June_29

SHARING BREAD

²⁵ Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

²⁶ Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon.

John 13:25-26 (NIV)

Reclining upon the Lord Jesus, resting between His shoulders, the beloved disciple is perfectly positioned to ask of the Master who would be the one to betray Him.  Those who rest upon the Lord are prone to privy to some of the deepest secrets of His heart.  All are invited to rest.  His call found in Matthew is not an exclusive one:

 ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”   Matt 11:28-30 (NIV)

 

One of my favorite Old Testament verses regarding resting depicts a particularly loved and protected child and is found in Deuteronomy.  It is penned by Moses, who Scripture states God spoke to as a friend:

“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”   Deut 33:12 (NIV)

I can just imagine John’s head resting between Jesus’ shoulders.  Rest is very important to God and it is a subject which permeates much of Scripture.  God Himself rested on the seventh day making it holy.  He commanded man to rest, animals to rest and even the land to rest.  We who live in such a frenzied hectic world should take heed of this.  We put more and more on our plates filling our hours with work and more work yet getting less and less accomplished.  Our dependence lies in our own weak abilities.  We seem to be continually striving to drink from the empty cups of our own power ever stuffing our emotions, acceptance, money, positions, etc. into bags with gaping soul holes – always coming up unsatisfied.  God’s Word to the Israelites through the prophet Haggai speaks to us as well:

⁵ Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. ⁶ You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”   Hag 1:5-6 (NIV)

 

It is God’s desire for us to be abiding not striving or struggling.  We are always to be looking to Jesus and His present power for He is our very Present Savior.  He is our achieving power for service as well as our ground for abundant unchanging joy.  Hudson Taylor the great missionary to China wrote to his sister the following truth regarding his discovery of resting on the Lord:

“As to work, mine was never so plentiful, so responsible, or so difficult; but the weight and strain are all gone.  The last month or more has been perhaps the happiest of my life, and I long to tell you a little of what the Lord has done for my soul…When the agony of soul was at its height, a sentence in a letter from dear McCarthy was used to remove the scales from my eyes, and the Spirit of God revealed the truth of our oneness with Jesus as I had never known it before.  McCarthy, who had been much exercised by the same sense of failure, but saw the light before I did, wrote:  ‘But how to get faith strengthened?  Not by striving after faith but by resting on the Faithful One.’”   Hudson Taylor

 

Jesus clearly told His disciples – both then and now – that their strength and abilities would be found in abiding in Him – not in our ceaseless striving – yet it seems we so often dismiss His Words relying rather on our own “wisdom” and “power”.  The sure Truth remains constant – anything accomplished in a life of eternal value comes only through our abiding in Jesus – through His strength alone:

⁴ “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”    John 15:4-5 (NIV)

What does remaining or resting look like in a life?  How is this intimate relationship with Jesus achieved?  Certainly, it must begin with our salvation in Christ, accepting Jesus as our Savior and Lord but it was never meant to cease at that point.   Our growth – our sanctification – is to continue on throughout our lives.  Abiding consists of being in fellowship with Him through His Word, through prayer, and through loving application – obedience – to the Truths shown.  It is God’s desire for believers to be conformed to the image of His Son – He being the firstborn among many brothers.  That is the path of peace which passes understanding.  Paul tells us

²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.   Romans 8:29 (NIV)

“‘Abiding, not striving or struggling,’” wrote McCarthy, ‘looking off unto Him; trusting Him for present power…This is not new ‘tis new to me…Christ literally all seems to me now the power, the only power for service; the only ground for unchanging joy.’”   John McCarthy      

What I glean from this:

• Those who rest in Jesus are prone to privy to some of the deepest secrets of His heart.
• Achieving power is found in Christ alone.
• Jesus is my Present Savior.

