Psalm 49:8 Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, 8 for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice,9 that he should live on forever and never see the pit. ... 15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.
Matthew 20:28 ...the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
****
I know it baffles reason, but it shouldn't, that there is something called cause and effect in all things. If the Enlightenment claimed to teach anything, it was that there was cause and effect and that by observing effects we might "know" certain things about their causes. And yet post-Enlightenment thinking has somehow separated this fact from its spiritual antecedent [because, supposedly, spiritual things are not within the realm of science and therefore are obsolete] But spiritual things have cause and effect as well. The cause of death, in the macro and microcosmic sense, is sin. It should be obvious to any observer that there is sin in the world and that something needs to be set right. How to do it? Can we identify a cause? Can we deduce from the cause a workable solution? Various ideologies have sought to draw conclusions about the human condition and its panaceas, but the Bible teaches that there is a high price be paid to make things right in the world. It cannot be paid by us. What has been done is too big for any of us to undo. Only Christ is sufficient to undo this cosmic conundrum. He can set the scales right again. This doesn't seem fair to post-modern sensibilities, and perhaps it never seemed fair to any one who thought themselves capable of omniscience. But grace seldom seems fair to the forgiven, so we will just have to deal with it in humility.
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Spiritual Leprosy / Two Kinds of Doubt
Luke 5:12 While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. [11] And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 13 And Jesus [12] stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
***
Two points here:
1. Leprosy is such a powerful analogy of sin. Essentially, it causes the skin to lose sensation, to become numb to pain and pleasure, to die, as it were. This is the effect of our spiritual disease called sin. In our sinful flesh, we lose sensation for the "real" things of God's Kingdom. We are unable to sense when our hand is on the stove. We are unable to feel the loving touch of another. Eventually there is a complete breakdown of the body (read: spirit). Leprosy is incurable. The pragmatic solution is banishment, so the death of the sensations leads to the death of relationships. Sin divides us and is the antithesis of the Greatest Commandment which is true, whole, Kingdom community.
2. The second thing I get from this passage is two kinds of doubt - doubting God's goodness and doubting His power. In this case, the leper believes that Jesus is able to heal him, but isn't sure if he is willing. In other passages of the Bible we see individuals who believe Jesus is willing but not able. All of us fall into one of these two categories when we struggle with faith in God. We either doubt he is willing or doubt he is able to do what we ask. Maturity leads us to consider the possibility, with humility, that our requests may not be good requests. If this is the case, then it is certainly possible that he isn't willing to answer the request. But in the case of the leper, it is obvious that something which was created to be a certain way - the man's body - was in a state of disarray. God, as Creator and Maintainer of His creation, is in the business of setting things right - so he is certainly willing to heal the leper (both spiritually and physically). Doubting that he is able, on the other hand, comes down to a simple misunderstanding of God. We've all done that and will continue to do it because he is beyond the limits of our understanding. Job struggled with this (not seeing resolution to his agony) and was awakened to God's power when confronted by God himself. God makes it clear that he is able to do whatever he wants, which brings us back to the first doubt again. Why would God allow Job to suffer so much, to lose his family so tragically and go through so long a trial without any clear reassurance of love? Tough questions - and I am so grateful the writers of the Bible didn't shy away from them or pretend the answers were easy. It is something to bookmark and come back to again and again.
***
Two points here:
1. Leprosy is such a powerful analogy of sin. Essentially, it causes the skin to lose sensation, to become numb to pain and pleasure, to die, as it were. This is the effect of our spiritual disease called sin. In our sinful flesh, we lose sensation for the "real" things of God's Kingdom. We are unable to sense when our hand is on the stove. We are unable to feel the loving touch of another. Eventually there is a complete breakdown of the body (read: spirit). Leprosy is incurable. The pragmatic solution is banishment, so the death of the sensations leads to the death of relationships. Sin divides us and is the antithesis of the Greatest Commandment which is true, whole, Kingdom community.
2. The second thing I get from this passage is two kinds of doubt - doubting God's goodness and doubting His power. In this case, the leper believes that Jesus is able to heal him, but isn't sure if he is willing. In other passages of the Bible we see individuals who believe Jesus is willing but not able. All of us fall into one of these two categories when we struggle with faith in God. We either doubt he is willing or doubt he is able to do what we ask. Maturity leads us to consider the possibility, with humility, that our requests may not be good requests. If this is the case, then it is certainly possible that he isn't willing to answer the request. But in the case of the leper, it is obvious that something which was created to be a certain way - the man's body - was in a state of disarray. God, as Creator and Maintainer of His creation, is in the business of setting things right - so he is certainly willing to heal the leper (both spiritually and physically). Doubting that he is able, on the other hand, comes down to a simple misunderstanding of God. We've all done that and will continue to do it because he is beyond the limits of our understanding. Job struggled with this (not seeing resolution to his agony) and was awakened to God's power when confronted by God himself. God makes it clear that he is able to do whatever he wants, which brings us back to the first doubt again. Why would God allow Job to suffer so much, to lose his family so tragically and go through so long a trial without any clear reassurance of love? Tough questions - and I am so grateful the writers of the Bible didn't shy away from them or pretend the answers were easy. It is something to bookmark and come back to again and again.
