Family Business

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Pete

His name means “crowned.” Amongst the first converts in Achia, he and his family were among the few who had been baptized by the apostle Paul himself. They were long standing members of the church of Corinth. And what grabs me each time I come across them when reading Paul’s concluding comments in 1Corinthians, is that they were a family in the Family business.

Now I urge you, brothers–you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints–be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.    (1Corinthians 16:15-16 ESV)

Stephanas and his household devoted themselves to the service of the saints.

The saints . . . set apart ones . . . those redeemed through faith by the blood of Christ . . . given the Spirit of adoption . . . sons & daughters of the Father . . . joint heirs with Christ . . . the Family of God. And Stephanas, and his house, had set their hearts and energies, as a family, to serve the Family . . . the old King James says that they had “addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.”

And I can think of families that I have run across over the course of my life who served the Family. Most often, in my case, it was through hospitality . . . an open home . . . hanging out with parents and their kids . . . enjoying a meal . . . and, just as much if not more so, enjoying the atmosphere of a household united in Christ. Actually, it was such a house . . . over such a meal . . . that the Lord used to initiate a hunger and thirst within me for the kingdom. I wouldn’t have said it that way at the time . . . or even understood it if someone else had said it. But the Lord used the time spent in the home of that family to produce in me the feeble prayer, “Lord, what they have, I want.”

I have been in homes that were a refuge. A place where a weary saint could lay their head as they were passing through . . . a safe place where, in addition to meals being served up, healthy amounts of encouragement were also on the menu . . . homes that were homes to strangers as well as to the saints. Such homes come to mind when I think of a household that is “spending their lives in service to God’s people” (NLT).

And while we may not all be called to be like “Crowned” and his family and their specific appointment to serving the church, I do think there’s something modeled here for all those who have been crowned with grace . . . something that the church is desperately in need of . . . families focused on Family business. Households that recognize their call to “do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). Dads and moms, brothers and sisters, with an eye towards refreshing their brothers and sisters in the faith.

That’s when the church is really being the church.

O that we’d be about Family business . . . by His grace . . . for His glory.

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One Day

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Pete

One day at a time . . . there’s a lot of merit in approaching life that way. When it comes to “keep on keepin’ on”, often you just need to focus on navigating what’s in front you. But, if you want to get somewhere, you also need to look up every so often and refocus on the destination . . . remind yourself of where you’re headed . . . make sure that where you’re stepping is consistent with where you’re going. So, while there’s benefit in a “one day at a time” approach . . . I’m thinking you also need a “one day at the end of time” mindset.

As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the Man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the Man of heaven. I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed . . .   (1Corinthians 15:48-51 ESV)

This morning, I’ve been reading Paul’s wonderful treatise on the implications of resurrection. “If the dead are not raised,” he writes, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (15:32b) . . . if the end of our time, is the end of our time, then go for it! . . . but if the end of our time, is day one of the rest of our time . . . mmmm . . . different implications.

If there is coming a time of resurrection, as Paul says there is, . . . a time when what is raised is imperishable . . . and raised in glory . . . and raised in power . . . raised a spiritual body (15:42-45) . . . if that’s what awaits me, . . . then what does it mean for how I do life now?

If I am no longer “of this earth” . . . but am among those “who are of heaven” . . . if my final destination is beyond time and space and the third planet from the sun . . . then I’d do well to look up every so often . . . catch a glimpse of the finish line . . . and, as needed, reset my internal GPS.

If I am to bear the image of the Man of heaven . . . then to avail myself of the grace and power to start putting on that image now, as I do one day at a time, seems to be pretty good preparation for that one day at the end of time.

If I really will be inheriting the kingdom of God . . . probably not a bad idea to check out it’s “Home Page” and become familiar with the sights, sounds, and experiences . .. if it will radiate the glory of God’s holiness, then to start acclimating to holiness is good preparation.

If it’s true that “we shall all be changed” . . . then getting ready now seems to make some sense.

There’s something about considering that “one day at the end of time” which enables us to do “one day at a time.”

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.   (Matthew 6:33-34 ESV)

Believer, look up! We shall bear the image of the Man of heaven . . . we shall all be changed . . . one day!

By His grace . . . for His glory . . . Amen!

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The First Time

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Pete

What was it like the first time they heard Him use the term in reference to Himself? I know these 12 guys weren’t exactly scholars . . . but every Jewish boy was grounded in the basics . . . and they would know about the hope of Israel. So when Jesus first identified Himself with those three words, it must have been a bit of an adrenalin rush. I’m thinking that the first time they heard Jesus claim the title as His own the disciples may have had a Daniel flashback . . .

