October 20 - Mark 8; Luke 9:18-27; Matthew 16: Beware Bad Influences and an Unwillingness to Suffer

Today’s Reading: Mark 8; Luke 9:18-27; Matthew 16

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Only those who let Jesus lead will find their True Selves.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Jesus compassionately fed thousands with a few loaves and fish.
Pharisees wanted a sign. Jesus replied, "I'd rather not give you anything!"
Jesus warned the Apostles of "Pharisee yeast". Disappointingly, they thought He meant physical yeast.
Jesus asked who the Apostles thought He was. Peter piped in, "You are the Messiah."
Jesus responded, "Peter, you will get the keys to My Everlasting Church."
Jesus told them about His future suffering. Peter protested, but Jesus asked Him to back off, "I must lead or you risk losing your True Self. If you find Me embarrassing, remember that everyone associates us together!"

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Jesus fed the crowds because He felt compassion for them.

We have now read five stories spanning four days where Jesus feeds thousands using a few loaves and fish. Each describes how He looked out over the crowd and felt compassion for them. Jesus wanted to set things right because He has compassion for the world.

Jesus warned the Apostles to stay clear from influences that would corrupt their allegiance.

The Pharisees and Herod were pledged to their own causes—the Pharisees to keeping their version of the Law and Herod to his greatness. Jesus knew they would offer a helping hand in return for special treatment in this new Kingdom. So Jesus wanted to make sure the Apostles stayed either stayed away from them or did not let the corruption seep into their lives. Keep away from harmful influences and legalist who miss God.
How do we do this and still help sinners? It depends on the person. If the person doesn't seem interested in setting things right, we might do better by keeping a distance. If they seem open, be open.

The Apostles were sometimes quite dense.

Right after Jesus feeds four thousand people, the Apostles were afraid they would run out of food. When Jesus told them to beware the yeast of the Pharisees they thought He meant they could not patron the Pharisees' favorite stores. I can see Jesus doing a facepalm. Sometimes, God's Chosen People are not the brightest in the world.

The Apostles were given the Keys to the Kingdom because they trusted in who Jesus was.

Peter's answer showed the difference between the Apostles and the rest of the world. The world was confused as to who Jesus was but the Apostles knew. Jesus would not let anyone tell who He was. Peter knew Jesus was the Messiah because of what He saw, not what He heard. They were given the Keys to the Kingdom because they were willing to trust Jesus. Those willing to trust God will have the opportunity to spread His Message more than anyone else.

Suffering is not optional.

Jesus started His preparations for the cross long before it came. Peter, in typical fashion, goes from hero to goat in a matter of hours. He does not want the Messiah to suffer. He wants Him to have a comfortable throne, high above any other one. Jesus has to remind Him that servants do not decide what God does. They must obey, not dictate. What He adds gives why—it is through suffering that we understand the True Nature of God. Through suffering we find our true selves by giving ourselves to God.

Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? (Matthew 16:24-26, The Message)

Only through sacrifice we not only find our souls, we find God protecting our souls.

When Jesus returns, the world will compare Him to those who openly obey Him.

Jesus warned the Apostles that by openly associating themselves with Him they would receive both the suffering and the blessing that He received. If they were willing to suffer, they would be revered; however, if they were unwilling to suffer or were ashamed of their suffering, why would they be revered? Our steady faith—or lack of—projects onto Jesus and not only ourselves.

Would Jesus need to apologize for you?

May 14 - Psalms 32, 51, 86, and 122: David Confronts His Sin and His Forgiveness

Today’s Reading: Psalms 32, 51, 86, and 122

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Today's reading is an emotional rollercoaster where David deals with the turmoil of his sin.

Psalm (P)Synopsis

Psalm 32

Those who confess their mistakes to God and receive forgiveness are blessed. When David hid his sin from God he felt unending pressure inside. When he confessed his sin, the pressure left.

Psalm 51

David cries out to God because he has sinned against Him. He longs for a clean feeling and wants to be with God again. He asks that God keep Zion as his home and heal his land.

Psalm 86

David calls for God's ear to hear and help him. He knows no one can help like God. They have a good history together and David knows God will put him back on his feet.

Psalm 122

David leaped for joy because he was able to worship God again. Jerusalem is a wonderful place for God's presence. May it always have peace!

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Hiding his sin caused David more pain than confessing them to God.

David adamantly states that his issues were intensified when he kept all of his mistakes hidden from God. The pressure was released when he confessed his sins to God. This is why his advice is to stay on the straight and narrow. He knows going off God's path only leads to heartache and stress. Stay with God and confess your mistakes before God to live stress-free.
Psalm 32 provides the best reason why churches should be places for people to openly confess their mistakes. When churches become museums for good people who never need forgiveness those who feel they don't meet that high standard stay away. Even though no church would consider itself a museum of people above reproach we must understand that our culture views us in that way by default; therefore, churches must overcome the negative stereotype of being a museum for good people who never need to confess sins by openly encouraging and providing time and space for people to admit their mistakes and ask for help setting things right, whether in public or in private. Having a song after the sermon and a quiet, generic conversation about the need for "prayers" cannot be the extent of a church's attempt at setting things right.

David wants to renew his relationship with God.

David knows his mistake with Bathsheba puts him in jeopardy of losing both his relationship with God and his possession of God's Spirit. This is why Psalm 51 has such beautiful and vulnerable language—David wants to make up for all he has done to God. He knows the only thing that can save him is humility:

Going through the motions doesn’t please you,
   a flawless performance is nothing to you.
I learned God-worship
   when my pride was shattered.
Heart-shattered lives ready for love
   don’t for a moment escape God’s notice. (51:16-17, The Message)

David has great excitement when asked to worship God.

Allow me to make an unnecessary assumption—Psalm 122 was written shortly after David's son died and he returned to his life. David prayed and wept on the floor for seven days. He felt mournful and greatly disturbed because of how he betrayed God. He knows that his relationship with God was saved through God's forgiveness alone. So the first time someone asks David to go into the Tabernacle to worship God He leaps for joy. All is well again! David continues to have God's Spirit. He still has his position. God has not abandoned him as He abandoned Saul. When we acknowledge what God has done for us, we, too, will leap for joy when someone suggests a time of worship to Him.

What are you hiding from God?