Tag: leader

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Neighboring: The Good Samaritan

Read Luke 10:25-37

It might be useful to back up and read the post I published a little over a year ago on this scripture. It’s pretty brief, but I don’t want to repeat myself, so take a look at this link. With that background in mind, let’s walk through the story by first looking at the setting.

If we zoom way out we remember that this is in the middle of Luke’s account of the life of Jesus. Luke is fully aware of the other writings that are circulating at the time, important words from eyewitnesses, and he sets out to give us his detailed perspective in his gospel record.

With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Luke 1:3-4

Luke was crazy about details. In my imagination, I can see a large room with several tables, lots of horizontal surfaces with stacks of papers spread out all over the place. He walks around rearranging the stacks until he’s got it just right. Yes, indeed, with the prompting of the Spirit, Luke is constructing a document for us to read for centuries to come. In the end, he writes the bulk of what becomes the New Testament in two books we call Luke and Acts.

I wanted to give you that perspective as we focus on this parable. Take a look at the stories in Luke 9 that lead up to the current study. Here’s a quick summary: Jesus sends the disciples out on their first mission, miraculously feeds 5,000 (plus women and children), predicts His death twice, is transfigured, heals a demon-possessed boy, is rejected by a Samaritan village, and warns those about the cost of being a disciple. Luke 10 starts with Jesus sending out seventy-two missionaries to spread the Gospel news. That’s a lot to take in, but it’s interesting to consider when we think about Luke’s goal of providing an orderly account.

Jesus’ fame is growing quickly. For the common man, His deeds were amazing and His teaching was inviting. For the keepers of the Law, He was a growing threat.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is Unique to Luke

If you’ve read or study the Bible much, you know there is a lot of parallelism between Matthew, Mark, and Luke. These three are referred to as the synoptic Gospels. Of all the verified accounts spread out on Luke’s table, he chooses to include this particular story. Over the next 2,000+ years, this becomes one story that almost everyone has heard about. Inside or outside of the church, most people know the story about someone tending to the needs of a stranger. But it’s far more than a story of showing kindness to strangers. Jesus uses this story to answer questions posed by the religious elite of His day and challenges our thinking hundreds of years later.

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:25-27

The expert in the law, the religious expert, correctly summarized the law by drawing on his knowledge of what we refer to as the Old Testament. First, as part of the great Shema:

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:4-5

And the second from Leviticus 19:

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18

This particular chapter in Leviticus has several references for dealing with neighbors. When you think about the time when it was written, it’s quite interesting. Who were their neighbors before and after entering the Promised Land? Perhaps another post is in order, but for now, I’ll try to stay focused.

Jesus’ response is profound:

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” Luke 10:28

The expert wants to know more. There are three entities in his summary: God, neighbors, and yourself. There is no doubt about God and yourself, these are easy to identify, but for a rule-keeper, he wants a precise definition of the middle term: neighbors. He asks Jesus to give him a set of rules to follow.

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29

Luke clarifies that Jesus knew the man’s heart was about self-justification when he asked his question, “And who is my neighbor?” You’ve probably seen this scene enacted at youth camps, retreats, in churches, etc., and you’ve probably heard all kinds of ways to pose the question ranging from innocent to arrogant. I’m thinking it was on the arrogant extreme, but Jesus doesn’t dismiss the expert. Instead, He shows incredible patience and leans in to tell a story. Jesus demonstrates how to love by engaging with one who He knows doesn’t get it. I hope we can learn from this example.

The Story

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:30-37

An unfortunate traveler is ambushed on the road and left for dead. Historians tell us that this stretch of road was notorious for robbers and thieves, a place well known for treachery. Was he traveling alone? Did his friends scatter and leave him? Was it just bad luck? Is he one of the guys that show up at the Soup Kitchen for a meal? Apparently, that detail is not important, so we are left to use our imagination. The last idea is there for you to ponder as you help serve those in need.

All we really know is he was beaten and left for dead. The implication is that he would have died if someone did not intercede.

The Levite and the Priest are careful to avoid touching the man. They see him but stay far away.  Jesus probably includes two Jewish characters, a Levite and a Priest to add tension for the expert, but He doesn’t dwell on these two and He doesn’t make a big deal about them passing up an opportunity to help someone in need. Matthew 25:31-46 provides details about the cost of not serving the least of these. This question is centered on defining the term neighbor, so I’ll try to stay focused.

Up to this point, the expert was taking notes, perhaps judging the actions of the Levite and Priest. I’m sure he could recall similar events or robbery and murder in the past along this stretch of road. In modern times, we can probably remember seeing bad accidents where yellow tape demarks the scene of death and sadness. Then Jesus says the unthinkable — a Samaritan enters the story.

