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When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, as were all the people in Jerusalem. Matthew 2:3 (NCV)
Not everyone was happy when the news came of a newborn baby and the rumors of the Messiah being born. Tradition teaches us that Jesus was most likely an inquisitive little two-year-old by the time the Magi appeared in Jerusalem.
No doubt the goings on in Bethlehem had reached the streets of Jerusalem by then, but the stories were most likely, largely unsubstantiated. A few shepherds coming into town to tell of the miraculous birth would carry little clout. They were, after all, shepherds. Besides, most likely the new family had returned home to some little, insignificant town…Nazareth. After all, it was common knowledge that a king would be born anyplace other than Bethlehem, and a Nazarite? Not a chance.
But just about the time that the rumors had completely died, a caravan arrived in town looking for the new king of Israel and they caused quite a commotion.
King Herod had no right to the throne he inhabited. He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He got to his position of power through violence, rage and deception. He ruled with an iron fist. If you followed Herod, you were safe. But no one dared cross him.
There were others worried about the rumors as well. The priests and others who were content in their tradition were nervous about making any waves with Herod. He allowed them to practice their religion as long as it didn’t interfere with his program. Tradition does that. It brings us to a place of complacency.
Complacency. Contentment. Religious tradition. All the things that kept Jerusalem quiet. But the Messiah was never about coming to bring complacency, he was about coming to expose the injustice of power and free those under its grasp.
No wonder then that all Jerusalem was in an uproar over the news of a new king. They didn’t want their way of life disturbed; their tradition tampered with; their religion shown to be full of hypocrisy and allegiance to a God-less King. They were unwilling to take a stand and uninterested in God changing them. They were more worried about the earthly King than they were excited about Messiah, God with us.
Not much has changed since the Magi came to Jerusalem that day. People are still content to worship their own way; still content to live safe lives steeped in tradition without making waves. Staying obscure is staying safe.
But that little two-year old the Magi visited doesn’t call us to complacency. He doesn’t call us to be safe. He calls us to a new life built on relationships, not rules. Our Father doesn’t work in ways the world expects, he works in ways that bring dramatic, life-long change.
PRAYER: Holy Father, I thank you today for the babe in the manger. The Magi remind us all that we should never be complacent in looking for you. They remind us that you work in ways we don’t expect. Empower us to be watchful for your working. Amen.
Then I will shout all day, “Praise the LORD God! He did what was right.” Psalm 35:28 (CEV)
Three seconds left in the second overtime of the state championship game. The moment all of us athletes (armchair and otherwise) dream of. He’d probably pretended to make this shot a million times in his backyard. The only difference then was that this time three seconds was really three seconds and there would be no second chance.
The ball was thrown in; he dribbled to half court and let it fly. As it flew through mid-air the final buzzer sounded. By the time the ball slipped softly through the net, the game was officially over. The only difference and it was a major difference, was that when the ball left his hand his team was down by two points. Now, they were the champions.
The crowd roared. On the one side? A ‘roar’ of anguish and disbelief. On the other side? A roar of amazement and celebration.
There are so many analogies we can make to the athletic field and life. Even the Apostle Paul makes athletically based references to this journey, this race we call life. All run, few are rewarded the champions crown. All serious athletes train diligently. None enter the contest hoping to come in second. Yet only one is left standing.
Before the ball hit that gymnasium floor that day, the ‘hero’s teammates surrounded him. His name is still in the record books these 20 years later, but relatively few remember the joy of those fleeting moments. And only those of us who experienced it really understand the euphoria.
When David reflected back his life he saw the ruins of broken relationships, the scars of battles lost and the oasis’ of encouragement from his followers. But one thing reigned supreme. His God had not failed him. Ever.
David had failed. Miserably sometimes. Others had turned their backs on him and thrown him under the bus. But God had always remained faithful. It was God who walked him through the dark, lion infested fields as he tended sheep. It was God who directed the stone that day as he faced the giant. It was God who protected him from the angry outbursts of a jealous King Saul.
