Posts Tagged ‘Exodus’
Putting Jesus in the Friend Zone
January 24, 2013 | 
Author Putting Jesus in the Friend Zone
Readings: Exodus 12:30—27:21
As I continue reading through the Bible and the Book of Exodus, a picture has emerged in my mind as I reflect and consider the passages I’ve read in parallel with life and culture. I would caution about reading too much into my metaphor of “Friend Zone,” but it seems an accurate assessment if not taken too literally. #enddisclaimer
One theme I know is true, but never seem to remember how boldly it is proclaimed is God’s call for purity, fidelity, focus, and detail with the scope of relationship between God and man. God establishes laws, boundaries, and instructions for every aspect of living in community with Him and even extends the same measure of detail for living and relationships for the community itself. Essentially, after freeing the covenant peoples of Israel, God defines the relationship; He dictates the conditions to Moses and Moses reads them aloud in painstaking detail to the people.
“Then he took the book of the covenant, and read it in the hearing of the people: and they said, ‘All that the LORD as spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.’”(Exodus 24:7)
Even with the oath and proclamation of obedience by the people, God knows in advance they will not “be perfect as He is perfect.” He establishes a means of forgiveness and cleansing for the sins of the people in the system of sacrifices and offerings; therefore, when the people fail to follow the rules of relationship, there is a means of reconciliation in place to prevent fracture and break-up and provide restoration.
As the years pass, so does the honeymoon stage of the relationship between the covenant people and God. The relationship itself is taken for granted by the people and the sacrificial system becomes a justifying means to an end. The attitudes of the people become apathetic, non-committal, and adulterous toward their God. The sacrifices necessary for redemption, reconciliation, and restoration of the people mean nothing to those who offer the sacrifices and ultimately mean nothing to God (Isaiah 1:11-12; Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21).
I hope I’m not reading too much into what I’ve perceived, but it seems to me that the trajectory of the relationship was something like this: God establishes and defines the relationship between He and the Israelites; the Israelites agree to the lifestyle of purity, civility, and fidelity God defines; God provides a means for the Israelites restoration when they fail their commitment. As the timeline continues and the commitment made by the Israelites is diluted through their generations, the people move from offering sacrifices for their failures to not recognizing their failures at all. In effect, the people, by the association of their actions, redefine the relationship with their God. What God calls sin, the people fail or rarely recognize as such. The people boldly engage in worship of false gods, mistreat their fellow human beings, lie, cheat, and steal from one another…and more, all of which were clearly defined as abhorrent and unacceptable to God. It appears a combination of things occurred in the hearts and minds of this former covenant keeping people; one is that they stopped caring about the Creator God who had rescued and provided for them all the years of their existence, and another is that it appeared they no longer considered many of their actions sin.
Fast Forward
Years pass and Jesus steps into the scene. No longer, does man have to live behind the blemished façade of a false self; God comes to dwell amongst men and provide them a means to be wholly reconciled and fully restored to the imago dei (Image of God). Man no longer has to live in sin (hamartia: missing the mark of God), but God in the flesh shows man the way to accurately reflect and embody the divine nature.
Fast Forward Some More
Here we are; today, the world in which we live. It often seems the more things change, the more they stay the same. From ancient middle-eastern culture to modern western society, the attitudes and excuses of living and life seem to spring remarkably from the same headwaters: selfish pride. We enjoy having “God on our side.” We like the benefits of name-dropping; “Yo, me and J.C. are tight.” It is comforting to us to think we have an omnipotent God to turn to when the pressures of life squeeze tight. While we might not say it, we often treat God like our “Ace in the hole” only calling Him out when all our other “cards” fail to produce the winning hand for us. Many of us, calling ourselves Christians, live a dual life—keeping God separate from most of the messier areas of our life—our relationship with God resembles the “pretty room” many of us might remember we or our friends had as kids growing up. You know the one I’m talking about; it’s the room that was perfect that no one was allowed to go in or sit on the furniture and strictly made for looking at…no practical function whatsoever. Yeah, that’s the sum of much Christianity today, except that in reality it is not even pretty to look at if we are truly honest with one another and it certainly doesn’t look like anything passable for the Christianity that is modeled in our Bibles.
