Lectionary for 5/30/08

Today's readings are Ecclesiastes 7.11-29 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Eccl.+7.11-29 ) and John 8.39-59 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=John+8.39-59 ).
 
Did you ever have this conversation with someone?  I was speaking with a man some years ago and brought up the fact that there's an easy explanation for people's ill treatment of other people.  He immediately jumped on me verbally and told me not to try "that religion junk that people are bad."  This man's point of view was that people are good by nature.  Yet he rather quickly turned to discuss how bad people are.  They lie, cheat, swindle, violate other people's rights, break laws, and act for their own advancement rather than other peoples' good.  He was utterly unable to explain why people acted badly if they are good.  And despite all evidence to the contrary, he maintained that people are basically good.
 
Jesus would differ with this man and with the countless others like him.  Those who do not believe on Christ are of their father the Devil.  Jesus views us as evil by nature, fallen prey to the curse of Adam and thus corrupt in all our parts.  While we are not as bad as might be possible, there is nothing we can or will do which is not tainted by sin.  This is the doctrine theologians call "total depravity." 
 
What is our response to depravity?  We repent and believe Christ.  We thank the Lord for showing us the depth of our sin so we can see the height of his redeeming love.  Rejoice that through faith in Christ we become children of our heavenly Father rather than of our father the Devil.

 

Lectionary for 5/29/08

Today's readings are Ecclesiastes 6.1-7.10 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Eccl.+6.1-7.10 ) and John 8.21-38 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=John+8.21-38 ).

 

I remember vividly going to a ceremony at a historically Christian college, in which people being inducted into the college life and a student organization were told over and over again that they would be learning a lot of things in the college and that the truth would set them free.

 

Sadly, this college, with a history of training young men for ministry, had completely forgotten its roots.  The late middle-aged lady giving the address spoke entirely in terms of human potential, in the freedom that comes through man's wisdom, man's generosity, man's humanity to man.  Jesus' words from John chapter 8 were frequently quoted in part but his meaning was completely lost.

 

How do we know the truth?  We know the truth through the living Word of God - revealed in Scripture we see Jesus, the very Word of God incarnate.  He himself is the truth.  As we hear his word and believe him we know the truth.  That is freedom indeed.

 

Hear the Word.  Hear Jesus.  Know the Truth.  He will set you free and you will be free indeed.

 

 

Lectionary for 5/28/08

Today's readings are Ecclesiastes 5.1-20 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Eccl.+5.1-20 ) and John 8.1-20 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=John+8.1-20 ).

 

Aren't you glad when Friday rolls around again?  It's such a wonderful day.  I know my Fridays are exceptional days.  Know why?  I get to go to work!  The Lord has provided me with lots and lots of things to do on a Friday.  I can get up in the morning and serve the Lord by caring for the property he has entrusted to me. I can go to my office and deal with the many human interactions I have during the day.  I help my co-workers get their jobs done.  I help my employer make the bottom line work out.  I contact the public in my work.  I read and write e-mails.  I talk on the phone.  It's all part of my opportunity to live out this life Christ has given me.  Then I leave the office and spend more time with my family and the other things God has put around me.  It's a great day.  Every Friday.  Thank God it's Friday!

 

What?

 

It's Wednesday?

 

Yippee!  I get to go to work and be God's blessing in this world not only today but for two more work days this week!

 

Ecclesiastes 5.18-20 (ESV) says, "Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.  For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

 

 

Lectionary for 5/27/08

Today's readings are Ecclesiastes 4.1-16 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Eccl.+4.1-16 ) and John 7.32-53 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=John+7.32-53 ).

 

Look at the futility of Ecclesiastes 4.1-3.  It is very easy to look at our world and see the hopelessness.  We "do time" in this earthly life, enduring the suffering that we endure, being wronged by others, lashing out and wronging them - - the powerful gain power, the rich gain riches, the rest of us are downtrodden.  It's a hard knocks life, after all.  Take all you can get, give nothing back.

 

What advocate do we have?  What hope is there for the downtrodden?  What help for those who cannot help themselves?  We take our eyes off ourselves, off our situation, off our hopelessness, and turn our eyes to our Lord and Savior.  "Come to me!" We come, Lord.  Give us this living water.

 

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/26/08

Today's readings are Ecclesiastes 3.1-22 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Eccl.+3.1-22 ) and John 7.14-31 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=John+7.14-31 ).

 

There's a right time and a wrong time for everything.  A time to plant, a time to harvest.  A time to allow something to grow, a time to cut it off.  About this time of the year I am often in a quandary.  Various plants around my house need trimming, something which I dislike and am not very good at.  But it needs to be done, so I will do it.  How much?  When?  What's right?  This blooms now, that blooms later, this will grow back this far, that will not grow back so far before I trim it again.  And timing seems important.  Like the typical unwise homeowner, I will go into the yard, clip here, trim there, generally make a mess of things, then let it go until later.  Maybe it is improved, maybe not.

