Matt 22:1-14
Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.
4 "Then he sent some more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.'
5 "But they paid no attention and went off — one to his field, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
8 "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11 "But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless.
13 "Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
14 "For many are invited, but few are chosen." NIV
From the time Jesus enters Jerusalem on Sunday to his arrest Thursday night Jesus teaches in the Temple and along the roads He travels. Sometimes His teaching is in response to trick questions and sometimes He teaches His disciples prophecy and what His hopes and prayers are for them. In today's passage from Matthew Jesus is teaching in parables and they are parables that the chief priests and Pharisees know are about them.
But I want to challenge you to consider that this parable has lessons for anyone who is more interested in themselves than they are in the Father.
Lesson # 1: God resists the proud. The initial invitees were too busy and arrogant to bother with a king's son's wedding feast. Some had work to do, others were simply cruel. They paid a price for that pride, too. Instead of receiving the benefit of the king's hospitality they find His army burning their city to the ground. The Pharisees and chief priest were the primary targets here, but our pride can get just as seriously out of control as theirs did. Oh that God doesn't choose to judge our pride with the "burning" of our communing
Lesson #2: God desires a full house. When the initial invitees are "unavailable," the King calls on the servants to invite people from the street. For them is isn't pride; it's awe. The king invites us to a family wedding? I'm not worthy, yet the servant insists it is true. All they need to do is get ready and come. We live in a world that is waiting for their invitation. As His servants we need to get about the business of filling the house. Who are we inviting this Easter season to come to the Master's table? He really does want His hall filled, and we are His servants. We need to get back to work.
Lesson # 3: Everyone has to get dressed A strange thing happens at this feast. Someone made it in the door with out the proper dress. He got his "emergency" invitation, but he didn't bother to respect the King's presence. Many commentators believe that the wedding garments spoken of here were supplied by the King. Others say each person is responsible for cleaning up, and dressing appropriately. Either way, their presumption that since they were invited they were exempt from the King's expectations. Could it be that someone reading this blog today has made it to church and even leading in ministries, but has never confessed their sin and sought the forgiveness that only Jesus can give. They have not, "[bought] from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see." Rev 3:18 NIV
The wedding feast has begun. Make sure you have your wedding clothes- the only ones bought with the price of the sacrifice of Jesus our Lord and Savior. Put them on and wait for the Bridegroom. He is coming again!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 29 - devotional
Matt 21:18-22
18 Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 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.
20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.
21 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree , but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."NIV
20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.
21 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree , but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."NIV
I remember hearing this story for the first time and being totally confused. Why did Jesus hate this one tree out of all the trees? Was this a point where Jesus just kind of looses it and takes it out on a defenseless fig tree? What really is the point of including this in the story? As a child I just didn't get it.
OK, as an adult, I'm not convinced I completely get it, either. So let's see if we can figure this out with the Holy Spirit's help.
It seems that Jesus is hungry and notices a fig tree. Now, it seems that figs in Israel have 2 seasons for bearing fruit. The best one is in the Fall, but in the early Spring small, less tasty fruit appear right before the leaves appear. Most people avoid these bitter "pre-fruit" figs, but when you're hungry... Also, if there is no "pre-fruit" there will be no full fruit later. That's just the way it works.
So, Jesus sees leaves in the spring and goes to see if there is any "promise fruit" on the fig tree. He is disappointed. What happens next is the confusing thing. Jesus curses the fruit tree and it withers- from the roots up! Jesus takes a fruit tree that wasn't going to bear fruit that season and say- if there is no fruit now, there is never going to be fruit.
