March 15, 1994
Once an old, but crafty, man found his new neighbors had very noisy children. Instead of yelling at them to be quiet, he decided to promise them money for making noise. At first the children were excited about his offer and happy to oblige. They whooped and hollered and at the end of each day, were paid for it.
After a few days, the old man told them he couldn’t quite afford as much as he had been paying but would still give them money. They still made noise, but not quite so much. Gradually he lowered the amount each day. Finally they got disgusted and quit. When he asked why, they said, “We won’t make noise for nothing.”
The article accompanying this story made the point; promises of reward for desired behavior eventually destroys incentive. If someone is going to consistently do a certain thing, a reward may be the worst way to make it happen.
Christians are promised a reward. One has to ask if that promise destroys our incentive? Or do we “work” for a different reason?
Part of the answer is in something my mother used to tell me. She said that being kind or doing good is its own reward. That is, knowing that we have done right gives satisfaction. We don’t need anything else.
But why then does God promise a reward? Is it to encourage us to keep doing right? Some people think so. In fact, many have the idea that God sets up a list of rules and if they obey them, they will earn eternal life and go to heaven. This same concept of “do good – be rewarded” is carried over to Santa Claus and parent-child relationships: “be a good boy and you will get that bike you want.”
But God doesn’t work like that. He knows a little bit more about human capacity for goodness in relation to His standard. No matter how “good” people are, everyone falls short. Instead of putting the onus on humanity, He took the initiative to offer us a relationship with Himself on a different basis.
In the Bible, this relationship is described as a covenant, a unilateral agreement that God initiates. His covenants have specific regulations or stipulations for those involved. God says, “If you do this... you will be blessed (rewarded), and if you do not, you will be cursed (lose your reward).
The rules do not establish the covenants. They just outline how the people were to behave because of the relationship they have with God. Doing the right things would bring them blessing but it would not establish or keep them in relationship; they already had that.
It was as if God told the noisy children He loved them no matter what. That would never change. However, God asked them to behave as an expression of their love for Him. In behaving, they would enjoy freedom from the consequences of sin and that would be a reward. If they did not behave, they would lose that reward and their failure would also indicate they failed to love Him.
Christians have a covenant relationship with God. It is not earned by what we do. He says, “This is the covenant I will make... I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people... for I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
In response to His law written in our hearts, we live to please Him. That life has rewards; some here, some in heaven, but the reward is not heaven itself.
Actually, incentive is destroyed by promised rewards in one way. Those who mistakenly think they can earn eternal life as a reward sometimes give up and quit trying.
Showing posts with label responses to Jesus Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label responses to Jesus Christ. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Friday, March 4, 2016
Do you love babies? .................. Parables 401
December 21, 1993
Babies, as wonderful as they are, can certainly disrupt a household. Even though our children have been adults several years, both my husband and I remember those cries in the middle of the night, not getting enough sleep, and knowing if we ignore the burp that just won’t come, sleeping baby will wake up screaming very soon.
Besides those sleepless nights, babies cost money. Medicare covered most of the delivery bills but after that, other expenses added up, as did the pile of baby “stuff” we spent it on. A weekend at the in-laws during pre-baby days meant grabbing an overnight case and hopping in the car, but a baby meant boxes of this and bags of that. Diapers alone can take up half the back seat.
Did we let these things ruin the joy of having a baby in the house? Not at all. This extra responsibility was worth the effort; our babies were precious to us.
About 2000 years ago, another baby was born in Bethlehem. Since there were no hospitals, his parents didn’t have to pay any medical expenses. Since the innkeeper put them in his “overflow wing” in the stable out back, it is unlikely he charged them for their room.
It was just as well. The parents of this baby were not wealthy. They were not in Bethlehem on vacation either, but had to travel there because Roman law demanded it. Since there is no trunk space or back seat on a donkey, they couldn’t have taken much with them even if they wanted to. Having a baby under these circumstances was certainly not convenient.
This baby disrupted their plans in other ways. Not that they didn’t want a family, but Mary and Joseph were still in the betrothal stage of their marriage. This meant they were legally united but had not yet slept together. How would Mary explain to friends and relatives that her pregnancy was a miracle?
Even when she told Joseph about the baby, he considered quietly divorcing her. Only an angel changed his mind, giving him the same message Mary had received: this child was the Son of God. So Joseph went ahead and took her as his wife.
