I Will Sustain You

Posted on March 3, 2021 by Pete

As I make my way through the four readings in my reading plan, I am mindful that, when I’m done, I hope to put down a few thoughts about something I’ve encountered. Sometimes I’ll read something and pause immediately to chew on it before continuing. Other times, it’s more like I’m picking up things along the way and then go back and see which I feel led to hover over for a bit more. This morning’s experience was shaping up to be more the latter than the former — until I got to the second to last verse in my last reading.

As I read the first part of Numbers 20, I noted again how God told Moses to “tell the rock” to yield water, but Moses, frustrated and yielding to grand-standing temptation, instead yelled at the people and then struck the rock. Oh, the water still came out, God was determined to “show Himself holy” (20:13). But Moses, because of that incident, was disqualified from entering the promised land. My take away? God’s going to do what God’s going to do for His glory, despite the clay feet of even His most faithful servants.

Then from Moses to the “scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” of Matthew 23. And it’s how Jesus concludes His warnings and woes that grabs me. He addresses Jerusalem, O Jerusalem, the city known for murdering its prophets. And if I were to pen something concerning this outpouring of the broken heart of Messiah over the rejection of His people, it would be the God language He uses in referring to Himself. How He longed to gather the children of Jerusalem “together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings” (23:37). Echoes of Psalm 36:7, Ruth 2:12, and Isaiah 31:5.

Next, cue Paul and the first part of Romans 6, and there’s a ton of stuff there you can noodle on. Possible title for a musing here? Living with Christ. Because of our union with Christ — through death, burial, and resurrection — death and sin no longer have dominion over the believer and so we are free to live, really live! For, “if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him” (6:8). We are alive to God in Christ Jesus. Our union with Him the source of our power through Him.

Any one of those passages provides more than enough to prime the pump allowing the fingers to flow over the keyboard.

But then my last reading, Psalm 55. And the second to last verse stops me in my tracks.

Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.

(Psalm 55:22 ESV)

I read this and realized how distracted I had been throughout my previous readings. Often having to restart paragraphs multiple times because of a multitude of things running through my head. A heaviness having enveloped me even as I tried to hear God speak through His word. A weight even as I tried to weigh what I was reading. But then this verse, and God’s whisper becomes a shout.

Throw it on Me, Pete. For a few moments shed the lot you’ve been given to carry, pass on the stuff that’s been put on your plate to be concerned about. Not that I’ll take it away. Not that it will even become any lighter. But cast it My way, and I will sustain you. I will contain the burden, and I will support you. I will restrain the overwhelming tide, even as I nourish you. I will maintain it, and you will endure. So, Pete, cast your burden on the LORD.

Hmm. Kind of closed the door on everything else I was thinking. A promise to claim. A good place to camp. A familiar oasis much needed in an arid space.

Spoken by the God who is more than able to show His glory despite His servant’s frailty. Revealing again the heart of God who desires to take His own under His wing. A reminder of the power of God to keep on walking in newness of life because of our union with Christ. A sustaining power.

So, cast your burden on the LORD.

His grace all sufficient. His glory everlasting.

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Don’t Get It . . . But Get It

Posted on March 2, 2021 by Pete

In one sense, I just I don’t get it. But in another sense, I do — and that scares me.

This morning, I read of the rebellion of Korah in Numbers 16 and I couldn’t help but whisper to myself, “What were they thinking?” And yet, the more I chew on it and get in touch with my “inner flesh”, if I’m totally honest with myself, I probably know exactly what they were thinking.

First thing that hits me is that it’s kind of a repeat story. I read something like this yesterday morning. Not 250 chiefs of the congregation standing up to and challenging Moses, but two members of his own family. Back in Numbers 12, Miriam and Aaron challenge their little brother, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” (12:2). They wanted in on more of the leadership recognition. They got recognized, all right. The LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and recognized them directly. And what Miriam had to show for it was a really bad skin condition for a week (Num. 12:5-16).

Okay, so that didn’t go so well. And the story of what happened must have got around the camp if for no other reason than people must have been asking why the seven day delay before setting out again. But how quickly do people forget? Apparently, pretty quickly.

Numbers 16, and this time, what had been a challenge by two who were near to Moses personally, has morphed into a challenge by 250 who are near to Moses professionally.

