Tag: leader

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Jesus’ brief teaching on Divorce

I included “brief” in the title for this post because Jesus doesn’t need a lot of words on this topic. It’s clear and concise. Yet this is a volatile and personal topic that demands our attention. No, we don’t need more words from Jesus on the topic. As followers for Christ we enter marriage with the desire for this to be the union of one man and one woman, “and the two will become one flesh.” That is our commitment in marriage.

Matthew’s record of this teaching includes one exception for which divorce: sexual immorality, i.e., adultery, violation of the seventh commandment. Earlier in Matthew (Matthew 5:27-30), Jesus broadens the definition of adultery that convicts us all! Fortunately for us we can come to Jesus for forgiveness and mend our ways.

Both accounts agree that Moses’ law was given because their “hearts were hard.” If we take time to get to know the people Moses was leading we will gain a better appreciation for that description. Their hearts were not open to what God was giving them, they couldn’t see the favor poured out on their behalf. But there were a few that stood out.

It is profound that Jesus reiterates God’s plan for male and female while at the same time recognizing not everyone will marry. Those who choose not to marry are called to a life of celibacy, something the Roman Catholic church demands of Priests and Nuns. Paul would agree with this position and echo Jesus’ words that it would be better for some not to marry.

This is a deep and wide topic that I’m not attempting to cover in 400 words. What I believe with all my heart is this: God honors the marriage of one man and one woman when they seek to honor Him. My prayer is God will be honored in all marriages. For those who do not have God in their marriage I pray they will find Him and reaffirm their vows in tribute to the One that gives us life.

One of the interesting thoughts in the notes in this passage is the idea that the Pharisees were wrestling with John the Baptist’s condemnation of Herod, ultimately the reason for his death. It’s a bit of a rabbit trail from the text, but a note I wanted to capture while thinking about the topic.

(See also comments on Divorce from June 2015)

Bible Gateway Links:

Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 19:1-12, Mark 10:1-12,

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Luke begins this parable with Jesus’ definition of the Pharisee: “confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else.” He doesn’t say all Pharisees fit this description, but it seems this is the typical Pharisee, one that everyone listening to the parable would relate to.

The Pharisee draws attention to himself with audacious, condescending words: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people…or even like this tax collector.” He then justifies himself by announcing he fasts twice a week and gives a tenth of his income.

On the other hand, the tax collector humbly presents himself to God and asks for mercy.

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

It is good to do good, but no there is nothing I can do to earn salvation–salvation only comes by grace.

Bible Gateway Links:

Luke 18:9-14

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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The Coming of the Kingdom of God

Jesus speaks about the end times in this passage, when he will return in a flash, unexpectedly and suddenly. For the Pharisee he explains that the coming of the kingdom of God is right in front of them, but they can’t see it.

The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.

The Pharisees don’t understand this response, because they have their well developed pre-conceived notions as to how the Messiah will return and what he will do. Before we judge the Pharisees too harshly, we should recognize they were working within a system of beliefs that some in this day might call a denomination or church. Jesus holds us to a much higher standard than any set of manmade beliefs.

Jesus goes on to explain to his disciples that his return will come without warning, the long awaited rapture when “one will be taken and the other left.” Suddenly all the worldly wealth and desires pale in comparison to the glory of Christ and His Kingdom.

On that day can we say that we honestly did all we could to spread the Gospel? Lord help me to do your will this day. I long for the day when lightning strikes and those who have truly professed faith in you are redeemed, but I hope and pray that many, many more will see your light before it strikes.

Bible Gateway Links:

Luke 17:20-37

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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Plot to Kill Jesus — Caiaphas

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and as he walked out of the tomb in front of many people the crowd appears to fall into to camps: some believe, some don’t. It’s hard to imagine anything in between. I don’t think our present level of cynicism was common in that age, but it seems plausible that some thought it was all a show.

For some this was divine, for others this was a threat. Caiaphas speaks  for the Sanhedrin,

…it is better for you that one man die for the people
than that the whole nation perish.

These prophetic words are not meant to suggest that Jesus will be the propitiation for our sins; rather, Caiaphas concludes Jesus must be eliminated in order to preserve the Jewish State, their Temple and their system.  He speaks for the leaders and solidly sets in motion the events that will soon follow. The Jewish counsel will figure out how to kill this one man (though they will defer to the Romans for the dirty work) in an effort to save their system. To wrestle with this level of offense, the Sanhedrin would have included 71 Jewish leaders. Keeping the discussion secret seems impossible!

This is a great turning point in the earthly ministry of Jesus. Apparently the words of Caiaphas became known so Jesus and his disciples relocated about 15 miles away to Ephraim until the final march into Jerusalem.

So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

The great happiness of the crowd is squelched by the leaders actions. Yet this will ultimately work against them. When the people are confronted with the risen Jesus and hear the proclamation of the Apostles, I’m sure there will be some who remember the actions of the counsel and recognize how they have been greatly misled, even deceived, and propel into existence the birth of Christ’s church–Christianity.