 

How unlike I am to God.  He knows the time to plant.  All around my neighborhood there are trees of different varieties, losing their special individual seeds at different times.  There are plants from bulbs which multiply underground.  There are flowers that go to seed at different times.  Some drop their seeds, some of the seeds fly in the wind.  There's a right time and way of doing everything.  And our mighty Lord knows it all.  In the parlance of the area where I live, we just "waller around" and try to do something.  Sometimes it works.  Our God does it all perfectly.  He knows the times and seasons.

 

If God bestows this care on weeds growing in my yard, how much more will he bestow his care on his people, the pearl of great price he has sought and purchased?  How much care will he lavish on us who are called according to his name?  How much will he make everything work to his glory and our good?  So next time you trim a plant, pick a flower, or pull up a weed, reflect on the love of God.

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/25/08

Today's readings are Ecclesiastes 2.1-26 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Eccl.+2.1-26 ) and John 7.1-13 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=John+7.1-13 ).

 

Vanity!  All is in vain!  What good is this to me?  I may as well spend my children's inheritance since they won't thank me enough for it anyway!  Our lives are full of situations that in reality don't matter.  In their final outcome many of our concerns and desires prove worthless.  The author of Ecclesiastes gives himself to pleasurable things such as wine, enticing marriages, wealth, power, and all the trappings of that wealth and power.  He finds it is ultimately worthless.

 

Does this mean that we should reject worldly things altogether?  Because the wine is good should I refuse it and drink what is not good?  Because wealth is attractive should I strive to be a beggar?  Not at all.  The issue of this passage is where my desires and hope lie.

 

What riches do we cling to?  Do we cling to the things which may be pleasing at the moment but are ultimately worthless?  Do we cling to him who is our treasure, our Lord and Savior?  Let us not act according to the folly of the vain ruler.  He has found all the trappings of this world to be foolishness.  Let us learn from him, and desire eternal things, which are not foolish.

 

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/24/08

Today's readings are Ecclesiastes 1.1-18 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Eccl.+1.1-18 ), John 6.60-71 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=John+6.60-71 ), and Esther 1.1-10.3 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Esther+1.1-10.3 ).

 

Jesus' statements in John 6 were offensive to his disciples, resulting in many people leaving him.  Yet we have repeatedly seen in Scripture that God's decrees are right.  We don't dispute what God has done or commanded.  What is the result?  Many who were following Jesus left him. 

 

We don't know what Jesus thought of that.  Is there disappointment in God the Son?  Surely the departure of his disciples is nothing he did not know or expect.  Yet doubtless there is sorrow over those who depart from faith in Christ.

 

What of Peter?  He, so often the spokesman for the other eleven, made a confession upon which we may safely dwell.  In John 6.68 (ESV) Peter says, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."  What other confession do we need?  Jesus has the words of eternal life.  We can hold to him, trusting him to save us, deliver us safely to our destination.  Even when the words of Jesus seem unlike what we would say, no, especially when the words of Jesus seem unlike what we would say, we can trust Jesus.  He has the words of life. 

Lectionary for 5/23/08

Today's readings are Song of Solomon 7.6-8.14 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Song+7.6-8.14 ) and John 6.41-59 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=John+6.41-59 ).

 

Today we move into Jesus' explanation of his "bread of life" statements.  We see that the Jews were offended by the claims he was making.  Watch carefully how Jesus defends his statements.  In fact, he does not defend his statements.  The Greek style of Jesus' explanation about being the true bread and the true drink use words that might suggest a gory cannibalistic feast.  He uses eating words which bring to mind dogs gnawing on bones or starving rustic people gobbling their food, slobbering and grunting.  He uses drinking words which are more akin to the English usage "guzzle" than "sip."  This is not a refined feast Jesus calls his people to.  And worst of all, he pictures himself as the food and drink!

 

Jesus' offensive statements here reflect the offense we take when we are confronted with reality, reality such as God's provision being our only hope in this world and for eternity, reality such as our inability to make ourselves pleasing to God, reality such as our sinfulness which defines us.  What is the cure for our lostness?  We do that which is repugnant to us and to our world.  We depend not on ourselves but on Christ.  We find sustenance in God's provision which is utterly unlike anything we would dream up on our own.

 

Believe on Christ! Hunger for him!  Thirst for him!  It is the craziest and most offensive thing you will ever do.  And it is the wisdom of God.

 

Lectionary for 5/22/08

Today's readings are Song of Solomon 6.4-7.5 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Song+6.4-7.5 ) and John 6.22-40 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=John+6.22-40 ).

