A Coming Peace

Isaiah 2:1-5

There have been wars, various smaller armed conflicts, and political tension going on in different parts of the world for as long as I can remember.  As a matter of fact, there has not been a time in recorded history when there wasn’t some type of war happening somewhere on earth.  Because of this, we tend to honor those who make an effort to try and bring peace between warring nations and groups.  Much as people may try, though, no one has ever been able to bring a lasting peace or keep peace indefinitely.  That is why every country keeps a standing military force.  Even officially neutral countries like Switzerland have a military.  Though we may hate to use them, countries need to keep military weapons.  However, we have some good news, and that is that one day in the future, we will not need military weapons anymore.  As a matter of fact, they can and will be turned into useful, non-military tools.  There is a time coming when Someone will bring the world lasting peace.  Our Scripture for today tells of this coming time.

The Old Testament reading for this first Sunday of Advent is a passage from the prophet Isaiah, where he gives a prophecy pointing to the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ during the Millennium (Revelation 20:1-6), and the peace that He alone can bring.  As our Scripture opens, Isaiah speaks of a vision he had, concerning both Judah and Jerusalem.  In the last days, in future times, the mountain where the Lord’s house is, will be exalted, and all nations will come to it (vs. 1-2).  The Lord’s house was the Temple, which was built upon Mt. Zion in Jerusalem.  Both the first and second temples were built there, and when Jesus returns He will establish His throne there in Jerusalem, as well.

Jerusalem is a city that has not known much peace at all throughout its long history.  From its founding days as a Canaanite stronghold, throughout the days of Joshua and the Judges, on through when David made it his capital, and then the subsequent kings, there were frequent conflicts and battles fought in and around the city.  Then on through the time of the Persian, Greek, Roman, Muslim, the Crusades, Ottoman control, and on to today, there has been little peace for Jerusalem.   However, as Scripture declares, God has an ultimate plan for peace, justice, and worship all centered in Jerusalem.  That city beloved by the Lord, will be the spiritual and political center of the world under Jesus’ reign.

As we read, people of all nations will desire to come to Jerusalem to seek God’s instructions (vs. 3).  Today, most people want nothing to do with God or the Lord Jesus.  The thought of traveling to Jerusalem to learn God’s Word would not be popular.  However, when Jesus returns and sets up His kingdom there, people will be eager to go and learn His Word.  The nations will willingly submit to Him.  The prophet Micah echoes the same message in Micah 4:2, and Zechariah speaks of nations coming to Jerusalem from year to year to worship the Lord there (Zechariah 14:16).

Verse 4 is one that many people are familiar with, as it speaks of beating swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks.  When Jesus returns He will judge the nations, rebuking the people and countries who refused to follow Him.  He will also bring an end to all wars.  This is not man-made peace treaties which never last, but His divine authority.  True peace will only come through Jesus’ righteous rule, not through any human diplomacy.  Isaiah ends his message with a call for believers to walk in the light of the Lord (vs. 5).  This admonition is also repeated by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:8, and by the Apostle John in I John 1:7.

As we see through this Scripture, although they don’t today, one day people from all around the world will seek out the Lord Jesus.  They will listen to Him and obey Him, and there will be no more war.  Jesus said that when He would be “lifted up” (crucified), He would draw all people to Himself (John 12:32-33).

Jerusalem, which has long known war, battles, and bloodshed, will one day know peace and greatness.  It is not great in itself, but because of what God has used it for.  Jerusalem is honored above all cities because this is where Jesus taught.  It is where He suffered and died.  Jerusalem is where Jesus was buried and then rose again.  And it is where His Word went out into all the world.

We can have peace in our hearts now, knowing that Christ’s reign is coming, and will put an end to all conflict.  Isaiah’s prophecy points us forward to the Millennium, but also calls us to faithful living now.  This vision of peace and righteousness in the reign of Jesus should inspire in us hope, holiness, and a desire to spread His message to others.

Jesus - Savior and King

Luke 23:35-43

After reading the Scripture selection for today, one might wonder why we are reading about something that occurred while Jesus hung upon the cross when it is less than a month from Christmas.  At Christmastime we usually think of Baby Jesus lying in the manger, not Jesus’ death.  However, traditionally, many denominations designate this past Sunday, which this passage is the Gospel reading for, to commemorate Christ the King.  We read in this Scripture how something that was intended as mockery truly proclaimed what Jesus is, King of all, King of the universe.  We also read how Jesus, in His last earthly hours, was rejected by most but received by one.

As our Scripture begins, it is Good Friday and Jesus has already been crucified, and is hanging upon the cross.  Late the night before, He had been betrayed by one of His disciples, arrested, and given an improper and sham trial before the Sanhedrin.  From there Jesus was sent over to the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, where He was sentenced to death.  Following carrying His cross through Jerusalem to Calvary, He was then crucified.  People gathered around the cross.  At the foot of the cross was the disciple John, along with His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and another woman.  Other people, including many religious leaders, stood and mocked Jesus, saying that He had saved others, let Him save Himself if He really is the Messiah (vs. 35-36).  Some of the Roman soldiers said the same thing.  These comments were a fulfillment of the prophecy in Psalm 22:7-8.  These groups showed the universal rejection of Jesus.  The religious leaders, the political powers, and the common soldiers all united against Jesus.  The world today still continues to mock Jesus Christ and His authority, demanding proof while ignoring the evidence that has already been given.

One procedure that usually took place was putting a placard on the cross above the person crucified, stating their offenses.  Affixed on the top of Jesus’ cross was a placard that read “This is the King of the Jews” (vs. 38).   This sign was placed as a mockery, yet it was providentially true.  Even in the humiliation that was heaped upon Jesus, His kingship was declared.  God overruled the malice of these world and religious leaders to proclaim His truth.  What was meant as scorn became a testimony.

As our Scripture continues, we know that there were two criminals also crucified along with Jesus, one on each side.  One of the criminals joined with the people in mocking Jesus, and he told Jesus to save Himself and them, as well.  However the other criminal rebuked him (vs. 39-40).  The first thief was unrepentant, just like most in this world.  He wanted relief from his suffering but rejected salvation.  How many in the world are like that?  They want God to bring relief from all of their problems, but want nothing to do with His Word and salvation.  The other thief was repentant.  He acknowledged his guilt and recognized Jesus’ innocence (vs 41).  He knew that he was a sinner, acknowledging the justice he had received, and then turned to Jesus for mercy.  Here at the cross humanity is divided.  There is rejection or repentance.  Neutrality is impossible.

