Are You Salty?

 

[Jesus said] “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 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 5:13-16 ESV).

 

Some time ago Mary and I were eating at a Tex-Mex restaurant and before we were served the traditional bowl of chips and salsa, the server asked, “Would you like the no-salt chips and salsa?” At first I thought he was kidding, then I thought, well… we’re old and he probably doesn’t want me to have a heart attack in the restaurant because of too much salt; but, then I thought who wants chis and salsa without salt… yuk! I mean, how many of us get really excited when we see a bag of chips or a box of crackers that says “reduced sodium”? Well, probably none of us.

 

Because salt is delicious. It’s why chips and crackers and French fries and pizza and many other things taste good. Salt exists to make food better. That is one of its God-given purposes. In our reading continuing through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says we are “the salt of the earth” . . . and “the light of the world.” He doesn’t say we “can be” or “should be” these things. He says we already are, by way of our new identity in him. Jesus expects us to bless people, to build them up, and to do what we can to help meet their needs. He expects us to use our words and our actions to stick out in this dark world, pointing people to the kingdom of God.

 

This isn’t limited to formal ministry in the church. The ways we treat our spouses, talk to our coworkers, and use our resources or engage with social media are all examples of how we are called to be salt and light. Every sphere of life presents us with salt and light opportunities. If we walk in step with Christ, putting his desires ahead of our own, we are like a welcome seasoning to enhance the taste of good food, or like a beacon of light shining in this dark world. Go ahead… pour on that kind of “salt”!

 

Persecuted for Jesus' sake

 

And he [Jesus] 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. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely hon my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:2-12 ESV).

 

It’s ironic that these last two verses come immediately after Christ’s call to be peacemakers. We are called to bring healing and hope to a world that desperately needs it. We are on God’s side, trying to serve in the best interests of others. And yet, people sometimes choose to repay us with anger, hostility, or outright persecution. According to Jesus, it’s not a question of whether this will happen but of when and where it will happen.

 

Persecution may come in a variety of forms. A snarky comment. A broken relationship. Physical or emotional abuse. Some of you reading this know the pain and the cost of following Jesus. You have lived it, or you might be experiencing it now.

 

Jesus seeks to encourage us in these difficult moments. When the world fails to understand why we live the way we live, Jesus promises that the kingdom of heaven is ours. If we stand firm and hold to our hope in Christ, we can experience a measure of peace.

 

That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt when people reject us and mistreat us. But, deep down, we have comfort, knowing that God will provide for our every need. And in the end, we will share in his victory over sin. And death. And every enemy.

 

 

Peacemakers

 

And he [Jesus] 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.” (Matthew 5:2-8 ESV).

 

One of the best and worst parts of having kids is seeing different parts of yourself in them as they grow up. I can look at my children and see some of my facial features. Each of them have mimicked other things from my life, activities and skills, hobbies and habits. Unfortunately, they have also developed some of the less desirable characteristics from my modeling as well. As the saying goes, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

 

As Christians, we are not only forgiven but also adopted into a new spiritual family. And our next teaching, Jesus reminds us that an essential part of being God’s child is to act as a peacemaker wherever we go. We are called to model the generous and undeserved love of the Father in our relationships with everyone. Just as Jesus came with a ministry of reconciliation (cf. 2 Corinthians 5), we are called to be reconcilers in our workplaces, families, neighborhoods, and marketplaces.

 

In the face of fragmented cultures and political divisions, this is no easy calling. Peacemaking is hard, tedious, often thankless work. And yet Jesus assures us that when we make the effort, we are living as children of God.

 

Hypocrisy

 

And he [Jesus] 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.” (Matthew 5:2-8 ESV).

 

Recently I saw an image attached to an article written by Amy Schellenberg dealing with workplace bullying. It was an intriguing article that had much more application than behavior in the workplace. We find Jesus coming to this in the next teaching as He details the necessity to avoid hypocrisy. He says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (v. 8). One of the things God detests more than anything is hypocrisy from his people. Throughout the Old Testament, God rebukes Israel for going through the motions of religion while they keep living in sin and worshiping idols.

