That! - Matthew 13:44-52 - Ninth Week after Pentecost

 

Matthew 13:44-52 NIV

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

⁴⁷ “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. ⁴⁸ When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹ This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous ⁵⁰ and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

⁵¹ “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

⁵² He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

That!

More parables from the mouth of Jesus. Jesus’ teaching using examples that we can relate to in our lives.

So, what do you treasure? If you find what you treasure the most, what do you do with it? Do you use it up? Do you save it? Do you give it away?

Is your treasure of this world’s goods and services? Or is your treasure something else like family, friends, relationships and such?

Do you treasure something outside of this world?

Jesus begins, with one verse, talking about a man who finds his treasure. Jesus goes on to compare that treasure with the Kingdom of Heaven.

The man found his treasure and then hid it. Why? Because he knew what he had. And he knew that by hiding this treasure he could go back and buy the field in which he hid his treasure and keep that treasure for good.

But was that really what was happening, in this case? In the case of the Kingdom of Heaven, that this man had found, he knew what eternal value it held. So, he was willing to give up his earthly wealth to receive a heavenly reward. The Kingdom of Heaven is priceless, valuable, and beyond anything he could ever need or want. He didn’t hide it to keep it away from others. No, he hid it because he knew what he had found and wanted to protect it with all he had.

But did he really find the treasure? It was hidden, remember? So, the man really didn’t do anything but find something hidden. He didn’t produce the treasure. Rather he found the treasure. And how did he find that treasure? It seems to me, that somehow it became obvious to him, or maybe he just stumbled onto the treasure by chance. But I don’t really think it was by chance. The treasure came from somewhere, after all.

The gift of the Kingdom of Heaven is valuable. This gift came from God, and cost Jesus’ His life to give. That’s real value! When we discover what Jesus has given us, value THAT, protect THAT, place all your hope in THAT. It’s a gift!

Jesus next fixes His focus on a merchant searching for fine pearls. Once again Jesus shows us the importance and the eternal value of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is one of the most important gifts that God gives to His people. Maybe the most important, with the exception, in my mind of Jesus Himself.

As we search for the Kingdom of Heaven, we find it closer than we could ever imagine. And on this day, in the life of these followers and disciples of Jesus, this is true as well. For the Kingdom of Heaven is right before their eyes, speaking eternal truths to them, with earthly examples. If you are totally convicted to God’s gift of Love and Grace, THEN, respond willingly with all you have in your life, FOR, and TO, God with a thankful heart. Give up all this earth offers, TO, receive this free Gift from God.

As Jesus moves into another parable, He seems to be pounding the message home, that has been evident over the past couple of episodes of “Pointing to Jesus.” How’s that? Once again, we see an abundance of a gift, in this case fish, but that abundance is mixed in with some evil, here, it is some fish that are not good for food. And guess what? There is a separation that takes place of the good fish from the bad fish.

As the net to catch the fish is cast, like how God reaches out to His people with the gift of His forgiveness and grace, ALL sorts of fish are caught. But some of the fish have been contaminated. Contaminated how? They are like those who have chosen to refuse God’s gift of salvation and walked away. I hate to hear this part! But, in reality, it’s part of this world, and the evil tricks of Satan. Some people will refuse this gift of the “Kingdom of Heaven,” and God permits that. I’m sure He hates that, but He seems to permit us to choose to turn away.

So, always, always, continue to deliver the message of the gift of the Gospel, and pray, pray, pray, for those who have, for now, turned away. You never know what God may do in the life of a relative or friend, or even an enemy. God is more powerful than you could ever imagine. But in the end, some fish will be tossed. Lord, help us and guide us.

In the presence of the disciples, Jesus wants to make sure they understand the parables. The disciples very lives will become those who take the message of the “Kingdom of Heaven,” after Jesus ascends back into heaven, TO ALL the people on this globe.

Jesus has again, used earthly examples of people and things, to explain spiritual truth about the gift of the “Kingdom of Heaven.”

God loves you and chooses you to be His, now and into eternity… in the Kingdom of Heaven. THAT love is to be held close, honored and praised.

Lord Jesus, as I listen to You speaking heavenly truth; build trust in me. Fulfill the hope that I have in You that You are my only hope and trust and salvation.

You have given me all. And I am convinced… I remember last week’s message as well and hear Your Word spoken through Paul…

Romans 8:38-39 NIV

³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So, what to make of all this? As I pondered this passage over the week, I felt the tug of Jesus on my shirt, showing me what a valuable, wonderful, precious gift of life, with Jesus, in the Kingdom of Heaven He freely gives to me. That’s more than anything this earth could ever provide. Nothing compares to what Jesus gives. And that’s the THAT of this message. THAT is the love of God that was always present. And I need to do nothing for THAT. I couldn’t do enough for THAT to earn it.

