Freedom

Have we redefined freedom?  As Americans, we appreciate our freedom – especially during the month of July or when reminded of the sacrifice soldiers have made on our behalf.  But I ask again, have we redefined freedom?

Once outside the patriotic theme, freedom is defined subjectively.  Freedom has come to mean one is free to do whatever they want.  Postmodern thought tells us “If it feels good, do it.  You’re free to make your own choices.  Don’t be hemmed in by what society tells you is right or wrong.”

But is that freedom?  Civilized societies believe (no time/space for debate here) that if one uses his/her freedom to the detriment of others, they forego their right to freedom.  They’re kept away from society and their freedom is greatly limited.  In the worst cases, the chance for freedom is taken away for the balance of their physical life.

Paul wrote to the Galatians, For you were called to freedom, brothers.  Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (5:13)

If freedom is about me and only me, it’s not freedom at all.  It’s self-serving and leads to what Paul calls to consuming one another.  Freedom is about sacrifice – sacrifice for others.

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. – Jesus

 

Come and See (4)

I love the gospel of John.  Too often, I’ve claimed it to be my favorite gospel.  I say too often because I like things about Matthew.  I like Mark’s servant aspect.  And Luke is great when I’m looking for details.  But John is still my favorite.  This time preaching through John’s version of the gospel has been no less than awesome.  Today, we’ll look at a text in John’s sixth chapter.

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum.  It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.  The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.  When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened.  But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’  Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.  (vs 16-21 ESV)

It’s no coincidence that this text follows John’s version of Jesus feeding the 5000.  He is steadily setting out the evidence that Jesus was more than a Jewish carpenter.  It’s also no coincidence that John records this event happening in the dark.  Have you ever been in the dark places?  Darkness carries a sense of uneasiness, of wondering, and in many cases, despair.  Most of the time, we think of bad things happening in the dark.

In this instance, a storm rose on the sea.  The disciples had reached the middle.  Therefore, there was no going back now.  Things looked grim.  After recognizing their challenge, John records the disciples “…saw Jesus walking…and coming near…and they were frightened.”  Why is it that they were frightened?

I don’t know about you.  But when I’m in the dark places, when chaos is all around and things seem to be hopeless, I want to see Jesus.  But they were frightened.  Let’s not be too quick to judge.  Most people didn’t walk on water.  Most people didn’t just show up in the middle of the “sea.”  But Jesus did!  Jesus did things that no one else could do.  And how could He just walk seemingly without effort?  There was a storm happening!  Jesus turned normal on its head.  Chances are, we’d be deathly afraid too.

May I suggest they were afraid because they recognized divinity?  It’s not unlike Isaiah receiving his commission (Is. 6).  Woe to me.  I am a man of unclean lips.  You see, when you recognize you’re in the presence of God, you should recognize the wonder, power, and awe.  It also makes one recognize their own limits.  I can’t.  But God can.

It’s only then that Jesus reassures.  Do not be afraid.  It’s me.  There’s reassurance that we all need right?  Despite all you see, God is with you.  And catch what John says next.  I love this.  Then they were glad to take him into the boat.  Uh…YEAH!  Hugs.  Kisses.  Grief turned to joy.  Trouble to peace.  Jesus is here!

Maybe you’re going through a storm in your own life right now.  Maybe you know it’s too late to return to “shore”.  That the quicker way now is straight ahead.  But you’ve been on this path for a while.  You’re in the middle of the sea.  And the storm has gotten stronger.  It’s dark.  It’s windy and wet.  And you’d love to just have some peace and quiet.  Look around.  Jesus can walk on water in the storm and bring peace to a dire situation.  Maybe you need to hear, “Don’t be afraid.  It’s me.”  Now rejoice.  And let him in the boat!

 

 

So What’s It Take?

What would it take for you to change your life – how you view things, how you react to challenges, what your priorities are, how you live? Don’t answer too quickly. What has to happen today, so that tomorrow and the rest of your life is lived much differently?

