Jesus demonstrates that the abundance of the kingdom of God is supernatural. This story comes on the heals of Jesus discussing with the gentile woman whether she was worthy of the crumbs from the table and then abundantly healing her daughter demonstrating that in the Kingdom of God there is enough for even those society has marginalized. In this story, Jesus abundantly and supernaturally feeds a multitude with a few loafs and fish. Again, in the Kingdom of God, there is enough for everyone! But where does this abundance come from?
Matthew 15:32-39 32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way." 33 The disciples said to him, "Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?" 34 Jesus asked them, "How many loaves have you?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish." 35 Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36 he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37 And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 38 Those who had eaten were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 After sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.
Do we ignore Jesus' demonstration that the abundance of the Kingdom of God is supernatural? How often do we hold back in offering other's our best - God's best - because we think we have to figure it out first on budget sheets and project plans? How many of us (and how many of of our churches) have big bank accounts, but fail to show the abundance of the kingdom to others sending them away hungry? What if we knew God would provide enough for everyone - supernaturally? How would that change our lives?
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Offer everyone an abundant feast not our leftovers
Jesus teaches us to offer everyone a full feast, not our leftovers.
Matthew 15:22-28 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." 23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting 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 He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food 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, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.
In seminary, I had a whole semester class on these verses. The class was entitled "The Eucharist of Crumbs" - a terrific class that questioned if those living on the margins of society (the poor, women, people of other races and lifestyles) are offered only the crumbs that fall from our tables instead of the full Eucharist (the full communion - the complete Lord's Supper - the whole body and blood of Christ). Jesus seems so unlike himself in these verses. First Jesus ignores the woman who is begging him to help her daughter. But she is determined (thank God for people who are determined to intercede for those unable to help themselves - like this mother is for her daughter). Shockingly the words that Jesus says to the woman are cruel, mean, and uncaring. He calls the woman (actually all of us Gentiles) "dogs". Ouch! Is this man who taught us to love and respect everyone serious? Is he pushing the woman to give her an opportunity to demonstrate her faith? Is he reacting sarcastically to his disciples who want him to send her away so they don't have to hear her beg any longer? Are his words meant to shock the disciples and invoke compassion for her? Compassion is certainly the affect it has on me - and confussion about how Jesus is acting. But in the end, Jesus affirms her faith, heals her daughter, and demonstrates that he offers her the full communion. It is the fact that she has faith in Jesus that matters, not her pedigree or standing in society.
Do we ignore Jesus' example to offer everyone God's abundant feast and not the crumbs that fall from our table?
Matthew 15:22-28 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." 23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting 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 He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food 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, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.
In seminary, I had a whole semester class on these verses. The class was entitled "The Eucharist of Crumbs" - a terrific class that questioned if those living on the margins of society (the poor, women, people of other races and lifestyles) are offered only the crumbs that fall from our tables instead of the full Eucharist (the full communion - the complete Lord's Supper - the whole body and blood of Christ). Jesus seems so unlike himself in these verses. First Jesus ignores the woman who is begging him to help her daughter. But she is determined (thank God for people who are determined to intercede for those unable to help themselves - like this mother is for her daughter). Shockingly the words that Jesus says to the woman are cruel, mean, and uncaring. He calls the woman (actually all of us Gentiles) "dogs". Ouch! Is this man who taught us to love and respect everyone serious? Is he pushing the woman to give her an opportunity to demonstrate her faith? Is he reacting sarcastically to his disciples who want him to send her away so they don't have to hear her beg any longer? Are his words meant to shock the disciples and invoke compassion for her? Compassion is certainly the affect it has on me - and confussion about how Jesus is acting. But in the end, Jesus affirms her faith, heals her daughter, and demonstrates that he offers her the full communion. It is the fact that she has faith in Jesus that matters, not her pedigree or standing in society.
Do we ignore Jesus' example to offer everyone God's abundant feast and not the crumbs that fall from our table?
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The bad stuff in our hearts defiles us.
Jesus taught that it is what comes out of the heart that defiles. Jesus really had it out for the Pharisees. They were so certain they knew what rules to follow to gain God's favor. And yet, they didn't understand that their hearts contained thoughts, intentions, plans that defiled their whole person.
Matthew 15:10-20 10 Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, "Listen and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles." 12 Then the disciples approached and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?" 13 He answered, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit." 15 But Peter said to him, "Explain this parable to us." 16 Then he said, "Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. 19 For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile."
Do we ignore Jesus' teachings that not even the best and most correct list of rules to follow will make us right with God? It is the intentions, thoughts, and plans of our hearts that matter to God.
Matthew 15:10-20 10 Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, "Listen and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles." 12 Then the disciples approached and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?" 13 He answered, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit." 15 But Peter said to him, "Explain this parable to us." 16 Then he said, "Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. 19 For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile."