 

Our passage today in John is the beginning of Jesus' "bread of life" statements.  Look today at the way Jesus is faithful and consistent in his word and ministry, as opposed to the people who are questioning him.  The crowds have seen Jesus doing miracles and signs, but came only for the food.  When Jesus identifies himself as God's provision for them, they wonder what kind of signs he is going to do.  But Jesus has been perfectly consistent all along in what he has done.  There is no reason for the crowds to doubt God's provision for them through Jesus, the bread of life. 

 

Yet this statement, as are many of Jesus' statements, stands in stark contrast to what we would naturally believe or expect.  We look for God's provision through different means than the means God chooses to provide for his people.  We look to our own wisdom or ability to earn merit before God.  God provides the belief we need, provides us with the object of our belief, and tells us to believe, since we might not have figured it out.  In fact, all we need is provided in Jesus, our sole source of godliness.

 

Let us look to our Lord and Savior, the one who feeds us.  Let us look in belief, for this is the means he has ordained.  Let us not seek to know what we can bring him, as if he needs anything.  Let us seek to receive the provision we need from his mighty and gracious hand.

 

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/21/08

Today's readings are Song of Solomon 5.2-6.3 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Song+5.2-6.3 ) and John 6.1-21 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=John+6.1-21 ).

 

In John 6 Jesus fees a huge crowd with one person's lunch, coming up with leftovers sufficient to feed several people for several days.  Look at the situation with me a little more closely.

 

Jesus has welcomed these people who the Scripture says were with him because of the signs he had been performing on sick people.  It is unclear whether the people were truly dedicated to Jesus, whether they were curious about what he was doing, or whether they themselves wished to be healed and thus receive from Christ.  We aren't told, so we won't speculate.

 

Jesus is quite aware of the needs of humans.  He knows hunger and thirst in his humanity.  He has been around humans for years.  He respects the needs of the physical body.  And Jesus cares enough for the people to plan provision for them.

 

Jesus' request to the Philip about food for the crowd could well have stricken Philip with amazement and despair.  I don't live in a very large city, nor in a really small town.  But I know if I decided that we would have a church dinner for 5000 plus people we would not be able to get enough bread for sandwiches for all those people at one store without advance notice.  In fact, we would probably not be able to accomplish the task even by going to several stores.  This is a significant number of people and they are deviating from their normal patterns sufficiently that it could be very difficult to come up with supplies for them.  Peter, in what we later see is typical fashion, manages to come up with some food because someone has something to eat.  But it isn't enough for everyone, not by any stretch of the imagination.

 

See now Jesus' abundance.  From small supply he creates much.  He makes sure all the people who are with him have what they need.  In fact, they have more than they need.  The language used is that of a full meal in which people would have all they wanted.  Their hunger was satisfied.  This was no little snack to tide them over until they could manage to get an actual meal.

 

See Jesus' care for people and lack of wastefulness.  He has the remains gathered up.  This doesn't become a feast for birds and dogs but is packed neatly into baskets.  Maybe there were some poor people who needed food in their homes.  We don't know what happened to the baskets.  But Jesus takes care that his miraculous provision will not end in a couple of hours when people become hungry again.

 

See how people believe in Jesus, the giver of the feast.  We can have every confidence that Jesus, the giver of the feast, is preparing for us all we need in this life and in the world to come.  Look to Jesus, the true supply of all we need.

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/20/08

Today's readings are Song of Solomon 4.1-5.1 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Song+4.1-5.1 ) and John 5.30-47 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=John+5.30-47 ).

 

I have just a brief challenge today.  John 5.39-40 (ESV) says "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life."

 

Do we truly believe that the Scripture is powerful, that God has revealed what we need, that being Jesus, and that the Word of God accomplishes God's purpose?  Is our trust based on what God has done or on our ability to communicate, explain, persuade people of it, and understand it ourselves?  What does the Scripture say?  What more do we need?

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/19/08

Today's readings are Song of Solomon 2.8-3.11 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Song+2.8-3.11 ) and John 5.19-29 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=John+5.19-29 ).

 

I confess to hearing and reading statements like the following more often than I would like.  I've probably made statements like them, and not only in the context of a refutation.

 

How can you become a Christian?  How can you be forgiven of your sins?  How can you find assurance of eternal life?  Believe in the Lord.  Confess your sins to him.  Pray this prayer (insert prayer here in which the person confesses of his sins and asks to receive eternal life).  If you have prayed it sincerely and with all your heart, you can start obeying the Lord and he will give you assurance that you have eternal life because you will find a joy in serving Jesus.

