For Christmas, I received a new devotional book – Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening – from my daughter. I enjoyed the devotion from February 5, pm, and wanted to share it with you:
“At that time Jesus declared…” – Matthew 11:25
This is a pointed way in which to begin a verse – “At that time Jesus declared.” If you look at the context you will realize that no one had asked Him a question and that He was not in conversation with any human being. Yet it is written, “Jesus declared, I thank you, Father.”
When a man answers, he answers a person who has been speaking to him. Who, then, had been speaking to Christ? His Father. Yet there is no record of it; and this should teach us that Jesus had constant fellowship with His Father, and that God spoke into His heart so often, so continually, that it was not a circumstance peculiar enough to be recorded.
It was the habit and life of Jesus to talk with God. Let us then learn the lesson that this simple statement concerning Him teaches us. May we also enjoy silent fellowship with the Father, so that often we answer Him and although our friends don’t know to whom we speak, we will be responding to that secret voice that they do not hear but that our own ear, opened by the Spirit of God, recognizes with joy.
God has spoken to us; let us speak to God – either to affirm that God is true and faithful to His promise, or to confess the sin of which the Spirit of God has convinced us, or to acknowledge the mercy that God’s providence has given, or to express agreement with the great truths that God the Holy Spirit has revealed to us. Intimate communion with the Father of our spirit is a great privilege! It is a secret hidden from the world, a joy with which even the nearest friend does not interfere.
If we desire to hear the whispers of God’s love, our ear must be purged and fit to listen to His voice. This very evening may our heart be in such a condition, so that when God speaks to us, we, like Jesus, may be prepared at once to answer Him.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
The Rolled Back Stone
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. (Matthew 28.2-4)
The angel of the Lord came down and rolled back the stone to reveal an empty grave. This was not done to let Jesus out. He was already gone! This was done to let the women – and later the men – in to see that Jesus was gone.
As the women approached the tomb, I’m sure they thought it was their good fortune that the stone had been moved so that they could tend to the dead body of their friend. They did not dream that it had been moved so that they might be the first to witness the greatest event in the history of the world.
How often do I choose one of these two lesser explanations when God moves stones in my life?
“This stone” has been moved so that Jesus can come out and be victorious over death.
“This stone” has been moved so that I can tend to the dead body of Jesus.
Option 1 is unsatisfactory because Jesus is already out! He has already been victorious over whatever stone I face. Option 2 is even worse! God doesn’t want us to deal in death. He doesn’t move stones so that I can dress the wounds of Jesus. Jesus is risen!
When faced with a stone in our lives, God wants us to choose the best option of all:
“This stone” has been rolled away for me, but not so that I can offer ineffective and futile ministrations to the dead body of Jesus. It has been rolled away so that I can see and by seeing believe and by believing participate in the miraculous power of the living Jesus – The Power of the Resurrection!
The angel of the Lord came down and rolled back the stone to reveal an empty grave. This was not done to let Jesus out. He was already gone! This was done to let the women – and later the men – in to see that Jesus was gone.
As the women approached the tomb, I’m sure they thought it was their good fortune that the stone had been moved so that they could tend to the dead body of their friend. They did not dream that it had been moved so that they might be the first to witness the greatest event in the history of the world.
How often do I choose one of these two lesser explanations when God moves stones in my life?
“This stone” has been moved so that Jesus can come out and be victorious over death.
“This stone” has been moved so that I can tend to the dead body of Jesus.
Option 1 is unsatisfactory because Jesus is already out! He has already been victorious over whatever stone I face. Option 2 is even worse! God doesn’t want us to deal in death. He doesn’t move stones so that I can dress the wounds of Jesus. Jesus is risen!
When faced with a stone in our lives, God wants us to choose the best option of all:
“This stone” has been rolled away for me, but not so that I can offer ineffective and futile ministrations to the dead body of Jesus. It has been rolled away so that I can see and by seeing believe and by believing participate in the miraculous power of the living Jesus – The Power of the Resurrection!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Why Move the Stone?
“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how” (Matthew 27.65).
When Jesus was crucified and buried, the chief priests and Pharisees requested that Pilate – the Roman governor – seal the tomb. Their purpose was not to keep Jesus in – for neither Pilate nor the leaders of the Jews had any faith that Jesus would come out. Their purpose, rather, was to keep the disciples out.
Likewise, God removed the stone - not to let Jesus out, but to let the witnesses in!
And note this: they made it secure against men – to keep us out. But they didn’t know how to make it secure against God – to keep Jesus in. They were guarding the outside. God was working on the inside! No guard would be posted there where Jesus was raised from the dead. No guard could be posted that had the ability to prevent this miracle of God on the inside.
