Oil - Matthew 25:1-13 - Twenty-fourth Week after Pentecost

 

Matthew 25:1-13 NIV

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

⁶ “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

⁷ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

⁹ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

¹¹ “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

¹² “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

¹³ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Oil

Listen again to that last verse…

Matthew 25:13

¹³ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

This past week, I couldn’t help but to dwell on this verse. I want, so much, for Jesus to come again, like, right now. But it didn’t happen. So, okay, now what? I know that Jesus is my Savior, do you? Do you know this? Do you believe this? If so, what are you doing about it? If not, what should you be doing about it? I’m not talking about any kind of works righteousness here. I’m talking about, how serious are you about the relationship God so desperately wants with you that He would send His Son to die for you, SO THAT, you could be with Him forever. Forever, whenever He decides to fulfill His coming to receive you. Are you going to receive Him, or just take everything for granted? Are you going to truly believe His words? Are you going to tell family, friends, and even those you have never met before in your life, that God wants a relationship, so close, that He is willing, before the creation of this world, to love you so much, that He fashioned a way for us, you and I, and all people, to live WITH Him forever?

Since Jesus did not return this week; it’s time to talk about that very coming event.

The oil is out there! Bring all of it along. This is an oil freely provided for you. Bring it with you this week, and all the following weeks to come, until Jesus comes again, to take us to be WITH Him, in a new creation, that only He, could fashion for us, TO LIVE, with Him forever.

Now, let’s dig into this passage of Scripture, together, and ponder these things which God has richly provided to us…

It would be good to be aware of the previous chapter in Matthew. Jesus had been teaching his disciples about the destruction of the Temple and the signs of the end times. As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, He unfolded to His disciples, what would take place at the end of time. Well, it all concluded with the unknown, of the day or time, in which all of this would occur. So, this was some heavy stuff!

This current passage of Scripture in Matthew 25, is a parable, teaching about the need to be ready for this unknown time. So, as disciples, we can learn, here, about the need to be ready, even as we live in the here and now.

When we hear of the ten virgins, we can think about disciples of Jesus, that’s you and me. As Children of God, we have a commonality. Yep! And that’s God! And we have a commonality in the Kingdom of Heaven as well. The Bridegroom, obviously refers to Jesus, and the bride, refers to the church on earth, to become the church Triumphant. That’s the perfect church in the Kingdom of Heaven. Here on earth, the church, ain’t there yet. Sometimes the church on earth is referred to as the Church Militant… not quite ready yet.

And then you have the lamps, that are sort of like being prepared to meet the Bridegroom.

It’s important to get some of these representations in order to get the gist of the Parable.

As far as the virgins go, they were split down the middle, 5 foolish and 5 wise. Boy oh boy, isn’t that how the Church Militant can be? Especially throughout the ages! Seems like churches love to divide, and many times, make a mess out of things.

Well half of the virgins didn’t come prepared for the wait. The wait is like being watchful and ready for Jesus’ return.

 There is a discipline in the lives of faithful disciples. Just like an athlete, we need to train. We need to go to God each and every day. We need to pray and go to church. And we need to search Scripture for understanding. NOT as some duty, but once again, kind of like last week, as a RESPONSE, and JOY, for the life God has given to us, to live in His Kingdom, in the here and now, and on into eternity. This IS fun stuff! To do anything else is making light of what God has richly provided! Forgiveness, salvation and ever-lasting life. This is BIG League stuff here.

Well, the wise virgins, came prepared. Why? Because this is exciting stuff here. We are looking for Jesus’ return after all. That’s a BIG deal, and is a time to be celebrated. So, bring along some extra oil for the wait!

We have a dilemma here though. We don’t know when the Bridegroom, in the Parable, or Jesus for us… just when is He coming?! And if it’s going to be awhile, maybe, just maybe, we may fall asleep!

And then it happens! Jesus comes! Either OOPS! Or HOORAY! I guess that depends. Well, the unexpected hour is here and now! And in this, the Holy Spirit comes into play. Not as if the Holy Spirit hasn’t been active all along, but rather, the Holy Spirit has worked in the lives of the disciples all along. All of that training, preparation and stuff like, that comes from the Holy Spirit. And through the Holy Spirit’s action in the lives of the disciples, we have all along been working, one with the other, to prepare ourselves for this very moment. And that there is the point where the Church Militant transforms into the Church Triumphant. All of the bickering and fussing, will be made clear in the end. Not because of the stands we take, one with another, but rather through the Grace of God, active in the Holy Spirit, in the Kingdom of God in eternity. This is being made “righteous,” NOT by ourselves, but by and through God in Christ Jesus.

So, as we wait, we turn to one another, and support one another, in the waiting for that unknown hour. That’s some perfect fellowship there. We love one another, so much, that we care, to take care of one another in the waiting.

So, now we come together, trim our lamps and welcome Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. The gift of faith that God has freely given to us, and freely enriched our lives with, springs into action, one for another, in love for God, and each other.

But what about those who weren’t prepared? They didn’t seem to take seriously the preparation that the Holy Spirit was working in them all along. It’s sad! It makes me sad to think that some people will not respond to God’s love. The gift of faith, in them, does not lead them to respond in a belief that is rooted in the actions of what God has done through the life, ministry, healings, teachings, forgiveness, and death of Jesus on that cross, for ALL people. How can we help those in spiritual need? How can we lead them? How can we show them what is going on?

In the words of Jesus…

Matthew 7:21-23 NIV

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

You see, the response, IS NOT, just about performing some stuff that WE Think God is looking for. That’s just self-righteousness. We are called to respond to God’s will, NOT, what we think God’s will should be. And that is a tough one, for many of us. A trap that is easy to fall into. A trap that we must confess to God, and spin around through His forgiveness, TO, the life God chooses for us, NOT, the life we choose to live for ourselves. And this trap has been happening all along. Today, and multiple examples throughout the lives in the Old Testament.

We are called to a “REAL” relationship with God.

So, now it gets tough between the virgins. Sometimes the truth is a hard thing to take. The Wise Virgins must send the Foolish Virgins back to get more oil. That oil that was there from the beginning. That oil that the Holy Spirit had been giving all along. That’s about being prepared. You just don’t know when Jesus will come again. So, GET READY… STAY READY… Find the joy in being READY.

In the words of Paul…

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 NIV

² for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. ⁵ You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶ So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.

People MUST be told this! Plain and simple…

And yes! That means ALL disciples, must tell ALL people, this tough message. This is some of the most serious stuff to proclaim to the world, BY, disciples of Jesus.