The Samaritan

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ Luke 10:33-35

Jesus turns it up to eleven (an arbitrary reference to a guitar amplifier) by suggesting a Samaritan enters the scene. Of all people, a Samaritan is the least likely to be of service here. In Luke 9:51-56, Jesus sends a messenger to a Samaritan village, but they reject the messenger. James and John wanted to send fire down from heaven and smite the village, but Jesus rebukes them. What’s up with that? Jesus just moves on to the next village.

Samaritan’s were especially offensive to Jewish leaders. They were the kind that mixed theologies together into some sort of blended religion in an effort to please themselves. In today’s culture, I would compare these guys to those who embrace Unitarianism, Universalism, or the New Age movement. If that doesn’t offend you, think about the Samaritans as Mormons, Scientologists, or strong advocates of some cult or movement. Whatever it takes to raise your pulse. Think about it from that perspective. And remember, the person telling the story is Jesus, the one who just feed thousands, healed many, and cast out demons. His reputation demands your respect and attention.

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37

Jesus brings the story home by asking a question. He could have asked, which of these was helpful or who did the right thing, but he didn’t. He asked, which was a neighbor.

Being an expert in the Law, we’re looking at a very intelligent man. He’s not easily manipulated or motivated to react to a story. I think the man listened to Jesus tell the story with great intensity. In other words, he was trapped by the cadence of the question and he wasn’t influenced by cellphone cameras or news reporters. He was having an intense conversation with Jesus. I can see Jesus looking directly at him eye-to-eye. Making sure the story made sense.

The conclusion seems anticlimactic. Of course, the Samaritan is the good neighbor, but that’s not what the expert says. Take a look at the words more carefully:

The one who had mercy on him

The expert in the law couldn’t even say the word Samaritan. That’s how offensive the character was in his legalistic mind. As a religious expert, he simply could not imagine someone who was despised could be a hero. The Samaritans were wholly rejected by Jewish leaders; this expert would be no exception. Do you see where I’m going here? The one who was rejected by others is the one who saved the one who was dying. The man on side of the road had no hope of living through the day except that someone had pity on him, risked his life, his reputation, and went to great expense to save him. Sound familiar?

Jesus never implied that we should adopt Samaritan beliefs. Nor did He tell the expert to ignore the law. Either approach would be easy to understand, but Jesus is not about being easy and he’s not trying to provide a checklist. He’s talking about changing hearts. His words follow His actions. Jesus is teaching us how to love our neighbor as a way of life, not a list to execute.

Our Neighbor

So who is your neighbor? Most of the time when we read this we conclude that the term neighbor is a metaphor for anyone in need. So the first answer is simple: anyone in need, anywhere, anytime. We should be concerned about people in need. This is a great answer that crosses cultural and racial barriers that separate our society. We must not lose sight of the implications of caring for people across social divides. Jesus provides a great incentive in the Matthew 25 reference above.

But the problem with only embracing the term neighbor as a metaphor is it lets us off the hook. I can love my metaphorical neighbors by giving to Compassion International or going on a mission trip every year. But here’s a funny thought, what if part of this answer has to do with the people that actually live next to us? Would you agree that the term neighbor could include those that live in our neighborhood?

Block Map

In serving our community and in talking to service providers around the area, all agree that the key to success is centered around building a relationship over creating new programs.

Building relationships is hard. It takes time and energy. It’s costly. It might even be dangerous. But it’s what Jesus describes in His parable. It was dangerous for the Samaritan to stop at a point on the road that evidence would suggest you could get beaten and robbed. His actions certainly cost him a great deal of time and money. Here’s a place to start.

The Art of Neighboring

Jay Pathak & Dave Runyon published a book, The Art of Neighboring, Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door, in 2012, to give us some guidance on how to become the kind of neighbors we are commanded to become. They created the “block map” below.

Imagine your house is in the center. Write the names of the closest eight people to your house, apartment, condo, etc. These are your nearest neighbors.

If there is one theme we must take from the teachings in the Bible, especially from Jesus, is that we are called to love one another. The song Reckless Love embodies this concept. Our God is one that loves us, present tense, so much that He was willing to send Jesus Christ as a man to live and walk among us and show what He meant by loving each other.

You can’t love someone without having a relationship with them. You won’t begin to have a relationship with someone if you don’t know their name. But we are called to love our neighbor, both metaphorically and physically.

If we adopt this principle we will be different, we will be distinctive, we will look like God’s chosen people. And guess what, others will want to be a part of that.

Imagine you are being relocated to a city far away from here. One of the first things you have to figure out is where to live. Three things drove our decision-making process as we did this several times thanks to the military: 1) school, 2) church, and 3) neighborhood. For #3, consider two options, one where everyone knows their neighbors in a genuinely friendly manner and the other where doors are locked, fences are walls, and people have no idea who comes or goes. Which would you want to be a part of?