     

 

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June_27

SHARING BREAD

²² His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. ²³ One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. ²⁴ Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”

John 13:22-24 (NIV)

Impetuous Peter seemed always to be the first responder of Jesus’ disciples.  He was generally the leading man of the Lord’s guys – appearing to be the most eager, the most likely to speak up, the most likely to jump out of the boat as well as the most likely to draw the sword and cut off an ear of the opposition!  He would have been a wonderful 911 worker!  I have to believe Jesus loved Peter’s zeal and passion even if it could be askewed! To his credit, he was right on target – some of the time! Consider his fine response to Jesus’ query regarding Who the disciples said that He was.  His answer received a definite high five from our Lord:

¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”²⁰ Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.   Matt 16:13-20 (NIV)

Then there were the other times where his star did not shine quite so brightly.  Take for instance when he was thoroughly convinced that he would never betray his Master – insisting that he would never disown Him, even to the point of death.  It may not serve us well to be too over the top with zeal if we have a tendency to run ahead with our mouths!  Proverbs tells us that ambitious drive without adequate knowledge may lead to hasty blunders – just exactly what happened to Peter as follows:

² It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.   Prov 19:2 (NIV)

 

 ³¹ Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.‘  ³² But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”³³ Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” ³⁴ “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” ³⁵ But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.   Matt 26:31-35 (NIV)

 Being the very impulsive type myself, I have no trouble relating to Peter.  I can readily see myself jumping out of the boat to walk on water as well as running like a chicken when the circumstances get frightening just to save my own skin.  It is easy for me to think I can handle something beforehand – before the fire starts to sizzle and the temperature rises – then realize I am sorely out of my league!  Let’s get real, apart from Christ I am always sorely out of my league.  I love the promise of Scripture given through the pen of Paul in Philippians breathing hope to my soul:

¹³ I can do everything through him who gives me strength.   Phil 4:13 (NIV)

“Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God.”   Thomas a Kempis

In our verses for today, the disciples were heartsick over the Lord’s news of betrayal and were certainly at a loss as to whom He could be referring.  The disciples saw their Master troubled and they too were troubled.  It is God’s desire for our hearts to break over the things that break His and rejoice over those things that bring Him joy.  We can be sure that He is zealous over His Word, His glory, and the souls of men – all of which are eternal.  In contrast, He detests sin and the effects of it.  Paul tells us in Romans how we are to relate to man – how much more so to the God of all creation:

¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Romans 12:15 (NIV)

 

We would do well to remember that the Lord Jesus wept over the lost in Jerusalem, longing to gather them yet they remained unwilling and it broke His holy heart:

 ³⁷ “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. ³⁸ Look, your house is left to you desolate.”    Matt 23:37-38 (NIV)

 Remember too how the angels rejoice in heaven over each sinner that turns back to God from their point of departure:

¹⁰ “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  Luke 15:10 (NIV)

 

What I glean from this:

• Passion and zeal are wonderful if backed by knowledge.
• I am to rejoice over the things that bring God joy and mourn over the things that make Him sad.
• God is zealous over His Word, His glory and the souls of men.  He detests sin – all sin.

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June_24

SHARING BREAD

²¹ After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.”

John 13:21 (NIV)

Ever been betrayed by someone you once held near and dear to your heart?  Jesus understands.  In a very solemn announcement He testifies that His spirit is stirred and troubled over the coming betrayal of one He had shared life with.  It was indeed painful to His core. What a bitter sorrow to witness an Apostle turn apostate, backslider and an ungrateful traitor.  It is evident that this is a particularly cutting sorrow to Christ.  Just because Judas’ actions were foreknown by our Lord neither lessened nor dulled the blow. Sorrow is no less acute known long in advance.  Certainly our Lord had sensed the hardness and deadness that sin had produced in Judas’ heart.  He knows exactly what is in a man’s heart much better than we know ourselves – discerning even the motives behind the actions.

