The vine and the branches.

Day 156

OT Reading: 2 Chronicles 17-19

NT Reading: John 15

In John 15 Jesus uses the illustration that he is the vine and we are the branches. If we remain in him...if we remain connected to him, then through that connection will come life and fruitfulness. And that's pretty. We sing about that idea. We discuss that idea. We may even have pictures up about it in our homes. However In John 15:2 there is a verse I think we just skip over in regard to this whole vine-branch thing. There it reads, "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." (John 15:2, NIV)

So, just so we're clear, let's discuss that. First off...if we are not being fruitful, if we are not being a branch that is beneficial to the overall existence of the vine (i.e. the Kingdom of Jesus), we run the risk of being cut off. Some would say this happens at the end of life, others would argue that it happens now. But the fact remains that there are those trying to live out their 'branch existence' who are not connected to the vine.

Secondly...there is the uncomfortable mention of pruning. If you're not familiar, in pruning one trims off less fruitful or less desirable leaves and shoots in an effort to ensure valuable nutrients go to where the branch most needs and can utilize them. Jesus says that those who are fruitful will be pruned. In other words God will be working in their lives in such a way that he will trim, cut, pull and remove those things that are not helping them grow and blossom. If that sounds uncomfortable...it is.

For some of us, we may need to look at our lives and seriously ask if we're finding our strength and resources from being connected to Jesus...or if we are withering as we try to do things on our own.

For others of us, we may need to recognize that those painful, uncomfortable, difficult experiences in life may be what God is using to prune and shape us into becoming even more fruitful than we are.

Only you can really identify if you're in one situation or the other, but even if you don't feel like you're in either place...perhaps you see that Jesus' illustration of the vine was more than just a pretty picture.

Greater things

Day 155

OT Reading: 2 Chronicles 13-16

NT Reading: John 14

This is one passage that has always gotten/amazed me. It's in John 14:12 which reads, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (NIV, emphasis mine)

Seriously? I read about everything that Jesus did, and he is saying that those who would come after him will do things that are even greater? Granted I get that those 'greater things' will be because the power flows from Christ, and not because we're such wonderful, amazing people. But still...what in the world could be done greater than what Jesus himself did while on earth?

I'll openly admit that I don't know the answer to this question. Personally I'm lead to believe that this statement has to do with how some would spread the gospel to more individuals than he did while he walked this earth...but honestly that's just a best guess. But it's pretty cool to think about isn't it? Jesus is telling those of us who are his followers, that if we just have our faith, our trust and our confidence in him...we may be a part of some really amazing things.

I don't fully get that...but I think that's pretty cool.

Lazarus' little problem

Day 151

OT Reading: 2 Chronicles 1-3

NT Reading: John 12:1-19

Lazarus had a problem...he was dead. Allllllllllllll other problems pale in comparison. And when Jesus came along and did something about his problem Lazarus had a bit of a story to tell.

In today's passage we learn that Jesus was not the only one that the Jews wanted to get rid of. In fact, because of Jesus' miracle we learn that the chief priests wanted to kill even Lazarus. Not because Lazarus himself had done anything wrong. But Lazarus was alive, "many were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him." (John 12:11, NIV).

Now for most of us, we likely do not have quite the testimony that Lazarus had (dead for four days and spoken back to life from your grave). However if you have been truly following Christ for some time you have a story to tell. A story about what He has done in your life. A story about where you were, who you were, and the difference he has made. And what's more...others should know about it.

Not to say that others will always be thrilled about the difference. The Jews certainly would rather Lazarus had stayed dead. But by your living testimony you, like Lazarus, can be a living example of what happens when Jesus comes into your life. No matter how big the problem.

Unrighteous motives.

Day 150

OT Reading: 1 Chronicles 28-29

NT Reading: John 11:47-57

Day 150. Did you catch that? Day 150! Holy cow. We have come so far in reading, and yet...we have so much more to cover. With that, I'd like to offer an emphasis on part of one of the verses we read today.

