#Luke3 - Repentance: A Dying Art

Click here to read Luke 3:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Almost all of the non-genealogy text in this chapter is about John the Baptist. Specifically, it describes his ministry, which centered on a message of repentance. His baptism was a symbol of being washed of a previous pattern of behaviors, and committing to honor God with every area of life. In essence, repentance is the art of dying to our sinful ways, and living instead in God's ways. Repentance is not a popular message - just take a quick poll of preachers and you'll find that out. It's not fun telling people they need to change their ways. It's nobody's desire to have their "flaws and shortcomings" pointed out by anyone. Nobody WANTS to hear a message of repentance, but the reality is everyone NEEDS to hear it at some point. One of my observations of the current spiritual climate in our culture is that the message of "REPENTANCE" is being replaced with the message of "TOLERANCE" and "ACCEPTANCE." I believe these things are not mutually exclusive and are both critical to helping people become a part of the body of Christ. However, without hearing "repent", what comes across is something like, "You're okay. I'm okay. We're all okay. As long as we don't start talking about what God expects of us and how we're falling short, we'll all be just fine." God wants us to come as we are, but as long as we're following him, he wants to change us and conform us to become more and more like him.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

Repentance implies both a change of heart/mind and a change in behavior. If there is no behavior change, there likely is no real heart change. And if there is no heart change, it's likely that any behavior change will last. Throughout Scripture, repentance is arguably THE key step in avoiding God's judgment and wrath, and entering into his blessing and life. Just listen to some of the prophets speaking to Israel in the following passages:

"The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins," - Isaiah 59:20
"This is what the LORD says: 'If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me" - Jeremiah 15:19
"Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall" - Ezekiel 18:30
"For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!" - Ezekiel 18:32

A powerful story about repentance is that of Hezekiah, king of Judah. He had major pride issues, but he repented and received the favor of the Lord. His story is found in 2 Chronicles 32.

3. What does this mean for my life?

One of the points in my spiritual life that I grew the most in one experience was when a good friend of mine had the courage to call me to repent of some pride issues. He had nothing to gain personally, and he did it in love. So instead of getting defensive or justifying my behavior, I received his words and repented. From that point I hope that I have been open to receiving correction and quick to repent of sinful behavior. It's also really interesting to me that John's words to the people are not blanket sweeps of general sins. That would have been easier. But he calls each group of people to integrity within their own lives. He told the tax collectors not to collect more than what was required (which they had a reputation of doing). He told the soldiers not to extort money and accuse people falsely. To the crowds he talked about caring for the poor. To the husbands he might have said, "Stay faithful to your wives and don't lust after other women." To the pastors he might have said, "Don't let the dreams of wealth or numbers for your congregations turn you away from sharing the unaltered truth from my word." It's not hard to understand. We can probably all describe the most common pitfalls of our own jobs and family situations, and we all know our own pitfalls as well. John's message (and God's message) is repent of those sinful patterns and follow me and my ways.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

When Jesus was baptized, what did that whole seen look like with heaven being opened and the Spirit descending like a dove on him? Did all the others notice it too? Why wouldn't they all know right away that was the Messiah?

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

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#Matthew18 - The Power of Forgiveness

Click here to read Matthew 18:

1. What stood out to you from this chapter?

I noticed a theme in this chapter, two really that caught my attention. The first is sin. Jesus gives a stern warning for anyone who causes a little one to stumble, and uses a hyperbole to illustrate the gravity of sin. (Verses 8 and 9 are also pretty convincing verses that there is a real hell, and it is eternal, and it is fire. Some say that hell is just not living forever, or that it's not painful, it's just drab. But that is not how Jesus describes it here.) But the chapter sort of transitions in that it still talks about sin in the form of a wandering sheep, a debt that can't be repaid, and a hurt relationship. However now Jesus lingers on the need for forgiveness and restoration. The shepherd seeks out the lost sheep and returns it to the fold, the one believer points out the others sin in love and for the purpose of restoration, and the master forgives the servant a great debt.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

Jesus words and warnings in verses 8-9 echo, almost repeat word for word, his warnings in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, especially verses 27-30.

