An example of faithfulness

Day 129

OT Reading: 1 Kings 19-20

NT Reading: John 2

Ever have one of those evenings that you're not feeling the greatest as the evening dwindles down, and your body just feels icky enough that you have a feeling you'll feel the same way in the morning? Yeah, that was me last night. Great all day, but as the evening went on I could tell that something was catching up with me. Perhaps my body was just giving me one big shout to slow life down for a day. But either way, I read last night then crashed...for awhile at least. I even stayed home from work to try and recover. So we'll see how well that all works out when I wake up in the morning.

As per our reading, there was one verse from yesterday's New Testament reading that really jumped out at me. To set the scene, John the Baptist is openly proclaiming that Jesus is the promised Messiah (a.k.a "the Christ"). And as he makes this declaration, John says this, "I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." (John 1:31, NIV)

It was not that John had never met Jesus before, they were cousins in fact. But what John is saying here is that even though he did not know who the Christ was, even though he had no idea what person was coming after him, he just knew that his role was to preach, baptize and prepare the way for that Messiah. In other words, even when John did not know what was going to happen, he was still faithful to what God had called him to do.

This stands out to me because of my persistent desire to know how all the details will fall in place. I want to know how something is going to go, what is going to happen, what will be said, done, repeated, signed, etc. I like to have everything in a nice, neat system. And definitely there are times when God works that way. That's why we have the solar...system, that's why we all have circulatory...systems, God created the universe with a sense of order.

But then there are times when He wants us to be faithful...even if we don't know all the details. There are times when God calls us to continue doing right things even when we have no idea if it will matter. There are times when God calls us to keep speaking to friends, neighbors, family members and strangers about Him...never having any idea how the conversation will ultimately turn out.

And in those circumstances it would be so easy to say, "God...let me know how this will go THEN I'll do it." But instead the right approach to take is to, like John say, "God...I have no idea how this will turn out. I have no idea what you are going to do here. But I'm just going to be faithful to the task...the responsibility...the message that you have called me to."

Beginning the gospel of John

Day 127

OT Reading: 1 Kings 14-15

NT Reading: John 1:1-28

So far you've read through the books Matthew, Mark and Luke. In a lot of ways, these books are very similar. While each has its own style, emphasis or unique additions, for the most part a lot of the same information is covered in the three books. In fact if you ever hear someone talk about the "Synoptic Gospels" they are talking about Matthew, Mark and Luke (that's really just a fancy name to make people who go to seminary feel all smart and stuff ;-) ).

The gospel of John, however, is much different. John was likely the last of all the gospels and takes a much different approach, including information not shared in any of the other three gospels. In fact some have ventured to say that John may have had access to at least one (or more) of the other gospels and therefore concluded to add in information that was otherwise uncovered. This seems to be supported by the very last verse in the gospel of John which reads, "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." (John 21:25, NIV)

Now don't get me wrong...this is still the story of Jesus and some of the material will be the same (the feeding of the 5,000 for instance). But I hope you do not enter this portion of the reading with the "here we go again" mindset. Because what you will see is that the Jesus of John's gospel may be quite different than what you might expect.

A Wedding Present

Day 124

OT Reading: 1 Kings 8-9

NT Reading: Luke 23:39-56

There are certainly days when something of great theological significance strikes me in my reading. There are also days when a meaningful detail jumps out at me that I have never noticed before. Today was neither of those, as the most memorable detail from today's reading can be found in 1 Kings 9:16 which reads, "(Pharaoh king of Egypt had attacked and captured Gezer. He had set it on fire. He killed its Canaanite inhabitants and then gave it as a wedding gift to his daughter, Solomon's wife...)"

So...let me get this straight. Pharaoh was feeling generous and in (seemingly) good spirits for his daughter's wedding. So he had Gezer attacked, burned and all its inhabitants killed...then gave that city to his daughter as a wedding present. Does anyone else find this odd or is it just me? I mean, sure it's one thing to give a city to your daughter, but if the city is burned and all its people dead, and your husband has to rebuild it (verse 17)...is that a "happy" present or a "disappointed" present? Is it like getting the family heirloom China that was owned by your great-grandmother...or being forced to wear her hideous wedding dress?

I'm sure if I actually took time to research it (not happening tonight), I'd have an entirely new understanding of the culture and marital practices. But as I look back at eight-plus years ago on my wedding day, luckily for me, my in-laws helped us get furniture and skipped the whole hassle of mass destruction and death. It made the day a whole lot happier.