Thanks be to God… today… tomorrow… and forever… for THAT --- Amen

Enjoy this YouTube Music Video that spoke to me this week… Shout to the Lord

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRyjTL61GEA&list=RDqRyjTL61GEA&start_radio=1

 

Eternity Love - Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 - Eighth Week after Pentecost

 

 Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 NIV

²⁴ Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

²⁷ “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

²⁸ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

²⁹ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

³⁶ Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

³⁷ He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. ³⁸ The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, ³⁹ and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

⁴⁰ “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. ⁴¹ The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. ⁴² They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³ Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

Eternity Love

Once again, we hear a parable told by Jesus. Parables were prophesied about in Psalms. So, Jesus telling of parables was predicted long ago.

Psalm 78:1-2 NIV

¹ My people, hear my teaching;
    listen to the words of my mouth.
² I will open my mouth with a parable;
    I will utter hidden things, things from of old—

So, yea, we will listen to hidden things again this week, spoken through examples of earthly elements that we can relate to. So, listen to the words of Jesus carefully, to grasp another eternal truth from God.

The “Kingdom of Heaven” is one of the main points of Jesus teaching. And rightly so, after all, Jesus came from heaven to earth, and returns to heaven. Why? It’s about God’s relationship with His created… you and me, and all people, throughout time.

So, Jesus is bringing to you and me, His Word. A word of forgiveness and life, SO THAT, we may live with Him in an eternal relationship of love, FOR Him, and all He came to save. And that’s ALL of us.

So, this field of Jesus, is like the fields we tend to think of also. We live and work in our chosen or given field, or occupation. Even our location. And Jesus’ field, IS the world. And here His plan is to spread the seeds of faith to all of us, SO THAT we may grow in this time and place, and likewise spread His seed to one another, in the love that God gave to Jesus, and to us as well.

That is the Kingdom of Heaven, or the Kingdom of God. And God gives us “seeds,” all we need to grow and bear the fruit of His Word to all the world.

But stuff happens and gets in the way.

Satan gets in the way. Satan invades the field, and sow’s weeds among the good seeds of wheat. Satan is always attempting to muck up the works, with issues that interfere with God’s work.

And notice how we are asleep while Satan does his dirty deed. We sleep and aren’t aware of his vile tricks and deceptions. Sin enters in. The weeds of evil spirits and temptations grow into, and around, the lives of the seeds of God.

As we grow in Christ, we are surrounded by those who may be false. We are surrounded by evil people, and evil spirits, who have bought into the lies of Satan. And we are tempted to move from God to Satan, to be satisfied with the greed and hunger of his works, and this world. It happens day after day. And that’s where sin enters into our lives, and we fail to do God’s will. We fail to love God and our neighbor. Why? Because we get all tangled up in our own selfish ways. This world can bring a fulfillment that is, just of this world.

But even with this, God has planted us, not to turn away from Him. Rather He comes to us to bring us in union with His love, for Him, and for one another.

We have Hope in God, and have Hope to bear the fruit that He would have us bear.

As we go to Jesus and question the sin in our lives, sometimes, for me anyway, I wonder why this sin was set before me. This sin set before me, DOES NOT come from God. Sin comes from the Deceiver, or Satan. Jesus only sowed good seed, the weeds of my sin get in the way of my growth, they get in the way of bearing the fruit that God has given me to bear. So, I must hold on to the hope of Jesus, and bear His fruit of love, even while I grow among the weeds of this world, and the weeds of my sin.

Instead of pulling up the weeds of evil around me, God gives me all I ever need to turn away from the weeds of evil, and the weeds of my sin, to seek Him, and to see Him right there in my presence. Sometimes God lets me see the weeds of my life, sometimes God sets the weeds in my presence, SO THAT, I can see my need for Him, to rescue me from myself. Yes, God spins me away from the weeds and shows me His forgiveness and His Source of life. The weeds are death, and the from the Sower of the good seed, is life and salvation.

Pulling the weeds is not my job. Jesus has come to me to pull the weeds of sin, FOR me, and FOR you. When I think that I can overcome, by my own actions of pulling weeds, I too will die along with the weeds around me, and wrapped all through me. Jesus is the only human in this world that was able to live His life without the sin of the weeds. Yet, He took on the sin of the weeds that we face FOR us, SO THAT, in Him we have life and salvation.

The Church is here not to separate weeds and people, or to judge them. The Church is here to nurture the growth of the wheat, SO THAT, all may bear the love that God has freely shown, even before the Creation.

