Luke 9:37-50: Avoiding The Epic Fail (Redux)

[This sermon was preached on January 31, 2016 at Cornerstone Christian Church, El Dorado Hills. It is a significant update of a previous sermon from January 2013 that you can find here.]

Avoiding the Epic Fail

Luke 9:37-50

Introduction

A few years ago, when my family and I were riding a bus in Ireland to our destination, a man boarded and sat immediately in front of me, disheveled and smelling of sweat. I remember thinking, “Here is someone in desperate need of the grace of soap.” My mind wandered: soap is readily available, surely he noticed, who goes out in public without an armpit double-check. Then it hit me: we all stink. Stores spend aisle after aisle stocking products designed to conceal this pungent, fundamental fact. Deodorant, anti-perspirant, cologne, perfume, air freshener, etc. In fact, if we weren't all so focused on spraying or wiping or spreading or applying these products every waking 24-hour protection moment, we would probably be used to the fact that we all stink and would be unaware. But once the first person tried to hide it, no one wanted to smell our body odor.

In many ways, we try to apply this strategy of the grace of soap to our spiritual lives, trying to hide the fundamental fact that we all sin--that we all stink. Dallas Willard, in his book The Divine Conspiracy, calls it the gospel of sin management. We ignore it, we hide it, we mitigate its effects, we try to only enter situations where it won't show, we excuse it, we emulate the lifestyle of the stink free. All of the while, denying the fact that we are all stinkers. When we see sin break through, in all of its destructive power, in someone's life, we all think: they should have applied more soap--more forgiveness--more careful rule following.

But the strategy of Christ is fundamentally different. It is the grace of regeneration. As Paul says: "...since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." (Colossians 3:9-10)

The problem with the gospel of sin management it that it accepts that sin (stench) is fundamental and that the means of better life is keeping sin under control. But Jesus offers a different strategy: regeneration.

We miss out when we settle for a limited, spiritual life of stink-regulation! God’s plan—his kingdom—involves so much more. Here’s how Paul described it:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen - Ephesians 3:20-21

Got that? Now, if you want the epic fail, do the opposite:

1.    First, you dream small dreams instead of God’s dreams.

2.    Second, power those dreams by yourself instead of with God’s power.

3.    Third, promote yourself instead of God.

Ok. That's it. You can sleep now, you’ve got the main point.

You know I work in computers. One of the most difficult types of failures to debug is called a “priority inversion” It is will a low-priority program grabs ahold of computer resources and then won’t let them go when a high-priority program needs them. Priority inversion has taken down the Mars Rover, it has taken down Windows, it has taken down banking systems, it has taken down my job performance…and let me tell you—priority inversion can take down your life. We let little dreams sabotage God’s dreams for us. We hold so tightly on to our resources that we are not free to grab ahold of God’s resources. We are so worried about our maintaining priority, that we never let God’s priority be promoted in our lives.

It can happen to us. It happened to Jesus’ best friends in the second half of the 9^th chapter of Luke’s biography of Jesus. Four times in fourteen verses, his disciples will fail.  From a Bible point of view that’s not a very good track record. So what happened?

Well, let’s take a look. Turn to Luke, 9^th chapter, starting in verse 37. Jesus is on his way down from the mountain where he was praying, and when he gets down, there is a huge crowd and lot of noise, because of the first of his disciple’s epic fails.

Fail #1: Want To Appear Competent (vs. 37-40)

It says:

³⁷ The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. ³⁸ A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. ³⁹ A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. ⁴⁰ I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”

Jesus’ disciples could not cast out a particular demon. Failure #1. The story only makes sense if you look back at the very start of chapter 9, where it says: “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases.” (Luke 9:1) Notice the word “all”. Something has happened. Jesus is frustrated by this, and says so, and then heals the boy and restores the family.

Before we look further at this first failure, just a side comment about demons. When we read passages like this, we might wonder whether this young man’s problem was something like epilepsy and those in Jesus’ time just thought it was caused by a demon. Certainly Christians have been guilty of assigning demonic causes to ordinary events. But look carefully at verse 42. Luke (the author) is a doctor and he notes that Jesus “rebuked” the demon and then healed him. That is, there were two problems: a spiritual problem and a physical problem and Jesus recognized them both. Sometimes, in America, we are so fond of ‘natural’ causes, that we miss the spiritual side of things that many other cultures are aware of.