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Currency of the Kingdom
Mark 12:10 Bring me a denarius [11] and let me look at it.” 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him....
Mark 12:41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. [13] 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
******
On first glance one might see a contradiction between these two passages. On one hand Jesus says, "render to Caesar what is Caesar's" and on the other, he praises a woman for giving all of her money to the church. The context, as always, is the key. In between these two teachings there is the famous Greatest Commandment in which Jesus explains the motive and priority which should inform our actions: LOVE. We see that Jesus is ambivelent about money when it comes to taxes and politics - he would just as soon give all the money back to Caesar rather than deal with the shackles that money offers society. There is nothing of love in the exchange of taxes (patriotism isn't the love we're talking about). The kind of love that God exudes and wants from us does in fact demand everything from us, and money is a small part of the package, but the currency of the Kingdom of God "is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices" or even a widow's two bits. God wanted her heart and he knew that he had it - which pleased him. Today I am trying to have the same heart with every aspect of my life - my own two bits.
Mark 12:41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. [13] 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
******
On first glance one might see a contradiction between these two passages. On one hand Jesus says, "render to Caesar what is Caesar's" and on the other, he praises a woman for giving all of her money to the church. The context, as always, is the key. In between these two teachings there is the famous Greatest Commandment in which Jesus explains the motive and priority which should inform our actions: LOVE. We see that Jesus is ambivelent about money when it comes to taxes and politics - he would just as soon give all the money back to Caesar rather than deal with the shackles that money offers society. There is nothing of love in the exchange of taxes (patriotism isn't the love we're talking about). The kind of love that God exudes and wants from us does in fact demand everything from us, and money is a small part of the package, but the currency of the Kingdom of God "is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices" or even a widow's two bits. God wanted her heart and he knew that he had it - which pleased him. Today I am trying to have the same heart with every aspect of my life - my own two bits.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Hard Words
Luke 14:25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. 34 “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
***
Jesus uses what sounds to us like absolutist language. He presses us into a world of right and wrong when we are accustomed to negotiation and compromise. But then he also softens his tone and retains the human touch. The with-God life is thus filled with exhortation, conviction and then reconciliation.
***
Jesus uses what sounds to us like absolutist language. He presses us into a world of right and wrong when we are accustomed to negotiation and compromise. But then he also softens his tone and retains the human touch. The with-God life is thus filled with exhortation, conviction and then reconciliation.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Teaching and Pastoring
Colossians 2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
***
One of the things that impresses me and blesses me about Paul's tone of voice here is his obvious love for each church community. He is so good at blessing people, encouraging and building them up. He always takes time at the beginning of a letter to do this, and then goes on to teach the Truth. Paul has the dual gifting as teacher and pastor, coming along side individuals and communities as a shepherd in the pursuit of a life like Jesus.
Sometimes it is tempting to think that teaching and pastoring are the same gift. Certainly a teacher is helping to lead another person intellectually, and a pastor is teaching by example and influence, but these two personalities tend to break out in the church. Paul is unique to have both gifts so strongly knit together. This is my theory. A good teacher, like a professor, has the weakness of intellectualism and pride. He or she might, in moments of sin, think too highly of themselves. Pride breaks down the unity and community. It is possible to be theologically sound, and yet lack love - which is, of course, not so sound after all. On the flip side, a pastor might be good at building community and loving people, but lack the ability to clearly communicate the truth of the gospel. He or she might, in moments of confusion or distraction, deemphasize the pursuit of right thinking. So Paul is good at both, which isn't to say he didn't have his own weaknesses. A quick lesson to leaders is to emulate both qualities and self reflect on potential areas of weakness. If I am a teacher, do I allow my knowledge to puff up without building up? If I am a pastor, am I letting my fear of conflict get in the way of truth? The fact is, the truth will cause a church to become more unified and healthy, if not bigger. But the Word of God is like a double edged sword (even sharper actually), and sometimes the truth will seem to shrink community rather than grow it. But Love prunes us, otherwise it would not be Love.
***
One of the things that impresses me and blesses me about Paul's tone of voice here is his obvious love for each church community. He is so good at blessing people, encouraging and building them up. He always takes time at the beginning of a letter to do this, and then goes on to teach the Truth. Paul has the dual gifting as teacher and pastor, coming along side individuals and communities as a shepherd in the pursuit of a life like Jesus.
