Comment on a Lectionary Reading: Matthew 16.21–28

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” Matthew 16.21–28


Jesus, here, explains to His friends, the Twelve, what is going to happen, what must happen. And Peter responds. I think that it’s helpful to understand that Peter responds as a friend. He has deep affection for Jesus and, as a result, makes it clear that he doesn’t want anything like what Jesus has described to happen to Him. Now listen to what Jesus says in response.

Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.

Wow! Jesus is pretty blunt here. You might even say that He is being harsh. ‘Get behind me, Satan’?!?

Why would Jesus speak in this way to someone who is trying to be a friend? Here is one reason. Peter is acting as Satan’s mouthpiece here, to tempt Jesus away from the Cross. Jesus doesn’t need that. Being faithful to His calling to die will be hard enough without any friends adding to that difficulty.

To be sure, Peter doesn’t want to serve Satan. But that’s what he is doing. Why? Jesus identifies the problem. Peter’s thinking is off. He’s thinking in the same way that the rest of humanity would think.

For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.

Jesus calls for more than that from him.

Now, let’s go a little further to see why Peter thinks in the way that he does. Listen to something Jesus says after His resurrection.

“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. Luke 24:25–27

Peter’s thinking about what was to happen to Jesus was off because he did not believe Moses and the prophets. They were quite clear about the necessity of Jesus’ suffering the Cross and the resurrection that followed. And just as Jesus expected those two on the road to Emmaus to know this, He expected Peter to know it, too.

Peter thought like everyone else because he didn’t know (and believe) his Bible. It was out of this failure that Peter spoke to Jesus as a tool of Satan. And Jesus chewed out him for his error.

Here’s one take away for you to consider. How are you doing at getting to know your Bible better? Do you really think that you know it well enough? Are you able to think accurately as a disciple or do you want Jesus to chew you out too because you think about life in the same way that everyone else does? How you think determines how you live. There’s something here to pray about.

Comment on a Lectionary Reading: Romans 12.1-8

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:1–8


As is my custom, I'm going to limit myself to just a small portion of this Scripture reading. Here it is separated into three parts.

A) Do not be conformed to this world,

B) but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,

C) that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

While the rest has much to teach us all, this one sentence has more than enough for us to consider. I've divided it into three parts to highlight how it is structured: A) a command about what to avoid, B) a command about what to pursue instead, C) the goal of these commands. 

 

Comment on a Lectionary Reading: Matthew 15.10-28

And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. Matthew 15:10–28

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Once again, I’m going limit myself to looking at one sentence from the reading, something Jesus said to His disciples.

Are you also still without understanding? 

Let’s spend a little time poking at this. I think that it will prove most helpful.

Comment on a Lectionary Reading: Matthew 14.22–33

Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!” Matthew 14.22–33

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This week I’d like to comment on a sentence that you might have read too quickly and not noticed.

After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray...

So, Jesus went off by Himself to pray. I wonder what He prayed about. Wouldn’t it be interesting to know. Well, the text doesn’t tell us what He prayed about in this situation, but the Bible is pretty clear about what Jesus prayed about at other times. Let’s consider some of them.

Comment on a Lectionary Reading: Psalm 17

A PRAYER OF DAVID.

            1       Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry!

      Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

            2       From your presence let my vindication come!

      Let your eyes behold the right!

            3       You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night,

      you have tested me, and you will find nothing;

      I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

            4       With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips

      I have avoided the ways of the violent.

            5       My steps have held fast to your paths;

      my feet have not slipped.

            6       I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;

      incline your ear to me; hear my words.

            7       Wondrously show your steadfast love,

      O Savior of those who seek refuge

      from their adversaries at your right hand.

            8       Keep me as the apple of your eye;

      hide me in the shadow of your wings,

            9       from the wicked who do me violence,

      my deadly enemies who surround me.

            10       They close their hearts to pity;

      with their mouths they speak arrogantly.

            11       They have now surrounded our steps;

      they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.

            12       He is like a lion eager to tear,

      as a young lion lurking in ambush.

            13       Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him!

      Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,

            14       from men by your hand, O LORD,

      from men of the world whose portion is in this life.

                  You fill their womb with treasure;

      they are satisfied with children,

      and they leave their abundance to their infants.

            15       As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;

      when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

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There are different kinds of Psalms. Some are songs of praise. Others are expressions of sorrow. This Psalm is a prayer. David is in need, and he appeals to God.