They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”

When Moses heard it, he fell on his face, and he said to Korah and all his company, “. . . You have gone too far, sons of Levi! . . . Hear now, you sons of Levi: is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the LORD and to stand before the congregation to minister to them, and that He has brought you near Him, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And would you seek the priesthood also? Therefore it is against the LORD that you and all your company have gathered together. What is Aaron that you grumble against him?”

(Numbers 16:3-4, 7b, 8-10 ESV)

For Korah & Co., they were already in the inner circle. As sons of Levi they were the chosen tribe from among God’s chosen people. While others had to work for a living, they got to serve the Lord full-time in the things of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, and the holy place where God resided in the midst. But just like Moses’ brother and sister, they wanted in on more — or at least wanted to be exalted more.

So, in a sense, I don’t get it. They were as close as you can get to the holy of holies without actually entering the holy of holies. Already distinguished from the rank and file and entrusted with ministering to those who could enter the holy of holies. And, to boot, did they not remember what had gone down with Miriam’s and Aaron’s challenge to God’s divine and determined chain of command? Give your head a shake, guys!

But then, a chill runs down my spine — ’cause I do get it. Self has a way of wanting to be supreme. The flesh wants others to see it as being foremost. Contentment can so easily give way to resentment. Having already been made much of by grace, how prone am I to wanting to be made more of by grumbling? Knowing what’s right, but finding within myself this propensity to pursue what’s wrong.

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

(Romans 7:24 ESV)

But then, within this text, a glimpse of the Savior.

When Moses heard it, he fell on his face . . .

Three times in this chapter Moses goes face down (v.4, 22, 45). Interceding for the people, that God wouldn’t completely destroy them for their rebellious hearts, of which Korah & Co. were just the tip of the iceberg. And it brings to mind another Intercessor. Who on the cross cried, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34). Who knew firsthand, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15), the frailty of the flesh and the never ending demands of the ego, and so, sent His Spirit that we might walk in a new way (Jn. 16:7). And He continues to make intercession (Heb. 7:25) through His shed blood for those times when we don’t.

Don’t get it, but get it.

Grateful for grace. Wanting to live more for His glory.

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Do As They Say, Not As They Do

Posted on March 1, 2021 by Pete

They sat on Moses’ seat, but were not of Moses’ style. They had his chair but not his character. His rank as interpreters of the law, but not his reality as keepers of the law. They were the scribes and Pharisees. And Jesus told those who followed Him to do as they say and not as they do.

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.”

(Matthew 23:1-3 ESV)

They preach, but do not practice. Is there any greater indictment of one who purports to be of God? Anything more tragic of one who claims to follow Jesus? At this moment, as I hover over this text, I’m thinking not.

They had the knowledge. They had the platform to spread the knowledge. But they didn’t practice what they preached. And so, Jesus says, because of their authority you should listen, but because of their actions you should pick a different way.

They made the law more burdensome than was ever intended, and yet, were unwilling to lift a finger to help others bear the burden (23:4). What they did do, they did to be seen by others. Wearing their overstated religious attire, they loved being at the head table at feasts, and taking the best seats in the synagogues, and being given a spot at the front of the line in the marketplace (23:5-7). While they taught the law in the name of Moses, they took advantage of the law to promote their own names.

So how come? At least part of the answer lies, I think, in the following contrast that popped off the pages this morning as I read in Numbers as well as Matthew.

They do all their deeds to be seen by others. . . and they love the place of honor . . .

(Matthew 23:5a, 6a ESV)

Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.

(Numbers 12:3 ESV)

Moses, the original, was very meek. Those who sat in Moses’ seat generations later, loved the place of honor. Moses was humble, lowly, always afflicted by the knowledge of his inadequacy for the calling God had put on his life. The scribes and Pharisees were marked by hubris, lavishness, and a belief that they were better than everyone else and deserved their place at the head of the table. Moses, to use a Jesus term, was “poor in spirit” (Mt. 5:3). The scribes and Pharisees? Well, not so much. And it made all the difference concerning which teacher heaven was going to endorse.

A reminder this morning that being very meek is more in line with the ways of the kingdom of heaven than is thinking myself very much. That humility marks the man, or woman, of God, not a high-view of oneself. That the real impact of a teacher of God, one who desires to instruct others to follow God, is not only in what they teach but in how they live out what they teach. Such that Jesus would say of them, Do as they say AND do as they do.

