Tag: personal musings

“ . . . put aside for a moment what you hear me say about myself and just take the evidence of the actions that are right before your eyes.  Then perhaps things will come together for you, and you’ll see . . .” John 10:38 (The Message)

Jesus is dealing with opposition from the religious leaders of his day.  He knows that God has given the Hebrew people laws that have been recorded in Scripture form as a reminder and a guide for them to follow.  Jesus also knows that the Hebrew people have devised their own laws and traditions that they adhere to along with those given to them by God.  Jesus recognizes that though it is Scriptural for him to claim a likeness between himself and God, the Father (Psalms 82:6), the laws and traditions devised by the Jews consider this kind of speech to be strictly taboo.  Thus, the problem—the Jewish leaders keep getting caught up in and tripped up by “language”.  In his graciousness and understanding, Jesus offers them a solution that will help them get around their struggle.  Since language is a stumbling block for them, Jesus tells them to put language aside for the moment and consider him in terms of his actions alone.  By focusing their attention upon Jesus’ actions and looking to see if God is present and at work in them, they will be able to move on in their ability to see the truth of who and what Jesus is and believe.  Jesus doesn’t have to have the last “word”, he just wants them to be able to progress in their understanding and faith and he’s willing to take language out of the picture to enable that to happen.

Our culture today has a real problem with language, both outside and inside of the church.  Part of the ever-increasing division and disunity in America today can be boiled down to language.  Each group and individual has devised our own laws of language that we adhere to quite strictly and dogmatically.  If you question that, spend a moment listening to the pre-election political ads that are flooding our media and competing for our attention and vote.  Language plays a very key role, much more important even than the qualifications and character qualities of the candidates being promoted.  This is not just a political phenomenon—it exists in every person, social and ethnic group, occupation, belief system, gender, age, etc.

Language has become a huge stumbling block in America today.  We need to take a moment (or many) to put language aside and look at actions and what those actions reflect and reveal about the people and the various forms and natures of organizations that we come into contact with on a regular basis—not for the purpose of passing judgments (which are always inadequately lacking in some manner), but for the purpose of seeing what is really there.  Actions do speak louder than words.  If we take the time and expend the energy to watch for it, we can see if God is present and at work in the actions occurring around us.  As we are paying more attention to the actions of others, we need to become more aware of our own, as well.  What do my actions reflect and reveal about me?  What do your actions reflect and reveal about you?

“The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.” Matthew 27:52, 53

“Surely he was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:54

I confess that I’m perplexed and intrigued by the dead people whose tombs are broken open and are awakened to life as Jesus dies. We are told that after Jesus’ resurrection, these same people leave their tombs, enter Jerusalem and proceed to mix and mingle with the inhabitants of that city. How fascinating and downright curious! If they are brought back to life as their tombs are broken open around 3:00pm on Friday afternoon, what did they do or experience in the meantime as they awaited their tomb exit and entrance into the city on Sunday morning? As they lay in their grave—alive—from Friday to Sunday, did they have any idea of the events on Friday? Were they aware of what was happening around them? Did angels minister to them? I’m guessing that no human, other than possibly Romans, would even have the chance to be aware of “live people in graves” at that time because the Jews in the city would all be engaged in celebrating the Passover and participating in the activities of that day (and definitely no where near a cemetery!). Trying to imagine this entire scenario fills me with amazement and wonder, not to mention that it creeps me out a bit. All I can say is it’s a good thing the tombs were broken open so they could have fresh air to breath while they waited!

On a more serious note, when the Roman captain and his soldiers experienced all that happened (three hours of darkness in the middle of the day, earthquakes, etc.), they were “scared to death” and proclaimed that Jesus must have been the Son of God! How often it is that those on the outside of something can readily perceive what those on the inside are oblivious to.

So . . . what am I missing that others can readily see in my life and being? What am I oblivious to? God has given me a “raised” form of life also—am I still laying quiet and still in my old grave, waiting for something else to happen or another time to come? If so, is my waiting in line with God’s plan for me, or the result of my own reluctance and resistance? Am I being told that the time has come for me to leave my unnecessary grave, enter the city of the living and joyously engage with those that I meet along the way? What a miraculous occurrence—for the “raised” in this story, for myself and for all who are alive on planet earth! New possibilities abound, boggling my mind and imagination!

“Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Matthew 26:13

The world was swirling with the intrigues of the religious leaders and the earthbound perspectives of Jesus’ twelve disciples, but very quietly in the center of it all was a woman who poured out her very expensive perfume for the purpose of anointing Jesus’ body for burial. Jesus was filled with a deep appreciation and gratitude as a result of her great sacrifice. This action was highly significant to him—more so than anything else that was happening at that moment in time. Only God knows what motivated her to do this. Maybe she was driven by her own gratitude and appreciation for how Jesus had ministered to her, or maybe she had sensed God calling her to serve and prepare Jesus in this way. Whether from love and gratitude or obedience or both, her small but highly controversial act was purposely recorded in the Bible and is remembered with admiration throughout time. In her own quiet, unassuming manner, she took the risk to do what was NOT acceptable in the eyes of the world or the religious culture of her day, and she received harsh judgment and verbal abuse from these same people as a result.   Simultaneously (and throughout all eternity), her actions on Jesus’ behalf were and are celebrated with honor and acceptance and praise in God’s kingdom of heaven. What a wonderful paradox—it fills me with a deep sense of wonder and joy!

