The Touch of Jesus

 

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:17-20 ESV).

 

Throughout his teaching ministry, Jesus gained a reputation for reaching out and touching people. When people with leprosy cried out to be healed, Jesus touched them. He touched the eyes of people who were blind. Touch was an integral component to Jesus’ healing ministry.

 

We see the gift of Jesus’ touch in today’s reading too. John fell at Jesus’ feet—"as though he were dead”—because he could not remain standing in the Lord’s presence. Jesus responded to John’s fear by reaching out, placing his right hand on him, and saying, “Do not be afraid.”

 

What a calming touch Jesus provided! What powerful words of assurance he spoke! This story does more than just provide a picture of what happened to John on the island of Patmos when he stood face to face with Jesus. This reveals who Jesus is as the ascended and exalted Son of God: Jesus is the Lord of love and compassion. Just as when Jesus came to bring the good news of the kingdom of God (cf. Mark 1:14-34), touch is central to his healing ministry.

 

The Spirit of God invites us to see ourselves in this picture. Jesus reaches out to us. He puts his right hand on us, and we hear him say these powerful words: “Do not be afraid.” He offers us His touch in so many ways today. He comes to us in the most unexpected ways. It is through the gentle rain or the powerful thunderstorms; it is through the good and bad, the easy and difficult experiences, even the sad and joyful of our life’s journey.

 

May we be comforted today by Jesus’ touch, his words of assurance, and his presence that removes our fear.

 

Jesus Standing Among the Lampstands

 

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like ka son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and this face was like the sun shining in full strength. (Revelation 1:12-16 ESV).

 

Here John gives us a glimpse of Jesus after he had risen and ascended to heaven. Words failed John in describing the full scope of what he saw and experienced. What we can understand from these descriptions is that meeting Jesus face to face was not like any other encounter John had ever had. He saw Jesus in the splendor of his divine glory and power. John says that Jesus’ face was “like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” We get the picture. One does not look at a noonday sun without being overwhelmed by its power!

 

What is surprising about John’s description is where he saw Jesus standing. When John turned to “see the voice,” the first thing he saw was not Jesus. What caught his attention was seven golden lampstands. Later in the story, these lampstands are identified as seven churches that John had worked with as a pastor. It was in the context of familiar church communities that John saw Jesus in the fullness of his glory.

 

This truth cannot be overlooked. This is where we ought to see Jesus best today. We should be able to easily find him in the mix of his church communities in the many villages, towns, and cities of our global landscape. Unfortunately, many churches today have degenerated into little more than exclusive social clubs. Churches have taken up the message of culture rather than that of Scripture. The gospel has been so disguised as to be lost in the noise and clutter of our day. If we are to ever really see change it will only come as a result of the sharing of the Gospel of Christ!

 

Noisy Days

 

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos don account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” (Revelation 1:9-11 ESV).

 

We live in a semi-rural setting. We have neighbors close enough to know they are there, but far enough away not to disturb the quiet of country living. It is not unusual for me to go outside early in the morning and sit on the deck to simply listen while the world wakes up. The breeze blows a bit and the leaves rustle; the birds begin to sing their singular songs; and a few dogs bark in the distance while coyotes howl across the road. It is my favorite time of the day. Sunrise and sunset provide a quiet when I can push aside the noise of our world. I know there are many people less fortunate than I am in that regard.

 

The Apostle John’s situation might have been a bit different. I imagine that the silence was the most painful part of John’s exile on the island of Patmos. John had been used to the noises of busy cities like Ephesus, Sardis, and Philadelphia. These were thriving communities filled with endless sights and sounds. More than anything else, John would have missed hearing the prayers of fellow believers and the praises of the people raised to the Lord in worship on Sundays and in their everyday working life. Patmos was as silent as death.

 

It was silent until that Sunday, the Lord’s Day, when John heard a voice as loud as a trumpet blast. It must have made every hair on his neck stand at attention! John later learned that the voice came from none other than the Lord. Jesus broke into Patmos’ silence and commanded John to write a record of what he was about to see. Then later John would send it to the seven church communities he had worked with. That Sunday, Jesus also broke heaven’s silence. From that day forward God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit revealed God’s big salvation story in greater detail. The book of Revelation is not a gift to satisfy our curiosity. It is God’s way of helping us come to faith in him, deepen our faith, and give it staying power even in the toughest of times. As we go further in this series, I hope you will be encouraged in your noisy day!

