Lies

Matthew 28:11-15 NIV

While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

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I read this on Easter Sunday morning. I didn't write about it then but had thought I might. Today is the bank holiday Monday,  and I'm about to embark on 60 days reading through the major prophets. But before I do,  I thought I should comment on the last 30 days of reading through the four gospels.

The Bible's account (above) of the plot to accuse the disciples of stealing Jesus I think summarises the various responses people may have to Jesus.

There's the women, the guards, the chief priests, Matthew the author and, of course, Jesus, the missing body in question.

Take a moment and think about each of these people and who they represent in God's story.

Let's start with the women. The women who get a passing glance in this account we know from the other Gospels are those healed in so many ways: women who had been possessed by demons, women who had been prostitutes, women who had married into power and influence in the home of the King Herod. These women financially supported Jesus and the disciples, according to Luke 8. These women were mourning the death of the one they called Lord and teacher. Historically, probably little thought is given to these women, but to Jesus, these ill, crazy, second-class citizens of 1st century Judea were every much an integral part of God's kingdom as the disciples.

Jesus came for people like these women. People possibly like you.

Then there are the guards. Guys just doing their jobs. Working men, spending their holiday wondering if there would be trouble. Sometimes this Jesus guy who lay dead in the tomb behind them was followed by more than 10,000 people looking for a free lunch. So although it might sound easy 'guarding' a dead man, I'm sure they wondered if a few hundred trouble makers might show up. So, when the earthquake happened and they all as a group completely dropped to the ground in a dead faint, you could guess things were not going to go well. Then to wake up and find the body gone without a trace of what happened must have got them worried. But a man had to pay the bills and save his neck. So someone had to tell the gaffer, they'd failed on the job. I wondered if they left the fainting bit out. I'd like to think maybe some of these guys are among the 3,000 saved at Pentacost. Or maybe the jailer who guarded the apostles when they were tossed in the clink. Whoever they were, it's no small thing that they are paid to lie. We'll come to the chief priests in a bit, but think for a moment. These so called guards felt the power of God raising Jesus from the grave,  yet their reputation and small financial gain meant more. I wonder how close to these opportunistic working stiffs you are?

The chief priests are pathetic. They know the truth and yet they actively deny it. The world isn't fitting their scheme so they have to spend money to create a false world they feel more comfortable with. They plotted to kill Jesus. They heard he said he'd rise from the dead. So instead of believe, they plot. They show they follow lies and money. It is beyond ironic, the people of God’s holy men, who were entrusted with the responsibility of leading people to God, were the ones trying desperately to hide God. Masters of cover up did everything possible not to reveal the truth about Jesus.
How are you about revealing the truth?

It is hard to know what 'credit' to give Matthew concerning his truly masterful and inspired account of Jesus' life. It's Scripture so it's actually God-breathed but the breath smells a bit like Matthew too. I'm sure since writing something down has a real responsibility to it, Matthew was taking stock of the repercussions his book would have. Today if someone writes a memoire or a biography, it is just a small passage like the one about the chief priests and guards that will make all the front pages of the papers. Even many years later murder, cover ups, and scandalous behaviour crop up and ruin men. Surely this account could have ruined some of the chief priests or guards.
Who was Matthew's source? How did the real story get out? Did someone tell? Did the Holy Spirit reveal the truth to Matthew? Did Matthew count the cost of writing about Jesus?

Jesus is the main reason for the story. Since the garden of Eden,  people have been hiding from God. The chief priests thought they could hide God's wondrous work of resurrection from the people. 2,000 years later we know that's not possible, but most people still try and prefer to believe a lie.
How about you?

Told his accusers he was Ruler of the World

Mark 14:61-65 NLT

But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I Am . And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!” Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away.

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Jesus claimed to be the Messiah. Although Jesus said very little during the ordeal, he did clearly claim to be the Messiah, the Son of God, seated with God in a place of power.
Jesus claims to rule with God.
Jesus claims to have a position of power with God.
Jesus claims to be a judge of those who do wrong on the earth.

Jesus at a kangaroo court of a trial clearly nailed his colours to the mast.
Jesus wanted everyone to know he was God. He was the judge from God. He was the one whom Daniel foretold.

Daniel 7:13-14 NLT

As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

Jesus was sent by the Pharisees to be killed because he unequivocally claimed to be the Ruler of the World.

John, the apostle and author of Revelation the last book of the Bible, followed up on Jesus' claim when he wrote, 

Revelation 1:5-8 NLT

... Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him— even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen! “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”

See, Jesus wasn't just a good teacher or another prophet. Jesus wasn't simply a nice guy. Jesus is God.
Jesus is the ruler of all the kings of the earth.

Mark is writing the account of Jesus' betrayal, arrest, "trial" and crucifixion. And Mark wants to make it completely clear, Jesus is the judge of the world. Jesus was coming to die for being exactly who he claimed to be.

Are you ready to face Jesus who is the judge of the world?

Will you listen to him?

Or do you, like the Pharisees, condemn Jesus as a liar?

How will you respond to Jesus' claim?

Can you ignore the King of the world, the judge of all?

What's your soul worth?

Mark 8:34-37 NLT

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.  And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul?
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Peter and the other disciples knew that Jesus was the Messiah. God had revealed to them Jesus' true identity. Jesus' disciples wanted the promised rescuer to come. Most Jewish people at that time wanted to be rescued from the cruel rule of the Romans.

Jesus was the Messiah but he was also the Son of God.

Yet Jesus' method of deliverance was to suffer and die. Furthermore, Jesus was inviting his followers to suffer as well.

God's way was radically different from what the disciples were expecting.

Jesus wanted to rescue his people. But rather than gain the world the Romans controlled to give to his people, he was inviting his followers to give up everything. The downtrodden and oppressed were being invited to give up everything so they wouldn't lose their soul.

