Life This Side of Heaven

Shocking, isn’t it! Now, you may think that I’m referring to the image of our Savior cracking a whip in the Temple courts, driving off animals, tossing tables and scattering coins. But what’s really shocking in this narrative is what precipitated the event in the first place. Take a closer look at what shocked our Savior.

Jealousy has often been described as a vice, a character flaw, a failing – a dangerous personality trait that needs to be overcome. It’s not a compliment when this term is used to describe someone else. So, it’s not surprising that we may scratch our heads and wonder why God would use this term – to describe Himself!

While human wisdom doesn’t lead us to God, it’s humbling to know that God is the One who leads us to Himself through the message of the cross.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul tells us that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. Since you and I rejoice in this message as good news, it may leave us shaking our head and wondering why they would think that. The apostle draws our attention to the source, to Scripture, to hear how God Himself brings a person from seeing the cross as foolishness to faith.

Surveys often point out how few of the Ten Commandments most people remember. However, the problem isn’t simply that we don’t know them as we should. We're not always sure what they mean or how we should use them. But God said something very important which set the context for everything the commands which followed.

It may be difficult to imagine being embarrassed by Jesus. Or is it? It's one thing to think of Jesus in His glory, thump our chest and say, "I'm with Him." But what about a Savior who hung on a cross?

When suffering comes our way it may feel like getting something in the mail that we didn’t order. So, when suffering came you would think that the apostle Paul would be upset about. Instead, you can almost see the smile on his face as he tells us it’s a reason to rejoice. But before we step back and wonder if the apostle is crazy, he makes the reason for this joy clear. It comes with some handy surprises.

Do you like your passport photo? It seems like not many people do. In Genesis, we hear how God gave Abraham and Sarah a brand new names and a whole new identity. It was part of the covenant, the promise, that God made to Abraham. Through faith, the Savior who was born from Abraham and Sarah's line and has set us free from sin, reveals how He now sees you and me. And it's a great picture!

Over the centuries, a lot of people the world considers smart, have made a terrible investment blunders. However, instead of simply losing money, many have lost something much more precious. As Jesus turns our attention to the cross, we see that nothing can compare with the incredible investment God has made in us.

The phrase “on the same page” is often used to describe being in agreement on what should be done or how it should be done. There was a time when Peter found himself not on the same page with Jesus. And there are times when, like Peter, you and I may not be on the same page with Him either. We may find ourselves looking wrong place for indications of God's favor and evidence of Jesus' at work in our lives.

Following Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, Luke records a chilling but useful verse. He notes, “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left Him until an opportune time.” A number of those times show up in Scripture. One of them took place on the day Peter rebuked Jesus and did not want to see Him go to the cross.

Immediately after Adam’s fall into sin, God promised that He would send a Savior. In all those centuries that past, God repeated that promise. He never renegade on it. He never announced, “Well, that was then, this is now and things change.” James could testify how God made good on those promises in sending us His Son.

Usually when someone says you have a “selective memory,” they’re doing it in a critical or sarcastic manner. It’s not usually said as a compliment. It often refers to the ability to remember some facts while forgetting others, especially when they’re inconvenient. However, here in Psalm 25, David isn’t accusing God of having a selective memory. He’s counting on it.

Do you know how many stars there are in the night sky? Have you ever tried to guess how many grains of sand are on the beach? Here's the vivid image God used in the promise that He made to him. However, what makes this promise so amazing, is not simply the inconceivably large number of Abraham’s descendants – the man who once thought he would have none – but also who would be among that line.

The idea of sacrifice is difficult to comprehend in our culture. The popular practice of giving up something for Lent, like chips or chocolate, may simply fit with our winter diet plan … a second chance at that New Year’s resolution that that crumbled somewhere in the past few weeks. But what God commanded Abraham was a sacrifice of truly incomprehensible proportion.

There’s a big difference between “testing” and “temptation.” Both terms are used in Scripture. On the surface, both may appear the same. However, one seeks to strengthen while the other seeks to sabotage.

In all three of the Gospels, it’s noted that the very first thing took place after Jesus’ Baptism was this appointment with the devil where He was tempted in the desert. In one sentence, Mark describes an event to which Matthew and Luke devote much more detail. So Mark’s account may seem a little disappointing at first. However, the outcome is linked to the very next verse.