Starts with the heart. Not a function of perfection, but of contrition. In fact, their teaching is enhanced by frequent confession, no confidence in the flesh, ready to repent of it’s failings — the blood of Christ reapplied, able to “forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1Jn. 1:9). The best teachers not being the ones who hang out at the front of the line but at the foot of the cross. Not the ones who seek attention in the marketplace but seek to make much of Jesus in everyday life. Not the ones who promote themselves, but those who point to the Savior.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Faith and Righteousness

Posted on February 26, 2021 by Pete

There’s a whole lot of counting going on in Romans 4, if you’re reading the ESV. A whole lot of crediting, if it’s the NIV open in front of you. Reckoning and imputing, if you have an affinity for old English and the King James Version. However the original word is translated, regardless of the version you’re reading, you can’t help but pick up on how often it is reiterated.

And what gets counted for what? What’s credited due to what? What’s reckoned for something demonstrated? What’s imputed when something is indicated?

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.

(Romans 4:3-5 ESV)

Faith is counted as righteousness. Where faith is apparent, righteousness is credited. Where faith is operative, righteousness is reckoned. Where faith is functional, righteousness is imputed.

I know this is Christianity 101 stuff, but it’s rolling over me afresh this morning. The awe-o-meter spikes as I meditate on the reality. Righteous . . . me . . . because I believe.

Oh, I am so aware of my propensity toward pride, the self-centeredness of self, and the failings of the flesh. Not perfect. Not me. No way. But righteous? You bet! By faith.

Just bathing in it this morning. My account credited with righteousness. And not some arbitrary, mystical, undefinable righteousness of the imagination’s own making. But the righteousness of the only truly righteous One, the Son of God, Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. Not imputed because of my perfect imitation of Him. Not reckoned because I’m really trying hard. But counted as a gift, a gift given in response to my feeble faith, my sincere desire to believe.

Let it sink in, weary saint. Rest in the reminder that our righteous standing before the God who justifies is not a result of our on-going work for Him, but solely on the grounds of His finished work for us. Be refreshed as you remember that our holy standing before the Father does not depend on our best effort but is realized solely through faith in His beloved Son.

Faith counted as righteousness. Amazing! Refreshing! Worship invoking!

By grace alone. That He might receive the glory alone.

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Give and Take

Posted on February 25, 2021 by Pete

I’ve never done a study on it, but I often think there’s gotta be a link intended between the tribe of Levi and the bride of Christ. That the Levites of the Old Testament foreshadow something of what is to characterize the disciples of the New Testament.

For example, the tribe of Levi was to source and support the Old Testament priesthood. Aaron, the first high priest, was born of the tribe of Levi (Ex. 6:19-20), and the rest of the Levites were told to serve Aaron in the duties of the priesthood (Num. 3:6). As for the church? Well, Peter says that we are “a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1Pet. 2:5). So you gotta think that in looking at the ancient Levites you’re gonna find pictures and types concerning modern day disciples.

Here’s one I’m noodling on this morning . . .

“Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine. And after that the Levites shall go in to serve at the tent of meeting, when you have cleansed them and offered them as a wave offering. For they are wholly given to Me from among the people of Israel. Instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the people of Israel, I have taken them for Myself.”

(Numbers 8:14-16 ESV)

The Levites were to be consecrated to God. Sanctified, set apart as different from the rest of Israel in service to God by guarding, transporting, and assisting in the offerings of the tabernacle, the dwelling place of God. Regarded as holy because of their association with the Holy and called to be devoted to serving the Holy in holy spaces. Okay, I get that.

But what I’m chewing on this morning is were the Levites really “wholly given” to God, or did God actually “take them” for Himself? My initial reaction is that if ownership over something has already been claimed, then can it really be given? Or, if something’s been given without reservation, is there really anything left to be taken? Wholly given to God, or taken by God for Himself. Which is it?

Given or taken? Yes. Not an either/or thing, but a both/and thing.

God had claimed the Levites for Himself in place of His right to the firstborn from every family in Israel (to understand more of the why, keep reading Numbers 8:17-18). He took them. Carved them out from the other tribes. Gave them a unique job description within the Hebrew economy. Provided them special, high clearance access to holy places and holy practices. Kept them from owning any land in Canaan as a daily reminder for them that He alone was their inheritance. They were taken. Make no mistake about it. They were no longer their own but belonged to Another.

Yet, they were to be wholly given. Considered as such by their brother tribes, presented as such by themselves. All in. Fully vested. Devoted. Having been set apart by God, they were to set themselves apart for God. Having been called into holy service, they were to show up ready to wholly serve. Assigned duties associated with the place where God’s presence dwells, they were to present themselves duly, ready to serve fully in God’s power.

