July_31

SHARING BREAD

28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’”

29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.”

30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.”

31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”

Matt 21:28-32 (NIV)

In our verses for today through parabolic jargon our Lord sets forth to demonstrate the difference in men’s characters. Some prove to be better than they promise, others promise better than they prove to be. May we be as the former and not the latter! We discover the same command delivered to both sons: “‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’” God sets His children to work even as heirs. Work was not meant to be a curse rather a blessing. It is a gift. I am reminded of our first father’s marching orders in Genesis prior to the Fall. God had intended for man to enjoy his labor. Work became drudgery only after sin entered:

15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Gen 2:15 (NIV)

God had no intention for His children to remain shiftless and idle – indeed, idle hands are the devil’s workshop! The Gospel call to work in God’s vineyard requires modern day believers to be obedient to His “good, pleasing and perfect will” as well – whatever profession we may be. This is not for preachers only. We are to bring the love and Truth of Christ to each of our spheres. Daylight was not given for us to aimlessly piddle away. It is Jesus’ command for us to “go and make disciples” and carries with it His authority, affection and ability. The Gospel call is the same for every believer. Remember Jesus tells us the harvest is plentiful and the worker’s few:

37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matt 9:37-38 (NIV)

Jesus also tells us we must work while it is still day – doing the will of the Father. This was His chosen path by the way. There is an allotted time for each of us to do what God has prepared in advance for us to do:

4 “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5 (NIV)

Paul also tells us in Ephesians:

10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10 (NIV)

“Nothing taken for granted; everything received with gratitude; everything passed on with grace.” G.K. Chesterton

In our parable today, the two son’s responses were very different. The first son responded with a flat denial to his father’s wishes. Excuses are bad enough but downright “no’s” are even worse. Often people refuse the call of the Gospel – the still small voice of the Father – initially choosing rather to give way to worldly pursuits or pleasures – temporal and fleeting as they may be. Here the first son denies yet on second thought later reconsiders, repents and produces fruit in keeping with repentance. To be sure, it is better late than never. God graciously and patiently waits on us despite our former follies. Indeed, He rises to show us compassion:

18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)

The second son responds with respect and professed obedience yet was duplicitous and remained unchanged. To be sure, saying and doing are two separate matters. Many mouth words but demonstrate their heart goes in a different direction. We must back up our words with what we do – practice what we preach. God does not look lightly on an unfulfilled vow – better to remain silent. Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes:

4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Eccl 5:4-5 (NIV)

Lastly, Christ’s application of this parable being that the Baptist – our Lord’s forerunner sent from heaven – came showing the way of righteousness. The tax collectors and prostitutes had believed Him while the religious elite snubbed their noses. By this, Jesus reproves the chief priests and elders for their contempt of John’s baptism – shaming them for it and setting before them faith, repentance and obedience.

What I glean from this:

• Work was given initially by God as a blessing – sin turned it into labor. It is God’s desire for me not to be idle rather to go forth working in the strength of His perfect power.
• As long as it is day I am to do the work of Him who sends me forth.
• God longs to be gracious to me – He rises to show me compassion.

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July_29

SHARING BREAD

23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 John’s baptism–where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From men’–we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Matt 21:23-27 (NIV)

Much contention and controversy followed Jesus as He was preaching the Gospel. Contention and controversy often nip at the heels of those bringing the Gospel today as well. We can expect it as Satan is not one bit eager to give up his fight. Furthermore, Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount that we are blessed in our persecutions for righteousness sake:

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matt 5:11-12 (NIV)

John also records Jesus’ Word to us regarding this in his Gospel:

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)

“Jesus promised His disciples three things: that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble.” F.R. Maltby

In our verses for today our Lord’s great contenders were the chief priests and elders of the land – the religious elite – those who should have believed yet chose to be blinded to the Truth by their darkened eyes of envy and pride. We find here these enemies of the Lord interrupting His teaching – they did not desire to receive His instructions nor were they eager for others to receive them. Jesus was well aware that He entered to teach where He would be surrounded by enemies and in the midst of danger. These religious elite approached Jesus haughtily challenging Him to produce His orders – His right to be teaching, His right to His miraculous healings. Surely their question was put forth to ensnare and entangle Him. Had He been silent they would have insinuated He was a usurper. If He had said His power was from God they would have claimed blasphemy. I can’t imagine what response they were expecting to receive from the Master – did they want Him to produce a scroll giving Him written authority from above? Did they imagine the heavens parting and a Voice from above verifying His authenticity? Did they want Him to remain a mute? Had He not already proved His authority through His miracles and the teaching and fulfillment of His Word? How insolent their demand was of Him!

