A Need To Know
As a follower of Jesus, have you ever stopped serving Him long enough to ask yourself, “Who is this man?” Before you roll your eyes, keep in mind even the twelve disciples questioned. They saw with their own eyes everything He did and heard firsthand what He taught. Yet, they still asked that question…often.
Although the following passages may be familiar, stay with me. My hope is that the truth at the end will (at least in part) provide a fresh understanding as to who Jesus is, based on what He did.
In Luke 7:12-15, Jesus approached a village gate as large funeral procession was coming out. In the procession was a widow who was about to bury her only son. With His heart overflowing with compassion, Jesus said to her, “Don’t cry!” He then walked over and touched the coffin, stopping the pallbearers in their tracks. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up.” To the amazement of everyone there, the widow’s son sat up in his coffin and began to talk! Jesus turned back toward the widow and gave him back to her.
In Luke 8:43-48, there was a woman in a crowd who had suffered for years with constant bleeding. Her only success in looking for a cure was that she exhausted all of her earthly resources. One day she heard that Jesus would be passing by. She resolved that if she could push through the crowd and just touch the fringe of his robe, her healing would come. The Bible records that as Jesus passed by; the woman did push through and did touch His hem. It goes on the say, “Immediately, her bleeding stopped.”
Both in Luke 8:53-55 and Matthew 9:23-25, Jesus is on His way to the house of a religious leader who had a very sick daughter. By the time Jesus arrived though, the girl had already died. He could hear the noise of the mourners and funeral music that had already begun even before entering the house. Eventually, Jesus dismissed the crowd, because they were all convinced it was too late. Once they were put out, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up!
There may be times when we may face seemingly hopeless situations.
Be encouraged and hold fast to the Word of God. It reveals Jesus as the one who can stop the “funeral procession” and raise us to new life (while others still have us in a coffin). He is the one who has, even in the hem of His garment, the power to stop years of constant “bleeding” ( sorrow, depression and pain). He is the one who dismisses the crowd that would have us dismiss any hope of healing, restoration and life.
“Who is this Man?” He is Jesus, Son of the Living God; the one who takes us by the hand and says, “My child, get up,” and returns us to life again.
It Don’t Mean A Thing
God has called us to a life of vision and purpose, not busyness. He desires more than a busy church-oriented life. A.W. Tozer wrote, “Many have laid the altar and divided the sacrifice into parts, but now seem satisfied to count the stones and rearrange the pieces with never a care that there is not a sign of fire.” What good is the sacrifice without the fire? Our hunger for God is the fire, where our life is the sacrifice.
Throughout the history of Israel and Judah it was said of the “good” kings, “He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, but he did not…” There always seemed to be something left undone. Thankfully, King Josiah was an exception.
In 2 Kings 22, we see Josiah becoming king and “…doing what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight…He did not turn away from doing what was right.” Josiah was doing the best he knew to do and God WAS pleased with him. But is a clear conscience enough?
One day, the sacred scrolls (the scriptures) were discovered and read aloud to Josiah. His response to what he heard should drive us to the Word of God as well. He tore his clothes in despair and said, “Our ancestors have not obeyed the words in this scroll. We have not been doing everything it says we must do.”
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:4, “My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.” Yes, I can be busy doing many good things in and for the church. I can even be pleasing to the Lord. But, am I walking in the fullness of God’s favor? Am I doing everything I’m called to do? Am I living in the Word of God? What is He asking of me? What is He asking of you? Do we have the fire needed to consume our sacrifice? If not, let’s acquire the fire!
The reality today for me is that I cannot simply rely on my clear conscience, because…
“It don’t mean a thing!”
Got Fruit?
Most of us hate the thought of being judged by others. The truth is…it happens all the time. Right or wrong, whether by our neighbors, our co-workers, or our family members, we can rest assured judgment is being passed. Similar to a defendant in an unwanted court case, we can do nothing to keep that judgment from being rendered. However, we can examine the fruit we are producing which affects that judge’s decision.
In Luke 6, Jesus taught that a person produces out of the treasury of their heart, “What you say flows from what is in your heart.” In Matthew 3, John the Baptist challenged those who were following him to, “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God!” So, the fruit seen outwardly is produced out of an abundance of what we have sown and cultivated inwardly.
