John 12:20-23
Some times we get it right. This was the case of Phillip in this passage.
Over the time of walking with Jesus, the disciples made some poor decisions; but then again sometimes they made some really good decisions. In this case, Phillip made a good decision without hastily jumping to conclusions like they were so well known to do at times.
When the Greeks came seeking Jesus they asked, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” (verse 21)
"But why, then, does this sympathetic disciple not convey the request of the Greeks to Jesus? Why take Andrew with him, as if afraid to go alone on such an errand? Just because the petitioners are Greeks and Gentiles. It is one thing to introduce a devout Jew like Nathanael to Jesus, quite another to introduce Gentiles, however devout. Phillip is pleased that his Master should be inquired after in such a quarter, but he is not sure about the propriety of acting on his first impulse. He hesitates, and is in a flurry of excitement in presence of what he feels to be a new thing, a significant event, the beginning of a religious revolution... but he distrusts his own judgment, and, before acting on it, lays the case before his brother-disciple and fellow-townsman Andrew, to see how it will strike him." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pg. 320.
Sometimes we make impulsive decisions in life. You see, the Jews did not care for or even like the Gentiles. A Gentile was considered of a lower form of life to them. But should he bring this outsider into the presence of Jesus?
But within the heart of Jesus there was no existence of this bias or prejudice they experienced. As Jesus was now within three days of His crucifixion, he had been around several of His own countrymen who rejected His message and would not accept the Gospel! So when the disciples brought the Greeks to Jesus what a refreshing joy it must have brought to Jesus! "What a sight more moving than that of a human being seeking after God, the fountain of light and of life!" Bruce, pg. 321.
This must have encouraged the soul of Jesus after His own people rejected Him time and time again. He must have felt ineffective when His own people rejected His plan to eternal life. Now total strangers came asking to hear His gospel! What a joy to His soul!
"He would have all men believe in Him and be saved. He complained with deep melancholy of the fewness of believers among the Jews; He turned with unspeakable longing to the Gentiles, in hope of a better reception from them. The greater number of believers at any time and in any place, the better He is pleased; and He certainly does not contemplate with indifference the vast amount of unbelief which still prevails in quarters of the world." Bruce, pg. 323.
By the act of the disciples who were not sure about what to do with people who weren't the plan for salvation, Jesus' heart was encouraged. His time to be delivered up to the cross was within three days and He knew it. How it must have been so encouraging to know that if your own people don't want to hear; total strangers do. This must have given Him a boost in his spirit (the human side of Jesus) knowing that all He had shared was not for naught. He was about to die for this humanity who didn't seem to care and towards the end some still came!
Listen to these last few words Bruce shares in the final part of his chapter concerning our salvation: "The principle laid down is this, that in proportion as a man is a partaker of Christ's suffering in His estate of humiliation shall he be a partaker of the glory, honor, and power which belong to His estate of exaltation. This principle holds true even in this life. The bearing of the cross, the undergoing of death, is the condition of fruit bearing both in the sense of personal sanctification and in the sense of effective service in the kingdom of God. In the long-run the measure of a man's power is the extent to which he is baptized into Christ's death." Bruce, pg. 324.
How much power do you have today?
Friday, October 30, 2015
Thursday, October 15, 2015
A Dry Bed or a Overflowing River?
Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8
We return today to the story of the woman with the alabaster box and consider one more thing about her gift. Is she a model Christian? If so, what are some of the marks of a "Model Christian?"
"First among these is her enthusiastic attachment to the person of Christ. The most prominent feature in Mary's character was her power of loving, her capacity of self-devotion. It was this virtue, as manifested in her action, that elicited the admiration of Jesus." A. B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve, pg. 307.
What is makes Islam so powerful a draw to people? It is the complete abandonment of self to its tenants. Islam requires one to become fully devoted and requires abandonment from anything that would place itself before this belief. People are not allowed to make decisions as to how they feel and go in that direction, but somehow each of us need someone to give us direction. That's what Islam does. It requires full obedience. So what is the difference between this faith and Christianity? Islam requires complete robotic compliance; Christianity's love for God is the source of the drive, not forced obedience. God wants each person to come out a love relationship with Him, rather than forced obedience. That's the only way the motive can be pure. Mary knew that her love for Christ required her to do something to show her gratitude for what Jesus had done for she and her family. She showed her love as if she knew He were going to die (which she didn't at the time), while the disciples heard Jesus mention His death several times; to include Him telling them where He would die!
