Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Christians must not pretend to be happy all the time, far be it from us to make a virtue out of hypocrisy (the original Greek meaning of the word hypocrite being "actor"), but we must do our best to arrive at the wedding feast wearing festive attire instead of sackcloth. If we don't, the happy couple may begin to believe that we're unhappy about what's going on there.
Bottom line: if you're not going to be happy, at least take the fake smile off of your face. Either wear the smile and mean it or remove it and be real. Dollars to donuts, grinning and bearing it is better, however, than never trying to make your heart wear that hat.
Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
day no. 15,296: messin' with the bull (a hot take on Acts 1:12-26)
I've never been to a rodeo, but I've seen them on television. What I've observed is that there are short flurries of great activity in between long stretches of watching and waiting. The cowboy on the bull waits in the stall, adjusting the rope around his glove, checking the grip of his heels, adjusting his hat, checking the rope around his gloves again, smacking it down, tightening it more, muscles tense, senses heightened... waiting. The crowd is waiting as well. And while they are all waiting for the same thing -- the gate to burst open and the ride to begin -- they all wait differently. Those in the crowd eat their nachos, check their phones, talk to their neighbor, sip a drink, etc... They are waiting too, but their waiting is altogether different from the one on the bull in the stall.
We have the impression that waiting is a period of time where you aren't doing anything. We understand waiting as the period of rest between now and doing whatever it is you are going to do. Waiting, in other words, is not seen as an active thing, but a passive one. It is the word we use to describe the time between outbursts of activity.
But in the Bible, waiting is an active thing. It is preparation, it is obedience, it is faith and all of these are actions requiring focus and commitment. Waiting in the Bible is more like the cowboy on the bull than the attender in the audience. Both are waiting for something to happen, but the cowboy's waiting is working towards something, whereas the audience's waiting is watching for something to happen somewhere else to someone else. When the gate swings open, the audience member merely watches what plays out and either applauds or boos. The cowboy, however, is preparing to engage in active duty. But the waiting was part of the riding. To ride a bull is to wait behind a stall. In other words, in that kind of waiting, there is work being done.
In Acts 1:12 we see the disciples responding to Jesus' command to go by huddling up and waiting. They are not merely, like an audience member, eating popcorn waiting for the show to begin, making sure their phones are on silent as to avoid interrupting the action. No, the disciples are preparing for future action. They are actively waiting. They are faithfully staying put which requires just as much energy as meandering around, if not more.
That work in the waiting look like praying to God, pouring into community and preparing for future action. The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war. The time to prepare for the future is now. Until you know what's next, do what's last. Whatever you heard God say last, do that until you receive the next action step. There is never NOT an action step. You are always living in light of the last action step God commanded and preparing for the next one He will provide.
Waiting is work that looks ahead by looking back.
We have the impression that waiting is a period of time where you aren't doing anything. We understand waiting as the period of rest between now and doing whatever it is you are going to do. Waiting, in other words, is not seen as an active thing, but a passive one. It is the word we use to describe the time between outbursts of activity.
But in the Bible, waiting is an active thing. It is preparation, it is obedience, it is faith and all of these are actions requiring focus and commitment. Waiting in the Bible is more like the cowboy on the bull than the attender in the audience. Both are waiting for something to happen, but the cowboy's waiting is working towards something, whereas the audience's waiting is watching for something to happen somewhere else to someone else. When the gate swings open, the audience member merely watches what plays out and either applauds or boos. The cowboy, however, is preparing to engage in active duty. But the waiting was part of the riding. To ride a bull is to wait behind a stall. In other words, in that kind of waiting, there is work being done.
In Acts 1:12 we see the disciples responding to Jesus' command to go by huddling up and waiting. They are not merely, like an audience member, eating popcorn waiting for the show to begin, making sure their phones are on silent as to avoid interrupting the action. No, the disciples are preparing for future action. They are actively waiting. They are faithfully staying put which requires just as much energy as meandering around, if not more.