The point? I believe the point is cautionary to the Jewish leaders of His day as well as all of us today. Jesus is always talking about bearing fruit. In John 15 He talks about the imperative of bearing much fruit. It's what we are "in the vine" to do. The religious leaders of Jesus' day were not bearing fruit- they were starving the vine with rules and regulations (religion) that they themselves could not follow. But what about us, today? What kind of fruit are we bearing. Perhaps we should hear the words of Jesus as we prepare for Easter.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit , while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit ; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit , showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:1-8 NIV
Oh, and don't forget the object lesson of the fig tree. I'm sure the disciples never did.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 28
OK, I know it has been a couple of day since the last entry. I'm sorry and I promise to do better this week. I had a great time in worship this morning, I hope you did too. Here's today's devotion --
Luke 19:37-44 - Palm Sunday
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"
40 "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace — but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." NIV
On the first day of the final week of Jesus' earthly life, Jesus makes a decision. It is time for everyone to know my intentions. I have come to establish my Kingdom and declare my Messiahship. The choice of coming into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey who had never been ridden was directly out of the prophecy of Zechariah (9:9). It was an obvious object lesson for all of Jerusalem to see. And you note that in v. 39 the Pharisees caution Jesus about the words of these followers-- they need to stop. But this is too big an announcement for them to stop. Jesus says the stones around them would shout the obvious. It is a big day.
But that big day included the broken heart that Jesus had for the city. He was broken-hearted for the very people that He knows are going to shout out for His death in less than a week. That challenges me. I know what it is like to receive the praises and accolades of people around you. Life is good while you know things are well. But to realize that those same crowds will turn away within a week and be willing to cry over their need-- that is amazing love. It is also the brokenness Jesus wants us to experience for those around us.
On Sunday it is easy to worship and to relate to those wanting to relate to us. But Monday is coming. How will you react? Let it be with the brokenness. Follow Jesus' example as we head toward the cross.
Luke 19:37-44 - Palm Sunday
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"
40 "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace — but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." NIV
On the first day of the final week of Jesus' earthly life, Jesus makes a decision. It is time for everyone to know my intentions. I have come to establish my Kingdom and declare my Messiahship. The choice of coming into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey who had never been ridden was directly out of the prophecy of Zechariah (9:9). It was an obvious object lesson for all of Jerusalem to see. And you note that in v. 39 the Pharisees caution Jesus about the words of these followers-- they need to stop. But this is too big an announcement for them to stop. Jesus says the stones around them would shout the obvious. It is a big day.
But that big day included the broken heart that Jesus had for the city. He was broken-hearted for the very people that He knows are going to shout out for His death in less than a week. That challenges me. I know what it is like to receive the praises and accolades of people around you. Life is good while you know things are well. But to realize that those same crowds will turn away within a week and be willing to cry over their need-- that is amazing love. It is also the brokenness Jesus wants us to experience for those around us.
On Sunday it is easy to worship and to relate to those wanting to relate to us. But Monday is coming. How will you react? Let it be with the brokenness. Follow Jesus' example as we head toward the cross.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
March 26 - Devotional (This was delayed by a glitch with Google-- sorry)
Read John 11:17-43
John 11:17-45
17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" 27 "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." 28 And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 "Where have you laid him?" he asked."Come and see, Lord," they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" 37 But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" 38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 "Take away the stone," he said."But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." 40 Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." NIV
Now we get to part 2 of the story.
Jesus has waited until Lazarus died before going to Bethany. As you might expect everyone is expressing grief over the "reality" that Jesus has missed His chance to do anything for His friend. He's dead-- he's been dead for days. All there is to do is wish it was not so and hope that he's in a better place.
But "reality" is not what they think it is. While their loss is real, Jesus knows what the Father has planned. Jesus hears the cries of those around Him, including two of His closest friends.He joins them in their tears, but He leeps speaking of faith and hope. Martha even accepts that there will be a resurrection in the future and professes that He is the Son of God. But none of them can see what God is about to do. Why?
Death was final for them. They could not concieve that anything that died could live again. When Jesus said, "Take away the stone!" Lazarus' sisters had to trust that Jesus would not lead them to something that He would not lead them through. This was crucial for the disciples. The Father was showing them that in spite of the "reality" of death there was hope for life.
What is it that seems beyond reality for you this Easter season? Is it possible that Jesus wants you to "Take away the stone" that is holding back the impossible He wants to do? Is there a relationship that it seems impossible could ever be healed? Is there an emotional hole that you don't think can ever be filled? Is there a dead faith that you cannot imagine ever getting resurrected again?
