Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.
The price of following is pretty steep. The call is to put Jesus, and Jesus alone above all else in our lives. And if you don't, you just aren't worthy of Him. He was speaking these words to the twelve before he sent them out, a little pep talk if you will. The irony is eleven of them scattered like roaches when He was arrested and the twelfth one betrayed Him. Those men followed Him for years. They heard Him speak, saw Him heal, felt the very power of God in His words, His actions. But yet, they couldn't even resist running and abandoning Him.
Nobody is worthy of Him. How is there even hope for me of those who spent years in His very company failed Him? He knows my weaknesses, He understands my struggles, He knows I am so unable to do all He requires and asks, so unable to be worthy of Him on my own. That's the thing that really shows us something special to us about Jesus. His unfathomable love, mercy and grace. In my weaknesses, His strength is shown. In my struggles, He secures victory for me. In my worthlessness to be worthy of Him, He writes my name in the book of life.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Matthew 9:9-10
As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. “Follow me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with Him and His disciples.
Another selection about following. Matthew just got up and followed. No excuses, no arguments. But another thing that got my attention is what happened later. Not only did Matthew just get up and follow. But then Matthew included his circle of influence in that choice. Jesus came to Matthew's house and ate with other tax collectors and "sinners" Matthew knew. Matthew became the instrument, the avenue through which his circle of friends and co-workers were introduced to Jesus in a more personal and intimate way. Matthew's following became a bridge to reaching more lost. Not a wall that separated him from further "corrupting" influences. Is the way I follow building bridges that introduce Jesus to my circle of influence? Or have I too often erected barriers that insulate me from them and their meeting Jesus?
Another selection about following. Matthew just got up and followed. No excuses, no arguments. But another thing that got my attention is what happened later. Not only did Matthew just get up and follow. But then Matthew included his circle of influence in that choice. Jesus came to Matthew's house and ate with other tax collectors and "sinners" Matthew knew. Matthew became the instrument, the avenue through which his circle of friends and co-workers were introduced to Jesus in a more personal and intimate way. Matthew's following became a bridge to reaching more lost. Not a wall that separated him from further "corrupting" influences. Is the way I follow building bridges that introduce Jesus to my circle of influence? Or have I too often erected barriers that insulate me from them and their meeting Jesus?
Monday, March 28, 2011
Matthew 8:21-22
Another disciple said to Him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
These verses aren't about burying somebody at all. They are about following Jesus. Not when it works into my schedule. Not when it runs parallel to my plan. Not when it doesn't interfere with what I want to do. The following is on His terms, His schedule, His plan, His agenda.
Funny, the past several days I've been thinking a lot more about heaven, growing in my longing to be there and freed from the filth and tug of the sin of this world. When I was young, (not that I'm very old now), I had many thoughts along the lines of hoping Jesus doesn't come back until after several life envents for me, getting married, owning my own house, travel to certain places. having children, seeing my children become mature adults, having grandchildren, a leasurily, early retirement. A whole list of things on my agenda. Or sometimes there are other "If..., then I'll follow." deals we want to make. If I get a raise, then I'll tithe. When the kids' sports season is over, then I'll have time for devotions.
What's been my excuse when Jesus asks me to follow Him? What's yours? Is there any such thing as a "valid excuse" to not follow Jesus? I don't think so. I have to constantly be on my guard. So when He says follow, I don't say, "Lord, first let me..." To follow Jesus means there are no "first let me..." things that encumber my obedience. There just needs to be a simple yes. I haven't mastered following yet. But that is what I pray and strive for.
But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
These verses aren't about burying somebody at all. They are about following Jesus. Not when it works into my schedule. Not when it runs parallel to my plan. Not when it doesn't interfere with what I want to do. The following is on His terms, His schedule, His plan, His agenda.
Funny, the past several days I've been thinking a lot more about heaven, growing in my longing to be there and freed from the filth and tug of the sin of this world. When I was young, (not that I'm very old now), I had many thoughts along the lines of hoping Jesus doesn't come back until after several life envents for me, getting married, owning my own house, travel to certain places. having children, seeing my children become mature adults, having grandchildren, a leasurily, early retirement. A whole list of things on my agenda. Or sometimes there are other "If..., then I'll follow." deals we want to make. If I get a raise, then I'll tithe. When the kids' sports season is over, then I'll have time for devotions.
