Questioning God

Today, I was thinking about the difference between "could have" and "should have".  Have you ever thought about this?  It's very subtle.  The phrase "could have" implies that a choice is involved and that two or more options were available.  For instance, if I said that "Last night at the restaurant, you could have had the steak."  My statement implies that you had options for dinner last night.  You could have had steak but instead you chose pizza. 

The phrase "should have" however is quite different.  It includes a moral clause indicating that a question of moral consequences or values is at stake.  If I said, "Last night on the way to the restaurant, you should have driven slower."  This statement implies that you were driving to fast.  You should have slowed down.  By it, I imply that you have a moral obligation to drive at a speed that is safe.  It is probable that you put myself and others in danger because of the speed of your driving.  Maybe you also drove through a construction zone or a neighborhood.  Thus, you might have risked possible injury to a worker or a child. 

The point is that "should have" entails a moral obligation that "could have" does not.  This distinction is important when we consider people in the Scriptures who questioned God.  In the book of Job, we are told that Job questioned God.  He did not understand why God allowed him to lose his family, servants, property.  He could not see what God might be attempting to do through such a tragedy.  Yet, Scripture teaches us that "in all of this he did not sin" (Job 1:22).  Thus, in principle, it also teaches us that we can question why God would allow certain things to happen or even why He chose to do specific things within our life or anothers.

This is because Job's statements were "could have" statements.  Job often spoke of God's infinite power, wisdom, and strength.  Thus, God "could have" done something different but instead He did not.  Job simply acknowledged this fact and stated to God that he did not understand.  God was capable of handling things differently but did not do so.

Another example of this occurs in John 11 in the story of the raising of Lazarus.  Both Martha and Mary state that "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died" (Jn 11:21, 32).  Thus, they acknowledge that Jesus could have done something differently.  Martha alone continues by stating that "Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give you" (Jn 11:22).

In both accounts, neither sinned.  Each questioned why God did not do something.  Each stated or implied that He could have done something.  Yet, neither sinned.  I think that this is key.  There is a fine line between bringing questions to God and questioning God.

When we bring our questions to God, we acknowledge that we do not understand.  We state that we are frustrated, angry, heart-broken, confused.  However, we acknowledge the power that He does possess and can use.  In both of these accounts, God restored life.  In Job, God restored a man back to a place of physical health and provided for him a new family and new possessions.  In John, Jesus, God's Son, raised Lazarus from the dead and thus restored the physical life of a dead man. 

Stating that God "could have" done something is not sinful.  However, stating that God "should have" done something is sinful.  This is because in doing so we take a stance of moral authority over God and claim to know what God "should have" done in a particular situation.  We claim to be in a position of moral superiority to God and state to Him what He should do.

Therefore, questioning God is a matter of our perspective.  When difficulties come, we need to ask ourselves whether or not we will remain true to God, placing our faith in His Son and in Him, or if we will choose to question Him and His motives.  Stating that God "should have" done something is always sinful. 

As difficulties come, bring your questions to God.  Pour out your heart before Him.  Let Him know that what has happened hurts and has left you confused and wounded.  Then remember the examples found in Scripture of Job, Mary, and Martha.  State emphatically that God is God and that He alone knows what is best in a given situation.  Job's unwillingness to do this eventually brought a rebuke from God (Job 38-39).  We can choose to be different.

Choose today to remember the difference between "could have" and "should have" statements.  It will make a difference in your attitude and faithfulness toward your Creator.  Make sure that your questions to God are not questioning God.

Joshua

Transfigured - Do You Get It?

This morning I want us to consider the account of the Transfiguration. This will be a Bible Study. So, open your Bibles to the book of Mark and let's jump in. Our passage is found in Mark 9:1-8 where it says,

And Jesus was saying to them, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power."

Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified. Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!" All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone. (NASB)

First of all, we need to ask ourselves, "What is the purpose of this story?" Why is in the Bible? Many are familiar with it but rarely stop to ponder why its in the Bible. The answer, I believe is given in the very next verse, verse 9, where it says that Jesus "gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen". Certainly, this at first, may seem very odd. However, Jesus often told His disciples these kinds of things because He did not want others to know that He was the Messiah. It is referred to by scholars as the "Messianic Secret". Jesus had to get to the cross and He had to die via crucifixion. If He did not, He would not have been the perfect sacrifice for all sin and thus His mission would have been ruined. Therefore, He says in verse 9 to wait until He has risen from the dead to tell anyone what had happened - including the other disciples.

However, the purpose of this account to Peter, James, and John was not to simply show them something before He was killed but to reveal something important before He was killed. In Mark 8, we read several accounts of confusion among the disciples. They are confused about the Man, the Message, and the Mission. They had been confused about whom He Himself was until Peter finally made the Good Confession (Mk 8:27-30). They had been confused about His teachings (Mk 8:15-21). They were even still confused about His reason for coming because even when He told them that He was going to die, He was rebuked by Peter (Mk 8:31-33). Yet, with all of this confusion, the time of His death was growing closer. In fact, in just 2 Chapters in Mark 11 we read of the Triumphal Entry, the first day of His final week often referred to as the Passion Week.

Therefore, time was short. His closest men had to "get the picture". The Transfiguration is a wake-up call to the spiritually blind disciples who should have figured these things out by now. You can almost sense the frustration in Jesus' words leading up to this account and you hear audibly God's insistence in His voice when He says "Listen to Him!" (Mk 9:7). So, from this we can conclude that the purpose of the Transfiguration was to prove once and for all that Jesus was God. He was the Promised Messiah. He was the Anointed One, the Son of David, the Son of God.

So, our next question should logically be "So, how did God go about revealing His Son in the most powerful way possible?" This is a fascinating thing to me. There is a real dichotomy here. God wanted to use any means necessary to demonstrate that Jesus is the Christ but He will not simply say it. He cannot impede upon the disciples Free Will to decide. If He force feeds this to them, they will have to accept Him. God wants them to accept Him by faith yet He will go to any extreme to teach them exactly who Jesus is.

So, let's examine the evidence. First, let's think where they go. Jesus takes them up on a mountain. To a Jew, God was up so a mountain is closer to God than the ground is. Jews ascended mountains in order to meet God. We read a lot of accounts of this in the Old Testament. Jesus Himself went up on a mountain to pray. Jews also learn via symbols, not bulleted point outlines and acronyms. This is a difference between Eastern and our Western ways of learning. Eastern people describe God symbolically (i.e. Rock, Mountain, Fortress, Living Water) and therefore taught one another through symbols. God uses strong symbols to teach the disciples about Jesus. Therefore, the mere fact that they were taken up on a mountain was supposed to tell them something (i.e. We are going to go close to God)

Second, let's think about what they see. Jesus is changed physically. Thus, there is an unveiling of who He really is. He's not the physical "body" you have come to know (This is probably why there is no mention of His outward appearance in the NT). He is in fact Someone Spiritual. He is a Spirit. He is God. His clothing is bright white - a symbol of purity. He is a pure and holy Spiritual being.

He also meets 2 men: Moses and Elijah. Why these 2? I believe it was because they represent both the Law and the Prophets. Jews describe what we call the OT as the "Law and the Prophets". Jesus called Scripture by this name too. Thus, Moses represents the Law because it was given to Him. Elijah represents the ultimate prophet.

Side note: What event did each of these men experience on top of a mountain? For Moses, He both received the 10 Commandments (Exo 20) and was shown God's glory (Exo 33). Elijah destroyed 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah in order to bring the hearts of Gods people back to Himself (1 Ki 18). These two incredible accounts both happened on a mountain.

