Month: March 2013

black friday

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Screen Shot 2013-03-29 at 2.14.20 PM
There are two Fridays that people reference frequently: Black Friday and Good Friday.

How did Black Friday get its name? “Black Friday” had an early meaning of referring to the day that normally retailers “sell in the black” or make a profit from their sales for the year. Religiously, the day after Thanksgiving, we make a mad rush to stores long before they open to get bargains before Christmas.

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More important is “Good Friday.” It was the first Black Friday. Good Friday is ironically named. It’s good because something horrific happen, a death. How can a death be called good? It’s who died and why He died. Jesus died. And when he died, on Friday, He carry the weight of our sin on the cross, bore the wrath of God, and paid the price for our sins!

Isn’t it ironic we call it “Good” when Jesus suffered incomprehensibly for us? As horrific as it is, it’s Good News! Jesus took our place! Without Good Friday we have no eternal profit, rather we are bankrupt. We would be in the red.

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Who has believed what he has heard from us?

And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a young plant,

and like a root out of dry ground;

he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,

and no beauty that we should desire him.

He was despised and rejected by men;

a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;

and as one from whom men hide their faces

he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

so he opened not his mouth.

By oppression and judgment he was taken away;

and as for his generation, who considered

that he was cut off out of the land of the living,

stricken for the transgression of my people?

And they made his grave with the wicked

and with a rich man in his death,

although he had done no violence,

and there was no deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;

he has put him to grief;

when his soul makes an offering for guilt,

he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;

the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,

make many to be accounted righteous,

and he shall bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,

and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,

because he poured out his soul to death

and was numbered with the transgressors;

yet he bore the sin of many,

and makes intercession for the transgressors.

– Isaiah 53

Jesus forgives risky women

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Lightbulb

A few years ago, my wife served at Vision of Hope, a residential treatment center for women at risk. During her time on staff, we met many gals from backgrounds of horrific abuse, numbing addictions, and life-debilitating decisions. These gals came wrecked and desperate for change. Miraculously many of those gals intersected with Jesus, began listening to the Bible, and transformed from inside out. You would never know today the history many of these gals had because Jesus had forgiven them and set them free. Jesus loves rescuing risky women.

In the gospel of Luke, we see Jesus mingling with some risky characters like Levi the tax collector who invites Jesus to a party with his buddies (5:27-32), a leper (5:12-26), and a crazed demon possessed man (4:31-44). Jesus reaches out to people most would consider keeping at a distance. In Luke 7:36-50, Jesus intersect with a risky woman in the oddest of places, a religious leaders home. This story begs us to ask the question, which character do I most resemble?

Let’s meet Simon. Simon is a Pharisee. He’s an elite Jewish leader who is known for being a stickler about the law, sort or like the religious rules police. For an unknown reason he invites Jesus over to his house for a meal. Jesus accepts. As Jesus arrives Simon insults Jesus by ignoring to greet Him or give Him water to wash His feet. Simon has a some chip on his shoulder.

It’s not just Jesus he disrespects, he labels a woman. Sure, she’s an unexpected guest and a ‘woman of the city’ who would never be invited to Simon’s house or these kind of parties. He makes a rash judgment about the woman saying, “She is a sinner.” (v.39) Simon has no sympathy for sinners.

Religious people are slow to see others needs, but they are quick to spot others sins before their own

Simon thinks that since he keeps the rules he’s a good man. Compared to his uninvited guest he appears pretty good. Simon is good; good at seeing the flaws in others. He can spy a sinner miles away, all the while camouflage his soul to the public. He does not see himself as a sinner nor his own need of forgiveness. However, Jesus has x-ray vision and sees the condition of Simon’s heart. It’s inhospitable, unloving, irreverent, and unforgiven.

In what ways are you like Simon the Pharisee? Be honest. Is your standard of goodness comparing yourself to others? Have you held back the gospel from ‘sinners’? Are you quick to judge and slow to compassion? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions you have some similarities to Simon.

Simon blew an opportunity to show grace and compassion to this woman. He could have said, “Welcome! I want to be the first to introduce you to Jesus!” Instead, he labels, judges, and belittles her. He despises both woman and Jesus. He despises her despicable reputation and Jesus’ growing reputation. He despises the way the woman worships Jesus because he doesn’t know who Jesus really is.

Those who know who Jesus really is are not ashamed to respond to Him with humble, generous, repentant worship

luke7This woman has a lot to be ashamed about, but she unashamedly approaches Jesus at Simon’s house. She risks her pride and already diminished reputation to see Him there in public, of all places. It is obvious she put thought her actions. She kisses Jesus’ feet, washes them with her tears, and puts ointment on them (vs.37-38). It might appear to be an awkward or offensive situation, but to Jesus it’s beautiful, generous, humble, repentant worship.

Jesus does not rebuke the woman, instead He approves of her humble extravagance. Jesus loves worship. The only thing that matters in worship is God’s approval. He created you for His glory and praise. “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever.” (Romans 11:36) “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth…All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16) “Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory.” (Isaiah 43:7)

In response to the woman, Jesus shows love and gives her the most hopeful words, “Your sins are forgiven” (v.48). Can you imagine what those four words meant to her? How life-altering they would be?

