Light Dawns - Part 2 (Post 12)

After breakfast beside the Sea of Galilee, Jesus engages our man Peter in a most interesting conversation.

John 21: 15 - 25

There are so many fascinating parallels in this chapter of John.  Jesus seemed to intentionally use circumstances and trains of thought to remind the apostles of previous encounters and miracles.  He needed to remind them - to remind Peter - of the things of "first importance".   Let's consider a few:

1.  The miraculous catch of fish.  Jesus had done that for Peter before Peter decided to follow Him.  Jesus does it again ... remember, Peter ... Jesus has all power and authority.

2.  Jesus feeds them breakfast ... verse 13 tells us that Jesus "took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish."  He had done that before - this miracle of feeding - to 5000+ earlier in his ministry. Jesus does it again here ... remember, Peter ... Jesus is the source of sustenance, of life.

3.  Jesus asks Peter 3 times if he loves Him.  Why three times?  Perhaps because Peter had failed to acknowledge his own love for Jesus three times the night of Jesus' trials.  Each question from the lips of Jesus countered one of the betrayals from Peter.  Remember, Peter ... don't forget again that you are a disciple of the Lord.  

4.  As Peter answers each of Jesus' questions about loving Him, Jesus reminds Peter of his call, his work, his commission.  Jesus reminds him, "Feed my lambs",  "Take care of my sheep", and "Feed my sheep."  It is as if Jesus is saying to Peter, "Don't go back to fishing.  I have called you out for a higher purpose.  I have work for you to do.  You are to be a rock in my coming 'church'.  Remember, Peter."

5.  Then after giving Peter a preview of his end, Jesus says, "Follow me!"  Interesting ... that was what Jesus had said to Peter when He first called him into discipleship.  Same words.  Same mission.  Remember, Peter!

Now, for you and I.  Have you veered off track?  Has a failure or two or three caused you to doubt your usefulness in God's kingdom?  Have you wandered back into a previous way of life out of habit?  Do you feel that God cannot use the likes of you.  You're not strong enough.  You're not smart enough.

If any of those things can be said of you right now, go back and read John 21 again.

Here is what we know about Peter.  He listened.  He heard.  And he never denies his relationship with the Lord again.

Have you forgotten who you are?  Listen to Paul as he reminds us in Ephesians 2: 11 - 22

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.  And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

If you use navigation tools on your phone or in your car, occasionally you will hear the voice say, "Off course.  Correcting."  Are you "off course"?  If so, why not stop right now and spend some time in prayer asking God to correct your course and get you back on track.  Peter is a great example.  We can "follow" his example as he follows Jesus!

Light Dawns - Part 1 (Post 11)

The crucifixion of Jesus has been completed.  His body has been removed from the cross.  A disciple by the name of Joseph, along with Nicodemus, obtained permission to remove Jesus' body and bury it.  It had to be done quickly because it was nearly Sabbath.  This precious, broken body was laid in Joseph's personal tomb and the tomb was sealed.

Darkness seems to win sometimes.  Evil seems to have its day sometimes.  All seemed lost to this small band of apostles and disciples.  What had happened to their hope?  How could this be?  They had been so certain - so sure that Jesus was the Messiah of God - the Messiah for Israel.  And now he was dead.

Read John 20: 1 - 9

Did you watch Peter as you read?  When he heard the report of the empty tomb, he took off to see for himself.  That sounds like the man we have come to know!  We also see him step into the tomb without hesitation - while the other apostle, John, hung back.  Of course.  That's Peter.  Then John entered as well.  They saw.  But they did not fully understand.  And Jesus begins appearing to his disciples - reassuring them that he was indeed alive.  Death had no hold on him.  Death could not and would not win.

We learn in Matthew 28 that Jesus had told his disciples to return to Galilee and he would come to them there.  That is exactly what they do.  And we pick up our reading at that point.

Read John 21: 1 - 14

Some observations for us today:

1.  Peter went fishing.  Was it a one time event or was he "going back to fishing" as a vocation and livelihood?  We don't know.  Perhaps he was going back to the life he knew before he had encountered Jesus.  After all, those hopes and dreams had been dashed at the hand of the juggernaut known as the Roman Empire.  If that is true, how like us!  We return to what we know best when crisis hits.

2.  Jesus appears and repeats a miracle almost exactly like the one he performed early in his relationship with Peter.  Look back at Luke 5: 1 - 11.  Peter had fished all night ... nothing.  Then Jesus said for them to throw their nets one more time ... and ... a huge catch of fish!  It was then that Peter recognized Jesus as no ordinary man.  Did Jesus choose this similar miracle to remind Peter who He was?

Here is the question for you and I today:  Do you need a reminder about the identity of Jesus?  Is something in your life threatening to rob you of hope?  Are you tempted to return to the life or the lifestyle that was comfortable for you before you knew Jesus?  Watch Peter!

Peter jumped into the water to get to Jesus.  He has always been "all in" and this is no exception.  He wanted to get to his Lord.  Take the reminder ... Jesus is the only source of life ... He IS our hope ... He IS our life ... don't turn back.  Stay the course.  Stay with Jesus.

3.  In the Middle East, to eat a meal with someone who has wronged you is to forgive that person.  Did you notice that Jesus made breakfast for these bone weary men who had just fished all night?  Breakfast ... shared meal ... forgiveness.  The Lord ... offering up a meal for his disciples.

Next time you take communion with fellow believers, remember this scene.  A shared meal ... forgiveness offered ... provided by the Lord ... and He says, "Come".

Let's close our time together today with the words of the song, "Come Share the Lord"

We gather here in Jesus name,

His love is burning in our hearts like living flame.

For thru the loving Son the Father makes us one.

Come take the bread, come drink the wine, come share the Lord.

He joins us here, He breaks the bread.

The Lord who pours the cup is risen from the dead.

The One we love the most is now our gracious host.

Come take the bread, come drink the wine, come share the Lord.

We'll gather soon where angels sing.

We'll see the glory of our Lord and coming King.

Now we anticipate the feast for which we wait.

Come take the break, come drink the wine, come share the Lord.

Peter Breaks (Post 10)

Breaking points ... we all have them.  Accounts I have read of POWs and torture are horrific - breaking points.  Or a relationship between a man and a woman, both married to others, begins and goes on and on and is fed and is fed until a line is crossed than cannot be uncrossed - breaking points.  When hurricanes blow onto the Gulf coast, if you are in the target line, there is a moment in time when you need to evacuate.  If you wait ... just a little longer ... you may find yourself unable to leave - breaking points.

