5 Lent

5 Lent - Sunday

first posted 03/27/04

Exodus 3:16-4:12 God commissions Moses
Romans 12:1-21 The consecrated life
John 8:46-59 Jesus is the ‘I am’

God told Moses to go the elders of the people of Israel and tell them that the God of their fathers, The God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob had appeared to Moses and told him that God had seen their afflictions in the land of Egypt, and God had promised to lead them out of Egypt into the Promised Land; “a land flowing with milk and honey.” God told Moses to ask Pharaoh to allow them to go a three-day’s journey into the wilderness in order to sacrifice to the Lord God. God knew that Pharaoh was not going to allow them to do that until compelled to do so by God’s power. So God promised to convince Pharaoh by great signs and wonders (displays of God’s power), after which Pharaoh would let them go. God told Moses that he would give the Hebrews favor in the eyes of the Egyptians so that the Hebrews might not go empty-handed from Egypt, but be justly recompensed for their labor by despoiling the Egyptians.

Moses doubted that the Egyptians would listen to him, so God demonstrated two signs of his power. He changed a walking staff into a living snake and back again, and he changed Moses’ hand into leprous flesh and restored it again. He told Moses that if the Egyptians did not believe those two signs, Moses should take water from the Nile and pour it upon the ground, and that God would cause it to turn into blood upon the ground. Moses still doubted his ability to speak convincingly to Pharaoh, but God reminded him that it is God who made man’s mouth; it is God who makes man hearing or deaf, speaking or mute, seeing or blind. God promised to be with Moses and enable Moses to speak convincingly.

Paul appealed to believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God, as an act of worship. We’re not to live as though we belonged to this present world; instead let us change our way of thinking so that we may demonstrate by our lives the good, acceptable and unblemished way that God intends for us to live. Let us not have exaggerated opinions of our self-worth, but instead practice honest self-examination. Paul compares the group of believers which constitutes the Church, the body of Christ, with the human body, composed of many different members, having differing functions and abilities, but connected and working together to accomplish a common goal.

We are to use the abilities given by the Spirit as best we can, according to our faith and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Paul mentions prophesy, service, teaching, exhortation, financial contribution, aid, and mercy. We are to have genuine love for one another, to do what is good and avoid any form of evil. We are to enthusiastically serve the Lord and be steadfast in endurance. We are to love our enemies, bless those who persecute us, and leave vengeance to God. We are to share the joys and the sorrows even of our enemies, and to live in peace and harmony with all. By being kind to our enemies we will stimulate their consciences; rather than being overcome by evil we will overcome evil with good.

It is not because of some fault in Jesus that people reject him; the fault is within themselves. They cannot prove that Jesus has sinned, because Jesus is sinless. Jesus speaks the truth, but still they do not believe him. Regardless of what they may claim, those who do not acknowledge that Jesus speaks the word of God do not know God. The Jews accused Jesus of being a Samaritan (whom they regarded as not a true Jew in either the genetic or religious sense) and of having a demon. Jesus declared that he did not have a demon, but that he honored God the Father, and they dishonored Jesus.

Jesus left both his honor and vengeance to God. Jesus declared that no one who does what Jesus teaches will see death. The Jews were thus convinced that he had a demon, saying that Abraham and the prophets had died, and asking Jesus if he claimed to be greater than Abraham. Jesus didn’t attempt to vindicate himself, but left it up to God. He told the Jews that although they claimed that God was their God, that they did not know God.

Jesus declared that he knew God and was obedient to God’s word. Jesus said that Abraham had seen Jesus’ day and rejoiced, but the Jews couldn’t believe that Jesus, whom they recognized as less than fifty years old, could have seen, or been seen by, Abraham. Then Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58; “I am” is the name by which God identified himself to Moses; see Exodus 3:14). At this they took up stones to kill Jesus, but he hid himself from them and left.

God called Moses to lead God’s people out of bondage in Egypt into the Promised Land. When Moses responded to God’s call, God commissioned and empowered him to do what God asked. God told him that Pharaoh was not going to be easy to convince, but that ultimately God’s will would prevail, and God’s people would be freed and vindicated.

