Lawyers say you shouldn’t ask a question in court unless you already know what the witness will answer. Much to their consternation, the Pharisees ran into that scenario here, when questioning the man born blind about his healing: “So a second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give glory to God; we know that this man is a sinner.” He then answered, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:24-25 NASB)
Unusual Responses to an Unusual Event
Here, in John’s account about this particular Sabbath day, Jesus healed a man who had been born blind. This seemingly joyful occasion prompted some very unusual responses, and almost everyone seems confused besides Jesus and the man who received his sight.
People who observed it were so wrapped up in preconceived assumptions that they didn’t see the obvious answer. Friends weren’t sure what had happened because the man didn’t look or act the same; his parents didn’t respond because they were worried they might get kicked out of church.
The Pharisees, who were concerned with the fact that Jesus may have broken the Sabbath, could not fathom how a man who broke their law could perform such good works. Their rigid legalism did not accept the possibility that Jesus might be from God, so they refused to give him credit. Instead, they questioned his character… Their very assumptions about the truth kept them from seeing the truth.
The Dragnet Response
The blind man, who knew nothing of Jesus’ past, took a “Dragnet” approach: just the facts. No assumption, pride, or agenda obscured his sight. The great irony in John’s account of what happened is that the man born blind could see clearly, but the Pharisees (who could see) were actually blind. They were so busy questioning God that they couldn’t even rejoice over what happened. Some of the most religious people are also the greatest skeptics when something falls outside of their dogma.
What effect does skepticism have on us? Can a real skeptic ever find the truth? Does a skeptic ever dance with joy? If you think about it, skepticism is essentially a selfish act, because it places one’s ability to doubt above the power of faith. Show me a cynic, and I’ll show you someone who has made an idol of their own intellect.
See, Look, and Ask
Do you have any assumptions that keep you from seeing the truth? Before you decide, take a real, unfiltered look at Jesus. Don’t look at him based on what I say about him, or what someone else says. And don’t let your own assumptions keep you from seeing Jesus the way he really was. Read what he said with your own eyes. Take a look at what he did. Ask some honest questions, and give yourself an honest answer. You might be surprised by who you find.
Now I See
The man born blind received his sight, Which made the Pharisees start a fight, Since all of them could not agree On how this thing had come to be. According to their theology This hadn’t happened legally. No evidence that they could find Encouraged them to change their mind. Though they could see, they stayed quite blind.
The man born blind was quite surprised, Since he could see with both his eyes! He said, “What is it with you guys? I don’t know Jesus’ pedigree, Or who has the authority, But, I was blind. And now I see!” And all of us are one of these, Either the man who suddenly sees, Or someone who just disagrees. You say that Jesus doesn’t heal, And there’s no proof that He is real? Well, I would say, just look at me: I once was blind, but now I see! I was in bondage: now I’m free! For the man they sent to Calvary, What will your decision be?
Is the Church supposed to grow? Should it be expanding, fulfilling its mission to spread love to EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE? Church in America seems different, somehow, than the one mentioned HERE: “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they [the church] were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47 NASB)
Exciting New Growth
The first days of the Book of Acts must have been exciting. There was a new Spirit at work on planet earth. The small group of believers had started to grow. A movement had begun that literally changed the world. Those early believers broke down social barriers, changed habits, and initiated transformation that ultimately brought down the mighty Roman Empire. Believers enjoyed a sense of unity and fellowship that no repression or persecution could break, that no apathy or boredom could diminish.
Tell me, has there been a movement in your life that changed your world? Among the first-century believers, people were devoted to helping each other. They practiced what was preached, and committed the two most personal items they had: time and resources. The new church had started to grow. Relationships provided a basis for loving evangelism, and spending time together daily provided a platform for organic growth. They went deeper in order to get wider.
What’s the Right Metric?
As a result, Luke says that “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Is the Lord adding folks to your church day by day? Are you and your church being transformed by love? In our modern world, there are marketing plans and efforts made to get folks to come on Sunday by promoting celebrities or hooking up to what’s hot in culture—but surprisingly, with all of our marketing sophistication, church attendance in the US is actually down.
It’s a little awkward talking about growing numbers, 1) because most churches today aren’t growing numerically, and 2) because numerical growth is truly not the end game. Maybe we need to grow the church internally before we worry about growing the church externally. The focus of the early church was not on larger numbers but on being together, breaking bread, sharing gladness and sincerity, and praising God together. Growth was a by-product of unity and gladness.