Loving their power and seeking to hold it in their tight fisted grip, these religious elite could not imagine Him to have had any authority whatsoever since they had not bestowed Him any. How He kept from zapping them to me shows more restraint and is just as much a miracle as restoring sight to the blind or healing the lame! Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus.

“O the deep, deep love of Jesus. Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me! Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love, leading onward, leading homeward, to my glorious rest above! O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore! How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, never more! How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own; how for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne! O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best! ‘Tis an ocean full of blessing, ‘tis a haven giving rest! O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ‘tis a heav’n of heav’ns to me; and it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!” Samuel Trevor Francis

I find it interesting that they sought to silence Him yet by His wisdom He silenced them. I am reminded of the Truth of King David’s words in 2 Samuel:

26 “To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
27 to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. 28 You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.” 2 Sam 22:26-28 (NIV)

Jesus was also fulfilling His own command found in Matthew:

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matt 10:16 (NIV)

Thus Christ avoided the snare set for Him justifying Himself and refusing to gratify them. Wisdom is always proved right by her actions.

“There are five Gospels: Matthew Mark, Luke, John, and the Christian, and some people will never read the first four.” Gypsy Smith

What I glean from this:

• To be sure, contention and controversy often follow where the Gospel is preached.
• Envy and pride blind Truth.
• I am to be as shrewd as a snake and as innocent as a dove.

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July_26

SHARING BREAD

18 Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

21 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Matt 21:18-22 (NIV)

Every statement the Lord Jesus made carried with it richer and deeper meanings to His hearer’s ears than at first blush they perhaps realized. It remains the same presently to the readers of His Truth. Indeed, each Word Christ uttered was pregnant with power and purpose. The Word made flesh and dwelt among men both spoke the Word freely and lived the Word accurately. I am reminded of the Scripture penned in Hebrews regarding the Word of God:

12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Heb 4:12 (NIV)

In our verses for today, the Lord Jesus was hungry. He spots a fig tree in the distance by the roadside laden with leaves. Normally, figs appear prior to the leaves or at least at the same time as the leaves but this tree was barren of all fruit. Jesus curses it – sentencing it to a perpetual barrenness – immediately withering its leaves. Interestingly, up to this point Christ had used His power to only bless and bestow grace for the good of men and now we discover Him using His power on an inanimate object to show His wrath and curse. To be sure, Jesus uses this as a lesson on faith but it is also on the fruitlessness of hypocrites as well. I am reminded of Jesus Words recorded in the Gospel of John:

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. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:5-8 (NIV)

This is why John the Baptist came proclaiming to the hypocritical Pharisees of his day to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance”. Every person who professes to be a disciple of Christ is not necessarily a true follower of the Master. True believers cannot help but produce fruit with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit Who resides in every saint’s heart – prompting, convicting, empowering and encouraging. Christ looks for the power of faith from those who profess it. The sin of barrenness is justly cursed by the plague of barrenness. A false and hypocritical profession commonly withers in this world. They appear profitable for a time but their professions come to nothing as the pretender is powerless in and of himself to “walk as Jesus did”. I am reminded of Hebrews again:

7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. Heb 6:7-8 (NIV)

Lastly, Jesus addresses faith in the power and promises of God. We are to be careful in what we have faith in. It is not to be in our fickle inept selves rather in the all-powerful never changing God whom we serve. Our constant doubting spoils the efficacy and success of faith in God’s revealed will and ways. He is good on His Word – you can take it to the bank. I am reminded of Joshua’s words to the Israelites as he was about to pass from this life to the next:

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)

God, Who never changes, remains faithful today just as He did to Joshua and the Israelites. We can depend upon His faithfulness. Nothing is impossible with Him. The world tells us “seeing is believing” yet God tells us believe in order to see.

“Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe.” Saint Augustine

“Strive to be one of those-so few- who walk the earth with ever-present consciousness-all mornings, middays, star-time-that the unknown which men call heaven is ‘close behind the visible scene of things.’” Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Heb 11:1 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• God’s Word is living and active.
• I am to bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
• Seeing is the reward of faith.

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July_24

SHARING BREAD

14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.

“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,
‘From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise’?”

17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

Matt 21:14-17 (NIV)

Exit the buyers and sellers surrounding the temple area and enter in the blind and the lame – those desirous of healing from the Healer. It is good and profitable to enter the temple where Christ is present – lovingly and humbly approaching Him. Our Lord had recently rid those who had profaned His Father’s house and here He is graciously making whole those seeking Him in humility.

“Love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ.” John Newton

Christ not only offers wholeness but rest and peace. His miraculous works testifying to Him even more than the praise of the children. Scripture tells us:

3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4 say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. Isaiah 35:3-6 (NIV)

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.” Matt 11:28-29 (NIV)

In our verses for today, the chief priests and the teachers of the law were stirred up in anger over our Lord’s miraculous healings and of the high praises He was receiving from the wee ones. Such jealous guys they were – even to the point of audaciously questioning the Master – implying they wanted Him to make the babes stop singing of His worthiness. Peace gives life to the body yet envy will rot the bones.

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Prov 14:30 (NIV)

These religious leaders were inwardly vexed at the wonderful miracles Jesus performed and they could not bear to hear the praises He was receiving. In our Lord’s refusal to silence the “Hosannas” of these young ones He was declaring that He was indeed worthy of them. He not only allowed their sweet songs of praise but He was pleased with them as well.

“Praise is the beauty of a Christian. What wings are to a bird, what fruit is to the tree, what the rose is to the thorn, that is praise to a child of God.” Charles H. Spurgeon

“Be not afraid of saying too much in the praises of God; all the danger is of saying too little.” Matthew Henry

“God doesn’t ask me to be perfect; He asks me to praise.” Ann Voskamp

Evidently the religious leaders had not the insight of the little children as they rejected and disdained the Lord while the latter received and honored Him. Out of the mouth of babes Truth comes. Jesus spoke of this earlier in Matthew:

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” Matt 11:25-26 (NIV)

I am reminded as well of the words John penned in the Gospel bearing his name:

10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:10-13 (NIV)

Human ignorance and blindness caused by sin kept these religious leaders in the dungeon of darkness and depravity. Out of envy, these chief priests and teachers of the law were resolved to oppose the Lord Jesus. Had they had any wit about them, they surely would have testified to His acts as being miracles fueled by love and mercy. Proud men detest honor coming to any but themselves and remain displeased over the just praises of deserving men. By baulking at the praises given Jesus we drive Him from us – “And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.”

What I glean from this:

• Jesus makes whole those seeking Him in humility and love.
• God is worthy of my praise.
• Envy and jealousy rot the bones.

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July_22

SHARING BREAD

12 Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.’”

Matt 21:12-13 (NIV)

In our verses for today we see the Lord Jesus exercising His authority in the temple of God with a moral and righteous indignation. Abuses must be purged before righteousness can be established – here, the Light shone brightly on the darkness at hand. I am reminded of Jesus’ Words to Saul turned Paul on the road to Damascus found in Acts. It is Jesus’ desire to turn us from darkness to light:

15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’” Acts 26:15-18 (NIV)