Believers have a similar commission from God to speak God’s word, to work for justice for the oppressed, and to lead people out of bondage to sin into the Promised Land of eternal life in the kingdom of God in Heaven. God empowers us through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who gives us every gift and ability that we need to accomplish what God asks us to do.

God will give us clear directions on how to accomplish what he asks. We must turn aside and listen to God’s directions and be sure to be equipped with the Holy Spirit. If we let him know any concerns that we have, he will reassure us and provide for our needs. We are to use the gifts given by the Holy Spirit to the best of our ability and faith. We need to stop making excuses and start doing what God asks. We’re to confront Pharaoh in Jesus’ name and in the strength of the Holy Spirit; not hide out in the wilderness with the sheep!

Believers must expect to encounter opposition from the world. It would be disastrous, as well as unproductive, to set out in our own strength without the guidance and equipping of the Holy Spirit. Believers must try to live peaceably in the world, to love their enemies and persecutors, to do and say what is right and true, and to leave vindication and retribution to God. Jesus is our example.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

5 Lent - Monday

first posted 03/28/04

Exodus 4:10-20 (21-26) 27-31 Aaron as Moses’ spokesman
1 Corinthians 14:1-19 Speaking in ecstatic tongues
Mark 9:30-41 Christ’s passion foretold; true greatness

God had asked Moses to proclaim God’s word to Pharaoh, but Moses was reluctant. Moses told God that he was not a good speaker, but God reminded Moses that it is God who made man’s mouth, and it is God who makes people deaf or hearing, mute or speaking, blind or seeing. God reassured Moses that God would be with him and give him the ability to speak, but Moses asked God to appoint someone else. This made God angry, but he appointed Aaron, Moses’ brother to be Moses’ spokesman.

Moses went to Jethro, his father-in-law, and asked permission to return to Moses’ kinsmen in Egypt. God reassured Moses that those who had been seeking his life were dead. So Moses returned to Egypt with his wife and sons, taking the rod of God (Exodus 4:2-4) with him. The Lord directed Aaron to go into the wilderness (the Sinai Peninsula) to meet Moses at Mount Sinai (Horeb). Moses told Aaron all that the Lord had said and the signs which God had given him, and together they went to the elders of the people of Israel in Egypt. Aaron spoke the words of the Lord to them, and did the signs. The people believed, and they bowed their heads and worshiped when they had heard that the Lord had visited them and seen their affliction.

Paul urges believers to make Christian love their goal, and to seek the spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of prophesy. Speaking in ecstatic tongues is subordinate to the gift of prophecy, because while tongues glorify God and build up the speaker, they do not build up the church. Prophecy glorifies God and builds up the church as well as the speaker. Paul did not want to forbid speaking in tongues, but encouraged the speaking of tongues to be accompanied by interpretation, and insisted that prophecy be given preference.

Paul compared ecstatic tongues to a faulty musical instrument which therefore cannot fulfill its function, or a foreign language which unless understood is not meaningless but of no practical use. So believers should seek the spiritual gifts which build up the church. If one speaks in tongues, one should pray for the ability to interpret them. Prayer and singing should engage the mind as well as the tongue. How can hearers agree and respond to a tongue unless they can understand it? A few words which communicate something useful are preferable to many words which are unintelligible.

Jesus was trying to prepare his disciples for his crucifixion, telling them that the Son of man would be delivered into the power of men who would kill him and that after three days he would rise, but the disciples did not understand and were afraid to ask him. On the way to Capernaum the disciples were debating who was the greatest among them.

In Capernaum, Jesus knew what they had been discussing, and he had them gather around a child. Jesus told them that the greatest in the kingdom of God was the one who was the servant of all. Jesus told them that whoever receives a child in Jesus’ name receives Jesus, and whoever receives Jesus receives God. John mentioned that they had seen a man casting out demons in Jesus name, and had told him to stop, but Jesus said not to forbid such, because anyone who does a good deed in Jesus’ name will be unable soon to speak ill of Jesus. Those who do not oppose Jesus promote his cause. Anyone who helps a disciple for Jesus’ namesake will be rewarded.