Imagine raising the Son of God. No doubt He was a good baby yet the responsibility for His care must have been disruptive too. Not only that, having a sinless little boy in their house must have made them feel convicted and decidedly uncomfortable about their own shortcomings. Did any of the neighborhood children even want to play with Him?
Was Joseph avoided and Mary laughed at? Did their families believe them? And did some people react to this baby as some today do: as long as a baby coos and lies helpless and quiet it is fine, but as soon as baby makes demands, pressure mounts and the baby is not as much fun any more?
The Bible does not say much about Jesus’ baby days except that shepherds rushed to worship Him and king-makers from the East brought Him gifts. The manger scene was no threat to them and Christmas was fun. When He grew up, maybe it was the same people who rushed to see Him perform miracles and especially enjoyed having Him feed them, free of charge.
But there were those (who may have normally loved babies) that didn’t like this Baby. Herod tried to kill Him when He was less than two years old. Thirty years later, as the crowds heard Him cry out about His demand on their lives, the pressure mounted and they decided, “We will not have this man rule over us.”
The Baby was not as much fun any more.
Babies, as wonderful as they are, can certainly disrupt a household. Even though our children have been adults several years, both my husband and I remember those cries in the middle of the night, not getting enough sleep, and knowing if we ignore the burp that just won’t come, sleeping baby will wake up screaming very soon.
Besides those sleepless nights, babies cost money. Medicare covered most of the delivery bills but after that, other expenses added up, as did the pile of baby “stuff” we spent it on. A weekend at the in-laws during pre-baby days meant grabbing an overnight case and hopping in the car, but a baby meant boxes of this and bags of that. Diapers alone can take up half the back seat.
Did we let these things ruin the joy of having a baby in the house? Not at all. This extra responsibility was worth the effort; our babies were precious to us.
About 2000 years ago, another baby was born in Bethlehem. Since there were no hospitals, his parents didn’t have to pay any medical expenses. Since the innkeeper put them in his “overflow wing” in the stable out back, it is unlikely he charged them for their room.
It was just as well. The parents of this baby were not wealthy. They were not in Bethlehem on vacation either, but had to travel there because Roman law demanded it. Since there is no trunk space or back seat on a donkey, they couldn’t have taken much with them even if they wanted to. Having a baby under these circumstances was certainly not convenient.
This baby disrupted their plans in other ways. Not that they didn’t want a family, but Mary and Joseph were still in the betrothal stage of their marriage. This meant they were legally united but had not yet slept together. How would Mary explain to friends and relatives that her pregnancy was a miracle?
Even when she told Joseph about the baby, he considered quietly divorcing her. Only an angel changed his mind, giving him the same message Mary had received: this child was the Son of God. So Joseph went ahead and took her as his wife.
Imagine raising the Son of God. No doubt He was a good baby yet the responsibility for His care must have been disruptive too. Not only that, having a sinless little boy in their house must have made them feel convicted and decidedly uncomfortable about their own shortcomings. Did any of the neighborhood children even want to play with Him?
Was Joseph avoided and Mary laughed at? Did their families believe them? And did some people react to this baby as some today do: as long as a baby coos and lies helpless and quiet it is fine, but as soon as baby makes demands, pressure mounts and the baby is not as much fun any more?
The Bible does not say much about Jesus’ baby days except that shepherds rushed to worship Him and king-makers from the East brought Him gifts. The manger scene was no threat to them and Christmas was fun. When He grew up, maybe it was the same people who rushed to see Him perform miracles and especially enjoyed having Him feed them, free of charge.
But there were those (who may have normally loved babies) that didn’t like this Baby. Herod tried to kill Him when He was less than two years old. Thirty years later, as the crowds heard Him cry out about His demand on their lives, the pressure mounted and they decided, “We will not have this man rule over us.”
The Baby was not as much fun any more.
Friday, November 27, 2015
Tell people how to have peace with God ............. Parables 358
February 23, 1953
Uncle Edward sat on the edge of his hospital bed and with trembling voice said, “I would like to, but I don’t know how.”
He had just told me he had been thinking about spiritual things during his illness. We talked about God for a few minutes then I asked if he had made his peace with His Creator. He made this response: “I would like to, but I don’t know how.”
Edward had been raised by a Christian mother and had gone to church and Sunday school as a child. Now, as an old man, his words amazed me. I had assumed people with that kind of spiritual background would know how to get right with God, forgetting that I too heard the gospel as a child but when I grew up, I did not remember it. In fact, I didn’t think I there was any antagonism between me and God that required making peace with Him until He used events in my life to bring me to that understanding.
