Today’s Reading: Exodus 14; Exodus 16; Acts 2
Scripture: Acts 2:11-13
11 "...we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."
Observation: This is the moment of the birth of the Church. The Holy Spirit has fallen at Pentecost and a large crowd has gathered as they witness the miracle of being able to hear God's praise in their own language and dialect. People are "amazed and perplexed." Yet at this moment, there are the mockers, those ever-present, sacracsm-filled individuals who feel it their duty to use negative humor to put down others. They possess a negative spirit and inflict it upon others.
Application: Mockers are everywhere, and even more today. The spirit of our culture has nurtured cynicism, which is one of the seeds of mocking. So much of today's humor is negative, ugly, attack humor, even among friends. We must be aware of the mockers, but please, let's not join them. Steer clear of negative humor and cynicism. As Paul said, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)
Prayer: Lord, keep me far from mockers. I want to be an encourager of people.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Title: I Have To Do What? / Topic: Assimilation
Today’s Reading: Exodus 12; Exodus 13; Psalm 21; Acts 1
Scripture: Exodus 12:48-49
48 "An alien living among you who wants to celebrate the LORD's Passover must have all the males in his household circumcised; then he may take part like one born in the land. No uncircumcised male may eat of it. 49 The same law applies to the native-born and to the alien living among you."
Observation: God has just led the Israelites out of Egypt and they have celebrated the original Passover as God killed all the firstborn of the Egyptians but passed over those who put the blood of the lamb on their door posts. Here God gives the rules regarding non-Israelites who live among them. I love the fact that God makes a way for the aliens to participate in the Passover. But notice that they cannot just participate. They must become Israelites -- adopted into the Jewish nation. This process is called assimilation and here God gives the sign of circumcision as the requirement. In other words, "if you are not part of us and want to become part of us, it will cost you!" The cost is serious and personal and comprehensive. It is serious because circumcision is a medical procedure. It is personal because circumcision involves a very personal part of the body. It is comprehensive because all the males of the household must be circumcised.
Application: I see three applications: one that is personal, one that relates to church, and one that relates to America.
• The personal application is that coming to the Lord may be a gift from God, but it comes with a high personal cost. Often, we cheapen the Gospel and even misrepresent it by not communicating the high cost of following Jesus.
• The church application is that there is a necessary assimilation that people must undergo when coming in to the church. We must understand and adequately communicate the changes required to become a part of the household of God. (1 Tim. 3:14-15) Too often, people come into the church and we do not communicate the appropriate expectations of belonging to the church. Maybe we don't want to offend people so we hope they just get it on their own. We, as a church family, need to give some thought and attention to this.
• The application for America is that there must be some cost and changes required for aliens to be a part of our nation. Anytime outsiders can come in and be a part of our nation without adopting our language or any of our culture, they will not have adequate buy-in and the fabric of our union will be weakened.
Prayer: Lord, help us to draw outsiders into your family and help us to instruct and assist them into becoming fully assimilated into our family so that they can fully participate in the blessings of your family.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Exodus 12:48-49
48 "An alien living among you who wants to celebrate the LORD's Passover must have all the males in his household circumcised; then he may take part like one born in the land. No uncircumcised male may eat of it. 49 The same law applies to the native-born and to the alien living among you."
Observation: God has just led the Israelites out of Egypt and they have celebrated the original Passover as God killed all the firstborn of the Egyptians but passed over those who put the blood of the lamb on their door posts. Here God gives the rules regarding non-Israelites who live among them. I love the fact that God makes a way for the aliens to participate in the Passover. But notice that they cannot just participate. They must become Israelites -- adopted into the Jewish nation. This process is called assimilation and here God gives the sign of circumcision as the requirement. In other words, "if you are not part of us and want to become part of us, it will cost you!" The cost is serious and personal and comprehensive. It is serious because circumcision is a medical procedure. It is personal because circumcision involves a very personal part of the body. It is comprehensive because all the males of the household must be circumcised.
Application: I see three applications: one that is personal, one that relates to church, and one that relates to America.
• The personal application is that coming to the Lord may be a gift from God, but it comes with a high personal cost. Often, we cheapen the Gospel and even misrepresent it by not communicating the high cost of following Jesus.