The Lord wants his word to be understood. If we are willing to do what he says, he will make sure that we understand what he says. We must trust him to help us do what he asks. If we are faithful to proclaim God’s word, God will help us to proclaim his word convincingly. We can leave the results to him. If we know God’s word and yet repeatedly refuse to trust him and do what he says, he’s going to get angry.

God’s word is not incomprehensible. Our worship should not be incomprehensible either. God’s word is wisdom and truth, and worship should engage our minds as well as our mouths. But the Lord wants us to be out proclaiming his word, confronting Pharaoh, and leading people to God’s kingdom; not just engaging in a private ecstatic worship experience.

Jesus was trying to prepare his disciples for spiritually tough times and the work remaining to be done after Jesus returned to heaven. They couldn’t understand what he was saying, not because Jesus’ message was incomprehensible, but because they were preoccupied with their own status among God’s people. Instead of seeking more information and clarification by asking Jesus questions, they were debating among themselves who was the most “spiritual.”

Greatness in God’s kingdom means being willing and available to do things we might consider insignificant or unpleasant but which God considers important. We need to stop thinking that Christianity is a private worship experience on Sunday morning. We need to give up our preoccupation with social status in the church and in our community. We need to seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We need to stop making excuses that we are unqualified or inadequate for ministry in Jesus’ name.

5 Lent - Tuesday

first posted 03/29/04

Exodus 5:1-6:1 Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh
1 Corinthians 14:20-33a, 39-40 Speaking in ecstatic tongues
Mark 9:42-50 Warnings of Hell

After proclaiming God’s word before the people of Israel, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and asked him to let the people go a three-day journey into the wilderness to worship the Lord. But Pharaoh did not acknowledge the Lord or listen to God’s word, and he told Moses and Aaron no. Pharaoh thought that the Israelites were just trying to get out of work, and that they had too much free time, since they had had time to devise this scheme.

Pharaoh decided to increased their work by requiring them to gather their own straw, which they needed to make bricks , in addition to the brickmaking, but Pharaoh required them to make the same number of bricks as before. The Hebrew foremen were beaten for not making their quotas of bricks. The foremen appealed to Pharaoh to have mercy and reduce their work, but Pharaoh wouldn’t listen. The foremen complained to Moses that he had caused the Hebrews trouble with Pharaoh, and Moses complained to God for the trouble that had arisen because of God’s word, but the Lord told Moses that now God would deal with Pharaoh, and the Israelites would be allowed to leave.

Paul urged his hearers to seek spiritual maturity (1 Corinthians 14:20). In his teaching on ecstatic tongues, Paul quoted Isaiah 28:11-12: “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:21). Paul’s point is that the manifestation of ecstatic tongues is a sign for unbelievers, whereas prophecy is for the benefit of believers. Even so, the unbeliever is more likely to be converted by prophecy than by the manifestation of ecstatic tongues.

Paul advocated balance and order in worship. The objective of the service should be mutual edification (up-building). Tongues should not dominate nor compete with other elements of the service, and should include interpretation, or else the individual should keep silent in church and reserve his speaking in tongues to private devotions. Likewise prophetic utterances should be limited, and the others should listen and weigh what is said. The services are to be orderly; the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. One can not claim that one cannot control his speaking. God is not a God of confusion but of peace. Believers should earnestly seek the gift of prophecy, and should not forbid speaking in tongues, but that the use of these gifts should be decent and orderly.

Jesus said that anyone who causes one of the “little ones who believe in me” to sin will receive a punishment that is worse than physical death. Jesus warned that the consequences of sin will be worse than the loss of an eye or a limb. No sacrifice or loss we endure in this life in order to avoid sin is too great, in comparison with the eternal punishment for sin of eternal death and destruction in the hell of unquenchable fire. Fire and salt are purifiers. They were used to make sacrificial offerings holy. Salt that has lost its salty nature is worthless, and cannot be restored. Believers are called to be pure, and to be at peace with one another.

Moses and Aaron proclaimed God’s word to Pharaoh, but Pharaoh didn’t listen. Pharaoh did not believe in God, and he thought the Hebrews were just trying to get out of serving Pharaoh. Moses and Aaron tried to warn Pharaoh that punishment was coming unless he obeyed God’s word, but Pharaoh didn’t believe it.