 

Ceaseless Majesty

 

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.  Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:6-8 ESV).

 

As you may be aware, Texas is in the midst of a long series of triple digit days over 100 degrees and nearly no rain. We are very dry in our area of North Central Texas. It has provided an interesting contrast from this past spring when we observed the “super-bloom” of wildflowers. Then everything was green, flowers of all types and colors bloomed in every field. Now we are green with a brown vista everywhere we look. There are difficulties with the power grid, water is scarce if you are not on your own well. Yet, I am drawn to the majesty of God in His creation. It is much bigger than any of us could imagine. This is the root of the Apostle John’s declaration in our reading today.

 

In the book of Revelation, God wants us to embrace a world bigger than the one that ends at what we see and experience in this moment of time. We learn to see a bigger world because God speaks and reveals that he is “the Alpha and the Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” It is a humbling experience to stand in the presence of the Lord Almighty. Before this God, we learn to know our true selves. God is the Almighty, and by comparison we are small. Regardless of our strengths or weaknesses, we must learn to see ourselves standing before the Lord.

 

Yet when our eyes are opened to God’s being God Almighty, our world becomes a big place. We gain more than a glimpse of the present moment. We learn to live in the expectation of Jesus’ coming again to make all things new. Every moment is filled with longing for the day when God, in Christ, will bring the fullness of his salvation to every part of his creation.

 

Today, as with every day, we are invited to live in the presence of the Lord God Almighty. His promise to come again can fill our day with the prayer “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-10).

 

The Twelfth Man

 

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47 ESV).

 

The Twelfth Man is a tradition of long standing at Texas A&M. On Jan. 2, 1922, the heavily outmanned Aggies were facing the top-ranked Centre College Praying Colonels on the gridiron in the Dixie Classic in Dallas. An Aggie by the name of E. King Gill, a squad player for Texas A&M’s football team, was up in the press box helping reporters identify players on the field below. The Aggies found themselves plagued by injuries, with their reserves seemingly dwindling with every play. As Texas A&M Coach Dana X. Bible looked across his rapidly emptying bench, he suddenly remembered Gill’s presence in the stands. Bible waved Gill down to the sideline and told him to suit up. Gill ran under the bleachers and put on the uniform of injured running back Heine Weir, who had been knocked out of the game in the first quarter. Gill returned to the sideline, where he stood ready to play for the entirety of the game. When the last play was run, the Aggies found that they had pulled off one of the greatest upsets in college football history, winning the game 22-14. And Gill remained standing, the only player left on the team’s bench. To this day, Aggies stand during the game, ready to help their team. This year, my two oldest grandchildren, Faith and Logan (pictured here), will both be students at Texas A&M University and a part of the 12^th Man!

 

Thinking of that camaraderie I recalled the first-century believers in Jesus as they formed the Church. They did something almost automatically. They turned their lives in a direction that would allow them to grow a resilient faith. They devoted themselves to this new way of life. The word devoted carries with it the idea of being glued to something, unable to be pulled apart. They were always ready to do what was needed for their community of faith. They were not looking for the path of least resistance. When times got tough, they didn’t strive for a comfortable and convenient life. They stood together.

 

The early church shows us something very important about human nature: what we are devoted to forms our lives, shapes our thinking, and develops new patterns of life and friendship. How devoted are you to Jesus and to one another?

 

Never Alone!

 

So, when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, the was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:7-8 ESV).

 

The Book of Acts, which was the sequel to the Gospel of Luke, is one of the most informational of the New Testament writings. We see more of the chronological history of the early development of the Church. It contains the missionary efforts of Paul and others who led the spread of the Gospel into the known world in that first century. This was the intent of Jesus. After capturing his followers’ imagination with the kingdom of God, Jesus tells them, in effect, “I need you to be my witnesses here on earth. And here’s the great thing — you will not be alone.”

 

Jesus says that God’s Spirit will come upon them and give them power to be his witnesses. He explains that God by his Spirit will be the source of their strength so that they won’t have to do this work on their own. I have come to realize that feeling alone in life is common to all of us. Whether it is in some task we have taken to accomplish, or simply walking through the path given to us in life. Feeling alone can be debilitating. Jesus’ disciples knew about how God had told his prophets what to do in past generations. They had also seen Jesus do some powerful things. And now he was telling them that the Holy Spirit of God himself would empower them!