The story of the Good Samaritan compels us to love the way Jesus loved. It will be costly, inconvenient at times, even tense. For those that are married, can you relate to this? But there is such great joy in being part of a community of faith.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself.

The Challenge

Use the block diagram as a tool to pray for your neighbors. Let it remind you to memorize their names as you get to know them. Be vulnerable by letting them get to know you as well. Build meaningful relationships and encourage them to spread the love to their neighbors. Once this becomes second nature, use the concept at work, at your children’s games, in the grocery store, etc., wherever you meet people.

Then take it up another notch. As Peter directs us:

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16

I challenge you to write down your answer to Peter’s directive. All of us who call ourselves Christ-followers should be able to do this without hesitation, but perhaps you haven’t been encouraged to stop and write it down. Now you have.

Lord, may we be a people that love You with all we’ve got. May we be those who love our neighbors as ourselves without reservation. Holy Spirit, teach us how to make the first step, and the next, and the next. May Jesus be the center of all of this great activity for His glory and for His Kingdom.

Amen.

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Moving from Spectator to Participant: How Serving Changed Me

The shift from wanting to serve in the community to helping others find a place to serve was subtle, yet significant. A few short years ago, I met Andy Gibson and Cody Wright. The idea was simple: just show up and lend a hand.

Change can happen in a flash. A mere spark is often found to be the culprit for a fire that scorches hundreds of acres, but the spark is only a catalyst. We may talk about mitigating sparks and controlling open flames, as we should, but the forest wouldn’t have burned so quickly if it weren’t for the slow change over time. The imperceptible move from a rich and luscious grove of trees to a dry and barren environment ripe for destruction often goes unnoticed.

The opposite is true, as well. I like to say that I’m a “recovering Pharisee,” meaning that I once was the one who took pride in studying the Bible, attending all church events, praying before meals, etc. There’s nothing wrong with any of those activities except the part about pride. I didn’t notice. The people around me didn’t notice either because they were all drinking from the same fountain.

Here’s the catch: there wasn’t an “aha” moment. There wasn’t a particular time when it was clear I was on one side of the line or the other. Honestly, it’s not really a line; instead, it’s more like moving from dark gray to light gray. However, when I look back at the time I began to serve, the change is now evident.

I’ve always been one who is drawn to serve others. Serving is part of my DNA. From the time I was a young child, we served in a local church and the community. I love the fact that churches, in general, promote serving the community. But if the motive for serving is only to spend some uncomfortable time around others who need to be served, we’ve missed the point of the lesson.

Peter sums up the idea beautifully here:

Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:7-10

Verse 10 captures the whole notion of serving, use whatever gift you have received.

When you first serve on a Tuesday or Thursday night, you’ll hear a consistent message from Cody or whoever speaks as we circle up just before opening the doors. We’re here to provide free clothing, hygiene products, shoes, and a meal, but more than anything, we’re here to remind those we serve that they are God’s amazing creation. Each and every one is a beautiful work of art, handcrafted by the Master who created the entire universe. Take time to get to know some of the friends we serve.

The sign painted on the wall outside by a group of Middle School students, led by Josh Powell, captures the essence of this reminder: worthy, hope, and love.

As you look at this photo, reread Peter’s words. What a beautiful scene! These are faithful students. With each stroke of the brush, the wall beneath becomes a testimony to love and beauty. The cracks disappear, and the imperfections are absorbed as your eye is now drawn to the giant letters that proclaim WORTHY. I’m thankful for Josh and his class, but they’re not the only ones.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, a faithful few show up to sort through donations and prepare the room for guests on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each week, the process is repeated. Drip, drip. Slowly, the bucket fills with water until it overflows.

Kindness is contagious.

The core is love for each and every person, the way the perfect Father loves his child. You’re bound to change when you surround yourself with people with hearts set on loving the least of these, just like the most of these.

And that’s the point of this entire story.

Week after week, I moved from feeling awkward about sitting and talking to someone I’d never met to looking forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays to check in on Chris, Emmanuel, William, Kristi, Felicia, and on and on. Suddenly, it’s normal to say, “I love you” to people I never knew a year ago.

Your experience serving will be different than mine, or at least I hope it will. Honestly, I couldn’t think of anything more encouraging. It would be incredibly boring if we were all alike! What I know is I’ve been able to experience the joy of not just serving others, but loving people from all walks of life and on both sides of the serving line!

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

One last thought as I wrap up this post: get in the game. Go and serve, as Peter reminds us all. Serve with joyful hearts. Look inside your heart for a place to be Jesus to someone who needs to hear the assurance that the Creator loves them. There is no more excellent form of evangelism, no stronger discipleship than serving others with the eyes and heart of Jesus Christ.

Go. Serve. Love.

And for goodness sake, smile!