Our journey on earth if full of various types of battles. Some we win, some we lose. But when those battles are done there is cause for rejoicing. Even in the darkest part of the night when the storms rage we can praise Him because we know he will bring us through and we’ll be stronger because of it.
Make every day a day of praise. Celebrate the fact that good or bad, even if you don’t see the good right now, your Heavenly Father always does right.
PRAYER: Father, it’s easy to celebrate the victories of our lives, but remind us to praise you in the midst of the darkness as well because we know you always do right. Amen.
Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Psalm 29:2 (NKJV)
To the preacher/speaker it’s the accolades of those who have heard his/her latest presentation. To the author it’s seeing your work in print, or better yet on the best sellers list. To the builder it’s seeing the superstructure rise to the sky as planned. To the parent it’s watching your child receive that diploma (whether it be for a doctorate or kindergarten graduation). To the young bride it’s coming home to flowers and chocolate from her husband for no apparent reason. To some, it’s the beauty of wildlife living free in the wild, for others it’s the euphoria of the successful hunt.
Each of us, in whatever role of life, has those things that bring us joy. Those things that say “all that hard work was worth it.” It’s paid off.” They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that’s true in so many areas of life. I have friends who love to knit and find beauty and fulfillment in a new scarf or handbag or whatever else you can knit. While I admire their work and ability, to be honest I have a hard time finding the beauty in fancy string (sorry knitters).
On the other hand, the things I find beauty in may not be the things you find beauty in. That’s a part of human nature. We each find beauty in those things we have a special connection to.
So what does God find beauty in? Generally, beauty is found in those things closest to our character. God, Jehovah God, by the very nature of his name tells us what he finds beauty in. The name Jehovah, a name so beautiful, so powerful that the Hebrews dare not even say his name, brings us a picture of mercy, love, power, and wisdom. These are the things that make up our heavenly Father, and they are the things that are beauty to him.
The priests in the OT/NT times wore robes. Beautiful, elegant robes to approach Jehovah. Growing up in the church, I saw certain standards that were to be met to approach God. Men wore suits and ties, women wore dresses. Some pastors wore robes.
Today we have moved beyond that in some circles. Shorts and T-shirts are perfectly appropriate for church goers, although some still hold pastors to a different standard of ties/suits or robes. But does God see beauty in those things? I think not. Our Father is far less concerned about how we adorn the exterior than he is how we dress up our hearts.
We come before him this weekend to worship him for his mercy, love, power and wisdom. Does he see those things in us? Let me vent just a little here. Over the years we’ve fought for position over what kind of ‘worship’ we do. Do we follow a lectionary or experience ‘free worship’? Do we hold to traditional worship or move towards contemporary worship. Do we allow pastors to wear shorts and T-shirts in the pulpit or require they dress more ‘suitably’?
The question isn’t how our worship looks to each other. The question is, is our worship beautiful to God. Worship isn’t one day a week, or a segment of our weekly club meetings. Worship is wearing the character of God in such a way that there is no question of who we belong to. That’s true beauty to God. That’s true worship.
PRAYER: Father, here I am to worship you. I confess my worship has been shallow and surface based. Empower me with your spirit to show the world your beauty. In Jesus name, Amen.
You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. Exodus 20:9-10 (NLT)
During the ‘Good Ole’ Days’ Sundays were different! Shopping wasn’t an option because no stores were open. Even the best little boys and girls kept Sunday clothes on all day because that was proper. At least 50% of the people weren’t home for a good part of the afternoon because after church they were at someone else’s house for dinner and fellowship.
Stringent and legalistic as the rules were in those days, they had nothing on the original ‘Sabbath Day’ rules handed down to the Israelites. Work of any sort was forbidden. If you were caught working you were stoned first, then the action was investigated. Sabbath worship wasn’t an option, it was a requirement.