 

They must have felt a bit terrified but also confident, knowing they could go forward with the power and presence of God. This was the same God who had created the earth and brought Jesus back to life! And the same presence is available to believers today. We never face life alone. He is with us, intimately and powerfully!

 

A Heavenly Greeting

 

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:4-6 ESV).

 

Revelation is unique in the mix of the Bible’s 66 books. It comes as a surprise, a gift, a “revelation” from the same Jesus who came to be the Savior of the world (cf. John 3:16-17). The timing of Revelation is important to its story. Revelation is a gift to the first-century churches at a time when believers were feeling isolated and apart. Perhaps an example can help us appreciate this timing. When my grandparents immigrated from Sicily to the United States in the late 1800’s, they thought they might never see their family or close friends again. Letters from home became the ties that held loved ones together across a huge distance. When a letter came, everyone stopped what they were doing so they could read and savor what their loved ones far away had written.

 

Revelation is like a “letter from home” to church communities living in challenging times. At times the early church wondered why Jesus seemed so far away, especially as opposition and persecution increased in the Roman Empire. It shouldn’t surprise us that much of the language is difficult to understand. Even when John sees it for himself, he finds it difficult to adequately explain the wonder of it all. He was awestruck. So, the circumstances of life for these early believers and the difficulty of the message make it important to look at for us who live in these days 2,000 years later.

 

First, we must see it in its simplicity. It is a greeting. Into this uncertainty Jesus sent his family members a message through an angel, who visited John, one of Jesus’ closest followers. This letter sends greetings to everyone with “grace and peace” from him who is and was and is to come. Today, listen to this greeting from the Lord, our Savior. We are not alone. He surrounds us with grace and peace and the promise of life with him forever. Greetings from the home He is specifically preparing for us! It is meant to encourage us with great hope. Take it that way as we look further in the coming days.

 

Lavish Love

 

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3 ESV).

 

The word lavish doesn’t occur very often in the Bible, so its use here in 1 John 3 is striking: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us!” This is where our salvation begins: with the overwhelming, overflowing love of God. John then continues by contrasting what is now (“we are children of God!”) with what will be: “we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” And this describes the finished project, the good work in us that God is bringing to completion (Philippians 1:6). Now we see “only a reflection as in a mirror” (1 Corinthians 13:12), but when we see Christ as he is, we shall be like him.

 

“All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure,” says John. Hope in Jesus is the bridge, the link between the love lavished on us now and becoming like him when he appears. This is love that is determined to bring us home. This hope is not wishful thinking; this is active hope, purifying hope—that is, hope that surrenders to the purifying fire of the Spirit of God as he burns away every part of us that is not pure and good.

 

Since we use the word “love” so many different ways we ought to spend some time reflecting on the modifiers in the Scripture. God doesn’t just like us; He doesn’t just prefer us; nor, does God merely have an affection toward us. He loves us LAVISHLY. There can be no superlative greater than this. He has proven is to us in the gift of Jesus for our redemption.

 

This affects how I think about myself as well as how I act in life toward myself and others. It makes me quicker to respond to others with grace and forgiveness. It motivates me toward those good works God has prepared me to perform. It gives me unshakable hope in the life He is even now preparing specifically for me in heaven. It purifies me even when I fail miserably. That is the kind of love we have from our heavenly Father. Rest in that today!

 

Perfection?

 

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:1-13 ESV).

 

In my first year as a Baptist Student Minister assigned to Tyler Junior College, I was also one of the approved teachers of Bible at the college. I taught two courses each semester. One was an entry level course and the other was more in depth for second year students. I remember the first class very well. Some of these young men and women are still friends today. It is amazing to see their growth and maturity. I recall one young lady in particular. She refused to hand in any work unless it was perfect. She was a bright and dedicated student, but she nearly failed the course because so much work was not handed in. I sat down with her at the end of the semester, and we discussed her paralyzing perfectionism. Then we planned for her to retake the course as an independent study, and she passed with flying colors.

 

It can be easy for us to fall into a similar perfectionism in following Jesus. A voice within us can convince us that if we are not following Jesus perfectly, we are sinning. We must trust that God will continue to work in us even though we aren’t always sure how to do what God is leading us to do. God does the real work of perfecting us. We are tasked with being willing students.

 

Yoke Bearer

 

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:25-30 ESV).

