Tag: teach

Posted on

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.

Posted on

Not So With You

One of my favorite verses in Scripture is from Matthew’s incredible account of Jesus’ response to a mother’s request. The mother of the Zebedee sons (James and John), later identified as Salome*, has one favor to ask of Jesus:

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor ‘What is it you want?’ he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.’ Matthew 20:20-21

If the NIVAC* is accurate, Salome’s request isn’t really out of the question. She’s part of the entourage that’s been with Jesus since the beginning of his ministry. We find another clue in the previous chapter where Jesus tells them, “you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (see: Matthew 19:28).

Mark’s account of the scene (Mark 10:35-45) has James and John making the request themselves. The point of the story is not to focus on the requestor, but to emphasize the origin of the misguided thought.

Jesus makes it clear,

“You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?’ Matthew 20:22a

In my imagination, the room becomes awkwardly quiet. If we were there during times like these, I think we could feel the weight of the moment even as the words escape our lips, “we can” (Matthew 20:22b). What once seems plausible now meets the ridiculous. But Jesus continues to speak with kindness from a position of great authority. The heaviness gets the attention of the other disciples, and it doesn’t take long for them to catch wind of the discussion.

When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Matthew 20:24

The Teachable Moment

Jesus now has the attention of everyone in the group. All ears and eyes are focused on what he has to say.

You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:25-28

John would later capture a prime example of the Son of Man serving his disciples by washing their feet in John 13:4-6 before the Last Supper in the Upper Room. Jesus didn’t need to show another sign of his willingness to serve, but the significance put an exclamation point at the end of the statement.

The point of these examples and this discussion rests in just four words shown in bold above: Not so with you. Throughout the history of Israel, the people wanted to be like everyone else. “We want a king over us” (1 Samuel 8:18-20). From the days of Moses, God intended to raise a generation of people that were a distinct example for the world to follow.

I will make a distinction between my people and your people. Exodus 8:23

Standing in front of Pharaoh, Moses declared God’s intention that would follow the Israelites through history. We are to be different than the world around us. The world wants men to rule over them, but not so with you. Nations call us to accept standards imposed equally on everyone, but not so with you. Our society turns its back on the lost, the least, and the lonely, but not so with you. Not so with you.

We are to be a people that serve one another just as Christ came to serve. But the focus isn’t so much on serving as it is on not putting ourselves in the driver’s seat. Jesus’ example was to demonstrate how to honor God above everything else. Serving others is not meant to earn our way into heaven; we know this is not possible. Instead, serving others is our way of pointing people to Christ. Here I am serving you this plate of food, just like Jesus would do if he were here. Here we are washing your feet before supper, just like Jesus did in the Upper Room.

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. John 13:14-5

Whenever we serve with this in mind, we honor Christ. Our posture of serving gives God the glory, not man.

I have many thoughts to share on this subject, but for the sake of brevity, I’ll hold them for later discussion at this point. My prayer is you will see those four words and take them to heart as you go about your day. We are to be a people that are distinct and separate from the world to point people to Jesus.

Not so with you.

I leave you with the words of Psalm 67.

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us—
so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples with equity
and guide the nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.

The land yields its harvest;
God, our God, blesses us.
May God bless us still,
so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

 

*Wilkins, Michael J. NIVAC Bundle 6: Gospels, Acts (The NIV Application Commentary). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition. Later identified as Salome, she is among the women who attends Jesus at the cross and witnesses the empty tomb (cf. 27:56; Mark 15:40; 16:1). The best clarification of the listings of the women identify Salome as the sister of Mary, Jesus’ mother (cf. John 19:25). So she is Jesus’ aunt, and her sons, James and John, are his cousins on his mother’s side.

 

Posted on

Greatest Love

When I look at the Bible, online or a printed edition, I’m one of those who like to see the words of Jesus in red. The red letters prompt me to read a bit slower, be more meticulous, and pay close attention to the terms. Those who first wrote the text we now call the Bible must have savored every word that Jesus spoke. Given their background in keeping a flawless oral history, I can imagine they tested each other after one of Jesus’ sermons to make sure they captured every word he said. They wanted to be accurate. It was their signature.

If you’re with me on the red-letter editions of the Bible, you may have noticed there aren’t that many entirely red chapters. I know the chapter and verse numbering scheme is somewhat mechanical, but it is a consistent division across translations, so it has some inherent value.

