"Jesus Refuses" - Part 2

Last week, we started a 3 part series from the reading in Matthew 12 on things Jesus refuses to do.   And the big idea we chose to study was that Jesus refuses to be impatient with sinners.  And thank God for that, because if He was impatient, we would constantly have to fear we’ve ticked him off because we’ve done something wrong once again.  If Jesus had a short fuse, then we’d see many a puff of smoke around us as He would be zapping people left and right for the sins they have committed. 

I know God doesn’t want us walking around in fear trying to please Him with our good works.   In fact, if you want that kind of religion, just go out and join one of the other world religions out there. 

But that’s my point, Christianity is not a religion; it’s a relationship, and healthy relationships allow for uniqueness, mistakes, and faults.  But, I must also warn, that persons who believe that faith in Christ allows them the right to be who they are without changing into God’s likeness are totally delusional and are abusing the grace of God.  

Romans 6: 15 – 18 states it best, but before I share it with you, keep in context the word slave also means servant; and in either case, a slave or servant is at the mercy of the One who has authority over him/her.  It says, “What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” (ESV)

Yes, certainly Jesus refuses to be impatient with sinners, but He also asks for our obedience.  

In this world, knowing what you know to be true about slavery or servant hood, you must obey or there are consequences.  A slave who does not obey is abused and mistreated, possibly killed.  A servant who does not obey is mistreated and fired, losing all credibility with the master/employer. 

Let’s not deny that slavery still exists today.  We have pimps controlling prostitutes.  We have sex-trafficking and pornography of young girls and boys.  We have addicts who are slaves to their addictions and their supplier.  And this is just in the US.   It’s even worse on other continents and in other countries.

And so, what I see that we as a people are really struggling with is this:   the choice to obey.  But I do know that if we'll obey, life on earth can be lived without fear.  I know that the more we choose to obey Jesus, the more we become like Him and need not fear of the day when Jesus does judge for sin in our lives.

Now as I said, Jesus chooses to do some things and refuses to do others.   So let’s revisit the reading from Matthew 12: 14-21.  And from this we get our 2nd Big Idea:  Jesus declines to dampen the spirits of those who are exhausted.

That’s what I said earlier when I said Jesus’ patience keeps Him from having a short fuse.  Jesus’ patience with me keeps me going even when I feel like returning to the person I was before Christ.  Jesus is not cracking a whip and whispering into our ears, “I just saw what you did and heard what you were thinking. You better get it together before I take my wrath out on you.”

Yet, that was, and still is from time to time, the Jesus that is displayed to our culture.  But Jesus is the complete opposite of this.  Jesus is the greatest encourager that ever lived.  He does not come to make us feel bad about ourselves.  Believe me; we do that well enough on our own.  Some of His sayings were, “Be of good cheer,” “Blessed are you,” “Peace, I leave with you,” “Take heart! I have overcome the world,” and “Don’t be afraid.” 

Jesus did not come to strike or crush us, but to lift us up.  He came to bless us, to strengthen us, to give us hope, to lift our burdens, and at times, to carry us.  Matthew 11: 28-30 says it best: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV)

The story of the Black Pebble is a good illustration of our relationship to Christ.

• Many years ago in a small village, a farmer had the misfortune of owing a large sum of money to a village moneylender.   The moneylender, who was an awful, mean man, fancied the farmer’s beautiful daughter.   Since the farmer was unable to pay the debt, the moneylender proposed a deal.   He said he would forgo the farmer’s debt if he could marry the farmer’s daughter.  Both the farmer and his daughter were horrified by the proposal.   So the cunning moneylender suggested that they let providence decide the matter.   He told them that that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble into an empty moneybag.   Then the girl would have to pick one pebble from the bag.
• Now she was given three choices:
• If she picked the black pebble, she would become his wife and her father’s debt would be forgiven.
• If she picked the white pebble, she need not marry him and her father’s debt would be forgiven.
• If she refused to pick a pebble, her father would be thrown into jail.
• They were standing on a pebble-strewn path in the farmer’s field.   As they talked, the moneylender bent over to pick up two pebbles.   As he picked them up, the sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag.  He then told the girl to pick a pebble from the bag.

Now imagine that you were standing in the field.   What would you have done if you were the girl?   If you had to advise her, what would you have told her?  Careful analysis would produce these three possibilities:  1) The girl should refuse to take a pebble, 2) The girl should show that there were two black pebbles in the bag and expose the moneylender as a cheat, or 3) The girl should pick a black pebble and sacrifice herself in order to save her father from his debt and imprisonment.  What would you recommend to the girl to do?

