The Meaning of a Sacrifice

Today’s readings: 2 Samuel 23-24; John 6:41-71

I have a deep appreciation for the game of baseball.

When I say “deep”, I mean that I’m not just in it for the flashy home run hitters and high scoring innings — as fun as they may be to watch at times.  I also love sitting on the edge of my seat during a tense pitcher’s battle, taking note of the strikes, the fouls, the infield flies, the walks and the double plays.  When I’m into the game, I go into scorekeeper mode, and watch every pitch, every swing of the bat, every step off first base, and every dive under a fielder’s mitt.

I love this game.

I love the games where a hit-by-pitch, a stolen base, and a good third base coach can mean the difference between a win and a loss.  As boring as some fans find it, I love me some small ball.

And in those games where small ball rules the day, there’s nothing like seeing a solid hitter come to the plate with a man on first and nobody out, expecting him to swing for the fences and try to get a two-spot on the board… and instead seeing him drop into a crouch at the last second and lay down a perfect sacrifice bunt.

To the casual fan, there’s no glory in a sac bunt.  There’s no home run trot, no padded stats, no fireworks… Just another out in a game where the home team is already having a rough time racking up the hits, which may or may not bear any fruit.  There’s no personal glory, which is why it’s a sacrifice.

In 2 Samuel 24, King David had sinned in his determination to take a census of the people he ruled. The purpose was pride, unlike previous counts that God had commanded, and when it was done, David was overwhelmed with guilt.  God gave David a choice of what punishment would be given for his actions, and David chose the one that showed the most reliance on the mercy of God: a three-day plague, as opposed to a famine that would have Israel weakened before its neighbors, or months of war and persecution from his enemies.  The plague hit Israel hard, but David interceded for his people, and begged God to punish him and his family instead.

Then David was commanded to build an altar on that very ground, the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, in order to offer a sacrifice.  David asked to buy the land from Araunah, and Araunah — trying to be a good subject — offered it as a donation, in addition to the animals for the burnt offerings and the fuel.

Araunah was willing to give whatever was required of him to the cause, but King David refused to accept it as a gift.

 24-25 But the king said to Araunah, “No. I’ve got to buy it from you for a good price; I’m not going to offer God, my God, sacrifices that are no sacrifice.”

So David bought the threshing floor and the ox, paying out fifty shekels of silver. He built an altar to God there and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. God was moved by the prayers and that was the end of the disaster.  (2 Sam 24:24-25, MSG)

How many of us have ever been asked to fast, and been tempted to give up something that really didn’t matter to us?  Have you ever considered giving things that you didn’t want anymore to charity as “good enough”?  Isn’t all that really just a meaningless sacrifice, much like David refused to give?

But don’t we all sometimes hold back from giving what God asks of us, because we will be inconvenienced in our pocketbook, or our schedule… or just our freedom to do our own thing?

And speaking of the freedom to do our own thing:

22 But Samuel replied:
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
(1 Sam 15:22, NIV)

 

There’s a Miracle in the House!

Friday

Psalm 64-Psalm 70

John 6:1-21

Today I am reflecting on the John 6 passage.  I haven’t read the book, but I’ve only read the title, There’s a Miracle in Your House by Tommy Barnett.  Tommy Barnett is the founder of the Dream Center in Phoenix and Los Angeles that ministers to thousands of people who are homeless, bound by addictions, or coming out of prostitution.  I’m told that the premise of the book is the story of The founding of The Dream Center and how he spoke to his congregation about how the miracle was not outside of them, but it was right in their house.

     Jesus asked Philip where they were going to buy bread to feed five thousand people.  Philip tried to imagine where they could ever come up with the money to feed all those people and where they might get it.  Jesus already knew that the miracle was not on the outside, but right in their midst.  A little boy with five loaves and two small fish was all that would be needed.

      I’ve been reflecting on the Christ Community miracle.  In the last nineteen years we so God do so many amazing things and we witnessed a beautiful sanctuary built for the glory of God.  Where did the miracle come from?  The miracle was in the house.  I’ve watched as people gave their talents to the Lord and put them together what God could do.  I saw amateur musicians and actors come together to put on productions that Branson would be proud of because the miracle was in the house.  Our church was not built on millionaires giving or selling candy bars.  God raised up this church because the miracle was sitting right in the house.  Thanks to all the people of Christ Community who continue to give their bread and fish and God continues to multiply it.