The Enemy of life, along with the skeptics and antagonists to resurrection power, tries to seal up the tomb from the outside to keep Jesus’ disciples from telling people of the hope and power of the gospel: Christ has indeed been raised from the dead! But, the miracle of God takes place on the inside. No seal, no guard, no security, no power, no law passed by congress, and no executive order can keep that life from bursting forth in glorious witness!
See what the disciples testified to on Pentecost: “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact” (Acts 2.38). See how the authorities could not coerce them to be silent: “Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him” Acts 5.29-32.
Do not try to prevent the seal on the outside. Let the power of God, the power of the resurrection, bring forth life from within you. The life of Jesus will come forth; it will not have to be dragged out. Then, God will remove the stone and all will see that death has lost its hold on your Savior. Death has lost its hold on you.
When Jesus was crucified and buried, the chief priests and Pharisees requested that Pilate – the Roman governor – seal the tomb. Their purpose was not to keep Jesus in – for neither Pilate nor the leaders of the Jews had any faith that Jesus would come out. Their purpose, rather, was to keep the disciples out.
Likewise, God removed the stone - not to let Jesus out, but to let the witnesses in!
And note this: they made it secure against men – to keep us out. But they didn’t know how to make it secure against God – to keep Jesus in. They were guarding the outside. God was working on the inside! No guard would be posted there where Jesus was raised from the dead. No guard could be posted that had the ability to prevent this miracle of God on the inside.
The Enemy of life, along with the skeptics and antagonists to resurrection power, tries to seal up the tomb from the outside to keep Jesus’ disciples from telling people of the hope and power of the gospel: Christ has indeed been raised from the dead! But, the miracle of God takes place on the inside. No seal, no guard, no security, no power, no law passed by congress, and no executive order can keep that life from bursting forth in glorious witness!
See what the disciples testified to on Pentecost: “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact” (Acts 2.38). See how the authorities could not coerce them to be silent: “Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him” Acts 5.29-32.
Do not try to prevent the seal on the outside. Let the power of God, the power of the resurrection, bring forth life from within you. The life of Jesus will come forth; it will not have to be dragged out. Then, God will remove the stone and all will see that death has lost its hold on your Savior. Death has lost its hold on you.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Put Your Sword Away
When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, one of his followers drew a sword to defend the Lord. Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in its place… for all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26.52).
In another place, Jesus said, “Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7.1-2).
Elsewhere, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Gal 6.7). He also instructed the church, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil” (Romans 12.17).
From these verses and others, it would seem that we should be very careful about our “weapons of choice.” The weapons we use will be used against us. Some people act as though they have been given divine imperative to use ungodly means in the “defense” of the Christ and his church, justifying hateful and hurtful behavior by citing the “rightness” of their cause. To those, Christ would say: Put your sword away. I can take care of myself. If need be I can even call on the angels of heaven to come to my rescue (Matthew 26.53). I don’t need you to use “strange fire” to defend my cause.
I think I’ll choose:
In another place, Jesus said, “Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7.1-2).
Elsewhere, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Gal 6.7). He also instructed the church, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil” (Romans 12.17).
From these verses and others, it would seem that we should be very careful about our “weapons of choice.” The weapons we use will be used against us. Some people act as though they have been given divine imperative to use ungodly means in the “defense” of the Christ and his church, justifying hateful and hurtful behavior by citing the “rightness” of their cause. To those, Christ would say: Put your sword away. I can take care of myself. If need be I can even call on the angels of heaven to come to my rescue (Matthew 26.53). I don’t need you to use “strange fire” to defend my cause.
I think I’ll choose:
- Love
- Prayer
- Kindness
- Forgiveness
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Two Talent Man
“Each according to his ability…” (Matthew 25.15)
The story Jesus tells here in Matthew is about the kingdom of heaven. He says the kingdom is like an investor who entrusts resources (“talents” or weights of money) to three different employees to see what they can and will make happen with these resources:
There is nothing disgraceful about being in any of those positions. We can grow from being a one-talent person to being a two-talent person to being a five-talent person in the work of the Kingdom. The two-talent man used it all and became a four-talent man. The five-talent man used it all and became a ten-talent man. He actually became an eleven-talent man because the investor decided to use him to “pick up the slack,” giving him the resources and responsibilities of the one-talent man. There is no doubt that the investor in this story thought that the one-talent man had the ability to become a two-talent man. But, the one-talent man looked at the others, grew jealous, and made bad decisions that lead to losing out entirely.