At the end of it all, the weeds will be bundled together and thrown into the fire, and the good wheat will live forever with Jesus. The evil, the sin and all that pulls us away from God, will be NO MORE. And that’s all the action of God, not the action of the wheat.

So, yea, actively seek God’s Word. Listen to the words and parables of Jesus. Pray for understanding these parables that Jesus gives to us. Listen and respond with that awesome “DO.” Not because you seek to earn favor, but rather because you live now, a joyful life free from the power of sin and death.

We live in a great field full of weeds and wheat. Wheat as the believers and followers of God, and weeds that have rejected God and look to pull the wheat toward death. Know the difference, not for fear, but rather to see which way to turn and look. Will you look to God, or fall to the deceptions of this world’s power and greed?

There will be a harvest. A harvest of both wheat and weeds.

There will be a separation. Sin will be rooted out, in the end. Death will NOT have the final word for the wheat. But death will be the final word for the weeds. Only through Jesus can the sin of the weeds be eliminated, AND, the wheat WILL GROW abundantly.

AND, I love this last part… The wheat WILL SHINE like the Son. Wow!

Jesus, You are the first and the last. I need not fear, for You are with me. Always!

As the weeds seek to bind me up and bring on death, I turn to You, Jesus. For You fill the earth with the love that existed always, in heaven, and on earth. You brought Your love to this earth, to finally reign forever.

As the weeds bind me, Holy Spirit, free me from sin and death, SO THAT, I may live in Your favor forever. I need You!

So, what do I make of all of this? As I reflected day after day on this passage of Scripture, I couldn’t help but to think of God, before. God before creation of it all. He was Father, Son and Holy Spirit, always there. Spirit and Man combined in love to and for each other, separately and collectively, somehow in a way I can’t understand.  But the point being, there is a relationship of love always.

You see, the likeness of God IS Love…

Genesis 1:26a

²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…

See the “us.” I believe the “us” to be God before creation. I believe the “Us” is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; all in relationship with one another in Love.

And in that “Love” as mankind was created, the intention was always, for the little “us,” to be in a relationship of love with the big, “Us.”

God created us in His love, that we may always love Him and one another.

But then… the evil spirit of Satan gets involved. Satan’s only power is to draw God’s flesh, the little “us,” away from a relationship with God, the big “Us.”

Satan is not flesh; Satan is spirit that chose to deny God’s love and claim power over mankind. God’s loving creation, of the little “us.”

So, the weeds of sin and death attempt to draw us away from our relationship of love with God. And here are those weeds.

But God has a way of turning all things upside down. And since God is also in the flesh and blood of Jesus, God in Jesus comes down with the Love of God that was always present, even before the world existed, to draw the wheat together and away from the entanglement of the weeds, to live, once again in the Loving relationship that God had planned from before the beginning, in Love with God and in Love with all the wheat.

In the end of it all, God’s eternal Love has all the power to defeat the sin and death, of Satan, as Satan attempts to pull mankind from the relationship of love with God. As Paul, so beautifully states…

Romans 8:38-39 NIV

³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As the wheat and weed are separated, the wheat live in joy and eternal relationship with the Love of God, as was always intended. And the weeds, those evil spirits, are sent away into that eternal fire.

Revelation 20:10 NIV

¹⁰ And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

 

And here is the really “cool” part! Listen to John’s account from the book of Revelation…

 

Revelation 22:1-5 NIV

22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ³ No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. ⁴ They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵ There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

 

That there, is the Love of God, as it always was and always will be… today… tomorrow… and forever. Thanks be to God!

 

Enjoy the YouTube Music Video that I ran across that speaks to this passage of Scripture from Matthew…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdc4kBoaN10

Abundant Fields - Matthew 13:1-9 - Seventh Week after Pentecost

 

Matthew 13:1-9 NIV

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. ² Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³ Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

¹⁸ “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ²² The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Abundant Fields

This was an intense teaching time in the ministry of Jesus. His teaching continued on His way from a house to a location by the Sea of Galilee. Here in this passage Jesus’ teaching is moving from a private location into a public location. Jesus was an excellent teacher with an eternal message that transcends time and space, calling us, in this place, to listen to Him, and listen carefully.

So, as Jesus draws a crowd, He takes advantage of the location of a boat in the Sea. In a boat, Jesus becomes the sole focal point. This is a wonderful way to focus the crowd’s attention on Jesus, the teacher and the speaker. This is an important teaching lesson that Jesus wants ALL to hear… even for us today.