 

Here Jesus picks up on that same theme. Even after we come to faith, we battle with our “old selves” as we try to live our new life in Christ. Though we sometimes obey God and show his love to others, we can also slip up and go back to our old ways. Or we might do the right things for the wrong reasons, such as giving something away while expecting to get something in return.

 

As we’ll see later in the Sermon on the Mount, we can show up for worship, pray, or give generously and still have a heart that is far from God. True righteousness is about more than just checking religious boxes. It’s about humbly and sincerely seeking to serve God instead of ourselves. If we are pursuing faith out of a desire for attention or personal gain, then we are hypocrites, and our worship amounts to nothing.

 

But when our actions come from pure faith rather than self-interest, we can see God and to experience his presence in a deeper way. Jesus calls us to examine our hearts and to ask God to help us truly show his love in all we do.

 

A Life of Mercy

 

And he [Jesus] 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.” (Matthew 5:2-7 ESV).

 

We now come to the seventh verse in Jesus’ teaching to his disciples. At first glance, it may seem that Jesus is saying we will be shown mercy because we have shown mercy to others. Then we might think we are accumulating “mercy points” every time we respond patiently to a screaming toddler, or we choose not to make fun of others at their mistakes. And when all is said and done, we think God will look at our tally and reward us with mercy for all the times we have been merciful to others. In that view, God’s mercy depends entirely on how well we perform. That view turns God into a vending machine… put something in and get something out. That is simply wrong.

 

Additionally, if that’s the case, the gospel is bad news for many of us (myself included). We haven’t put anything in and in no wat deserve the mercy of God. Thankfully, the gospel is the good news that God has freely shown us mercy although we don’t deserve it. Jesus came into the world to save sinners before they ever did something to earn it. God’s mercy flows out of his character. It’s part of who he is, and how deeply he loves his people.

 

We find that we are blessed when we show mercy, because it’s evidence that we belong to God. Mercy is proof that we have been changed by God’s mercy. It shows we realize that our own forgiveness does not rest on our ability to be merciful. Instead, our capacity for mercy is a sign that we understand God’s forgiveness, and that we want to show his deep and unconditional love. Be very careful if you hear others countering this principle. That is a dangerous false teaching.

 

Spiritually Desperate

 

And he [Jesus] 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.” (Matthew 5:2-6 ESV).

 

When Jesus uses the image of hunger and thirst, He is speaking more of desperation. We must think in terms that are somewhat unfamiliar to us. I’m sure we have all been at the place where we may have thought “I could eat something” hungry, but really, actually in need of something to eat is not something in our modern experience.  Maybe it happened while you were on a long trip. Or maybe you had just finished a long workday. Maybe you had no money left for food. Whatever the case, you know there is a big difference between wanting some food and really needing it because you are hungry. The latter is desperation.

 

Jesus says we are blessed when we hunger and thirst for righteousness, when our longing for God’s will is more than just an interest… it’s a consuming desire. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness means we are desperate to see sin uprooted, and we are longing for justice to prevail. It means we don’t excuse our wrongdoing or try to shrug off the world’s problems, but instead we give all we have to make the world more like the kingdom of God.

 

Then, says Jesus, we can look forward to being filled, because God will be faithful in making things right. He might not give us the house of our dreams or a big promotion, but he will bring justice and righteousness to every inch of his creation. If that’s what we truly care about, we can’t help being satisfied as we partner with God in his work in this world.

 

Meek and Strong

 

And he [Jesus] 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.” (Matthew 5:2-5 ESV).

 

When we hear the word meek, or meekness, we might think it means the same as weakness. We might picture a person who never stands up for himself, or a nervous student who blushes whenever a teacher calls on them. We might think that being meek means acting submissive in all circumstances of life. I doubt there’s anyone who wants to be that person. All of us like to imagine ourselves as strong and independent. So, to hear Jesus in this third teaching say that it is the meek who will inherit the earth, we certainly recoil a bit.