What Is Wrong
My opinions are my own, but I would like to offer them for consideration. I think there are several factors that are damaging the cause of spiritual transformation in the image of Christ. The first problem is a theology that has deviated from the Trinitarian example of our Lord Jesus. Many people seem to have abandoned the God of the Old Testament entirely or relegated Him to “mean and angry old God” status, openly thankful that they do not have to deal with that God now that Jesus has “taken over.” This attitude and belief is a form of Marcionism, which was denounced as heresy as early as the mid second century. Interestingly enough, this belief seems as strong and prevalent as it ever may have been if not stronger. Other heresies involving Jesus that have significant impact on how we respond to God and His work of spiritual transformation in us include forms of Docetism and Eutychianism, both of which argue points of Jesus’ nature of being fully man and fully God. The damaging point for us as followers is that embracing these beliefs (even through ignorance) presents challenges that can be almost impossible to overcome. I have heard it said many, many times from believers; “I cannot follow Jesus and be like him. Jesus was God and I am not.” While Jesus is God and I am not is a true statement, the greater truth is that we can follow him. God has imparted the divine nature to be shared in us (2 Peter 1:3-7) for the very reason of walking as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6).
I think the bottom line after accounting for the ignorance of our beliefs and heresies, is that many of us have not “died to self,” which is arguably the first step to becoming a disciple of Christ and becoming transformed into the image of God (Luke 14:25-27). Without this critical first step, we remain in charge of ourselves and constantly redefine the relationships (be that as it may) that we have with the Trinitarian God to suit our own needs at the time whatever they may be. This is not Christianity—it is Meianity and it doesn’t fly with the call of Christ to “Follow Me.”
God Almighty came to this earth setting aside his divine right, so we might become one with the Godhead (Philippians 2:5-7; John 17:20-23). It is the desire of God to share intimately His oneness with us, but there are conditions and distinctives He has given us for that level of relationship to be made true in us. We, listen to the words of God who defines the relationship and become dismayed, but we like Jesus…we just don’t want to marry Him. Jesus wants intimacy and monogamy, we do not want that level of commitment and want to be free to do what we want when we want. So, we respond; “Jesus, can’t we just be friends?” I believe the Bible teaches us that proposition is rejected, at least in the sense that we mean it. Being friends with Jesus inside the marriage relationship is good and “yes.” Trying to be friends with Jesus outside of the covenant of marriage with Him is difficult to impossible and in my opinion an emphatic “no.” Truly, we cannot relegate God to the “Friend Zone” and expect to be a part of His Kingdom. The teaching of the Bible does not support that ideology (Matthew 7:21).
Posted in A Deeper Walk, Becoming the Word, Bible Journey-Reading, Bible Speak, Daily Meds, iCrucified, Shaping Me, Spiritual Formation | 
Tags: disciple, Exodus, Friend Zone, Heresies, Jesus, Trinity | 
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An Epiphany in Exodus
An Epiphany in Exodus
Readings: Exodus 7:14—12:30
“…and we will not know what to use to worship the LORD until we arrive there.” (Ex. 10:26)
These words “jumped” out to me this morning during our morning reading. As I was considering them and asking the Lord why they caught my attention, I started to think there are times I get into routines (I like routine) and I believe that I know how God wants me to worship Him. Like, I’m positive that I know what will please Him each and every time, so I only “bring with me” what I know He wants.
O, presumptuous me.
I think, what I take away from these words today, is that I should bring all of me each time I come to worship the LORD. If God determines it is praise He desires from me, I will have it. If He desires my tears or my laughs, I will have them too. If He wants my adoration or my silence, those I will have brought as well. I bring everything when I bring all of me…all that I have and all that I am.