Sad But True
Unfortunately, unity is often in short supply. A man became shipwrecked upon a desert island. It may have been a Southern Baptist man. (And I don’t pick them out just because I go to church there.) When rescuers found him, they discovered three huts on the island. Curious, they asked the man about them. “Oh, the one on the left is where I live”, he said. “The middle one is where I goto church. And the one on the right is where I USED to go to church.” A fanciful story, but one that unfortunately reflects our current denominational church culture. Institutional religion is rife with conflict and abuse of many kinds. Conflict, culture and bureaucracy often seem to destroy the mission of the church.
It’s important for us to remember Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship. Man-made religion, even when it is nominally Christian, doesn’t always reflect the calling and teaching of Jesus. The Church is not someplace we go, it is something we ARE. The Greek word for church is ekklesia, which means, “a called out assembly”. Followers of Jesus are called to be like him! And if we all became more like HIM, we’ll definitely be more like ONE ANOTHER.
What Luke describes is still the blueprint for the church: be of one mind. Apply Hebrews 10:24-25. Enjoy mealtimes and fellowship together. Be glad! Keep God in His proper place and get along with others. It’s a simple recipe. When believers come together to share sincerely, praising God in love and gladness, the church will grow. And since we ARE the church, it’s up to us to go deeper in order to get wider. Have dinner with somebody from church this week. Invite somebody who’s not. If you’re too busy to love somebody this week, then you’re too busy.
Acts 2
Breaking bread with one accord, believers served before the Lord. Christians gave the church its start from house to house, and heart to heart. It wasn’t how much stuff they had, but how the Lord had made them glad! Focus on love, and not on growth; I think you’ll find you have them both! Have fellowship with those who search; unite in love, and BE the church.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” (John 14:26, NASB)
A Bit of a Mystery
There’s something mysterious about the Holy Spirit. Jesus compared Him to the wind, because we see him more by his influences than we can by his pure substance. How do we hand over control of our life to someone we cannot see? Is it possible to set aside our natural instincts and become inclined to “walk in the Spirit”? How can we supersede our very human nature and allow God’s nature to reside within us, and to shine through us?
I always thought that the disciples had it easy, of course, because they had Jesus. Certainly if I could just hang out each day with Jesus, I’d be more likely to act like him or think like him. I wouldn’t need a helper because I’d have JESUS. I have always thought the disciples had a distinct advantage over all the rest of us believers because of that.
That logically creates TWO questions for me, because 1) Jesus is the Word made flesh, technically speaking, so don’t I have the Word to explore every day as often as I like? (Yes, it’s “just” the Bible and not Jesus in the flesh, but it IS the written Word, the exact representation of the LIVING Word. You know, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God…”)
The One Thing That Can Stop Him
And 2) How do we access help from the Helper? He promised he would ask the Father to send me help, so don’t I have the Holy Spirit to seal me, indwell me, and teach me? The Holy Spirit is the HELPER Jesus asked the Father to send to us. He will provide hope when things look hopeless, faith when you can’t believe what is happening, and comfort when life in a fallen world seems like too much to bear.
As a believer you are NEVER alone. In verse 18, Jesus said, “I will not leave you as orphans.” So he sent us his Spirit to assist us. Shouldn’t that mean that, with God’s own Spirit within us, there is nothing spiritual we can’t do? If God be for us, why, who can be against us??
God’s intent in the New Covenant is to provide us with support and strength as long as we are yielded to Him. Circumstances can’t stop Him. Satan can’t stop Him. The only thing that can prevent that is, apparently, ME. (And yeah, the only person who can stop Him from exhibiting power in your life is YOU. So don’t blame me if you’re not spiritual.)
There’s a reason 1 Thessalonians 5:19 says, “Do not quench the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit has come to dwell within Christians in order to provide the followers of Jesus a presence and a resource that previously existed only when he walked among them. Jesus says that the Holy Spirit was sent to assist us and teach us, which is great news! It’s news we should use.
The Helper’s Role
But notice that he doesn’t say the Helper will magically implant knowledge into our brains. Jesus says He will “bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
To me, this implies that I’d need to have ‘heard’ things Jesus had said to me. That way the Holy Spirit could help me to REMEMBER them.
Jesus said the Holy Spirit will bring those things to my remembrance, and He will teach us. The Spirit will interpret, expand the truth to us, and motivate us… But how much do you know about the things Jesus said for him to be ABLE to call them to your remembrance? How many words of Jesus are in your subconscious, just waiting to be recalled and illuminated by the Holy Spirit? I probably need to listen to Jesus more, and hear him better. I think I probably haven’t always given the Holy Spirit a full deck to play with.