 

There's something wrong with the theology here.  Look again at John 5.24a "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life" (ESV).  How radically different the focus of Jesus is from the focus that I gave above.  In the first example, I the man am asking the Lord to do soemthing for me and in me.  I proclaim my evil and I count on the sincerity and completeness of my confession in order to be saved.  The assurance of salvation comes through what I do and what I experience.  In the second example, which, we notice is the Scripture and quotes our Savior himself, all we do is hear Jesus' words of condemnation for and forgiveness of sin and believe that the Father sent the Son to atone for our sins.  Not to be callous, but this is "no fuss, no muss" theology.  Thanks be to God for providing us with such a salvation and for being the kind of Lord we can depend on.

 

 

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/18/08

Today's readings are Numbers 35.9-30 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+35.9-30 ), Luke 24.28-53 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+24.28-53 ), and Acts 1.1-7.60 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Acts+1.1-7.60 ).

 

Today we move into the season of the Church.  In our New Testament reading Jesus gives a charge to his disciples, departs to heaven, empowers the believers, and establishes them in what appears to be the New Testament Church.

 

What is the charge Jesus gives to his people?  This is the command which motivates all that happens in the first seven chapters of Acts.  Jesus tells them to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins.  They are to stick to that message.  Sinful humans need to repent.  Jesus has provided forgiveness of sins.  And that proclamation is to be made in the name of Jesus, speaking with Jesus' authority.  He has fulfilled the Scriptures.   We can most surely trust that Jesus has brought repentance and forgiveness. 

 

As we look at Christian history we can see that the times when the Church has grown, when it has changed society, when it has made a difference in the hearts and lives of large numbers of people, those times have all been related to a steadfast proclamation of repentance and forgiveness of sins.  Let's stick to the message Jesus has given us.  It's the right one.  And as we walk around through the Church year we will have many opportunities to proclaim that Jesus is the savior. Whether our hearers believe it or not, Jesus has overcome death, hell and the grave.  He is the victorious savior.  He gives repentance.  He gives forgiveness.  And he's already accomplished everything that is necessary.

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/17/08

Today's readings are Numbers 32.1-6 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+32.1-6 ), Numbers 32.16-27 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+32.16-27 ), and Luke 24.1-27 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+24.1-27 ).

 

After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to some discouraged disciples.  They did not recognize him, for what reason, we don't know.  Yet we find that Jesus, as he is walking alongside these discouraged men, does some very important things.  First, he hears their discouragement and their need.  We too are sometimes the discouraged ones needing to hear from the Lord, or sometimes we are the ones who bring God's words of comfort and healing, loving our neighbor as ourselves and thus doing the same kind of works that Christ does.

 

Jesus not only hears the discouragement and need.  He also brings his answers to their need.  And what answer does he bring?  He brings the Scripture that talks about himself.  So often when we hear discouraged people talking about their troubles we are tempted to rush in and solve those troubles.  We tell them immediately how to behave in their workplace, what kind of medical treatment worked for us, and five books we have read recently that told us how to work with annoying people.  But what does Jesus do?  He tells about himself.  When we are discouraged we often need to hear about our great Lord and Savior.  We don't need someone to tell us how we have failed.  We don't need someone with more self-help tips.  We need to hear that Jesus is the one who has overcome the world through his death, burial and resurrection.

 

As we move toward Trinity Sunday (tomorrow), let us look to the true encouragement.  Maybe we need that encouragement.  Maybe we need to provide that encouragement.  But the true encouragement is that we, through faith in Christ, are partakers in the resurrection.  Jesus is not left in the tomb.  He himself is the fulfillment of God's commands.  He is the Lord our righteousness.

 

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/15/08

Today's readings are Numbers 24.1-25 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+24.1-25 ) and Luke 23.1-25 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+23.1-25 ).

 

When Jesus is brought before Pilate, out of the several accusations lodged against him, the one Pilate asks him about is his claim to be the king of the Jews.  Jesus' affirmation is in quite strong terms in Greek, indicating that Pilate is absolutely right.  Look at a few lessons we can gain from this situation with Jesus on trial.

 

1)  Jesus declares his identity openly, knowing that there is no wrong in revealing his identity.  The Father will not despise him.  Can we also declare our identity openly?  Are we ready to affirm that we are sinners without hope except in Christ?

 

2)  Jesus' reputation has gone before him.  Finding who he is brings Pilate and Herod together, both of whom apparently have had some interest in Jesus, either positively wanting to hear his message or negatively wishing reason to condemn him.  Do we trust that the Lord will use opportunities, even before hostile audiences, to take his truth expressed through us his messengers?