What's been my excuse when Jesus asks me to follow Him? What's yours? Is there any such thing as a "valid excuse" to not follow Jesus? I don't think so. I have to constantly be on my guard. So when He says follow, I don't say, "Lord, first let me..." To follow Jesus means there are no "first let me..." things that encumber my obedience. There just needs to be a simple yes. I haven't mastered following yet. But that is what I pray and strive for.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Genesis 22:10
Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
One day as a test God told Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. So early the next morning Abraham got up and prepared for this endevor, cut all the wood he would need, packed up the donkey, took the all the supplies for those on the trip, traveled for three days to get to the place this was to happen, build the alter, arranged the wood, bound Isaac, placed his son on the alter, then took the knife in his hand. Nowhere in this story is there ever any hint of second thoughts by Abraham, no arguing with God, no pleading for God to change His mind. Strange, the contrast of this silence when told to scarifice his own promised son when a few chapters back this same man is dickering with God about the destruction of Sodom if there were but 50, 45, 40, 30, 20, or 10 righteous men found there.
There's no doubt I've been more influenced by the world than I care to admit, seeing many things in shades of gray rather than in bold black and white. If it were me I'd probably be thinking wasn't cutting enough wood proof enough for God of my obedience? Or how about loading everything up and setting off on the journey? Surely traveling for three days proves my willingness, right? But with obedience there are no half-hearted measures. It's either full bore right to the very end or it isn't obedience at all. Where am I stopping short in my obedience rather than going all the way, even to the point of raising the knife?
But this story is also about God's faithfulness and "faith-worthy-ness" when we do obey. Even as Abraham and Isaac were trekking up the mountain with no idea how this would turn out, Abraham told Isaac, "The Lord will provide." when asked where was the sacrifical lamb. Abraham wasn't looking for a way out of obeying God. He just had faith in God. Do I have faith enough to just say God will provide, period, no ifs ands or buts?
One day as a test God told Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. So early the next morning Abraham got up and prepared for this endevor, cut all the wood he would need, packed up the donkey, took the all the supplies for those on the trip, traveled for three days to get to the place this was to happen, build the alter, arranged the wood, bound Isaac, placed his son on the alter, then took the knife in his hand. Nowhere in this story is there ever any hint of second thoughts by Abraham, no arguing with God, no pleading for God to change His mind. Strange, the contrast of this silence when told to scarifice his own promised son when a few chapters back this same man is dickering with God about the destruction of Sodom if there were but 50, 45, 40, 30, 20, or 10 righteous men found there.
There's no doubt I've been more influenced by the world than I care to admit, seeing many things in shades of gray rather than in bold black and white. If it were me I'd probably be thinking wasn't cutting enough wood proof enough for God of my obedience? Or how about loading everything up and setting off on the journey? Surely traveling for three days proves my willingness, right? But with obedience there are no half-hearted measures. It's either full bore right to the very end or it isn't obedience at all. Where am I stopping short in my obedience rather than going all the way, even to the point of raising the knife?
But this story is also about God's faithfulness and "faith-worthy-ness" when we do obey. Even as Abraham and Isaac were trekking up the mountain with no idea how this would turn out, Abraham told Isaac, "The Lord will provide." when asked where was the sacrifical lamb. Abraham wasn't looking for a way out of obeying God. He just had faith in God. Do I have faith enough to just say God will provide, period, no ifs ands or buts?
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Matthew 6:4, 6, 18
...so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you...
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you...
...so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
The first thing I notice is a triad of triads here. The first is three areas of relationship: Giving is my relationship to others. Praying is my relationship to God. Fasting is relationship to myself, own body and desires. Another triad could be my mind (having a generous attitude of giving), my body (fasting, bringing my physical comfort into proper perspective), and my soul (praying to keep strong and healthy spiritually).
A third triad points to three areas that could be indicators of where my loyalty lies and the kingdom for which I am really living? Do I lift up with open hands in generosity all the material blessings I have or do I hold on to them tightly? Do I spend my time in fellowship and communication to grow my relationship with my Heavenly Father or fritter away my time in meaningless pursuits with no eternal value? Do I deny myself, take up my cross and follow, making my life truly a living sacrifice or am I so self-centered I am not even willing to endure a little suffering or discomfort for the One who paid it all for me? Tough questions I need to always be asking in order to keep me focused.
The next thing I noticed is all three of these things, giving, praying and fasting, are to be done in secret. They aren't for show. They aren't to draw praise and attention to one's self from others. (A tangential question: So should I only give cash in the offering so nobody will know what I'm giving?) These are deeply personal and private spiritual exercises between me and my Father. Keeping these practices private and unknown to others helps to sift through the motives for doing them. I am to do them with the pure motive of obeying and pleasing my Father and to strengthen my faith.
A strong, vibrant open and growing relationship with God through obedience in these and other areas is its own reward. Is that the reward according to these verses I will receive for these practices? Or will there be rewards in addition to this? I continue to strive for and desire that my heart will be such that knowing God more fully will be the only reward I care about. Because in reality, nothing else even matters.
