Sometimes in the Bible I believe it's so easy to see the many good and pleasing words, which are certainly there, no doubt. However, at times we look over the words that we don't want to say... today's scripture readings hold two examples. First we have Jonathan who must bid farewell to his dear friend, denying his own desire for companionship to protect his friend. Secondly, Jesus shares harsh words of correction at a dinner party.
I pray that God may teach me when I need to speak and what I need to speak, even when it is not what I want to say... when they are words that sidestep my own desires or words that may include harsh correction.
Good-bye
Words that We Don't Want
Then Jonathan said to David: "Tomorrow is the New Moon festival. You will be missed, because your seat will be empty. 19 The day after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the place where you hid when this trouble began, and wait by the stone Ezel. 20 I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target. 21 Then I will send a boy and say, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I say to him, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them here,' then come, because, as surely as the LORD lives, you are safe; there is no danger. 22 But if I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then you must go, because the LORD has sent you away. 23 And about the matter you and I discussed—remember, the LORD is witness between you and me forever."...
30 Saul's anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, "You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don't I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? 31 As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send and bring him to me, for he must die!"
32 "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?" Jonathan asked his father. 33 But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. Then Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David.
34 Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger; on that second day of the month he did not eat, because he was grieved at his father's shameful treatment of David.
35 In the morning Jonathan went out to the field for his meeting with David. He had a small boy with him, 36 and he said to the boy, "Run and find the arrows I shoot." As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. 37 When the boy came to the place where Jonathan's arrow had fallen, Jonathan called out after him, "Isn't the arrow beyond you?" 38 Then he shouted, "Hurry! Go quickly! Don't stop!" The boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master. 39 (The boy knew nothing of all this; only Jonathan and David knew.) 40 Then Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and said, "Go, carry them back to town."
41 After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together—but David wept the most.
42 Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.' " Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town. -1 Samuel 20:18-23, 30-42
The parting of Jonathan and David certainly is not easy. Jonathan would not like his friend to have to leave his side, but his love and concern for his friend is greater than the importance of his own desires. This is rather easy to talk about, but when it's something deep, it's harder to set it aside. This reminds me of my dear friend Kammy, who was here last year and brightened up my life. I miss her so much. She was a wonderful friend to me, but she had her husband waiting at home, her life waiting at home, and now she is happy there with him and her new little baby girl who is absolutely precious. The farewell was hard, but it has been good for her.
Still, it's important to note that this 'giving up of ones' own desires' is not always a physical good-bye. It might also be a good-bye to a previous plan. Before this Fall, I'd planned on going back home to PA to teach for a while before continuing my studies. Though it's sad not to be at home, it's for the good of my new young marriage and for my own good in a way. God has given me other wonderful opportunities that I myself didn't plan out- an amazing husband-to-be who loves me so much and acceptance into a top program with wonderful colleagues, supportive professors, interesting classes and a variety of expansive opportunities.
I guess another example is that I was hoping to go to Guatemala this summer (while Brad's in Brazil) and visit a project that I love there called Education and Hope, that's actually where we signed up for a registry. In fact, it's one of my dreams to possibly set up or work with a similar program somewhere, perhaps in the DR with our church. To me the DR stands out, since so many Haitians (without DR citizenship) have no right to an education. But, there's a lot going on this summer, along with a lot of expenses tied up with a new home, etc... so I might not make the trip this summer. It's hard to not do something that would be a great experience, but I have new priorities coming my way, a new family I'm starting... and this I love.
Woe
Words of Correction
37When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. 38But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised.
39Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41But give what is inside the dish [b] to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.
42"Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.
43"Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
44"Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it."
45One of the experts in the law answered him, "Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also."
46Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.
47"Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your forefathers who killed them. 48So you testify that you approve of what your forefathers did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. 49Because of this, God in his wisdom said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.' 50Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, 51from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.
52"Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."
53When Jesus left there, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, 54waiting to catch him in something he might say. -Luke 11:37-53
I was especially struck by these words this morning. For all the times we read of a gentle Jesus with quiet and loving and mild mannered words, these words are striking. I'm reminded that Jesus was anything but silent. When he noticed that something was amiss, he called it out. When he believed that something wasn't correct, he mentioned it. I pray that God may give me wisdom when I need to speak out, and when I should remain quiet.
Sometimes it's hard to speak out. We don't want to create 'conflict.' But being pacifist is not being 'passive,' though that's the common myth. Actually "pacifism" does not just mean peace but "peace making"- note the active verb in the second part of this definition. Pacifists were always rather countercultural... taking punishment and persecution without resorting to the "(carnal) sword" as they put it, their actions spoke as loudly as their words. They spoke out with words and their ways that they believed in a Jesus who asked us to 'turn the other cheek' and 'love our enemies.' In fact, that is one of the reasons the COB still exists today, a strong belief that a historical tradition of Biblical pacifism (in addition to radical discipleship) is a unique and significant witness, described in Dale Brown's book "Biblical Pacifism" as a "faithful prophetic minority [that] provide[s] a needed alternative model."