Also, the story of the wandering sheep can be found again in Luke 15 as the "Lost Sheep". It is right next to the "Lost Coin" and the "Lost (Prodigal) Son" parable.

3. What does this mean for my life?

When Peter asks Jesus how many times he is supposed to forgive someone, Peter thinks he's aiming high and sounding really righteous when he says, "Up to Seven?" Apparently that was way more than was taught at the time. Jesus answer blows up the glass ceiling of forgiveness when he answers "seventy-seven times," or "seventy times seven." I don't think Jesus means for us to keep track all the way that high. In his culture, (because of Scripture), seven held a meaning of completeness. Multiples of ten, like a hundred, or a thousand, could mean "more than you can count." So when Jesus multiplies 7 times 10 times 7, no matter what the translation it means "more times than you could count. Long story short, this is convicting to me to be quick to forgive. Even if it's not the first time, or the 489th. :)

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

After reading the parable of the unforgiving servant, the last verse is really a shocker. It sounds pretty harsh. My question is, "How do I interpret this last verse truthfully and faithfully to Scripture?" It would be easy to water it down to something like, "So it's important to forgive others, because God loves us." But is unforgiveness in our heart like an unforgivable sin? I don't know. I tend to start interpreting verses as quite literal until other Scripture paints a different picture.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter.

In Christ,
Dan

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#Matthew10 - Be Afraid!

Click to read Matthew 10:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Almost every time a heavenly being (angel) speaks to a human, the first words out of their mouths are, "Do not be afraid." Here in Matthew 10, we hear Jesus telling us not to be afraid of anyone on earth, no matter what they may do to us. However we should fear God and serve Him, who is the judge of all. It seems weird to fear God, when 95% of the time we hear, "God loves you. He's our father. Prince of Peace." Those are absolutely true, but God is also all-powerful, mighty, ruler of the universe, and is above all kings. I think of someone appearing before a king in the medieval times. Even before a good king, people would bow out of honor and fear because whatever the king said would happen. That is how we ought to treat God. This is also one of the clearest passages that references being condemned to hell. It describes hell as a place where body and soul are destroyed in judgment. Hell is not a fun concept, but we can't just ignore it. In fact, earlier in the chapter Jesus said that it will be more bearable for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah than those who are judged by God to be condemned (because of their rejection and rebellion) to hell.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

Even in other places in Scripture we hear God and Jesus say, "Do not be afraid." There are only a few places in the Bible that we see the words "Be afraid..." And as far as I read, they are all talking about God. One of the best examples of that is Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." In Deuteronomy 6, God commands the Israelites to "Fear the Lord your God."

Hell is also mentioned and described in other places in the Bible as well. In fact, Jesus talks about hell more than any other person in the Bible, and he talks about hell more than heaven. Here are a few other references to hell and judgment: Matthew 5:22-30, Matthew 13:36-43, Matthew 23, Mark 9:43, 2 Peter 2:4, Revelation 20. It is described as a place of continual torment, a sort of prison for the devil and demons, but also for those who reject God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. It's not a fun thing, and IN NO WAY am I to play judge over another's destiny. But I believe we as a church are dangerously close to just erasing hell out of the Bible for the sake of tolerance.

3. What does this mean for my life?

This whole chapter is certainly not about hell, but that is just what caught my attention. As a whole, this chapter is about following Jesus. For personal application I was both convicted and encouraged by Matthew 10:18-20. Jesus says that when we go out and are persecuted, don't worry about what we are going to say to witness to the gospel, for the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say. I think I have been silent too often when I should have spoken, mostly because I wasn't sure what I should say. We should certainly be wise with our words and quick to listen to others, but we shouldn't be afraid to speak.

4. What questions do I have about this chapter?

I have quite a few questions, actually. Many of Jesus's teachings here are just a little unnerving. Probably the hardest for me is in verses 34-39. He says that he came to turn family members away from others, and to bring a sword not peace. And yet in Matthew 5 he says, "blessed are the peacemakers." I understand that there will be families where someone follows Christ, and they are rejected, or shunned, or at least not understood. My real question I guess is, "What did Jesus mean by this?"

Have a great day following Jesus.

In Christ,
Dan