The story of the temptation of Jesus is huge. Sermons and literature have been extensively written about this story, and rightfully so, as it is a powerful story because it demonstrates the powerful Word of the Lord and shows how we have been given a high priest who underwent same temptations we have gone through. Incredible stuff! And so this temptation story has become the benchmark of engaging in spiritual warfare with the enemy.
This is all well and good. It is so important to realize this and know the Word of the Lord when temptations come. But as I was reading the text, I couldn't get my mind off this particular verse:
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil...He had fasted forty days and forty nights..."
whoa, wait a second...Jesus was led up by the Spirit...? In other words, this was his choice? Jesus deliberately brought this upon himself? Jesus fasted and went to the desert and underwent this solitude in 120 degree weather...by choice? Why? This spiritual retreat was tough!
And here is what I realized from this self-inflicted retreat. You see, we place a lot emphasis on the Word of God part of the temptations. Which is good, please don't get hear me wrong on this, the Word of the Lord is powerful. But we tend to forget the 40 days before that. The Word of the Lord isn't some magical formula we can memorize and recite when danger comes. Rather we forget about those forty days of work--the suffering, and learning, and starvation, and silence, and solitude, and the days of being still before God--the other part of the deal. Jesus knew the Words. Heck, He wrote them. But He knew that there was something He needed before He did anything. He had the Words, He had the Spirit (from His baptism), but He needed one more thing... He needed to become absolutely dependent on the Father.
The Word, the Spirit, and dependency on the Father. I often wonder how this compares to the typical spiritual retreat we go on. Often I feel like we take the easy route when we go on spiritual retreats that are quiet and serene with the beauty of nature surrounding us; with awesome worship during the day and good speakers by night? It looks nothing like the retreat Christ went on. Jesus chose to go through this wilderness experience and came back barely hanging on: strong in spirit, but weak in flesh; skinny, hungry, sun-beaten, delirious, weak, only to meet His greatest enemy. We come back spiritual charged and physically rejuvenated and ready to take on the world; we feel. We have the Word, we have the Spirit, but are we becoming dependent on the Father? Are we purposefully putting ourselves in a place where this can happen?
I find that it isn't just about knowledge and spiritual good feelings, or getting a spiritual high and getting "recharged". Surprisingly, I also find that it's not only becoming intimate with God or knowing Him better, though this is good. It is ultimately about becoming dependent on Him. That is the difference. Dependence on our Lord in this way is the only way we will, like Jesus, ever be able to say with authority, "Away from me Satan, for it is written 'Worship the LORD your God, and serve Him only".
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Religious Folk
In the last post we saw John the Baptist deliver a hard message. While the Bible doesn’t give a number, it’s estimated that hundreds of people responded to that message and were baptized by John in the Jordan River. But when the Religious Leaders of the day showed up to see what he was doing, his message became even more severe:
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
“Vipers” might not sound that bad to us, but it was to them. It was used to describe a people who were so ruthless they would devour their own family to ensure their own survival. I picture John (in his best Dane Cook voice) saying, “Now look at these mutha eatas!” But that’s just me.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
“Vipers” might not sound that bad to us, but it was to them. It was used to describe a people who were so ruthless they would devour their own family to ensure their own survival. I picture John (in his best Dane Cook voice) saying, “Now look at these mutha eatas!” But that’s just me.
Why is John so critical of these folks? Well, the Pharisees were known to be legalistic, hypocritical, and embrace the tiniest letter of the law while missing the spirit and heart of the law. It’s said that the Sadducees were the elites of the day. They controlled the temple business. They used religion to advance and control their political position and then used those positions to ensure their own temporary welfare and success. It could be said that they weren’t really looking for the King as much as they were looking to remain in power and hold onto their assets.
John challenges their nominal faith and says that God wants a faith that produces good fruit – a living faith that transforms their character, includes other people, and blesses the world. Without that they will be cut off. And interestingly enough when the temple went away so did the Sadducees. In the absence of their business interests and their political positions their history goes silent.
These two groups take a lot of flack. Jesus is even harder on them than John. So it’s important for us to understand where they were getting it wrong because there’s a bit of Pharisee and Sadducee in all of us.
The way I see it is it’s about fruit. Are we seeking God for God, and allowing him to produce fruit in our lives = transform our character, use us to include others in his family, and bless the world around us? Or does our seeking of God stop at the border of our own skin and being?