Today we’re reading from John 15. The main focus of this post centers on verse 13, but I couldn’t help but notice the red letters that surround the words. The entire text is one of those rare red-letter chapters. At the very least, this means we should be careful when examining only one verse, though it’s often quoted by itself.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

Taken at face value, we probably don’t struggle with this idea. Coming from a military background, the thought is a bit more concrete for me than perhaps many who have not been challenged to consider this is a reality faced on a daily basis. Our law enforcement friends feel the same pressure. But it’s not limited to those in lethal occupations. There are many others who would willingly sacrifice their life in place of a child, spouse, or dear friend. The latter concept is the point of Jesus’ statement. A child or spouse is one thing, but a friend is a different matter altogether. You don’t become a true friend overnight. Let’s zoom out a bit and look at the context.

Jesus is preparing his beloved disciples for the events that are about to transpire in just a few hours. I think that’s one reason this is a red-letter chapter. They are carefully listening to what Jesus is saying. The scene I’m trying to depict is one of incredible compassion for those few who are about to come under immense pressure. Jesus begins by washing their feet (John 13:1-17), then warns them about Judas’ betrayal (John 13:18-30), and prepares Peter for his unthinkable denials (John 13:31-38). These words trouble the disciples, as we can imagine, so Jesus chooses words to assure them they will not be alone, even when he is gone.

As we begin chapter 15, Jesus changes the rich imagery to state that he is the true vine, the source of all life. Last year I got caught up in the “if” words included in this text when I wrote about the true vine. It’s a promise that will endure. Complete joy awaits those who land on the right side of the “if” statements.

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:11-12

Within this framework, Jesus ties the knot:

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

Over the course of some three years prior to this gathering in the Upper Room, Jesus demonstrated what it means to be a loving person over and over again. Dallas Willard reminds us that “In the deepest sense, love is not something you choose to do; it is what you become—a loving person.“1 God wants a thriving relationship with each and every person regardless of status and Jesus is telling us plainly that he is willing to lay down his life for us — his friends.

Serving the Least

Let’s draw a line back to the theme of this series — serving the least, the lost, and the lonely. I think it’s safe to say that most Christians declare that they want to be like Jesus. The reason we read the Bible, worship with music, preach, teach, disciple, evangelize, etc., is to become more like Jesus. As we inch closer to this ideal state we come to the point where we have to love as Jesus loves. We must strive to be friends that are willing to die for one another. It’s this willingness that separates those on one side of the “if” statement.

You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:14

Jesus, God incarnate, wants to be our friend. The Son of Man came to serve. He demonstrated this over and over again. He healed the lame, brought sight to the blind, and led by example for all to see.

The red letters continue through the rest of the chapter and mostly through chapter 17, the most amazing prayer recorded in the Bible. Take a few minutes and read the text. Imagine Jesus sitting in the room with you as he speaks these words for the first time. Slowly and deliberately, to make sure you hear and understand the significance.

The last song that Rich Mullins recorded was an attempt to capture the essence of these thoughts. As he sat in an old church building with his cassette recorder, pencil, and paper, he left us with this thought: “That where I am, there you may also be.” I particularly like the rough recording featured in this video.

Jesus’ greatest desire is to welcome all to his kingdom. Everyone is invited, but not all will accept. We don’t get to control that, but we do have the responsibility to provide the opportunity. That will look different for everyone, but that doesn’t let anyone off the hook.

How can we best serve the least, the lost, and the lonely? Do what Jesus commands. Love God. Love your neighbor as yourself. When we love others without reservation, we will make true friends. The kind of friends I would lay down my life for. How about you?

 

1Dallas Willard, Life Without Lack, p. 170.

Posted on

Why Serve?

The foundation of this series of posts rests on serving those in need. My assumption from the outset is we agree that serving is important, so it’s essential to stop and consider what it means to serve. Why serve? At its core, serving others is focused on giving up the scarce resource we all have in common. That resource is time. When we serve in any capacity, we give our time away.

Our current culture seems to be defined by a four-letter word: busy. If you ask someone how it’s going, their response will often include the phrase, “I’ve been really busy.” It’s almost a badge of honor these days.  The opposite of being busy makes us sound like we’re lazy, idle, or worse! These two states provide extremes along the continuum from idle to busy, or completely idle to extremely busy. Those who tend to the far right are those we often esteem and revere. If we’re supposed to gravitate toward busyness, how can we find time to serve? Why serve when we have so much to do just to keep up?