Edward was at that place also. For me, it was relationship failure; for him it was advancing age. He realized he didn’t have much life left. Besides that, he was sick and scared and finding peace with God became important. Looking back, I am sure I couldn’t have explained “how” to him had he not been interested.
That is one of the mysteries of the gospel. The apostle Paul said that spiritual truth is discernable and attractive to those who are spiritually minded. The man or woman who has no use for or no interest in knowing God will not discover how. Paul even said that the gospel is “foolishness to them that perish, but to those who are being saved, it is the power of God.”
The gospel is very simple: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried, and He rose from the dead on the third day, according to the Scriptures.” He offers forgiveness of sin and eternal life to all who come to Him admitting their need.
Most people resist this simple message and argue about the identity of Christ and the historical accuracy of the Bible. They say there is no God, or the Bible is wrong, or Jesus Christ did not exist, or the disciples were deceived, or Jesus was only a great teacher, or He didn’t really die, or He didn’t really rise from the dead. While it is impossible to “prove it” to a sceptic, humble people who can admit they are sinful and need supernatural forgiveness, will hear the gospel as good news and can understand and believe that Christ is the Son of God who died for them.
Perhaps the real issue is sin, something many people do not consider seriously enough or even acknowledge. There is a book called “Whatever Became of Sin?” which is a good question. Sin is serious. It is the only thing that separates people from God. Sin is so grave a matter in the mind of God that He clothed Himself in human flesh to take the punishment we deserve. By saying we are not sinners or that sin does not matter, or even that we can do good and make up for it, we mock the wisdom of God who determined His death was necessary for our forgiveness.
Edward had no argument about any of the Biblical facts. He bowed his head and humbly asked Jesus to forgive his sins and make him a child of God. Afterwards, he experienced no dramatic recovery or reversal of the aging process, yet there was a new sparkle in his eye and frequent expressions of gratefulness. When he died, he died at peace — with himself and with his God.
Uncle Edward sat on the edge of his hospital bed and with trembling voice said, “I would like to, but I don’t know how.”
He had just told me he had been thinking about spiritual things during his illness. We talked about God for a few minutes then I asked if he had made his peace with His Creator. He made this response: “I would like to, but I don’t know how.”
Edward had been raised by a Christian mother and had gone to church and Sunday school as a child. Now, as an old man, his words amazed me. I had assumed people with that kind of spiritual background would know how to get right with God, forgetting that I too heard the gospel as a child but when I grew up, I did not remember it. In fact, I didn’t think I there was any antagonism between me and God that required making peace with Him until He used events in my life to bring me to that understanding.
Edward was at that place also. For me, it was relationship failure; for him it was advancing age. He realized he didn’t have much life left. Besides that, he was sick and scared and finding peace with God became important. Looking back, I am sure I couldn’t have explained “how” to him had he not been interested.
That is one of the mysteries of the gospel. The apostle Paul said that spiritual truth is discernable and attractive to those who are spiritually minded. The man or woman who has no use for or no interest in knowing God will not discover how. Paul even said that the gospel is “foolishness to them that perish, but to those who are being saved, it is the power of God.”
The gospel is very simple: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried, and He rose from the dead on the third day, according to the Scriptures.” He offers forgiveness of sin and eternal life to all who come to Him admitting their need.
Most people resist this simple message and argue about the identity of Christ and the historical accuracy of the Bible. They say there is no God, or the Bible is wrong, or Jesus Christ did not exist, or the disciples were deceived, or Jesus was only a great teacher, or He didn’t really die, or He didn’t really rise from the dead. While it is impossible to “prove it” to a sceptic, humble people who can admit they are sinful and need supernatural forgiveness, will hear the gospel as good news and can understand and believe that Christ is the Son of God who died for them.
Perhaps the real issue is sin, something many people do not consider seriously enough or even acknowledge. There is a book called “Whatever Became of Sin?” which is a good question. Sin is serious. It is the only thing that separates people from God. Sin is so grave a matter in the mind of God that He clothed Himself in human flesh to take the punishment we deserve. By saying we are not sinners or that sin does not matter, or even that we can do good and make up for it, we mock the wisdom of God who determined His death was necessary for our forgiveness.