The Helper Jesus taught us how to live, if only we will hear it; And people strive to be the way he was, or to get near it. When he went home, He told us He would send the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the Comforter, who helps us to abide, And leads us into truth: He is our teacher and our guide. Walk, then, in the Spirit, January to December: If you forget what Jesus said, He’ll help you to remember! Our human, carnal nature offers spiritual resistance, So walk, then, in the Spirit, and He’ll give you some assistance.
We all took social studies somewhere along the line, and we learned about citizenship. On this day we focus on political citizenship, and it’s certainly a hot topic right now in our Divided States of America. (I find it interesting that I hear WAY more talk about individuals celebrating freedom and THEIR rights than I hear about celebrating being AMERICANS.) Citizenship is defined as a relationship between an individual and a state to which the individual owes allegiance and in turn is entitled to its protection. We rely on our armed forces to keep us safe. Ancient kingdoms built walls to protect their citizens.
But, there is another kind of citizenship that has no barriers and doesn’t require any walls. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20, NKJV) Even though we live on this earth, we are just passing through. Paul reminds us that the physical world, and even our physical bodies, are temporary dwelling places. As a Roman, Paul placed great importance on his citizenship.
Roman Citizenship
He boldly claimed rights as a Roman citizen when he was involved in conflicts. The Apostle Paul was well-versed in what protection he had under Roman law. In the polyglot world of different cultures and religions, Roman citizenship was the gold standard of political protection. He often used his standing in the Empire to his legal or practical advantage, and people reacted with respect when he invoked the name of Rome.
In Philippi he demanded that the magistrates come to validate his release from jail. When he was detained in Ephesus, the city clerk quelled a riot that threatened violence. And in Jerusalem his status as a Roman once again saved him from an angry mob. Yet as much as he valued being Roman, his political status in the Roman world meant nothing compared to his true citizenship in heaven. (If people took American citizenship as seriously as Paul took being a Roman, we would all we would all be far more thankful about enjoying the rights we have in the United States!)
What does Citizenship Involve in the Long Run?
But the Bible takes a longer view of citizenship. Peter says that we are merely “sojourners and pilgrims” here (1 Peter 2:11). James is more to the point: “Why, you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14, NIV) Comparing our short number of years here on earth to the reality of the years we will spend in eternity is an intimidating exercise.
Perhaps you have seen Francis Chan’s very powerful illustration of our life’s timeline as a long, long piece of rope, where our earthly sojourn is shown as some tape wrapped a mere couple of inches around the end he holds, and our eternal life is represented by the rest of the rope. It stretches on and on, off the stage and out the door. It’s a very visible object lesson our an earthly life span compared to an eternal one.
We are not here on earth very long. Stop to imagine for a moment how long eternity is, and picture yourself in it. Think of the possibilities of growth and learning, about the opportunity to build everlasting relationships that grow in every way but never grow stale. Imagine being part of a kingdom where the King is unselfish, amazingly loving and incredibly wise! You’ll have citizenship in a kingdom where you are not only God’s subject but his heir. You’ll have rights and privileges you never dreamed of! While our flesh is corruptible, and our bodies live in a carnal world where everything dies, our spirit is already residing in heaven, taking baby steps into immortality.
Good Citizenship
Do you really live as if your citizenship is in heaven? As a citizen of heaven, what are your rights? What are your obligations? Where is your allegiance? These are questions that all good citizens should be asking. If you don’t know the answers, maybe it’s time to spend a little more time on your heavenly social studies.
The Quiz
What if you had rights and privileges which you could use, And permanent legal standing that no judge could dare refuse? What if you had citizenship with all the perks it brings, And got to be a subject for a wise and gracious king? Would you exercise the right to live in such a place? Would you be obedient to the lenient law of grace? You should. And furthermore, I’d go tell all my friends and buddies That there’s still time to brush up on their heavenly social studies.
He wasn’t who they expected him to be. He said things they didn’t expect him to say. In a dramatic passage from the Book of Revelation, John described Jesus as the Alpha and Omega and the King of Kings; but let’s not forget that he had a very different role when he first came to earth. Isaiah 53 portrays a man who was rejected and spurned by the very people he came to save. While he was here on earth, the Messiah was so humble and spiritual that he made no political statements and had no political aspirations. If he returned today, would people notice? Would they care? What do you think he would say to us?
“He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:2-5, NIV)
Say What?
The Messiah appeared, not as a King in glory, and not as a celebrity in Hollywood, or a major media center… If Jesus appeared today, and walked among us, I wonder what he would say to our nation? What standards might he use? After all, since John characterizes him as the Word of God, perhaps he would use God’s very words to speak to us. Words that are ancient, timeless, and true. Hmm… the words from Leviticus 19:11-15 come to mind:
11 “‘Do not steal. “‘Do not lie. “‘Do not deceive one another. 12 “‘Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the Lord. 13 “‘Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. “‘Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.14 “‘Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord. 15 “‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.