• The church application is that there is a necessary assimilation that people must undergo when coming in to the church. We must understand and adequately communicate the changes required to become a part of the household of God. (1 Tim. 3:14-15) Too often, people come into the church and we do not communicate the appropriate expectations of belonging to the church. Maybe we don't want to offend people so we hope they just get it on their own. We, as a church family, need to give some thought and attention to this.
• The application for America is that there must be some cost and changes required for aliens to be a part of our nation. Anytime outsiders can come in and be a part of our nation without adopting our language or any of our culture, they will not have adequate buy-in and the fabric of our union will be weakened.
Prayer: Lord, help us to draw outsiders into your family and help us to instruct and assist them into becoming fully assimilated into our family so that they can fully participate in the blessings of your family.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Title: Divine Help Required / Topic: Understanding
Today’s Reading: Exodus 9; Exodus 10; Exodus 11; Luke 24
Scripture: Luke 24:45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
Observation: The resurrected Jesus appears to his startled and frightened disciples. They are completely in the dark as to what is happening and why. Jesus tries to explain it to them but they aren't getting it. Then he "opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures."
Application: Without the help of God, we would be powerless to understand God's word. Like the disciples, we could read the words but the deeper spiritual meaning would elude us. Here, even though the disciples had spent over three years being taught by Jesus himself, and even though they are seeing him resurrected with their own eyes, they are unable to put it together. Jesus has to "open their minds" in order for them to be enabled to get it. Paul explains it like this: "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor. 2:14)
Bottom line: We are dependent upon the Lord to know the Lord. So I must keep seeking his face. All spiritual progress is dependent upon his favor and enablement.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for enlightening us with understanding so that we can know how to know you. I am so grateful that you did not leave us on our own to try to figure it out in our darkness, but you brought us light that we may know and love you. Help us to walk and live in your light always.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 24:45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
Observation: The resurrected Jesus appears to his startled and frightened disciples. They are completely in the dark as to what is happening and why. Jesus tries to explain it to them but they aren't getting it. Then he "opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures."
Application: Without the help of God, we would be powerless to understand God's word. Like the disciples, we could read the words but the deeper spiritual meaning would elude us. Here, even though the disciples had spent over three years being taught by Jesus himself, and even though they are seeing him resurrected with their own eyes, they are unable to put it together. Jesus has to "open their minds" in order for them to be enabled to get it. Paul explains it like this: "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor. 2:14)
Bottom line: We are dependent upon the Lord to know the Lord. So I must keep seeking his face. All spiritual progress is dependent upon his favor and enablement.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for enlightening us with understanding so that we can know how to know you. I am so grateful that you did not leave us on our own to try to figure it out in our darkness, but you brought us light that we may know and love you. Help us to walk and live in your light always.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Title: Faith Required / Topic: Discouragement
Today’s Reading: Exodus 6; Exodus 7; Exodus 8; Luke 23
Scripture: Exodus 6:6, 9
6 "Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment...
9 Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.
Observation: Moses has offered his bitter complaint to the Lord and the Lord responds with assurances that deliverance is indeed coming. When Moses reports this to the Israelites, they don't listen and they don't believe him.
Application: They are too discouraged to even hope that what Moses is saying is true. His previous statements have only resulted in the situation growing worse, so his credibility is shot. But God is faithful and it is so important to not lose faith in him. Even when things do not appear to support God's reliability, God is still reliable. But faith is required. Don't get discouraged. God will come through. Trust God, not the circumstances.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that you are always reliable and faithful no matter what. Help us to keep your promises in mind and not allow negative circumstances to overcome our faith in you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Exodus 6:6, 9
6 "Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment...
9 Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.
Observation: Moses has offered his bitter complaint to the Lord and the Lord responds with assurances that deliverance is indeed coming. When Moses reports this to the Israelites, they don't listen and they don't believe him.
Application: They are too discouraged to even hope that what Moses is saying is true. His previous statements have only resulted in the situation growing worse, so his credibility is shot. But God is faithful and it is so important to not lose faith in him. Even when things do not appear to support God's reliability, God is still reliable. But faith is required. Don't get discouraged. God will come through. Trust God, not the circumstances.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that you are always reliable and faithful no matter what. Help us to keep your promises in mind and not allow negative circumstances to overcome our faith in you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Title: The Path Of Trouble / Topic: How God Works
Today’s Reading: Exodus 3; Exodus 4; Exodus 5; Luke 22
Scripture: Exodus 5:19-23
19 The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, "You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day." 20 When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, 21 and they said, "May the LORD look upon you and judge you! You have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us."