Edward had no argument about any of the Biblical facts. He bowed his head and humbly asked Jesus to forgive his sins and make him a child of God. Afterwards, he experienced no dramatic recovery or reversal of the aging process, yet there was a new sparkle in his eye and frequent expressions of gratefulness. When he died, he died at peace — with himself and with his God.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Issues in the light of Christ ................ Parables 156
CHILD ABUSE UNDER STUDY — MARRIAGE ON ITS WAY OUT — WOMEN DEMAND EQUALITY — POLITICIANS EXPOSED — MURDERS INCREASE — PORNOGRAPHY GAINING — RELIGIOUS ZEALOTS IMPRISONED — FRACTURED FAMILIES SEEK SUPPORT
Just by reading these headlines, can anyone know if these news stories happened here? Or in Europe? Or Australia? Did they happen this year? Last year? Twenty years ago? Or 1000 years ago?
Today we call equal rights, abortion, teen pregnancy, incest, poverty and union disputes “issues,” but they are hardly “current” affairs.
For example, in first century Ephesus workers responsible for silver statues of an idol named Diana united and staged a riot. Christian teaching was putting a crimp in their sales and they demanded government intervention.
From Cain and Abel to the latest stabbing in Edmonton, murder has always been an issue. From Noah’s day to right now, people think evil thoughts and do evil deeds. From Sodom and Gomorrah to today’s closets, homosexuality is still an issue. All that changes are names and places.
How does a Christian deal with issues? Jump on the bandwagon? Or hide in a hole and pray a lot? Jesus once said something about an issue and His remarks are food for thought and action.
The scene was a home in Bethany. Mary, a woman who had spent many hours learning at the feet of Jesus, broke a container of very expensive ointment and anointed Jesus feet, wiping them with her hair. Judas and the other disciples voiced their indignation. They thought the ointment should have been sold and the money given to the poor. They sounded very pious. But Jesus said, “The poor will always be with you…”
Isn’t it true? In spite of rapid advances in many other areas, poverty hasn’t disappeared. And because the lineups for handouts never end, maybe can we just look the other way? Read on...
Jesus added, “...and you should do good for them when you have the opportunity...”
We can’t look the other way. The identifying characteristic of a Christian is a heart for the helpless — and Jesus set the standard with His own life. He reached out hands of compassion to every person in need, and was concerned with every issue.
But, Jesus wasn’t finished. He said, “The poor will always be with you, and you should do good for them when you have the opportunity, but I will not always be with you...” (Mark 14:6-8)
He went on to explain that Mary was anointing His body for burial. Just weeks before the cross, only one woman understood that Jesus came to die — for her sin and for the sin of the whole world. Of all who followed Him, Mary recognized the true priority. She realized Jesus would soon be unavailable and she put Him first.
Yes, the needy are to be helped. Yes, the downtrodden are to be picked up. Yes, injustice is to be made right. Yes, the issues do need to be addressed. But, Jesus is the main issue. Before any issue is this issue; Jesus said, “I will not always be with you...”
What will we do about Jesus Christ? Do we realize the significance of His death? Do we realize that, unlike all those issues, our lives will not be forever here? Do we understand that our lives will not be forever spent with God either — unless we settle that one issue?
Mary’s priority was Jesus. Maybe she would someday give her wealth to needy people. Maybe she would attach herself to a group that speaks out against all sorts of injustice. But the priority, the root of all the issues, is the need of the human heart to be reconciled to God. He offers forgiveness for sin, peace, freedom from guilt, and the power of the Holy Spirit to begin a new fife. We need His life and His power before we can make real changes in the issues always around us.
One final thought: If putting Jesus first became every person’s priority, on a worldwide scale, if commitment and obedience to Him was the main issue in every life, what would happen to all those other issues?
Just by reading these headlines, can anyone know if these news stories happened here? Or in Europe? Or Australia? Did they happen this year? Last year? Twenty years ago? Or 1000 years ago?
Today we call equal rights, abortion, teen pregnancy, incest, poverty and union disputes “issues,” but they are hardly “current” affairs.
For example, in first century Ephesus workers responsible for silver statues of an idol named Diana united and staged a riot. Christian teaching was putting a crimp in their sales and they demanded government intervention.
From Cain and Abel to the latest stabbing in Edmonton, murder has always been an issue. From Noah’s day to right now, people think evil thoughts and do evil deeds. From Sodom and Gomorrah to today’s closets, homosexuality is still an issue. All that changes are names and places.