Easter is all about resurrection. Roll away the stone today. Let God do His miracle in your life like He did for Lazarus, Mary and Martha.
Read John 11:17-43
John 11:17-45
17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" 27 "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." 28 And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 "Where have you laid him?" he asked."Come and see, Lord," they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" 37 But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" 38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 "Take away the stone," he said."But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." 40 Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." NIV
Now we get to part 2 of the story.
Jesus has waited until Lazarus died before going to Bethany. As you might expect everyone is expressing grief over the "reality" that Jesus has missed His chance to do anything for His friend. He's dead-- he's been dead for days. All there is to do is wish it was not so and hope that he's in a better place.
But "reality" is not what they think it is. While their loss is real, Jesus knows what the Father has planned. Jesus hears the cries of those around Him, including two of His closest friends.He joins them in their tears, but He leeps speaking of faith and hope. Martha even accepts that there will be a resurrection in the future and professes that He is the Son of God. But none of them can see what God is about to do. Why?
Death was final for them. They could not concieve that anything that died could live again. When Jesus said, "Take away the stone!" Lazarus' sisters had to trust that Jesus would not lead them to something that He would not lead them through. This was crucial for the disciples. The Father was showing them that in spite of the "reality" of death there was hope for life.
What is it that seems beyond reality for you this Easter season? Is it possible that Jesus wants you to "Take away the stone" that is holding back the impossible He wants to do? Is there a relationship that it seems impossible could ever be healed? Is there an emotional hole that you don't think can ever be filled? Is there a dead faith that you cannot imagine ever getting resurrected again?
Easter is all about resurrection. Roll away the stone today. Let God do His miracle in your life like He did for Lazarus, Mary and Martha.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
March 24, 2010
John 11:1-16
1Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick."
4 When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." 5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.
7 Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."
8 "But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"
9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. 10 It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."
11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up."
12 His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
14 So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."
16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." NIV
Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem and at some point He hears this news about Lazarus. Now Jesus has spent the last 2 1/2 years healing the sick and ministering to the lame and fringes of society. Most of those people Jesus did not know. They were faces in a crowd or friends of friends of friends, and Jesus healed them. This time it's personal. Lazarus is a close friend. He has spent time in Lazarus' home. Surely, everything related to the mission of God could be put on hold for a few days. Lazarus and his sisters needed Him.
But Jesus waits. He says to the disciples something that on the surface seems to be a mistake or even a lie, "This sickness will not end in death." But as we see at the end of this passage, Lazarus is announced as dead by Jesus just 2 days later! Was He wrong? Did Jesus miss something? Ok, I know you know the answer to this-- of course not! Jesus knew more than the others- He knew Lazarus was coming back to life! God was doing something huge, but it meant Jesus had to endure an initial loss to receive the ultimate gain.
This causes me to think-- what else am I missing in my following of Jesus? What am I jumping to conclusions about? It is so easy for me to think that I understand who Jesus was/is and what God did 2000 years ago, but I wonder if sometimes my assumptions cause me to miss the real plan of God, at times. The disciples couldn't conceive that Jesus would let someone so close die. They were so worried about the death threats to Jesus (and therefore to them) that they were missing the anticipation of the most remarkable miracle Jesus performed on the earth. Still, you do have to give Thomas credit- he realized Jesus was on His way to die and no one else seemed to realize that truth. But even he missed the point: the hope of resurrection was about to be modeled for them. The ultimate plan of God was about to be revealed!
As we continue on our journey to the cross, don't miss the signs of hope and love along the way. Life gets hard. Bad things happen. But God is still working. Sometimes He delays His answer or His work to accomplish a purpose we don't yet see. But He is showing us why we can be people of hope and not despair, if we keep our eyes and our hearts open.
Don't miss out. Keep looking.
1Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick."
4 When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." 5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.
7 Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."
8 "But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"
9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. 10 It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."
11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up."