That work in the waiting look like praying to God, pouring into community and preparing for future action. The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war. The time to prepare for the future is now. Until you know what's next, do what's last. Whatever you heard God say last, do that until you receive the next action step. There is never NOT an action step. You are always living in light of the last action step God commanded and preparing for the next one He will provide.
Waiting is work that looks ahead by looking back.
Monday, September 7, 2020
day no. 15,295: conspiracy instead of covenant
"Sex was an extremely powerful tool for fulfilling the good task that God gave to man and woman. Sin changed the game. Sex retained its power, but now it had the ability not only to create lives, but also to destroy lives." - Douglas Wilson, A Justice Primer
Sex has always been employed as a creative act. It creates oneness and out of that oneness it produces fruit. Sin, however, entered in and employed its creative power for evil ends. Now, as Wilson points out, it not only can create lives, it can destroy them. It does not only have the potential to produce new life, it has the ability to reduce old ones. It not only unifies, it divides. It still brings people together, only now the meeting's agenda is often conspiracy instead of covenant.
Sex has always been employed as a creative act. It creates oneness and out of that oneness it produces fruit. Sin, however, entered in and employed its creative power for evil ends. Now, as Wilson points out, it not only can create lives, it can destroy them. It does not only have the potential to produce new life, it has the ability to reduce old ones. It not only unifies, it divides. It still brings people together, only now the meeting's agenda is often conspiracy instead of covenant.
Sunday, September 6, 2020
day no. 15,294: hot take on Mark 11:27-12:44
The Chief priests, scribes and elders want to know, "why should we listen to you? whose authority are you acting on?"
So Jesus turns the question back on them in order to show them that they do not honor authority the way they think they do (11:27-33). They know the answer to Jesus' question. They aren't confused about what they think. But they are confused about where authority comes from, what keeps it and how to hold it. They are scared that the people might revolt if they knew what they really thought about John the Baptist and his message. But if they say John was sent under Heaven's authority, Jesus' natural next question will be, "then why didn't you obey him?" So they lie and say that they don't know. So Jesus concludes, there is no point in telling you whose authority I operate under because you don't respect authority. What the priest, scribes and elders are trying to do is get the best of both worlds: they want to look like the kind of people who honor and respect authority "by what authority are you doing these?" (because we care about authority and it matters to us) WITHOUT the obligation and responsibilities of actually being under authority. So they get to look like they would honor it if they knew what it was and simultaneously don't have to obey it. They want to look good without being good in other words.
To punctuate the point, Jesus tells a parable about authority (12:1-12). In the story, the tenants, who are under the authority of the landowner, act as though it is their land. They don't act like managers, but owners. They kill the heir of the land in order to complete their takeover of it. With the heir dead, it's only a matter of waiting for the owner to die and then it is theirs. Jesus says this is what many try to do. Many act like they are their own authority and that they can kill or reject or deny whatever outside authority attempts to make claim on them. The scribes and elders pick up that this was a veiled reference to them.
Another altercation around authority comes to light around money. (13-17) Caesar is a clear authority, and if you doubt it, just look at your money. His face is on it. And that is how Jesus answers the question. Caesar is the author of this currency, he has put his image on it. Give him back what has his image on it. But you are God's. He has put His image on you. You owe Him what has His image on it. In other words, you are currency printed off in His treasury and have value backed up by His image and value. If all Caesar wants is some of your money, let him have it. No biggie. God doesn't need your money, He wants ALL of you. Everything that bears His image is His and He isn't exacting taxes in the form of percentages, He is asking for it ALL.
Another altercation around authority erupts around authority of Scripture. (18-27) The Sadducees think parts of the Bible don't apply --> resurrection, angels, etc... They are not Bible literalists (those are the Pharisees). The Sadducees feel free to play fast and lose with the Bible, taking what they like, and explaining away as metaphor what they don't care much for. They have an example which they believe highlights the absurdity of believing the Bible teaches resurrection. Jesus confronts this directly and proves the authority of the Bible and the reality of resurrection.