A Profile of Pontius Pilate

Day 122

OT Reading: 1 Kings 3-5

NT Reading: Luke 23:1-26

When we read Mark 15 I blogged a number of details rapid-fire style about the crucifixion of Jesus, including the fact that Pilate had Jesus crucified to appease the crowd rather than because of any crime committed. Here, I'd like to elaborate on Pilate a bit.

Rome often appointed governors over regions that they ruled. These governors had authority to represent Rome and had the responsibility to ensure that peace was maintained and taxes were collected. Into this context Pontius Pilate was placed as the governor of Judea from AD 26-36.

From the moment Pilate arrived in Judea, he had a very tenuous relationship with the Jews. Secular historians recount for us a variety of incidents that describe his cruelty toward the subjects he ruled. Allow me to list a few:

• Immediately upon moving in to Jerusalem, Pilate erected standards (or hung shields according to some accounts) immediately opposite the temple hailing the name of Caesar on them. If you know anything about Jewish zeal regarding their temple, you probably understand that this would not fly.

• Years later Pilate ordered an aqueduct to be built and took funds from the Jewish temple to do so. Obviously there was tremendous opposition from the Jews, so Pilate had Roman soldiers dress as civilians and infiltrate the crowd. Upon his command many Jews were killed as the soldiers beat the protesters.

• The gospel writer Luke himself records an event in Luke 13 which speaks about how Pilate had mixed the blood of some Galileans with their sacrifices. While this event is not corroborated outside the Bible, this event seems right up Pilate's alley.

So needless to say Pilate was not doing a very fair job of keeping the Jewish people quiet and happy like Rome wanted. Therefore when the Jewish leaders came with Jesus, Pilate had a decision to make.

One one hand, seeing no reason to crucify this man he could stand up for justice and set him free. However given the mob-like state the crowd was in already, that would probably have led to rioting for which Rome would not be happy. In fact the religious leaders tried to play into this when they said, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar..." (John 19:12, NIV)

On the other hand Pilate could try to gain some favor with the locals by giving in to their demands. Pilate could really use some good PR right now, and I mean hey...isn't one man's life worth a peaceful region in the Roman empire?

Ultimately Pilate was removed from power in AD 36 when he had a group of heavily armed soldiers take down an offshoot religious sect of Samaritans. While no historian confirms what happens to Pilate after his removal, it is believed he committed suicide a few years later.

And that is a profile of the man you know as Pontius Pilate.

Beginning of Kings

Day 121

OT Reading: 1 Kings 1-2

NT Reading: Luke 22:54-71

After reading those first couple chapters of 1st Kings, I honestly don't have too much to say. A lot of people were repaid for the wrongs they committed during the time of King David. Brutal? Perhaps. But regardless, it happened...so there is not much explanation there.

Today though we do begin a new book of the Bible in 1st Kings. What you'll find is that while there is some overlap of material between the Kings and the Chronicles, there are also unique features. In short, Kings and Chronicles will take us from the time of David to the period of captivity of both the nations of Israel and Judah. More history, more narrative, and some more repetition. Did you have any idea there would be this much repetition in a reading of the Bible? ;-) But stick with it...we'll make it through, together.

David's idea of a sacrifice

Day 120

OT Reading: 2 Samuel 23-24

NT Reading: Luke 22:31-53

To David, sacrifices were serious business. David saw sacrifices served as acts of worship to God. David believed that sacrifices should be made out of love, not compulsion...devotion, not obligation...honor, not duty. And in today's reading we learned one more way David viewed sacrifices. He believed they should be just that...a sacrifice.

At the very end of 2nd Samuel David is freely offered oxen so that he may offer a sacrifice to God. And to any well-meaning, penny-pinching individual this would definitely be viewed as a welcome gift. But David saw it a bit differently. Instead of accepting, he politely refused simply saying, "I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." David believed that a sacrifice should cost you something.

What about you? When* you give to the church, a missionary or a ministry...does it hurt just a bit? Do you feel as though this gift back to God is truly a "sacrifice?" Or like those in last Friday's reading...are you just giving out of your wealth?

I may or may not be your minister so this isn't some veiled attempt to raise money for our building fund. But let me ask you a serious question. Are your gifts to God really costing you something? Because that was David's idea of what a "sacrifice" truly was.

