Saturday, March 30, 2013

They had been with Jesus



Most people have heard this story, so I will be very brief in recalling it.  It gives us the background and the setting for a statement that was made concerning two men ... Peter and John.    

The story begins in Acts 3:1 and continues through Acts 4:13.  This will be my own condensed version of events that are relevant to the end point of this article.

Peter and John are about to enter the temple courtyard in Jerusalem when a man, lame from birth asks them for a handout.  They had seen him before.  He was brought there daily to beg for money.  Peter and John undoubtedly had walked through that gate many times before, but this day it would be different for the lame beggar.

Instead of keeping his head down as he holds his tin cup up to them begging for alms, Peter makes him look up eye to eye with them.  Peter sees him differently this day.  He sees a child of God who needs to be set free from this forty year long handicap.

Instead of a coin in his cup, Peter says ... "I don't have silver and gold; but such as I have I give unto you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."

Peter, taking him by the hand lifts this man up onto his feet, and then ... after he's standing ... he is immediately healed.  As this beggar starts dancing and shouting praises unto God, the three of them continue to the temple area called Solomon's porch.  All those around the temple courtyard begin to look at Peter and John as if they had healed him.  But Peter tells them ... "Don't look to us; it wasn't our power or holiness that made this man walk.  It was faith in Jesus, and faith in His name that healed him."

But while they were speaking, the priests and the temple guards come and arrest Peter and John for preaching about Jesus and put them in a holding cell over night.  The next morning they stand before the Jewish elders and are asked to give an account of how they were able to heal this lame man. 

Peter answers ... "You are asking, by what means the impotent man was made whole?  Be it known unto you all, this man who stands before you ... was made whole by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth ... whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead."

Evidently, the newly healed man was standing right beside Peter and John in front of  the elders; and it was so obvious and self-evident as being a good deed that they couldn't say anything against it.  They couldn't deny that the healing must have been God ... so what charge could they bring against them? 

I love this next statement ...

Acts 4:13 ... "Now when the scribes and priests saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they recognized and acknowledged that ... they had been with Jesus."

Unlearned and ignorant.  I question that.  Yes, they were just a couple of fishermen ...  but they had been with Jesus.  That makes all the difference.

While it was true that both Peter and John were unlearned, or ... "unlettered" ... without professional training in the rabbinical schools of their day, unlike the scribes and priests they stood before; the very same thing was said about Jesus.  (John 7:15)

In today's English we would say that both words have the same meaning.  To be ignorant of something simply means you have no knowledge of a particular subject ... not that you are stupid. 

I read a sign once that explained the difference.  It read ... "Ignorance can be cured, stupid is forever."

The word ignorant as used in this scripture really means ... "a layman, a private person, the average man" ... rather than a man of title, a leader, a professional, or someone of importance like the priests.

Considering the things Peter and John wrote about, I should be so ... "unlearned and ignorant."  So how were they able to write such deep, meaningful things?  The same way the lame man was healed through their hands.

They had been with Jesus.



Comments welcome.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Crumbs


I seem to be drawn to the stories about Jesus which portrays Him in a different sort of behavior other than His normal caring manner.  One such an occurrence  is found in Matthew 15:21-28.

Jesus has just had one of His many confrontations with some scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem.  No doubt tired of the constant battle with the Jewish hierarchy, Jesus heads for a retreat.  He now leaves the borders of Israel and heads to Tyre and Sidon on the seacoast of the Mediterranean, commonly called Phoenicia, or Syro-Phoenicia.  In ancient times, this whole region, including Israel was in the possession of the Canaanites, and was called, "the land of Canaan."  The Phoenicians who were living there when Jesus arrived were descendants of the Canaanites.

It seems as if Jesus can never be alone.  Even here along the coast, Jesus enters into a house as if in hiding, hoping that people would not know He was there ... but no ... "He could not be hid."  (Mark 7:24)  The word always gets around about Jesus.  The word was that He ... "healed the sick and could cast out devils."

A certain woman, a Canaanite, perhaps from one of these two cities, a Syrophoenician ... which to the Jews were an accursed race ... found the house that had given Jesus shelter and rest from His journey.  It is not clear if the disciples were with Jesus in the house or outside when this woman entered the house and fell at His feet crying ... "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David."  She was begging for help on behalf of her daughter. 

