8 Pentecost - Sunday

posted 07/24/04

8 Pentecost - Monday

first posted 07/25/04

Numbers 32:1-6, 16-27 Joining the battle
Romans 8:26-30    Human weakness strengthened
Matthew 23:1-12    Greatness in God’s kingdom

Jazer (Jaazer) was a city of the Amorites, midway between Jericho and Shechem, but east of the Jordan. Gilead is the mountainous region between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee, but east of the River Jordan. The tribes of Reuben and Gad were herdsmen, and the region was attractive to them for raising cattle of various kinds. Ataroth, Dibon, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo and Beon were other cities of the Amorites east of the Jordan, which the two tribes requested as their portion in the inheritance of the Promised Land.

Moses agreed that they could occupy the land east of the Jordan, provided that the armies of the tribes accompany the rest of the congregation across the Jordan and help them claim the land. The Reubenites and Gadites agreed to build pens for their flocks and fortify their cities so that their wives and children would be protected, and then they would accompany the rest of the Israelites across the Jordan and fight with them to gain possession of the land. They promised not to return to their homes on the east bank until Israel had gained possession of the Promised Land. Moses warned them that if they did not fight with the rest of God’s people until the victory had finally been won, they would be guilty of sin and accountable to God (Numbers 32:23).

The Holy Spirit sustains and strengthens us. We don't know how we should pray, but the Holy Spirit intercedes for us according to God's will. The Lord knows what is in our hearts and minds, and intercedes for us according to his will. We can be reassured that in everything God is working for good with those who love him and are responding to his loving purpose. That purpose is for those who respond to his call to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, Jesus, so that Jesus might be the first-born of many brethren. Being conformed to Jesus means becoming like Jesus in character, and also sharing in Jesus' resurrection, eternal life, inheritance and glory.

Jesus told his disciples and the crowds to obey what the scribes and Pharisees taught, but not to do what they did, because the Jewish religious leaders had inherited the authority of Moses but they didn't practice what they preached. These hypocrites insisted that others bear great obligations that they themselves would never agree to assume. Their intention was not to obey God's will, but to appear to obey in order to receive acclaim by mankind.

Phylacteries were originally intended to remind Israelites of God's word, but had become symbols of piety, which were exaggerated by the Pharisees to make them more conspicuous. Jews also originally wore fringes on their garments to remind them to obey the commandments of God (Numbers 15:38-39), but they had become empty religious “status symbols”. The Pharisees wanted honor and titles from men.

Jesus told his disciples not to take for themselves titles which properly belong to God. Disciples are not to seek worldly recognition as spiritual teachers, because they are “disciples,” students of Jesus, who is their spiritual teacher. They are not to be called Master, because they are servants of Jesus, who is their master. They are not to be called Father, because they are children of God, who is their Father. The title of honor in God’s kingdom is “servant.” In God’s kingdom, those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

The Reubenites and Gadites were not going to be allowed to participate in the inheritance of the land unless they were willing to join the struggle to obtain it. They had to cross the river and make the sacrifice of self-denial, and suffer along with the rest of God’s people in order to obtain the promise.

We cannot accomplish God’s plan in our own strength. We cannot know God’s will unless the Holy Spirit makes it known to us. Only by the Holy Spirit can we pray according to God’s will, because only the Holy Spirit knows God’s will fully, not only as it applies to us individually, but also collectively.

I know God’s specific will for myself at this moment, but not the big overall view. Generally, God’s will is that we become like Jesus in character: obedient, self-sacrificing servant. We cannot share in Jesus’ resurrection, eternal life, inheritance and glory unless we are also willing to obey the Lord, deny ourselves and serve others.

The Pharisees were hypocrites because they taught one thing and did something else. Jesus affirmed their teaching, but condemned them for not doing what they taught. The Pharisees wanted glory without obedience and self-denial. They wanted to be exalted; not humble. They wanted to be served rather than to serve others.  

