FEBRUARY 13, 2017

“But you were always a good man of business, Jacob,' faltered Scrooge, who now began to apply this to himself.

Business!' cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. "Mankind was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The deals of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!” 
― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

LEVITICUS 14

11For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.(17:11)

MATTHEW 27:1-31

19While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

21“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

22“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

23“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

24When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

25All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

JOURNAL 

Pilate knew and so did his wife...they knew perfection and innocence was being destroyed. They knew that fear and hatred and jealousy was driving this train. Pilate symbolically rid himself of it by "washing his hands".   

Obviously this did not rid Pilot of blame...he allowed it...it was under his watch and he did nothing. How often has this been my response...do nothing when I see injustice and wrong and hatred destroying good? Reality is that it happens everyday. It is so easy in our society to turn a blind eye and justify callous indifference. If someone is suffering and struggling...then its none of my business. Reality is that it is always my business...

31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

MATTHEW 25:31-40

FEBRUARY 12, 2017

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” 
― Kahlil Gibran

LEVITICUS 14

21“If, however, they are poor and cannot afford these, they must take one male lamb as a guilt offering to be waved to make atonement for them, together with a tenth of an ephah^e of the finest flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering, a log of oil, 22and two doves or two young pigeons, such as they can afford, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering.(14:21-22)

MATTHEW 26:55-75

55In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

57Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

59The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward 61and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”

62Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63But Jesus remained silent.

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

64“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”^e

65Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,” they answered.

67Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”

69Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

70But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

73After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

74Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

JOURNAL 

Complete and total rejection. This is what happened to the perfect son of God. This is what people and society do. They reject perfection. They rejected and had Jesus executed. How horrible and how ridiculous. Yet this is our sin...this is the sin that we have to accept and understand that it is part of this life. Good will be rejected...if we seek God and follow him, we will suffer for that and in that. 

It at times feels like it is just pointless and that life is just a meaningless, pointless existence. To see and know that we as a human race killed perfection...and then to really assess my own motives and behaviors and see how often I reject perfection. To see how often I run from what is good and right. It just makes me sick. I then look at the diatribes on Facebook and it just reinforces the despair. Selfish, delusional, hateful, arrogance...no matter what side of the political aisle you choose. 

We have done the truly miraculous with technology and yet we still can't trust God and love others.  This simply command to love God with all our heart and to love others as ourselves...we don't even come close!  How does God not absolutely destroy us in disgust?

Because Jesus died to save us from our sin. He died in my place, he died for all of this sin and carnage and hate. He allows it to exist because he died to forgive it...that is so hard to get my head around yet it heals my heart. It reminds me that my rebellion crucified Christ, my rejection, jealousy and hatred is what beat him with whips and nailed him to a cross. He forgives me, time and time again. He loves me and accepts my pitiful attempts at righteousness. 

There are moments when this overwhelms me and I am awakened to the reality and absurdity of the cross. I ask Father that this be in my heart every moment of every day. I ask that the pendulum not swing so violently from obedience to rebellion. 

6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 PETER 5:6-11

FEBRUARY 11, 2017

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.” 
― Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken and Other Poems

LEVITICUS 13

38“When a man or woman has white spots on the skin, 39the priest is to examine them, and if the spots are dull white, it is a harmless rash that has broken out on the skin; they are clean.(13:38)

MATTHEW 26:20-54

36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

43When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

JOURNAL 

These verses of Jesus' final night are haunting.  It is amazing to me to see Jesus surrender to God's will. Jesus is perfect yet he makes the statement..."not as I will, but as you will". Clearly perfection on this earth is only found in complete surrender to the will of God. This is what makes Jesus perfect...not his own actions but his surrender to God. 

This is the essence of the gospel. To every day, every moment willingly surrender to God as not my will but yours. Honestly this is terrifying, because it may lead to suffering, heartache, even death. Who knows what the future holds. Yet in our pursuit of God...to obey him and truly love him it is the only true path to righteousness, perfection and the heart of God. 

6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 PETER 5:6-11

FEBRUARY 10, 2017

“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” 
― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

LEVITICUS 10-12

“ ‘Among those who approach me

I will be proved holy;

in the sight of all the people

I will be honored.’ ”(10:3)

MATTHEW 26:1-19

6While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

8When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9“This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

10Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11The poor you will always have with you,^a but you will not always have me. 12When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

JOURNAL 

Jesus continually has a way of getting to the heart of people.  While from a practical standpoint the disciples were correct, the jar of perfume was worth a year's wages, so there is good reason to question such "wasteful" extravagant use.  Jesus cuts to the heart.  He understands the gesture and the reason for it.  Therefore it is never about the money or practicality.

I think about this in regard to God's love for us. When I look at earth, nature, the universe...it all seems so wasteful.  Scientists believe that there exist between 2 and 50 million types of living creatures.  How is this practical?  What is the purpose? There are stars that we have never seen, animals that serve no purpose other than to exist in the wild.  Amazing sunsets, deserts, valleys, mountains, lakes, oceans...on and on and on...glorious extravagance!  This is God's love.  It is never practical, it is perfect.

20And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” 21So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” 23And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.

GENESIS 1:20-23

FEBRUARY 9, 2017

“Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.” 
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

LEVITICUS 7-9

5They took the things Moses commanded to the front of the tent of meeting, and the entire assembly came near and stood before the Lord. 6Then Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the Lord may appear to you.”(9:5-6)

MATTHEW 25:31-46

31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

JOURNAL 

Not only are we to multiply our talents we are to give and share with those that need them. This verse cannot be interpreted any other way. When there is a need we are to fill it. Just as if we were doing it for God himself. If not...and we reject those that need us and our possessions then we are rejecting God himself. 

6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-8