It is almost improbable that two of the greatest examples of faith seen in the ministry of Jesus were exhibited by Gentiles ... the Roman centurion for his servant, and this woman of Phoenicia pleading for her daughter.  The fact that she addresses Jesus as Lord and by the title the "Son of David" shows she knew of the prophecies concerning the Messiah.

The daughter of this Syro-phoenician woman had an unclean spirit which had taken possession of her.  The scripture doesn't tell us exactly what kind of problem this would have caused the daughter, but whatever it was she needed to be set free from Satan's power.

Matthew records that Jesus ... "answered her not a word."  As "the Son of David" He has nothing to do with her.  She wasn't a Jew.

From what I see in this account from Matthew, the woman must have went outside or at least to another part of the house and found His disciples and begged them to speak to Jesus about her daughter's need.  I can hear her saying as she goes from one to another ... "Please, I'm begging you; go to Jesus and ask Him to cast this devil out of her."

She must have been very insistent and demanding, not allowing them to refuse ... she finally got their attention on this matter because they ended up going to Jesus and asking Him ... "Lord, send her away, she won't leave us alone."

Now here is where it seems to me, that Jesus is out of character.  First, Jesus doesn't even acknowledge the woman, not one word even though she "came and fell at His feet."  (Mark 7:25)

Next, when the disciples come to Him on her behalf, Jesus almost sounds a little annoyed in His response back to them.  "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."  What?  Does that sound like Jesus?  Is this really the reason He didn't respond to her pleading ... she wasn't of the house of David?

Matthew states that after Jesus basically told the disciples that He, "was sent only to the house of Israel" ... the woman still was not deterred or discouraged in her mission to gain help for her daughter.  Matthew says ... "Then she came and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, help me."

Whenever the scriptures are not clearly descriptive, (as in this case) my mind paints it's own picture of events.  Many times what I see also has a soundtrack as well.  I hear a change in the tone of this woman's voice. 

No longer is it a driven, forceful sound of desperation ... it has now become a weak, broken, helpless, soft cry unto this man called Jesus, whom she has now prostrated herself before, in reverence and worship.  She intuitively knows who Jesus is and empties the need in her soul once again at His feet ... helpless, completely overcome and reduced to tears when she speaks the three words that always touches the heart of Jesus ... "Lord, help me."

But again, she doesn't get the answer she desperately wants to hear from the heart of Jesus.  Instead the Lord's answer to her is ... "It doesn't look good to take the children's bread and toss it to dogs."

How much more can this poor mother take?  Doesn't Jesus even care for one woman born outside of the House of David?  Was it her fault where she was born?  Does this sound like the loving kind Savior we know, who never turned anyone away?

Was it faith or was she ready to give up?  I see her getting up and standing before Jesus as she replies ... "This is true Lord; but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters table."

What had the Lord done by His apparent harshness?  He caused her true faith to find it's place before God.  But then, was it the truth to say that God was less merciful then she believed, less merciful toward her need ... whose only hope was in that mercy now being denied?

For Jesus to do that, would have been to deny the character and nature of God ... of which He was the expression, truth, and the witness of it on earth.  To deny this woman of that mercy, would have been to deny Himself ... who He was, and the very object of His mission.

He could not say ... "God has not a crumb for you."

Now ... after drawing out the expression of faith He wanted her to display openly, He says to her ... "Woman, great is thy faith; be it unto you as you want."  Matthew wrote that her daughter was made whole that very hour.

So, what is the point of this unusual story?  Jesus, as the Son of David, steps out of the narrow limits of God's covenant with the Jews, and acts according to His own nature ... a God of grace and mercy ... not merely Jehovah in Israel.

To this point, the seeming harshness of the Lord had been leading her.  She knew, in and of herself, she was unworthy and that she had no right to God's mercy.  She knew that from the beginning.  It is not sufficient merely to know that Jesus can meet any need we have ... this woman came with that acknowledgment. 