I was surprised by what came to my mind when I read that story: "I want to be a two-talent man!" I, obviously, don’t want to be a one-talent man who buries my talent, refusing to use it in the work of the Master. What was surprising, however, was that I didn’t immediately ask to be a five-talent man. That's kind of my nature. I guess I saw what happened to him: an already busy and productive man had to pick up the slack! So, what about two talents – if I could ask for those – seemed like a good goal. I prayed the following:
Today, Lord, help me to see and develop and plan to use my two talents according to my ability. May I use my talents for your glory and for the growth and encouragement of those around me.
The story Jesus tells here in Matthew is about the kingdom of heaven. He says the kingdom is like an investor who entrusts resources (“talents” or weights of money) to three different employees to see what they can and will make happen with these resources:
- There was a five-talent man, who earned five more talents.
- There was a two-talent man who earned two more talents.
- And finally there was a one-talent man who did nothing to utilize and multiply the resources.
There is nothing disgraceful about being in any of those positions. We can grow from being a one-talent person to being a two-talent person to being a five-talent person in the work of the Kingdom. The two-talent man used it all and became a four-talent man. The five-talent man used it all and became a ten-talent man. He actually became an eleven-talent man because the investor decided to use him to “pick up the slack,” giving him the resources and responsibilities of the one-talent man. There is no doubt that the investor in this story thought that the one-talent man had the ability to become a two-talent man. But, the one-talent man looked at the others, grew jealous, and made bad decisions that lead to losing out entirely.
I was surprised by what came to my mind when I read that story: "I want to be a two-talent man!" I, obviously, don’t want to be a one-talent man who buries my talent, refusing to use it in the work of the Master. What was surprising, however, was that I didn’t immediately ask to be a five-talent man. That's kind of my nature. I guess I saw what happened to him: an already busy and productive man had to pick up the slack! So, what about two talents – if I could ask for those – seemed like a good goal. I prayed the following:
Today, Lord, help me to see and develop and plan to use my two talents according to my ability. May I use my talents for your glory and for the growth and encouragement of those around me.
You may wish to pray a similar prayer.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Are You Ready?
As I was reading Matthew 24, I saw something in a way that I had never seen it before. It is something worth further study and contemplation. In verses 39b-41, Jesus says, “That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.”
I always read this as a taking away of Christians at the rapture. But, if you look closely at the context, something interesting comes to light: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away” (Matthew 24. 37-39a, emphasis mine).
In this context, Jesus is speaking of the taking away in judgment and punishment. That is clear also by what follows through the end of chapter 24. Also, we see in the first part of chapter 24 that the church – the elect – has to go through great distress. The question I asked myself when I read this is this: “Am I counting on the rapture to remove me from great distress, or am I ready – as a part of the elect – to make it through great distress?” It is something to think about.
Are you ready?
I always read this as a taking away of Christians at the rapture. But, if you look closely at the context, something interesting comes to light: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away” (Matthew 24. 37-39a, emphasis mine).
In this context, Jesus is speaking of the taking away in judgment and punishment. That is clear also by what follows through the end of chapter 24. Also, we see in the first part of chapter 24 that the church – the elect – has to go through great distress. The question I asked myself when I read this is this: “Am I counting on the rapture to remove me from great distress, or am I ready – as a part of the elect – to make it through great distress?” It is something to think about.
Are you ready?
Monday, February 2, 2009
Gold or Brass?
Today's question is more important that "Paper or plastic?" It is "Gold or brass?"
I’ve learned to pay attention when God repeats himself to me. In today’s Bible readings the Lord reinforced the idea of humility to me in two ways.
In addition to reading the 23rd chapter from the gospel of Matthew, I also read 2 Chronicles 12 and the story of
In the 23rd chapter of Matthew, Jesus excoriates the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who loved the praise of men. Of them, Jesus said, “Everything they do is done for men to see.” They cared more about the appearance of godliness than the actual possession of it in their lives. The seven woes that follow in Matthew 23 are pronounced on the Pharisees and teachers of the law because they settled for brass instead of gold.
When I read Matthew 23, I ask myself, “Am I settling for brass shields when I could have gold?” Look closely at the seven woes in Matthew 23 and see if you are settling for…
- The brass of exclusion vs. the gold of inclusion?
- The brass of activity vs. the gold of integrity?
- The brass of formal rituals vs. the gold of God’s presence?
- The brass of the good vs. the gold of the best?
- The brass of exterior righteousness vs. the gold of interior righteousness?
- The brass of the cup vs. the gold of the contents?
- The brass of arrogance vs. the gold of repentance?
May you never settle for brass! May I never settle for brass! But, may we humble ourselves and allow God to be the shield of gold around us!
“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23.12).
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