God loves us and does not want anyone to perish (John 3:16-17; 2 Peter 3:9).God knows that not everyone will listen to and obey his word. God gives us the freedom to make the choice. I believe that the reason for our lives in this world is so that we may seek God and find him. (Acts 17:26-27). God is using our earthly life to separate those who will trust and obey him from those who refuse to do so. We are all eternal (see John 5:28-29). The question is where we will choose to spend eternity. Jesus is God’s only provision for our salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Those who trust and obey Jesus will receive eternal life in Heaven in the kingdom of God. Those who refuse to trust and obey Jesus will spend eternity in eternal death and destruction in the Hell of unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10).

Jesus warned of the consequences of disobedience of God’s word. Jesus warned of the consequences to anyone who causes the “little ones” who believe in him to sin (Mark 9:42). At least in one sense he means the spiritually less mature believers. Jesus said everyone will be salted with fire. Fire was used to purify sacrificial offerings to God. Salt was used to keep food from spoiling.

In one sense believers are purified by the “fire” of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:3). The Bible says that John the Baptist baptized with water for repentance, but that Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16). The Church has been purified by the Holy Spirit. The Church is warned not to loose its purity, and not to teach anyone to ignore or disobey God’s word or practice sin. Where will you choose to spend eternity? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you been baptized with his Holy Spirit?

5 Lent - Wednesday

first posted 03/30/04

Exodus 7:8-24 Moses’ Rod and the Plague of Blood
2 Corinthians 2:14-3:6 Ministers of the New Covenant
Mark 10:1-16 Teaching about divorce

After Pharaoh had refused to let the people of Israel go into the wilderness to worship the Lord (see journal entry for yesterday, Tuesday, March 30, 2004), the Lord directed Moses and Aaron to return to Pharaoh to demonstrate God’s power. They took the rod and cast it down before Pharaoh, and it turned into a snake, as the Lord had showed Moses (Exodus 4:1-5). Then Pharaoh had his wise men and magicians do the same by their magic. But the rod of Moses, which Aaron had cast down, swallowed up the Egyptians’ rods. Still, Pharaoh refused to listen.

Then God told Moses to take the rod and meet Pharaoh at the edge of the Nile in the morning when he came down to the water. Moses was to strike the water of the Nile with the rod and all the water in Egypt would turn to blood and become too foul to drink. Moses and Aaron did as the Lord had directed, and the water became undrinkable, as Moses had told Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s magicians were able to duplicate the phenomenon with their magic and Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened. The Egyptians were forced to dig for water around the Nile, for the water of the Nile was undrinkable.

Give thanks to God who leads us in triumph always in Christ, and through us spreads to knowledge of Christ everywhere. Paul compares the spread of the knowledge of Christ with the fragrance of incense of a conqueror’s triumphal procession. Depending on how we regard Christ, it is either the smell of victory or of death. Believers are not peddlers of God’s word, dispensing God’s word in exchange for money, in order to make a financial profit, although there are false apostles who do so.

We are commissioned by God and accountable to him as we speak by Christ’s Spirit within us. True apostles (all believers who are following the Lord’s direction in proclaiming the gospel by the Holy Spirit) do not need people to vouch for their authenticity. The fruits of their ministry will be their authentication. The New Covenant is not laws engraved in stone, but human hearts changed by the Holy Spirit. In Christ we can have confidence that God will accomplish the change of heart; all we have to do is be faithful in presenting his word. The results are not our accomplishment but his, and we are qualified to be ministers of the new covenant, not by written decree, for the written decree kills, but by the Spirit, which gives life.

Jesus left Galilee and went to Judea (southern third of Israel). The Pharisees (a religious faction emphasizing the keeping of Jewish Law) tested Jesus by asking him if divorce was legal. Jesus asked them what Moses (the patriarch who had received the Law from God) had taught. They answered that Moses had allowed divorce. Jesus said that Moses had allowed divorce because of the hardness of human hearts, but that God’s intention from the beginning of creation was that man and wife were to become one (one flesh). “What therefore God has joined together let not man put asunder” (Mark 10:9).