How are we doing? Do we want to inherit the Promised Land without claiming the territory with God’s people; without fighting the enemy; without sacrificing our comfort and security; without trusting and obeying the Lord in faith? Are we attempting to appear to be “good” people without obeying what Jesus taught; without practicing what we preach? Do we seek honor within our church and among our neighbors for our church activities, without practicing discipleship? Are we attempting to build God’s kingdom in our own human strength, without the anointing of the Holy Spirit? Is the Cross of Jesus a reminder that discipleship is self-denial, obedience, and servanthood, or an empty religious “status symbol” to make us seem to be “Christian,” (or just a “good luck” charm)? Do we want the “Crown” and the glory, without bearing the “Cross?”

Are you willing to cross the river and join the struggle? Do you realize that if you don’t join God’s people in the struggle you will be condemned by the Lord on the Day of Judgment (Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 25:31-46; compare with Numbers 32:23)?

Is Jesus your Lord? Is Jesus your Master and Teacher? Are you Jesus’ disciple and student? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you serving the Lord or are you pleasing yourself? Are you making disciples of Jesus and teaching them to obey what Jesus taught (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

8 Pentecost - Tuesday

first posted 07/26/04

Numbers 35:1-3, 9-15, 30-34    Cities of refuge
Romans 8:31-39    Confidence in God
Matthew 23:13-26    Woe to scribes and Pharisees

On the east bank of the Jordan River across from Jericho, the Lord instructed Moses to command the people to set aside cities for the Levites to dwell in because the Levites were not entitled to receive a portion of land with the other tribes in their inheritance. The Levites also received pastures around their cities so they could pasture their animals. Six of the Levitical cities were to be designated as cities of refuge. Three cities were designated east of the Jordan, and three on the west.

Anyone who killed someone unintentionally (manslaughter) could flee there for refuge from the blood avenger, so that he could have a fair trial. Refuge was provided to the sojourner and stranger as well as to the native. Anyone who killed deliberately was to be put to death on the evidence of at least two witnesses. No ransom shall be acceptable to spare a murderer from execution. Anyone found guilty of manslaughter was required to stay in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest. No ransom was to be accepted to permit the manslayer to return to his home early. Blood pollutes the land and there is no expiation (amends; compensation) for blood shed except the blood of the one who shed it. The land was to be kept undefiled because the Lord dwelt among his people.

“If God is for us, who can be against us” (compare Psalm 118:6). God willingly gave his only Son to die for us all. God will give us all things with Christ. Who can bring charges against God’s elect? God justifies; who is able to condemn? Christ, who died, was raised from the dead, and sits at God’s right hand, intercedes for us. Who is able to separate us from Christ’s love? No tribulation, distress, persecution, deprivation, danger or threat can separate us from Jesus’ love. No matter what happens to us, believers are already victorious through Jesus. Whether we live or die, nothing in all creation, nothing natural or supernatural, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus declared woe to scribes and Pharisees, because they were hypocrites (they didn’t practice what they preached; Matthew 23:3b; compare James 1:22). They not only refused to enter God’s kingdom themselves, but they prevented others from doing so. Jesus condemned the religious leaders for making converts who were more evil that themselves. Jesus indicted them as unenlightened teachers, “blind guides,” chastising them for interpreting God’s word in ways that allowed them to avoid obeying the intent of God’s will. Jesus criticized them for emphasizing obedience in minor details of the law so as to appear to be righteous, but overlooking major deficiencies regarding justice, mercy and faith.  Jesus rebuked them for being like dishes that are clean on the outside, but full of rottenness on the inside. It is necessary to be clean inside in order to be truly clean.

The Levites did not receive territory in the Promised Land as their inheritance, because they were set apart as servants of the Lord who was to be their inheritance. The Lord provided cities and pasture for them. They were spread throughout the land to sustain the knowledge and service  of the Lord among the people. The Lord’s commandments are righteous and just. He provides the means for us to comply. Murder is not to be tolerated, but God specifically provided mercy and justice for those who kill unintentionally. Blood (and all sin) pollutes a land.

Only Jesus’ blood can expiate our sins because he alone was blameless and without sin (Hebrews 4:15). All (humans) have sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus was the “sacrificial lamb,” without spot or blemish (1 Peter 1:19). God loves us and willingly gave his Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins, so that we wouldn’t have to die for them ourselves (John 3:16-18). If we are trusting and obeying Jesus, nothing can happen to us that can separate us from his love and fellowship now and eternally.