I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came One like a Son of Man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.    (Daniel 7:13-14 ESV)

Yes! When Jesus first declared Himself to be Son of Man (Mark 2:10) . . . with authority to forgive sins . . . as evidenced by the lame man walking . . . the hearts of the disciples must have almost burst out of their chests. Quick breathing . . . palms sweaty . . . eyes fixed on this Jesus of Nazareth . . . the One who took the title, Son of Man.

And I wonder if the anticipation built as they hung out with Him more. With every additional miracle as evidence . . . with every additional teaching as a reminder that He taught as the One who wrote the book . . . what was going through their heads? The next time Mark records Jesus identifying Himself as the Son of Man was when He stood up to the Pharisees concerning their pious judgment on the disciples plucking grain to eat on the Sabbath . . . “And He said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.'” (Mark 2:28).

Bam! Right on! Preach it! The Son of Man has supremacy over every day of the week . . . He is Master over all! You gotta think that when Jesus used the title, “Son of Man”, that His followers’ jazz factor went off the charts.

But then you get to Mark 8 . . . the third time Mark records Jesus taking the title . . . and I wonder what it was like for His followers to hear this for the first time . . .

And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.    (Mark 8:31 ESV)

What!?!? Say again! The Son of Man . . . the One given dominion and glory . . . He, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him . . . the King of an everlasting kingdom that won’t pass away . . . He would suffer? . . . He would be rejected? . . . He would be killed? I don’t think they even heard the part about rising again that first time Jesus used “Son of Man” and “killed” in the same sentence. Eternal Sovereigns, those of majestic dominion and glory, don’t get killed . . . do they?

I’m sitting back and thinking of how incredible it is that the Son of Man would die. And my heart is stirred afresh by the overflowing love of God as evidenced in the depths of humiliation undertaken by His Son . . .

. . . who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.    
(Philippians 2:6-8 ESV)

O that the atoning work of Christ might not become so common place that I lose the wonder of the Son of Man dying for a lost world. That my heart would always be moved at every remembrance of the Sovereign becoming the sacrifice . . . of the Shepherd giving Himself for the sheep . . . of the King purchasing His subjects out of the marketplace of sin through His own shed blood.

The Son of Man must die . . . what was it like for the disciples to hear Jesus speak those words that first time? I wonder . . . and I am in wonder.

O’ what a Savior!

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My Dwelling Place

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Pete

There’s no place like home . . . no place like the place where you hang your hat at night. It should be a safe place . . . a familiar and comfortable place . . . a place where you no longer have to “be on” but can be yourself. It’s the place that puts a roof over your head . . . protection from the elements . . . that which comes between you and the storm. It’s been called a man’s castle . . . less about a domain to rule over, I think, but more a place of security. For me, home has always been the place where I can retreat . . . where I can relax . . . where I can recharge. Home, it’s been said, is where the heart is. And this morning, as I chew on Psalm 91, the songwriter leads me to consider that God, the Most High Himself, is my home . . . my safe place . . . the roof over my head . . . the castle walls of my security . . . the place where I can retreat, refocus, and recharge . . . the place where, by His grace, my heart is. He is my dwelling place.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”    (Psalm 91:1-2 ESV)

Sitting here, noodling on the idea of God as a place to dwell . . . the Almighty as the realm in which I make my habitation . . . the Most High as the ground upon which I pitch my tent. While the idea of God as a dwelling place isn’t new to me, I don’t know how much I’ve meditated on its implications. But the psalmist sees a very clear connection . . . dwelling place equal’s protective place.

Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place–the Most High, who is my refuge–no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.    (Psalm 91:9-10 ESV)

I don’t think the psalmist is saying here that bad things don’t happen to God-dwelling people . . . otherwise he wouldn’t have penned verses 14 through 16 (we’ll get to those). But when I think about the plague, I think about Moses and Pharoah . . . and the judgment delivered upon a hard-hearted, God-defying people . . . the evil that was brought on those who trusted in the gods of Egypt. For those who have made God their dwelling place, there is no judgment . . . no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1) . . . His substitutionary death on my behalf having rescued me God’s just reckoning . . . His atoning sacrifice having delivered me from the place of danger and afforded me a room within His eternally secure home.

And it’s a safe house not just for the future . . . but a place sufficient to weather the storms here and now.

“Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows My name. When he calls to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.”   (Psalm 91:14-16 ESV)

The psalmist switches to “God speaking” mode. Hear the words of the Almighty . . . drink deep of His grace filled cisterns . . . feed on the promises of His Word. Protection . . . deliverance . . . His presence . . . His rescue . . . His favor. Satisfied in Him . . . salvation through Him.

And the other thing I see in these closing verses are some clues as to what dwelling in God looks like. It’s holding fast to Him with hearts of adoration. It’s knowing His name . . . the essence of His character . . . the shining of His glory, And, it’s calling to Him . . . seeking His shelter in the storm . . . abiding in the strength of His presence.

There’s no place like home. And though the analogy of our earthly homes comes up way short for many in painting a picture of the refuge that is in God through Christ, my God is faithful . . . His promises are dependable . . . His dwelling place eternal.

He is my dwelling place . . . my home . . . the place where my heart is . . . by His grace . . . for His glory.

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Build It Up!

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Pete

If Paul had to pick and choose . . . and it’s evident that he felt he did . . . he’d choose the gift of prophesying over the gift of tongues. In a “taste test” . . . he’d pick the Spirit enabled ability to instruct others concerning divine revelation over the Spirit enabled ability to speak in an unfamiliar language. Walk him into the store of God’s gifting and tell him he could only choose one thing . . . and that one thing would be the gift to speak five words concerning the mind of God to people rather than the gifting to speak a thousand words of mysteries into heaven. And his reasoning for his choice? . . . the principle against which he weighed the relative merits? It’s because he wanted to “Build It Up!”

For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. . . . So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
(1Corinthians 14:2-4, 12 ESV)

Build up . . . In the first part of 1Corinthians 14 the term is used, in a couple of forms, 7 times. Looks like it comes from a two root words . . . one for house . . . one for roof. I’m thinking that it has the idea of putting a roof on the house . . . of enhancing the rooms and making them a home . . . thus, building it up. And while Paul debates the relative merits of the gift of prophesy vs. the gift of tongues, it’s less about the attributes of the gifting and more about their impact and implications for building.

The acid test Paul uses is, Does it build up the church? Regardless of the enabling . . . forget about the details of the gifting . . . look beyond the activity . . . the question to ask is, does it promote another’s growth in the things of God? . . . will it encourage another to set their face toward pursuing the kingdom of heaven? . . . will it console the hurting heart and direct it towards the Father of Lights, the Giver of every good gift, such that their faith is fueled . . . will it direct others to seek to be holy, just as He is holy?

There’s a lot of talk when the church comes together . . . but it’s the talk that impacts the walk that Paul’s really interested in. Not just the talk behind the pulpit, as important as it is. But the talk over the cup of coffee . . . the chit chat before service starts . . . the “greet” of the “meet and greet” during worship . . . the parting interactions as we head home . . . all of it can be used to build up. Mine is to have the principle in mind . . . that the purpose might be played out.

This isn’t an exhortation for the few . . . it’s the role of the entire family of God . . . the way in which God wired His church to operate . . .

And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ . . . speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.   (Ephesians 2:11-12, 15-16 ESV)

Saints (uh, that would be us) equipped for the building up the body of Christ . . . the body growing as it builds itself up in love.

Build it up . . . that’s the principle. Building up others . . . that’s the privilege. Being built up by others . . . that’s the blessing.

May God’s people seek to “put the roof on the house.” Build it up . . . by His grace . . . for His glory.

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Fully Known

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Pete

Last night at our small group study we talked about the need to discern “conviction of the Spirit” from “accusation by the enemy.” That’s because there was enough “fuel” served up this weekend for conviction’s, or accusation’s, fire to burn. At men’s breakfast some of our young men shared about their recent trip to Mexico to help out a family who have taken in 17 foster children. Of particular note for some of them was the fact that the Lord’s Day really was the Lord’s Day . . . devoted to fellowship . . . devoid of busy itineraries . . . believers just enjoying unrushed time to spend with believers. Hmmm . . . Then on Sunday, the message was on “Organic Discipleship” . . . a brother speaking on the Great Commission . . . and it’s fulfillment by making disciples . . . motivated by worship for the King . . . commissioned and conferred by the authority of the King . . . enabled through the power of the King through His promised abiding presence . . . realized as we intentionally spend time with others. Himmm . . .

And as I sit here on the morning after the weekend before . . . still chewing on what “doing life with the few” means for me . . . whether I’m dealing with conviction or accusation . . . two words jumped off the page at me as I read 1Corinthians 13 this morning . . . “fully known.”

