And heaven is silent.
What happened between the crucifixion and the resurrection? We have no idea. We can speculate but the Scriptures are silent about the happenings in the spiritual realms. Perhaps heaven rested, waiting in anticipation as the disciples found each other and went into hiding. We are left to ponder and simply reflect on the amazing work done on the cross.
Forgiveness.
I think the work done on the cross can be summed up in one very poignant moment. It is when Jesus called out for the forgiveness of his enemies, as they drove those spikes through his flesh:
Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. (Luke 23:34)
This should take us back to his earlier teaching on loving our enemies:
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. (Luke 6:27-28)
Jesus lived out on the cross what he had taught his disciples:
Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (v. 37)
The whole message of the cross is Yahweh forgiving his enemies: us. Wherever the blood of the sacrificial Lamb is applied, the judgment of Yahweh will pass over. That is the great victory of the cross and we celebrate it wholeheartedly. What a fantastic thing Jesus has done for us and at great cost. But the message of the cross is not just about what has been done for us.
Jesus' message was very clear before the cross: Following him as his disciple was not just about receiving from him, but it was about us giving out. He told his disciples, "Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8) He told the parable about the king who forgave his servant's great debt and how that servant went out and refused to forgive his fellow servant, so the king withdrew his forgiveness. The servant was thrown into jail. We should also understand the effects of unforgiveness on our heart.
Unforgiveness blocks all the work of the Spirit in us. Love cannot survive in a heart possessed by unforgiveness. Neither can any of the fruit of love, such as kindness and generosity. That heart is in danger of becoming as hard as stone. Jesus made it sound simple because it really is a simple matter:
And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. (Mark 11:25)
It is deciding to love instead of hate. It is deciding that if Jesus could forgive us of all our sins we can easily forgive the comparably small things people do against us. It is putting the spiritual ahead of the physical. It is understanding that emotions require the discipline that comes with love. Forgiveness requires us to realize and accept that love dictates the need for us to put another person's well being over any concern for ourselves. That is what Jesus did on the cross and he did it to the extreme. If Jesus could suffer as he did for our forgiveness, how can we not suffer a little to forgive those who harm us?
Forgiveness is the message of the cross. Forgiveness must be the theme of our lives.
Showing posts with label Mark 11. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark 11. Show all posts
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Passion Week: A Cautionary Tale
It should be no surprise that Jesus spent much of his last few remaining days teaching the most important lessons about the Kingdom as well as warning those who refused to see the truth. These leaders, who were plotting his death, were steeped in their traditions. The society of the Pharisees had taken on the responsibility of promoting and defending the Law and traditions of Israel. They were trying to preserve the Jewish identity in a sea of Greek and Roman culture. Their focus was so great that they had willingly become the enemies of Yahweh as they rejected the Messiah, the Son of God. They could only see him as a threat to their way of life; to their traditions..
Let this be a cautionary tale then to those of us who have been raised in the Church since infancy, that sometimes we do not recognize the hand of Yahweh because of the traditions and thinking of man. As we look at a few of these teachings over the next couple of days I pray that we will allow the Holy Spirit to give us fresh eyes to see what many of us have been missing.
So far, since Jesus has entered Jerusalem he has chased the merchants out of the temple and has been healing people right in the face of the Pharisees and Sadducees. So they did what would come natural to any of us, they asked Jesus for proof of his authority. Instead of answering right away Jesus challenged them:
“I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!” (Mark 11:29-30)
They weren't expecting this. This one simple question put them in a bind because of two opposing problems. John was a prophet of the people, the first prophet in the land of Israel for a very long time. Everyone considered him a prophet, respected him and held him up. If the Pharisees turned on John, denying him as a prophet they would lose the support of the people. However, if they agreed John was a prophet sent by Yahweh they would be admitting that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God because that is what John the prophet had declared. So they chose the route of silence, but Jesus didn't.
Although Jesus did not answer their questions directly he did tell them three parables all aimed at the leadership of Israel, the Pharisees, Sadducees and Chief Priest.