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you...
...so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
The first thing I notice is a triad of triads here. The first is three areas of relationship: Giving is my relationship to others. Praying is my relationship to God. Fasting is relationship to myself, own body and desires. Another triad could be my mind (having a generous attitude of giving), my body (fasting, bringing my physical comfort into proper perspective), and my soul (praying to keep strong and healthy spiritually).
A third triad points to three areas that could be indicators of where my loyalty lies and the kingdom for which I am really living? Do I lift up with open hands in generosity all the material blessings I have or do I hold on to them tightly? Do I spend my time in fellowship and communication to grow my relationship with my Heavenly Father or fritter away my time in meaningless pursuits with no eternal value? Do I deny myself, take up my cross and follow, making my life truly a living sacrifice or am I so self-centered I am not even willing to endure a little suffering or discomfort for the One who paid it all for me? Tough questions I need to always be asking in order to keep me focused.
The next thing I noticed is all three of these things, giving, praying and fasting, are to be done in secret. They aren't for show. They aren't to draw praise and attention to one's self from others. (A tangential question: So should I only give cash in the offering so nobody will know what I'm giving?) These are deeply personal and private spiritual exercises between me and my Father. Keeping these practices private and unknown to others helps to sift through the motives for doing them. I am to do them with the pure motive of obeying and pleasing my Father and to strengthen my faith.
A strong, vibrant open and growing relationship with God through obedience in these and other areas is its own reward. Is that the reward according to these verses I will receive for these practices? Or will there be rewards in addition to this? I continue to strive for and desire that my heart will be such that knowing God more fully will be the only reward I care about. Because in reality, nothing else even matters.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Matthew 5:1-12
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,and he began to teach them saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
I just hate it when there's no clearly defined objective or expectation or goal, especially at work. Jesus is spelling out just what His disciples need to be like, the kind of attitudes they need to advance through the ranks, what is required for them to "bonus" in the incentive program. the performance expectations that will be discussed at their annual reviews. But this soooo anti-"the way the real world operates" list is going a bit overboard, don't you think? Real go-getters show no mercy. The meek never get ahead and just get lost in the shuffle. Peacemakers just get used as pawns by those who really want to trounce their enemy. Right?
The trouble is, what I tend to think of as the "real" world, really isn't. Sure it is the way of this fallen world I live in. But Jesus came to restore the world, not co opt it's ways for use in setting up just another alternative way of life. The Jesus Way is a complete contrast to the worldly way. And I, as His follower am to live in this world as mere ambassadors from His kingdom to it, not a full citizen of it. My standard of conduct and attitude isn't what will these people think and am I succeeding by the world's measurement. It needs to be what does my King think and am I representing Him well. If there is no drastic and marked difference, if I'm not poor in spirit, pure in heart, meek, peacemaking, merciful and hungry for righteousness, not only am I deprived of blessing but I also may deprive those I come in contact with of seeing the only hope for this world, Jesus.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
I just hate it when there's no clearly defined objective or expectation or goal, especially at work. Jesus is spelling out just what His disciples need to be like, the kind of attitudes they need to advance through the ranks, what is required for them to "bonus" in the incentive program. the performance expectations that will be discussed at their annual reviews. But this soooo anti-"the way the real world operates" list is going a bit overboard, don't you think? Real go-getters show no mercy. The meek never get ahead and just get lost in the shuffle. Peacemakers just get used as pawns by those who really want to trounce their enemy. Right?
The trouble is, what I tend to think of as the "real" world, really isn't. Sure it is the way of this fallen world I live in. But Jesus came to restore the world, not co opt it's ways for use in setting up just another alternative way of life. The Jesus Way is a complete contrast to the worldly way. And I, as His follower am to live in this world as mere ambassadors from His kingdom to it, not a full citizen of it. My standard of conduct and attitude isn't what will these people think and am I succeeding by the world's measurement. It needs to be what does my King think and am I representing Him well. If there is no drastic and marked difference, if I'm not poor in spirit, pure in heart, meek, peacemaking, merciful and hungry for righteousness, not only am I deprived of blessing but I also may deprive those I come in contact with of seeing the only hope for this world, Jesus.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Genesis 13:17
Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.
God had just told Abram to look all around. north, south east and west. God promised all the land he could see would be his and that of his offspring. Then God tells Abram to check it out, walk through it from end to end and side to side. Take it all in and see the magnitude of what God had in store for him.