What would he say to the dispossessed, the poor, the marginalized, the segregated, the beaten-down, the sufferers of injustice? He would say, “I have been where you are, and have shared your suffering and felt your pain. You will find me in the midst of your grief, and I offer you peace if you will turn to me. I offer you grace and dignity, forgiveness and respect.”
“In the world you shall have tribulation. But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
And what would he say to the prejudiced, the haters, the purveyors of bigotry and division (both white and black)? “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34).
We Can’t Overcome Injustice with Hatred
America’s justice system has let its citizens down. There have been abuses of power by law enforcement, and there can be failures in the application of justice. On top of that, there are narratives being written about the system that are designed to stereotype and divide. The statistics about race, incarceration and justice are at best, confusing. (If you don’t believe me, just dive into a search engine and browse. I’m reminded of Mark Twain’s assertion that there are three kinds of lies, “Lies, damned lies, and statistics”.) You can choose either side and find statistics to create a narrative supporting your point of view.
I think it’s good that America has been forced to confront its lack of justice, but it’s an ongoing process. I know that my own feelings about it are nothing compared to the dissatisfaction and anguish among my brothers and sisters of color. The Jesus I know would never condone hatred based on skin color or minor differences. He would extend compassion to the wounded and God’s righteous standard to those who perpetrate bigotry and racism.
On the other hand, the Justice Department can be weaponized or politicized to administer selective enforcement. The same DA’s office that tried Donald Trump just dropped all charges against Hamas supporters who occupied and damaged Columbia University buildings. Are both outcomes based on pursuit of justice, or do they indicate a bias against or in favor of the perpetrators? It’s a legitimate question.
A Different Message Should Create a Different Outcome
And what would he say to those in power, those who do nothing about injustice, who respond with insensitivity and indifference? “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” (Leviticus 19:15) The law of Moses clearly required leaders to be fair, and to be godly.
And what would be his message to those who use their power to commit violence or abuse? “Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness and his chambers by injustice.” (Jeremiah 22:13) “It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.” (Luke 17:2)
And what would he say to all of us, as believers, about how we should act? “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35, KJV). “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Let’s change the paradigm, people. Our nation can only achieve justice one heart at a time. The one who bore our pain and suffering, who was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities, has offered us peace and healing. Let’s offer it to our neighbors, one heart at a time.
Change Your Heart, Change the World
A humble man of sorrows, he who came Without regard for power, wealth or fame; The King of kings and Lord of lords was he, And yet he had no need for TMZ. According to Isaiah Fifty-three, He had no selfish lust for royalty, And did not get involved politically; He came to bear our sorrow, and to be The sacrifice for our iniquity. Perhaps we would do well to emulate, To love the way he loved, and not to hate. I hope, America, it’s not too late: When he comes back, in power undisguised, I think a lot of folks will be surprised.
The Fourth of July is coming in a couple of days, although many celebrations are taking place here over the weekend. America’s heritage deserves more than barbeque and fireworks, so let’s talk about our Independence Day. We value freedom in America, and we exercise it, too. On July 4 we celebrate the freedom that we gained by becoming independent, but there’s far more to that than meets the eye. It is in the personal stories behind the American Revolution that we can, I think, truly come to appreciate what the word Independence means. The men who signed the Declaration of Independence were not merely making a political statement. They were risking their lives….
Founding Fathers
Stephen Hopkins from Rhode Island, aged 70, said as he signed, “My hand trembles, but my heart does not.” Benjamin Franklin uttered the famous words, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we will all hang separately.”
The wealthy John Hancock was already a wanted man, and the British were offering a 500-pound reward for him. He said he signed in enormous letters so that “John Bull can read my name without spectacles and may now double his reward.”
Benjamin Harrison, a large man, jested with one of his smaller colleagues that he would hang more quickly because of his large girth, while the smaller man would hang much less efficiently…
The Cost of Independence
Each of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence became a wanted man; and each, knowing full well what the cost might be, put his signature beneath this statement: “For the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
Of the 56 signers, five were captured by the British, and were tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked or burned. Two lost sons in the Revolutionary army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or the hardships of the Revolutionary War.
Francis Lewis of New York saw his home plundered and destroyed by British soldiers. His wife was captured and treated with brutality, and though she was finally exchanged for two British prisoners through the efforts of Congress, she died a few months later.
Would You have Signed?