How does a Christian deal with issues? Jump on the bandwagon? Or hide in a hole and pray a lot? Jesus once said something about an issue and His remarks are food for thought and action.
The scene was a home in Bethany. Mary, a woman who had spent many hours learning at the feet of Jesus, broke a container of very expensive ointment and anointed Jesus feet, wiping them with her hair. Judas and the other disciples voiced their indignation. They thought the ointment should have been sold and the money given to the poor. They sounded very pious. But Jesus said, “The poor will always be with you…”
Isn’t it true? In spite of rapid advances in many other areas, poverty hasn’t disappeared. And because the lineups for handouts never end, maybe can we just look the other way? Read on...
Jesus added, “...and you should do good for them when you have the opportunity...”
We can’t look the other way. The identifying characteristic of a Christian is a heart for the helpless — and Jesus set the standard with His own life. He reached out hands of compassion to every person in need, and was concerned with every issue.
But, Jesus wasn’t finished. He said, “The poor will always be with you, and you should do good for them when you have the opportunity, but I will not always be with you...” (Mark 14:6-8)
He went on to explain that Mary was anointing His body for burial. Just weeks before the cross, only one woman understood that Jesus came to die — for her sin and for the sin of the whole world. Of all who followed Him, Mary recognized the true priority. She realized Jesus would soon be unavailable and she put Him first.
Yes, the needy are to be helped. Yes, the downtrodden are to be picked up. Yes, injustice is to be made right. Yes, the issues do need to be addressed. But, Jesus is the main issue. Before any issue is this issue; Jesus said, “I will not always be with you...”
What will we do about Jesus Christ? Do we realize the significance of His death? Do we realize that, unlike all those issues, our lives will not be forever here? Do we understand that our lives will not be forever spent with God either — unless we settle that one issue?
Mary’s priority was Jesus. Maybe she would someday give her wealth to needy people. Maybe she would attach herself to a group that speaks out against all sorts of injustice. But the priority, the root of all the issues, is the need of the human heart to be reconciled to God. He offers forgiveness for sin, peace, freedom from guilt, and the power of the Holy Spirit to begin a new fife. We need His life and His power before we can make real changes in the issues always around us.
One final thought: If putting Jesus first became every person’s priority, on a worldwide scale, if commitment and obedience to Him was the main issue in every life, what would happen to all those other issues?
Friday, May 30, 2014
God's country? .......................... Parables 124
Is Alberta really “God’s country?” After driving through parts of Saskatchewan, I can understand why some farmers might think so, at least this year. Saskatchewan crops are either too short to combine or have already been turned under. Dugouts and sloughs are dry. Dust storms are common. But here, at least from Edmonton to Lloydminster, the grain fields look good.
There is a negative side to abundant rain. Washouts and flooding have ruined farm land and took their mucky toll on homes and other buildings. My husband probably isn’t the only one who couldn’t work several days this month because it rained too much.
Before the rains came, we prayed for rain and it came. Others did the same and it didn’t come. Some are praying for it to stop. While many people never think of God’s sovereignty in the weather, others are angry with His decisions. A thoughtful few may wonder how He decides where to send the rain and when to withhold it.
The Bible says that God sends rain on “both the just and the unjust.” In other words, He does not single out those who are anti-God and hit them with adverse weather. We all have adverse circumstances. Good weather, and answers to pleas for good weather, do not necessarily mean that God is smiling on us. Neither do disastrous climatic conditions indicate His wrath, although they could.
One thing that weather does do is bring out a response. And it is the responses that tell the tale. The “unjust,” those who live in sin and unbelief, do not generally see God sovereignly reigning or raining. They think weather is just weather and all of life is chance. Sometimes, when things don’t go the desired way, the unjust will blame “God,” getting satisfaction from venting their frustration, and justifying it by making the problem the fault of a God they don’t normally pay any attention to.
As for the “just,” without the mercies of God, there wouldn’t be any. Ecclesiastes 7:20 says that there is not a just person on earth. Romans 3 echos with “There is none that is righteous, no, not one!”
So how then can it “rain on the just?” Because the position of being considered “just” in the eyes of God is an imputed thing, something God gives without anyone earning or deserving it. This action of God is called “justification.” It occurs when God takes our sin from us and puts it on Christ. Then He takes the righteousness of Christ and puts it on us, declaring us just.
Not everyone experiences this. Romans 4 says, “Blessed is the man who is without sin, blessed is the man to whom God has imputed righteousness.”