Peter hit one that night of Jesus' arrest.  He didn't expect it.  He thought he was immune to that sort of thing.  He believed himself to be stronger than that.

Read Luke 22: 54 - 62

Some observations as we consider this most sobering event in the life of our man, Peter.

1.  We have already addressed that Peter was so vulnerable because he had not taken Jesus' warnings to heart.  I don't think it was rebellion.  He just could not see the possibility.  So the warnings from Jesus fell on unresponsive ears.  

Application:  One of the questions we should take to every passage of scripture we read is, "Is there a warning here to heed?"  If you find one, wisdom would say "HEED IT - TAKE IT TO HEART!"  Never assume that you are beyond the reach of that warning - you're stronger than that - you're smarter than that, etc.  Heed the warning.  

2.  We also have already addressed the fact that Jesus told Peter to "watch and pray" to guard himself from temptation.  Again, Peter did not take the instruction to heart.  He was tired.  

Application:  Do not let a day go by without the prayer "lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil" crossing your mind and lips to the Father.  

3.  Peter was trying to blend into the crowd.  He wanted to be there - to see what was happening to his Lord - but he certainly did not want to stand out.  His first denial that night was denying who HE was.  

Application:  Are you a believer?  Do you try to look and sound and behave just like the world so that you won't stand out - or be ridiculed - or singled out?  Oh, I don't mean really evil, ugly stuff ... just a little worldly.  Be careful.  If you deny your own identity - it is not a stretch before you will deny Jesus himself.

4.  When we deliberately begin a sin - the fall into deeper levels of the same sin comes quickly.  Peter  began with just denying that he had any relationship with "the man" and ends up swearing and cursing that he had no part at all with any of them!  

Application:  Take sin seriously.  Can we shrug off what our culture, even our current religious culture, classifies as "small sins"?  Or had we best pay attention to even the small ways we violate the holiness of God?  Immediate repentance.  Keep very short accounts with God!

5.  When you do fall, because we all do and will, follow the  example of Peter.  Hear the "cock  crow"; experience the gaze of the love of your Lord as it penetrates your very soul.  Immediately,   Peter "remembered the word of the Lord."  Yes, he remembered the warning of the rooster crowing and the denial.  But do you think he also remembered that Jesus had said, "Simon, when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers"?  

Application:  Repentance matters.  In fact, it is crucial.  It plays the primary role in the different destinies of Peter and Judas.  Yes, weep bitterly over your sin ... but never forget to remember the word of the Lord:

"If we confess our sins to Him, 

He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins 

and to cleanse us from all wickedness."  

(1 John 1:9  NLT)

Now is a good time ...

Preparing for Temptation (Post 9)

Jesus warned Peter about the temptation from Satan that was coming his way.  I don't think Peter ignored it - I just think he had no frame of reference to accept it.  So Jesus goes the next step - he had warned Peter - now he would show him how to prepare for temptations that are sure to come.

Read Mark 14: 32 - 42

You prepare through prayer.  This reading has been such a strong reminder to me about being diligent in prayer.  I can get careless, can you?  I have a tendency to go to prayer when I need something - or when someone I love needs something.  Jesus knew what was coming - both for himself and for Peter.  Jesus needed these closest of his disciples to watch over him and cover him in prayer.  Jesus knew that the temptation to avoid the will of God was powerful, compelling.  And he needed support.  But, alas, these three men were tired.  It had been a long few days in Jerusalem.  And, once again, they did not realize the seriousness of the situation.  

"Keep watch with me," Jesus told his friends.  Is anyone in your life asking that of you?  Are you willing to ask those closest to you to "keep watch" over you?  Most of us do not.  We ask for prayer when we are sick - or suffering loss.   But as a protection against temptation?  

Jesus gave a model prayer for his disciples.  We call it the Lord's prayer.  You may know it by memory.  It is a wonderful thing to have in your mind and memory.  Recall this line:

"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

That is still an important part of our prayer life.  Pray it for yourself.  Pray it over your friends.  Pray it over your children, your spouse.  Keep watch.  Don't get careless.  Don't assume that you cannot prepare for the temptations that Satan will bring your way.  I think Jesus is telling us in this passage that we CAN prepare.  We CAN keep watch over our own souls and the souls of those we love.  Are you willing?  Or are you too tired?

I cannot know what you will have to face tomorrow.  Nor can I know what is in my immediate future.  But we can know that the tempter will be there and will subtly throw things our way to get us off course, to cause us to walk outside the will of God for us.

My desire is to be "prayed up" ... to be ready ... and right now, I pray for everyone of you who will read these words:

Our Father, lead us not into temptation.  Deliver us from the evil one.  Guard our hearts and our minds from the temptations of worldliness.  Wake us up to the evil one's schemes.  Give us alert minds and hearts.  To you is the glory and the power for evermore.   Amen.

Crisis Warning - Post 8

Jesus has worked to shape Peter for nearly 3 years.  We have observed the gentleness, the intensity and the training our Lord focused upon him.  It provides us with a beautiful example of spiritual formation.  Peter was a faithful follower of Jesus - a leader in the band of apostles - a true disciple of this Rabbi.

The three years were nearing their end.  Jesus knew it.  It was Passover time and Jesus, with his band of followers, made their way to Jerusalem, the Holy City, for the festivities and memorial.  They had time together during which Jesus talked with them about what was coming.  He washed their feet to teach and train them about kingdom principles.  They celebrated the Passover meal together and Jesus used the opportunity to speak to them about a new covenant - a covenant in his blood - that was about to be cut.  And in the midst of this intimate time together, the apostles' lack of understanding and their humanity once again rose to the surface.  They began an argument and debate about which of them was the "greatest" in this new kingdom of which Jesus spoke.  Let's go to scripture ... watch Peter ...

Read Luke 22: 24 - 38

Some observations from the reading:

First, Jesus reaffirmed the kingdom principle of service.  He reminded them yet again that the world's system of hierarchy and "pecking order" had no place in His kingdom.  He was turning that whole mentality upside down.  Have we heard that message?  I know we have read it - numerous times - but have we "heard" it?  How it must grieve the heart of God when we play the same power games and set up power structures in the church  that do nothing but mirror the thinking of the world.  When we continue to work adopting the world's methods, I suspect Jesus says to us, "Oh ye of little faith."  How do we break that pattern?  If you have done intentional work to practice this principle ... would you share with us?  What did you do?  How did it turn out?  What did you learn?