Why is Jesus frustrated? Look what he says:

⁴¹ “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “How long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”

What was the root cause of the disciple's epic fail with the demon? He mentions two keys to their failure: first, the disciples were a part of an unbelieving generation. That is, even though they had all of the power and authority they needed to do this job (see verse 1), and they had practice (see verse 2) and they even had success (verse 6), they had slipped back into not believing—or not trusting—God.  They failed.

Second, they were a part of the perverse generation. This means that their desires—their want-tos—their motives—were off-the-mark. They had switched from “look what Jesus can do” to “look what we can do”—they wanted to appear to be competent. Casting out the demon has become about their competence--their abilities--not God's abilities.

Now before we get too hard the disciples, what about us? Most of us aren’t demon caster-outers. Our version of the Serenity Prayer goes: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the firepower to make the difference.” We want to appear like we’ve got it all together. We don't just want to help someone, but we want to be appreciated as the type of people who help, or the type of people God uses to help. I am a master of hinting at what I’ve done and hiding or excusing what I didn’t, and so are you. Our want-to is broken. Jesus gives us the keys to the kingdom, and we drive off on the victory lap as if it is ours.

Do a little experiment with me: Breathe in. Breathe out. Try it again. Where do you get the power to take that breath? From God, that’s right. Where did you neighbor get the power to take his or her breath? That’s right—same place--from God.

It is not religious, spiritual, church-related, demon-exorcism tasks that require God’s power. It is every task. Taking one breath without God is about as effective as taking one breath without oxygen. Very unfulfilling.

In fact, there's a bit of misinformation floating around among Christians. We often hear: “I tried to do it in my power, and not in God’s power.” It’s all God’s power, start to finish, beginning to end.

Look at this a different way: You have exactly enough strength to do everything God wants you to do tomorrow. You have exactly enough time to do everything God wants you to do tomorrow. Because God gives it to you.

We fail when we want to appear competent, on our terms. We win when we humble ourselves, throw away our plan, follow God's plan and allow God to be competent:

 “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” – 1 Peter 5:5b

Fail #2: Want To Appear Smart (vs. 44-45)

Let’s look at failure #2.

⁴² Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father.  ⁴³ While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, ⁴⁴ “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.” ⁴⁵ But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

Luke tells us that while everyone was excited about the external miracles, Jesus repeats His message to the disciples about His suffering and death, and they still don’t get it. Jesus is trying to prepare them for the time when he is gone, and they must continue the job that he started. Their failure is not so much that they didn’t understand (what’s new?), but that (in verse 45) they were afraid to ask about what they didn’t understand. They looked around, and none of the other disciples were raising their hands, so they didn’t raise theirs. 

What were they afraid of?

·       Maybe they were afraid of Jesus, after he had just chewed them out.

·       Maybe they were afraid to hear the answer, because it might contradict what they wanted. They were afraid of the truth.

·       Maybe they were afraid to look dumb in front of the others.

There are so many things that I don’t understand. There is such a huge gap between God’s understanding and my understanding. But we can ask.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. – James 1:5

How often I have relied on this verse! God is the creator of good ideas. We just discover them. This is true in my job. It is true in my relationships. It is true in this church. Jason LaRock, is an inventor, with a couple of patents to his name. I've got some. I have a friend, Vincent, who has over 300 patents. Was God surprised by what we came up with? Did God go, “Gee, I never thought of that?” No! But when we delight in what we find--what he’s already thought of—he draws us in and say, “Let me show you what else I’ve got.” Why not draw upon the genius of God?

We do not fail for ignorance. We fail for holding on to ignorance and not asking God.

We fail when we want to appear smart. We succeed when realize and rely on God as the smart one.

Fail #3: Want To Appear Important (vs 46-48)

First, we fail when we know what to do but don’t trust God enough do it.

Second, we fail when we don’t know what to do and don’t ask.

Let’s look at the third failure, found in verses 46-48:

⁴⁶ An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. ⁴⁷ Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. ⁴⁸ Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all—he is the greatest.”

The third failure comes when we want to appear important. Jesus just told them he will be betrayed, suffer and die. But the disciples skip right over that because they have their spiritual calculators out, punching in the numbers of converts, demons cast out, sick healed and prayers answered, trying to determine who has the highest score. But that misses the point.  We don’t win. God wins. And those points on the scoreboard? They are God’s. He draws people to himself. He rebukes demons. He cures sickness. He answers prayer. It is God’s grace from start to finish.