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.    (1Corinthians 13:12 ESV)

For all the light that’s been graciously given . . . for all the spiritual truth that has been freely revealed . . . there remains the fact that, for so many things, we’re still looking into a scratchy piece of metal that provides a less then best reflection . . . that we operate with less then perfect of knowledge . . . that we still see dimly, many things remaining somewhat of an enigma. Like . . . conviction or accusation?

And while I look forward to that day when “I shall fully know” . . . I am comforted . . . and encouraged by the reminder that I have been fully known.

While I deal with certain “mysteries” . . . there is no mystery about me before my God. While I might second guess myself . . . there is no shadow of turning with Him. While I might feel like I’m walking through a house of mirrors, at times, . . . trying to find the way, but running into walls occasionally . . . He knows the path set before me and has promised to direct all my ways if I will but trust in the Lord with all my heart (Prov. 3:5-6).

And so, as I wrestle with what this weekend means in terms of what, if any, adjustments I should be making . . . for right know, I will rest in the reality that I am fully known. I am His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which He has prepared in advance that I should walk in them (Eph. 2:10). And so, I will wait on the One who has “searched me and known me” (Ps. 139:1) . . . He who formed me (139:13) . . . He who has written down the days ordained for me (139:16). And to Him, will I echo the psalmist’s petition . . .

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
(Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)

Looking in a mirror dimly . . . anticipating that time when I am face to face and fully know . . . until then, confident in the One by whom I am fully known.

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Blessed!

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Pete

There’s an old hymn that tells us to “Count your blessings . . . name them one by one.” So, what if I were to really do that? Make a list of the blessings I am a recipient of? Where would I start? What would get listed first? Material blessings? Blessings of well-being? My family? I was grabbed this morning by a couple of verses in Psalm 89 . . . a short list of blessings . . . a mini-reminder of the privileges associated with being a child of God.

Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
   who walk, O LORD, in the light of Your face,
 who exult in Your name all the day
   and in Your righteousness are exalted.    (Psalm 89:15-16 ESV)

Four items to add to the “count your blessings” list for those redeemed by the blood of Christ . . . for those whose sins are forgiven because of the sacrifice of the precious, spotless Lamb of God . . . for those brought out of darkness into marvelous light . . . for those who have been brought into relationship with the living God of eternity. Add these to your blessings list . . .

First, that you know worship. Not just know about worship . . . but know worship by experience. That we have been given a new song to sing, is a blessing . . . that hearts that were once dead to things of heaven are now ignited, on a regular basis, to look up and declare the glory of God, is a gift worthy of thanking God for. How often do I think about worship as a privilege and blessing? Not worship as in going through the motions of the “festal shout” . . . but in actually shouting . . . in actually offering the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips . . . in actually entering into the joy of lifting up the name of the One who has lifted us up. Blessed are the people who know the festal shout.

Next, what about walking in His presence? To wake up in the morning, regardless of what yesterday was like or what today holds, having the assurance that today’s journey will be done in the light of the face of God. The barrier of sin has been removed . . . the curtain has been torn from top to bottom . . . and I have been invited into the holy of holies . . . into the place where the glory of God dwells. What’s more, I have been infused with the Spirit of God . . . the light of His face having become resident within the depths of my soul. No need to hide . . . no desire to hide . . . but to know and to be fully known. That’s a blessing . . . O’ that I might be more aware of walking in the light of His face.

Third, I have the privilege, the all day long privilege, of rejoicing in the unveiled glory of God. Moses said, “Show me Your glory” . . . God replied, “I will proclaim before you My name” (Ex. 33:18-19). Like Moses, I have been placed in the cleft of the Rock, and God graciously reveals His name . . . ““The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin . . . ” (Ex. 34:6-7). The blessing is mine, that, in some measure, I get who God is . . . and that, in getting it, rather than flee from it, I rejoice in it . . . I am glad in it . . . I delight it in. Blessing number three . . . the ability to delight in the glory of God.

Lastly, the psalmist reminds me, that when building my list, not to take for granted that I am exalted in His righteousness. Seated in the heavenlies . . . joint heir with Christ . . . I have been lifted up. Lifted up by the God I worship . . . to walk in His presence . . . to rejoice in His glory . . . on the basis of His righteousness alone. God, in His abounding love and infinite grace, made His Son ” to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2Cor. 5:21). Not of my own righteousness . . . but clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, I am set on high. That, my friends, needs to be at the top of the blessing list.