The repentant thief then turned to Jesus and asked that He would remember him when He comes into His kingdom (vs. 42).  He called Jesus “Lord”, recognizing His authority even in apparent defeat.  This thief believed in Jesus’ future kingdom, and showed faith in a resurrection and His eternal reign.  This showed true faith.  While others were mocking Jesus being the Messiah and King, he trusted in Jesus’ unseen glory.  True saving faith looks beyond current circumstances to the promises of Jesus.

Jesus responded by promising this man immediate salvation (vs. 43).  He had Jesus’ personal assurance that he would be “with Me”.  In heaven the thief would receive salvation and fellowship with the Savior.  Salvation is by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).  The thief had no works, no baptism, no opportunity to reform.  Yet he was saved instantly by faith.

As we look back over our Scripture, we see that even in the verbal mockery the religious leaders, the crowds, and even the soldiers hurled at Jesus, and also with the sign affixed to the cross, the Kingship of the Lord Jesus Christ was proclaimed.  As this past Sunday commemorated, Jesus is the King of all Creation!   We also see spelled out the substitutionary atonement.  As the thief recognized, Jesus was innocent and yet He suffered, while the guilty are offered mercy.  That second thief was also a perfect illustration of being justified apart from any works.  Being also nailed to a cross, shortly to die, it was impossible for him to either be baptized or do any good works, yet because of his faith, Jesus promised him salvation and a place in paradise.

No one is too far gone in sin to be saved.  This man was a criminal and had received the death penalty.  Yet moments before he died, he turned to Jesus and called upon Him to be saved.  Even at death’s door Jesus can save anyone.  There were two thieves - one was saved, the other was lost.  The cross of Christ demands a response from everyone.  Delay is dangerous.  One thief believed, the other perished.  Your eternal destiny hinges on a response to Jesus.  What will you choose?

Jesus Has First Place

Colossians 1:11-20

Our New Testament reading for this week, the final week before the beginning of Advent, brings us to St. Paul’s letter to the Colossian church.  This portion of Scripture dives deep into a study of the person, nature, and works of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the supremacy of Jesus in creation, in redemption, and the believer’s daily walk.  There are some denominations that preach false and heretical teachings that Jesus was a created being, some saying that He only achieved deity after the Resurrection.  They don’t like verses like what is in our Scripture passage.  Some heretical denominations even go so far as to publish their own Bibles, manipulating verses by mistranslation or omission that speak of Jesus as part of the Trinity.  Let’s look at what God has to say here.

As we begin, the Apostle informs us that the Lord gives us strength and might (vs. 11-12).  Any strength we have, whether it is physical, or especially spiritual, comes not from ourselves, but from God’s power.  The Holy Spirit imparts that to us, as patience and longsuffering are some of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  Through the Holy Spirit’s presence we have all that we need for carrying out our Father’s will.

Paul continued on by describing how we were once a part of Satan’s kingdom, the kingdom of darkness, but are now part of God’s kingdom (vs. 13-14).  We were once held as prisoners by Satan and his kingdom.  We were held, bound in darkness.  However, Jesus paid for our redemption with His Blood, shed on Calvary’s cross.  When we accepted Jesus as our Savior, our sins were forgiven and we were transferred into His Kingdom.  Satan may not have wanted to release us, but we are now no longer under bondage to him or to sin.

Now we come to some verses that people who deny the doctrine of the Trinity, who deny the pre-existence of the Lord Jesus or His deity, do not like to read (vs. 15-17).  Jesus Christ is the visible manifestation of the invisible God (John 1:1-3, 18).  The term “firstborn” here means preeminence, not referring to His creation status.  Jesus was not created.  He was present at creation, as He is the Creator.  Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer of everything that has been created.  Every aspect of life is held together by Him.  This should produce reverence and confidence in the Lord Jesus.  Our world is not random.  It is all upheld by Him.  The fact that Jesus was physically born is part of His choice to become a man and die for our sins.  It does not negate His infinite role in the Trinity.

In verse 18 we see that as the pre-existing Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, the Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, the source of resurrection life, and the One who must be supreme in all things.  Jesus is to have preeminence or supremacy in all things (Ephesians 1:20-23).  He is to have first place in our hearts and lives.  That is before our family, our job, our house, car, hobbies, etc.  This includes within the church itself.  Church life must center on Jesus, not on personalities or programs.  We need to be giving Jesus first place in everything.  Jesus stands alone.  No one or no thing is like Him.

In the final two verses of this Scripture passage, we see again the deity of Christ, and how He has reconciled us to the Father (vs. 19-20).  Jesus possesses the fullness of deity (Colossians 2:9).  The deep love that Jesus demonstrated through His death on the cross frees us from the debt for our sins, and opens the way for our reconciliation with God (Romans 5:1, 10).  His cross brings peace and reconciliation, not only for believers, but ultimately for all of creation.  As believers, once we have accepted Jesus as our personal Savior, we can now enjoy peace with God, and look forward to the restoration of all things in His Kingdom.

As we look back through this Scripture, we see that Jesus is more than the One who forgives us our sins and helps us with our daily problems.  He is the image of the invisible God.  He takes the invisible and makes it plain to us.  He is the One by whom all things were created.  He is the Head of the entire Christian Church, which is His Body.  Jesus leads us and protects us.  He is the One who went first into death and out the other side into everlasting life.  Jesus reconciled all things to Himself through His death on the Cross, cleansing us from sin and setting us free from evil.

Our Refuge and Strength

Psalm 46

Many of you may have heard of the Ring of Fire, an area that basically encircles the Pacific Ocean.  It runs up the west coast of South and North America, across southern Alaska, and then down the east coast of Asia, Japan, including Indonesia, and then ending in New Zealand.  It is an area with over 900 active or dormant volcanoes, and because the area has multiple shifting tectonic plates, it is an area with frequent strong earthquakes.  Of course there are other areas across the world with active or dormant volcanoes, and where there are possibilities of earthquakes.  Where I live in east-central Illinois I am right between the New Madrid fault and the Wabash Valley fault, both of which geologists say are likely within the next fifty years of having a significant earthquake.  Though I will admit to sometimes letting one thing or another worry me, I am not worried about that, or about getting hit by a tornado some summer, which are also very frequent where I live.  Our psalm this week speaks of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, along with other types of storms in life, and what a believer’s response should ideally be in such events.

As Christians, when we read through the Bible, we clearly see that it is emphasized throughout Scripture that God is sovereign, with supreme and unlimited power.  We also know that He is present with us at all times, and has promised to protect us.  As our psalm begins, we see that God is our Refuge whenever there is any type of trouble.  The psalmist specifically mentions conditions similar to a major earthquake, one where the actual mountains are crumbling and falling into the ocean (vs. 1-3).  Something like that happening around you is quite likely to cause some fear and concern.  However, as God’s children, we know that He is both a place of safety, our refuge, and He is also our source of power or strength. God is sufficient for both protection and endurance.  He is a present help.  Yahweh is not a distant or delayed god.  He is always immediately available in times of trouble.