Give and take. They were to passionately give of their own what God had purposed to take for His own.

Kind of like the church? I’m thinkin’ . . .

You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.

(1Cor. 6:19b-20a ESV)

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

(1Peter 2:9 ESV)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

(Romans 12:1 ESV)

Not our own. Bought with a price. Taken as His own possession. Called upon to give our whole being as a living sacrifice.

Give and take.

By His grace. For His glory.

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No Wedding Garment

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Pete

Hovering this morning over Jesus’ parable in the opening verses of Matthew 22. Chilling, if you chew on it for a bit.

The analogy?

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son . . . ”

(Matthew 22:2 ESV)

The big idea?

“Many are called, but few are chosen.”

(Matthew 22:14 ESV)

The chilling part? How close one can get to the king and to his son, even seated at a table in the wedding hall, and still not participate in the wedding feast. And that because he has no wedding garment.

The story is simple. A king is giving a wedding feast for his son. He sends out a general call to those on the guest list — I’m thinking kind of like sending invitations in the mail, or for more modern sensibilities, a group e-mail or text — but no one RSVPs. So, he sends out other messengers to present more personal, face to face, invitations.

The response? Some of the invitees “paid no attention” deeming their daily lives of more importance than accepting the king’s invitation — they couldn’t afford the time to attend the son’s wedding feast. Others though, were quite offended. Something in the invite that didn’t sit right with them. So, they treated the king’s servants “shamelessly”, even killing some of them. The kings response to their response? “The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.”

But the wedding for his son was gonna happen — with or without the initial guest list. And so, he sends out more servants to go out to the population at large, those traveling on “the main roads”, and graciously invites all who would come, “both bad and good.” The king was determined to fill the wedding hall with guests, and he would make the necessary provision to ensure it happened.

By this time we’re picking up what Jesus was laying down. The king is the Father. The son? Well, he’s the Son. The first set of people to be invited to celebrate the Son are the Jews. But they, by and large, were either disinterested, too busy, or became offended and antagonistic towards the invitation. And so, the invitation goes out beyond the Jews, to “the main roads”, the regions of the Gentiles, the realm of those once considered outside the king’s realm. And not just to the “good” Gentiles, but to the “bad” as well. All were invited. All were welcome. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

Okay, this is where it get’s really interesting.

“But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'”

(Matthew 22:11-13 ESV)

A respondent to the invitation. In the wedding hall. Seated at a table. Dancing shoes on. Napkin tucked in under his chin. Thinking he was ready to party and chow down. And the king looks at him and sees no wedding garment. And he’s expelled. How close can you get without crossing the finish line? Chilling!

He didn’t need to rent a tux. Wasn’t left to himself to work wonders with his wardrobe. Apparently ancient practice was that wedding garments would be provided. But to show up without a wedding garment would mean being shown the door to “the outer darkness.”

And I think of those who may be preparing for the Son’s feast but are still dressed only in the filthy rags of their own imagined righteousness (Isa. 64:6). Those talking the talk, even seemingly walking the walk, but have never donned the garment made available to them by the Father, through the Son. A garment of His provision alone, no boasting in self. A garment perfectly suited for a kingdom wedding, because it’s perfection is the King’s perfection. It’s worth, His worth. Ours is to respond to the invitation and, by faith alone, put on the wedding garment — believing in the finished work of Calvary’s cross and the reality of an empty tomb.

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

(Isaiah 61:10 ESV)

A robe of righteousness. Provided through the Father’s great love. Comprised of the Son’s unimpeachable righteousness. A garment fit for a wedding feast to end all wedding feasts.

That’s chilling too. But in a different, really good way.

What a magnificent garment. What marvelous grace. To God be the glory.

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A Bad Deal

Posted on February 23, 2021 by Pete

We made a bad deal. A poor trade. A seriously miscalculated swap. That’s what I’m taking away from one of the most depressing passages in all the New Testament, Romans 1:18-32.

Yesterday, I concluded my Romans 1 reading on a high — the good news of the power of God for salvation. A righteousness independent of our best efforts at trying to be righteous. Available for all who believe. Revealed “from faith for faith.” But there’s no need for such good news if there isn’t the reality of bad news. Cue the end of Romans 1, and Romans 2, and the first part of Romans 3. Heavy sigh.