Think about all of the times that God teaches His people either from the shore, or facing the water, or in the water. Think, even now, about your own baptism, or even the baptism of someone else, as you observe. There is teaching by the waters all of the time. So, once again, God uses an earthly element, like water, combined with the Word, to lead people to see His presence with them. This earthly element and Word spoken, especially by Jesus, leads us forth and through to the gifts God develops in each of us through His Holy Spirit. Always pay attention to how God comes to us, in flesh and blood, upon this earth with His Spirit. God IS present in such circumstances. Here, as well, Jesus will teach us a truth from the water, as we observe from the shore.

So, yea! Gather together, for a sermon from Jesus. Gather together in churches now, and all over, to hear the Word spoken through the pastor, lay-person, or priest. Gather together to hear the Word of God. It’s important that we gather together. Don’t take attending church lightly. Gather together often, and listen, and see Jesus.

Now, let’s think about parables. Parables were common teaching methods in the Jewish community of the day. Parables were used to reveal Truth, in and through earthly examples. There’s that earthly element stuff sneaking into the teaching. So, perk up as Jesus teaches eternal truths, with earthly elemental examples. God speaks in and through His Word, combined with earthly elements. Think baptism and communion, where water combined with a Word and a Promise, jumps a new disciple into life through the Holy Spirit. Think bread and wine, in with and under the body and blood of Jesus, that draws us into Jesus’ real presence, and His gift of forgiveness and salvation. All of these move us close to God. See, they move us close to God. God is the one moving us towards Him. God always comes to us. There is nothing that I can do that will allow me to move into God’s presence. I’m not worthy of that. But thanks be to God, that He moves to me, and draws me in. That’s some love!

So, next we jump into the parable. I’m interested in the earthly people and the earthly elements right away. We have the sower, seed, differing kind of paths, soil or at least the depth of soil, growing or not growing plants, and first off, some birds.

I’m at this point, not really thinking about who represents what. I would rather think about the point of the message, than reflect on who or what represents what. I’m listening, in this instance for the message. Will I get it? I don’t know, but I’m listening.

Now it moves from birds to the sun. It seems like something is always acting on the seeds to prevent growth. Makes me wonder what acts on me in my life to prevent growth, especially when I think of my life in relationship to God. I know that my sinfulness, and the deception of the evil of this world, draws me away from God, acts upon me and turns me around, in directions that I should not go. But I need God to turn me around from my selfish ways, to see and live in His goodness.

The thorns of my sinfulness overwhelm me, and choke out my love for God, and for neighbor. As I read, and reread this parable of Jesus, it’s obvious that there are dangers in my everyday living, drawing my attention away from God. Jesus is really pointing out why I need Him, in this teaching.

In the finality of it all, Jesus draws me back to some good soil. And there is that God coming to us again. God comes to us, even in the midst of the birds, the scorching sun, the rocks and the thorns of this life to bring us to Him. This action of God, even in the actions of the sower, seems to draw me into Him.  Teach me and guide me I pray, Lord Jesus!

As Jesus explains His parable, He draws us in. He draws us in to think deeply about His message. Jesus uses an agricultural theme, because that was common work for the people to which He was speaking. On the surface that seems elementary. But it’s not. Jesus is using something common, to highlight something deep in meaning. Something deep in meaning that has an eternal truth.

Jesus is teaching about the Kingdom of God. Now, Jesus takes us from what we know in earthly occupations, and earthly elements, and draws us to His Spiritual Kingdom in eternity. In some ways Jesus is drawing us out from this world to another world in which He has always dwelt. Yet, even at that, Jesus not only dwells in the Heavenly realm, He has come to live with us, in this earthly realm as well.

Here we learn from Jesus about the Spiritual warfare in the evils that are tempting us away from God. Satan’s lies are real. Satan’s temptations are constantly teasing us away from the eternal relationship that God has given us, to believe something else. And that something else moves us away from God, and into the realm of evil lies. It’s a battle for your soul, for your relationship with God, for your allegiance to God, or to Satan.

You most likely, in your life, hear God’s Word spoken or presented by the Bible or the words of friends or relatives. And when the True Word is given, you most likely, will accept that Word, or deny that Word.

How you respond to the love of God freely given to you, and how you respond to the lies of Satan, makes all the difference. Throughout time, and even throughout life, my life included, I, we, have taken God’s Word and responded in various ways. Sometimes it lights a fire of passion in life. Sometimes the Word places a fear in life. Sometimes the Word makes me run in fear.

As the Word is tossed out into our lives, our response matters. Here Jesus warns us of the various ways in which we will respond. And our response to God’s Word matters. Our response and our willingness to be obedient to God, as we see what He has done, matters.