Last time, we spoke about the phrase “to all who received him.” (Jn 1:12). But what does it mean to receive Jesus?  What does it mean to believe?  In John 3, Jesus uses the phrase “born again.”  No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.  I’ll say more about the John 3 text in future posts.  But for now, let’s focus on the two words “born again.”  What does that mean?  Nicodemus surely didn’t understand it.  Jesus spoke about being born of the Spirit or being born from above.  Wouldn’t this change your life?  Wouldn’t that make you different?

Notice Jesus didn’t say, “You must say the sinner’s prayer.”  He didn’t say, “You must walk down the aisle at a church.”  Not, “You must be dunked in a large tub of water.”  “You have to be religious.”  Nope!  Jesus said, “You must be born again.”  And when you are born again, you will no longer be the same.  That’s what it would take for you to change.

The Pharisees were religious.  But they were also called “white-washed tombs.”  The apostles interacted with Jesus yet were amazed when Jesus calmed the wind (Mk 4:41).  Thomas knew what Jesus had said.  But Thomas declared, “Unless I see and touch…”  Peter followed all the way to the Garden and then denied Jesus three times.  You must be born again.

Something has to happen in our life that we’re no longer who we once were.  Read Acts 9 and Paul’s conversion experience.  He was no longer the same.  So what’s it take for you?  Maybe you’ve convinced yourself that you’re saved.  Why?  Because you walked down the aisle, said a prayer, or got dunked.  You must be born again.

Maybe you’ve made a deal with God.  If you’ll just get me out of this Lord, I’ll serve you, love you, tell others about you, etc.  And after the “passion” waned, you found yourself back in a rut.  You must be born again.

Will you hear me for a sec?  In Matthew 25, there’s a section about the final judgment.  The grades have been turned in and no extra work will be accepted.  A parable of ten virgins opens the chapter and the premise is to be ready for Christ’s return at any time.  Next, Jesus speaks about being good stewards of what you’ve been given.  If you know the truth, don’t continue to live by old ways.  And then a text on sheep and goats.  The goats represent people who didn’t put others before themselves.  Summary:  You must be born again.

Look long and hard in the mirror.  Have you changed?  I didn’t say, “Are you good.”  HAVE YOU CHANGED?  Have you allowed God to be the Lord of your life?  Or are you still holding on to control?  You must be born again.  There’s no better time than when we celebrate the birth of God in the flesh.

 

Come and See (1)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life… John 1:1-4a NIV

The word “zoe” is used thirty-six times in the Gospel of John.  Life is a theme throughout John’s writing.  However, we should note this isn’t just the ability to breathe or to have a heartbeat.  The life John refers to is much greater.

Life refers to something only given by God.  It is what He intended at creation.  And to be separate from God equals the absence of life.  Sin separates us from what God intended – a relationship between Creator and created.  Because all are disobedient (Rom. 3:23), there is a great chasm between the unrighteous and a holy God.

It is for this reason that Jesus had to come and provide a way back to the original – when things were “good” or “very good” (Gen. 1; Jn 3:16, 10:10).  In other words, it’s only through Jesus that life can take shape (Jn 14:6).

Tired of searching for answers that never come?  Interested in a peace that is often times hard to explain?  Want more than a heartbeat or a breath?  The Gospel is going to point to the One who can provide all that you need – The answer, The Peace, The Life – Jesus.  Come and See!

Torture and Jesus

Methods of punishment and/or torture have changed much over the last few centuries.  But in some ways, they’ve stayed the same.  Whether one believes in water boarding or not, it’s been in the news the last several years.  Is this particular practice torture?  Is it simply data gathering?  What about obtaining information from the enemy?  Isn’t anything “fair game”?  What exactly is torture?  What does the Geneva Convention have to say about these things?  And what does this have to do with Moltmann’s Christ for today?

Moltmann points out that there have been many motives for torture.  Judicial motives are used to punish for a deterrent.  Secular motives of punishment worry more about the end justifying the means.  Personal motives point to the selfish core of each and every man.

So what about the torture of Christ?  Does this in any way mean Christians should condone torture?  Should they be willing to accept torture simply because they follow Christ?