During David's charge to Solomon we read this little snippet, "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts..." (1 Chronicles 28:9a, NIV)

It was that second part that really jumped out at me. Before David says anything about the actions...before he gets into the specific rights and wrongs of activity, David points out to Solomon God examines even the motives of our hearts.

And I don't really like that because...well I don't always feel like doing the right thing. Even when I may do the right activity, it may not be for the right reason. There are plenty of occasions where my primary motivation to act properly is because of how my actions might reflect on my family, my church and my God. In other words, there are plenty of times that I do the right thing because of what others will see, and not because I have the right motives.

Don't get me wrong, this element of accountability can be beneficial. But at a deeper level it just brings me to the recognition of how unrighteous I really am. That any time I work from an impure motive, God is offended and therefore I have sinned. Kind of sobering that even if I do something right...I might be doing it for the wrong reasons. Which makes me even more thankful that my goodness and righteousness are not dependent on anything I do...but instead are based solely in what has been done for me.

Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead

Day 149

OT Reading: 1 Chronicles 26-27

NT Reading: John 11:18-46

So please be honest with me. For those of you who are reading through the Bible with me in a year, when reading through the gatekeepers in 1 Chronicles 26 today, did anyone else keep thinking, "I am the key-master, are you the gatekeeper?" I'm fairly certain I'll hear Rick Moranis in my sleep saying that. (For those of you too young to get the reference, just Google the statement :-) ).

In the New Testament portion, we concluded reading the story of Jesus and Lazarus. If you have not, I'd again strongly recommend watching that message by Andy Stanley that I linked to in yesterday's post. But there were a couple things I wanted to point out from this event.

1. "Jesus wept."(John 11:35, NIV)

It's the shortest verse in the Bible. I'm fairly certain you can memorize it quite easily. And yet, within this simple phrase is a tremendous message. Even though Jesus fully knew what he was about to do...even though he knew how the story would end...he still wept. Whether out of sheer brokenness from the fact that he knew this is never how God intended things to be, or whether he simply took a moment in the midst of this painful circumstance to mourn with Mary and Martha. For whatever reason, Jesus showed his humanity as he wept.

2. "'Take away the stone,' he said. 'But, Lord,' said Martha, the sister of the dead man, 'by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.'" (John 11:40, NIV)

There actually was a reason that Jesus waited four days before performing this miracle. I'm not certain of the origin of this belief, but in early Judaistic tradition it was believed that once dead, a person's spirit still hovered over (or existed near, or possibly even in) the body for three days. After that time period the spirit was released to be in paradise or punishment. If Jesus had come on say, day two. Those around who held onto this belief could have tried to explain away the event as though the spirit had just awakened. However by waiting until the forth day even the skeptics were forced to recognize that Jesus, with just a word, brought Lazarus back from death.

A couple years ago I was attending a local funeral, and I witnessed some activities at the viewing that I was completely unfamiliar with. Because of my curious nature regarding faith, I began to ask questions to some of my friends who were more familiar with this particular religious tradition. After several calls I finally was alerted that this belief of "spirit still with the body" was the basis for these activities. Maybe to you that's a mundane discovery, but to me it was fascinating :-).

When God does nothing

Day 148

OT Reading: 1 Chronicles 23-25

NT Reading: John 11:1-17

Just last night at church we concluded an elective titled Five Things God Uses to Grow Your Faith. It's a DVD-based series by Andy Stanley, and actually is available for you to view for free online here. During the last message, one titled "Pivotal Circumstances", Andy Stanley spends the entire message speaking about the events of John 11. If you have about 40-45 minutes, I'd strongly encourage you to watch this message.

However since I know most of those who read this simply will not take the time, I'll offer the cliff notes version.

In John 11 Jesus does something that we don't expect...and frankly...something we'd hope God would never do. To be quite honest, what Jesus does in John 11 is so contrary to how we expect God to act that to some it is a direct shock to our faith. In John 11 Jesus not only permits a horrible circumstance...but he causes it to happen. Consider the following events:

* Jesus learns of Lazarus' (a close friend of his) illness (John 11:3)

* Jesus choose to not return to Bethany and not heal Lazarus from afar. In fact, though Lazarus' health is deteriorating, Jesus essentially does nothing. (John 11:6)

* Lazarus dies...and Jesus knew it was going to happen the whole time (John 11:14)

Think about this. Jesus could have returned to Bethany. Jesus could have healed Lazarus from a distance (we've seen this happen a few other times). But instead Jesus intentionally acted in such a way that Lazarus still died. Mary and Martha had to watch his health fail. All the family, all the friends had to bury him. No one was spared the pain of this death, all because Jesus did nothing.

