The One Who Hears Prayer

Psalm 65

We all want to be heard, especially when we have a problem.  At the customer service desk at the store we want a helpful and understanding person there to help us.  When we call the help line we don’t like to be put on hold forever, only to end up having to talk to a computer.  King David never had to deal with that, but he had numerous times when he definitely wanted someone to hear his cries for help.  Fortunately, the One he turned to was One who would hear him, and will hear us, too, if we know who to turn to.

In our psalm for today, David reveals from the start who it is that would hear him in time of need, and that is Yahweh, the God of Israel.  There were plenty of other “gods” that he could have chosen, as the foreign nations all around him had numerous pagan idols that they bowed down to, and he could have turned to one or more of them for help.  So why did he turn to Yahweh?  David answers that question in verse 2.  He knew that the Lord God of Israel was the only one who “hears prayer”.

David knew that neither Baal nor any of the other pagan Canaanite gods ever heard the prayers said to them, and certainly could never answer or help anyone.  If I go outside and talk to a rock, pouring all my troubles out to it, will it hear and help me?  If I talk to the log in a fireplace, will it hear and answer my prayers?  No!  Do any of the false gods that people around the world worship ever honestly answer the prayers said to them?  Again, no!  As David stated, when mankind (“all flesh”) realizes that Yahweh is the only God who hears prayer, they will come to Him.  He is not a distant or passive God, either.  He hears and answers prayer.

Because the Lord hears prayer, He is worthy of praise (vs. 1).  He alone is worthy of worship, which is rooted in His holiness and covenant relationship with us.  We should praise and thank Him for His care of us all throughout our life.  We should also praise and thank the Lord for providing atonement for our sins (vs. 3).  We can never cleanse ourselves from our sins, but we do not need to despair, as God Himself has provided divine atonement and cleansing through the substitutionary death of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  St. Paul reminds us that in everything we are to give God thanks (I Thessalonians 5:18).  Those who do, and who come to Him in worship, will be blessed (vs. 4).

The ends of the earth need to hear about the God of grace and glory.  He reveals Himself to them in creation, but they must be told the good news of salvation (vs. 5-8).  God answers our prayers with awe-inspiring, fear-producing acts of power.  He is the God of salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth, and the One who will judge all nations.  His power is displayed in creation.  It was Yahweh who established the mountains, and who stills the roaring seas.  He is actively governing the world, and the universe is a witness to His glory.

God deserves our praise and worship for sending the rain, filling our rivers, and watering our fields (vs. 9-13).  The fields provide food for the flocks and all mankind.  We are completely dependent upon God’s faithfulness and love for us.  We can find joy in God’s goodness at the beginning and end of each day (vs. 8).

As we close this psalm for the week I ask do, you know the only One who hears and answers prayer?  Are you wasting all of your effort in crying out to a nonexistent, false deity who is as helpless as a rock or dead wood?  Or are you trusting in another person, or even yourself, to get you out of the trouble that you are in?  All too often the problems we are in are of our own or another person’s making, so how can they help us?  The only One who hears and answers prayer is the Lord God.  Have you turned to Jesus and accepted His salvation from sin?  If you have, then you have the right to approach His throne, coming to Him in prayer, as He will hear your cries.  

God's Invitation to Us

Isaiah 55

In many places around the world inflation has increased, and the cost of food and drink has become much more expensive in the last several years.  So, if you heard that there was someone giving away free food, and good quality food too, wouldn’t you go and take advantage of this opportunity?  Why pay many dollars for meat or bread when you could get even better quality for nothing?   Yet there are people, for whatever reason, who will do just that, and not just for physical food, but even for the much more important spiritual food.  In our Scripture for today we read of both an invitation and a warning that God has given to us through His prophet Isaiah.  Let’s take a look, and see if we have been ignoring that invitation and the warning from God.

Isaiah 55 follows the great Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 53.  The Servant has suffered, died, and risen as seen in chapter 53.  Now the blessings purchased by the Servant are offered to all, as we read in today’s chapter.  We also see here that God offers salvation freely, but only on His terms, which include repentance, seeking Him while He may be found, and submitting to His Word, which never fails to accomplish His purpose.

As our Scripture opens, we read of the free offer of salvation that God has given (vs. 1-3).  This is a universal invitation, to everyone who thirsts.  God calls all who recognize their spiritual need to come to Him.  Salvation is given freely.  It cannot be earned, as it is received by faith.  People are continually running after and spending money on that which is not genuine “bread”, pursuing satisfaction from the world, when instead they can find real satisfaction and spiritual nourishment through Jesus.  God has given us the solution to spiritual hunger, and that comes through hearing and obeying His Word.  Salvation is free, but it is exclusive.  It only comes through God’s appointed Messiah.

Continuing in our Scripture we read of the Messiah and His global mission (vs. 4-5).  God speaks of the Messiah here as being a witness to the people, a leader and commander, and One who will draw nations to Him that did not know Him.  Jesus Christ is the authoritative leader, not one option out of many.  Through Him, the Gospel would reach Gentile nations, fulfilling God’s plan for worldwide salvation.  Jesus is not merely a moral teacher, He is God’s appointed ruler, and all nations will answer to Him.

Isaiah continues by giving us God’s urgent call to repentance (vs. 6-7).  There is a sense of urgency here, as there is a limited window of opportunity.  Salvation will not always be available, as judgment will come.  The window of opportunity will one day close.  In accepting God’s salvation, we must have repentance.  The wicked must “forsake his way”, and the unrighteous man “his thoughts”.  When we respond, God will have mercy.  He will abundantly pardon.  God’s forgiveness is lavish and complete.  However, repentance is not optional.  Too many preachers today think that talk of sin and repentance is not necessary.  They teach that God loves us just the way we are, and we don’t need to change.  The Bible clearly states that we must turn from sin and turn towards God.  No one is saved without forsaking their own sinful ways and thoughts.

Many people want things according to their way of thinking, and this includes how they think God and salvation should operate.  They think their way of thinking is correct, and that God and His Word are not logical.  They want things to be “fair” according to their way of thinking.  However, that is not the way it is.  God’s ways are higher, holier, and wiser than human reasoning (vs. 8-9).  Human philosophy, psychology, or whatever the current cultural trends are cannot define truth.  Only God’s Word reveals His ways.

Next, Isaiah proclaims the power of God’s Word (vs. 10-11).  God’s Word is effective, unstoppable, and always fruitful.  Just as rain produces growth, God’s Word produces spiritual life.  God pours the rain all throughout the world, and in like manner He has also poured out His Word throughout the world, as well.  Isaiah speaks of the inerrancy and sufficiency of the Bible.  God’s Word will accomplish exactly what He intends, never failing and never erring.  His promises never fail, His commands are perfect, and God’s purposes will always succeed.

Our Scripture ends with seeing the joyful transformation that God will bring (vs. 12-13).  There is joy and peace for the redeemed of God, along with all of creation responding to His salvation.  God will bring a reversal of the curse, where instead of thorns we have fir trees, and instead of briers we have myrtle trees.  Salvation brings an inner transformation in those who have accepted Jesus, and He will also bring a future restoration to all of creation.  This will happen in the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus.  Are you ready?  Have you accepted God’s free offer of salvation personally for yourself?  Come to Him today while the offer is still open!