"A second admirable feature in Mary's character was the freedom of her spirit. She was not tied down to methods and rules of well-doing. The disciples, judging from their language, seem to have been great methodists, servile in their adherence to certain stereotyped modes of action. 'This ointment,' said they, 'might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.' They understand that charity to the poor is a very important duty: they know that their Master often referred to it; and they make it everything. 'Charity,' in the sense of almsgiving, is their hobby." Bruce, pg. 310.
In the church today, it is really easy to get caught up in the mechanics of church life. We go about each week in the service of our Lord in the same methodology as we have in the past. Mary didn't feel this way about her love for Jesus. She needed no one to tell her how to act; her heart guided her actions. She wasn't about to go on serving Jesus like everyone else. Her heart demanded so much more and she she wasn't about to let it be constrained by the average mechanics and methodology of everyone else within the norms of the church. She worshipped the Lord with all her heart now, not later!
Consider this beautiful passage from Bruce: "...when the love God is shed abroad in the hearts of her members, the church become like the same river in time of rain. The stream begins to rise, all the gravel beds begin to disappear, and at length the swollen flood not only fills its channel, but overflows its banks, and spreads over the meadows. New methods of well-doing reached; new songs are indited and sung; new forms of expression for old truths are invented, not for the sake of novelty, but in the creative might of a new spiritual life." Bruce, pg. 311.
What he is trying to say is that when the church begins to love God the way it was intended, it begins to overflow with new excitement and exuberance for Him. New ideas are all always present in how the church can reach the world for Jesus Christ. It is always thinking of how to express it love for the One who has given so much for us. Then we will begin to think, "whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, think of these things."
Its not forced obedience (like Islam). It (the church) is excited about showing all it's love for God and has a fresh sense of purpose, desire, and drive. Nothing can withhold its desire to reach all it can for those who don't know the Lord. It is not interested in being useful, but shoots for something far beyond this reasonable service!
So today in your life today, is your church a river bed which is dried up and needs some fresh rain to fill its parched earth? Or is your church a overflowing river with its banks swollen with its love for Christ so that its edges are overflowing into the pastures nearby, which so desperately need the river of overflowing and ever providing "Life Giving Force?"
We return today to the story of the woman with the alabaster box and consider one more thing about her gift. Is she a model Christian? If so, what are some of the marks of a "Model Christian?"
"First among these is her enthusiastic attachment to the person of Christ. The most prominent feature in Mary's character was her power of loving, her capacity of self-devotion. It was this virtue, as manifested in her action, that elicited the admiration of Jesus." A. B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve, pg. 307.
What is makes Islam so powerful a draw to people? It is the complete abandonment of self to its tenants. Islam requires one to become fully devoted and requires abandonment from anything that would place itself before this belief. People are not allowed to make decisions as to how they feel and go in that direction, but somehow each of us need someone to give us direction. That's what Islam does. It requires full obedience. So what is the difference between this faith and Christianity? Islam requires complete robotic compliance; Christianity's love for God is the source of the drive, not forced obedience. God wants each person to come out a love relationship with Him, rather than forced obedience. That's the only way the motive can be pure. Mary knew that her love for Christ required her to do something to show her gratitude for what Jesus had done for she and her family. She showed her love as if she knew He were going to die (which she didn't at the time), while the disciples heard Jesus mention His death several times; to include Him telling them where He would die!
"A second admirable feature in Mary's character was the freedom of her spirit. She was not tied down to methods and rules of well-doing. The disciples, judging from their language, seem to have been great methodists, servile in their adherence to certain stereotyped modes of action. 'This ointment,' said they, 'might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.' They understand that charity to the poor is a very important duty: they know that their Master often referred to it; and they make it everything. 'Charity,' in the sense of almsgiving, is their hobby." Bruce, pg. 310.
