Acts 2:12-14
And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.
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Ten or so days after Jesus ascends into heaven is the day of Pentecost. This particular day is often touted as the birth of the New Testament church. Peter is given an amazing task, to basically preach the first church sermon. In it he proclaims several important things that all churches must teach:
All nations are a part of the church, (v.5)
Old Testament Scripture has been fulfilled, (v.16)
All classes of people are part of the church, (v.17-18)
Jesus was a man, (v.22)
God had an eternal, sovereign plan through his Son Jesus, (v.23)
The resurrection actually happened, (v.24)
The Old Testament prophesied about Jesus’ death and resurrection, (v.31)
The Holy Spirit has been poured out on the church, (v.33)
Jesus is man and God, (v.36)
The response to the gospel is repentance and receiving the Holy Spirit, (v.38)
Believers are to be baptized (v.41).
After this message and mass baptism, Luke records for us the life that follows those who have believed in the gospel (v.42-47).
What strikes me about this chapter today is the level of confusion and activity that this all takes place. Prior to Peter’s message, a few things happen that no one has ever seen before: the sound of a rushing wind takes place in a room, the Holy Spirit descends in great power, things that look something like fire rest above peoples heads, and these people start speaking in foreign languages, which are understood by many people there since many nations are present in this place at this time. As this is going on, some people are completely confused, trying to make sense of it all. Others are mocking the event, saying that the people are just drunk at 9 in the morning.
It’s not an easy situation to stand up in a crowd and make sense of it all for everyone, especially for a working class fisherman from Galilee. But Peter declares powerful truth and calls people to specific action in the midst of chaos and disorder. In fact, that’s what God loves to do, bring order into chaos, it’s what he did at creation.
When I think about giving a sermon or conducting a church service I have a set of preferences that need to be met in order for me to feel good about it all. I don’t know what I would do if I walked into a situation that was full of chaos and confusion at church on Sunday. For me, and I’m guessing for many others, we like for things to be in order and comfortable and nearly predictable. We don’t like surprises. The problem is, God is full of surprises.
I wonder if this is meant to speak into my dream I had early this morning. I was at church but hardly any of the volunteers or staff were there, and service was starting and I was on worship team; but none of the instruments could be heard and no one knew where the singers were and the congregation was confused and I was very frustrated. There was one strange looking man who was being a big distraction and carrying out his own agenda and leading people into more confusion; I told him to stop and allow us to move along with our service and he had a tantrum and broke stuff as he stormed off.
I guess the reality is, every Sunday (even every day) we walk into chaotic situations where nothing is as it should be, yet like Peter we are called to stand and speak order and life into these situations. We are called to commit ourselves to put our hope and trust in God and obediently allow him to work through us. We’re not called to get everything comfortable and predictable and safe and live a Goldilocks life where everything is “just right.” We are called and equipped by God to stand in the midst of chaos and put everything in order.
A Warm, Fuzzy Beginning?
Word!
Luke 24:25-27
And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
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These two disciples have just explained to Jesus all the things they saw and experienced before Jesus had been crucified and killed. And when they are finished, Jesus doesn’t say anything about all the things they had personally seen or heard. He rebukes them for being slow in their hearts to understand and accept all that the Old Testament says about the Messiah.
They couldn’t believe that the Messiah would be one to suffer such torture and then be killed, even after he had gained such notoriety, but Jesus goes through all the Scriptures even back to Moses to explain how all of that was written clearly throughout the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible. Jesus also told a story of a rich man and a poor man who both died - one went to torment, the other to Abraham. In this example Abraham tells the rich man in torment that the Word of God is enough to show people how to avoid damnation (Luke 16:29-31).
Even if we see signs and wonders, our faith is grounded in what is written. If we are slow to believe God's word, we won't understand the miraculous things we see. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). So often I find myself wanting to see more of God's miracles, and yet today I feel the sense that even if I never saw anything I hoped to see, his word is enough.
It really drives home reading God's word on a daily basis. If I am slow to read the word, I will be slow to believe all that the word says.
The Prize of Paradise
Luke 23:39-43
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
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I’ve always read this passage and focused in on how Jesus says, “Today you will be with me in Paradise,” but I’ve never really stopped to examine the repentant thief’s comment.
It says that the rulers hurled insults at Jesus, the soldiers mocked him, the people insulted him, one of the criminals railed at him. All these people are insulting Jesus and yet there’s one man who is also hanging on a cross, watching all of this happen to Jesus, and he’s thinking differently from the rest.
This man had done something that deserved crucifixion, and he admits to it. He’s a very interesting character. How he came to arrive at this place where he can accept his fate and not fall into bitterness, also hurling insults at Jesus and the world, is very admirable. His statement, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” is whirling through my mind.
He’s probably heard of Jesus through others, or maybe he heard him teaching firsthand. Or maybe he’s just read the sign above Jesus’ head on the cross. Either way, his statement here is both a plea and a statement of faith. He somehow believes that Jesus will inherit a kingdom, and he asks that he be remembered when this event happens.