 

Jesus’ invitation to be yoked with him may seem puzzling. A yoke pairs two oxen side by side so that they can pull together to get hard work done. That raises a couple of questions: First, how can we possibly fit into a yoke designed to fit Jesus? And, second, what does this work have to do with “rest,” being “easy,” and a “burden [that] is light?” What kind of invitation calls people who are “weary and burdened” and offers them a yoke that puts them to work?

 

Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of this passage in The Message may help: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

 

The yoke fits easily on us, because it fits Jesus perfectly, and he’s shaping us to become like him. Inside the “unforced rhythms of grace,” even the line between work and rest is blurred.

 

Are you weary? Take on the partner-yoke and let the one who is “gentle and humble in heart” be your yoke-teacher.

 

Burned Out

 

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, gin whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. (Isaiah 42:1-4 ESV).

 

After writing yesterday’s devotional, I was prompted to go just a bit further with the thought of “Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks.” We hear a lot about burnout these days in the service professions: social workers, teachers, police officers, pastors, medical workers, and more. When your work focuses on serving people in distress, it’s difficult not to become distressed too. It can be unsettling to pour your heart and soul into helping others, and in the end to see little improvement and receive little gratitude.

 

With this in mind, we realize that Jesus is profoundly remarkable: “In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.”

 

So, if you are faltering or discouraged, or are you supporting someone who is today’s reading is especially for you. Of course, you don’t need to be a service professional to experience burnout. Families often face wearying times. And working to love people in our communities who are grieving, dealing with broken relationships, or experiencing mental health struggles takes a toll on everyone. As our lifespans get longer and longer, more and more people are also serving as caregivers for elderly parents.

 

You and I are not Jesus; rather, we are called to be his followers. Because he does not falter or become discouraged, we can give ourselves permission to feel discouraged. And we can surrender our discouragement to him; we can let that part of us die too, and we can trust that at the right time (perhaps even a long time from now) we will be replenished and able to see the wonder of it all. We will know the grace of it all. We will experience joy even in those times when we felt we could not take another step forward.

 

Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks

 

Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.” (Matthew 12:15-21 ESV).

 

Today’s reading has become one of my favorites the longer I love and minister to hurting people. On any given Wednesday, which is the primary day I now work, I will see nine or ten different people, they may be young or old, or merely in between. All of them are in some way “bruised reeds or smoldering wicks.” I have been one of those bruised reeds in my life. Perhaps that is how you see yourself today.

 

I have seen it in the churches I have pastored also. It may have been the gracious, smiling lady sitting in the middle section who was terrified that the medical tests she had the previous week would show that she had cancer. It could have been the father and son sitting expressionless behind her who had argued on the way to church, and both were still angry. Perhaps it was the elderly widower toward the back worried that he would not have money for food that week. Or, a woman singing heartily in the choir who was no longer sure she believed the words she was singing.

 

When I was younger, I thought the world had two kinds of people: normal ones and damaged ones — bruised reeds. Later when I became one of those bruised reeds, a wonderful counselor, formerly a Benedictine monk, taught me that there are no normal people. Our churches are communities of bruised reeds and smoldering wicks. Often there are folks in churches who pretend to “have it all together,” but no one’s life is free of trouble and struggle.

 

Yet Jesus, the Servant, gives us hope! “In this world you will have trouble,” he says, “But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Some of my favorite times in church have been those times when I have seen in people’s eyes a longing for the day when Jesus will return and “wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” (Revelation 21:4). Lord, come quickly!

 

Light a Candle

 

[Jesus said] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV).

 

"It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness" is a Chinese proverb meaning better to do something about a problem than just complain about it. Further, a candle is a small answer to a large problem, but it is still a worthy step in the right direction, rather than just bemoaning the problem. It has been quoted many times over the centuries. Jesus uses this concept in His teaching about our opportunity to make a difference in our world. We’ve all seen this principle at work. When you turn on a powerful light in a bright, sunlit room, you hardly notice that the light is on; but when you light a tiny candle in a dark room at night, you can see so much more than you could before. Light makes a difference according to when and where it is used.