     I’m writing this to encourage myself about the next venture in our lives.  Our family is going to a church in Knoxville where expectations are high.  I’ve honestly lost sleep wondering how God is going to grow the church in Knoxville.  Where are the resources?  There are fifty people waiting for us to come and I’m keenly aware I have no bag of tricks to bring.  This morning I want to say to Bethesda Christian Fellowship that the miracle is in the house.  I had the opportunity to have a conversation a little over a year ago with the pastor of James River Assembly of God church in Springfield Missouri.  It is one of those huge churches with upwards to ten thousand members that sees scores of people get saved weekly and their ministries are broad reaching.  The pastor told me that when he came there were fifty people.  He said but they were not just any fifty people.  These folks were ready to do whatever it took to see God do something amazing in their city.

     These were the kind of people who I met at Christ Community Church nineteen years ago and these are the kind of people who I’ve already met at Bethesda.  Jesus is in our midst and he takes what little we have and multiplies and feeds the multitude with leftovers for those outside our walls that still need to be fed.  Christ Community Church as we begin this next phase our journey of finding a pastor to lead us and we may be wondering what the future holds, remember that the miracle is in the house.  Bethesda Christian fellowship as we wonder together about the future, remember that miracle is in the house.  For all of you readers in other places who may be wondering about your present circumstances, Jesus already knows what He is going to do.  The miracle is in YOUR house!

Never Too Old!

Today’s reading:  II Samuel 19-20; John 5:25-47

Today’s reading in II Samuel is full of petty jealousy and strife.  It tells the familiar story of man’s rebellion against God’s leadership.  It tells the tale of the people following the words of a trouble maker and deserting their king – only the tribe of Judah remained loyal along with David’s mighty men (the 400 from the Cave of Adullah).  Joab, the king’s first in command has been sent with the remaining army to hunt down and destroy the rebellion led by Sheba.

This photo shows what is believed to be the current site of Abel Beth Maacah.

The most remarkable part of this story, in my opinion, occurs at the end of chapter 20 when Joab and his army track down Sheba in the twin cities of Abel and Beth Maachah north of the Sea of Galilee.  They proceed to build a ramp and attack the city gates with the intent of entering the city and killing all of the inhabitants for sheltering Sheba.  The city was doomed!

Then a woman cries out from inside the city “Hear, Hear! Send Joab that I may speak with him.” Now, I assume that there were city elders, men of importance therein, but an elderly woman has to assume leadership in their time of crisis.  She gets right to the heart of the matter with Joab: “I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel.  You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel.  Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?”  Was she brave or just crazy?  With some further research I learned that the city of Abel was known in the region as a place where you could go and get wise counsel.  A “mother” in Israel is a way of stating that this city was one of influence and respect.

This woman, whose name we don’t even know, withstands and negotiates with David’s foremost general and convinces him of his error in thinking, determines the solution to the problem, convinces her fellow inhabitants of the proper course of action, accomplishes what Joab hadn’t been able to do, and ultimately saves her entire city from death and destruction.

The trumpet is blown after the head of Sheba sails over the city wall and Joab’s army returns to their tents and withdraw back to Jerusalem.  The rebellion is over!  Thanks to a nameless older woman!

I have been thinking lately about the stage of life that I am quickly and irreversibly entering and wondering how effective I will be in accomplishing anything for God.  Then I read this story which is contained in just a few verses of II Samuel and as it so often occurs, a portion of scripture that I have read many times is illuminated to my mind and I am encouraged, and lifted above my circumstances and my fears.  Always before I have concentrated on the actions of Sheba and Joab and never paid much attention to this woman and her actions.

Thank you, God, for showing me through the actions of one nameless woman that people in the winter of their lives can accomplish great things for God and His Kingdom and their fellow inhabitants.

Thank you, God, for showing me again the importance of being part of the solution to the crisis of life instead of being faint of heart or part of the problem itself.  Stand up and be a voice of reason, speaking according to God’s heart, and let His will and plan be the order of the day.

Enduring Criticism

Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 16-18 John 5:1-24

An older couple was on a cross country trip and they stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch. As they got up to leave, the woman forgot her glasses on the table. They were several miles down the road before she realized she didn’t have them and to make matters worse, her husband had to travel quite a distance down the road before they could find a place to turn around. The old man fussed and complained all the way back to the restaurant. He berated her for her foolishness and stupidity. How could she be so thoughtless! When they finally arrived, as the old woman got out of the car to retrieve her glasses the old man said, “Well, as long as you’re going back in there, you may as well get my hat, too.”