Do we ignore Jesus' teachings that not even the best and most correct list of rules to follow will make us right with God? It is the intentions, thoughts, and plans of our hearts that matter to God.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Neglecting dependants to build church treasury does not honor God
Jesus taught that neglecting one's parents (giving to the church treasuries the support that the family needs) does not honor God.
Matthew 15:1-9 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat." 3 He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.' 5 But you say that whoever tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,' then that person need not honor the father. 6 So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: 8 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'"
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to take care of our family? And who is our family?
In our culture, I think most of us are probably able to hang onto this teaching while denying Jesus' others teachings that go along with it. It is pretty easy to take money we would have given to church and give it to a family member who is depending on us instead. After all, either way, we were giving the money away.
But what we fail to realize is that there are other teachings of Jesus that should inform this teaching. For instance, instead of seeing our family as just those we have a genetic relationship with, Jesus breaks down those walls and tells us we are all now one family. Therefore, we can extend this teaching to taking care of all our brothers and sisters in Christ.
We worship God when we take care of one another. Never make giving into something superstitious: "the more I give to the church bank account, the more God will bless me, therefore I will give even if it means neglecting those I am charged with caring for." Instead, the hands and feet of Jesus have this priority worked out: Put those needing my support first, then the church treasury."
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Note: This passage contains more than just one teaching. They have been divided over the last few posts.
Matthew 15:1-9 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat." 3 He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.' 5 But you say that whoever tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,' then that person need not honor the father. 6 So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: 8 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'"
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to take care of our family? And who is our family?
In our culture, I think most of us are probably able to hang onto this teaching while denying Jesus' others teachings that go along with it. It is pretty easy to take money we would have given to church and give it to a family member who is depending on us instead. After all, either way, we were giving the money away.
But what we fail to realize is that there are other teachings of Jesus that should inform this teaching. For instance, instead of seeing our family as just those we have a genetic relationship with, Jesus breaks down those walls and tells us we are all now one family. Therefore, we can extend this teaching to taking care of all our brothers and sisters in Christ.
We worship God when we take care of one another. Never make giving into something superstitious: "the more I give to the church bank account, the more God will bless me, therefore I will give even if it means neglecting those I am charged with caring for." Instead, the hands and feet of Jesus have this priority worked out: Put those needing my support first, then the church treasury."
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Note: This passage contains more than just one teaching. They have been divided over the last few posts.
- Following the word of God is more important than following tradition
- Honoring God with our lips and not our heart is meaningless
- Worship is meaningless when hearts are far from God
- Teaching human precepts as doctrine is wrong
- Neglecting one's parents (giving to church treasuries support they need) is not honoring to God
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Don't pass off cultural norms for gospel truth
Jesus taught that teaching cultural rules of conduct as Jesus' teachings is wrong. This is really what this blog is all about... uncovering where we claim teachings to be from Jesus when they really aren't... and then opening our hearts and lives up to the real Jesus. One Sunday in my brother's church, a young boy came in with a baseball cap on. Apparently in coastal North Carolina, it is culturally wrong to wear a baseball cap in church. A man came down from the choir to remove it from the boy's head. I am certain the young boy did not hear a word of my brother's sermon that morning. The only "sermon" he heard is that Christians are more worried about what is on your head than you.
Matthew 15:1-9 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat." 3 He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.' 5 But you say that whoever tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,' then that person need not honor the father. 6 So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: 8 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'"
Note: This passage contains more than just one teaching. They will be divided over the next few posts.
Matthew 15:1-9 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat." 3 He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.' 5 But you say that whoever tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,' then that person need not honor the father. 6 So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: 8 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'"
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that our culture is not the same as the gospel? Not wearing baseball caps in church seem like a harmless cultural rule. But it isn't went it embarrasses a child who might have encountered love and acceptance that morning. Not washing their hands before the disciples ate seems like a harmless cultural rule too. It would have been easier to just wash them than cause a ruckus. But Jesus wanted to make a point here. One he is still making today: "Are you following me or a set of rules?" "Are you walking in relationship with me or are you in relationship with what seems like a good way to live?"
What cultural rules do we follow in our churches, in our homes, in our places of business, in our neighborhoods that keep others from seeing the true Jesus?
What cultural rules do we follow in our churches, in our homes, in our places of business, in our neighborhoods that keep others from seeing the true Jesus?
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Note: This passage contains more than just one teaching. They will be divided over the next few posts.
- Following the word of God is more important than following tradition
- Honoring God with our lips and not our heart is meaningless
- Worship is meaningless when hearts are far from God
- Teaching human precepts as doctrine is wrong
- Neglecting one's parents (giving to church treasuries support they need) is not honoring to God
Monday, July 19, 2010
Only a heart close to God can worship God
Jesus taught that worshiping God requires a heart that is close to God. We are often led to believe that following some set of rules makes us acceptable and able to worship God. But Jesus taught that it is our heart - our desire to be close to God - that makes for true worship.