What in this world is so valuable that you'd exchange your own soul for it?

Would you give up your soul for temporary fame?
Would you give up your soul for power and riches for this short life?
Would you give up your soul for a unfulfilled struggling middle class mediocre disappointing life?

What in this life now is so worth trading eternity in God's kingdom and everlasting life with God for?

The Messiah came to rescue you from this world, its priorities, its dead end goals, its selfishness, and its king of the hill struggling mentality.

The God of heaven and earth is offering you the opportunity to be with him in his kingdom, but you must be willing to give up your claim on this world.

When he comes it will be as simple as, Which kingdom did you long for?

If you cling to all that you desire here, your hands will be full and there will be no way for you to follow Jesus hand in hand into his kingdom. If you didn't want to cling to Jesus while you lived here, and you didn't follow Jesus in the way he went, then you will not be following him into heaven.

You will have invested your soul in a world you cannot have, a world destined for destruction. If you only believe in this world you'll end up with nothing. You'll spend all your time, energy, and love struggling to have what you cannot attain and you'll miss out on all that Jesus offers.

What's your soul worth?
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Mark 8:29-38 NLT

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah. ” But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.  And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul?  If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

God's promise of forgiveness.

Matthew 26:26-28 NASB

While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."  And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you;  for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

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Many times Jesus told his followers that he would suffer and die. 

Jesus was with his followers eating a special holiday meal. The holiday celebrated the time God rescued his people from slavery in Egypt. Long before Jesus was born, God sent Moses to rescue his people from Egypt's evil ruler Pharaoh. God told Moses a terrible judgement would come to every home that did not put lamb's blood on the door posts of their house. If God's angel saw the people obeyed God and that they put lamb's blood on the door posts then they would be saved from the terrible judgement. When the God's people survived the judgement God said they needed to hurry and leave Egypt the next day. So God said make bread without yeast. God said you will not have time for the bread dough to rise. God told his people to remember that day by celebrating every year with a holiday called Passover. It is called passover because God's judgement passed over the house with lamb's blood on the door posts.

Jesus was eating the Passover holiday meal with his followers. During the meal it was traditional to eat special flat bread that was made with no yeast. The people did this to remember God's promise to rescue them and because they had to  leave in a hurry. At the Passover celebration the people would drink wine to remember the blood of the lamb that was put on the door posts.

Jesus said the bread and the wine had a new meaning. Now when his people celebrated together they would remember that Jesus died to rescue his people like the lamb in Egypt. On the cross Jesus body was broken and his blood was shed for his people.

Jesus said these were new promises from God. God promised to forgive many people's sin because Jesus died and faced God's terrible judgement.

When we remember God's promise together, we can be sure that because of Jesus' death we are forgiven.

Jesus died to forgive your sin!

Will you remind someone today?

“He’s out of his mind,”

Mark 3:21-22 NLT

When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said. But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”
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“I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven,  but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.”Mark 3:28-29

Does it scare you when you read about the unforgiveable sin?

It should! It's not murder, genocide, racism, paedophilia or rape that are unforgiveable. They'll be forgiven.

The unforgiveable sin is misrepresentation of the work of God. In the Gospel according to Mark, Jesus' enemies claimed God's Son, Jesus, was actually controlled by Satan.

The Pharisees claimed to represent God. They claimed they knew what God was doing. And with that authority they declared that Jesus was not from God but was actually from Satan. Persisting along these lines would further blind them to the truth and harden their hearts.
Jesus was from God. The Holy Spirit of God was leading Jesus and empowering him. The best news God ever proclaimed was that Jesus, the Son of God, was the Saviour of the World who came from the Father to forgive sinners and welcome them into God’s kingdom.

The Pharisees, claiming to be speaking from a position of God’s authority, were saying God's Saviour Jesus was in fact from Satan.

Jesus says that's unforgiveable!

Interestingly, Jesus' family was also misrepresenting Jesus. They were saying he was crazy. Now we know  Jesus' mother was a believer, and we know at least one of Jesus' brothers is not only a believer but becomes the leader of the church in Jerusalem.
Jesus wasn't crazy. Just because he was healing people, missing meals and working hard proclaiming the Kingdom of God, was no reason to say he was "out of his mind".  Still Jesus isn't really rebuking his family with the same severity that he has the Pharisees.
Jesus is saying his family is God's family! And that included a lot of people.
Do you see why what the Pharisees were saying was so much worse? Jesus was welcoming people into God's family and He alone was the only way anyone would ever get in. Without Jesus no one would ever be saved. The Pharisees were, in effect, going to damn every one in the whole world to God's wrath and judgment by claiming the only rescue God sent was from Satan.

Jesus is not from Satan! 

He is not out of his mind either.

Jesus is God's much anticipated Messiah King who comes to welcome sinners into God's kingdom. Jesus calls the sinner to repent of his sin and to believe in Jesus and his way of life through the cross.
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Mark 3:20-35 NLT

One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said. But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.” Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. “How can Satan cast out Satan?” he asked. “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse.  Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.  And if Satan is divided and fights against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive.  Let me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. “I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven,  but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.”  He told them this because they were saying, “He’s possessed by an evil spirit.” Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”  Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers.  Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

What it really means to have an open mind.

Luke 24:27, 44-45 NLT

Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.”  Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

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The Bible is about Jesus. The books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) are about Jesus. The Prophets are about Jesus. The Psalms are about Jesus.

Jesus is saying the whole Bible is about him. Jesus is not plan 'B'. Jesus is not an after thought. God had been showing his people that Jesus would come. Jesus' arrival would mean freedom for his people, but suffering and death for him. The Bible explained that.

Jesus expresses frustration at the fact God's followers did not understand what was written about him in the Bible.

But to understand he not only explained it from the Bible again but he opened their minds!