We must also bring our faith into the presence of the only source of that mercy ... at the feet of Jesus ... as she did.  And if the truth be told ... we have no right to that mercy either ... it is all grace.

This Canaanite woman didn't want the children's bread ...

She wanted only the crumbs.



Comments welcome.      


Sunday, March 10, 2013

When They Knew



I want to open with this statement ... "A believers faith will never operate beyond their knowledge of God's will."

After reading this statement the other day, I had to stop and think about it for a while.  I'll try to share my thoughts on how it spoke to me.  

Notice this statement doesn't say, "beyond their knowledge of God's Word."  You can read the Word of God, study the many subjects in it, memorize your favorite verses and become familiar with what it says ... and still not have a knowledge of God's will.  All  some people have, is a knowledge of what is printed.

Knowing God's will is totally different from knowing the words in the book.  But I do recommend reading and studying the Word of God.  Get to know what it says ... that's where we start. 

A very wise fellow named Solomon said this about knowledge in Proverbs 18:15 ... "The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge." 

Being prudent is a good thing.  It's acting with or showing care and thought for the future.  Being wise is a little more difficult to put into words.  Part of wisdom would be, having or showing good judgment through experience and knowledge.

So what is this thing called knowledge we are seeking?  I would say, facts and information, and the practical understanding of something.  It can also be an awareness, a true belief as opposed to opinion.  By definition, knowledge ... applies to any body of facts gathered by study, observation or experience.

I found two scriptures where Solomon speaks of his personal quest for wisdom ...

Ecclesiastes 1:3 ... "I gave my heart to seek and search out wisdom ..."

Ecclesiastes 7:25 ... "I applied my heart to know and to search and seek out wisdom ..."

Notice what Solomon did ... he didn't just open his mind and understanding mentally, he gave and applied his heart, the core of his being, and his soul to that search.  I believe he searched what little of the Word of God he had for this wisdom.

Even though knowledge and wisdom are different ... for my purpose today ... let me say that after we gain the knowledge I am speaking of, we need the wisdom to accept it and apply it to our lives.  And that knowledge is God's Word.   

In Hosea 4:6, God speaking through this prophet declares one of the saddest statements in scripture ... "My people are destroyed (perish) for lack of knowledge (awareness) ..."

We today, as believers and followers of the Lord ... for lack of awareness of God's will for us ... not only go through things, but suffer and stay in these things longer than we should.  By saying that, I am thinking like this ... I find it is easier to believe for divine health than trying to believe for divine healing after you're sick.

So I started believing 3rd John 2 ... "Beloved, (that's me) I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."  

God said that.  He just had John write the words.  Now, to be in health, you need to prosper in your soul.  To prosper in your soul, you need to apply your heart to know God's "Word" and "Will" for you.  They are ... one in the same.

So what are some of the things God wants (or wills) for you?  Let's start with ...

Jeremiah 29:11-13 ... "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil ... call upon me ... and you shall find me when you search for me with all your heart."  (edited)

Read that again if you have to.  God's thoughts for you can bring peace, love, health and yes, even healing to you.  That's His ... "will" ... for you. 

Okay ... how do we search for Him?  Read the Book.  Psalms 119:11 ... "Thy word have I hid in mine heart ..."

I opened with this statement ... "A believers faith will never operate beyond their knowledge of God's will."

Why do we study and seek after the knowledge of God?  To know His will for our lives.

How do we pray with faith for a need if we are unsure whether it's God's will for us?  You can't.  It's impossible.  And here is my key scripture ... I've purposely saved it for last.

Luke 9:11 ... "And the people, when they knew, followed Him: and He received them, and spoke unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing."

I cannot say this enough ... "when they knew ... when they KNEW ... WHEN THEY KNEW ..."  what was God's will, things changed.

The people, when they knew, followed Him and Jesus received them and spoke of the kingdom of God ... (what was available for them now, because the kingdom was wherever Jesus was) ... and to prove to the people that "the kingdom of God" did not include sickness and disease, He healed them that had need of healing.

Reading the Word of God and hiding it away in your heart is a good thing.  But ... when you know ... when you apply scripture to your heart and you become aware that His thoughts for health and healing toward you are literally His ... "will" ... for you, then and only then can you operate in the full potential of your faith

You must believe the things you ask for are ... His will for you.

