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Matthew 24:36-44 - March 11, 2010
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
Matthew 24:36-44
"Keep watch" our Savior says. Jesus wants our complete attention to an important matter. The reason for this alertness is that we don't know when he will be returning. The time is unknown. Only God knows when this event will take place. Since God has not revealed the time of the Last Day and Jesus' return, it cannot be predicted. Jesus says, "You do not know on what day your Lord will come." To insist that we do or can find out is sinful. However, the uncertainty connected with this lack of knowledge about the Last Day is no reason for carelessness or indifference. The very opposite is true. Uncertainty calls for increased watchfulness.
Jesus says, “The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Human nature likes to postpone things; we procrastinate, putting off things as long as we can. The dangerous thing is to postpone and procrastinate over things which are important for our souls. We think, "Perhaps next year or when I get older, I'll be able to devote more time to spiritual matters." or "Maybe tomorrow I'll have more time for my Christian duties and responsibilities." Jesus says, "Not tomorrow, but today! Tomorrow or next year may be too late!"
Keeping watch means focusing on Jesus and what he accomplished for our salvation. It means recognizing that our sins separated us from God, but comforted with the truth that Jesus reconciled us to God by his death for us. Keeping watch for Jesus’ return means that we confidently anticipate that he is coming to take his believers to be with him in heaven. Thus we watch and wait for the appearance of our Savior, for then the goal of God's gracious purpose for us will be accomplished. We will live and reign with the Lord eternally.
Dear Jesus, direct my heart and mind to the truth of salvation that you won for me. Keep me watchful for your second coming. My comfort and hope is in your glorious return, when you will take me and all believers to heaven. Amen.
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Watch Your Footing - March 10, 2010
If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12
In the book, The 19th Hole, author Carol Mann recounts how golf legend Arnold Palmer will never forget the day he lost his footing.
It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters tournament. Palmer had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a satisfying tee shot. As he approached the ball, he saw an old friend standing at the edge of the gallery. He motioned Palmer over, stuck out his hand and congratulated him for the win he was about to secure.
Palmer later said that as soon as he shook his friend’s hand, he knew he was in trouble. After that congratulatory handshake, he lost his mental footing. He hit his ball into a sand trap. Then he put it over the edge of the green. Then he missed a putt. He lost the Masters.
For us as Christians, the temptation can be strong for us to assume that we can coast through our Christianity: We know the Bible stories. We attend church more often than not. We’re on friendly terms with the pastor. After awhile our idea of Christianity can begin to resemble our life insurance policy. It’s nice to know it’s in our filing cabinet if we need it; otherwise we don’t give it much thought.
And that’s when we can lose our footing.
Christianity is not some cultural formality through which we coast. Nor is it some life insurance document we store away for emergencies. Christianity is about our relationship with the One who has rescued us from the guilt of our sin.
Lost your footing? Come to Jesus. Repent. Be renewed in his forgiveness. And remember that your intense need for him never ends. Never!
Forgive me, Lord, for all the times I have forgotten how I need you every moment of my life. Empower me to stand in you alone. Amen.
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Matthew 24:26-35 - March 9, 2010
"So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. "Immediately after the distress of those days 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
Matthew 24:26-35
Toward the end of World War II, the people of Warsaw, Poland were picking through the rubble of their city. Bombs and shells had leveled virtually every building, until only a few chimneys remained standing; grotesque and useless obelisks against the iron gray sky. But the Poles looked up in wonder at one wall of a building that was still standing. It was the only remaining wall of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The wall bore a sign with letters that were still clearly legible even after the many bombardments: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
There will come a day when there will be even greater destruction than any war has inflicted. On the last day, God will dismantle his created universe: he will extinguish the light of the sun as easily as blowing out a candle; the universe will be taken apart as easily as pulling apart the pieces of jigsaw puzzle. The Bible says, "The heavens will disappear with a roar" (2 Peter 3:10), "and the sky [will be] rolled up like a scroll." (Isaiah 34:4)
But Jesus’ Word will not pass away, even when all of creation disintegrates at the command of God. Just as he said, Jesus will appear, and his coming will not be hidden or secret, but visible to all. It will be as obvious as a lightning flash in the dark of night. Everyone will see him, even those who pierced him (Revelation 1:7). Those who rejected him in unbelief will cringe in terror at the sight of him who will appear in the fullness of his divine glory. But when believers see him on that day, all their hopes will be fulfilled. The Son of God who had humbled himself for their salvation, shall return in glory and fulfill his promise to take them to be with him in heaven. Troubles and trials of earthly existence will be left behind and forgotten. All the time spent worrying about what tomorrow might bring will be over. Every believer from every corner of the earth, from every age gone by, will be gathered by God’s angels to be with the Lord forever.