What does this have to do with rain? Well, it is to these who have been justified through faith that God promises to take care of. He will provide all their needs: food to eat, clothes to wear, and faith to respond to whatever the weather with trust in their loving heavenly Father.
The best kind of rain is the reign of God in the human heart. Then, whether we experience floods or drought, we will not shake our fists in the air but give thinks, knowing that he is in control and that he will take care of all our needs.
There is a negative side to abundant rain. Washouts and flooding have ruined farm land and took their mucky toll on homes and other buildings. My husband probably isn’t the only one who couldn’t work several days this month because it rained too much.
Before the rains came, we prayed for rain and it came. Others did the same and it didn’t come. Some are praying for it to stop. While many people never think of God’s sovereignty in the weather, others are angry with His decisions. A thoughtful few may wonder how He decides where to send the rain and when to withhold it.
The Bible says that God sends rain on “both the just and the unjust.” In other words, He does not single out those who are anti-God and hit them with adverse weather. We all have adverse circumstances. Good weather, and answers to pleas for good weather, do not necessarily mean that God is smiling on us. Neither do disastrous climatic conditions indicate His wrath, although they could.
One thing that weather does do is bring out a response. And it is the responses that tell the tale. The “unjust,” those who live in sin and unbelief, do not generally see God sovereignly reigning or raining. They think weather is just weather and all of life is chance. Sometimes, when things don’t go the desired way, the unjust will blame “God,” getting satisfaction from venting their frustration, and justifying it by making the problem the fault of a God they don’t normally pay any attention to.
As for the “just,” without the mercies of God, there wouldn’t be any. Ecclesiastes 7:20 says that there is not a just person on earth. Romans 3 echos with “There is none that is righteous, no, not one!”
So how then can it “rain on the just?” Because the position of being considered “just” in the eyes of God is an imputed thing, something God gives without anyone earning or deserving it. This action of God is called “justification.” It occurs when God takes our sin from us and puts it on Christ. Then He takes the righteousness of Christ and puts it on us, declaring us just.
Not everyone experiences this. Romans 4 says, “Blessed is the man who is without sin, blessed is the man to whom God has imputed righteousness.”
What does this have to do with rain? Well, it is to these who have been justified through faith that God promises to take care of. He will provide all their needs: food to eat, clothes to wear, and faith to respond to whatever the weather with trust in their loving heavenly Father.
The best kind of rain is the reign of God in the human heart. Then, whether we experience floods or drought, we will not shake our fists in the air but give thinks, knowing that he is in control and that he will take care of all our needs.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Select your ending ......................... Parables 123
As the bus jolts along the narrow street, the strap overhead digs into my hand. The shifty-eyed man in front of me reaches into his pocket pulling out a handkerchief. His wallet comes with it. It looks just like the one my dad reported missing. For a moment I wonder what to do. Then I:
a] pull his sleeve, telling him he dropped something (go to page 10)
b] kick the wallet under the seat, hoping no one notices (go to page 14)
c] turn the other way and forget my suspicions (go to page 20)
A line of children’s books have fiction stories with several pivotal points or places of decision. Depending on the choices the reader makes, the story continues with variations on the plot and final outcome. The author involves the child in the story by giving him decisions to make yet still has control over what happens, regardless of the reader’s choices.
The outcome of our history (nonfiction!) also corresponds with the choices made, with the Author of life writing the alternate endings. Using a little imagination with just one of His true stores . . .
The original scene goes something like this: Jesus returns to home base after ministry across the lake. The crowds gather. He preaches. Four men bring a paralyzed friend. The crowds are so think they can’t enter the house. They go up to the roof and create an opening. They lower their friend down into the room, right in front of Jesus. He looks at him saying, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The religious skeptics in the crowd begin to think: This is blasphemy. No one can forgive sins but God. Jesus, proving His deity, reads their minds. He says, “Which is easier, to forgive his sins or to heal him?” At that, He turns to the man still lying on his mat, and says, “Rise up and walk.” The man gets up, rolls up his mat, and walks out. The people are astonished. They have never seen anything like this. God is glorified by their praise. (Mark 2:1-12, the scene closes)
Some alternate choices, and their endings . . .
A: Jesus returns to home base after ministry across the lake . . . (continues the same as original scene up until . . . ) Jesus turns to the man still lying on his mat, and says, “Rise up and walk.”