²⁴ But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. ²⁵ He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.   John 2:24-25 (NIV)

¹ O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. ² You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. ³ You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  ⁴ Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. Psalms 139:1-4 (NIV)

Hence, in our verse for today, our Lord was not only giving the other disciples a heads up but also lovingly warning Judas as well.  Unfortunately for Judas, he did not heed the Lord’s warning.  The next time Judas would see Jesus would be in the garden when he came with the throngs to betray him.  Sadly, within a very short time both the Master and the treacherous servant were dead – the Master dying for our sins – the treacherous servant dying in his. The turncoat missed his opportunity to turn.  Judas’ next encounter with Jesus will be after the trumpet sound when the dead are raised, the books are opened and his judgment set – to late then to turn.

“Redemption does not only look back to Calvary.  It looks forward to the freedom in which the redeemed stand.”   Leon Morris

What trouble the Lord went through for the sake of our souls!  Indeed, our Lord was acquainted with much sorrow and suffering as His feet trod the Savior’s path for the souls of mankind.  The prophet Isaiah had prophesized regarding this as well:

³ He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.  Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.   Isaiah 53:3 (NIV)

It is verses like these that help us see the amazing love Christ demonstrated towards sinners.  He died for Judas.  He died for me and He died for you as well.  His love for us is beyond measure in depth and tenderness because His love carried with it the great cost of Calvary.

“Love seeks one thing only:  the good of the one loved.”   Thomas Merton

I am reminded of Paul’s words in Romans:

⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.   Romans 5:6-8 (NIV)

 

“Mercy there was great, and grace was free – Pardon there was multiplied to me, There the burdened soul found liberty, At Calvary.”   William R. Newell

 

Our verse for today also serves as a reminder to all believers that, like our Lord, we will neither be loved nor embraced by the world.  We can expect opposition.  We have no cause to be surprised if we share in our Lord’s lot – walking as He walked – when friends fail and men disappoint.  We are in the world but we are not to be of the world.  Friendship with God is to be enduring the world’s hatred.  Jesus had warned His disciples regarding this very thing:

¹⁸ “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. ¹⁹ If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.”    John 15:18-20 (NIV)

 

James also tells us that friendship with the world – wallowing in the world’s ways – is in fact hatred toward God:  

⁴ You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.   James 4:4 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• Jesus understands what I am going through when someone close betrays me.
• Jesus is fully aware of what lies within my heart as well as the motives behind my actions.
•  Jesus died for me.

 

 

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June_22

SHARING BREAD

²⁰ “I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

John 13:20 (NIV)

Jesus had first given His disciples the shockingly bad news – one of their own would lift up his heel against Him.  Then, in His very next breath, He solemnly states this very encouraging Word both to them and to all who would go out in the future in His service:    “Whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me”.  He had previously told them that they were to humble and abase themselves and now He states that honor will come to them as His ambassadors – there may be those that will despise them because of their humility but there will also be those that will honor them because of their dignified commission by Christ.   The Father had commissioned Him and our Lord had commissioned His disciples. Interestingly, Jesus gave this commission to all yet regrettably not all accept it.  We find in Matthew:

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”   Matt 28:18-20 (NIV)

“Christ has told us He will come, but not when, that we might never put off our clothes, or put out the candle.”   William Gurnall

Our Lord has the official right or power to commission His followers to go forth – witnessing and making disciples by baptizing and teaching.  This authority had been given to Him by the Father.  Jesus’ disciples – both then and now – were and are to proclaim the Truth regarding our Lord Jesus to all neighborhoods and nations, making disciples of them and teaching them obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit.  The behavior of our lives should reflect a constant witness using our words when necessary!  Unfortunately, oftentimes we disparage our witness by espousing Truth yet living vastly differently.  We bring shame upon our Lord’s great Name through our poor behavior.  This should not be.

“A holy life will produce the deepest impression.  Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine.”  D.L. Moody

 As believers, we are His ambassadors – both a high calling and a high privilege.  We carry around in our jars of clay a great treasure of which every living soul is in desperate need of.  Paul tells us:

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.    2 Cor 4:7 (NIV)

“We have the truth, and we need not be afraid to say so.”  John Charles Ryle

Paul also gives the correct point of view for which all believers – ambassadors – of Christ should subscribe in his wonderful description of the ministry of reconciliation found in 2 Corinthians.  Compelled by the sacrifice and love of sweet Jesus, Paul, believed everyone in the faith should respond by living selflessly and by being Christ’s ambassador.  As followers of the Lord Jesus, this is our high calling; we are to be God’s representatives of reconciliation to a needy world. 