For those in Jesus, the end of the world is a door that opens into the infinity of the joy and blessings that he has prepared for them in heaven. So declares the Word of God that will never pass away.
Savior Jesus, increase my confidence in your unfailing promise that you will come back and take me to heaven. Teach me not to fear the events of the end of world because you are my Savior who has taken away my sin and assured me that I have life with God forever. Amen.
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God's Perspective - March 8, 2010
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them – do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Luke 13:1-5
Should God see things the same way I do? I might be tempted to think he should. Really bad people should be punished more severely. Really good people should be awarded more generously. There is only one problem. When I try to make God into something that makes sense to me, I make God out to be someone that he is not.
The Lord needs to see things from his perspective, and then, act accordingly. This was Jesus’ point when he addressed those who had questions about the people who experienced tragedies. The obvious conclusion was that they must have done something really bad to suffer in this way. Jesus corrects this faulty observation by returning to God’s perspective.
Jesus used words that were simple and direct. Don’t worry about those who died, rather worry about yourself. His concluding words were emphatic: “Repent or perish.” Jesus offered God’s perspective in a “nutshell.” He doesn’t fret about who is better or worse. He doesn’t agonize over which sin is greater or lesser. His perspective is to the point: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 6:23).
God’s perspective is what I need to take to heart. Instead of worrying if others are really bad, or if they are worse than I am, I need to recognize my personal accountability. I need to be in a right relationship with God. I also need to understand its God’s perspective that I be perfect (Matthew 5:48). God accepts nothing less.
The only way I can be declared perfect is through Jesus. As I repent of my sin, I need to draw on the holiness he secured for me through his perfect life, his innocent death, and his victorious resurrection. Then, and only then, can I stand before God as he desires.
Repent or perish. Looking at my life from God’s perspective is terrifying. It leaves no room for alternatives or arguments. This is exactly the way God intended it, and it makes me recognize the undeniable truth: I am powerless to change my sinful situation; I am incapable of attaining the perfection God demands; I am in desperate need of a Savior. Mercifully, God provided that Savior by sending his Son, Jesus Christ. As I repent of my sin and look to him for forgiveness, I will not perish, but I will have eternal life.
O gracious Lord, open my eyes to see my sin and guilt. Then, point me to the Savior you have provided. Purify me and make me yours for this life, and for eternal life. Amen!
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The LORD’s Call to Repentance - March 5, 2010
Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the LORD your God. Then the LORD will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you.”
Jeremiah 26:12,13
What do you do when your child runs out into a busy street? Do you ignore it? Of course not. When you see your child run into that busy street, you call her back. You call her back because you love her.
Our heavenly Father loves us perfectly. When we sin against him, he calls us back because he knows that sin is always harmful to us. At first, sin may seem fun, just like playing in a busy street might seem fun at first. But as long as we play in the street of sin, we are in danger of losing our life – our eternal life. So, loving Father that he is, God calls us to repentance.
God has always done this for his people. In Old Testament times he sent prophets like Jeremiah to call his people to repentance. Jeremiah told the people of his day, “Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the LORD your God. Then the LORD will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you.” However, instead of heeding God’s warning, the people wanted to put Jeremiah to death.
What will you do when God sends his messenger to warn you about your sin? He may use a friend, a family member, or a pastor. Will you attack the messenger rather than listening to the message? Will you say something like, “Who are you to tell me what to do? You’re not so perfect yourself!”
We pray that God forgive us for the times we have not listened to his messengers when they have warned us about our sin. We pray for God to help us turn from our sin when he calls us to repentance. And we pray that God grant us the confidence to know that when we turn back to him, he is waiting with open arms and a forgiving heart..