His disciples asked Jesus about this privately, and Jesus said that whoever divorces his or her spouse and marries another commits adultery. The people were bringing children to Jesus and the disciples told them to stop, but when Jesus saw it he was indignant, and told them to let the children come to Jesus and not hinder them. The kingdom of God belongs to and can only be received by those who come in faith and innocence, like a child. “And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them” (Mark 10:16).

The Lord directed Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh, and the Lord told them what to say and do. They did what the Lord directed, and left the results up to the Lord. The results speak for themselves, but not everyone will listen. Some will refuse to believe.

If we are certain that we’re following the Lord’s guidance, we don’t have to worry about trying to prove anything to anybody. We will always triumph, if we’re truly in Christ and Christ is in us. How people respond to us will depend on what they think of Jesus. Watch out for those who peddle God’s word for profit. There are people who view the ministry of the Gospel as just a means of making a living.

The Pharisees considered themselves righteous because they thought they obeyed the Law. The truth was that although they kept the letter of the law, they violated the spirit of the law. Divorce was lawful, but it was not God’s will. Moses had allowed the Israelites to divorce because of “your hardness of heart” (Mark 10:5). The truth is that we have all sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23). If we say that we haven’t sinned we call God a liar (1 John 1:10). The punishment for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23).

God loves us and sent Jesus to die on the Cross as a sacrifice for our sins so that we wouldn’t have to die eternally for our sins ourselves (Romans 5:8; John 3:16). Jesus is God’s only provision for our salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Salvation is a free gift through faith in Jesus; not by good deeds, or keeping the Law (Ephesians 2:8-9). Only through the indwelling Holy Spirit are we able to please and serve God with our hearts. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).

Those who reject Jesus and refuse to obey him will feel the rod of God’s eternal punishment. “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness…” (Hebrews 3:7). Have you had your spiritual “heart-transplant”?

5 Lent - Thursday

first posted 03/31/04

Exodus 7:25-8:19 Plagues of frogs and gnats
2 Corinthians 3:7-18 The new covenant
Mark 10:17-31 The rich man

A week after the Lord had turned the waters of the Nile to blood, the Lord told Moses to return to Pharaoh and tell him to let God’s people leave Egypt. If Pharaoh still refused, Moses was to call on God to cause a plague of frogs. Moses went to Pharaoh as the Lord had directed and warned him of the coming plague of frogs, but still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened and he refused. Aaron stretched his hands over the waters of Egypt and frogs came up and covered the land. But Pharaoh’s magicians did the same by their magic.

Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and asked them to pray to God to take away the frogs. Moses asked Pharaoh to specify when Pharaoh would like the frogs to be removed, so that Pharaoh would know that there is no God like the Lord, and Pharaoh said “Tomorrow.” So Moses prayed to the Lord as he had promised Pharaoh and the Lord did as Moses had said. The frogs died throughout the land and were gathered into piles, and the land stank with dead frogs. When Pharaoh saw that the plague of frogs was over, he hardened his heart and refused to let God’s people leave. So God told Moses to tell Aaron to strike the earth with the rod, and the dust of the earth became gnats, and covered man and beast. Pharaoh’s magicians were unable to reproduce this plague, so they warned Pharaoh that this was the finger of God, but Pharaoh would not listen, as the Lord had said.

Moses had received the Law (Ten Commandments) from God, written on stone tablets. When Moses returned from God’s presence, his face was supernaturally radiant, and he put a veil over his face so that the people could not see the radiance fade (Exodus 34:29-35). The Law brought knowledge of sin, and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). The giving of the Holy Spirit is with greater splendor than the giving of the Law. The Law brought condemnation, but the Spirit brings righteousness; the Law fades away, but righteousness through the Spirit is eternal.

The ministers of the New Covenant of grace (unmerited favor; free gift) through faith in Jesus (through whom we receive the Holy Spirit and are deemed by God to be righteous) do not veil their faces like Moses, the minister of the old covenant of Law; the veil lies over the minds of unbelievers. Their minds are hardened. Only when one comes to Jesus in faith is the veil removed from their minds. “The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17). Believers are beholding the glory of the Lord and are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another (like the difference between the splendor of the old covenant and the new covenant). This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

A rich man came to Jesus and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). Jesus asked him why he had called Jesus good, because no one is good but God alone. Jesus reminded him of the commandments against killing, adultery, theft, lying, defrauding, and the commandment to honor father and mother. The rich man replied that he had kept the commandments from his childhood. Jesus looked at him with love, and told him that he lacked one thing; he should sell his possessions and give to the poor, so that he would have treasure in heaven; and come and follow Jesus.