 

Everywhere we turn in today’s world, we can see and hear loud voices “cursing the darkness.” Anger and accusation are commonly accepted ways of speaking out, often with half-truths and even blatant lies. We’ve even added a new vocabulary word to describe our current condition of public speech: “gaslighting”. Jesus has a clear answer to how we can overcome and change this kind of culture. We are called to light candles: offering words of encouragement; living out Jesus’ kind of meekness when manipulation and deception are often used to wield ­power godlessly; working to help others, advocating for them openly as well as serving quietly behind the scenes.

 

There are so many ways to do this. Many of us have some time, even though it may be a small amount, that could be used to make a difference in someone’s life. Remember, it is not the size of the light, but the size of the One who is behind the Light! What candle are you going to bring to the darkness of your world?

 

The Greatest of All Virtues

 

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as rI have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:9-13 ESV).

 

Our reading today is a part of a larger text that has often been read at weddings. It is the epitome of the greatest of all virtues. Its poetic description of love is so universal that people everywhere are encouraged and strengthened by its message. The Greek word for “love” in this chapter is the word agape, which describes the deepest love we can imagine. This is pure, unconditional love, for which we would give up our life to save another. This kind of love is the truest expression of “dying to live.” The apostle Paul explains here that love is more important than all the other things we can do. And if we do anything without love, it means nothing.

 

He also talks about knowing only “in part” and about someday knowing “fully.” In other words, there’s a lot we don’t know yet. This is an interesting inclusion in the lesson. After all, what does not knowing have to do with love? Two thoughts come to mind: first, the older I get, the more I realize how much I don’t know; and second, the more certain I am of something, the freer I feel to judge others who don’t have the same certainty. The problem with that, of course, is that the freer I feel to judge, the less loving I become.

 

What I have discovered as the means to keep me from becoming less loving is the intention of reminding me of the truth that I don’t need to be right, especially in view of my limitations. Being right is so empty and sterile. Turn to the love that Jesus has shown to you and mimic that with others. It truly is the greatest of all virtues.

 

Mustard Seeds, Salt, and Yeast

 

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” (Matthew 3:31-33 ESV).

 

The Mustard Tree, also known as the “toothbrush tree,” has the scientific name of Salvadora persica. This tree has been mentioned in Roman and Greek literature, with the oldest mention in literature being in our reading today. It has been a part of Jesus’ parables in all four Gospels. It was first known for its medicinal properties, though later came to be a staple of the culinary world. The Greeks used it to cure toothache and improve blood circulation. The mustard tree can reach heights of 30 feet with branches close to the ground. Its width can also grow as much as its height, which is why horticulturists classify it as an evergreen shrub.

 

Jesus also uses salt and yeast in his parables.  These have several things in common. Both come in tiny granules and are used for enhancing food. By the time the food is eaten, they have pretty much become invisible, but the contributions they make are very noticeable. Yeast works well to make dough rise when you are baking bread, and salt is both a seasoning and a preservative. Jesus uses these small seeds as a means to indicate that often it is the “small things” that make the difference in people’s lives.

 

I have often been surprised by this truth. Not long ago I was walking through the grocery store doing my weekly shopping and a young man stopped me. He asked me what my name was. After telling him, he turned to his two children that accompanied him and said, “This is the man who baptized me when I was your age.” I apologized for not recognizing him, though that was over thirty years ago, and he had certainly changed a great deal. He went on to tell me that he was so scared that he nearly backed out at the last moment. He said I put my hand on his shoulder and whispered in his ear: “Don’t worry, I’ve got you!” He said, that made all the difference to him. We visited a bit longer, catching up on the years and he thanked me again for those simple words. Just a little thing to me, but a great thing to him and now his children. Don’t think that the little things you do don’t matter. In God’s hands they make all the difference in the world to someone!

Peacemakers

 

[Jesus said] “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9 ESV).

 

We live in a culture that finds great difficulty in the practice of peacemaking. Jesus is very clear in the Sermon on the Mount. Our reading shows us that the joy of life is found in being a peacemaker. In fact, this is a part of being a “son of God” (v. 9). The concept of peace here is based on the meaning of the Hebrew word shalom. Shalom refers to a way of life in which justice, peace, goodness, rightness, and flourishing abound for all people. This is life as God intends it to be, in which everyone lives in harmony with God and with their neighbors.

