Luke 15:31-32
The final scene of the final act of the story of the Father and his two sons. The younger son has come home and the father has thrown a party to demonstrate his unearned, undeserved, unlimited love and acceptance. The older son has come home and has refused to enter the party, forcing the father to go out to him - a huge insult, making the father subservient to the older son, paralleling the insult of the younger son at the beginning of the story. The older son's protest reveals his heart; he was never serving his father out of love for his father but to gain his father's treasures. His heart is the same as that of his younger brother; he is just going about it in a more socially acceptable way.
Here, is the final plea of a father for his son. First, he reminds the son that he is loved and a part of the family. He does this by calling him, "my son". Second, he reminds the son that as part of the family he already has all the father's treasure and blessing; "everything I have is yours." He ends with a gentle rebuke by first reminding the son that the younger son is his brother: "this brother of yours." As his brother he has some obligations and responsibilities to the younger son. I think the father reminds him of his responsibilities when he says, "he was lost and is found." This is a passive sentence and implies, especially in the context of the other parables, that nobody went out looking for him. The implication is that the older brother should have gone out looking for the younger son.
The original audience certainly would have got that. In the previous two parables, when the item is lost it sparks a massive, no holds barred search until it is found. As Jesus starts this story and the younger son is lost, the anticipation would have been that somebody was going to search for him in the same way that the shepherd searched for the lost sheep and the woman searched for the lost coin. I'm sure they expected Jesus to tell them at any moment that the older son went out to search for the lost brother.
Looking at the original audience, I see two groups: 1) tax collectors and sinners - the outcasts of society, those who would have identified with the younger brother in the story - and 2) the Pharisees and teachers of the law (see Luke 15:1-2) - the elite, the responsible, those who would have identified with the elder brother. Jesus' rebuke is huge. First, it is never clear that the elder brother enters the celebration. Jesus leaves us hanging on that one. I think he is saying to the Pharisees that only they can write the end of the story. Second, it is obvious that the elder brother had an obligation to the younger brother which was never fulfilled. Rather than searching for their lost brothers and sisters, the Pharisees sit back with smug smiles and dream about how much more God is going to bless and reward them because they have been so obedient.
This is a rebuke to me. I am an older brother. Not just in position, but in attitude. I am a people pleaser and that has translated to God. I seek to please him, not because I find pleasure in pleasing him but so that I can manipulate him. I make him subservient to my needs and desires. I tell him that because I have been so good, he must be good to me. In regards to my younger brothers and sisters, I don't seek them but look down on them. I am happy to see them go because they never toed the line, only stirred the pot and rocked the boat and, frankly, they don't deserve to be a part of the household. I am afraid that I am going to miss the party because I have missed the point. I don't even know where to start to change. I don't know even know how. God, my Father, just as the father was the initiater in this story, I am depending on you to initiate change in me. I am lost with out you. I want you to change my heart so that pleasing you is my end - not pleasing you so that I can get what I want but pleasing you because I love you and long for nothing more than for you to be pleased.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Lost is Found
Luke 15:17-24
The son's plan is to become a hired servant. A hired servant was not even part of the household but someone who would go home every night. The son's plan was to live off of the estate, earn enough to pay back all that he had squandered and, maybe one day, earn his way back into the family.
The father had a different plan. The fact that his son had squandered his wealth, ruined his reputation and insulted him did not change the fact that his son was his son. So, when he saw him off in the distance, he came running! He threw his arms around his son's neck and covered his face with kisses. He didn't even let his son explain his plan!
He gives him the best robe - this would have been the father's own robe. It would have made clear that the father was not going to wait for any payback, any groveling or contrition. The son was immediately restored into the family.
He gives him sandals or shoes. This would have indicated that the son was not a slave. He was a full member of the household. He would not have to work to earn his place back. He would not have to work to make up for his sin.
He gives him a ring. This was probably a sign of authourity. This meant that the father wasn't going to wait around to see if his son had truly changed. He wasn't going to give him a little bit of responsibility at a time and see if he could handle it. No, the son had full authourity to enter into business arrangements, to spend money, to purchase items, to sign contracts as a member of the family. This was a huge risk. This was not just a symbolic gesture. This meant that the son could waste the father's money all over again.
He kills the fattened calf. It seems like the father was preparing for this moment. The calf was fattened in anticipation of the son's return. This was not going to be an ordinary supper but a celebration feast where no expense would be spared. The son was home!