In what ways are you like the woman of the city? She does not hold back from worshiping Jesus. She knows who Jesus is and what He can do for her. What she needs is forgiveness. She faces her sin. She does not run or hide. She finds forgiveness in Jesus.

Jesus came to earth to challenge the religious status quo and transform you from the inside out

As I said in the beginning, this story begs us to ask the question, which character do I most resemble? It is common to compare yourself with Simon or the woman, but in what ways are you like Jesus? Jesus is the main character of this story. He’s the star of the whole Bible. In this particular story there is a lot to be learned from Jesus. He accepts both the sinner and the saint. He gives both what they need. To the sinner He gives her forgiveness and assurance. To the one who thinks he’s a saint he gives truth in love. Jesus challenges the the religious status quo. Here’s how:

First, Jesus challenges our flawed perception of our own goodness (vs.41-42). Simon thought he was a good man, especially compared to the woman, but compared to Jesus he looked quite putrid. Jesus reveals the condition of Simon’s heart: polished on the outside, but tarnished on the inside. By the worlds standard’s the Simon is a good man and the woman is bad, but Jesus sees them both equally as sinful and needing forgiveness. Remember, Jesus is our standard of goodness not another sinner.

Second, Jesus challenges our shallow values (vs.44-47). The Pharisee sees himself as an important person. In contrast, the woman humbles herself to show what she deems important. The woman gives Jesus her most precious object in the world because she believes Jesus is the gift of forgiveness will be the most precious gift to her. By breaking the alabaster flask, she is handing over everything that is important to her. Jesus becomes her most valued treasure.

Third, Jesus challenges our sense of safety and certainty (vs.48-50). Simon finds safety and security in his religious system. Following rules is the easy part, but it settles for a lesser status quo than following the way of Jesus. Jesus sets the bar. He shows how you can love the law, yet love others who don’t measure up to it. Jesus’ love for the woman trumps the label Simon puts on her.

If you are into safety and certainty, you will miss God and will miss an opportunity to speak the gospel into a persons life. Religious systems call for conformity to the system, but the gospel calls for transformation through Christ alone. The one thing that is certain in this world is Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one gets to God but by Him. He is the standard of goodness. And no one measures up. But by His grace you can be saved because Jesus took all your badness on the cross. Come to Him and be forgiven. Let Him change you from the inside out.

Who do you most resemble in this story? You are the pharisee when you forget you are like the woman. Do you believe you are a sinner, or do you think you’re basically a good person? Do you know that Jesus has forgiven your sins? If so, how can you be loving and serving Jesus, at home, at school, in your neighborhood?

thumb licks [03.09.13]

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The case for early marriage. How to train youth to tie the knot.

Jesus Plus.

Amazing images of earth from space.

Are you being a burden?

How do I evangelize if I’m an introvert?

How China plans to wipe out house churches.

Like elephants, search engines never forget.

7 ways to do bad word studies.

How is your Bible reading going?

Advice for parenting young children.

What is love?

Jesus breaks the rules

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breaking the rules

Rules. Rules. Rules. They are everywhere. There are rules for school, rules for the road, rules for table manners, rules for marriage, rules for parents and children, rules for governing, rules for meetings, rules for church, written rules, unspoken rules, and even rules for rules.

Sometimes rules can seem nettlesome when we don’t understand their purpose. Like, why can’t we use #1 or #3 pencil for tests? Now, rules aren’t all bad. Think of a world without rules. It would be chaos. Rules are good. Rules are meant to protect us and help us. This is the heart behind a parents saying to their children, “Look both ways before crossing the street.” It’s a rule that could save ones life.

God has made rules too. His rules perfectly and lovingly protect us and help us. However, some people have seen God’s rules as overbearing or unreasonable and choose to rebel. Rebellious people break the rule by ignoring them altogether. Others have seen God’s rules as insufficient and needing additions to fit their religious system. Religious people make rules for God, themselves and others.

So is it ever okay to make or break the rules? In Luke 6, Jesus will answer this question as He’s being accused of breaking their rules. What rules does Jesus break? Certain religious leaders accuse Jesus of breaking the Sabbath rules.

What is the Sabbath? Literally, it means “rest” and is rooted in the seventh day of creation when God rested after six-days of creating (Genesis 2:2-3). God did not rest because He was tired, but He set an example for mankind (Mark 2:27-28). God knew in His infinite wisdom that man would be weak and need to take a day off from work and enjoy the day of rest. The Sabbath is a day dedicated to God (Exodus 20:9-11). So how do the religious leaders think Jesus breaks the rules of the Sabbath?

1) Jesus breaks the rules by helping His hungry friends (Luke 6:1-5)

no_food_or_drinkJesus and His disciples were hungry and there was no McDonald’s drive-thru available to get a quite bite to eat. In accordance with the law (Deuteronomy 23:25), they go into a field, pick grain, crush it with their hands, and eat it. The Pharisees catch wind of this and cry foul. They ask, “Why are you sinning on the Sabbath?” (v.2) Why do they assume Jesus and His followers are sinning? The Pharisee’s saw this as harvesting and threshing, and accuse Jesus of doing work on the Sabbath. Sounds like a stretch, eh?