I can't say that God has audibly spoken a huge promise like this one to me about what may be ahead for my life. But what this verse says to me right now is that I need to look around at all the promises He has already kept, at all the blessings He has poured into my life. It is always a good thing to walk through the length and breadth of all God has done in my life. Hasn't He always been faithful even in my darkest hours? Isn't the thread of His workings woven throughout the fabric of my life? The answer is obviously a resounding yes. By walking through the "land" He has already given to me I see the magnitude of His greatness and the extent to which He will go to show His love for me. My response should be just like Abram's. Go, pitch a tent, build an alter.
So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the Lord.
God had just told Abram to look all around. north, south east and west. God promised all the land he could see would be his and that of his offspring. Then God tells Abram to check it out, walk through it from end to end and side to side. Take it all in and see the magnitude of what God had in store for him.
I can't say that God has audibly spoken a huge promise like this one to me about what may be ahead for my life. But what this verse says to me right now is that I need to look around at all the promises He has already kept, at all the blessings He has poured into my life. It is always a good thing to walk through the length and breadth of all God has done in my life. Hasn't He always been faithful even in my darkest hours? Isn't the thread of His workings woven throughout the fabric of my life? The answer is obviously a resounding yes. By walking through the "land" He has already given to me I see the magnitude of His greatness and the extent to which He will go to show His love for me. My response should be just like Abram's. Go, pitch a tent, build an alter.
So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the Lord.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Genesis 12:16-17
He (Pharaoh) treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels. But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram's wife Sarai.
Let me get this straight. Abram, through who all the peoples on the earth will be blessed lies to Pharaoh and tells him Sarai is his sister. Pharaoh, thinking she is free for the taking because of Abram's deceit, takes Sarai as his wife. Abram greatly benefits from this lie and Pharaoh has diseases inflicting on him and his household because of all this. Pharaoh obviously treated Abram well, blessing him and not cursing him, so why wasn't he blessed and became diseased instead? Did God get this one wrong? Is the wrong party here being punished?
What's the lesson here? That God condones deception as a means of blessing those He has chosen? That actions taken when relying upon words spoken by a person of God's choosing are not to be trusted? That lies aren't any big deal to God, or at least weren't yet because the 10 Commandment hadn't been given yet?
This is one of those stories that really doesn't make complete sense to me. Abram hatches this plot to protect himself and sort of protect Sarai. If he really believed God's promise and trusted Him, shouldn't Abram have been severely dealt with for his lack of faith and for taking matters into his own hands by means of deception? Is what I've had drilled into me through my Christian upbringing been wrong? That holding firm to my faith through the tough times, making the right choices may bring about suffering for a season but will build my faith in the long term? That God's grace is not a license to sin? That God may quickly remove His hand of blessing when I transgress because He is a just and holy God who does not reward sin?
As a parent I often seem to make decisions that seem inconsistent or unfair to my children. I'll come down heavy handedly on one kid and seemingly ignore the same infraction by another. A child will seem to get a more severe punishment by reacting to a wrong by another child while the initial instigator of the incident appears to get off with no discipline. When filtered through their experience, level of maturity and understanding, many of my parenting decisions don't seem to make much sense. But one thing they do know is I love them very much and want what is best for them.
Granted, I am extremely imperfect and flawed. But God is not. He is perfect in every way. And His ways are far exceeding anything I can comprehend or understand. But, without a doubt, I know He loves me and desires my best. I can question things when they don't make sense. But the bottom line is He is God and knows what He is doing even when I don't.
Let me get this straight. Abram, through who all the peoples on the earth will be blessed lies to Pharaoh and tells him Sarai is his sister. Pharaoh, thinking she is free for the taking because of Abram's deceit, takes Sarai as his wife. Abram greatly benefits from this lie and Pharaoh has diseases inflicting on him and his household because of all this. Pharaoh obviously treated Abram well, blessing him and not cursing him, so why wasn't he blessed and became diseased instead? Did God get this one wrong? Is the wrong party here being punished?
What's the lesson here? That God condones deception as a means of blessing those He has chosen? That actions taken when relying upon words spoken by a person of God's choosing are not to be trusted? That lies aren't any big deal to God, or at least weren't yet because the 10 Commandment hadn't been given yet?
This is one of those stories that really doesn't make complete sense to me. Abram hatches this plot to protect himself and sort of protect Sarai. If he really believed God's promise and trusted Him, shouldn't Abram have been severely dealt with for his lack of faith and for taking matters into his own hands by means of deception? Is what I've had drilled into me through my Christian upbringing been wrong? That holding firm to my faith through the tough times, making the right choices may bring about suffering for a season but will build my faith in the long term? That God's grace is not a license to sin? That God may quickly remove His hand of blessing when I transgress because He is a just and holy God who does not reward sin?