Come Unto Me

Matthew 11:25-30

Many of you, particularly those in the United States, may be familiar with the song by the 19th century U.S. composer Stephen Foster, “My Old Kentucky Home”.  There is a line in the third verse of that song that goes  “Just a few more days for to tote the weary load”.  That line speaks to anyone who is tired from the heavy load, the heavy burden of physical work, and also troubles, concerns, and worries that we all face throughout life.  Where can we find rest or reprieve from this heavy load?  It seems that there is none, and that the load just gets heavier and more weary as life goes on, and there will be no rest until we are lying horizontal in the grave.  That does not need to be the case for the Christian, one who follows the Lord Jesus Christ.  In our Scripture for today from the Gospel of St. Matthew we read an invitation that the Savior gives for us to come to Him and give up our heavy burdens.  Let’s take a look at our Scripture from the last several verses of chapter 11.

In our Scripture we read a brief prayer of praise that Jesus gives to the Father, a declaration of His divine authority, and then follows with a gracious invitation to sinners.  Recently the Lord had sent out the disciples on a mission trip to bring His Gospel to various villages, and when they returned they gave their report, and Jesus called out woes to the cities that had seen His miracles but had refused to repent.  In His prayer, Jesus called the Father “Lord of heaven and earth” (vs. 25).  This affirms God’s absolute authority over all creation.

He declares that spiritual truth has been hidden from the wise and prudent, but revealed to babes.  The “wise and prudent” are the self-righteous, the intellectually proud, and all those who trust in their own understanding.  The proud cannot understand spiritual truth.  Spiritual truth is not discovered by human intellect, but is revealed by God.  However, Jesus declares that it has been revealed to “babes”.  These are the humble, the teachable, and those who recognize their need.  God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).  God’s plan of revelation is not accidental.  It is intentional and pleasing to Him (vs. 26).

Next we read of Jesus’ exclusive authority and revelation (vs. 27).  Jesus has been given all authority - authority over salvation, over judgment, authority over revelation, and over creation.  This is a powerful testimony to Jesus’ deity.  He possesses all authority and uniquely knows the Father.  Jesus is the exclusive mediator between God and mankind.  He is the only way to God (John 14:6).

Now we come to the Lord Jesus Christ’s gracious invitation to us (vs. 28-30).  This is a personal, direct, and compassionate call to us to come to Him.  Jesus does not say to come to religion, or come to works, or come to philosophy.  He says “Come unto Me.”  Jesus calls all those who are burdened by sin, those who are exhausted by the self-effort of trying to earn a way to heaven, and those who are weary from life’s trials.

Jesus promised that if these people will come to Him, He will give them rest.  They will find the rest of peace with God.  They will find strength for obedience to His Word, and relief from guilt, fear, and striving.  Jesus urges us to take His yoke upon us and learn from Him.  A yoke implies submission, obedience, and a partnership with God.  Christ’s yoke is not freedom from responsibility, but is freedom from bondage.  The world’s yoke may sound light, but it leads to sin and slavery.  Jesus’ yoke of obedience to His Word may sound heavy, but it leads away from error and into eternal joy.

Jesus is “meek and lowly in heart”.  He is gentle and humble.  He is accessible and  compassionate towards sinners.  When we walk with Jesus, He will bring us ongoing rest.  His burden is light because He carries it with us.  Because of Jesus’ life we can be certain that our Heavenly Father cares about us.  God’s love extends over us, and He wants us to come to Him with our burdens and pain.  Don’t allow trials to cloud your thinking about God’s deep concern for you.  Jesus’ presence doesn’t make us immune to struggles, but it does promise us comfort and rest during our trials.  His presence provides a refuge where we can lay down our heavy loads and catch our breath.

Do you carry burdens that tire you out, burdens that deprive you of needed rest?  Set aside resentment, bitterness, and complaints.  Bring your burdens to Jesus and accept His invitation to find rest.

No Condemnation

Romans 7:21-8:6

I enjoy occasionally watching courtroom dramas on TV, whether it is a fictional series or an actual court case that has been allowed to be televised.  There is always one dramatic point, and that is when the verdict comes in.  The defendant will stand and they will find out whether they have been acquitted or found guilty, whether they are now free or condemned.  The condemned one finds out what his sentence will be as condemnation is proclaimed.  However, what if something very surprising and shocking happened, that the judge set the guilty one free since his own son was going to take the punishment, and that the guilty received no condemnation?  We would say that was preposterous and would never happen!  It did happen, it happened for each one who has accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior, which we will read about in today’s Scripture.

As we begin our study of this passage from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, we read about a struggle that anyone who has been a Christian for any length of time deals with, and that is the struggle between our old nature and our renewed, new nature (vs. 21-25).  Our old nature, our “flesh nature”, still desires to do the ungodly things that we used to partake in before we gave our lives to Jesus.  Our new nature, on the other hand, desires to follow the Lord and His Word.  These two natures battle inside of us, just like a game of tug-of-war, each one trying to pull us in their direction.

As Paul describes, the principle or law of sin is still active in the believer.  Whenever he desires to do good, evil is still present.  Even though we are genuinely saved, the sin nature still remains and resists holiness.  Our new nature, renewed by the Holy Spirit, loves righteousness, and longs to obey God.  But the old nature, following the law of sin, fights against this, trying to drag us back towards sin.  This is the believer’s ongoing battle, where the flesh and Spirit oppose each other (Galatians 5:17).

Paul saw this happening over and over again, and it was discouraging.  He cried out for help in this inward battle of tug-of-war (vs. 24).  This was not a cry of despair, but of longing for final victory, as he knew Who could deliver him.  Paul knew that Christ alone delivers from sin’s power and ultimate presence.

Before we accepted Jesus as our Savior, each one of us was on the side of evil, following what it dictated in our life.  If our life remained unchanged, we would rightly be getting the sentence of eternal condemnation.  Things are different for the believer and follower of Jesus.  Though they had committed plenty of sins before being born again, some of them possibly quite terrible, and still occasionally being pulled back into sin, they now, through the grace and mercy of the Lord taking upon Himself their sins, receive no condemnation (vs. 1).

The believer’s standing before God is completely transformed.  They do not receive less condemnation, they receive none at all.  Jesus bore the condemnation that we deserved, therefore God cannot condemn those united to His Son.  We may have to suffer from some discipline for our sins, but we will not be eternally condemned.

Before salvation, sin and death once ruled in the believer’s life like an unbreakable law.  But the Holy Spirit’s power is stronger, liberating the believer from sin’s power and control (vs. 2).  The Law of Moses could teach, command, and reveal God’s holiness, but it could not empower obedience.  God accomplished what the law could not by sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and condemning sin in the flesh.  Because Jesus fulfilled the law, all believers who are walking in the Spirit, fulfill its righteous requirement.

When Jesus went to the cross on our behalf, He lifted the blame from our shoulders, and made us righteous before God (vs. 3-4).  We do not need to feel any condemnation of sin.  Those feelings do not belong.  They come from Satan.  Our sins are wiped clean, and we are chosen and loved by God.  Condemnation is reserved for those who reject the Lord (John 3:36).

There are two ways for mankind to live (vs. 5-6).  The unsaved have their mind set on sin and are hostile to God.  This will lead to spiritual death.  Believers who are walking with God and who have a Spirit-governed mind will find life and peace.