The Pharisees were sticklers for law keeping. The took God’s law and added to it a man-made framework to give them the appearance of righteousness. So with such laws like, “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy,” (Exodus 20:8ff) they made-up a list of rules to look really holy, but the Sabbath became just another religious activity.

Isn’t that easy to do? Have you ever made the Sabbath a religious activity to boast in yourself? It is easier to keep your own rules of righteousness than measure yourself by God’s rules. According to their rules, Pharisees were on the Varsity Team and everyone else was on warming bench.

How does Jesus respond to the Pharisees accusation? First, He compares the situation to the example of David and his soldiers eating the bread of Presence from the temple, which was only to be eaten by the priests (1 Sam.21:1-6). Jesus points to the fact that God is more concerned about the person and the motivation of their heart than the particulars of the law. Jesus could see through to the hearts of the Pharisees and they were evil.

Second, Jesus doesn’t appeal to the religious leaders authority or accept their theology, instead He claims, “I am Lord over the Sabbath” (v.5). In other words, Jesus says, “I wrote the law and the Sabbath was my idea. Stop arguing with Me and start listening. Don’t fight Me, follow Me. Since I made the Sabbath, He define it.” Not only does He define it, He lives and fulfills it before their very eyes.

Sabbath is a wonderful gift from God to be enjoyed. Religious people suck the joy, passion, and purpose out of it (and everything they add rules to). They make the Sabbath as fun as going to the dentist on a free day. This particular Sabbath should have been the most unique, memorable, and joyful ones of their lives because they were in the presence of the Son of God.

2) Jesus breaks the rules by healing a man’s hand (Luke 6:6-11)

no peopleOn the Sabbath, Jesus goes to the synagogue for worship. He’s teaches. And Luke, the doctor, tells us there is a man present who has a withered hand. The Pharisees and scribes are listening critically to Jesus words and waiting with baited breath to see if He will heal the man. Like wolves ready to pounce on their prey, they were salivating at the opportunity to catch Jesus doing something they thought offended the law. Religious people are quick to tear apart and devour others.

This time Jesus asks the question, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?.” (v.9) No response is given because the answer is obvious. Jesus then has the man to stretch out His hand, in faith, he does what Jesus says, and Jesus heals him. In that moment, Jesus showed the religious people that helping someone in need trumps holding tightly to your rules. Jesus transforms this man life. Forever will he remember this Sabbath as the day Jesus healed His hand and healed his heart.

Religious people are not ruled by loving God or loving people, they ruled by a love for rules. Loving rules is legalism. Legalism is when people take the Bible and add to it. They make rules outside of the Bible that are equal to the Bible. Legalism is unbiblical, unloving, moralistic, man-pleasing, compromising, critical, judgmental, arrogant, self-righteous, and godless.

Legalism is an enemy of Jesus and His Word

Legalism is a dangerous enemy; it adds to the Bible and rejects Jesus as the only sufficient means to righteousness. Legalism denies something called sola scriptura, where Scripture alone are our highest authority. Sola Scriptura was first coined by the Protestant Reformers. All other authorities, like other books, teachers, rules, and leaders, are under, not equal to, Scripture. Religious people tend to elevate teachers and also other lists, and rules, and books equal to Scripture.

So dangerous is legalism that it kills Jesus. The Pharisees were so angry that they connived a plan to get rid of Him, “But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.” (v.11) Religious legalist don’t lose because they make their enemies pay. When they are angry they attack. Luke 6:11 will lead to Luke 23:46, which is the murder of Jesus.

Jesus summarizes the rules with two rules

Jesus doesn’t break any of the Bible’s rules, but He breaks certain religious rules. He does so because He values helping people more than following others expectations, traditions or religious rules. He knows that religious legalism is the default setting of every human being. So in Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus shares the two most important rules, often known as the greatest rules,

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

These rules show God’s heart for giving the law: love. God intends the law to protect and help you love Him and others around you. It’s not about loving the rules or loving to rebel against them. It’s about loving the God and others. As Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27-28)

Some of you need to repent of your religion. Enough with the legalism. Enough with the rule making. Enough adding to the Bible. Enough with the self-righteousness. Enough with the boasting and bragging. Enough with the criticizing and judging. Repent of your religion and come to Jesus. You can’t have Jesus and religion. It’s just Jesus.

Some of you also need to repent of your rebellion against Jesus’ rules. Enough with rebellion. Enough with rule breaking. Enough ignoring the Bible and subtracting from it. Enough with bashing the religious. Enough with reverse legalism. Enough with lawlessness and licentiousness. Repent and follow Jesus.

Come to Jesus. Receive His death for your sin, His righteousness for your unrighteousness, let Him do the work of grace and transformation in you. The truth is Jesus lived the perfect life. He died a substitutionary death, and He rises to give you the gift of righteousness. Stop trying to be righteous on your own and receive the righteousness of Jesus, and share that message of grace with those around you who need it too.