Children of Abraham were promised blessing, but it was not just for the sake of living a blessed life.
"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
I believe this is still the deal. Our faith isn’t to be used only to advance our own self-interests, our own bank accounts, our own political interests, our positions, or our own business ventures… We may receive lots of blessings in those areas, but our faith is about producing fruit – allowing God to transform our character, use us to include others in the blessing of relationship with Jesus, and bless the world around us. Produce good fruit!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Week 2 Group Questions
Small Group Questions for Matthew 3
1) What’s the most disgusting thing you've ever eaten?
2) Ask someone to read John 3:1-12 aloud.
3) If you had to tell someone (in a concise way) what John the Baptist’s message was, what would you tell them?
4) People were drawn to John the Baptist even though he’s described as “wild looking” and his message isn’t the feel-good message of the year. Why do you think that is?
5) Why was John so angry with the Pharisees and Sadducees?
6) In verse 11, John compares himself and his ministry to Jesus. What do you notice about the comparisons?
7) Read Matthew 3:13-17
8) Why did Jesus get baptized?
9) At his baptism Jesus is affirmed both by the Holy Spirit and the Father. In fact the Father uses a tense of “pleased” that is indicative of a past, present, and future state of being pleased with Jesus. What do you think that moment was like for Jesus?
10) Has God ever used a person in your life to deliver a hard message – possibly even calling out sin in your life? What was that like?
11) If you’ve been baptized, what was that experience like for you?
Down by the River
No podcast this week. Thanks to the remnants of Ike, we had no power on Sunday. So we’ll use the blog the next few days to work through Chapter 3 of Matthew.
For now we are skipping Chapter 2 of Matthew’s account. (Don’t worry we’ll come back to it in December). About 30 years pass between Chapter 2 and Chapter 3. During that time Jesus lived with his family in the town of Nazareth and worked as a carpenter.
For now we are skipping Chapter 2 of Matthew’s account. (Don’t worry we’ll come back to it in December). About 30 years pass between Chapter 2 and Chapter 3. During that time Jesus lived with his family in the town of Nazareth and worked as a carpenter.
Remember as you read this chapter that Matthew’s purpose is to prove to his Jewish readers that Jesus is the promised King. He did that in chapter one by showing Jesus’ genealogy – linking him to Abraham, the Patriarch, and David, the King. In chapter two he shows that Jesus is divine through the virgin birth. Now Matthew is showing us that Old Testament prophecies about a “forerunner” to Jesus are being fulfilled through John the Baptist.
Chapter 3 begins
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
"A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "
John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
John the Baptist certainly is an interesting dude. I wonder how people today would react to a wild looking man, living (sans van) down by the river, eating bugs and honey? Imagine if on top of that he try to tell the people of Cincinnati “turn your life around, it’s time for God to rule.” We’d likely have him committed.
But we know that people came from the entire region to see John the Baptist. Some were surely drawn out of curiosity – sort of the sideshow effect. Some were drawn because as a nation, Israel hadn’t heard the voice of a prophet in over 400 years. Some were drawn for other reasons, I’m sure, but whatever the reason the result is fascinating – a great movement where 100’s of people turn their lives over to God.
I’ve thought a lot in recent weeks about how unique John the Baptist was. He lived a harsh existence even by the standards of his day – simple clothes, simple food – the food available to the poor. We see no sign of worry to provide for himself. He planted no crops. He kept no animals. He’s described as “wild looking.” He had a hard message to deliver, but he did it without concern for how delivering it would impact his life (it eventually cost him his head).
But John wasn’t unique for the sake of being unique. John was unique because he was obedient.
Before he was born an angel told his father that he would live a unique life – as one “set apart.” And he certainly did. We also learn from Luke’s account that he was living in the desert before he got his call to begin preaching this message. It shows us that in obedience he was putting himself in a position of readiness and waiting on God.
Most of us aren’t going to be called to be wild-looking bug eaters living down by the river. But what we can learn from John is that obedience sometimes makes our lives look different. It makes me wonder what God could do in your life (and mine) if we placed ourselves in positions of readiness and waiting for God. And if when we got promptings from God we acted on them with obedience, what kind of movement would result? It’s worth considering.
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
"A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "
John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
John the Baptist certainly is an interesting dude. I wonder how people today would react to a wild looking man, living (sans van) down by the river, eating bugs and honey? Imagine if on top of that he try to tell the people of Cincinnati “turn your life around, it’s time for God to rule.” We’d likely have him committed.
