Radical but Logical

Posted on March 29, 2021 by Pete

His ask is so radical, but Paul’s reasoning is so logical. Hovering over a few verses in 1Corinthians 6 this morning and thinking about the church.

Situation: when one brother has a grievance against another. A dispute needing to be settled. Apparently involving some monetary, material, or contractual disagreement. That was the situation, but that wasn’t the problem. After all, stuff’s gonna happen within a family. Every community’s going to have its share of conflict. That there were grievances was just a situation. The problem was how those in the church at Corinth opted to resolve those grievances.

So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?

(1Corinthians 6:4-7 ESV)

What seems to be an issue of such magnitude that Paul would address it in his letter, likely comes across as a non-issue to our modern, cultural mindset. Of course you go to court to deal with matters you can’t resolve yourself. A no brainer that if someone’s cheated you, that you leverage the judicial system to bring about justice. Absurd to think that you’d submit yourself to the church’s oversight, or other wise and trusted brothers and sisters in the church, to let them be the arbiter of a final outcome.

Radical? Perhaps. Logical? Apparently. Paul just saw it as the natural implication of their supernatural destination.

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!

(1Corinthians 6:1-3 ESV)

We’re gonna judge the world. How come we can’t judge ourselves? We’re gonna determine the outcome of angels in heaven? Why can’t we figure out a fair solution among ourselves here on earth? We are ambassadors in a foreign land of unbelievers, why air our dirty laundry before them? We have eternal riches awaiting us, why fight among ourselves over earthly goods? Radical? Yup. But, at least in theory, doesn’t it ring true?

Seems to me the greater principle here is not about lawsuits, but about living into who we are as the people of God. Knowing who we are in Christ, we then purpose to conduct ourselves in a manner consistent with being in Christ. Not just as individuals, but as a local church, as well. As the community of believers. As the family of God. As the body of Christ. Willing, for the sake of our collective testimony, to step outside the prevailing cultural mindset. Even if it means submitting to the church, willing to abide by it’s discernment. Even it that means being swindled by a brother and leaving it to the Lord to adjudicate the situation in His time.

Sure, all predicated on us, as individuals and as a church, not just knowing the word of God but whole-heartedly committed to living by the word of God. Founded on living in such authentic community that we trust the community. Only possible though, as our jealousy for the reputation of Christ compels us to take a risk and wholly trust in Christ.

Lawsuits, just one example of living into who we are in Christ, both as individuals and as the church.

Radical? Yeah, no doubt. But logical? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Only possible by His grace. But wouldn’t it be such an amazing witness for His glory?

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He Steadies the Pillars

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Pete

It’s a song about judgment. A set time appointed by God when He will “judge with equity.” A time when “a cup with foaming wine” is poured out and the wicked of the earth “shall drain it down to the dregs.” The earth destabilized. Things as they always were turned upside down. What once seemed unshakeable becoming utterly unstable. And in the midst of this song of judgment is a soul-quieting promise. A promise for that day, but also, I think, a promise for today.

When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah

(Psalm 75:3 ESV)

The new translations picture the earth tottering, shaking, or quaking as God’s judgment rolls out. The older translations speak of it dissolving or melting away. Whatever the exact meaning of the original word, the idea is of things coming apart. What was once solid becoming increasingly fluid. What was once certain, increasingly unpredictable. And though that happens, God steadies the pillars.

While the prevailing posture of God towards the earth in our day is still that of grace — patient not willing that any should perish (2Pet. 3:9-10) — you could argue that His judgment is apparent as well. Judgment in a Romans 1 sense. That, as men refuse to honor the Creator as God or give thanks to Him but exchange the glory of God for idols of their own making (Rom. 1:18-23), God “gives them up.” Gives them up to the lusts of the heart (1:24). Gives them up to dishonorable passions (1:26). Gives them up to a debased mind to do what out not to be done (1:28). And, as with all judgment of God, this “giving up” to man to do what man’s gonna do, has a far-reaching, residual effect. It causes the earth and all its inhabitants — the righteous and the not so righteous — to totter.

Tottering. Teetering. Quaking. Shaking. Hasn’t that been the experience of so many, especially over this past year? I’m thinkin’ . . .

But He steadies the pillars. He reinforces the foundation. Even in this severity His kindness is known.