Let's continue. They also see Jesus speaking to these men as if He already knows them. Certainly an indication of Jesus' Eternal nature (something only God has) and an evidence for the afterlife (which is probably why the disciples begin discussing the resurrection on their descent down the mountain). It is at this point that Peter, who always seems to place his foot in his mouth, speaks up and not knowing what to say offers to build 3 tabernacles. All are frightened. This intensifies as God approaches. God comes to them in a cloud - an OT allusion to the cloud that led Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.

Third, let's think about what they hear. They heard the very voice of God saying audibly, "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!" In Mark 1:11 God has said audibly "You are My Beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased." Now, His words contain the emphatic phrase "Listen to Him!" In other words, "Wake-up and smell the roses. Don’t you get it? What else do I need to do to convince you?" God's frustration echoes Jesus' frustrations previously stated by Jesus.

The disciples now have been given as near conclusive proof of who Jesus is as is possible. They have seen Him transfigured, seen Him speak to Moses and Elijah, and heard the very voice of God Himself.

The question, we need to ask ourselves is "Do we get it?" Are we so hard-headed that we say we know who Jesus is but in reality deny Him by our words, actions, or lifestyle? You and I must live life in the reality that Jesus is the Christ, the risen Son of God. If you have rejected Him to this point, what is it going to take for you to accept Him? What more does God need to do? If you have accepted Him, what's it going to take for you to live life like you truly know Him? I think God says to each of us this morning…

Do you get it?

Joshua

Jesus the Slave Owner

Christians often have a number of misconceptions about Christ.  As a result, we present these wrong conceptions of Jesus to others.  For instance, some Christians seem to believe that Jesus' last name was Christ.  However, "Christ" was simply a Greek name for Messiah.  Both mean "the anointed One".  So, Jesus' name should be understood as "Jesus the Christ" or "Jesus the Anointed One".

Another misconception is that Jesus came to earth in order to offer you an "invitation".  This invitation was to join Him and His Father in a Kingdom and to live forever more.  If each person would simply accept Jesus as Savior, they could receive all of the benefits of Salvation will little or no effort.  This position, of course, is defended by stating that we are saved by "grace through faith" and that this is a gift from Christ.  If only we would accept this gift, we would obtain Salvation.

There is truth in many of these statements but unfortunately they are often misconstrued to present a message of Salvation that is built solely upon acceptance of Jesus as a Savior.  The truth is that "Jesus is a slave owner".  Jesus came into this world to offer an ultimatum, not just an invitation.  Paul, in Romans 10:9 says that "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved." (Emphasis mine).  You must confess Jesus as Lord to receive Salvation.  The statement that "Jesus is Lord" is no different that "Jesus is my master" or that "Jesus is my owner".  He's a slave owner.  He "owns you".  Each person who has accepted Him as Lord must give of their own life to be used for Him and for His purposes. 

When Jesus came into this world, He offered each of us an opportunity to receive Eternal Life but that comes through our acknowledgment and confession that He is Lord.  The New Testament authors knew this well.  None other than Paul, Peter, James, John, and Jude each identified themselves as "bond servants" or "bond slaves" of Christ Jesus.  They recognized themselves as slaves and called all men to do the same.  This message of an "invitation into slavery" was well-received in the 1st Century in which slavery itself was very, very common.  The message of receiving "freedom in Christ" that enables all men and women to be equal to one another was also very pleasant news in the ears of many who were at the time slaves.

When we present the message of the Gospel to a lost and fallen world we must do so in a manner that emphasizes the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  He is a King whom has conquered sin, death, and the grave.  He has conquered the Prince of this world Satan and demands through an ultimatum that all come to Him, accept Him as Lord, and enter into a form of slavery in which He is the owner, master, or Lord.  Thus, the call upon a person's life to be a disciple of Christ is one which demands everything.  It is not a simple acceptance of an invitation.  Though it is a gift that cannot be earned, we need to be careful to not over-emphasize the gift without also emphasizing the appropriate means of receiving it.