• Well here’s what she did……. The girl put her hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble.   Without looking at it, she fumbled it and let it fall onto the  pebble-strewn path where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles.  "Oh, how clumsy of me,” she said. “But never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked.”

Since the remaining pebble is black, it is reasonable to assume that she had picked the white one.  And since the moneylender dared not admit his dishonesty, the girl changed what seemed an impossible situation into an extremely favorable one for herself and her father.

This is why Jesus came.  He came to take the pressure off us in an impossible situation.  Satan holds the moneybag with two black pebbles in it.  There is no way we can win, no matter what we draw out.   But, Jesus takes what seems impossible to our way of thinking and makes it possible because He is God.  He fumbled the pebble so that we might have life.  He defeated the crafty cheater, Satan, and there’s nothing Satan can do about it for fear of exposure as the liar he truly is.

This is why I say all this, to show us that Jesus will step in for us.  Jesus cares so much for us.  He is there to guide us and encourage us, especially when our backs are up against the wall.  He’s there to make the impossible, possible.

So Jesus wants us to know what He is willing to do, but He also wants us to know what He refuses to do.  He refuses to be impatient with sinners – refuses to be impatient with His creation – He refuses to be impatient with me.   And He also declines to dampen the spirits of those who are exhausted – refuses to kick His creation when it’s down – He refuses to burden me with more when I can barely withstand the weight on my shoulders now.

Jesus loves us so much.  Why do we as a culture have such a hard time believing this? I don’t know.  But I do know this, if we can believe it – if we can have the faith that He is true – then we have something truly special to carry with us everyday we’re in these mortal bodies.  We have the assurance that Jesus has come to give us the tools, strength, and courage to endure the burdens we will face.

Thank you Jesus for the peace you bring into our lives.

"Jesus Refuses" - Part 1

Obviously, today (9/11) is a day of tremendous pain for our country - a day in which innocent lives were taken by terrorists who were seeking war against our culture and our values - a day in which many people were going about the routines of life, only to have those routines abruptly stopped by some lunatics who thought their actions were justified and holy. 

In a sense, it’s hard to believe that it has been 10 years since our country was terrorized.  I often think about this time one time a year as we near September and the start of school.  Yet for those affected first hand by the actions that day, I can only imagine that these 10 years have seemed like an eternity.  And my heart and prayers go out to those who are reminded daily of their loss because their loved one is no longer around.  They no longer get to touch, see, smell, or hear the loved one, but rather must remember the good times of the past.

But as we think and remember this time, let’s take a moment of silence, to pray for the victims and their families during their time of pain.   And let us also do as Jesus taught us; pray for those enemies who masterminded this act of terrorism.  For though they feel they are right in Allah’s eyes, we know that God, the Father of Jesus, showed us what true love and sacrifice really look like; and they need Jesus.

Now that we’ve had some time to reflect and pray, I want to look at a passage in the Gospel of Matthew that will lead us into a series on things Jesus refuses to do.  But before I share with you this reading, I have a trivia question to ask.  Now keep in mind, this was new to me when I researched it so I’m not some brain that can just throw out to you tidbits of information.

Question:  Where is the one place in the world where a person can throw different pieces of wood in different directions and have them end up in 3 different seas; the Black, the North, and the Mediterranean?

The answer is a place on the North Side of the Alpine Mountains in Switzerland.   If you throw a piece in the Danube River, it will end up in the Black Sea.   If you throw a piece in the Rhine River, it will end up in the North Sea.   And if you throw a piece in the Rhone River, it will end up in the Mediterranean Sea.

Three pieces of wood thrown from the same place but ending up in different Seas several miles apart.  Their destination is determined by the way they were thrown.

READ MATTHEW 12: 14-21

With our lives, the principle “what will be tomorrow will be determined by the choices we make today” is a good principle, but not always a valid principle in light of every circumstance.   Yes, if I drink too much alcohol over the course of time, my liver pays.  If I smoke, my heart and lungs take a beating.  If I’m promiscuous, then I may end up with disease or unplanned pregnancies.  Yet, in light of 9/11/2001, over 3000 people had their lives abruptly ended.  Not because of the choices they had made in the past or the choice they made that day to go to work (an attribute God has placed in all of us), but because some decided, with Satan’s influence, to use our planes as missiles.