What had the son done to deserve this? Nothing! The father's love and acceptance are absolutely free. The father's love and acceptance are abundant - they will never run out. The lesson is that the grace of God is enough to pardon and restore every kind of sin and wrongdoing. It never, ever runs out. Not even if he has to forgive 7x70, 70x70 or 700x700 times.
The son's plan is to become a hired servant. A hired servant was not even part of the household but someone who would go home every night. The son's plan was to live off of the estate, earn enough to pay back all that he had squandered and, maybe one day, earn his way back into the family.
The father had a different plan. The fact that his son had squandered his wealth, ruined his reputation and insulted him did not change the fact that his son was his son. So, when he saw him off in the distance, he came running! He threw his arms around his son's neck and covered his face with kisses. He didn't even let his son explain his plan!
He gives him the best robe - this would have been the father's own robe. It would have made clear that the father was not going to wait for any payback, any groveling or contrition. The son was immediately restored into the family.
He gives him sandals or shoes. This would have indicated that the son was not a slave. He was a full member of the household. He would not have to work to earn his place back. He would not have to work to make up for his sin.
He gives him a ring. This was probably a sign of authourity. This meant that the father wasn't going to wait around to see if his son had truly changed. He wasn't going to give him a little bit of responsibility at a time and see if he could handle it. No, the son had full authourity to enter into business arrangements, to spend money, to purchase items, to sign contracts as a member of the family. This was a huge risk. This was not just a symbolic gesture. This meant that the son could waste the father's money all over again.
He kills the fattened calf. It seems like the father was preparing for this moment. The calf was fattened in anticipation of the son's return. This was not going to be an ordinary supper but a celebration feast where no expense would be spared. The son was home!
What had the son done to deserve this? Nothing! The father's love and acceptance are absolutely free. The father's love and acceptance are abundant - they will never run out. The lesson is that the grace of God is enough to pardon and restore every kind of sin and wrongdoing. It never, ever runs out. Not even if he has to forgive 7x70, 70x70 or 700x700 times.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
How do you know a love that surpasses knowledge?
Ephesians 3:16-21
The key words and themes in this passage are: pray, power, love, fullness, immeasurable. This is a prayer that Paul is praying for the church in Ephesus. He has one main request: that the church would receive power from the Spirit so that a) Christ may dwell in their hearts and b) they would be able to know a love that surpasses knowledge (or, to use Paul's other word picture, to measure a love that is without limit). The result of receiving this power and knowing this unknowable love is that the church will be filled with the fullness of God. In my own words; "I pray that you would know the full measure of Christ's love so that you would be filled with the full measure of God.
Paul repeats himself in this prayer. First, he prays that God would fill the church with power so that Christ may dwell in their hearts then he prays that the church would have power so that they would be filled to the measure of the all the fullness of God. The second time he just gets a bit more specific about what he wants the church to have power to do; to be able to measure the unmeasurable love of God. The two "ends" are the same: that Christ, in all his fullness, would dwell in the hearts of the church. The two ends are achieved in the same way: only by God giving the church power.
Paul continues this idea of power in the next verse: by God's power, he can do immeasurably more than anything I could ever imagine, including, but not limited to, filling the church to the measure of all the fullness of God. What this means is that when the church displays strength, it is a miracle in the sense that it is an act of God; when the church grasps, even for a moment, the limitless love of God, it is a miracle. For me, it means that I need to pray for more miracles. To answer the question I posed in the title: the only way that the church can measure the unmeasurable love of God is by a miracle. It will take a miracle for the church to know, experience and extend the unknowable love of Christ. Only God can make it happen. I need to pray that God would fill the church with power to stand firm in the face of temptation. Only God can make that happen. I need to be reminded that I am part of the church and equally dependent on God for his miracle in my personal live. I am reminded that whenever I don't sin, it's a miracle; that whenever I do something good and right, it is not by my strength or moral character, it's a miracle. God, I need more miracles!!
The key words and themes in this passage are: pray, power, love, fullness, immeasurable. This is a prayer that Paul is praying for the church in Ephesus. He has one main request: that the church would receive power from the Spirit so that a) Christ may dwell in their hearts and b) they would be able to know a love that surpasses knowledge (or, to use Paul's other word picture, to measure a love that is without limit). The result of receiving this power and knowing this unknowable love is that the church will be filled with the fullness of God. In my own words; "I pray that you would know the full measure of Christ's love so that you would be filled with the full measure of God.