As a parent I often seem to make decisions that seem inconsistent or unfair to my children. I'll come down heavy handedly on one kid and seemingly ignore the same infraction by another. A child will seem to get a more severe punishment by reacting to a wrong by another child while the initial instigator of the incident appears to get off with no discipline. When filtered through their experience, level of maturity and understanding, many of my parenting decisions don't seem to make much sense. But one thing they do know is I love them very much and want what is best for them.
Granted, I am extremely imperfect and flawed. But God is not. He is perfect in every way. And His ways are far exceeding anything I can comprehend or understand. But, without a doubt, I know He loves me and desires my best. I can question things when they don't make sense. But the bottom line is He is God and knows what He is doing even when I don't.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Genesis 4:7
If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.
Cain was angry because his offering, unlike his brother's, was not looked upon with favor by the Lord. Was this because Cain's offering was comprised of fruits of the soil rather than of animals? I don't think so. In the translation I read of this chapter, verses three and four say that Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil, where Abel brought fat portions and some of the firstborn of his flock.
Though unstated in this passage, I have to believe that both Cain and Abel were taught what is acceptable as an offering to God. Cain had to know the high standard required otherwise this would probably be an instructional verse as to what is right rather than one about doing what is right.
When I bring an offering, whether monetery or otherwise, when I give of my time, talent or resources, are they acceptable and looked upon with favor? Or am I caving to the sin crouching at my door? My attitude and posture when it comes to my various offerings are a clear indication of who, or what, rules over me.
Cain was angry because his offering, unlike his brother's, was not looked upon with favor by the Lord. Was this because Cain's offering was comprised of fruits of the soil rather than of animals? I don't think so. In the translation I read of this chapter, verses three and four say that Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil, where Abel brought fat portions and some of the firstborn of his flock.
Though unstated in this passage, I have to believe that both Cain and Abel were taught what is acceptable as an offering to God. Cain had to know the high standard required otherwise this would probably be an instructional verse as to what is right rather than one about doing what is right.
When I bring an offering, whether monetery or otherwise, when I give of my time, talent or resources, are they acceptable and looked upon with favor? Or am I caving to the sin crouching at my door? My attitude and posture when it comes to my various offerings are a clear indication of who, or what, rules over me.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Genesis 3:22-23
Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”-- therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.
Adam and Eve had access, even permission, to eat from the tree of life before they disobeyed and ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. A few questions rattling around in my brain: If they never ate from either tree, would they have lived forever? Or only if they ate from the tree of life? Is the curse of death a direct result of the sin of eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil or indirect since they were banished from the garden and therefore no longer had access to the tree of life? Is this "man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil" really a statement about knowledge or perhaps something else?
I'm kind of thinking perhaps when man chooses to determine for himself what is good or evil rather than yielding in obedience to the Creator, God, he is setting himself up as his own god. It is in this way that he becomes like the "one of Us" to which God refers. It's clearly visible in our society today how "individualized" good and evil have become. Each person has their own standard of what is right and fair and good for themself. And they often judge others by yet another standard the serves only to elevate themself.
I need to ever be on my guard for that mindset that gets me thinking I can determine what is good or evil for me based on a current situation or my own interests. My anchor for truth, my source for discernment, my reference point for good and evil always must be God and his Word and His Spirit and not something completely inside myself. I have put out my hand and taken from the tree of life. That tree is a rugged cross and it's fruit is the the battered body and poured out blood of Jesus.
Adam and Eve had access, even permission, to eat from the tree of life before they disobeyed and ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. A few questions rattling around in my brain: If they never ate from either tree, would they have lived forever? Or only if they ate from the tree of life? Is the curse of death a direct result of the sin of eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil or indirect since they were banished from the garden and therefore no longer had access to the tree of life? Is this "man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil" really a statement about knowledge or perhaps something else?
I'm kind of thinking perhaps when man chooses to determine for himself what is good or evil rather than yielding in obedience to the Creator, God, he is setting himself up as his own god. It is in this way that he becomes like the "one of Us" to which God refers. It's clearly visible in our society today how "individualized" good and evil have become. Each person has their own standard of what is right and fair and good for themself. And they often judge others by yet another standard the serves only to elevate themself.
I need to ever be on my guard for that mindset that gets me thinking I can determine what is good or evil for me based on a current situation or my own interests. My anchor for truth, my source for discernment, my reference point for good and evil always must be God and his Word and His Spirit and not something completely inside myself. I have put out my hand and taken from the tree of life. That tree is a rugged cross and it's fruit is the the battered body and poured out blood of Jesus.
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