Lord Jesus, your death on the cross has paid for my sin. May this truth give me confidence to turn from my sin, knowing that when I do, you will be there to welcome me with open arms. Amen.
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Matthew 24:15-25 - Mar. 4, 2010
"So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel -- let the reader understand -- then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now -- and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect -- if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time.
Matthew 24:15-25
In the verses we have for our devotion today, first Jesus is speaking about terrible times that will overcome people living in Jerusalem and the surrounding region. His reference is probably to the destruction of Jerusalem by Roman legions that took place about 40 years after Jesus ascended into heaven.
His advice for people living in Jerusalem when that horrific event comes was to flee for their lives. They shouldn’t even take the time to retrieve personal possessions from their homes. They should just run as fast and as far as they can. For that reason it would be especially difficult for pregnant women and nursing mothers.
But Jesus’ warning about the destruction of Jerusalem also points to the end of the world which will be ushered in by times of great distress, too. In fact, Jesus says that the stress of those final days will be so great that no one would survive. But in mercy God will cut that time short so that his faithful people are not overcome by the evil times.
Through it all, we must remember that there is no human power that can rescue us from the destruction at the end of the world. We can’t run fast enough or get away far enough to escape it. Our only hope is Jesus. He suffered and died to free us from the fear of facing the final day of God’s judgment. He rescued us from the eternal destruction that we were headed for because of our sin. He is our Savior through whom we have peace and joy with God – even in these last days..
Calm my heart, Jesus, with the comfort of your love. Take away my fears with the assurance of your salvation and your promise of life eternal with God. Help me live in hope and joy by faith in you as my dear Savior. Amen.
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Our Lowly Bodies - Mar. 3, 2010
The Lord Jesus Christ…will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Philippians 3:20
A handful of you will live your lives free from serious illness or injury. And when you die, you will die quietly in your sleep. For the rest of us, however, it’s simply a matter of time before each of us experiences the hard truth that our bodies are frail, weak and lowly vessels.
All it takes is one nasty bacterium, one malignant cell, one stubborn virus. All it takes is a second of inattention behind the wheel or a moment of distraction at the worksite, and before you know what’s happening, you find yourself lying in a hospital bed with barely enough strength to sit up. It’s then that you understand how vulnerable your body really is. And if you manage to avoid all this, there is always the slow-motion collision your body has with old age.
No matter how fit we are, no matter how strong or athletic or vigorous we are, the bodies we have are still lowly bodies. They are lowly and weak because of sin.
When the Son of God entered our time and space, he took on a human body; he became a human being. In that body he lived a sinless life on our behalf. Then he allowed sinners to nail his body to a cross. On that cross, Jesus’ body carried the sins of the whole world and paid for them in full. And three days later Jesus rose from death, his body glorified.
What does this mean for us? God’s Word says that “the Lord Jesus Christ…will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Remember this when you look in the mirror and see your frailty. Remember this when you’re lying on a hospital bed. Remember this when you feel too weak to leave your home. Remember this when the body of a beloved Christian wears out and dies.
In this fallen world, our bodies are lowly bodies. But for the Christian, the world to come will be different. God’s Word says so.
Sustain us, Lord, as we grapple with our lowly bodies in this fallen world. Thank you for your promise to transform our lowly bodies to be like yours. Amen.
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Matthew 24:9-14 - Mar. 2, 2010
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Matthew 24:9-14
Jesus continued to answer the questions of the disciples: When will the end of the world happen? What will be the signs? The signs, Jesus said, will be very hard on us. People will turn away from the Christian faith. Christians will be hated by people because of their faith. False prophets will appear and lead many away from the truth of God’s Word. As the end of time approaches ungodliness will increase as the love of God in people’s hearts decreases.
All of these signs were already evident within years – almost within months – of Jesus' death and resurrection. The disciples later understood, as we should, that the end times began when Jesus left the earth at his ascension into heaven. From that time, up to the present, and into the future until the actual Last Day – these are the end times. Yes, we are living in them now.
But we still have work to do. Jesus also told the disciples that "the gospel...will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations." There’s hardly a region on earth that hasn't had some contact with the gospel in the past two thousand years. Although this sign is already completed (or very close to being completed), that doesn't mean we should stop reaching out with the message of salvation. There are people near each one of us who need Jesus. The end itself may happen at any time, "like a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2). But when it does, we want to have brought as many people as we could to the cross of Jesus Christ.