*I say "when" because I hope that by day 120 of our reading of the Bible, you have come to recognize that God wants his followers to offer Him control of their entire lives, including their finances. Is it easy? No. Is it popular? Definitely not. Is it Biblical? Absolutely. If you're a follower of Jesus, and not investing in Kingdom work, you need to be.

Largely Unnoticed

Day 117

OT Reading: 2 Samuel 17-18

NT Reading: Luke 21:1-19

Such a simple illustration pulled from everyday life. Several rich people coming forward to put their large offerings into the temple treasury...many unabashedly making a spectacle about how much they give. Masses of people gathering around to see the grand amounts being brought to God.

Then enter a poor widow. She quietly makes her way through the crowd to the place where offerings are gathered. And the only sound of celebration is the clinking sound of two small copper coins as they land amongst the other offerings. For the most part, this poor, quiet widow goes unnoticed....except, that is, by Jesus.

Jesus pulls aside his disciples and teaches them a difficult lesson for any of us to learn. That while others gave out of their wealth and excess...this simple woman gave all she had out of her love and devotion to God.

This is one of those teaching moments in Scripture that I'd really rather avoid. Because I look around at all the stuff I have, and I look at what my wife and I give. And I wonder...does Jesus see me more as the rich who gave out of their wealth? Or does he see me more as the poor widow?

And the same question goes for you as well. In regard to your giving, how do you think Jesus sees you?

Minor details I've missed before

Day 116

OT Reading: 2 Samuel 15-16

NT Reading: Luke 20-27-47

One seemingly minor detail really stood out to me as I read through the passage in 2 Samuel today. It is from 15:30 which reads, "But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went..." The Mount of Olives is a place I have always connected with all the events leading to Jesus' death (we'll read about it again from Luke 22 in about four days). There we recall the fervent prayers, the sleeping disciples, the betrayal of Judas and ultimately the arrest of Jesus.

I have studied the night before Jesus' death over and over, yet admittedly had no idea that David himself also had a time of heartbreak and mourning while in that same place. Perhaps this is meaningful, perhaps not. But regardless it struck me as interesting.

The one who is not God

Day 115

OT Reading: 2 Samuel 13-14

NT Reading: Luke 20:1-26

For those who have kept up to date, today's reading in Luke is the third time you've passed by the dialogue between Jesus and his opponents about paying taxes to Caesar. While this may just seem like a simple question, it was in fact quite loaded.

You see to most Jews Romans were the bad guys, and the fact that they were occupying the land that God himself had given to them was infuriating. Add to that the fact that Roman tax collectors were infamous for over-charging and living off the excess and its easy to see how the idea of paying tribute to this occupying foreign nation was a hot-button topic.

On the other hand, to speak against paying taxes to Caesar could be seen as an act of insurrection...and even blasphemy. You see over time in in Roman society, Caesars began to be viewed as gods. Today this is referred to as the Imperial Cult. Individuals would even have to make offerings of incense while reciting, "Hail Caesar" in order to buy and sell goods in local marketplaces. Therefore to deny payment of taxes to Rome, was to deny Caesar; and to deny Caesar was to deny a god.

Put those elements together and you would seemingly have a lose-lose situation for Jesus in this question about taxation. If he responds, "Yes...we should pay taxes to Caesar" he immediately alienates himself from much of his Jewish audience and could potentially be viewed as a traitor to their heritage. However if Jesus states, "No...we should not pay taxes" then the teachers of the law can easily have him arrested because he spoke against Caesar. Either way, the Pharisees believe that they have him.

But then Jesus responds in a way that no one expects. And while it's easy to view the statement as semantic gymnastics to deal with the tax question, don't miss the underlying message Jesus presents. Jesus replies to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." In a covert way Jesus openly declares, "Caesar is not god." While others were getting hung up on taxes, Jesus was dealing with the underlying issue of who is God and who is not.

Maybe you saw that the first time, maybe this is new information. But do not overlook how vehemently these well-prepared opponents of Jesus went after him...and how even with the most loaded of questions, He won in the end.

Man after God's own heart...

Day 114

OT Reading: 2 Samuel 10-12

NT Reading: Luke 19:29-48

David is one of the most well known and well respected characters in all of Scripture. In fact, David is called, "A man after God's own heart" (ref. 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22). But based on today's reading it may be hard to understand why. Let's recap:

* At the time when King's went to war, David stayed home.