22 Moses returned to the LORD and said, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all."
Observation: God has sent Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt. But the process is very different from what Moses and the Israelites anticipated, to say the least. Instead of things getting better, they get much worse. The path ahead is full of trouble, even hopeless. The Israelite foremen are caught in the middle and they are feeling the pinch. They go to Moses and let him have it! And Moses doesn't know what to say so he goes back to God and bitterly complains: "Why have you brought trouble upon this people? ... You have not rescued your people at all!"
Application: The process of getting God's best is not a straight line. It is not predictable. It is not easy. In fact, when it seems as though things cannot get any worse, things get worse! And we come to God and complain, "What are you doing, God? I thought you were going to save me. My situation has deteriorated since you got involved! What's going on?"
Bottom line: If you say you want to trust God with your life, hang on! It's likely to be a wild ride. And there may be many times when everything will look and feel wrong. And though it is hard, keep trusting God. He knows what he is doing and things will turn out right in the end.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your wisdom and power and love. I thank you that you are always working things out for my best, even when it seems the opposite. Help me to always walk with faith and trust in you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Exodus 5:19-23
19 The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, "You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day." 20 When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, 21 and they said, "May the LORD look upon you and judge you! You have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us."
22 Moses returned to the LORD and said, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all."
Observation: God has sent Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt. But the process is very different from what Moses and the Israelites anticipated, to say the least. Instead of things getting better, they get much worse. The path ahead is full of trouble, even hopeless. The Israelite foremen are caught in the middle and they are feeling the pinch. They go to Moses and let him have it! And Moses doesn't know what to say so he goes back to God and bitterly complains: "Why have you brought trouble upon this people? ... You have not rescued your people at all!"
Application: The process of getting God's best is not a straight line. It is not predictable. It is not easy. In fact, when it seems as though things cannot get any worse, things get worse! And we come to God and complain, "What are you doing, God? I thought you were going to save me. My situation has deteriorated since you got involved! What's going on?"
Bottom line: If you say you want to trust God with your life, hang on! It's likely to be a wild ride. And there may be many times when everything will look and feel wrong. And though it is hard, keep trusting God. He knows what he is doing and things will turn out right in the end.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your wisdom and power and love. I thank you that you are always working things out for my best, even when it seems the opposite. Help me to always walk with faith and trust in you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Title: Five Short Subjects / Topic: Wisdom
Today’s Reading: Exodus 1; Exodus 2; Psalm 88; Luke 21
I couldn't narrow it to one passage so I wrote briefly on five that caught my eye. I hope you will leave a comment on one or more. Thanks. I hope you enjoy today's post.
#1 Title: God Bless The Liars / Topic: God's Ways
#1 Scripture: Exodus 1:15-21
15 The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 "When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." 17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. 18 Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, "Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?"
19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive."
20 So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.
#1 Observation/Application: The Hebrew midwives did not kill the babies as Pharoah had commanded them. Then, when called before Pharoah, they lied about it. But God blessed them anyway. In fact, the way it is written makes is sound as though God blessed them because they lied! This is just a reminder that God does not think the way we do. He has a much deeper basis of judgment than you and me. This should help to keep us humble before him. As the scripture says, "now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror" 1 Cor. 13 PMS Version*
#2 Title: Duh! / Topic: No Secrets
#2 Scripture: Exodus 2:11-14
11 ... [Moses] saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. 12 Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, "Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?"
14 The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known." Duh! ("Duh!" is not in the original)
#2 Observation/Application: Moses kills an Egyptian who is beating a Hebrew. And, brilliant guy that he is, he thinks that it will be a secret. (Sarcasm alert.) Of course, this is stupid because there was a witness to the murder, the Hebrew guy who was being beaten. How many people do you know who could keep their mouths shut after being saved from a beating by a prince who killed your attacker? Exactly ZERO. So is the word going to get out? Duh! The lesson here is that if you don't want people to know a secret, keep it to yourself. If your "secret" is shared by even one other person, it will get out. So put a sock in it!