The message of Jesus is the power that brings people to faith in him as their Savior and keeps them firm in that faith so that they are prepared to meet their Lord when the end finally does come. That's why we say with the Apostle Paul, "Pray that I might proclaim it clearly, as I should." (Colossians 4:4).
Lord Jesus, take away any fear that I have about the end of the world and the circumstances that lead up to it. Lead me to trust in your promises to guard me in my faith and guide me on my way to the glory of eternal life that you have won for me by your death and resurrection. Help me to share the message of your salvation with people that I know. Amen.
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I must keep going. - Mar. 1, 2010
Jesus replied, “I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal. In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day – for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!”
Luke 13:31-33
“It looks dangerous to me.” As Bob studied the rope bridge, he saw the frayed ends and missing boards. So his advice was simple, “Let’s turn back.” In contrast to Bob’s timid nature, John expressed complete confidence. He knew the bridge was going to support their weight because he had just used the bridge a week earlier. So he started across the bridge and invited his friend, “Let’s keep going!”
Jesus faced a similar decision. Should I turn back, or should I keep going? He knew what was in store for him if he pressed on (Luke 13:33). His decision was revealed in his resolve: “I must keep going.”
Jesus knew what he was here to do (John 3:16-17). It was a ministry entrusted to him by his Father. He also knew how it was going to end. Still, he accepted the work, and did not turn away from the cost. Through every obstacle and challenge, as well as through every temptation, he persevered.
“I must keep going.” With these words I come to understand the commitment Jesus had for my rescue. He was going to do everything necessary to free me from the punishment my sin demanded and the hopelessness I would have without him. The only thing that could help me was his death. Because Jesus was willing to die on the cross, I am free. Free from the punishment I deserved, and free from Satan’s tyranny over my life. It is this freedom in which I now live.
As I live in this freedom I need to recognize the challenges that confront me. Satan does not give up his claim on me. My flesh continues to be weak and timid. Even the world increases its pressures and distractions. This unholy alliance seeks to make me give up my faith in Jesus, and give up the freedom he secured for me.
“I must keep going.” It not only becomes my goal for life, it also becomes my source of help. When I am tempted to stop following my Savior, or when I am tempted to give up, I need to look to Jesus. I need to see him on his journey to Jerusalem and the cross. I need to see him living and dying for me. I need to trust that he never gave up on me. It is this knowledge that becomes my reason to persevere. It is my courage, my power and my conviction to say: “I must keep going.”
(Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal: 467)
May the mind of Christ my Savior live in me from day to day,
By his love and power inspiring all I do or say.
May I run the race before me, strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus as I onward go.
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Remember. Remember. Remember. - Feb. 26, 2010
Then we cried out to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression. So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders.
Deuteronomy 26:7-8
It's not a good idea to "live in the past." Living in the past can cripple us as we try to move into the future.
But a proper look to the past can be quite valuable. Today’s Bible reading goes back to the time that God was leading his people out of Egypt to the land he had promised them. When they got settled in the land, God instructed the people to bring an offering to the tabernacle, and speak some words of remembrance – words that recalled how God brought them out of slavery in Egypt and to the Promised Land. Why were they to speak these words of remembrance?
Because as they remembered the great things which God had done for them in the past, they would be filled with confidence for the future, for the God who had rescued them in the past would certainly walk with them into their future. The look back would keep them humble – God had rescued them; they had not rescued themselves. The look back would be empowering – on their side they had the Almighty God, the One who'd loved them enough to rescue them.
And what's true for them is true for you, too. You have a God who has rescued you! God has fully accomplished your salvation. He sent his Son, Jesus who died on the cross to rescue you from the guilt and condemnation for your sins. Through Jesus, God is on your side! He loves you, and will keep on walking with you day-by-day.
This is good news to always remember, remember, remember!
O Savior, forgive me for so quickly forgetting. Remind me that you've rescued me, so that I might be filled with confidence, and might humbly and joyously move into the future, with you at my side. Amen.