Then Jesus came along and taught us a valuable lesson regarding the Sabbath. He taught us that the Sabbath was made for men; men were not made for the Sabbath. Quite often Jesus got himself in trouble for what he did on the Sabbath. He did terrible things like healing people and taking away their pain. It’s interesting to note that most of these healings took place around the temple or synagogue. Why? Because Jesus was on his way to Church when an opportunity arose and he met it. Never let yourself forget, Jesus honored the Sabbath in his heart by doing Kingdom work with his hands.
Jesus changed the focus of the ‘Sabbath’ from duty to permission. There are many different views of when the Sabbath is for the Christ-follower, or if it should be followed or how it should be followed. But many of those arguments and viewpoints miss the intent of what God told us way back on the mountain.
Mankind was made for work. Some of us work with our hands, some with our heads. Some work to build things, some work to build lives. Some work to heal, some work to teach. Some work to serve, some work to provide. Work is a privilege for each of us and God has gifted us to work for his Kingdom and all work is Kingdom work for the believer.
But God’s original command was two fold. Not only are we given the privilege and giftedness to work, we are given permission to rest and reflect on all God has given us. Jesus came to teach us that the ‘rules’ of the Sabbath had been replaced with permission to worship God whenever and however we can.
The human body was made for work. The human soul was made for worship. Six days (days or your choosing) are to be set aside to work, but you have permission to set aside one day (at the least) for your soul to be refreshed and to reflect on what God is doing and calling you to do.
Do all to the Glory of God. Worship him in your work. Worship him in your play. Worship him in your rest. But take one day to let your soul catch up and focus on what God is doing in your life. He’s given you permission to do that.
PRAYER: Lord God I thank you for all you have done for me. I praise you for my giftedness and my ability to do Kingdom work for you. When my work becomes stress-filled help me remember it’s all for your glory. Thank you for the permission you gave us to take time for our souls to rest and reflect on your goodness. Amen.
Shout praises to the LORD! He is good to us, and his love never fails. Psalm 107:1 (CEV)
We have entered into the period of time the church celebrates as Lent. Lent is that time for reflection leading up to the passion of Jesus Christ. Like many church traditions, Lent began for good reasons, as an avenue of worship and remembrance. As time has warn on, Lent has become more ritual that relationship building.
For some Lent is nothing more than a new set of church activities and responsibilities. For others it’s a time of sacrifice. For others, Lent is simply that period of time leading up to yet another chocolate holiday.
This year, take some time to focus on the original intent of this period. Revisit the gospels and read the accounts of Jesus’ last days on earth. Read each gospel account to grasp the differing views of the writers. Read it from different translations. Reading different translations helps to gain new perspectives.
Meditate as you read on the fact that all of this was done with you in mind. Every step Jesus took on the way to the cross was taken for you. Your name was imprinted on his sandals. Your face imprinted on his mind.
As Jesus made his way toJerusalemhe endured opposition, but you were worth it.
As Jesus made his way toJerusalemhe was well aware of the trials he would bear on your behalf, the beatings, the floggings, the spit in his face, the nails in his hand. But you were worth it.
As Jesus made his way to Jerusalem He knew the urgency involved. He knew that he had to do this so that you would have the gift of freedom and eternal life. He pressed on in the face of adversity because you were worth it.
As Jesus made his way toJerusalemhe knew some would take advantage of him. His mercy would fall on those intent on their own selfish gains. But he continued on, realizing he’d be forgotten by some because you were worth it.
As Jesus made is way toJerusalemhe never lost sight of who he was. Son of God. Creator of the universe. God incarnate. Master designer. Worthy of all honor and praise. As he looked over the city he wept. His tears weren’t because of his own impending pain, he wept for you. He wept for you because you were worth it.
What great love your Lord Jesus has for you. A love that is available regardless of your sin. A love that is available in spite of your past. A love that is available to you because in the eyes of the master, you are worth it.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus. As we enter this season of Lent help me to revisit your passion in a sense of awe and thanksgiving for all you have done for me. Thank you for your grace and forgiveness. Thank you that in your eyes I was worth the pain you bore. Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 