The arrival of the bridegroom, in this time and place, needs some clarification. In the time of Jesus presence, the timing of the bridegroom, with the bridal party, was a bit of a mystery. The timing was unpredictable. Well, that wouldn’t work in today’s society! At least not with church preparations, music, cameras, and all that kind of stuff. Somebody has to bake the cake ahead of time, after all! Today we expect the bridegroom, and the bridal party, to be ready and prepared. Not so, back in Jesus’ time.

So, the point in the parable is, that since we don’t know when Jesus will come again, we MUST be prepared. We must be on the lookout. For there is great joy in the arrival of Jesus, for us disciples who are looking, watching, and waiting for Him.

I’m not so sure many people today look at Jesus coming again as a joyful event. We tend to want to turn inward, and want to get what we want to get done first. We want to obtain the riches, power, and all the prestige we want, before Jesus comes again. That’s just crazy! If we really believe, we will be prepared and ready. We will have the fuel of grace, filling our lamps, so that we can join in the party. Our own wants and needs, are nothing, compared to the coming of Jesus, to be with us at that great Wedding Party.

Next in this parable, the foolish virgins arrive, after having gone back for more lamp oil. I feel so sorry for people like this. They didn’t believe what God has promised in reality. They didn’t believe that He, just might come, while they were away. They knew enough to go out and fill their lamps, but they didn’t come prepared. How many times have I sinned in this way? How many times have I not taken the warning? How many times have I not really believed?

And that is the lesson, I suppose. Listen to the Word of Jesus. Believe it! Reflect on those times that you, in your life, really didn’t take God’s Word, or the words of Jesus to heart, AND, face God, in repentance. Do this stuff daily! For we all sin. As we turn to God, He forgives us. Jesus understands us! This IS a BIG deal here. Don’t take Jesus return lightly, or selfishly, or be lackadaisical about it. Lord, help me and help all who fall to this same temptation, forgive us, and straighten us out, I pray.

Jesus has opened the door for us, so enter! Yes, respond, believe, and run to Him. After all, He has run to you all of your life! So, run to His open door, in the faith freely given. Believe in Him.

The Old Testament prophet Amos gives us a hint. A hint of how serious this proclaiming honest truth is, to, and for, those God gives to us each day, and to all those we love in this earthly walk.

Amos 5:18-24 NIV

¹⁸ Woe to you who long
    for the day of the Lord!
Why do you long for the day of the Lord?
    That day will be darkness, not light.
¹⁹ It will be as though a man fled from a lion
    only to meet a bear,
as though he entered his house
    and rested his hand on the wall
    only to have a snake bite him.
²⁰ Will not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light—
    pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?

²¹ “I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
    your assemblies are a stench to me.
²² Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
    I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
    I will have no regard for them.
²³ Away with the noise of your songs!
    I will not listen to the music of your harps.
²⁴ But let justice roll on like a river,
    righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Jesus, I’m so looking forward to Your coming. Come, Lord Jesus, come! I’m waiting for the party to start. I know that You are my joy, my hope, my salvation; now and forever.

Hear these words of Paul. Hear them as the punctuation mark that they are intended to be…

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Yes, I pray, dear Lord Jesus… Come, Lord Jesus, come… Amen --- Yes! May this be so…

I leave you with this wonderful YouTube Spiritual…

“Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex6VyV8Qoqk&list=RDex6VyV8Qoqk&start_radio=1

Walking Along - Matthew 5:1-12 - All Saints

Matthew 5:1-12 NIV

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

He said:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Walking Along

The Fall weather here in Ohio, these past couple of weeks has been beautiful. It’s hard to express the stretch of wonderful days that I have experienced. It’s not really the norm. So, with this, it’s been a pleasure to walk the dogs. And I’ve been blessed to take a few long walks with my dogs, Barney and Andy.

On one of these walks, as I turned the corner to head back to the house, I looked up to the sky to notice all the blue sky, and the wispy clouds present. I couldn’t help but to respond. I was listening to Contemporary Christian Praise music in my ear buds, to a song that reflected my feelings as I stared into the sky. Music that declared all heaven and earth praising God. I couldn’t help but to think of All Saints Day, approaching, and how all the faithful disciples of Jesus, were in one place, in Paradise, and with me and others, here on this planet, together. And what were we doing? Praising God! Praising God in the joy of what God has done for all of us, by claiming us as His Children. Praising God for His love from before Creation, to give us life with Him, in His Kingdom in eternity.

Perhaps, at least in my mind, after the study of this passage of Scripture, ALL of us were gathered in the presence of Jesus and listening to Him teach and grant all the blessings that we DO NOT deserve, but blessings that God freely gives to us.

Anyone reading this, I encourage you to look at the end of this reflection and listen to the music that I was listening to on this walk, that opened up to that blue sky with wispy clouds. You that are listening to my YouTube Video “Pointing to Jesus,” Go and listen to the Chris Tomlin song… “Holy Forever.”

So, let’s listen to the word of Jesus, WITH, ALL the saints, before… now… and beyond…

Now, on to the reflection…

Boy oh boy, these people that had been listening to Jesus teach and that witnessed His healings, all gathered together to listen to Him. But the thing is, Jesus went out, away to do this teaching. He went up on, what was probably some hills somewhere around the Sea of Galilee, to teach. But teach what? Well, Jesus was going to level with them about the Kingdom of God. As was evident to His drawing away, I have to think of how God drew the Israelites away from Egypt, as Moses brought God’s Law and teaching to the people then. Likewise, Jesus draws the people away to teach some important aspects and characteristics of the Kingdom of God.

This too, was important. It was an important time to LISTEN to God’s Word, directly out of the mouth of the WORD made flesh, Jesus, that came to dwell among us.

And on this mount or hill, Jesus reveals, with the authority of God, what the righteousness of God, in God’s Kingdom is all about.

So first we see the “poor in spirit.” Boy, aren’t we all in this category! Especially as Children of God. Not in any kind of negative way. We come into the presence of God in Christ Jesus, with absolutely NOTHING! We are in need both physically and spiritually. We NEED a Savior, and Jesus is always there, present for us. As He comes to us, even in this passage, as His teaching, we too fall at His feet to hear His Word and to see His righteousness, and to witness His compassion, forgiveness and love. Yep! I’m “poor in spirit.” Yep! I’m humble in the presence of God and my neighbor. Humble in a great kind of way!

And as God makes me aware of my needs, and my sins; I mourn. I mourn that, out of my own rebellious, denying, actions, I fall to sin, each day of my life. I mourn! And when we witness this mourning over sin and death, even in Old Testament Scripture, we see all the sackcloth, the fasting, the wailing and recognize our guilt and need for God. So, mourn fully in the confidence and sure hope of the forgiveness of sin through Jesus our Savior.

