Category: Devotions

Rotten at the core

Luke 10: 29 “But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”

“But the man wanted to show that he knew what he was talking about. So he asked Jesus, “Who are my neighbours?” (CEV)

“And he, determined to acquit himself of reproach, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbour?” (AMP)

“Looking for a loophole, he asked, “And just how would you define ‘neighbour’?” (Message)

Meaning:

We all want to be seen to be more knowledgeable, more able, more loving, more giving than our human nature truly wants to be. (CEV)

We all don’t want people to be disappointed in us. We crave praise. (AMP)

If we can cut the corner we will, if we can get away with it, we will (Message)

This particular expert is wrong-footed by Jesus, he was expecting not such an accurate response. He was hoping for something like, “Eternal life? Then put your trust in my words.” But Jesus responded with the Shema. This makes the man look less of an expert because every Jew knew this answer.

So who is my neighbour? What a strange question! Isn’t the answer ‘everyone’? Isn’t it ‘people’?

But he knows he doesn’t love everyone. So he is trying to narrow Jesus down so that he can feel that he is right not to view everybody as his neighbour. That would be simply too many people to love. He wants to choose the nice people to love at least!

At the core of humanity is selfishness. We have to fight it all our lives with love and mercy to all, even those we think do not deserve it.

At the core of our culture is ‘to walk on by’ and ‘don’t talk to strangers’, compassion will cost. Keep moving. We have to surrender this daily.

We need the cross to run right through our core.

 

What does it say?

Luke 10: 25-28 “On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

This was a test. From an expert in the ‘Bible’. Maybe he as trying to see how Jewish Jesus was? Did he follow the law? Did he even know it properly? Was he here to get rid of the law of Moses or keep it? Was he a threat to their culture?

A test.

Jesus answers, “What does it say?”

“Let’s get the Bible out and have a look.”

This week I am at a Christian Camp called Elim Family Festival, it has been held annually since 1962 in Yorkshire and this year we have sensed God is doing a new thing amongst us and the Camp will be a catalyst for a fresh move of God in Elim, 2020 is going to be great and details will soon be available on http://www.elimfestival.org/ (promotion over!)

At the camp I heard of a woman who saw something in the Bible for the first time and was visibly convicted by what she read compared to her lifestyle! Her response was ‘I have to change!’ YES! The Bible speaks today!

What does it say? More than that. How do you read it? How do you interpret and apply what you are reading?

In the Bible Study mornings I became excited as we studied the Lord’s Prayer and also John 17 and I saw something I had not seen before. The Bible does that. You read it all your life and then one morning you turn the page and there it is, staring right in front of you! The truth for the moment!

What does it say?

Every Jew knew it and they still do.

So we are not surprised that Jesus, being Jewish has this answer to what is the greatest commandment.

The Shema: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

It’s the first passage children recite. It is prayed twice a day and at the end of festivals.

It starts with the word Shema = Listen or Hear.

Do those 2 things and you will live. The second stems from the first. Your love for others comes out of a living experience of loving God.

On Mission, part 10

Luke 10: 23-24 “Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

The final lesson in this context from Jesus to the 72 followers who have returned from a short-term mission trip:

YOU ARE BLESSED

Today is the funeral of Joan Shaw who went to heaven 2 weeks ago. She was a key figure of the Church I was privileged to Pastor for 17 years. Of the many people she has met in heaven already will be the ‘prophets and kings’ who longed to see the Messiah but who did not show in their generation. Prior to Christ’s appearance on earth many lived their life with faith and hope that the Messiah would come but it was never planned for their generation. They are the ‘cloud of witnesses’ in Hebrews 12 who paved the way for Jesus to come.

Jesus tells his disciples quietly that they are blessed:

1. Because they have seen Him. Their eyes had been opened and they agreed with Peter, “You are the Christ, the Son of God.”
2. Because they would be seeing and understanding the reason for His coming.
3. Because they saw the fulfilment of the Old Testament in Christ.
4. Because they realised that Christ was here to build his Church.