What would the world look like if we chose not to serve?

Years ago, I heard a sermon on the topic of hell. Imagine two scenes that depict heaven and hell. In both scenes, we see a banquet feast with an abundance of food. There are all kinds of meats, vegetables, fruits, drinks, amazing desserts, all overflowing. In hell, the people are bitter, and in deep anguish, but in heaven, there is much rejoicing. The odd thing about the scene, for some strange reason, the people in both scenes have no elbows. When we zoom in on hell, we see people holding forks and spoons, but they can’t eat because they can’t bend their arms. They have to bury there faces in the food and eat like wild animals. There is no joy. In heaven, by contrast, there is much joy and rejoicing. The people have all learned to feed each other. One person scoops up the food and helps the other one eat. Those in heaven are focused on serving one another; those in hell are entirely self-centered.

I remember this lesson when I was a youth. It’s no surprise that I have a deep-rooted need to serve others.

I think it’s safe to say that a world in which no one serves another would indeed be hell on earth. A country full of people that refuses to serve each other would be the most repugnant of nations. If you’re nodding your head with me at this point, keep going down the line from world to the country to state to city to community. The challenge in all of this writing is to foster a community that serves one another. It’s a hope that the desire to serve others would spread to the state then to the entire country. The dream is to become a people that serve one another with gladness.

My thesis is simple: when we serve others with the love of Christ, each in his or her particular way, we will find complete joy and contentment. We would be the body of Christ. Then, when we take time to gather as a body of Christ, we will worship with unbridled enthusiasm that would be so inviting that others would eagerly desire to join us, they would flock to churches to find out why these people are so loving and so filled with purpose. In these moments, we will find a bit of heaven on earth, quite the opposite of the image painted above.

While the Old Testament may be challenging to read and understand, there is one theme that stands out above all others: God’s people are a chosen nation, unlike any other.

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 7:6

The Bible Project team does a great job covering a variety of topics. Here’s a link that dives into God’s chosen people. [The Bible Project]

There are many references to God’s plan to show others the distinction between those who reflect his love, his desire, and his compassion for others. Likewise, the Old Testament is filled with stories about those who chose to follow their selfish desires. Tragedy appears when Israel wants to be like everyone else. The more they chased the dream of being like other nations, the farther they wandered from a loving God who seeks reconciliation.

While my feeble mind can’t wrap itself around all history, it must have been necessary for us to appreciate God’s remedy. At just the right time in history, when anarchy reigned supreme and self-serving desires ruled the earth, God sent Jesus to enter time in the most unlikely of ways.

Those of us raised in Christian churches know the story, but we need to remember no one at the time every dreamed of how this would all play out. The prophets did their best to articulate the vision. Jesus was born from a humble family and grew up under the authority of a loving father and mother. He was patiently waiting for the right moment for his ministry to begin.

What did Jesus do at the beginning of His ministry?

From the very beginning, his ministry became known for his amazing teaching and his concern for the sick, the lame, the needy. Those steeped in Levitical Law would mark these outcasts as unclean and unwanted. The priests wanted nothing to do with them, but Jesus embraced them and healed many.

Why did the sick and lame seek Jesus? When Jesus called the disciples and began preaching about repentance, he didn’t tell them to set out a sign that said, “bring us your sick, your lame, your diseased…healing at 11.” If they didn’t put out a banner, why did they come?

Mark’s gospel account focuses on the things Jesus did. As he began teaching, Jesus cast out a demon from a man in the synagogue. (Side note: the man was “in” the synagogue, he was a part of the establishment and deeply possessed. Think about that for a minute.)

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. Mark 1:27-28

People heard about what Jesus could do, and they sought him out. He served others as an integral part of his ministry. Jesus demonstrated his love and compassion for others, then taught us to do the same.

Why serve? How can we not serve? It’s part of who we are as a people of God.

Lord, let us be known as a people that care for others, especially those who the world has ignored or cast aside. May we read the stories of the Bible and learn from your example. May we be a people of action that love you, Lord, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. May we love our neighbor as ourselves, without boundaries. And may these acts of service draw people to you above all else. Amen.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

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

Posted on

My Brother’s Keeper

Am I my brother’s keeper? The question keeps coming up, though mostly indirectly. At a men’s breakfast Bible study this past Saturday, the verse popped up again at the beginning of the session.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Genesis 4:9

When looking at the biblical mandate for serving the poor, this verse is unlikely to make the list of Scripture references, but I hope you can make the connection. In the next few minutes, I hope to convince you we should include the text! Beyond that, I have no further goal. While I would like to claim these words might alter your desire to serve the least, the lost, and the lonely, how that looks in your life is between you and God.