 

“The end of learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love Him and imitate Him.”  John Milton

¹¹ Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. ¹² We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. ¹³ If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.   ¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. ¹ As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. ² For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor 5:11-6:2 (NIV) 

“I have now heard the strains of grace, and I grieve for my friends who have not”.    Philip Yancey

 

What I glean from this:

 

• Jesus has commissioned me to be His ambassador.
•  My life is to reflect my high calling.
• I carry around in my jar of clay precious treasure.

 

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June_20

SHARING BREAD

 ¹⁹ “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.”

John 13:19 (NIV)

Ever like the Good Shepherd to lovingly take care of His sheep by preparing them for what lay ahead.  Don’t you know that what He spoke to the disciples danced around in their minds after the fulfillment of what He stated took place?  Certainly His Words must have brought them as much comfort, peace and joy as they did understanding.  He wanted them to know of the coming fall of one of their number so as not to leave them confounded and anxious, fretful and faithless over the appearance of the lack of omnipotence.  His desire was for them, rather, to obtain a fresh reason for believing that He was Whom He said He was – the Messiah – the “I AM”.  We find a little later in John similar Words from our Lord:

²⁸ “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. ²⁹ I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. ³⁰ I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, ³¹ but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.   John 14:28-31 (NIV)

Fulfilled prophecy is a great comfort, encouragement and support to believers.  Jesus had predicted His death and resurrection to His guys many times.  This would serve to greatly increase their faith after the initial shock wore off.  The prophet Isaiah tells us that one of God’s purposes behind prophecy proves there is none like Him – God is totally Other:

⁸ “Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. ⁹ Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. ¹⁰ I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.    Isaiah 46:8-10 (NIV)

 

Peter gives us the following insight in regard to prophecy found in Scripture admonishing us to take heed to the Word:

 

¹⁹ And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. ²⁰ Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. ²¹ For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.   

2 Peter 1:19-21 (NIV)

 

God’s written Word has both validity and authority.  Peter tells us there is surety found in the written revelation of the prophets – it is as a Light shining in a dark place enlightening and preparing believers regarding God’s ways through the power of the Holy Spirit – illuminating our hearts and bringing us understanding.  All of Scripture is a “Paraklesis” – “an exhortation, admonition, or encouragement for the purpose of strengthening and establishing the believer in his faith.”  Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible – New Testament Lexical Aids.  Paul tells us in Romans:

 

⁴ For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.   Romans 15:4 (NIV)

 

All of Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for us and all prophecy and promises will one day come to pass – we can count on it.  I have been encouraged recently by reading yet again the words found in Joshua regarding God’s punctilious faithfulness in the fulfillment of every good promise fully knowing that God remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow:

 

¹⁴ “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed.  Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.    Josh 23:14 (NIV)

 

⁷ Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.   Heb 13:7-8 (NIV)

 

“But there’s a decision that I find God is asking us to make: whether we are going to choose to interpret our circumstances based on what we hold to be true about God, or whether we’re going to judge what we hold to be true about God based on our circumstances. People ask how we’re doing, and I like to say: ‘We have a faithful God.’ Every promise he’s kept, every need he’s met.”   Laura Story

What I glean from this:

 

• Jesus has lovingly given us His Word to prepare us for our life’s journey so that we may be thoroughly equipped for everything.
• All the prophecies and promises of Scripture will one day be fulfilled – I can count on it.
•  All of Scripture is an encouragement and profitable for me.   

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June_17

SHARING BREAD

¹⁸ “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: ‘He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.’