Mountains falling and seas roaring symbolize the most stable things collapsing.  Even if creation itself unravels, as God’s children we do not need to fear.  We need to put our trust in Him even if the foundations of the earth shift beneath our feet.  That takes a heart willing to trust His Word, submit to His plan, and then deliberately and consciously relax.  God is sovereign over natural disasters, political upheavals, and any personal crisis.  Our confidence should not rest in circumstances, but in God’s unchanging character.

Next the psalmist shifts to speaking of a calm river that brings gladness (vs. 4-7).  This points to God’s sustaining grace and peace.  It is also a prophetic picture of the Millennial Kingdom where the River of God will flow.  We read about this river in both Ezekiel 47:1-12 and Revelation 22:1-2.  The city of God refers both to the present city of Jerusalem and to the future New Jerusalem where God will dwell with His people.  Jerusalem is a city that has rarely known any peace since its founding several thousand years ago.  Since the days of the Patriarchs of the Old Testament the heathen nations have raged against Jerusalem and His people, but God’s voice and Word will stop them.  The Church, as God’s dwelling place, is secure because Jesus is in her midst (Matthew 28:20).

As the psalm concludes, we see how God is sovereign over all the nations of the world (vs. 8-11).  His judgments bring desolation, but they also will bring peace.  We all want to see wars and conflicts end around the world.  However, it is God alone who can end wars.  When Scripture tells us to be still, that is not passive resignation, but instead is telling us to have reverent submission to God’s will and ways.  We need to cease striving and acknowledge his sovereignty.  We see that despite all of the turmoil around the world, Jesus will be exalted, which is echoed in Philippians 2:10-11.

As we close this psalm we see that God wants us to be still and know that there is nothing too big for Him to handle.  He is right there with us in times of trouble.  When the disciples were afraid during a storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus stood up and rebuked the wind, and told the waves to be still.  Then all was calm (Mark 4:35-41).  When we hear about natural disasters around us, maybe in our own area, and when we hear about wars, we need to remember that God is in control.  The Lord, who has sent His Son to save us, is not going to leave us or forsake us.  Remember, God is our refuge and strength!  The Lord of hosts is with us!

Bad or Good Shepherds

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Imagine if you will, that you hired someone to babysit your young, preschool child while you were at work.  You expect them to be diligent in watching over and caring for your child, keeping them from harm, playing with them, feeding them, etc.  When they get older and attend school we expect the same careful attention by their teachers.  If we hire someone to watch our pets while we are away on a vacation we also want them to treat them with care.  If this person mistreats our child or pet we naturally are furious, and possibly even take legal action against them.  Knowing these natural feelings and reactions, would we think that God would feel any less about His children?  In our Scripture today we read of His reaction when these shepherds who were to care for His people have failed in their duty.

Both in the past and today, God has raised up spiritual leaders to lead, guide, and care for His people.  In the Old Testament they were often called shepherds, and the people as their flock.  However, as the prophet Jeremiah received his message, God was going to bring judgment on the false shepherds, those who were failing in their duty, which by this time were so many of them.  God also promised the coming of the righteous King, the Messiah and Savior.

As our Scripture begins, God pronounces woe, or judgment upon the unfaithful shepherds who have scattered and destroyed His flock (vs. 1-2).  In the Old Testament days, the priests, the prophets, and also the kings were meant to shepherd the people of Israel.  However, they had failed terribly.  So many of them were leading the people astray into both idolatry and injustice.  These shepherds were supposed to be genuine, but were actually fake.  Instead of acting as godly leaders who would serve and care for their people, they used their power to mislead and exploit them.  They acted with malevolence, destroying and scattering the sheep (Ezekiel 34:1-6).  They behaved as enemies of the sheep.

Things are no different today.  False religious leaders, preachers, and teachers continue to scatter people who have come to them for truth and God’s Word, yet they receive anything but that.  How many preachers, and even whole denominations, do not believe or preach that the Bible is God’s inspired Word?  Or they are preaching that if the people send them their offerings God will then bless them with wealth and prosperity.  Far too many only preach nice, warm and fuzzy, feel-good messages, not the whole Word of God.  This passage is a warning against compromising God’s truth for popularity or worldly gain.

As the prophet Jeremiah continued, he spoke that though these leaders had failed, God promised to regather His people (vs. 3-4).  This pointed to the restoration after the Babylonian exile, but ultimately to Jesus Christ’s work of gathering His Church.  These faithful and true shepherds that He would raise up were leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah, and true prophets like Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.  They would later include the apostles, and today the few but faithful pastors who truthfully preach God’s Word.  Faithful pastors today must feed the flock with sound doctrine (Acts 20:28).  Christians will be fed and grow spiritually when the shepherds are faithful to the Scriptures.

Jeremiah proceeded to bring a word of prophecy (vs. 5).  The “Branch” is a clear reference to the Messiah (Isaiah 11:1).  The Messiah would come from King David’s line, fulfilling the covenant promises.  Unlike the many corrupt kings that had ruled over the people, this King will reign wisely and justly.  This verse points directly to Jesus Christ, the true Shepherd-King.  He rules in righteousness, unlike human leaders who fail.

The Messiah would bring salvation to God’s people (vs. 6).  Ultimately, this points to spiritual salvation through Jesus’ finished work on the cross.  This Scripture passage ends with the proclamation of a name that the Messiah would have - The Lord our Righteousness, or Yahweh Tsidkenu.  Jesus Himself is our righteousness (I Corinthians 1:30; II Corinthians 5:21).  We are justified not by works, but by His imputed righteousness.  This is the heart of the Gospel.  Our standing before God rests not on our merit, but on Christ’s righteousness which has been credited to all who put their faith and trust in Him.

As we close this Scripture, we see that God will hold all preachers and leaders accountable for how they treat His flock.  He wants His children properly fed from His Word and cared for.  As believers, we must test what our pastors and teachers tell us against the Bible to avoid being scattered by false doctrine.  Don’t be led astray by something that may sound nice, or with what fits in with whatever popular philosophies or ideas are around.  If it doesn’t line up with what the Bible says, we must reject it.  And finally, Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone, who is The Lord our Righteousness.  While human shepherds may fail, the Good Shepherd never does.

Wars, Earthquakes, and Persecution

Luke 21:5-19

Do you like to keep informed of what is happening in your community and in the world in general?  Some people do, but others find themselves getting too distressed by what they hear.  They allow the news of wars, crime, and natural disasters to make them too upset.  Others, though, like to keep informed of what is happening, whether it is good news or bad.  In our Scripture today as we continue on through the Gospel of Luke, we read of the Lord Jesus foretelling us of future events, virtually all of it not being good news.  However, He does close this passage with a positive note for His audience.  Let’s see what He has to say.