It is all there but our minds are blinded. We can not see it unless we are shown and our minds are opened.

I love this passage about the two on the way to Emmaus because Jesus doesn't start with his resurrected body and winsome presence. Jesus starts with the Bible. And with God friends the disciples he ends with the Bible.

Look through the passage below and count up every reference to the Bible, Scripture, Moses, Prophets, fulfilled or written. You'll find it is there a lot.

Can you see that the Bible had been talking about Jesus. Jesus has been using the Bible to talk about himself. And the Holy Spirit will be be coming (has come) so we can proclaim what the Bible says about Jesus.

The primary reference has never changed. It the Bible, cover to cover! Jesus used it, Moses used it, the prophets used it, we are to use it. But remember even with this primary and powerful witness God must open minds.

Are you reading the Bible? Are you looking for Jesus? Are you telling others what you are finding about Jesus? Are you asking the Holy Spirit to open your mind? Are you praying God will open the minds of those you read the Bible with?

__Read the Bible looking for Jesus.

__Pray that God will give you the opportunity to explain from the Bible the good news about Jesus.

__Trust the Holy Spirit to open your mind and to open the minds of those you have the opportunity to read the Bible with.

__Enjoy the story below.

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Luke 24:13-49 NLT

That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” “What things?” Jesus asked. “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago. “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures.  Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?”  Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter. ” Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt?  Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.”  As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”  They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched. Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.”  Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day.  It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’  You are witnesses of all these things. “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

To the best informed it's nonsense.

Luke 24:11 NLT

But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn't believe it.

(Please read more of the story below.)
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Jesus told them plainly he would die and then rise from the dead. Somehow it was too fantastic of a claim so they didn't believe it.
Now it had happened, and actual angels have come to tell the women, and the men refuse to believe.

Jesus performed amazing miracles including raising people from the dead. Jesus healed lame, cured diseases, fed thousands, calmed storms, cast out demons, walked on water, made the blind see, yet the news that Jesus had rose from the dead sounded like nonsense?
These guys had seen it all but they still didn't believe.

Can you see 'belief' must be a special work of God. It is not proofs, facts, or persuasion! It's not meeting Jesus or spending time with him. It is not even listening to his teachings. The disciples had all this and they thought the resurrection from the dead of Jesus was nonsense.

To be sure we must teach the Word of God. We must expect God to be able to do the miraculous. We must persuade, show proofs, and declare the facts. But this is all still nonsense until God brings belief to the person's heart.

Pray God opens the heart and brings belief to the individual. The gospel message sounds like nonsense to the most initiated.

Remember these disciples had seen it all, had it all explained to them and were plainly told the plan of God for Jesus to be killed, buried, and rise from the dead. But when they heard it, they thought it sounded like nonsense!

Are you trusting in God to convert the souls of those you love? Are you resting in God's work to bring about belief? Can you see how unlikely it is that anyone would believe?

Belief in the Gospel is a miraculous work of God. It is not the sum of exposure to the truth or proofs. Belief is not an act of human will or emotion. Belief isn't even being in love with Jesus the teacher or man.

Belief in the Gospel is a work of God.
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Luke 24:1-12 NLT

But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” Then they remembered that he had said this. So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.

Simon, Satan, Sifting, and Strengthening (ver. 1)

Luke 22:31-34 NLT

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.  But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
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Satan wants to have a go with Jesus disciples. Satan requires Jesus' permission. The image Jesus used to describe Satan's goal and method, is the sifting of wheat to separate the kernel from the chaff. This processes reminds me of Psalm 1(pasted below the Matthew Henry's Luke commentary passage). In Psalm 1 the contrast is between the fruitful vibrant tree planted by a stream and the worthless waste product of life, chaff blown away so they get to the thing of value.
Satan wanted to show that Jesus' ministry was fruitless. Satan had been allowed to have Judas and apparently thought he might have all of Jesus' disciples. Jesus knows the disciples are fruitful or at least will be. So he allows Satan to 'sift' all the disciples. Strangely some versions of the Bible do not translate the object of Satan's sifting as plural. But the original language is indeed plural and Jesus is referring to all the disciples. And I believe it is important because of Jesus intent for Peter.

Jesus pleads in prayer for Simon's faith.

And Jesus prays Simon's faith will not fail when Satan 'sifts' him. Although Satan's goal is to show Jesus as fruitless, it is interesting that the process not only will show fruit (faith) but will also get rid of chaff.

Might Jesus allow you to be sifted? Will your faith remain?

So Jesus prays faith will remain and that faith will bring repentance and a turning back to Jesus.

This is not the end goal of Jesus. And neither should it be ours.
Listen now!
The purpose of allowing Satan to sift, the purpose of Jesus' pleading in prayer for faith to remain, and the purpose of Simon's repentance and return to Jesus, was to strengthen the other disciples; Presumably, so they too would repent, turn to Jesus, and have faith that remains. And so all the disciples could strengthen others who would have faith, repent and turn to Jesus.

We can not do it on our own. Like Peter, we'll deny Jesus. Like Peter we may be sifted. But like Peter, Jesus is praying for us.

John 17:20“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. (NLT)

I'm not sure why you thought it would be easy. It will not be easy. I'm not sure why you thought you'd always win, stand strong, and never deny Jesus. I'm not sure why you thought Satan could not try and uncover your fruitless faithlessness. Probably God will allow you to face temptations and trials. Jesus did. You are following Jesus! Aren't you? Satan tried to get Jesus to worship him. The Holy Spirit led him to face Satan. Jesus let Satan have a go at his disciples.
Aren't you in the same rank and file? Aren't you following Jesus and God disciples?