God heals broken, mourning, people, with His Love and Grace, and like we heard last week; His Truth… that’s Jesus.

And following along is meekness. I’m for sure, meek, in the presence of God. For in my meekness, I am driven to trust in all that God does for me. And all that God does for me in the midst of my meekness, is to give me faith. GIVE me faith. Faith is NOT something I can muster up on my own. NOPE!

I recited this last week, and these words of Paul deserve the punctuation mark from God’s gift…

Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I added verse 10 this week. Not only is faith a gift from God… not something that we can muster up and build ourselves… we are also God’s work… we are the created, NOT the creators. So, the “works” part is our response to God’s GIFT of faith. How could we do anything else?

Now there is some joyful inheritance of the earth upon which we live. NOT works that we do to gain credit, but rather, works we do out of the joy for what God has given us, TO give to all He gives to us each and every day. All comes from God… even our faith… even our works… even our love of neighbor… even the forgiveness we live out, each and every day, joyful of what God has done. This is NEVER about me, or you, or anything we do… Nope! It’s all about what God has done! So, be blessed and inherit the earth and the will of God in your life to live, love, and forgive, each other, joyfully.

Do you hunger and thirst for sin? Or do you hunger and thirst for righteousness? Maybe you just hunger and thirst for the needs of your body, or the needs you have at this moment in your life.

As disciples we can rest assured that God takes care of our needs. Remember several times in past reflections, there was talk about “daily bread,” that is, God takes care of all of our needs.

In this world, as disciples of Jesus we are called away from the sins and pleasures, brought on by selfish desires in this world, TOWARDS, a call to see righteousness as a gift only granted through what God has done, and given to us, through the actions of Jesus, ministry, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension, TO BE, completed when He comes again to resurrect our bodies and live in a new heaven and earth, with Him in eternity.

Now that there, is a promise to be filled. Yes, to be filled physically AND spiritually, through Christ Jesus. Filled not from our own efforts, rather, filled by what God does for us. That’s a call to believe, anchored in the faith God provides.

All righteousness comes from God. And boy of boy, do I hunger for righteousness from Jesus Christ my Savior.

As we respond to the love of God, we become merciful. How’s that? We see all the love God has given to us, and in that same love, give our love to God and to our neighbor. We become merciful to those around us and those God gives us each and every day. We act, not to become, or earn God’s favor, we act in mercy and love, because of what God has done for us. It’s a response!

1 John 4:19 NIV

¹⁹ We love because he first loved us.

You, see? It’s a response, NOT an act. And that response needs to be real. Not just words, but real action. Many times, in today’s society, people want to act out of duty to gain favor, or pay back. This is NOT that! This love is a response to what God has done first, and all along. So, act out your love in mercy and love towards those around you. Act in compassion, forgiveness, and kindness towards others. Do it even for those you hate, or that are different from you and your beliefs.

In this action, people will see God acting. Be innocent and pure in your actions. Live them as real response to the love of God. How? Well, first look inward. Reflect on your own sin, your own failures during the day. We all sin and fall short. We all fail. Look back on those, and face God in your sinfulness, to seek forgiveness, and guidance, and His will in your life from that moment on. We are not perfect through our own efforts, nor will we ever be, but turn to God and seek to be reformed, made new, and sent out once again. In this the Holy Spirit will work on you and reform you and lead you to do God’s will in whatever way God chooses for His will to be done through you. This life IS NOT, just for you. This life, IS FOR, God! That’s “pure in heart.”

As you respond in action, God will lead you towards peace. God will lead you to forgive others. God will lead you to resolve conflict, not by giving in, but rather by you and those God gives to you, to turn to Him for the love and guidance needed, to forgive one another and live together in unity. That’s peace. That’s the peace of God that passes all understanding…

Philippians 4:7 NIV

⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

In the peacemaking, you can rest assured, that you, just may be persecuted. Face it, this world, and the people influenced by the sins, the greed, and the hunger for power, want things to be like THEY want them to be. So, expect to be persecuted. You are NOT giving in to selfish directions, rather, you are responding to a call to give up self, FOR the love of God and to give that very love to your neighbor.

People will hurl insults at you. They will speak evil, vile things about you, and they will detest you. That’s just how Satan works his evil wiles in this world. You can’t defeat that! Nope! Not on your own… the only One to defeat any and all of this is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. So, turn to God, even in the midst of the evils of this world and DEPEND on God!

And that brings us back full circle. Our response to God and all He has done for us, is, guess what? It’s a response. And in that response to joy and gladness and the assurance of life eternal in the presence of a God that WANTS us! That’s reward beyond all things…

Yes, Lord, salvation belongs to You and You alone!

How could I do anything else, but to praise You and give all the honor, power and glory to You!

I conclude with this word…

1 John 3:1-3 NIV

3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ² Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. ³ All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

 

Enjoy this music as much as I did on that walk…

” Holy Forever” … Chris Tomlin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O7HHH9yziU&list=RD0O7HHH9yziU&start_radio=1

Freedom in Truth - John 8:31-36 - Reformation

John 8:31-36 NIV

³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

³³ They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

³⁴ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ³⁵ Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Freedom in Truth

Jesus is now speaking to the people that have responded to His teachings in Jerusalem. These were believers. They believed that He came from the Father and that Jesus spoke truth. So, these people were His faithful followers. Jesus encouraged these disciples to keep on following, listening, learning, and drawing life from Him. Drawing life like a branch from the vine. And these folks weren’t only related by race or religion. Although Jesus was speaking to the Jews, anyone who could hear, and follow, and believe, were welcome, as well.

Yea, this is all about being a disciple.

So, for you and I, how do we continue in His Word? Well, for one, that is what we are doing here and now. We look to the Word as recorded in Scripture, as delivered from the pulpit, as studied in Sunday School or Bible Study, as discussed with family, friends and neighbors, as given to us in the waters of Baptism, and as God comes to us in the bread, wine, body and blood of Jesus. I’m sure I missed a few ways, but you get the point.

And here, we are encouraged to not only hear the Word, to see the Word, to receive the Word, BUT to also be DOERS of the Word.

Look, you can’t rely on your family, you can’t rely on a denomination, you can’t rely on some ceremony. The only thing you CAN rely on is the Truth that IS Jesus. You can’t even rely on yourself. What, or rather, Who, it is that sets you free to live IS Jesus. That IS Truth. That IS Jesus. But why do we need to be set free? And what do we need to be set free from?