Our Scripture is part of what is called the Olivet Discourse.  This took place a couple of days after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, commonly called Palm Sunday.  In answer to His disciples' questions, Jesus foretold of many events that will precede His Second Coming, His return to earth.  As our passage begins, Jesus and His disciples were walking by the Temple in Jerusalem (vs. 5-6).  They pointed out to Him the architectural beauty of the building.  This was the Second Temple built by Zerubbabel, as the first one was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.  King Herod made many grand and beautiful renovations to this building, and the disciples were pointing them out to Jesus.  The Lord responded by telling them that this Temple, like the first one, would be destroyed, which happened approximately forty years later in 70 AD. Though there is certainly nothing wrong with architecturally beautiful buildings, or any other nice things, we need to remember that earthly glory and human achievement are temporary, and we must set our hopes on eternal things (Colossians 3:1-2).

The disciples were probably surprised to hear this, and though they didn’t question that this would happen, they did wonder when it would happen.  Jesus proceeded to answer, telling them of other events that would precede His return (vs. 7-11).  He warned of deception, of wars, and natural disasters that would come.  These are warnings that we, today, need to be alert for, as well as the disciples did.

First, Jesus warned of false messiahs and religious leaders who will try to lead people astray with their false teachings (vs. 8).  The world today is filled with religious fakes and frauds who are masters of deceit.  They serve up their detestable lies, camouflaged by logical sounding phrases.  Deception comes in convincing fashion, wearing the cloak of authenticity.  It might sound intelligent, and is usually very popular.  Millions are duped into swallowing the lies, thinking it is the truth.  Being warned about this ahead of time, believers must discern truth from deception, anchoring themselves in Scripture rather than sensational claims.

Jesus continued by warning of wars, nations rising against nations, along with natural disasters in the future (vs. 9-11).  We hear of these happening all the time, and these are the “birth pangs”, but not the end itself (Matthew 24:7-8).  They are precursors, pointing towards the Tribulation and Jesus’ Second Coming.  Sometimes some people get overwhelmed and filled with fear by it all.  Jesus, though, tells us not to be terrified of this.

The Bible talks about many natural disasters happening, and those who listen to the news hear of frequent earthquakes around the world, along with other disasters.  We do not need to worry, though.  God is in control.  He is always in control.  The psalmist said in Psalm 46:1-2 that even if the mountains fall into the sea, we do not need to fear.  God sent His Son to save us, so He’s not going to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  He will do what is right and best for us.

Jesus also warned that there will be persecution of those who follow Him (vs. 12-15).  Believers will be brought before political leaders and sent to prison.  We should look at this not as a defeat, but as an opportunity to witness for the Lord.  Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will equip us to speak boldly for Him.  He warned that we may be betrayed by those we thought were friends and by family members, and that the world will hate us because of our faith in Him (vs. 16-19).  Though Christians may suffer physically, even unto death, our eternal security in Jesus is guaranteed.  He promised that no one can pluck us out of God’s hand (John 10:28-29).

What can overcome fear?  Nothing but hope.  Our hope is that our redemption draws near.  Jesus will not desert us.  Earthly structures may fall, but God’s kingdom endures.  Though we will be hated for our faith, and maybe even harmed, our eternal life is secure.  We can comfort one another with the promises of Jesus.  He will return.  He said it, and He is no liar.

Being Lazy

II Thessalonians 3:6-13

What does the Bible say about laziness or idleness?  Though we certainly don’t look at it as a virtue, do we really think that it is that bad?  Scripture does have something to say about being lazy or idle, and today we’ll take a look at what St. Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica about it, as it seems there were some people there who had fallen into that bad habit.  Let’s see what God’s Word has to say.

After having to leave the city of Philippi, Paul and his missionary companion Silas, came to Thessalonica and began telling the folks there about Jesus.  Within a few weeks, they had several converts, and established a church.  Shortly afterwards, though, the enemies of the Lord ran them out of town, and Paul eventually ended up in Corinth, where he stayed for over a year.  While in Corinth Paul wrote his two letters to the Thessalonian church.  In addition to teaching on some spiritual and doctrinal topics, the apostle also addressed some behavioral issues that were creeping into that new church.

It seems that there were some within the Thessalonian church that were refusing to work, to get a job with which to provide a suitable income, and instead were wanting to live off of others within the church community.  Perhaps they had heard how the very early church in Judea, back during the first few years following Pentecost, had pooled their resources and provided for the poor and needy within the new Christian community (Acts 4:32-37).  For some reason these folks now felt that if they didn’t work, others would and should provide for them.

When Paul heard of this, he knew right away that this sort of behavior was not right, and that it needed to be corrected right away.  Labor is part of God’s design (Genesis 2:15).  Laziness is a sin.  So as he ended his epistle to the Thessalonians, he spoke directly to this issue.  Paul didn’t make this a suggestion.  He didn’t say, “If you don’t mind, it might be nice if you thought about maybe getting a job.”  Paul spoke with his apostolic authority, invoking the Name of Jesus, saying “we command you” (vs. 6).

Paul stated that if some people who attended the church were acting disorderly, the others were to withdraw fellowship.  The specific instance of disorderly conduct he was referring to in this passage was idleness or laziness.  Separation or withdrawal of fellowship is a form of church discipline.  One should not break fellowship over minor issues, such as over length of hair, or what one chooses to eat or not eat, but over persistent disobedience to God’s Word and commands.  Withdrawal from disorderly brethren protects the purity of the church body.

Paul proceeded to point out how he and the other apostles behaved as they preached the Gospel wherever they went (vs. 7-8).  Paul, for example, worked as a tentmaker to avoid burdening the church (Acts 18:3). He told the Thessalonians that just because he was in full-time ministry, that was no excuse to be lazy, either.  When he wasn’t busy preaching God’s Word, he made tents, along with two other Christian workers, Priscilla and Aquila.  Paul demonstrated that spiritual leaders should be above reproach in practical matters.  In verse 9 Paul stated that he had the authority to receive financial help, as he also explained in I Corinthians 9:14.  However, he voluntarily set aside his rights to model diligence and responsibility.

Work is a Biblical duty (vs. 10).  There are some instances when a person cannot work, such as being sick, or having a physical or mental disability, or temporarily when one might be unemployed and actively looking for work. In those instances, when one legitimately cannot work, the church should help them with their needs.  However if one just refuses to work when they are able, Paul stated that they should be disqualified from church provisions and help.  This does not condemn helping the needy, sick, or disabled, but it rebukes willful idleness.