Then believe me this will happen to you. And Jesus prays for you. And Jesus wants your faith to remain. He wants you to repent. He wants you to strengthen others.
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Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

Luke 22:21-38 How unbecoming is the worldly ambition of being the greatest, to the character of a follower of Jesus, who took upon him the form of a servant, and humbled himself to the death of the cross! In the way to eternal happiness, we must expect to be assaulted and sifted by Satan. If he cannot destroy, he will try to disgrace or distress us. Nothing more certainly forebodes a fall, in a professed follower of Christ, than self-confidence, with disregard to warnings, and contempt of danger. Unless we watch and pray always, we may be drawn in the course of the day into those sins which we were in the morning most resolved against. If believers were left to themselves, they would fall; but they are kept by the power of God, and the prayer of Christ. Our Lord gave notice of a very great change of circumstances now approaching. The disciples must not expect that their friends would be kind to them as they had been. Therefore, he that has a purse, let him take it, for he may need it. They must now expect that their enemies would be more fierce than they had been, and they would need weapons. At the time the apostles understood Christ to mean real weapons, but he spake only of the weapons of the spiritual warfare. The sword of the Spirit is the sword with which the disciples of Christ must furnish themselves.

Book One (Psalms 1–41)
psalm 1
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
4 But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. (NLT)

You are required to love God!

Matthew 22:37-40 NLT

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

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It is a command! You must love God. Have you thought about it that way? God made you to love him. You were designed, created, and proposed for essentially two things; Love God and love people.

If you don't love God, you are not fulfilling your purpose. If you do not love God you are insubordinate. If you don't love God and your fellow man you are a law breaker.

It is interesting that people often read these as the two greatest suggestions. Or people hear what Jesus is saying as 'the two nice ideas.'

These are the rock bottom of law. Jesus is telling us that upon penalty of death and eternal judgement, if you fail and break these two laws, you have undermined the entire system of law.

Murder, theft, genocide, fraud, treason and sexual offences such as paedophilia and violent rape are all lesser and subordinate crimes against the law.

The most heinous crime you can commit it to fail in your love of God.

How do you measure up? Where do you stand in the eyes of God's law?

If you do not love God you are the worst breaker of law; you are the most evil.

Please, please please, hear what Jesus is saying. There is no greater law, rule, reason, purpose, or statute.

Love God or die.

Yes love is not a feeling. Love is not a mutual relationship. Love is not something you can feel indifferent about. You must love. Love is the command. Love is the rule.

Do you love God?

Do you love all people?

God loves this world. Sometimes when someone is angry and they want to express their anger they take it out on the person their angry with. If they get twisted and poisoned by the anger it isn't uncommon for the person to start hurting and breaking the things loved by the object of their anger. See people want to be loved, appreciated. That desire can turn ugly and obsessive. The selfishness can become so deep that they want exclusive attention. They can not trust. They can not share. In the end the person is satisfied with nothing short of worship. This kind of lethal attraction makes the individual lash out and destroy any thing that they consider a threat to their own worship.

See how people are mad at God. So they hurt the things God loves. They break God's stuff. They trash God's world. In the end they kill God. That's what we did to Jesus.

In a jealous fit of rage we hurt others and by doing so we try to hurt God.
Or we try to get everyone to love us. We want all the attention. We don't want to give God any attention and we don't want others to love God because it threatens us. We are selfish manipulative brats striking out against God. God made us to love him, but we want people to love us.

Why don't you love God?
God loves you.
Why don't you love what /who God loves?
God loves you, your enemies, and the friends of your enemies. God loves his creation. Why do we mistreat God's creation?

This is God's world. The people you pass are people God loves. God cares about your boss. God died for your attacker. God cares for the person who slandered you. God is patient with the person who mocks you. God feels compassion for your oppressor.

God commands you love him, that's what's best for you.
God commands you to love your fellow human, that's what best for you too.

Don't avoid the opportunity.

Luke 21:12-13 NLT

“But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers.  But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.
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In England and in America as well as in many other countries in the world, religious persecution is illegal. People should be protected from discrimination due to their faith in God.

No Christian wakes up one fine morning and says to himself,  "You know today is a beautiful day to be persecuted." It's not likely elders of churches are sitting together plotting how they get attested for their beliefs so they can evangelise politicians and people in prominent positions. I've never heard once in a church someone suggest that people prepare for the great opportunities to spread the good news about Jesus because of the coming persecution.

By in large, people pray to avoid persecution. Churches plead with God that people not suffer. Christians solicit governments to release individuals held for their religious beliefs.

According to Jesus, persecution provides opportunities to talk to people about Jesus.

Persecution spreads the good news.

The genuinely persecuted are empowered to say the right thing.

As you'll see in the context below there will be a lot of confusion and lots of false 'Messiahs.'

People have died as martyrs. They have become confused and they have babbled on without explaining Jesus and in some cases even denying him. But so have people miraculously calmly held their faith while being tortured.

Jesus' point is that no matter what happens to the real believer it'll all come good in heaven. Oh to be sure, the literal safety of 'not a hair touched' happened too. But in the end nearly every one of the then followers of Jesus ultimately paid the price for following Jesus. Nearly all suffered far more than any current western christian.

Can you see persecution as opportunity?

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Luke 21:8-19 NLT

He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them.  And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.”  Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven. “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers.  But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.  So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you,  for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!  Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you.  And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.  But not a hair of your head will perish!  By standing firm, you will win your souls.

Daddy is going to help!

Granny gives tired student her seat.