I feel the better way to state this principle is:  “Bad choices will most likely result in negative consequences, whereas good choices will most likely result in positive ones.”  There is no guarantee that if I make good choices, nothing bad will happen to me.  Nor, is there any guarantee that if I make bad choices, nothing good will happen to me, ever.   I’ve seen it too many times.  People want the black and white, the cookie cutter approach to life, yet life never operates with a checklist of do’s and don’ts.  Choices always have to be made.  And even Jesus had to make them.

We sometimes forget that Jesus was human.  And just like we have to make choices daily, the choices He made developed the character He would become.   He chose to do some things and refused to do others.

And I’m glad that in the Bible, particularly the Gospels, it tells of things He chose to do willingly.  He willingly raised Lazarus from the dead.  He willingly healed a man with a withered hand.  He willingly stopped a funeral by raising a widow’s son.  He willingly laid down His life so that we have forgiveness of sins.

But today, we want to key in on one of three things that Matthew 12: 14-21 tell us Jesus refuses to do:  Jesus refuses to be impatient with sinners.

Verse 15 – Aware that the Pharisees were plotting how to kill Him, He withdrew from that place.  Many followed Him and he healed all their sick……

Imagine how many people were pursuing Jesus wanting a healing.  Yet in his patience, when He could have shooed them all away, He healed all their sick.

Martin Luther once said, “If I were God and the world treated me as it has treated Him, I would have kicked the wretched thing to pieces long ago.”

The scripture shows us that many people are hurting and want Jesus to heal them.  There is no question that pain and suffering were evident then and are still evident today.  But you know; pain and suffering often don’t make sense to us, especially when we have the knowledge that God is a loving God who is supposed to be in control of this world. 

Read this explanation, one of the best ones I’ve ever heard, of why God allows pain and suffering.

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and beard trimmed.  As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation.  They talked about all kinds of things.  When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said:  “I don’t believe that God exists.” 

“Why do you say that?” asked the customer. 

“Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn’t exist.  Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people?  Would there be abandoned children? Would there be innocent lives taken in acts of terror? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain.  I can’t imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.” 

The customer thought for a moment, but didn’t respond because he didn’t want to start and argument.

The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.  Just after he left, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard.  He looked dirty and unkempt.  The customer turned back and entered the barbershop again and said to the barber:  “You know what?  Barbers do not exist.”  

“How can you say that?” asked the surprised barber.  “I am here, and I am a barber.  And I just worked on you.” 

“No!” the customer exclaimed.  “Barbers don’t exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.” 

“Ah, but barbers do exist!  What happens is people don’t come to me,” the barber said.

“Exactly!” affirmed the customer.  “That’s my point!  God too does exist!  What happens is people don’t go to Him and do not look for Him.  That’s why there is so much pain and suffering in the world.”

Jesus is patient with us.  He keeps hoping that we’ll come to Him just like those who followed Him and were healed that day some 2000 years ago.

Here’s a prayer by a minister named Joe Wright given at the opening session of the Kansas State Senate in 2000 that truly reminds us that Jesus refuses to be impatient with sinners.

“Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask for Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance.  We know Your Word says, “Woe to those who call evil good,” but that is exactly what we have done.  We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.  We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it “pluralism.”  We have worshipped other gods and called it “multiculturalism.”  We endorsed perversion and called it “alternative lifestyle.”  We have exploited the poor and called it “the lottery.”  We have rewarded laziness and called it “welfare.”  We have killed our unborn and called it “choice.”  We have shot abortionists and called it “justifiable.”  We have neglected to discipline our children and called it “building self-esteem.”  We have abused power and called it “politics.”  We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it “ambition.”  We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it “enlightenment.”  Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.  Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of Your Will, to open our hearts and ask it in the name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.”

Wow!  What a prayer.  What courage.  But best yet, oh how it shows us that Jesus refuses to be impatient with sinners, with me.

Our remembrance of the 10 year anniversary of September 11 truly reminds us that we’re in a fallen world – that pain and suffering exist – that mankind makes choices that affect us, both good and bad.  If we look truly at 9/11 we are reminded that Jesus doesn’t zap with lightening those who do wrong, though sometimes we wish His judgment be swift and harsh on those who hurt others.   But it reminds us all the more that we should be careful what we wish for, for we all have done wrong.     And no sin - no matter how big or little it may seem - goes unnoticed by God.   The only time it goes unnoticed is in this day of grace – this day of patience.   It’s during this time when sin is wiped clean through repentance in the name of Jesus.  One day, this day of grace will end, and all sin not covered under the blood of Jesus will be judged swiftly and harshly.