As we look back over this Scripture, we realize that the presence of sin, even in a believer’s life, is real and active.  For victory over this ongoing condition, we must depend on the Holy Spirit, not our own self-effort.  Human effort cannot produce holiness.  Jesus Christ alone can deliver us from sin’s power.  Genuine Christians can rest in their standing in Christ, as no condemnation means full acceptance and security.   We are set free from ever being condemned for our sins.

Reasons to Praise God

Psalm 145

Our psalm for this week, Psalm 145, is one of eight acrostic psalms in the Bible.  An acrostic psalm is one where each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  Acrostics have been used for years to help teach young children their alphabet - A is for apple, B is for bear, etc.  Sometimes acrostics are used to help in memorizing a list or group of things.  When I was a young girl in school, we learned the planets in order by an acrostic - “My very energetic mother just sent us nine pies” for Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto (back when Pluto was considered a planet!).  Today, however, rather than the whole alphabet, I am only going to focus on the letter “G” in our psalm.  In this psalm of praise by King David, we will look at several attributes of God that David praises Him for, each beginning with the letter “G” - greatness, grace, goodness, glory, and generosity.  Let’s take a look into our psalm.

In opening, David commits himself to praise God every single day, throughout his whole life (vs. 1-2).  Before one wonders how they could keep that up every day, David gives us many things to praise God for, besides just material blessings.  He begins to praise the Lord for His nature and His many character traits that He displays for us each day, several which begin with “G”.  The first one is the Lord’s greatness (vs. 3).  When we consider God, He is beyond the range of physical human experience.  He is immeasurable and beyond human comprehension.  God created the whole universe, each galaxy, each star and solar system, by the word of His mouth.  He created each animal and plant with their complexities and differences.  That shows awe-inspiring greatness!

The second characteristic of the Lord that we can praise Him for is His grace (vs. 8, 17).  God’s grace is often coupled with His mercy, as they go hand in hand.  Grace is God bestowing upon us blessings that we don’t deserve, and mercy is withholding the punishment that we do deserve.  He knows our every step, word, and deed, and yet forgives us, showing mercy when we turn to Him.  We experience God’s saving grace when we call upon His Son Jesus for salvation, when we fear Him and call upon Him in truth (vs. 18-20).  God’s grace and mercy are evidence of just how much He loves us.

Another characteristic that begins with “G” is the Lord’s goodness (vs. 9).  Believers, in particular, receive God’s saving grace and mercy, but His goodness is evident to all of mankind.  God’s goodness is universal, and extends to all creation.  Satan tries to get us to believe that God is not good, that He does not love us.  Just look around you, and you can see that is a lie, that it is not true.  God is kind and compassionate to all of His creation.  As Jesus told us, God makes the sun and the rain to fall on both the evil and the good (Matthew 5:45).  Because of God’s love and goodness shown to everyone, it should lead sinners to repentance (Romans 2:4).

The next one is glory (vs. 11-13).  This psalm gives a cosmic proclamation that God’s Kingdom is glorious, powerful, and everlasting, enduring through all generations.  God’s glory is so overwhelming that no one can look upon Him and live.  Even Moses could only look upon His back (Exodus 33:18-23).  Prophets, such as Isaiah and Daniel, fell face down before the glory of God.  God, in all of His glory, holds absolute rule over history, nations, and individuals.  God’s Kingdom is not symbolic.  It is real, eternal, and grounded in His authority.  As believers, we need to live under His kingship, not cultural trends.  God’s glory, power, and authority provides stability in a chaotic world.

Our God is a generous God (vs. 14-16).  He upholds the fallen, feeds all living things, and satisfies the desires of every creature.  This is not a vague goodwill, it is divine specific caring.  God actively sustains His creation and cares for His people.  As believers, we can trust Him with our daily needs, and His care is never unjust or arbitrary.

In closing, we can praise the Lord for His greatness, as He is infinitely majestic.  We can praise Him for His goodness, as He is kind and compassionate, and also for His glory, since He rules eternally.  As Christians we need to cultivate daily praise, along with teaching the next generation to do so also.  When we live a life of praise, we have the Lord’s help in every situation.  No wonder David blessed the Lord so much!

Messianic Prophecy

Zechariah 9:9-12

Sometimes our eyes can play little tricks on us, like an optical illusion.  Our mind misinterprets what we are seeing.  When we look at something, we perceive it one way, when in reality it is different. One example of this is when driving and we see a couple of mountains in the distance.  Being many miles away, they look like they are right next to each other.  But as we get closer and closer, we see that is not the case.  The one mountain is in the front, but the other is miles and miles further behind.  Our distance from them made it appear as if they were both together.  This is similar to the way some people looked at some prophecies, particularly prophecies regarding the coming Messiah.  They perceived all of the prophecies of the Messiah as happening at the same time, just like perceiving the mountains being together, whereas in reality some would happen at one time and others at another.  One example is in our Scripture today.

Our Scripture comes from the Old Testament prophet Zechariah.  His ministry was in the years following the Babylonian exile, and he encouraged the returned remnant to rebuild the Temple and to renew their covenant loyalty to Yahweh.  This portion of the Old Testament book reveals the Lord Jesus Christ’s identity, His character, His mission, and His future restoration of Israel.  It speaks of the coming of the Messiah, who arrives in humility, bringing salvation, establishing peace, and ultimately restoring His covenant people, calling them to return to Him.

As we begin, we read a verse that is often associated with Palm Sunday.  That is because Zechariah prophesied of the coming Messiah arriving humbly, riding upon a donkey (vs. 9).  The prophet speaks of the people’s king arriving.  Israel’s rightful king was not a foreign ruler, but the promised Messiah, the Son of David.  They had recently been under the rule of the Babylonian emperor, and now, though they were allowed to return to their homeland, they were under Persian rule.  In the near future they would be under Greek rule, and then Roman rule.  However, one day their Messiah would come, and free them from oppression.  His rule would be just, morally perfect, and with divine righteousness.

This verse speaks of Jesus’ first coming, which is marked by humility, not political triumph.  He is humble, riding upon a lowly donkey, not a military war horse.  Matthew 21:1-9 and John 12:14-16 record Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, which explicitly fulfills this prophecy.  His first coming is characterized by humility, not conquest.  Jesus comes first to save before He comes to reign.

Verse 10 shifts from Jesus’ first coming to His second coming and His millennial reign.  At this time, the Messiah will end warfare, abolishing the instruments of war.  His dominion will be universal, and He will bring global peace to all nations.  This is where many of the Jewish people at the time of Jesus were confused.  They read this verse, along with other prophecies in Scripture, where the Messiah would restore Israel, and bring peace to God’s people.  Jesus fulfilled many prophecies, but why not these?  This is why many people wanted to make Him a king and urge Him to overthrow Rome.  However, this was not to be fulfilled in the Messiah’s first coming, but instead in His second.  This is like the second mountain, miles behind the first one.  Though we don’t know when His second coming will be, it is many years following the first.  These events await Christ’s return when He establishes His kingdom.

In verse 11 we see God’s covenant faithfulness and deliverance. God’s faithfulness to Israel is grounded in His covenant promises.  That covenant is still in effect.  God will literally restore them because He is faithful to His promises.  Verse 12 is a call for His people to return and a promise for their restoration and future blessings.  Israel’s hope is grounded in God’s covenant faithfulness and the coming Messianic King.  These promises of restoration are literal.  God is not finished with His people of Israel.