Comment on a Lectionary Reading: Romans 8:26-39

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8.26-39

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As usual, there are many things going on here. And, as usual, I’m only going to deal with one of them.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 

Now, I’m pretty sure that at least some of you have heard this verse before and have heard it a bit too often. It was tossed your way, by someone trying to be helpful, as the obvious solution to whatever problem was confronting you. And time and again, you found that having it tossed your way wasn’t actually all that much help. And so, you’re wondering if you should bother to read the rest of what I’m going to write. But I’m pretty sure that taking a closer look will actually help you the next time you find yourself encountering more life than you are able to handle.

Comment on a Lectionary Reading: Romans 8:12–25

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:12–25

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Last time we were reminded of the glorious truth of the Gospel: no condemnation! Because of what Jesus has done we are set free from that consequence of sin. In this reading we encounter a necessary companion to this truth. We are freed from sin but we are not done with sin. The guilt is gone so the condemnation is gone. But sin remains with us.

Comment on a Lectionary Reading: Romans 8:1–11

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:1–11
    
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This reading from Scripture contains something tremendous, a life-changing declaration.

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

So, what does this ‘no condemnation’ mean? It means what it says: no condemnation. But there are too many saints who do not grasp the power of this declaration. Some explanation is necessary.

Comment on a Lectionary Reading: Matthew 11.16–19, 25– 30

But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, ’We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds. … At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

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Life is filled (and sometimes overfilled) with problems, issues, questions, and crises. It’s part of what it means to live in a world corrupted by sin. So, it is no surprise that one thing that we all desire is a little rest, getting away from all of that. Different people define what ‘a little rest’ looks like in different ways. For some, it’s vacation time. For others, it’s ‘just a little time for myself’. And then, for others, it’s taking something that makes it all just fade away. Sometimes life just gets to be a bit much.

Jesus knows what this life is like. Remember, He was here. So, He knows all about how we ‘labor and are heavy laden’. He understands our weariness with the burdens of life.

Comment on a Lectionary Reading: Matthew 10.40–42 Rewards

Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. Matthew 10:40-42

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Today, I am going to comment on just one word that Jesus said in this short passage. It’s the word ‘reward’. I thought it would be good to do this because it seems to me that this notion of reward is not well understood by so many Christians.

Comment on a Lectionary Reading: Matthew 10:24–39

A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:24–39                                                

This lectionary reading continues Jesus’ words to the Twelve as He sends them off on a short-term ministry trip. Here, Jesus wants to prepare these men for what they will face as they travel among the people of God preaching, healing and casting out demons. I suspect this is a little practice run, a little training, in anticipation of when they will be going far beyond Israel’s borders after Jesus ascends to heaven.

Comment on a Lectionary Reading Matthew 9.35-10.8

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Matthew 9:35–10:8

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In this reading we see Jesus sending out His apostles to ‘the lost sheep of the house of Israel’. It is important to see clearly the motivation for this mission: ‘When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.’ The plight of sheep without a shepherd has been a rather significant theme for me. And that is because it has something very important to say to churches today.

Comment on a Lectionary Reading: Isaiah 40.12-17, 27-31

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. Isaiah 40:12–17

Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”?

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:27–31

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This bit of Scripture is a favorite of mine. It highlights something of the wonder of God in terms of who He is as well as how He cares. It’s a great picture of an important aspect of the Gospel.

Comment on a Lectionary Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3–13

Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3–13

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As usual, there is much going on here as Paul teaches about the work of the Spirit in the church, the body of Christ. However, I’m only going to comment on one verse, and that’s verse seven.

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:7

Each and every Christian has been given some ability or other by the Spirit. Now, please note that that is a fact. That means that it refers to you, Christian. The Spirit has certainly blessed you in this way. The second thing to notice here is that this ability has been given to you for the benefit of the others in the church. These are facts that are true of you.

Comment on a Lectionary Reading: 1 Peter 4:12–14, 5:6–11

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:12–14, 5:6–11

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There are many things going on in this part of Peter's letter to some Christians who were have a difficult time of it. He writes about trials and tests, rejoicing in the face of such things, being blessed by the Spirit and attacked by the devil, being anxious and being strengthened. Each of these is worth more than just a little meditation.

However, what I'm going to do instead is to take a look at what they are all focusing on: suffering. Peter was counseling these saints on how to respond to the suffering that they were facing.

'Suffering', however, is one of those words that we can use without really understanding what we're talking about. So, let me use a different word that I think gets the point across better: pain. Peter is writing about pain, the pain those Christians were dealing with just because they were Christians. They were under the gun, feeling the pressure. And it was painful.