 

However, meekness is actually about making the choice to put someone ahead of yourself. The root of the word used in the original language of our text should be seen as restrained strength. It is laying down your rights, your authority, or your power for the sake of another.

 

Jesus set this example in His life. He calls us to be meek as he is meek. Jesus is one with the Father, and yet he left heaven and became a helpless baby. Jesus subjected himself to all of the restraints of humanity. All of our weakness in the flesh, hunger and thirst, bickering disciples and sleepless nights were a part of his life. He became tired; He wept in sorrow, He struggled with life. When Jesus was arrested, he could have poured out his wrath and destroyed the entire Roman Empire if he wanted to. But instead, he chose to accept the taunting and beating, the excruciating pain of hanging on a cross, and death. Jesus displayed meekness so that you and I could be free from our sin, so that we could be made right with God.

 

As disciples, we are now called to go and live like Jesus. He calls us to die to ourselves and to carry our own cross. He calls us to lay down our power and privilege as we point others to Christ and his kingdom. He calls us to meekness to inherit the earth!

 

Mourning to Life

And he [Jesus] 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.” (Matthew 5:2-4 ESV).

 

As we continue to build on Jesus’ teachings in our reading today, we come to the statement that “those who mourn” will be blessed. I doubt any of us who have lived into adulthood have not experienced some degree of loss and the resulting sorrow. Today, Jesus teaches that such sorrow in regard to our spiritual condition is essential to spiritual blessing and peace. It is the second part of the process that describes how we become highly favored in the eyes of God.

 

Life is not always easy. Regardless of how much money we have or how successful we appear to be, each of us must struggle against the curse of sin, which has poisoned every inch of God’s good creation. In your life, you may find yourself trying to overcome destructive habits, only to fall right back into your old patterns. You might experience the pain of losing a friend or a family member who dies at a young age. Or maybe as you look at the daily news, you feel overwhelmed by the suffering of people around the world.

 

These things are uncomfortable to admit, and it’s tempting to use work, or hobbies, or socializing to distract ourselves from life’s many problems. But Jesus challenges us to confront sin directly, and to let ourselves grieve all of the destruction it has caused. When we understand the depth of our need, and we understand that neither politics nor technology, business, or therapy will fully heal this broken world, comfort is available. Grieving the world’s sin and brokenness leads us to turn to God as our only comfort, trusting in his power to put things back together, since we cannot do that ourselves.

 

That becomes the path forward to a grace-filled life which also places us in a position to be filled with the peace and joy of our Savior. Knowing how powerless we are leads to this kind of mourning… and that opens the door to the presence of the Holy Spirit. His presence brings all of the blessings of being highly favored by our God.

  

Bankrupt

 

And he [Jesus] opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:2-3 ESV).

 

For many people, success is about their accomplishments or status in the eyes of others. All of us have some kind of definition of success based on achievement. We tend to feel “successful” when we earn a promotion, raise well-adjusted kids, or receive good grades. Often, we define success by how much we have gained or accomplished. Certainly no one would argue that “bankruptcy” is a success. Yet when we come to the first teaching of Jesus in the Beatitudes is an admonition to become spiritually “bankrupt”

 

Jesus turns our definition of success upside down. He says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” using an image of poverty and feeling worn down to describe what it means to be right with God.

 

Jesus wants us to understand that no matter what our job title is, or how much money we have in the bank, we are spiritually destitute. We are sinners, each one of us, alienated from our Creator and unable to live faithfully for him. Only when we face the truth of our spiritual condition are we rightly called blessed. And only by letting go of what we can do in our own strength can we receive what God has done for us.

 

Jesus wants us to understand that a disciple is not someone who must have all the answers or achieve great things. A disciple is honest about being sinful, comes to God empty handed, and trusts that our gracious Father will provide everything needed for real, full life. Have you reached that point in your life? It is the only first step to real life.

 

 

Highly Favored

 

And he [Jesus] 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 esons1 of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  (Matthew 5:2-12 ESV).

 

The Sermon on the Mount begins with a series of “blessing” statements. These are often called the Beatitudes. Each statement begins with the Greek word macarios, which can be translated as “blessed” or “happy.” I have often paraphrased it with the phrase “highly favored.”