Secondly, the "you" in verse 31 is plural.  So it seems that Jesus is warning all of his disciples that Satan had permission to come at them.  Do you think that warning could be applied to us as well?  It is of utmost importance that we take seriously the phrase from the Lord's prayer ...

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil ..."  (Matthew 6:13)

There is no reason to be fearful.  It is just the reality of spiritual warfare.  So we must never loose sight of the following:

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.     (1 Corinthians 10:13)

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.    (1 John 4:4)

So hear the warning ... don't be surprised ... prepare yourself to stand firm ... to be faithful ... to trust God.

Third, the "you" in verse 32 is singular.  Jesus seemed to turn specifically to Peter to warn him of his coming crisis.  But Peter couldn't take it in.  He just couldn't - in the furthest stretches of his imagination - believe that he could turn from Jesus, abandon him.  Isn't that like us?  Have you ever had this experience:  You said something and later, in a more rational moment, said to yourself, "I cannot believe I said THAT.  It was cruel.  That's not even me.  Where did that come from?"  Or, you do something that so violates your morality and in the quiet of the night, you say to yourself, "I can't believe I've done that.  I always said I would NEVER do that.  What is wrong with me?"  

You see, Peter is not unique.  He saw himself strong on his own.  He saw himself able - on his own - to do what he wanted to do.  And Jesus knew that was not so.  Jesus knows it not so for you and I either.  On our own - that is always the potential for gigantic crashes!  There is always the potential for falling into sin.  So what do we do with that horrific knowledge?  Here's the good news:

Humble yourselves before God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come close to God, and God will come close to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.  Let there be tears for what you have done.  Let there be sorrow and deep grief.  Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.     (James 4: 7 - 10  NLT)

The message of repentance stays constant - and contemporary - and relevant - and necessary.  Why not close today's time of thought with a prayer of repentance to your gracious, merciful God.  Recognize that without Him and His strength ... we are nothing ... and can do nothing of eternal significance.  

Let's not only "hear" Jesus' warnings ... let's "heed" them.  

Lessons from the Conflict (Matthew 22 - P 58)

Jesus was in Jerusalem.  He was being confronted and challenged by "leaders" of his society.  All of this was being done in front of the crowd in an attempt to discredit him before the people.  There were three groups that were on the attack - three groups that were at odds with each other usually, yet joined forces in their common hatred of Jesus and their desire to eliminate him.  Let's consider the three before we read today.

The Pharisees - these were the super-orthodox of the day.  They resented the Roman occupation.  They resented paying taxes to Rome.  After all, the Jewish nation had one king - God.  To pay taxes to Caesar was an admission that he was a king, their king.

The Herodians - these were the party of Herod, the king of Galilee.  He owed his power to Rome and worked hand-in-glove with the Roman authority.  They marched in line with Herod.

The Sadducees - these were the wealthy, aristocratic and governing class.  While small in number, they were large in power.  The chief priests were Sadducees.  Politically, they were collaborators with Rome.  Religiously, they were traditionalists, accepting only the Pentateuch as binding and unwilling to accept the scribal and oral law which was held in such high esteem by the Pharisees.

Strange bedfellows ... but a common enemy leads to such bizarre alliances ... still does today.  Let's read

Matthew 22: 15 - 33

What lessons can we learn from these encounters for ourselves ... for our day and time?

First ... sarcastic complements are odious!  The seeming complements in verses 16 - 17 are not genuine.  They were designed to look good to the crowd and to set Jesus up.  Have you ever been the recipient of such twisted language?  Have you ever been guilty of using it?  Paul said in Ephesians 5:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

As Jesus people, we MUST guard our speech and avoid manipulative language.  It reeks ... and we see it powerfully demonstrated in this encounter with Jesus.

Secondly ... Jesus people take civic responsibility seriously.  We are citizens of two countries ... the one in which we live on this earth and the kingdom of God.  Jesus told these Pharisees to pay their taxes ... coin belonged to Caesar ... so give it back to him.  God requires your heart, soul, mind and money ... so give to him what belongs to him.  Jesus did not say we had to love paying our taxes ... he just said pay them.  When the two citizenships clash, our primary allegiance is to the kingdom of God.  Barclay writes: 

 "Where the boundaries between the two duties lie, Jesus does not say.  that is for our own consciences to test.  But real Christians - and this is the permanent truth which Jesus here lays down - are at one and the same time good citizens of their country and good citizens of the kingdom of heaven.  They will fail in their duty neither to God nor to society."

And remember what the apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:17:  

Show proper respect to everyone:  Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Third ... quit trying to define heaven and eternity by earthly customs and standards.  The whole scenario about the 7 brothers and the one wife was absurd.  It was using earth to define heaven.  Eternity is not going to be an extension of life on earth.  It will be different ... at its core ... in its essence.  We sing songs about "mansions" in heaven.  Maybe we, too, think of heaven as an extension of life on earth.  I think perhaps we are better served by the willingness to embrace the mystery of it.  There is little reason, in fact there is no reason, to confuse and argue about relationships or housing in heaven - because we do not have a frame of reference for eternity.  Bottom line ... TRUST GOD.  It will be splendid!  And it will be alive!

Our passage today closes with the statement that the "crowds were astonished at his teaching."  Are you?  Where will you apply these principles in your own life and thinking right now?  Do a self-check on 

• your speech habits
• your civic habits
• your willingness to embrace the mystery of God

Spiritual Formation - Part 4 (Post 7)

Let's consider two more principles of spiritual formation today as we watch Jesus train Peter.
First, as you read, watch Peter ...

Mark 10: 17 - 31

Verse 24 tells us that the "disciples" were amazed at this conversation.  The Jewish mindset at the time believed that prosperity was a sign of God's blessings on an individual - so they were pleasing to God.  And yet Jesus had challenged this prosperous, young 'ruler' with the fact that he was not right with God.  O, he was a law-keeper, all right, but Jesus had looked into the heart of the man and seen an idol.  He had seen a love of money that took the place of God.  Therefore the challenge.  "Go - sell it all and come, follow me," Jesus said.  You see, "following" is the most important thing.  It takes precedence over everything else.

I suspect that realization is what may have led Judson W. VanVenter, in 1896, to pen these words:

All to Jesus I surrender,

All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

All to Jesus I surrender,

Humbly at His feet I bow;

Worldly pleasures all forsaken

Take me, Jesus, take me know.