As we see God’s action, we begin to realize, this life is about what God has given. God gives us all we need to live. To live here, and to live into eternity, with God in His Kingdom.

As this parable is taught, we are to listen for the Truth coming through it. The Truth is that God seeks us out, and wants us to live with Him forever.

But we easily are deceived by this world, and the desires of living in this world. Remember last week’s message of how we are to look beyond? Jesus draws us from the earthly elements of this world, to teach us a heavenly message. Not only through our baptism, or our receiving Him in Holy Communion, but in our everyday lives as well. Jesus draws us to Him, even in our lives of today.

And Jesus has a way of walking right into our daily lives, our daily beings and into our heart, to live with us and in us, as we live with Him, and in Him.

Listen to the words of the parable, with your eyes focused on what we know, in this earth, and what is revealed to you beyond this world, into heavenly union with God, and one another. Listen and listen deeply. Take the time. For as we listen closely to the parables of Jesus, He is drawing out a response from us that will produce the fruitful fields of abundant grain and life, not only here, but in heaven as well.

Water my life, Lord, that my only thought is to respond in obedience, and joy, to what You do, and have done. Draw me away from myself, as You come to me.

Lord God, thank You for filling this earth with Your love, and with the Words of Jesus. For You lead us from what we can see, here and now, to You into eternity. Thank You!

So, dear Lord, may I live, not by the spirit of my flesh, the desires that I have for the here and now; may I rather live by the spirit that you implant in me. May my life be a response to you, and not a life that responds to my carnal desires and sins. What a tall ask this is, but as You came to earth in the flesh and blood of Jesus, to experience what I experience, I know that Your presence is ever before me. Your presence to lead and guide me, here in this place, with you by my side, to be with You in Your Kingdom in eternity, all through the love, mercy, forgiveness, and power of Jesus, my Savior.

Focus on Jesus. Focus on His Words. Focus on Him in a boat, in the midst of the waters. Focus on Jesus’ call. Join your life, here and now, in this earthly world, to Him, SO THAT, you may see beyond the sower, the seeds, the birds, the soil, the sun and whatever else exists upon this planet, that, we may see in Jesus’ eyes, and hear in Jesus’ words, an eternal nature, and an eternal relationship that He alone can offer; to be with Him in His Kingdom… today… tomorrow… and forever. Thanks be to God!

I leave you with this YouTube Music Video that reminds me of the love of God as we walk in Fields of Gold…

“Fields of Gold” by Sting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jMAIuqnFEI&list=RD-jMAIuqnFEI&start_radio=1

Play Like a Child - Matthew 11:25-30 - Sixth Week after Pentecost

 

Matthew 11:25-30 NIV

²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ²⁶ Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

²⁷ “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Play Like a Child

At what time? This was in the midst of Jesus teaching, healings, and miracles, He was doing in various cities. And yet, some of the people, still refused to believe what was taking place before their own eyes. The people who couldn’t see God were the wise and learned people. It tells me that I can never learn enough. I’m always going to be innocent in my own humility before the presence of God. I will never fit the mold of self-wisdom or self-learnedness. This isn’t about how good I think I am, this is about Jesus the Messiah! Jesus the Savior! Jesus the God! It’s not about how wise or learned that I think that I may be in the eyes of God.

I must face the truth of God, and know that I am but His child. His child alone. No amount of religious theology or learning will make me righteous. Only through Jesus am I made righteous.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

And speaking of being a Child… In this one verse, Jesus shows the family connection of it all, and the intimacy He has with God the Father, and also little children. Jesus makes things wonderfully personal and grants us a unique relationship with Him, and the Father.

So, rejoice in humility before God. Humility is a blessing!

Jesus has a special relationship with God the Father. Here we see Jesus’ authority, and the Father’s authority, are combined. This speaks to the Trinity of God. Jesus IS God, yet has a unique call and mission, as given by God the Father, to come into our world to save us from sin and death. This was a mission set in place before the beginning. I’m not sure that I can explain that, even to my own satisfaction. But does my explanation really matter? I don’t think so, it’s my acceptance of what God the Father has led Jesus to do in this place, and in this world, and in the finality of it all, in God’s eternal Kingdom. And in this passage, we can see, that Jesus is revealing Himself to the world. But will the world see, or even accept this revelation of Jesus as God and Savior?

And now for the invitation from Jesus. Jesus sent from heaven to earth, invites us to Him. How great is that? God comes to us in the flesh and blood of Jesus, and invites us to be with Him, now and into eternity. Will mankind be able to get beyond their own pride, and accept Jesus’ call to come to Him?