Matthew 20:15b-16 NLT

"Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’ “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”

(please take time to read the full exciting thought provoking Bible story below first)
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I love this story. I love how it makes us squirm and how we try to explain away grace. We really don't want to live in a kingdom of grace and kindness. It seems often that gone are the days when polite people gave up their seats on the bus to older people, women and children. So often I see students and others who sit in the best seat and would not give it up for a weak and frail granny. And don't get me started on queue jumping. We want to be first. We don't want to give up our place. And we want fairness to the point of denying others the kindness and grace of opportunity. The motto of the day seems to be 'if you didn't earn it you don't deserve it.' And to some extent that's true.
But even more true is that you can not earn any of the things you need most! You don't even deserve love, air to breath, or especially God's grace. All these are well and truly out of your grasp and should you enjoy them it is purely out of the kindness and graciousness of a generous gift giving God.
Works, repentance, and faith are all gifts from God. You can not congratulate yourself for conjuring up any of these. Love, hope, and an appreciation for the world are not able to be purchased, earned or worked for. You can not buy them. The best things in life are not based on a merit system. You will not be graded, tested, or examined and found successful in any area that can save you.
Unlike Eve,  deceived by the serpent and her greed and lack of trust in God, Jesus is reassuring us that God is good. He is withholding no good thing from us. God gives us more than we deserve.

So bask in grace. Give a round of applause to those blessed by God's kindness when they are so undeserving. Give a round of applause to such a gracious God.

You don't have to be the best. You don't have to be first. You don't have to earn your keep. You don't have to save yourself.

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Here begins a full exciting thought provoking Bible story! :

Matthew 20:1-16 NLT

“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard.  He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work. “At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing.  So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day.  So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing. “At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’ “They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’ “The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’ “That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first.  When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage.  When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage.  When they received their pay, they protested to the owner,  ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’ “He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage?  Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you.  Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’ “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”

The Son with power

John 19:7-11

7 The Jewish leaders replied, “By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.”

8 When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. 9 He took Jesus back into the headquarters again and asked him, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. 10 “Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?”

11 Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”

http://bible.us/116/jhn.19.7-11.nlt

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Jesus claimed to be the son of God! That's what made the Jewish leaders so mad that they wanted to kill him. Lots of people today want to make out that Jesus is just a good guy with good teaching. They just want a 'nice' Jesus. These people miss the real Jesus. They miss the point. Jesus made a big deal about his identity. Jesus raised the issue often. He took opinion polls and survived his constituents. Jesus wanted to make sure that the message was delivered by the right people. (I'm quite tempted to 'proof text all these statements but will leave it to you to read the Bible for yourself!) Some people he hushed up and others he sent out with a message. But by the time to we get to Jesus death he was very open about who he was. And it was the reality of his claim that scared the Pharisees into wanting him dead and Pilate into taking a step back and considering what he was about to do. Claims to be some kind of king or leader were as rife as ever in Jesus and Pilate's day. So it was not the claim alone that stirred so much consternation.  Surely, Pilate as shaken by the claim. Pilate as not a  Jew. He didn't have a Jewish religious perspective. He did understand the implications of usurping Caesar.  But as he said, Jesus was the king of the Jews and the Jews wanted their king dead. Many in ancient Palestine would have wanted Pilate and Caesar and most of the other leaders dead (things have not changed much in that area), but Pilate understood power, both authority (as in his own) and power en-massing (as in the crowds during a holiday). I think that day Pilate learned to respect a much greater power. The power that gave legitimacy to both the people and the rulers. The power of God (and God's Son). Jesus establishes the 'divine right' of rulers as emanating from God. And yet the whole situation and even Jesus' complacence with the situation was a respect of the power of his Father's plan and authority. Nothing that was happening that day was out of hand. Nothing was random coincidence. Nothing happens unless God allows it.

Do you see the power of God at work? Do you realize that you have no rights or authority that do not flow from God? Do you threaten God with your unwillingness? Do you bargain as if you have something of value? Do you act as if you are in control of this world, your workplace, your family, your partner, your children, or even yourself?

Really? Do you have any thing that isn't given to you or allowed you by God?

But with power comes responsibility. This you have! You do have ownership of your own choices and the outcomes of those choices. You may crucify/deny/ignore/mock the Son of God but you still will have to answer to him. Are you ready? Who really has the power of life and death? The Son of God does.

Seven times a day!

Luke 17:3-4 NLT

So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.  Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”

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If we forgive someone once or ever we think we are truly righteous. I know it is not exactly the same idea but I think the sentiment is very similar so I've search and found the following :

Quotes Fool Me Once Shame On You Fool Me Twice

For those who have ever wondered what the quote "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me" means, there are many interpretations. This is another way of saying "once bitten, twice shy." In other words, there are people out there who are not what they seem. Some people will be pretend friendship for all of the wrong reasons, such as for money, or something else that can benefit.

A follower of Jesus isn't like that.

The christian is bound by the law of Love :

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

If real believers really believed they'd be very different.

In the end this extravagant extraordinary willingness to love and thus forgive is motivated by an understanding that God has been far more patient and generous of spirit with us.

We love because He first loved us. We forgive generously and lavishly because we've been forgiven generously and lavishly. The grace of God is a scandal. Be scandalous and forgive naively (because like a child [a true child of God]  you are forgiven)

From: Steve Hill To: the Least and the Last

Hello Friends,

A short google search about evangelism among unreached people groups will yield several different variations of the reality that  only 10% of mission effort is directed towards unreached people groups and only 0.1% of mission funding goes to reach these groups.  If you have been following my musings for any length of time you will know that I think that  most of the christian world has its priorities totally messed up.  If the money we spend on buildings was invested in the poor,  we could provide clean water, food and education for the portion of the world that lives on less than $2.00 per day.  We have the means and the resources but we spend them on ourselves and the tragedy is that much of the majority world is copying our foolishness and building their own monuments to themselves.

To send a westerner to most of the unreached people groups is a very expensive and time consuming exercise and in many cases a futile one.  Even if they are allowed to live in the area, even if they become fluent in the language, and even if they chose to actually live among the people, they will always be outsiders and looked upon with suspicion if not hostility.  Jesus may ask certain individuals to do this but the difficulty of doing so is why the vast majority of cross cultural missionaries go to places with comparatively easy access, that are English speaking and have a nice climate.  (A close friend just returned from a vacation destination African nation and was surprised by the number of western NGOs working there!)