As we have observed in this life, great tragedy provides a great opportunity for triumph. True character is revealed in the wake of horrible events. May God guide us in the path of righteousness as we grow in faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Bible Gateway Links:

John 11:45-54

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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Jesus Wept and Lazarus Walked

As Jesus explained in the previous text, he now arrives at the scene where Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days–he is dead. Both Martha and Mary cry out to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” This was a family that Jesus knew well, they must have spent many days together talking about everyday normal stuff…they were great friends. That alone makes me pause.

Martha hears Jesus is coming and she goes out to meet him; Mary does the same. These are significant words on many levels. In a culture that shuns women and prevents them from any leadership role, here we see the Apostle John highlighting their story for all to read. Of the hundreds of stories and angles, God inspired John to write in these women into the story of the Gospel.

Jesus sees them and the others who have come to comfort them in their time of loss. He know what is about to happen, but he must have been swept away with human emotion as we read the most often quoted, shortest verse in the Bible,

Jesus wept.

The Jews that saw this were divided: some see the love that Jesus had for Lazarus while others are immediately cynical, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Jesus wept for so many reasons, but I think he wept because he felt the pain of their loss. They weren’t pointing fingers at Jesus when they said he wouldn’t have died had Jesus been there, they were lamenting, grieving, reaching out to their friend. This isn’t a time for great lectures and preaching sermons. Jesus have very few words to say as he comforts his friends first of all by being there with them.

What he does next is way over the top, extraordinary, miraculous and dramatic. Before the incredible moment, Jesus prays,

Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.

He walks to the tomb, has the stone rolled away and calls out to Lazarus to “come out!” and the “dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen…”

Fully human, fully God. Both evident in these few verses.

Bible Gateway Links:

John 11:17-44

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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Sin, Faith, Duty — Watch Yourselves

Jesus set the standard extremely high in verses 1-4 and the disciples respond: “Increase our faith.” Wow! The disciples are listening to Jesus describe what will happen to those who cause people to stumble and they get it–they will be held accountable. There will be a time when leaders will have to answer for their decisions. “So watch yourselves,” Jesus said.

If you have even a small amount of faith, you can do amazing things. But we are called to be humble and to do all things giving God the glory:

So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.”

God will do amazing things through our hands, our voices, our lives. Be truly humble when He does!

Bible Gateway Links:

Luke 17:1-10

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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God’s Law Will Remain

These few verses give us great reason to read and understand the Old Testament, the Law that was provided by God (as opposed to that which the Pharisees had created). Jesus defines a point in history that is before and after John the Baptist:

Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in. (NLT)

People are eager to hear the Gospel, they really are! Perhaps we make it too difficult, too complex or maybe we make it too simple, too cheap!! Somewhere between the two ends of the spectrum we need to preach the Gospel and let the Holy Spirit do his great work. We don’t have to have all the answers or even pretend to understand all that is before us. What we know is that Jesus came to fulfill all we read about in the Scriptures and we must share that as faithful witnesses.

The Law will not disappear. Adultery is still adultery, yet another reference that points to the sanctity of marriage (that’s a whole different subject). God provided a firm foundation in the old covenant and Jesus builds the church on top of this unmovable force.

 

Bible Gateway Links:

Luke 16:16-18

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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Parable of the Great Banquet

This passage in Luke appears during the meal at the “prominent Pharisee’s” house, apparently a theme Jesus taught on more than once. In Luke one of those in attendance, perhaps a Pharisee, says:

Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.

Jesus affirms this and tells a story about those who are just too preoccupied with busyness to come when called. Ouch! Those who are specifically invited, but made excuses why they couldn’t attend, so the master invites others in an effort to fill the banquet hall.

I tell you , not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.

Have we heard the invitation and been too busy to answer?

Bible Gateway Links:

Luke 14:15-24

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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Jesus at a Pharisee’s House

Here is another miracle that was 1) performed on the Sabbath and 2) for someone who didn’t apparently ask (not that he wasn’t thankful), repent or confess Jesus as Lord. To add to the interest of this particular interaction, this was in front of a prominent Pharisee and his compatriots who “remained silent” and “had nothing to say!”

Jesus explains to the guests that are gathering and clamoring to sit closest to the Pharisee of Honor that this behavior is unnecessary and even humiliating. And to the host, the one I call the Pharisee of Honor, Jesus tells him not to invite those who can return the favor, but rather

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.

Packed with lessons in these few verses, Luke gives us a lot to consider!

Bible Gateway Links:

Luke 14:1-14

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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Jesus’ Sorrow for Jerusalem

Some Pharisees appear to help Jesus by letting him know that Herod is seeking to kill him–just a ruse in an attempt to get him to leave the area. Jesus’ response: “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people…'” lets them know he knows exactly what they are thinking and it is unlikely that they are part of Herod’s inner circle!

Jesus goes on to lament for Jerusalem, “…how often I have longed to gather your children together…Look, your house is left to you desolate.” (see also Matthew 23:37-39.) We have some understanding of these words because we have the advantage of hindsight, the perspective that history allows us to have. At the time, Luke would not have known about the complete destruction of the temple that would come in the near future, but here we hear the words of Jesus, sad about what is to come.

Bible Gateway Links:

Luke 13:31-35

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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