At that the man was saddened and he left, because he had great possessions. Jesus told his disciples that it will be hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus told them it will be harder for the rich to enter heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. His disciples were exceedingly astonished, and asked who then can be saved. Jesus said that what is impossible for men is not impossible with God; all things are possible with God. Peter began to say that the disciples had left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus said that those who have left houses or family or land for Jesus’ sake and the Gospel will receive, now, in this time, a hundred times more houses, family and lands, although not without persecutions, and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Pharaoh had heard God’s word from Moses and had seen God’s power demonstrated by the changing of the rod into a snake, and the changing of the water of the Nile to blood (Exodus 7). Moses warned Pharaoh that if he didn’t do what God required there would be plague of frogs, but Pharaoh refused to do what God required. In the midst of the resulting plague, Pharaoh wanted Moses to intercede for him to God for relief, but although Moses allowed Pharaoh to specify the time of the end of the plague to further convince Pharaoh that it was by the hand of God, Pharaoh still refused to obey God. Then the Lord sent a plague of gnats, and even Pharaoh’s “scientific advisors” told Pharaoh that this was beyond man’s ability and clearly the hand of God. Still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened and he refused to listen.

Paul said that there is a “veil” over the minds of unbelievers which prevents them from seeing the truth of the Gospel. Only the indwelling Spirit of the Lord Jesus can remove the “veil.” Only Jesus can heal our spiritual blindness.

The rich man acknowledged that Jesus was “good” but he didn’t recognize that Jesus is God. He considered him a good “teacher.” The rich man thought he was righteous because he thought he’d kept the Law from his childhood. He had failed the First Commandment (Exodus 20:2-3), because he had allowed his possessions to be more important to him than his God. When asked to choose between his possessions and God he chose his possessions. Why didn’t he recognize that Jesus was God?

Our first personal encounter with Jesus is in the scriptures. He can show us how to obtain eternal life. He can heal our spiritual blindness. Those who have trusted in Jesus testify that what he says is true. In order to receive what he offers, we must come to him in faith, and do what he tells us. Do you pray to God when you're beset with trouble and expect him to give you relief, but when things are going well do what you please and ignore God's word? Do you think Jesus was just a good man, or a good teacher? What is keeping you from recognizing that Jesus is God? What is keeping you from following Jesus and doing what he says?

5 Lent - Friday

first posted 04/01/04

Exodus 9:13-35 Hail and thunder
2 Corinthians 4:1-12 Apostle’s ministry
Mark 10:32-45 The cost of discipleship

After going through six plagues, Pharaoh still was unwilling to let the Israelites go. The Lord told Moses to tell Pharaoh that the next plague would cause mourning. So far the Lord had sent plagues which had caused misery, but had not yet caused death. He had shown mercy and restraint, because his purpose was not to destroy, but that all people might come to know that he is Almighty God. The Lord warned Pharaoh though Moses that he would send a killing hail storm the next day at that time. Anyone who believed God’s word would bring their animals and their servants inside. Those who did not believe the Lord would leave them outside and they would be killed.

The next day the hailstorm came over all Egypt, as the Lord had said; only in Goshen, where the people of Israel were, was there no hail. [The timing of the hail destroyed the flax and barley crops, but the wheat and spelt (edible grain; variety of wheat) were spared]. Pharaoh repented and asked Moses to intercede to stop the hail, and Moses did so, but as soon as the hail stopped Pharaoh changed his mind and would not allow the Israelites to go, as the Lord had said.