 

Some of us today might say we are blessed because we got a bonus or we didn’t have to stop for a red light on the way to work. But being macarios is about more than just feeling good or making a gain on our bank account. True blessing is about living in line with God’s will, the way we are created to live. In the Bible, one who is blessed is described as whole and flourishing through a strong connection with God. Living in tune with God, or in step with the Spirit, may not bring us more money or an easier life, but it will lead to peace and wholeness as we walk with God.

 

This is important to keep in mind as we reflect on the Beatitudes over the next several days. Jesus makes some puzzling, provocative statements here, and we may not always feel so “favored” about putting his commands into practice. Even so, the Sermon on the Mount begins with a picture of what it means to flourish in relationship with God. When we live out these Beatitudes, we step into the kind of life we are intended to live, and we experience a kind of settledness and wholeness that can’t be found anywhere else. Tomorrow we will begin in earnest. Today, would you commit yourself to understanding and accepting these statements as truth for your life?

 

Jesus - the Master Teacher

 

And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. (Matthew 4:23-25 ESV).

 

Jesus taught and healed people as he traveled through several regions, and even early in his ministry he was followed by large crowds. Sometimes he needed a break from all that, and he just wanted to teach his disciples, his closest followers. But soon the crowds would build up around him again.

 

As he begins his Sermon on the Mount, recorded for us in Matthew 5-7, Jesus is teaching his closest disciples. But by the end of chapter 7, it seems a large crowd has formed around Jesus again, eager to listen in.

 

Today, 2,000 years later, there is still a crowd around Jesus. People study him as a teacher and philosopher. They are curious about his ideas and they connect with many of his teachings, and yet many of these people remain on the outer edge, unable to accept his claim to be the Son of God.

 

It would be good to determine where you are in this process of education. My hope in the next few days as we examine the Beatitudes that you will be able to strengthen your desire and knowledge of Jesus’ teachings. No matter where you find yourself, Jesus’ words are for you. He invites us into the blessings of living in obedience to God. This is not always comfortable or easy. But Jesus shows us how we are created to live. May we all embrace his words for the truth they contain.

 

Join me as we gather around the Master Teacher to discover each of the attitudes of life He outlines. Then adopt them as your focus in life.

 

GOATS and Superstars

 

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 115:2-8 ESV).

 

The Opening Ceremonies for the 2024 Paris Olympics is just days away. The pomp and pageantry will be entertaining. Seeing all the world’s best athletes in their fields of competition will be exciting as they compete to be the best. It is interesting that such a small thing as a medal could be so impactful. Yet we have come to believe that these individuals are the real celebrities of our day. The earn the monikers of GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) at least until they are bested by someone else. They become somewhat of an idol.

 

We don’t talk about idols much these days. But when the Bible talks about idols, it usually means carved images that stood in for false gods. The Bible issues strong warnings about that sort of idol. On their own, idols are powerless. As Psalm 115 says, they may have eyes and ears and hands and feet, but they cannot see, hear, feel, or walk! Yet when people worship idols, they give power to them, destructive power. That’s why, for example, the Bible warns against greed. Greed makes an idol out of wealth. And when wealth is worshiped, it has the power to turn people into misers or mobsters or market frauds. False gods, and their images, are dangerous!

 

But then there is Jesus. Jesus is the image of God. That’s why he can say, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (cf. John 14:9). And that’s not about his eyes, ears, hands, or feet. It’s about power. Because when we see Jesus, we see the Father’s love. And there is power in that love. It’s the power that saves the world. It’s the power that makes us what we were always meant to be: not idols, but images of our heavenly Father. And, remember, that’s more about love than looks! He truly is the Greatest Of All Time!

 

Jesus Is His Name

 

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. (Psalm 130 ESV).

 

We all have times when we choose our own way instead of God’s way. That’s when we need the truth of our reading today. This psalm is a prayer for personal forgiveness. “God, I really messed up this time! I can’t sleep because of my sins. So, I keep watching for some sign that you forgive me.”