Jesus offers up rest. But rest from what? For me, it’s rest from attempting to save myself through my own selfish actions. That stuff won’t work anyway. I’ve come to discover, that I can’t save myself, no matter how hard I try. I need a Savior and, guess what? Here in this passage, Jesus invites me, and you, to rest in His work of forgiveness, and victory over sin and death. That’s rest!

And then on top of it all, Jesus willingly, and freely, offers rest IN Him. There is that gift from God thing going at it again. God again gives us “Daily Bread.” God GIVES all we need to live eternal life with Him!

And the way Jesus gives us His gift of life! He is humble. That’s NOT something we are used to, in this world of power, might, greed and self-glorification. Jesus is not only giving us a gift of Himself; He is teaching us HOW to give of ourselves to our neighbors as well. We give ourselves in a humble, gentle, merciful manner to our neighbor. As we serve our neighbor, as we serve ALL people, we come to them and serve THEM with a loving, gentle, caring heart. Think about that and look around at how so many, in this world today, treat the “others” in their lives. Especially those others that are different, or that we may not agree with. We are called and taught to serve, not overpower one another.

And in this serving, and being served by Jesus, comes the grace of God. Our response to this gift of love from Jesus’ call to unity in Him, is for us a call to unity, in love, in meekness, and humility, to ALL those God gives to us each and every day… even those we love to hate. Is this an easy yoke? Well, for me, I guess that depends on what I make of it. Will I resist the yoke? Or will I accept the yoke with joy and thanksgiving, knowing that the “Pull” is already been done by God in Jesus, as He carries out the mission from God the Father, with the gifts of God the Holy Spirit. Think about your yoke and how you will respond.

Jesus demonstrates the wonderful and awesome power of humility in that He comes to us, His Children, His creation… He comes to us humble, as a servant, even on a donkey on Palm Sunday at the beginning of His suffering and death, to love all of His creation to death, death on a cross, SO THAT, we can live with God into eternity, forgiven, and made righteous through what He does. How great is that?

Jesus, I see how throughout all time, that you are loving and gracious and giving to me. For no good reason, that I can see. Yet you are! And for this I give you all thanks and praise and honor. How could I do anything else? For I see the LAW before my eyes, and I see how I have failed you. Yet, you still come to me and call me to you, so that we can be together into eternity. Why would You do this? I’m not sure, but I know You did!

Wretched man that I am, You still come to me, You still save me from sin and death, and You still call me into Your presence. I can’t understand it, so here I am, to accept it and to love you into eternity, serving You with my obedience to Your call. Help me all along this path. For I know my sin, and You know my sin, yet You still choose me.

This past week, on Wednesday, I got sick. I mean really sick. Sick to the point that I had to stay in. I tried taking some medicine for relief, but none of that really helped all that much. It was a hang on kind of sick. Hang on for what, you may ask? Thursday was the day that I would get an infusion of medicine directly into my bloodstream that typically helped.

So, on Thursday, I received my transfusion, and it did help. It always has helped, and this time was no different. It was immediate relief, but it takes a couple of days for that relief to realize it’s full impact. Well, this time the nurse wanted to try something a bit different with the infusion. She got the doctor’s approval to attempt a “rapid” infusion. It was sort of “rapid.” Instead of three hours in the chair, I spent two hours in the chair, receiving the infusion, followed by 30 minutes of observation.

So, what’s all of this have to do with anything?

I’m reminded that I am but a child. A child whining and groaning about some discomfort. A child crying in pain in the darkness of my mind. Yet, I’m also reminded, as I sit in the infusion center, that I’m not alone in my pain. Other patients, came and went while I was sitting in that infusion chair. All of us like little children, in a world of disease, illness, and death. All of us, children, coming for a bit of relief, that may last, in my case about six weeks, before the pain and suffering returns.

Yet, as I was on Wednesday, before this infusion; my eyes couldn’t see beyond myself. I had a hard time seeing the Thursday ahead of me.

As I live out life in this evil, fallen, diseased, world; I must be careful not to focus my eyes and my thoughts on just what is before me, here and now. It’s important that, just as Jesus calls all of us, that we look beyond the evil, and disease of this world, to SEE through the eyes of the love of God in Jesus, that comes to us, to call us to Him, to something beyond ourselves. Something that calls us beyond this world, in which we all live out some kind of struggle, to see His eternal love and forgiveness and salvation. A love that calls His Children into eternity with Him where there will be no more pain, suffering, death and tears.

And in this call to us, may I, and you, be able to see the love and compassion of God. May we be able to witness God’s love to all those people entering the infusions centers of our own lives, to offer God’s love, our love and the compassion and love and forgiveness… as we all look beyond this temporary world to an eternal Kingdom of God, starting here and now and moving with God into eternity.