I am impressed with this woman! Her quiet courage and unashamed compassion are inspiring to me. Her willingness to go against the accepted norms of both world and religion in such an expression of love, gratitude, obedience and respect set her apart as one who truly knows God and experiences his love daily. She is a very good model that I want to follow.

If I am to be remembered in any way and for any reason, I want to be remembered for my love, devotion and obedience to my Father in heaven who loves me dearly. My prayer is this: Father God, show me how you are calling me to live out each day, give me the courage to be both quiet and controversial in obedience and service to you and to those you lead me to, and let my value and treasure be always in you, alone.

Amen!

“Be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Mt. 16:6)

The local religious leaders (Pharisees and Sadducees) demanded that Jesus present them with proof of his authority from God in the form of a miracle. Proof is fine and necessary in a court of law, but religion requires something called “faith” as well. I find it enlightening that the focus of priority for these religious leaders was proof, not faith, and that they were demanding it from one who had been demonstrating proofs of his power to miraculously provide and heal on a daily basis for some time. I don’t know what their preoccupation is all about, but its effect is interesting, to say the least. Jesus warns his disciples to be on the watch for how the “yeast” of these leaders and their teachings/priorities may negatively permeate and influence their lives. The disciples, however, were preoccupied with their own failure to bring any bread for lunch. When Jesus mentions yeast, the disciples assume that he’s referring to their lack of bread. Jesus has to repeat his message before they finally clue in to what he’s really talking about.

It was clear that Jesus was talking about the influence of the religious leaders—not bread—the first time. The disciples’ confusion stemmed from their obsession with their own problem at the time; therefore, they didn’t really listen to what Jesus said. In their preoccupation, they heard Jesus’ words through their own filters of fear, insecurity and doubt. They were distracted by their own concerns to the point of not being able to connect with Jesus or his teaching. As a result, they missed his real meaning and intent completely. They also committed the error of assuming and attaching meanings to his words that were completely incorrect. The disciples are not alone in this tendency. How easy it is to be so preoccupied with myself while engaged in conversation that I disconnect from the real intent and message of the other that I’m supposed to be listening to, and even imagine that I hear them say something very different than what in fact was said! The human tendency towards preoccupation with one’s self is the source of all kinds of assumptions, wrong judgments and misunderstandings that have plagued our interpersonal relationships on a local, national and international level throughout our human history.

For me, being preoccupied with my own issues and concerns is connected to how much I practice trusting God to be aware of and responsive to my needs. When I forget or chose not to entrust my cares to God, I have a tendency to obsess and brood over my concerns. Brooding is just another way of saying preoccupation, and it causes me to be less capable (or incapable) of being present to anything or anyone—God, myself, my work and activities, and others. When I entrust my cares to God, I am able to be more mindful of myself and more present with others.

How about you?

“According to your faith let it be done to you” Matthew 9:29 (TNIV)

“Become what you believe.” Matthew 9:29 (The Message)

Faith, belief, hope, trust, reliance, confidence, certainty, dependence, presumption – these are words with similar, inter-changeable meanings. They are also words that shed light upon who we are and who we become.

Interestingly enough, we do become what we believe. Those who believe in mercy become merciful, in compassion become compassionate and in grace become gracious and graceful in every way. Those who have faith in the healing power of forgiveness experience forgiveness and share the same with others. Those who presume to judge become judgmental; those who view self and others with hatred or superiority become hateful or prejudiced. Those who rely upon themselves become narcissistic and those who rely too much upon others have a tendency to deny and devalue themselves. If I place my hope in education and my trust in wealth, then I may worship endeavor or accomplishment but discredit and mistrust those who are not like myself. Those who have confidence in commonly believed lies become liars simply by passing on that which is not true. And on and on and on. We humans are complex, a mixture and blending of many things, and the presenting result can be anywhere from delightful all the way to horrifying. I have no desire to be horrifying, myself, or to be around others who are horrifying. I would much prefer the pursuit of “delightful” for myself (and others) instead. If I will become what I believe then I want to be aware and certain of what I’m believing and why and when. This is very sobering but also very good. It means that I have choices and so do you.

In the past, I’ve only read Matthew 9:29 in terms of the amount of faith that I have in Jesus. Truth be told, I have faith in many things, people, ideas, principles, etc. other than Jesus, as well. So the verse above could be read in a different light: “According to whatever you’re placing your faith in and to what extent at any given moment in time, let it be done to you”.   Seeing things in a different light can be scary but also bring about positive growth. As I take stock of what I believe, I confess that some of it is lovingly affirming, some of it is unreal and untrue, and some of it is harsh and destructive. No doubt the same is true for you. I have a choice. I can consider my beliefs and make changes and corrections where needed, or not. But I can’t do this alone; I do need Love and Truth to act as my guides.

What will I choose to believe today? What will you?