What’s so awesome about this statement is this man probably had the same understanding of the coming of the kingdom of God that other Jews and believers had at the time - that the kingdom of God would come in a great military power and overthrow the Roman empire by force. Somehow, this criminal is hoping that Jesus will still accomplish this somehow, even though Jesus is hanging on a cross next to him! That’s a great faith.
What he doesn’t understand, is this faith will lead him into the kingdom of God that very day. And the kingdom is not what he expects. Jesus says that this man will be with him in “Paradise,” the same word used for the Garden of Eden. They’re not going to the Garden, but the implication is that the kingdom consists of a personal, intimate relationship with God that engages all human senses. It’s paradise in the fullest sense.
I remember that movie “The Beach.” A lot of people hated it but I really liked it at the time. When we try to imagine paradise, a lot of similar images pop into our minds: calm beaches, healthy trees, great scenery, a sense of solitude (not overly crowded), the company of those we love. Most people probably wouldn’t include “the presence of God in the flesh” in their definition of paradise.
I think there’s a part of us that realizes “paradise” has an earthly component; that paradise can be found on earth somewhere. But we typically fail to realize that the perfect paradise is empty without God as the ultimate prize of paradise. Eden was perfect not because of the scenery and innocence of man. It was perfect because there was a perfect relationship between man and God. Paradise is not perfect unless there is a perfect king who loves and cares for those who live there.
This is the goal and hope of all our lives. And it is only found through the king of paradise. But it’s not just a hope, it’s a job. We as Christians aren’t just trying to get to paradise and lead others to paradise; we’re also helping people see that a part of this paradise is already here among us, in our midst. That’s only possible because the Spirit of God, the king, is on earth. Paradise will be perfected one day, but until then, we can open eyes to see that some of it is already here.
The Humble Heart of a Nervous Priest
Ezra 8:21-23
[21] Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. [22] For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” [23] So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
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This is such an interesting passage, full of honesty. Ezra is a man skilled in the Law of God. In Persia, he’s considered a foremost expert. He has the favor of the king. And yet, because of the daunting task set before Ezra (to go and teach the people at the newly constructed Temple in Jerusalem) he has this conflict within him. He says that he was ashamed to ask the King for soldiers to accompany them on their way to Jerusalem, because he had specifically told the king that his God was so mighty that he will protect and guide them to safety. He tells the king that God will be their army as they travel, acting in powerful wrath against any enemies.
Now Ezra is out on the road, and I can just picture him wondering if that was something he shouldn’t have said; now he’s thinking, “It would be nice to have some soldiers, some special forces (like the ones with the scary masks in “300”; you know, ‘cause the Spartans fought the Persians. It’s a very historically accurate film) with us priests who have all this gold and silver out here on the dangerous open road.”
So he calls for fasting and prayer, begging God to be their protector. He prays that the things he told the king, perhaps on impulse or lack of experience, will be proven true. That the Lord will show himself faithful in this and indeed protect this convoy and their cargo on their way to Jerusalem.
There are times I’ve given sermons or prayed with people, and I’ve said that God would do some amazing things. Or I’ve cast some vision in a ministry and told everyone that the Lord would come through and provide all needs and see everything through to the end. And then I’ve gone home and gotten nervous. I’ve wondered whether I should have said those things. I’ve thought I’d made mistakes and for some reason, God wouldn’t do the things I’d said he would do.
And to be honest, sometimes he didn’t do the things I said he would do. But Ezra shows that despite our feelings or our faith, a humbled heart before God and earnestly seeking him is the key. Certainly, God is able to do all things. Paul says in Ephesians that he is able to do abundantly more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Whether I am confident or doubtful, I need to have the heart of Ezra and be humble before the Lord and earnestly and honestly seek his will and guidance.
It’s the humble that God gives grace to (Proverbs 3:34; quoted by James and Peter).
A Sudden Turn of Events
Esther 9:1
on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them.
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I’ve heard that Martin Luther criticized the book of Esther as a part of Scriptural canon, because it has no content of the gospel. But the more I read Esther, the more I see Messianic themes in it.
The story of deliverance in Esther, just as in most of the events where God miraculously saves his people, is eucatastrophe in full display.
Eucatastrophe is a term coined by J.R.R. Tolkien, combining the Greek word “eu” (good) with the word “catastrophe.” A catastrophic event than turns out for good; when it seems as if evil will triumph but a sudden turn of events sees the triumph of goodness.
In Esther, Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews in Susa (and throughout the Persian kingdom) seems as if it will be accomplished; all the pieces are in place. The only thing that the protagonists of the story are doing are fasting and praying. Then, Esther, winning the favor of the king, reverses the situation with just a few words at the right time. Everything that Haman wanted to plot against Mordecai and the Jews, comes down on himself in an ironic twist of events.
The rest of the Jews celebrate this holiday as Purim, a day they were saved from the hands of their enemies. But their salvation depended upon one woman, a humble servant in a foreign kingdom who alone had the authority to mediate between the people and the king. The same is true of Jesus, that all mankind required someone who could stand before God and mediate on our behalf, for our good. This mediator needed to be good and humble.