Sometimes it is tempting to think that teaching and pastoring are the same gift. Certainly a teacher is helping to lead another person intellectually, and a pastor is teaching by example and influence, but these two personalities tend to break out in the church. Paul is unique to have both gifts so strongly knit together. This is my theory. A good teacher, like a professor, has the weakness of intellectualism and pride. He or she might, in moments of sin, think too highly of themselves. Pride breaks down the unity and community. It is possible to be theologically sound, and yet lack love - which is, of course, not so sound after all. On the flip side, a pastor might be good at building community and loving people, but lack the ability to clearly communicate the truth of the gospel. He or she might, in moments of confusion or distraction, deemphasize the pursuit of right thinking. So Paul is good at both, which isn't to say he didn't have his own weaknesses. A quick lesson to leaders is to emulate both qualities and self reflect on potential areas of weakness. If I am a teacher, do I allow my knowledge to puff up without building up? If I am a pastor, am I letting my fear of conflict get in the way of truth? The fact is, the truth will cause a church to become more unified and healthy, if not bigger. But the Word of God is like a double edged sword (even sharper actually), and sometimes the truth will seem to shrink community rather than grow it. But Love prunes us, otherwise it would not be Love.
Monday, October 20, 2008
A Deeper Healing
Acts 28:24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: 26 “‘Go to this people, and say, You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. 27 For this people's heart has grown dull,and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ 28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
***
I know I've written about it before, but in this passage I am struck again by the reality of our condition. We are blind, deaf and lame. Our spiritual infirmaties are much more serious and permanant than physical maladies. So when Jesus forgave sins, he was healing on a much deeper level. The physical healing was a natural follow on step, showing God's sensitivity to the immediate as well as the eternal condition of mankind. But some people, including myself much of the time, are resistant to that kind of love. We are slow to listen to God, slow to see him and powerless to obey - or so it seems sometimes. Paul is so hopeful for the Gentiles though. I find him to be incredibly generous, as a Jewish leader, to dedicate his life for the spreading of the good news to the gentiles. Without that love and obedience, I would not have the explicit, written words of Paul inviting me into God's kingdom.
***
I know I've written about it before, but in this passage I am struck again by the reality of our condition. We are blind, deaf and lame. Our spiritual infirmaties are much more serious and permanant than physical maladies. So when Jesus forgave sins, he was healing on a much deeper level. The physical healing was a natural follow on step, showing God's sensitivity to the immediate as well as the eternal condition of mankind. But some people, including myself much of the time, are resistant to that kind of love. We are slow to listen to God, slow to see him and powerless to obey - or so it seems sometimes. Paul is so hopeful for the Gentiles though. I find him to be incredibly generous, as a Jewish leader, to dedicate his life for the spreading of the good news to the gentiles. Without that love and obedience, I would not have the explicit, written words of Paul inviting me into God's kingdom.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Miracle of Forgiveness
John 20:19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
***
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to this passage, seems to be the ability to declare the forgiveness of sins. If you recall, on multiple occasions Jesus demonstrated how this miracle, the miracle of forgiveness, was much more profound and powerful than physical healing. Physical healing, although wonderful and certainly indicative of God's goodness, is not lasting because our current bodies are mortal. Forgiveness which comes from the Holy Spirit is the ultimate act of healing, in a sense cleansing us of our permanent, spiritual leprosy. When was the last time you told someone that their sins were forgiven by God? Do you believe that God has breathed His Holy Spirit into you and that you have the authority to do what Jesus empowered the disciples to do? I believe that the miracle of forgiveness is essential to building authentic community. Jesus, as our King, has invited us into a loving Kingdom, a Kingdom community where all are forgiven and free. We are his agents of forgiveness in the world, welcoming people into that safe place.