In the church today, it is really easy to get caught up in the mechanics of church life. We go about each week in the service of our Lord in the same methodology as we have in the past. Mary didn't feel this way about her love for Jesus. She needed no one to tell her how to act; her heart guided her actions. She wasn't about to go on serving Jesus like everyone else. Her heart demanded so much more and she she wasn't about to let it be constrained by the average mechanics and methodology of everyone else within the norms of the church. She worshipped the Lord with all her heart now, not later!
Consider this beautiful passage from Bruce: "...when the love God is shed abroad in the hearts of her members, the church become like the same river in time of rain. The stream begins to rise, all the gravel beds begin to disappear, and at length the swollen flood not only fills its channel, but overflows its banks, and spreads over the meadows. New methods of well-doing reached; new songs are indited and sung; new forms of expression for old truths are invented, not for the sake of novelty, but in the creative might of a new spiritual life." Bruce, pg. 311.
What he is trying to say is that when the church begins to love God the way it was intended, it begins to overflow with new excitement and exuberance for Him. New ideas are all always present in how the church can reach the world for Jesus Christ. It is always thinking of how to express it love for the One who has given so much for us. Then we will begin to think, "whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, think of these things."
Its not forced obedience (like Islam). It (the church) is excited about showing all it's love for God and has a fresh sense of purpose, desire, and drive. Nothing can withhold its desire to reach all it can for those who don't know the Lord. It is not interested in being useful, but shoots for something far beyond this reasonable service!
So today in your life today, is your church a river bed which is dried up and needs some fresh rain to fill its parched earth? Or is your church a overflowing river with its banks swollen with its love for Christ so that its edges are overflowing into the pastures nearby, which so desperately need the river of overflowing and ever providing "Life Giving Force?"
Friday, October 9, 2015
Anointing or Annoying God
Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8
The story for today concerns the unselfish act of Mary of Bethany. You know; the woman who anoints Jesus with the oil from the alabaster box? What did the disciples have to say about this act?
The disciples responded saying, "Why this waste? “For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
The money? In the next few passages we see Judas agreeing to sell out Jesus for less than what Mary was considered to be wasted, anointing Jesus. "Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?' And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus."
The disciples were clear about their motive, while Judas was hypocritical about his. The gift of the alabaster box was worth more in value than Judas sold Jesus out!
Was this act of worship Mary exhibited proper? "Her action was simply a festive honor done to one whom she loved unspeakably, and which she might have rendered at another time." "She loved Jesus with her whole heart, for what He was, for what He had done for the family to which she belonged, and for the words of instruction she had heard from His lips when He came on a visit to their house. There was such a love in her heart for her friend and benefactor as imperatively demanded in expression, and yet could not find expression in words. She must do something to relieve her pent-up emotions: she must get an alabaster box and break it; and pour it on the person of Jesus, else her heart would break." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pg. 299, 301.
This is a practical picture of what Jesus did for this world. He was so moved by His love for sinners that He came that He must come and die for them.
"Like Nehemiah, the Jewish patriot in the court of the Persian king, He could not stay in Heaven's court while His brethren far away on earth were in evil's case; He must ask and obtain leave to go down to their assistance. Or, like Mary, He must procure an alabaster box- a human body- fill it with the fine essence of a human soul, and pour out His soul unto death on the cross for our salvation. The spirit of Jesus, yea, the spirit of the Eternal God, is the spirit of Mary and of Nehemiah, and of all who are like-minded with them." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pg. 301-302.
As our church continues the study of Acts 5 this Sunday (Oct. 11th), we are looking at the story of Ananias and Sapphira. It sometimes boggles my mind in my study time to see God showing me a direction and contrast about those who withhold and those who go to the extreme to show their gratitude to Jesus. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there are two responses in the way we worship Jesus. One has an agenda which is exposed by the Holy Spirit's testimony in both Ananias and Sapphira's shortness of life. On the other hand, we see the complete devotion of Mary who can't even express her love and worship in words for Jesus and will be overcome in her actions for Him. Actions in which Jesus told the disciples, "Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”
Where are you today? Could Jesus say this about you? Or are we teetering on the grace of God, close enough for Him to take our life rather than ruin the testimony of His church? How much are you holding back today?