Being lazy or idle often leads to meddling in others’ lives, such as with gossip and interference, which often leads to strife (vs. 11-12).  Instead, Paul exhorted believers to work quietly, to mind their own business, and to provide for their and their families’ needs (I Timothy 5:8).  Again, Paul rooted this command in the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.  A lazy Christian dishonors Jesus and undermines the Gospel witness.

The apostle closes with a word of encouragement to those who are following and obeying the Lord (vs. 13).  Don’t grow tired of doing right, even when others abuse generosity.  While discipline is sometimes necessary, believers must continue to show kindness and perseverance in good works.  As we close, we need to remember that although the Lord is the ultimate source of all we have, He has given us the responsibility of working in order to provide for our basic necessities.  If someone is capable and able-bodied, but unwilling to work and wants something for nothing, God won’t reinforce laziness.

Joy to the World

Psalm 98

Advent will be starting in just a couple of weeks, ushering in the Christmas season, and Christmas four short weeks after.  Stores have already begun the Christmas shopping season, and even a few radio stations have already begun playing Christmas songs.  Our psalm for this week forms the basis and background for one very popular Christmas Carol - Joy to the World.  Let’s take a quick look at this psalm which led to a very popular Christmas carol.

The human author of Psalm 98 is unknown, while the author of the hymn “Joy to the World” was the 17th/18th century English minister, Isaac Watts.  He did not write his hymn to be a Christmas carol, as neither the hymn, nor the psalm refer at all to the virgin birth of Jesus.  Both speak of His Second Coming.  It wasn’t until the 19th century when it began to be sung at Christmas, and only in the 20th century did it become as massively popular a Christmas carol as we know it today.

Psalm 98 is a psalm of praise to God, as it calls for all of creation to rejoice in God’s marvelous works, in His salvation, and in His coming judgment.  The psalm begins with a call to sing a new song to God (vs. 1).  Our praise to the Lord for His mighty acts should be fresh every day.  Every day we should give God new praise for His salvation.  That salvation was accomplished by God’s own power, His holy arm, not by any human effort (Isaiah 59:16).   Our gratitude to God should never grow stale.

That salvation which God bought for us with the Blood of His Son Jesus, is public and universal (vs. 2-3).  Salvation is not hidden.  It is revealed openly through the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Though His covenant faithfulness to Israel was fulfilled in Jesus, it is extended to “all the ends of the earth”.  Salvation is for all nations, not just a select few.

The psalmist calls upon everyone, everywhere to sing forth praise to God (vs. 4-6).  He calls for a whole orchestra to break out in musical song to Him.  Not only should we be singing our praise to God today and every day, this also anticipates the millennial reign of Jesus, when all nations will openly worship Him (Zechariah 14:16).

Even nature itself is pictured as rejoicing at God’s reign (vs. 7-8).  St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that all of creation groans now, but will rejoice when Jesus returns and restores all things (Romans 8:19-22).  When Adam and Eve fell, all of creation suffered as well.   Nature now started to bring forth thorns, thistles, and poisonous plants.  Animals, which previously all got along with each other, now became predator and prey.  Natural disasters in weather and through the actual earth began to happen.  Creation is waiting for the day it will be set free from death and decay from its bondage to corruption.  Creation is waiting with us for Jesus’ return.   The curse will be lifted when Jesus Christ restores all things (Revelation 21:1-5).

Our psalm closes with its final verse, pointing to Christ’s second coming  (vs. 9).  The Lord Jesus will return as the righteous Judge and King (Revelation 19:11-16).  When He returns, He will bring God’s judgment to the earth.  His judgment is not arbitrary, but is righteous and equitable.  Unlike human justice which is often partial or corrupt, the judgment Jesus brings is done in truth.  As believers, we can rejoice in God’s coming judgment because it means vindication for all we have suffered at the hands of unbelievers.  It also means justice will be brought against those who hate the Lord and His people, along with the establishment of His kingdom.

We now close our look at Psalm 98, a psalm that was used for the basis of a beautiful hymn, which was later used as a popular Christmas carol, when in actuality it is not referring to Jesus’ first coming as a baby in Bethlehem, but rather His second coming as King and Judge.  We see that Psalm 98 spans redemptive history, spanning the past with our salvation purchased on the cross, the present with our daily worship, and the future with the Lord’s coming judgment.   Let’s remember to bring our praises to the Lord fresh and new every day, as we live in hope and holiness, anticipating Jesus’ return.

God's Book of Remembrance

Malachi 3:13 - 4:6

Did your high school or college have a yearbook?  If so, do you still have it?  Many people keep their yearbooks for many years following graduation, and occasionally go through it, as it brings back memories of friends and events.  Though much less common today due to storing them online, people used to put all their photos into various photo albums.  Those are fun to go through, remembering the people from our past.  Hopefully someone remembered to write the names of those in the photo on the back!  As we read in our Scripture today, God also keeps a book where special names are listed, a Book of Remembrance for Himself.  Let’s look into our Scripture passage.

Malachi was a prophet in the days following the return of the Jewish people to their homeland after the Babylonian captivity.  His book is also the last book of the Old Testament, likely written sometime between 445 - 432 BC.  As we read through this segment of Scripture, we will see how Malachi contrasts the arrogant unbelief of those who despise God’s commands with the faithful remnant who fear Him, and the book where their names are recorded by the Lord.

Malachi begins here by recording the Words of God.  The Lord spoke out against the people, as they have been very critical of Him (vs. 13-15).  This unfaithful majority of the people of Israel have spoken against God, saying what use is it in serving Him, that there is no profit in serving and obeying His Word.  The people point out that the wicked openly disobey Him and prosper, so why not just join them.  This type of thinking and complaining against God reflects a spirit of unbelief and rebellion.  Sometimes arrogant and evil people seem to prosper more than the godly.  If we complain about the blessings that evil people receive, we expose the immaturity of our own faith.  We must guard against the temptation to measure God’s faithfulness by outward prosperity.  Don’t trust in material blessings rather than in Jesus Christ.  Faith trusts God’s character, not in circumstances.

Continuing on in our Scripture, Malachi now speaks of those who are the faithful remnant (vs. 16-18).  These are those who fear the Lord, and who speak of Him and His Word often among each other, and are in contrast to those previously mentioned, who were angry and critical against Him.  This group feared the Lord, and also fellowshipped together.  Sometimes it is not easy to stand firm for God in a culture that tells us we will lose out if we don’t blend in.  However, we can get encouragement and support from meeting with other believers.  The faithful in Malachi’s time met with like-minded believers to encourage each other.  God listened and heard.

God notices and cares for all who fear and honor Him, claiming these people as His own.  The prophet Malachi stated that God cherishes these believers as His jewels (vs. 17).  We know how if someone has some valuable jewelry, they cherish those pieces, taking good care of them and keeping them safe.  We are God’s jewels!  He treasures us even when the world mocks us.