***
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to this passage, seems to be the ability to declare the forgiveness of sins. If you recall, on multiple occasions Jesus demonstrated how this miracle, the miracle of forgiveness, was much more profound and powerful than physical healing. Physical healing, although wonderful and certainly indicative of God's goodness, is not lasting because our current bodies are mortal. Forgiveness which comes from the Holy Spirit is the ultimate act of healing, in a sense cleansing us of our permanent, spiritual leprosy. When was the last time you told someone that their sins were forgiven by God? Do you believe that God has breathed His Holy Spirit into you and that you have the authority to do what Jesus empowered the disciples to do? I believe that the miracle of forgiveness is essential to building authentic community. Jesus, as our King, has invited us into a loving Kingdom, a Kingdom community where all are forgiven and free. We are his agents of forgiveness in the world, welcoming people into that safe place.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Broken Beyond Healing
Proverbs 29:1 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
***
It seems to me that we often only learn the things we are willing to learn. Obvious? Perhaps. But here is the thing which captures my attention right now: the intersention between the will and the heart, or the will and the mind. Jesus said that the greatest commandment was/is to love the Lord with all of our heart, mind and strength. Loosely (because I am not taking the time to do a word study just yet) I read this to be love which requires the mind, the emotions and the will, in unison. In other words - everything about us which is human must be turned towards God in an act of love. This is what we were created to enjoy. This is who we were created to be. It is our highest calling and greatest mode of existence - Love. One of the things which Love does in our lives is make us capable of being corrected, by God and by others. When we know we are loved, we are able to open ourselves to honest input. When we know we are safe in a loving community, we are able to be more truly ourselves. But love is also hard on us in the sense that it won't alloow us to be lazy. God's love is rigorous and inspires others to live rigorously. I am praying that my local community would be so full of love that we would be able to open up to eachother and at the same time, spur eachother on to do awesome stuff. The alternative is really not pleasant. If we neglect to live lives of love and close ourselves off to the possibility of honest community, we will eventually be broken. And yet, if you are reading this and you feel broken, I suspect that there is still healing waiting for you. I think the crux of the Proverb here is that those who refuse healing will not be healed. Sad, but true.
***
It seems to me that we often only learn the things we are willing to learn. Obvious? Perhaps. But here is the thing which captures my attention right now: the intersention between the will and the heart, or the will and the mind. Jesus said that the greatest commandment was/is to love the Lord with all of our heart, mind and strength. Loosely (because I am not taking the time to do a word study just yet) I read this to be love which requires the mind, the emotions and the will, in unison. In other words - everything about us which is human must be turned towards God in an act of love. This is what we were created to enjoy. This is who we were created to be. It is our highest calling and greatest mode of existence - Love. One of the things which Love does in our lives is make us capable of being corrected, by God and by others. When we know we are loved, we are able to open ourselves to honest input. When we know we are safe in a loving community, we are able to be more truly ourselves. But love is also hard on us in the sense that it won't alloow us to be lazy. God's love is rigorous and inspires others to live rigorously. I am praying that my local community would be so full of love that we would be able to open up to eachother and at the same time, spur eachother on to do awesome stuff. The alternative is really not pleasant. If we neglect to live lives of love and close ourselves off to the possibility of honest community, we will eventually be broken. And yet, if you are reading this and you feel broken, I suspect that there is still healing waiting for you. I think the crux of the Proverb here is that those who refuse healing will not be healed. Sad, but true.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Humility
II Chronicles 7:12 Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. 16 For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.
***
God doesn't ask us to come to him with everything perfect already. He just asks us to humble ourselves and come as we are. I have often thought that humility is much closer to courage than to weakness. In humility, we recognize our weaknesses and ask for help. This requires courage. How much easier would it be to hide our sin and shame? It can be so difficult and dangerous to confess sin! The Kingdom of God is a safe place for us...but not for our sin. When we confess our sin in the Kingdom of God, it is put to death, but we are made new. God says that if we, who are called by his name, humble ourselves and seek his face, he will heal our land. What does this mean right now and here? Does this promise apply to our local community and our generation? I am praying to God right now and believing that he will bless this community and this generation with His Love. I want to see everyone come to know what a great and loving God he is. I want to worship him with abandon this year. I want to be a better man this year because of the Holy Spirit's fruit in my life. If you were like Solomon and God said you could ask for anything, what would you ask for?
***
God doesn't ask us to come to him with everything perfect already. He just asks us to humble ourselves and come as we are. I have often thought that humility is much closer to courage than to weakness. In humility, we recognize our weaknesses and ask for help. This requires courage. How much easier would it be to hide our sin and shame? It can be so difficult and dangerous to confess sin! The Kingdom of God is a safe place for us...but not for our sin. When we confess our sin in the Kingdom of God, it is put to death, but we are made new. God says that if we, who are called by his name, humble ourselves and seek his face, he will heal our land. What does this mean right now and here? Does this promise apply to our local community and our generation? I am praying to God right now and believing that he will bless this community and this generation with His Love. I want to see everyone come to know what a great and loving God he is. I want to worship him with abandon this year. I want to be a better man this year because of the Holy Spirit's fruit in my life. If you were like Solomon and God said you could ask for anything, what would you ask for?