But then we ask…who got more grace points? [sound of Jesus smacking his own forehead]

We even see this in the church.

Francis Chan a pastor from Simi Valley exploded onto the evangelical scene a while ago when podcasts of sermons he gave at his flourishing, 4,000-member Southern California church went viral. But then in late 2010, he up and quit, saying, "I just want to disappear for a while." One thing that bothered him, he said, was that "even in my own church I heard the words 'Francis Chan' more than I heard the words, 'Holy Spirit.'[1]

Pastors don’t need to hear “What a great sermon!” They need to hear “What a great God!”

It happens to pastors, it happens to us.  We advertise our virtues on the job, so that others notice us. Only the beautiful pictures end up on FaceBook. You spend time with the cool people, so that you’ll at least look cool, too.

Instead of making the mission about me, we need to make the mission about God.  We don’t need to be important, we want God to be important. Here’s what I want to highlight:  lives changed, books written, relationships healed, communities revived, symphonies performed—by God. Does the stories you tell at work or school—or FaceBook--tell a story where you are the hero, or where God is the hero?

We fail when we want to appear important. We succeed when we want God to appear important.

Fail #4: Want To Appear Special (vs. 49-50)

This same attitude of “making the mission about me” led to the fourth failure, in verses 49-50:

⁴⁹ “Master,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” ⁵⁰ “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

Here is the irony. The disciples notice a man driving out demons in Jesus’ name—the very same thing they failed to do back in verse 38—but he is succeeding and they want to stop him!

Why? “Because he is not one of us.” They seem to say: “if we fail, so should they!”  Spiritual envy.  “If at first we don’t succeed, neither should anyone else.”

They are embarrassed and outdone, so they won’t give any credit. The Bible says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15) but the Tim Lewis translation says: “Criticize those who rejoice; make fun of those who mourn.” Some of you have read my translation.

This happens to us. Do you thank God for another church’s growth, another believer’s growing life of faith, another marriage’s closeness or another co-workers promotion? Or does their success immediately cause a critical remark or thought in you?

The disciple’s motto was “Anyone who is not with us is against us.” But Jesus’ motto was “Anyone who is not against you is for you.” Jesus just redefined the win. The win is not what Cornerstone does for God. The win is what Sun Hills and Vintage Grace and Lakeside and Lake Hills and Cornerstone do and beyond, for God. The win is not what Tim does, or Max does or Randy does for God. The win is when God appears uniquely as God.

We fail when we want to appear special or unique. We succeed when we make God appear special and unique.

Conclusion

Imagine an app on your phone that decided that the phone exists for its benefit. That inverts your phone’s mission so that instead of serving you, it serves itself. What do we call an app like that? A virus.

The virus of selfishness and pride always tries to hijack our lives away from God and towards ourselves. The results are destructive. We fail because we take the life that God has given and repurpose it for goals for which it was never intended.  The Bible says:

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. – James 3:16

We know this to be true. The worst and ugliest moments of our lives are the results of our pride. But somehow we return again and again to pride’s destructive influence. It was only the selfless act of Jesus, the innocent son of God, wrecked on the cross which can combat it and restore our broken soul.

Imagine for a moment if we could be genetically re-engineered so that the pores in our skin no longer secreted stench-generating liquids. Not all at once, but gradually. Fundamentally changing who we are and how our body works.

This is exactly what the gospel does. It brings to bear God's life-giving, regenerating Spirit in our lives so that, bit by bit, sin is not the natural product of our lives. Paul said it this way: "For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." (2 Corinthians 2:15)

Yes, we still need to wash. But we can cooperate with the Spirit's transformative work, not settling for sin-as-the-new-normal in our lives. 

Here is the win: God love me. It is God’s grace, I can’t take any credit.

·       We don’t need to appear smart, because God loves me.

·       We don’t need to appear important, because God loves me.

·       We don’t need to appear special, because God loves me.

·       We don’t need to appear competent, because God loves me.

“Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” – Romans 10:11b

Maybe you’ve realized that your 2016 new year’s resolutions were your plan, self-powered and self-promoting.  Maybe for 2016 you can ask God

1.    To follow God’s dreams and plans instead of yours.

2.    To power those dreams with God’s power instead of yours.

3.    To promote God’s reputation instead of yours.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen - Ephesians 3:20-21

That is the epic win.