As we see in verse 12, when we place our hurts, our broken dreams, dissolved relationships, and shattered hopes into God’s hands, and stay close to Him through Bible reading and prayer, He will replace doubly the losses in our life with rich blessings.

The Messiah Jesus brings deliverance from spiritual bondage, which was fulfilled in His first coming, and deliverance from national oppression, which will be fulfilled in His second coming.  This is a powerful Messianic prophecy that anchors both Israel’s future and the Church’s hope in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

The Cost of Discipleship

Matthew 10:34-42

One big happy family.  That’s what a lot of TV shows, particularly in the past, liked to portray, and that is what most of us would like to have - family harmony.  However, though we try our best, sometimes that is not achievable.  There are a number of things that can cause the conflict and dissension, and we read about a significant one in our Scripture today.  Though often we want to do what we can to smooth things over, including compromise, the Lord Jesus warned that this is something that we can never compromise about.  Let’s look into our Gospel reading for today.

This portion of the Gospel of Matthew is a continuation of the message that the Lord Jesus gave to His disciples as He commissioned them to go throughout the land of Israel, two by two, bringing His message to the villages in preparation of His coming there.  Jesus had warned them of persecution, and now He told them what the cost of discipleship would be.  We will see what loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ looks like in a hostile world.

First we read something that might be a bit of a surprise, especially when we so often think of Jesus as One who brings peace.  In our opening verses we read that Jesus said that He did not come to bring peace, but a sword, setting family members against one another (vs. 34-36).  An important thing to realize when we read these verses is that Jesus is not contradicting His role as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Rather, He is teaching us that the Gospel divides.  It divides those who follow God and His Word, the Bible from those who reject Him and follow Satan’s lies.  The “sword” is figurative, referring to the sharp division that God’s truth creates.  In a world opposed to God, the Gospel cannot help but create sharp lines of separation.

When a person follows Jesus, unbelieving family members may respond with hostility.  The Lord quoted Micah 7:6 to show that such division is characteristic of the last days, and His return.  Genuine Christians must expect opposition, even from those closest to them, because loyalty to Jesus exposes the spiritual loyalties of others.  It is true that Jesus is the Great Peacemaker, but before peace He brings division.  Where light comes, the darkness must leave.  Where the truth is, the lie must be trampled underfoot.  Christ’s truth is absolute, therefore conflict with error and darkness is inevitable. Faithfulness may cost relationships.  Standing with Jesus is worth more than maintaining peace at the expense of truth.  If we follow Jesus, we will have enemies.  He who is friends with the world is an enemy of God (James 4:4).

Continuing on we read that Jesus demands our supreme love.  He requires first place, above parents, children, and one’s own life (vs. 37-39).  Jesus tells us that we cannot become His disciple unless we place Him as our top priority, which could cause unbelieving family to reject us.  Taking up our cross is embracing a path of suffering, shame, and death to self.  In Jesus’ day, the listeners knew the cross meant execution.  One who “finds his life” in vs. 39 means clinging to earthly comfort and self-preservation.  “Losing life” means to surrender everything for the Savior’s sake.  Losing the lesser life will gain the greater, eternal one.

Jesus’ Lordship is total.  No earthly relationship or personal ambition can rival obedience to Him.  True salvation produces a willingness to forsake all (Luke 14:26-33).  What in my life is competing for my allegiance?  Truly following the Savior should reorder our loves so that He is supreme.

Jesus concluded this segment of Scripture by stating that receiving His servants is receiving Him (vs. 40-42).  Jesus identified Himself with His messengers.  To welcome them is to welcome Him.  The one who opens the door to a Christian believer out of hospitality also opens the door to Jesus, who sent him, and therefore to God the Father.  To open the door to God’s messenger is to open the door to God’s message.

God sees and rewards even the smallest acts done for Jesus and His servants.  Acts of kindness done for believers will be noted and rewarded.  Even a cup of water given to a thirsty disciple will not be overlooked on Judgment Day.

In closing, when we stand for Biblical truth we can expect opposition, even from family members.  We will also see various things in our life that will try to compete with our loyalty to Jesus, such as relationships and responsibilities.  However, as a faithful Christian, we must always choose Jesus first and foremost.  Finally, we must remember the promise that Jesus gave - losing our life for Him will lead to finding true life.

Dead to Sin

Romans 6:3-11

Many of us have attended a funeral or a wake where the deceased was visible in their open coffin.  As you stand by the coffin of your friend or loved one perhaps you say something to them.  Of course, there is no response.  Maybe you even confess some secret that you had never told them.  The deceased doesn’t sit up and sock you in the nose.  If the confused little child tells daddy to get up, he doesn’t move.  He won’t hear or obey anything that is said because he is dead.  The dead don’t respond.  They have no interest in what is going on, whether in that room, or outside in the world at large.  In our Scripture today as we continue on in the Book of Romans, St. Paul tells us that in one way we are to be like that dead person in the coffin.  Let’s look into our Scripture to discover what he means.

At the time of the Apostle Paul’s writing of this epistle to the church in Rome, there was a false teaching circulating among the churches which taught that it was okay for believers to continue to sin.  They taught that since God gives us His grace when He forgives our sins, that the more we sin the more grace we will receive.  They felt that it was actually good to sin, because the more sin, the more grace.  Paul refutes this false teaching here.

Ongoing sin in our life is incompatible with salvation.  The justification that we receive when saved brings us into a new position before God.  That position brings a new relationship to sin, with a new mindset and new obedience.  Paul begins by saying that when we were saved, we were baptized into Christ’s death (vs. 3).  This is not referring to water baptism, but rather the spiritual union we have with Jesus.  Our water baptism symbolizes our union with His death.  His death counts as ours.  We are now no longer the person that we were before Jesus saved us.

The burial of the deceased shows the finality of death.  However, as Christians we have a new hope because of the resurrection of the Lord from the dead (vs. 4-5).  His death and burial was not final.  He rose again!  His resurrection is not merely a future hope, it is the pattern and power of Christian living now.  Being united with Jesus means our lifestyle must reflect His resurrection power, not the grave of our old life.  We are united to the Savior just like a plant is grafted onto another one.  Jesus’ death and resurrection were not just events in the past, they are spiritually shared realities for us.  Our union with Jesus is the root, and our sanctification, our living an obedient and sanctified life is the fruit.

Paul continues by stating that our old man, our old nature, was crucified with the Lord Jesus, and we are no longer slaves to sin (vs. 6).  The “old man” is who we were in Adam, when we lived under sin’s rule.  That old man was executed, just as Jesus was on the cross.  The “body of sin” is the whole system of sin’s influence over our mortal life.  It was destroyed, rendered powerless, but not annihilated.  Sin remains present with us, however its authority is broken.

The Emancipation Proclamation was made during the U.S. Civil War, and it freed the slaves.  When they were freed, they no longer had to obey their masters.  Their former master could shout at them to go work in the fields, but they did not have to obey.  They were free.  In like manner, a dead person does not obey anything said to them.  They are dead.  Similarly, we are freed from sin’s control and authority (vs. 7).  It can tell us to do any manner of wickedness, but we don’t have to obey.  Jesus’ death broke the power of sin, and when we accepted Him as Savior, we also died to sin and were set free from its power and authority over us.  Sin’s demands are no longer binding.  Jesus Christ is the new Master.