 

We all commit personal sins. But those sins don’t stand alone. Every personal sin is embedded within a larger web of sinfulness. That sinfulness infects all our culture. It infects families, churches, businesses, prisons and police departments, courtrooms and classrooms. It governments, constitutions, and culture. It is often left untreated and merely grows to threaten our foundations.

 

Psalm 130 reflects this bigger picture. It may start with personal sins, but it moves on to the sinfulness that has infected Israel as a nation. That sinfulness troubles Israel from their time of slavery in Egypt all the way to their exile in Babylon! Israel needs to be saved from this sinfulness. And there is only one hope. The psalm ends on that note: “[The Lord] himself will redeem Israel from all their sins” (v. 8).

 

The angel of the Lord speaks of this hope when he tells Mary what to name her baby. “Jesus” means “the Lord saves.” But not only will Jesus save Israel; he will also take away the sin of the world (cf. John 1:29). And that includes all of us. Have you turned to Him for forgiveness? It is our only hope!

 

Swimming with the Sharks

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”  (Matthew 4:1-7 ESV).

 

It might have been the report from Port Aransas that piqued our interest in “Shark Week” on the National Geographic channel. We always read with interest the stories about the attacks in Florida because David’s family lives so close to the beaches in south Florida. There are always risks when you swim in the ocean, though they are not as common as some of the other risks we take regularly. However, we all are risk takers to one degree or another. Some of these risks are more dangerous than others. People may take a risk for the adrenaline rush. Or because something compels them: a principle, a duty, a commitment. Knowing that reminds me of our reading today.

 

In today’s Scripture, the devil pushes Jesus to take a risk. While Jesus stands at the highest point of the temple, the devil whispers in his ear, “Go ahead. Jump off!” Then the devil recites a verse from Psalm 91. That psalm is all about God protecting the people who trust in him. So, it’s a test for Jesus: “Do you trust God to protect you? Then prove it!” Well, of course Jesus trusts God. But there is more to it than that. You see, it’s never right to say, “I’m going to do something foolish just to test God’s protection.” So, Jesus tells the devil to take a leap of his miscalculation. He responds by quoting another text: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

 

Jesus is already in the middle of a bigger risk. He is facing off against the devil. And that is dangerous. Human beings have a terrible history in those confrontations. But the Spirit has sent him into battle. So, Jesus takes the risk and confronts the devil head-on. He does it with confidence, because he trusts God to protect him. With Psalm 91 to encourage him, Jesus doesn’t fall or fail. Neither will we as we trust Him!

Above My Pay Grade

 

O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. (Psalm 131 ESV).

 

What a day to be alive! Stress levels keep rising at work, at school, even at home, the pressure is enormous. Productivity targets climb. Housing bubbles burst. Viruses run out of control. Who can calm down? Who can relax? How do you manage in this kind of world? Today, we can take our cue from another psalm from David. The gist of it is simply to refuse to be concerned with things above my pay grade. This is the best attitude for trusting in the goodness of our God. He IS in control; and nothing is above His pay grade.

 

Look at the example Jesus sets. When Jesus was a toddler, he and his family were refugees in Egypt. What a lot they must have experienced! Visits by shepherds and stargazing foreigners. A close escape from Herod’s death squad. And then months turning into years while they lived as strangers in a strange land. Yet we can imagine Mary picking up Jesus and wrapping him in her arms. And we can imagine Jesus finding comfort from her warmth and her steady breathing. Out of place in Egypt, threatened back home—none of that was a concern for little Jesus, who rested quietly in his mother’s embrace. Yet when he is twelve we find him staying behind to teach in the Temple. His parents were frantic thinking he has been lost. Finding him, Mary is stern with him. Jesus’ answer was very revealing: And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49 ESV).

 

Jesus was helping them understand that He was just fine. They didn’t understand because it was beyond them to imagine how this could be good. We are like that in all of our distressing circumstances. It is hard to understand how God could make any of these things “good.” Yet, they all work to our good in His plan and purpose (cf. Romans 8:28). Trust God… remind yourself that most of the confusing things we experience are merely material for God to build good in our lives!