I’m sensing the point of this Word to me is this: I am all too often caught up in myself, my agendas, and my routines, such that I presume to know all that is in my heart and exactly how God wants me to worship Him with it. I hear God speaking to my spirit today that there are areas of my heart that need uncovered still. He wants those things uncovered and brought into the light as my acceptable worship. I can only presume to know what these things are and how God intends to have me use them as sacrifice and worship before Him. I will; however, know for sure when I “arrive there” with all of me in tow.
“If you want to live a devout life, you are not only required to stop sinning but also to lose your appetite for it.” -Francis de Sales
Personal Update:
I am still working on finalizing my personal rule of life for 2013. I don’t know how long it will take me, but I do not feel the need to rush it. I will do my best to remain faithful in the areas I sense the Spirit leading me in now. At the moment, I have shifted my focus and devoting more attention on developing healthy habits—a new diet, exercise, and attention to a few other mind and body details. As a result of this new focus and initiatives, my blogging, reading, and writing habits have been lacking in regularity. I believe this is okay for now, especially while I form new habits and make adjustments to my lifestyle that will reap healthy benefits in my future, God willing and helping me.
A Prayer:
Jesus Christ is the light of the world. A light no darkness can extinguish. In You, O LORD, I take refuge. Let me never be put to shame. In Your justice, set me free, hear me and speedily rescue me. Be a rock and a refuge for me, a mighty stronghold to save me, for You are my rock, my stronghold. For Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me that my actions might bring glory and honor to You, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit who reign eternally together. Amen.
[19APRIL2012] Eastertide Devotional Series
[19APRIL2012] Eastertide Devotional Series
I will be posting this devotional series as part of my Eastertide reflections for the next three weeks (see this link for other installments in the series). Each week of this devotional series focuses on a specific theme (week one: brokenness, week two: repentance, and week three: renewal). I hope you’ll enjoy the series and I invite you to comment here on the blog or email me direct; I would love to hear your thoughts.
Repentance: Week 2 | Day 5
Scripture Reading: Genesis 32:22-32, 47:27-31; Exodus 13:17-22
“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God…”
Something that has occurred to me as I’ve studied and meditated on the idea of repentance is that it isn’t just a “change” or “turn.” Repentance is also “on the move.” If all we do is turn and stay where we are, we’ll end up with our “bones scattered over the desert” and never arrive at the destination of our journey (see again from Wk. 1-Day 2. Hebrews 3:1-19). In fact, if we’re not moving, we’ll never have journeyed at all.
While I might be stretching the metaphor a teeny bit, I think we can see this moving repentance in the lives of some of the patriarchs of our faith. Abraham was one of the first fathers of our faith we encounter and see moved by their repentance; Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph all followed their fathers and grandfathers in this moving experience. With each of these examples, we see men who are moved… their minds are changed and their directions reoriented so they are always on the move. Abraham had been given a promise—a destination which he never fully realized, but he trusted God and he allowed God to continue moving him…literally, living as a nomad in a land that was not fully his own, but also moving closer to the presence and image of God as he matured spiritually. Isaac, son of Abraham, appears to have followed the lifestyle of his father as he and his family also moved under the influence and guiding hand of God. The life of Jacob provides us with a clearer picture of what personal repentance looks like and the ultimate effect it has on a person who remains submitted and surrendered to God. Jacob, born with the name “deceiver” comes face-to-face with God. During the course of this epic wrestling match, Jacob is changed and given a new name, Israel (means God fights). The rest of Jacob’s life is spent in surrender to the will and way of God…with the visible evidence of this surrender seen in a limp he obtained from a busted hip when he wrestled with God. Other evidence of Jacob’s surrender is seen through his humility and obedience to God. When Jacob “turned” he “changed” and was “on the move” for the remainder of his life…on the move from place to place physically and also spiritually as God revealed more of Himself to Israel.
Repentance isn’t static and it doesn’t come with tent stakes. With a change of heart, mind, and direction comes new destination coordinates. While the destination may seem the ultimate goal, it is the journey of transformation that fuels us onward and upward; thus, it too becomes part of and just as important as the ultimate goal. The journey is often as important as the destination. Jacob and Joseph knew this and it is the reason they made their sons promise not to leave their bones in Egypt. Four hundred and seventy years later, their bones were delivered into the Promised Land. Repentance: it changes us, turns us and reorients our direction, and ultimately moves us into God’s promises. Are you moving closer to God? Is your repentance more static or more moving? How would you describe your journey of change?
