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"PEOPLE PRODUCING IT’S ..."  Jan 19

We read today of the triumphant arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem and the adulation that the ordinary people gave him, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” [Matt. 21 v.9] “The whole city was stirred up …” [v.10]

We pondered the comparison of this with his return to earth. What is, we wondered, the answer to the question Jesus posed at the end of another parable, “…when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” [Luke 18 v.8]

The focus of our thinking, after reading today’s chapter, was in understanding the attitude of mind he will be looking to see. From v.33-45 we read his parable of the tenants in the vineyard – the lesson he was teaching is clear.

The Jewish nation up to that time had had the responsibility of looking after God’s vineyard - but they had failed their responsibilities. After listening to this parable “they perceived he was speaking about them” [v.45] and so, in their generation the parable of their failure as tenants of God’s vineyard was fulfilled – “He will put those wretches to a miserable death” [v41], Forty years later Jerusalem, its Temple and the nation were no more.

But Jesus added: “and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits …” And so, after Jesus left the earth his disciples set about fulfilling this, their role – and in their generation succeeded, greatly helped when Christ called Paul to be an apostle. But most in the generations that followed fell into the same trap of ‘self-importance’ as the Priests had done. However, history shows there was renewed zeal and Christ-mindedness among those striving to be worthy “tenants” when God’s word was printed for all to read .

But nowadays? Are today’s tenants in God’s vineyard any better than those against whom Jesus told this parable? The kingdom is only for those “people producing its fruits” [v.43] the rest “will be broken to pieces” [v.44] when he comes! It will be too late then to realise they have not kept “the narrow way.” We prove we are on the right path, serving the LORD in his vineyard when we produce the right kind of fruit and profess the same message of hope Jesus taught – also show we have taken his character into our hearts and made it ours. Read James 3 v.12-18.

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" ... AND FOLLOWED HIM"   Jan 18

Why did people follow Jesus? We know his disciples did, because he called them to do so, but others? We had an example in today’s chapter 20 in Matthew, “there were two blind men sitting by the roadside” [v.30] who cried out when they were told Jesus was passing by, “Lord, have mercy on us, ‘Son of David’” To call him ‘Son of David’ meant they acknowledged him as the Messiah.

“Jesus called them and said, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ With what sense of potential wonder would they have replied, “Let our eyes be opened.”[v.33]

Jesus reacted – “in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight.” And what did they do then? They “followed him” [v.34] This was in contrast to others; nine of the 10 lepers he healed did not even return to express their gratitude! (Luke 17 v.15-18) and when the people came to see the madman who Jesus healed “clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid … and they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region.” [Mark 5 v.15,16] The loss of the pigs dominated their thinking. What dominates our thinking?

Our world is full of spiritually blind people and others with the leprosy of sinful godless ways; just a few are like the Ephesians, who, Paul said, have had “the eyes of your hearts enlightened that you may knowwhat is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance” [1 v.18] But few have such “eyes” – Peter’s experience was just like our world; in his last letter he wrote of those who “have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed” [2 Pet. 2 v.14]

Two days ago in Matt. 19 we read the answer of Jesus to the “man who came up to him, saying ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” [v.17] But it is not achieved by a ‘one off’ good deed is it! This man was wealthy, and he needed to get rid of that in which he trusted, so Jesus told him, “… go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” [21]

That was not the answer he was looking for “he went away sorrowful”. What answer are we looking for? Hopefully we have found that answer and are among those who “followed him” making our lives count in some meaningful ways, according to our abilities, in the way we follow him.   A last thought – returning to our quote from Peter – we noted his words, “whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” [v.19] Let us be enslaved to Christ, it is not possible to be only half committed. (Note the verses which follow in Peter)

“DO YOU BEGRUDGE MY …”    Jan 17

The last 2 verses of today’s chapter (19) in Matthew can be puzzling if we do not realize the chapter break is wrongly placed and the context includes the next chapter.    The end of chapter 19 records Jesus as saying, “everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

The lesson Jesus is teaching becomes clear in his next words at the start of ch. 20. “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master … who went out early … to hire labourers for his vineyard … for a denarius a day”   There follows the details of going out again at “the third hour … the sixth hour … the ninth hour … the eleventh hour.”

In the evening payment is made “beginning at the first” [v.4] and they all receive the same payment (v.10) regardless of how long they have worked.  Those who had “borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat” [v.12] complain.  Verses 15 & 16 put the matter into focus from the divine point of view, “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?  Or do you begrudge my generosity?  So the last will be first, and the first last.”

The disciples are going to labour in the “scorching heat” of the day, this is a lesson for them. But beware of looking at the situation from the opposite perspective!  Could we be tempted to think to ourselves, ‘As long as we get to the service on most Sundays, that is all I really have todo’?

Look back at the first passage quoted above, Jesus says, “everyone who has left… for my name’s sake will receive …”  It evidently means, everyone who has given first consideration to me and the needs of my vineyard as they live their lives – and done things, according to their ability and opportunity (and this includes making opportunities) “will receive….”

Let’s put this alongside another saying of Jesus in Luke ch. 12.   First note v. 37 “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes”  and then “everyone to whom much was given, of him (or her) much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” [v.48]  Much food for thought for us today – how much has been given to me – to you?.

"IT IS NECESSARY THAT ... "   Jan. 16

Certain things are necessary in our lives such as clothing to wear and food to eat. Note how Paul made the point to  Timothy “if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” and “there is great gain in godliness with contentment” [1 Tim. 6 v.6,8] What hinders our contentment?