Jesus is a slave owner and I for one am happy to have accepted Him as Lord and to have become His slave.

Joshua

The Mystery of God

In the book of Ephesians, Paul refers to six "mysteries" (1:9, 3:3, 3:4, 3:9, 5:32, 6:19). Specifically, he refers to the mysteries of God's will, God's revelation to Paul Himself, the mystery of Christ, the mystery of Christ and the Church, and the mystery of the Gospel.

Paul's use of this term and his insistence on referring to "mysteries" ought to give us reason to pause. Paul was an apostle, a "sent one", God's chosen messenger and an evangelist, preacher, and teacher to the Gentiles. He wrote much of our New Testament under the inspiration of God. He performed miracles through the power of God. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and had seen how God worked in his life, revealed truths, and enabled Paul to understand more than many others. Paul had been called by Jesus Himself to be an apostle (Acts 9) and therefore had been given a special message and ministry for his life.

Yet, in the midst of all of this, Paul continually refers to "mysteries". Why would such a man of God do this? Didn't he understand the Gospel or Christ? Aren't these simple truths that all can comprehend? Evidently not. We could discuss a variety of topics at this point but one remains crystal clear to me. Paul never lost his sense of the wonder of each of these "mysteries". Yes, he understood that God has a will and that he could discover it but he must have wondered, "Wow. How is it possible that the God of this universe can reveal His desires to someone like me?" Paul certainly understood how he was inspired but must have imagined, "Wow. How does it work exactly that I am being used by the Holy Spirit and through my words He is revealing His truth? Paul must have understood Christ but had to have thought, "How is it that God existed as both God and yet a man?" Paul thought a lot about the church, he himself being a chief cause of the building of its foundation. Yet, he must have pondered this "mystery" and wondered, "Wow. Christ is the groom and we are His bride. What does that mean and how does that work? How does it now differ from God's previous relationship to ethnic Israel long ago?" Additionally, Paul knew the Gospel message for he preached and taught it regularly both to Jews and Gentiles. Yet, he must have wondered, "How did all of this finally come to be? God sending Jesus with the good news that acceptance of Him as Lord leads to freedom in Christ and that through faith we can obtain the Eternal Life that He offers?"

Wow. Wow. Wow. Paul was in continual amazement of God Himself and what God had done through Christ. The question that you and I ought to consider is "Do we do the same?" Has the Gospel message or Christ as the Son of God become so mundane or routine that you and I have lost our sense of wonder at what God has done? If so, we need to repent of such thinking and actions. We need to re-examine these seemingly simple Gospel truths that so many have grown up with and once again proclaim their "mysteries".

Paul was not afraid to admit that while he had been given a tremendous understanding there was still a great deal of mystery within the very ministry he was apart of. He declared these mysteries to the church in Ephesus and asked them to recall the same. Maybe they had become lackadaisical because of the tremendous leadership at the church. Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus and certainly Timothy would have done a great job. Maybe the people had grown apathetic because Paul himself had been there and taught for several years.

Whatever the case may be in the book of Revelation we see that the church in Ephesus had left their "first love" (Rev 2:4). Having become enamored with doctrine and learning or having felt like they had "figured it all out" these people had grown cold and were no longer doing things in love. Paul calls them to change in this letter to the church in Ephesus and reminds them once again of the "mysteries".

Good study of the Scripture should not simply bring more understanding of God and His Word. It should also produce within us a "wonder" and desire as we discover the truths of so many of God's "mysteries". As you seek God for the first time or remain faithful to Him for the course of your lifetime, recognize these mysteries of God. Allow them to produce within you a desire to discover the truths contained within things which you may have known for quite some time.

Let's not forget the mysteries of God Himself and the Gospel message itself as we seek to know Him and make Him known to others.