John Hart of Hopewell, New Jersey risked his life to return home to see his dying wife. After her death, the British hounded Hart, who was forced to live in forests and caves for over a year. His fields and gristmill were laid to waste. When the British were driven from the area and he was able to return home, his wife was dead, his children gone, and his home destroyed. He died a few weeks later, in 1779, of an illness; some say of a broken heart.
Governor Thomas Nelson, Jr., of Virginia, became aware of the fact that the British General Cornwallis had made his headquarters in Nelson’s beautiful home. When the Marquis de Lafayette invited Nelson to direct the artillery fire, he instructed the troops to fire upon his own home, destroying it. Nelson went bankrupt and died 7 years later at the age of 50.
Carter Braxton of Virginia was a wealthy planter and trader. The British navy sank his ships, and he was forced to sell his properties to cover his debts. He died in rags. Thomas Lynch, Jr., of South Carolina, suffered broken health from deprivation and exposure he endured as a company commander in the military. His doctors ordered him to seek a cure in Europe, and on the voyage there he and a young bride were drowned at sea.
The signers of the Declaration of Independence paid a terrible price so that you and I might have freedom; most of them died without ever knowing if their desperate gamble would pay off.
A Voice From the Past
John Adams, in a letter to his wife, called out to those of us who would come after him: “Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent it in heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it.”
On July 4 we have Parades, fireworks, shows and games to celebrate our Independence Day, and most of us enjoy the day without even being aware of the individual sacrifices that took place to make it happen…
We value independence in America. We celebrate it. It is part of the fabric of our lives. If you look up the word independence in Webster’s, it says: “free from the authority, control, or influence of others”. As Americans, we treasure this aspect of our political life, we are accustomed to it, we even take it for granted! Most of us will agree that Independence is a good thing.
The Dark Side of Independence
I’ve got some bad news. In a spiritual sense, independence is a terrible thing. As glorious as our Freedom is, and as much as I gained researching the stories of the sacrifices and noble actions of the Patriots who risked everything for Independence, I realized that there is a different perspective on independence, a Christian perspective. The first letter of Independence is “I”.
Think about it for a minute…Christianity is full of paradoxes, which stand conventional thinking on its ear: you have to acknowledge your sin to be made righteous; to be nothing in order to become something; to die to yourself to live for Christ; act as a servant to be the leader; be last to be first; give to get; lose your life to keep it; and be glorified only through humility.
The Biblical perspective on Independence is clear: it gets us into trouble. Satan was independent (“I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…”) He fell from God’s glory into a world of dark shadows, disaster, selfishness, and pain.
Some OTHER Notable Examples
Eve was independent. (“I know Adam told me God said I shouldn’t eat this fruit, but why shouldn’t I be able to do what I want?) She ate the fruit God said not to eat, and exercised her will over God’s instructions.
Adam was independent. (Why shouldn’t I have the right to know good and evil?) He ate the fruit and introduced death and shame into the world, bringing destruction to all mankind.
Cain was independent. (Why should I have to sacrifice the way God says? I’ll do things my way) He was so consumed by pride and self-will he murdered his brother…
The Israelites gained Independence. They threw a wild party, worshipped a golden calf, and had to wander 40 years in the wilderness so that a whole generation could die before going on to the promised land… Later, in Judges 21:25 it says, “And every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” If that verse seems familiar, it is because the nation of Israel followed the path our own culture is on, where one’s personal rights are paramount and truth is subjective.
The story of the nation of Israel gets repetitive: they do what they want, they pay a fearsome price for it, they are humbled by circumstances, they cry out to God for help, and he delivers them from their oppression. Once they are delivered, they get comfortable, and they start doing whatever they want again. It may be the story of Israel, but it is the story of us all.
Home to Roost
I have been independent. And I guarantee you that every big mistake I’ve ever made has been because I decided to do what I wanted to do, regardless of the consequences. I have acted, to recall Webster’s definition, “free from authority or control”…
What about you? The downside of Independence and the freedom it brings is that it also allows selfishness, and the ability to act however we want. So as you celebrate this week, remember: Freedom isn’t free. And freedom doesn’t come from doing whatever you want; it comes from doing what is right. In John 8:32 Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” In verse 36 he said, “If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” As you celebrate independence, be not only free. Be free indeed.
Set Free
Because it’s free, American life and citizenship are sought; So when you think of freedom, and the good things it has brought, Remember: freedom isn’t free, for it is dearly bought. America, don’t do what you want, but please do what you OUGHT.