So, how did Peter respond to them? What was his wise counsel? Consider what Peter was telling them.

'…do not be surprised…as though something strange were happening to you.' What you are experiencing is simply a part of being a Christian. Following Jesus includes suffering. It includes pain. That should not be a surprise.

'But rejoice...' (This isn't a call to be happy. It's about being optimistic because Jesus is at work.) The pain you feel is part of His plan to conquer the world. And He will conquer the world. That is something to be optimistic about. Rejoice in that.

'Humble yourselves.' Don't react against what God is doing in your situation, even though it is quite painful. Rather, submit to Him.

'so that at the proper time he may exalt you'. Submit to God in your painful situation in the sure hope that you will most certainly be honored by Him.

So, what might you take away from all of this? Being a Christian involves pain because being a Christian involves fighting against sin. It doesn't have to be the pain of persecution which is what the recipients of Peter's letter were likely dealing with. But it will be some sort of pain because some sort of sin will be attacking you. When that happens (not 'if'), don't give in to things like self-pity or anger or despondency or any of that. Instead, pray. Pray for grace, the grace Jesus has provided so that you will be able to respond well to the attack and to the pain. Pray for the grace to submit to God and to rejoice in what Jesus is doing. And pray to be able to do all of this because of a confident hope that you will be honored by the Father.

Comment on a Lectionary Reading: Psalm 66.8-20

One of the readings for this Sunday will be Psalm 66.8-20. This section of the Psalm has three parts.

Part 1 Verses 8-9

Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip.

This is a call to the Gentile nations (the ‘peoples’) to praise the God of Israel. And a reason for this call is given. God has been faithful. He has cared for His people. He has kept them alive and secure. (This is evangelism that is motivated by the desire to see God praised.)

Part 2 Verses 10-12

For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.

Here, the psalmist recounts some of Israel’s history. God had put His people to the test. And that test was very difficult. The psalmist uses some rather powerful images to convey how harsh these tests were: being purified like silver in a hot furnace, being curshed by an overwhelming weight, being snared in a net, being surrounded by fire and then by water.

This is where a couple of questions might pop up. First, does God actually do these sorts of things to His people, bring them into such harsh times? Well, what does the Psalm say? But that leads to the second question. Why would God do such things? In this Psalm, it's not about dealing with sin. The psalmist is clear at the end of the Psalm that there was no sin involved. Take a look at verse 18 ('cherished iniquity').

So, why would God do this to His faithful people? The image of silver in a furnace helps us here. It's to purify us. Even when we are working hard at being faithful, hidden sins remain. By trials like the ones described here, those sins are revealed to us so that they can be dealt with by repentance and faith. As a result, we grow in our experience and enjoyment of eternal life and thus can serve God better. God's trials are an expression of His concern for His people. He wants us to flourish. Sin needs to be dealt with for that to happen.

However - and this is so very important - the trials don't last forever. Just like the psalmist, we will be brought out into a place of an abundance, an abundance that God intends for us to enjoy. We will enjoy that partially in this life but to an extent that will simply amaze us in the life to come.

Part 3 Verses 13-20

Here we see the psalmist's response to what God has done in his life. First, there is worship.

I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will perform my vows to you, that which my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble. I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals, with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams; I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah

Worship only makes sense. God has once again revealed to His people something of His beauty in how He leads His people through His purifying trials to a place of abundance.

And then, there is witness.

Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!

The psalmist has experienced the blessings of God, and he wants to let others know about this. But note who his intended audience is: 'all you who fear God'. He wants to tell his story to other faithful saints of God. He wants to tell them about how their God 'attended to the voice of my prayer'. And that makes sense. How encouraging to be reminded of how great our God is by hearing about other believers' experiences of Him.

This Psalm gives us a way to understand the ups and downs of life. God is at work. And one goal of what He is up to is the 'place of abundance' that Jesus has provided for us.

Comment on a Lectionary Reading

For those churches using the Revised Common Lectionary, this will be one of the Scripture readings for this Sunday.

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation - if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 

1 Peter 2:2-10

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Much is going on here. There's Peter's command for the saints to long for good spiritual teaching. Then, there are his comments on how Jesus is the living stone for the building of the Church, and that the saints are also living stones, and more. There are also Peter's comments about how God determines the destinies of people. The Spirit has provided much here to meditate on.

