Holy Spirit

But I tell you the truth.  It is for your good that I am going away.

Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you, but if I go,

I will send Him to you.”

John 16:7

In the Gospel of John, chapters 14-18, we have the clearest picture of the Holy Spirit that is given in the Bible.  Let’s see if we can find:

Ten Things John Tells Us About the Holy Spirit

1.       The Holy Spirit comes from the Father and will be with us forever

2.       He is the Spirit of Truth

3.       He lives with you and shall be in you

4.       He will teach us all things

5.       Remind them of everything Jesus’ said to them

6.       He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin, righteousness, judgment

7.       The Spirit of Truth will guide you into all truth

8.       He will speak what He hears

9.       He will tell you 1 He will take what belong to God/Jesus and make it known to us

 

 

 

Dirty Feet?

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power,

And that He had come from God and was returning to God.

So He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing,

And wrapped a towel around His waist.  After that,

He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples feet,

Drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.

John 13:3-5 

I grew up in a church that practiced the foot washing service once a month, when we had communion.  It took me many years to understand the meaning behind the service.  I remembered my Sabbath School teacher trying to teach me the significance of what Jesus did that night, but it went in one ear and out the other.  Mostly I wondered:  Are my feet dirty? Are yours?  Do I have to take my stockings off?  Can you please dry between my toes so that I don’t get my shoes wet?  Can I just remain in the sanctuary and forget the foot washing this time?

It is clear from John’s story of the evening foot washing by Jesus that the meaning of what He did sailed straight over the disciples' heads as well.  A servant usually performed the foot washing prior to a banquet meal.  Somehow, for this particular meal, no servant was provided.  Jesus rose, wrapped a towel around His waist, and knelt to wash the feet of His disciples. 

Do you understand what I have done for you?  You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Summer Reading for Today:  John 13-15

Lazarus

 

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “If you had been here,

my brother would not have died.”

John 11:21 

I started learning to play the organ when I was in 6^th grade, and obtained a position as church organist at a local Methodist church when I was in 8^th grade.  That same year, I began playing for funeral services at several of the local mortuaries.  Many times I felt like I was almost part of the grieving family, often sitting at the organ that was directly behind the casket. 

One service I remember clearly - over 60 years later.  A young boy had been on an excursion to the Salt River with his Boy Scout troop.  He jumped off the bank into a hidden sink hole in the river and drowned before anyone could reach him.  His entire Scout troop was in attendance at the funeral service, each little boy holding a keepsake that they were to put inside the casket.  There was not a dry eye in the room.  My heart ached for the parents of this young boy – taken away so suddenly.

When Jesus came to Bethany, Lazarus had been buried for four days.  He found Mary and Martha broken with grief that tore at His own heart.  Through tears, Jesus asked to see the place where His friend was entombed.  Mary and Martha’s faith in their Savior had never wavered, but I’m certain they never expected the miracle that would fall from the lips of Jesus:

Lazarus, come forth!

Summer Reading - New Testament

Monday, June 28              John 10-12

Tuesday, June 29              John 13-15

Wednesday, June 30       John 16-18

Thursday, July 1                John 19-21

Friday, July 2                       Acts 1-3

Saturday, July 3                 Acts 4-6

Sunday, July 4                    Acts 7-9

Monday, July 5                  Acts 10-12

The Samaritan Woman

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her,

”Will you give me a drink?”

John 4:7

 

Living Stones Quartet

Summer Reading Today:      John 4-6

Summer Reading Sunday:    John 7-9

Summer Reading - New Testament

Monday, June 28                  John 10-12

Tuesday, June 29                John 13-15

Wednesday, June 30            John 16-18

Thursday, July 1                    John 19-21

Friday, July 2                          Acts 1-3

Saturday, July 3                     Acts 4-6

Sunday, July 4                        Acts 7-9

Monday, July 5                      Acts 10-12

 

Nicodemus

 

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus,

A member of the Jewish ruling council.  He came to Jesus at night…

John 3:1-2a

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, one of the preeminent teachers of the Law. He had heard much of Jesus – perhaps even been in the crowds when Jesus was teaching.  He had many questions and decided to pay a visit to the Teacher in the evening.  When I was a kid, I was taught that Nicodemus came at night because he didn’t want anyone to see him talking to this upstart rabbi.   I think it might have been simply that Jesus was much more accessible in the evening, after He had sent the crowd home.