Redemption is defined as, “the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment.” We might think of redemption about stuff in a pawn shop, but not necessarily in terms involving people. It might come up if someone is kidnapped, but otherwise we probably don’t walk around thinking we need to be bought back. The fact is, however, that everyone needs redemption.
The Ancient Act of Redemption
In order for someone to be redeemed, they need a redeemer. In ancient times, a military prisoner needed someone to buy them back from slavery. It was such a common occurrence in Biblical days that everyone would have understood it. The story of redemption follows logic and makes perfect sense. Captives needed redemption, and there was a process about how to get it. But these days, unless they’re in a hostage situation, people don’t always relate to the fact that mankind needs a redeemer.
Maybe we are just fine without one, but the Bible says this about that: “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that he might be the redeemer of them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5 ASV)
You’ve Quit Preaching and Gone to Meddling
Here’s how it relates to us: We were condemned under the law and estranged from God because Adam and Eve questioned God’s plan and chose to follow their own will. No matter how much the Father loved us and wanted our good, He could not tolerate the presence of sin; when mankind became sinful, it separated them from a Holy God.
Under the logic of the law, all men lived under the law’s curse because of Adam and Eve’s choice. In effect, mankind was thrown out of the family because of sin, and could not be allowed back in until the sin problem was taken care of. Our will got us thrown out of HIS will…
No Other Options
So why couldn’t God just snap his fingers and provide restoration? I’m sure He would have if it were that easy, but redemption from sin is apparently a cosmic issue, a life or death matter, and not just anyone could rectify Adam and Eve’s fatal choice. Cosmic, irrevocable death had dire, irreversible consequences. Only a redeemer uniquely positioned to fulfill God’s law on our behalf could change our status.
Unique Qualifications
After The Fall, if there was to be redeemer, he would need to meet some very unique qualifications. Since Adam and Eve accepted the curse, he would need to be descended from them in order to reject it on their behalf. He would have to live a sinless life in a sinful world. Because sin was transmitted in the process of procreation and birth, he had to be born of a virgin and the circumstances of his birth would have to be supernatural. He couldn’t be tainted by the carnal, sinful nature that invariably wanted nothing more than to break the law.
Since the law was broken, he needed to be not only subject to the law but free from its penalty. He would need to suffer death at the hands of the law, since the only sentence for sin is death—but he had to live in such a way that he did not deserve that sentence.
Very Unique Qualifications…
A Redeemer would have to have not only the humility to live under the law, but the authority to countermand it. He would need to represent the Father as the righteous judge, and he would need to be an advocate for those who were standing trial. Such a Redeemer would have to be uniquely qualified to mediate a settlement between Heaven and earth. He had to be connected to Adam as part of the fallen human family. However, he also needed to be intimately connected in the Father’s family, since he was arranging the adoption of those who would be redeemed…
No Man Could Do It
Unfortunately, no man who had ever lived had satisfied the criteria for being a redeemer, so all men who ever lived were affected by the curse of sin. Paul puts it this way (Romans 5:18): “Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.”
The Redeemer had to be a sinless man, a man who satisfied the law, and who was not subject to the penalty for sin. In first-century Judea, there WAS such a man. Jesus was that one redeemer, and you can join God’s family, not by being “good enough”, but by being adopted.
When you consider the facts, it’s a logical progression that requires faith to accept; but if you evaluate the Redeemer’s qualifications and decide to accept his payment for your penalty, then there’s Great News! You’re back in the will!
One Consequence, One Redeemer
Mankind exercised his will, and ate an apple, or took a pill, Or chased a thrill, said “I’m King of the Hill!”, Ate more than his fill, made another kill, Or stole from the till–you know the drill– And ran up one hellacious bill…
The Lord said, “Man, what you’ve done today Is left the family and gone astray, And for that sin, you have to pay.” And mankind said, “There’s just no way”. So the Lord looked down, and He didn’t think twice, He sent a redeemer to pay the price. It couldn’t be just anyone, so He chose to send his only Son, Uniquely suited to be the one to ensure redemption’s job was done.
The requirements had big shoes to fill, Like a cross on top of a deadly hill; But he carried that cross and He paid your bill, And destroyed the sin that could only kill: Great News! You’re adopted, and back in the will!
Hidden away in Luke’s comments about Jesus as a boy is something you should not miss: Luke tells us the story of the Obedient God.