Monday, July 14, 2008
I am a Dog
Matthew 15:21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. [11]
***
I have really had a hard time with this account of Jesus. It seems as though his love for the chosen people, Israel, is greater than his love for us "dogs". In this account it would seem that they are his children and we, the gentiles, are an afterthought. Surely this can't be the same Jesus that died for the whole world? Why would the man who welcomed little children, touched social pariahs and ate with sinners treat this woman this way? Was it because the Canaanites had been treating the Jews like dogs? Was it because this woman had treated someone in her life like a dog? In other words, was Jesus disciplining her for something, or testing her, kind of like with the rich young ruler or others who had baggage? I hope so because I cannot conceive of Jesus actually viewing this woman as less than human. And yet, when I read the passage it opens up all kinds of insecurity in me, fears that God might not love me or want me. Where does this come from? Is this fear justified? The Psalms tell us that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. But that is only the beginning. As we get to know God, we learn his love, because perfect love casts out fear. So is my insecurity about this passage related to an insufficient knowledge of God's love? I think yes. And I bear witness to this, that as I have wrestled with this passage and with God, like Jacob, seeking his blessing, He has taught me these two things. He loves me too much to let me go through this life without growing, and in order for anything to grow, it must be intentionally and skillfully broken down. I am a dog and God's love will make me a man.
***
I have really had a hard time with this account of Jesus. It seems as though his love for the chosen people, Israel, is greater than his love for us "dogs". In this account it would seem that they are his children and we, the gentiles, are an afterthought. Surely this can't be the same Jesus that died for the whole world? Why would the man who welcomed little children, touched social pariahs and ate with sinners treat this woman this way? Was it because the Canaanites had been treating the Jews like dogs? Was it because this woman had treated someone in her life like a dog? In other words, was Jesus disciplining her for something, or testing her, kind of like with the rich young ruler or others who had baggage? I hope so because I cannot conceive of Jesus actually viewing this woman as less than human. And yet, when I read the passage it opens up all kinds of insecurity in me, fears that God might not love me or want me. Where does this come from? Is this fear justified? The Psalms tell us that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. But that is only the beginning. As we get to know God, we learn his love, because perfect love casts out fear. So is my insecurity about this passage related to an insufficient knowledge of God's love? I think yes. And I bear witness to this, that as I have wrestled with this passage and with God, like Jacob, seeking his blessing, He has taught me these two things. He loves me too much to let me go through this life without growing, and in order for anything to grow, it must be intentionally and skillfully broken down. I am a dog and God's love will make me a man.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
The 9 People You Meet in Heaven
Matthew 5:1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons [4] of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
***
I get the sense that these people are the kind of people who would be able to appreciate God's blessing, even in the midst of suffering. It almost seems as if God's Kingdom, which is really what is being described here, is open to all who would enjoy this kind of life - a life of purity, mercy, humility and of course Love. Last week I had a thought about the end times. I'm not really someone who studies apocalyptic theology much, but I was just thinking about God and what it might be like in the end. I imagined that Jesus returned and offered everyone the option of going to heaven or staying here on earth. He made it clear that He was Love and that after he left, there would be no Love left in the world. Many were incredulous about this. They assured him that they were quite capable of love without his help. He explained to them that their love was selfish and destructive and that up til this point they had survived off of the residual love of an invisible community of saints. They were still incredulous, assuring him that there was work to be done to save the earth and heal mankind of its trouble. Jesus reiterated that all creation was welcome to come with him and be made new in His kingdom of love. Finally, he gathered up the volunteers and left. The world changed immediately. There were no more acts of charity on the face of the earth. The impulse to act generously and heroically no longer existed in mankind. A few tried vainly to save the earth from its march towards global warming, but there seemed to be little in it for the individual, so no one wanted to invest time, money or effort. The downward spiral towards chaos and misery happened quickly culminating with the eventual uninhabitability of the earth. All died and then the earth was wiped out by the implosion of the sun.... Meanwhile, in heaven, all were offered luxurious accommodations in a beach side hotel, but no one wanted to take a room. They all just wanted to be together in the lobby or on the beach, and they all continued to share anything they were given with the others. The more luxury they were offered, the more they would try to give it away. Jesus played host, walking around from person to person, announcing this gift or that, and he didn't need to say what they already knew, which was that the greatest gift was living in the Kingdom of Love together with those who knew the value of Love.