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When Leaders Pray

In one way or another, we’re all leaders. People will choose to follow (or not) based on our actions, decisions we make, policies we support, or the goals we pursue. Leaders, in this case, suggest those who are leading well, i.e., they are respected and admired. The number of people following is not the point, but if we’re to spread the Gospel to the entire world, at some point, we need to bear the burden of leadership. One other important distinction before we dive in: our overarching strategy is to lead others to Christ, not ourselves. That’s where Christian leadership experiences the most tension. I don’t want you to follow my blog or read my book as a way of honoring me. I want you to read some words that point you to Christ, not me.

We have the incredible fortune to have the Bible at our disposal. I hope my description of The Reading Room made some sense and encouraged you to invest time hearing from God consistently. Throughout the Bible, we read stories of leaders that succeeded and those that failed. There are lessons to gain from both perspectives. Today, I’d like to consider the prayer life of a leader.

Have you ever wondered what effective leaders pray for? In this journey to become more Christ-like, we’re focused on how Jesus led, taught, prayed, slept, rested, etc. In this particular study, I’m biased toward understanding how God cares for those our society has discarded.  It’s my greatest desire to learn lessons from his life that I can put to use in spreading his kingdom on earth. This lofty goal leads me back to Scripture for advice.

In this instance, my mind is drawn to King Solomon. Take a moment and read Psalm 72. I’ll highlight a few verses here, but it’s important to remember that this began as a prayer by Solomon, perhaps the wisest and richest man the world will ever know, one who had everything any man could want. Let’s take a look at Solomon’s prayer.

Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.
Psalm 72:1

Solomon begins by praying for justice and righteousness, then explains why in the following verse:

May he judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice.
Psalm 72:2

Those under the king’s authority are not his own; they belong to God. These are “your” afflicted ones. Solomon continues this theme throughout the psalm. He recognizes that through justice and righteousness, people are drawn to God. All people.

May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy and may he crush the oppressor. Psalm 72:4

The beginning stanza of this prayer focuses on victory by caring for those who are troubled. Have no doubt, the king expects to honor for his efforts, but why would he mention the needy, the afflicted, the weak, and the oppressed? The reason is simple: God cares for the least, the lost, and the lonely. If he refuses to care for the least of these, can he expect prosperity? Will tribes bow before him and enemies lick the dust?

When a leader leads well, other leaders will follow. And more importantly, the needy are delivered.

For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.
Psalm 72:12-14

When Solomon executes the list above, all will shout, “Long may he live!” He will have earned respect from all people by focusing on the least.

It’s a bit of a conundrum and a slippery slope for those with self-preservation in mind. We should all beware of our internal motivation.

Description of the Messiah

The prayer of Psalm 72 becomes a prophetic message about the coming Messiah and ends with this exclamation1:

Then all nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed.
Psalm 72:17

The NIV Study Bible notes include this insight:

Later Jewish tradition saw in this psalm a description of the Messiah, as did the early church.2

Many others agree that this psalm provides a beautiful example of Christ. When we look at his earthly ministry, we read about how Jesus was concerned for the needy.

Reread the psalm with Jesus in mind. Go ahead and substitute “Jesus” where you see references to “the king” or other places that refer to Solomon. Here’s an example:

For [Jesus] will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
[Jesus] will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
[Jesus] will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.

For those who are waving the heresy flag, calm down. I’m not rewriting the Bible. Here’s the thought: if we are sincerely trying to be like Christ, our prayers should reflect his nature. If I pray for success in some effort today, I should be praying that Jesus succeeds. My goals, my desires, my motivation should match that of the Holy Spirit that lives inside me.

When our prayer life becomes like Jesus’ prayers, we will lead others to Christ. It might be from a platform, or it might be scooping some food on a plate. We might have a bestselling book or write a note that encourages someone. Large and small, the weight of the impact is disproportionate to heavenly rewards.

Pray Psalm 72 for yourself. Seek to be one that cares for the afflicted more than anyone else. I’m pretty sure the outcome will make Jesus smile.

 

1Psalm 72 ends at verse 17. Verses 18-20 conclude Book II of the Psalter.
2NIV Study Bible, p.936, note on Psalm 72, Zondervan, 2011.

 

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The Reading Room

Any Christian will tell you that the Bible is the inspired word of God. Some say the Bible was given to us as a guide, while others would assert that each word must be followed by the letter. Some demand that the only real Bible is the King James version of 1611, and therefore The Message translation is pure heresy! Find your spot on the spectrum and have a seat. Relax. I’m not going to support or defend any of the assertions above. What I hope to do is provide an ounce of inspiration that will enable you to enjoy the moments when you get to read the Bible. May each day be filled with opportunities to sit and hear from God, and may some of these be times that you read the Bible. I hope you got that concept.