In a more day to day context, we might think about when God is asking us to challenge our brothers and sisters, remind them of the blessings of corporal worship and bible studies, and invite them to participate in prayer groups, etc.
Lord, teach us when we need to say what we might not need to say- whether words that go against our own desires or words that correct.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
The Space In Between: Least/Greatest, Sinful/Holy
It's probably true of most of us that we neither feel the least nor the greatest, neither completely sinful nor completely holy. Instead, we find ourselves in the precarious position somewhere in between. For when we allow ourselves to be the least, we are often lifted up to be the greatest. When we recognize our sin and God's amazing grace to cover that, His holy spirit makes us holy.
The power of the least...
The beauty of the sinful...
Our Bible reveals the lovely, surprising and amazing power that Jesus has to change and transform the labels we fit into.
From the Least
A Scaredy Cat and a King
17 Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the LORD at Mizpah 18 and said to them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you.' 19 But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your calamities and distresses. And you have said, 'No, set a king over us.' So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans."
20 When Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. 21 Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri's clan was chosen. Finally Saul son of Kish was chosen. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. 22 So they inquired further of the LORD, "Has the man come here yet?"
And the LORD said, "Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage."
23 They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others. 24 Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see the man the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people."
Then the people shouted, "Long live the king!"
25 Samuel explained to the people the regulations of the kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the LORD. Then Samuel dismissed the people, each to his own home.
26 Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some troublemakers said, "How can this fellow save us?" They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent. -1 Samuel 10:17-27
Amazing but true. Here we find an example of a scared-y cat. I'm sure Saul would've been made fun of on the playground for his antics. He was hiding behind the luggage when Samuel appointed him king in front of the people! Could you imagine: Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you... the president of the United States of America. And there he is, hiding among the hedges in the rose garden... walking out timidly as his name is mentioned. I'm sure that our response might be similar: "How can this fellow lead us?"
But here lies the beauty of God's power to take the least and transform it into the greatest. Moses, Saul, Joseph, Mary... in Mary's song, she praises God for how He takes His humble servant and lifts her up to a place of honor. And He still does this today. Are you feeling a little downtrodden, a little less-than at work, at home, at school? Do you feel that people say,
"How can this little fellow/lady ______?"
do a PhD
lead a congregation
sell timeshares in a bad economy
complete comprehensive exams
The answer is clear... God's power will take any "little fellow" to the place of greatness... allow Him to work through you.
A Child and Jesus
46An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all—he is the greatest."
49"Master," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us."
50"Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you." -Luke 9:46-49
Again, it's important to remember that during this time children and women had no place at all. They weren't allowed to speak in the presence of adults. They belonged to a very different sphere. Jesus here lifts up two very important different types of people: children and outsiders.
The children, who were not even a part of society yet, are placed in a place of honor. After all... "welcoming a child" is like "welcoming [Jesus]". How important it becomes to treat someone that would be shut out of the conversation in a respectful way. I don't believe that here Jesus is only referring to children, but all of those that would be shut out of the conversation.
And the second, the outsider, mentioned just after this portion of scripture would confirm this. The disciples knew what Jesus wanted them to do, but they were upset and others, outsiders, who were doing things in Jesus name. Was this allowed? How could this be? Wasn't this "their" job? But Jesus tells them to 'let them be.' These 'outsiders' may not be outsiders at all. After all, the blessing of Jesus gift is that there are no longer any outsiders... we are all welcomed in... strangers, children, weak, young... there are no excluding factors.
From the Sinful
Sinful but Serving
20 "Do not be afraid," Samuel replied. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away." -1 Samuel 12:20-25
Sinful but Following
41"O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here."-Luke 9:41
57As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
58Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
59He said to another man, "Follow me."
But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
60Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
61 Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family."
62Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."-Luke 9:57-62
The power of the least...
The beauty of the sinful...
Our Bible reveals the lovely, surprising and amazing power that Jesus has to change and transform the labels we fit into.
From the Least
A Scaredy Cat and a King
17 Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the LORD at Mizpah 18 and said to them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you.' 19 But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your calamities and distresses. And you have said, 'No, set a king over us.' So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans."
20 When Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. 21 Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri's clan was chosen. Finally Saul son of Kish was chosen. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. 22 So they inquired further of the LORD, "Has the man come here yet?"
And the LORD said, "Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage."
23 They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others. 24 Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see the man the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people."
Then the people shouted, "Long live the king!"
25 Samuel explained to the people the regulations of the kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the LORD. Then Samuel dismissed the people, each to his own home.