Before Esther holds the feasts, where she reveals Haman’s plots, she needs to stand before the king in his throne room. Similar to the high priest in the temple, who was one man that represented all the people who would mediate on their behalf to God, to atone for their sins. This priest stood in the very presence of God, in his throne room, before God’s Mercy Seat on the Ark of the Covenant.
What I take from Esther’s example today is the state of her heart as she intercedes for her people. It’s a heart of willingness, obedience, humility, and courage. So often, I go through my days as if serving others for Christ is a job and a task. A lot of times, at work, we’re not in a willing, obedient, humble, and courageous state of mind. But today I’m reminded to keep this heart about me, because I am seeking the Lord on behalf of his people. I can’t expect myself to ever be lackadaisical about it.
Love Your Leaders
Esther 2:20-22
[20] Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had commanded her, for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him. [21] In those days, as Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. [22] And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai.
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Both Esther and Mordecai model obedience and service to those above them, even though they are in exile and under foreign rule. The prophet Jeremiah had prophesied a century earlier, telling the Israelites who would go into exile to “seek the welfare of the city where (the LORD has) sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7). Jesus likewise encouraged his followers to render to Caesar what was Caesar’s, and render to God what is God’s (Matthew 22:21). Jesus lived his life sinlessly, without disobedience to Jewish law and Roman rule; while some of his disciples vehemently opposed the Romans (Matthew 10:4).
It says that Esther sought the counsel of the king’s eunuch and won his favor as a result. She models obedience to Mordecai, even though she has become the queen of Persia. Mordecai models obedience to the king, and this wins him the favor of the king.
Even though God is not mentioned in Esther, God clearly sets up Mordecai and Esther in positions of power before Haman desires to exterminate the Jewish people. These are clearly provident acts. It shows me that I am where I am today because the Lord has made it so, even if there weren’t miraculous signs.
It could have been very easy for Esther to work hard at becoming the queen and then feeling like she had accomplished her greatest feat in life. But God had something even greater. She was there for a purpose, a higher calling (Esther 4:14). But in order to accomplish that, she had to retain a heart of obedience; not just to God but to those God had placed in her life - namely, the king and Mordecai.
I hear of people my age in the same occupation speak out against their leadership; against the very men and women who hired them and sign their paychecks. And it’s not just ministry. In every job I’ve ever had I’ve seen this pattern. It’s easy to form a natural discontent with those in authority above you. Yet God calls his people to remain obedient and seek the welfare of all those who are over us; because he has put rulers in their place. If I have an obedience issue with those above me, it’s ultimately an issue of obedience with God.
Certainly, there are times when leaders are corrupt and wicked; Haman is a prime example. Yet, even in the story of Esther, God proves that he is the Judge and brings justice according to his will. Esther and Mordecai don’t act in violence or rebellion against Haman and his plot, instead, they plead to God and beg for some kind of divine deliverance. A heart for God’s will, to see things done his way, will always be in our best interests if we want to see results.
Lord, thank you for those you have placed over me. I say with truth and thankfulness that it is a joy to know them and follow their lead. Forgive me for the times my heart feels bitterness. I believe they are seeking you constantly and following your lead, so I pray for a humble, obedient heart to follow your directions. I pray in the name of Jesus and his kingdom.
Dishonest in Little
Luke 16:10
"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much."
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So often I hear about this principle, that those who are faithful in little will be faithful in much. We use it a lot in leadership to show why it's important to be faithful with all the tasks you have been given, especially the smaller, seemingly less important ones. But I've never really heard much about the second part of this phrase, that he who is dishonest in a little is also dishonest in much.
This puts a lot more meat on the first part of the phrase, because if we just leave it at "He who is faithful in little is faithful in much," we're just using task accomplishment as a barometer for who can be trustworthy in ministry and leadership. In the past, if I failed in something I would just think, "OK, well I won't be trusted with something greater; that's alright." But what Jesus is saying here that it's not only about your accomplishment. If I am dishonest, or unfaithful in little things, then I will also be unfaithful in MANY things.
That's a scary thought! As I've been working on my life plan, I'm seeing areas of my life where I consistently fall short; particularly in the area of planning and follow-through. Whenever I fail, I tend to pass it off as "Well, God knows my heart and I am changing, step by step." There's some truth in that, but I am failing to acknowledge the fact that my unfaithfulness in this area is also a cause of my unfaithfulness in other things.
This is a big wake up call! A little unfaithfulness, even in small areas needs to be recognized and overcome. If not, it will have a direct correlation to how faithful I am in other areas.
True, Jesus is talking in terms of being lovers of money, but he can't be saying that this principle only applies to being faithful or unfaithful in wealth.
I need to be much more aware of my areas of laziness, procrastination, and unfaithfulness (where I don't do to the fullest extent the things I should). If I don't make corrections to be more faithful in all areas, it will affect not just my life here, but my life in eternity.