The man looks at Him and says, “I don’t believe you are anyone important.” He dangles his impotent legs, sighs, and lays back on the mat, demanding someone carry him out of the house and back home where he can get some sleep.
“If you refuse to believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24) (scene closes)
B: Jesus returns to home base after ministry across the lake . . . (continues the same as original scene up until . . . ) Jesus turns to the man still lying on his mat, and says, “Your sins are forgiven . . . ”
The man looks up at Him and says, “That is ridiculous. I’m not a sinner. I have nothing to forgive8.” He lies back on his mat and asks his friends to take him out, angry at them for bringing him in the first place.
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us . . . I (Jesus) am . . . the truth, no one comes to the Father but by me.” (1 John 1:8 and John 14:6) (scene closes)
C: Jesus returns to home base after ministry across the lake. The crowds gather. He preaches. Four men bring a paralyzed friend. The crowds are so thick they can’t enter the house. The four are tired. They decide it is not worth the time and effort. They drop the man’s mat on the ground, him with it, and go to the beach for the day.
“And how can they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14) (scene closes)
a] pull his sleeve, telling him he dropped something (go to page 10)
b] kick the wallet under the seat, hoping no one notices (go to page 14)
c] turn the other way and forget my suspicions (go to page 20)
A line of children’s books have fiction stories with several pivotal points or places of decision. Depending on the choices the reader makes, the story continues with variations on the plot and final outcome. The author involves the child in the story by giving him decisions to make yet still has control over what happens, regardless of the reader’s choices.
The outcome of our history (nonfiction!) also corresponds with the choices made, with the Author of life writing the alternate endings. Using a little imagination with just one of His true stores . . .
The original scene goes something like this: Jesus returns to home base after ministry across the lake. The crowds gather. He preaches. Four men bring a paralyzed friend. The crowds are so think they can’t enter the house. They go up to the roof and create an opening. They lower their friend down into the room, right in front of Jesus. He looks at him saying, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The religious skeptics in the crowd begin to think: This is blasphemy. No one can forgive sins but God. Jesus, proving His deity, reads their minds. He says, “Which is easier, to forgive his sins or to heal him?” At that, He turns to the man still lying on his mat, and says, “Rise up and walk.” The man gets up, rolls up his mat, and walks out. The people are astonished. They have never seen anything like this. God is glorified by their praise. (Mark 2:1-12, the scene closes)
Some alternate choices, and their endings . . .
A: Jesus returns to home base after ministry across the lake . . . (continues the same as original scene up until . . . ) Jesus turns to the man still lying on his mat, and says, “Rise up and walk.”
The man looks at Him and says, “I don’t believe you are anyone important.” He dangles his impotent legs, sighs, and lays back on the mat, demanding someone carry him out of the house and back home where he can get some sleep.
“If you refuse to believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24) (scene closes)
B: Jesus returns to home base after ministry across the lake . . . (continues the same as original scene up until . . . ) Jesus turns to the man still lying on his mat, and says, “Your sins are forgiven . . . ”
The man looks up at Him and says, “That is ridiculous. I’m not a sinner. I have nothing to forgive8.” He lies back on his mat and asks his friends to take him out, angry at them for bringing him in the first place.
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us . . . I (Jesus) am . . . the truth, no one comes to the Father but by me.” (1 John 1:8 and John 14:6) (scene closes)
C: Jesus returns to home base after ministry across the lake. The crowds gather. He preaches. Four men bring a paralyzed friend. The crowds are so thick they can’t enter the house. The four are tired. They decide it is not worth the time and effort. They drop the man’s mat on the ground, him with it, and go to the beach for the day.
“And how can they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14) (scene closes)
Monday, January 20, 2014
Cycling attitudes ..............................Parables 069
Later this month my clan will gather for a family reunion. Four generations and a variety of beliefs and attitudes will be represented.
Of those four generations, a few know Jesus Christ personally, a few are interested, a few couldn’t care less, and a few become hostile if His name comes up in any other context than cursing.
These four attitudes illustrate an observation someone has made... that attitudes toward truth (Jesus said “I am the truth...” John 14:6) go through a cycle: one generation seeks and finds truth, another one will defend it, the third becomes apathetic about it, and the fourth rejects it. The fifth generation feels the void, and the cycle begins to repeat itself.