Today I conduct another funeral of people I have known who have gone from this earth to heaven.

One thing they all will realise is how blessed they were indeed on earth to have:

• Their relationship with Jesus
• Understanding the death and resurrection of Jesus.
• Their Bible pointing them to Jesus.
• The Church that worshipped and lived for Jesus.

We are right now indeed blessed.

 

On Mission, part 9

Luke 10: 22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Further Missions lessons from Jesus as the 72 have arrived back:

JESUS HAS IT ALL.

All things. In one of the most forthright things Jesus ever said alongside the sayings of ‘I am’ he is making the point that he was not self-appointed. He is the real deal, there is no other. God sent him. He was given all things. But this does not mean there was a time when he didn’t have all things. He is not a secondary being. There was never a time when God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit were not eternally there.

All people will bow their knee to Jesus. No matter how many self-declarations of importance there are through the many media platforms; no matter how many put-downs you have received from arrogant leaders and managers; no matter how much power and wealth are lorded over the weak and marginalised; they don’t have it all.

JESUS KNOWS IT ALL.

“No one knows.” Jesus says it twice.

The ultimate knowledge of the throne of heaven. How the triune God exists and works, no one knows that. Except Jesus. In the world of ‘know it all’s’ where everyone seems to have the perfect truth about everything; where one church vies against another for absolute truth; where people have totally correct political views; where people have insights never seen before; where experts in many fields have actually developed things way beyond our imagination; they will never know it all.

The created will never understand the Creator. In the missional context of needing to be incarnational, we will never understand how the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and Jesus was conceived. In our pursuit for His Presence in our lives we will never know what it was for the human and the divine to exist in one body. We don’t know it all.

JESUS REVEALS IT ALL.

Not Mohammed, Buddha, Zeus, Shiva etc. Only Jesus reveals God. Only in Jesus. Not many roads. One road. Jesus. Today there are many things you don’t have, you will never have everything even if you had more things. There will be many things you don’t know. You will have more questions than answers. But friends today we can say this one thing, “I know God. The Son has revealed the Father to me and is continuing to do so as I follow Him.” Today as we pray, we do so in the name of Jesus and he takes us to the throne of God. As we worship Jesus we connect with God. It is all through Jesus.

On Mission, part 8

 

Luke 10: 17 – 21 “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.”

 

Can you imagine the reunion of the short-term missionaries? Everyone was filled with stories of what they had seen and what they had done. Great joy. Laughter. Exuberance and noise filled base camp.

Jesus joins in that joy. He is laughing and rejoicing, beaming at his disciples.

No one fully knows whether Jesus had a vision whilst the disciples were out on mission of Satan falling like lightning, his empire collapsing under the work of his team or whether Jesus was referring to the fall of Satan from heaven. But whatever it was, I read it imagining Jesus smiling!

I am not sure how many times you have imagined Jesus being happy with you, but I think that may be way more times than we actually appreciate and acknowledge.

Snakes and scorpions were well known in that desert-parched land. They were hazards on everyone’s journey. But since the beginning of Bible history are seen as symbols of demonic power. Jesus reaffirms the authority and power he has given them and creates the imagery of his disciples trampling on every snake and scorpion they can find, like some children’s activity, little ones dancing on the head of the enemy. Wonderful!

Jesus is so happy. As he stares at his disciples mingling with one another, giving one another high five’s and sharing stories, he is thankful. He is praising his Father that these are just ordinary people, children, they are not special in the world’s eyes and they represent the generations of unknown people to come who have done great things in his name, people like you and me.

So what is the lesson?

LEARN TO CELEBRATE MORE. Rejoice in what has happened. Be happy with what you do for Jesus in this life. Laugh loud. Testify the good that you do.

LEARN TO CELEBRATE YOUR SALVATION. You are not only known on earth. You are known in heaven. Let the joy of your salvation overwhelm you. The power of His relationship with you is more powerful than the power He has given you over Satan.