As Jesus entered the courtyard area surrounding the temple He immediately directed His attention to those who had corrupted the character of His Father’s house from a place of prayer to becoming a place of commercialism and wanton gain. He drove out those who were buying and selling and changing money – overturning both the tables and the benches. These practices may have perhaps started innocently enough to aid pilgrims who lived in faraway places by providing them their sacrifices. They could more easily bring money with them than their beast yet it quickly turned into a counterfeit godliness filled with worldly gain. The chief priests were now admitting this market into the temple area for filthy lucre. Perhaps it slipped their minds that surely the Lord was in this place. Perhaps they thought they were getting away with something under the guise of godliness. Paul writes in1Timothy of such as these who with corrupt minds think godliness is a means to financial gain:

3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 1 Tim 6:3-5 (NIV)

“Many were making their living from the temple and the sacrifices purchased there. They insisted that in the temple the people could not use money that had been circulating in society, but had to change their money into temple money first, for a fee, and then use the temple money to purchase animals for sacrifice, at inflated prices.” Bible Knowledge Commentary

Upon seeing Jesus’ actions His disciples rightly remembered what had been written of Him in the Psalms helping them to reconcile His actions – the meekness of the Lamb with the majesty and authority of the King. The Word of God and the works of God ever explain and illustrate one another:

9 for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. Psalms 69:9 (NIV)

Indeed, zeal for His Father’s House consumed our Lord as well as it should us. We are to be ready and mighty in the Scriptures having our memories well stored with its precious truths. It will greatly benefit us in every endeavor and encounter. When we turn our hearts towards Him in His Word and prayer He is drawn to us. He rises to defend and provide for those who enjoy Him. He is a “with us” relational Father Who delights to be with those He loves.

Interestingly, the Lord Jesus also quotes from Jeremiah regarding what the Pharisees were doing to God’s house: “you are making it a den of robbers.” Jeremiah had been sent by God to the Israelites to tell them how worthless their false religion was in His sight. They wrongly believed they could do whatever they desired and, like these Pharisees imagined, they would remain safe to do these detestable practices because they stood in the house which bore God’s Name. Big mistake!

4 Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!” 5 If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, 6 if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever. 8 But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. 9 “’Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, 10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, ‘We are safe’–safe to do all these detestable things? 11 Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching!” declares the LORD. Jer 7:4-11 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• Jesus desires to turn me from darkness to light.
• Jesus hates hypocrisy particularly in His church.
• Zeal for my Father’s house should consume me.

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July_19

SHARING BREAD

8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest!”

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Matt 21:8-11 (NIV)

In our verses for today we see the Lord Jesus in a triumphant and festal procession to Jerusalem. Normally, the Master retreated from any such limelight – no earthly pomp and splendor. Indeed, at the height of Jesus’ popularity John tells us when the people saw His works and wanted to make Him King, He withdrew. The kingdom would be given to Him by His Father in His perfect timing and not by the world and what they deemed to be the hour of opportunity:

14 After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. John 6:14-15 (NIV)

The people in Jesus’ day knew He claimed to be the Messiah and those in our verses for today believed that He was the coming Savior. When we believe something we act upon it. Our actions will demonstrate what we believe to be true. The words they shouted were from the Messianic Psalm 118 which spoke of the Coming One thereby ascribing Messianic titles to Him.

25 O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success. 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. 27 The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. Psalms 118:25-27 (NIV)

“Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.” Corrie Ten Boom

They appropriated both this Psalms words and actions for this momentous occasion – prompting them to place palm branches down for Jesus – unbeknownst to them, on our Lord’s way to the altar as the sacrificial Lamb. Palm branches were symbols of victory, liberty and joy. Interestingly as well, the word “Hosanna” is from the Hebrew word “Save” – originally a prayer addressed to God meaning “O save us now” and later came to be used as a shout of praise as “Hallelujah”. Notice that Jesus did not stop or retreat from this celebration:

As our Lord made His way to Jerusalem riding on a colt of a donkey – a symbol; of peace, not war – the pilgrims spread their cloaks on the road so that He could ride on them. In His honor, they gave according to the best of their ability. Those who take Christ for their King must place everything under His feet as a sign of the submissive attitude of their hearts. We are to live lives of open hands. They thus honored Him by demonstrating respect, dignity and trust towards the Savior.