In the first parable Jesus told of two sons who were asked by their father to do something. The first said no, but later he changed his mind and obeyed. The second said yes but never actually did it. Jesus asked them which was the obedient son. The Pharisees, not seeing the point, answered quickly that it was the first. Jesus then hit them with this:
“I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." (Matthew 21:31-32)
I think many of us will be surprised to see who gets in and who is turned away on the Day of the LORD. So many people in the Church are relying on traditions and good works and rejecting the true invitation from Jesus, but Father judges the heart. If we don't love Jesus more than everything else, even more than our traditions, then we are lost. We need to check ourselves daily and guard the truth that the only way to the Father is through the Son.
Jesus then continued with a parable about some tenants who had leased some land from a landowner. The owner had done all the work and the farmers only needed to tend the crops. When the landowner sent a servant to collect his portion the tenants turned him away, The landowner sent others and they were beaten. Finally he sent his son and the tenants foolishly thought this was an opportunity to steal the land for themselves so killed the son. Jesus asked the Pharisees what they thought the landowner would do next. Again they did not see the point of the parable and answered quickly that he would kill the tenants and rent it out to people who would honour him. Jesus then responded:
“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. (Matthew 21:43)
They finally realized Jesus was talking about them and wanted to arrest him but were afraid of the people, however, Jesus wasn't done with them yet. Finally he told them a parable to explain what the Kingdom of Heaven was like. A king was throwing a wedding banquet and had already sent invitations. It was a tradition to send two invitations. The first asked if you would be able to attend on a certain date and time. The second informed you that everything was ready and it was time to come. So the invitation being sent out now was to those who had already agreed to come. But the people refused to attend.
So the king rejected his preferred guests and invited anyone else who wanted to come so the banquet hall would be filled. At these weddings you never wore what you wanted to wear, there were specific wedding clothes. In this case it was a last minute invitation so the king would have provided, as a gift, the necessary clothing. However, when the king entered he found a guest still in his own clothes, having refused the kings gift, so the king had him removed from the wedding banquet. In conclusion Jesus gave the warning:
“For many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)
For us these parables are all very clear. In this last one the original guests are the leaders of Israel and the nation herself. Those who were invited in their place are those who were not of these self-righteous leaders, who responded to the invitation. However, the only way we can accept the invitation and be in attendance is by shedding our old selves and accepting the new clothing of Jesus Christ.
The reason these teachings are important to us and that we should pay attention is that they clearly warn us against relying on traditions. There is only one way to the Father and it is through Jesus Christ. There is no religious system that will get us there, nothing we can do by our actions, no short cuts. There is only Jesus Christ and obedience to him which is provoked by love. We cannot rely on the traditions of our church or the faith of our parents or pastors, we must have our own relationship with Jesus Christ, King of kings, Lord of lords, Son of God, Saviour of the world. Our good upbringing doesn't matter. Our good deeds don't matter. Our church attendance doesn't matter. Only a vibrant, active relationship with Jesus does. All these other things spring up as the fruit produced from this relationship.
We need to be careful because Jesus warned that if we are not bearing the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit, in other words the fruit that is produced by a vibrant relationship with Jesus, we will be removed. Jesus warned that if the Father was willing to cut off the original branches from the vine we should realize that he will also cut off those branches he grafted in. These parables told in the last few days of his life should be a stark warning to us, a cautionary tale to take this relationship seriously. Where are you with Jesus today?
Let this be a cautionary tale then to those of us who have been raised in the Church since infancy, that sometimes we do not recognize the hand of Yahweh because of the traditions and thinking of man. As we look at a few of these teachings over the next couple of days I pray that we will allow the Holy Spirit to give us fresh eyes to see what many of us have been missing.
So far, since Jesus has entered Jerusalem he has chased the merchants out of the temple and has been healing people right in the face of the Pharisees and Sadducees. So they did what would come natural to any of us, they asked Jesus for proof of his authority. Instead of answering right away Jesus challenged them:
“I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!” (Mark 11:29-30)
They weren't expecting this. This one simple question put them in a bind because of two opposing problems. John was a prophet of the people, the first prophet in the land of Israel for a very long time. Everyone considered him a prophet, respected him and held him up. If the Pharisees turned on John, denying him as a prophet they would lose the support of the people. However, if they agreed John was a prophet sent by Yahweh they would be admitting that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God because that is what John the prophet had declared. So they chose the route of silence, but Jesus didn't.
Although Jesus did not answer their questions directly he did tell them three parables all aimed at the leadership of Israel, the Pharisees, Sadducees and Chief Priest.