Now in today’s 18th chapter of Matthew Jesus told his disciples, “Woe to the world for temptations to sin.  For it is necessary that temptations come …” [v.7]  Why is it necessary?  Wouldn’t it be better if believers lived protected lives without anything tempting us?   No, it wouldn’t!

When we make things we test them to make sure they are strong enough to be used for the purpose for which we made them.  It maybe that some part will break off!  If that makes it useless, then we throw it away.  But often, even with a part broken off there is still a good use for it – and that is the point behind Jesus’ parable that “if your hand or your foot causes you to sin , cut it off and throw it away.  It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.” [v.8]

We may have a special aptitude or talent, but if it has no spiritual value – but rather, the opposite, then we should push it out of our lives. Let us use make full use of the talents and opportunities we have – and not fret about others, and our failures, and be in danger of being useless to God..

Once again our Psalms reading (33) is valuable - v.10 refers to our time and is very applicable, “The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.” And so efforts to achieve peace between nations and peoples are getting nowhere – as are efforts to take action to stop or at least minimize global warming.  God is not only ignored – most push out of their minds any thought as to his existence. Does that influence you? Note the great truth of v.12  “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!”   The words of Jesus we read and thought about illustrate the elements of behaviour that really count – “but it is necessary” that chosen vessels are tested as to their worthiness.  Are you passing the test?  May we all be among those whom he chooses – may we help each other to pass the test.

There are all types of suffering. For some people suffering brings them closer to God and for others it puts up a barrier. Adam and Eve brought on us all pain and suffering by choosing to disobey God’s command. We also can choose to follow God or please ourselves. Suffering can teach us about ourselves and helps form our character. Jesus learned obedience by the things which he suffered.

Description: From ancient writings both from Israel and Assyria, the life and destiny of Hezekiah and the Kingdom of Judea are verified. Modern archaeology continues to discover artifacts and records from events some 2,700 years ago. This should confirm that we can regard the Bible as an accurate historical record.

"FOR WHEN I KEPT SILENT”  Jan 15

Psalm 32 today is an intimate exchange of words between David and God; it is one of the most personal of all the Psalms – just 11 verses, but so powerful!  The first 7 are by David and the remainder; God’s response. How meaningful! Remember Paul’s comment on God’s words, , “They were written down for our instruction, on who the end of the ages has come,” [1 Cor. 10 v.11]  We are surely living in the final end of the ages”!

The first verse declares, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”  David recognises that “the LORD counts no iniquity”, (in the one) in whose spirit is no deceit.” [v.2] His next words are, “For when I kept silent … day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up …” [v.3,4]

The world is full of deceit and efforts to avoid any penalty for wrong-doing; does this influence us?  Any sense of “guilt” is pushed out of sight, out of mind.  But it is David who sets us the example, he says to God, “I acknowledged my sin to you… you forgave … my sin … you preserve me from trouble… you surround me with shouts of deliverance”[v. 5,7]

Then comes God’s answer, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.  Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding … or it will not stay near you.” [v.8,9]

The Bible, so wonderfully preserved and so readily available to us provides us with Divine instruction, we have only ourselves to blame if we are “without understanding”.  May we all fully sense that  “steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD” and so “Be glad … rejoice … and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! [v.10,11]     It is only when we keep “silent” that our hearts fail in uprightness.

“ON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD …”  Jan. 14

In ancient times a rock symbolized something secure and God was the ultimate rock!  David wrote in the Psalms, as we read 2 days ago, “To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me” [Psalm 28 v.1]  He also pleads with God, “when my heart is faint, lead me to the rock that is higher than I” [Psalm 61 v.2]

In today’s reading in Matthew, Jesus seems to call Peter a “rock” [16 v.18], but read the context carefully; among the people there is increasing speculation as to who Jesus is – and he asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am? [v.15]  Peter declared, ‘You are the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God.” [v16]

This declaration is the “rock”! The possession of true insight and real faith. It is “on this ‘rock” says Jesus, “that I will build my church and the gates of hell (hades, i.e. the grave) will not prevail against it” [v.18] It is true faith that makes death but a sleep with a wonderful waking – as David believed – see Psalm 17 v.15.

We recall it was Jesus who added the name ‘Peter’ to Simon (Luke 6 v.14) when he called him to be a disciple. The name Peter means a rock – petros.  Yet human rocks have to prove themselves; Jesus was, and still is, looking for such rocks; those who have the true insight of faith – on which “I will buildmy church” [v.18]

As the early chapters of the book of Acts reveal Peter became the rock around which the first community of believers in Jerusalem was built.  But before then he failed disastrously!  The next verses tell us that “from that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem … and be killed.”

Peter reacted in an astonishing way; he “began to rebuke him, saying ‘Far be it from you Lord! This shall never happen to you.’” [v.22]  Jesus responded by saying “to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan!  You are a hindrance to me … you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” [v.23]

The “set” of our minds is vital!  If they are wrong we end up being opposed to God and to Jesus. At the end of his life the set of Solomon’s mind became wrong and God raised up “adversaries” to him and this word in the Hebrew is the word ‘satanas’ as in 2 Kings 11 v.14,23,25, which names the ‘Satans’ that opposed Solomon.

Those who develop a true faith become, in Christ’s eyes, a ‘rock’ on which, even today, he can build.  Let us make sure the ‘set’ of our minds is on godly ways with a readiness to become a ‘rock’ with a true faith in his service – and never a satan..