We all live in slave to sin. We all are born sinners, we live as sinners, and we will die sinners. We ARE sinners. Face it. And to be free from sin, we NEED, the Truth. And here Jesus teaches us that HE IS TRUTH, and only through Him, can we be set free from sin and forgiven. We can’t be set free by anything that we do, are because of anything that we are. Even as a Child of God, I need Jesus to set me free, to forgive me, and to make me righteous through Him, and Him alone. There is the TRUTH, plain and simple.

In this forgiven life, I and you, are set free from the power of sin, to live out the love of God, to, and for, all those God gives to us. We are set free to be servants. Well, that sounds a bit strange, however, it is a freedom that is amazing!

Yea, sure, I sin every day. I have sinned every day since my birth. So, I’m a slave to sin. But how can a baby sin? In the needs of self, and the needs of constant care, I sin, even as a baby. I turn in towards my own desires, and wants, and needs, and sin. When I’m turned inward, I’m NOT turned outward in total dependence on God my Creator. So, I have sinned all along. And in the midst of my sin, I NEED a Savior. A Savior that will be open, and honest, and Truth, to me, to show me my sin, and to forgive that sin, as He shows me His face, and His grace, and His love. Now, that’s real freedom!

My heritage, my denomination, my church, my anything will NOT, rescue me from my sin. As a slave to sin, I DO NOT belong in the family of God. However, as Jesus spins me around, and makes me aware, I look inward at my sin, and then look outward to my Savior. And as Jesus forgives me, He wraps me in His arms, and makes me His very own. Adopted into His family of love and life, forever and ever. Yes! I AM a Child of God! Not from my efforts, NO, but because Jesus draws me into Himself.

Let’s look again at the Scripture for this week…

³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Wow! How cool is that!

Jesus, how I look to hear that angel flying in midair, proclaiming the Gospel to all the world. Use me to proclaim Your Word, and to always, always, “Point to Jesus.”

Here is Truth and Freedom! Here is Jesus…

Psalm 46

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵ God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
⁶ Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷ The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

⁸ Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹ The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Boy oh boy! Do I really like the powerful Word, the powerful Truth, of this Psalm!

Romans 3:20

²⁰ Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

Thank you, Jesus for Your righteousness, given to me! How? Well NOT through what I could ever do! For anything that I could do will come up short. Yes, You shed Your blood and gave Your life, TO, free me from sin and death.

As Paul so wonderfully states in Romans 3:28

²⁸ For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

And the cool thing about this? Is that even You, gracious Lord, GIVE the faith!

Ephesians 2:8-9

²⁸ For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

What a gift! What a freedom!

This is a week to acknowledge Truth. Yes, Truth. The Truth IS Jesus. We don’t see much real truth in the world in which we live. We witness, lies, we witness vitriol words that pit one against another, for no good reason but to put ourselves over the other, and to put the other person down. It’s disgusting!

But the real truth is, is that God has created life. And there is life in each person created. So, instead of this disgusting nature of Satan, and all his works of evil, lies, and put downs; let’s spend some time with Truth. The Truth that is Jesus. Let’s listen closely to His words and put behind us all of the evil words we hear that DO NOT declare Truth.

We, as disciples, are sent to declare, yes to even Point to Jesus. We are sent to acknowledge the sin in our lives, and to turn and see the grace of God, in and through, Christ Jesus. That is Truth! That is the Gospel! That is what we live for. We are servants of God and one another. So, let’s pause all of this stuff we see and do in this evil world, as we are influenced by the lies of Satan and his demons, TO, declare the Truth to all the world.

Let us serve one another in love, and compassion, and understanding, and IN TRUTH. This is a change in behavior. This is a reformation brought about by the Maker. This is a reformation of heart and mind and will, towards God and towards one another. A reformation of Love and Truth. A reformation that we CAN live out, with the guidance and help of God, AS, we love and serve God and one another.

We need a change. And that change begins with seeing the REAL TRUTH. So, as we are spun around from our sinful behavior, may we fall into the arms of Jesus, the Truth, the Life, and the Way… today… tomorrow… and forever. --- Thanks be to God!

How could I not!!!

Talk about the difference between Truth, the man of God’s own choosing, and the wiles of our ancient foe, the Prince of Darkness… one little word shall fail him…

Enjoy and may this song inspired by Psalm 46 feed your spirit – “A Mighty Fortress is our God”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY4DCG-nFBI&list=RDFY4DCG-nFBI&start_radio=1

The Flip Side - Matthew 22:15-22 - Twenty-first Week after Pentecost

 

Matthew 22:15-22 NIV

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. ¹⁶ They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. ¹⁷ Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

¹⁸ But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? ¹⁹ Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, ²⁰ and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

²¹ “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

²² When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

The Flip Side

The Pharisees were, just this past week, caught in their thinking, on the invitation from the wedding feast parable. Caught how? They would be the ones to reject the invitation from God to attend. So, they left the crowds of that place, to talk among themselves, and to conspire a plan, against the teachings and parables of Jesus. They wanted to trap Jesus in His own words.

As disciples, we can expect for people to desire to trap us in our words. But it’s not about our words that matter, it’s about the Word of God that we deliver that matters. When we speak our testimonies, and when we pray, and when we read the Bible, we are to lead the people in our lives to discern the Word, the will, the forgiveness, and the grace of God, SO THAT, those we speak to, can hear and believe. We are not sent to MAKE anyone change. We are sent to lead our neighbor to see God’s love, here and now, and for eternity.

So, what do the Pharisees do? They send Herodians to speak for them. Herodians are supporters of Herod Antipas and the Romans. Usually they are not, friends of the Pharisees; but here the Pharisees see an opportunity to use this political group, to trap Jesus in some detail of the Roman law.

Next the Herodians give an account of how they view Jesus. They sort of “butter the bread” so to speak. They compliment Jesus’ character as truthful and honest and a “straight shooter” kind of guy.

And as is usual, next comes the question, they hopefully set the trap. “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Ceasar or not? In this trap, Jesus looks at our life as dual citizens. How’s that? Just like today, we have our Heavenly Citizenship with God in eternity, AND, our earthly citizenship with our government and one another.

Jesus can see right past this “buttering up” stuff. So, He poses a question back… “…why are you testing Me?” Don’t you admire how open and honest Jesus is with His talk to others? So, He next wants to take a look at a denarius. One serve of the ball is going to get a return volley. A return volley with wisdom and authority, at that.

And followed up with another question from Jesus, “… whose inscription?”

And now this will lead us to the idea of the image of God and the image of a man.

