort to making choices to please themselves. The justification for favoring their own choice over the desires of others becomes, “You can’t please everyone.” Favoritism, even favoritism towards oneself, is forbidden. James said, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:8-10 NIV).

Preparedness

We just listed our house with a realtor and now I have to prepare for local realtors to tour my home and to schedule showings for perspective buyers. I’m not concerned with getting it ready to show, but rather in keeping it show-ready. Until we get a contract on the house, I’m going to be forced to stay in a state of readiness. Spiritually speaking, Paul gives us a similar charge, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15a NIV).

One and the Same Spirit

As believers observe one another, they should see an identifiable Christ likeness in word and deeds. However, the vision for some people is clouded by race, gender, political party and denominational leanings and they fail to see Christ. Let me suggest we put on spiritual glasses and not only look for the Holy Spirit living in others, but acknowledge that the Spirit living within you is the same Spirit living in others. Paul said, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Cor 12:12-13 NIV).

Practice What You Preach

Rebellion against authority abounds at all levels — local, state and federal, and yes, even in the church. Jesus said to the crowd and to his disciples, “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach” (Matt 23:2-3 NIV). On a civil level it’s easy to obey and do what authorities tell me to do even though I may not agree with a particular law. However, when it comes to a man-made religious laws and hypocrisy, I’m hard pressed to obey and do everything I’m told to do.

Co-Conspirators

Acquaintances of criminals can sometimes knowingly, or unknowingly, have a hand in criminal activity. We’re hearing more and more about people being charged as co-conspirators in such offenses as sex trafficking, illegal gun purchase and fraud. I’m sure these people never thought of themselves as co-conspirators, or ever dreamed the crimes committed by their friends would come back to bite them. People of faith can also get caught up and trapped if we associate with the wrong people. Paul warns, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Cor 15:33 NIV).

Enslaved

Most of us don’t consciously look back on our life without Christ. We’d rather focus on growing and maturing as a believer. However, by looking back we can see where we, like the Galatians, were enslaved. Paul said, “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again” (Gal 4:8-9 NIV)?

Firstfruits

In an ongoing TV series, it’s not unusual to see video clips of the previous segment to help viewers recall where they are in the story-line. Likewise, as kids return from summer vacation, teachers sometimes give a brief overview to get students up to speed. In a series of sermons preachers seem to use this review method on the off-chance that there is someone new in the audience, or that the audience has forgotten last week's message. However, for those of us who were in attendance the previous week, the review is unnecessary and frustrating. When the review takes up the first half of the time allotted for the message then it is no longer the firstfruits of the pastor’s preparation, it’s a re-run. Proverbs said, “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV).

The Door

My neighbor put in a dog door for her Australian Shepherd, but the dog is afraid of the door and won’t use it. However, that hasn’t stopped her young daughter, Moria, from scrambling back and forth and claiming the doggie-door as her own. Unfortunately, many people today are similar to the Australian Shepherd and they fail to recognize Jesus Christ as the door to salvation. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:6-7NIV).

Not Mine to Keep

Our 16-year-old grandson bought a used car that the previous owner had invested a lot of money in while doing the mechanical upkeep. I’m sure at the time of the maintenance the previous owner gave no thought to keeping the car in good shape for the next owner. Similarly, as we prepare to list our current house with a realtor, it never occurred to me that all these years I’ve been making upgrades for someone else. Paul puts life’s possessions in perspective, “What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Cor 7:29-32 NIV).

God Sees Trouble and Grief

I’m having a hard time grieving for the communities, the victims and the families of the mass shootings because, rather than allowing America to grieve over the tragedy, elected officials and the mainstream media have insisted on politicizing it. I discovered I can take comfort from the psalmist, “Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, “He won’t call me to account”? But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out” (Psalm 10:12-15 NIV).

Sober Judgment

As President Trump made plans to visit communities effected by the recent mass shootings some elected officials from those communities demanding he stay away. While these officials were elected to represent the people in government (local, state and federal), they seem to forget that they do not represent the people in life (emotionally, mentally or spiritually). Leaders in the church can display a similar attitude when they feel they can make all the decisions for their membership. Paul said, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you” (Ro 12:3 NIV).

Men Will Slay Each Other

America continues to see innocent people gunned down by mass murderers and it’s not unusual for believers to look at such tragedies through the lens of Revelation. Even though we’re not yet to the Seven Seals of Revelation, I find one passage that is remarkable similar to what is happening in America today. John wrote, “When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword” (Rev 6:3-4 NIV).

A Good Read

While hovering over a friend in the ER waiting room I had conversations with others who were coming and going for treatment. One woman, who appeared to be in her 70’s, lamented about her hearing loss and not being able to afford hearing aids. She said, “I don’t know if you read the Bible, but it says to expect problems. I’m a JW [Jehovah’s Witness] and things are going to get bad.” I was struck by the phrase, “I don’t know if you read the Bible…”. The statement did not carry the same sense of judgment that can come when we ask others if they are a Christian, if they are religious, or if they go to church. We promote the Bible as the Word of God, but maybe we should also promote it as one of our favorite books and as a good read. The psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105 NIV).

Go Fish

Politicians, newscasters and community activists continue to play social cards — race, victim, entitlement, feminist, sexist, etc. Unfortunately, there are a few people of faith who, rather than bearing up under what they perceive as unjust suffering, want to get in the game and they too play social cards. Peter tells believers to submit to every authority, “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God” (1 Peter 2:15-19 NIV). When fellow believers play the race card it’s probably time to tell them to Go Fish.

Bully Pulpit

When attendance and membership in a church are on the decline, it is not unusual for the pastor to turn the pulpit into a bully pulpit. Pastors begin to view the membership, not as their flock, but rather as the marketing arm of the church. They unabashedly tell the congregants that it is their job invite people to help fill the empty seats. That message is in error because it is not our job to fill seats in the auditorium for the pastor’s sermon. According to Jesus, the greatest commandment and our primary duty is, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matt 22:37-40 NIV).