#3 Title: The Pit Of Despair / Topic: Depression
#3 Scripture: Psalm 88:6-9
6 You have put me in the lowest pit,
in the darkest depths.
7 Your wrath lies heavily upon me;
you have overwhelmed me with all your waves.
Selah
8 You have taken from me my closest friends
and have made me repulsive to them.
I am confined and cannot escape;
9 my eyes are dim with grief.
I call to you, O LORD, every day;
I spread out my hands to you.
#3 Observation/Application: Psalm 88 is a real downer. The writer is clearly not having a good day. He is in a real pit as it says in verse 6. And he blames God as the above verses clearly show. But what I liked about this is, even though he is down, and even though he blames God, he still continues to seek God: "I call to you, O LORD, every day; I spread out my hands to you." This is an awesome lesson for us all: Keep seeking God -- never stop no matter what.
#4 Title: God's Economy (Clueless Disciples) / Topic: God's Ways
#4 Scripture: Luke 21:1-5
1 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." 5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God...
#4 Observation/Application: Jesus sees the poor widow putting a few pennies into the offering. He says, this is more than anyone else put in. But that is far from what we think. Because we look at the amount of the gift. God looks at the heart of the giver. I want to be able to see things like God does. "Lord, help me to have your vision and heart." (I also noticed in verse 5 that the disciples missed the point altogether as they quickly change the subject to the beautiful material things. These clueless disciples demonstrate how our thoughts are far from God's thoughts.)
#5 Title: Vigilance Required / Topic: Living Wisely
#5 Scripture: Luke 21:34 36
34 "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
#5 Observation/Application: Jesus starts this instruction with the words "be careful." This speaks to me that I must never get casual or lazy or complacent or relaxed about my daily walk. Jesus spoke elsewhere about the narrow path that we are to walk. Here he says that troubles are coming to everyone on the planet. So "be always of the watch..." These days, many Christians seem to be quite unaware of this principle, treating their spiritual lives as an afterthought. My life in God, my relationship with Jesus must remain on the front burner, at the top of my priority list, and I must be very intentional about it if I am to become all that God wants me to be.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the wonderful things that we learn from your word. Help us to be intentional about implementing your ways and character into our daily living.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
(*PMS = Pastor Mike Stipech Version)
I couldn't narrow it to one passage so I wrote briefly on five that caught my eye. I hope you will leave a comment on one or more. Thanks. I hope you enjoy today's post.
#1 Title: God Bless The Liars / Topic: God's Ways
#1 Scripture: Exodus 1:15-21
15 The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 "When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." 17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. 18 Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, "Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?"
19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive."
20 So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.
#1 Observation/Application: The Hebrew midwives did not kill the babies as Pharoah had commanded them. Then, when called before Pharoah, they lied about it. But God blessed them anyway. In fact, the way it is written makes is sound as though God blessed them because they lied! This is just a reminder that God does not think the way we do. He has a much deeper basis of judgment than you and me. This should help to keep us humble before him. As the scripture says, "now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror" 1 Cor. 13 PMS Version*
~~~
#2 Title: Duh! / Topic: No Secrets
#2 Scripture: Exodus 2:11-14
11 ... [Moses] saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. 12 Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, "Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?"
14 The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known." Duh! ("Duh!" is not in the original)
#2 Observation/Application: Moses kills an Egyptian who is beating a Hebrew. And, brilliant guy that he is, he thinks that it will be a secret. (Sarcasm alert.) Of course, this is stupid because there was a witness to the murder, the Hebrew guy who was being beaten. How many people do you know who could keep their mouths shut after being saved from a beating by a prince who killed your attacker? Exactly ZERO. So is the word going to get out? Duh! The lesson here is that if you don't want people to know a secret, keep it to yourself. If your "secret" is shared by even one other person, it will get out. So put a sock in it!
~~~
#3 Title: The Pit Of Despair / Topic: Depression
#3 Scripture: Psalm 88:6-9
6 You have put me in the lowest pit,
in the darkest depths.
7 Your wrath lies heavily upon me;
you have overwhelmed me with all your waves.
Selah
8 You have taken from me my closest friends
and have made me repulsive to them.
I am confined and cannot escape;
9 my eyes are dim with grief.
I call to you, O LORD, every day;
I spread out my hands to you.