LEARN TO CELEBRATE AS CHILDREN DO. Dance more. All that you have achieved has come about because you received as a child would do. You didn’t approach it with all the intelligence you could muster, you said, ‘pick me, choose me, I want to be on your team’.

 

On Mission, part 7

Continuing to give his lessons of mission to the 72 short term missionaries, I think this is probably the most important.

Luke 10: 16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

CHRIST IN YOU

The apostle Paul would understand this and asked the Church, “Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Christ is in you Amen!

“He who listens to you listens to me”. So we can’t become proud. Not really. It is Jesus who is speaking through us.

“He who rejects you rejects me”. So we can’t feel a failure. Not really. It is Jesus who is being rejected.

And now for the incredible thing. As you share the gospel if they accept what you say then they accept God, if they don’t, they reject God. The severity of their decision to accept or reject is huge in that there isn’t anywhere else they can go other than God. How is it possible that your words hold such eternal consequence? Christ in you!

• In case you still may not have realised the brilliance of this lesson of Jesus then try this:

Whoever listens to (now insert your name) listens to Jesus; whoever rejects (insert your name) rejects me.

This is more than you being an agent of Jesus or his representative, “Jesus couldn’t come today so he has sent me”. It is so much more than that. When you speak, Jesus speaks. When they listen to you, they listen to Jesus.

(Galatians 2:20) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

(Colossians 1:27) To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

• In case you still may not have realised the brilliance of this lesson of Jesus then think on this:

Your responsibility to choose words to use.

(Proverbs 16:24) Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Choose your words carefully today. Slow your mouth down. Don’t type so fast on your social media feeds. What will flow from you today? Angst? Pessimism? Hate? When they listen, they listen to Jesus! Now that is a huge responsibility!

Christ in you!

On Mission, part 6

Luke 10: 13-15

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.”

Another lesson: Demand a response from the investment you give.

A quick look at these cities/towns:

Chorazin – There are no recorded miracles in the Gospels here.

Bethsaida – The man born blind was healed and Jesus fed the 5,000 just outside this city.

Tyre and Sidon – well known cities in the Old and New Testament, now known as Lebanon, pagan, famous for being rejecters of God.

Capernaum – Peter’s mother in law is healed and a man is set free from a demon amongst many other healings and miracles.

Jesus mentions Bethsaida and Capernaum where the Gospel writers record his miracles, Chorazin where nothing is recorded and Tyre and Sidon who everyone knew were doomed historically.

Have you ever wondered at people who encounter a healing, maybe even their own healing, they attribute it to God, but they never surrender their lives to Him?

If Christ has done a work in you or in front of you then the mission lesson is this: what are you going to do now after witnessing what He has done for you? If you do nothing then it is worse than doing nothing prior to witnessing what He has done.

Jesus Christ is not some nice magician floating around. If you reject Him, God, then where do you go? Who else can do anything for you? If witnessing God won’t turn you around in surrender then nothing will.

This is not a nice message. It is unpopular with parts of the Church who would never want to offend in anyway. But the truth is Christ expects a return on His investment and as we follow Him on mission so must we. If there is no response then we too may choose like the Gospel writers with Chorazin not to even mention the good that Christ did there, the city was completely forgotten.

Speaking up when you are not getting a return for your investment is a hard lesson perhaps. But Jesus demands our all and that is for all not just a few.

On Mission, part 5

Luke 10: 8

“When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.⁹ Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ ¹⁰ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ¹¹ ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ ¹² I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

Further lessons from Jesus to those being sent out:

EXPECT THE SUPERNATURAL

Jesus didn’t tell them to go and pray for people to get well but to go and heal the sick. That’s not to say we shouldn’t pray for the sick, not at all, we should. But he gave them tremendous expectancy that they would do what he had been doing.

Let that settle for a moment.