Some material from the sermon “Getting It Wrong” by Steven Simala Grant, http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/getting-it-wrong-steven-simala-grant-sermon-on-faults-137584.asp?Page=1 retrieved on January 8, 2013

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[1] The Relentless Passion of Francis Chan, Mark Galli, Christianity Today, posted January 4, 2013. Retrieved on January 12, 2013

               

Good Friday 2015

This was first used as a series of devotions for Good Friday at Cornerstone Christian Church, April 3, 2015. Each devotion corresponded to a location on the church property. The response card mentioned can be found at the end. The locations were the Mount of Olives, The High Priest's Courtyard, Pilate's Courtyard, The Road to Golgotha and Golgotha

Station #1: The Mount Of Olives

During our short walk, we will visit six stations that represent six scenes from the final 24 hours of Jesus’ life. At each station, we will read a small section from the records of Jesus’ life, and think about the impact of that 24 hour journey towards the cross. We have a chance to come clean with God about the rust that has accumulated from this life, and claim the renovated life He offers. Let us pray.

We come first the Mount of Olives. Jesus and his disciples have just eaten the Passover meal together. Two unexpected things happened: Jesus was more open with them than he had ever been and Jesus had just told them that he was leaving. Luke’s biography of Jesus records what happened next:

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Luke 22:39-26)

The Bible tells us that Jesus was tempted in every way like we are tempted. Here we see it. There was alternative narrative—another plan--one where Jesus became king without the agony of the cross, the humiliation before his people, the betrayal and desertion of his friends and the blackness of the world’s sin. So compelling was this narrative that the devil used it to tempt Jesus—so forceful that Jesus was in anguish—so intense that he sweat blood. Asking for any alternative within the Father’s will, he nonetheless returned to this simple phrase “Not my will, but yours be done.”

Not my will. Not my agenda. Not my plan. Not my dreams. But your agenda. But your plan. But your dream, oh God. Jesus taught us to pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10)

Spent any time dreaming this week? For your career, for your kids, for your friends, for your security, for your ministry, for your health? Was there ever a time when you have to give up what you really wanted in order to do the right thing? Write that down on your response card.  

God has a bigger dream for us, but we cannot always welcome it when our hands are full of our own dreams. Perhaps less prominent, less visible, less secure, less comfortable, or less respected—but ultimately bigger, more impactful, more joyful and more satisfying.

If you are able, will you kneel with me here to pray? If you cannot kneel, place your heart in an attitude of kneeling before God. Now, life your closed hands toward heaven. Let us pray (as they pray to open their hands to let go of their dreams, and welcome of the aspirations and dreams of God)

Station #2: The High Priest's Courtyard

We are standing now in the High Priest’s Courtyard. Witnesses after witness, come following Jesus’ nighttime arrest to give their conflicting testimony to the chief priests and temple officials. Nearby, another crowd of servants and temple guards gather around a fire to warm themselves. Peter, Jesus’ disciple, mingles anonymously nearby. Luke’s biography of Jesus records the scene:

Then seizing him [Jesus], they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 

But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Peter’s dreams and aspirations were built around Jesus. Not the actual Jesus. Not the arrested and condemned Jesus. Not the suffering servant, love-thine-enemy Jesus. No, his plans were built around the successful Jesus, the conquering, kick-Roman-butt, iconoclastic, king Jesus. Now, miserable, he came to this courtyard to see what would happen. Knowing Jesus was a sort of liability. As in, he was liable to get arrested himself.

Jesus is an uncomfortable word in our vocabulary. Not because we don’t know who he is, or what he has done. We are free enough within our circle of the friends of Jesus. But, like Peter, we worry how the stigma of his name will carry over to us. Are we weird? Are we pushy? Are we negative? What will people think if they know we are with Jesus? So we mutter our prayers, muffle our thanks and mumble about the source of our strength and guidance. Jesus is a Sunday word, or a swear word, but not the name of a friend mentioned in polite company.

On your card, list one scene in your life, where it was tough to talk about Jesus, even though you knew you should. You were unnaturally quiet about Jesus. Work? Friends? Family? School or after school? Clubs?

Pray (ask them to join you in saying the name Jesus).

Station #3: Pilate's Courtyard

We’re standing in Pilate’s courtyard. While the chief priests could convict Jesus of all sorts of trumped-up charges, only Pilate, the Roman governor, could authorize the death sentence. I’m going to read a portion of Matthew’s biography of Jesus that records the scene, but I need your help. When I come to a certain point in the story, I will raise up my left hand, and you should shout out “Barabbas” and when I raise up my left hand, you should shout out, “Crucify him.” Let’s practice that. etc.

Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

Are we innocent? The funny thing is, everyone in this scene knew one truth: Jesus was innocent. Pilate knew it. The chief priests knew it. The crowd was led away from it. The guards didn’t care. Even Pilate’s wife knew it. But somehow, at the end, despite that innocence, Jesus is led away to be crucified.  Why?

Because they settled. The priests should be the point people for God, but settled for staying atop the garbage heap religiously by pushing Jesus down. Pilate should be governing with an even hand, but he settled for the upper hand by sticking it to the priests. The crowds had been shouting for Jesus Messiah “Hosanna. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” just the day before, and now they settled for Barabbas. The guards, well, they were bored and, when you don’t believe in anything yourself, you settle for making fun of those who do believe. Jesus was standing right in front of them! But they settled.

Have you settled? Maybe you once were excited about the future, maybe excited about where God was going, maybe excited about this new life of faith in Jesus. The truth burned within you. But then something happened, maybe you couldn’t see how it was going to work out, maybe you got in a relational cold war, maybe you felt threatened, or just tired and burnt out and so you backed off. You settled.

Settling traps you, but:

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

God has shown you great things, but think of one area where you’ve settled, where you knew what was really true, but did nothing about it and settled. Then pray with me. 

Station #4: The Road to Golgotha

We are following the road from the governor’s palace, out of the city of Jerusalem, towards the place of execution, Golgotha, perhaps a mile away. We read in Luke’s biography of Jesus these words.

As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. (Luke 23:11-12)

This is the second time during these last 24 hours that Jesus’ physical strength has failed him. First, it was in Gethsemane when he prayed. Angels came while his disciples slept. Simon Peter has denied Jesus and fled, but now the Roman soldiers escorting Jesus conscript Simon, a spectator, an outsider to carry what was probably the cross-beam, weighing as much as 100 pounds. 

Jesus’ mission was uniquely his own, but it was not his to do alone. When other disciples fell away, others were found to walk behind Jesus.  Why wasn’t Jesus strong enough? Why weren’t more angels dispatched? It was to leave a gap, so that Simon could be a participant in God’s plan, rather than just a spectator. Jesus said:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

God has left a gap; left something undone—not because he couldn’t arrange to do it for himself, but because he want us to participate, not spectate. Maybe someone else should have done it or could have done it. Not because it is natural or a good fit or convenient for you or me. But because we want so desperately to go where Jesus goes. Will you take up Jesus’ burden and follow after him? He said:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Has God left a gap for you-for you to participate? On your response card, list one area where God has left something for you, but it would require a big change. Then, pray with me. 

Station #5: The Cross

Now we come to Golgotha, the place of the skull. Jesus is stripped naked, his arms stretched out and nailed to the crossbeam, the crossbeam lifted and attached to the upright, his legs bent slightly and nailed to the post. Luke records it this way:

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:33-34, 44-46)

Why did Jesus go there? Why the cross?

Each of us carries secrets. Memories of things we’d rather forget. Helping hands withheld. Words that we should not have spoken. Things we wish we’d never done.  Thoughts that we can’t unthink. We like to think better of ourselves, but our secrets would tell a different, shameful story. 

That’s why the cross. Jesus knows those secrets. He took the shame, the humiliation, the punishment you deserved for your secrets on that cross.  The Bible says:

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)

No one can say, “Not good enough” or “Used up” or “Damaged” When we trust him, those secrets no longer control today or tomorrow or forever. The Bible says:

He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13b-14)

Maybe you have secrets. Never shared. Will you let God take the shame from you? Write a word on your card, fold that card in half, and with the other words you’ve written this evening, take a nail, take the hammer and agree with God by nailing it to the cross. Take the freedom he offers through that forgiveness.

Response Card
The boxes were for stamps that were present at each station for people to record their progress. They were originally meant for children, but proved as popular with adults.

Ephesians 1:8: Grace Lavished

If you're going to give, go over the top. Yes, they could get by with X and be happy. But why not go the extra mile and give them X + 1 and let them rejoice exceedingly, abundantly (see Matt. 5:40-42)? This isn't about money or stuff. It is about helping and loving, with everything that entails.