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Matthew 24:1-8 - Feb. 25, 2010
Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Matthew 24:1-8
The disciples asked Jesus questions about the end of the world and signs that would indicate that it is approaching – questions that come to our minds, too. Throughout this chapter of Matthew, Jesus will answer those questions to give the disciples – and us – information about the end times, courage during the end times, and confidence in what awaits us after the end times.
Jesus warns of some who will come and claim to be the savior that all should look to. But those liars are false Christs who set themselves up in the place of Jesus Christ, either by name, by authority or by power.
Jesus also describes signs in society: there will be wars and rumors of wars – and such things must happen. Physical signs of the end will include famines, earthquakes, and nations opposed to one another. Jesus calls all these things the "beginning of birth pains." When a woman goes into labor, birth pains generally start quite a time before the actual delivery. Those initial pains are a sign, though, of the eventual birth of the child.
The signs of the end times that Jesus describes are happening right now. In fact, they have been happening for centuries, even millennia. The point that Jesus is making for people of all generations, yes even for us right now, is to be ready, be aware, and be on the alert. The end is coming.
Birth pains for a woman often grow more intense and difficult as delivery gets closer. But when her baby is born, the experience of labor pains is replaced with wonderful joy (John 16:21). Likewise, Jesus explains, the end times will be difficult. In fact, they will grow even more difficult as the last day approaches, but they will end. For believers in Jesus, what lies beyond is unimaginable joy, because Jesus just didn't talk about these things, he also opened heaven for us by his death and resurrection. Because of our Savior Jesus, we have nothing to fear about the end of the world because it is our beginning of forever in the bliss of heaven.
Jesus, take away my fear of the difficulty and destruction that will happen as the end of the world approaches. Comfort me with your promise that you will let nothing separate me from your love and will come back to take me to be with you in the glory of heaven. Amen.
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Matching Hearts and Mouths - Feb. 24, 2010
“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:8-13
Whether you blog it over breakfast, podcast it on your jog, or just enjoy it with a bag of chips on the couch at ten o’clock, the week’s political news brings a lot of double-talk. Political figures are harpooned again and again for flip-flopping like fish out of water. The stances of many on issues seem to change opportunistically. It’s one facet of our political tension in America, regardless of our party-leanings. We’re frustrated with people whose mouths don’t match up with what’s in their hearts.
It’s not just political figures who are opportunistic with the motions of their mouths. Sometimes we have spiritual double-talk of a sort. We sit in the car, stuck on the 405 at 4:05, going only four or five at best. The motions of our mouths speak a tired despair over our day and what we’ve not got done and never will. Also, the guilt of our sins hangs on us and hampers us, almost like running overloaded with baggage through a crowded terminal to catch a connecting flight. We think and say things like: “If I just adjust things a little bit, I can carry this load better and make it work.” “If I only try this or that, I’ll feel better about myself.” The Apostle Paul would say that kind of speech doesn’t match up with what we’ve claimed in our hearts.
We, who believe, have in our hearts “the word of faith.” The word of faith is important because it’s the message of trust in the Lord. We trust in a God who did everything necessary to save us: Jesus died and rose. Sin is paid; death is done. By faith, the trust that God does that work of salvation is in our hearts. Paul says it reaches our mouths, too: “It is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Take your guilt and shortfalls and drop them at Jesus’ feet; set down the bags, and speak from the heart the truth of who you are: the Lord’s own, bought with Christ’s blood, saved. There is no difference; whatever the problem, whatever your background, let your mouth confess who you are. You are saved by Jesus’ work; your work is simply to confess your joyous confidence in him.
Lord God, I praise you for working faith in my heart that clings to Jesus who died to pay for my sins and rose to give me victory over death. Help me to confess with my mouth that I am confident of my salvation in Jesus through whom you have chosen me to be your very own. Amen.
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Matthew 23:37-39 - Feb. 23, 2010
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
Matthew 23:37-39
The entire chapter of Matthew 23 is a number of stern warnings that Jesus spoke against those who rejected him in unbelief, especially the religious leaders. If you read through those passages (Matthew 23:1-36), you will see that Jesus spoke very strongly against those who opposed him. His reason for the woes that he pronounced was not to antagonize his enemies. No, he spoke as firmly as he did because he truly loved them! Yes, he wanted them to see that the confidence that they were putting in themselves for salvation was very dangerous. They could not save themselves from condemnation in hell by their attempts to live as righteously as possible. Jesus wanted to correct them. He wanted them to put their faith in him as their Savior so that they would not fall under the eternal judgment of God. He wanted them to have eternal life with
God by trusting in him as their Savior.