The religious leaders in Jesus’ day claimed to love God, but they hated Jesus, who is God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; Matthew 1:23b, John 20:28). They claimed to love God but wouldn’t give him their obedience, except in narrow, humanly-defined ways. They made disciples for themselves, rather than making disciples for Christ.

The Congregation of Israel was obligated to obey God’s word. They were not to tolerate sin in their land and within the congregation. The religious leaders were obligated to see that God’s mercy and justice were enforced. The religious leaders in Jesus’ time were not fulfilling that obligation. They were teaching as doctrine the precepts of men (Matthew 15:9). They didn’t have a personal saving relationship with Jesus. They were not disciples of Jesus and they were making disciples for themselves, rather than disciples for Jesus. They weren’t filled with the Holy Spirit because they weren’t disciples of Jesus. Only Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit. Only Jesus can cleanse us inside, by his indwelling Holy Spirit.  

Do we imagine that God is with us in our lands, within congregations, or within human hearts which are polluted with sin and blood? Are our religious leaders upholding God’s word, or are they teaching as doctrine the precepts of men? The righteous are not under the Law but that does not free them to do what is contrary to the Law (Romans Chapter 6). “ …the law is not made for a righteous one, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,   for fornicators, for homosexuals [sodomites; from two Greek words meaning men having sex with men (and by implication lesbianism as well); Strong’s numbers 730 & 2845], for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and anything else that is contrary to sound doctrine,  according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust”(1 Timothy 1:9-11).

Are our lands and churches “cities of refuge” for the righteous or for the unrighteous? God is with us if we are with God, through the indwelling Holy Spirit through faith (trust and obedience) to Jesus Christ as our Lord (our Master, whom we serve obediently; see Matthew 7:21-27, Luke 6:46).

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

8 Pentecost - Wednesday

posted 07/27/04

Deuteronomy 1:1-18    Stewards of God’s word and judgment  
Romans 9:1-18    Paul’s sorrow for the Jews
Matthew 23:27-39    Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem

In the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land from the east, Moses reviewed the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. The Israelites had defeated Sihon, King of the Amorites, and Og, King of Bashan and had taken possession of the land east of the Jordan River. The Lord had directed Moses to take possession of the land which God had sworn to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to give to them and their descendants.

God had promised Abraham while he was still childless, that his descendants would be as innumerable as the stars of heaven. Israel had become a great multitude, and Moses had appointed leaders of the tribes of the people to help him. The leaders were to be judges to mediate disputes between fellow Israelites, or between Israelite and alien. They were to render righteous judgments. They were not to show partiality in judgment, favoring neither the small nor the great. They were not to be influenced by public opinion, but to remember that they were administering God’s judgment. Any cases too difficult for these leaders were to be brought before Moses for judgment.

Paul, himself a Jew, had unceasing sorrow for his Jewish people. He wished that he could have sacrificed his own salvation for the sake of his Jewish kin and race. They are Israelites and all the promises, patriarchs, scripture, history, covenants, worship, and relationship with God belong to them. Christ (who is God in human flesh; Romans 9:5 RSV, alternative translation - see note n; see also Matthew 1:21-23; Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28) is Jewish according to his fleshly parentage (and only begotten Son of God according to his divine parentage; John 3:16-18). But the failure of the Jews to receive the promise of the Messiah (and their adoption as sons, through him; Romans 9:4) is not a failure of God’s word (God’s promise).

It is not the physical children of Abraham who are the children of God and heirs to the promise, but the children of faith (see Romans 4:1-5; 9-12; Galatians 3:6-9). God is sovereign, and in working out his plan he is not bound by human conventions. Israel cannot claim special privilege or relationship by being physical children of Abraham, Isaac or Jacob. Salvation does not depend upon mankind’s will or effort but upon God’s mercy. This is not injustice; it is entirely within God’s prerogative to show his mercy to whomever he chooses.