Why are we such stingy givers? Here are three reasons I have found in my own life:

First, we gauge our gift based on the perceived worthiness of the recipient. They don't need it. They will waste it or misuse it. There are others who need it more. Even in church (see James 2:2-4). But God doesn't act that way towards us. "Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else?" (Rom. 8:32) I want my love to look more like grace, not like a transaction based on return-on-investment.

Second, we don't get appreciated for our gift. We do the right thing but no one-including God-seems to notice. We resort to subtle reminders to let others and God know what we've done. No need for trumpets  (Matt. 6:2) when the off-hand comment and self-deprecating remark will do the trick. Down that path is resentment and disappointment. Rick Warren commented, "What you get out of service is joy. You don’t get approval. God approves of you, but it’s not because of what you do. He approves of you because of what Christ did for you already. That’s grace."[1] I want my love to look more like grace, not a barter economy.

Third, we need to ration our giving. We might run out. If I give too much here, there won't be enough there. But this isn't a limited grace universe.  Paul comments, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." We live like the impoverished when, in fact, we have access to God's inexhaustible resources of hope and power. I want to give like I am rich in God's grace.

His grace is lavished upon us. Lavish it on others:



[1] Is Legalism Killing Your Ministry, Rick Warren, http://pastors.com/legalism-in-ministry/, retrieved on 26 February 2015

1 Thessalonians 4: My Godly, Everyday Ambition

I work with my hands. Whether coding, writing specifications, commenting on company events, or managing projects by e-mail, a great deal of my productivity flows through thoughts expressed by the ten fingers God gave me. How is God's handiwork revealed in my hand-iwork?

There are many ways this core question gets worked out in specific job contexts, such as those discussed in the excellent book Faithful Is Successful: Notes to the Driven Pilgrim. One of the contributors (Bryan McT. McGraw) notes, "Sometimes, it seems to me, to fulfill one's vocation means working out what we are called to do wherever it is we get planted rather than always figuring out how we can re-plant ourselves elsewhere so as to do what we are 'really supposed to be doing.'"[1]

Nestled in our quest for the job that fits us is the ambition for our professional world to conform to us. When it doesn't, we cultivate the dissatisfaction of our heart rather than seeking God's ambition for us where we are. The Bible says a lot about work and how we do it, but one of my favorite overlooked verses deals with this topic:

Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to ... make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. - 1 Thessalonians 4:10b-12

These verses set an ambitious course against our selfish tendencies. It is our habit to:

1. Attract attention ("lead a quiet life")
2. Spectate rather than participate ("mind your own business and work with your hands")
3. Do just enough to get by ("win the respect of outsiders") 
4. Repeat this pattern because it's easy ("will not be dependent on others").

These themes are repeated again at the end of both of Paul's letters to the Thessalonians (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14).

Sometimes, this ambition seems too tame. Not grand enough. Not spiritual enough. But I wonder if we are leaving many of God's appointed tasks undone or unappreciated because we consider them spiritual enough. A recent article from Western Seminary's blog said it this way:

Can I ask you, when was the last time you came to the end of your day and paused for just a minute or two, reflected back over the day and said, “That was a good day.”

Or, “That child who came to school today obviously upset, went home with a better attitude because I had a chance to chat with her.”

“That accounting mistake I found will save us thousands of dollars down the line. That was good.”

“That pallet of products I produced will be a blessing to folks as they purchase them and use them in their home. That’s good”.

“That couple who came into the hospital today to face the first of many cancer treatments, seemed comforted by the hope I was able to give them. That was very good.”

“Those new tires I installed on that lady’s car seemed to give her a peace of mind that had been in turmoil. That was good.”

“That kind word I spoke to that grumpy customer as he left brought a smile to his face. That was good.”

Were those really sacred acts? Even those done in a secular environment? Even though it wasn’t “church stuff?” Well, Jesus said they are. In Matthew 5:16 he said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Sounds sacred to me.[2]

My job, software engineering, is a sacred calling, because it puts the genius of God on display. He is shown in the steady, slow, quiet progress of transformation, in me and in my workplace. He is shown in increasing generosity and compassion in all aspects of my life because of God's provision to me. That is my ambition.