Jesus recognized an open, inquiring heart and spent the time feeding Nicodemus’ soul.  Included in that conversation is one of the most beloved verses in the Bible:  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”  [John 3:16]

The words the Savior spoke that night took deep root in Nicodemus’ heart.  John records later in his Gospel that when Joseph of Arimathea received permission to bury Christ’s body, he was accompanied by Nicodemus, who brought the embalming mixture of myrrh and aloes.  Together these two grieving disciples wrapped the body of their Master in linen cloth and placed it in the garden tomb.

Today's Summer Reading:  John 1:1-3

Pilate

 

Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd,

“I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

Luke 23:4 

I am not a fan of modern-day politics of any stripe.  I am even less fond of politics & power mixed with religion. But that nasty brew as been around for a long time.  Just take a look at Pilate.

The Roman governor knew from the moment the religious leaders stalked through the doors that they were on a mission that had nothing to do with justice or truth.  He announced that there was no basis for a charge, then passed the political buck to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem for the Passover.  Herod played a few of his sadistic games, then sent Jesus back to Pilate.  Pilate again said, “I find no basis for your charges against him.”  And that should have been that.

But the mob rose up screaming and yelling, driven on by the religious rulers, and Luke records, “their shouts prevailed.”  Pilate buckled to political pressure that threatened his power, his control, and his career standing with the big boss Caesar – a decision that would forever haunt him.

Today's Summer Reading:  Luke 22-24

Wee Little Man

 

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.

A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus;

He was a chief tax collector and was very wealthy.

Luke 19:1-2

Tax collectors were hated by the common man in Israel.  They were Jews who worked for the Roman enemy and were often nothing more than thieves themselves – charging outrageous overages and pocketing the extra. 

Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector of Jericho, a man who had become very wealthy through graft and deceit.  He was curious about Jesus, and wanted to see “what sort of person Jesus was.”  Being a short man, he scrambled up into the branches of a tree beside the path where Jesus was walking..  Imagine his surprise when the Teacher halted before the tree and called Zacchaeus by name, asking to dine at his house.

We are not told in Scripture what was discussed at that dinner, but it reached the heart of that wily old tax collector, and he promised to make restitution four times over to everyone he had cheated, and to give half his wealth to the poor and suffering.  Zacchaeus once was lost, but through the love of the Savior, he was found.

Zacchaeus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he.

He climbed up in a sycamore tree, for the Lord he wanted to see.

And as the Savior passed that way, he looked up in the tree.

And Jesus said, Zacchaeus, you come down!

For I’m going to your house today.

Yes, I’m going to your house today.

Have Mercy on Me

 

But the tax collector stood at a distance.

He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast,

And said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

Luke 18:13

As a child, I hated the point in the church service when it was time to pray.  I was just a kid trying not to get in trouble, and some of the old guys who participated in the Morning Pastoral Prayer were so long winded.  Often self-centered in nature, those endless prayers made me want to explode.  Mother’s firm hand on my little shoulder kept that from becoming a reality.

Jesus didn’t care for the windy self-centered religious leaders who were renowned for their rose-colored glasses when it came to an honest assessment of their sins.  They thought they were not only good enough for whatever God might have in mind, but they were a far sight better than the common people who got in their way in the synagogue.

No, Jesus searched the corners and the back side pews for the shepherds, the widows, the tax collectors – those who understood their need for God’s mercy, and were willing to humble themselves before the Almighty.  We come to Him in prayer, not to proclaim our righteousness, but to be filled with His righteousness.

Hey! Where'd Everybody Go?

 

Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.

Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me

to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!

Luke 10:40-41 

Imagine this scene:  You are at home on a Friday morning, lazing around in your pj’s, yakking with your brother and sister.  A sharp knock sounds simultaneously with the ringing of your doorbell.   A very important-looking gentleman informs you that you will be hosting Governor Ralph Northam and several of his political team for dinner that evening at 7:00pm.

Your day immediately dissolves into a race to get your house in good enough shape for the governor to visit, as well as choosing a menu, purchasing the food and supplies necessary, preparing the food, then figuring out who is going to sit where at your table, and getting our all the china and silver to accommodate the meal you are simultaneously preparing. 