John 13:18 (NIV)

In our verse for today our Lord refers to the prophecy given in David’s Messianic Psalm 41 of which was being fulfilled at that time:

⁹ Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.   Psalms 41:9 (NIV)

 

“All lines of messianic prophecy meet in Jesus.”   Fred John Meldau

Jesus’ selection of Judas as a disciple had been no accident or kink in God’s plans.  Our Lord had known Judas’ heart from the beginning and took one into His family whom He foresaw to be a traitor.  This was to fulfill Scripture and He now intimates to His disciples that their hearts were not all right with Him.  Jesus had spoken of this to His guys earlier in John:

 

⁷⁰ Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” ⁷¹ (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.) John 6:70-71 (NIV)

 

¹⁰ Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” ¹¹ For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.   John 13:10-11 (NIV)

 

Sadly, what was spoken of the excellencies of Christ’s disciples cannot be spoken of for the whole which bear that title.  Even today in the best of congregations a Judas can be discovered among the followers – tares will be forever found among the wheat until the great harvest.  Jesus’ parable of the wheat and weeds comes to mind and what He taught towards handling conflicting hearts:

 

 ²⁴ Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. ²⁷ “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ ²⁸ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.”The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ ²⁹ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'”  Matt 13:24-30 (NIV)

 

Judas was an apostle who was admitted into the highest privilege of both eating and intimately conversing with Jesus not to mention being an eyewitness to our Lord’s great miracles and teachings.  Wherever Jesus went, Judas was welcome – sitting at the table with the Master – eating the miraculous bread when the loaves and fishes were multiplied as well as sharing the Passover meal with Him thus proving not all who eat bread with Christ are His genuine disciples.  Judas was guilty of the wickedest treachery.  He forsook the Lord despising Him as his enemy for his love of money.  I think it extremely interesting that Christ appeared to treat Judas no differently than the others.  Our Lord continuously loved him to the end – fleshing out for us compassion, kindness, gentleness, humility and patience – hence the ignorance of the other disciples over who would be the one to betray Him.  As His followers we are called to the same high road of behavior through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Paul tells us in Colossians:

 

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.    Col 3:12-14 (NIV)

 

There is a great message in this for us as well on how we are to treat our enemies – those who fervently and frequently oppose us – we are to overcome evil with good.  I am reminded of Paul’s words in Romans 12:

 

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.   Romans 12:17-21 (NIV)

We can only control our own actions and reactions – not those of others.  We are to be good, noble and honorable in our interactions – living in harmony whenever achievable.  We must leave the poor behavior of others in God’s hands.  We are each accountable before God for our own lives. God’s foreknowledge of our behaviors does not negate our culpability neither did the fact that Jesus fully foreknew Judas’ deeds in any way negate his. 

What I glean from this:

• All prophecy of Scripture is fulfilled in Jesus.
• There will always be “tares” among the “wheat” until the great harvest.
• I am called to repay evil with good.

 

 

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June_15

SHARING BREAD

¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

John 13:15-17 (NIV)

My husband is constantly trying to teach me to guard against speaking or writing such absolutes as “always”, “never”, “all”, “none”, etc., etc.  as they, of course, leave very little room for error (and believe me, I find I am always in need of room for error!).   I totally agree “most” of the time until it comes to the promises found in God’s Word and it is in regarding these that I can profusely pour out the “always” remarks!  You can take the promises of Scripture to the bank so to speak – they are certain and fixed standing “firm in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89).  Scripture tells us:

²⁰ For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.   2 Cor 1:20 (NIV)

 

In our verses for today Jesus pointedly gives us the promise that obedience to our knowledge of the Truth will “always” be blessed.  Knowledge can be a very funny thing.  The Bible tells us head knowledge alone puffs up yet it is love which edifies – the fleshing out of the knowledge known.

Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.   1 Cor 8:1 (NIV)

 

Nothing is more common than for one to sit, soak and sour regarding the teaching of God’s Word.  Professing to know Truth yet remaining in disobedience.  People seem to flatter themselves in thinking that there is something redeeming and credible in knowledge alone yet they remain barren of fruit in heart or character.  Sadly, to know what we ought to do and what we ought to believe and what we ought to be yet remain unaffected by this knowledge only adds to our guilt in the sight of God.  Where much has been given, much is expected.   We who live in a land inundated with Bibles and commentaries and sermons and churches etc., etc. should take heed to this.  Unfortunately, we oftentimes become careless and indifferent to what has been graciously allowed to us. 

 

Obedience and practice is the very life of religion.  We will never truly be happy in our Lord’s service if we are content with only the head knowledge of duty yet forgo living according to that knowledge.  Doctrinal orthodoxy apart from the practical love and humility is worthless before God.   We shrink the Holy Spirit within us – Whom gives us the power to flesh out Scriptural knowledge – through our lack of willing obedience.   God does not force our obedience, unfortunately, it is our choice.   Paul tells us:

 

 ² Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.   1 Cor 4:2 (NIV)

James gives us the following admonition as well:

¹⁷ Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.   James 4:17 (NIV)

 

“The end of learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love Him and imitate Him.”  John Milton

 

The Word “blessed” our Lord uses in verse 17 is a much higher word than mere happiness which is dependent upon favorable circumstances.  It is from the Greek word “Makarios” meaning “to be fully satisfied; sharing in the life of God; being favorably affected and influenced by God –  involving many things such as forgiveness, freedom of conscience, participation in kingdom work, recompense, the Second coming, the Holy Spirit, heavenly rest and moral and spiritual purity.  This is why that even in suffering and pain one can be pronounced blessed, for God’s purpose behind it ensures that it is for the good of His creature and the glory of His own name.”  Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible – New Testament Lexical Aids.

 

“How little people know who think that holiness is dull…..When one meets the real thing, it’s irresistible.   C.S. Lewis    

 

The whole of Psalm 37 written by King David attests to the blessings of following hard after God and is certainly worth the read in its entirety.  Below are a few verses from this Psalm to whet our appetites:

 

³ Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. ⁴ Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.   Psalms 37:3-4 (NIV)

 

⁵ Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: ⁶ He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.  Psalms 37:5-6 (NIV)

 

¹⁶ Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; ¹⁷ for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.   Psalms 37:16-17 (NIV)

¹⁸ The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever.
¹⁹ In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.   Psalms 37:18-19 (NIV)

³⁷ Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. Psalms 37:37 (NIV)

 

What I glean from this:

 

• I can count on the promises of Scripture.
• Head knowledge alone puffs up yet lovingly fleshed out edifies.
• There is blessing in obedience.

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June_13

SHARING BREAD

¹² When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”

John 13:12-14 (NIV)

As believer’s in the Lord Jesus, we are under an obligation – it is our duty so to speak – to follow the example of our Master.  What Christ has done we should not disdain to do.  Our freedom in Christ was never meant to be a license for laziness and self indulgences.  This ultimately results in slavery as sin always gains a foothold in a life when it is consistently allowed.  The goal of freedom in Christ is loving service – eager to do what is good.  Scripture tells us:

⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.   1 John 2:6 (NIV)

 

¹³ You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. ¹⁴ The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”   Gal 5:13-14 (NIV)

 

In view of God’s mercy and compassion shown to us through Jesus, Paul exhorts us to the following high calling of sacrificial service:

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.   Romans 12:1 (NIV)

 

This, of course, followed on the heels of Paul’s doxology of praise to God:

³³ Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! ³⁴ “Who has known the mind of the Lord?  Or who has been his counselor?” ³⁵ “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” ³⁶ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever!  Amen.   Romans 11:33-36 (NIV)

 

Jesus states in Matthew that service is the prelude to greatness and we are to follow His lead:

²⁵ Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ²⁶ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must be your slave– ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”    Matt 20:25-28 (NIV)

“In the kingdom of God, service is not a stepping-stone to nobility.  It is nobility.”   T. W. Manson