25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:25-26 (NIV)

“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inward peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. Commend all to God, and then lie still and be at rest in His bosom. Whatever happens, abide steadfast in a determination to cling simply to God……Maintain a holy simplicity of mind, and do not smother yourself with a host of cares, wishes, or longings, under any pretext.” St. Francis de Sales

Upon the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem there appeared to be great commotion over the sight and stirrings. Everyone seemed to take notice of Him – some moved with wonder, some with laughter over the humbleness, some perhaps moved with joy others as the Pharisees with envy and indignation. There were and are still many responses of the human heart towards Jesus and His coming kingdom.

“If thou makest a profession of being a child of God, if thou art a believer, and thinkest and believest religion is the best, the service of God most desirable, I do not come to plead with thee because of any advantage thou wouldst get by being holy; it is on this ground that I put it, that the Lord is God; and if he be God, it is thy business to serve him. If his gospel be true, and thou believest it to be true, it is thy duty to carry it out.” Charles H. Spurgeon

What I glean from this:

• Jesus did not seek the limelight of the world.
• Jesus entered Jerusalem as a King coming in peace and humility not war or sword.
• I am to commend all to Jesus – everything is to be under His feet.

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July_17

SHARING BREAD

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.

Matt 21:6-7 (NIV)

Obedience to Jesus’ Word in the believer’s life is to be a given – for our good and His glory. It is the outward evidence of a redeemed heart. I am reminded of the words Paul penned in Romans indicating how faith and obedience are so linked indeed obedience is to be the natural outflow of our faith:

5 Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Romans 1:5-6 (NIV)

“It is a sweet sign of a humble and broken heart, when the child of God is willing to obey a command which is not essential to his or her salvation, which is not forced upon him or her by a selfish fear of condemnation, but is a simple act of obedience and of communion with the Master.” Charles H. Spurgeon

Peter adds that believers were chosen for obedience – an election based on foreknowledge of our choice:

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: 1 Peter 1:1-2 (NIV)

In our verses for today we discover the two disciples Jesus sent forth on a specific mission being immediately obedient to the Lord’s Word. They appear to obey at once without pause. If we were all as resolutely zealous to put into practice God’s Word and the Spirit’s leading at the first inkling it would not fail to enrich us spiritually. Most of us are found waiting, wavering and forgetting. It is easy to waste a life. Delayed obedience is disobedience. We are not only to be hearers of the Word but doers of it as well – the practice of Truth being the most profitable reading of it. Head knowledge serves to only puff us up if it is not lovingly fleshed out. We are not to be rebellious to the Master’s call. I am reminded of the Prophet Samuel’s words to King Saul declaring God considered obedience to be better than sacrifice:

22 But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.” 1 Sam 15:22-23 (NIV)

God knows the motivations and intentions of every heart. Saul was far more desirous of erecting a monument in his own honor rather than following through on God’s clear directives. Keeping to the path of the Savior’s command is better than any outward form of religion and to heed His precepts with a listening ear is better than any precious thing we could possible lay upon His alter.

“All the pretensions you make of attachment to your Master, and all the devout actions which you may perform, are no compensation for disobedience. ‘To obey’, even in the slightest and smallest thing, ‘is better than sacrifice,’ however pompous.” Charles H. Spurgeon

Obedience demonstrates our trust in the Master’s love and care for us, What He intends for us to accomplish on our brief sojourn here He has prepared in advance for us to do and is exceedingly good. Indeed His will is perfect and pleasing. God is no man’s debtor. Paul tells us:

10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10 (NIV)

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. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

“Faith, as Paul saw it, was a living, flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ.” A.W. Tozer

“Love for God and obedience to God are so completely involved in each other that either one of them implies the other too.” F. F. Bruce

“Holiness is not a feeling – it is the end product of obedience. Purity is not a gift – it is the result of repentance and serious pursuit of God.” Frances J. Roberts

What I glean from this:

• Obedience is for my good and God’s glory.
• My obedience is to flow not from slavish fear but loving trust that God has my best interest at heart.
• God prepared in advance works for me to walk in with His power for His glory. The One who gives the power gets the glory.

