Posts Tagged ‘Jesus’

Bending to mob rule…

Posted on: May 22nd, 2013 by johannah No Comments

mobHow many times have I bended to mob rule? A lot. Because I want to be valued by others, it’s hard for me to go against the flow and stand up for something or someone everyone else is vilifying. But in our society, that is going to be necessary more and more – among both those who call themselves Christians and those who don’t. That’s why I need to pay closer attention to the Scriptures and be quiet enough to hear the Holy Spirit so that I know what to stand for and what is just a result of mob rule. And what better place to start than with the worst example of mob rule in history – the crucifixion of Jesus?

If we look at Mark 15:13-14, it brings home the fact that Jesus’ crucifixion was a result of mob rule. Sure, he was given three different trials with the Jewish Council, Herod, and Pilate, but they were all sham trials. The Jewish chief priests, elders, and scribes were delighted to finally get rid of this troublemaker. Herod only wanted to see Jesus out of curiosity and Pilate just didn’t want any trouble. However, it’s telling that both men and the Jewish Council found him innocent.

The charge was that Jesus was a self-proclaimed king, thus it was a charge of treason. However, Jesus explained to Pilate that his kingdom wasn’t an earthly one, which cleared him of the treason charge. But Pilate had no courage to stand against the mob yelling for Jesus’ crucifixion.

Perhaps I don’t either. I watch as the world vilifies Jesus and I have no courage to speak up for him. Or perhaps I feel it will be hopeless if I do. I, too, bend to mob rule. But the great part of this story is that Jesus gladly died for my sins, and that’s worth telling to anyone who will listen.

Admit You Are Sick

Posted on: April 18th, 2013 by johannah No Comments

“And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’” Mark 2:15–17 ESV

This passage is an example of how Jesus confounded the religious people of the day, and perhaps he confounds us too. Who was Jesus dining with? Why did it cause such a stir with the Pharisees? And what was the point of Jesus’ answer?

The Old Testament Jewish law had clear guidelines to keep the Jewish people pure. There were many prohibitions because God wanted to create something unique with the nation of Israel. The trouble was that the Pharisees added to that law, interpreting it so tightly that it began to be a burden rather than a protection and delight, which is the way David talks about the law in Psalm 119. David loved God’s law and saw it as liberating rather than restricting.

In contrast, the Pharisees took God’s good law and twisted it to exclude and shun those who were “sinners.” In not recognizing that they, too, were sinners, they could only see the more obvious sins of the tax collectors and their ilk, causing them to completely ignore their own sin and lack of love. Jesus challenged their pride by eating with those they saw as sinful and pointing out that was why he came in the first place.

Application: As Christians, we too often act like Pharisees. We focus on those outside the church, pointing our fingers at their sin and exclaiming how they are ruining our society and way of life. Yet, we fail to see our own sin and repent of it. We fail to admit that Jesus has chosen to dine with the sinners—he has chosen to dine with us. 

“Lord, I have been too quick to point my finger at others and too slow to admit my own sin. Help me to recognize that tendency in my day to day interactions and especially as I am quiet before you. Amen.”

Further inspiration: Read Psalm 119 and consider what it means to truly listen to, understand, and love God’s law.

Invitation to leave comments: What sins do you think today’s Christians are blind to in their own hearts?

(I wrote this for the Narrow Way Devotional that was published on www.Trochia.org. Go there to sign up to receive this online daily.)  

 

It’s All About Jesus

Posted on: April 2nd, 2013 by johannah No Comments

dove“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’” Mark 1:9–11 ESV

Look carefully at this passage. What most stands out to you? Is it that John was baptizing Jesus? That heaven was torn open? That the Holy Spirit made a visual presentation to Jesus? That a voice came from heaven? That the voice from heaven identified Jesus for who he really was? Or something that I haven’t mentioned?

I find all of the above interesting. Although Jesus was clearly a more important figure than John in God’s kingdom, he humbly submitted to being baptized by him—even though he was sinless and had nothing to repent of. From the passage, it appears that Jesus, not the crowd in general, was the one who saw heaven being torn open, the Spirit descending, and heard the voice, but we don’t know that for sure. However, immediately following this event, Jesus went to the wilderness to be tested for 40 days and then began his public ministry. So, it would make sense that God would have given him this encouragement and declaration of who he was at the beginning of a grueling three-year earthly ministry that would culminate in an excruciating death.

So what’s that mean for us? It means that from the beginning of the book of Mark, we have the privilege of hearing the inside story of this incredible man and God who would not only change history, but our lives as well.

Application: “Lord, we ask that as we walk through this book of the Bible that we will understand clearly who Jesus Christ is, and that our understanding would orient us more to knowing you through your perfect Son. Amen.”

Further inspiration: Listen to the song “Beautiful One” to think more about who Jesus is and why he came.

(This is taken from an online devotional I am writing for called The Narrow Way. If you would like to receive it, you can sign up here: http://buff.ly/11JD7R8)

Why We Need the 10 Commandments

Posted on: June 17th, 2011 by johannah No Comments

Do you know anyone who worships wealth and prosperity? What about someone who uses God’s name as a swear word? Any workaholics? Any rebellious kids? Someone who has cheated on his wife, or lied about something? A person full of hate or jealousy? If you know any of these kind of people, you will have to agree that we, even as Christians, desperately need to take the Ten Commandments to heart.

These commands are bedrocks of our faith, an autobiographical, self-revelatory message from God about who he is and how he wants our lives to change by knowing him. And the other nine hinge of the first commandment: You shall have no other gods before me.

Martin Luther said, “That to which your heart clings and entrusts itself is, I say, really your god. The purpose of this commandment, therefore, is to require true faith and cling to him alone. The meaning is: See to it that you let me alone be your God and never seek another.”

This should be our orientation and the way to test our hearts. What is my heart clinging to and why? How can clinging to Jesus Christ reorient everything? Lord, let me have no other gods before you.