Our Prayer Lord, I admit that sometimes when we have “wrestled” and I have surrendered to You, I’ve felt that is the extent of my responsibility. I haven’t realized I needed to move, and part of my submission and repentance included moving or ongoing transformation. I prefer the relaxed feeling that comes with “arriving.” I know now that I need to keep moving…with You and closer to You until you bring me to the place You want me to be. Amen.
Lent 2012: Day 28—Reflection
[20MAR2012] Lent 2012: Day 28—Reflection and Meditation
Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands…
♦ Readings – Exodus 16:1-36 ♦ 1 Peter 1:7
♦ Gospel - John 10:1-17
For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell. Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good.
I have really been stuck in my thoughts about this, my life-long, “Exodus” journey with God. It is very difficult for me to keep my mind focused on other tasks or “lines of thought” where I need to be concentrating on other subjects and not be biased or influenced with my ideas about my personal exodus experience.
I’ve got way too many thoughts and ideas racing in my little brain to keep this post concise without bouncing all over the place, but some of the highlights come with consideration to the Scripture verses I have noted above.
As I meander my way through this life and I try to understand as best I can the nature of my relationship with God, I keep being more and more amazed with the little pieces I am able to get a grasp of. That is, if I can be so bold as to think I’m really getting a handle on any of it all. I sometimes think of God, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, as this celestial glorious entity who is all ethereal energy, life-giving, loving, and always, always big picture. I know that I like to consider God as very personal and intimate…and I do, but not nearly as much as I think God is about the End Game much more than the battle of today. It’s also easy for me to say He is both or say something “Christian-nerd” like “Oh it’s one of those God paradoxes that He is intimate and other…” And, I sorta believe this too, but that’s not what this is all about.
I am sorta freaked out about how God tests us. It’s almost like (this considering the people of Israel) that God pushes His people to the point of breaking AND THEN mashes the mess out of them. If you consider Exodus story from Scripture, It makes little difference to my thinking whether you believe it is a literal and true account or if you believe it is a metaphorical account of how God deals with His people, there is a serious ton of stuff happening in this accounting.
After a season of great oppression, God mobilizes hundreds of thousands of people and marches them into the desert. I think about some of my family camping trips and the stress involved and cannot imagine the logistical needs of the Israelites as they leave Egypt. Thinking about these Israelites, I think they were pretty domesticated after living in Egypt for four-hundred years and they probably weren’t seasoned outdoorsmen. Plus one to the stress count. They had bad guys chasing them. Plus another to the stress count. The desert wilderness of North Africa and the Middle East is a formidable place. A tough situation continues to get tougher… The amount of water, food, the sanitation needs…the list of needs and challenges goes on and on and on… Then God tests them. And keeps testing them. For forty years.
2 Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. 3 Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. 4 For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell. 5 Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good. Deuteronomy 8:2-5
The thing is that the testing never stops. Even after the exodus, God continues to test His people. Even after Jesus is born, lives, dies, resurrects, and ascends… God continues to test His people.