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them…” (Luke 2:49-51 NIV)
We have talked several times about this passage from Luke, which gives us pretty much everything we know about the years between Jesus’ childhood and manhood. Here are a few final thoughts on Jesus as a boy… Remember, this is God with skin on, the Son of God, the Messiah who has been foretold. Surely he was no average twelve-year-old…
The Best Kid in the Neighborhood
Have you ever wondered: What was he like? How did he exercise his power? Was he gifted physically the way he was gifted spiritually? If he was alive today, surely he’d be an NFL quarterback, right? There is so little in Scripture to go on about Jesus’ boyhood, and it’s tempting to try to reconstruct some things, but it is always important to let Scripture be Scripture, and allow the story to speak for itself. Luke 2:52 says that Jesus “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” He was growing in a balanced way; and the Bible basically says that his development was apparently fairly normal.
I love the fact that Luke points out how Jesus grew in four dimensions: mentally, physically, spiritually and socially. He wasn’t some spiritual nerd who didn’t live in the real world, but there was a balance in his growth that encompassed intelligence, strength, and his relationship with both God and men. That’s probably a good template for goal-setting when we start jotting down those 2025 New Year’s resolutions…
Even Joseph and Mary Seemed Surprised
As for this story, the fact that he slipped away and stayed at the temple caught both Mary and Joseph a bit by surprise. I’m sure he was normally very obedient, and this was new behavior. Jesus was exploring some independence at age 12, and apparently knew an impressive amount of Scripture and was able to teach about the principles it contained. He knew enough, according to Luke, to astonish learned men.
Since his own parents were surprised by what he was saying about doing his Father’s business, it makes sense to assume that this was not behavior they were yet accustomed to. What do we learn from that?
The Son of God was leaving boyhood behind, and stepping out onto a larger stage. He knew who his Father was, and was already connected to his mission. Those are all pretty impressive qualities to exhibit at only twelve. Luke’s short account of twelve-year-old Jesus in the temple makes it clear that Jesus was destined for greater things; but that last phrase in verse 49 about how he treated his parents kinda sneaks up on you. “He was obedient to them.” Apparently even the King of Kings obeyed his mom and dad. Young people take note: If God with skin on obeyed his parents, so should you.
The Obedient God
Our culture loves the shallow things, And all the toys celebrity brings: The bling, the cars, the diamond rings, The cash register when it cha-chings! But Jesus grew up mentally, And physically, and socially. He also grew up spiritually, In ways you could and could not see.
You’d think that Jesus had it made, The power of God in man displayed– And yet the hand that Jesus played Was this: the Son of God obeyed. He didn’t try to take command, He didn’t overplay his hand, But followed what His Father planned: Obey. Be humble. Understand That life in all its parts can be much greater than the sum; And greatness doesn’t celebrate before its hour is come. The key to life is not what is expedient, But this: know what God wants, and be obedient.
If You think about it, all three “major” religions are pretty good at condemnation. It seems that we humans like to judge other humans, and we tend to like feeling superior to somebody else. I think it’s interesting, for instance, that Christians are known for being judgmental when in actuality our whole belief system, based on the Bible, should be steeped in love and forgiveness.
The Bible does indeed have a lot to say about condemnation. One of my favorite references is John 3:17: “For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.” Even though the message of the Bible is about freedom from condemnation, the institutionalized church has a long history of practicing it. From the Crusades to the Spanish Inquisition, and from the Church Lady to Westboro Baptist “church”, nominal Christians have used religion for condemnation.
(In point of fact, Christians aren’t alone in rendering judgement. All of the major religions allow for condemnation, based on law. But rather than throw stones at them, I’m thinking today about us Christians, so bear with me. Since I’m probably stepping on toes today, I wonder: do you feel any sense of condemnation towards ME?)
Judged By Whom?
When unchurched people are asked why they don’t go to church the #1 answer is “I feel judged when I go there.” In the name of Jesus, folks who call themselves Christians have condemned Muslims and Mormons, Denominations and Democrats, homosexuals and heretics. Now, I’m not saying those folks are all immune to judgment by a righteous God, because ALL OF US are going to give account before Him.
So, none of us is immune to condemnation. We’re just not supposed to heap it on each other. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:1-2, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
The only sin you should ever get concerned about is your OWN. If you are sitting there reading this thinking, “Yeah, but, what about that group?” or, “What about those other guys?”, then you have the wrong perspective about sin.
God’s Tolerance Is Different Than Ours
The Bible teaches clearly that a Holy God cannot/will not tolerate sin, and that sin will be judged. Since sin and death cannot abide in the presence of the Living God, unresolved sin will be left to its own devices. In essence, it will judge itself. Those who reject God’s provision for payment will bring death and separation from God upon themselves.
Sin by its very nature requires condemnation because it brings death. Since God is Life, He is diametrically opposed to sin. He cannot tolerate sin because it brings His polar opposite into His creation.