Paul recognized that the ministry which he had received from the Lord was evidence of God’s mercy, and was thereby encouraged. True ministers of the Gospel do not resort to disgraceful, underhanded ways (in contrast to the methods of false apostles). They do not use cunning, or tamper with God’s word; instead they openly declare the truth and let the results be determined by the hearer’s conscience, which will ultimately be judged by Almighty God.
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Paul said that a veil lies over the minds of unbelievers like the veil Moses used to cover his face after being in the presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:12-16). Here he says that if the Gospel seems veiled to hearers, the fault is the hearers, and not the fault of the apostle. Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers “to keep them from seeing the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). True ministers of the Gospel don’t glorify themselves; their only purpose is to glorify Jesus Christ as Lord, and to be the servant of others for Jesus’ sake.

At creation God called forth light from darkness (Genesis 1:1-3). Likewise God has caused the light of the Gospel to shine in the darkness of our hearts. Believers have seen the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus, as Israelites would have seen the light of the encounter with God in Moses’ face, had the veil been removed. Believers have this treasure (personal fellowship with God through the indwelling Holy Spirit) in earthen vessels (our earthly bodies, made from dust or clay; Genesis 2:7). The power manifested by genuine apostles is not their own; it is God’s power working through them by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

All true disciples will experience persecution and affliction, but will not be destroyed by them. Jesus had to suffer in this world in order to rise from death to eternal life, and his followers will have to do the same. Jesus died so that we might live and have hope. Believers must follow his example and die to their own will and their own comfort, so that others might come to faith and eternal life.

Jesus and his followers were on the way to Jerusalem. His followers were afraid of what awaited Jesus, and were amazed at his determination, since he was out in front, walking ahead of them. Jesus gathered the Twelve (disciples; apostles), and told them for the third time (see also Mark 8:31; 9:31) that he would be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, who would condemn him to death and deliver him to the Gentiles, who would mock, scourge, spit on and kill him; and after three days he would rise.

James and John (two of the Twelve) asked Jesus for positions of special honor in his kingdom. Jesus told them they did not understand what they were asking. Honor in the kingdom of heaven is obtained at the cost of suffering in this world for the Gospel. Followers of Jesus will have to share in the suffering for the Gospel which Jesus suffered, but honor in the kingdom of heaven will be determined by God’s will.

The other ten disciples were indignant that James and John had attempted to gain status above them, so Jesus gathered the Twelve and explained that things work differently in the kingdom of heaven than the way they are done in this world. Here those of the highest status are served by those under them, but in God’s kingdom, the servant is honored above those who are served. Those who want honor in God’s kingdom must give up their own comfort and status and serve the needs of others, as Jesus taught by his personal example.

God’s dealing with Pharaoh shows his goodness, mercy and his patience. What earthly ruler would put up with the flagrant disrespect and disobedience of one of his subjects like God had done with Pharaoh? Even the seventh time, no one needed to die if they believed God’s word. God’s purpose is to save us, not to make us miserable. But no one can keep on ignoring God’s will over and over and not suffer unpleasant consequences.

Paul (formerly known as Saul) had persecuted and been responsible for the deaths of Christians (Acts 8:1; 9:1-2). Paul recognized that his Gospel ministry was demonstration of God’s mercy to him, and found encouragement in that. God deals with us as he dealt with Pharaoh. His purpose is to save us. He came to us in human form in Jesus Christ to show us by example; to give his life for us so that we might live eternally with him. We must follow his example. We can expect the same treatment from the world that he received, but through Jesus we have the assurance of victory over anything the world can do to us.

Jesus told his disciples, in detail, three times, what he was going to suffer in Jerusalem, and James and John were thinking only about how they could get the best seats and the highest status in the kingdom of heaven, not about what it was going to cost Jesus for them to get there. Jesus told his disciples that they would have to follow his example and share in his suffering if they wanted to share in his kingdom.

How are we doing today? Do we understand that all believers are called to be disciples and then apostles? Is the Church making disciples and apostles, or making “peddlers of the word”? (2 Corinthians 2:17). Do we understand that if we are seeking our own comfort and status that we’re doing it wrong? Do we think that our earthly status and success is an indication of God’s approval? Do we think we can pray to God for relief in time of trouble, and ignore and disobey his word the rest of the time? Are we willing to follow and obey Jesus?