 

3)  Pilate denied that Jesus was guilty of the charges brought against him.  We do not know much about what transpired.  From the other Gospels we see that Jesus told him very little.  Yet there were doubtless witnesses, people who could bring corroboration, etc.  If Jesus had been stirring up rebellion, why did the government not know about it? If Jesus was doing good and promising to be the king of people's hearts and souls, in the eyes of the Roman government it would appear he was some sort of priest, not a king like Caesar.  Are we ready to defend our faith against false charges?  Are we ready to speak clearly to the essentials of the Gospel and not be sidetracked into discussions which bring no biblical light to our world?

 

When we stand on trial before the world, may the mind of Christ be in us - a mind that is ready to answer with God's answer, bringing out his character as revealed in Scripture.  May we trust that the Lord will use his word to accomplish what he wills to do.

 

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/14/08

Today's readings are Numbers 23.4-28 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+23.4-28 ) and Luke 22.47-71.

 

What has God planned for me today?  It's so very easy to decide on my plans for the day while completely ignoring God's plans for the day.  And when my plans differ from God's plans, I'm headed for a train wreck.  God's plan will be done.  He will bring to pass all he has foreordained in this world today.  What he has promised will surely happen.  And what is his plan?  It is for the good of his people, not for ill.  Blessing, he will bless us.  Healing, he will heal us.  He is sure to do according to his good pleasure, and his pleaure is indisputably good.  Recall the message the Lord gives to his people through the false prophet Balaam in Numbers 23.19.  "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.  Has he said, and will he not do it?  Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?" (ESV).  How much more should Christ's people realize his good pleasure and plan!

 

Rejoice in the Lord!  All he brings into your life today is going work for the good of his people, including you.  While it may not always seem immediately pleasant, he is using it all to accomplish his good purpose in this world.

Lectionary for 5/13/08

Today's readings are Numbers 22.21-23.3 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+22.21-23.3 ) and Luke 22.24-46 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+22.24-46 ).

 

It's a wonderful thing when we work hard, study, train ourselves, and advance in our careers.  What a wonderful thing when God's people study the Scripture and learn to be good leaders in their family, local church, work place, and society!  Every one of us desires, on one level or another, to gain in our respectability and status in our communities and professions.  While professionalism, expertise, and respect of others is a good thing, a Christlike character is of inestimably greater value.  And how is that leadership in Christ shown?  Jesus says that if we wish to be the greatest we should become humble, the servant of all.  We serve as Christ serves.

 

Let us beware of a haughty attitude which exercises leadership by force and by man's plans rather than by service and Christ's plan.  May we have the mind of Christ, who humbled himself and became the servant of all.

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/12/08

Today's readings are Numbers 22.1-20 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+22.1-20 ) and Luke 22.1-23 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+22.1-23 ). 

 

We see many times in Scripture that God appoints things which seem unusual to us to work his works in this world.  We see it in the fact that we are unable to earn our forgiveness but have to receive it as a gift.  We see it in God's unexpected choice of heirs to his promise - younger and less seemingly significant people to receive inheritances, small nations overthrowing great ones, etc  If we read Scripture honestly it should come as no surprise that we cannot explain something God says, but rather must accept God at his word.

 

The same thing happens in Jesus' statements at the Last Supper in Luke 22, where we read "And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood'" (ESV).

 

Notice that Jesus specifically does not say that the bread symbolizes his body or the wine symbolizes his blood.  He specifically does not refer to a spiritual presence.  He very clearly and specifically uses language which indicates that he is present in the bread and wine.  Paul's statements in 1 Corinthians 11 seem to indicate quite the same point of view, that after the resurrection and ascension, when believers gather, there are both bread and body, both wine and blood.  The elements don't appear to change from being truly bread and wine.  Yet we see that the Scripture affirms they are body and blood.  We do not know how this can happen.  The result of attempts to explain how it happens have a bad history of resulting in divisiveness in several directions.  Better to affirm the Scriptural truth and accept it as it is given.

 

Can Jesus be present with his believers in a real physical manner after the resurrection?  He certainly can.  Can Jesus be present physically at all times?  Certainly.  Is there a limit to the supernatural yet physical body and blood of Christ?  Only if he himself imposes such a limit.

 

While what I have said above may not be persuasive to many people, that is all right.  There are much finer theologians and authors than myself who have also provided arguments which have been discounted by other fine theologians and authors.  The argument will continue, probably as long as people live on this earth.

 

There is something which is not open to dispute.  Jesus' body and blood are given FOR YOU - the recipient.  When we participate in the Lord's Supper, the sacrament instituted by Jesus himself, we personally are participants in Jesus' death and resurrection.  His body and blood are given and shed for us.  So look not to other people in order to be glad for their receiving spiritual nourishment.  This is one area of the Christian life where we are almost encouraged to be greedy.  Jesus' life is given FOR YOU - now you are to receive it, revel in it, rejoice in God's provision.  Jesus did not give his body and blood so we could have theological arguments.  He gave his body and blood to redeem the world to himself.  And you who receive Jesus' body and blood in faith are a participant in that redemption.  Glory in the supernatural provision made for you by your redeemer.