[1] Faithful Is Successful: Notes to the Driven Pilgrim, Grills, Lewis, Swamidass, 2014, p.21
[2] "God Is A Worker And I'm Made In His Image", Jim Hislop, 9 June 2014, http://www.westernseminary.edu/transformedblog/2014/06/09/god-is-a-worker-and-im-made-in-his-image , retrieved 15 February 2015

2 Kings 8: Self-Serving Interpretations

In the book of 2nd Kings, chapter 8, there is one of those confusing prophecies which makes you question if you really know how God works and thinks (see also 1 Kings 22). The king of Aram, Ben-Hadad, is very sick and sends his right-hand man, Hazael to ask Elisha about his future. Elisha says to him: “Go and say to him, ‘You will certainly recover.’ Nevertheless, the Lord has revealed to me that he will in fact die.” (2 Kings 8:10)

So Hazael goes back to Ben-Hadad, tells him the first part, and on the next day, smothers him to death with a water soaked cloth. (vs. 15)

Did God instruct Elisha to tell Hazael to lie? No. He likely did recover. But 'nevertheless' he died: murdered. Like many of the other prophecies of Elisha (cf. 2 Kings 7:2), these double-edged prophecies serve to reveal the character of the hearer. By how he responds, Hazael will show what kind of man he is. Watch the sequence of events.

First, he reveals himself by his reaction to the prophecy. After Elisha gives this prophecy, there is curious phrase: "He stared at him with a fixed gaze until Hazael was embarrassed." (vs. 11a) God knew that the coup attempt was already in Hazael's thoughts. Elisha watched his reaction. When there was none, "Then the man of God began to weep." (vs. 11b) He did not care about the king. The king's death was not a loss for Hazael, but an opportunity.

Second, he reveals himself by pretending to not understand. He tries to cover it up. “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. (vs. 12) When Elisha tells him that he will be responsible for terrible acts of violence against Israel's people, he is not insulted or horrified. Instead he asks how he would get that kind of power and position: "Hazael said, “How could your servant, a mere dog, accomplish such a feat?” (vs. 13a) There it is: ambition cloaked in false humility.

When Elisha tells him what he wants to hear: “The Lord has shown me that you will become king of Aram,” (vs. 13b), he does not pause to consider: "I could serve the king faithfully until he dies and he or the leaders will make me the next king." No, he takes Elisha's words as a mandate from heaven and carries out the coup against the king who trusted him with his life. He gains his secret desire at the cost of becoming the worst sort of man. He took the prophecy, not as a judgement, but as a get-out-of-jail-free card to carry out his own desires.

We also do this. Many times we select the parts of the truth we listen to; we select the parts of the truth we pass on to others; and we edit God's word so that it seems to authorize the accomplishment of what we want. Even at the cost of becoming the worst sort of man or woman. Check your ambitions, your big goals, your hearts desire, your unspoken wishes, and see if you aren't sacrificing your character on their altar. God will offer a test. Will you follow your own self-serving interpretation? Do you have people who can tell you when you're off course?

What good is it for someone to gain the world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mark 8:36)

Romans 8:15-17: The Cast of Characters Called "Father"

"In the absence of a real father, I had a cast of characters that were at times hilarious, pitiful, perfect, kind and wise." - Donald Miller, Father Fiction, p. 5

How many of those I care about grew into adulthood without a father in the house? Several. The stories are different, but the emotions are similar. Many of those struggle themselves in their relationships, priming the cycle to repeat. It also makes it difficult to understand our relationship with God the Father, forcing us to rely on other analogies and descriptions. Consider Paul's powerful call to spiritual freedom in his letter to the Romans:

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. - Romans 8:15-17

When Jesus purchased us from sin and death, where we were slaves,  he did not merely make us slaves again under a new, more benevolent regime. Rather he adopted us as children and co-heirs of the vast privilege conferred upon Jesus.

But is that a good thing? For those whose experience within families has been generally positive, it may be hard to even understand this question. "Of course its a good thing!" But for those whose relationship with parents has been painful, confusing or absent the idea of placing God into the Father role may not seem so appealing.

In fact, the slave role may seem simpler and less emotionally risky. Commands are given on one hand and carried out on the other. I don't have to like the Master, I just have to obey the Master. Do what He wants, no one gets hurt, I pay a well-defined cost resulting in well-defined benefits, and my emotions are my own.

The role of Father (or, worse, Abba or Daddy!) carries with it the expectation that I should love God, that I should feel something for God, that I should long to be near him. Uncertain about fathers in general, some might wonder whether they want to slot God into that role in their lives.

There is fear there. Fear of putting any person or institution or idea into such a powerful role within our lives. We try to protect ourselves by never filling that vacancy, never ceding authority or emotional significance to a "Father". But we have to recognize it for what it is: fear. Fear of what God might do, what disappointment he might inflict, what foolishness he might get us into.