 

The Better Way

 

I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music. I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil. Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure. I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me. No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes. Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD. (Psalm 101:1-8 ESV).

 

Our reading today is not a messianic psalm; however, it does make me think of Jesus. David is the author of this psalm. This is somewhat interesting given the very public sin and confession he was faced with in his life. At first, he sounds proud of his personal holiness. In fact, he seems a bit full of himself: “I will be careful to lead a blameless life” (v. 2). I do admire his level of commitment; however, he doesn’t seem to know the condition of the human heart very well.

 

He continues in the psalm expressing how he will distance himself from people who don’t measure up to his standards. And it’s not just passive distancing. He intends to drive unworthy people away (v. 8). And he will only exchange hospitality with people who are faithful, like himself (v. 6). Well, we know where that leads. His son, King Solomon reminds us that it is this kind of pride that brings destruction (cf. Proverbs 16:18). Look again at the quote from C. S. Lewis I’ve attached to today’s devotional: “Pride is a spiritual cancer. It eats up every possibility of love, contentment, or even common sense.”

 

I won’t take any space to remind you of the very public displays of such character in our day; however, I will remind you of the character of Jesus, because Jesus fills out the meaning of this psalm by turning it on its head. Jesus welcomed tears and kisses and perfume from a woman who was considered unworthy (cf. Luke 7:36-48). And when he offered the generous hospitality of forgiveness, it brought forth an outpouring of love from the woman. Jesus, the blameless one, ministered not only to the woman but also to his proud host. This is the better way. It is the way of humility and service.

 

The Power of Memories

 

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. (Psalm 77:11-15 ESV).

 

It shouldn’t be a surprise for me to include a picture of the Little Pigeon River in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee today. This one was taken from the bridge at the Old Mill during the fall of the year. It really doesn’t do justice to the beauty of the Smokies during the fall of the year. There are so many wonderful memories for Mary and I in this place. These memories provide incredible comfort and encouragement for us.

 

This is the context of our reading today. It is set during a dark time for Israel. The psalmist is determined to remember the brighter days of the past. I have often taught people to use memories to keep their hope vibrant and strong. For the psalmist the brightest memory recalls Israel’s escape from slavery in Egypt hundreds of years earlier, and especially how God cleared a path for them through the waters of the Red Sea (cf. Psalm 77:16-18).

 

But there’s something else to that memory. The psalm says, in effect, “God, in those days we saw what you were doing for us. But we didn’t see you directly. The damp seabed didn’t show your footprints. We could only see Moses and Aaron leading the way like good shepherds” (cf. vv. 19-20).

 

Well, many years later, in the person of Jesus, God took on human flesh. Jesus, the Son of God, was visible—feet, hands, and all. He left footprints. When we look at Jesus, we can see God. We see God going before us, leading the way. The path that Jesus follows leads to the darkness of death. But he doesn’t turn aside. He is our good shepherd. He lays down his life for us. And we can see his feet, and his hands, nailed to the cross. When we see that, we know he loves us, even on the darkest days. That is true power!

 

You Can Count on Him!

 

I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.” You have said, “I have made ma covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: ‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.’” (Psalm 89:1-4 ESV).

 

If someone is responsible, dependable, predictable, you can count on them to keep their word and do what they said they were going to do. These are people you can count on. When life is out of joint, we need someone to lead us through the chaos and confusion. Someone reliable. Someone we can count on. The Bible assures us that God is reliable. With God, “Yes” means yes and “No” means no. With God, promises are a sure thing. In other words, God is someone we can count on.

 

God made promises to King David: to love him forever, to make him the world’s greatest king, and to preserve his royal line. But by the time of our reading today (Psalm 89), David’s royal line has known nothing but trouble. Reality is completely out of joint. Surely this was cause for him to wonder whatever happened to the promises. His conclusion was simple: “I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord forever” (v. 1).