I surrender all ...

VanVenter must have understood this principle of spiritual formation ...

"Following" Jesus takes precedence over EVERYTHING

I wonder how much you and I really understand this principle.  For those of us who have grown up in churches around the country, how many times have we sung those words in a service?  Have you (or I) ever sung them flippantly - perhaps liking the music or the harmony - but paying little attention to the commitment they promise?   

Jesus' response to the rich young man caused Peter to pause.  That response caused Peter to ask the Lord about himself.  Will you do that right now?  Will you ask Jesus to look deeply into your heart and see if anything is taking the place of following?  Ask Him - then decide if you will surrender it - or walk away "sorrowfully".

The final principle for spiritual formation that we will consider in this particular study around Peter if found in the following passage.  It's familiar to many of you, so slow down and read carefully, asking God to remove blinders.  And watch Peter ...

Read John 13: 1 - 17

What is the principle for spiritual formation that arises out of this scene?  It's not obscure!  It's overt.  It doesn't take any advanced theology degrees to get it!  Service to others matters.  What did Peter learn that day?

One must practice the spiritual discipline of service

And it is a discipline.  It is a choice.  It is a decision.  It is not an option.  It is not reserved for those who are particularly gifted at it - or find it easy to do.  Richard Foster offers a definition that I find helpful.  He defines the spiritual discipline of service as follows:

"Loving, thoughtful, active promotion of the good of others and the causes of God in our world, through which we experience the many little deaths of going beyond ourselves."

Let's make some observations that flow out of this definition:

How is this service to be done?  Loving (that's the attitude we incorporate), thoughtful (as opposed to random - planned), active (intentional more than accidental), 

What is the goal of service?  promotion (we promote things we find to be important) of the good of others (it shows we care about what is for your 'good' - it is what Paul meant when he said in Philippians 2:4 "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.")  and the causes of God in our world (it shows that, to us, the character and the heart of God is most important for us to reflect to this broken, diseased world)

What is the benefit to the "doer" of the service?  through which we experience the many little deaths of going beyond ourselves.  (It is the best way I know to literally practice Galatians 2:20  "I've been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.")

Spiritual Formation ... the forming of spiritual life in each of us ... Peter had to learn ... you and I have to learn ... and then, like Peter, we must surrender so that the Spirit of God can do the work in us.  Will you?  

Trust God - and DO Kingdom of God work
Keep your focus on the Lord - not on your circumstances
Choose faithfulness - even when the instructions are difficult
Be more concerned about the condition of your heart than for outward forms & ceremonies
Listen to Jesus - hear His voice FIRST
Forgive - ALWAYS
"Following" Jesus takes precedence over everything

Practice the spiritual discipline of service

Spiritual Formation - Part 3 (Post 6)

As we consider some of the ways we observe Jesus' forming Peter, today

Read Luke 9: 28 - 36

This is one of the monumental hinge points of Jesus' earthly years, his work.  And Peter was allowed to be an eye witness!  Jesus was about to set out for Jerusalem and for the trauma that would face him there.  He knew it.  So he went up on a mountain to pray, taking 3 of his closest and dearest apostles with him.  

The affirmation Jesus needed before he walked into Jerusalem came.  It came by way of Moses and Elijah - the quintessential representatives of all of Judaism.  These two men represented the "law" (Moses) and the "prophets" (Elijah).  And they came from the "other side" to encourage and affirm the Son of God.  Astounding!  Jesus would not take one step without it being the will of God the Father.  In this encounter, we see him seeking and receiving affirmation and approval from God.  

What about Peter?  I think he was absolutely overwhelmed with the situation.  I can't even imagine what it would have been like.  He was so stunned ... and so moved ... and so intent on honoring those three men standing before him ... that he made the recommendation.  Let's build three tabernacles to honor each of the three.  And God again broke the barrier and spoke into time-space history.  God wanted Peter to know that these three men were not all equal.  The Jewish people had been instructed to listen to Moses and to listen to Elijah ... but there was one greater than either now.  And they were to listen to him - listen to Jesus.

The next principle in our spiritual formation observations is:

Listen to Jesus - hear his voice first

First means "first" - before our culture - before our friends - before advice from other humans.  As you read and study scripture, be sure to continue returning to the gospels.  Keep going back to the words of Jesus. Let them be the plumb line by which all other words are measured.  Listen to Jesus ... hear him.

Let's consider one other scene today.

Read Matthew 18: 21 - 25

I wonder how long Peter had been thinking about this question.  He was a good Jew - a law-abiding Jewish man.  The rabbis at this time said if a man offended you, you should forgive him two times.  But if he did it a third time, you were not under obligation to forgive.  So Peter, knowing that Jesus was a merciful rabbi, stretched it far ... up to 7 times?  And Jesus responds with this story.  

What's the point of the story?  It's not obscure.  It's not difficult.  Forgive - always.  The reason it matters so much is because it is necessary for our own hearts.  It is the only way to guard your heart and mind against bitterness and resentment.  It frees you to get on with your own life.  The message is not hard - but the "doing" of it is extremely difficult!  It takes practice.  It takes diligence.  It takes determination.  It takes the mind of Christ. Ask God to bring to your mind any person toward whom you may be harboring unforgiveness.  Ask Him to help you put it down - help you move beyond the chains.  Remember, we just noticed that we are to listen to Jesus.  So, my friends, that means - forgive!  

The principle?

Forgive ---- Always!

And by the grace of God ... you can!

Spiritual Formation - Part 2 (Post 5)

How do I "grow up" in my faith?  What shapes faith?  Amy Grant, early in her career, sang a song that has stuck in my mind over these many years.  The title?  "Fat Little Baby".  It was not about an adorable, round, precious little baby.  It was about Christians who never grow past the fat baby stage.  They remain stuck, by their own choice, in the demanding, self absorbed stage of an infant.  They never grow.  Peter addressed the problem in the first of his letters. He said,

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2: 2 - 3)

You see, the goal of spiritual life is to grow up - not stay a fat little baby.  Are you growing?  The question in front of us is one of spiritual growth.  What forms us spiritually?  To try and answer we are observing the way Jesus shaped Peter.

We discovered two principles for spiritual formation in Post 4.  They are:

1. Trust God ... and do kingdom of God work.
2. Keep your focus on the Lord ... not on your circumstances.

Today let's continue our observations as Jesus shapes Peter ...