Jesus summed up the entire Law in one rather simple statement: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. In my very biased opinion, this makes us our brother’s keeper.

The concept is simple, but how that looks in our lives is beautifully complex. Let me offer a musical example. Years ago, I was helping a youth group with a production that included a choreographed piece based on a popular song by Lecrae. It seemed simple enough: remove the vocal track from the mix to let the group fill in their part. I have professional software at my disposal, but I wasn’t able to lift the vocals without destroying the underlying music. My solution was to recreate the soundtrack, without the vocals. Mimicking a published song should be easy. The artist made all the decisions in his process of writing and recording the piece. All I had to do was listen and copy the parts.

What I discovered blew me away. I put in the essential rhythm parts and the central theme, but it sounded thin and hollow, so I listened closer to Lecrae’s masterpiece. I found layer after layer of nuances that had to be present to support the theme. Each part by itself was subtle, unnoticeable except for those who took the time to listen carefully to the song. Every element was precisely placed to complement the other. The more I zoomed in, the more I found. The beautiful thing was this: when I stepped back to listen to the original song from a distance, I had an entirely new perspective. And it was more beautiful than ever before.

Each of us plays a part in the dramatic life we’ve been given. It may be difficult for us to hear every little piece, but God sees it all. He is continually working to add an element here or there to make the song complete.

The idea works across all types of creative works. The painter creates her masterpiece one layer at a time, adding subtle hues and highlights. The symphonic composer considers how and when each instrument plays its part with a lot of rests in between. We might learn something in that concept alone.

Yes, my friend, I am my brother’s keeper, and so are you.

But just like the verse that followed Jesus’ summary of the Law, you might be tempted to ask, who is my brother? I’m posing this question much like the expert in the law that asked Jesus in Luke 10:25-37, the Parable of the Good Samaritan. I know the story that prompted Cain’s response was his attempt to coverup the murder of his brother Able, and I’m not elevating everything we do to murder. What I read in this story is that God cares about each of us; therefore, we should care too. Let me make this a bit more challenging.

Consider two brothers. One is wealthy. He is incredibly successful in business to the point that he has more money than he could spend, but has no relationship with Jesus. He’s kind enough, but his whole life is all about making money. The second brother either finds himself in jail, homeless shelters or on the street. He’s easy-going and the first to admit his mistakes. Like the first brother, you have no idea about his spiritual state. Both call you to meet for lunch. Who gets the appointment? 

The expert in the law wanted Jesus to define who his neighbor was so he could comply with a direct command, another rule. But Jesus’ answer paints a picture rather than provides a checklist. In other words, we must live a life based on loving as God demonstrates throughout the Bible.

When I read through the Bible today, I’m looking specifically for words that help me learn how to get better at loving God and loving neighbors as myself. I turned back to the beginning, and suddenly scripture that I had never associated with the Greatest Commandment jumps out at me. How about you? Do you see the connection now? The 4th chapter in the Bible asks the question in my mind, but it’s not even the first reference. Take a look at chapter 3 for yourself. Then continue forward through the history of our Jewish ancestors and see how God is adding notes, dabs of paint, moments of silence, and words of wisdom throughout history. It’s all right there in plain sight, yet so hard to see at times.

Lord, we need your eyes to see our brother the way you see him; to love our sister the way you love her. I pray that you reveal this kind of love as we read your word so that we would become men and women of action rather than scholars that teach. May we become our brother’s keeper.

Posted on

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

Suddenly, Thanksgiving and Black Friday are in the rearview mirror. Advent is upon us. This season of hope insists that we look for words of encouragement beyond the sobering headlines. As I wander through the hundreds of verses chosen for this particular study, the words of Isaiah grab my attention. Chapter 61 begins with these three sentences unevenly distributed across the first three verses. I encourage you to pause between each as you read these carefully scribed thoughts:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
Isaiah 61:1a