For the believer, He steadies the pillars as His Spirit intercedes with our spirit concerning His Sovereign control, His eternal promises, His all sufficient grace, and His ever-present help in time of need.

For the unbeliever, as things they once took for granted, their self-made securities melt away, His Spirit woos them to Himself. As they find themselves in desperate, dead-end situations and come to their senses (Lk. 15:17), He shows them the way home to a Father who is waiting with open arms to receive them, to adopt them, to provide for every need in ways only He could.

He steadies the pillars.

Worth remembering as we watch the news. Worth repeating to ourselves as we process this whirling world around us. Worth declaring to those who have lost their footing and are desperately seeking some solid ground. He steadies the pillars.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Achin’ Over Achan

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Pete

Not sure I can really develop the thought that’s spinning around in my head. Want to be careful about “over-applying” an Old Testament narrative to the New Testament church. But I think there’s something worth noodling on here. So, just gonna throw down a few thoughts “on paper” and see what lands.

While not extensively versed in the book of Joshua, I’m pretty familiar with it. So, when I start in on Joshua 7 and see the section title, “Israel Defeated at Ai”, I know why before I read it. More accurately, I know who. That’s why reading the opening words of chapter 7 cause a question mark to pop over my head.

But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things . . .

(Joshua 7:1a ESV)

Stop right there. Hold on a sec. Wait a minute!

The people of Israel broke faith? Really? The whole nation? Everyone? Nope! Not how I remember it. But, evidently, yup! That’s the way it was.

. . . for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel.

(Joshua 7:1b ESV)

Achan. One guy. One family. They were the ones who had specifically “broken faith.” They were the ones who took some of the spoils of Jericho (7:20-21) they were told not to take (6:18-19) and stashed them in their tent. Achan, not Israel. Yet, the holy record, breathed out by the Holy Spirit, says that Achan’s sin translated into a national transgression. Though one man was at fault, the whole nation was counted as guilty (7:11).

Doesn’t process really well through our culturally informed, individualistic mindset — the mindset that says, I’m responsible for me and you are responsible for you. Might be true in the world, evidently not so much when it comes to those chosen out of the world. Might make sense to those aligned to the individual pursuit of happiness, apparently doesn’t line up so well with those who have been set apart as a chosen people.

What does this say about being the people of God? Owning not only our individual salvation but also our collective witness? Not just about our individual actions, but something also about our collective accountability? That it’s not just about my “personal relationship” with Christ but also about my being a “member of the body” of Christ? Not only am I no longer my own (1Cor. 6:19), I’m also no longer on my own (Rom. 12:5, Eph. 4:25).

Like I said, want to be careful about carrying any application too far (there was also other sin, presumption, and complacency at play which led to the defeat at Ai). But I do think there’s something to chew on here about how we should view being the people of God and “members one of another” (Rom. 12:5). Something about collective responsibility. Something about mutual accountability. Something about why there needs to be a deep, authentic, relational care and concern for one another in the church (1Cor. 12:25).

If one member suffers, all suffer together . . .

(1Corinthians 12:26a ESV)

Achin’ a bit over the implications of Achan. Seems so foreign to our culture. But aren’t we called to be foreigners in this land and somewhat counter-cultural? Aren’t we of a different kingdom? “A chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that [we] may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called [us] out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1Pet. 2:9)? I’m thinkin’ . . .

O, to live authentically as the people of God. To love one another as the people of God. To watch out for each other as the people of God. To own our reputation and witness together as the people of God.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Rolled Away

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Pete

They were in. Having once walked through the Red Sea on dry ground as they left the bondage of Egypt, they now had just walked through the flooded Jordan on dry ground as they entered the promised land. They were in.

For forty years they were the butt of jokes back in Egypt every time some worn traveler to Egypt reported they were still nomads. For forty years they were scorned. The memory of the power that had been shown at their deliverance faded “back home” the longer the promise was unrealized. Some god, the Egyptians taunted among themselves, leading them from a land abundant with “fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic” (Num. 11:5) for a land supposedly flowing with milk and honey only to let them languish in a wilderness eating whatever showed up on the ground in the morning. Some deliverance. Big deal!

But now, they were in.

As soon as all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the people of Israel until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them because of the people of Israel. At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time.” . . .

When the circumcising of the whole nation was finished, they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed. And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” And so the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.