 

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/11/08

Today's readings are Numbers 21.10-35 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+21.10-35 ) and Luke 21.20-38 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+21.20-38 ).

 

We see God coming in power, destroying those who oppose him, establishing his kingdom by force.  Today it seems we are often focused on the idea of God as a loving one who forbears everything.  Yet the Scripture is very plain.  The soul that sins will die.  God will come in judgment of sin, and we ourselves are not able to stand in that judgment.  The wrath of God is real, and it will be revealed.  It will be unmistakable. 

 

What hope do we have then?  We have great hope indeed.  Look how Jesus lays his promise on those whom he has called.  We should pray to him that we may have strength to stand.  And we know we have confidence that what we pray in his name we will receive.  Our loving savior is also going to love and save us from his wrath which he will pour out on unbelief.  The very belief he gives us, holding firm to Christ's righteousness, is our protection from God's judgment on all unrighteousness. 

 

This reading is for Pentecost Sunday, the day when we remember the mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the early believers in Acts chapter 2.  It is historically the feast of the firstfruits, when people would bring their offerings of the very first produce of the year to God.  God has given the firstfruits of his Spirit to his people and has begun the work of cleansing and purifying a people to himself.  Part of that cleansing process is the eventual removal and burning of rubbish - in the terms of a grain harvest, sweeping up the chaff and burning it.  But we who are among the firstfruits of those whom God has saved are taken into the barn to be used by Christ.  We have protection and favor indeed.

 

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/10/08

Today's readings are Numbers 20.22-21.9 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+20.22-21.9 ) and Luke 20.45-21.19 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+20.45-21.19 ).

 

How many times have we in this relatively falluent society looked around our house and said, "There's nothing to eat" when in fact there is?  How about looking in the closet and saying, "I don't have anything to wear" or simply complaining, "There's nothing to do in this small-potatoes town!"  While this kind of hyperbole has its appropriate place, and while we must recognize that we are normally exaggerating (there's something to eat but I don't want it, I have clothes to wear but nothing exciting, and there is always something to do in this town as long as I go do it) there is a time when we cross the line of expressing a preference and begin complaining.

 

How sad that we complain against God, accusing him of failing in his provision for us!  The people of Israel, who were being provided with food and water by God, and whose clothing was supernaturally not wearing out, were complaining in Numbers 21.  "We loathe this worthless food."  This is the food provided for them without their labor, by the hand of God himself.  It is in fact priceless.

 

God's judgment rests on those who reject his providence.  And we reject it regularly, not only doubting his supply of food and water for us, but doubting his consistency, love, wisdom, and goodness.  We are a faithless people when all is said and done.  How often we depend on our own wisdom, our own intelligence, our own resources.  In Numbers 21 we see God pouring out his judgment with poisonous serpents, quick and deadly.

 

Thanks be to God that he does not leave us under judgment.  We can look to Jesus, raised up on a cross, dying as the cure for that which kills us, a man dying for men since it is man's sin which brings death.  Likewise we look to Jesus the resurrected one, bringing life from death.  God has provided what we need for life.  And when we reject it, God has provided a remedy for that rejection which brings death.  Look to Christ, raised up to save us.

 

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/8/08

Today's readings are Numbers 16.41-17.13 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+16.41-17.13 ), Luke 20.1-18 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+20.1-18 ), and Numbers 18.1-19.22 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+18.1-19.22 ).

 

In Luke 20, Jesus gives an interesting response to those who would accuse him.  He refuses to answer their question unless they answer his question.  The question, in fact, is the same.  It's one we all do well to ask and to answer.  Where does the authority of Jesus' teaching come from?  Where does the authority for what we teach, confess, and believe about Jesus come from?  What right do we have to insist things be done in this way, that way, or the other way?  What is our standard of truth?

 

The Pharisees, like most anybody who has been confronted with the truth of God as presented in Scripture, actually know the answer to the question they ask and the question Jesus asks.  Jesus' authority comes from God the Father.  It comes naturally from his identity as the second person of the Trinity.  They can look at the Scripture and see this authority is the authority which comes only from God. 

 

Let's have an authority check.  Does God supply our authority to teach and do what we do?  If he has done that, let us do it, trusting the power of God almighty.  If God has not given us authority to do something, let us not consider we are acting in the authority of God.  So with knowledge of God's word, let us go forth in the power and authority of our Lord and Savior.

 

Lectionary for 5/7/08

Today's readings are Numbers 16.23-40 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+16.23-40 ) and Luke 19.29-48 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+16.23-40 ).