If I was with Peter, James and John, and saw Jesus transfigured on the mountain, I would be practically jumping out of my skin. I would want to tell everyone! So why would Jesus not allow the disciples to tell the others about what this until after the resurrection?

When the glorious events of the Transfiguration were ended, the disciples looked around. Gone was the cloud, gone were Moses and Elijah. Mark tells us that, suddenly, standing there before them was ... just Jesus. During this season of Lent, and like the disciples, our attention is drawn to the only one who could accomplish the work of our salvation – just Jesus.

Peter didn’t want to hear what Jesus had to say about His upcoming crucifixion and resurrection. So, it’s perhaps not surprising that, at the Transfiguration when the “cloud appeared and enveloped them,” we hear the voice of the Father say, “This is My Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!”

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the 40-day penitential season of Lent. On this day many will will have the sign of cross traced in ashes on their forehead in worship. It’s a reminder of our mortality and a sign of repentance. All who have come from dust, and returned to dust, over the many centuries give testimony to the terrible toll of sin and death. As Jesus was transfigured before the disciples, two figures from the past appeared and spoke with Jesus about what He would soon accomplish to at the cross to conquer both sin and death.

The sight of Jesus transfigured on the mountain was so spectacular that it’s not surprising to hear Matthew, Mark and Luke struggle to use different imagery to fully describe it. Mark uses a particularly fascinating phrase. It illustrates beautifully what our transfigured Savior came to accomplish for us at Mt. Calvary.

Mark tells that Peter, James and John watched as Jesus was transfigured before them. The Greek word used here is the same one from which we get our English word, "metamorphosis." It means to “transform.” On the mountain this day, Jesus gave the disciples a glimpse of His eternal glory. Why did He do this? Well, what they would soon see would appear to be the exact opposite.

For the disciples, this didn’t make any sense. Why leave Capernaum? Jesus was a hit. Everyone was coming to see Him. This was … comfortable. But Jesus had a good reason for doing it. And there are times when it's useful for you and me to step of our comfort zone as well.

“It starts with Hope and ends with Perseverance.” What a great opening line in an NBC article this week by reporter Denise Chow! It describes some of the incredible activity that’s taking place in space exploration. With all that’s going on in your life right now you may not interested in looking up at the stars. However, Isaiah used them to make an important point that’s continues to be a comforting and useful reminder for you and me today.

Have you noticed how easy it is to get caught up in "rat race" and chasing after prizes that don't last? Paul focuses draws our attention instead to "a crown that will last forever."

Poet and humorist, Oliver Wendell Holmes is credited with saying, “Some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.” However, you could say that because apostle Paul was so heavenly minded he was earthly good. He went out of his way to identify with those with whom he shared the Gospel. By God's grace, so can you and I.

Jesus came to reverse the effects of this world’s fall into sin. You and I, and the people we know and love, suffer in this life both spiritually and physically. So it’s no coincidence how we hear of Jesus’ proclamation of the good news so closely connected to His miracles of healing. But, since not everyone is healed in this life, is there a queue for the cure that Jesus came to bring?

Did you know until just recently scientists weren’t fully aware of how birds like eagles could soar so effortlessly in the sky? It’s true. A recent study notes the two things that are needed to glide along on the warm, rising thermal currents. Isaiah notes two things that, when you and I are weak, weary and worn out, enable us "soar on wings like eagles."

“Many are the woes of the wicked.” Really? This doesn’t seem to be our experience. Does it ever feel that it’s the opposite that’s true? So what was David talking about when he sang these words in Psalm 32 while reminding us of the incredible blessings of God's love?

Influencers. The teachers of the law had a lot of influence. They had a huge following. And they often quoted and name-dropped other celebrity scribes to make their point of what must be done to win God's favor. So, when Jesus came and taught at the synagogue in Capernaum, folks may have assumed that another famous influencer was in their midst. They were shocked and amazed when the discovered that what He had to say was much different. He has come to be our Savior.

It’s been said that “All publicity is good publicity.” If that was true, then why did Jesus tell the evil spirit in the man at the synagogue in Capernaum to "Be quiet"?

In Deuteronomy, the people knew that the end of Moses’ time was drawing near. For 40 years He carried God’s Word to the Israelites. But with his departure, the fear was that they would be no one to take his place. But Moses announced an astonishing promise from God that still brings us comfort to this very day.