I heard a really good quote this week from Todd Adkins. He says, "The Church isn't reaching the world because its too busy keeping Christians on life support." Sad...
The story for today concerns the unselfish act of Mary of Bethany. You know; the woman who anoints Jesus with the oil from the alabaster box? What did the disciples have to say about this act?
The disciples responded saying, "Why this waste? “For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 26:8–9.
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 26:14–16.
Was this act of worship Mary exhibited proper? "Her action was simply a festive honor done to one whom she loved unspeakably, and which she might have rendered at another time." "She loved Jesus with her whole heart, for what He was, for what He had done for the family to which she belonged, and for the words of instruction she had heard from His lips when He came on a visit to their house. There was such a love in her heart for her friend and benefactor as imperatively demanded in expression, and yet could not find expression in words. She must do something to relieve her pent-up emotions: she must get an alabaster box and break it; and pour it on the person of Jesus, else her heart would break." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pg. 299, 301.
This is a practical picture of what Jesus did for this world. He was so moved by His love for sinners that He came that He must come and die for them.
"Like Nehemiah, the Jewish patriot in the court of the Persian king, He could not stay in Heaven's court while His brethren far away on earth were in evil's case; He must ask and obtain leave to go down to their assistance. Or, like Mary, He must procure an alabaster box- a human body- fill it with the fine essence of a human soul, and pour out His soul unto death on the cross for our salvation. The spirit of Jesus, yea, the spirit of the Eternal God, is the spirit of Mary and of Nehemiah, and of all who are like-minded with them." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pg. 301-302.
As our church continues the study of Acts 5 this Sunday (Oct. 11th), we are looking at the story of Ananias and Sapphira. It sometimes boggles my mind in my study time to see God showing me a direction and contrast about those who withhold and those who go to the extreme to show their gratitude to Jesus. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there are two responses in the way we worship Jesus. One has an agenda which is exposed by the Holy Spirit's testimony in both Ananias and Sapphira's shortness of life. On the other hand, we see the complete devotion of Mary who can't even express her love and worship in words for Jesus and will be overcome in her actions for Him. Actions in which Jesus told the disciples, "Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 26:13.
I heard a really good quote this week from Todd Adkins. He says, "The Church isn't reaching the world because its too busy keeping Christians on life support." Sad...
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
How Far Will You Go to get your Way?
Matt. 20:17-28
In a busy "dog eat dog" society, we all want to get ahead and/or move up. But is it really necessary at the expense of others? Sure there is an easy answer. No; but is it really that simple?
You might recall the question by Salome about James and John, in which she asked, "Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.”
In a busy "dog eat dog" society, we all want to get ahead and/or move up. But is it really necessary at the expense of others? Sure there is an easy answer. No; but is it really that simple?
You might recall the question by Salome about James and John, in which she asked, "Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.”
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 20:20–21.
The question was to see if Jesus would give them special places of honor in the Kingdom to come. The problem was that during their greediness, they offended the other ten disciples around them. Did they really understand what they were asking? Did they even understand which kingdom was being spoken?
"No self-seekers and place hunters do anticipate evil results from their promotion. But that does not make them less selfish. It only shows that, besides being selfish, they are vain." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pg. 284.
"Many a bold, ambitious prayer, even for spiritual blessing, is offered up by petitioners who have no idea what the answer would involve, and if they had, would wish their prayer unanswered." Bruce, pg. 288.
But what happens to those whom are offended when this question arises? Normally we are offended when someone tries to "get ahead" of us; even in a line in a store! Why? Because the same ambitious spirit is in us, otherwise we would not have felt the same resentment. The humble might not feel this, but they will be grieved by its actions when they see it. All are affected within the realm; and yes it does occur even inside the body of believers. Even within the presence of Jesus...
So what is the way out of this style of thinking? "I shall obtain my kingdom in another way than secular princes get theirs. They get their thrones by succession. I get mine by personal merit; they secure their kingdom by right of birth, I hope to secure mine by the right of service; they inherit their subjects, I buy mine, the purchase money being mine own life." Bruce, pg. 292.