Jesus had healed tons who would have been considered complete strangers; yet with these who he was apparently quite close to, Jesus did nothing.

Ever prayed for something and God did not answer? Ever have a genuine prayer request that anyone in their right mind would be asking for (e.g. the healing of a small child)? Ever have a situation where you know God could do something, and should do something...yet He didn't? Have you ever felt as though you needed to make excuses to your non-believing friends for God...because of when he did not act?

If you answered, "yes" to any or all of those questions...you probably have an idea as to what Mary and Martha felt like. You can probably understand their pain and frustration and confusion with what Jesus was doing. I mean...he'd healed complete strangers, wouldn't he certainly come through for his friend?

And yet Jesus not only allowed, but acted in such a way so that Lazarus did die. In fact Jesus tells his disciples, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe." (John 11:14-15, NIV) In other words Jesus thinks their faith, their belief, their experience of his power is so important to him that this is what he's willing to allow his friends to endure.

That's not the type of faith we like to think about. We like our faith to grow through bills getting miraculously paid, healings, job opportunities and sports team victories...But a God, who is not only willing but active in allowing us to endure pain...just so our faith will grow? Wow. Not many would be likely to sign up for that.

But this is how important it is to God for us to have big, enormous, 'holy cow did you see that' type of confidence in Him. This is how important it is to God that we have 'BIG faith.' And while we would never sign up for certain circumstances, while we would never wish them on anybody...so many times coming out the other side we would agree with Jesus when he says, "No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it..." (John 11:4, NIV)

That's not always a comfort in the midst of the pain. But if you are in a 'pivotal circumstance' in your life, I pray this is a concept that you may be able to hold on to.

"Before Abraham was born, I am!"

Day 143

OT Reading: 1 Chronicles 8-10

NT Reading: John 8:37-59

I'm not sure if you have, but on a variety of occasions I have had people argue that Jesus never claimed to be God. They will make the case that nowhere in the gospels did Jesus in fact align himself as deity and that position only came much later as we glamorized Him and His death. The problem with this argument is that...well...it's wrong.

Let me explain. If you remember back when Moses was on the mountain speaking to God through the burning bush (Exodus 3), he asked, "What if they ask what your name is? What shall I tell them?" God replied, "I am who I am. You are to tell them I am has sent me." This statement of, "I am" signified God as eternal. Not, "I was" nor, "I will be" God said, "I am."

Fast-forwarding some 1500 years, to the events we read about tonight. Near the end of chapter eight Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born I am!" (John 8:58, NIV). To some this may be kind of cryptic or odd...but in 8:59 the Jews were not getting ready to stone Jesus just because he was weird. They were preparing to stone him because to them he had committed the sin of blasphemy; that is he had claimed to be God. We could trace statements like this throughout the life of Christ all the way to where he is crucified; not for doing miracles, not for kissing babies, not for teaching, not even for being a pain to the religious authorities...Jesus is executed for blasphemy.

Blasphemy, according to the Old Testament laws, was punishable by death. And therefore Jesus would have been a blasphemer...UNLESS he was speaking truth when he was claiming to be God.

So perhaps you should under line this statement. Maybe commit this one to memory. But now the next time someone asserts that Jesus never actually claimed to be God, hopefully you'll know how to respond.

What's in a name?

Day 142

OT Reading: 1 Chronicles 6-7

NT Reading: John 8:21-36

As we've been reading through this long, long, long list of names in Chronicles I have noticed how often people were named something for a specific reason. And really this was the norm in Biblical times. While most today name children just because they like the sound of something (the very reason we picked our son's name), for 21st century Americans the meaning of a name is secondary (his name means "God is forgiving" for those keeping score at home). However in the Old Testament this was generally the opposite. Names were not added to the vocabulary...they were just pieces of the vocabulary.