Greatly blessed . . . highly favored. Can’t help but singing . . . you too?    Click here if you’ve got a couple more minutes.

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Looks Good To Me

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Pete

He who was called and set apart in such a high manner . . . just seemed to do life at such a low level. I’m talking about Samson. Announced to his barren mother by the angel of the Lord . . . the promise confirmed to his father with a second divine visitation . . . set apart by God at birth . . . born to be a Nazirite for life, consecrated to God for His purposes . . . determined of God to deliver God’s people from Philistine oppression. Wow! Talk about your over-the-top baby announcement! And the baby was born . . . and the young man grew . . . and the Lord blessed Him . . . and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him (Judges 13).

And, while God fulfilled His purposes through Samson, it is so obvious that Samson lived way below His potential in God.

Judges 14 starts, “Samson went down to Timnah” . . . emphasis on “down.” He heads into enemy territory . . . his eye is caught by a good looking Philistine lady . . . and he goes back to dad and mom and says, “Get her for me!”

Now this is problematic on so many levels. First, he knows nothing about the girl . . . except that she’s a looker. Second, her people aren’t exactly his people . . . in fact, for 40 years her people have kind of been oppressing his people . . . and, most important, his people marrying someone from her people was explicitly forbidden by the God over all people (Ex. 34:16, Deut. 7:3).

So what’s he thinking?

But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”   (Judges 14:3 ESV)

Chosen of God . . . called of God . . . set apart of God . . . raised, I’m thinking, in the things of God . . . blessed of God . . . empowered by the Spirit of God . . . and, when it comes to choosing a life partner, a closest companion, it’s based on “for she is right in my eyes.” At the end of the day, his decision making comes down to, “Looks good to me!”

Spirit-enabled . . . yet sensually driven. Called to participate in the counsel of the heavenlies . . . yet down in Timnah with a wandering eye. Given the foundation of God’s word . . . doing life, instead, by “Looks good to me.”

There’s a warning here. Proverbs says that “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Prov. 16:25). Paul writes the Romans, “For if you live according to the flesh you will die” (Romans 8:13). Taking an “if it feels good, do it” or, an “if it looks good, go for it” approach to life is a ticket to disaster. Sure, God’s purposes will prevail, but know there will be personal consequences . . . sometimes, as in Samson’s case, some pretty severe consequences.

I need to be wary of “Looks good to me.” I need to mindful of what looks good to Him.

. . . by His grace . . . for His glory . . .

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A Matter of the Heart

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Pete

In many ways, it just doesn’t seem possible. With all they had heard . . . with all they had seen . . . with all they had touched and experienced . . . how is it possible that they could still not be getting it? They had the puzzle pieces . . . but weren’t getting the picture. And, says Mark, it was a matter of the heart.

And He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.   (Mark 6:51-52 ESV)

It’s post beach party. The 5,000 men, along with wives and children, have had their fill of bread and fish. The disciples would have sent them all away to go fend for themselves, but the Great Shepherd, looking upon the crowd with compassion, took five loaves and the two fishes and fed the multitude again . . . again, because, up until the day grew late, He had been feeding them the Word of God, seeking to nourish their souls. But now the party’s over . . . should have left quiet an impression on those closest to the Master — they had seen how much food there wasn’t and how many full stomachs there were . . . and they’re back in the boat, heading over to the other side as Jesus dismisses the crowd and then spends some time in prayer (6:45-46)

It was slow going across the sea . . . “painfully” says the ESV (6:48b). The headwind was brutal. It’s 3:00 a.m. . . . they’ve been at it 8 or 9 hours . . . not making much progress . . . I’m guessing tired . . . frustrated . . . maybe even fearful and a bit despondent. And then they see Him . . . the ALL see Him . . . Jesus walking on the water. Amazing! Not the first time they’d seen His authority over the sea . . . then He spoke it into submission (Mark 4:35-40) . . . now He places it under His feet . . . not to mention that the headwinds don’t seem to be hindering the Head of the Winds.

You can almost imagine the disciples doing one of those classic double takes . . . their eyes springing out of their heads as they can’t believe what they’re seeing. They were “utterly astounded” at what they saw . . . literally “thrown out of position” . . . displaced . . . out of one’s mind . . . beside one’s self . . . can anyone say, “Does not compute?” And the divine commentator, Mark, moved by the Holy Spirit, records that such a reaction was because they weren’t getting it . . . they did not understand about the loaves . . . and this, because their hearts were hardened.