 

As we see the dreadful end to which Korah and company come, let us not forget our tendencies.  The Lord has revealed to us in His word what his character is, what his demands are.  He has given us a simple message about life and death - live a life of perfect righteousness, faith, and obedience and we will live.  Live otherwise and we will die.  He has given us hope in appointing his Son to live that life of righteousness and to die on our behalf.  This is all quite simple.  He has given us the Scripture which is effective in creating faith in the hearers and which accomplishes its purpose.  He has given us, in short, the gospel of Christ, which is powerful.    Yet we want to go our own direction.  We want to set up other ways of accomplishing salvation.  We want to devise a new plan which will allow us progressive people to go beyond what our ancestors have done.  We always want something new and different.

 

God's message to us in today's readings is that there is nothing that is really new, there is nothing particularly different about our plans, and that what we really need is God's same old plan.  May we rest in God's promises, which are as good today as they ever have been.  Christ has lived a perfect life and died on our behalf.  We are granted new life in Christ by grace through faith, which comes from the Holy Spirit as the word of God is proclaimed to us.  Rejoice!  There's no need for anything new.

 

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/6/08

Today's readings are Numbers 16.1-22 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+16.1-22 ) and Luke 19.11-28 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+19.11-28 ).

 

Observe in the rebellion of Korah how the rebellious people were not without inheritance, as they claimed.  They were not without provision.  They had the greatest provision of all the people of Israel.  The Levites were supported from the offerings of the people of Israel.  Though they could not own farmland, they could own land in towns.  They would not need to farm, because they were supported in all their needs.  They had rank and status among the people.  They were God's treasured people, serving God by ministry around the tabernacle, caring for the things God had the priests use in his worship.  These were blessed people indeed.

 

How often do we wish to overstep the bounds of the blessing God has given us?  How often do we wish to exalt ourselves in a way that will ultimately be a burden to us?  Why do we not rather accept the provision our Lord has made for us?

 

Paul speaks to this clearly near the end of Ephesians.  Are we in a particular position when we realize the salvation the Lord has provided for us?  Let us not despise that position.  It is one that our Lord is aware of and through which He can and will minister to us.  It is a position of service the Lord has provided for us.  Let us serve our God joyfully.

 

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/5/08

Today's readings are Numbers 14.26-45 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+14.26-45 ), Luke 18.35-19.10 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+18.35-19.10 ), and Number 15.1-41 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+15.1-41 ).

 

Grumble, grumble, grumble!  Today happens to be, you guessed it, that horrendous day - - MONDAY!!  How many times have we actively rebelled against God's providential gift of this day of the week?  Or maybe we do well in that regard but we have tasks we "have" to do.  We all have them - the things we don't want to do (lawn mowing for me), the providences of God which we find abhorrent.  Yet God has provided them for us as ways to show his glory and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Our vocation doesn't take a break.  Our life as a member of society doesn't disappear just because we want it to.  While some people try to jump ship and escape those situations, the rest of us trudge along and grumble.  Granted, some of us manage to put on a cheerful face while we grumble, but we are grumbling nonetheless.

 

The fact is we don't understand God's mighty hand, his loving provision for us, his desire to use us in this world.  If we understood that, wouldn't we face this life in a way which would be more pleasing to God? Probably not.  Look at the Israelites.  Day after day they saw God's provision of food for a mighty nation which would not have adequate food and water without divine intervention.  They saw the bondage they had in Egypt.  They have seen the fruit of thel and where God is taking them.  They have seen God destroy a huge army that was pursuing them.  Yet they do not wish to go on in obedience to God's call.  They wish to turn back to their bondage in Egypt.

 

How often we also want to turn to the bondage of the life we have devised, a live of bondage.  Let us rather trust God's provision for us.  Let us look to him for life, hope, and forgiveness.

 

What of forgiveness?  Does the atonement of Christ seem to make sense?  No more than God's ability to provide food for a huge nation in a desert.  But God has foreshadowed a sacrificial death for sin, both purposeful and accidental sin.  While it doesn't make a lot of sense to us, we accept it by faith and in obedience we confess that Jesus has died for us, the Just for the unjust, so we may live.  Let us rejoice, not grumble, in this wonderful providence of Christ.

 

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/4/08

Today's readings are Numbers 14.1-25 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+14.1-25 ) and Luke 18.18-34 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+18.18-34 ).

 

Very often we are confronted by people who confuse Law and Gospel.  I cannot begin to count the number of sermons I have heard which promise to be centered on the Gospel and instead consist of what I must do in order to be saved.  These sermons are not the Gospel at all.  They are not good news, they are bad news.  They crush and kill.  When my hopes rest on what I must do to be saved, I see myself as I am outside of Christ - a sinner with no hope in this world.  No matter what I do, I cannot keep those commands.