It is exactly the role of Father that casts this fear out. Not the type of father we might have experienced or which we might still dread, but the type of father we were designed to be in relationship with. For those of us with a less-than-perfect family landscape, it is unfamiliar territory but the journey through that territory is one worth making.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. - 1 John 4:18

John 12:23-28: My Life's Purpose is Not Me

There was a period in each of our childrens' lives where their favorite sentence was one word: "Why?" Many times, in exasperation, our favorite reply was also one word: "Because." Later, when we were a little more clever and a lot more tired, it expanded to two words: "Why not?"

Obviously these were not satisfactory answers are just obfuscation to buy us a few moments respite before "Why?" resumed. Honestly, we labored to answer with as much honesty and thoroughness as we could, but they stretched our imagination and creativity.

Why? Why not? Really fundamental questions. It was Gottfried Leibniz who queried, "Why is there something rather than nothing?" Why? Why not? Or to bring it to a more personal level, "Why me rather than not me?" Would the universe care or even notice if there were one fewer sentient being alive, or would it simply carry on as before? Really, I'd like to know if I make a difference.

Even Christians ask these questions. Theology doesn't remove the issue, just transfers the locus to God. Follow me here: If God does whatever he purposes, and none can prevent his purposes from being accomplished (cf. Isaiah 55:11), then why bother with me? Does God really care what I do (if he can bypass me) and, if so, what next?

These issues can seem theoretical. But knowing the "Why?" helps making choices. Which job? Which friends? Which hobbies? Which thoughts? Which risks?

Jesus spoke about his purpose in several places in the four biographies in the Bible. Sometimes he spoke about what it was: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10) Other times he spoke about what it was not: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (Matthew 5:17)

Jesus understood his purpose. This allowed Jesus to select among the courses of action available to him. This allowed Jesus to line up his life with God's bigger purpose.

So, over the next few blog articles, I'm going to look at Jesus' purpose, as he described it. Then I'm going to figure out how to imitate him, as best I can.

The first thing I learned is: My Life's Purpose is Not Me. Here is what Jesus said:

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” - John 12:27-28

Jesus is arriving at an appointment scheduled in God's plan. He held within his power the ability to steer a course away from pain, betrayal and shame (see Matthew 26:53). The full consequences of both alternatives were before him and he felt them both keenly. His soul was troubled by the decision.

In the end, though, what moved Jesus? What was the target for his life's trajectory? His purpose was to risk his own life to build the reputation (the 'glory') of God. "Father, glorify your name." His life was not about his self; it was about the Father. His life was spent making God look good and furthering God's purpose.

What do we usually do here when it comes to purpose? Be the best you can be. Pursue what you love. Make an impact on the world. Be happy. Survive Monday. These purposes revolve around self. Left in default mode, my purposes reset to my self. My interests. My passions. My fulfillment. My enjoyment. My impact.

But Jesus' purposes revolved around God the Father. He consciously rejects the "save me" and accepts the "your name" That choice had consequences and he knew it. "He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die." (vs. 33). But consequences of any other choice he could make it were worse: "Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (vs. 25)

The second thing I learned is: My Life's Is Best Risked On God's Goodness. If you look closely, Jesus defined what he meant by "this hour" back in verse 23: Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Jesus often used the phrase "Son of Man" when speaking about himself. Read it again. Wait, you say, "Aren't we talking about building up the Father's glory? But Jesus is saying he [Jesus] will be glorified. What's up?" Good question. When Jesus fulfilled his purpose by setting aside any personal agenda, Jesus showcased God. Then God the Father chose to spotlight Jesus! Paul says it this way: ...he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place...to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:8-11) Jesus gave it all away, trusting God would give it back. So must I. That's a risk I must be willing to take.

The third (and final) thing I learned is: My Life Is Best Invested With God. "Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." (vs. 24) The seed that clings to life, yields one plant. The seed that dies, produces many. There is no other life path which offers the scale of guaranteed return as a life risked for him. Reverend George Mackay, missionary in northern Taiwan, famously said, "Rather burn out than rust out."

Time to stop playing it safe. My step today, as on many other days, is to take my life, my family, my bank account, my job, my goals and my reputation and offer them to God. If I am honest, it is gut wrenching. But my life is not about protecting these for me, but spending them for God.