But we know that people came from the entire region to see John the Baptist. Some were surely drawn out of curiosity – sort of the sideshow effect. Some were drawn because as a nation, Israel hadn’t heard the voice of a prophet in over 400 years. Some were drawn for other reasons, I’m sure, but whatever the reason the result is fascinating – a great movement where 100’s of people turn their lives over to God.
I’ve thought a lot in recent weeks about how unique John the Baptist was. He lived a harsh existence even by the standards of his day – simple clothes, simple food – the food available to the poor. We see no sign of worry to provide for himself. He planted no crops. He kept no animals. He’s described as “wild looking.” He had a hard message to deliver, but he did it without concern for how delivering it would impact his life (it eventually cost him his head).
But John wasn’t unique for the sake of being unique. John was unique because he was obedient.
Before he was born an angel told his father that he would live a unique life – as one “set apart.” And he certainly did. We also learn from Luke’s account that he was living in the desert before he got his call to begin preaching this message. It shows us that in obedience he was putting himself in a position of readiness and waiting on God.
Most of us aren’t going to be called to be wild-looking bug eaters living down by the river. But what we can learn from John is that obedience sometimes makes our lives look different. It makes me wonder what God could do in your life (and mine) if we placed ourselves in positions of readiness and waiting for God. And if when we got promptings from God we acted on them with obedience, what kind of movement would result? It’s worth considering.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
What's your story?
Are you a journaler? I am. Journaler appears to not actually be a
word, but it should be. Many of us journal our thoughts for many
different reasons, but one of the lessons I've learned over the last
couple years from my journals is the value of looking back. Its wild
how quickly I can forget the highs and lows of just a few short months
ago.
We all have a story. As a Christ follower, my journals detail the
story of God's redemption in mine and my family's life. Huge
victories, crushing defeats, broken generational sin, lapses in
judgment- its checkered and its raw. By Jesus' blood, in spite of
ourselves, we're grafted into His lineage as heirs because of His
grace. Looking back I'm reminded of that time and time again.
There's quite a few stories to be told in Matthew 1, as Matthew takes
a glance back into history before telling the story of Christ on
earth; stories of lies, murder, incest, adultery, prostitution, greed
and so on. But, overarching all of those vices, is God's redemption
and favor in each of those situations to all of those people. Just
like each one of them, none of us can have any claim to earned or
deserved status in God's family. It causes our hearts to rest in
God's forgiveness, love and sacrifice that allows us to be in the
family.
So, what's your story? If you'll take the time to look, maybe even
ask God in prayer to show you, what you've been rescued from because
of Jesus. Talk to someone about your story. I've been reading the
Old Testament, and Moses tells the Israelites over and over and over
again to tell the story of God's delivering them out of Egypt. Tell
your story of what you've been rescued from and watch how it
encourages and reminds you of the overwhelming love of Christ, and
pray that in some way it can speak that same love to the person you
share it with.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Week 1 Group Questions
Small Group Questions for Matthew 1:1-17
1) All families come with stories – good and bad. What do you know about past generations of your family – grandparents or great grandparents? Do you have a favorite family story?
2) Ask someone to read Matthew 1:1-17 aloud – then as a group make fun of them for butchering the names – just kidding.
3) Who do you recognize in Jesus’ family tree? What do you remember about their life story?
4) Jesus’ genealogy is divided into 3 sections – the Patriarchs, the Kings, and the Exile. How would you describe each time period in a succinct (even if oversimplified) statement?
5) Matthew’s purpose in this genealogy is to demonstrate to the Jewish people of his day that Jesus is the Messiah – the promised perfect King. To do that he needs to establish kinship to Abraham, their patriarch, and kingship by connecting Jesus to David. He establishes that Jesus’ genealogy is legit, but really messy – it includes liars, prostitutes, adulterers, murderers… you get the point. These are the people God used to establish Jesus’ human lineage. What does that say to you about how God works to accomplish his purposes?
6) Jesus’ perfection is not a product of being born of man – coming from his family of origin, but from being born of God – coming from his divinity. It’s the same for us. We are all born into situations, families, and patterns that aren’t perfect and sometimes are downright sinful. But it is our spiritual rebirth, that happens when we enter relationship with Jesus, that marks us “perfect” in God’s sight. What are some “markings” you received from your family of origin that make you feel imperfect? (**Note: be sensitive to what God wants to do here and to those sharing. You may need to stop and pray specifically that some of these markings be healed/erased.)