* David not only saw a woman bathing on her house (which was not uncommon), and decided to summon her to his palace in the middle of the night and sleep with her.

* The woman (Bathsheba) becomes pregnant, so David tries to hide the action by summoning her husband (Uriah) home from the war. He hopes Uriah will sleep with his wife and no one will know any different.

* The plan backfires as Uriah will not go home. So the next night, David gets him drunk (I had forgotten about this part). Still, Uriah will not go home.

* To cover over the issue, David essentially has Uriah killed as he's put in the location of the fiercest fighting.

* David then takes Bathsheba for his wife.

With all that in mind, I have a few observations:

1. Being someone after God's own heart, means less about getting it all right and more about genuine repentance when you've done wrong.

2. God doesn't write me off just because of some bonehead decisions I've made.

3. God can take a bad situation and leverage it for good.* What you may or may not have caught is that from David's marriage with Bathsheba, Solomon is born. Solomon will be known as the wisest man to ever live and continue the line through which God will bring about his promised Messiah.

So yes, David really messed up BIG and yet God used him in a mighty way. With that in mind...there may just be hope for the rest of us :-).

Undignified...

Day 113

OT Reading: 2 Samuel 7-9

NT Reading: Luke 19:1-28

Yesterday's reading included one of my absolute favorite stories in the entire Bible. In the book of 2 Samuel we are reminded that the Ark of the Covenant is in fact not anywhere near the palace of David, but instead is in a tent elsewhere. After a series of setbacks, finally David makes preparations and begins the process of bringing the Ark of the Covenant back. And that's where things get interesting. Especially as we see the scene play out between David, and his wife Michal.

As the procession through town begins to take place, David leads the way. Michal watches the events unfold from a window.

David is overjoyed at the return of the Ark to Jerusalem. So much so that he ditches his royal robes and casts off his crown, content to worship appearing as any other common man. Michal eventually chides him for it.

David declares that he will become even more undignified and humiliated in his own eyes as he seeks to glorify God with absolute abandon. Michal wad embarrassed because of David's actions.

David is blessed by God throughout the rest of his life. Michal is barren to the day of her death.

With this story in mind, I'd like you to consider a few questions. How far are you willing to go to glorify God? Are you willing to be a bit embarrassed? Undignified? Humiliated even? Are you willing to have those around you look at you funny, or family members and friends ridicule your actions? How far would you be willing to go to follow David's example in honoring God?

Leading during troubling times

Day 111

OT Reading: 2 Samuel 1-3

NT Reading: Luke 18:1-17

Yesterday and today I was involved in our third annual CCJ Staff/Elders retreat. Each year we set aside time for the whole group to discuss our church's strengths, weaknesses and vision for the next year and on into the future.

For this year's retreat, I was asked to do a brief devotion for our leadership, and considering I'm reading through the entire Bible in a year, I figured that there would be something in recent readings I could discuss. Yesterday's reading provided that very insight, which I'd like to share with you.

As the book of 1st Samuel winds down, in chapter 30 we find that David and his men have been out defending the nation, and fleeing from Saul. Upon returning back to the city of Ziklag a terrible discovery is made...the Amalekites attacked the city while the men were away. 1 Samuel 30:3-4 tells us, "When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep."

Consider David's situation. He is the leader of several hundred men, and yet the families and possessions of each of them had been taken by the raiding Amalekites. If we read on though, we find that the situation worsens. David's very own followers begin whispering and discussing among themselves the idea of stoning David, feeling that he was somehow responsible for all that happened to their families. Obviously, this is not an enviable leadership position to be in...and yet this is exactly where David finds himself. So the question I have is, when David is faced with a difficult situation in life; as a man and as a leader of men, how does he respond? What actions and steps does he take that I may be able to emulate in my own life and in my own leadership?

The very first step David takes is actually very easy to skip over while you read the story. The last sentence of 1 Samuel 30:6 tells us that, "David found strength in the Lord his God." Now consider, David was a "man's man." David was a man who could honestly say he'd killed a lion and a bear as a child. David had stories of the great battles he'd won. David was the leader of a mighty band of soldiers. David was upheld and revered for his leadership, might and military prowess. And yet, when faced with a very situation that he may believe he can handle alone, David recognizes that he cannot do this on his own...his strength must be found in God and not in himself.