Paul repeats himself in this prayer. First, he prays that God would fill the church with power so that Christ may dwell in their hearts then he prays that the church would have power so that they would be filled to the measure of the all the fullness of God. The second time he just gets a bit more specific about what he wants the church to have power to do; to be able to measure the unmeasurable love of God. The two "ends" are the same: that Christ, in all his fullness, would dwell in the hearts of the church. The two ends are achieved in the same way: only by God giving the church power.
Paul continues this idea of power in the next verse: by God's power, he can do immeasurably more than anything I could ever imagine, including, but not limited to, filling the church to the measure of all the fullness of God. What this means is that when the church displays strength, it is a miracle in the sense that it is an act of God; when the church grasps, even for a moment, the limitless love of God, it is a miracle. For me, it means that I need to pray for more miracles. To answer the question I posed in the title: the only way that the church can measure the unmeasurable love of God is by a miracle. It will take a miracle for the church to know, experience and extend the unknowable love of Christ. Only God can make it happen. I need to pray that God would fill the church with power to stand firm in the face of temptation. Only God can make that happen. I need to be reminded that I am part of the church and equally dependent on God for his miracle in my personal live. I am reminded that whenever I don't sin, it's a miracle; that whenever I do something good and right, it is not by my strength or moral character, it's a miracle. God, I need more miracles!!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Our Main Ambition
2 Corinthians 5:9-10
Paul is speaking about longing for the new body that will come with the resurrection. Paul's preference is to be with the Lord, clothed in immortality. However, no matter where he is, his main ambition is to please Christ. While in his present body, Paul determines to live in such a way that he will be rewarded when he appears before the judgment seat of Christ.
This is what the pastor at First Ev Free in Fullerton was speaking about: how we live in the present affects how we will experience and enjoy eternity. Paul has abandoned himself to pleasing Christ and is anticipating a full enjoyment of eternity as a result. He anticipates that everyone will be judged based the things they have done while in their present bodies. Obviously this does not determine the salvation of the person. Paul makes that clear in other passages - by grace through faith alone. However, this does not absolve us from doing any works. Paul is equally clear in this and other passages that everyone will receive what is due them for the works they have done.
The question that arises with a salvation that is by grace through faith alone is, "why, then, should I bother to do anything when all that is required is faith in the grace of Christ?" The answer from Scripture is that what I do here in this body affects my experience of eternity.
Paul is speaking about longing for the new body that will come with the resurrection. Paul's preference is to be with the Lord, clothed in immortality. However, no matter where he is, his main ambition is to please Christ. While in his present body, Paul determines to live in such a way that he will be rewarded when he appears before the judgment seat of Christ.
This is what the pastor at First Ev Free in Fullerton was speaking about: how we live in the present affects how we will experience and enjoy eternity. Paul has abandoned himself to pleasing Christ and is anticipating a full enjoyment of eternity as a result. He anticipates that everyone will be judged based the things they have done while in their present bodies. Obviously this does not determine the salvation of the person. Paul makes that clear in other passages - by grace through faith alone. However, this does not absolve us from doing any works. Paul is equally clear in this and other passages that everyone will receive what is due them for the works they have done.
The question that arises with a salvation that is by grace through faith alone is, "why, then, should I bother to do anything when all that is required is faith in the grace of Christ?" The answer from Scripture is that what I do here in this body affects my experience of eternity.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Praying for Protection
John 17:9-17
This is a continuation of Jesus' prayer - often referred to as his high priestly prayer. In this section he addresses the tension of living in the world but not being of the world. He asks his Father to protect his followers. I think most people would assume that he is requesting that his followers remain safe in his absence but that is not the case. Jesus is mainly asking his Father to protect his followers from the influences of the world, not from harm. If it was a request to keep his followers from harm, then we must consider Jesus' request unfulfilled since most of the apostles were martyred or exiled and thousands of Jesus' followers face persecution every year.
This is a vital prayer for Jesus' followers in North America today and for me in particular. We do not face much in the way of physical danger because of our faith. We do face much in the way of compromise and worldly influence. Jesus' prayer rings in my ears as I re-enter my normal lifestyle after being away for 12 days. I was insulated from media, from news, from sports, from the concerns of regular life. As I re-enter my routines and re-engage my regular world, I recognize the ease of adopting worldly positions, pursuits and recreations. I am praying along with Christ that I would be sanctified by God's word, that I would be protected from the evil one and his subtle strategies and that I would know what it means to be in the world but not of the world.