In the first parable Jesus told of two sons who were asked by their father to do something. The first said no, but later he changed his mind and obeyed. The second said yes but never actually did it. Jesus asked them which was the obedient son. The Pharisees, not seeing the point, answered quickly that it was the first. Jesus then hit them with this:
“I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." (Matthew 21:31-32)
I think many of us will be surprised to see who gets in and who is turned away on the Day of the LORD. So many people in the Church are relying on traditions and good works and rejecting the true invitation from Jesus, but Father judges the heart. If we don't love Jesus more than everything else, even more than our traditions, then we are lost. We need to check ourselves daily and guard the truth that the only way to the Father is through the Son.
Jesus then continued with a parable about some tenants who had leased some land from a landowner. The owner had done all the work and the farmers only needed to tend the crops. When the landowner sent a servant to collect his portion the tenants turned him away, The landowner sent others and they were beaten. Finally he sent his son and the tenants foolishly thought this was an opportunity to steal the land for themselves so killed the son. Jesus asked the Pharisees what they thought the landowner would do next. Again they did not see the point of the parable and answered quickly that he would kill the tenants and rent it out to people who would honour him. Jesus then responded:
“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. (Matthew 21:43)
They finally realized Jesus was talking about them and wanted to arrest him but were afraid of the people, however, Jesus wasn't done with them yet. Finally he told them a parable to explain what the Kingdom of Heaven was like. A king was throwing a wedding banquet and had already sent invitations. It was a tradition to send two invitations. The first asked if you would be able to attend on a certain date and time. The second informed you that everything was ready and it was time to come. So the invitation being sent out now was to those who had already agreed to come. But the people refused to attend.
So the king rejected his preferred guests and invited anyone else who wanted to come so the banquet hall would be filled. At these weddings you never wore what you wanted to wear, there were specific wedding clothes. In this case it was a last minute invitation so the king would have provided, as a gift, the necessary clothing. However, when the king entered he found a guest still in his own clothes, having refused the kings gift, so the king had him removed from the wedding banquet. In conclusion Jesus gave the warning:
“For many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)
For us these parables are all very clear. In this last one the original guests are the leaders of Israel and the nation herself. Those who were invited in their place are those who were not of these self-righteous leaders, who responded to the invitation. However, the only way we can accept the invitation and be in attendance is by shedding our old selves and accepting the new clothing of Jesus Christ.
The reason these teachings are important to us and that we should pay attention is that they clearly warn us against relying on traditions. There is only one way to the Father and it is through Jesus Christ. There is no religious system that will get us there, nothing we can do by our actions, no short cuts. There is only Jesus Christ and obedience to him which is provoked by love. We cannot rely on the traditions of our church or the faith of our parents or pastors, we must have our own relationship with Jesus Christ, King of kings, Lord of lords, Son of God, Saviour of the world. Our good upbringing doesn't matter. Our good deeds don't matter. Our church attendance doesn't matter. Only a vibrant, active relationship with Jesus does. All these other things spring up as the fruit produced from this relationship.
We need to be careful because Jesus warned that if we are not bearing the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit, in other words the fruit that is produced by a vibrant relationship with Jesus, we will be removed. Jesus warned that if the Father was willing to cut off the original branches from the vine we should realize that he will also cut off those branches he grafted in. These parables told in the last few days of his life should be a stark warning to us, a cautionary tale to take this relationship seriously. Where are you with Jesus today?
Monday, April 14, 2014
Passion Week: Ask, Believe, Receive
This is Passion Week, the last days before Jesus' crucifixion. This is the most important week in the Christian calendar, a week of sober thought and reflection. It is also a point in the gospel narrative where we should realize that Jesus was not wasting time. He spent these last few precious days teaching the valuable things he wanted his followers to retain. It is good to take extra time this week just to plumb the depths of what Jesus did and what he said during these final days.There is something incredibly powerful about the intensity of this last week.
The first morning after his great entrance into Jerusalem and the clearing of the temple court, we find Jesus entering into Jerusalem again. He had spent the night in Bethany, probably with his friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary.