And in this question of the inscription, Jesus introduces the great divide. What we pay to our government is for our benefit in the here and now. What we pay to our government should bring about order, civil law, and protection. Even if what we pay the government does not bring about the benefits of an ordered society, due to corruption or some other reason, the money that the government receives is in NO WAY, like what we return to God.

The government can only give us back what we pay into it. But God gives us everything through His grace. What we pay back to God IS NOT what God deserves. We could NEVER pay back God what He deserves.

So, there is a great divide here. The government can only provide what it can, but God provides beyond the here and now, freely, what we could never return in some monetary coin of this world. The money of the government, IS NOT, the same as the money of God.

So, Jesus’ answer, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”, IS the only answer that makes any kind of sense. These two things are NOT the same!

So, in the end, Jesus’ answer gave those attempting to trap Him, no joy. Jesus’ answer met the requirements of both the government, and of course, God too.

Father, You have created all things. You give me all that I need. You not only create the light, You have created darkness. May Your will work in me the discernment, that I need, to see Your Light beyond the darkness of my sinfulness, that I may follow You in Your will and Your way.

Yes, Lord, Your Image is THE image for all time!

Lord, as I turn from the money of this world, to You; may I respond with joy and thanksgiving for Your eternal forgiveness and grace through love to, and for, Your love, to and for, my neighbor. That’s the real money… Your love.

Why do people feel some need to trap Jesus, or God, or Christianity? Why does this happen? Is it to prove some point? Is it to bring respect to self and away from God? Why? What’s the purpose of it all? Is it ego? Is it a desire for some form of power over and above a way of thinking that does not match your own way of thinking? Is it a turn inward?

I think we try to blur our will into the will of God. We attempt to make what we wish to happen in this world of ours, into what we believe God wants to happen in this world in which we live. We attempt to make ourselves God, in a sort of way.

Here Jesus shows a divide of sorts. There is this world, the needs of this world. There is the need for governing the needs of the countries in which we live. And as disciples of Christ, we are called to be a part of this government, serving fellow-country citizens, with good laws, that bring order to society. And even beyond our own country, we are to live in fellowship with all the countries of this world… even the countries that have vastly different cultures and beliefs of our own. This is called for by God and we pray for all leaders throughout the world that peace and prosperity will rule our countries, one and all together.

Yet there is another Kingdom to give to. And that is, as disciples and believers in Christ, we look to a Heavenly Kingdom. This Kingdom has been given to us, in some way similar as our earthly citizenship has been given to us, however, the Heavenly Kingdom extends beyond the current place on earth and the current time in which we live.

And to this gifted Heavenly Kingdom, we give back. Maybe the word “respond” would be better. Our life is a gift from God. God gives us all we need to live here and now, and with Him in eternity. This was covered several times in previous reflections, concerning, “Our Daily Bread,” for which we pray in the Lord’s Prayer.

So, our response is really not a tax, as we would consider a tax from our earthly government. No, it’s truly a grateful response to what God has done for us. It’s a response for the love of God in and through Christ Jesus. A response to God giving His Son to die for us and forgive us and unite us with Him in eternity.

The two sides of the coin are vastly different. Both sides of this coin are needed, for here and now, and for eternity. Yet, we MUST NOT mix them together. In our government we serve the needs of fellow citizens of our country and our world. In our government we are servants. As disciples of Christ we CAN work within our government, however, this work is vastly different from the response to the flip side of the coin that has God’s image stamped upon it.

God’s image is the ultimate “selfie” that He gives to us to see, to behold, to follow, and to speak of an eternal relationship, as forgiven, redeemed, sanctified, Children of God. Yes, there’s a huge difference between both sides of this coin.

May we not mix the two, in our selfishness to think that we can make our way, God’s way. It’s NOT the same! We serve our fellow citizens in response to the love of God that He freely gave us. Yet we serve God in all thanks and praise to what He has done for us, here and now, and into eternity, in relationship with Him.

See the difference? Use us dear Lord in our world to serve and love one another. Use us dear Lord to respond to the forgiveness and love that You alone provide… today… tomorrow… and forever! Amen!

Think about the words of this song sung on one of those Music Shows… “All To Jesus”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOdPi7yLJnY&list=RDTOdPi7yLJnY&start_radio=1

Here's An Invitation - Matthew 22:1-14 - Twentieth Week after Pentecost

 

Matthew 22:1-14 NIV

22 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: ² “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. ³ He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

⁴ “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

⁵ “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. ⁶ The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. ⁷ The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

⁸ “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. ⁹ So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ ¹⁰ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

¹¹ “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ¹² He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.

¹³ “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

¹⁴ “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Here’s An Invitation

Here, Jesus is teaching in the temple courts. So, what are the temple courts? There were several, a court of the Gentiles, the Women, a court for Jewish men, and an inner court for priests to perform sacrifices. In general, these courts were open areas around the Temple in Jerusalem. So, Jesus’ teaching here would, or could be, to many different people.

Jesus is about to present another parable. It seems to be, from what is implied in the text, that Jesus is speaking to the Chief Priests and Pharisees and perhaps some other people gathered close by.

Next, we hear words about the Kingdom of Heaven, the King eluding to God the Father, a Wedding Banquet which may be like what I spoke of last week in a joyous fellowship in the vineyards in the presence of God, of course, the Son, again like last week, Jesus, along with an invitation to the wedding banquet.

There are similarities with last week’s Scripture passage about workers in the vineyard, a gracious owner, and people like prophets sent to gather a shared harvest with the owner, and the sinful attempts to harm the owner’s sent workers and the ultimate sinful killing of the son of the vineyard owner.

The sent servants to the people to invite others to the wedding banquet, are similar to the prophets sent throughout the Old Testament, heralding the coming of the Messiah. Yes, God calls again. But here they are calls to the people.

Think about yourself for a moment. How has God called you? Even deeper, how has God called you to that “Great” Banquet? How have you responded? How will you respond? This call is a true gift from God? Will you respond or walk away? And guess what, God is patient, but there comes a limit. Yes, God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love… yet…

Psalm 103:8 NIV

⁸ The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.

This characteristic of God is mentioned several times in the Bible. Yet…

God has made forgiveness and salvation ready and open to the people. Yet the people continue to turn inward, to themselves, to their own wants and needs, and to their own, false beliefs that they can have everything they want or need. Yet, that is just for the here and now, it does not supply ALL needs for eternity. Only God can, and is willing, to do this, yes, for You and Me as well as those of this parable, called out as God’s Chosen Race.