Reading the Bible is just one way to hear from God–it’s not the only way. When we pause and think about it, the concept is simple. But it’s easier to rely on a checklist and ask some pointed questions about the time spent reading rather than hearing and learning.

The Bible is only a drop of words in an ocean of existence.

If we agree that God is omnipotent, omnipresent, omni____, and if He’s been around since the beginning of creation, the words He has spoken are like the stars in the sky: impossible to count. Here’s your math equation: Words in the Bible divided by the words God has spoken throughout eternity. Let’s agree that the number is very small.

The Bible is only the highlight reel to help us learn to hear God’s voice, to know His character, and understand His relentless pursuit of redemption for His creation.

It is NOT an idol to be placed prominently on the mantle above the fireplace. It’s a story to build us up, to encourage and equip, to rebuke and punish, to be shared from the heart.

Please don’t misunderstand my point. I’m grateful for the many ways the Bible has been published and made available to us. Adding chapter and verse numbers was an ingenious invention that helps to guide our discussion and builds uniformity. These are great features that improve understanding of the text, and I’m happy they exist.

I am authentically excited about the time I get to spend reading the Bible! I’m not trying to impress you, but I am trying to change your perspective from a duty that’s performed to a privilege that you anticipate. The idea extends beyond the Bible and can change the way you approach reading if you let it. Let me introduce you to the Reading Room.

The Reading Room

Imagine you’re walking in a hallway going from your bedroom to the kitchen. Place yourself in some luxurious manor, perhaps the Biltmore, or some such place. As you’re walking down the hall, you see a door open on the left. You glance in to see two chairs by the fireplace. One is empty. One is not. You pause for a moment and realize the one sitting in the adjacent chair is The One. Jesus is waiting for you to come and sit with Him by the fire for a few minutes as you begin your busy day. He wants to tell you a story, to speak to you, to remind you of mistakes His people have made in the past, of triumphs, of great faith, and even ridiculous failure. He’s waiting for you to come and sit and listen for a few minutes.

This is reading the Bible. This is learning to hear the very voice of God in our lives.

When you think about reading the Bible, consider Jesus sitting there with an empty chair asking you to join him. He won’t keep you long. After all, he’s given you work to do for his kingdom. But he does want to talk to you. He desires to teach you in many ways, one of which is through the stories in the Bible.

Here’s the thought: Will you continue walking down that hallway without stopping? Are you too busy to sit with Jesus for a few minutes?

Take the time to sit and listen as the words fill your mind. Imagine Jesus saying something like, “Do you remember the time when a shepherd boy confronted a giant?” or “Let me teach you about honor and dignity by telling you a story about Mephibosheth.”  In these moments, he is speaking those words for you, his only student at this moment. He wants what’s best for you.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10b

When you hear a verse quoted like the one above, ask Jesus to help you understand where that came from, i.e., back up a few verses and get the context for that quote.

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. John 10:3-6

Read the Bible, yes, but listen to his voice as you read. When the time comes, and he calls you by name, you’ll be glad to know you listened well and know his voice.

Lord, I love the fact that you are always there for us. Help us to take advantage of your presence in our lives today.

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Time to Grow Up

I listened to another sermon by Tim Keller today that caused me to stop and consider my current spiritual maturity. Our culture is pretty good about keeping track of progress during our formative years as humans on the planet. Soon after we’ve learned to walk and talk, we begin the assessment process from Pre-K all the way through Twelfth Grade or beyond. Each year forever etched in our memory like rings around a tree. We know we’re growing because we receive a report card from those who have gone before and have earned the position to stand in judgment. It’s funny that those we viewed as mature leaders don’t seem so old and wise as I get older, but that’s not the point and not where I’m going. For the sake of argument, let’s assume our teachers did an adequate job of grading us all those years. What’s next?

Once we get beyond the academic environment, we graduate into a society that grades us much differently. How we grow and mature is no longer monitored by tests and grades; instead, it’s much more difficult to assess.  Keller’s sermon, How We Can Grow1, caught my attention as he set the groundwork for his series on growing in Christ.  It seems fitting that we pause on New Year’s Eve to consider how we matured in the past year. Consider Peter’s concise beginning to chapter 2:

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3

One of the key phrases in this passage is the notion that we can directly impact our growth by craving pure spiritual milk. The time we invest approaching God in complete surrender provides great strength for the coming days. The opposite holds as well. If we choose not to spend time with God, we become weaker and are unable to cope with the troubles of this world effectively.

Keller made some particularly interesting points in his sermon concerning growing up. When a baby cries because she’s hungry, her parents will feed her immediately. But if a 15-year old cries for the same reason, the reaction is much different. Think about that for a moment. I’m sure I’ve said something like this to one of our 15-year old daughters, “If you’re hungry, fix yourself a sandwich!” Right? As a parent, you’re helping the child by not doing everything for them as they mature. The moment we first come to Christ, when we truly open our hearts and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are just like the newborn baby. However, fifteen years down the road, we should not be acting like a newborn anymore. We should not expect God to treat us the same, but so many times, I catch myself wondering why I’m facing this difficulty or some test that seems to be out of my reach. I cry out to God, “Why did you do this?” Then I wonder, am I still an infant?