 

Jesus was born into the royal line of King David. And he knew plenty of trouble. That trouble came to a head when he was crowned with thorns and nailed to a cross. A sign over his head said, “The King of the Jews” as a means of ridicule. It looked like another dead end for David’s line. Well, the story didn’t end there. Jesus rose from the dead! And forty days later he took his seat at the right hand of God the Father.

 

I’ve been very fortunate. I know I can count on every member of my family and I have been blessed with some friends who I am confident that they would come to my aid in any situation. Knowing that, while incredible, is completely eclipsed with the truth that I also have a Savior who will never leave me to fend for myself. He is faithful and ever present in every circumstance of life. He is King, now and forever. And, that’s why we can count on Him.

 

The Careful Listener

 

Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me! Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life! Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt! Let them turn back because of their shame who say, “Aha, Aha!” May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay! (Psalm 70 ESV).

 

We all have had those times when we wondered if God hears our prayers? Well, the Bible is very clear that God always hears our prayers. Even during those times when we are not sure hwo to phrase our petitions, God hears “through our heart.” Of course, we are not always going to receive what we ask for, nor in the way we want. But we do have this assurance: “In all things God works for the good of those who love him” (cf. Romans 8:28). He always hears us.

 

Our reading today is framed by a single plea: “God, hurry up and help me!” David is in trouble. People want to kill him, or at least ruin him. So, he pleads for God’s help, saying, in effect: “Give me a reason to rejoice. Give me a reason to praise you” (v. 4).

 

When I read this psalm, I imagine Jesus on the most difficult night of his life. He knows that a cross awaits him, so he prays. He pleads with God: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). Three times he says that prayer. Minutes later he is arrested. The next morning, he is nailed to a cross to die.

 

Did God hear Jesus’ prayer? Did God answer his prayer? Hebrews 5 says Jesus was heard because he submitted himself to the will of God. And God’s will was that Jesus would die. In the death of Jesus, God was working “for the good of those who love him.” This knowledge became the foundation of the hope of the early disciples. It should be ours as well. He is the most careful listener. He hears us and works all things for our good! Trust Him!

 

Peaceful Sleep

 

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:35-39 ESV).

 

About a month ago I was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea. My primary care physician ordered the sleep study and it recorded several episodes over a two night study when I simply stopped breathing. Along with the diagnosis came the necessity of getting a machine that would monitor and regulate my sleep. I must admit I was skeptical at first; however, once I became more familiar with the use of the machine, I discovered that I no longer was awakened by these episodes and now slept through the night relaxed and comfortably. There may be other reasons that keep me from sleeping peacefully, but it won’t be the sleep apnea.

 

Of course we’ve all experienced some of those things. You could be excited because you are planning to leave for a trip in the morning. You could be worried about the storm forecasted to come in overnight. Ot like the disciples in our reading today, you could be frightened of the storm that threatens to sink your boat. Whatever the reason, you can’t sleep. Your eyes are wide open, and you’re staring into the dark.

 

They turned to the aft of their little boat and saw Jesus was sound asleep during the storm. It was reminiscent of Psalm 4: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” That verse connects with the gripping scene on the Sea of Galilee. There, on a small boat during a raging storm, Jesus is fast asleep. The boat rises and falls on the swells, taking on water, threatening to sink. The disciples’ hearts are racing with fear. But Jesus sleeps. He has no doubt that his Father will keep them all safe. As he lays down his head on a cushion, I imagine Jesus saying a trusting prayer: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” When you have a hard time falling asleep (other than because of sleep apnea), remember Psalm 4. Pray those words with Jesus. Repeat them softly. As you do, welcome his presence. And may you sleep peacefully through the storm of your life.

 

The Majesty of Jesus

 

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:1-9 ESV).

 

Our reading today declares the majesty of the Lord. The writer celebrates the glory of God. Look at the night sky, says this psalm. Moon, stars, galaxies. Vast beyond imagining! It all reflects the glory of God. And it reminds us how small we are. Not that we need a reminder. Lose your job, and you feel small. Fail at marriage, and you feel puny. Fall into depression, and you feel like nothing at all. But there is more to being human than being small. This psalm says that God made us just a little lower than the angels, and that God has given us special glory and honor. We may not be angels, but God has appointed us to care for the earth and all its creatures. And when we do that, we reflect the glory of God—like the vast universe does.