God has issued His invitation to The Banquet, and some will turn away. That’s fine, it’s a choice, but why harm those servants sent to give out the invitations. That’s like the prophets of God being harmed for giving an invitation to The Wedding Feast. This doesn’t make sense to me, yet sometimes, in radical denial of God, people act out in this way, just as the prophets have been treated throughout history. John the Baptist comes to mind, in his beheading. Sometimes, the news of the truth and awareness of sin, brings harsh reactions from people. And that’s to be expected. But this present life in the flesh is not ALL life.

In the finality of it all, judgment belongs to God. God will judge those who kill in selfish displays of power and might over the people of God. Leave all of that stuff to God. I fear to step in with my weak ways to carry out any judgment on my own.

Through this rejection of the Chosen People of God, an open invitation is issued to ALL the people. Does this mean that only through the rejection of some, ALL will be invited? I don’t think so. I think God all along was wrapping the world in His Grace with forgiveness and love, but He began with those from whom His Seed… that Is Jesus Christ, would come. You have to start somewhere. But, that’s just my opinion, maybe I’m on the right track, or maybe not.

So, through the servants open invitations, all may come. But NOT all come. God only invites. He doesn’t force His will on anyone. But He certainly wants to fill The Kingdom with believers. Believers ready and excited to receive this free gift to the privilege of God’s Kingdom.

And when you get that invitation, what do you do? You respond, you are made new, you put on the clothes of Christ and are honored to be invited to work in those wonderful fields of God along side Your Savior and fellow believers. This gift, this invitation, is an honor and all glory belongs to the One who has called you into this feast of life, life eternal, in the presence of God! This invitation makes you new again. So, wear those wonderful clothes in which God gives you. Respond with joy and thanksgiving!

This invitation is for ALL, some will come, yet not really respond to the grace of God and believe. These are like “posers.” Those who come yet really do not believe in this free gift, this invitation, this life with God.

Trust in God, for His promise of that “Great Banquet” that He has prepared. Hear His call and respond with joy and thanksgiving, glad for His salvation which He has prepared for ALL people.

Thank You, God for the invitation to follow You. Thank You for Your care and love. Thank You!

Your invitation, Your call has given me all the joy I will ever need. Thank You! Thank You for this invitation to Your love and grace and forgiveness. Thank You!

So, what’s the deal here? The deal is that You and I also have been invited to the Great Feast, the Great Banquet, the Great Wedding Party of all time. Respond! Respond to the grace and love of God. This is a joyful occasion, that we could NOT have expected to be given to us. Send you RSVP at once and as God has sent His servants to you, thank them, send back your immediate YES, and go to this great feast, clothed in the robes of forgiveness that Jesus alone places upon you.

Yes, to ALL… respond to the love of God and work with Him and ALL believers in that wonderful field of love, forgiveness and eternal life, here in this place and in this time, and forever in the Kingdom of God.

You can believe it! Thanks be to God!

I listened to this YouTube Music Video and thought of ALL those prophets that God sent into my life with God’s invitation to the Great Banquet. Thank God for sending these. May I too be sent into the lives of someone, while I walk this earth in my life here and now.

“Here I Am Lord”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcxOkht8w7c&list=RDEcxOkht8w7c&start_radio=1

Be Joyous In The Vineyard - Matthew 21:33-46 - Nineteenth Week after Pentecost

 Matthew 21:33-46 NIV

³³ “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. ³⁴ When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

³⁵ “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. ³⁶ Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. ³⁷ Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.

³⁸ “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ ³⁹ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

⁴⁰ “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”

⁴¹ “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”

⁴² Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

“‘The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

⁴³ “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. ⁴⁴ Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”

⁴⁵ When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. ⁴⁶ They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.

 

Be Joyous In The Vineyard

I may just need to break away from my usual study of the passage of Scripture of a couple of verses each day. Usually, I read the entire passage each day, and then reflect on a few verses at a time, day by day, building my reflection as I proceed throughout the week.

But, on my first reading of this passage of Scripture, I was struck with a different passion. What do I mean by passion?

As I read this Scripture, perhaps I was a bit self-righteous in my opinions. Why? I detested how these tenants had treated not only the owners’ servants, but the owner also. Why?

The owner set these tenants up for success. He gave them everything they needed to survive, and survive in wealth. He or She, I don’t know, gave them the land, the resources, even the crops to grow. All they needed to do was go to work. Yet, in their work, it seemed to me that they made an assumption that the work of their hands deserved all the spoils of any abundance that the crops would bring them.

It’s different from working for a corporation, in my opinion, where the profits either go to those already wealthy, or to a group of investors. This owner gave to the employees a life and a way to survive with a little work on their own.

So, yea, I was miffed at these tenants for trying to take advantage of the servants of the owner and the owner as well, by using violence to attempt to take what all didn’t fully belong to them. There was an arrogant lack of appreciation for what the owner had freely given these vineyard workers.

The workers rejected a gracious owner. Why? It seemed as greed to my way of thinking.

They rejected the gracious owner to the extent of beating his servants, but killing his very own son. That’s some extreme selfish actions!

But then, I began to look inward. Inward how? Inward to my own life, my own selfishness, my own greed for self in the face of the “owners” of my life.

God gives me all I need to live. God gives me work, income, family, good government, clothing, home, friends, favorable weather, and a good name. Yep! Remember that “daily bread” stuff I mentioned in recent reflections? God gives me “daily bread.”

Yet, do I even stop to consider the gifts that I’ve received from a loving God?

Do I stop and see what God has done through the ministry, life, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus?

Do I stop to recall the gift of the Holy Spirit in my baptism and that awesome eternal gift of everlasting life?

Perhaps I don’t as much as I should, or even actually do. Perhaps I need to stop and think like these tenants should have stopped and considered all that God gives to me, to me and to all people.

Especially when, as disciples, we are called to work in His vineyard, each and every day.

There is a responsibility on my part, as the recipient of God’s grace to respond.

God gives me and you, the fruit of our labor as we work in His vineyard of this world. Is it such a stretch to think that God is so loving that He is willing to share in the abundance of His very own crops?

I don’t deserve any of this anyway. So, who do I think I am to reject God’s very own messengers in His own Vineyard? Remember last week? “Who do you (here I) think you (that’s me and you) are? Mr. Bigstuff?”

When I reject those God sends to me, as I enjoy the bounty of God’s very own vineyard, I need to ponder what I have freely received… that’s the Grace of God’s eternal Love.

And in this eternal Love that has come from God, before the very beginning of the time I know about, God is seeking a relationship with me, AS HIS own child. Which IS what I am!

1 John 3:1a

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

God has sent precious people into my life, teachers, pastors, bible-study disciples, parents, and even children as Ambassadors of His Love and Grace. Why? Because God is great in love and has mercy on me.