Another altercation concerning the authority of God's Word busts out around importance. Ok, the Bible is important, but which part if MOST important (28-34) Jesus boils the Bible down to its core orienting principles of love God, love people. Now, it is worth pointing out that He is summarizing the LAW here. That is what He was asked for and that is what He gives. The LAW is good and godly, but it is bad news for sinners. Love God and love people may be easier to remember than 39 books of the OT, but it isn't easy to pull off. IT highlights how far off base we are. JUST love God and others. As though that were something easier to accomplish? Exactly! If you feel the weight of the Law or the poke of the Law once it is at that fine of a point, you are ready for good news to rush in through the hole produced by its pierce.
Another altercation concerning the authority God's Word focuses now on the Messiah specifically (35-37) How could David call his son, Lord? How could the Lord be flesh and how could David, the High King, submit to his descendant's authority? Well, the Christ would be flesh and God, that's how. He would be really human (a son of David) and really God (a son from Heaven).
Jesus summarizes these lessons on authority by telling his followers NOT to follow the example of the scribes (38-40). Their take on authority is off and if you walk in their footsteps you will only end up achieving more condemnation for yourself, not more commendation.
Lastly, Jesus sits down after a busy day of defending the authority of God and decides to watch people gives offerings, ya know the way people hang out and just watch the offering box? :) (41-44) Being under authority is about giving all that you have, not how much you give. If some have more, they are responsible to give more. Whatever you have and in whatever place you are in, give ALL of yourself to God. The poor widow gave all of herself. The rich people put in only part. The rich gave quantitatively more, but the poor widow gave qualitatively more. They gave some, she gave it ALL. This leads us back to the point from Caesar and the coin. when it comes to money, remember whose image you bear and that you are His currency printed on His paper and you owe all of it back to Him, your value comes from Him and should be spent on Him and for Him.
So Jesus turns the question back on them in order to show them that they do not honor authority the way they think they do (11:27-33). They know the answer to Jesus' question. They aren't confused about what they think. But they are confused about where authority comes from, what keeps it and how to hold it. They are scared that the people might revolt if they knew what they really thought about John the Baptist and his message. But if they say John was sent under Heaven's authority, Jesus' natural next question will be, "then why didn't you obey him?" So they lie and say that they don't know. So Jesus concludes, there is no point in telling you whose authority I operate under because you don't respect authority. What the priest, scribes and elders are trying to do is get the best of both worlds: they want to look like the kind of people who honor and respect authority "by what authority are you doing these?" (because we care about authority and it matters to us) WITHOUT the obligation and responsibilities of actually being under authority. So they get to look like they would honor it if they knew what it was and simultaneously don't have to obey it. They want to look good without being good in other words.
To punctuate the point, Jesus tells a parable about authority (12:1-12). In the story, the tenants, who are under the authority of the landowner, act as though it is their land. They don't act like managers, but owners. They kill the heir of the land in order to complete their takeover of it. With the heir dead, it's only a matter of waiting for the owner to die and then it is theirs. Jesus says this is what many try to do. Many act like they are their own authority and that they can kill or reject or deny whatever outside authority attempts to make claim on them. The scribes and elders pick up that this was a veiled reference to them.
Another altercation around authority comes to light around money. (13-17) Caesar is a clear authority, and if you doubt it, just look at your money. His face is on it. And that is how Jesus answers the question. Caesar is the author of this currency, he has put his image on it. Give him back what has his image on it. But you are God's. He has put His image on you. You owe Him what has His image on it. In other words, you are currency printed off in His treasury and have value backed up by His image and value. If all Caesar wants is some of your money, let him have it. No biggie. God doesn't need your money, He wants ALL of you. Everything that bears His image is His and He isn't exacting taxes in the form of percentages, He is asking for it ALL.