26 Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some troublemakers said, "How can this fellow save us?" They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent. -1 Samuel 10:17-27
Amazing but true. Here we find an example of a scared-y cat. I'm sure Saul would've been made fun of on the playground for his antics. He was hiding behind the luggage when Samuel appointed him king in front of the people! Could you imagine: Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you... the president of the United States of America. And there he is, hiding among the hedges in the rose garden... walking out timidly as his name is mentioned. I'm sure that our response might be similar: "How can this fellow lead us?"
But here lies the beauty of God's power to take the least and transform it into the greatest. Moses, Saul, Joseph, Mary... in Mary's song, she praises God for how He takes His humble servant and lifts her up to a place of honor. And He still does this today. Are you feeling a little downtrodden, a little less-than at work, at home, at school? Do you feel that people say,
"How can this little fellow/lady ______?"
do a PhD
lead a congregation
sell timeshares in a bad economy
complete comprehensive exams
The answer is clear... God's power will take any "little fellow" to the place of greatness... allow Him to work through you.
A Child and Jesus
46An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all—he is the greatest."
49"Master," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us."
50"Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you." -Luke 9:46-49
Again, it's important to remember that during this time children and women had no place at all. They weren't allowed to speak in the presence of adults. They belonged to a very different sphere. Jesus here lifts up two very important different types of people: children and outsiders.
The children, who were not even a part of society yet, are placed in a place of honor. After all... "welcoming a child" is like "welcoming [Jesus]". How important it becomes to treat someone that would be shut out of the conversation in a respectful way. I don't believe that here Jesus is only referring to children, but all of those that would be shut out of the conversation.
And the second, the outsider, mentioned just after this portion of scripture would confirm this. The disciples knew what Jesus wanted them to do, but they were upset and others, outsiders, who were doing things in Jesus name. Was this allowed? How could this be? Wasn't this "their" job? But Jesus tells them to 'let them be.' These 'outsiders' may not be outsiders at all. After all, the blessing of Jesus gift is that there are no longer any outsiders... we are all welcomed in... strangers, children, weak, young... there are no excluding factors.
From the Sinful
Sinful but Serving
20 "Do not be afraid," Samuel replied. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away." -1 Samuel 12:20-25
Sinful but Following
41"O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here."-Luke 9:41
57As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
58Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
59He said to another man, "Follow me."
But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
60Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
61 Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family."
62Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."-Luke 9:57-62
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
"Oh, Alright" - Obeying When It's Not Fun
I wonder if you are as familiar with the "Oh, alright" response as I am. It's what you say when...
you'd rather continue pulling your sister's hair
you'd rather finish watching the basketball game instead of helping set the table
you'd rather sleep in on Sunday morning instead of preparing a lesson
you'd rather not make dinner for a huge group of people
you'd rather not take the 'open door'
But it needs to be done, and you're willing. While we're sometimes displeased and sometimes not thrilled with the idea, there is value in our obedience, even when we'd rather...
And Samuel and the disciples demonstrate the value of obedience even when you're displeased, even when it's not easy.
When You're Displeased...
6 But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. 7 And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do."...
19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."
21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king."
Then Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Everyone go back to his town." -1 Samuel 8:6-9,19-21
I was immediately struck by this situation. Samuel was displeased, even so... he prayed about it. And he was open to to listen to God's will for him. Even though it wasn't what he wanted to hear, that was what he heard.
Sometimes I feel like I resist what God's telling me if I'm displeased with it. Now, I am extremely excited about the PhD program I'm entering- the wonderfully sweet SLAT community, the exciting research opportunities, the diversity of experiences and interdisciplinary nature of the program, but it was something that I resisted for a while. I got on a listserv for different jobs in the area, searched on several other job sites, etc. But, I didn't want to hear that the PhD was for me. Finally, it seemed like the open door... and so that's where I am. After talking with Dr. Waugh and other grad students, I feel very much at peace with my decision and pleased with the opportunities and preparation that SLAT will provide for me. But, I resisted. I was initially displeased, and I didn't want to hear anything other than what I wanted to hear.
So I must tell you that I greatly admire Samuel this morning... and his obedience, in spite of his displeasure- to go and pray to God and to be so open to His leading.
When It's Not Easy...
23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." -Luke 9:23-27
Additionally, we have the disciples who are told to-
daily take up their cross
follow
lose their life
They were told to give up everything they had- their career, their material possessions- and follow. They were told to take up their cross- a physical burden symbolizing perhaps the weight of their responsibility. They were told to lose their life- making others and the work of the kingdom more important than themselves.
This is not an easy message, but the disciples obeyed.
I pray to day that even when we are not thrilled with what we need to do, that we might say, "Oh, alright" and give it to God.
you'd rather continue pulling your sister's hair
you'd rather finish watching the basketball game instead of helping set the table
you'd rather sleep in on Sunday morning instead of preparing a lesson
you'd rather not make dinner for a huge group of people
you'd rather not take the 'open door'
But it needs to be done, and you're willing. While we're sometimes displeased and sometimes not thrilled with the idea, there is value in our obedience, even when we'd rather...