Flattery may be deceiving and criticism is always easier to find than it is to take.
There is no doubt that David was very troubled in his heart when he temporarily abandoned his throne and fled Jerusalem to escape the rebellion being lead by his son. He had not traveled far until he met Ziba the caretaker of Mephibosheth’s estate. Yes, the same Mephibosheth that sat at David’s table. Ziba had brought donkeys for transportation and provisions for the journey. He also brought news that Mephibosheth had gone to take advantage of the political turmoil and try to assert himself as king. While we are still struggling beneath the weight of bad news we seem to accept more bad news without question. David was no different, he accepted Ziba’s claim without question and immediately gave him ownership of all that was Mephibosheth’s, an action that David would later amend. It would seem that while David was down Ziba had found an opportunity to ‘cash in’ on the situation.

Next David and his band encountered Shimei who cursed and berated David, pelted him with stones and threw dirt towards the king as an insult. Shimei had found his moment now that David was down he would avenge his family of all that had happened to his relative Saul. David did not silence Shimei but rather said, “It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.”

Listening to criticism is not often pleasant. Moments of facing guilt, moments of contrition, moments when we mortify our self-esteem, moments when we must bear the weight of being displeasing to ourselves are essential to our growth. David knew fully all of the areas in which he had failed. He also knew of the grace of a merciful God, an ever present help in time of need. Today be mindful of that grace that was manifest for us even while we were yet in our sin. David does not stand as an shining example of perfection but rather as an example of forgiveness.

My Shield

Today’s reading is Samuel 15, Psalm 3, Psalm 69, and John 4:27-54.

I took a look at Psalm 3 and there was something simple and neat for me here.

I like that the writer seems to be in distress. He’s telling the situation like it is and life isn’t rosy. We all have times when we can relate to this type of mindset. Misery loves company (or should it be company loves misery). I hate having a life situation where I feel like the world is out to get me and even more so that I have the feeling that everyone thinks I deserve my horrible situation.

What I simply admire of the author is that he sleeps and gets up in the morning. When everything has really hit the fan, it’s hard to sleep. Anxiety and stress keep you awake thinking way into the late hours until morning. Not this guy. He knows that God is going to sustain him. What is sustain you ask? Well… I asked anyways. According to dictionary.com, “sustain” means to support, hold, or bear up from below. The author is in complete belief that God is holding him up. He can make himself vulnerable enough to go to sleep because he knows that when he gets out of bed in the morning that God will still be supporting him as He does every minute of our lives.

I find that somewhat encouraging but also challenging. I’m not there yet. I can’t stare a torch and pitchfork crowd in the face and declare that they won’t keep me up at night.

What are your thoughts? How do you allow God’s sustaining character to be your strength? Do you know when you have arrived at that point?

ITTAI THE GITTITE

READINGS: II Samuel 15; Psalm 3:69; John 4: 27-.54

If you were sitting across the table from me, I would ask you to tell me what you think when I mention the apostle John? You might say: disciple of Jesus or a writer of one of the gospels or the disciple whom Jesus loved.

What about David might you remember? He was a famous king or he was the shepherd boy who killed Goliath.

Does Absalom conjure up any thoughts? Perhaps it would be his rebellion against his father, David.

Does Ittai ring a bell with you? He is an easy one to pass over as we read through II Samuel.

Ittai was a Gittite. Ittai and six hundred of his countrymen had joined the somber departure of David from Jerusalem. David had been warned that Absalom, his son, had won the hearts of the nation and was bent on killing his father so that he could usurp the throne.

The back story which sheds light on this story is that Absalom had been banished from Jerusalem by his father. His offence was that he had committed a murder. After three years of not seeing his son, he sent for Absalom and brought him back to Jerusalem. The emotional wound between father and son, however, was not healed. He became obsessed with stealing the kingdom from David. Absalom set out to win over the nation to himself. To accomplish this he got up early each morning and positioned himself at the city gate. As travelers entered the city he won their favor, by saying, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that he gets justice.” II Samuel 15:4

It took four years, but in the process he did win the hearts of the people. The tactics of Satan have been consistent throughout history. The lust for power always takes a similar path. “If only I was in charge…”