Pilate had Jesus flogged (Mt 27:26; Is 53:5).  Other translations record “scourged”.  Historians tell us torture by scourging was a brutal beating.  The purpose was to break one’s will and motive to live before they were crucified.  Jesus cried out from the cross, “My God, My God…”  Paul writes that “he (Jesus) emptied himself” (Phil 2:7).  Can you imagine?  God in the flesh.  Jesus Christ.  Allowing Himself to experience torture.  But why?

Of course, the first that comes to mind is the martyrs – those who died for their faith and beliefs.  “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” (Rev 6:10)  Scripture also tells us that Jesus faced every temptation (including those that come with torture) and yet never sinned (Heb 2:14, 4:15).  Therefore, in torture or persecution, Jesus is our brother.  He has been there and done that.

Often, we in the Western world, forget there are Christian martyrs even today.  What of those who profess Christianity in the Sudan, in China, Indonesia, etc.?  And Christ stands with them as well.  Christ is their brother.

Secondly, torture/persecution once took place in public view.  People were burned at the stake (in the center of town).  Jews in Nazi Germany were forced to sew the “Star of David” on their clothing.  Witches in Salem were hanged in public.  But times have now changed.  Executions take place behind closed doors.  Edicts or orders are simply carried out.  Names disappear from the rolls of the living.  And everyone goes about their business.

Moltmann quips that one part of judgment will be the time that those murdered/persecuted/tortured return and have the opportunity to face their tormenters.  “Victims…have a long memory, for they still carry the unforgettable scars of their suffering.  Those who caused that suffering have short memories.”  That is, until judgment day.  Christ will return and restore all things.  Those tortured or persecuted for the sake of Christ will be honored as victors.  After all, Christ is our brother!

 

 

Suffering = Fear or Hope?

The last week or so, we’ve been looking at Jurgen Moltmann’s Jesus Christ For Today’s World and looking specifically at “pictures” of Jesus.  Today’s picture is found in the phrase “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46; Mk 15:34; Psalm 22:1 NIV)  What exactly does this mean?  For years, scholars have debated the meaning of what Jesus has to say.  Was it the sin of mankind?  Was it the torment and pain of the cross?  Was it something else?

Could it be that Jesus voiced those words from the cross, knowing of the impending separation from the Father?  Moltmann maintains, “All human anxiety and fear is fundamentally – which means from birth onwards – fear of separation.”  However, circumstances that cause anxiety can also be seen as opportunities for hope – hope for victory, for peace, for deliverance.  Again, I refer to Moltmann.  “If we believe in Christ, fear does not isolate us from God.  On the contrary, it leads us deeper into community with him… In our anxiety we participate in Christ’s anxiety; for in his suffering Christ went through the very fears and anxieties which men and women encounter too.”

Too often, when trouble comes our way, we’re tempted to turn our focus inward.  We convince ourselves no one knows our pain, grief, or suffering.  We cry out to God, “Why me?  How could you?  It’s just not fair?”  Although we know the Word says, God/Jesus would “never leave us or forsake us,” (Heb 13:5; Deut 31:6), there are times we feel alone.  And anxiety and fear causes us to become immobile.  We get stuck.

This, you may realize, is a picture that has to do with perspective.  Depending on which angle you view the picture from, you see fear or you see hope.  You see torment, suffering, and despair.  Or you see an opportunity to grow, a place of victory, and God’s perfect love.

I would offer (as Moltmann does) that Christ chose the latter.  Although He knew the cross was not easy, He perceived the final outcome.  Let me encourage you to see conflict as Christ did.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  (Phil 2:8-11 NIV)

Why God Why?

Perhaps you’ve asked this question about something in your life.  Maybe you’ve heard others around you ask this question or something similar.  It seems to come up during trouble, turmoil, and need I say the “S” word suffering?  Maybe our problem is not the trouble itself.  Maybe our biggest issue is the question(s) we ask.

Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to lead a group through a study on grief.  Together, we read Philip Yancey’s Disappointment With God and looked at what God’s Word had to say of suffering.  Most of the group knew what James wrote.  Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…  But no one in the group could honestly say they were grateful for trouble in their lives, even if it was supposed to bring about spiritual growth.  What’s a Christian to do?