And Samuel and the disciples demonstrate the value of obedience even when you're displeased, even when it's not easy.
When You're Displeased...
6 But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. 7 And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do."...
19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."
21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king."
Then Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Everyone go back to his town." -1 Samuel 8:6-9,19-21
I was immediately struck by this situation. Samuel was displeased, even so... he prayed about it. And he was open to to listen to God's will for him. Even though it wasn't what he wanted to hear, that was what he heard.
Sometimes I feel like I resist what God's telling me if I'm displeased with it. Now, I am extremely excited about the PhD program I'm entering- the wonderfully sweet SLAT community, the exciting research opportunities, the diversity of experiences and interdisciplinary nature of the program, but it was something that I resisted for a while. I got on a listserv for different jobs in the area, searched on several other job sites, etc. But, I didn't want to hear that the PhD was for me. Finally, it seemed like the open door... and so that's where I am. After talking with Dr. Waugh and other grad students, I feel very much at peace with my decision and pleased with the opportunities and preparation that SLAT will provide for me. But, I resisted. I was initially displeased, and I didn't want to hear anything other than what I wanted to hear.
So I must tell you that I greatly admire Samuel this morning... and his obedience, in spite of his displeasure- to go and pray to God and to be so open to His leading.
When It's Not Easy...
23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." -Luke 9:23-27
Additionally, we have the disciples who are told to-
daily take up their cross
follow
lose their life
They were told to give up everything they had- their career, their material possessions- and follow. They were told to take up their cross- a physical burden symbolizing perhaps the weight of their responsibility. They were told to lose their life- making others and the work of the kingdom more important than themselves.
This is not an easy message, but the disciples obeyed.
I pray to day that even when we are not thrilled with what we need to do, that we might say, "Oh, alright" and give it to God.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
For This I Have God
I don't know if this happens to everyone, but sometimes I just feel so small. I feel the world and everything is so big. Little me... I can't handle anything. The ODB reflection tells of a sermon in which the pastor suggested to make our mantra, "For this, I have God."
In the middle of your daughter's temper tantrum, "For this, I have God."
At the start of your written comprehensive exams, "For this, I have God."
Before a cross country move, "For this, I have God."
During your 10th job interview, "For this, I have God."
God's power is what we need in these situations, and it is recounted in many lovely stories in the Bible. The story of the Ark of the Lord shows how God protected the Israelites, and Luke 9 tells of the power Jesus gave to the disciples to preach.
Power for Protection
19 But God struck down some of the men of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy [i] of them to death because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the LORD had dealt them, 20 and the men of Beth Shemesh asked, "Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom will the ark go up from here?"
21 Then they sent messengers to the people of Kiriath Jearim, saying, "The Philistines have returned the ark of the LORD. Come down and take it up to your place." -1 Samuel 6:19-21
This story is quite amazing. They moved the ark of the covenant of the Lord from Israel, and bad things happened wherever they took it. What I get from this story is that even though the Israelites were powerless to keep the ark in their possession, powerless to fight against the Philistines, God's power fought for them. However, I can't ignore this ending verse either... God struck down the men who looked into the ark, and their response was mourning but also awe and wonder... "Who can stand in the presence of the holy God?"
I fear that sometimes we make people to big and God too small. We fail to recognize with every day how much power God to do every single thing, to create every single things, to undo every single thing! His power is amazing... and His love is amazing in that in spite of His power and authority, He chooses to love each of us and use His power to protect and love His people.
Power for Preaching
1When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 4Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." 6So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
7Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed, because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, 8others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. 9But Herod said, "I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?" And he tried to see him. -Luke 9:1-9
I love these verses too, especially the beginning verse. How can we fear what God sends us to do, when we know that He will protect and empower and enable us to do that for which He commands us. We don't need any material things, perhaps no training even... we just go where He sends us and allow His power to work through us.
Where are you called to ministry? A supportive women's group? A coffee time before worship at church? Going around to your neighborhood homes and praying for families? A prayer group? A Bible Study? Remember, "For this, you have God." Pray that He may enable you with the power of His Holy Spirit in order to further His ministry here on earth.
In the middle of your daughter's temper tantrum, "For this, I have God."
At the start of your written comprehensive exams, "For this, I have God."
Before a cross country move, "For this, I have God."
During your 10th job interview, "For this, I have God."
God's power is what we need in these situations, and it is recounted in many lovely stories in the Bible. The story of the Ark of the Lord shows how God protected the Israelites, and Luke 9 tells of the power Jesus gave to the disciples to preach.
Power for Protection
19 But God struck down some of the men of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy [i] of them to death because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the LORD had dealt them, 20 and the men of Beth Shemesh asked, "Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom will the ark go up from here?"