The doorbell rings at 6:30pm (you have not yet changed into your dinner outfit), and in walks the governor – 30 minute early.  He sits down in your living room, along with his team and – wait, what?  Your brother and your sister already gussied up and looking fine.  They all sit down to meet and greet, and suddenly you are all alone with your steaming, overloaded kitchen, trays of appetizers and charcuterie waiting to be passed, dinner to get on the table, and the final touches put on the desert table.  Wouldn’t you feel like saying SOMETHING – especially to your siblings?

Jesus said – Hey - the dinner will get organized, and will eventually be served.  And yes, it might not be perfect.  But Mary has chosen to listen to My words, and you must not ask Me to take that away from her.

Summer Reading – New Testament

Monday, June 21              Luke 13-15

Tuesday, June 22              Luke 16-18

Wednesday, June 23       Luke 19-21

Thursday, June 24            Luke 22-24

Friday, June 25                  John 1-3

Saturday, June 26             John 4-6

Sunday, June 27                John 7-9

Monday, June 28              John 10-12

Don't Cry

When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her

and He said, “Don’t cry.”

Luke 7:13 

I absolutely love this story.  Jesus and His disciples were traveling to the town of Nain, a village in Galilee.  As they reach the town gate, they are met by a funeral procession going out of the gate – the open coffin of a young man, followed by his weeping mother – a widow.  Jesus takes this all in at a glance, and His heart is filled with compassion. 

When Jesus stepped forward and placed His hand on the litter, the pall bearers stopped in their tracks.  He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”  The young man sat up and began to talk.  Luke sums it up: Jesus gave him back to his mother. 

I cannot wait for the time when these words from Revelation 21:4 will be fulfilled:

^”And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, 

neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: 

for the former things are passed away.”

Summer Reading - The New Testament

Sunday, June 20                Luke 10-12

Monday, June 21              Luke 13-15

Tuesday, June 22              Luke 16-18

Wednesday, June 23       Luke 19-21

Thursday, June 24            Luke 22-24

Friday, June 25                  John 1-3

Saturday, June 26             John 4-6

Sunday, June 27                John 7-9

Monday, June 28              John 10-12

Rejection!

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners,

and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,

to proclaim the year of our Lord’s favor.

Luke 4:18-19 (Isaiah 61:1-2)

Jesus was at home in Nazareth, and on the Sabbath day, He went to the synagogue, which was His custom.  He was asked to read, and handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah.  Unrolling it, He read the words of our scripture today – a prophecy of the works of the Messiah.  At the end of the reading the returned the scroll, sat down, and said:  Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.

They were all amazed at His gracious words, but Jesus wasn’t finished yet.  He challenged those who refused to believe in Him.  He brought up the story of Elijah during the famine, when he was sent to a widow who was not of Israel.  He followed that with the story of the healing of Naaman, who was also not from Israel.

The congregation was not amused by these putdowns to the chosen of Israel.  In fury, they drove Him out of town to a cliff, where they intended to throw Him down to his death.  But Luke records that Jesus simply walked right through the crowd and went on His way. 

Ten Things We Know About John the Baptist

 

Zechariah, your prayer has been heard.

Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son…

Luke 1:13b

 I absolutely love the beginning of the Gospel of Luke.  Luke is writing a letter to a man named Theophilus, and he starts the narrative by saying, Look.  I know lots of people have written about the events that have happened among us, including eye-witnesses, but I want to write them down for you in proper order...  And then Luke sets about doing exactly that.

Zechariah was a Levite from the line of Aaron, married to Elizabeth who was childless.  They were both advanced in age when an angel appears to Zechariah while he is serving in the Temple.  Through that conversation, we learn Ten Things about John the Baptist. 

1.    The angel specifically named the baby:  John

2.    He will be a joy and delight to his parents.

3.    He will be great in the sight of the Lord.

4.    He will never take wine or other fermented drink

5.    He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth.

6.    He will go before the Messiah in the spirit of Elijah

7.    He will turn the hearts of the people to the Wisdom of the Righteous.

8.    He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

9.    He will fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3-5,

10.  He will fulfill the prophecy of Malachi.4:5-6

Go Tell Peter

Ýou are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.

He has risen!  He is not here.  See the place where they laid Him.