Would you consider another picture of Jesus today?  In our suffering, pain, and trouble, Moltmann reminds us to look back at the suffering of Christ on the cross.  This picture begins in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Mark records Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him and asked them to pray.  He was “greatly distressed and troubled” (14:33).  In fact, Jesus said to them, My soul is very sorrowful, even to death.  Remain here and watch (14:34 ESV).  It’s obvious that Jesus is suffering.  He asked His friends to pray and then began to pray Himself.  Abba, Father…Remove this cup from me.  Yet not what I will, but what you will (14:36 ESV).  The Father remains silent.  And Jesus moves closer to the cross.  His suffering must include His humanity – the pain He would endure, the separation from the Father, and the relying on mankind to affect change in the world.  Secondly, it shouldn’t be overlooked that after asking His friends to pray, Jesus finds them sleeping.  Most likely, this added to His suffering.  Have you ever felt alone in your trouble?  Sometimes the silence of God is deafening.

The picture continues at a place called “The Skull” or Golgotha.  Jesus is on the cross and speaks again to The Father.  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34; Psalm 22:1)  And then He died.  Notice, at the beginning the picture, Jesus addresses His Father in an intimate way.  At the end, it is simply, My God, my God.

This picture is called “The Passion”.  From beginning to end, it is clear that Jesus had one thing in mind – to fulfill the will of the Father.  Paul tells us that Christ just didn’t bear sin.  He became sin (2 Cor 5:21)!  And because of sin, He suffered.  God loved us so much that He sent His son (Jn 3:16).  Christ loved us so much that He humbled Himself and became a servant, even to the point of dying on the cross (Phil 2:8).  That’s the picture of The Passion.  That’s the love that God has for all of mankind.  This is a picture that we must all see and embrace.

 

 

Jesus as…

Today, we’ll take a look at three more “pictures” that Moltmann points out regarding Jesus and the Gospels.  Again, we’ll look at what Jesus meant by “kingdom” in Matthew 6:10.

1.  Perhaps you picture Jesus primarily as a healer.

Later in the New Testament, Paul describes those who need God as being “sinners”.  However, in the Gospels, Jesus deals with the “sick”.  Mark 1:32 reads, That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons.  Moltmann argues, Jesus heals, giving a preview of what God has in mind for the future.   The healings were not just realized in the physical sense.  The bigger healing took place in people’s spirit.  This is the kingdom in the flesh.

The tendency for those of us far removed (at least by time) from Jesus is to begin to see the healing accounts in the Gospels as fairy tales.  People who live with chronic pain or disease would surely love for Jesus to show up in the physical, say a few words or touch them, and heal their bodies.  But what if that doesn’t happen?  And isn’t the bigger issue more than physical healing?  In other words, the purpose that Jesus healed was not just for the physical.  The bigger issue was ushering in the kingdom of God in the spiritual.

Let me give an example.  A young boy is brought to the disciples of Jesus.  He needs healing but Jesus is being transfigured before Peter, James, and John.  Upon their return, the four see a commotion and inquire as to what it’s about.  The disciples were unable to heal the boy.  Hear what Jesus had to say.  O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you?  How long am I to bear with you?  Bring him to me.  Mark 9:19 (ESV)  The account ends with Jesus healing the boy and the father pleading for increased faith.  Jesus encourages his followers to be people of prayer.

While reading that account, often I’m reminded of John 15:1-5.  I won’t take space to record it here with the exception of …apart from me (Jesus) you can do nothing.  In summary, Jesus healed for a much greater issue than a physical aspect.  And faith has a tremendous role in healing.  The kingdom of God is found in the restoration of Jesus.

2.  Option #2 today is picturing Jesus primarily as a friend.

Jesus spoke against injustice.  He lobbied for those at the proverbial bottom of society.  He said Himself, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Matt 5:3 (ESV)  He ate with sinners and tax collectors, while being chastised by the religious.  When one has been cast out of society, the last thing he expects is love and acceptance.  And yet that is exactly what Jesus provided.  Moltmann summarizes this way:  “When Jesus receives sinners and eats with them, for the good people he is either a sinner himself, or a revolutionary who is disrupting society’s system of values.  But by ‘justifying’ sinners he saves the good and the just too, because he liberates them from their self-righteousness.”  Maybe this is your picture of Jesus.  Or maybe you’d go with choice #3.