(Joshua 5:1-2, 8-9 ESV)

The generation that had been born in the desert were now formally set apart for covenant with the living God. For they were now in the land of promise and were about to appropriate the promise of the land. The manna had ceased as the desert was in their rearview mirror. They were now eating of the fruit of the land flowing with milk and honey (Josh. 5:11-12). Tasting and, in fact, seeing that the Lord is good. The wandering over, now the journey was going to get really interesting!

God had rolled away the reproach. The tongues of mockers stopped. Though the armchair quarterbacks of Egypt thought it folly for Israel to roam about for decades, to not return to the certain “nourishment” of their former bondage, the people of God now stood on the doorsill of experiencing the next level of the promise-fulfilling power of God.

As another of my morning readings put it, though the world they left behind had considered their deliverance foolishness, it had actually been the wisdom of God.

God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

(1Corinthians 1:27-29 ESV)

They were in. The reproach rolled away.

Rolled away. Hit me as a not too familiar expression in the Scriptures. Yet was reminded that it is also not a unique expression.

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

(Luke 24:1-3 ESV)

The stone removed. The finished work of the cross validated by the empty tomb. The scorn silenced. The mocking but a memory. The reproach rolled away.

They were in. Now the journey was going to get really interesting!

By His grace. For His glory.

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Enriched

Posted on March 22, 2021 by Pete

Three words. That’s what I’m chewing on this morning. Two of those words popping, I’m sure, because of a book I’ve been reading by Rankin Wilbourne on the doctrine of our Union with Christ — in which one of the early takeaways is that the realization of what it means to be “in Christ”, and for Christ to be in you, comes through activating the imagination. And that’s where the third word comes in, it’s the imagination word. Enriched.

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in Him in all speech and all knowledge . . .

(1Corinthians 1:4-5 ESV)

Enriched in Him. As the church of God (v.1) the Corinthians were enriched in Him. As individuals within that body of believers, they were enriched in Him.

It’s the third “in Christ” reference in these first five verses. Paul greets them as those “sanctified in Christ Jesus” (v.1). He thanks God for them because of the grace of God “that was given you in Christ Jesus” (v.4). The result? In every way they were enriched in Him.

Paul highlights a couple of the ways they were enriched. They were made rich in the gospel vocabulary that was now theirs. This a result of the supernatural insight they possessed as those given eyes to see and ears to hear the mystery of God’s redemptive plan. In addition, they were “not lacking” in any spiritual gift (v.6). But these were but three particular areas of inherited wealth in the context of being enriched in Him in every way.

It is the reality of those who are in Christ, that they are richly furnished in all things. Noodle on it. How could that not be the case? If the life we now live is being lived by “Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20), then how can the life we now live not be enriched? No matter the circumstance or the season, it is still lived by Christ who lives in me. The mind of Christ. The heart of Christ. The power of Christ. The riches of Christ with which He has richly blessed us.

The word of Christ dwelling in us richly (Col. 3:16). The Spirit of Christ poured out on us richly (Titus 3:5-6). All commensurate with the immeasurable riches of His grace (Eph. 1:7). The Father ready, willing, and able to meet every need “according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Php. 4:19). The riches go on an on. Eternally sourced riches. Everlasting, unfading riches. Unimaginable, unfathomable riches. Ours as we are enriched in Him.

Meditate on it, even for a just a bit, and it’s one those things that is easier felt than tell’t. Something that stirs the soul with possibility yet ties the tongue when trying to explain it with precision. Something more easily imagined than articulated.

We possess heaven-sourced wealth in Christ. Ours is to live into those riches through Christ. To access the treasury already made ours. To withdraw from the vault all that comes with our union with Christ. A journey only realized as it is enabled by Him.

Father, lead me, by Your Spirit, into accessing the riches, in every way, which are already mine in Your Son.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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A Heart to Understand, Eyes to See, and Ears to Hear

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Pete

You think it would have been easy for them to get it. After all, they had walked out Egypt, walked through the Red Sea, and made it through the desert. They had seen the plagues, been overshadowed by the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, and had received water from a rock and bread from heaven. They had known the goodness of God’s blessing and had experienced the severity of His wrath. And for the forty years they wandered between where they were and where they were going, their clothes had not worn out, nor had their sandals worn off their feet (Deut. 29:5).

Come on people! After all that, how could turning to other gods even be a possibility? How could you not have known your God to such an extent that turning your back to Him wouldn’t even have entered your mind?