....

(Steve's email goes on to describe a truly extraordinary eastern missionary reaching unreached people)

Keeping it simple

John 16:33 NLT

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

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Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.
{- Man in Black (Wesley) from the Princess Bride}

The thing I like most about Jesus and the Bible is the it is so realistic. It tells the truth, 'warts and all'.
Jesus isn't selling something. In fact he's giving it away. But he's not glossing over the facts.

-'Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.'

There it is plain and simple. The bare truth with no caveats delivered to people had not even begun to see the worst of it.

But neither had they remotely seen the best of it. That was also yet to come. See I can believe Jesus when he says he has overcome the world at least in part because what he says about the world is true. Here on earth you do have sorrow!

That's not all though. Jesus has healed people, fed people, made lame walk, blind see, deaf hear, and raised people from the dead. Then there are all the prophecies he's fulfilled some very clear and ancient and he's ticked nearly every box. Lastly, he said it. So either he's crazy, a liar or he's telling the truth. And since it looks like he's been telling the truth I've got good reason to believe that he has overcome the world.

Jesus means that as an encouragement. Yep, you'll face sorrows. Some may threaten to undo you, uproot your sanity, and sink you into despair but Jesus has overcome the world. When it gets on top of you, just remember Jesus is on top of the world. He's in charge and large! Jesus can handle your pain. Jesus wants you to know that in the world to come, there'll be no more sorrow.

How does that make you feel?

Lie, cheat, do what ever it takes?

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2013

A veritable treasure trove of wisdom

Luke 16:9-15 NLT

Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.  And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?  And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him. Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.

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The stealthy wealth of wise statements above is Jesus summary of the story I pasted below.

(if you are unfamiliar with the story you may need to read it first below before reading my thoughts, otherwise you may not understand.)

Many people struggle with the story of the "shrewd servant." But I think it is because the parable told by Jesus was designed to reveal the misplaced love of money. People might say that it is the commendation of dishonesty that doesn't sit well with them. But rather than the dishonesty it is usually the collusion to deprive the owner of more wealth. I'm not condoning theft, white collar crime, lying or conspiracy to defraud. But actually neither is Jesus. So what is Jesus commending so voraciously? Firstly, I think the "shrewd servant"  believed in a coming judgment. He could read the hand writing on the wall and did whatever it took to avoid the penalty of judgement. Even before we get to the money issues we need to see the essence of the Gospel message begins with the problem of sin and the resulting coming wrath of God. The guy in the scenario took fully on board the impending dilemma and considered his options. Have you? Secondly, our intrepid manager understood he'd never have the resources to face the future alone. He wasn't a rugged indiviualist who by pulling himself up by his own boot straps (that bootstrap act never works by the way, defies the laws of physics and such.) was going to make it on his own. No man's an island and all that jazz. Nope, this sentenced fellow sought strength in numbers. He realised his future would be found in the kindness of others. All our resources, our money, our influence, or networks need to be leveraged towards one goal. Money and friends are worthless unless used for a greater goal. But the goal Jesus had in mind was far greater than the future comfort of this simple yet shrewd steward. Jesus says that if selfish people have the foresight to look ahead and pad things out for their retirement on earth because they can see the inevitable coming, how much more should we who believe in the Kingdom of God be using everything at our disposal to secure the future of as many people as can be? And you bet that means your money. Of course Jesus means your honestly earned or inherited money but your money should never be about your temporal comfort or personal accumulation. Your money (ha, nothing is yours really)  is and was always meant for you to further God's kingdom. All that you have been entrusted with is for heavenly purpose, first, last, full stop! Period!

It's not yours, it never was. So what are you doing with your master's wealth? Whose future are you securing? What friends are you making? How are you demonstrating you serve Jesus and not your own self interests?

Can you see that Jesus isn't condoning this guy at all? He's saying by comparison, do you believe in your future (actually God's) as much? What are you doing about it? How are you as a steward? Maybe like Janet Jackson, Jesus is saying to you today," what have you done for me lately? "

The little things are the common grace things afforded everyone by a gracious God. So what for his Kingdom are you doing with the air you breath and the food you eat? Want more? Will you use it to see more people into his kingdom? That's the question God is asking you? Even Job, who was excessively rich, used his wealth for the good of the poor and the weak. Job secured justice in the courts for those whose poverty would only work against them.

The question is do you love God? Do you believe that his kingdom is the most important thing is to seek. Show it by your use of your money, power, and influence, as little as it may be.

Like Rahab? Do what it takes! Save yourself, save your family and friends!

(some thoughts influenced by Tim Chester's sermon http://www.thecrowdedhouse.org/luke#)

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Luke 16:1-8 NLT

Jesus told this story to his disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs. One day a report came that the manager was wasting his employer’s money.  So the employer called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? Get your report in order, because you are going to be fired.’ “The manager thought to himself, ‘Now what? My boss has fired me. I don’t have the strength to dig ditches, and I’m too proud to beg.  Ah, I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.’ “So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked the first one, ‘How much do you owe him?’  The man replied, ‘I owe him 800 gallons of olive oil.’ So the manager told him, ‘Take the bill and quickly change it to 400 gallons. ’ “‘And how much do you owe my employer?’ he asked the next man. ‘I owe him 1,000 bushels of wheat,’ was the reply. ‘Here,’ the manager said, ‘take the bill and change it to 800 bushels. ’ “The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.