2 Corinthians 4:18

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

And in Jesus’ love and care, you, me and all who hear His call to come, can and will be able to play like a child in the love of God, now with God, with one another and into His Kingdom… today… tomorrow… and forever. --- Thanks be to God!

Enjoy this YouTube Music Video that spoke to me this week…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjWvbV6ohVc&list=RDXjWvbV6ohVc&start_radio=1

Give UP Life To Give UP Life - Matthew 10:34-42 - Fifth Week after Pentecost

 

Matthew 10:34-42 NIV

³⁴ “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
³⁶     a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

³⁷ “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. ³⁸ Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

⁴⁰ “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. ⁴¹ Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴² And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Give up life to give up life

Jesus didn’t come into this world to settle things among ourselves. Especially if you are thinking of settling political scores between countries or people. He didn’t come to this earth to make things “right” and defeat the power of the Roman Empire over God’s people. That’s NOT peace. That’s more like revenge or getting even with people we disagree with. And in this passage, Jesus makes it clear. But the problem is, our ears want to hear what we want to hear, NOT, what God in Jesus is telling us.

So that begs the question, then, what is peace?

Jesus’ peace is NOT an agreement between the battling or warring powers of this world. It’s way more than that. Jesus’ peace is a peace that settles the ultimate score between sin and death. Jesus’ peace is a peace that settles sin and forgives, and brings new life. Life in the lives of believers in His Kingdom in eternity. Jesus’ peace is way more than what our minds can comprehend.

Let’s take a look at something, I’m sure many of you will recognize, and take comfort in, each week…

Numbers 6:24-26 NIV

²⁴ “‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
²⁵ the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’

Now that’s peace. Think about it. This is usually the last thing said during the worship, by the Pastor, to the congregation, AS Words of God. Words spoken after the corporate confession and forgiveness, at the beginning of worship; after the Pastor delivers a Word from God, in sermon, after an affirmation of faith through a Creed, after the Lord’s Prayer and the prayers of the church, yes, words spoken even after the Holy Sacrament of Communion is received as a gift from God in the body and blood of Jesus, in with and under the bread and the wine, is received. Yet, words spoken before the sending of the worshippers back into the world, from the worship service.

Yes, it’s, for sure, when God has turned His face towards us and given His peace.

So, don’t get mixed up, between peace between nations, or anything else that we desire for our own well-being. This is not a selfish kind of peace, but a peace that passes all understanding. This IS the peace Jesus speaks of, here in this passage of Scripture…

 

Philippians 4:7 NIV

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

This is the Peace of God!

But since many people want a different kind of peace from Jesus, a peace that solves their own selfish personal needs; they don’t like or understand or even want to tolerate the kind of peace Jesus came to this world to give. And that makes people mad! Why doesn’t God do what obviously needs to be done in MY world, to bring ME comfort, and to give ME joy, even at the cost of someone else?

And in this, there is a division of people, and a division of understanding of what real peace actually is.

So, as disciples, and here, even apostles sent, we are called to stand up FOR and be obedient TO, the peace that Jesus brings into this world of sin and evil. EVEN at the turmoil of any conflict that may arise to this world’s common view of some selfish peace making.

We, as disciples, are called to be obedient and faithful to God’s WORD, not our desires.

Following, or even pointing to Jesus may, and probably will, cause divisions with family and friends. Like Jesus life, He was here to give up life to give up life.  Think about that for a moment.

And we too are called to give up life to give up life, in loving God and neighbor, forgiving and serving, God and the “other.”

So, we’re faced with a decision. With a message to give up life to give up life; will we be willing to face into the storm of hatred for the message of peace? Real peace, NOT the kind of peace that smooths all things out and compromises for the comfort of our own selfish needs of power, wealth and control; but rather a peace willing to give up life to give up life.

That’s the cross, Jesus came to bear, and that we are called to bear. Give up life to give up life.

Are you willing?

And in this “Give up life to give up life” – we lose life to find life, or even to give life to a hated neighbor. All as a gift of what God has done through the life, ministry, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Yes! We are called to “Give up life to give up life” for our neighbor as well. Even that guy we hate or disagree with.

As we go into this evil, sinful world, of people in the same kind of struggles as we ourselves struggle; we are called with a message that is BEYOND ourselves. Yet, we must still deliver the message.

What’s that? That we are all in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves, but God came to this world in the flesh and blood of Jesus to deliver us from sin and death, to forgive our sins, and take upon Himself the SIN of this world and the people created, and “Give up life to give up life.”