#3 Observation/Application: Psalm 88 is a real downer. The writer is clearly not having a good day. He is in a real pit as it says in verse 6. And he blames God as the above verses clearly show. But what I liked about this is, even though he is down, and even though he blames God, he still continues to seek God: "I call to you, O LORD, every day; I spread out my hands to you." This is an awesome lesson for us all: Keep seeking God -- never stop no matter what.
~~~
#4 Title: God's Economy (Clueless Disciples) / Topic: God's Ways
#4 Scripture: Luke 21:1-5
1 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." 5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God...
#4 Observation/Application: Jesus sees the poor widow putting a few pennies into the offering. He says, this is more than anyone else put in. But that is far from what we think. Because we look at the amount of the gift. God looks at the heart of the giver. I want to be able to see things like God does. "Lord, help me to have your vision and heart." (I also noticed in verse 5 that the disciples missed the point altogether as they quickly change the subject to the beautiful material things. These clueless disciples demonstrate how our thoughts are far from God's thoughts.)
~~~
#5 Title: Vigilance Required / Topic: Living Wisely
#5 Scripture: Luke 21:34 36
34 "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
#5 Observation/Application: Jesus starts this instruction with the words "be careful." This speaks to me that I must never get casual or lazy or complacent or relaxed about my daily walk. Jesus spoke elsewhere about the narrow path that we are to walk. Here he says that troubles are coming to everyone on the planet. So "be always of the watch..." These days, many Christians seem to be quite unaware of this principle, treating their spiritual lives as an afterthought. My life in God, my relationship with Jesus must remain on the front burner, at the top of my priority list, and I must be very intentional about it if I am to become all that God wants me to be.
~~~
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the wonderful things that we learn from your word. Help us to be intentional about implementing your ways and character into our daily living.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
(*PMS = Pastor Mike Stipech Version)
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Title: No Thanks / Topic: Boundaries
Today’s Reading: Genesis 49; Genesis 50; Psalm 8; Luke 20
Scripture: Luke 20:1-8
1 One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. 2 "Tell us by what authority you are doing these things," they said. "Who gave you this authority?"
3 He replied, "I will also ask you a question. Tell me, 4 John's baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?"
5 They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Why didn't you believe him?' 6 But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet."
7 So they answered, "We don't know where it was from."
8 Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."
Observation: Jesus is confronted by some of the stick-in-the-mud religious leaders playing a little game to try and protect their turf. Jesus is becoming way too popular and they need to put on the brakes, so they decide to challenge the basis of his authority. But Jesus wants no part of it and he turns it back at them with a game of his own. His question puts them in a bit of a jam and so they pass. This allows Jesus a way to just say "no" to them as well.
Application: Jesus is a great example here of not getting involved in a pointless controversy with stubborn or hardheaded people. He says, "no thanks" and sets a boundary for himself. I have learned that just because someone wants to have a certain discussion with me or challenge me on an issue, that doesn't mean I have to participate. Many times the wisest thing is to say, "no thanks."
Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom to know when to answer the objections and arguments of others and when to steer clear. I don't want to cast my pearls before swine. And, Lord, help me just steer clear of swine in general.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 20:1-8
1 One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. 2 "Tell us by what authority you are doing these things," they said. "Who gave you this authority?"
3 He replied, "I will also ask you a question. Tell me, 4 John's baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?"
5 They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Why didn't you believe him?' 6 But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet."
7 So they answered, "We don't know where it was from."
8 Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."
Observation: Jesus is confronted by some of the stick-in-the-mud religious leaders playing a little game to try and protect their turf. Jesus is becoming way too popular and they need to put on the brakes, so they decide to challenge the basis of his authority. But Jesus wants no part of it and he turns it back at them with a game of his own. His question puts them in a bit of a jam and so they pass. This allows Jesus a way to just say "no" to them as well.
Application: Jesus is a great example here of not getting involved in a pointless controversy with stubborn or hardheaded people. He says, "no thanks" and sets a boundary for himself. I have learned that just because someone wants to have a certain discussion with me or challenge me on an issue, that doesn't mean I have to participate. Many times the wisest thing is to say, "no thanks."
Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom to know when to answer the objections and arguments of others and when to steer clear. I don't want to cast my pearls before swine. And, Lord, help me just steer clear of swine in general.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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