Jesus mourned over Jerusalem, warning woe to the religious leaders who desired to appear righteous on the outside, but full of sin and hypocrisy inside. Jesus described them as “whitewashed tombs;” beautiful and clean-looking on the outside, but full of rottenness and the bones of the dead. The religious leaders were hypocrites because they didn't practice what they preached (Matthew 23:3b); they built monuments to the prophets, claiming that they would not have taken part in shedding the blood of the prophets by their ancestors while proving that they were the sons (by ancestry and by similar character) of those who murdered the prophets.

If they follow their fathers in character and attitude they will receive the inheritance of condemnation (Matthew 23:32-33). The sons of snakes are snakes. Jesus declared, “Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes (writers and teachers), some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth from Abel (the first murder victim; Adam’s son) to Zechariah (i.e. “from A to Z;” from first to last). Truly, I say to you, all this will come upon this generation.” 

Jesus mourned over Jerusalem for rejecting those God had sent to her to call her to him (Matthew 23:37). Jesus declared that her house is forsaken and desolate, and that they would not have any further relationship with God until they welcomed and acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 23:39).

Israel could have entered the Promised Land forty years earlier if she had trusted and obeyed God’s word (Numbers chapters 13-14). The people who rebelled against the Lord in the wilderness died in the wilderness. God promised Abraham that his descendants would be as countless as the stars of Heaven, and that they would inherit the Promised Land. God keeps his word; those promises were fulfilled. The leaders of the people were to administer God’s justice and righteousness. They were not to be influenced by public opinion or social status.

Paul would have been willing to die eternally to bring salvation to his Jewish people, but Jesus had already died for them to accomplish that, and they had rejected him. The Jews had all the promises, heritage, history, scripture, covenants, worship, and relationship with God but it did them no good because they rejected their God-sent Jewish Messiah. It wasn’t God’s word that failed; it was their failure to respond to God’s word.

God reveals his goodness, love, and mercy to us in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17). God is not unjust. We are all sinners (Romans 3:23). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). God chooses to save all who trust and obey Jesus. Jesus is God’s only provision for salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). We don’t get to make the rules; God does. God is not influenced by popular opinion or social status.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had all the promises, heritage, history, scripture, covenants, worship, and relationship with God, but they didn’t believe and obey God’s word, so all that didn’t do them any good.  They wanted to make the rules. They wanted to be righteous by adopting an outward appearance, without a change of inward attitude. They relied on the promises, heritage, history, scripture, covenants, worship and relationship, without obedience to God’s will and without acknowledging God’s Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord.

Jesus predicted that as a result of their rejection of him, they would crucify Jesus, and kill others (Stephen, the first of many martyrs, was stoned to death). Some prophets, writers and teachers would be beaten (for example: Acts 5:40), some would be persecuted from town-to-town (for example, Acts 13:45-14:23). Jesus foretold the dispersion and suffering of the Jews, and the effective end of Judaism at the crucifixion of Jesus. (For more on this topic, see the entries for Holy Week, Monday  through Saturday, even year.)

The Church is the New Israel; the New Jerusalem on earth; the heir to the promises, heritage, history, scripture, covenants (the New Covenant in Jesus Christ, through the Sacraments of Communion and Baptism) the worship, and the relationship as God’s chosen people. How are we doing, Church?  Are we trusting and obeying Jesus as our Lord; or are we relying on our heritage, tradition, promises, scripture, worship and membership, but not obeying God’s will, and lacking a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through his indwelling Holy Spirit? Are we faithful stewards of God’s righteousness and justice, or are we bending to popular opinion and powerful, socially prominent people? Are we following God’s rules or are we trying to make our own?

Being born into the church doesn’t save us. Only a personal relationship through the indwelling Holy Spirit saves us (Romans 8:9b). Without the Holy Spirit inside us and inside our churches we are just “whitewashed tombs.” Only the indwelling Holy Spirit can make us clean on the inside. (It is possible to know for oneself whether one has received the fulness of the indwelling Holy Spirit; see Acts 19:2) .