7) After everyone has shared, close with a prayer thanking God for working through imperfect people and imperfect families to accomplish his perfect will.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Matthew 1
How many of us come from perfect families? If you think you do, climb a little further up your family tree and you’ll probably find a “Crazy Uncle Larry,” a “shotgun wedding,” or maybe a more sordid tale.
In Matthew’s account of the story of Jesus, he starts by showing us Jesus’ family tree. From Abraham to Jesus it’s a no holds barred recounting of a sometimes very messy human lineage. Reading it we find is that Jesus’ family tree is far from “perfect” as we might think or expect, although it perfectly positions him to fulfill all that was promised about the coming King; a son of Abraham, from the Line of Judah, a son of David. But we also see:
- The thief becomes the Father of the 12 tribes of Israel.
- The line of Judah is established through the turning of a trick.
- The prostitute becomes a pillar of the faith.
- The adulterer and murderer fathers the wisest & wealthiest King in history.
These are some of the members of Jesus’ family tree. I for one take comfort in the fact that Jesus’ family of origin isn’t perfect. I appreciate that Matthew doesn’t spin the information to make it look better. It shows right off the bat that it isn’t our humanity that results in perfection; it’s the intervention of God and his divinity that brings perfection. It shows that God alone has the power to take broken lives and broken families and label them “perfect” in his sight. In his great love he swoops down into the lives of imperfect people over and over again and accomplishes his purposes here on earth.
I don’t know your family tree, but mine certainly isn’t perfect. I don’t know the story of your life, but mine certainly isn’t perfect. What I do know is that throughout human history God has stepped into very broken lives and very broken families over and over again to accomplish his perfect will. I know that he sometimes uses the most twisted tales to tell us who he is. Whatever back story or family tree brought about your humanity, God can and will intervene with his divinity. He can and will mark you as “perfect” in his sight. God can and will use you – no matter how imperfect - to accomplish his will here on earth.
Today, think about God as the ‘author and perfecter’ of your life story. Take a minute to hold some of the imperfections of that life story up to God in prayer. Let him speak into them. Invite him to help write your future and ‘perfect’ your past. Know that this is something he’s been doing for ages. It's something he takes great pleasure in doing. Live in confidence that in place of your broken humanity Jesus lends his divinity to mark you “perfect” in God’s sight.
In Matthew’s account of the story of Jesus, he starts by showing us Jesus’ family tree. From Abraham to Jesus it’s a no holds barred recounting of a sometimes very messy human lineage. Reading it we find is that Jesus’ family tree is far from “perfect” as we might think or expect, although it perfectly positions him to fulfill all that was promised about the coming King; a son of Abraham, from the Line of Judah, a son of David. But we also see:
- The thief becomes the Father of the 12 tribes of Israel.
- The line of Judah is established through the turning of a trick.
- The prostitute becomes a pillar of the faith.
- The adulterer and murderer fathers the wisest & wealthiest King in history.
These are some of the members of Jesus’ family tree. I for one take comfort in the fact that Jesus’ family of origin isn’t perfect. I appreciate that Matthew doesn’t spin the information to make it look better. It shows right off the bat that it isn’t our humanity that results in perfection; it’s the intervention of God and his divinity that brings perfection. It shows that God alone has the power to take broken lives and broken families and label them “perfect” in his sight. In his great love he swoops down into the lives of imperfect people over and over again and accomplishes his purposes here on earth.
I don’t know your family tree, but mine certainly isn’t perfect. I don’t know the story of your life, but mine certainly isn’t perfect. What I do know is that throughout human history God has stepped into very broken lives and very broken families over and over again to accomplish his perfect will. I know that he sometimes uses the most twisted tales to tell us who he is. Whatever back story or family tree brought about your humanity, God can and will intervene with his divinity. He can and will mark you as “perfect” in his sight. God can and will use you – no matter how imperfect - to accomplish his will here on earth.
Today, think about God as the ‘author and perfecter’ of your life story. Take a minute to hold some of the imperfections of that life story up to God in prayer. Let him speak into them. Invite him to help write your future and ‘perfect’ your past. Know that this is something he’s been doing for ages. It's something he takes great pleasure in doing. Live in confidence that in place of your broken humanity Jesus lends his divinity to mark you “perfect” in God’s sight.
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