In Ephesians 5, Paul said, “Be careful how you live.” In other words be careful to produce godly fruit; “Take no part in worthless deeds of darkness and evil.” Cut away any rotten thoughts, feelings, and/or desires by exposing them to the Lord in prayer. Remove them because they will lead to action. Begin to sow the seed of scripture. Speak it over your life! When Jesus was tempted to bear bad fruit, He countered temptation out of the abundance of what He had in His heart, “No! The scriptures say…”
What we secretly sow, we will visibly show! What we privately entertain (or allow), will eventually be on display. Keep in mind God sees our secret sowing. His judgment is also coming. Once again we will be defendants unable to avoid judgment. BUT He has made provision for us in advance by offering the fruit of the cross: His love, His grace and His mercy. He has also given us the Word of God. Secretly sow it and cultivate it. It instructs us as to how we are to live so we need not fear God’s judgment, but await it with hope!
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Filters
Freedom Is Waiting!
This is a picture of the cross we have in our church. I had snapped it weeks ago, but only recently ran it through a few image editors, or filters, to get it the way I wanted it. Hmmm. “To get it the way I wanted it.”
Wait!
Isn’t that what we do figuratively as well? We get an image of the cross in our mind, and before we realize it, we’ve run it through a filtering process to get it to look the way we want! “You know, the contrast is too much for my liking, let me back it off a little;” “I think I’ll adjust the brightness and even soften its edges a bit;” or “Still, I don’t want it over exposed.”
The truth is, we alter our image of the cross of Christ based on the filters of our life experiences. Our perception of the cross is a reflection of how we have chosen to interpret what was accomplished there. As an example, if all we’ve known is harshness and pain in life, we may choose to focus on the brutality of the cross; or we may choose to focus on the grace and mercy extended to us from it. I know for me, up until recently, I would filter it through my failures and an apparent inability to overcome certain sin. So, I would secretly view the cross as a reminder of my unwinnable struggle with sin. Now, I choose to filter it through the blood of Christ; that blood which set me free, and the blood that continues to make me free (as it is written in Romans 6)!
It takes time and deliberate action to develop a picture beyond the “negative.” So, when YOU see the cross…HOW do you see it? How do you interpret the image? Ask yourself these questions, then wait. Don’t be so quick to answer. Allow the Lord to intervene. Allow Him to help you develop the image as He needs you to see it.
“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation…For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 5:19,21
Get Them Right-side Up
On August 6, 2009 a father sat quietly by a hotel pool in Orlando, FL watching his children play. After several minutes he noticed a 3-4 year old girl had climbed out of the pool and began playing along its edge. She smiled and laughed as she made her way toward the deep end. Unfortunately, her parents were distracted over in the shallower water.
Becoming increasingly nervous, the man panned to his right, then to his left. He saw people talking quietly among themselves as they sat in the warm sun, while others just enjoyed themselves in the water. He looked back to the little girl in time to see her slip off the edge and fall head first back into the water. As she was falling, everything seemed to go into slow motion. So much so, that the man was able to see the terrified look on her face before she hit the water. There was even time to ask the question, “Is this really happening?!”
When the man jumped in to help, he could see the girl’s arms thrashing under the water just as wildly as her legs were kicking above it. You see, she had been wearing a small tube around her waist to keep her floating upright as she played. Instead, the tube was now holding her upside-down under the water! She was doing all she could to save herself, but simply did not have the knowledge or power to do so. Once the man was able to get her upright she gasped and began to cry. Thankfully, she had breathed deep enough before going in that she kept from taking in any water.
After passing the girl safely to her parents, the man swam down to where his own kids were still playing. With them having no idea what had just happened, he just grabbed each them and held them tightly. Truthfully, he was at a loss as to what to do with himself. It was all so surreal. “Did that really just happen?!” he thought. He even said a prayer, “Lord thank you for saving that little girl! Please touch her so she is not traumatized by what she just went through!”
That is when the Lord began to speak to his heart, “There are so many people who are in trouble just as that little girl had been. They too felt safe as they played on the edge of disaster. Now, they are caught upside-down without the knowledge or power to save themselves. Do not look to the right or the left. YOU get them right-side up! Remember how all seemed lost for you just a short while ago? This is why you are here now. You needed to see this. Get them right-side up!”
“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.
He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death.
Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. – Psalm 107:19-21 (NLT)
Walking at 39
Here I am again, sitting in silence as the Word of God grants me greater understanding of what God has done.
A couple days ago I was reading John 5 and was struck by the words, “One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years.” I too had been sick for thirty-eight years. Head sick…Sin sick. All those years I lived in denial that my past had any baring on who or what I had become. Sin truly has a way of deceiving its host. Yes, there were times when I fought sin’s pull. Shamefully, and quite tragically, there were times when I fully embracing it.