But it did enter their minds. They would choose idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold, over the One who made the wood and stone, the silver and the gold. How is that possible?

Chewing on a verse in Deuteronomy which reminds me of the connect between us getting it and God giving it.

And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: “You have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. But to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.”

(Deuteronomy 29:2-4 ESV)

How messed up did man’s heart become through the fall? How impaired his faculties? To the point where even seeing was not believing. That apart from God’s intervening grace in providing a heart to understand, eyes to see, and ears to hear, no matter what they saw, no matter what they experienced, even if someone should rise from the dead, they would not believe (Lk. 16:31).

Not that it removes man’s responsibility and accountability. For it’s the self-will of man which refuses the heart, the eyes, and the ears God is ready to freely give. But apart from God’s divine intervention with our five common senses, His glory remains grey. His power is not perceived. His love is left unrequited.

Sure, I opened my bible this morning. But as I hover over it, again beholding “wondrous things out of His law” (Ps. 119:18), I’m thankful that, through the active agency of the Spirit of God in me, He has given me a heart to understand, eyes to see, and ears to hear.

Just like clothes and sandals which never wear out, despite the daily sojourn in the desert, just having something to chew on from His word every morning is a daily reminder of His abiding presence, His faithful provision, and His ever prevailing power.

All because of grace. Only for His glory.

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Easter Preparation

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Pete

It’s not like the chief priests and Pharisees didn’t pick up what Jesus was laying down. Not as if they missed something. It wasn’t that they didn’t understand the implications of what He was saying or failed to talk hold of some nuance concerning His claims. By the time they forced Pilate’s hand and had Jesus crucified, they clearly understood that the proof in the pudding as to whether or not Jesus was the Christ lay in whether or not Jesus rose from the dead.

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while He was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples go and steal Him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.”

(Matthew 27:62-64 ESV)

Two thousand years later and His disciples are preparing, yet again, to tell the people, “He has risen from the dead!” Lord willing (though wouldn’t it be cool if they were “postponed” due to His coming again before then?), our Easter remembrances and celebrations are just around the corner. That Sunday when we will focus afresh on the foundation for our faith. And it really is the foundation of our faith!

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. . . . your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

(1Corinthians 15:14, 17b-18 ESV)

The chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and asked that the place where the dead body of Jesus had been laid — the tomb cut in the rock with a great stone sealing it’s entrance (Mt. 27:59) — be sealed through government edict and secured by government military forces. And why? Not because they didn’t understand who Jesus claimed to be, but because they did. Yet, they refused to believe Him.

They called Him an impostor. They were afraid that His followers would aid in His deception and perpetuate His fraud. And the way to end all of it, right there and right then, was to make sure His body was still in the tomb on the fourth day after His death. (Spoiler alert: It wasn’t!)

He has risen from the dead!

I know, this is Christianity 101 stuff, but let us guard against it become Christianity “yawn-and-hohum” stuff. Let not the common knowledge of the resurrection seed a crop of complacency. Let not that which is so well known be taken for granted. God forbid that its familiarity should no longer cause our jaws to drop and our hearts to be aflame with awe, wonder, and worship.

The tomb is empty. Jesus was no impostor.

His claims were not fraudulent — neither the first nor the last. He is the Son of God. He did come to give His life as a ransom for many. Whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. For, He is risen from the dead.

Thus, because He lives, we also will live.

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

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Sinai is in the Sanctuary

Posted on March 17, 2021 by Pete

Hovering over Psalm 68 this morning. A psalm of David. A song of victory. A song of a God who will arise to deliver His people.

The “Father of the fatherless” and the “Protector of widows” (v.5), the God David calls us to sing to (v.4), is a God who goes out before His people as they sojourn to the land of promise (v.7). He “rides through the deserts” with them (v.4), He marches “through the wilderness” with them (v.7). And as He does, the earth quakes and the heavens pour down their rains (v.8), even as, in His goodness, He provides for the needy (v.10).

Not only does He meet the needs of the languishing in their wilderness walk, but He also goes before His people to defeat their enemies. He gives the word and the kings of the armies flee (v.11-12). He scatters the enemy from the land He has promised for His people, and from the place He has determined to dwell as God in their midst. And so, God is praised.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah
Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.