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
Isaiah 61:1b-3a

They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:3b

Reflections

Luke records that Jesus used Isaiah’s words at the beginning of his earthly ministry. The significance of this reference might be difficult for us to appreciate. At this point in Jesus’ life on earth, he’s been baptized, then seemingly disappeared to be tempted in the wilderness for 40 days. The way Luke tells the story, Jesus comes back to Galilee being praised by everyone as he returns to the local Synagogue to teach. There was something electric about his demeanor now. It seems like he’s getting traction. His next stop is to his hometown of Nazareth, where we read these words from Jesus:

The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Luke 4:18-19

The scroll of Isaiah contained words that were about 700 years old when Jesus read the words. Generations have heard the words repeated for years. Luke tells us, “the scroll of Isaiah was handed to him.” This would have been a pretty large scroll, probably a favorite of the Jews, especially toward the end. But this time, they heard the words spoken by Jesus, and something has changed.

…the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. Luke 4:20

There are probably times in your life when someone says something in a way that stops you in your tracks. Frozen. Imagine the scene. Pause. In my imagination, there are no sounds whatsoever. Not a bird, no cricket, not even a child stirring in the back. Complete silence. Then Jesus says the unthinkable:

He began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’ Luke 4:21

As you read the rest of Luke 4, you’ll see the story doesn’t end well. This might be difficult to appreciate if we overlook the beginning of the verse above, “He began.” Jesus had lots of things to say at that point, and he didn’t need to scroll as a prop.

Jesus taught them that the fulfillment of the scriptures is standing right in front of them. From this day forward, the captives can be freed, prisoners of their dark past can enter the light, mourning and grieving are a thing of the past! No more despair! Hear the good news!

Through Jesus Christ, all of these possibilities are a present reality. If you are captive, you are free through Christ. If you’re a prisoner, freedom is within your reach. Those lost in mourning, living without hope, shrouded in darkness are invited to bask in the glory of his light. His warm embrace awaits.

What has the Lord appointed you to proclaim? I’m confident that if you search for this answer, you will find something beautiful. One way to discover the goodness that lives inside of you is to serve the least, the lost, and the lonely in some way. You don’t need to dive in headfirst, though some have found success with this approach. If you’re already serving in some capacity, take another step into the unknown to grow your faith or invite someone else to begin their journey.

Those who have received Christ have the privilege of sharing this great news. Go out this day and show someone the love of Christ.

Posted on

Seeing Jesus

It’s been a while since I’ve written a post blog. It’s been more than a week since I’ve stopped to study the biblical reason for serving the least, the lost, and the lonely. To be sure, I think about this all the time. But thinking about something and acting on that thought is a whole different thing. The truth is this, I’ve been changed by looking at scripture through the lens of how God cares for His people, that is to say, everyone.

We’ve been taught to love God, love our neighbors, and love ourselves. Let’s linger there for a moment. My search was straightforward. All I did was enter the phrase, “love your neighbor,” and suddenly, the screen is filled with references. When I entered that phrase with quotes in Google, I got over 4 million responses in less than a second. Wow! Here are some specific references from the Bible:

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

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:39-40

and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Romas 13:9-10

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. James 2:8

The same God who distilled all of the Law into a single statement demonstrates His care throughout the Bible. From Leviticus to James, the quotes above span hundreds of years. The entire law is fulfilled. That’s a huge statement! If that’s the case, and I’m confident it is, then we must be able to find evidence of this concept throughout the Bible. When I read from this perspective, the words come to life in a whole new way.

This morning I thought about the full days of the previous week. Zoë and I have been going non-stop, it seems, often in separate directions, but on the same mission. It’s been a compelling series of events to be sure, but I haven’t had the time to stop and write down my thoughts. I’m not feeling guilty about skipping out, not at all. It’s more of a longing to get back to a place where I can sit and bask in His glory. Then I saw His face. Well, the concept of His image.

What I sensed was a warm smile that looked at me with endless patience with the assurance that He was waiting for me. Joy began to fill my heart. Real joy.

“Take your time, son. I’m right here by your side. When you’re ready, let’s pick up the discussion again. I have lots to tell you. Way more than the brief thoughts you enjoy in the Bible.”

I have complete confidence that God is in control all the time. We need to move with a sense of urgency, but not in a manic state of haste. I’m so grateful for my time with Jesus, and I’m filled with joy when I think it only gets better when we’re done with our brief time on earth in this form.

So what does this all have to do with serving the least of these? I’m glad you asked. The next time you read the Bible or hear someone teach on a particular passage, look for the ways that God is showing His love for people. Notice that we don’t need to qualify people as rich or poor, tall or short, black or white, and so forth.