I don't know about you, but I want to be rewarded for what I earned, not gained at the cost of others. This way I can be proud about the hard work I gained for the kingdom, because of my love for my Lord, not because He owes me anything. I want my works to be "revealed as by fire" (1 Cor. 3:13) so that the last reward will be something that is eternal, not temporal.
Is it all worth it to move up the ladder? I guess that depends on your view of "What moving up the ladder really means?" Vanity or Vulnerability?
Thursday, September 24, 2015
The Pride of Humankind
Matt. 20:17-28; Mark 10:32-45; Luke 18:31-34
In today's reading we find the disciples traveling through Jericho, and eventually to Jerusalem. The two sons of Zebedee petition the Lord for the chief places of honor in the kingdom.
The sons (James and John) coveted the honorable place. As you remember, these same two earlier asked the Lord for the calling down of fire from heaven upon the Samaritan village when they couldn't find a place to rest and were not welcomed. Now they have drawn a line between themselves and the rest of the disciples seeking the best for themselves!
Is this not human nature though? Don't we seek the best for ourselves at the cost of others?
In fact, prior to the question being asked, Jesus made a profound statement to the disciples which He stated twice before.
This time, Jesus told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death." He is telling them, "When we get to Jerusalem I will die there!"
How did they miss this? Was it the human nature again? How many times do we take the time to listen when we have our ideas about what is the most important? I mean this was a pretty profound statement to tell the disciples when He was going to die. And yet they missed it; dreaming about their treasures and what crowns lie ahead.
"This prayer had certainly another origin than the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and the scheme of which was the outcome was not one which we should have expected companions of Jesus to entertain. And yet the whole proceeding is so true to human nature as it reveals itself in every age, that we cannot but feel that we have here no myth, but a genuine piece of history." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pg.282-283.
In today's reading we find the disciples traveling through Jericho, and eventually to Jerusalem. The two sons of Zebedee petition the Lord for the chief places of honor in the kingdom.
The sons (James and John) coveted the honorable place. As you remember, these same two earlier asked the Lord for the calling down of fire from heaven upon the Samaritan village when they couldn't find a place to rest and were not welcomed. Now they have drawn a line between themselves and the rest of the disciples seeking the best for themselves!
Is this not human nature though? Don't we seek the best for ourselves at the cost of others?
In fact, prior to the question being asked, Jesus made a profound statement to the disciples which He stated twice before.
As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.” Matt. 20:17-19
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 20:17–19.
How did they miss this? Was it the human nature again? How many times do we take the time to listen when we have our ideas about what is the most important? I mean this was a pretty profound statement to tell the disciples when He was going to die. And yet they missed it; dreaming about their treasures and what crowns lie ahead.
"This prayer had certainly another origin than the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and the scheme of which was the outcome was not one which we should have expected companions of Jesus to entertain. And yet the whole proceeding is so true to human nature as it reveals itself in every age, that we cannot but feel that we have here no myth, but a genuine piece of history." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pg.282-283.
What was in their head? Or better asked today, "What is in our head?" Jesus told them He would die when they arrived in Jerusalem. Their comforter, teacher, leader, provider, their life, will be gone soon and they are still consumed about places of significance.
Folks, our country is in trouble. No one can deny that things are changing; and not for the best. Our nation is turning from God to self more and more each day.
Can we depend upon our human nature to get us through it all? If we look at the disciples lives, we would have to conclude that we are in trouble without our Christ, our King, our Lord of Lords, our Savior, our Redeemer, our Source of Life.
Will you go on today while Christ is speaking important things to your heart; or go on with your own self-centered heart which misses the most important thing; God? Will you listen to the voice of the age or to the One who knows the future He holds for you?
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Who is On First?
Matt. 19:30; 20:1-20; Mark 10:31
You've heard the words before of Jesus, "But, many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first."
This passage is found exclusive to the Gospel of Matthew. Part of the explanation is more difficult than the thing to be explained. As a result, many interpretations have been made. But this one is more to the understanding of what Jesus was trying to teach...