So, what is my response to God’s grace and forgiveness and love?

Do, I try to make ALL that God has, my own? Do I kill these prophets and teachers that God has given me all my life long?

Do, I even deny what God has done for me through Christ Jesus, turn my back, and yes, even put Jesus to death in my life?

If that’s not a call to repent, then I don’t know what is. Yes, I’m guilty too! I can’t be so self-righteous, that I even go to the point of killing the Chief Priests and the Elders, because I think that I’m better than they are. Who do I think I am? Mr. Bigstuff?

So, I repent, I see how God spins me around, showing my sin to me in a mirror, YET, even still forgiving me and calling me to continue to work in His Vineyard. Oh, how I rejoice in the patience of God in my life, in the presence of my sinful actions!

As God spins me to His face, I realize that He has also called me. How? God has called me, His repentant sinner, to go and work in His Vineyard, SO THAT, I can testify what He has done for me, in my life, and what He will do in the life of all for whom He comes to.

1 Corinthians 2:12

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

So, back to the Vineyard. This is where my grief struck me as I first read through this passage of Scripture. Once I got beyond my self-righteous attitude of these vineyard workers, I began to sense the joy that I have had, in my life, working in God’s vineyard in my life.

I’ve always enjoyed my life with God. I’ve always been happy to work with God. From the day that I dreamed, as a young child, of Jesus coming to my door on Washington St. in Sidney Ohio, as some silly tender age of 5 or 6. What do I mean? I dreamt that Jesus came to my door, and as I opened the door, Jesus asked, “Can Billy come out to play?”

Well, that did it for me. Especially as I recalled this silly dream later in life. This dream “stuck” in my head. Was it real? Was it just some disconnected story about the “Transfiguration?” I’m not sure and I really don’t care. But, as I thought about this simple question, every time, in my life that I did take Jesus’ invitation to “Come out to play,” each time was filled with a joy that I didn’t deserve.

So, work in the Vineyard? Come out to play? It’s all about the same to me. Why would I want to beat the prophets sent into my life? Why would I desire to eliminate Jesus from my life for some selfish ambition of my own? Nope! Not me! I just want to play in God’s Vineyard with Jesus and all of His friends.

And I think this is why this passage of Scripture got to me. Those tenants just didn’t understand what God had done for them, in the giving of the opportunity to work in the Vineyard of God.

God’s love is an opportunity. It’s the great gift of Love to be the worker, WITH Him, IN His Kingdom… today… tomorrow… and forever. What else could you ever desire in life?

Isaiah 5:1-2 NIV

5 I will sing for the one I love
    a song about his vineyard:
My loved one had a vineyard
    on a fertile hillside.
² He dug it up and cleared it of stones
    and planted it with the choicest vines.
He built a watchtower in it
    and cut out a winepress as well.
Then he looked for a crop of good grapes,
    but it yielded only bad fruit.

Psalm 80:7 NIV

⁷ Restore us, God Almighty;
    make your face shine on us,
    that we may be saved.

Come on! Let’s go out to play! Follow Jesus and me and all of His friends into the Vineyard!

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Thanks be to God!

The Stone the Builders rejected has become the Cornerstone…

Enjoy this YouTube Music Video that spoke to me as I thought about this passage of Scripture for this week…

“What A Beautiful Name”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5L6QlAH3L4&list=RDr5L6QlAH3L4&start_radio=1

Who Do You Think You Are? Mr. Bigstuff? - Matthew 21:23-32 - Eighteenth Week after Pentecost

 

Matthew 21:23-32 NIV

²³ Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

²⁴ Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ²⁵ John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ ²⁶ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

²⁷ So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

²⁸ “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

²⁹ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

³⁰ “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

³¹ “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. ³² For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Who Do You Think You Are? Mr. Bigstuff?

Jesus didn’t restrict His teachings, His works, His compassion, or anything else that He did, to a particular place. He didn’t avoid places. He even taught in the religious places associated with, not only ordinary folks, but with the religious authorities of His day.

These religious authorities were the people who not only governed areas, in and around the temple, they were the folks that people went to, for instruction, as well.

Now, Jesus was invading “their territory,” with teachings different from their teachings, or even the style of teachings, and mode of governing religious proceedings. So, you can see, how they would feel imposed upon by this man, Jesus, who the crowds were now listening to, learning from, and receiving healing, and witnessing miracles.

So, they wanted to know, directly from Jesus, where does His authority to do all of these things, come from.

Jesus was making decisions that rubbed them the wrong way. He took decisive action on the customs of the day, by driving out those selling sacrificial animals, and the money changers that skimmed a little “off the top”, in order for people to use “Temple” money in these purchases.

So, yea! Who gave you, Jesus, this authority? Like, who do you think you are?

And to pull this inward into your, and my life… consider for yourself… how much authority does Jesus have in your own life? How will you respond to the authority that Jesus has in your life? And how does Jesus change you, or change how you live, day after day? Pause and give all of this some thought, on your own as well.

Jesus’ response with a question to the question, was a typical practice for rabbis of the day. The idea is to make you think. I recall a Lab Instructor, when I was going to Technical School, using this same technique with me. I asked a question, and his response was, “Well, what do you think?” With this he engaged me in conversation to discuss the topic, and come to a conclusion, that he carefully led me to think about. He didn’t give me the answer, but I arrived to an answer on my own, with his guidance.

Jesus question in this passage caused the chief priests and elders to discuss the source of John the Baptists baptism. Who was the source of John’s baptism? Was it of God, or from heaven, or was it from men? The approach of the chief priests and elders, was different from the approach that I took with my Lab Instructor. The chief priests and elders, discussed amongst themselves. My discussion was with my Lab Instructor.

My thinking is that this question would be thought out, WITH Jesus, in asking other, or clarifying questions, TO Jesus, SO THAT an answer would be derived from one another, using the knowledge of Jesus as well. But that’s NOT what happened here.

My response to God would be different. My response would be in prayer, for guidance and direction. But, I’m not sure if the chief priests and elders, wanted to bring Jesus into their own fold at this moment, or perhaps ever. There is a factor of humility, when we open ourselves to the hard questions, to work with one another towards and answer. And for me, this would definitely include Jesus, in this conversation.

It seems to me, that once this conversation turned to the side, not including Jesus, it becomes a bit of a political response. It went the way of IF this, THEN that. At least recognize that the question calls for a discussion with everyone present. At best, honor Jesus’ authority, and bring Him into the answer to the question. But that doesn’t seem what these chief priests and elders are ready to recognize. That is, recognize the authority of Jesus. Here is the rub, and the doubt, present, in this entire conversation and passage of Scripture. What is the “here”? The here is the authority of Jesus.