The sense is that their amazement wasn’t of the “Right on! Of course, He’d be walking on the water! Of course, He’d come get us! Amazing, but not surprising consider He is the Son of God” kind. But their “separation of mind” was of the “Huh? What? How could this be?!? Way to freaky! Who is this?!?” kind. And, so says the Spirit, they should have been in a different place by now.

Having walked with the Master . . . having heard His teaching . . . having seen the healings . . . having been on their own ministry tours with His message and His power . . . having just witnessed the feeding of the 5,000 . . . with all these “pieces to the puzzle” they should have been putting together the picture. But, their hearts were hardened.

That which should have been responding in wonder and worship was reacting in confusion and fear . . . that which should have been alive to the revelation of Messiah was, instead, calloused and non-receptive . . . that which should have been alive to the things of the kingdom was dull like a stone. And far from sitting in judgment on the disciples, . . . as I sit back and noodle on it . . . I get it.

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it . . . prone to leave the God I love . . . here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it . . . seal it for Thy courts above . . .
(Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing)

It’s a matter of the heart . . . .

We can have all the pieces to the puzzle . . . encounter the living God as the living Christ resides in us through the living Spirit . . . but without His gracious work in our hearts, we can still cower in fear and confusion.

O’ that the God who has given us hearts of flesh to replace hearts of stone (Ezekiel 36:25-27) might continue to tune those hearts to the things of heaven . . . to tune those hearts to respond in awe and adoration . . . to tune those hearts to sing His praise! Amen?

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Expectations

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Pete

Expectations are a powerful thing. A plan is made . . . an outcome is envisioned . . . anticipation mounts. But what happens when expectation is not realized . . . disappointment, big time disappointment. I know how sour I can turn when something I’ve been looking forward to doesn’t materialize . . . how crabby I can become when things don’t happen the way I thought they would. I wonder if that’s how the disciples were feeling when they told Jesus, “Send them away!”

The disciples were learning a ton at the foot of the Master . . . including the rigors of ministry. Jesus had sent them out in pairs (Mark 6:7) . . . He had given them the message . . . He had given them the authority . . . He told them to take nothing else. “So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them” (6:13) . . . emphasis on “many”. They worked hard . . . and in some places the message was received . . . in others, they were rejected. Demanding ministry . . . both physically . . . and emotionally.

Jesus understood. When they returned to Him and “told Him all that they had done and taught”, Jesus tells them it’s time for some R & R . . . they needed some downtime . . . ” ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat” (6:30-31).

Yes! Disciples retreat! Who’s in?!? Get-away time . . . lose the crowds . . . hang out with the Master. And I imagine the expectation swelling as they get into the boat . . . and head to a desolate place . . . by themselves (6:32). Gonna sleep in . . . eat . . . enjoy some quiet time . . . eat . . . maybe throw around a ball or read a book . . . eat . . . hang out with Jesus . . . did I mention, eat? The plan had been made . . . the anticipation mounted . . . and then, guess who shows up!

Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When He went ashore He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.    (Mark 6:33-34 ESV)

They get to Camp Retreats-R-Us and instead of finding quiet, open spaces there is “a great crowd” . . . “great” not as in “awesome” . . . “great” as in “many” . . . “too many” . . . as in more work . . . as in there goes the “me time”. Maybe I’m being harsh on the disciples . . . if so, it’s because I’m viewing them through my own filter . . . how I think I might react. Are you picking up how I’d feel? Give you hint . . . it starts with “b” . . . ends with “ummed”. And that’s why I wonder if, when it grew late, the disciples weren’t quick to suggest to Jesus to send them away because they wanted to salvage something of their vacation.

But, while Jesus knew how much the disciples needed to rest . . . He also knew they needed to refocus. The disciples looked at the crowd and they, perhaps, felt disappointment. Jesus looked at the multitude of people and He was gripped with compassion. The disciples looked into the sea of faces and their hearts sank as they saw their plans go up in smoke . . . as they saw their alone time with Jesus get squeezed out. Jesus looked upon the same crowd and He saw sheep with out a shepherd . . . a hungry flock in need of someone to lead them to lush pastures where they could feed on the bread of heaven.

Maybe the disciples didn’t react how I imagine at all . . . but it’s enough knowing that I might. And so, I’m thinking I need to hold loose to expectations and, by the grace of God, get a grip on the heart of Jesus.

Whether I’m enjoying some down time . . . or pressing on to faithfully discharge that which He’s asked me to do . . . might just being with Him, be enough.

And they all ate and were satisfied.    (Mark 6:42 ESV)

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