(Psalm 68:19-20 ESV)

And here’s the truth that captures my thoughts this morning about this God who goes with His people in the desert, and walks with them in the wilderness, and fights for them against their foes, and delivers them according to His promise. Sinai is in the sanctuary.

The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.

(Psalm 68:17 ESV)

However you understand that divine math, whether the angelic chariots of God are 20,000 (10,000 + 10,000) or 100,000,000 (10,0000 x 10,000), this “myriads upon myriads” of heavenly hosts language is designed to convey a great number and the great power of Him who commands that great number. The power that descended on Sinai.

The power which, according to Exodus 19, came down on Sinai as a cloud with thunders and lightnings (v.16). The power manifest as a canopy of smoke “because the LORD had descended on it with fire” (v. 18a). The power that set limits for the people as to how close they could approach, the power that prevented them from even touching the edge of the mountain (v. 12). The power that caused the whole mountain to tremble greatly (v.18b). The power of Sinai which is now in the sanctuary.

Transcendent power consigned to a lowly tent. Awesome power concentrated over a man-made ark. Unmeasurable power connected to a reconciling mercy seat. Sinai is now in the sanctuary.

Even when the tent becomes Solomon’s extravagant temple, even then the thought of such power confined to such a space is jaw-dropping.

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You; how much less this house that I have built!”

(1Kings 8:27 ESV)

Sinai is in the sanctuary. Even more amazing when you pause and remember God’s current sanctuary.

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

(1Corinthians 3:16 ESV)

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?

(1Corinthians 6:19a ESV)

For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make My dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

(2Corinthians 6:16b ESV)

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

(Ephesians 2:19-22 ESV)

Sinai is in the sanctuary. That’s something worth chewing on. Something worth responding to.

Awesome is God from His sanctuary; the God of Israel — He is the one who gives power and strength to His people. Blessed be God!

(Psalm 68:35 ESV)

Blessed be God, indeed!

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Leaving the Landmarks Alone

Posted on March 16, 2021 by Pete

Okay, this is one of those musings which, at least with the set of online commentaries available to me, I find no backup or corroboration. Nothing that indicates my apparent observation and possible application are at least within some a range of possible implication. But the verse popped this morning. The question came to mind. An answer seems to fit. So, we’ll go with it. Might be out to lunch, but it makes for a tasty morning meal.

Here’s the verse that has me thinking:

“You shall not move your neighbor’s landmark, which the men of old have set, in the inheritance that you will hold in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.”

(Deuteronomy 19:14 ESV)

The command to obey is pretty clear. Don’t mess with property lines. Whatever was put in place to distinguish one man’s land from another’s — whether it be a rock wall or bush hedge, or just a periodic stone here and there, or intervals of small trenching in the ground — don’t move it.

The reason is also pretty clear. A family’s land was a family’s livelihood. Their property was largely responsible for putting food on their table. So, the potential motivations are also pretty clear, covetousness and greed. Wanting more, or wanting something better, might tempt one to move the markers, even if it meant somebody else was going to end up with less.

So, it seems pretty intuitive why bumping a brother’s border lines was a big deal.

But that’s not what caused me to pause. What’s got me thinking is where the landmarks came from in the first place. Who were “the men of old” who set them?

With less literal translations the question is answered. NLT says “your ancestors.” NIV is a little less definitive, “your predecessors.” NASB too, as they render it “the ancestors.” There’s commentary support for the idea as well — that Moses is writing for generations after this first generation entering the land. That this initial generation will mark out not only the major borders of each tribe of Israel, but also the individual inheritances given to each family in each tribe. That the first generation, the ancestors, are the men of old who will set the landmarks to be left alone.

But could “the men of old” be referring to the original inhabitants of the land? After all, Moses spoke earlier of the land, which God was gifting to His people, as a land “with great and good cities that you did not build, and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant” (Deut. 6:10-11). They were displacing a people and then inhabiting their space pre-furnished with cities, houses, fields, vineyards, and, I’m thinking, landmarks.

I also think about what it would take to survey and mark plots of land for 600,000+ men (along with their wives and children), and it opens the door for me to think they might have gone with pre-existing landmarks when they moved in.

Like I said, I’m probably not even in the ballpark on this one. But in asking the “who” question, it comes with a big “why” possible implication. That in leaving the landmarks alone it indicates our satisfaction is found in the Land Giver alone.