As Paul says in Romans 5:12, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” I definitely believe that the Bible teaches about sin’s penalty and the righteous judgment of a Holy God. But in John 3, when Jesus told Nicodemus why he came into the world, he ruled condemnation out of his mission statement. (And yes, I know he condemned the hateful self-righteousness of the Pharisees, but whenever sinners were brought before him, he offered grace. You can look it up!)
To Condemn or Not the Condemn?
Apparently Christ does not condemn, he only saves. Repeat that. Remember that. In a world full of blame, finger-pointing, criticism, and condemnation, Christ does not condemn. I bet most of us still focus on the theology of right and wrong, and we focus on God as the Righteous judge. Curious, then, that His only son didn’t come as a judge but as a Savior.
Read John 8 sometime. When the Pharisees accused Jesus of being a demon possessed Samaritan (racial slur) he said, “I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” (John 8:50-51) God didn’t send his Son to condemn, but to give life.
As John said, “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.” If you were ever a sinner, if you have ever wronged someone else, or if you have ever been less than godly: remember that, and be grateful; remember that, and be gracious.
Pointing the Wrong Way
In a world of polar hate, where almost no one budges, Who is going to heal the scars, and who will judge the judges? You can look at other folks and judge them for their sin, But in the end, your condemnation will not help you win. Point out someone else’s sins, but know that when you do, Three fingers there upon your hand are pointed back at you! Christ told Nicodemus, though the world might be depraved He came, not to condemn the world, but that it might be saved. Take a hint from Jesus when the shallow world condemns, And offer love instead, because you know… love always wins!
“Consecrate yourself” is a phrase you don’t hear every day. (In fact, you may have lived your entire life without even considering it!) You might say “help yourself”, or “watch yourself”, and you may have heard Archie Bunker say “stifle yourself!” to Edith, but he never said, “Consecrate yourself, Edith!”
So, I’m curious. Have YOU ever consecrated yourself? How did you do it? What happened? And, what exactly does it mean to consecrate yourself? In Joshua 3:5, “Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” Did the people scratch their heads (like I might do), or did they suddenly have a great sense of anticipation? It was a command, but it was a command with a promise.
Say What?
As the Israelites prepared to take the Promised Land, they were operating for the first time without Moses. It was he who had brought them out of Egypt, led them through the wilderness, and given them the law. He had challenged them to obey the Lord. You might recall that they were not always consecrated even though they had seen amazing things! Apparently it was pretty important to Joshua. I’m sure they asked themselves, “I wonder what he meant by that?”
The word consecrate means “to make sacred, to dedicate to a higher purpose.” The Israelites had failed to do that. In fact, they failed so egregiously that they had to wander in the wilderness for years and years. (You remember the whole “golden calf idol worship” thing, right? That event vividly illustrated how un-dedicated they were.) Even though they were going to the Promised Land, they were still far short of their goal. If anything, they started their journey dedicated to the wrong stuff.
You Can Take the Boy Out of the Country…
Now they stood on the banks of the Jordan River, ready to start the campaign that would ultimately create a home for these wanderers, these skeptics, these idol-worshippers, these former slaves… Moses had brought the people out of Egypt. Now, Joshua told them they still needed to bring Egypt out of the people!
“Consecrate yourselves”! He challenged them to separate themselves to God, to assume His holiness and character, and to be devoted to His purpose. If they consecrated themselves, Joshua said, they would see the Lord do amazing things among them on the following day.
Consecrate This
What can we glean from this one simple, challenging verse? First of all, good leadership is visionary. It looks ahead to the future and sees amazing things. Second, leadership recognizes that in order for us to experience “amazing things”, we need to be dedicated. We need to make sure that nothing else keeps us from being part of God’s work. What competes with God for your time and attention? What is it that prevents you from being consecrated? I bet if you followed the same advice Joshua gave the Israelites, you would start seeing “amazing things”!
Think about being dedicated to the Lord above all things: Put your name in the blank: Consecrate yourself, _______________, [Bo Jackson] for the Lord will do amazing things around you!” Which amazing things would you like to see? What victories await? What giants will you slay? Consecrate yourself today. Get results tomorrow!
Joshua Said It, But Maybe it Applies to US
If the Lord commands, obey it. Don’t you wait, don’t hesitate, Don’t obfuscate, prevaricate, don’t act on it a little late, Or wait for it to resonate, and don’t you dare procrastinate. Don’t meditate or vegetate, or even try to delegate: If God tells you to consecrate, then consecrate, and calibrate Your life so you can dedicate what once was unregenerate. Just consecrate your heart to the King of Kings, And you will see Him do amazing things.