"When they knew"
... Jesus received them and healed them. 

   
Comments welcome.




Saturday, March 2, 2013

The Dust of Your Rabbi



As I understand it, there is an old Jewish phrase that goes something like this ... "May the dust of your Rabbi be upon you." 

From what I have been told, this old saying is a compliment.  It was an expression meaning that you have been chosen by a Jewish Rabbi as a disciple of his ... an honor that only the best and brightest, the best of the best young men were given.

What were they given?  The opportunity to physically follow and learn from this Rabbi's instruction and teaching, his personal knowledge of God and the Jewish doctrine as he practiced and ministered it daily.

"May his dust be upon you"
... may you walk so closely behind him that your footsteps are placed in his footprints on the dusty roads of Israel ... so that as his feet kicks up the dust on the pathway, it is caught by the air of his movements and as you walk through it, the dust clings to your clothing.

Wherever the Rabbi went, his students followed without question.  Jesus was a Rabbi.  As believers, shouldn't we follow Him wherever He takes us ... without question?  Of course Jesus will only be your Rabbi if you agree to allow Him to teach you according to His words you find in the Scriptures and discover what His plans are for you. 

There is a scripture that is difficult for me to fully understand unless I follow this analogy ... God chose the Hebrew people, the nation of Israel to be His children, chosen out of all the people groups of the earth.  But not all of the Jews would be ... the chosen ones.  Oh, they were, until Jesus came along.  Jesus, the Son of God, brought with Him a new choice ... follow Jesus under grace and mercy, or continue to live under the bondage of the Law.

Matthew 22:14 ... "For many are called, but few are chosen."

"Few are chosen."  This expression that Jesus used more than once was probably proverbial.  The Jews had been called, but few of them had been chosen for eternal life through salvation in Jesus.  The same can be said of the world at large ... the preaching of the Gospel calls all; but few comparatively are chosen ... because they do not come to the master of the feast for a wedding garment, without which none can enter into the celebration.  That's what chapter 22 of Matthew is about.  The wedding feast. 

The Jews refused the call; they could not believe that Jesus was the Son of God, so the Gentiles were called and chosen.  But now, whoever hears the call, and accepts Jesus as Lord ... receives a wedding garment and therefore can attend His wedding feast as a chosen guest.

Jesus personally called a select few men, twelve in number that He called by saying ... "Follow me."  They obeyed and became His "chosen" disciples.  So what did they do?  They followed Jesus on the dusty roads of Israel so closely beside and behind Him, that they were covered in His dust.

Remember ... these twelve men were never asked to be a student of the many Rabbis in Israel.  They were passed over.  They didn't make the cut.  They weren't the best of the best.  They were just like most of us today ... average.  Not the best, but also not the worst.  But Jesus called them anyway to be part of ... the chosen ones

So have you.

Today, even by following as close to Jesus as we can ... there is no dust getting on our clothes.  But the phrase ... "May the dust of your Rabbi be upon you" ... can still be a reflection of what is in your heart.  Do you really want to be that close to Jesus and have Him lead and direct your journey through this life?

Well ... don't worry.  While it may be true that physically, Jesus is no longer stirring up dust as He walks with you today, you can still make Him your Rabbi.  Is He dwelling within your heart and soul?  Isn't it still true that He is the Word of God?  Why do you think that God had the words of Jesus written down and printed in a book?

I believe it was done so that we can still be ... taught by Jesus ... our Rabbi.

I really don't care what people think about me.  They may think I'm not quite right, that I'm not normal.  The world would say that what I believe is foolishness.  They might even admit that Jesus once lived ... but He's not around anymore, He's gone. 

Call me naive, lacking good judgment ... but in my heart ... I'm going to believe that Jesus is walking ahead of me ... leading me on the path I'm supposed to take.  In fact, I have heard Him speak to me before.  Now you know I'm not normal, right?

I'm not normal ... and I don't want to be, and most likely never will be.  I have been touched alright ... by Jesus.

Some days ... I even imagine I smell a little dust in the air.     



Comments welcome.