So remember, Jesus willingly does many things.   But there are some things that Jesus refuses to do and one of them is:  He refuses to be impatient with sinners.   2 Peter 3: 9 states, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 

Jesus is patient because He wants to see that no one is eternally separated from the love of God at the time of judgment.    And that choice is up to you and me.

Love Is Final

Love is the most wonderful word ever spoken.  The word conjures up pictures of good times – a hug from a parent, a first love (crush), a wedding day, etc.  The word is used in almost every song and the world wishes we could all learn to love each other; for if we could, we would have no more war or oppression of those who are weaker.  Yet love in all its usage is probably the most misunderstood term out there because the definition has not been defined in light of the One who is love.

Over this series, we have been trying to grasp hold of what the real definition of love looks and acts like.  And we have come up with 3 Big Ideas thus far that will lead us in our thinking – 3 Big Ideas that will guide us in our response to the situations we are placed in everyday of our lives. 

The first idea was that love must encompass what we do, which really puts our perspective onto others and onto the glorification of God.  Love is not about me, but rather what’s best for the other person.  Doing great, monumental things for mankind so that I might be praised means nothing.  God says do all that you do so that through you the people of this world will give praise to God in Heaven.  Let it be said of you that you do what you do because you love.

The second idea was that love cannot involve hate.  We cannot say we love God, whom we cannot see, if we hate our brother, whom we can see.  Will feelings of anger and distaste creep into our thoughts from time to time, especially when someone hurts us?  Sure thing!  But, love says we don’t hold onto these thoughts.  Love says as Jesus said while being hung on the cross by His enemies, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.”

The third idea was that love is an unconditional action.  Love is not mere words for we know how words mean nothing unless they’re backed by some action.  Jesus could have spoken of love all the time, but love didn’t take on its true meaning until he willingly allowed himself to be killed (sacrificed) on our behalf so that our relationship with God could be restored.  Love requires action on our part without expecting anything in return.  That’s tough, yet that’s what true love looks like. 

Now before we get into the final Big Idea on love that will conclude this series, let’s revisit the scripture which shows us the picture of God and His love that He so wants to see in us as well.

Read 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13

The fourth and final Big Idea on love is this:  Love never fails.

You know, eventually faith and hope will no longer be needed.  Why? Because this world will eventually be God’s once again, and will be made perfect.

The faith and hope we have now won’t be needed because faith believes in something that can’t be seen and hope gives us the strength and courage to believe in something yet to come.

There will be a day where all will see God and his children will no longer have to have faith that He is, nor hope any longer for His return.  Faith and hope will become reality.

Love never fails.  It’s simply because love has always been, and always will be.  It simply will never fail because love is God.

Many people have shared with Caroline and I that Jayden is a pure expression of God’s love.

And though Jayden is human and has a will of her own – and believe me, we’ve seen a lot more of it lately in her telling us what she wants – I have to agree with them.  In my unbiased opinion, even though she’s not perfect, she’s the closest thing I’ve seen to what love is all about.  And so, even though I’m her dad, there’s a lot that I need to learn from her.

I think she displays and understands love in its truest form – it comes natural to her.  When Caroline and I let ourselves, when we let our “self” get in the way of exemplifying true love to others, we don’t have to look far to see what we should be doing.

Jayden thinks of others.

She knows no strangers.  She says “Hi” to everyone as they pass by whether they acknowledge her or not.  For those who take time to hold her, she tenderly hugs and kisses on them as if they were the most dearest and important person in this world.  She gets hurt by others, but quickly forgets the pain.  She has hurt others, but makes it all right.  When she’s been disciplined for doing something wrong and the sobbing begins, the only thing that will take her out of this state, is to give her the opportunity to say she’s sorry.  She says it in words along with a hug and a kiss.  And once she does, life immediately returns back to where it was before she was disciplined.  In Jayden, there is no envy, boasting, or pride.  She’s not self-seeking or rude.  She sees people for who they are, not for who they are not.  She loves because she knows how to love – and it’s not with words, but with her actions.

Understanding love, true love, is the key component to happiness, peace, and joy.  This kind of love when lived out makes our relationships with others, such as our spouses, our friends, our employers, etc., stronger and healthier.  And who doesn’t want this?  I know I do.

Jesus showed us this perfect love in his sacrifice.  The Apostle Paul shows us the true picture of what God’s character looks like in our God-inspired text from the Bible.  And today, we can exemplify this true love in our own lives by keeping these 4 Big Ideas in mind:

• Love must encompass what you do. 
• It cannot involve hate. 
• It is an unconditional action.
• And, most importantly, it never fails.

Thank you God for your love.