Joshua

Exit Signs

On my way to work I see signs everyday. Some of them are confusing with messages that make no sense. Some of them have pictures and attempt to get me to buy a hamburger or a car or something else by attempting to stick an image in my head that will cause me to desire it and purchase it. Some of them are confusing because they just have too much going on. Yet, all of them are a metaphor for life and this world.

Many in this world are traveling down a road of destruction headed to a life of discontentment apart from Christ. Each of them see signs promising money, riches, fame, or simply satisfaction in the things of this world. Signs which entice, suggest, tempt, and create desire to continue on this highway to hell.

Yet, all along the way there are different signs. Signs which Christians post. Some of them are signs preventing sin. Signs like "Speed Limit 55" remind them not to do certain things. Don't drink. Don't smoke. Don't do drugs. Don't have sex before marriage. Some of these signs are helpful. They encourage a moral lifestyle but they are desperately lacking and I don't want my life to remain focused upon such messages.

Why? Because as Christians, I believe Christ calls us to be Exit signs. Exit signs are simple, clear, concise, and point to somewhere else. They typically consist of white letters on a green background. The only purpose for their existence is to point to a different road, a different pathway, a different destination. Therefore, I want my life to be an Exit sign pointing toward the Highway of Holiness (Isa 35:8).

Your life is your sign. It points somewhere. Your lifestyle is the decor of your message. It either adds to or detracts from your message. Your sign may be pointing people to pleasures of this world by showing off the jobs, cars, money, women, or things which you possess. Your sign can only point to that which you love the most. It can only show people how to pursue the things you have chosen to pursue. Therefore, most signs point to such things.

I want my sign to be different. I want it to be an Exit sign to point to Christ and Him crucified. I want it to reveal the fact that Jesus is alive. I want it to point to the resurrection and to the hope found within it. I want it to point to the One who can forgive, the One who can redeem, the One who can save.

What about you? What type of sign are you? Examine your own passions and pursuits in life. They will reveal your sign.

Joshua

Exploring the Image of God

In Genesis 1:26, Scripture records an intimate conversation between members of the Trinity prior to Creation, when it states "Let us make man in our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."  Within this simple statement, God states that man was created in His own image.  Mankind is created in His "likeness" and as a representation of Himself.  This has significant implications for our understanding of our own importance.

Much could be said regarding the differences between human beings and animals.  However, each difference can best be summed up by recognizing the fact that animals were not made in God's image but human beings were.  This important distinction sets mankind apart from and above all of that which had been created on the earth.  Man was made with an image of God.  He was created with a consciousness and as a moral being.  He was also created to rule over the rest of creation.  Abilities to think, process information, make moral decisions, and to rule are all apart of what it means to have been made in the image of God.

However, what fascinates me most this morning is an aspect of being made in the image of God that I can most relate to personally.  When my two children were born, I immediately fell in love with them.  They were amazing.  They had little features and made little noises and were "little people".  I could not believe that God had created such an incredible little baby through my wife and I.  However, as they grew, I began to notice that they looked more and more like me.  They had little characteristics within their facial and body features which were just like me.  Having been made in my image, I had a special connection to them and a special love for them.

The same must be true for God.  When He looks at each one of us, He ultimately sees a part of Himself.  He sees an image of Himself.  Like a parent, He desires to love and to spend time with His children.  Unfortunately, sin has marred His image and removed much of His own image within us.  Therefore, God gives to us Himself in the form of Jesus.  Jesus is born of a virgin but also in the image of God as well.  Refraining from sin throughout His life, He is forced to become sin in order to die.  His death enables life through Himself and ultimately brings restoration of the image of our Creator that had been given to us at birth.

Therefore, we need to recognize that what brings God glory is the restoration of His own image.  He gives us not only His Son but also His Spirit to "sanctify" us, making us holy, and to ensure that we will be restored completely into the image of the One in whom we were first created.  Scripture opened with Creation's perfection (Gen 1-2) and it ends with the restoration of God's Creation (Rev 21-22).  However, in the middle includes God's plan of salvation and a restoration of His image within us.