21 Then they sent messengers to the people of Kiriath Jearim, saying, "The Philistines have returned the ark of the LORD. Come down and take it up to your place." -1 Samuel 6:19-21
This story is quite amazing. They moved the ark of the covenant of the Lord from Israel, and bad things happened wherever they took it. What I get from this story is that even though the Israelites were powerless to keep the ark in their possession, powerless to fight against the Philistines, God's power fought for them. However, I can't ignore this ending verse either... God struck down the men who looked into the ark, and their response was mourning but also awe and wonder... "Who can stand in the presence of the holy God?"
I fear that sometimes we make people to big and God too small. We fail to recognize with every day how much power God to do every single thing, to create every single things, to undo every single thing! His power is amazing... and His love is amazing in that in spite of His power and authority, He chooses to love each of us and use His power to protect and love His people.
Power for Preaching
1When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 4Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." 6So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
7Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed, because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, 8others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. 9But Herod said, "I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?" And he tried to see him. -Luke 9:1-9
I love these verses too, especially the beginning verse. How can we fear what God sends us to do, when we know that He will protect and empower and enable us to do that for which He commands us. We don't need any material things, perhaps no training even... we just go where He sends us and allow His power to work through us.
Where are you called to ministry? A supportive women's group? A coffee time before worship at church? Going around to your neighborhood homes and praying for families? A prayer group? A Bible Study? Remember, "For this, you have God." Pray that He may enable you with the power of His Holy Spirit in order to further His ministry here on earth.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Praise: Why, When, Who
Praise is a common "church word." Just say the word and millions of word associations form in our mind-
"Praise Him, Praise Him, all the little children.."
"Praise the Lord."
"I will praise him, for all of my days..."
"worthy of praise..."
But, there's a lot to this that we refer to as praise, and the Bible is brimming with information on praise. Why is it right to offer praise? When should we offer praise? Who should we praise?
Why
The Lord has anointed Me . . . to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning. —Isaiah 61:1,3
While this topic deserves a 20 page paper, I believe that at least one of the reasons behind praise is inherent in this verse. God desires to give the world beauty for ashes, joy for mourning. In praising God, we are completing His will for the world. We are doing what He has ordained to be done... we are offering a bit of God Himself. Our praise is beautiful, our praise is joyful. We exchange the ashes for the beauty and the mourning for the joy in our decision to praise the Lord.
When
25 When they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli, 26 and she said to him, "As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. 27 I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there. -1 Samuel 1:25-28
This morning I am again struck by Hannah's faithfulness. God knows first hand how difficult it is to give up a child, and Hannah had promised her first born to the Lord, so that is what she did. Not only did she give her son in service to the Lord, she worshiped the Lord for His blessing... instead of mourning the loss of her child. I cannot think of a more beautiful depiction of turning her joy into morning that the lovely song of praise in 1 Samuel 2.
Who
38The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39"Return home and tell how much God has done for you." So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.- Luke 8:38-39
Additionally, this verse reminds me this morning that we are not simply to praise anyone or anything. Praise in a Biblical sense is meant of the one who is worthy of praise, the Lord our God. Now I think it's important to note here that the man, as many in that day, may not have recognized Jesus as Lord, as a part of the Holy Trinity. Or perhaps he did. These two verses hold a certain essence of ambiguity. Does Luke mean to tell us that in telling about "how much Jesus had done for him," the man was recognizing Jesus' power. Or was he missing the point and not treating Jesus as God?
This Sunday, I painted Easter Eggs with the children in the church, and we talked about its symbol of the trinity- shell, white yolk/ father, son, holy spirit. Whether we praise either one of these with words, we are in essence praising the whole... and our praise should be offered to God- father, son and holy spirit... not to some other third party such as money, wealth, fame, ambition, etc.
Praise!
Because it shows who God is and completes His purpose,
Praise!
Even difficult times,
Praise!
The Lord, God of all- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
"Praise Him, Praise Him, all the little children.."
"Praise the Lord."
"I will praise him, for all of my days..."
"worthy of praise..."
But, there's a lot to this that we refer to as praise, and the Bible is brimming with information on praise. Why is it right to offer praise? When should we offer praise? Who should we praise?
Why
The Lord has anointed Me . . . to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning. —Isaiah 61:1,3
While this topic deserves a 20 page paper, I believe that at least one of the reasons behind praise is inherent in this verse. God desires to give the world beauty for ashes, joy for mourning. In praising God, we are completing His will for the world. We are doing what He has ordained to be done... we are offering a bit of God Himself. Our praise is beautiful, our praise is joyful. We exchange the ashes for the beauty and the mourning for the joy in our decision to praise the Lord.