But go, tell His disciples and Peter

He is going ahead of you into Galilee.

There you will see Him, just as He told you.

Mark 16:6-8

Each of the Gospel writers had their specific memories of Resurrection Morning.  Mark chronicled the arrival of the women, who were surprised that the stone was rolled away.  They met the angel inside the tomb, who had a message for them and the disciples.

The very special moment in Mark’s telling of the angel’s message comes when Peter is mentioned specifically – “Go tell the disciples AND PETER.”  After the complete failure of his faith when he denied his Savior, there is little doubt that Peter would feel depressed and even rejected.  Jesus wanted Peter to know that he specifically was being invited to their meeting in Galilee. This special recognition of Peter was precious reassurance that he was forgiven and loved.  

You Will All Fall Away

You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, for it is written,

“I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”

Mark 14:27

The cocksure, feisty attitude of James and John permeated the other disciples as well.  At this point in Mark’s narrative, Jesus tried to warn his men that the coming events would frighten them so badly, they would turn tail and run.  Peter’s heart insisted that even if the rest of them left, he never would.  It was unthinkable.

Jesus does not ignore Peter’s brash claim.  Instead, He pointedly warns him that he would, before the night was over, disown Jesus three times.  The Bible says that Peter’s reply is emphatic:  “I will NEVER disown you!”  Leap to the evening, after Jesus is arrested, around the fire in the priest’s courtyard:

#1:  Servant Girl of the High Priest, speaking to Peter    “You were with that Nazarene.”

 “I don’t know or understand what you are talking about!”

#2  Same Servant Girl, speaking to everyone at the fire:  “This fellow is one of them.”

Again, Peter denied it.

#3 Man standing around the fire:  “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

“I don’t know this man you are talking about” (accompanied by cursing for emphasis).

The rooster crows, and Peter dissolves into tears, shame and deep regret.

It's All About Me

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him.

“Teacher,” they said, “We want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

Mark 10:35

James and John had been with Christ from the beginning, and with Peter, were part of Jesus’ inner circle.  They had seen first hand the healings and the miracles, and decided that between the two of them that they needed to secure their positions in the coming kingdom.  The fact that they had the guts to ask Jesus to give them whatever the wanted lights another window into the character of the Sons of Thunder.  What did these two want?  Positions of power on His right and His left.

Jesus must have shocked them when He said, “I’m sorry, but I don’t have the power to do that.”  The right and the left were for the ones whom God had prepared for those places.  I have always wondered if Jesus here referred to the criminals who would be on the crosses on the right and the left of Him.

Then Jesus called them all together – the ambitious two and the indignant ten – and told them, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.  For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.  

Brother, let me be your servant,

Let me be as Christ to you.

Pray that I will have the grace

To let you be my servant, too.

 

The Dancing Daughter

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I will give it to you.”

And he promised with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you,

up to half of my kingdom.”  She went out and said to her mother, 

“What shall I ask for?

Mark 6:22b-24a

 As a child who performed in public regularly, I always hated it when one of my parents volunteered me to sing or dance for guests visiting our home.  Our friends didn’t buy a ticket to listen to a concert – they came over to chat with my parents.  My reluctance never stopped my folks from pushing me forward. 

Herodius had a method to her madness when she pushed her daughter Salome to perform for Herod.  She knew that if the king and his buddies got drunk enough and her daughter’s dancing got suggestive enough, Herod would get all hot and bothered and fall all over himself trying to please her. 

Her plot went according to script, and a lustful king, with a boast and an oath, offered the dancing daughter any gift in the world – anything.  When Salome approached Herodius for an answer, the woman never batted an eye.  “Tell him you want the head of John the Baptist.”  Her daughter did as she was told.

Summer Reading - New Testament

• Sunday, June 13  Mark 7-9
• Monday, June 14  Mark 10-12
• Tuesday, June 15  Mark 13-15
• Wednesday, June 16  Mark 16
• Thursday, June 17  Luke 1-3
• Friday, June 18  Luke 4-6
• Saturday, June 19  Luke 7-9
• Sunday, June 20  Luke 10-12
• Monday, June 21  Luke 13-15

Healing the Leper

 

Then a leper came to Jesus, knelt in front of Him and appealed to Him:

“If you want to, you can make me clean.”