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons [4] of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
***
I get the sense that these people are the kind of people who would be able to appreciate God's blessing, even in the midst of suffering. It almost seems as if God's Kingdom, which is really what is being described here, is open to all who would enjoy this kind of life - a life of purity, mercy, humility and of course Love. Last week I had a thought about the end times. I'm not really someone who studies apocalyptic theology much, but I was just thinking about God and what it might be like in the end. I imagined that Jesus returned and offered everyone the option of going to heaven or staying here on earth. He made it clear that He was Love and that after he left, there would be no Love left in the world. Many were incredulous about this. They assured him that they were quite capable of love without his help. He explained to them that their love was selfish and destructive and that up til this point they had survived off of the residual love of an invisible community of saints. They were still incredulous, assuring him that there was work to be done to save the earth and heal mankind of its trouble. Jesus reiterated that all creation was welcome to come with him and be made new in His kingdom of love. Finally, he gathered up the volunteers and left. The world changed immediately. There were no more acts of charity on the face of the earth. The impulse to act generously and heroically no longer existed in mankind. A few tried vainly to save the earth from its march towards global warming, but there seemed to be little in it for the individual, so no one wanted to invest time, money or effort. The downward spiral towards chaos and misery happened quickly culminating with the eventual uninhabitability of the earth. All died and then the earth was wiped out by the implosion of the sun.... Meanwhile, in heaven, all were offered luxurious accommodations in a beach side hotel, but no one wanted to take a room. They all just wanted to be together in the lobby or on the beach, and they all continued to share anything they were given with the others. The more luxury they were offered, the more they would try to give it away. Jesus played host, walking around from person to person, announcing this gift or that, and he didn't need to say what they already knew, which was that the greatest gift was living in the Kingdom of Love together with those who knew the value of Love.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Leadership & Love
1 Kings 12:4 “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you.” 5 He said to them, “Go away for three days, then come again to me.” So the people went away. 6 Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” 7 And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.” 8 But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him. 9 And he said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?” 10 And the young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus shall you speak to this people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us,’ thus shall you say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father's thighs. 11 And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’”
***
Solomon, at the beginning of his reign, seems to engage in some rather Machiavellian acts, killing those who oppose his rule quickly and violently. Later acocunts of his great wealth and wisdom seem to obscure the fact that many men were required to do the work for such great success. Rehoboam, assuming his father's throne, has an opportunity to learn from his father's example. His willingness to seek council is a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, everything goes downhill from there. The advice of the old men to Rehoboam, to be a servant leader and to, in a sense, love the people more than himself, is an encouragement towards Christ-like leadership. The young men, on the other hand, encourage a secular leadership style which would, in many situation, help a dictator maintain power, but may over time embitter the people and cause destruction. Machiavelli didn't believe in love and certainly didn't see love as an essential virtue for princes of states. What he didn't know/believe is what the old men of Rehoboam's kingdom knew: that's God's Kingdom is not of this world, and earthly, political stability is not the be-all-end-all of [P]eace. A King who loves and serves his people is a better king, even if it weakens the country because eventually we all return to dust and when we do, we will have to account for the way we lived.
***
Solomon, at the beginning of his reign, seems to engage in some rather Machiavellian acts, killing those who oppose his rule quickly and violently. Later acocunts of his great wealth and wisdom seem to obscure the fact that many men were required to do the work for such great success. Rehoboam, assuming his father's throne, has an opportunity to learn from his father's example. His willingness to seek council is a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, everything goes downhill from there. The advice of the old men to Rehoboam, to be a servant leader and to, in a sense, love the people more than himself, is an encouragement towards Christ-like leadership. The young men, on the other hand, encourage a secular leadership style which would, in many situation, help a dictator maintain power, but may over time embitter the people and cause destruction. Machiavelli didn't believe in love and certainly didn't see love as an essential virtue for princes of states. What he didn't know/believe is what the old men of Rehoboam's kingdom knew: that's God's Kingdom is not of this world, and earthly, political stability is not the be-all-end-all of [P]eace. A King who loves and serves his people is a better king, even if it weakens the country because eventually we all return to dust and when we do, we will have to account for the way we lived.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Love & Knowledge
1 Timothy 1:5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
***
Acquired knowledge, with all of its benefits, also conveys pride. In contrast to the cosmic library, our encyclopedic minds are relatively small. Mine is certainly small.
***
1 Corinthians 8:1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge.[a] Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3But the man who loves God is known by God.
***
Love should be the backbone and spine connected to the mind. Then we would feel, will and stand strong in the knowledge of God's love.
***
Acquired knowledge, with all of its benefits, also conveys pride. In contrast to the cosmic library, our encyclopedic minds are relatively small. Mine is certainly small.
***
1 Corinthians 8:1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge.[a] Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3But the man who loves God is known by God.
***
Love should be the backbone and spine connected to the mind. Then we would feel, will and stand strong in the knowledge of God's love.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Divine Mystery - Love for All
Ephesians 3:6 This mystery is [9] that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
***
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
***
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
***
As unlikely as it may sound, I believe that I am a spiritual heir to the Jewish covenant and tradition. Ashamedly I don't know much about Judeism or even Catholicism, and I certainly think it would be good to learn more. But knowing all of the cultural nuances of this heritage isn't a prerequisite to receive the Love of God, which is the essence of the inheritance itself.
