Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.
Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii (eight months' wages) worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” John 6:5-7
Knowing what He was going to do anyway, Jesus asked Philip a question to "test" him. Hmmmmm. More questions than answers here. Why even ask? Didn't Jesus also know what Philip's answer would be as well? Do you think Philip passed or failed the test? If Philip's faith, as it seems to me here, was so lacking in regards to what Jesus could do in this "impossible" situation, is my lack of faith in the impossible situations I encounter also something that will not hinder Jesus from doing miracles? Was the miracle done in spite of Philip's lack of faith or in order that Philip's faith (as well as others') would become more solid? Does faith even factor into the equation of miracles? How often does Jesus "test" me? Every day? Is every choice a test?
Another thought I extracted as I read this. What if the people were reversed here and Philip was asking Jesus how to deal with this crisis? After all, wasn't Jesus the leader of this band? Often when in a tough situation, it seems to be my natural bent (any probably that of many others) to "ask" Jesus what I should do while already knowing what I am planning on doing. Gee that's got to frustrate Him. It should also throw up a huge red flag inside myself that tells me if I already know what I'm going to do before I even talk it over with Jesus, then I need to examine who is really on the throne in my life because there clearly is more I need to yield to His control.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
John 5
"For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgement to the Son...
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but has passed from death into life...
..."As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me." John 5:22, 24, 30
In order for there to be such a thing as judgement, there must be a standard, something to be measured against. The ultimate standard is to do God's will. "Do not eat from this tree." The first standard, law, command that, once broken, lead humaniity down the path of choosing our own will over that of God. Then came the Law. But the Law couldn't save us. It could only serve to show us in a more tangible way how we do not measure up to the standard God has for us. The Law was co-opted by the religious leaders and turned into merely a bunch of external rules to be kept unto itself to prove by their unrighteous judgement a man's "holiness" rather than as an instrument for discerning what is God's will for how we should live our lives. Was God's will really that a person not carry any furniture or that nobody be healed on a Sabbath? Did walking further than the laws perscribed, as interpreted by the religious leaders, accurately reflect how inclined towards God a man's heart was?
Jesus, fully God, fully man. His judgement is righteous because as God, He knows what the Father's will is and as man, He lived it out perfectly. Who better to be a judge, knowing both the standard of God and the temptations of sin that pull at the flesh. But He didn't just live out the perfect life and turn around and say to us, "See, it can be done so now you do it." He offered up His perfect, sinless life for mine full of disgusting, twisted, evil, currupt, sinful, rebelious, darkness. My sin on Him as he hangs on the cross and while His righteousness covers me. All any of us need to do is hear His words and believe. He's really getting a raw deal if you ask me. Look at Him on the Cross. Stare. Don't avert your eyes. Take a good, long look.....
So, so unworthy of His mercy and love. So very deserving of His judgement and condemnation. I am completely unable to fully grasp it. In my pitiful state I find it impossible to accept... nearly.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but has passed from death into life...
..."As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me." John 5:22, 24, 30
In order for there to be such a thing as judgement, there must be a standard, something to be measured against. The ultimate standard is to do God's will. "Do not eat from this tree." The first standard, law, command that, once broken, lead humaniity down the path of choosing our own will over that of God. Then came the Law. But the Law couldn't save us. It could only serve to show us in a more tangible way how we do not measure up to the standard God has for us. The Law was co-opted by the religious leaders and turned into merely a bunch of external rules to be kept unto itself to prove by their unrighteous judgement a man's "holiness" rather than as an instrument for discerning what is God's will for how we should live our lives. Was God's will really that a person not carry any furniture or that nobody be healed on a Sabbath? Did walking further than the laws perscribed, as interpreted by the religious leaders, accurately reflect how inclined towards God a man's heart was?
Jesus, fully God, fully man. His judgement is righteous because as God, He knows what the Father's will is and as man, He lived it out perfectly. Who better to be a judge, knowing both the standard of God and the temptations of sin that pull at the flesh. But He didn't just live out the perfect life and turn around and say to us, "See, it can be done so now you do it." He offered up His perfect, sinless life for mine full of disgusting, twisted, evil, currupt, sinful, rebelious, darkness. My sin on Him as he hangs on the cross and while His righteousness covers me. All any of us need to do is hear His words and believe. He's really getting a raw deal if you ask me. Look at Him on the Cross. Stare. Don't avert your eyes. Take a good, long look.....
So, so unworthy of His mercy and love. So very deserving of His judgement and condemnation. I am completely unable to fully grasp it. In my pitiful state I find it impossible to accept... nearly.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
1 Kings 17-19; Colossians 2
Colossians 2: 20
Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules?
I'm pretty sure this speaks to the man-made rules the religious leaders imposed. It's so very easy to keep up apperances by doing and saying all the right things or by not doing the wrong things. But these rules are completely meaningless. They only benefit those who wish to judge righteousness based on the external. It's all pride based and self promotion.
It's not that God gives us a moving, elusive target and that there are no rules. But unlike the "basic principles of this world" by which men judge, God looks upon the heart. Is how I live my life an outflow of loving and serving God and loving and serving others? Am I immitating the culture around me or Christ?
Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules?
I'm pretty sure this speaks to the man-made rules the religious leaders imposed. It's so very easy to keep up apperances by doing and saying all the right things or by not doing the wrong things. But these rules are completely meaningless. They only benefit those who wish to judge righteousness based on the external. It's all pride based and self promotion.
It's not that God gives us a moving, elusive target and that there are no rules. But unlike the "basic principles of this world" by which men judge, God looks upon the heart. Is how I live my life an outflow of loving and serving God and loving and serving others? Am I immitating the culture around me or Christ?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Ecclesiates 10-12; Psalm 94, Ephesians 5
Ephesians 5:15-17
Be very careful, then how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Eccleiastes 21:13-14
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
SO simple to read, so hard to live.
Be very careful, then how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Eccleiastes 21:13-14
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
SO simple to read, so hard to live.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4
Ecclesiastes 7:1-2
A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.
Obviously I don't remember the day of my birth. But having seen my four children born, I know the joyfulness felt on those days. Somehow I don't sense that the day of my death or of anyone close to me will seem like a better day. Except....
As a believer in Jesus, death is the not the end of me. It becomes the day when my hope in Christ is realized. Any possessions, any fortune, any fame and power I had are meaningless. The kind of car I drove, the number of weeds in my lawn, my social status don't matter. At death, which we all will face, every one of us faces either an eternity in the presence of God or apart from God based on what we did with Jesus between those bookends of birth and death.
With complete confidence I can say my day of death will be much better than my day of birth. By far it will be better than any day in between either. I really wonder how many people I know who are unable to say the same.
A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.
Obviously I don't remember the day of my birth. But having seen my four children born, I know the joyfulness felt on those days. Somehow I don't sense that the day of my death or of anyone close to me will seem like a better day. Except....
As a believer in Jesus, death is the not the end of me. It becomes the day when my hope in Christ is realized. Any possessions, any fortune, any fame and power I had are meaningless. The kind of car I drove, the number of weeds in my lawn, my social status don't matter. At death, which we all will face, every one of us faces either an eternity in the presence of God or apart from God based on what we did with Jesus between those bookends of birth and death.
With complete confidence I can say my day of death will be much better than my day of birth. By far it will be better than any day in between either. I really wonder how many people I know who are unable to say the same.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Proverbs 30-31; Psalm 33; Ephesians 1
Psalm 33:18-19
But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
This entire Psalm is a great one to read in these times of economic uncertainty and cultural decay. The bottom line is God is in control. Kings and nations and every person can make their own plan or think they are able to control circumstances. But God spoke and the universe was created. He is right and true and faithful in all He does. And if our trust is in Him rather than ourselves nothing else matters.
But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
This entire Psalm is a great one to read in these times of economic uncertainty and cultural decay. The bottom line is God is in control. Kings and nations and every person can make their own plan or think they are able to control circumstances. But God spoke and the universe was created. He is right and true and faithful in all He does. And if our trust is in Him rather than ourselves nothing else matters.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Provrebs 28-29; Psalm 60; Romans 16
Romans 16:21-22
Timothy, my fellow worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my relatives,
I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.
Hmmmm. Just how did Mr. Tertius happen to insert his own little greeting in this letter? Did Paul invite him to add a few words? Was he just caught up in the moment and wanted to throw in his own hello? Was it just Tertius feeling a great connection to other believers through what Paul had previously dictated so that he felt compelled to greet them in the Lord along with Paul? I've never been aware of my hearing a sermon where the pastor included comments his secretary typed in the middle of his notes. This is just a curious thing to me.
But, since it's in there, I've got to believe it is as inspired as the rest of Scripture. Is is to show us that even though Paul was the "face" of the ministry, there were many behind the scenes helping to make things happen? Was it just to be an example of Paul being gracious to those helping him, a reward for Tertuis' hard work of transcription? Is it to serve as a simple example of the interconnectedness of the global body? I'm not sure I'll ever need to know the real meaning for this. Maybe it's just to show that sometimes when a person is prompted to speak encouragement they need to forget about convention and just go for it.
Timothy, my fellow worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my relatives,
I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.
Hmmmm. Just how did Mr. Tertius happen to insert his own little greeting in this letter? Did Paul invite him to add a few words? Was he just caught up in the moment and wanted to throw in his own hello? Was it just Tertius feeling a great connection to other believers through what Paul had previously dictated so that he felt compelled to greet them in the Lord along with Paul? I've never been aware of my hearing a sermon where the pastor included comments his secretary typed in the middle of his notes. This is just a curious thing to me.
But, since it's in there, I've got to believe it is as inspired as the rest of Scripture. Is is to show us that even though Paul was the "face" of the ministry, there were many behind the scenes helping to make things happen? Was it just to be an example of Paul being gracious to those helping him, a reward for Tertuis' hard work of transcription? Is it to serve as a simple example of the interconnectedness of the global body? I'm not sure I'll ever need to know the real meaning for this. Maybe it's just to show that sometimes when a person is prompted to speak encouragement they need to forget about convention and just go for it.
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