When
25 When they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli, 26 and she said to him, "As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. 27 I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there. -1 Samuel 1:25-28
This morning I am again struck by Hannah's faithfulness. God knows first hand how difficult it is to give up a child, and Hannah had promised her first born to the Lord, so that is what she did. Not only did she give her son in service to the Lord, she worshiped the Lord for His blessing... instead of mourning the loss of her child. I cannot think of a more beautiful depiction of turning her joy into morning that the lovely song of praise in 1 Samuel 2.
Who
38The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39"Return home and tell how much God has done for you." So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.- Luke 8:38-39
Additionally, this verse reminds me this morning that we are not simply to praise anyone or anything. Praise in a Biblical sense is meant of the one who is worthy of praise, the Lord our God. Now I think it's important to note here that the man, as many in that day, may not have recognized Jesus as Lord, as a part of the Holy Trinity. Or perhaps he did. These two verses hold a certain essence of ambiguity. Does Luke mean to tell us that in telling about "how much Jesus had done for him," the man was recognizing Jesus' power. Or was he missing the point and not treating Jesus as God?
This Sunday, I painted Easter Eggs with the children in the church, and we talked about its symbol of the trinity- shell, white yolk/ father, son, holy spirit. Whether we praise either one of these with words, we are in essence praising the whole... and our praise should be offered to God- father, son and holy spirit... not to some other third party such as money, wealth, fame, ambition, etc.
Praise!
Because it shows who God is and completes His purpose,
Praise!
Even difficult times,
Praise!
The Lord, God of all- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Friday, April 2, 2010
But I Don't Understand...
Hmm... the things that we don't understand. We are hesitant to admit what we don't understand, anxious to either change it, ignore it or conquer it. Children are great to be around, because they are less inhibited. It's still "ok" for them not to understand. They can ask, "Why," "Why," Why?" over and over again, sometimes to their parents', teachers' and sunday school teachers' dismay. But if we listen a little more closely, they have something important to teach us... we don't understand everything.
To Conquer
Samson answered her, "If anyone ties me with seven fresh thongs [b] that have not been dried, I'll become as weak as any other man."
8 Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh thongs that had not been dried, and she tied him with them. 9 With men hidden in the room, she called to him, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" But he snapped the thongs as easily as a piece of string snaps when it comes close to a flame. So the secret of his strength was not discovered.
10 Then Delilah said to Samson, "You have made a fool of me; you lied to me. Come now, tell me how you can be tied."
11 He said, "If anyone ties me securely with new ropes that have never been used, I'll become as weak as any other man."
12 So Delilah took new ropes and tied him with them. Then, with men hidden in the room, she called to him, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" But he snapped the ropes off his arms as if they were threads.
13 Delilah then said to Samson, "Until now, you have been making a fool of me and lying to me. Tell me how you can be tied."
He replied, "If you weave the seven braids of my head into the fabric on the loom and tighten it with the pin, I'll become as weak as any other man." So while he was sleeping, Delilah took the seven braids of his head, wove them into the fabric 14 and [c] tightened it with the pin.
Again she called to him, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" He awoke from his sleep and pulled up the pin and the loom, with the fabric.
15 Then she said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,' when you won't confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven't told me the secret of your great strength." 16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death.
17 So he told her everything. "No razor has ever been used on my head," he said, "because I have been a Nazirite set apart to God since birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man."
18 When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, "Come back once more; he has told me everything." So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. 19 Having put him to sleep on her lap, she called a man to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. [d] And his strength left him.
20 Then she called, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!"
He awoke from his sleep and thought, "I'll go out as before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had left him.
21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding in the prison. 22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved. -Judges 16:7-22
The story of Samson is a classic case of one where the Philistines tried to conquer what they did not understand. They didn't understand the secret of Samson's strength. Honestly, the story also reminds me of the saying, "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me 4 times shame on me." Perhaps it goes to show that Samson, although powerful, was not the brightest crayon in the box. After Delilah setting him up 3 times, he still told her the truth, getting his eyes gouged out in the process.
But even after conquering Samson, the Philistines didn't quite understand the power of his hair. They thought it was the hair upon his head that gave him power, but instead it was the fact that he was set apart as a Nazirite in obedience to the command given to his parents, with a special connection to God. The continuation of the story shows how Samson called out to God for strength and shook the pillars of the palace where they had taken him. It was God, not Samson, that the Philistines didn't understand.
To Ignore or To Believe
11Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."
14Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" 15The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." 17This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea[a] and the surrounding country-Luke 7:11-17
Here we had a time where Jesus was performing miracles that were even harder to understand. How could this carpenter's son be doing such things? Healing the sick, bringing the dead back to life? While some chose to praise God on account of what they didn't understand, others (the Pharisees) chose to ignore and change and confront Jesus. This had to be stopped, whatever "this" was, "this" person with authority and power they did not understand.