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July_15

SHARING BREAD

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to the Daughter of Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

Matt 21:1-5 (NIV)

Many a mile the Lord Jesus traveled by foot – dusty roads, weary steps, and dirtied feet were all His customary companions as He went about doing good. Seldom (if ever) did He seek creature comforts. It is unbecoming for a follower of the Master to be inordinately concerned or preoccupied over their own ease and comfort. Surely that was not the example He set forth. Jesus never made much of the things of this perishing world.

“Our Lord lived His life….to give the normal standard for our lives.” Oswald Chambers

“If you focus on your problems, you’re going into self-centeredness, ‘which is my problem, my issues, my pain.’ But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.” Rick Warren

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Phil 2:3-5 (NIV)

In our verses for today, however, as Jesus ventures towards suffering and death, He chooses to ride in triumph. Our Lord gives two of His guy’s pristinely clear directives – even to the point of supplying them with the response to the question they would most assuredly be asked. Our Lord will fulfill each prophesy spoken of Him in Scripture. You can take that to the bank. As He walked this earth, His eyes were ever attentive to all that had been prophesized about Him. Our Lord, of course, had full knowledge of where His disciples would find the donkey and its colt. When Christ gives us marching orders He makes the way and supplies the need – you can count on it. He can turn the heart of a king directing it like a watercourse however He pleases. Nothing is too difficult for Him:

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. Prov 21:1 (NIV)

The prophecy Christ fulfills in our verses for today are presented to us in Zechariah:

9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zech 9:9 (NIV)

Jesus Christ was and is the church’s King. When a King arrived it was normally met with great pomp and fanfare – approaching as conquerors riding on horses. Something magnificent was expected. Yet there was nothing of that here. He comes gentle and riding on a donkey even the colt of a donkey. In lieu of majesty, Christ’s glory appears in His meekness and humbleness. His temperament was mild and He was willing to suffer the greatest injuries and indignities for mankind’s cause. The Creator stooped, came down and died for those He created – willingly. He was easily entreated, His government was lovingly gentle and mild and His yoke easy. This all was all particularly evidenced here by His humble appearance riding on a donkey a creature used for service not for show, for burdens instead of battles – slow yet sure, constant, steady and safe. I am reminded of our Lord’s wooing entreaty to us all recorded earlier in Matthew:

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)

“The truly wise are those whose souls are in Christ.” Ambrose

What I glean from this:

• Jesus never made much of the things of this perishing world.
• Jesus sets the standard for me to follow.
• Jesus is wooing, gentle and mild. His yoke is easy, His burden light.

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July_12

SHARING BREAD

29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

33 “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”

34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Matt 20:29-34 (NIV)

This passage is for all of us who at times struggle with the notion of God not being willing to help us when we seek Him or at the very least, we struggle with the pregnant pause in His timing and wonder if our continuous supplications even reach the Ear of heaven. We are definitely a microwave group of people – ask now get now types. Waiting in our society has a very negative connotation. Yet God is always at work in the waiting. If He does not act within our time frames – like perhaps say a genie – we wrongly assume His lack of mercy, compassion and love. Nothing could be further from the Truth. God is not only willing to help us – He is all powerfully able to aid. He eagerly waits for us to seek Him – desiring for us to articulate our needs (prayer) and have faith in His ability to act on our behalf in His timing. He wants us to trust Him in this indeed, He responds to our trust.

God is the Master of making a way when there seems to be no way. I believe He enjoys parting those Red Seas – doing God size things that are simply too hard for man to accomplish. He will either change our circumstances or change our hearts in the circumstances bestowing grace giving way to grace sufficient to meet each need. He heals both physically and spiritually. The One who gives the power gets the glory. Jesus’ compassion is shown even clearer in Mark’s account of our verses for today:

46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Mark 10:46-52 (NIV)

“God never strikes except for motives of love, and never takes away but in order to give.” Francois Fenelon

Our Lord is not only ready to aid, Scripture tells us He rises to show us compassion, He runs to the returning, He rejoices over us with singing, He is the rewarder of those earnestly seeking and He is the restorer of our souls. It is His desire to show us His great love. The Prophet Isaiah tells us:

18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)

The Prophet Zephaniah tells us:

17 “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zeph 3:17 (NIV)

In our verses for today we find two eagerly seeking the Master’s mercy. Physical ailments often cause us to be more aggressive in seeking His Presence and the touch from His healing hand – that is a beauty from the ash for there is no better place to be than at the feet of the Savior. The cries of these blind men reach the ears of our Jesus and in His tenderness He calls them while all the while the crowd is noisily rebuking and seeking their silence. Jesus asks what they desire not because He did not know (He is fully aware of what is in a man’s heart) but because He wanted them to petition their need. We do not realize we need a Savior until we realize we have a need for One. In mercy He immediately restores their sight – such is the love of sweet Jesus.

“He who counts the stars and calls them by their names is in no danger of forgetting His own children.” Charles H. Spurgeon

“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us to love.” Augustine

What I glean from this:

• God is always at work in my waiting. I am to be patient and boldly persistent in prayer.
• God delights in doing things that are too hard for me and always in response to my Trust in Him. “Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.” Isaiah 49:23 (NIV)
• The Lord rises to show compassion, runs to the returning, rejoices over us with singing, rewards those earnestly seeking and is the restorer of our souls.

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July_10

SHARING BREAD

24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 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 20:24-28 (NIV)

Blending can be very good for cakes and milkshakes and smoothies and the like but not too good for followers of the Lord Jesus who choose to continually meld with this world’s ways. The Master here gives us a clear: “Not so with you.” Indeed, if we are serious about walking as Jesus did our lives will look markedly different from what is embraced and elevated by man. John tells us:

5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:5-6 (NIV)

Jesus is our Cornerstone our top angle or corner. The cornerstone was an ancient construction technique whereby the stone was carefully placed and the entire building was lined up with it. It was set to be the basis for every measurement in a building, governing all lines and angles. Paul calls Christ Jesus the “Chief Cornerstone” in Ephesians and as His followers we are part of His household and are to be measuring our lives by His standards and ways – walk as He walked:

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Eph 2:19-20 (NIV)

“That is the picture Paul paints of Christ. In all respects He was the perfect cornerstone – strong, perfect in character, and exact in measurement. We, therefore, are to conform to Him in every detail for we, too, are part of the building. What if we do not conform to the Cornerstone? What if we do not measure ourselves by that standard? What if our placement is not according to that absolute? Just think of how noticeable peeling paint is on a house or how an improperly laid brick or stone sticks out. Any such flaw either weakens, or at the very least, disfigures the building. Likewise, we are to conform to Christ lest we weaken or disfigure the building.” J. D. Watson

The other ten disciples were indignant with John and James’ ambitious request (perhaps because they hadn’t thought of it first and were just as ambitious!). It is common for people to be angry of those sins in others which they indulge in themselves. Ever aware of the friction within His troops, our Lord calls them together to remind them of the importance of the principle of serving. Greatness in Jesus’ kingdom did not come through authority or being the big dog rather it came through service. We are to choose labor over lording. This is what He modeled for them – healing, feeding the multitudes, washing His disciple’s feet – Christ was all about serving. There was no pomp and grandeur with Him – no long flowing robes rather He was the pattern of graciousness, humility and usefulness. Our Lord lived doing good and died as our Sacrifice giving His life as a ransom for His subjects. It is therefore the duty of every Christian to willingly serve one another – this is our high calling. We are serving and honoring Christ when we serve one another. The more we understand of Christ’s humility and humiliation the more ready and careful we should be to imitate it. Jesus’ Words in Matthew come to mind:

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’” 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’” 40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Matt 25:34-40 (NIV)
Those who are best esteemed, wooing, respected and most like the Master are humble, self-less and serviceable. It is the way to be chief and great. Certainly these traits honor God most and those who seek to honor God, God’s honors.

26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:26 (NIV)
What I glean from this:

• I am not to blend with the world.
• I am to follow the Chief Cornerstone’s measurement for greatness – graciousness, humility and usefulness.
• I serve Christ when I serve His people.

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