Another altercation around authority erupts around authority of Scripture. (18-27) The Sadducees think parts of the Bible don't apply --> resurrection, angels, etc... They are not Bible literalists (those are the Pharisees). The Sadducees feel free to play fast and lose with the Bible, taking what they like, and explaining away as metaphor what they don't care much for. They have an example which they believe highlights the absurdity of believing the Bible teaches resurrection. Jesus confronts this directly and proves the authority of the Bible and the reality of resurrection.
Another altercation concerning the authority of God's Word busts out around importance. Ok, the Bible is important, but which part if MOST important (28-34) Jesus boils the Bible down to its core orienting principles of love God, love people. Now, it is worth pointing out that He is summarizing the LAW here. That is what He was asked for and that is what He gives. The LAW is good and godly, but it is bad news for sinners. Love God and love people may be easier to remember than 39 books of the OT, but it isn't easy to pull off. IT highlights how far off base we are. JUST love God and others. As though that were something easier to accomplish? Exactly! If you feel the weight of the Law or the poke of the Law once it is at that fine of a point, you are ready for good news to rush in through the hole produced by its pierce.
Another altercation concerning the authority God's Word focuses now on the Messiah specifically (35-37) How could David call his son, Lord? How could the Lord be flesh and how could David, the High King, submit to his descendant's authority? Well, the Christ would be flesh and God, that's how. He would be really human (a son of David) and really God (a son from Heaven).
Jesus summarizes these lessons on authority by telling his followers NOT to follow the example of the scribes (38-40). Their take on authority is off and if you walk in their footsteps you will only end up achieving more condemnation for yourself, not more commendation.
Lastly, Jesus sits down after a busy day of defending the authority of God and decides to watch people gives offerings, ya know the way people hang out and just watch the offering box? :) (41-44) Being under authority is about giving all that you have, not how much you give. If some have more, they are responsible to give more. Whatever you have and in whatever place you are in, give ALL of yourself to God. The poor widow gave all of herself. The rich people put in only part. The rich gave quantitatively more, but the poor widow gave qualitatively more. They gave some, she gave it ALL. This leads us back to the point from Caesar and the coin. when it comes to money, remember whose image you bear and that you are His currency printed on His paper and you owe all of it back to Him, your value comes from Him and should be spent on Him and for Him.
Saturday, September 5, 2020
day no. 15,293: saved or haunted?
"The believing world is saved by the gospel, and the unbelieving world is haunted by it. The story that hovers over everyone and everything now is the story of the Victim-King, Christ and Him crucified." - Douglas Wilson, A Justice Primer
The Gospel defines the world. There is not a single inch over which Jesus does not declare, "Mine!" As Wilson points out, the world is either saved by it or haunted by it, but there is no escaping it. Rushdoony's inescapable concept is here revealed. You will have a Gospel. The question isn't IF, but HOW? Will it be part of your active belief and integrate your life according to it as your head or will it be part of your active unbelief and do your best to resist it all the while sensing it's presence hovering near you when the lights are off.
The Gospel defines the world. There is not a single inch over which Jesus does not declare, "Mine!" As Wilson points out, the world is either saved by it or haunted by it, but there is no escaping it. Rushdoony's inescapable concept is here revealed. You will have a Gospel. The question isn't IF, but HOW? Will it be part of your active belief and integrate your life according to it as your head or will it be part of your active unbelief and do your best to resist it all the while sensing it's presence hovering near you when the lights are off.