Not only does God consider believers as His jewels, He also records our names in His Book of Remembrance (vs. 16).  This is a clear distinction between the righteous and the wicked.  This is a mark of their faithfulness.  It emphasizes God’s endless remembrance as it records those who profess faith in Him.  God’s eternal memory is greater than any earthly mother’s memory of her own children (Isaiah 49:15).  He will never forget us!

God said here that He will spare His people as a father spares his son (vs. 17).  However, God did not spare His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, His own blameless Son who served Him.  Jesus’ sacrifice fulfilled God’s promise to deliver all people.  By not sparing Jesus, He spared us!

Malachi ended this passage, concluding both his book of prophecy and also the Old Testament, with a warning (vs. 1-6).  He warned of judgment to come upon the proud and wicked.  They will be consumed like stubble.  But the Lord will raise the Sun of Righteousness upon the righteous.  This Sun of Righteousness is Jesus Himself, who brings healing from sin and triumph over evil.

God finishes His Word in the Old Testament with a promise to send Elijah the prophet before the Day of the Lord comes (vs. 5-6).  This prophecy was partially fulfilled in John the Baptist (Luke 1:17; Matthew 11:14).  It will be fully realized in Elijah’s future ministry before Jesus’ second coming.  God’s plan includes both judgment and mercy.  Like He has always done, the Lord sends messengers to call people to repentance before judgment falls.  Are we one of the arrogant complainers against the Lord, or are we the remnant, one of His treasured jewels whose name is in the Book of Remembrance?

A Deceptive Question

Luke 20:27-38

As you read through any of the Gospels, one thing becomes rather obvious right away, and that is that two groups of people strongly oppose Jesus and His message.  The first group was the Pharisees, who opposed Jesus at every turn.  They were a prominent religious group in Judaism during the time of the New Testament who strenuously followed the Mosaic Law, along with traditions passed down from historic rabbis and elders.  The other group that opposed Jesus might be a little less familiar, as they were not mentioned quite as often in the New Testament.  They were the Sadducees, who though a smaller group, were powerful in the Sanhedrin, which was the Jewish legislative and judicial assembly.  They accepted only the Torah, first five books of the Bible, rejecting the rest as not authoritative, and did not believe in a resurrection, nor in angels.  They, too, opposed Jesus.  In our Gospel reading today we have recorded one time when they challenged Jesus.  Let’s look at what happened.

The Sadducees seemed to consider themselves rather intellectual, and as our Scripture opens a group of them have come to Jesus and try to trap Him in a religious discussion or debate.  They knew that Jesus believed in, and had spoken several times about the resurrection from the dead, which they did not believe in.  So the Sadducees came to Jesus with a hypothetical scenario which they thought would trap Him and make Him look ridiculous to the crowds.

In this scenario (vs. 27-33) they describe a Levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5-10) which would involve a deceased man’s brother marrying his widow if the deceased had no children.  They describe a man dying, so the second brother takes the widow.  He dies, so the third takes her, continuing down through seven brothers, each dying childless.  So, they question, if there is a resurrection of the dead, whose wife would she be?  This was not a sincere inquiry.  They thought they had Jesus in an intellectual or philosophical religious trap. They were mocking the doctrine of the resurrection by making it seem absurd.

Jesus then responded by correcting their faulty thinking about the resurrection (vs. 34-38).  First, He distinguished between this life here on earth and the life to come, the resurrection life.  As He described, in the resurrection, in the after-life, marriage is no longer necessary.  Relationships are not erased, but they will be different.  The purpose of marriage no longer exists in heaven.  God gave mankind marriage at the beginning for a purpose, which was for procreation and companionship in a fallen world.  That purpose is fulfilled in this earthly life, not in the next.  Assuming that all seven brothers and the widow are in heaven, their relationship with each other will not be the same as it was on earth.

Jesus also described people in the resurrected life as being “equal to the angels” (vs. 36).  They do not become angels, but they are immortal and no longer subject to death, just like angels are.  A number of Christians have a false belief that their loved ones become angels when they die.  They speak of a beloved dead mother or father as an angel watching over them.  They speak of a child who died as now being a little angel in heaven.  However, this is not the case.  Angels are a completely different heavenly creature than human beings.  We do not, never have, and never will become angels after we die.

As Jesus wrapped up His response to the Sadducees, He used Scripture to affirm the reality of the bodily resurrection of believers.  Knowing that they only held the first five Books of Moses as authoritative, Jesus quoted from the Book of Exodus, where God identified Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:6).  God used the present tense when referring to Himself as the Patriarchs’ God, not the past tense.  This proves that the Patriarchs are still alive in God’s presence, affirming the continuity of life after death.  Though they are no longer in this world, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are present with God at the time of Moses, at the time of Jesus, and currently today.

As we look at the Lord’s response to the Sadducees' skepticism of any resurrection, we see in His response that resurrection is real and it is bodily.  It is not a metaphor or just a philosophical or spiritual idea.  It is a literal future event.  The Apostle Paul reserved a whole chapter in his letter to the Corinthians about it (I Corinthians 15).  Eternal life is not merely a future hope, but a present reality for those who are Christians.  We can be assured through this Scripture passage that for those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior, death is not the end but a new beginning.  We serve the God of the living!

Stand Firm

II Thessalonians 2:13 - 3:5

Our New Testament Scripture passage this week, from the Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer, continues in St. Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonian church.  This letter was sent to bring encouragement to these new believers who were going through some persecution for their faith in the Lord Jesus.

As we begin our Scripture, Paul begins by reminding the Thessalonians of their salvation (vs. 13-14).  Sometimes people, when talking about the time that they came to faith in Christ, say something like “when I found God” or “when I found Jesus”.  Actually, that statement isn’t exactly accurate.  They didn’t find God.  He wasn’t lost.  Jesus wasn’t lost.  They were lost.  God found them.  God was searching for them, for each one of us, for all of mankind.  He gave us His Word, the Bible, telling us of salvation.  He sent His messengers in churches, on the radio and TV, and online, to tell people about Jesus.  Do they listen?  The Holy Spirit attempts to speak to people’s hearts of their need for salvation.  Do they close their ears?  The Thessalonians were lost in their sins, just like everyone else has been.  God sent His messengers, Paul and Silas, who brought His Gospel message.  They listened, responding to the Holy Spirit’s prompting, believed the truth of His Word, and came to faith in the Lord Jesus.

Paul then urged the Thessalonian believers to “stand fast” (vs. 15).  The Greek word that Paul used was “steko”, which means to stand firm, to persevere, to persist, and to keep one’s footing.  The Apostle was telling these believers, and us, to stand strong and persevere in all of the doctrines and teachings that they had been taught.  We must cling to sound doctrine found in the Scripture (Titus 1:9), not stumbling or falling into false doctrine or heresy.