When a messenger came and told David that the hearts of Israel were with Absalom, David and his company left in haste. As the king reviewed his followers, he noticed the Gittite,  Ittai. The king said, “Why should you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. You came only yesterday, and today shall I make you wander about with us, when I do not know where I am going? Go back and take your countrymen. May kindness and faithfulness be with you. ” II Samuel 15: 19, 20

However, nothing would dissuade Ittai from following King David. He responded with these words. “Surely as the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.” II Kings 15:21

The stories of Absalom and Ittai provide a clear picture of the best and the worst in all of us. Absalom, son of the king, rightful heir to the throne, possessing strength and good looks, chose to obsess on power. Even at the cost of assassinating his father, he would force his way to the throne. “If I was in charge, things would be different.” Absalom was not going to settle for less than control of the Kingdom of Israel.

What did Absalom’s aspirations gain him? He was cut down in battle. He was found hanging by his hair in an oak tree.  He died alone.

Ittai, on the other hand, possessed no particular advantage. He wasn’t even an Israelite. He was a Phillistine. He knowingly aligned himself with David, even at the potential cost of his life. The issue of control never entered his mind. His desire was to be close to the king. Submission was more desirable than power.

And Ittai?   He remained loyal to David and soon was promoted as a general and placed over one third of David’s army.

So, are we like Absolom or Ittai?  Grasping and losing or serving and being promoted as the King chooses?

I am reminded of Christ as He is described in Philippians 2.  I’m quoting it here from the Message:

 ^1-4If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. ^5-8Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

^9-11Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

 

Unfailing Love

Today’s Readings:  Psalm 32-51; John 3:16-36

Today we celebrate Mother’s Day — honoring the women, both natural and spiritual mothers, who have poured into our lives from before each of us drew our first breath.

The true heart of a mother is a nurturing, constant love: through thick and thin, through the terrible twos and teenage rebellion, through triumph and tragedy, a mother supports, encourages, rejoices, prays, guides, and even now and then gives a spanking.  No matter how old he is, no matter how self-sufficient she becomes, a mother’s love will not let her child go.

Mothers, whether those who raise a child naturally or those who train a son or daughter spiritually, are a model of God’s unfailing love for us.

9 Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love.
10 Like your name, O God,
your praise reaches to the ends of the earth;
your right hand is filled with righteousness.
11 Mount Zion rejoices,
the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments.

(Psalm 48:9-11 NIV)

As we meet together in our respective places of worship today, we recognize and meditate on the love of our mothers… and the unfailing love of the God we worship.

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

(John 3:16-17 NIV)

That love will see each of us through thick and thin, through our childish tantrums and our self-centered rebellions, through every triumph and tragedy life throws at us… God’s love will truly never let us go.

This song was running through my head while finishing this post… it’s one I remember from my teenage years, and many of you may never have heard it.  It’s worth a listen.

He Still Turns Water Into Wine

Friday

2 Samuel 8-9

Psalm 60

John 2

     I was very glad to see that John chapter 2 was assigned to me.  It is one of my favorite Jesus stories.  I recently traveled to Cana and visited a church supposedly build over the sight where this first  miracle of Jesus took place.  As you might imagine, it is a very popular wedding church.  And of course, the vendors outside are still selling wine that comes from Cana.  The gospel of John is sometimes called the Book of Signs because there are seven signs in the gospel that all point to something greater.  This is the first sign story in John.  Because it is a sign we need to realize that there is more going on that a wedding reception gone bad.  We are given a hint of the significance of the event by the opening words of John 2, “on the third day”.  This detail adds nothing to the story.  The significance of the third day is that in symbolic Biblical numerology, the third day is always a day of God’s fulfillment.  This story actually foretells the third day resurrection.

    If you can imagine with me, this is not just a wedding that’s lost its steam.  It symbolizes anything that seems to have lost its joy (wine).  It could be a job that has become tedious or a marriage that has grown stale or a church that has lost its vitality.