Christians are now dead to sin, and the Bible promises that we shall also live with God for eternity (vs. 8).  Our life is inseparable from Jesus.  He empowers our spiritual life currently in the present, and in the future promises a bodily resurrection and eternal life. Death cannot reclaim Jesus (vs. 9). His resurrection is irreversible and triumphant.  Our new life shares the permanence of Jesus’ risen life.

Jesus’ death was a single, decisive act.  When He died on the cross, He conquered death (vs. 10).  Now He lives in perfect fellowship and victory with the Father.  As believers, our relationship to sin and to God mirrors that of Jesus.  To “reckon” ourselves as dead to sin, as Paul says in verse 11, is to count it as true, to adopt it as our mindset. This is not wishful thinking, but a declared reality.  Our victory over sin begins with believing what God says about ourselves.

Looking back over our Scripture, we have learned from God’s Word that if we have accepted Jesus as Savior, then we are dead to sin and alive to God.  This is not just some motivational language, it is spiritual reality.  Sin’s power over us is broken.  We are no longer enslaved by it.  Just as a dead person doesn’t obey anything said to him, nor a freed slave has to obey, we are dead and freed from sin’s power.  Knowing this, our daily choices should reflect Christ’s risen life, with purity, obedience, and holiness.

A Covenant Promise Kept

Psalm 89:1-21

Do you know who Ethan the Ezrahite is?  Most people, including Christians who read and study their Bible, do not know who he is.  Some might be vaguely familiar with the name.  He is one of the countless people whose names are mentioned in the Bible once or twice, but very little is actually known about them.  Ethan the Ezrahite is listed as the author of today’s psalm, which we will take a look at the first half.

Ethan wrote only one psalm, the somewhat long Psalm 89, which remembers God’s covenant with King David, and His steadfast love for His people.  Ethan was a court musician in the latter part of King David’s reign, and then into the reign of King Solomon, where he was reputed to have been the second wisest man of the country after Solomon (I Kings 4:31).  Though none of his wise sayings and thoughts were recorded, the one thing that we have from him is Psalm 89, the first half which declares God’s covenant faithfulness which is unbreakable, and His unmatched power.  It also speaks of His choice of David as king, ultimately pointing forward to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our psalm begins with worship, where Ethan declares God’s mercy and faithfulness (vs 1-2).  The Hebrew word here for mercy is “hesed”, which not only means the mercy that God shows us, but also His lovingkindness and favor. Faithfulness, the Hebrew word emuna, describes God’s reliability and truthfulness.  God’s character is the anchor of our faith.  We can proclaim God’s faithfulness even when circumstances appear contradictory.

Ethan then proceeds to recall the covenant that God made with King David (vs. 3-4).  This covenant is recorded in Scripture in II Samuel 7, where God promises David both a perpetual dynasty, and to establish his throne forever.  This covenant is both unconditional and everlasting.  Nothing that David or any of his descendants could ever do will break this covenant.  It is ultimately fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal King (Luke 1:32-33).

Next we read how the heavens praise God’s wonders (vs. 5-8).  We see how both heavenly beings, such as the angels, along with holy ones upon earth, the assembly of saints, praise the incomparable Lord.  No one in heaven or earth can rival God’s holiness or power.  He transcends and goes beyond all of creation.  There is nothing that can compare with Him, and He is supreme over all heavenly beings.

If you have ever been to the ocean shore or out on a boat during a strong storm, you know how wild the waves and water can be, and how dangerous, as well.  There is absolutely nothing we can do to calm or control those waves.  However, God, and He alone, can rule the raging sea (vs. 9-10).  He also breaks Rahab, which can refer to a large sea monster, and is also symbolic of a figure representing chaos, arrogance, and the enemies of God (such as Egypt).  He controls nature, defeats nations, and brings order out of chaos.  The God who subdued Egypt in the Exodus is the same God who keeps His covenant promises.

As we know, everything belongs to God - the heavens, the earth, and all of creation upon the earth (vs. 11-13).  He created everything from the north to the south.  Ethan mentions two mountains that were in Israel - Mt. Tabor which was in southern Galilee, and Mt. Hermon which was on the far northern border.  God’s arm is strong and His hand is mighty.  Verse 14 speaks of the four attributes that form God’s rule - justice, righteousness, mercy, and truth.  His rule is morally perfect.  His covenant faithfulness flows from His nature, not from any human merit.

Ethan continues by recounting the blessings for God’s covenant people (vs. 15-18).  Those who know the “joyful sound” (possibly referring to worship or covenant celebrations) will walk in God’s light.  We have the blessings of His presence and His Name.  We have His righteousness, and the protection of His strength and defense.  True joy comes from walking in obedience and worship.

Our portion of this psalm closes with God speaking of finding David, and anointing and establishing him as king (vs. 19-21).  David’s kingship was God-initiated, not man-made.  David is a type or symbol of the Lord Jesus, who was chosen, anointed, strengthened, and victorious.  Jesus fulfills the Davidic covenant perfectly and eternally.

As we look back at this first half of Psalm 89 and what the wise Ethan seeks to teach us, we see that God’s faithfulness is absolute and unchanging.  His sovereignty extends over all creation, nations, and spiritual beings.  We also see that the Davidic covenant is literal, everlasting, and is fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ.  When God makes a covenant, His character guarantees His promises.

What Will Happen to the Proud

Isaiah 2:10-17

Have you ever met someone who was just so full of themself?  They couldn’t stop trying to let everyone know how great they thought they were, and how witty or important they felt their every word was.  It is even worse if this proud person has any type of power, whether in the political realm or in the business world.  Sometimes we end up hoping that someone or something will come along and knock them down a peg or two!  This is especially true if these proud ones try to come against the Lord God and our faith.  In our Scripture for today we will see what the Lord has warned will happen to those who are too full of pride, especially against Himself.  As we will see in today’s Scripture from the Book of Isaiah, God will bring down everything that exalts itself against Himself.

As Isaiah began this Scripture passage, he pictured people fleeing into caves and rocks to hide from God’s presence (vs. 10).  When we know that something bad is coming, we might like to hide away from it.  When we were little, and we had done something wrong, we might have tried hiding from our father when we heard him coming.  Criminals flee from the police when a crime is committed.  They don’t want to get caught.  This verse is not symbolic.  It is a literal, future event when humanity will attempt to hide from the visible glory of God.  We read in Revelation 6:15-17 where people will hide from the Lamb, the Lord Jesus’ wrath.  There is terror when facing God without repentance, but it is futile to try and escape from God’s divine judgment.

On this coming Day of the Lord, all human pride will collapse (vs. 11).  This will include all national pride, one’s feelings of self-sufficiency and personal exaltation, and also the arrogance of false religions.  This is the central theme of today’s Scripture.  The Lord alone will be exalted.

Several prophets speak of the Day of the Lord, including Isaiah here (vs. 12).  This is a future time in history when God will intervene to judge evil, rescue His people, and establish His Kingdom.  It will be a time of dread and judgment for those who are in rebellion against Him.  It will also be a time of deliverance and hope for faithful believers.  This will come when the Lord Jesus returns to defeat evil, pour out His wrath against unbelievers, and establish His Kingdom.  The Day of the Lord is God’s appointed time of reckoning.