12 His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
14 So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."
16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." NIV
Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem and at some point He hears this news about Lazarus. Now Jesus has spent the last 2 1/2 years healing the sick and ministering to the lame and fringes of society. Most of those people Jesus did not know. They were faces in a crowd or friends of friends of friends, and Jesus healed them. This time it's personal. Lazarus is a close friend. He has spent time in Lazarus' home. Surely, everything related to the mission of God could be put on hold for a few days. Lazarus and his sisters needed Him.
But Jesus waits. He says to the disciples something that on the surface seems to be a mistake or even a lie, "This sickness will not end in death." But as we see at the end of this passage, Lazarus is announced as dead by Jesus just 2 days later! Was He wrong? Did Jesus miss something? Ok, I know you know the answer to this-- of course not! Jesus knew more than the others- He knew Lazarus was coming back to life! God was doing something huge, but it meant Jesus had to endure an initial loss to receive the ultimate gain.
This causes me to think-- what else am I missing in my following of Jesus? What am I jumping to conclusions about? It is so easy for me to think that I understand who Jesus was/is and what God did 2000 years ago, but I wonder if sometimes my assumptions cause me to miss the real plan of God, at times. The disciples couldn't conceive that Jesus would let someone so close die. They were so worried about the death threats to Jesus (and therefore to them) that they were missing the anticipation of the most remarkable miracle Jesus performed on the earth. Still, you do have to give Thomas credit- he realized Jesus was on His way to die and no one else seemed to realize that truth. But even he missed the point: the hope of resurrection was about to be modeled for them. The ultimate plan of God was about to be revealed!
As we continue on our journey to the cross, don't miss the signs of hope and love along the way. Life gets hard. Bad things happen. But God is still working. Sometimes He delays His answer or His work to accomplish a purpose we don't yet see. But He is showing us why we can be people of hope and not despair, if we keep our eyes and our hearts open.
Don't miss out. Keep looking.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
March 23, 2010
Read Mark 10:35-39; 46-5235
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." 36 "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. 37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." 38 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" 39 "We can," they answered. NIV
Have you ever stopped to think that Jesus might ever ask you the question, "What would you have me do for you?" What a radical thing to consider! The creator and sustainer of the universe might ask you what you want Him to do for you. That is exactly what happens in this experience on Jesus' way to Jerusalem. In fact it happens twice, but with very different results.
The first occassion is in response to the "request" of James and John. They asked for special treatment by Jesus as He was coming into His kingdom. They wanted to sit on His right and left. These were seats of power and influence, and they knew it. It was their goal not just to be close to Jesus, but to have power and prestige of their own. They were looking for rewards for service.Jesus turns them down.
Later, in the same chapter, a bind man just outside of the city wall of Jericho, is begging and hears of Jesus' approach. He makes a "request" of Jesus, too. But his request is only for mercy-- not power or prestige, or restitution for being blind or anything like that-- just mercy. When Jesus calls him over He asks the blind begger the question-- "What can I do for you?" The begger's response was simple and straightforward, "I want to see."
This got me wondering, what is the difference between the two request? They were both asking for something for themselves. They were both wanting something good in the eyes of the world. What was different?
James and John were seeking advancement out of ambition. The begger sought advancement out of brokenness. Jesus says no to James and John. He says yes to the begger and commends his faith.
As we walk toward the cross with Jesus this Easter, what is your attitude of asking for things from Jesus? Are you asking out of ambition or deep recognition of your need? It might be tougher to be clear on our motivations than we think. Pray today that God will reveal to you your deep needs and not your ambitions. Let us come to Him in our faith and not in our plans.
Lord grant us mercy; forgive our ambition.
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." 36 "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. 37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." 38 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" 39 "We can," they answered. NIV
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46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him.The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." 52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. NIV................................
Have you ever stopped to think that Jesus might ever ask you the question, "What would you have me do for you?" What a radical thing to consider! The creator and sustainer of the universe might ask you what you want Him to do for you. That is exactly what happens in this experience on Jesus' way to Jerusalem. In fact it happens twice, but with very different results.
The first occassion is in response to the "request" of James and John. They asked for special treatment by Jesus as He was coming into His kingdom. They wanted to sit on His right and left. These were seats of power and influence, and they knew it. It was their goal not just to be close to Jesus, but to have power and prestige of their own. They were looking for rewards for service.Jesus turns them down.