Oh, the great extent of Jesus’ love for people! He wants all to come to the knowledge of God’s truth and be saved from the curse of sin. He reaches out to gather people into the protective care of his boundless goodness and fills them with the fullness of life. He calls upon them to turn from the emptiness and hopelessness they have without him. How sad and sorrowful he is when they refuse, because when judgment finally comes, they will be separated from God forever.
Jesus is our Savior. His death was the sacrifice that God accepted as payment for all of our sins. There’s nothing more for us to do for the forgiveness of sins and the joy of life with God. Jesus did it all. Believe it.
Jesus, how greatly you love me to willingly die to take away the guilt of my sins! Fill my heart with confident trust in you alone for salvation and eternal life. Amen.
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Overcoming Temptation - Feb. 22, 2010
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'" The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time
Luke 4:1-13
The prophet Zechariah penned the words, “I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered” (Zechariah 13:7). His words pointed to the day when Jesus was arrested and led off to trial and crucifixion. His disciples abandoned him. When their shepherd was struck down, the disciples scattered.
But throughout Jesus’ life there were other times that the devil tried to strike him down. This reading from Luke 4 is just one example. The devil knew that if he could lead Jesus into just one sin, God’s entire plan for saving mankind would fall. If Jesus fell, all of us would fall with him. So Satan tempted Jesus to sin.
The first of these temptations doesn’t seem to be that terribly bad to me. After all, Jesus was true man and true God. Because he was man, he was hungry. Because he was true God, he could do something about it. So what would it hurt if he were to change a stone into bread? After all, on other days he changed water into wine and even fed over 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two small fish. What harm could a little miracle do?
But in all of these temptations Jesus recognized what the devil was trying to do. He was trying to get Jesus to act selfishly. He tempted Jesus to be self-serving and to fill his self-centered desire for food, for power, and for a sign from God. Jesus would have none of it. He saw through the devil’s temptations and responded with the Word of God. By resisting temptation, Jesus continued to be our sinless substitute. Jesus was focused on you and me. He came to give his life for ours to take away our sin.
Having been forgiven and strengthened by Jesus, we are also ready to face the temptations of the devil. Our best defense is the Word of God which helps us see through the devil’s lies and schemes. It is also our answer to the difficult questions we face and the guiding light in our lives.
Our Savior faced the devil and defeated him. With the strength that Jesus gives, we are ready to face him, too.
Savior Jesus, strengthen me against the temptations of the devil. Build me up in your Word that I may humbly trust in your almighty power to help me overcome his lying schemes. Direct me to live according to your will in thankfulness for the victory you won over Satan to give me life and salvation. Amen.
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Gazing into the face of God - Feb. 19, 2010
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him."
Exodus 34:29-30
There's a famous work of art by Michaelangelo, in which Moses is pictured with horns on his head. Why is that? It's because the Hebrew word for "shine" is the same as the word for "horn," and apparently the Bible which Michaelangelo used had translated it as "horn."
While that's just a bit of (interesting?) trivia, there's an important truth behind it. The word "horn" denotes "power, majesty, authority."
Now think about this scene: Moses' face is shining because he's been in the presence of God. What kind of power, what kind of authority would it take to be able to cause that to happen? Why, it would take amazing power, stupendous power! And God has that kind of power.
Do you and I fully realize the amazing power of our God? Do we comprehend his majesty? Do we approach life in such a way as to make it clear that we recognize God's power, God's majesty? The Israelites - when they gazed at Moses' face - were afraid! How much more would we fear if we were to gaze into the face of God himself! At Jesus' transfiguration, Peter, James and John got a taste of it, as Jesus gave them a glimpse of his full glory. They were terrified!
But thank God that Jesus walked back down that Mount of Transfiguration. He again veiled his glory, exchanging it for the amazing humility of going to the cross to win salvation for us. The amazing grace of God!
That amazing grace of God is yours, for he won forgiveness for you. And so someday you and I will get to gaze into that face of God, and we will get to do so without fear. Will our faces shine, too? We'll find out.