But I will limit myself to one sentence.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

The first thing to notice is how Peter describes the saints, that is, how he describes you: a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession. These descriptions also merit some serious meditation. But I'm actually only going to focus on two words in this sentence. The first is 'that'. There is a purpose to being the people that God has made us to be. It's good to be reminded of this from time to time. The key reason for God's blessings - things like being His chosen race and all the rest - isn't our enjoyment of these blessings. We are blessed for a purpose that goes beyond us. We need this reminder because we live in a very self-centered world that actually does think, 'It's all about me'.

There is a purpose for these listed blessings that we actually do enjoy, and Peter is quite clear about what that purpose is. We are to 'proclaim the excellencies' of God. And that gets us to my second word. The word that Peter uses, translated 'excellencies', is really quite rich. It has to do with the virtuous character of a person along with the ways in which that person expresses that character. So, in this case the 'excellencies' are about the character of God (who God is), and the ways in which He expresses that character (what He does).  According to Peter, our purpose as God's chosen race… is to proclaim these 'excellencies'.

The question to ask now is clear. How do we do that? Here are three ways that the Scriptures identify.

First, there's worship. In worship, we proclaim back to God the excellence of who He is and the excellence of what He does. This goes a long way in defining what worship is to be about.

Then, as the communion of the saints, we proclaim God's excellencies to each other. This is one important way that we can encourage each other to persevere in the face of the difficulties of this life. We remind each other about the character and the works of God, the God who has committed Himself to us, especially since our experience of His character and works has changed our lives.

And then, we proclaim the excellencies of our God to the world. This lies at the heart of how we are to pursue our mission of changing the world for Jesus by the Gospel. We are to strive to vividly communicate to the world the beauty of who our God is and the wonder of what He has done in creation and redemption and what He will do in the consummation of all things. This is what evangelism is about.

So, as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a people for God's own possession, we proclaim His excellencies in worship, in community and in evangelism. I hope that this adds some clarity to what it means that we are Christians.

Comment on a Lectionary Reading

For those churches using the Revised Common Lectionary, this will be one of the Scripture readings for this Sunday.

 
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

Here, we have a picture of the Church in Jerusalem in the days after Pentecost. Note the four activities that defined that Church, ‘the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers’. Let’s take a quick look at each of them.

The apostles’ teaching: This is about the apostles instructing in (and the saints learning about) God’s way of living. Or to say that differently, the apostles were helping the saints to understand life in the way that God meant it to be lived. Teaching the saints these things included ‘unteaching’ the saints the faulty understandings of life that they brought with them when they became part of the Church. This Church was known as a place of teaching.

The fellowship: To use the language of the Apostles’ Creed, this is about ‘the communion of the saints’. Being the Church is being a group of people whose lives are deeply intertwined with each other. This is something supernatural that the Spirit brings about. This sense of communion that defined the Church showed itself in many different ways. Living this life together not only benefitted the saints, but it also attracted some of the people around them who were watching what was going on. It revealed something of the power of the Gospel to change people’s lives so that these others might come to hear that Gospel explained and thus discover Jesus.

The breaking of bread: This is, likely, about enjoying the Lord’s Supper together. (Getting together to share daily meals would be an expression of ‘the fellowship’.) It makes sense to highlight this as a basic part of Church life since the Eucharist is one key way that the Spirit feeds the souls of the saints with the life of Jesus. In this way the truths of the Gospel take root in the hearts of Christians so that they can grow and mature into whole people.

The prayers: This sounds like it is referring to specific, written prayers that were used by the saints. The Jewish traditions that these saints all grew up with included written prayers so it wouldn’t have been at all odd to them to have some distinctly Christian prayers to offer to God. This doesn’t have to mean that the old Jewish prayers were completely replaced. It might have been that clearer aspects of the Gospel were added to the older prayers to make them suitable expressions of the Christian faith of the saints.

These are the four activities that Luke highlights to describe the Church in Jerusalem. There is, however, one more word here that warrants some special attention: devoted. This says something important. It isn’t that those saints happened to participate in these four activities of the Church along with the other things of life that they also participated in. They were devoted to them. These Church activities were priorities that they devoted themselves to.

A good question for each of us to ask at this point is simple. How am I doing at being devoted to these things in my church? This is not about stirring up guilt feelings. Taking a look, every once in a while, at what’s going on in your soul can be very helpful. So, let me suggest something. I think that it might be good for you to ask the Father for the grace that you need so that you can accurately evaluate how you are doing here. And then, if it is necessary for you to work on these things, you can ask the Father for more grace to do that.