Isaiah continues on by listing some things and places that can serve as symbols of prideful human greatness (vs. 13-16).  The cedars of Lebanon have traditionally been symbols of strength and majesty.  The oaks of Bashan are symbols of endurance and stability.  High mountains and hills can be seen as political powers and kingdoms, and the high towers and fortified walls as military might.  The ships of Tarshish picture economic power and global trade.  These represent many spheres of human pride, such as political, military, and economic.  God warns us that He will bring all of these low in His judgment in the end times.

Our Scripture concludes with Isaiah stating that everything that man exalts will fall, but everything that God exalts will stand (vs. 17).  The Apostle Paul repeats this thought in Philippians 2:10-11 when he states that every knee will ultimately bow to the Lord Jesus. As Psalm 2 states, God will overthrow all nations which have rebelled against Him.  God will not share His glory with human pride.

Not only is pride the first of the seven deadly sins, it is the root of all of the other ones.  Pride is also the root of idolatry, self-reliance, rebellion, humanism, and false religions.  Pride is not merely a personal flaw, it is a cosmic offense against God’s rightful rule.

The Day of the Lord is not a myth or a symbol.  It is coming.  Knowing this, we need to walk in holiness and be proclaiming the Gospel.  As believers, we need to live with eternal priorities, and fear God rather than man.

The phrase “the Lord alone shall be exalted” is repeated twice in this Scripture passage, in verses 11 and 17.  God alone is supreme.  It is His right to judge, and at the end of history, He will receive ultimate glory.  Nations rise and fall, economies collapse, and cultures shift.  However, the Lord alone remains exalted. 

A Courageous Christian

Matthew 10:16-33

In last week’s Gospel study we read about Jesus sending out His disciples on their first mission, bringing His message throughout Galilee and Judea.  Today’s Gospel continues where last week’s left off, with Jesus telling them, and us today, that those who follow Him will face persecutions, what the cost of discipleship will entail, and also that we do not need to fear because God cares for us.  Let’s look at this teaching of the Lord Jesus, because what we read applies to all believers today, especially regarding persecution and having a bold witness.

Jesus begins His instruction to the disciples by warning them that they are being sent out like sheep among wolves (vs. 16).  Sheep are vulnerable, dependent, and gentle creatures, while wolves are aggressive, predatory, and in this situation, spiritually dangerous.  This world is not neutral to Christians.  Instead it is hostile to the Lord Jesus and His people (John 15:18-19).  Jesus told us that we need to be as wise as serpents when going out into a world that is hostile against our faith.  We need to be discerning and strategic, not naive.  He also told us to be as harmless as doves, pure, innocent, and without retaliation.  We must avoid compromise while also avoiding foolish provocation.  We may encounter threats, hardship, and even pain, but God assures us of His presence.

Continuing on, we are warned that we will also face persecution from religious and civil authorities (vs. 17-18).  We see this happening all across the globe, even in countries where we never would have expected it a few years back, but now there is persecution.  This is not a sign of failure, but of faithfulness.  God uses opposition to advance His Gospel, as it becomes a platform for witness.  When dragged before the authorities, Jesus tells us not to worry about what we will say, as He promises that the Holy Spirit will give us the words to speak (vs. 19-20).  That doesn’t mean that we don’t need to read and study God’s Word, but it is a promise that He will give us just the right words to answer those who come against us.

Jesus warns His followers that sometimes those who oppose them will be those in their own families (vs. 21-22).  Persecution may come from our siblings, our parents, or our children.  The words that “he that endures to the end shall be saved” is not salvation by endurance, but rather that endurance is the evidence of genuine salvation.  True believers will persevere, they won’t permanently fall away.  As Jesus’ followers, we are called to stand firm and share the Gospel.  We should not seek out martyrdom, nor be reckless, but instead Jesus tells us to move on when rejected (vs. 23).  Courage is not stupidity.  Christians may flee danger without denying Christ.

Our Savior faced persecution.  He was ridiculed, slandered, and called names, and we should expect similar treatment (vs. 24-25).  Opposition is normal, not the exception.  When we follow Him the world will be hostile to us.  Jesus tells us to not be afraid, but instead to speak openly and proclaim His message boldly (vs. 26-27).  There is to be no secret discipleship.  Public confession is important.  We do not need to fear men.  The worst they can do is kill the body.  Instead we must fear God (give reverential respect), as He can destroy both body and soul in hell (vs. 28).  Jesus states that there is a hell, and it is a serious thing to reject Him.  Human threats are temporary, but God’s judgment is eternal.

God is not a heartless God who doesn’t care what happens to His followers.  He loves and cares about each one of us in a personal and intimate way.  He is so involved in our lives that He knows the number of hairs that each of us has (vs. 29-31).  He loves all of His creation, so much so that He takes notice when a sparrow dies.  Don’t you think, then, that He cares more about you?

Lastly, we read about confessing or denying Christ before others (vs. 32-33).  We have two parallel truths - If we confess Christ before men, He will confess you before God the Father.  If we deny Christ before men, then He will deny you before the Father.  This is not about momentary fear, but instead a settled rejection.  Peter had a moment of fear and denied Jesus.  He had not rejected the Savior, though, and immediately repented.

In closing, as we look back over this Scripture passage, we see that we are called to be courageous Christians, ones who refuse to compromise, who speak God’s Word boldly, and who trust Him completely.  Jesus does not send His people into a world of ease, but into battle.  However, we don’t need to fear, as He goes with us and strengthens us.  In the end, Jesus promises eternal rewards for those who are faithful.

Two Men and Two Acts

Romans 5:12-19

The older we get, the more we can look back over our life and see that there were certain actions of ours that changed the whole trajectory of our life.  Maybe it was a certain job we applied for and got, or going on a date with a certain person.  Perhaps it was an angry reaction to something.  Some of these reactions turned our life onto a good course or path, while others maybe caused some bad things to happen.  Many times our actions will affect others lives, as well as our own, both positively or negatively, sometimes for several generations.  Often this is within our own family, like a blessing or curse handed down.  There was one action that a person took that affected each and every one of his descendants in a horribly, terrible way.  Our Scripture today describes this, and how someone else’s action brought a cure.  Let’s look at what this could be.

As we begin our Scripture study from the Book of Romans, the person whose actions affected each of his descendants is Adam.  Adam is the forefather of each and everyone of us, our over 100x great grandfather.  As we read in the second chapter of Genesis, God gave Adam one instruction, and that was not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17).  Sure enough, not too much later Adam disobeyed and brought sin into the world.  Sin entered the human race through Adam, and death is the direct result of sin (vs. 12).  Death spread to all men because all have sinned.  All mankind sinned in Adam, not merely because of imitating his actions.  Adam acted as the representative of the human race, and when he sinned, we sinned in him.  Therefore, all humans are born spiritually dead and corrupted.

As the Apostle Paul continues, he instructs us that death reigned even before the Law of Moses was given (vs. 13-14).  People died even when they had not broken a specific command like Adam did.  Therefore, death cannot be explained merely by one’s personal sins.  Death proved that Adam’s guilt was imputed or assigned to all mankind.   We can look back and see that we have received an awful inheritance because of one man's terrible action.  We inherited it just like eye color or height.  Is this our doomed destiny?  Let’s continue on.