Lord Jesus, forgive me for failing to appreciate your full glory. Fill me with appreciation for your saving love, that you were willing to lay aside your glory to save me. Lead me to reflect your glory in my life now, and to look forward to that day when you'll receive me into eternal glory. Amen.
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Matthew 22:41-46 - Feb. 18, 2010
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" "The son of David," they replied. He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says, " 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet." ' If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?" No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Matthew 22:41-46
The Holy Spirit had this incident in Jesus’ life recorded because God wants to teach us something important about our Savior so that we may grow in our saving faith and our spiritual knowledge.
Several days before this occurrence, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and the people sang: “Hosanna to the Son of David” (Matthew 21:9). The crowd acknowledged that he was the Messiah whom God had promised to send.
Now Jesus confronted some of the religious leaders – the Pharisees – who didn’t believe that Jesus was that promised Messiah. They readily had to answer, though, as they had been duly taught, that the Messiah would be a descendant of the great King David. And there was no doubt that Jesus fulfilled that qualification.
But Jesus goes on to teach that there is more to the identification of the Messiah. David identified his famous descendant as his Lord! Speaking by the power of the Holy Spirit, David pointed out that the Messiah would not only be his son – a true man, he would also be his Lord – true God. In one and the same person, the Messiah would be both man and God!
And that’s exactly who Jesus is. He was born of the virgin Mary who was descendant of King David. Yet God is his Father, and he is God’s eternal Son. So he is both David’s son and his Lord, both true man and true God.
That’s the kind of Savior we need. Jesus was both man and God to live under God’s law and keep it perfectly for us. Jesus was both man and God to make his death count for us so that we are free from the curse of sin and the condemnation of hell. Jesus is the Messiah who alone accomplished our salvation!
Jesus, I praise you for revealing yourself as the promised Savior. Lead me to confidently trust in you as both true God and true man who accomplished my salvation by your perfect life and your sacrificial death for me. Amen.
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If God had a Facebook page… - Feb. 17, 2010
God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6
Face it, a good number of the people you know are on Facebook. They’re chatting and sharing and updating constantly. They’re letting the world in on their lives one profile update at a time. Now, what if God had a Facebook page? With what sort of things would he fill it? Would his profile have a Bible verse of the day? If God had a Facebook page, how many friends would he have, and would you be among them?
People fill out a Facebook profile in order to stay connected with friends and to let the world know who they are. If God had a Facebook page, you can be sure it would be for the same reasons. To do those things, his page would be undoubtedly all about his Son, Jesus. There’s a reason for that. The Apostle Paul said that God “made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
Paul’s words remind us that the world feels it can know and be friends with God in many different ways. But without Jesus, God calls all those ways blindness. God reveals in the Bible the one way to know him: through Jesus, his Son. You see, God demands that his friends be just like him. He even says that all who aren’t like him will be separated from him and have punishment coming. But God also wants everyone to be his friend, so he worked out a way that all who aren’t like him could be.
Now, picture the face of Jesus. When we see Jesus; we see just what God wants in a friend. When we see Jesus; we see the way God makes those who aren’t like him to be his friends. Jesus lived perfectly, just like God. Though innocent, Jesus died on the cross. Jesus bore the guilt for all those who aren’t perfect like God. And that’s all of us!
Know the face of Jesus and understand the perfection God wants in life. Know the face of Jesus and understand the perfection God sees despite your imperfection. Know the face of Jesus and understand God’s love as it shines in your heart and lights up your life. In Jesus, you have the daily comfort of knowing who God is and how he stays connected to you.
If God had a Facebook page…by faith in Jesus, you would be his friend.
Glorious God in heaven, help me today to see the face of your Son Jesus through the Bible. Reassure me there of your great love and friendship through him. Amen.
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Matthew 22:34-40 - Feb. 16, 2010
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Matthew 22:34-40
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had developed a system of 613 laws. They identified this number of laws in the first five books of the Bible and divided the list into two categories: those commands in which God told the people to do something (248 laws) and those that prohibited the people from doing something (365 laws). They also stipulated which commands were binding and nonbinding. Then they spent a lot of their time debating whether their divisions and rankings were accurate.