And like Samson, they thought they could conquer him. As they took Jesus and crucified him, they thought they had taken his power away by killing his body. But it was this act of Crucifixion that brought his power to truth, that allowed his power and grace to cover the sins of each and every one of us. The power was not in his earthly body, but his part in the trinity from the Father above.
And this time of the year, this is what we celebrate... this power that we don't understand.
To Conquer
Samson answered her, "If anyone ties me with seven fresh thongs [b] that have not been dried, I'll become as weak as any other man."
8 Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh thongs that had not been dried, and she tied him with them. 9 With men hidden in the room, she called to him, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" But he snapped the thongs as easily as a piece of string snaps when it comes close to a flame. So the secret of his strength was not discovered.
10 Then Delilah said to Samson, "You have made a fool of me; you lied to me. Come now, tell me how you can be tied."
11 He said, "If anyone ties me securely with new ropes that have never been used, I'll become as weak as any other man."
12 So Delilah took new ropes and tied him with them. Then, with men hidden in the room, she called to him, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" But he snapped the ropes off his arms as if they were threads.
13 Delilah then said to Samson, "Until now, you have been making a fool of me and lying to me. Tell me how you can be tied."
He replied, "If you weave the seven braids of my head into the fabric on the loom and tighten it with the pin, I'll become as weak as any other man." So while he was sleeping, Delilah took the seven braids of his head, wove them into the fabric 14 and [c] tightened it with the pin.
Again she called to him, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" He awoke from his sleep and pulled up the pin and the loom, with the fabric.
15 Then she said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,' when you won't confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven't told me the secret of your great strength." 16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death.
17 So he told her everything. "No razor has ever been used on my head," he said, "because I have been a Nazirite set apart to God since birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man."
18 When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, "Come back once more; he has told me everything." So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. 19 Having put him to sleep on her lap, she called a man to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. [d] And his strength left him.
20 Then she called, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!"
He awoke from his sleep and thought, "I'll go out as before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had left him.
21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding in the prison. 22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved. -Judges 16:7-22
The story of Samson is a classic case of one where the Philistines tried to conquer what they did not understand. They didn't understand the secret of Samson's strength. Honestly, the story also reminds me of the saying, "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me 4 times shame on me." Perhaps it goes to show that Samson, although powerful, was not the brightest crayon in the box. After Delilah setting him up 3 times, he still told her the truth, getting his eyes gouged out in the process.
But even after conquering Samson, the Philistines didn't quite understand the power of his hair. They thought it was the hair upon his head that gave him power, but instead it was the fact that he was set apart as a Nazirite in obedience to the command given to his parents, with a special connection to God. The continuation of the story shows how Samson called out to God for strength and shook the pillars of the palace where they had taken him. It was God, not Samson, that the Philistines didn't understand.
To Ignore or To Believe
11Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."
14Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" 15The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." 17This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea[a] and the surrounding country-Luke 7:11-17
Here we had a time where Jesus was performing miracles that were even harder to understand. How could this carpenter's son be doing such things? Healing the sick, bringing the dead back to life? While some chose to praise God on account of what they didn't understand, others (the Pharisees) chose to ignore and change and confront Jesus. This had to be stopped, whatever "this" was, "this" person with authority and power they did not understand.
And like Samson, they thought they could conquer him. As they took Jesus and crucified him, they thought they had taken his power away by killing his body. But it was this act of Crucifixion that brought his power to truth, that allowed his power and grace to cover the sins of each and every one of us. The power was not in his earthly body, but his part in the trinity from the Father above.
And this time of the year, this is what we celebrate... this power that we don't understand.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Right Reaction
Vengeance
3 Samson said to them, "This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them." 4 So he went out and caught three hundred foxes and tied them tail to tail in pairs. He then fastened a torch to every pair of tails, 5 lit the torches and let the foxes loose in the standing grain of the Philistines. He burned up the shocks and standing grain, together with the vineyards and olive groves.
6 When the Philistines asked, "Who did this?" they were told, "Samson, the Timnite's son-in-law, because his wife was given to his friend."
So the Philistines went up and burned her and her father to death. 7 Samson said to them, "Since you've acted like this, I won't stop until I get my revenge on you." 8 He attacked them viciously and slaughtered many of them. Then he went down and stayed in a cave in the rock of Etam.
9 The Philistines went up and camped in Judah, spreading out near Lehi. 10 The men of Judah asked, "Why have you come to fight us?"
"We have come to take Samson prisoner," they answered, "to do to him as he did to us."
11 Then three thousand men from Judah went down to the cave in the rock of Etam and said to Samson, "Don't you realize that the Philistines are rulers over us? What have you done to us?"
He answered, "I merely did to them what they did to me." -Judges 15:3-11
Oh Samson.... Scholars read him in a variety of ways. In an earlier chapter the author notes that God used Samson's marriage to a Philistine woman as an occasion to confront them. However, I do think it at least sad that Samson has used a great gift from God (his strength) to save his own pride. Perhaps it was also God's vengeance on the Philistines, but in this moment, Samson fails to recognize this and really misses something- "I merely did to them what they did to me."