Paul prayed that the Lord would give them His comfort and strength in the midst of the trials and persecutions they were going through (vs. 16-17).  God doesn’t just save us.  He sustains us!  We are upheld and established for every good word and work.  Words and works show that sound doctrine must lead to godly living.  Though we are saved by faith alone, if no godly living and good works follow, then that faith is not genuine, it is dead (James 2:17).

As we head into chapter 3, the Apostle Paul requested prayer.  He asked the Thessalonian Christians to pray for the unhindered spread of the Gospel (vs. 1-2).  Just as he had faced opposition when ministering to them, Paul found opposition in many other places as well.  We see that in many places around the world today.  Even in countries where the Gospel light shined for so long, today the message of Jesus is being shut down.  Not all have faith, as Paul warned.  Yet we must continue, as he did, to bring the message of Jesus to others.

As he continued, Paul reminded them that God is always faithful, even in the midst of trials (vs. 3).  We can count on Him to uphold and guard us from the “evil one”, Satan and all of his minions, those who choose to follow and work for his cause here on earth.  Oftentimes people that we counted on and trusted, end up failing us, maybe even turning against us.  However, God remains faithful.  He will protect us against evil including both moral evil and spiritual attacks.  He is our shield (Psalm 91:4).

Paul had confidence that God was working in and through these believers (vs. 4-5).  He knew that they were obeying Him, following His Word, and thus Jesus could work through them.  Paul closed this passage of Scripture with a prayer for the believers, that they would have a deeper love for God, and a steadfast hope in Jesus’ imminent return.

As we look back over these verses, we should live in holiness and gratitude that God found us in our lost and sinful condition.  As we serve Him, let us stand firmly against all compromise, praying for boldness and protection as we do His work, and tell others about the Savior.  We can trust Jesus in our trials, as we wait for His return, for He is faithful.

The Apple of God's Eye

Psalm 17

Many of us can remember some times in our lives when we have been falsely accused.  Maybe as a child you were blamed for something that one of your siblings did or something another classmate did.  Maybe your boss put the blame for a company failure on you when you had nothing to do with it.  Or perhaps your reputation was ruined by lies that someone in the neighborhood told about you.  As a Christian, how should we react when such things happen to us?   A number of times throughout his life, David was the target of enemy attacks, whether physical or verbal.  Instead of returning the attacks, he brought it all to the Lord in prayer.  Our psalm today is one such prayer.

This psalm of David’s is a heartfelt prayer of his to Yahweh, and shows us today how we can seek God’s protection and vindication when we face injustice.  David wrote this psalm during a distressing time in his life, though he gave no specific indication of what it was.  He came to God in prayer, knowing that He is a righteous Judge.  He prayed that Yahweh would deliver him from the wicked people who were after him, and he depended upon the Lord for His help.  As we go through this psalm verse by verse, we can see how David specifically prayed to God for deliverance.

As Psalm 17 begins, David prayed to God for justice.  His enemies had been attacking him, and he knew that their attacks were not in retaliation for anything that he had done to them (vs. 1-2).  Sometimes when we face trouble, it is our own fault, and we are responsible for causing our own unpleasant situation.  However David knew this wasn’t the case here.  He knew that God knows everything, and that he can’t hide something from Him or be deceitful.  That wasn’t his case.  David could say with integrity that his was a “just cause”.   He does not have “deceitful lips”, he was not lying.  We need to remember that when we pray.  God sees the truth of every situation, and if we bear all or part of the guilt, we need to be sure to make that right before Him and others.

David invited God to test him, affirming that he has avoided “the paths of the destroyer” (vs. 3-5).  He did his best not to follow in the ways of Satan.  He also aimed and made a point that he would be careful in everything that he said, he would not transgress with his mouth.  This was not to say that David was perfect.  He knew that there were times when he sinned.  However, he feared God and when he sinned, he repented and called out to Him for help.  David lived as a man who knew that one day he would give an account to God.  As Christians, we must walk in holiness, not just outwardly but inwardly, knowing that God examines our heart.

When we pray for God’s protection, we can look for His tender care and divine shelter (vs. 6-9).  One phrase here sticks out to me, and that is when David prayed for God to keep him “as the apple of Your eye.”  That idiom is often used to describe a beloved child or loved one, someone that is precious and cherished.  It comes from centuries ago when the pupil of the eye was sometimes referred to as an apple.  Just as we are careful to protect our pupils, our eyes, David wanted God to protect him.  This phrase is also used in Deuteronomy 32:10 and Zechariah 2:8 where God calls His people the apple of His eye.

David proceeded to describe the wicked (vs. 10-14).  They are proud, callous, and violent.  They believe that their reward is in this life.  They do not think that God will hold them accountable, or that there is any judgment after death.  However, rather than taking matters into his own hands, rather than seeking his own vengeance and attacking them back, David left that for God to do in His own way and time.  As believers, we see that we do so often face spiritual opposition in our life.  Like David, though, we should trust God to deal with the ungodly in His time.

As David concluded his psalm prayer, we see a statement in verse 15 that is similar to the one we looked at just a couple days ago in the Book of Job.  David, like Job, believed in the resurrection and the believer’s glorification.  It speaks of his hope of seeing God and being transformed into His likeness.  The Apostle John also testified of this truth in I John 3:2.

In closing we learn from David’s psalm that when we pray with a clear conscience, we can trust in God’s justice.  We can seek refuge in God, hiding in the shadow of His wings, and know that one day we will awake in His presence.  We can pray like David for the Lord to keep the wicked far from us, and for Him to be close.

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Job 19:23-27

All too often when someone goes through a significant tragedy, especially if it lasts over an extended period of time, their faith and hope take a big hit.  Perhaps it is the death of a child, or maybe they lost all they had in a fire or natural disaster.  Sometimes this happens if the person becomes very sick.  Before the tragedy hit, their faith and hope were as strong as any other believer.  However, now, after all that has happened to them, it is a different story.  Today’s Scripture contains the words of a man who went through some terrible trials.  Though he certainly wasn’t happy about it, and he made that quite clear, he never lost his faith or hope in God.

The gentleman I am referring to is, naturally, Job from the Old Testament.  When I mentioned several types of tragedies in the previous paragraph that might lead one to lose hope and faith, Job went through all three of them.  Job was a very wealthy rancher, probably a contemporary to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (2000-1800 BC).  One day some roving bands of thieves stole his cattle.  Then the remaining herds were burned to death in a lightning fire.  In addition, a tornado-like windstorm struck, bringing down the building where all ten of his children were, killing them all.  Then, to top it off, Job developed a very painful skin disease, possibly brought on, or at least worsened, by the stress of the other afflictions.  Naturally Job was very distressed over this, and he did let God know this.  Yet Job did not lose his faith in God, nor his hope in His promises.