Jesus was filled with pity for him, and stretched out His hand,

And placed it on the leper, saying,

“Of course I want to – be clean!”

Mark 1:40, 41

I have psoriasis.  As diseases go, I guess this one is tolerable – at least for me.  I have lived with it for almost 50 years.  It flares up at times, depending on my stress level and what I eat, and then calms back down.  But it never leaves.  There is no known cure.

Back in biblical times, almost any skin disease could be diagnosed by the priests as leprosy – psoriasis, eczema, or actual leprosy.  Anyone who was declared a leper was separated from society and their families so that they did not spread the disease.  The had to cry out, “Unclean!” so that people could avoid them.  They lived and died alone.

This story told by Mark is so compassionate; the leper approaches Jesus, and instead of demanding or pleading, he puts the ball in Jesus’ court by saying, “if you want to, you can do this.”  Jesus reaches out to touch the man, exclaiming, “Of course I want to!”  and Jesus’ touch brings healing.

Summer Reading - New Testament

• Sunday, June 13  Mark 7-9
• Monday, June 14  Mark 10-12
• Tuesday, June 15  Mark 13-15
• Wednesday, June 16  Mark 16
• Thursday, June 17  Luke 1-3
• Friday, June 18  Luke 4-6
• Saturday, June 19  Luke 7-9
• Sunday, June 20  Luke 10-12
• Monday, June 21  Luke 13-15

The Guards at the Tomb

 

When the women were on their way,

Some of the guards went into the city

And reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.

Matthew 28:11

It is so appropriate that Matthew tells the stories of both Judas and the Roman guards.  Judas sold his soul for 30 Romans silver coins and the comradery of the corrupt religious establishment.  The guards sold their souls for “a large sum of money” and the comradery of the corrupt religious establishment that guaranteed their silence (or a well-placed lie) about what really happened at Jesus’ tomb on Sunday morning.  Both situations featured men who were looking out for #1. 

The Roman soldiers agreed to spread a tale that tarred themselves with the brush of dereliction of duty.  Matthew reports that priest's flagrant lie was spread throughout the land.   The soldiers had to live for the rest of their lives with the video in their heads of God’s mighty angel, the common accepted story that they had failed in their duty to guard the tomb, and the taste of their own lies upon their lips.  

Judas Iscariot

Then one of the Twelve – the one called Judas Iscariot –

went to the chief priests and asked,

“What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?”

So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.

From then on, Judas watched for an opportunity to hand Him over.

Matthew 26:14-16

I could read this over a hundred times and more, and I still would never understand what in the world was in Judas’ mind when he agreed to betray Jesus.  When I was a child, I was taught that Judas turned his back on Jesus because he wanted the money.  Turns out that although it sounds like a large chunk of change, it was not.  If the silver coin was a denarius, 30 coins would be about one and a half month’s pay for a Roman soldier or an Israeli laborer (Matthew 20).  Somehow I don’t think it was all about the money.

Judas had walked every mile that Jesus and the disciples journeyed.  He had seen the miracles:  the blind, deaf and mute healed; illnesses vanquished; the dead raised to life.  He saw the compassion for the poor, the uneducated, the children.   He was witness to the love for His twelve friends that poured from the Savior’s heart, and yet he chose to walk away.  Or did he?

Did Judas think that by forcing Jesus to face the religious right, it would compel Him to declare His kingdom?    Did he, like Simon the Zealot, believe that Jesus was destined to defeat the Romans?  When Judas realized that the Pharisees intended to kill Jesus, he tried to backtrack, return the money, declare Christ's innocence, withdraw from his contract.  But it was too little, too late.

Lord, give me strength, at the dawn of the day, to face whatever may come my way.  Be my Wisdom and my Guide in every step I take today.

The Wedding Banquet

 

But when the King came in to see the guests,

He noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes,

“Friend,” he asked, “how did you get in here without wedding clothes?”

The man was speechless.

Then the King said to the attendants, “Tie him hand and foot,

And throw him outside into the darkness,

Where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 22:11-13

 

In biblical times, the wealthy parents who could afford a big bash threw a huge wedding celebration for their child.  If you were on the guest list, you would receive a wedding invitation, along with wedding clothes for the number of people in your family who were invited guests.  Every attendee, rich or poor, wore the same beautiful garment for the celebration.