Read John 6: 60 - 69

Jesus is a popular figure.  People all over Galilee flocked to hear him - to experience the wonders he performed - to be healed - to be fed - the LOVE this Rabbi!  We read a discourse in John 6 that marked a change in the crowd's mindset.  Jesus began to do more than perform miracles.  He began to teach hard things.  I think these few verses are some of the saddest in all of scripture.  Masses turned and walked away. They deserted this Rabbi.  They didn't understand or like what he taught.  So they left.  You can feel the heaviness in the atmosphere as Jesus asked his 12 closest followers about their intentions.  Peter responded with his faithfulness.  He would NOT leave.  He would stay.  He would follow.  What do we learn?  What principle can we add to our own knowledge of what it means to be a growing disciple?

Choose faithfulness - even when the instructions are difficult.

Read Matthew 15: 1 - 20

An interesting conversation!  Peter heard it all.  And Peter was serious enough about his own "spiritual formation" that he questioned Jesus to be sure that he understood.  These Pharisees were challenging a basic premise of Judaism's understanding of "cleanness" before God.  Ceremonial hand washing was basic in Judaism - foundational.  So was Jesus saying it didn't matter?  Peter said, "Explain it."  And Jesus does.  God requires a pure heart.  Everything else spills out of the heart.  Ceremonial hand washing was just that - ceremonial.  It was not the core.  Jesus took his twelve disciples to the core - the root.  And he would take you and I there as well.  Do you want to "grow up" spiritually?  If your answer is "yes", then you must check your heart.  Listen to what comes out of your mouth.  Observe your attitudes and behaviors.  When we erupt in rage - know that it comes from the heart.  When we gossip and slander another - know that it comes from the heart.  When we wallow in self-indulgence - know that it comes from the heart.  When we refuse to forgive and desire revenge - know that it comes from the heart.  When we are hypocritical, saying one thing and doing another - know that it comes from the heart.  What principle can we add to our growing list?

Be more concerned about the condition of your heart than with outward forms and ceremonies.

Let's close our reflection today with the words of David - a prayer - one that we would benefit from praying each and every morning before our feet hit the ground - before the business of our day begins.  If you have not prayed it yet today, I invite you to join me right now ...

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

 (Psalm 51:10)

Spiritual Formation - Part 1 (Post 4)

Peter, as one of Jesus' close and intimate disciples, was following, listening, learning from his Rabbi.  In the process, he was being formed by Jesus.  He was being shaped spiritually.  That's what spiritual formation is all about - that shaping.  That's what discipleship is all about - being transformed to be like the Lord.

Dallas Willard speaks of spiritual formation:

The reason for the recent abrupt emergence of the terminology into religious life is, I believe, a growing suspicion or realization that we have not done well with the reality and the need.  We have counted on preaching, teaching, and knowledge or information to form faith in the hearers, and have counted on faith to form the inner life and outward behavior of the christian.  But, for whatever reason, this strategy has not turned out well. the result is that we have multitudes of professing Christians who well may be ready to die, but obviously are not ready to live, and can hardly get along with themselves, much less with others.

What did Peter have to learn?  What did Jesus use to shape him spiritually?  In our study together, we are going to observe several instances - both conversations and events - where Peter is being spiritually formed.  And by the grace of God, we can glean some principles and guidelines that will help us as we long to be shaped so that we reflect the image of Christ in our worlds.  

Let's read ... watch for Peter and think about what he would be hearing and learning ... and then join me for a few observations:

Read Luke 6: 1 - 6

Observations:
          1.  Jesus gave the 12 both the power and the authority to do His work.  Power has to do with ability and authority has to do with the right to do it.  I think Peter needed to learn that his work was now kingdom work ... which is to be an extension of Jesus Himself.  

          2.  Peter and the others had to learn that their trust was to be in God - not in themselves or their abilities or their resources.  

          3.  They had to accept the kindnesses of others as they were serving.  Why is it so often easier to be the "helper" than to be the recipient?  Does it have to do with pride?  

Principle #1 for Spiritual Formation:

Trust God and do the work.

Read Matthew 14: 25 - 33

Observations:

          1.  Peter was willing.  Peter's desire was to be a faithful and responsive disciple.  I love him for that.  

          2.  Peter voiced his doubt.  He asked, "Lord, IF it is you ..."  I love his honesty.  God can handle our doubts.  I believe God is honored most when His followers are willing to step out in faith even when there are pesky, nagging thoughts of doubt and confusion.  

          3.  Jesus knew Peter would sink.  Jesus knew Peter would loose his focus and become afraid of the circumstances.  So why did He invite Peter to come on out?  I think it is because Jesus is in the business of shaping him.  And Jesus knew (and still knows!) that lessons learned through failure are the most powerful ones.  

Principle #2 for Spiritual Formation:

Keep your focus on the Lord, not the circumstances.

(to be continued)

Jesus' Touch (Post 3)

Our man Peter has become to be a true "disciple" of Jesus.  That means that he has left his occupation to be with the Rabbi 24 hours of every day - to walk with him, to listen to him, to "follow" him.  Today, think about Peter being with Jesus in the encounters we will read.  How would you have reacted?  What would you have thought?

Read Luke 8: 40 - 56

The contrasts between these two people are remarkable.  

     Person #1:  Jairus was his name - leader in the local Synagogue.  That meant a Jewish man who was welcomed everywhere in Capernaum.  That also meant he was in the upper echelon of the society of the town.  He had means.  Important person.

     Person #2:  woman - unnamed - unclean for 12 years.  Leviticus 15 informs us that a woman was considered "unclean" during her monthly flow of blood.  And there was ceremonial cleansing that she must go through to be considered "clean" again.  She could not be touched - nor could she touch - anyone during her time of "uncleanness".  That meant that this woman had not been able to go to Synagogue for TWELVE YEARS!  That meant that she had not been "touched" for TWELVE YEARS!  Shunned from society.  Marginalized.  Insignificant.

Two people - both desperate - both seeking out Jesus.  One seeks openly - well, he could.  He mattered.  The other was stealthily - secretive - well, she had to.  She was untouchable.  Peter was aware of both.  Peter watched Jesus handle both.  I wonder what was in his mind.