There are some absolutes

John 14:6 NLT

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

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We live in a world of many uncertainties and less and less it seems we can express confidence in authorities. People want to say all roads lead to Rome. You find your way to happiness and let others find theirs. Multifaith ideology wants us to embrace the logical impossibility that it doesn't matter if you are Buddhist, Catholic, Mormon, or Spiritualist as long as you are sincere and a "good" person then you'll be Okay. You can be an agnostic, atheist, fundamentalist, humanist, pagan and you'll be reincarnated to a pleasant well remembered part of the great God of the evolved native American pan-spirit in the sky. And if you don't have it figured out and actually you're a rather unpleasant person who nobody wants to be around well at least you invigorated good conversation among those you disappointed, hurt, ignored, steamrollered over or harassed so you'll be okay too. You can be selfish, lecherous, unkind and completely disingenuous and you'll probably at least be better off after you kick the bucket.

Jesus didn't teach vague noncommittal generalities or nicities.

Jesus said, he was the only way.

Full stop. Period! Unquestionably there was a God. Jesus was claiming to be one with God the Father and thus in fact God's Son. And he said unequivocally that to make it with the one and only almighty God you had to go by way of Him, Jesus and no other way at all.

Jesus claimed this as a exclusive absolute. And so all other ways we're not going to get you to God. You'd not pass go. You'd not collect £200!

In effect and in context the Bible says Jesus is the only way. There were no other ways. All other claims to be the way were in fact wrong and false.

So if in fact this is what Jesus said (I believe very much this is what Jesus and the whole Bible does in fact teach.) then you and everyone else needs to respond to what Jesus said.

Was he crazy? Deluded? Well intentioned but wrong? Self obsessed?

Was Jesus a liar? Was he aware of what he was saying and embellishing? Was it a wilful untruth? Was Jesus deceiving people and misleading them?

Did Jesus know what he was talking about? Was he telling the truth? Is it an accurate account of an exclusive way to the one and only eternal God?

If Jesus is the only way, what way are you going?

Delmar was right!

Luke 12:15-21 NLT

Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.  He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’  Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.  And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

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This test reveals the state of our heart. Do you really trust Jesus to meet your needs?

Talk about countercultural,  seems Everything that has breath in this world is either praising wealth or seeking it. But Delmar's advise to Pete in O Brother Where Art Thou is good advice,  "Do not seek the treasure!"  Unless it is the treasure of having your sins washed away, even if it's knocking over the Piggly Wiggly and then lying about it. See what seeking the world's treasure leads to.

Jesus wants to know if you love and trust him more than wealth. Evaluate your goals, your actions, your time, your pride, your desires or your giving. What does it reveal?

I think it is impossible to trust God for all your needs unless He has worked the miracle of redemption in your soul.

But if you are a real believer I still don't think it will be easy or immediately natural to love God more than money. But I know you'll know it's the right way to live. You'll feel the struggle. You'll want to trust God more than money. And in many ways you'll begin to show it by giving to to others in need. You won't always think you'd be happier if you had a little more.
You will find a way to share. You'll think about others' needs more than you think of your own desires. And you won't keep hoping you hit it big in the lottery, or that a rich relative will leave you a bundle. You won't fall for some insurance scam, law offices advert or class action suit.
Your hope will not be in wealth.

You'll believe that a rich relationship with God is better than anything else.

You'll invest in your relationship with God. You'll read his word. You'll obey out of love. You'll not seek this world's empty treasure.

So how's your heart? What does it reveal?

Here read a bit more of what Jesus said about this :

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Luke 12:22-34 NLT

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.  For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.  Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things.  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Hope anyone?

Matthew 12:21, 23 NLT

And his name will be the hope of all the world.”

The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?”

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We have a global faith. We have a long held promise faith. We have an amazing faith.  We have a hopeful faith.

People need hope. Jesus is what they are hoping for.  Justice comes from Jesus so Jesus gives us hope. Jesus will rescue.

As a follower of Jesus are you full of hope? Are you living in anticipation of God’s great hope giving rule?

Believe and trust God.

God promised to David an eternal ruler. And so only Jesus the Son of God, with no beginning nor end could fulfil this promise.

I ask my heart, do I believe Jesus is the hope of the world? Do I believe he is in control? Do I trust he is able to make things right? Do I trust him with my life? Do I hold him out as the fulfilment of the world's hope?
When I see the evil in the world, do I rest in the knowledge that Jesus is the hope of the world?

Am I confident Jesus is the answer to the problem of injustice? Do I trust Jesus to right the wrongs of oppression, poverty, war, and disease?

On a personal note, do I believe Jesus is the hope of my family? Can he save my children? Will he heal our sicknesses? Will be change our hearts to be full of hope?

Do you believe Jesus is the hope of the world? If not why not? What or who do you think is? Is there any hope? What will save the world?

I believe Jesus is the hope of the world.

Everyone is following someone; Who is your Shepherd?

John 10:14-15, 27-30 NLT

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,  just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,  for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.  The Father and I are one.”

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Do you listen to Jesus? Do you hear his voice? Do you follow Jesus?

Many people say they are following Jesus but they don't listen to his voice. They don't read the Bible. They don't agree with what Jesus says. Many people say they follow Jesus but they are not willing to do what Jesus did.
Jesus obeyed God the Father. So a person following Jesus would be trying to obey the Father. Jesus sacrificed his life by putting the interests of others ahead of his comfort. A person who was a sheep of Jesus would also live sacrificialy. Jesus went the way of the cross. If you are following Jesus then you too will take up your cross.
If you follow Jesus you are not afraid of death because God promises life. You don't have to cling to this life because God promises eternal life to his followers. Do you believe that God is promising to give you eternal life?

Are you really following Jesus? Is he really your Shepherd?

Do you know what you are?

Matthew 9:13 NLT

Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

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I don't need any convincing. I know I'm a sinner. Do you?