In Jesus’ parable, when the King comes in to greet his guests, there is a man there without the provided garment.  How he got past the bouncer at the door is anyone’s guess.  When the King inquired about the missing garment, the man was “speechless.”  He knew exactly where that garment was – at home in his closet.  For whatever reason, this man took the stand that his clothing was good enough. 

We are all invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.  Our own clothing will not do – especially since Isaiah points out that our garments are like “filthy rags.”   But we who come out of great earthly tribulation will have washed our robes and “made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

The Needle's Eye

 

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “ I tell you the truth,

it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel

to go through the eye of a needle,

than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 19:23-24 

On July 1, 1981, the newly formed Arizona Lottery sold it’s first ticket – a scratcher called Scratch It Rich.  I was living in the family home at the time, and my financial situation was such that the thought of winning a good chunk of money was very appealing to me.  My mother’s admonitions about lottery tickets, sin and hell, however, kept me from purchasing one, but it did not keep me from dreaming.  I could think of a hundred ways that big money would make my life easier.  And I would not be the only one who benefitted.  Just think of the amount of money the church would receive as tithe on such a haul.

Jesus’ encounter with the Rich Young Ruler gave pause to those thoughts.  The young man who approached Jesus had all the proper religious training and believed that he had kept all ten commandments “from my childhood.”  But when asked to give up his money, he went away “sorrowfully,” unable to turn loose of his prestigious security blanket.

If I had a wad of money that would meet my every need, I would have no need of God’s care and blessings.  I would be able to care for myself.  And in so doing, forfeit the loving relationship with my heavenly Father that is so much a part of my life.

Summer Reading Schedule

Monday, June 7  Matthew 19-21

Tuesday, June 8  Matthew 22-24

Wednesday, June 9  Matthew 25-27

Thursday, June 10  Matthew 28

Friday, June 11  Mark 1-3

Saturday, June 12  Mark 4-6

Sunday, June 13  Mark 7-9

The Mustard Seed

He told them another parable: 

The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed,

which a man took and planted in his field.

Though it is the smallest of all your seeds,

yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants

and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air

come and perch in its branches.

Matthew 13:31-32

In this parable, Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed.  At the time of Christ, the mustard seed was the smallest of all seeds sown in the ground.  Insignificant.  But with proper cultivation and good growing conditions, the mustard tree can grow up to 10 feet tall and be a very sturdy support for the birds that might find refuge there.

In the same way, the church had very insignificant beginnings – one off-beat teacher destined for the cross and twelve blue collar followers.  Yet from these humble beginnings, the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be taken to the ends of the earth and people of all nations would find rest for their lives and their souls.  It reminds me of the children’s song:

I am the church, you are the church,

We are the church together.

All who follow Jesus – all around the world,

Yes!  We’re the church together. 

Summer Reading Schedule

Sunday, June 6  Matthew 16-18

Monday, June 7  Matthew 19-21

Tuesday, June 8  Matthew 22-24

Wednesday, June 9  Matthew 25-27

Thursday, June 10  Matthew 28

Friday, June 11  Mark 1-3

Saturday, June 12  Mark 4-6

Sunday, June 13  Mark 7-9

 

 

Holding On

After Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples,

He went on from there to teach and preach

in the towns of Galilee. 

When John heard in prison what Christ was doing,

he sent his disciples to ask Him, “Are you the One who

was to come, or should we expect someone else?

Matthew 11:1-3 

John was discouraged.  He was languishing in prison, probably facing death at some point.  If his cousin was the Messiah, wouldn’t He work His power to get John released?  But Jesus was out preaching to and teaching the people.  So John sends an inquiry – are you the one we are looking for?  Are you really the Messiah?

John’s disciples stayed the day with Jesus, watching and absorbing his ministry.  At the end of the day, Jesus instructed the men to return to John and tell him what they had seen – a literal fulfillment of the prophecies of the Messiah from the book of Isaiah:  “The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers cured, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised.”  And then Jesus says something strange:  Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of Me.” 

Jesus was telling John:  Don’t fall away from discouragement.  God has called you just as He has called Me.  We both have a path to walk, neither of which is going to be easy.  Trust God.  He has brought you this far.  He will see you through until the end of your journey.