 

When Jesus talks with the rich ruler, he confronts him with the Law.  He ascertains that the ruler does think he has kept the "second table" - the commandments which deal with loving your neighbor.  Then in his demand that the ruler should sell everything he has, give it to the poor, and follow Jesus, he is laying down a demand of the "first table - the commandments which deal with loving God with all your heart, mind, strength, soul, and bank account.  This is precisely where the rich ruler balks, though in a sorrowful manner. 

 

When Jesus commands us to follow him, leaving ourselves to be put to death with him, he also promises us new life, provision, eternal blessing.  That promised life is the Gospel.  Jesus is the one who does it.  By following him, still sinners, we are not meriting anything.  We are not keeping the demands of the Law.  There's no question of that.  We can't, and even if we could, we are twisted in Adam's curse and would not do it.  When we follow Christ, we remain sinners, but we are sinners saved by grace.  By God's grace, and not by any merit of our own, we receive the blessings Jesus talks about - all the provision we need for this life and for eternity.  There's the Gospel.

 

Let us walk in the Gospel today.  Time to rest from the Law.

 

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/3/08

Today's readings are Numbers 13.1-3 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+13.1-3 ), Numbers 13.17-33 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+13.17-33 ) and Luke 18.1-17 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+18.1-17 ).

 

Today we see Jesus illustrating the humility God requires to come to him.  The tax collector, humble, receives justification from the Lord, while the Pharisee who prays to himself in order to be seen by people receives the reward he asked for while praying - being seen as holy before people.  The children brought to Jesus for blessing receive blessing.  They know no other life than a life that trusts and says that if God blesses me by my being with Jesus, not of my own merid, I am blessed by God.

 

What faith are we to have!  The faith of little children who have no idea of their own works saving them, but only of Christ blessing them. 

 

It strikes me as odd that the very people who want us to develop the faith of a little child the most then tend to forbid children to exercise that faith.  We don't want to give false assurance.  We want to be sure the child has appropriated faith for himself.  We want to avoid having a child confess Christ if it's possible that our authority and influence could have led the child to that conclusion.  Yet we try every argument, every persuasive technique under the sun to persuad adults to confess Christ as savior. 

 

Why not let the children come to Christ?  He presents himself as the savior who loves them and blesses them.  Is there any reason we should raise children to doubt this provision and blessing? No.  Let the children come to Christ.  Let them live with him in the family of Christ, the Church.  Let them hear from him and receive his words of assurance and blessing.  Raise them in the way they should go.  Feed their faith with the good food of the Word of God.  Expect God's hand of blessing on those we have brought to him to bless.

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/2/08

Today's readings are Numbers 11.24-29 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+11.24-29 ), Numbers 12.1-16 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+12.1-16 ), and Luke 17.20-37 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+17.20-37 ). 

 

Watch out, everybody!  God's kingdom is coming.  We should be on our guard.  Watch eagerly for the signs of Christ's coming and be ready to go where the Spirit leads you. Follow this trend!  Follow that trend!  Be purpose-driven!  Be seeker-sensitive!  Prepare for the harvest!  Tour the Holy Land!

 

Our society is always calling us to something new and different, some new sign of the coming of the end, some sign of God's kingdom and power.  Believers and unbelievers alike, everyone wants some sort of new thing to do, something that will give them purpose, significance, fulfillment.  And we always seem to look for something new.

 

What has the Lord given us?  That's the question we should ask.  By his mercy, our Lord has given us a Gospel which does not pass away, which is the power of God to salvation, which will sustain all things forever.  When people tell us what to do, what to look for, how to be "genuine,"  let us look rather to Him who IS genuine.

 

 

 

Lectionary for 5/1/08

Today's readings are Numbers 1.1-23 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Numbers+11.1-23 ), Numbers 11.31-35 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Num.+11.31-35 ), and Luke 17.1-19 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Luke+17.1-19 ).

 

In Numbers 11 we see the discontent of God's delivered people.  So often we focus just on the complaints about manna, but there are more complaints than just the complaint about manna.  The cycle continues.  God delivers his people from slavery and their own destruction.  The people express their discontent with what God has done.  God rebukes the people, giving them the righteous reward for their complaining attitude.  The people show some level of regret and then complain some more.

 

How like us!  We who are partakers of God's riches in Christ often look to the alleged blessedness that we could find elsewhere.  We complain, we connive, we strive, we play politics, we want security and influence in this world.

 

Rather let us look to Jesus Christ, the Lord who has become our righteousness and who is himself the bread of life.  Let us look to him in faith and hope, not regarding the enticements of this world which clamor for our attention.