***
God is love. If I must say anything else in explanation, it is only to ward off those dangerous perversions of love that you may assume are associated. God-love, or agape, is better than best friend love, better than lover love, better than homesick love, better than selfish pride. God-love is like all of those loves refined in a furnace, melted down, stripped of hidden bitterness and secret injustice. God's lavish love gushes, covering everything shameful, securing everything once wracked by fear, attending expertly to every wound. This is good news that God is like this, and yet it is so different from what many others say about God. We llok at the world and assume that God is like the world and that through the world we can understand God. God has attempted to tell us that the world has not and cannot, for the most part, understand Him. How could we possibly use the world, which is finite, to draw conclusions about an infinite God. He is mysterious.
***
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
***
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
***
As unlikely as it may sound, I believe that I am a spiritual heir to the Jewish covenant and tradition. Ashamedly I don't know much about Judeism or even Catholicism, and I certainly think it would be good to learn more. But knowing all of the cultural nuances of this heritage isn't a prerequisite to receive the Love of God, which is the essence of the inheritance itself.
***
God is love. If I must say anything else in explanation, it is only to ward off those dangerous perversions of love that you may assume are associated. God-love, or agape, is better than best friend love, better than lover love, better than homesick love, better than selfish pride. God-love is like all of those loves refined in a furnace, melted down, stripped of hidden bitterness and secret injustice. God's lavish love gushes, covering everything shameful, securing everything once wracked by fear, attending expertly to every wound. This is good news that God is like this, and yet it is so different from what many others say about God. We llok at the world and assume that God is like the world and that through the world we can understand God. God has attempted to tell us that the world has not and cannot, for the most part, understand Him. How could we possibly use the world, which is finite, to draw conclusions about an infinite God. He is mysterious.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Unsanctioned Violence
[David, speaking to Saul]
1 Samuel 26:23 The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. 24 Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.”
***
[David among the Philistines]
1 Samuel 27:8 Now David and his men went up and made raids against the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites, for these were the inhabitants of the land from of old, as far as Shur, to the land of Egypt. 9 And David would strike the land and would leave neither man nor woman alive, but would take away the sheep, the oxen, the donkeys, the camels, and the garments, and come back to Achish. ...11 And David would leave neither man nor woman alive to bring news to Gath, thinking, “lest they should tell about us and say, ‘So David has done.’”
***
It baffles the mind that David would have the moral strength to restrain himself from two easy assassination opportunities, and yet engages in what we would call genocide. We are given no indication that his raids against these people (27:8-11) is condemned by God in the same way that many of David's later sins would be. So does God care about these people? What are we to make of it that David restrains his hand from killing Saul, the Lord's anointed, who has become a rather rotten individual? What are we to make of it that David fairly nonchalantly kills women and raids villages and kills women so that there are no witnesses to his atrocities? What are we to make of it that David is a man after God's heart and yet has such glaring sins? Obviously it is not his virtue alone which makes him acceptable to God. I don't have a good answer, but I do see in David's character, over the course of many passages and books, a flawed leader who loves God and walks with Him. Many of the details are, as T.S. Elliot might say, too real for me to bear. Perhaps there are two questions that should be asked: Can God love someone like David? And if so, does He love me the same? I believe "yes".
1 Samuel 26:23 The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. 24 Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.”
***
[David among the Philistines]
1 Samuel 27:8 Now David and his men went up and made raids against the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites, for these were the inhabitants of the land from of old, as far as Shur, to the land of Egypt. 9 And David would strike the land and would leave neither man nor woman alive, but would take away the sheep, the oxen, the donkeys, the camels, and the garments, and come back to Achish. ...11 And David would leave neither man nor woman alive to bring news to Gath, thinking, “lest they should tell about us and say, ‘So David has done.’”
***
It baffles the mind that David would have the moral strength to restrain himself from two easy assassination opportunities, and yet engages in what we would call genocide. We are given no indication that his raids against these people (27:8-11) is condemned by God in the same way that many of David's later sins would be. So does God care about these people? What are we to make of it that David restrains his hand from killing Saul, the Lord's anointed, who has become a rather rotten individual? What are we to make of it that David fairly nonchalantly kills women and raids villages and kills women so that there are no witnesses to his atrocities? What are we to make of it that David is a man after God's heart and yet has such glaring sins? Obviously it is not his virtue alone which makes him acceptable to God. I don't have a good answer, but I do see in David's character, over the course of many passages and books, a flawed leader who loves God and walks with Him. Many of the details are, as T.S. Elliot might say, too real for me to bear. Perhaps there are two questions that should be asked: Can God love someone like David? And if so, does He love me the same? I believe "yes".