Today is Groundhog Day! It's a fun tradition in the middle of winter. Some have even said that his possible forecast for an early Spring could "give a pandemic-stressed nation some hope." However, you and I have real source for hope that's ours all 365 days of the year.

Paul notes how easy it is for knowledge to leave us "puffed up." That’s what happens when knowledge is exercised apart from love. He uses the example in his day of how believers handled food that was sacrificed to idols. Perhaps this sounds strange. However, maybe it's not so difficult to imagine after all.

At first, it sounds ironic to hear in Mark record in the same sentence that after John was put in prison Jesus went about proclaiming the good news of God. John was the last of His kind, of prophets pointing to the Savior who was to come. However, John knew the wonderful good news that Jesus is the first of many.

In Psalm 113, the writer celebrates our God who shows mercy to the humble and lowly. And in verse seven, he uses what must have become a familiar and much beloved phrase from Hannah’s prayer back in 1 Samuel. God has lifted us from the ash heap.

Paul notes how the form of this present world is constantly changing. However, the apostle isn’t putting on his creaky old man voice as if to say, “You know kids, back in my day …” Instead, He points out how easy it is to become attached to those things in life that are transient, and sets our focus on the Kingdom of God the tremendous eternal blessings that have in Christ.

The words that Mark uses to describe how Andrew and Simon responded to Jesus' call to discipleship can only be described as an understatement. For the disciples, they didn’t tip-toe into it. They didn’t dabble in this “fishers of men” business here and there. Being a disciple of our Savior now defined them. And that's what it means for you and me as well.

When Jesus called Andrew and Simon He could have used a familiar phrase from a popular movie franchise and said, "Come with me if you want to live." However, what Jesus held out to the disciples was a lot more than merely a bleak summons to survival. Instead He called them to become His disciples, and His apostles, and you and I have been blessed with bright good news to be shared.

So you think that’s incredible? When most people hear of Jonah in the Old Testament, the first thing that comes to mind is an image of the prophet being in the belly of the fish for three days. But, now, if you think that’s something, consider what came next.

God hears both our thoughts and our words. Does that bring your comfort or concern? Hear David's prayer and why he describes this as a good thing.

Half-Duplexing. Have you heard that term? Chances are good that even if you’ve never heard of it, you have first hand knowledge of what it’s all about. Something similar to this was taking place back in Samuel’s day in the Old Testament. And, for good or for bad, it's a term that can easily be used to describe our own communication with God. What is absolutely amazing is that we have a loving God who wants to speak to us in mercy and love.

Does it ever feel as if God is a million miles away from the events that fill your days and the circumstances in your life? After all, Moses talked with God on the mountain. Our days seem to be filled with the more humdrum activities of life in the valley. It was a real wake-up call for Nathanael when He realized that was our Savior was much closer that he realized. And it's a useful reminder for you and me as well.

How does it make you feel when someone you have just met says, “I know you!” Does it bring you comfort or concern? Now, imagine how Nathanael must have felt as he walked up to meet Jesus and discovered his Savior already knew him.

Nathanael's response to Philip's invitation to meet Jesus sounds so easy to imagine that it almost makes you cringe. He almost blows off the invitation completely. It sounds familiar to what we might expect from a friend or family member with whom we want to introduce to our Savior. In fact, it may make us hesitate when sharing our faith. However, instead of debating with Nathanael, Andrew does something even more effective. He simply says, "Come and see."

“Follow me.” My father would use those words when we would go out to the tool shed in our backyard on a snowy, winter morning. And, if you were a small child who grew up in snow country, you know exactly what those words mean. Jesus used the phrase, “Follow Me,” repeatedly in the Gospels as He called His disciples. It's also a gracious innovation from our Savior for you and me.

One thing that has come out of the current pandemic is that we’ve all become proficient experts at washing our hands. Signs are up everywhere to remind us of this important part of our regular hygiene and many of them even include instructions and diagrams on how to do it. It’s also great way to remember, and make daily use, of your Baptism.

Do you know who baptized you? However, in reality, there’s real a distinction when it comes to who applied the water that day and who did the baptizing.

In 2 Corinthians the apostle has announced, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” God's gift to you in Your baptism assures you that this is more than a hyperbole.