When we meditate on this truth, we come to the realization that mankind is important because of the image of God within us.  People are important because of their direct likeness to the Creator.  We need to view them through God's own eyes and to see them with the same love that a father looks at his newborn son.  Jesus enables us to see this love in the ultimate expression of it.  Through Him, we see the extent to which God was willing to go to restore His own image, to bring salvation for all who believe, and to bring glory to Himself. 

As we grow in our understanding of what it means to have been made in the image of God we will naturally desire to see others properly restored to God because we will recognize that they, too, are made in His image.

Joshua

Poor in Spirit

"When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them saying, 'Blessed is the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'" - Matt 5:1-3

The Sermon on the Mount. Jesus' most famous sermon delivered to a crowd on a mountainside. Some believe that this sermon is a collection of Jesus' teachings collected together into one sermon. This is very possible. However, I believe that He did speak these words together as a part of a singular sermon.

The verse this morning refers to the first of what is known as the Beatitudes. These are a series of statements pronouncing blessings upon various types of listeners. The first mentioned here in verse 3 is the "poor in spirit". What's interesting about each of Jesus' Beatitudes is that they are the exact opposite of what you might expect. Those who are poor, gentle, merciful, hunger and thirst for righteousness, and others are the ones who are blessed. It is not those who are rich, proud, boisterous, and satisfied spiritually. This seems odd and it should.

Jesus seems to be stressing to His listeners the importance of seeking the greater. Those who are rich are often satisfied with life. Those who are arrogant and prideful are those who think that they are better than others and need no one else. Those who are loud and confrontational are those who always think that they are right. Jesus does not applaud such fanfare. He does not want to reward such behavior.

Rather, He wants to strengthen and encourage the seekers. Those who are hungry to really know God. After all, these are the people that He is speaking to. These people have come from miles around just to hear Him teach. They desperately want to know if He is the Messiah, if He is the Promised One. Knowing this, Jesus addresses their heart-felt needs.

He begins by addressing the poor in spirit. There were probably many who had wanted to be made right with God. Yet, religious duties and Jewish legalism had all but stamped out any real hope for such a realization. They longed for God's people to truly be holy. They wanted the poor to be treated with respect. They wanted the widows to be taken care of. They desired for God's people to act righteously. They desired for a Messiah. They had longed for the day He might appear and had grown weary of false Messiahs and others who had claimed to have had special relationships with God. People who would eventually disappoint them in their actions.

They were poor in spirit. They desired godliness but couldn’t see it around them. Living in a land near the Sea of Galilee they had been exposed time and time again to pagan cultures and Gentile belief systems that they knew to be false and corrupt. They longed for hope. They longed for purity. They longed for a relationship with God that they had never experienced.

Whether spoken or unspoken they were poor in spirit. They might not have used such terminology if asked but when explained they would have agreed. They were downcast and downtrodden. They were needy and their hearts cried out for something more. They were poor in spirit. Yet, Jesus didn’t bring further correction upon their actions. Instead, he said to these daydreamers and spiritual wanderers "Yours is the kingdom of heaven."

"It is you that I will give my kingdom to." Wow. What a thought. What an incredible glimmer of hope that He gave them. If they continue to seek God and His Kingdom it will be given to them. God's Kingdom is reserved for those who are poor in spirit. Not for the proud, haughty, or arrogant. Its not for the superstars of faith who claim to know everything. Its for those seekers. Those restless and relentless pursuers of truth that were willing to travel any distance to hear a man who spoke with authority and a man who just might be the promised Messiah that they had been waiting for.

It is these people who will receive the kingdom of heaven. The poor in spirit, that is.

Thank you Jesus for giving your kingdom to the poor in spirit. I am not good. I am often frustrated. I do not have all the answers. Yet, I am desperately seeking you and your kingdom. I, too, am poor in spirit.

Joshua