Some observations from these two encounters:

First, notice Peter's relationship with Jesus that is depicted by his response to Jesus' question, "Who touched me?"  His response is even a little 'snarky'!  It's as if he was saying, "Are you kidding me?  The better question would be who didn't touch you.  The crowd is pressing us all around.  Lots of people are touching you!"   I like the comfortableness that we see in Peter's response to Jesus.  Peter is "at home" with Him.  And he felt perfectly at ease to say what went through his mind.  There is no disrespect - just honesty.  Are you that open with Jesus when you pray?   Or do you feel that you cannot be yourself - that you have to put on some kind of persona that, in your mind, is more "spiritual"?  Peter could be himself with Jesus.  I want that kind of relationship with the Lord.  

Second, notice the courage of this woman.  She most likely had been shunned for all these many years.  It took incredible courage to push her way into this crowd.  Had someone spotted her - known her story - they could legally begin to shout, "Unclean!  Unclean!", pointing her out and adding another layer to her shame.  Courage - do you need a dose today?  What are you facing - perhaps that you have dealt with for years - where you need the courage to honestly take the situation to the Lord?  Reach out to Jesus - touch Him.  

Third, Jesus called Jairus' daughter "asleep" while the world called her "dead".  So he told the mourners to stop the weeping and wailing.  This is not a condemnation of grief - of tears over loss.  Even Jesus wept when he witnessed the sadness over the death of his friend, Lazarus.  This was something else.  Perhaps this was his way of telling us that there is no reason to "wail" when one is merely asleep.  We have to remember that when we face the death of beloved ones - ones who belong to God - ones who walked with Him.  Always remember the words of Paul that echo Jesus.  In 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 - 18:

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in  Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore encourage each other with these words.  (NIV)

Paul knew it ... Peter learned it at the bedside of this young girl ... do you know it?  There are tears over loss and sadness ... but there is weeping and wailing when there is no hope.  To which group do you belong?  

Peter is "Called" (Post 2)

Peter grew up in Bethsaida - a small fishing village on the northern end of the Sea of Galilee.  

He would have had a typical education for a Hebrew boy in Galilee.  That education consisted of early schooling at the Synagogue.  It usually lasted until about 10 - 12 years old and was centered on Torah - the Hebrew scriptures.  If a boy was particularly interested, and able, he would go on to the next level.  Still at Synagogue, he would listen to the rabbis discuss and debate Torah and the prophets - continuing to memorize scripture.  If a boy was not particularly interested or able, he would go home to learn the family business and take his place alongside his father and other family members to make a living for the family. After this second level of education, those boys who were passionate about Torah - who showed a gift for learning and understanding Torah - they would go out in search of a rabbi to "follow".   "Following" meant they boys would then walk with the chosen rabbi.  They would be with him 24/7 - going everywhere he went, listening to everything he said, doing what he did  - trying to "be" like the rabbi.  There was an interview process through which the rabbi would decide if that young man had the passion and the ability to be his disciple.  Only after that, if the rabbi deemed the young man worthy, would the chosen rabbi say, "Follow me".  Now, and only now, was the young man his "disciple".  After years of following the chosen rabbi - there would come a day when the rabbi would say to the disciple - "You are ready.  Now, go and make disciples."  

We don't know how much education Peter had.  All we know is that he is fishing - in the family business.  So, what does that tell you about him?  In the book of Acts, some people describe him as being "uneducated".  I wonder when Peter's training at the Synagogue stopped.  Was it after the first level?  Did he return to learn the family business at about 12 years old?  We don't know.  But he was fishing.

Read Mark 1: 14 - 18 and Luke 5: 1 - 11

As you observe these details, create the scenario in your mind.  

Now read John 1: 35 - 42

What do these details add to your knowledge of Peter, the man?  

Jesus saw something in Peter (and Andrew, James and John) - something that made them stand out to Him. I think they knew each other.  I think Peter had been listening to this local 'rabbi'.  I think there was some familiarity.  And I think Peter was honest enough to see himself, compared to Jesus, as a sinful man.  And Jesus says to him, "You - follow me".  That is discipleship language.  And Peter chooses to "follow".  

Do you remember Jesus' words to His disciples in John 15:16?  Jesus is preparing them for His death and departure, and he says,

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last.

And Jesus comes to you as well.  He stepped into history and said,

If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.

So the question comes to us as well.  Do we want to be a "disciple"?  Do we want to walk and live with the Rabbi Jesus, consumed with a passion to become like Him?  It is as pertinent a question for us as it was in the first century.  Peter "immediately" said "yes".  What do you say?  

Introduction to the Life and Teaching of Peter (Post 1)

Welcome to this study that will swirl around Peter, the apostle.  We know a little about him ... but we would love to know so much more!  His life seems to be marked by dichotomy:  there is courage and weakness; we see victory and failure; we observe great passion in juxtaposition against fear of what 'others' might think; there is promise and disappointment.  Sounds a bit like my life ... how about yours?

Our study will divide itself into two sections.  We will fist observe what we can about Peter as a man through the gospels and his interactions with Jesus.  We will go into the book of Acts and see him as a central person in the birth and development of the early Jerusalem church.

The second half of our study will be observing (and listening to) Peter as a pastor - as a shepherd.  We will do this through his letters, 1 and 2 Peter.  You learn quite a lot about a person when you are privy to their correspondence.  What a privilege to have Peter's heart preserved for us through these letters.

Today ... some introductory information ...

First, about the gospels.  Mark was the first one written down - estimated sometime between 60 - 70 CE. Most scholars believe that both Matthew and Luke took their basic structure from the gospel Mark had written down.  John came years - probably at the end of the first century.  We will use all three to gain as well rounded a picture as we possibly can.

Second, about fishing at the time.  In this period, fishing boomed around the Sea of Galilee.  Now it was possible to dry (pickle) fish; thus it could be delivered to regions farther away.  Until the middle of the 20th century CE, fishermen fished there the same way as in the time of the New Testament:  a net was spread between two boats, then pulled together so that the fish were trapped in the area enclosed by the net.

Third, about Peter's hometown, Bethsaida.  The name means "house of fishing" and the town was on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.  The first-century historian Flavius Josephus was so impressed by the area that he wrote, 'One may call this place the ambition of nature,'  Josephus also reported a thriving fishing industry at this time, with 230 boats regularly working in the lake.

And lastly, about education.  Young boys in Jewish families were expected to go to the synagogue for some schooling.  We have no reason to think that Peter did not follow this pattern.  So as a boy, he would have first been taught by his parents, and then moved on to the synagogue for instruction by the Rabbi.  The traditional way was by word of mouth and repetition.  We will read that Peter was described as "uneducated" in Acts.  We don't know if he could write.  We do know that he used an amanuenis, which was a scribe or ghostwriter for his letters.  We also know that he had not gone further in the rabbinical teaching ... because he was about the family business ... he was a fisherman.