Paul now contrasts two people - Adam and the Lord Jesus Christ (vs. 15-17).  Adam’s one sin brought many offenses which resulted in condemnation, which causes death to reign.  However there is good news!  Jesus’ one act of obedience brings grace, justification, and causes believers to reign in life.  Jesus was obedient to God the Father by living a sinless life, and then taking our sins upon Himself and dying in our place upon the Cross.  When we believe and accept what Jesus did for us, His righteousness is imputed to us, or put on our account.  That is God’s gift to us.  Salvation is not earned, it is a gift.

As our Scripture continues we see that Adam and his act of disobedience brought condemnation for everyone.  However, Jesus’ obedience  brought justification to all who believe (vs. 18-19).  Adam’s disobedience made all sinners, but Jesus’ obedience made many righteous.  The “all” in Adam is literal, as all humanity has inherited Adam’s original sin.  However the “all” in Jesus refers to all those who have come to Jesus in faith, personally accepting His death as payment for their sins.  It is not a basis for the false teaching of universalism.

Adam’s sin brought condemnation and death to all people.  Through the righteous act of Jesus upon the cross, God provides eternal life and a righteous standing before Him.  Jesus’ act of love and obedience was powerful enough to overcome Adam’s one act of disobedience.

Adam and Jesus Christ are the two heads of humanity.  Adam is the natural head, and he brought death.  Jesus is the spiritual head, and He brings life.  Every person is in one of these two realms.  All people are born in Adam.  Only the gospel will transfer them into Christ.  When you come to Jesus for salvation your identity is no longer tied to Adam’s failure, but it is tied to Jesus’ victory.

In closing, we see that there were two men and two acts that affected and shaped all of humanity.  Just as a single, microscopic mold spore can multiply and spread mold throughout a building, a single act of disobedience caused widespread condemnation.  However, a single act of obedience, that of Jesus Christ, can reverse that and bring forgiveness of sins and salvation to all who have faith and believe in Him.

Drowning in Troubles

Psalm 69:1-18

Bodies of water, such as the ocean, a lake, and also a river, can be a beautiful thing to sit and watch, especially on a nice evening.  On a warm summer afternoon, people venture in to cool off, and children play along the shore.  However those same beautiful waters can turn from calm and placid to stormy, wild, and dangerous in just a matter of minutes.  Then, instead of something nice to be around, it has become a threat to our life.  Problems in our life are like that.  One moment everything is fine, and then the next it is threatening to drown us.  In our psalm today, we read of a desperate prayer that David made when his troubles and his enemies were overwhelming him like a flood, and he felt as if he was drowning.  This psalm also prophetically foreshadows the sufferings of the Lord Jesus.  Let’s take a look.

This psalm which David wrote begins immediately with his anguished and distressed prayer to God for deliverance (vs. 1-3).  He cried out for God’s rescue because his problems were like flood waters around him.  Anyone who has ever been in a serious flood knows that this is a dangerous situation.  David was totally helpless, and felt like he was emotionally drowning.  He was physically and spiritually exhausted, weary from crying, his throat was parched, and his eyes failed while waiting for God’s help.  This was not poetic exaggeration.  This was the Holy Spirit’s inspired record of a believer who was crushed under real affliction.  This also foreshadowed Jesus Christ’s suffering, especially His thirst (John 19:28).  As we study the first half of this psalm, we will see several parallels with the Savior.

Sometimes our problems come through our own faults and sins.  However, at other times they come through no fault of our own.  David’s enemies were attacking him without a cause, for no reason (vs. 4).  The Gospels directly apply this verse to Jesus (John 15:25).  David’s experience of unjust hatred prophetically figured that of what Jesus would endure.  The world’s hatred of God’s people is ultimately hatred of God Himself.

David then turns to confession of his sins (vs. 5).  This is not because these problems are a direct result of any specific sin, but he does this as a confession of humility.  David was a sinner, as we all are, and he was suffering unjustly.  Jesus was the sinless One who suffered on behalf of sinners.

David humbly prayed that the behavior and actions he had in response to his suffering would not cause shame to God’s people (vs. 6-7). He was suffering reproach for God’s sake. This also prophesied Jesus, who bore reproach for the Father’s glory (Romans 15:3).  Our response to suffering should never bring reproach on God’s Name.

One distressing thing that can happen when we are drowning in our problems or going through suffering is that our family and friends may step away or even abandon us.  David felt that (vs. 8).  He felt estranged from his own family.  Jesus also literally experienced this (John 7:5).  Another verse that is directly applied to Jesus is verse 9, for having zeal for God’s house.  The New Testament applied this to Jesus' cleansing of the Temple (John 2:17).

David was mocked, ridiculed, and slandered (vs. 10-12).  Community leaders gossiped about him.  And imagine how humiliating it would be to have the town drunks make songs about you!  This, though, mirrored the humiliation that Jesus endured during His earthly ministry and crucifixion.  David continued to pray that God, in His mercy and covenant love, would rescue him from these deep waters (vs. 13-15).  He asked God to hear him, draw near and deliver him (vs. 16-18).  This is the heart-cry of every suffering believer.  God’s nearness should be our greatest comfort.

Psalm 69 is one of the clearest prophetic psalms, showing Jesus’ suffering.  We see that He was hated without a cause, that He was consumed with a zeal for the Father and His holiness.  We see that Jesus bore reproach and suffered physically, including intense thirst, for which He was given gall and vinegar, shown later in the psalm in verse 21.

This psalm shows us that believers can, and often do, go through suffering, not because of any sins they committed, but because of righteousness.  This is contrary to what some preachers falsely teach, that believers should only have health, wealth, and prosperity.  We can follow David’s model on how to pray when overwhelmed, with honest lament, humble confession, having confidence in God’s character, and expectation of deliverance.  David did not hide his anguish, and neither do we need to.  Just as Jesus was hated without a cause, we can expect the world’s hatred, as well.

God hears the cries of His people even when the waters rise and strength fails.  Jesus entered the depths of suffering, not only to sympathize with us, but also to redeem us.  Therefore, no Christian ever suffers alone.

Jeremiah's Despair

Jeremiah 20:7-13

The Old Testament Scripture passage this week from the Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer takes us to the Prophet Jeremiah.  The messages that the Lord gave Jeremiah to bring to the people of Judah during the final years before the Babylonian captivity were not easy ones.  His ministry was a difficult, and often dangerous one. In today’s Scripture we will read how Jeremiah had consistently obeyed God, bringing His message, no matter how negatively and angrily the people received it, and yet things only got worse for him, so much so that he wanted to quit the ministry.  Let’s look at God’s Word for today.

Jeremiah lived from approximately 650 to 570 BC.  His ministry was to the Kingdom of Judah right prior and during the years of attack by the Babylonian empire, the people being taken into captivity, and the destruction of the city of Jerusalem.  This judgment upon the nation was because of their idolatry and disobedience to God’s Law.  Jeremiah preached that this judgment would come, and for the people to repent and return to the Lord.  Everywhere they went, there was Jeremiah, bringing God’s message of judgment, of repentance, urging them to return to Yahweh and follow His ways.  That was not a message which they wanted to hear, and they let him know in many ways.  His ministry brought him nothing but hostility, ridicule, and suffering.  He had been beaten, imprisoned, and even thrown into a muddy, sodden, miry pit.  It’s no wonder that Jeremiah was depressed and discouraged!