Perhaps God would have had Samson confront the Philistines, but perhaps in a different way (I have trouble imagining a God who wold want wheat burned or foxes' tails tied together) or with different words (instead of I and me) or explanations, recognizing that this was God's will. And it would've taken on new meaning.
Furthermore, we have to recognize that this vengeance on the Philistines is before the new covenant. In the Old Testament, the plan seems to be- rid the world of evil, the Paganism of the Philistines. In the New Covenant, instead, we are to extend forgiveness to them... for all, Israelites, Philistines, grad students, parents, sales personnel. We are all deserving of God's vengeance, but we are all offered His forgiveness and His love.
Love
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.-Luke 27-36
And this love that God offers us, we are to offer to others as well.
Your 'enemies' might be different denominations pr believers in your own church who fail to agree with you on a hot-button issue. God says, "Love them."
Your 'enemies' might be disrespectful students who no longer seem to take initiative or responsibility for their work. God says, "Love them."
Your 'enemies' might be people on the opposite side of the political spectrum who either want more or less taxes paid for this or that purpose. God says, "Love them."
Your 'enemies' might be ___________________. God says, "Love them."
This morning I thank God that He has loved me just as much as I thank Him for instructing us to love one another, and teaching us that the two are mutually independent. You can't have one without the other.
May this love be reflected in our hearts today as we commemorate Maundy Thursday... in a footwashing service, where we learn that love is serving your sister or brother and putting them before yourself... and where we come together in a simple meal, remembering the love in that community of disciples... breaking bread and drinking the cup that connects the love for each other to the love God has for us and the love we have for Him.
3 Samson said to them, "This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them." 4 So he went out and caught three hundred foxes and tied them tail to tail in pairs. He then fastened a torch to every pair of tails, 5 lit the torches and let the foxes loose in the standing grain of the Philistines. He burned up the shocks and standing grain, together with the vineyards and olive groves.
6 When the Philistines asked, "Who did this?" they were told, "Samson, the Timnite's son-in-law, because his wife was given to his friend."
So the Philistines went up and burned her and her father to death. 7 Samson said to them, "Since you've acted like this, I won't stop until I get my revenge on you." 8 He attacked them viciously and slaughtered many of them. Then he went down and stayed in a cave in the rock of Etam.
9 The Philistines went up and camped in Judah, spreading out near Lehi. 10 The men of Judah asked, "Why have you come to fight us?"
"We have come to take Samson prisoner," they answered, "to do to him as he did to us."
11 Then three thousand men from Judah went down to the cave in the rock of Etam and said to Samson, "Don't you realize that the Philistines are rulers over us? What have you done to us?"
He answered, "I merely did to them what they did to me." -Judges 15:3-11
Oh Samson.... Scholars read him in a variety of ways. In an earlier chapter the author notes that God used Samson's marriage to a Philistine woman as an occasion to confront them. However, I do think it at least sad that Samson has used a great gift from God (his strength) to save his own pride. Perhaps it was also God's vengeance on the Philistines, but in this moment, Samson fails to recognize this and really misses something- "I merely did to them what they did to me."
Perhaps God would have had Samson confront the Philistines, but perhaps in a different way (I have trouble imagining a God who wold want wheat burned or foxes' tails tied together) or with different words (instead of I and me) or explanations, recognizing that this was God's will. And it would've taken on new meaning.
Furthermore, we have to recognize that this vengeance on the Philistines is before the new covenant. In the Old Testament, the plan seems to be- rid the world of evil, the Paganism of the Philistines. In the New Covenant, instead, we are to extend forgiveness to them... for all, Israelites, Philistines, grad students, parents, sales personnel. We are all deserving of God's vengeance, but we are all offered His forgiveness and His love.
Love
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.-Luke 27-36
And this love that God offers us, we are to offer to others as well.
Your 'enemies' might be different denominations pr believers in your own church who fail to agree with you on a hot-button issue. God says, "Love them."
Your 'enemies' might be disrespectful students who no longer seem to take initiative or responsibility for their work. God says, "Love them."
Your 'enemies' might be people on the opposite side of the political spectrum who either want more or less taxes paid for this or that purpose. God says, "Love them."
Your 'enemies' might be ___________________. God says, "Love them."
This morning I thank God that He has loved me just as much as I thank Him for instructing us to love one another, and teaching us that the two are mutually independent. You can't have one without the other.
May this love be reflected in our hearts today as we commemorate Maundy Thursday... in a footwashing service, where we learn that love is serving your sister or brother and putting them before yourself... and where we come together in a simple meal, remembering the love in that community of disciples... breaking bread and drinking the cup that connects the love for each other to the love God has for us and the love we have for Him.
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