But first he was just a little boy!

Lord we pray that you will give us insight and wisdom as we study this wonderful and remarkable man.  Help us see his strengths ... and in that strength, find more of our own.  Help us see his weaknesses ... and in those weaknesses by aware of our own.  Help us listen to his wisdom gained from nearness to you and years of experience ... and be willing to make changes in our own lives if those words point out the need for change. Thank you for preserving his story for us.  Thank you for Peter.

Conclusion (Matthew - P 77)

We began our journey through the gospel of Matthew with the recognition that in this book, Jesus was portrayed as the King - King of his kingdom.  Matthew writes so much about the Kingdom of heaven. (Kingdom of God)  As disciples of Jesus, we are citizens of His kingdom ... subjects to King Jesus.

To conclude our journey, I want to share with you the lyrics to a song written by Jason Ingram and Robbie Seay.  To me they wrap up the message in this splendid gospel.  They speak the words that I could not form myself.  I offer them to God ... from me ... with thanksgiving that God has given some people the gift of words.  And I offer them to you ... perhaps you will choose to claim them as your own.

Kingdom and A King

My heart is beating faster in my chest

As I sing of where my loyalties will rest

To never wait on governments to move

As the broken and the poor cry out to You

For the Kingdom and the King

For His glory, we will sing

For the rescue of our souls

He has come

For the kingdom and the cross

Oh, the triumph and the loss

Love has broken through

And new redeemed

For the Kingdom and the King

Oh God may we be focused on the least

A people balancing the fasting and the feast

A call to give and to serve and to celebrate

For You are great, of my God, You are great

So I pledge to know

And love You above all

May we the hands

To free them we are called

For the Kingdom and the King

For His glory we will sing

For the rescue of our souls

He has come

For the Kingdom and the cross

Oh, the triumph and the loss

Love has broken through

And now redeemed

And our hope is not in this land

Oh, not in these laws

Not in these things

And rest, oh, knowing Your love

Has called us to move

Called us to sing, sing, sing

And the people will sing

They will sing, sing

Oh the people will sing

For the King, for the King

For the Kingdom and the King

For His glory we will sing

For the rescue of our souls

He has come

For the Kingdom and the cross

Oh, the triumph and the loss

Love has broken through

And now redeemed

For the Kingdom and the King

The King ... the King

The people will sing, sing, sing

For the Kingdom and the King.

So ... my friends ... sing ... and worship our King!

Thank you for journeying through Matthew with me.  May God give you eyes to see your King more clearly with each day.  May you learn what it means to be His subject more deeply with each passing day.  

Thy Kingdom come - Thy will be done

On earth (and in my heart) as it is in heaven.

Amen

Last Words (Matthew 28 - P 76)

We close our reading of Matthew today ...

Matthew 28: 16 - 20

Have you ever done the exercise of deciding, if you knew today were your last day on this earth, what exactly you would want the people you love to hear from you?  It is a sobering activity.  It requires you to decide what you really consider of utmost importance.  In these final verses from Matthew, we are privileged to 'listen in' on Jesus' last words to his disciples.  Some observations and some lessons as we close this study.

Observation #1:  Mary had told the disciples about Jesus' instructions to go to Galilee - and they went.  We are reminded one more time from the pen of Matthew that being a disciple means following Jesus' instructions.  Still does.  

Observation #2:  When they saw Jesus, they worshiped.  In verse 9, when the Marys saw Jesus, they worshiped.  It is the absolutely appropriate response to the presence of Jesus.  We are reminded one more time from the pen of Matthew that to be a disciple of Jesus is to worship him.  Still is.  

Lessons to learn from Jesus' final words:

Jesus makes some remarkable promises in these few words.  And while they were addressed to the immediate crowd gathered on that mountain, they have been preserved so that you and I can hear them and respond to them as well.  Jesus provides three things in these final words:

First, he addresses the issue of power and authority.  They are his.  The power plays and games of this world are only shams.  We can rest assured that all power and control is given to Jesus and rests firmly in his hands.  That does not explain away the horrific things that take place in our old world ... but it allows one to sleep at night.  It provides security and peace.  Real authority and power rests in hands that we can trust.  I need to know that!

Second, he leaves his followers with work to do.  We have a commission.  Jesus knows that work matters - it's important - and he provides a task for those who would walk after him.  We are to make disciples.  How you do that will depend on your particular gifts - on the way you are put together - on the opportunities that the Lord places in your path.  That's why formulas don't really work.  

One reason I know that Jesus expects us to be at work for him while he is away is because of the stories he told.  Remember the story of the talents? We studied it in Matthew 25: 14 - 30.  There was an expectation that the servants would be about doing the master's work.  Jesus told a similar story in Luke 19: 11 - 27.  Even with the different details, the main point is the same - the master expected work to be done in his absence.  Are you discipling your own children?  Are you discipling the people placed in your circles?  Make disciples, Jesus said.  It is our "work" - the harvest is in his hands.  

And third, he promises his very own presence.  He will not leave us.  His presence is a continual reality in the life of all believers.  In the presence of the Lord, the response is to worship.  If he is with us always, doesn't that mean that our entire lives are experiences of worship?  Worship is not an event.  It is not something we "go to".  It is our very lives.  I love Matt Redman's song: "The Heart of Worship".  The chorus from that wonderful song is:

I'm coming back to the heart of worship 

And it's all about You 

All about You, Jesus 

I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it 

When it's all about You 

It's all about You Jesus 

Paul explains is well for us in Romans 12:1

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

In the presence of God, one worships.  And what is worship?  It is the offering of myself - all of me - nothing held back - as a sacrifice to God.  

Jesus' final words?  1)  He assures us that power and authority are in his hands - so rest well, disciple.  2)  He assigns us a task - so be assured of your value and importance, disciple.  3)  And he promises that we will not walk alone - so breath deeply, disciple.  

May we be faithful to the one whose very name is Faithful and True.  

The Unimaginable (Matthew 28 - P 75)

Our reading today ...

Matthew 28: 1 - 15

Matthew gives us such an abbreviated account of this remarkable event.  We learn a little more from the other gospel writers ... but we still are left with a desire for so much more detail!  

As I write this morning, my heart is aching with a throb that you know as well.  The past few days have carried much pain ... and loss.  One of my daughters said 'good-bye' to a precious friend who died from cancer.  The sister of one of my dearest friends died yesterday.  And yet ... and yet ...