So it was early morning and he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree in full leaf Jesus went to pick some figs:
Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!”Immediately the tree withered. (Matthew 21:18-19)
As a child I always had a problem with this story as it seemed unfair to me. What had the tree done? Now, being older I can understand that the tree was a disappointment to Jesus. The leafs gave the appearance of promised fruit but it had none; it was a non-bearing fruit tree, useless to anyone. However, Jesus saw here an opportunity to teach one of the most important lessons these disciples, and those to follow, could learn. He spoke to the tree and it immediately withered. Mark states that they didn't notice it had withered until later but regardless of when they noticed, the fact was that Jesus spoke to the tree and it reacted to his words.
It was Peter who spoke up:
“Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” (Mark 11:21)
After all they had witnessed this withered tree still surprised them? They had witnessed Lazarus coming out of his tomb, alive, simply because Jesus spoke to his dead body. What is a tree withering at the command of this same voice compared to a dead man being called out alive? Regardless, Jesus showed his usual patience and taught them concerning faith:
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. (Mark 11:22-23)
This was a lesson the disciples would have to rely on for the rest of their lives. It is a lesson most of us have let go. Let's be honest with each other: When you pray do you believe or do you simply hope? Many people pray without believing; it is more a thing of desperation, like throwing dice and hoping you come up with a seven. It is not a certainty but there is always a chance. That isn't faith.
Jesus said that we would do even greater things than what he did but it would require a people who live by the same faith as Jesus. When Jesus spoke to that tree he knew that his words would cause a reaction. When he told that tree to wither he expected it to wither. He told his disciples that if they spoke and did not doubt but actually expected it to happen, it would be done for them. In other words the power behind your prayer is not you but our heavenly Father. However, lack of faith, lack of trust, lack of belief, blocks our Father from doing anything.
Compared to what we should be, we live such empty lives, and it is our own failing. Because of our relationship with Jesus we are suppose to be the most powerful beings on this planet; all of nature must respond to us because of the authority that Jesus has given to us. He told us that our words would cause things to happen because of the authority that is behind those words. He told us to speak to the "mountains" and they would have to respond. Read this carefully and try to understand:
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)
Believe; not hope, not chance, but believe that you have received and it will be yours. What did James have to say about this?
You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (James 4:2-3)
We think we are spiritually minded but we are so off the mark I doubt Jesus can even recognize us. What we accomplish we do with our own hands. The world can't see Jesus because we present our own accomplishments, not what the Spirit is doing through us. So many Christians do not believe in this kind of spiritual authority and power any more. It is like they believe we have been left as orphans and we have to make our own way in the world, as if our Father no longer looks after us, meets our needs or even responds to us. We are living like the Sadducees who believed that Yahweh did not intervene in daily life and we were left to do the best we can. In contrast, Jesus said: ask, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Speak to the fruitless trees in your life and tell them to die. Stop wasting your time and get rid of those things that are bearing no fruit. Speak to the "mountains", those things that are blocking your progress, the addictions, the things that are standing in your way to a greater walk. Speak to these things and expect them to move out of the way. Speak, believe and receive. Ask whatever you need, make sure it is not from selfish desires, believe that you have received it and it is yours. Understand the authority you have to speak to diseases in people's lives, to speak to addictions, to speak to poverty, to speak to barrenness, to speak to anything that is contrary to God's will and it must obey, coming back into alignment with God's heart.
Some may ask, what if it is not God's will? Let me tell you, if it is not God's will he will tell you just as he told Paul when Paul was praying about some affliction he had. God's response to Paul in that matter was, "My grace is sufficient". Ask and God will not answer with silence as some people teach. Ask and believe and you will receive an answer and there will be times when we have asked out of ignorance, not understanding his will, but he will answer. The longer you operate in faith the more you are able to understand his will.
We need to shake ourselves out of this spirit of doubt. It's crazy. We have Jesus' words right here in front of us and one thing I know is that Jesus is not a liar. He said it. I believe it. AMEN! We are a powerful nation, the Kingdom of God. The power is not found in our effort but in the will of our Father. Jonathan stated to his armour bearer that, whether by many or by few, salvation belongs to God. When we speak we have all of his authority backing up our words. So this morning, speak to those barren trees and believe you have received. Speak to the mountains and believe you have received. Speak to your needs and the needs of others and believe you have received. It will be given to you. Jesus said so, and he is no liar. Yes and Amen!
The first morning after his great entrance into Jerusalem and the clearing of the temple court, we find Jesus entering into Jerusalem again. He had spent the night in Bethany, probably with his friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary.