 

The book of Hebrews applies this psalm to Jesus. It says, “Jesus was made lower than the angels for a little while” (Hebrews 2:9). We must not miss the point of the writer. Jesus was made a human being. Jesus shared the eternal glory of God the Father. But he left that glory behind to become one of us, to become small right along with us.

 

So, Jesus knows what it’s like to feel puny. He knows what it’s like to feel like nothing at all. But he also knows the special glory of being human. Imagine that. The majesty of our God is ours through Jesus. The next time you are tempted to feel small, think on this psalm. We are anything but small!

 

Jesus Is the Light!

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 ESV).

 

Psalm 36 speaks about light and life in the same breath. No wonder. Most creatures need light to live—if not directly, then at least indirectly. So light and life go together. All light and all life have their source in God. In the Bible’s first creation story (Genesis 1), there is only darkness until God says, “Let there be light.” Under that light, life emerges. In the Bible’s final new-creation story (Revelation 22:1-5), there is no darkness but only God’s light and an ever-fruitful tree of life.

 

And then there is Jesus. Crucified on a tree of death, he is the light of the world. And that light is our life. Jesus says, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

 

As I write this, it is the middle of the afternoon, Hurricane Beryl has made landfall near my hometown of Galveston. It began its trek north toward Tyler and ultimate across the southeastern part of the country. It remains a strong tropical storm producing heavy rains and wind. We are in the path of some of the outer rings producing ominous clouds and a few downpours. This time of the year the afternoon sun should be at its brightest, though for the last few moments it has been dark and dreary. It reminds me of the darkness of winter.

 

But just as when the storm passes, no matter how dark and gloomy, it will give way to the light of a summer’s day. In the same way, by his death on the cross Jesus defeated darkness and death, and by his resurrection he shines the springtime light of God’s new creation over the horizon. We still must wait a while. But the time is coming when there will be no darkness and no death—only light and life! Oh what a day that will be!

 

Happy Birthday, Kyle!

 

May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions! (Psalm 20:1-5 ESV).

 

Today is a “milestone birthday” for Kyle, our oldest son. He is half a century old! I always love to celebrate with all our children and grandchildren with a devotional written that has meaning in my life. Some of you may be reading today and were not aware of the close connection between his name and Texas A&M University. You may also not be aware that the football stadium at A&M started out as a portion of campus designated for agriculture use. Edwin Jackson Kyle, an 1899 A&M graduate, was hired in 1902 as a horticulture professor. In 1904, he was also chairman of the Athletic Council. Kyle fenced off a section of his allotted campus land intended for classroom use. The Board of Directors officially designated the area as the athletic field on Nov. 10, 1904, according to A Centennial History of Texas A&M University, 1876-19176 by Henry Dethloff. Kyle funded the lumber for wooden benches, which cost $312, in October 1905, and purchased the Bryan fairground grandstand for $650 in 1907. The football field had seating for 500 people. It now seats over 100,000 people. The picture I’ve attached of Kyle standing beside the statue of Lawrence Sullivan Ross was taken after Kyle and I spent some time walking the campus reminiscing of our years there. There are so many memories built around the experiences had there.

 

Through all those memories there is one constant theme that runs through them all. It is this place where the journey began. Mary and I met while were students. It was her influence that ultimately brought me to a personal faith in Christ. We were married in 1969 while still students. And, after completing my seminary degree in 1973, Kyle was born. It hardly seems possible that 50 years have passed since then.

 

At any rate, today is special, but it is no different in the prayer I offer on his behalf that comes from our reading today. It is a petition for the Lord to bless, provide, and protect him (as well as all my family). I’m sure you pray similar prayers for your family. Perhaps this short devotional will prompt you to pray specifically for each of your family these things today. Make everyday a special day of celebrating the great gifts God has given us in our family. Happy birthday, Kyle!