These few verses we read today give us a glimpse into the unimaginable truth of resurrection.  Death conquered - overcome - denied victory.

Allow me to make some observations from Matthew's account of this event.

First, notice it was Mary Magdalene and the 'other Mary' who were going to the tomb that morning.  It was these Marys who had walked the entire way with their Lord.  They stayed at the cross and did not run.  They sat by the tomb at the burial.  They were coming to the tomb on that Sunday morning.  And they were the first witnesses of Jesus - alive.  My name is not 'Mary' ... but I want to be in their company!  I want to be 'another Mary' - one who does not desert - one who walks faithfully all the way, even when I do not understand - one whose faith is stronger than anything this fallen world can hurl at me.  Join me, won't you?  Let's form a "Mary" coalition that covers the globe - the faithful ones!  

Second, look again at the description of their emotions in verse 8.  They were "afraid yet filled with joy".  Those two emotions can coexist in one heart at the very same moment.  Joy is from the God.  It is one of the remarkable gifts he gives his people.  Recall what Jesus told his disciples recorded in 

John 15:11

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Jesus followers are full of His joy.  And it is complete joy.  It does not depend on smooth circumstances.  It is from him - through him - and by him.  Our Marys were filled with joy.  But that astounding joy does not necessarily negate feelings of fear.  When we don't understand - when we don't know what is coming - when circumstances are beyond any personal control - when pain is hovering at our door - there can be fear.  I believe that is why the command, "Don't be afraid", is the most repeated command in all of scripture.  This old world is full of things that cause us to be afraid.  But in our "Mary Coalition", fear and joy can coexist.  

Third, we observe the pitiful attempt by the chief priests to cover up the truth.  The guards told them what had happened - and yet, even truth from eye witnesses would not turn their darkened hearts.  How many times have we seen that repeated in our own country - cover ups to hide the truth?  It seems to be humanity's way of handling what it does not like.  What tragedy - both then and now.

So what difference does this resurrection event make in our lives?  It makes all the difference!  Mary saw Jesus - alive.  He told her to go and tell his brothers to go to Galilee and they would see him also.  Jesus - alive.

Amy Grant sings a song titled, "Lay Down Your Burdens".  It is on her album, "Rock of Ages - Hymns of Faith".  I think that song speaks to the difference the resurrection makes for me - in my life - right now.  Listen ...

CHORUS

Lay down your burden I will carry you

I will carry you my child, my child

Lay down your burden I will carry you

I will carry you my child, my child

Cause I can walk on water ..

Calm a restless sea

I've done a thousand things you've never done

And I'm really watching

While you struggle on your way

Call on my name, Ill come

Repeat Chorus

I give vision to the blind

I can raise the dead

I've seen the darker side of hell

And I've returned

I've seen those sleepless night

And count every tear you cry

Some lessons hurt to learn

Repeat Chorus

Indeed, Jesus saw the "darker side of hell and returned".  

So the lesson for me ... for you ...

Call on His Name 

He will come!

The Body (Matthew 27 - P 74)

Our reading today ...

Matthew 27: 57 - 66

After crucifixion ...

          Roman law:  The law allowed the relatives of a criminal to claim the body for burial.  If it was not claimed, the body was simply left to rot until the scavenger dogs dealt with it.  Obviously, none of Jesus' relatives were in a position to step up and claim the body.

          Jewish law:  A criminal's body was not to be left hanging overnight.  It had to be buried on the day of the execution.  The law was based on Deuteronomy 21: 22 - 23:

If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, you must not leave his body on the tree overnight.  Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse.

To all those aware of these laws, there had to have been a fever pitch to deal with Jesus' body.

Who was this man, Joseph?  We learn from Matthew that he was rich.  We learn from Luke that he was a member of the Sanhedrin.  Wow.  That sets up all sorts of questions.  Where was he the night Jesus was railroaded through the mock trial?  Remember a quorum required that 23 of the 70 members of the Sanhedrin be present.  Could it be that the high priest only called the men he knew he could count on?  Perhaps Joseph was not even aware of what was going down that night.  We will not know this side of eternity.  We do know he was a disciple.  He did not support the Sanhedrin and their views and plans for Jesus.  And we see him step forward when he could.  I wonder what the "rest of his story" looked like?  

It seems that Pilate did not care - but Joseph risked the displeasure of the ruling governor by stepping forward.  I think we can assume that his position in the Sanhedrin was forfeited.  At the least, he would have triggered the hatred and rage of the ruling class in Judea.  There was an honorable man named Joseph at the beginning of Jesus' life on earth - his earthly father.  And there is an honorable man named Joseph at the close of Jesus' life on earth - a Jewish leader - a man of courage.  I have come to love the name "Joseph".

Look back at verse 62. "On the next day" - the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate.  What was the "next day"?  None other than Sabbath - and not just any Sabbath - the Sabbath of Passover.  These religious leaders were willing to break their own most sacred laws to get what they wanted.  Oh what a severe warning exists here for us!  James, the earthly brother of Jesus writes:

When tempted,no one should say, "God is tempting me."  For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.  (James 1: 13 - 15)

We see that truth played out in dramatic fashion by these Pharisees and priests.  Their own evil desire led them to violate everything they considered sacred, Godly, righteous.  That leads us to serious and sobering questions.  Do we see the same thing in our world?  Listen to men and/or women explain why they violate their marriage covenants and  have affairs.  Listen to men and/or women who are in prison for fraud.  What are you willing to violate to get what you want?   What is "sacred" to you?  Will you ever set aside your own "desires" to guard what is sacred?  Hard lessons - but critical lessons for people who call themselves "people of God".

And so Jesus' body is laid in a tomb.  It would have been carved out of the rock, a small cave, with ledges upon which the bodies were laid.  And we observe two groups watching ...

From verse 61 ... Mary Magdalene and another woman also named Mary.  The faithful.  The believers. The ones whose hearts and lives had been forever altered by their encounters with Jesus.  Unwilling to leave because of love.

From verse 66 ... the guards.  The unengaged.  The indifferent.  They were doing their job.  Hired by those determined to kill and destroy faith in Jesus.  What they did not know was that anyone who would try to put bonds on Jesus faced an impossible task.  It is no different today.

Has your heart been forever altered by your encounters with Jesus?  Or are you going through the motions of religion without the life of the Lord?

In our reading of the last two chapters of Matthew, we have "watched the lamb".  Now it is time to "watch the tomb".