 

Jesus came to bring and restore us to peace with God (cf. John 16:33; Romans 5:1). And now we are invited to be peacemakers together with Jesus. Just as he is the Son of God, so we become children of God as we join in his mission of peacemaking. Shalom-making involves everything we do, in our work and play, in the way we handle our finances, in all our relationships with family, friends, and strangers. Shalom guides us to build unity across racial differences, break down barriers that keep people in poverty, call for legislation that helps life to flourish, and point to God’s way of living that brings full life for all, including care for God’s creation, which was always our assigned responsibility. Our environment did not start to die until Adam and Eve sinned. We bear that responsibility in our continued sin.

 

Christian worship often closes with a blessing of peace on the people who are gathered, so that they may go out to share God’s peace with others (Numbers 6:24-26): “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” I see many people today who use the name of the Lord to destroy peace. Join me in making every effort at being a peacemaker to all men regardless of our differences.

 

A Dry Sponge

 

[Jesus said] “Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:9-15 ESV).

 

Jesus’ teaching here at the end of the Lord’s Prayer might be confusing. It almost sounds as if we must earn God’s forgiveness by forgiving others. But we also know that through faith in Jesus, we are already forgiven by God (cf. Acts 2:38; Romans 3-8). So, we need a different kind of thinking here. Think of an old kitchen sponge that hasn’t been used for a long time. When you put it under the tap, the water runs right over the sponge. But if you set the sponge in a bucket of ­water for a few minutes, it softens and becomes usable again.

 

Our hearts can be like that too. When we hold onto resentments and bitterness, nursing our anger, we can become as hard as a rock, and God’s grace for us will be like water running over a rock. It doesn’t soak in. But when we are open to forgiving others, we become soft like a moistened sponge. The Lord’s deep grace soaks in and saturates our hearts, and we become available to share his grace. Just as a wet sponge moistens other things when it touches them, we can share grace, helping to wipe others’ dirt away as we forgive others. The Apostle Paul wrote: “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13). Dying to our accumulated resentment, anger, and bitterness softens our hearts to receive God’s amazing grace.

 

So many difficulties in our lives could be eliminated simply through forgiveness of others. Remember this is not accepting their wrongs but releasing them from the debt of those wrongs. That debt doesn’t really belong to us anyway. Jesus purchased it along with ours on the cross through His death. Perhaps there are some who you have yet to release. Stop holding on to those old hurts and receive the freedom Jesus gives us through forgiveness.

 

My Lists

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them. (Psalm 115:1-8 ESV).

 

The “joke” around my house is how I run my lists. I generally have several “to do” lists, and each one deals with a different area of my life. There’s a “work” list, a “home maintenance” list, a “ministry” list, and others that constantly change as the day develops. I find these lists helpful for managing my life. But I’ve also found that these lists can easily distort not only my life but also me. The psalmist says in our reading today that when we set up idols in our lives, we become like them. An idol can be anything in our lives that becomes more important to us than God is (or should be).

 

When our lists become too important, we can see everything and every person in our world as a task that needs to be crossed off the list. That really distorts the meaning of loving God and others, caring for people in need. If all they are is an item on our list, we are not loving or caring for them at all. And just as lists are typically written in a two-dimensional format, we, too, begin to become a shallow, two-dimensional person.

 

There are hundreds of “things” that call out to us, saying, “Look! Pay attention to me! I’ll make you happy.” But they are all lying. Money and possessions turn our hearts toward “cold, hard cash.” Following all the “right” rules make us judgmental slaves to a law when God wants us to have spiritual freedom. Doing good things can keep us from doing the best things.

 

We can only find true, full life when God alone is at the center. Who is at the heart of your list? How do you determine what is of the utmost importance in your life?

 

  

What Do You Want?

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:1-10 ESV).

This is the time of the year when “talkin’ season” is almost over and college football season begins. It is also the time of the year when I really start drinking the “maroon Kool Ade.” In all seriousness, I really want A&M to have a GREAT year. In fact, my desire is for them to win a national championship! Now, will it happen? Well, I suppose they have a chance to win it all, though my desires may remain unfulfilled at the end of the year.

 

Desires are sometimes like that. They are what we want, even when we have little chance of gaining them short of a miracle. In the beatitude we will examine today, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (v. 5). He invites us to examine our desires and hold them up to his standard. The encouragement is to align our desires with hungering and thirsting for righteousness.

 

My views have always been a bit complex concerning the Second Coming of Christ. One the one hand, I want Him to come and restore peace and life to all of creation, but on the other hand, I want to see some things I haven’t yet seen. I want to see my children and grandchildren continue to grow in their families and careers. I want to see great grandchildren. I want to watch life unfold in our family.