In past years, it has been the repeated phrase, “God gave them up,” which caught my attention in this reading. It’s the response of God toward those who choose self-determination over God exaltation, He allows them to be more self-determined. For those who resolve to lean on their own understanding, who trust in their own wisdom above their Creator’s, God says, in effect, Go at it. Heavy sigh, again.

But this morning it’s another repeated word that catches my attention.

Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

(Romans 1:22-25 ESV)

All creation points to the Creator. All that’s been made, a testament to the invisible attributes of the Maker. Every person a walking indicator of His eternal power. All of nature pointing to His divine nature. Everything declared to be good in the beginning a conduit towards knowing His glory in the present (Rom. 1:19-20).

But the propensity of fallen men and women is to exchange the glory for goods. To disdain invisible attributes for more tangible aspirations. To not see creation as a means towards knowing about the Creator, but as an end in and of itself. As something worthy of worship. Choosing not to distinguish man from birds from animals or creeping things. All the same. All idol worthy. Exchanging the riches of a supernatural reality “for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand” (MSG).

It’s equated to exchanging the truth about God for a lie. That, instead of “In the beginning, God,” we think we should rewrite the story, “In the beginning, molecules and matter.” Instead of God creating men and women in His own image, men and women imagined into being God for their own purposes. Rather than living in the here and now with a view towards a there and then, there is no there and then so do what you gotta do to be happy here and now. And the exchange goes on . . . and on . . . and on. Lies supplanting truth, thus mankind becoming increasingly out of sync with reality, as God gives us over to our own “wisdom.”

What a bad deal. Exchanging immortal glory for immaterial gain. Exchanging a revealed reality for a narrative of our own making.

Bad news. But that’s what makes the good news so good!

. . . but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

(Romans 5:8 ESV)

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved . . .

(Ephesians 2:4-5 ESV)

But God. How I love those two words.

We refused His glory shown through creation, but God shows us His great love through His crucified Son.

We traded in His truth for our lies, but God offers to redeem our lives by His amazing grace.

Yeah, we made a bad deal. But praise God for a better deliverance!

By God’s grace alone. For God’s glory alone.

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Rightness vs. Righteousness

Posted on February 22, 2021 by Pete

As I hover over Romans 1:16-17 this morning the words of Jesus come to mind:

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”

(Matthew 6:24a ESV)

It makes sense. Divided loyalties have a way of compromising loyalties. Being owned by two directing powers can’t help but result in being misdirected concerning one of them. Specifically, Jesus was talking about the impossibility of being a bondservant of both God and money. In my Romans reading this morning, I see Paul making the same point as to the rightness of man and the righteousness of God.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

(Romans 1:16-17 ESV)

Been noodling on why Paul should have felt the need to make the statement, “I am not ashamed of the gospel.” Think about it. Kind of a funny thing to say of a message which is the means to a myriad of blessing. Why be embarrassed by standing alongside the entryway to eternal life? Why be sheepish about something that brings salvation? Why feel guilty about something which is such good news? Because, at least in part, in the prevailing culture in which Paul lived the righteousness of God was valued less than the rightness of man.

A message of good news which first required acknowledgement of the bad news of sin; a promise of a victor’s crown which first involved the suffering of a cross; a declaration of life to the full which required dying to self; well, it just didn’t align with the way “that seems right to a man” (Prov. 14:12). Preaching Christ crucified was a “stumbling block” to the Jews who demanded a sign beyond resurrection if they were to acknowledge Jesus as the King of their expectations. And for the Gentiles, who were determined to follow what was wise in their own eyes, such “good news” was regarded as great folly (1Cor. 1:22-23). That was the prevailing rightness of man. Thus, to serve that worldly master would, of necessity, bring shame for any who would entertain the good news of God’s kingdom.

But the righteousness of God was of far greater worth to Paul. To stand in His presence, to be reconciled through redemption, to be adopted into His family, to be set apart and regarded as holy, this was the way worthy of his life. That it would be a way by faith alone was welcomed for Paul, for he was well aware of his failure at having zealously sought to attain to righteousness through his own effort and misguided good works. For Paul, the righteousness of God would prevail over the rightness of man every time. Thus, he was not ashamed of the gospel.

Through the gospel he knew a righteousness which came from faith and was for faith. What had begun by believing would be completed by believing.

Though the dissonance between the way of the world and the way of God might increase, Paul would serve but one Master — unashamed of the gospel.

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.

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Only A Tenant

Posted on February 19, 2021 by Pete

Reading in Leviticus 25 this morning. Hovering over the instructions concerning the year of jubilee. Every fifty years a year of reset when everyone was to “return to his property” and “return to his clan” (Lev. 25:10-11).