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Freedom & Holy Lawlessness
Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
***
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
***
It is an interesting thing to ponder that in the Garden of Eden, or in Heaven, we are perfectly free. The human will bridles at this notion, clinging to the false idea that one's liberty to sin is actually a kind of freedom. This is only true insomuch as one has the freedom to tie oneself up. But once I have bound myself, my freedom is gone. Sin is therefore like a freedom which forfeits itself, and is therefore imperfect. Perfect freedoms procreate in the same healthy fashion that we humans were also intended to be fruitful and multiply. The fruits of the Spirit, as they are called, are given so that they might be regiven ad infinitum, producing more and more freedom in the truest sense of the word. Against these fruits, unlike that first, damned proverbial apple, there is no law. The very first law was, don't eat that fruit or you will die. The fruits of the spirit, on the other hand, are life giving, and unencumbered by any restrictions. You might say that these fruits allow us to live in a state of holy lawlessness. For as Paul also says in the same book: "4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified [8] by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love."
His love liberates us from the law which judges us. This is only possible, within the universal scales of justice, because Jesus fulfilled the law within himself. The mystery of that supernatural reality is, of course, much more vast than these overused words can communicate, but would serve as a proper launching pad for art.
May the fruits of the Spirit in your life give birth to true freedom and beautiful artistic expression which transcends all the mediums and laws of men.
***
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
***
It is an interesting thing to ponder that in the Garden of Eden, or in Heaven, we are perfectly free. The human will bridles at this notion, clinging to the false idea that one's liberty to sin is actually a kind of freedom. This is only true insomuch as one has the freedom to tie oneself up. But once I have bound myself, my freedom is gone. Sin is therefore like a freedom which forfeits itself, and is therefore imperfect. Perfect freedoms procreate in the same healthy fashion that we humans were also intended to be fruitful and multiply. The fruits of the Spirit, as they are called, are given so that they might be regiven ad infinitum, producing more and more freedom in the truest sense of the word. Against these fruits, unlike that first, damned proverbial apple, there is no law. The very first law was, don't eat that fruit or you will die. The fruits of the spirit, on the other hand, are life giving, and unencumbered by any restrictions. You might say that these fruits allow us to live in a state of holy lawlessness. For as Paul also says in the same book: "4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified [8] by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love."
His love liberates us from the law which judges us. This is only possible, within the universal scales of justice, because Jesus fulfilled the law within himself. The mystery of that supernatural reality is, of course, much more vast than these overused words can communicate, but would serve as a proper launching pad for art.
May the fruits of the Spirit in your life give birth to true freedom and beautiful artistic expression which transcends all the mediums and laws of men.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tolerance
Romans 14
14:1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master [8] that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. to God.
***
I feel that many in the church, including myself, may be guilty of quarreling over opinions rather than having grace and Godly tolerance of eachother - but when should we demand that we have the truth? When should we take the word of God and wield it as a sword? Perhaps the point of discernment here is that the sword is used against our enemy, which is sin, and not against our brother, which is man. The Love of God draws man out of his sin, first through forgiveness and continually through patient exhortation. We are called to live in community following the same pattern, first to forgive eachother, then to patiently exhort eachother to a better life in Love.
14:1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master [8] that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. to God.
***
I feel that many in the church, including myself, may be guilty of quarreling over opinions rather than having grace and Godly tolerance of eachother - but when should we demand that we have the truth? When should we take the word of God and wield it as a sword? Perhaps the point of discernment here is that the sword is used against our enemy, which is sin, and not against our brother, which is man. The Love of God draws man out of his sin, first through forgiveness and continually through patient exhortation. We are called to live in community following the same pattern, first to forgive eachother, then to patiently exhort eachother to a better life in Love.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Some Went Down to the Sea in Ships
Psalm 107:23 Some went down to the sea in ships,doing business on the great waters;24 they saw the deeds of the Lord,his wondrous works in the deep.25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,which lifted up the waves of the sea.26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;their courage melted away in their evil plight;27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits' end. [5]28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,and he delivered them from their distress.29 He made the storm be still,and the waves of the sea were hushed.30 Then they were glad that the waters [6] were quiet,and he brought them to their desired haven.31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,for his wondrous works to the children of man!32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
***
43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
***
How epic and beautiful the voyage of life! How terrifying the implications and dangerous the powers of our free will! Will he allow us to steer the ship awry? What does his love do to us, for us, in us and through us in the storms of life? 'Attending', as a good friend of mine uses the word, means cherishing the truest meaning of conversation between two human beings. If Love is in a conversation with us, then attending to it, in this sense, is like looking it in the eyes. What do love's eyes look like?
***
43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
***
How epic and beautiful the voyage of life! How terrifying the implications and dangerous the powers of our free will! Will he allow us to steer the ship awry? What does his love do to us, for us, in us and through us in the storms of life? 'Attending', as a good friend of mine uses the word, means cherishing the truest meaning of conversation between two human beings. If Love is in a conversation with us, then attending to it, in this sense, is like looking it in the eyes. What do love's eyes look like?
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