What does this have to do with the biblical mandate to serve the least, the lost, and the lonely? I’m delighted you asked. To be blunt, it has everything to do with serving others, with living out our faith. As we become more Christ-like, we will naturally seek to save the lost, to help the afflicted, to be unnaturally kind to the oppressed. We have come to expect that of Jesus; why would we not expect that of ourselves? We must grow in our salvation to effectively serve those who are struggling to survive.

Peter continues to offer encouragement.

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5

Pause for a moment and consider that these words are coming from Peter. Reflect on the spiritual growth that he’s undergone and consider how Jesus reinstated and supercharged his ministry. Peter would not have been able to say these words 30 years earlier as a young follower of Christ. No one would expect that of him. Likewise, we should not expect new believers to have such maturity, even if they express unquenchable passion, but we should all be growing in a positive direction.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10

Peter tells us we are a chosen people, God’s special possession. We are sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty — all of us. One of my favorite verses in the Bible exhorts us to behave in a way that draws people to Christ.

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:12

When we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and then love our neighbor as ourselves, we will live in such a way that others will want to join our family. There is no better evangelism, not stronger discipleship than living and loving the way that Christ lived.

Lord, we are amazed that you called us to be a chosen people. In our early days, you fed us like infants then watched us grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). May we choose to grow in the coming years. Help us mature to better serve your kingdom on earth. Challenge us when we need to be stretched and forgive our whining when the days are long. Help us to see progress, however small, to encourage us to take the next steps to bring as many people as possible into the fellowship, the true Koinonia.

 

1 This sermon was preached by Rev. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on October 1, 1989. Series “Growth in Christ, Part 1”. Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-11. Sometimes it’s only as you begin to see what the Bible says is true of a Christian, what is in store for a Christian, the kind of growth that can happen in the Christian’s life, that you can come to see very clearly you’re not a believer. You’ve been in and out of churches. You’ve been in and out of different religious organizations. “How do you know?” Sometimes one of the best ways to know is to look and see what the characteristics of Christian growth are. Growth in grace is the very essence of the gospel; otherwise, you’re left with a “niceism” or a “moralism” instead of Christianity. Link to Sermon

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Pray With Those in Need

We need to remember the power of prayer, especially as we think of those that are living in desperate conditions. I’m sure you will agree with me that there is great power in prayer. Just last week, I heard a testimony that spoke to this power and the comfort that it brought when a handful of people stopped and prayed.

Instructions on Worship
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,  who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:1-6

I think it’s interesting that the NIV begins this passage with the title instructions on worship. For that’s what prayer is, isn’t it? When I thought about this passage today, especially the phrase, for all people — kings and all those in authority, I began to think of people who are in need, not just the leaders in charge, all people. We read the phrase, all people, three times in this short passage, so I’m confident Paul wants us to be inclusive. There are no boundaries in Christ Jesus. He paid the price for everyone, regardless of station or level in this life.

As I begin to pray, the names and faces of several people came to mind. I had a sense of the pain that these friends must feel every day. It’s only a glimpse, a tiny portion of what they must feel every day. Their PTSD is mostly TSD. There’s not much “post” in their traumatic stress.

Then another thought occurred to me: what if we prayed with those in need? Surely it’s important to pray for our brothers and sisters, but what if we found a way to pray with them? Most churches have a prayer night or time for intercessory prayer for the people. But what would happen if we took the time to gather together, hold hands, and pray with those in need?

And so today’s post is more of a challenge than a reflection on scripture, though I hope it’s both! I do believe these actions fit the theme of the passage:

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4

Before I end this thought, please hear the reminder that this is an “and” proposition. Moving from a community of individuals toward a real community of faith will not happen by a single action, no matter how great that one step might be. We need to pray privately and together. We need to worship alone and corporately. We need to pray for those in need and with those in need. We need to pray for city and county leaders. The idea of “and” is essential.

My friend, Chad Wright-Pittman, provided this prayer to help us remember those in need:

Loving God,
Your grace and lovingkindness
toward us in Jesus Christ is unending.
Open our eyes
to those in need around us – need of any kind –
and show us
how we might pray
with and for them
that our hearts might be changed
and your kingdom might come
in some small way,
on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Amen.
Rev. Chad Wright-Pittman

Now, may the peace of Christ be with you. May His presence be made known to you in new ways. Pass that peace onto others, even those that live on the margins and sleep on the streets.