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed enough to start doing what Jesus says? Are you making disciples and teaching them to obey all that Jesus taught (Matthew 28:18-20 RSV)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

8 Pentecost - Thursday

first posted 07/28/04

Deuteronomy 3:18-28    Preparing to cross the Jordan    
Romans 9:19-33   Cornerstone or stumbling block
Matthew 24:1-14    Destruction of the Temple; end of the age

On the plain of Moab, east of the Jordan River, opposite Jericho, Moses reviewed the agreement with the tribes of Reuben and Gad. They had been given possession of the Transjordan region, provided that they cross the Jordan and fight with Israel for the Promised Land until the land was secured, meanwhile leaving their wives, children and cattle in the Transjordan region (east of the Jordan). When Canaan had been secured for Israel, the men of Reuben and Gad would return to the Transjordan to their homes.

Moses told Joshua that the Lord would give victory to Israel over the armies of the kings of Canaan as he had done in the Transjordan with the armies of Sihon, King of the Amorites, and Og, King of Bashan. Moses asked the Lord to allow him to cross the Jordan to see the Promised Land, but the Lord refused to allow Moses to cross the Jordan. Moses and Aaron had been forbidden to enter the Promised Land because they had disobeyed the Lord’s instructions and failed to glorify God for providing water from the rock at Meribah. Instead they had taken credit for providing it themselves. Aaron and Moses were only allowed to see the Promised Land from a distance. Moses was to see it from Mt. Pisgah, and to charge, encourage and strengthen Joshua as the new leader of the people who would put them in possession of the land.

If God’s will is sovereign and irresistible, why does he find fault with his creatures? As his creation, we have no right to question God. God has endured the wicked and disobedient with great patience in order to show his wrath and power, and the riches of his mercy toward those he has chosen in Jesus Christ, both Jew and Gentile. As God reclaimed Israel after she had turned away from God and broken the covenant, God will also bring the Gentiles into saving relationship with him.  God promised to make a great multitude of Abraham’s descendants, but he didn’t promise that they would all receive the inheritance. Isaiah warned that only a remnant would be saved and that the Lord would execute his judgment upon the earth with severity and dispatch in a timely and efficient manner.

Numerous times, God would have destroyed Israel completely, like Sodom and Gomorrah, had he not shown mercy, in order that the children might have another chance (for example, the disobedient generation was allowed to die in the wilderness, so that their children might have the opportunity to enter the Promised Land; see Numbers 14:20-35). “The Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained it …through faith (in Jesus) while the Jews who pursued the righteousness which is based on law did not succeed in fulfilling that law (Romans 9:31) …because they did not pursue righteousness through faith, but as if it were based on works (Romans 9:32). The stone represents God’s help. One can either believe and build on that help or one will stumble over and be destroyed by it (1 Peter 2:4-8; Jesus is that stone; see Matthew 7:24-27, Matthew 16:16-18; 1 Corinthians 10:1-5).

During the week preceding Jesus' crucifixion, Jesus was leaving the Temple (in Jerusalem), and his disciples commented on the grandness of the buildings of the Temple (Herod was building this new Temple, which was not yet completed, as an act of political patronage to the Jews). (The accounts in Mark 13:1 and Luke 21:5 add that the disciples admired the stones with which it was built or adorned.) Jesus replied that the Temple would be destroyed, and it’s stones thrown down.

At the Mount of Olives, his disciples asked Jesus when this would occur, and what the signs of the end of the age would be. Jesus replied that we should take heed that no one lead us astray. There will be many false christs, who will lead many astray. There will be wars, famines, and earthquakes, which mark the beginning of suffering. Believers of Jesus will be persecuted and put to death. Many will fall away (stumble) and betray one another and hate one another. False prophets will arise and lead many astray. Because wickedness will multiply, most people will no longer have love for one another. But those who endure (in faith) to the end will be saved. “And this Gospel will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

Israel was at the threshold of the Promised Land. The conditions for taking possession of the inheritance were that they all had to cross the river and fight the battles to secure it; they also must obey God’s word and glorify him. Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because he had disobeyed God’s instructions at Meribah, and had failed to glorify God in the presence of the people. God had helped the Israelites from the time of the Exodus from Egypt and throughout their wilderness exile. God had helped the Israelites be victorious over the kingdoms of Sihon and Og in the Transjordan region, and God promised to help the Israelites to gain possession of the Promised Land. The history of God’s dealings with Israel is also a parable of God’s plan for the world.