Now the chief priests and elders have jumped into the “Feelings” of the people, to what their answer alone should mean. What will “Others” think of our answer? It just seems a bit odd to me, to answer a question, with the thinking or opinion of what “Others” may think, as your main consideration.

So, in the end, the chief priests and elders, are too afraid to take a stand. Sort of funny, to a simple man like myself. It’s a bit “chicken shit”, in my book.

So, Jesus presses on with the conversation with further questioning. Back to my Lab Instructor… “But what do you think?”

And then Jesus creates a scenario for more discussion.

This question revolves around a couple of sons, called to work in the Father’s vineyard. Go and work today? Think back on last week’s reflection, a bit, about the workers in the marketplace, called at various times of day, to work. Go, or no go? Now or later? Make a decision!

Here we, must reflect on our own call, to respond to God, when He calls us, now, later, or in the future. Go, or no go?

But God is patient for us to give a response. Another gift from God, is some time to consider. But at some point, the discernment needs to stop, and a decision needs to be made. It sort of comes down to being faithful to God’s call in life. Will you serve God or self?

You may answer one way, but be sure to pray. Pray to God for direction, for the gifts needed to carry out the call. Pray to God, why? Because we NEED God. We can’t fulfill His call, on our own, without Him involved. We need His gifts to carry out His will in His way.

And then Jesus speaks plainly, once again, as He often does. Tax Collectors and Prostitutes, known for their sinful lives, are the very ones who came to John the Baptist to be baptized. And here is the kicker… they believed. Yes, these sinners, just as I too am a sinner, came to John the Baptist, repented of their sin, AND believed.

Some of the Chief Priests and the Elders did NOT go to John the Baptist, in their own sinfulness, to repent of their sin, and believe the message of John the Baptist.

So, what’s the difference between the Tax Collectors, the Prostitutes, and the Chief Priests and Elders? Some repented and believed, and others did not see the need to repent and believe. In one way or another, these people judged John the Baptist, and his message. What message? Repent, and receive forgiveness of sin.

If you refuse to repent, or even to acknowledge your sin, in front of others… well then, just maybe you think you are better than the other. Who is the other? The “Other”, are those who acknowledge their sin before God, and one another, and turn to seek forgiveness of the sin in the face of God, and neighbor.

Sometimes leaders, like the Chief Priests and the Elders of this passage, think, wrongly by the way, that they are self-righteous. You are NOT righteous in yourself!

Titus 3:5

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

You are not saved by the things you do, that you think make your righteous. You are only saved by the mercy of God, through washing and rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This isn’t your work. It is the work of God.

Think of what John the Baptist was doing. He was calling people to him, in the presence of God, and one another, to repent of their sin, and be washed in the waters of baptism, and cleansed in the forgiveness of God. We ALL have sinned!

Listen to the words of Paul in the letter to the Romans…

Romans 3:23

²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

And yep! That’s Tax Collectors, Prostitutes, Chief Priests, Elders, Me, and You too! So REPENT and face God seeking forgiveness and salvation. Why? So that we can live WITH Him and one another in the Kingdom of God, NOW and FOREVER.

Spin me around, in my arrogance, TO SEE Your face, TO SEE Your way in my life; that I may hear YOUR WORD of forgiveness. I’m a haughty man, and I NEED you to humble me in my sin, SO THAT, I can be saved from myself, TO follow Your will and Your way… NOT mine! Help me, save me, I plead!

O Lord, make me humble. In Your presence I need You. I need Your advice, I need Your direction, I need to know Your ways. I turn to You in prayer. Speak to me through Your Word, that I may discern Your call and understand.

Lord Jesus, as I come to You, as I pray, put Your mind in me. Forgive my sinfulness. Take away my pride and make me humble before You, and my neighbor. May I love, like You love, and do Your will.

This weeks’ time of reflection on this Scripture passage, along with a Bible verse assigned to me by a Ham Radio friend to memorize and learn in the mode of CW or as most would think, Morse Code, brought me to humility in the will of God through prayer.

How’s that? Well as I reflected on the “attitude” that I perceived in the Chief Priests and the Elders towards questioning Jesus’ authority, to be doing what He was doing in the presence of the people of His day; I saw a lack of humility in the presence of God. I really think that they knew, or at least heavily suspected, that Jesus, WAS the Messiah. But they weren’t ready for this. So, they attempted to show Him up in their own presence and the presence of the people. But it all backfired.

So, it made me think of looking for, or more-so hearing the call of God, or even the will of God in my life.

 

Like the son that responded that he wasn’t willing to go and work in the vineyard, he must have given his response some consideration, and changed his mind. Yet the other son only gave the answer that he presumed his father wanted, yet did not respond with any work.

The first son gave it some thought. In some way he may have thought about what his father needed, and, in the end responded to the will of the father.

This is where I come back to prayer. Maybe prayer as conversation with God. Open, honest, humble prayer in the presence of God, to determine the call of my Father, and a clarification of my Father’s will, IN that very call.

So, as I reflected on my Ham friend’s assigned memory verse, along with this very passage of Scripture for this week from Matthew; I considered the will of God.

Here is my assigned memory passage, to be sent in Morse Code next Tuesday over the airwaves…

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

In this I kept hearing in Morse Code and the language of God, that God’s will is for me, and you and all disciples, to rejoice, pray, and give thanks. And to hear God’s call, to respond to the call to work in the vineyard, I must humble myself, in the presence of God and before one another, acknowledge my sin, and seek God’s forgiveness of my sinful life, SO THAT, I will pray, and seek God’s will in my life, respond to God’s will in my life to work in that vineyard and rejoice, and give thanks for all that God has done for you, and for me, and for all the world, in Christ Jesus.

It seems to me, that this is what the Tax Collectors, the Prostitutes, and the people who went to John the Baptist, in the wilderness were doing. And then, the great thing about it all? These very same people, maybe, just maybe, witnessed Jesus being baptized for their very own sin, BY John the Baptist, SO THAT, Jesus’ ministry and mission to take on God’s call from that moment forward, to march towards the cross, die in our very own sin, defeat death and rise again, and ascend once again into heaven. Why? So, that we too would live our lives with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, SO THAT, we may rejoice, give thanks and have an everlasting prayer, or conversation, or relationship with God in His Kingdom… today… tomorrow… and forever. Thanks be to God!

I couldn’t help but to have a little fun with the music for this one… Enjoy this throw back in time… “Mr. Big Stuff”

https://youtu.be/afhMFK__ZGc?si=VflWiJ8xqn8L9FsA