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Defend the Weak and the Fatherless

Asaph, a worship pastor from a few years ago, wrote a series of psalms that tells the story of Israel’s ups and downs. By the time we get toward the end of his contribution to the songbook, we read the following practical advice:

Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
Psalm 82:3-4

Asaph’s psalms read like a symphonic work for a full orchestra. The highs and lows lend themselves to rising crescendos and crashing cymbals. His dramatic flair for writing must have led to equally compelling music. I find it interesting to read psalms 50 and 73-83 together to understand Asaph’s thought process.

As David’s key music leader, I’m confident he was attuned to David’s heart. The words reflect emotions that stir in each of us if we’re honest. Frustration, impatience, and anger as people foolishly deny God’s existence following by joy when they seem to turn to Him for a while suddenly. That doesn’t last for long! Back to the pit. Deep despair for those who ignore the warnings.

By the time we get to Psalm 82, we hear the question one more time:

How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Psalm 82:2

At this point, Asaph provides the two verses we focus on today. There’s no doubt that this statement is in response to their inability to care for those in need. The question we need to ask ourselves is this: are we those who defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Is this us?

While I’m not one who has any desire to send others on a guilt-trip, the question is meant to cause each of us to take a close, introspective look at our hearts, but don’t dwell there. Rather than getting lost in looking back at mistakes of the past, Asaph provides guidance for our future in a few concise statements.

  • Defend the weak and the fatherless
  • Uphold the cause of the poor and those who are oppressed
  • Rescue the weak and needy
  • Deliver people from the hand of those who are wicked

Asaph’s symphony summarizes the story of Israel, of human failure, along with brief moments of glory. The music is playing in my head switches from bold major triads to dark and gloomy minors — just like the history of my life. But when we get to this section, the sun is rising, the sky is clear. The cool mist of dawn invites us into a new awakening. It’s a new day.

Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord — that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. Psalm 83:18

Today, let us agree to take on the mantle of the good judge, the true Savior. May we clothe ourselves in the righteousness of Jesus and see people through His loving and caring eyes.

 

Here’s an interesting reference for the Songs of Asaph: [Link to Website]

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Remember the Poor

Pull up a chair. Sit and listen to the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians:

All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along. Galatians 2:10

The impact of this single verse fails to convey the powerful punch with which it was intended to deliver. The verse comes in the middle of Paul’s appeal to others to understand his approach to spreading the Gospel. He wasn’t trying to justify his actions; instead, he was trying to show that though his methods were different, they were consistent with James, Cephas (Peter), and John.

Paul and Barnabas continued to spread the Gospel in Gentile nations to the uncircumcised, using tactics that made sense in their context. From the beginning of chapter 2, we get the idea that a lot of time has transpired since Paul began his ministry. The beginning phrase, “Then after fourteen years…” helps me gain some perspective. Hear this, my friends, if Paul was willing to work for 14 years before checking in with “headquarters,” we need to be patient when our efforts take more than a year or two (or ten).

Verse 2 gives us some fascinating insight. Note: “them” in this case are people who are in key leadership positions in the church.

I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. Galatians 2:2

Don’t you want to be sure you’re not running your race in vain?

I recognize the letter, and this chapter, in particular, is more concerned with issues that have arisen in the early church, but what I find amazing is Paul includes verse 10 as the closing statement in his paragraph that summarized his evangelistic missionary approach. Essentially, do whatever it takes to spread the amazing, great news about Jesus, but don’t forget to look after the poor.

Why tag on this request? Did Paul need a reminder? Do we need a reminder?

For those of us that have been around the church for a long time, the simple answer is yes. I added this quote from Tim Keller’s sermon (now on the index page for this series):

If you think you have a relationship with [God] and you don’t have a relationship with the poor and the oppressed, you’re mistaken. If you don’t have a relationship with the poor and the oppressed, you don’t really have a relationship with me.1

Paul had to appeal to “those who were held in high esteem” in his day. Tim Keller continues to preach this message in our modern-day and age. Yes, we need a reminder.

Whatever role we are blessed to play in church, business, non-profit, etc., we must never forget the requirement to be attentive to the poor.

Remembering the poor is just the beginning. This is not a box to check or a mandate to fulfill. Keller’s words are carefully chosen to capture the key idea: we are to seek relationships with those who would otherwise be forgotten by society. The concept is simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to apply.

I find it fascinating that Paul, in all his greatness, has always been eager to serve the poor. How do we convey this message to others? Perhaps we just need to continue providing safe places for people to get to know the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized. Most important, we must not let people forget.

Lord, help us to seek out relationships with all people, regardless of status or lack of status.

 

 

1See Tim Keller’s sermon, Doing Justice and Mercy, starting at 8:57

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Be blessed: Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind

Jesus is speaking to a gathering at a prominent Pharisee’s home when He shares a parable that ends with:

But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. Luke 14:13-14

Isn’t it interesting that Jesus would make a particular point to invite those who are the outcasts of society to the home of one who is the most prosperous? This amazing passage is captured by Luke and printed in red letters in my Bible — the very words of Jesus. Please pause and let that sink in.