Most people think they are righteous, but they'd be mistaken. I'm not a good man. You are not a good person. You would not achieve betterment of you had more education. No one would develop a greater love for God or a higher moral calibre if they were put in a better environment. Our problem isn't or parents or our income. We wouldn't become more saintly if we deny ourselves more by emptying our mind of desire. We can not give ourselves into the black and out of the red.

We are sinners. We love to sin. We hate to be told what to do. We want our own way. We do not want God ruling our hearts. We think we know best. We think that given the right circumstances we'll improve. We're not too bad actually, is a falsehood we cling to.

Oh and we want to be worshiped. We want to be noticed, thought of as wise, clever, beautiful, strong, good, or desirable.

We want to be God!

We are not God.

We, you and I are sinners.

We hate. We kill. We lust. We're selfish. We're lazy. We're proud. We're insatiable. We're greedy. I'm self obsessed. I want to be heard. God is the word of life. I want to be clever and thought of as clever. God knows everything. I know very little and much of what I claim to know is a lie.

Do you know what you are? Or do you deceive yourself?

You and I are sinners.

You can't not be a Christian if you don't know you are a sinner. You can not follow Jesus of you maintain your pride. You can not be saved of you continue to believe a lie.

Do you know what you are?

When you read the Bible or you hear the word of God it should strike a chord. The truth should be refreshing because if you agree with God, then you are free.
No more lies.

Read the Bible and you will see the truth you've tried so hard to hide. Tired of trying to be something you know in your heart of hearts you're never going to be left to your own devices?

The Bible says you are an enemy of God.

God loves his enemies.

The Bible says you are a moral failure because you care only for yourself.

Jesus becomes our righteousness.

The Bible says we are liars just like the Father of lies, Satan.

But we can be made new and have a new Father and be in the family of Jesus, who is truth personified.

Do you know who you are?

Do you know who God wants to make you?

Our gang: Lessons from lists.

LUKE 8:1-3 ESV

Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.

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Jesus was a radical! He was completely sinless and in all ways then pleased God the Father. But social conventions just were not important in his values compared to pleasing God the Father and loving people.

Jesus first priority was to declare God's word, to spread the good news, to proclaim the gospel, to preach the Kingdom of God. See by simply informing people of God's rule and by raising awareness of God's intentions Jesus was implementing that rule. People hear and they are then responsible. Simply to tell the truth reveals lies. It isn't clever or complicated. See I'll prove it; I'll declare a fundamental truth with no clever explanation and you'll see the implications of "bringing the good news of the Kingdom of God."

Jesus Christ the Son of God is the creator of everything that is and all that is has been made by him. Or as John put it in the Gospel according to John,

" All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." John 1:3 ESV

See the implications of this simple declaration of truth?
Even if you don't understand it all. You can understand it is the equivalent of God saying, "It's Mine!" 

You may not fully grasp all this means, I'm sure I don't but it does call us to a halt. It begs is to reconsider everything.
So what might this simple declaration of truth and good news mean?

Indeed everything is God's. He made it. He owns it. He determines it purpose and usage and future. It is not random. It is not up for grabs. You can't take it all for yourself. You have no right to hoard it. You have no right to deny any thing of anyone. It's not yours. You didn't make it. In fact God made you. Therefore you are not your own and do you have the right to possess anything unless of course God choose to share what is his.

Listen to everyone.  "I saw it first. I worked for it. I was given it by my father. I want it. You don't deserve it. Give it to me."

To all that Jesus declares, "It's Mine!"

Now you have to negotiate with God. Claim it as your own and you are a thief and a liar.

But this passage goes on to then further undermine ideas of class, propriety, and common sense.

Who are Jesus partners in the confirmation of God's Kingdom intentions? Well, it was the twelve and a group of dodgy women with questionable backgrounds.

I can't tell you how excited I am by this royal kingdom of God decree as it were.

Every government sets out how it will rule in its manifesto and then confirms those intentions by appointing a cabinet or some other distribution of power and authority. These are the people the ruler is sharing his power with. These are the ones who are going to help him get it done.

So who is Jesus associating with? Who are the appointees in the Kingdom of God?

Uneducated, unknown, people of no account are Jesus' choice. He picked men and women both. He wasn't afraid of people with potted pasts or people ill equipped and unqualified.

And how was this enterprise going to get off the ground? Well it appears as though the creator of the universe and owner of heaven and earth was going to get things going by relying on the financial support of a few women who were until recently a bit loopy and slightly dangerous. Possibly worse yet one of them is funneling wealth from the treasuries of a rival ruling house.

Jesus wasn't worried about how people would spin things. He didn't need a PR person. Jesus confirms God's Kingdom by telling the truth and inviting anyone to be part of the gang who follows God's rule.

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Thoughts from a very encouraging friend, Kevin Bonardt

Hi Wm

 

These women had had their lives touched by Jesus. He had healed them and they were changed. And you can tell they were grateful.

 

It was unusual to have women follow Rabbis, but these women are not just following in terms of walking after Jesus, but are expressing their thankfulness in using their finances to support Jesus and his disciples. They are doing it without coercion. They are doing it as a sign of love and support and thankfulness. Their financial gifts are a sign of their worship, of their new-found relationship with Jesus, with the God who made them and has healed them. Their encounters with Jesus, and their listening to his word, have brought about a reaction that costs them, but it is a cost they gladly offer. And such is their example that Luke purposefully mentions them at the beginning of ch8.

 

And then, at the end of the section, we read...

 

 "Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”"
(Luke 8:19-21 ESV)

 

Jesus' family are those who hear the word of God and do it. And who are the examples of this? The women mentioned at the beginning of the chapter I think (in sharp contrast to the Pharisees, teachers of the Law, or Israel)

 

Kevin

(Kevin,)

I may not have expressed it well , but this is what makes me so happy about this passage! I agree entirely with what you have said about the passage and would like to include it as a addendum my blog today if that is ok with you, giving you credit of course.

Wm