God has had a plan to create an eternal kingdom of his people from the beginning of Creation. In the beginning mankind was given eternal life in paradise with God, provided that we obey God’s word. That paradise was lost because of disobedience (Genesis chapters 2-3). God’s purpose has always been to save and restore a remnant to eternal life in paradise. This earthly life is a selection process; an opportunity for us to choose where we want to spend eternity.

Jesus is God’s only plan for our salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). We can choose to trust and obey Jesus, or to be our own “Lord.” Jesus is either the rock on which we build our lives to eternity, or he is the rock on which we stumble and are destroyed. Salvation is by grace (a free gift) through faith (trust and obedience) in Jesus Christ, not by works (keeping) of the Law (Ephesians 2:8-9). We each get to choose, individually, where we will spend eternity; Jesus will enforce that decision. (Matthew 25:31-46).

The Jews had accepted the political patronage of Herod (Herod the Great, who tried to kill the infant Jesus) in building the Temple for them. It was a grand and beautiful building, not yet completed. It looked great on the outside, but inside it was full of corruption (Matthew 21:12-14); a “whitewashed tomb.” Jesus prophesied the Temple’s destruction, which began at Jesus’ crucifixion, when the veil of the temple was torn in two (Matthew 27:51; see also entries for Holy Week, Monday through Saturday, Even Year), and was completed by the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD by the Romans. The Temple has never been rebuilt.

The history of God’s dealing with Israel is also a parable and a warning to the world, and also to the Church. God wants to lead us to the Promised Land of eternal life in Heaven. Jesus is our “Moses”, our “Joshua” (who leads us through the wilderness of this life; who brings us into the Promised Land; who is the successor to the "Moses" of the Old Covenant of Law). If we want to enter the Promised Land we must follow Jesus; we must obey his word: we must cross the river and fight the battles to claim the promise. We can’t sit on this side of the river and be comfortable while someone else fights the battles for us. We must glorify Jesus through our obedience to his teachings.

How are we doing, Church? Are we, as individuals and as congregations, pure inside through the indwelling Holy Spirit, or are we “whitewashed tombs?” Are we individually and corporately building on the solid Rock of trust and obedience of Jesus Christ, or are we allowing secular influences to build our churches into something that looks good on the outside, but which is founded on sand. What the Lord promises will be fulfilled. The Lord promised that Herod’s Temple would be destroyed, and it was.

The Lord has promised to return to judge every one who has ever lived on the earth (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in Heaven with the Lord. Those who have refused to trust and obey Jesus will receive eternal death and destruction in Hell with all evil. Not everyone who calls Jesus their Lord will be saved; only those who have done what Jesus teaches (Matthew 7:21-24).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus and teaching them to obey all that Jesus taught (Matthew 28:18-20 RSV)? Where will you choose to spend eternity  (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

8 Pentecost - Friday

first posted 07/29/04

Deuteronomy 31:7-13, 24-32:4    Covenant renewal
Romans 10:1-13     True righteousness by faith
Matthew 24:15-31    Signs of the Return of Christ

Moses told Joshua to be strong and of good courage; Joshua would lead the people into the Promised Land and put them in possession of it. The Lord would go before them and be with them; he would not fail or forsake them. Moses instructed the people to have a ceremony of covenant renewal every seven years, at the feast of booths, when all Israel assembled at the Temple in Jerusalem, where the Deuteronomic Law was to be read, so that the people would learn to fear and obey the Lord.

When Moses finished writing the words of Deuteronomy, he commanded the Levites who carried the Ark of the Covenant to place the book of Deuteronomy by the side of the Ark as a witness against Israel. Israel had been rebellious against the Lord during Moses lifetime, and Moses feared that Israel would be more rebellious after Moses death. Moses feared that evil would befall Israel because of their rebellion against the Lord. Proclaim the name of the Lord. Ascribe greatness to our God. He is our Rock; his work is perfect. All his ways are justice. God is faithful, just and right; without iniquity.