How’s that? God sent Jesus to give up His life to give up life to us in love, compassion, understanding, SO THAT, we may live with Him as believers and children in communion, now and into eternity. So, when we receive Jesus, we receive life with God forever. Notice the word Jesus uses, “receive.”

To receive, we receive as a gift from God. It’s free. Take it! And respond in the obedience to God’s command to love Him and your neighbor… IN this peace of Jesus.

You are sent into this world as a messenger of God, to declare and to announce this wonderful gift given for ALL people. ALL is ALL… even the enemies, even those with various political standards and views, even with those of varying belief systems or customs. It’s NOT your message. This IS the message of God.

People will choose as they choose. People will believe as they believe. This is NOT up to you to force anything on another person. That is God’s work, NOT yours. You are called to be thankful, joyful, and obedient to the message that you too received and believed.

As a disciple, and a believer, your acts of kindness matter. You are called to live out these acts and to serve even a cup of water to the one in need. Yes, even to the one you may hate. Why? Because that’s why!

Pause and consider the message that God gave to Jeremiah to speak, at a time of turmoil. Many prophets coming before Jeremiah were telling of wars, disasters, plagues and great kingdoms. Doom and gloom! That’s NOT what Jesus Peace is all about. All of the wars, disasters, plagues and great kingdoms power and strength, come out of mankind’s selfish desires for control and power. Yet, the real peace that Jeremiah offers is backed up by a peace that comes from God, that separates our sinful desires, to the love of God through Jesus peace which He, that is Jesus, was coming to bring into this world. A new kind of peace of forgiveness, service and love that is eternal and ever-lasting.

In our daily call to give the Peace of God, we will face dangers, for sure, but God will protect us and guide us and bring us, in the finality of it all, TO, eternal communion WITH Him. How great is that?!

Lord, you have shown me my sin, yet still forgive. I know, and can see, how I deserve the eternal fire, and the damnation for my sin. Yet you came to forgive, to restore, to renew, even me, in my sin, to bring me to a new life with you forever.

As I go into this world, may I likewise proclaim, in word, and in action, this message You give of forgiveness, and new life, to all those you send to me, and that you give to me. May I bear the fruit of which you would have me bear; whatever that fruit may be. You have made it clear, here and in other passages of Scripture, through Your own very words…

 

John 15:5

 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

 

This past week I passed another one of those decade marks in age. Whenever I turn over one of the tens digits, I seem to take a break, pause and look back. It was no different this time as well. However, as each tens digit changes, I know that more is behind me than is before me. But, is that really true? If I measure time on the scale of a typical life span of mankind today; sure, it’s true. But, if I measure time another way, I’m just getting started into a timeless eternity.

 

So, it’s easy to judge myself in terms of, have I been obedient to God’s call. Have I even heard God’s call? Have I brought any kind of peace to this world in which God has placed me. Sometimes I think no. Maybe, here and there, is a glimpse of God’s peace, but probably most of the time, I exhibit the kind of peace that is selfish, that brings peace to myself and not to my neighbor. That’s an honest confession for me.

 

So, did I, myself, “Give up life to give up life?”

 

I can see the peace of Jesus and also see how He gave up His life to give up life to all those He loves. And all those He loves is ALL. But what have I done?

 

I attempt to be faithful and obedient, in telling all of the forgiveness and salvation that Jesus offers for ALL. But even in that, how many times have I backed away, in fear of judgment?

 

So, yea, I’m convicted and guilty of sloth or even errors.

 

But I’m not so sure that my weakness even matters in the eyes of Jesus. He knows I’m weak, as I know I’m weak. Jesus knows my weaknesses probably more intimately than I do myself. YET…

 

Jesus has chosen me, even in my weakness and sin, to GO! To GO with the message, He has for me to tell to all those He gives to me day after day. My obedience does not depend on MY goodness. My obedience rests fully in the goodness and grace that Jesus gives to me and all of His disciples and apostles.

 

I am not made good, or righteous or even just by my own goodness. NOPE!

 

 

2 Corinthians 5:21

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

That’s NOT about me. That’s all about what Jesus has done.

 

So, as I reflect back on that tens digit change… I see another kind of change. A change that I celebrate.

 

Earlier in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 is this…

 

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, I will continue to… “Give up my life… to give up life… to all those God sends to me, each and every day. Yep… even for today… tomorrow… and forever. All in the power and peace of Jesus as He sends me into the fields of this world in which I live. For as many tens’ digits as He wishes me to have. And in all of this… Thanks be to God!

 

Enjoy this YouTube Music Video…

“Even In My Old Age”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeaDNylMvuo&list=RDIeaDNylMvuo&start_radio=1