Friday, September 4, 2020
day no. 15,292: surrounded by an anonymous cloud of witnesses
"When the charges are framed contrary to these biblical standards, they should simply be round-filed. For example: 1. The Bible prohibits anonymous accusation (Deut. 19), and because “John Smith” is not his real name, he does not have real biblical accountability in making his charges. A “male” in the “United States” needs to be narrowed down a bit further. 2. The Bible prohibits solitary accusation against elders (1 Tim. 5:19); this means that two or three (accountable) witnesses are required for each specification. 3. If anonymous accusers are allowed (see #1), then the requirement on #2 can be easily bypassed by a sole accuser (via multiple screen names of “George,” “Stan,” and “Melody,” not to mention the always reliable “numerous sources have informed me”). This nameless cloud of witnesses all crossed their hearts and hoped to die." - Douglas Wilson, A Justice Primer
When you are surrounded by an anonymous cloud of witnesses, kindly request they come back with credentials or don't come back at all.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
God calls His own cloud of witnesses to the stand, those named and numbered, with faith credentials and all, to be your encouragers. Do not succumb to a nebulous cloud of criticism. It wants to lay weight upon you until you cannot move. It wants to cling close and keep you down. It wants to block your path and stifle your progress. It wants you to look at them and their envy and inwardly at your imperfection, anything other than looking at Jesus. It wants you to endure shame and to consider them, who hover above in judgmental authority over your particular situation. They want you to wear out and faint so that they may tread upon your corpse.
Jude 1:12
They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain.
In every way, they desire the antithesis of what God sent Jesus to accomplish and our duty in response to His active reign, but they are mists evaporating in the heat of the sun. They cannot produce rain. They have nothing life-giving in what they do. They hover only to darken, but part ways when the Son rises and come to nothing.
When you are surrounded by an anonymous cloud of witnesses, kindly request they come back with credentials or don't come back at all.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
God calls His own cloud of witnesses to the stand, those named and numbered, with faith credentials and all, to be your encouragers. Do not succumb to a nebulous cloud of criticism. It wants to lay weight upon you until you cannot move. It wants to cling close and keep you down. It wants to block your path and stifle your progress. It wants you to look at them and their envy and inwardly at your imperfection, anything other than looking at Jesus. It wants you to endure shame and to consider them, who hover above in judgmental authority over your particular situation. They want you to wear out and faint so that they may tread upon your corpse.
Jude 1:12
They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain.
In every way, they desire the antithesis of what God sent Jesus to accomplish and our duty in response to His active reign, but they are mists evaporating in the heat of the sun. They cannot produce rain. They have nothing life-giving in what they do. They hover only to darken, but part ways when the Son rises and come to nothing.
Thursday, September 3, 2020
day no. 15,291: we fight on the path, for the path
"The great Puritan writer Jeremiah Burroughs put it this way: 'Truth is the bond that keeps unity, but error is wild.' Because error is wild, the best thing for truth to do is stay on the path, not turning aside to the right or the left. Truth should do what truth does the best, which is to move on straight ahead. Truth fights when it has to, but it fights in the path, in order to stay on the path. Bunyan’s pilgrim was not chasing over the meadows in order to go Apollyon-hunting. He fought, but he fought because Apollyon was in the path. We have our tasks assigned to us, and it is most important that we remain faithful in those tasks, whatever liars may say." - Douglas Wilson, A Justice Primer
Truth fights on the path or it doesn't fight. It doesn't go looking for altercations elsewhere, it is not belligerent. But it is willing to battle when the fight comes to it. Christian was outfitted by those at the Palace Beautiful in order to find him a monster to slay. He was armored to fight in the event that a monster came a looking for him. We fight for the path. We fight on the path. We fight what attempts to barricade the path. But we do not leave the path. We cannot win if we go off course. We cannot be suckered into veering off in order to win a victory for the path. Our task is the path and to fight whatever may or may not be on it.
Truth fights on the path or it doesn't fight. It doesn't go looking for altercations elsewhere, it is not belligerent. But it is willing to battle when the fight comes to it. Christian was outfitted by those at the Palace Beautiful in order to find him a monster to slay. He was armored to fight in the event that a monster came a looking for him. We fight for the path. We fight on the path. We fight what attempts to barricade the path. But we do not leave the path. We cannot win if we go off course. We cannot be suckered into veering off in order to win a victory for the path. Our task is the path and to fight whatever may or may not be on it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)