So it was early morning and he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree in full leaf Jesus went to pick some figs:
Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!”Immediately the tree withered. (Matthew 21:18-19)
As a child I always had a problem with this story as it seemed unfair to me. What had the tree done? Now, being older I can understand that the tree was a disappointment to Jesus. The leafs gave the appearance of promised fruit but it had none; it was a non-bearing fruit tree, useless to anyone. However, Jesus saw here an opportunity to teach one of the most important lessons these disciples, and those to follow, could learn. He spoke to the tree and it immediately withered. Mark states that they didn't notice it had withered until later but regardless of when they noticed, the fact was that Jesus spoke to the tree and it reacted to his words.
It was Peter who spoke up:
“Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” (Mark 11:21)
After all they had witnessed this withered tree still surprised them? They had witnessed Lazarus coming out of his tomb, alive, simply because Jesus spoke to his dead body. What is a tree withering at the command of this same voice compared to a dead man being called out alive? Regardless, Jesus showed his usual patience and taught them concerning faith:
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. (Mark 11:22-23)
This was a lesson the disciples would have to rely on for the rest of their lives. It is a lesson most of us have let go. Let's be honest with each other: When you pray do you believe or do you simply hope? Many people pray without believing; it is more a thing of desperation, like throwing dice and hoping you come up with a seven. It is not a certainty but there is always a chance. That isn't faith.
Jesus said that we would do even greater things than what he did but it would require a people who live by the same faith as Jesus. When Jesus spoke to that tree he knew that his words would cause a reaction. When he told that tree to wither he expected it to wither. He told his disciples that if they spoke and did not doubt but actually expected it to happen, it would be done for them. In other words the power behind your prayer is not you but our heavenly Father. However, lack of faith, lack of trust, lack of belief, blocks our Father from doing anything.
Compared to what we should be, we live such empty lives, and it is our own failing. Because of our relationship with Jesus we are suppose to be the most powerful beings on this planet; all of nature must respond to us because of the authority that Jesus has given to us. He told us that our words would cause things to happen because of the authority that is behind those words. He told us to speak to the "mountains" and they would have to respond. Read this carefully and try to understand:
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)
Believe; not hope, not chance, but believe that you have received and it will be yours. What did James have to say about this?
You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (James 4:2-3)
We think we are spiritually minded but we are so off the mark I doubt Jesus can even recognize us. What we accomplish we do with our own hands. The world can't see Jesus because we present our own accomplishments, not what the Spirit is doing through us. So many Christians do not believe in this kind of spiritual authority and power any more. It is like they believe we have been left as orphans and we have to make our own way in the world, as if our Father no longer looks after us, meets our needs or even responds to us. We are living like the Sadducees who believed that Yahweh did not intervene in daily life and we were left to do the best we can. In contrast, Jesus said: ask, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Speak to the fruitless trees in your life and tell them to die. Stop wasting your time and get rid of those things that are bearing no fruit. Speak to the "mountains", those things that are blocking your progress, the addictions, the things that are standing in your way to a greater walk. Speak to these things and expect them to move out of the way. Speak, believe and receive. Ask whatever you need, make sure it is not from selfish desires, believe that you have received it and it is yours. Understand the authority you have to speak to diseases in people's lives, to speak to addictions, to speak to poverty, to speak to barrenness, to speak to anything that is contrary to God's will and it must obey, coming back into alignment with God's heart.
Some may ask, what if it is not God's will? Let me tell you, if it is not God's will he will tell you just as he told Paul when Paul was praying about some affliction he had. God's response to Paul in that matter was, "My grace is sufficient". Ask and God will not answer with silence as some people teach. Ask and believe and you will receive an answer and there will be times when we have asked out of ignorance, not understanding his will, but he will answer. The longer you operate in faith the more you are able to understand his will.
We need to shake ourselves out of this spirit of doubt. It's crazy. We have Jesus' words right here in front of us and one thing I know is that Jesus is not a liar. He said it. I believe it. AMEN! We are a powerful nation, the Kingdom of God. The power is not found in our effort but in the will of our Father. Jonathan stated to his armour bearer that, whether by many or by few, salvation belongs to God. When we speak we have all of his authority backing up our words. So this morning, speak to those barren trees and believe you have received. Speak to the mountains and believe you have received. Speak to your needs and the needs of others and believe you have received. It will be given to you. Jesus said so, and he is no liar. Yes and Amen!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)