"Three things must be taken into to account in order to form a just estimate of men's works, viz. the quantity of the work done, the ability of the worker, and the motive... when the ability is equal, quantity view meantime the motive: when the ability is equal, quantity determines relative merit; and when ability varies, then it is not the absolute amount, but the relation of the amount to the ability that ought to determine value." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pg. 273.
Zeal is what drives the amount of the quality of the work, not motives. This is what the first laborers had in their minds. Their motives gave them the idea that they were more highly respected because they were the first to be selected. But they did not realize their works meant nothing to the Lord, unless their was zealously performed.
Until all the vainglory of what we do is cast aside, the Lord will not accept our works; it must come from a well-spring of "good impulses; cleared of all smoke of carnal passion- a pure flame of heaven-born devotion. A base motive vitiates all." Bruce, pg. 274.
The Master hired the last group to go out into the field and paid them first. Why? This was because He was excited to see them again and wanted to be the first one to reward their honest and sincere works as they came off the work field. This small quantity of work done in the right spirit was of greater value than a large quantity done in a wrong spirit, however zealously it might have been performed.
You've heard the words before of Jesus, "But, many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first."
This passage is found exclusive to the Gospel of Matthew. Part of the explanation is more difficult than the thing to be explained. As a result, many interpretations have been made. But this one is more to the understanding of what Jesus was trying to teach...
1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
2 “When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 “And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place;
4 and to those he said, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ And so they went.
5 “Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing.
6 “And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he *said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day long?’
7 “They *said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He *said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’
8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard *said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.’
9 “When those hired about the eleventh hour came, each one received a denarius.
10 “When those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius.
11 “When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner,
12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’
13 “But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius?
14 ‘Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.
15 ‘Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’
16 “So the last shall be first, and the first last."
17 As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them,
18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death,
19 and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.”
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 20:1–19.
Zeal is what drives the amount of the quality of the work, not motives. This is what the first laborers had in their minds. Their motives gave them the idea that they were more highly respected because they were the first to be selected. But they did not realize their works meant nothing to the Lord, unless their was zealously performed.
Until all the vainglory of what we do is cast aside, the Lord will not accept our works; it must come from a well-spring of "good impulses; cleared of all smoke of carnal passion- a pure flame of heaven-born devotion. A base motive vitiates all." Bruce, pg. 274.
The Master hired the last group to go out into the field and paid them first. Why? This was because He was excited to see them again and wanted to be the first one to reward their honest and sincere works as they came off the work field. This small quantity of work done in the right spirit was of greater value than a large quantity done in a wrong spirit, however zealously it might have been performed.
Bruce comments, "The first and the last, then, represents two classes amount the professed servants of Christ. The first are the calculating and self-complacent; the last are the humble, the self-forgetful, the generous, the trustful." Bruce, pg. 275.
"The last are paid first to signify the pleasure which the master has in rewarding them. They are also paid at a much higher rate: for, receiving the same sum for one hour's work that the others receive for twelve, they are paid at the rate of twelve pence per diem." Bruce, pg. 275.
What does your work ethic look like? Is it a case of "Who is on First?" or "Who is First, period?" In my reading today, this area is one which I know it bears more inspection... I truly enjoy the Word of God when we allow it to get in our faces. We all need it. The question is whether we are teachable to receive it and learn.
Ask the Lord today to inspect your heart and ask the hard question of, "What does my work look like to you Lord?"
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Who? Me? Give?
Matt. 19:27-30; Mark 10:28-31; Luke 18:28-30
As we see from these passages, these disciples had left their fishing boats and nets and were seeking rewards of thrones. Did they really understand the full reward that they would receive one day?
Jesus told them, "...you shall also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Matt. 19:28b
If we forsake things in this life for the kingdom, which being from the Giver, will be promised an hundred-fold in return. Remember, our gifts will be either purified as gold or consumed as by fire...
But don't cheapen what we see as superficial comparing what another person can give compared to us. Sometimes we look at the world and ask the question why God uses us when someone else can offer so much more (like the rich young ruler). But such words have never been spoken by Jesus! The disciples left their boats and nets (which were all they had) and followed Jesus, leaving them behind. Truly they were not the value of what the rich young ruler could have given to the kingdom!