As our Scripture begins, Jeremiah had just been beaten and imprisoned by Pashur the priest.  He was sitting in his harsh prison cell where he poured out his inner turmoil before God.  His prayer went back and forth between despair and faith.  As Jeremiah began his lament to the Lord, he claimed that the Lord “induced” or “persuaded” him into this ministry (vs. 7).  God’s call to him and this ministry had overwhelmed any resistance he had.  But now he saw that this ministry was bringing him only reproach and even danger from the people.  It seemed that every message that the Lord gave him to proclaim was one of judgment, which brought anger from the people (vs. 8).

God’s truth will often provoke a hostile reaction from the world (John 15:18-20).  We also know that a faithful ministry will frequently bring suffering (II Timothy 3:12).  It is not a popular thing to confront the world with its sin!

There were times when Jeremiah tried to stop preaching.  Being of a more mild-mannered nature than some of the other bolder prophets, he did not like confrontation.  However, God’s Word became like a burning fire in his bones (vs. 9).  He could not keep quiet for long, and he returned to bringing the Lord’s message.  God’s Word is living and active, as we read in Hebrews 4:12.  Jeremiah could not keep silent for long.  With the Holy Spirit empowering him, his human fear was set aside.  As believers today, we have the message of life.  Let’s not be afraid to share it with others.

As Jeremiah went about his work for the Lord, he knew about and even heard the plots that his enemies made (vs. 10).  Even some of his friends and acquaintances stood off and did not come to his defense in his time of need.  Faithfulness to God may isolate us from others.  Standing for the Lord and His truth and Word often means standing alone (II Timothy 4:16-17).

Halfway through this Scripture passage, Jeremiah shifted from feeling deep despair to having confidence (vs. 11).  God’s presence with him outweighed all of the opposition he was facing.  Jeremiah knew the Lord was true, just, and loving.  Under all of his anger, he trusted Him, so he left this whole situation in God’s hands and rested in the peace He brought.  God has promised us that He will defend His servants who faithfully obey Him (Romans 8:31).  The wicked will ultimately fail, and divine justice is certain even if it is delayed.  Jeremiah didn’t exact his own vengeance upon his enemies (vs. 12).  He submitted all judgment to God (Romans 12:19).

Our Scripture ends with Jeremiah giving praise to the Lord (vs. 13).  As we see, he praised God before he even saw his deliverance.  When we have faith in God, we can praise Him based on His promises, not on our circumstances.  Jeremiah could not keep silent when he had the message from God’s Word, and his enemies could not silence him. Although he struggled with deep discouragement, Jeremiah had a Helper through all of his trouble.  God promised Jeremiah when He called him to this ministry that He would be with him through it all (Jeremiah 1:19).  He did not desert His prophet then, and He will not desert us now.

Compassion for the Lost Sheep

Matthew 9:35 - 10:15

Sometimes, when we are working on a project with several other people, when the workload is large, and we have a specific deadline to get this work done, it helps to split up into groups, each one handling a specific area.  Jesus and His disciples had the goal of reaching the people of Israel with His message of salvation.  Jesus also had a limited amount of time, as He knew that the time of His sacrifice upon the Cross was getting closer.  So for a short period of time, He would send out His disciples, two by two, to go separately to various communities in Galilee and Judea, bringing His message.  Our Gospel passage today speaks of this, as this is the first time that Jesus sends out the twelve on a preaching mission.  As we read our Scripture, we will see Jesus’ compassion for lost sinners, His calling of laborers, His commissioning of the disciples, and His warning that the Gospel ministry will bring both divine power and earthly opposition.

As we begin our Scripture passage, we read of Jesus going about the villages of Galilee, teaching the Gospel, preaching, and healing the sick (vs. 35-36).  Large crowds, multitudes, would gather around Him wherever He went.  Rather than getting irritated and worn out with their constant neediness, Jesus had compassion on them.  The Greek word here is splagchnizomai, which means having a deep, gut-level compassion.  The people were weary and scattered.  They were like sheep with no shepherd.  A sheep without a shepherd is in constant danger.  They can be victims of predators, disease, hunger, and an unshorn sheep quickly becomes a mess.  They were in this shape because Israel’s spiritual leaders had failed them.  People today, all across our communities are in the same spiritual shape.  Jesus had compassion on the people then, and He does today, as well.  Lost humanity is helpless without the Good Shepherd.

Looking out at the people Jesus saw that they were like a field of grain, ready for the spiritual harvest (vs. 37-38).  However there were few workers.  After His resurrection, when He would send the disciples out into the world, not just locally, the fields would be larger, and even more workers would be needed, so He told the disciples that they were to pray for more workers.  The fields are ripe now.  The harvest is ready now.  We are to be His laborers now, going out into the fields of our communities, country, and world, to bring in the harvest of souls for His kingdom.

Responding to the compassion He felt for these lost sheep, Jesus commissioned His twelve disciples to go out and bring His message throughout Galilee and Judea (vs. 1-4).  These twelve were not the only disciples that Jesus had.  There were others who followed Him closely.  These twelve were His core inner circle, and among the twelve there were three (Peter, James, and John), who were even closer, and witnessed some things the others didn’t.  However, these twelve were ordinary men - some were fishermen, there was a tax collector, and also a zealot.  God delights in using unlikely people to accomplish great things for Him.

Jesus instructed the twelve that at this time they were not to preach to Gentiles or to Samaritans, but to only go “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (vs. 5-6).  We might wonder why He was excluding Gentiles and Samaritans.  Weren’t they worthy of salvation?  Of course they were/are, however this was a temporary, mission-specific restriction.  Israel must receive the kingdom offer first, and then later the Gospel would expand to all nations (Matthew 28:19).  The message to be preached was that “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (vs. 7).  It is a call to repentance and to be ready to accept God’s chosen Messiah.

Jesus gave the disciples the ability to perform some miracles, such as healing, casting out demons, and even raising the dead (vs. 8).  These miracles would authenticate their message, and demonstrate the arrival of the Messiah.  God freely gave them and us salvation and spiritual gifts, so they were to freely offer them to others.  We are not to commercialize God’s ministry.  They were also instructed to be dependent upon God for their needs by not taking excessive money or extra supplies with them (vs. 9-10).  This would teach them to have faith in God for their needs, and prevent any accusations of greed.  The disciples were to find in each community a household that was receptive to their message and stay with them (vs. 11-13).

As we know, when we share the Gospel with others, some will accept and others will reject us.  Jesus instructed that if a town rejected the twelve, they were to shake off the dust of their feet as a symbolic act of testimony against them (vs. 14-15).  This would underscore the seriousness of rejecting the Gospel truth.  People will be held accountable before God for when they hear the Gospel message.  For those who reject the Gospel, judgment is real, it is certain, and it will be severe.

In closing, we see that Jesus has compassion on the lost, the unsaved.  He so dearly wants them to hear His message and come to Him for salvation.  As Jesus said, the harvest is ready now, it remains plentiful.  Laborers need to go out bringing His message.  We are those laborers, and we need to bring the Gospel to the lost.  God will provide for our needs to do this.  He still provides for those who obey His call.  Faithfulness to Jesus will bring both fruit and resistance.  Those who hear the Gospel are accountable for their response.  As believers we need to pray, to go, to trust, and to proclaim the Lord Jesus with boldness and compassion.