The next action David takes is to seek God's will. David, along with Abiathar the priest, goes to God in an effort to discern God's will for how they should respond. Common military sense would have told David to move out and set to attack right away...the less time their wives and children are in captivity, the less opportunity for severe harm to come to them. Therefore it would have made sense to most to move out immediately. However David recognizes that the greatest of soldiers, leaders and men cannot ultimately succeed if they are not in line with the will of God.

Finally, once David finds his strength in God...once he has sought God's will for determining their next step...David does not hesitate in taking action. With the direction of God himself David moves forward whole-heartedly.

The connection between David's approach and ours is a simple one to understand...but not necessarily to live out. Though I hope that as a man, a Christian and a leader...when faced with the various difficult and trying circumstances that I come up against...I pray that I would take a similar approach to that which David modeled.

A parable or a true story?

Day 108

OT Reading: 1 Samuel 25-26

NT Reading: Luke 16:16-31

There is a question I've had about Luke 16:16-31 for some time. Here Jesus tells a story about a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. Since you've (hopefully) just read the story I won't recount all the details. However the question that I come back to is whether this story is a parable or whether it is a true story. And for the record, this is a debate that really happens in academic or scholarly circles so I'm not just making up something to write about :-).

On one hand I'm inclined to say that this is a true story, and here Jesus gives us a glimpse into how things are set up on the other side of eternity. If it's a true story (which, with this being Jesus...he would be the one to know details like this) then we are given picture of a chasm that exists between heaven and hell. Also we can see that some form of communication could potentially happen between the two. Just interesting "other-worldly" tidbits.

On the other hand the details of the story lead me to believe this is a parable. In context Jesus has made the point that the Law and the Prophets would not disappear...then he steps into how the testimony of those prophets would let men know about the coming wrath. Also Jesus' last statement, "they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." leads one to believe that he's alluding to his own impending death and how some would still not believe even after he returned.

Personally, I believe the overall story is a parable. Sure, it may have some facts mixed in that Jesus shares with us...but that's my position. Ultimately this isn't one of those issues where we have to agree. Frankly I just enjoy discussing the idea.

The role of a friend

Day 107
OT Reading: 1 Samuel 22-24
NT Reading: Luke 16:1-18

I logged into Blogger today and realized that it had been six days since my last post. I honestly had no idea that it had been that long. Oh well, I'm sure neither of you were all that disappointed. But alas, I'm back and posting away.

Over the last couple days we've been reading about the relationship between David and Jonathan. To say they were close is an understatement. However there was one particular verse that stood out to me from today's reading:

"And Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God."

1 Samuel 23:17 (NIV)

As David continued running for his life, it's easy to understand how he could begin to become discouraged, frustrated and tired. But even though it was dangerous to do so, Jonathan went to help his friend find strength in God.

I suppose my question is, who in your life would act in this way for you? Who knows you well enough and cares about you to seek you out in your darkest hours for no other purpose than encouraging you and helping you find strength in God? While the Bible does not directly state it, I have no doubt that David was overjoyed to see his friend, and thankful for his concern. I say that as I give thanks for the friends who have been there for me in my own dark and discouraging times.

Why not use this as an opportunity to thank God for those friends close enough who have done this for you? Perhaps even send them a note of thanks for their friendship and concern. Or maybe this brings to mind a friend you need to contact and help find strength in God. Whatever it is, I hope you can learn from the example of Jonathan as I have.

The Songs We Sing

Day 101

OT Reading: 1 Samuel 7-9

NT Reading: Luke 13:1-21

At CCJ (the church I have the privilege to work at) we have a fantastic minister of worship and communications in Daniel Ross. Daniel is not only is a tremendous musician, but puts a great deal of time and thought into the theology presented in every song we sing. So much so that each week he puts out a post on the CCJ blog entitled "The Songs We Sing." In each he offers some information and background of every song sung the previous day at CCJ, giving all who are curious the opportunity to understand a bit more.

One of the classic songs that makes frequent appearances at CCJ actually references something in today's reading. Need some help? Try this:

Here I raise mine Ebenezer, hither by thy help I come.

If you're still guessing, that comes from the song "Come thou fount of every blessing" and refers to 1 Samuel 7:12 which reads, "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the Lord helped us." In singing this verse we are saying that like Samuel placed that stone and named it Ebenezer, God has helped us to the point where we are today.

Perhaps you find that irrelevant. But my hope is that the next time we begin to sing the second verse of "Come thou fount..." you can truly praise God for how far he has brought you.