Paul’s prayer for his Jewish race is that they may be saved. They have a zeal for God, but it is unenlightened. They were ignorant of the righteousness which is a gift from God, and trying to establish their own righteousness [through works (keeping) of the law] they did not submit to God’s righteousness. "Christ is the end of the law, that everyone who has faith may be justified (judged as righteous)" (Romans 10:4).

Moses said that everyone who practices righteousness based on the law shall live by it. But righteousness based on faith only has to be received and appropriated; one only must believe in one’s heart that Jesus is Lord and savior, and act on that faith in order to be saved. No one who believes in Jesus will be put to shame. There is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; the same Lord is Lord of all, and blesses all who call upon him. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.

Jesus was telling his disciples the signs of the end of the age. Jesus told them that when they saw the desolating sacrilege Daniel spoke of (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; i.e. the intrusion of pagan practices into worship) they were to flee from the temple and city. This will herald the Great Tribulation.

Only by God’s mercy will his elect be saved from that time. “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:24). In that day, the elect are not to run about, seeking the Christ, because when Christ returns his appearance will be universal (not confined to one place) and he will find his elect, like vultures find a carcass (Matthew 24:28).  

Moses' final instructions were to be strong and courageous. Joshua would lead the people of God into the Promised Land and give them possession of it. The Lord would go before them and be with them. He would not fail or forsake them. The people were to have respect for God's power and authority, and to obey God. The scriptures were to be the standard against which they were measured. Rebellion against God will lead to disaster and downfall. God is our Rock; God is faithful, just and righteous. Let his name be glorified.

Jesus is our “Joshua.” He takes over the leadership of God’s people from “Moses” of the Old Covenant of Law. It is Jesus, the “Joshua” of the New Covenant of grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who leads God’s people into, and gives them possession of, the Promised Land of eternal life in Heaven. Jesus is God’s only provision for our salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Salvation is by grace (free gift; unmerited favor) through faith (trust and obedience) in Jesus, not by works (keeping) of the Law (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The Jews rejected the free gift of righteousness through Jesus Christ, trying instead to establish their own “goodness” through keeping the Law. To be righteous by keeping the Law, one must keep all of the Law all of the time. This is impossible for any human (Romans 3:23). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Under the Old Covenant of Law, the Priest had to offer sacrifices continually for sin. Jesus’ death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice for all sin for all time (Hebrews 9:25-28 RSV). Jesus’ crucifixion ended the Old Covenant sacrificial system. The Temple, where sacrifices were offered, was destroyed in 70 AD, and has never been rebuilt.

Zeal for God isn’t going to save us; good deeds aren’t going to save us. Only a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is going to save us. Faith in Jesus means more than just believing intellectually; faith requires obedience. If one truly believes Jesus is Lord then one will do what Jesus says (Matthew 7:21-24; Luke 6:46). On the Day of Judgment it won’t be sufficient just to claim to belong to Jesus (Matthew 25:31-46). One must be "born-again" (John 3:3), by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9b), which only Jesus can bestow (John 1:33b). Jesus gives the gift of his Holy Spirit to his disciples, who trust and obey him (Isaiah 42:5e; John 14:15-17; 16:7).

Jesus has promised that he will return to judge everyone who has ever lived on Earth (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-46). When Christ returns, it won’t do any good to try coming to him then. Christ will know those who belong to him, and will come to them. There will be many false Christs and false prophets. Those who do not know the Bible and do not know Jesus personally will have no way of avoiding being deceived. Today is the best day of your life to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior if you haven’t done so already.

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

8 Pentecost - Saturday

first posted 07/30/04

Deuteronomy 34:1-12    Death of Moses
Romans 10:14-21    Israel’s responsibility for her failure
Matthew 24:32-51   The signs of the end

Moses was about to die. He wasn’t permitted to enter the Promised Land, but he was allowed to see it from the top of Mt. Pisgah (or Mt Nebo which is nearby). The Lord showed Moses the land from the Sea of Galilee to the southern Judean wilderness, and the Jordan River Valley to the Mediterranean Sea. Moses died there in Moab, and the Lord buried him secretly; no one knows exactly where Moses was buried, somewhere in the valley of Moab opposite Beth-peor. He was one hundred and twenty years old, still vigorous and with good eyesight at his death.