But Jesus was not looking for what they had to offer, but more of what importance it was to them. When we part with things of this world we can be sure Jesus will reward those who give in sacrifice for the kingdom; but what we do give we must part with willingly. When God gives us good things they are meant to be used for His Kingdom, not our indulgences.
"The promises made by Jesus have one other excellent effect when considered. They tend to humble. Their very magnitude has a sobering effect on the mind. Not even the vainest can pretend that their good deeds deserve to be rewarded with thrones, and their sacrifices to be recompensed an hundred-fold. At this rate, all must be content to be debtors to God's grace, and all talk of merit is out of the question. That is one reason why the rewards of the kingdom of heaven are so great. God bestows His gifts so as at once to glorify the Giver and to humble the receiver." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, page 264.
This means the gift or whatever we have that is of value has been bestowed upon us as believers to keep the gift in focus of its Source. If it was His from the beginning, what right do we have to hold on to the gift? I challenge you today and take a hard look at the gifts that God has given to each of us and consider that it might not just have been given to you but to give back to the Lord who allowed the blessing to come your way! I'm not advocating the total abandonment of all material things and living in a cardboard box, but I am saying that if Jesus were to say to you to give it today, would or could you do it? I fear today, we have too many things we are unwilling to part with, even if Christ commanded...
Remember, the Benevolent is the one who bestows the Benefit, which is meant to humble the Beneficiary!
Is it all worth it? Only if you one day choose to decide if hundred-fold on your investment is worth it!
This is the act of a true believer who loves his God and has allowed Him to become the centerpiece of his life. We don't do it for the Reward, but for the Rewarder of our Faith!
As we see from these passages, these disciples had left their fishing boats and nets and were seeking rewards of thrones. Did they really understand the full reward that they would receive one day?
Jesus told them, "...you shall also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Matt. 19:28b
If we forsake things in this life for the kingdom, which being from the Giver, will be promised an hundred-fold in return. Remember, our gifts will be either purified as gold or consumed as by fire...
But don't cheapen what we see as superficial comparing what another person can give compared to us. Sometimes we look at the world and ask the question why God uses us when someone else can offer so much more (like the rich young ruler). But such words have never been spoken by Jesus! The disciples left their boats and nets (which were all they had) and followed Jesus, leaving them behind. Truly they were not the value of what the rich young ruler could have given to the kingdom!
But Jesus was not looking for what they had to offer, but more of what importance it was to them. When we part with things of this world we can be sure Jesus will reward those who give in sacrifice for the kingdom; but what we do give we must part with willingly. When God gives us good things they are meant to be used for His Kingdom, not our indulgences.
"The promises made by Jesus have one other excellent effect when considered. They tend to humble. Their very magnitude has a sobering effect on the mind. Not even the vainest can pretend that their good deeds deserve to be rewarded with thrones, and their sacrifices to be recompensed an hundred-fold. At this rate, all must be content to be debtors to God's grace, and all talk of merit is out of the question. That is one reason why the rewards of the kingdom of heaven are so great. God bestows His gifts so as at once to glorify the Giver and to humble the receiver." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, page 264.
This means the gift or whatever we have that is of value has been bestowed upon us as believers to keep the gift in focus of its Source. If it was His from the beginning, what right do we have to hold on to the gift? I challenge you today and take a hard look at the gifts that God has given to each of us and consider that it might not just have been given to you but to give back to the Lord who allowed the blessing to come your way! I'm not advocating the total abandonment of all material things and living in a cardboard box, but I am saying that if Jesus were to say to you to give it today, would or could you do it? I fear today, we have too many things we are unwilling to part with, even if Christ commanded...
Remember, the Benevolent is the one who bestows the Benefit, which is meant to humble the Beneficiary!
Is it all worth it? Only if you one day choose to decide if hundred-fold on your investment is worth it!
This is the act of a true believer who loves his God and has allowed Him to become the centerpiece of his life. We don't do it for the Reward, but for the Rewarder of our Faith!
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