 

All those things are good things. However, I must understand that these are things that God may also desire. The key is in the understanding that God can help us sort out our desires that might not fit with seeking righteousness, and he can give us a deep passion for the desires that align with his heart. His wisdom is always available to us (James 1:5), and he is always with us to guide us. Blessings come as I accept and follow that truth.

  

Grief and Blessings

 

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:1-10 ESV).

 

Mourning is a blessing? Meekness is a blessing? Wouldn’t life be happier if we could avoid mourning and meekness? Well, no. Two of the strongest toxins in our hearts are the urge to pass judgment on others and the drive to control others.

 

Jesus invites us to put those toxins to death through mourning and being meek. Do you see brokenness, struggle, and messiness in people’s lives? Does that activate your judgment trigger? Try mourning instead, says Jesus; sit by someone who is hurting, and weep with them. Judgment isolates and excludes. Mourning together can build a deep, spiritual bond. “Mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). If you can recall a time when someone wept with you, you know it was a beautiful gift.

 

Do you see someone acting in ways that don’t fit your agenda, and do you feel a desire to control them? Let it go, says Jesus; walk with them in a way that is meek: gentle, patient, and kind.

 

I am often placed in a position where people are consumed with anger for God and his plan. On those occasions when these individuals concede their perceived rights and privileges to the God of all creation, I always find the peace and tranquility that Jesus calls “blessings.” I remember one person in particular who was in great pain from a mistake he had made in his marriage. As he told me his story, I found myself weeping along with him. He reached the end of the story and simply whispered, “I have nowhere to turn.” I said, “Can you turn to my God? He will heal your hurts and give you peace.” He simply nodded his head. He began his journey forward that afternoon. You can too!

 

Tight as a Vise

 

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:1-10 ESV).

 

There are times in my woodworking when I need an extra pair of hands. Since it is not always convenient or possible to call someone for help, I have come to rely heavily on my bench vice. It makes it so much easier to position pieces for sanding or carving smaller pieces that can’t be handled easily with clamps. The first “Beatitude” that Jesus gives us in our reading today has a similar image in it. He uses the phrase “poor in spirit.”

 

It is the picture of our spiritual “heart” clearly clenched in a bind. It’s as if he’s saying, “Of course your heart wants to clench up. It feels inadequate; it is wounded and weary; it feels threatened, like it’s under attack. It wants to protect itself.” But he knows that a clenched heart might also shut out the love of God. So, Jesus invites us to open our hearts, just as they are, wounded and weary. It’s as if he is saying, “Don’t pretend; be real; be vulnerable. You are poor in spirit, but you want to hide that from people around you, so you clench your heart. Let it go! Being poor in spirit is not something to hide; it’s a way to be blessed!”

 

Years ago, a young person told me that on their first day of college, they met their roommate and quickly discovered that this person was tough, hard to get to know, and actually a bit scary. They tiptoed around for a couple of weeks. Then one day they came back from class and found their roommate weeping. After a talking things through, they found a new way to handle dorm life together. That’s an example of a “dying to live” blessing that can come from being open to one another. I’m reminded of the old Gospel song “Just a Little Telk with Jesus.” Maybe you need to let Him soften your heart and talk thing out today.

 

Half Full or Half Empty

 

I thank my God fin all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began ha good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both min my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:3-11 ESV).

 

Are you a person who sees a half glass of water as half full—or half empty? These are two very different ways of looking at life. Many people that I see in my ministry see God as checking them out in a half-empty-glass sort of way. They have come to see the many character flaws, and fear has often paralyzed them from doing the right thing. They have adopted a survival strategy hiding their heart and pretending they are doing great. The problem is that simply doesn’t work long-term.

 

The truth is that God sees us as a glass half full. He has begun a good work in us! There’s so much to be thankful for! Christ is being formed in us. Even if you are not a Christ-follower, the fact that you are reading this is part of a good work that God is beginning in you! The good work that God has begun in you is like a launchpad filled with hope, commitment, gratitude, and courage to keep on being formed in Christ.

 

Think of yourself as being “under construction.” God is doing good things in you. And God has many more good things that he will do. My encouragement to you is to accept His strength and grace that you may “run with perseverance the race marked out for you, fixing your eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2). He will guide you and bring you to the joy He has prepared for us in eternity!