5 Lent - Saturday

first posted 04/02/04

Exodus 10:21-11:8 Plague of Darkness
2 Corinthians 4:13-18 Faith in adversity
Mark 10:46-52 Blind Bartimaeus

The Lord directed Moses to call forth a ninth plague of darkness, and thick darkness covered Egypt for three days. The Egyptians stayed in their homes and did not see one another or venture forth for three days, but there was light in Goshen where the Israelites were. Then Pharaoh agreed to let the Israelites go, but he demanded that they leave their livestock behind. Moses told Pharaoh that was impossible because they had to select the sacrifices to the Lord from the herds, and they did not know in advance what would be required.

Pharaoh became angry and refused to let the Israelites go, and he told Moses to never show his face to Pharaoh again or Moses would die. Then the Lord told Moses to announce the final plague to Pharaoh. At about midnight, the Lord would slay all the firstborn of the Egyptian people and also their animals. The Lord promised that none of the Israelites would be touched. The Lord had Moses tell the Israelites to ask their Egyptian neighbors to lend them silver and gold jewelry, and the Lord caused the Israelites to be favored among the Egyptians so that the Egyptians did what was asked of them.

In the midst of adversity, believers must hold on to faith and continue to speak (and act) according to that faith, as Paul did, knowing that God will raise us as he raised Jesus, and bring us together into Jesus’ presence. The apostle suffers so that others may receive grace and increase thanksgiving and glory to God. We are not to loose heart; although our outer nature is wasting away our inner nature is being renewed daily. The present affliction is slight and momentary in comparison to the eternal glory we will enter. We must look to the unseen, for only those things are eternal; all those things which we can see are transient.

On his way to crucifixion in Jerusalem, Jesus and his disciples passed through Jericho. As they were leaving Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, and he began to call out, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47). Many rebuked Bartimaeus and told him to be silent, but he kept calling out to Jesus. Jesus stopped and asked that Bartimaeus be called to him, so the multitude told Bartimaeus to take heart, because Jesus had called him. Bartimaeus threw off his mantle and sprang up and came to Jesus. Jesus asked him what he wanted Jesus to do for him, and Bartimaeus asked to receive his sight. Jesus said, “Go your way; your faith has made you well. And immediately Bartimaeus received his sight and followed Jesus on his way.

The Lord allowed the Egyptians to experience the absence of his light for three days. (For three days they were practically like the dead in tombs.) The image of the worldly, disobedient, unrepentant Egyptians dwelling in darkness as though dead, separated from God's people who are living in light, is a preview of eternity. At the end of the plague Pharaoh was repentant, but then his greed for material things caused him to once again disobey God’s will to release the Israelites; he coveted their livestock. God announced the plague of the death of the first-born. Pharaoh should have known by then that what God says will happen does. Pharaoh was spiritually blinded by greed. He had coveted the Israelites' slave labor, and he coveted their livestock. God was about to take the Egyptians silver and gold from them to compensate the Israelites for their slavery. Pharaoh went his own way instead of believing and obeying God’s word. He followed his own heart, which was set on worldly things.

Believers are to set their hearts and eyes, not on worldly things which pass away, but on the things which are eternal. God’s word is eternal; God’s promises are certain. Material things provide only an illusion of security. We tend to disbelieve that which we cannot see, but the truth is that what is unseen is more “real” than what we can see.
God is able and faithful to compensate us richly for what we may suffer for Jesus' sake.

Bartimaeus was physically blind, but he wasn’t spiritually blind. He recognized and acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah (Christ; Son of David; eternal heir to David's throne; Son of God). Because Bartimaeus acted on his faith and came to Jesus, he was healed physically and restored to “life.” When Jesus told Bartimaeus, “Go your way” (Mark 10:52 RSV), Jesus was giving him a choice; telling him to decide what to do with the rest of his life. Bartimaeus chose to follow Jesus on Jesus’ way. Jesus was going to the Cross to give his life as a sacrifice for us, so that we might not spend eternity in death and darkness.

Jesus is the light of the world; those who follow him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life (John 8:12). Jesus is the only way to salvation and eternal life (Acts 4:12; John 14:6) Have you seen Jesus? Have you acknowledged him as your eternal Lord and King? Are you following Jesus?