Matthew 15:1-9 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat." 3 He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.' 5 But you say that whoever tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,' then that person need not honor the father. 6 So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: 8 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'"
Note: This passage contains more than just one teaching. They will be divided over the next few posts.
Matthew 15:1-9 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat." 3 He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.' 5 But you say that whoever tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,' then that person need not honor the father. 6 So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: 8 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'"
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that true worship is done from a heart that is close to God?
Note: This passage raises the question... how does one have a heart that is close to God? I think the answer is "Drink!" Jesus said:
Through the believer's heart flows the Holy Spirit who connects us to God. So drink! Drink up all that Jesus is and taught. Drink! And through open eyes and ears and understanding, you will be close to God:
Note: This passage raises the question... how does one have a heart that is close to God? I think the answer is "Drink!" Jesus said:
"Let anyone who is thirsty come to me,
and let the one who believes in me drink.
As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart
shall flow rivers of living water'" (John 7:37-39).
Through the believer's heart flows the Holy Spirit who connects us to God. So drink! Drink up all that Jesus is and taught. Drink! And through open eyes and ears and understanding, you will be close to God:
"blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see,
but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it" (Matthew 13:15-17).
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Note: This passage contains more than just one teaching. They will be divided over the next few posts.
- Following the word of God is more important than following tradition
- Honoring God with our lips and not our heart is meaningless
- Worship is meaningless when hearts are far from God
- Teaching human precepts as doctrine is wrong
- Neglecting one's parents (giving to church treasuries support they need) is not honoring to God
Friday, July 16, 2010
Words/actions from a heart far from God are meaningless
Jesus taught that our words (and actions) are meaningless if not from a heart aligned with God.
Matthew 15:1-9 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat." 3 He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.' 5 But you say that whoever tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,' then that person need not honor the father. 6 So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: 8 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'"
Matthew 15:1-9 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat." 3 He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.' 5 But you say that whoever tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,' then that person need not honor the father. 6 So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: 8 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'"
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching to drop the pretense? I wonder in what ways do I say/do things that aren't in sync with the heart of a follower of Jesus? Do I really love others, forgive others - even my enemies? What does it say about my heart when I buy things that were made with unfair employment practices? When I support legislation that benefits me more than others? How often do I say I care, but take the easy way - the convenient way - instead of really acting in love? May my actions and words match the spirit of Christ that dwells within me.
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Note: This passage contains more than just one teaching. They will be divided over the next few posts. - Following the word of God is more important than following tradition
- Honoring God with our lips and not our heart is meaningless
- Worship is meaningless when hearts are far from God
- Teaching human precepts as doctrine is wrong
- Neglecting one's parents (giving to church treasuries support they need) is not honoring to God
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Follow God not tradition
Jesus taught that following "the word of God" * is more important than following tradition.
Matthew 15:1-9 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat." 3 He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.' 5 But you say that whoever tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,' then that person need not honor the father. 6 So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: 8 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'"
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that following God is more important than following tradition? Tradition comes in many forms. For the Pharisees, they had developed a long list of rules (traditions) based on their fears of breaking God's law and falling out of favor with God. What traditions in our churches, marriages, workplaces, politics, do we hold onto out of fear (could be fear of change or fear of the unknown or fear of making God and others mad)? How can we let these go and follow God instead?
* I believe "word of God" in this case is not just referring to the scripture, but to the very heart and intention of God. We often forget that God's word to us (God revealing himself to us and speaking to us) is not just through scripture - but his Spirit speaks to us in many ways - through prayer and fellowship with other believers.
Note: This passage contains more than just one teaching. They will be divided over the next few posts.
Matthew 15:1-9 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat." 3 He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.' 5 But you say that whoever tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,' then that person need not honor the father. 6 So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: 8 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'"
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that following God is more important than following tradition? Tradition comes in many forms. For the Pharisees, they had developed a long list of rules (traditions) based on their fears of breaking God's law and falling out of favor with God. What traditions in our churches, marriages, workplaces, politics, do we hold onto out of fear (could be fear of change or fear of the unknown or fear of making God and others mad)? How can we let these go and follow God instead?
* I believe "word of God" in this case is not just referring to the scripture, but to the very heart and intention of God. We often forget that God's word to us (God revealing himself to us and speaking to us) is not just through scripture - but his Spirit speaks to us in many ways - through prayer and fellowship with other believers.
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Note: This passage contains more than just one teaching. They will be divided over the next few posts.