The Wording Jesus uses in our verses for today both confirms and points to the fact we are to follow in His footsteps.  The word translated “should” in verse 14 is from the Greek Word “Opheilo” which means “to owe, to be indebted.”  Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible – New Testament Lexical Aids.  The word “should” oftentimes in our day leaves us more with the impression of suggestion rather than obligation of which we oftentimes shun. This is not what Jesus means here.  As His followers, He is our Teacher and Lord and it is our spiritual duty to follow – it is the highest way – it is the best way for our lives. The loving pattern Jesus demonstrates to us by the example of His life in the Scriptures is the best Way for every human.  Jesus tells us:

 ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”   John 14:6 (NIV)

This is not legalism rather love.  Interestingly, when we begin to follow the path Jesus set forth for His followers to follow – acting according to His example through the power of the Holy Spirit it – our actions often turn from being motivated by duty to being motivated by desire.  It is a high calling unearthly in its satisfaction and pleasure.     

“To love God, to serve Him because we love Him, is…our highest happiness…Love makes all labor light.  We serve with enthusiasm where we love with sincerity.”   Hannah More

What I glean from this:

• I have an obligation – a duty – to walk as Jesus walked – following His lead of humbling serving.
• I am not to use my freedom in Christ to indulge my sinful nature – this will lead to slavery.
• To serve God because I love Him is the highest happiness.  

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June_10

SHARING BREAD

¹¹ For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

John 13:11 (NIV)

In his gospel, John continually stresses the supernatural knowledge our Lord Jesus possesses.  As God, He sees behind the superficial directly into the hearts of people – discerning clearly all motives for every action.  He needs no human help to evaluate what lies within a person.

⁷ But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”   1 Sam 16:7 (NIV)

Our Lord’s perfect foreknowledge of the ways and means of His sufferings and His complete and thorough discernment of the character of all His disciples come alive in our verse for today.  He was not taken by surprise over any happenings that were to occur.  He walked up to death with a complete and full knowledge of every step He was about to tread.  Other references regarding Christ’s omniscience are found earlier in the Gospel of John as well: 

⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.” ⁴⁸ “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.  Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” ⁴⁹ Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” John 1:47-49 (NIV)

 

²⁵ He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.   John 2:25 (NIV)

 

⁶³ “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. ⁶⁴ Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.    John 6:63-64 (NIV)

 

⁷⁰ Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” ⁷¹ (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)    John 6:70-71 (NIV)

 

What is supremely interesting to me is that even having an absolute knowledge that Judas was the one to betray Him – our Lord treated him no differently.  It was as if He continued to give him opportunity after opportunity to turn back from the point of departure.  John also tells us that Jesus offered bread to Judas at the last supper.  In those times a host would offer a morsel of bread to a guest as an indication of friendship.  It is certainly ironic that Jesus’ act of friendship toward Judas signaled his betrayal of our Lord:

 

Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. ²⁷ As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.   John 13:26-27 (NIV)

 

Indeed, Jesus treated Judas so much the same that His other disciples were clueless – even those closest to Him – Peter, James and John – over whom He was referring to when He stated one of them would betray Him:

 

 ²⁰ When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. ²¹ And while they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” ²² They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely not I, Lord?”   Matt 26:20-22 (NIV)

I believe that had Judas returned to Jesus after his devilish deed rather than to the Jewish leaders of the day – in repentance – he would have been forgiven.  He would have been cleansed from his unrighteous act – even if he were to come to the foot of the cross while our Lord was being crucified – not too dissimilar to the thief dying next to Jesus.  If we have breath, it is never too late to turn to the Master.  We are to always go first to the foot of the cross for repentance and restoration, humbling bowing at the feet of Jesus – not to people. 

¹ Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. ² They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. ³ 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. ⁴ “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” ⁵ So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.     Matt 27:1-5 (NIV)

 

Yet with Jesus there is forgiveness; with Jesus there is cleansing; with Jesus there is hope; with Jesus there is renewal; with Jesus there is joy.

⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.    1 John 1:9 (NIV)

 

“Everything comes from love….God does nothing without this goal in mind.”   Catherine of Siena

  

“There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.”   Corrie Ten Boom

 

What I glean from this:

 

• The Lord Jesus possesses full and complete and perfect knowledge.
• The Lord Jesus gives me opportunity after opportunity to turn to Him.
• With Jesus there is forgiveness, cleansing, hope, renewal and joy.

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June_08

SHARING BREAD

¹⁰ Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”

John 13:10 (NIV)

The wording of this verse reminds me of King David’s penitent Psalm 51as he expresses his earnest desire for God to wash him – thoroughly cleansing him of his unrighteous acts which prevented his communion with a righteous and holy God:

¹ Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. ² Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin…..⁷ Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.  ⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. ⁹ Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. ¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.    Psalms 51:1-2; 7-10 (NIV)

King David’s allusion to cleansing with hyssop refers to the use of hyssop as a means of sprinkling the sacrificial blood on the altar – representing the removal of sin through the shedding of blood of which the Law required.  The writer of Hebrews tells us:

²² In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.   Heb 9:22 (NIV)

 

Interestingly, in what at first blush appears to be a macabre scene, Moses sprinkles the people with the blood of the sacrifice in Exodus symbolizing their cleansing and serving as a foretaste of the New Covenant to be established by Jesus and ratified by His blood.  We find the following in Exodus:

⁶ Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he sprinkled on the altar. ⁷ Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey.” ⁸ Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”   Ex 24:6-8 (NIV)

The humble example set forth by our Lord in the washing of His disciple’s feet had deep spiritual lessons lying beneath the surface of His actions.  First, all have the need to be washed by Christ.  No man or woman can be saved apart from their sins being washed away by the precious blood of Jesus.  Nothing else can make us clean and acceptable before a holy and righteous God – nothing but the blood of Jesus.  We are to be washed, sanctified and justified by His blood and through the working of the Holy Spirit – the precious Gift given to all believers.  By faith in Christ we are washed and become clean.  Paul sets forth this progression as he speaks to those who once wallowed in the ways of depravity (that would be all apart from Christ) and then turned to Jesus:

¹¹ And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.    1 Cor 6:11 (NIV)

Next we learn that once cleansed (salvation) we need only a daily (sometimes moment by moment to keep our accounts short!) cleansing in seeking forgiveness through Jesus with a truly repentant heart.  We are to cleanse ourselves daily of guilt contracted through our weakness and carelessness by the exercise of repentance (turning from sin) as well as watching our ways against everything that is defiling.  The provision for our cleansing should never make us presumptuous rather cautious. We are to flee evil desires.  Paul tells Timothy what we are to flee and what we are to pursue:

 ²² Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.   2 Tim 2:22 (NIV)

We cannot pass a day through this evil world without defilement and our sins will always break our fellowship.  We are ever in need of a fresh supply of mercy as we fail and fall short in many ways.  Through repentance we are, like King David, to seek God’s mercy, forgiveness and grace in order to retain the peace of conscience we held when we first believed.  We begin and continue on through the cross of Christ.

“The devil allows no Christian to reach heaven with clean feet all the way.”  Martin Luther

“Clean is the one who is righteous, if not in the sight of men, yet in the sight of God.”    Augustine   

 Lastly, Jesus states not all were clean – there was one painful exception as a He reflected on Judas.  I suppose what is even more striking to observe is that even of His poor, weak, erring disciples He states they are clean.  That is a comforting thought indeed.  Yet it behooves us all to take heed of ourselves and beware of false profession – our Lord’s Words here are very solemn.  If even Christ’s own disciples were not all cleansed and justified we certainly have reason to be on our guard as well.        

What I glean from this:

• Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin.
• I am saved by the blood of Jesus.
• I must keep my accounts short – wash my feet – in true repentance (turning from sin to embracing holiness), humbly seeking mercy, grace and forgiveness.   “⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”     1 John 1:8-9 (NIV)

 

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