In verse six, we read that Jesus saw the guy and knew he had been ill for a long time. This man desperately needed a Jesus Encounter. So did I.
Jesus asked him, “Would you like to be well?” To which the man answered, “I can’t sir, for I have no one…” (John 5:6-7) It was almost as if he was admitting he was in bondage, but somehow it wasn’t his fault he remained sick. In late January 2009, When I was asked that question I replied, “But, I saw too much as a child! I indulged in too many things through the years. That’s why I’m this way. This is all I have ever known. How can I change?! How can I NOT think as I have always thought?! “
Jesus wastes no time discussing blame. Instead, He said to us, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk.” (John 5:8) He instructed us to “Stand up” because no event(s) nor person(s) should determine our identity, our abilities, or our worth except Christ and the cross. He instructed us to “Pick up” the Word of God, for it declares we ARE changed and we ARE free! Lastly, He declared us free to “Walk” as He had designed us to walk; walk in our new identity; in the freedom afforded by His blood; and walk in this new way of thinking.
Now in my thirty-ninth year, I am telling you that you too can be healed and be made whole! No matter your past. No matter the sin. Allow Him to change the filter through which you view all that you have experienced. Allow God to change the way you think! The time has come for you to FINALLY walk as you were intended to walk!
Wisdom says…
How powerful it is to see how scripture is tied to scripture. You can have a Pastor or Teacher explain it or even demonstrate it by cross referencing the Old and New Testaments. However, it is far more impacting when you see it happening during your own readings. Here is what I mean.
I try to read the respective proverb for the corresponding day of the month. In addition, I happened to be reading through Hebrews also. So, my reading for July 9th was Proverbs 9 and Hebrews 10.
In reading Proverbs 9, the following really stood out to me:
- Wisdom says, “Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live..” (v6)
- “Fear (severe reverence) of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.” (v10)
- “Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgement.” (v10)
- “Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.” (v11)
- Walk in wisdom, and “you will be one to benefit.” (v12)
As I read Hebrews 10, I found the Lord used Proverbs 9 to prepare my mind and heart for the following realities:
- Old Testament sacrifices, “actually reminded (the offer-er) of their sins…” (v3)
- The enemy will have you repenting of past sins that the Father has long forgiven.
- Instead of moving forward in freedom, we hear, “You failed and you’ll always fail.”
God “does not want…nor is He pleased with” our being held captive to (or identified by) our past failures.
Verse 10 states the Christ’s sacrifice was, “Once for all time.” He came to set us free! Go the the cross. Leave your simple ways there and live the life he has always wanted you to live.
- “He forever made perfect those who are BEING made holy.” (v14)
- “I will never…remember…sins and lawless deeds.” (v17)
According to verse 20, Christ Jesus opened a NEW and LIFE-GIVING WAY! A way into the presence of the Sovereign King and Most High God! He is sovereign enough to chose you despite your failures. Sovereign enough grant you all the rights and privileges of being a child of the king. Seek greater knowledge and understanding of the Holy One. Reap all His benefits as you embrace the cross of Christ Jesus.
Ongoing repentance (continual sacrifices) for our past sins are no longer needed. The grace of God through Christ Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice covers it all. Wisdom is found in our walking in the freedom afforded to us by the cross. Have faith that God is actually big enough and powerful enough to forgive your worst sins.
Again, wisdom says, “Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live..”
Freedom in Slavery
“Since we have been united with Him in His death, we will also be raised to life as He was. ” – Romans 6:5
Praise God for that! I have been united with Christ in His death by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives (Romans 6:4). Thank God that the “glorious power of the Father” which raised Christ, is the same “glorious power” that enables and empowers us to live new lives!
This new life is one of FREEDOM and SLAVERY. The power of God set me free from the clutches and weight of sin. That glorious power also enables and empowers me to be a slave to righteous living. Just as a freed slave could pledge themselves to their “good” master for the rest of their days, I too pledge myself to my Good Master! Where else could I go for such love, mercy, provision, and protection?
The World would say I was confused and misguided. “You’re simply trading slavery for slavery or captivity for captivity.” Oh, but the truth is, never can anyone be as free as one who has wholeheartedly surrendered their life in slavery to righteousness and holiness before God! No longer do I live bound to death! Instead I am bound to a life of fullness because God sought me and bought me with the redeeming blood of His son, Christ Jesus!
Thank you for the cross, Lord Jesus. For everything flows from it. If not for your cross I truly would not know life. You are Life! I give glory and honor to You.