Later, in the same chapter, a bind man just outside of the city wall of Jericho, is begging and hears of Jesus' approach. He makes a "request" of Jesus, too. But his request is only for mercy-- not power or prestige, or restitution for being blind or anything like that-- just mercy. When Jesus calls him over He asks the blind begger the question-- "What can I do for you?" The begger's response was simple and straightforward, "I want to see."
This got me wondering, what is the difference between the two request? They were both asking for something for themselves. They were both wanting something good in the eyes of the world. What was different?
James and John were seeking advancement out of ambition. The begger sought advancement out of brokenness. Jesus says no to James and John. He says yes to the begger and commends his faith.
As we walk toward the cross with Jesus this Easter, what is your attitude of asking for things from Jesus? Are you asking out of ambition or deep recognition of your need? It might be tougher to be clear on our motivations than we think. Pray today that God will reveal to you your deep needs and not your ambitions. Let us come to Him in our faith and not in our plans.
Lord grant us mercy; forgive our ambition.
March 22 - devotional
Matt 20:17-19 17 Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, 18 "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19 and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!" NIV
This passage from Matthew begins with the words- "Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem..." They are simple words of explination, but they carry so much weight. For Jesus is going to Jesusalem for only one reason: He is going to be sacrificed. The disciples are thinking that it is going to be a time of celebration. The Feast of Unleaven Bread is coming and they will be celebrating it in Jerusalem! Who would have though that mere fishermen or tax collectors or other "common" men from Galilee would be in Jeruslem with a holy Rabbi who just might be the promised Messiah. This was going to be the best Passover ever!
But just as the excitement is beginning to buld in the disciple's hearts, Jesus speaks these words to them: betrayed, condemned, mocked & flogged, and crucified. How can these words be a part of Jesus' description of the days ahead. Jesus is trying to prepare them for what is coming. What's coming is not what they expect. They need to be prepared. Resurrection is coming, but suffering and death have to come first.
I wonder if Jesus feels the same way about us these days. Resurrection Day is coming and the words we expect to hear are - Spring, family, vacation, love, new life. But by our not preparing ourselves for this time is it possible that we will miss the reality that there must be death to have resurrection? Is it possible that in our rush to focus on the joy of Easter Sunday we will miss the price paid for that joy. Shouldn't we reflect on the words like- fasting, sacrifice, denying self, carrying our cross?
As we start our journey together. take some time today to reflect on the fact that Jesus knew what was coming as He went to Jerusalem. And He went anyway. Walk with Him and let Him show you His love by His great sacrifice.
This passage from Matthew begins with the words- "Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem..." They are simple words of explination, but they carry so much weight. For Jesus is going to Jesusalem for only one reason: He is going to be sacrificed. The disciples are thinking that it is going to be a time of celebration. The Feast of Unleaven Bread is coming and they will be celebrating it in Jerusalem! Who would have though that mere fishermen or tax collectors or other "common" men from Galilee would be in Jeruslem with a holy Rabbi who just might be the promised Messiah. This was going to be the best Passover ever!
But just as the excitement is beginning to buld in the disciple's hearts, Jesus speaks these words to them: betrayed, condemned, mocked & flogged, and crucified. How can these words be a part of Jesus' description of the days ahead. Jesus is trying to prepare them for what is coming. What's coming is not what they expect. They need to be prepared. Resurrection is coming, but suffering and death have to come first.
I wonder if Jesus feels the same way about us these days. Resurrection Day is coming and the words we expect to hear are - Spring, family, vacation, love, new life. But by our not preparing ourselves for this time is it possible that we will miss the reality that there must be death to have resurrection? Is it possible that in our rush to focus on the joy of Easter Sunday we will miss the price paid for that joy. Shouldn't we reflect on the words like- fasting, sacrifice, denying self, carrying our cross?
As we start our journey together. take some time today to reflect on the fact that Jesus knew what was coming as He went to Jerusalem. And He went anyway. Walk with Him and let Him show you His love by His great sacrifice.
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