For forty-nine years the land they possessed could be leveraged as needed in order to provide for their families. Some or all of it could be sold as needed. It could be bought and worked by those who could afford it. At anytime, it could be redeemed by the original owner for an appropriate price calculated against the year of jubilee. But in the year of jubilee, that land was to be returned to its original owner. Everyone was to return to his clan.

And here’s the verse that caused me to pause this morning.

“The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is Mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with Me.”

(Leviticus 25:23 ESV)

While the land flowing with milk and honey was a promised land, though God went before them and allowed them to possess the land, yet they were never to consider themselves as permanent owners in the land. The land was to always be seen as God’s land. They were to consider themselves but tenants. “Only foreigners and temporary residents on My land” (CSB).

The land was theirs to possess but not theirs to do with as they pleased. Promised but not to be considered their property. They were never to forget that that parcel on which they lived had been provided by the God for whom they were to live for.

Hmm. We make a pretty big deal about private ownership in our culture. What’s mine is mine. Mine to do with as I please. Mine to profit from if I choose. Mine to protect, even if it requires lethal force. But chewing on this verse I’m thinking of the benefits of a generational reset that reminds the follower of God that what’s his or hers is actually on loan. A regular reminder that, when it comes right down to it, what we may consider to be our possessions are but a reminder that we tenants and stewards. Strangers in the land. Sojourners here but for a short while, “looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God” (Heb. 11:10).

Though I think I may be calling the shots, I really don’t get to make decisions “in perpetuity.” Nothing really permanent. In the larger scheme of eternity, actually pretty fleeting.

For the land, and everything on the earth, is Mine, says the LORD. And you have been graced to travel through it with Me.

“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from You, and of Your own have we given You. For we are strangers before You and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding.” ~ King Solomon

(1Chronicles 29:14-15 ESV)

“What do you have that you did not receive?” ~ Paul

(1Corinthians 4:7b ESV)

Only a tenant. Thankful for the abundance given of God. Trusting not in what I might like to think I possess, but only in the One who has made provision. A temporary place in this land, a permanent place in a land yet to come.

By His grace. For His glory.

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No Quid Pro Quo

Posted on February 18, 2021 by Pete

They were two blind guys by the road. Thus, they were just two more beggars along the by-way. Limited, to say the least, in what they had to offer to others. Lost in a world of darkness, the world around them just as soon they were mute as well. But on this day, their voices wouldn’t be silenced.

And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed [Jesus]. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

(Matthew 20:29-31 ESV)

Son of David. That’s how they addressed Jesus. Heir to the throne. Promised Messiah. These blind men, with the eyes of faith, saw Jesus for who He was. The coming King. Ruler of all things. Able even to restore sight to the blind. Not that they had any right to sight, but that they hoped only for mercy. And Jesus stops and responds to their faith.

And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” And Jesus in pity touched their eyes . . .

(Matthew 20:32-34a ESV)

Jesus in pity touched their eyes. That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Other translations say that Jesus “had compassion on them” or was “moved with compassion.” Peterson says Jesus was “deeply moved” (MSG). Literally, the word has the idea of “being moved to one’s bowels” where the bowels are the seat of love and pity.

I might be reading more into this than I should, but what strikes me is that Jesus healed these blind men not expecting anything in return. There wasn’t a calculated quid pro quo here. No “something for something” expectation. Jesus’ willingness to restore their sight was without any anticipation of what they might do in return. He just had pity on them. Gut sourced compassion. They were blind, beggars, and beyond any remedy the world might offer. He was “the true Light, which gives light to everyone” come into the world (Jn. 1:9). They believed in desperation. He responded to their belief with compassion. End of transaction. Nothing more expected.

But while there may have been no quid pro quo, there was yet the realization of a life altering determination.

. . . and immediately they recovered their sight and followed Him.

(Matthew 20:34b ESV)

Having known the compassion of the Son of David, these blind men now seeing committed themselves to the Son of David. Having experienced kingdom power, they now wanted to know kingdom participation. Having been graced by the King with eyes to see, they now determined to follow the King, offering their whole selves as a living sacrifice.

No quid pro quo, just the heart reaction of those who once were blind, but now they see. Just the response of those who, because of Jesus’ great compassion, had been translated from the realm of darkness and brought into marvelous light.

A response because of the King’s grace. A response only for the King’s glory.

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