For instance, if I were calling my son I would not call him by his given name, I'd be yelling out the door, "God is forgiving. Come in for supper, 'God is forgiving!'" Now this would not be so bad if your name was something like "the Lord is salvation" (the meaning for Joshua), but it might be a little awkward if your name is 'not mine' or 'unloved' (we'll get to those in Hosea).

As I read through this vast array of names I recognize how each of these names had meaning. Each were named for particular reasons and events that were happening in the lives of the family and community. And since I'm not ambitious enough to look up all of them, in those instances when we're given insight into why someone was named what they were...I pay a bit more attention.

The account of the woman...

Day 141

OT Reading: 1 Chronicles 3-5

NT Reading: John 8:1-20

I've not been feeling very inspired to write lately. Of course that could be directly connected to having the stomach flu (one of the blessed gifts given to me by my beloved wifey), or it could be due to the endless span of names, names and more names that we've come across since we started Chronicles. Remember how I was dreading Numbers? Maybe Chronicles should have been my section of dread.

If you've been reading my random rantings for awhile, you may recall that I posted something about Mark chapter 16 a couple months ago, and how in your Bible there may be a note in your Bible that reads something like, "Earliest and most reliable manuscripts do not have this section." Well if you recall that, a couple things I need to mention. First, I've not yet responded to the question about why I think Mark 16 should end at verse eight (sorry Melissa...I will get to it, I promise). Second, you may notice that a similar remark is made about what many would say is one of their favorite accounts in the gospels as Jesus deals with the woman caught in the act of adultery.

Honestly, I don't know. I haven't made up my mind...mainly because I haven't studied this section thoroughly enough to have an informed opinion. But here are a couple things I do know.

1. This account is very much in line with the character of Jesus, therefore it does not change our Christology (a fancy theological word which simply refers to the study of Christ).

2. Earliest and most reliable manuscripts in fact do not have this text.

3. One early manuscript has this account appearing in the gospel of Luke, and not John.

All in all this is something I'd need to put more time and effort into studying before coming to an informed decision. Emotionally I'd love to go "all-in" on this passage with all certainty...but I can't do that and be honest to myself and to you.

So if nothing else, hopefully this was at least something for you to chew on.

The bronze snakes

Day 137

OT Reading: 2 Kings 18-19

NT Reading: John 6:22-44

It's funny how often we misuse things. God provides perfectly a perfectly good, wholesome gift and we skew it to serve our own purposes.

This idea jumped out at me because of what I read in 2 Kings 18:4. You may remember reading back in Numbers 21 (and referenced again in John 3) that God sent a plague of snakes among the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness. When the snakes showed up, the people repented and begged God for forgiveness. God told Moses to make a bronze snake and put it on a staff. Then, whenever someone was bit, all they had to do was look to the snake and they would be healed. Well it seems, centuries later, that the people of Judah were apparently offering incense to this snake...treating it as a god.

Pretty ridiculous huh?

But before we too quickly cast judgement...think about some of the ways we do this today.

Food is one example. Now, I like food. I like food A LOT. I enjoy cooking, I really enjoy eating. I personally see eating good food as one of those simple, pure pleasures of life. Yet when we run to food as an element of security, when we over-indulge in food, when our stomachs become our gods that we must endlessly "offer sacrifices" to...then this good, pure gift is misused in a way God never intended. Food essentially becomes our god.

And really the same thing could be said about work, money, sex, relationships, religious activities, authority...the list could go on and on. An innumerable amount of ways exist that we take what God has given us and misuse them.

So while it may be easy to snicker at those foolish Israelites who once again ran after created things...realize that not a lot has changed in 2500 plus years of history. Look around you and you will see that you, and I have bronze snakes in our lives even today.

Why do they dislike the Samaritans?

Day 136
OT Reading: 2 Kings 15-17
NT Reading: John 6:1-21

For hundreds of years, Israel had done things their way. A variety of kings had come and gone. Some had been good, many had been bad. But after awhile God had simply had enough. In today's reading, God allows Israel...his chosen people, the nation through which he would bless the whole world...to be defeated in battle and taken into captivity.