What do you have that you did not receive?

(1Corinthians 4:7b ESV)

I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

(Philippians 4:11b ESV)

When Peter saw [John], he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is My will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

(John 21:21-22 ESV)

We’ve all been gifted an inheritance. All brought into the kingdom. Our portion allotted apart from any merit of our own. Our gifting given as the Spirit determines. Our earthly landmarks, as it were, set of old, before the foundation of the earth. But how we can be tempted to want more. Or want a piece of someone else’s. Rather than settling into the grace God has provided, we covet someone else’s grace, perhaps even someone else’s goods. Not satisfied with the landscape provided, tempted to move the markers a bit to satiate our discontentment or satisfy our greed.

But what if we just thanked God for the landmarks that have been set? Faithfully serve with what we’ve been given? Follow Jesus down the path He’s laid out for us without regard for the path He’s determined for others? Content with what we have because it’s been gifted by Him?

Seems to be there’s something to be said for leaving the landmarks alone.

All because of grace. Only for His glory.

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Hope Amidst Hypocrisy

Posted on March 15, 2021 by Pete

I don’t know how many times I’ve read the passage, but I’m thinking this may be the first time I’ve hovered over it. Maybe because I’ve been somewhat tuned to the hypocrisy of the religious elite of Jesus’ day by our mid-week men’s study on the Sermon on the Mount. But the irony of these men of the law picking and choosing which lawful things to obey strikes me as I read the opening verses of Matthew 27.

All is going according to plan in their determination to put Jesus to death. He has been apprehended, has been brought before Caiphas and the Council and found guilty of blasphemy, and is bound and led away to Pilate, the one who has actual authority to issue a death sentence. But as they lead Him away, the one they had bribed to initiate their plan, the betrayer Judas, has second thoughts. Judas goes to them and confesses that he has “sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Matt. 27:4), trying to return the thirty pieces of silver they had paid him for his treachery.

Yet, he confesses his iniquity to those who had no authority to forgive his iniquity. He tries to make amends for his transgressions through those who were also dead in trespass and sin. He goes to those who could do nothing for him, those also guilty of betraying innocent blood. Thus, even in his conscience stricken regret, Judas continues in his refusal to acknowledge Jesus as the Savior. Bottom line? The chief priests and elders have no absolution to offer Judas for his shame and guilt, and so he throws the money into the temple, departs, and goes and hangs himself.

Here’s the irony and hypocrisy which strikes me as I chew on this sin-filled situation:

But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.

(Matthew 27:6-8 ESV)

They discerned it unlawful to put the thirty pieces of silver back in their coffers as it was blood money. Yet, somehow it had been lawful for them to have made it blood money in the first place. It would defile the treasury to put it back in the vault, yet they owned no stain upon themselves for having made it the payment for another’s life.

And then, they seek to redeem this tainted treasure by putting it to noble use. They direct it towards a community service project by purchasing a piece of land, which apparently was no longer of value to a local potter, and designate it as a cemetery for out-of-towners who would have had no other place to be buried. Nice, guys! Pretty righteous of you. Pretty disgusting. What blind eyes. What hard hearts.

Listened to a Podcast this weekend that suggested when you come to a passage like this, when deciding which character(s) to identify with, go with the one(s) that disturb you the most. Ouch! No way I want to look into the mirror and see the twisted, self-deceived righteousness of the chief priests staring back at me. But search me O God, and know my heart (Ps. 139:23-24).

Maybe that’s why I chewed on this passage a bit more and started to see a heart-stirring foreshadow of grace, even in this darkness. Check out the use of the word “blood”.

Judas had betrayed innocent blood. The religious elite refused to take back the coinage because it had already been given as blood money, a payment for the death of another. Ultimately it would be used to provide final rest for those once deemed outsiders by providing a Field of Blood.

Jesus shed innocent blood. Blood as the Lamb of God without stain or blemish. Blood shed for others, payment for what they could never pay. In a sense, blood money as well. A ransom for the wages of sin we owed, death. And for those redeemed by His blood, though once outsiders, they are assured a final rest in a place He is preparing for them, His field of blood. Not some rest realized through final annihilation, but an everlasting rest experienced through the divine dynamic of regeneration, sanctification, and one day, glorification.

Even amidst great hypocrisy, shines the light of great hope. And that, through the blood.

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.

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