How would you be after all of this?  Each of your children killed in one day, all of your cattle, which is your source of livelihood stolen, and then a horribly painful disease afflicts you.  Bam!  Bam!  Bam!  Would you still be able to stand upright in your faith?

As our Scripture opens, Job tells of his longing that his words could be recorded permanently, preserved for future generations (vs. 23-24).  He knew that what he was going to say next was of eternal significance.  He did not want these words to be forgotten.  Job had no idea that God was inspiring them, and that they would be a part of His eternal Word!  God did indeed preserve Job’s words in Scripture, fulfilling his desire beyond imagination (Psalm 12:6-7).

Job’s next words were a climactic declaration of faith (vs. 25).  There are some who believe that the idea and belief in a bodily resurrection did not come about until the New Testament days, and some believe that it didn’t fully solidify into a Christian doctrine until even some time after that.  However, as we can plainly see here, Job clearly believed in a bodily resurrection.  Job affirms that his Redeemer is alive, and will one day stand upon the earth.  This is a prophetic glimpse of Jesus Christ’s incarnation and then Second Coming.  This points to Jesus as the living Redeemer who will vindicate His people.  Job knew who He was, without the help of a preacher or a prophet.  He had a divine encounter with the One who would later be born in Bethlehem.

As we continue, Job anticipated his own physical death, as he speaks of his skin being destroyed (vs. 26).  However, he expressed confidence in a bodily resurrection for himself when he said that he, in his flesh, would see God.  This is not metaphorical, it is literal.  Job expected to see God with resurrected eyes, in a glorified body.  The Apostle Paul would centuries later corroborate this same belief when he wrote his epistles to both the Corinthians and Philippians (I Corinthians 15:42-44; Philippians 3:20-21).

Job personally held this hope for his future (vs. 27).  He would see it himself.  He yearned for that moment, his eternal redemption.  Job counted on the promise of the resurrection.  He looked ahead, counting on the Lord’s promise to make all things bright and beautiful in the life beyond.  He knew that at that time all pain, death, sorrow, tears, and adversity would be removed.

Are you going through a really difficult time right now?  Like Job, we must cling to the certainty that our Redeemer lives, especially during these trials.  Our bodies may fail, but our future is secure in the Lord Jesus.  This belief gives us strength to endure suffering.  Job understood that he had a big God who was in control.  He knew and believed that one day, when all the suffering was over, he would understand more fully.  As Job did, anchor your hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Seeking and Saving the Lost

Luke 19:1-10

Today, as we continue our journey through the Gospel of Luke, we come to a story that many children are familiar with from Sunday School and children’s Bibles.  This isn’t just a story to amuse little children.  Adults can learn many lessons from this Scripture passage, as well.  Let’s take a look and see what we can learn today.

As our Scripture begins, we read that Jesus was going through the city of Jericho (vs. 1).  He and His disciples were on their way to Jerusalem, as the Passover was approaching.  This would be the last time Jesus came to Jerusalem before His crucifixion.  He had been to Jericho a few times, though most of His ministry took place further north in Galilee and around the Sea of Galilee.

Jericho was a rather affluent city, much more so than most of the communities in Galilee.  It was also a community with many spiritually lost people, who desperately needed the Savior.  Among the lost in that city was a man named Zacchaeus.  He was a chief tax collector in Jericho.  He was one of the bosses, if not the boss among the many tax collectors there.  Jericho was on two important trade routes during New Testament times, one going east and west, and the other going north and south.  Thus there was a lot of merchandise and goods that came from near and far that needed to be taxed, and Zacchaeus was right there to see that it was done.  Tax collectors at that time had a very bad reputation, as they often extorted more money than the Roman government demanded, and they pocketed what they could.  Zacchaeus certainly did, as the Bible says he was rich (vs. 2).

One day Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was passing through town.  He had heard about Jesus, heard about the miracles He had done, and possibly heard about some of the messages He had taught.  He wanted to see Jesus, but he had a problem.  Zacchaeus was quite short, and with all of the crowds lining the road, he could never see above or around them.  Plus, being an important tax collector, he didn’t want people knowing that he was interested in Jesus, some out of town preacher.  He got an idea, and ran ahead down the road a bit, and climbed up into a sycamore tree (vs. 3-4).  There he waited for Jesus to pass by, so he could see Him.

Sure enough, Jesus came down the street with crowds all around Him, and He passed right below Zacchaeus’ tree.  He thought he was well hidden by the leaves, but unexpectedly Jesus stopped, looked up into the tree, and called Zacchaeus by name to come down! (vs. 5).  Although He was surrounded by crowds, Jesus stopped and took notice of one particular man in a tree.  Every person matters to God personally.  Instead of ignoring Zacchaeus, or saying “Hey, you in the tree!”, Jesus called him by name.  He saw Zacchaeus and knew his need.  Jesus knows each and every one of us by name, and longs for us to know Him in a personal way.

Not only did Jesus notice this despised tax collector by name, He also invited Himself to his house for dinner! (vs. 5-6).  Zacchaeus didn’t mind.  He felt honored that Jesus would want to eat with someone like him.  However, the crowds were not so pleased!  Like they had often done before, these self-righteous people criticized Jesus for wanting to associate with sinners (vs. 7).  Those crowds murmured.  How about us?  How do we react when someone we feel who is “less than reputable” comes to church?  Let’s rejoice when sinners come to Jesus, not judge them.

The Holy Spirit, though, was working in the heart of this man, and not only did Jesus come into his house, but He came into his life, as well.  Zacchaeus received God’s gift of salvation, and he became a new man.  As a result, he said he was going to repay all that he had improperly taken as a tax collector, and was also going to give generously to the poor (vs. 8).  Genuine salvation produces fruit.  Zacchaeus wasn’t saved because of this good work, he was saved, and then this good work showed forth as evidence, as fruit.  True faith produces repentance and restitution.

Jesus closed this passage of Scripture by proclaiming that this was what His mission was all about - coming to seek and save the lost (vs. 9-10).  God saw the man that Zacchaeus could be, not just what he was or had been.  No matter who we are or what we have done, Jesus can see us, and wants to invite Himself into our lives.

When a child or sometimes an elderly person with dementia is missing, the community gets together with a search and rescue team.  Those around the ocean or large lakes will do that for those who fall overboard.  Jesus’ coming to earth was God’s “seek and save” mission designed to help those who are lost find the right way home to God.  Jesus came to seek and to save.  We must carry that message to the lost.