As we begin to look more like Jesus, we will naturally start to love others better. But just like thinking about writing is different than acting on the idea, love only comes to life when we do something. Can you love those in poverty if you are not somehow involved in serving others? Do you really care about feeding people if you’re not serving somewhere?

It’s really not hard, but it’s rarely convenient, and it always requires sacrifice.

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. Psalm 103:6

God is so committed to this mission that He sent Jesus to die on the cross by the hands of the very people He was coming to save. If God is that committed, so must I move from thought to action.

Lord, we see your mighty hand in action all around us. We marvel at the way you work for good in ways that leave us speechless, at people who sacrifice without apology to reach out to those our society would rather not see. Lord, melt our hearts for that which burns in yours. Show us one small step we can make to change the direction of someone in need positively and wonderfully, even if we never see the results.

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Psalm 103:1

Amen.

Posted on

Serving those in Need: Holy Responsibility

What if serving those in need was more than merely a good thing to do? Job makes his case in chapter 31:

13 “If I have denied justice to any of my servants,
whether male or female,
when they had a grievance against me,
14 what will I do when God confronts me?
What will I answer when called to account?
15 Did not he who made me in the womb make them?
Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?

16 “If I have denied the desires of the poor
or let the eyes of the widow grow weary,
17 if I have kept my bread to myself,
not sharing it with the fatherless—
18 but from my youth I reared them as a father would,
and from my birth I guided the widow—
19 if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing,
or the needy without garments,
20 and their hearts did not bless me
for warming them with the fleece from my sheep,
21 if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,
knowing that I had influence in court,
22 then let my arm fall from the shoulder,
let it be broken off at the joint.
23 For I dreaded destruction from God,
and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things. Job 31:13-23

Job would rather his arm fall off than to be in the company of those who treated servants unjustly. Stated in a more positive sense, we should be known for those who:

  • treat all people justly
  • serve the poor
  • take care of the widow
  • cloth those in need
  • look after the orphans

Serving as an Obligation

If we make serving an obligation, we completely miss the point. Viewed this way, there is always one above the other. In essence, we strengthen the barriers that divide rather than eliminating them. There are no neighborhoods in heaven. But if I had to choose between obligatory serving and not showing up, I’m afraid I would rather side with serving and trust that God would provide the necessary transformation. A seed that remains in the pouch has no chance of growing. One planted on rocky soil won’t grow either, but it might provide a snack for a passing bird. The story of Job above suggests he did all these things in the shadow of “fear of his splendor.” Do something, even if it feels mechanical for a time. Keep looking inside for that which ignites the passionate desire that is consistent with God’s plan for your life. Do nothing, and we all lose.

Serving with a Radically Changed Heart

One of the profound lessons from the teaching of Jesus is that of a radically changed heart. Radical change is required for radical generosity. When we are transformed, we don’t view possessions as something to hold onto. Whatever things we own become tools for helping others. If we have money, it can be put to good use. If we have time, we look for ways to invest the hours. None of which comes from a place of guilt or obligation. Instead, it comes from deep within our hearts and is expressed with the utmost joy.

Holy Responsibility

The term, holy responsibility, sounds like the most pious and religious perspective possible. Imagine printing t-shirts promoting the notion of such. No one would likely buy one, even with the most compelling graphic design! Yet serving those in need is something we are commanded to accept as our responsibility. How do we live with the tension?

My hope and prayer is this series of posts will help guide the discussion by creating a solid biblical foundation to build upon. As we mature, the term responsibility shouldn’t sound threatening any more than welcoming discipline from the loving Father. Growth is often accompanied by pain, but it doesn’t have to be overbearing or arduous — one step at a time.

This is the same approach we should consider when helping others: one methodical step at a time. This is when helping heals rather than hurting. Let’s strive for that!

One more thought about the story of Job: it takes a while before he comes around. The quote above is from chapter 31; the watershed moment happens much later in chapter 38, when God speaks. One of my favorite passages:

Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand. Job 38:3-4

After the seemingly endless back and forth conversation between Job and his friends, God enters the conversation. Job finally understands:

“I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2

As we seek to serve those in need, may we do so with joy; may we have the faith that God can and will do what is necessary to mend the broken-hearted, to heal every wound, to find the lost, and to satisfy the hungry. Mostly, I pray that He will use us in the process.

Proudly powered by WordPress