     Mary gives one of the best pieces of advice in history.  “Whatever he tells you to do, do it.”  I have been taking that advice throughout my walk with the Lord and it has caused me to do some things that were sometimes painful, but always for my good.  I’m not one who talks freely about the Lord talking to me, but throughout the years there have been a few whispers that have directed my life.  Here are a few of whispers that have revolutionized my life.  “Go to Wheaton College.”  That decision equipped me for future ministry.  “Marry that woman” This whisper about Melanie linked me with the woman who would be my partner in ministry and mother our children with excellence.  “Leave your denomination.”  This whisper was the most painful, but it placed me into my calling as a bridge builder in the body of Christ.  “Go to Murphysboro.”  This whisper made no sense in the pattern of our lives up until then, but we ended up seeing miracles, signs, and wonders, that continue to this day and brought us immense joy.  “Keep the school open”.  When we came to Murphysboro, it was recommended that we close the school because it was very small and a drain on our budget.  Keeping it open led to the salvation of many souls and a top flight education being given to scores of young people including my own grateful children.  “Go out onto the highway and find some property with a roll to it.”  That decision led to the building of one of the most beautiful houses of worship that I know of.  Recently I received another whisper,  “Go to Knoxville.”  Once again, this doesn’t make sense from a human perspective, but I am going with the confidence that every whisper of Jesus has led to water being changed to wine.

   My encouragement to you this day is that if your life has grown stale, Jesus is in the room.  Whatever he tells you to do, do it and the rut you are in can be broken.  Your best days can still be ahead of you.   Jesus saves the best wine til last.

“A Lamb, Not a Lion!”

Today’s reading:  II Samuel 6-7, Psalm 30, John 1:29-51

With our reading today in John, I was struck once again by verse 29 of John 1.  Israel was under the thumb of Roman occupation and they were praying for deliverance.  They wanted and envisioned a military type leader who would build and lead an army to overthrow the Roman garrison in Jerusalem as a start of the all out rebellion.

But instead, “Behold, The Lamb of God” enters the scene.  He came as a lamb, not a lion!  What could God be thinking?  Surely the subjection of His people was uppermost in God’s mind, right?

But it seems that God was more concerned with the condition of man’s heart and soul.  God was more concerned with the eternal instead of the temporal earthly circumstances.

He sent a lamb to take away sin.  If you know the Old Testament sacrificial system,you get a clear picture of what Jesus’ earthly mission would consist of – it would involve sacrificial blood!  The lamb became the bearer of sin transferred to it so that its blood could wipe the sin slate clean for the human worshiper.

Yes, it is a bloody religious system because only the blood of a perfect (sinless) one – bearing the very blood of God could settle the sin question for mankind.  Isaiah 53:7b “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before its shearers is silent”.  Jesus understood that His mission and work was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s Suffering Servant.  He would be exalted, disfigured by suffering, make a blood atonement, be rejected, bear our sins and sorrows, be our substitute, voluntarily accept our guilt and punishment, be buried in a rich man’s tomb, save us who believe in Him, die on behalf of transgressors.

It was the greatest injustice of all time.  It was the greatest self sacrifice of all time, the giving of Himself to save all who believed in Him!

 

Perspective of the Beloved

Today’s reading:
2 Samuel 3-5
John 1:1-28

The first chapter of the book of John has always been one of my favorite text. The way that John opens his introduction of Jesus is almost poetic. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke were each written by dedicated disciples that truly loved Jesus. But John was the beloved. He was the one who reclined with his head on Jesus’s breast. His perspective reflects his close personal love for the Savior. While I am writing this I’m attending a technical conference and have just returned from having supper with a group of men all of which know my oldest son. Each one told me how much they respected him and how they enjoyed interacting with him on various projects. As a father it is profoundly rewarding to hear others compliment your child on their character and accomplishments. While they may know him as an engineer, I will always know him as my son. While they have a ‘head’ knowledge of my son, I have a ‘heart’ knowledge that runs much deeper. They are familiar with his technical abilities but I am the one who was there the night he was born, I am the one who took him fishing the first time, I’m the one who helped him get his first car, I was there the day he got married and I was there for the birth of his children. While his colleagues may think they know him – my heart tells me I know him better. As John pens this Gospel his love for Jesus and his intimate knowledge of our Lord is palpable.

John introduces Jesus as the Word (Logos in the Greek) because the Son of God was sent to communicate his Father’s love to a dark world. His existence at the beginning, coexistence with the Father and the fact that all things were created by him prove that He is God. He alone was fully qualified for the work of salvation. He who is infinite became an infant that he might dwell among us for a season. Although he took upon himself the nature of mankind, the veil of flesh could not contain the radiance of his grace and glory. Nothing better tells of the dark and desperate state of this world than the fact that when the light had come to dwell among us there needed to be a witness (John the Baptist) to call attention to it.

It is my prayer that as you read through John’s Gospel that you will see Jesus from John’s perspective. That you will take away knowledge rooted deeply in the heart and that you may feel the passion of the one who was called “the beloved.”