In our Western culture if someone is sick we automatically think of a Pharmacy and medicines that are so freely available and we know that in the vast majority of cases if they take the medicine they will get better. We don’t think twice about it. It is almost a guarantee.

But what did Jesus say? Heal the sick. It was an instruction that sounded like a guarantee.

Those in parts of the world without Pharmacies need such guarantees, they certainly need the faith and expectancy of the Church.

He demonstrated this himself. Jesus healed the sick. He told the Twelve to do it. In Mark’s Great Commissioning Jesus instructs them that as well as driving out demons they will place their hands on sick people and they will get well.

Jesus shows us that God wants people well.

The Church needs to focus more on its healing ministry. The Church stands in every city, town and village as a symbol of healing for that community. Wherever you are placed the expectation is for you to reach others with healing, setting those bound, free and those broken, restored. The outcome is wholesome people. That’s what we need. A nation healed by God.

EXPECT DISAPPOINTMENT

This is not advocating not aiming for anything or failing before we begin.

But there are times where you’re going to be disappointed and you need to deal with it. We need to recover from hurt quickly.  Time is running out on you for all this, ‘oh I feel hurt’, you don’t have that luxury anymore, this is a life of mission. So if you get hurt easy sort it out, grow thicker skin and realise that that’s just life. We are on the mission of the One who was crucified so we should not be surprised when it isn’t easy for us either. You may not feel welcome, you may not feel appreciated, If you don’t deal with disappointment it will remove you from your appointment.

On Mission, part 4

Luke 10: 5-7 ““When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.”

Here are some lessons for his disciples when they entered into homes to stay:

BE A BLESSING

Imagine a world where the primary task of each of us was to be a blessing wherever we went. To bring peace not strife. Not to antagonise or be judgmental but just to bless. Not to criticise or try and get the upper hand but just to bless. Not to bring down or bring into line but to bless. Can you imagine that?

FIND THE PROMOTER OF PEACE

This verse has been the instrumental verse for the discipleship making movements around the world. One of my friend leads one of these movements in West Africa. He has seen planted 71 churches in his country which is an Islamic nation, he follows the model of going into a place where there is no church and finding a person of peace, a spiritual person who is not yet a Christian.

The promoter of peace is a person who is spiritual, open and happy to talk about what you believe in.  These are people who have got great influence, family influence and tribal influence. For example, the village chief or the mayor etc.

RECEIVE WELL DON’T BE PICKY

Eat what is set before you. I generally have 2 rules for myself; 1) it has to be dead and 2) it cannot be looking at me! So no fish heads or little chicks in their egg shells!

This is Incarnational mission. Some things are obvious. Like drinking only from bottled water. You have to take care of yourself on mission otherwise you won’t be doing any mission! But if you’re going on mission and all you say to your host is, ‘all I eat is an apple’, then that is hardly incarnational. If you go to India or Pakistan then you must eat curry!

Jesus said to his followers when you go into the Samaritan towns and villages you may not eat what you normally eat, but you will eat it. Further, don’t refuse for any reason, you deserve to be paid.

On Mission part 3

Jesus is giving 72 of his followers some fast-track Missions training prior to sending them out for a short term trip.

Here is the next lesson:

Luke 10 v 4 “Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road”.

1. Be totally dependent on God. God with what you are standing up in then rely on God providing for you.
2. Be minimalist in desire. Don’t be weighed down with cumbersome possessions that you think you are going to need. This is not a holiday.
3. Be urgent and expedient. Without being rude don’t get caught up with slow formalities of social etiquette. Some customs have very long greetings that can take many minutes just simply to bring a greeting.
4. Be careful with your purpose. If on meeting everyone on the road towards your purpose you tell them and then they ask questions and make suggestions you may never arrive at your purpose. If you do arrive then those you have met may have infiltrated your purpose so much that it has become something completely different. Or they may have praised you so much that you desire the praise more than the purpose. But on top of this the greeting could lead to confrontation about their purpose especially since the disciples were being sent into Samaritan towns and villages.