Certainly this is a general observation and these are overlapping cycles with exceptions in our culture, yet I wonder... where are we - as a nation, and as individuals? Is our society made up of truth-seekers? Are there masses of people seeking the One who claimed to be truth? Or are most people content, just seeking to maintain the status quo?
Or is our population dominated by truth-defenders? Are people who know Jesus Christ in the majority? Are they actively defending the truth that He embodies? Do they proclaim that He is God in human flesh who died for their sin, was buried, and rose again? Or do those who hold the truth run for cover when it is attacked?
Or, are most people in the third generation of the cycle; not caring, ho-hum, falling beyond mere failure to defend the truth into apathetic disinterest? Do most people bypass what is right and what is real and instead make decisions governed by whatever feels good? If lies are recognized, are they evaluated as such? or accepted on the strength of their seeming immediate returns? Or has the standard for truth been lost altogether?
Maybe our society’s norm has become utter rejection of truth. Do most people get uptight and defensive when the topic of truth is raised? Do most people call evil, lies included, good - and good, truth included, evil? Do they attack the person and work of Jesus Christ? Do people prefer their lies and their empty lives rather than face the bright light of who He is?
In Matthew 12:34, Jesus spoke of a generation of vipers that pretended to know the truth but were filled with evil, lies and corruption. They hated truth and crucified Him rather than face what He said about them. Certainly this attitude continues to rule the life of many people today.
But attitudes toward truth do not have to go from bad to worse. Psalm 78 encourages those who know truth to hang on to it and to “make it known to their children: that the generation to come might know ... and arise and declare (this truth) to their children: that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments: and might not be as their fathers, (who were) a stubborn and rebellious generation..”
Psalm 24:6 gives added hope for those who have not had prior encouragement from the generation before them. It says, “... there is a generation that seeks Him...” and makes a promise that those who do will “...receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of their salvation.”
Perhaps the cycle is merely the merry-go-round that a lot of people would like to get off but do not know how. Jesus said “If you know the truth, the truth shall set you free.” The answer is found in Him.
Of those four generations, a few know Jesus Christ personally, a few are interested, a few couldn’t care less, and a few become hostile if His name comes up in any other context than cursing.
These four attitudes illustrate an observation someone has made... that attitudes toward truth (Jesus said “I am the truth...” John 14:6) go through a cycle: one generation seeks and finds truth, another one will defend it, the third becomes apathetic about it, and the fourth rejects it. The fifth generation feels the void, and the cycle begins to repeat itself.
Certainly this is a general observation and these are overlapping cycles with exceptions in our culture, yet I wonder... where are we - as a nation, and as individuals? Is our society made up of truth-seekers? Are there masses of people seeking the One who claimed to be truth? Or are most people content, just seeking to maintain the status quo?
Or is our population dominated by truth-defenders? Are people who know Jesus Christ in the majority? Are they actively defending the truth that He embodies? Do they proclaim that He is God in human flesh who died for their sin, was buried, and rose again? Or do those who hold the truth run for cover when it is attacked?
Or, are most people in the third generation of the cycle; not caring, ho-hum, falling beyond mere failure to defend the truth into apathetic disinterest? Do most people bypass what is right and what is real and instead make decisions governed by whatever feels good? If lies are recognized, are they evaluated as such? or accepted on the strength of their seeming immediate returns? Or has the standard for truth been lost altogether?
Maybe our society’s norm has become utter rejection of truth. Do most people get uptight and defensive when the topic of truth is raised? Do most people call evil, lies included, good - and good, truth included, evil? Do they attack the person and work of Jesus Christ? Do people prefer their lies and their empty lives rather than face the bright light of who He is?
In Matthew 12:34, Jesus spoke of a generation of vipers that pretended to know the truth but were filled with evil, lies and corruption. They hated truth and crucified Him rather than face what He said about them. Certainly this attitude continues to rule the life of many people today.
But attitudes toward truth do not have to go from bad to worse. Psalm 78 encourages those who know truth to hang on to it and to “make it known to their children: that the generation to come might know ... and arise and declare (this truth) to their children: that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments: and might not be as their fathers, (who were) a stubborn and rebellious generation..”
Psalm 24:6 gives added hope for those who have not had prior encouragement from the generation before them. It says, “... there is a generation that seeks Him...” and makes a promise that those who do will “...receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of their salvation.”
Perhaps the cycle is merely the merry-go-round that a lot of people would like to get off but do not know how. Jesus said “If you know the truth, the truth shall set you free.” The answer is found in Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)