There is one very distinct element of all this that I hope you can grasp though...and that is what happens with Samaria. As we saw in 2 Kings 17, after the Israelites are moved out Samaria is filled with Assyrians who (due to some pesky lions) end up learning about the desires of "the god of that country." Later on when some Jews make their way back to this area, they will intermarry with these Assyrians and create a new race of people called "Samaritans."

For our studies this is a crucial element that I hope you do not miss. In the New Testament we run into Samaritans and references to Samaria quite often (think, "The Good Samaritan" of Luke 11 and "Jesus with the Samaritan woman" in John 4). But there we see that Samaritans are despised, hated and treated as inferior...yet nowhere in the New Testment are we told why.

Well it all stems back several centuries and begins here. With this import of Assyrians (and the subsequent inter-marrying that we'll read about later), Samaritans became a "mixed blood" race...and were therefore seen by "true Jews" as half-breeds.

Perhaps to you that's just an insignificant detail. But my hope is that you will see New Testament interactions between Jews and Samaritans in a new light.

As one other note of interest (well, at least I find it interesting), there is still a group of about 400 Samaritans who live in the same region today. As I understand (though I admit I have not done extensive research) these present-day Samaritans view themselves as part of the inheritance of Israel, and maintain sacrificial practices even to this day.

Musings on 2 Kings

Day 135

OT Reading: 2 Kings 12-14

NT Reading: John 5:25-47

If you haven't noticed, we've crossed the 800 barrier. We now have less than 800 chapters to go. I know, there's still a long way, but it's pretty cool nonetheless :-).

I forgot how many kings there were. Of course, I should have remembered that we're going through several hundred years of history for two nations, so of course there are a lot of kings. But after awhile they just all blend together.

For the record, I'm not going to quiz you on any of them. While I may point out specific memorable ones (and in fact I had to memorize these lists in college), the kings themselves all just run together after awhile. So don't worry about making sure you have your Amaziahs figured out from your Azariahs and your Jorams from your Jehorams.

The important thing through this section is to recognize how the actions and decisions of one leader would impact an entire nation. Some chose to walk in the ways of God...perhaps patterning their own lives after David, a priest or one of their other ancestors. Others chose to completely disobey God, sometimes...again...in the pattern of their ancestors.

I feel like there is something to that...developing a culture and influencing the next generation of leaders for Christ. I feel like there is something here about the examples that are set by the leader of any group; a home, an organization, a business or a church. I feel as though there is something about how someone's relationship with God will directly impact their leadership and influence those they lead...there's something here about all that. But I'm still working through all that in my mind.

Maybe I'll figure it out in the next chapter...

Bear Grylls Live!

Warning: Random Post Alert!

Ok, so I really was planning on posting tonight. But having gone to see Bear Grylls (the guy from Man vs. Wild if you don't know who that is by name) speak live at Southeast Christian Church has put me back later...with a non-functioning brain. So for tonight, a little shot from the fun event I got to go to :-).

A curious question and a quick lesson

Day 131

OT Reading: 2 Kings 1-3

NT Reading: John 3:22-36

The question I have is, "How did they know?" Seriously...all throughout 2 Kings 2 we keep seeing that not only Elijah, but a variety of different prophets step forward and all seem to know that God was going to take Elijah that very day. So my question is...how did they all know?

Was there some sort of prophetic memo that went out, and was a TPS report required with such a memo? Did Elijah have a vision previously that on "such and such day" he would be taken? How did everyone seem to know what was about to happen?

Well unfortunately every little curiosity of mine is not answered in the Bible. It is just one of those details that is mentioned with no explanation. But of course it begins to raise the question to me...would I want to know? Would I want everyone else to know when God would take me (whether it be through something miraculous like Elijah or by more conventional passing-away)? Hmmm...not sure. Something to ponder though.

Oh, and another quick-lesson from 2 Kings 2. I probably need to be careful how I make fun of our worship minister Daniel. I'd hate for him to call out the bears on me ;-).