March 11, 2016
Roman soldiers were expert executioners. They had seen men die in the cruelest of ways. They had witnessed their various human responses to torture and death. Yet, this officer had never seen anyone endure suffering as Jesus did. What was it about Jesus that moved this hardened death squad centurion? Was it his dignity and demeanor amidst such ugliness and disdain? Was it his care for the thief crucified beside him or his forgiveness of the taunting crowd? Perhaps it was the darkening of the sky or the ground that shook when he cried out his last? Maybe there was a way that he looked at the Roman leader with compassion in his eyes even as he was dying? Whatever it was, this officer was moved to affirm Christ’s identity. His normally sarcastic, biting tongue was moved to childlike wonder. I wonder. What became of this Roman officer? Did he turn in his sword for a seat at the Lord’s table? Did he exchange his Roman helmet for one of salvation? Will we see the soldier who once stood at the foot of the cross, someday a servant bowing at the feet of the Christ?
March 10, 2016
The atheist usually lays claim to an intellectual position to defend their unbelief. However, the Bible says that their true problem is not reason, but a lack of righteousness. It isn’t the atheist’s mind that rejects God, but his heart. And having refused God entrance, he can find no better candidate for divinity than himself. So, atheism is really humanism at heart. Yet God “looks down” to see who will seek His face. Who will open both their hearts and minds to Him? Those that truly seek God will find Him. This is wisdom.
March 9, 2016
How Moses responded to Joshua’s concern that two of the 70 elders were prophesying in the camp revealed his humble heart and also its alignment with God’s heart. Centuries later, Moses’ hope was fulfilled when the Spirit came to abide in those who believed in Christ. The 70 elders in the wilderness event was a foreshadowing of Pentecost. The Spirit is now available to all who believe. Yet, not all walk in Him. Would that all God’s people would be filled and walk in the Spirit.
March 8, 2016
When Moses expressed doubt that God could keep them in meat for a month, God had a quick reply. I suppose Moses would have kept his doubts to himself, if God would have just offered to make a meat delivery without an announcement. But God wanted Moses to tell those grumbling Israelites that meat for a month was on the way. Having to stand up in front of those growling stomachs and promise that God would provide was overwhelming to Moses. It’s one thing to try and believe God’s Word and trust in His power for yourself. But when you have to stand up in front of a bunch of doubters and declare your faith… That connects your credibility to God’s! And God still does this. He still speaks through His Word and His “arm” is just as powerful as ever. The question is not whether God can do it. The question is who will so trust God that they will stand up and make the announcement!
March 7, 2016
From the time the tabernacle was set up, the presence of God came to rest upon it, appearing as a cloud by day and fire by night. Whenever the cloud lifted, the Israelites broke camp and followed. When it rested, they rested. When it moved, they did likewise. In this way, God taught them to depend on Him for daily direction. God was raising up a people for Himself. Today, we have the Spirit to guide us. When we are sensitive to Him, we know when to move and when to rest, when to go and when to stay.
March 6, 2016
Jesus “watched” to see who was putting money into the Temple offering box. His observation is notable. He not only sees the amount of the gift, but He sees the heart of the giver. The rich that gave out of their “abundance” would be most impressive to others, but the widow who gave out of her “poverty,” most impressed Jesus. For she gave all that she had. Jesus still watches our giving. He is still looking for one that would entrust all that they have to Him.
March 5, 2016
The test for adultery found in Numbers 5 is a troubling passage to modern ears. But before considering its spiritual meaning, we must first remember that the Mosaic law was given to expose our sinfulness and to point towards our need for a Savior to rescue us from the curse of sin. Second, we must remember that marriage is a picture of the covenant relationship that God desires with His people, so adultery also points to how we have broken that covenant with God. In Deut. 27, Moses instructed the people that as they entered the Promised Land, they were to stand and repeat aloud the curses that would fall on them if they broke the laws of the covenant with God. In similar manner, the wife suspected of adultery was to repeat the curses prescribed in Numbers 5 before the Lord. If she was indeed guilty of adultery, then she would be accursed. But if she was innocent, she would be free. Unlike the other laws that required human involvement in carrying out penalties (i.e. “stoning), this law required divine action.
Similarly, our sinfulness today is as adultery against God. We have all gone “astray.” We have all “broken faith” with God. If we were to take this adultery test, every one of us would stand accursed. However, those who have trusted Christ, will not face condemnation, for He has already drank from this bitter, accursed cup. He drained it to the bottom, swallowing the dregs of our sin whole, becoming accursed for us. Christ took the adultery test in our place, so that we might be set free.
March 4, 2016
What is a “parable?” The word parable is from the root word “paraballo” or in the Greek “parabole.” This compound word comes from “para” which means “to come along side or compare” and “ballo” which literally means “to throw.” So, a “parable” is a simple story that stands “alongside” another story and “throws” towards, or points towards, a deeper meaning.
To whom was this parable directed? The chief priests, scribes and elders who had come questioning His authority.
What was this parable’s meaning? The “vineyard” pointed to Israel and the “winepress,” to the temple. The “tenants” were those chief priests, scribes and elders that the owner had left in charge. The “servants” who the owner sent were the prophets. And of course, the son of the owner, that the tenants killed, was Jesus. With this parable, Jesus was actually answering their earlier question concerning by what authority he acted. He was telling them that He was the Son of God and predicting that they would reject and kill Him. And that because of this rejection they would suffer God’s judgment.
He answered them with a parable. But they didn’t understand.
March 3, 2016
Three divine attributes that we experience when we go to God in times of trouble: “Refuge”, “strength,” and “very present help.” God is our “refuge,” our shelter, shielding us from the storms of life when we trust his protection. God is our “strength,” both materially and physically, supplying and empowering us to survive during troubling times. And He is easily found when we call upon Him because He is a “very present help.” He is always only a prayer away. Of course, we know that God is always present with us, yet during times of trouble His presence seems intensified (or at least our awareness of God is intensified). Have you experienced these attributes of our God during times of trouble?
March 2, 2016
Worldly riches are temporary and so is the happiness they bring, for they always contain trouble as well. The new car smell always wears off. The new clothes always fade. Moth and rust destroy and thieves steal. But the blessing of the Lord is eternal and adds no trouble. His blessing cannot be earned, only received. Which do you seek?