3.   Jesus is pictured as being specifically for those who can’t help themselves.

This picture of Jesus shows him interacting throughout the Gospels with the poor and children – those who can’t help themselves.  They must rely on society for their basic needs.  In the Ancient Near East, the poor would have nothing.  Old widows would find it hard to survive in a society built upon judging one another based on usefulness.  A widow has had her children.  Children are not yet able to work and make a living.  Therefore, this class of people are degraded, abused, and unloved.

Then Jesus shows up!  Jesus offers hope, love, and restoration.  “The poor are no longer the suffering objects of oppression and humiliation.  They are their own determining subjects, with the dignity of God’s first children.”   When people get their dignity back, great things can happen.  They no longer believe what society has said in the past.  But they know who they are, based upon what Jesus says.  Maybe you resonate with the poor and those unable.   Is this your primary picture of Jesus?

Can you relate to any of these?  Maybe your picture of Jesus changes as you face different challenges in life.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on what Moltmann has to say.  And more importantly, how do you perceive Jesus today?

Pictures Through The Parables

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Matt 6:10 (ESV)

Jesus was teaching His followers what they should pray for and speaks of the “kingdom” of God.  Most people think of kingdom being synonymous with reign or rule.  In fact, Webster’s College Dictionary defines kingdom as “a state or government having a king or queen as its head.”  Today, we might think of the United Kingdom.  But what did Jesus have in mind?

Moltmann looks first of all at the parables in Mark 4.  The parables of a sower and that of a mustard seed seem to focus on germination, growth, and fruit.  Moltmann maintains, “Because the kingdom of God is nothing other than the new creation of all things for eternal life.”  It’s important to note that life is restored in the spring when something happens inside.  That something grows throughout the following season(s) and blooms – sometimes several times – producing beauty.  The kingdom of God must have something to do with beauty.

We then turn our attention to Luke 15.  Luke records Jesus’ teachings on sheep, a coin, and a wayward son.  More importantly, though, these things were once lost and are now found.  We notice that only upon finding what was lost can rejoicing take place.  A shepherd leaves 99 sheep behind to find the 1.  A woman forgets about her other coins for a time to find the one lost.  And a Father considers his son not only lost but dead.  Upon his return, the Father declares, “He was lost, and is found.”  And they began to celebrate.

The kingdom is about new beginnings, new growth, new opportunities.  Moltmann offers, “When we experience God’s kingdom in this way, we discover afresh the wealth of our potentialities for living.”  Thoughts?  Does this affect your picture of Jesus?

What do you see?

Several years ago, I was asked to read Philip Yancey’s The Jesus I Never Knew and complete a book review. Several times, I was blown away by how my view of Jesus had become obscured by my environment, education, biases, etc. Yancey’s book is one of those on the shelf that I review from time to time. It was truly an eye-opener for me.

So what’s your picture of Jesus look like? What comes to mind when you hear the name Jesus? receive Communion? cry out to Him in prayer?  Is your Jesus the white guy with long hair and perfect skin portrayed in many churches?

The next several posts are dedicated to looking at what we see in Jesus.  We’re going to use Jurgen Moltmann’s Jesus Christ For Today’s World and define Jesus as Scripture does.  Perhaps you see Jesus as the suffering servant that provides hope for what you’re going through.  Maybe the first picture of Jesus for you is one of Him hanging on the cross.  You see him as redeemer.  Or what if you close your eyes and picture Jesus coming again in victory to gather His bride?

These are all valid “pictures” of Jesus.  They all carry an immense amount of peace for us at various times in our lives.  In other words, my picture is no better than yours – as long as we picture Jesus the way the Scriptures provide for us.  I hope you’ll join the discussion, be honest with yourself, and let God do a work with you.  Here we go!