- Following the word of God is more important than following tradition
- Honoring God with our lips and not our heart is meaningless
- Worship is meaningless when hearts are far from God
- Teaching human precepts as doctrine is wrong
- Neglecting one's parents (giving to church treasuries support they need) is not honoring to God
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Following Jesus is not safe or easy.
Jesus taught that following him was not safe or easy.
Matthew 14:25-33 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." 28 Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Peter goes through a range of emotions here that aren't unlike many of our spiritual journeys. We start out not really knowing who Jesus is and he scares us a little. Then at some point many of us have said, "If you are real... prove it" and we hop out of the boat excited to get to walk on water with Jesus, the rock star. But we hadn't noticed that following Jesus means a difficult life... lots of strong wind... lots of scary stuff. And so we go back to being afraid and start to sink. Peter shows us we can cry out "Lord save me!" And Jesus pulls us to safety. But he doesn't coddle us... he says, "Why are you doubting?" In other words, "Pull yourself together. Remember who you are and who I am!" This is the same Peter whom Jesus will later ask to "Feed his sheep" - to shepherd Jesus' followers. What most people forget is that Jesus asks Peter to do this right after telling Peter that he will die a humiliating death if he follows Jesus. And Peter wants to follow him anyway - he expresses his love for Jesus and agrees to tend to Jesus' flock. But right out of the gate Peter fails big time and denys he even knows Jesus. And yet, Peter is the rock of the church... and Jesus doesn't give up on him, but uses him - despite his flaws - to build his kingdom... all because Peter wanted to be used.
Do we ignore what Jesus' taught Peter... that following Jesus is not going to be safe or easy. Do we still want to follow him anyway?
Matthew 14:25-33 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." 28 Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Peter goes through a range of emotions here that aren't unlike many of our spiritual journeys. We start out not really knowing who Jesus is and he scares us a little. Then at some point many of us have said, "If you are real... prove it" and we hop out of the boat excited to get to walk on water with Jesus, the rock star. But we hadn't noticed that following Jesus means a difficult life... lots of strong wind... lots of scary stuff. And so we go back to being afraid and start to sink. Peter shows us we can cry out "Lord save me!" And Jesus pulls us to safety. But he doesn't coddle us... he says, "Why are you doubting?" In other words, "Pull yourself together. Remember who you are and who I am!" This is the same Peter whom Jesus will later ask to "Feed his sheep" - to shepherd Jesus' followers. What most people forget is that Jesus asks Peter to do this right after telling Peter that he will die a humiliating death if he follows Jesus. And Peter wants to follow him anyway - he expresses his love for Jesus and agrees to tend to Jesus' flock. But right out of the gate Peter fails big time and denys he even knows Jesus. And yet, Peter is the rock of the church... and Jesus doesn't give up on him, but uses him - despite his flaws - to build his kingdom... all because Peter wanted to be used.
Do we ignore what Jesus' taught Peter... that following Jesus is not going to be safe or easy. Do we still want to follow him anyway?
Friday, July 9, 2010
Set aside time to be in relationship with God
Jesus demonstrated the need to set aside time to be in solitary relationship with God.
Matthew 14:22-23 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.
Do we ignore Jesus' example of getting by ourselves and praying?
Note: For me, this is a beautiful picture of Jesus intentionally spending time with the rest of the trinity to be nourished. This same trinitarian nourishment awaits us... why do we so often neglect it?
Matthew 14:22-23 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.
Do we ignore Jesus' example of getting by ourselves and praying?
Note: For me, this is a beautiful picture of Jesus intentionally spending time with the rest of the trinity to be nourished. This same trinitarian nourishment awaits us... why do we so often neglect it?
Thursday, July 8, 2010
We have been Transformed to Nourish Others
Jesus taught the disciples, "They need not go away. You give them something to eat." These people are in great need - all kinds of different needs. They have found Jesus in a deserted place - sought him out. He is attending to their needs, one at a time, apparently. It is logical for the disciples to suggest that Jesus should wrap things us so the crowds can go eat. But Jesus wants the disciples to feed the crowds - in a miraculous and abundant way. I think this story is both spiritual and physical. When people come to us for spiritual or physical food... we aren't to send them away, but we are to address their needs in a miraculous and abundant way.
Matthew 14:14-21 14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." 16 Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." 17 They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." 18 And he said, "Bring them here to me." 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching not to turn away those who come to us, but to address their physical and spiritual needs in a miraculous and abundant way? Who have I turned away? Who have I left to the mundane instead of showing them Jesus' miraculous power?
Matthew 14:14-21 14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." 16 Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." 17 They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." 18 And he said, "Bring them here to me." 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching not to turn away those who come to us, but to address their physical and spiritual needs in a miraculous and abundant way? Who have I turned away? Who have I left to the mundane instead of showing them Jesus' miraculous power?
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