Will Be Blessed

The NIV Application Commentary authors seem to be captivated by this passage as well. I love their thoughts here:

Though those invited cannot repay, God will reward such care in the resurrection to come (1 Cor. 4:5). Again, the promise of reward is expressed in the passive voice (“will be blessed”), which means that God gives the response. He commends those who reach out to the needy and minister to them, often in quiet ministries that no one ever sees. True righteousness does not look for a payback but is offered free of charge, graciously, just as God in Christ has forgiven us free of charge (Eph. 4:32; 5:2). NIVAC Note

Some Context for the Passage

Let’s zoom out just a bit and see if we can discern why Jesus choose this as the appropriate parable. If it helps, here’s a post I wrote a few years ago surrounding this passage: Jesus and the Pharisees.

The first words of chapter 14 provide the setting, and it’s anything but ordinary. First of all, it’s on the Sabbath, and secondly, it involves a prominent Pharisee. Crazy. Luke makes a special note that Jesus was being carefully watched, so what does Jesus do? He heals someone as they watch — dumbfounded.

One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. Luke 14:1-4

As I dwell on the section today, I’m struck by the scene in which the parable is presented. To begin with, this is in the home of a significant Pharisee. In today’s terms, that probably would look like a large house that would require an access code to get past a gate at the end of a long driveway.

How did Jesus get invited to the party?

There’s an incredible lesson to be learned from this alone. Not only did Jesus get invited, but He turned around and healed someone on the Sabbath, and they didn’t kick him out. The man who was healed was one of the main characters in his parable. He was unable to work because of some sickness, but Jesus was able to heal him and send him on his way. Surely the Pharisees and all those gathered had never witnessed a miracle such as this!

Jesus then looked around and addressed the way they invited the guests and how they seated them in places of honor in the form of a parable. These were intelligent men. They understood what was going on. Read the following verse:

When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Luke 14:15

Yes! Blessed is the one invited to the feast!

Jesus drives home the point that those invited are not people who look like they should be in attendance. Those who are too busy, proud, successful, or too important won’t be at the banquet.

It seems that Jesus prefers the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. Perhaps there’s something to learn from His example.

Not my words. His.

 

NIVAC Note. Wilkins, Michael J.. NIVAC Bundle 6: Gospels, Acts (The NIV Application Commentary). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition.

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Embracing the Outcasts

The series I’m creating here focuses on the Biblical mandate for serving the least, the lost, and the lonely. Those who are lonely are often the outcasts of society. The group transcends age, race, and income level. Someone can be incredibly wealthy and be inconsolably lonely. Loneliness leads to many mental health issues, and sadly, extreme loneliness is often the root of suicide.

Matthew was among this group. Though he was rich by worldly standards, I believe he was very lonely. To use the words of Jesus, he was sick.

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17

Jesus demonstrated His ability to look beyond outward appearances and look deep into the heart of man. While the context suggests He sees people as sick, He does not cast them into groups of haves and have nots. How He handles these situations are there for us to learn from. Jesus is not only permitting us to engage with sinners, but He also gives us a great example.

Mark’s Gospel account provides very little backdrop for the call of Matthew. In verse 14, Jesus simply says, “Follow me,” and Matthew’s life is instantly changed. While there was probably more to the interaction, the scene is consistent with how Mark writes the oldest of the Gospel accounts. He gets right to the point without superfluous details.

The only context we’re given for this great theological statement is the event that appears to follow Matthew’s decision to follow Jesus immediately:

While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:15-17

The self-righteous in this story are looking down on Jesus because He is surrounded by sinners. Jesus goes out of His way to be in that position. This adds fuel to the fire of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Doesn’t Jesus know about these people?

Do we see loneliness in people? Can you imagine having no friends, no family, no one to lean one when you’re having a bad day? Or for that matter, having a great day. Extend that thought by imagining no friends to relate to for a month, a year, or even years. It’s easy to see loneliness in the eyes of someone walking into a shelter, but even then it’s often disguised with alcohol or some other substance use disorder. Those who have been blessed with earthly possessions can hide their loneliness with things of earthly value, but little eternal significance. All deserve a chance to have a relationship with Jesus.

Discipleship is grounded in a relationship with Christ and fueled by our relationship with others. These relationships begin with the acceptance of those who would otherwise be labeled unacceptable.

May we learn to remove our judgment robes and love people the way Jesus demonstrated, especially those who are lonely.

Holy Spirit, give us the ability to see the lonely among us, to have a heart that breaks for their emptiness, and the courage to introduce them to the One who stands ready to fill the gap.

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