This is a continuation of Jesus' prayer - often referred to as his high priestly prayer. In this section he addresses the tension of living in the world but not being of the world. He asks his Father to protect his followers. I think most people would assume that he is requesting that his followers remain safe in his absence but that is not the case. Jesus is mainly asking his Father to protect his followers from the influences of the world, not from harm. If it was a request to keep his followers from harm, then we must consider Jesus' request unfulfilled since most of the apostles were martyred or exiled and thousands of Jesus' followers face persecution every year.
This is a vital prayer for Jesus' followers in North America today and for me in particular. We do not face much in the way of physical danger because of our faith. We do face much in the way of compromise and worldly influence. Jesus' prayer rings in my ears as I re-enter my normal lifestyle after being away for 12 days. I was insulated from media, from news, from sports, from the concerns of regular life. As I re-enter my routines and re-engage my regular world, I recognize the ease of adopting worldly positions, pursuits and recreations. I am praying along with Christ that I would be sanctified by God's word, that I would be protected from the evil one and his subtle strategies and that I would know what it means to be in the world but not of the world.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Greater Things
John 14:12-14
The key words are Father and "in my name." These are words that Jesus spoke to his disciples just before he was arrested and crucified. He is telling them about things that are going to happen immediately (i.e. his arrest and crucifixion) and a bit further into the future (i.e. the coming of the Spirit).
Jesus is telling his disciples that they will be empowered to continue on his work. He makes a bold and somewhat puzzling statement: that his disciples will do even greater things than he did. That statement should have caused his disciples to sit up and take notice. Greater things than Jesus? How is that even possible? Jesus gives the answer in the following verses: 1) through prayer (v.13-14) and 2) in the power of the Spirit (v. 15 and following). Regular human beings who have been redeemed by Christ, adopted by the Father and empowered by the Spirit will continue to carry out the work and agenda of Christ on this earth. That will cause people to take notice, just as it did in the book of Acts.
There is another phrase that has often been misinterpreted; "in the name of Jesus." This is not a magical phrase that we just add to our prayer that forces God to answer in the way that we want him to. This is not a mantra that we repeat to get our own way. It means that when I approach every moment as an opportunity to advance the agenda of the Kingdom that Jesus will give me everything I need to accomplish that.
So, as I go to L.A., this means that I do not need to worry. The success of this trip does not rely on my own wisdom or strength. I go in the wisdom, strength and power of the Spirit who lives in me and empowers me, along with my team-mates, to do everything that God has called me to do. It means that as I look for opportunities to advance the agenda of Christ and make him known to people, that I will have everything that I need as I rely on him.
The key words are Father and "in my name." These are words that Jesus spoke to his disciples just before he was arrested and crucified. He is telling them about things that are going to happen immediately (i.e. his arrest and crucifixion) and a bit further into the future (i.e. the coming of the Spirit).
Jesus is telling his disciples that they will be empowered to continue on his work. He makes a bold and somewhat puzzling statement: that his disciples will do even greater things than he did. That statement should have caused his disciples to sit up and take notice. Greater things than Jesus? How is that even possible? Jesus gives the answer in the following verses: 1) through prayer (v.13-14) and 2) in the power of the Spirit (v. 15 and following). Regular human beings who have been redeemed by Christ, adopted by the Father and empowered by the Spirit will continue to carry out the work and agenda of Christ on this earth. That will cause people to take notice, just as it did in the book of Acts.
There is another phrase that has often been misinterpreted; "in the name of Jesus." This is not a magical phrase that we just add to our prayer that forces God to answer in the way that we want him to. This is not a mantra that we repeat to get our own way. It means that when I approach every moment as an opportunity to advance the agenda of the Kingdom that Jesus will give me everything I need to accomplish that.
So, as I go to L.A., this means that I do not need to worry. The success of this trip does not rely on my own wisdom or strength. I go in the wisdom, strength and power of the Spirit who lives in me and empowers me, along with my team-mates, to do everything that God has called me to do. It means that as I look for opportunities to advance the agenda of Christ and make him known to people, that I will have everything that I need as I rely on him.
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