In order to test Jesus (they really wanted to humiliate him), they got one of their smartest guys to ask Jesus to weigh in on the debate of determining the greatest of God’s commandments. It was easy for Jesus to answer. He based his answer on the fact that God voices his will for all people in the commandments. And God’s will is for people love him and for people love others. All of God’s commands are fulfilled by love.
That kind of love is not something we formulate on our own, though. The love that God commands us to express toward him and toward others flows out of the relationship that we have with God through faith in Jesus. When we come to know the love of God that moved him to send Jesus to rescue us from eternal death, the Holy Spirit empowers us to love God for all that he has done for us, and motivates us to express our love for God by loving others.
The Bible says: “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:9-11).
Holy Spirit, fill my heart with the knowledge of God’s saving love through Jesus my Savior. Help me to love the Lord my God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind, and love others as myself. Amen.
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Mountain Top Experiences - Feb. 15, 2010
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters -- one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what he was saying.) While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him." When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.
Luke 9:28-36
Sometimes in our lives we have what are called “mountain top experiences.” They are experiences that are so great we never want them to end. Some brides and grooms feel that way on their wedding day. They are surrounded by the people that they love the most. They look their best. Everyone is happy and smiling. They never want the day to end. But it does end. It has to end. They need the wedding day to end so that they can get on with their married life and the future that awaits them.
In this lesson from Luke chapter 8, Jesus and three of his closest followers had a mountain top experience. For a moment the disciples where given a glimpse of Jesus in his greatness as the Son of God. It was awesome. Jesus’ clothes were as bright as a flash of lightning. Jesus conferred with Moses and Elijah, two of the great figures from the Old Testament. Peter didn’t want the experience to end. This is why he proposed that they build three shelters. He was hoping to capture and hold the greatness of this incredible moment.
But like all other mountain top experiences, this moment had to end. Jesus knew that he had very important work waiting for him on a different mountain. That was Mount Calvary, the mountain on which he would be crucified for the sins of all people. It was important for Jesus’ disciples and us to remember both mountains. The mountain on which Jesus showed his glory reminds us that he is the true Son of God. Mount Calvary reminds us that Jesus is the Lamb of God who willingly gave his life to make the payment for your sins and the sins of the entire world.
This week the season of Lent begins. It is a time when we focus on the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. As we focus on his passion, let us not forget his great power. He is the Son of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Dear Jesus, I worship you as the glorious Son of God who came from heaven to sacrifice yourself as the Lamb of God to take away the guilt of my sins. Bless me with the truth of your word and the joy of your salvation. Amen.
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Unexpected! - Feb. 12, 2010
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:1-8
Red lights are fine. Blue lights are nice. But when they are together and flashing in your rearview mirror, your heart races and your mind reacts, “Woe is me! I am ruined! Speeding ticket…points on my record…increase in insurance…” When face to face with one who could punish, fear takes over.
Isaiah’s reaction was no different when confronted, not with a speeding ticket, but a vision of the Lord, seated on his throne with his robe filling the temple. Three times the word “Holy” resonates in the vision. Smoke filled the room. Isaiah’s first reaction when faced with the power and holiness of the Almighty God was the exclamation, “Woe to me! I am ruined!”
While we haven’t been confronted with a personal vision of the Almighty, one day we too will “meet our Maker.” Fear takes over. He is holy. We are not. He can punish. We are at his mercy.
What do you think Isaiah felt as the burning coal was brought to his lips? Was it punishment? His ruin? He soon experienced the unexpected. With the coal the Lord purified Isaiah. He did not punish him as his sins deserved. Isaiah was told, “Your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
This is the great reality of the LORD Almighty. He has every right to punish us for our sin, but his love brings not the coal of judgment, but the coal of purification. Because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, he assures us “your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” What relief! What joy! Like the joy and relief if the officer did the unexpected when he came to your car window and said, “While I clocked you fifteen miles per hour over the speed limit, I will pay your fine. Your record is clear.”
No wonder Isaiah then answered the Lord’s call, “Here am I. Send me!” May our response to God’s unexpected grace be the same! “Send me! I will live for you!”
Lord God Almighty, purify my heart and life with your grace and mercy. Use me today to spread your glory and grace to others I know. Amen.
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