The people mourned Moses’ death for thirty days in the wilderness. “And Joshua, son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him” (Deuteronomy 34:9). The people obeyed Joshua, "and did as the Lord had commanded Moses" (Deuteronomy 34:9). No prophet since Moses has had such a face-to-face relationship with the Lord, and none has done such great signs and miracles as Moses did before Pharaoh and the Egyptians, and before the people of Israel.

People can’t call upon Jesus who haven’t believed in him, and they must hear of him in order to believe. They can’t hear unless someone preaches to them, but who can preach unless he is sent? Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach Good News.” Those who preach the Gospel (Good News) are blessed, but not all hearers have headed the Gospel, as scripture foretold: “Who has believed what he has heard from us” (Isaiah 53:1)?

Faith comes from hearing the preaching of Christ. Israel (and the world) cannot claim not to have heard, nor can she claim not to have understood, since even the Gentiles have been able to understand. The Lord has been found by the Gentiles even though they did not seek him. The Lord has revealed himself to the Gentiles who weren’t looking for a messiah, but has been rejected by the people to whom the Lord came to reveal himself.

Jesus tells us to learn the lesson of the fig tree (see entry for Monday of Holy Week, April 5, 2004). Jesus declares that when we see these things the end is near (see entry for yesterday, Friday, July 30, 2004). The generation which sees these things will not pass away before Jesus’ return. No one knows the day or hour, not even Jesus; only God the Father knows.

Jesus Second Coming will be like the days of Noah. The people of Noah’s day had ample warning, but they disregarded the warning. They made no preparations; instead they continued their lives as usual, until the flood came suddenly and swept them all away. Believers will be caught up to meet Jesus in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Jesus describes two men in a field; one is taken and one is left. Similarly, of two women grinding at a mill, one is taken, and one is left.

Jesus warns that we are to be prepared for his coming because it will be without further warning, like a “thief in the night.” Jesus warns us to be faithful servants, so that when he comes we may be found doing his will. We are not to be like wicked servants who suppose that the Lord’s coming has been delayed, and are surprised and caught doing what is contrary to the Master’s will. The Master is coming at an unexpected hour and will punish wicked servants and condemn them with the hypocrites to Hell.

Israel was on the threshold, ready to enter the Promised Land. Moses represents God’s leading of his people through the wilderness under the Old Covenant of Law. But Moses could not lead the people into the Promised Land; only Joshua could do that, and Joshua was at the door, ready to lead the people home.

In one sense, Israel represents not only the Jews but the world. It isn’t that people haven’t heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ; it isn’t that they haven’t understood the message. They have chosen not to believe it. They have not acted in faith on what they have heard!

The Church is the New Israel, the New People of God. Are God’s people learning the lesson of the fig tree? Are we learning the lessons of scripture? The things recorded in scripture happened to Israel as a warning and were written down for our instruction (1 Corinthians 10:11)! Jesus is our “Joshua;” he’s at the very threshold, about to lead his people home, into the Promised Land of eternal life in Heaven.

Are we preparing for his coming as if it will be today? If he comes today, will we be ready? Are we like Noah, following the Lord’s word and getting our families into the ark and trying to get our acquaintances to prepare, or are we like the other people in Noah’s day who continued their daily lives, not taking the warning seriously? Are we faithful servants, doing the work our Lord has commissioned us to do, offering spiritual nurture to those around us for whom we’ve been assigned the responsibility, or are we wicked servants, pursuing our own interests and pleasures, instead of doing the work the Lord has assigned to us?

Jesus has sent his disciples to proclaim the Gospel, to make disciples, and to teach them to obey all that Jesus taught (Matthew 28:18-20).  We can’t be sent unless we’ve been disciples! Those who are not disciples do not belong to Jesus! They’re the ones who need to respond to the Gospel.

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