6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:6-7
Like I said earlier, I have about forty-three guinto-kajillion ideas about this in my head right now, but here’s how I’m relating this thinking to myself for the moment. My entire life from my first breath until I cross over into eternity is my Exodus journey. God has never, not been with me… He saw me born into the slavery of Adam’s rebellion; born into a family that handed me one false identity after another leading further and further into confusing lies about my identity. At a point when He deemed the fullness of time, he heard the groans of my soul’s oppression and sent a Deliverer to me in the form of Himself…a revelation through the prevenient grace of the Holy Spirit drawing me through Jesus to the Father. Awakened, I was sent into the desert wilderness where my identities, false layer upon false layer, are slowly and sometimes painfully stripped from my flesh through trials and tests that have been orchestrated by God to reveal my great need for Him. The discipline I continue to be gifted with by my heavenly Father stresses me to the limits, but slowly is about the work of uncovering my true identity that is found in Him. He is the most unrelenting of Coaches. When I feel like I can’t take another blow, I am dealt one more. But. He never leaves me. His arms always console me. His words never harsh. His provision always on time. My exodus is an amazing journey and the more I keep my eyes and ears attuned to the unfolding of it, the more I see and hear. I don’t always understand, but the more God allows me to grasp understanding the more I am able to trust the process. I’m learning to hear His Voice in ways I’ve never heard it before…and I thought I was getting pretty good at hearing it before. Silly me. What an amazing Father, Friend, Savior, Counselor, Teacher, Coach, and God…
My Exodus leads me to a resurrection…someday. If I trust the process…today. One day, I’ll get my real name and know my real identity; the person I was created to be before I was created. I want to know who that is and it can only be found in Him and through the learning of my Exodus. I welcome the desert, no matter the cost…because my Spirit Counselor takes me there to meet with and be instructed-tested by the Father.
I’ve got so many more thoughts about this line of thinking…but I’m gonna stop for today. Don’t be surprised to see me bantering about it again…and again.
Lent 2012: Day 24—Reflection
[16MAR2012] Lent 2012: Day 24—Reflection and Meditation
The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
♦ Readings – Genesis 47:1-26 ♦ 1 Corinthians 9:19-21
♦ Gospel - Mark 12:28-34
“By the cross of Christ, sustain us in the struggle of continual conversion. With contrite hearts, we pray You lead us in hope to the Easter day of resurrection.“
What is freedom? Freedom is as freedom does…
Reading through the song of the psalmist in Psalms 136:10-26 we hear of the mighty delivering Hand of God. This is the God who brings freedom to the oppressed and who sets the captive free, but what is freedom? What does it mean to be free? What is it that we are “freed” to do?
I think the answer to what our freedom is about can be found in the refrain of the psalm; “His faithful love endures forever.” I think the oppression we are freed from is more than the relief given to immediate felt needs and extends to the great losses experienced as a result of the Fall… our ability to truly be loved by God and to truly love Him in return. I think this is freedom.
In the midst of this great and “freeing” gift of God to us, most especially found in the work of Jesus Christ, is our struggle with actually receiving and realizing the gift of freedom and love. Recalling the gift of freedom to the Israelites in their release from Egypt, they were called the chosen people, God’s very own. Even in the throes of this great love, they had trouble with receiving God’s pure love…they also had trouble returning it as well.
We can fast forward through the centuries and the millennia until we arrive upon our present-day doorsteps. We have not changed much from the struggling and floundering Israelites of old. The problem of realizing freedom and acting upon it is still our plight even though we have experienced the reconciling gift of Christ’s resurrection and Holy Spirit power. We say that we have received love and we say that we give love in return, but so many of us proclaiming to be “redeemed” live in a state of oppression living love in a half-hearted fashion…receiving and giving love tenuously.
Humanity is in a state of servitude. We frequently do not notice that we are slaves, and sometimes we love it. But humanity also aspires to be set free. It would be a mistake to think that the average person loves freedom. A still greater mistake would be to suppose that freedom is an easy thing. Freedom is a difficult thing. -Nicolas Berdyaev; Russian Orthodox Theologian
I’m sure there are few that would find agreement with me, but look closely at the structure of how we live out the span of our lives. So many people live with worry and regret. So many people live out their lives fearful that they are not getting their fair share… Relationships are shallow because people are afraid to be open and honest with one another, fearful about how they might be perceived. We are born into bondage and it is bondage that feels normal to us. Even when we are freed, the majority of people return to what feels normal because the alternative that is freedom is so foreign and daunting. Many would argue this point, but millions of people are working jobs they hate, in relationships they dread, spend their money on things they don’t want, and try to change themselves into something they are not because others tell them what they are supposed to be. Freedom? I think not. The word of God tells us “Perfect love cast out all fear.” Why then do we continue to live oppressed and not free if we profess to have received the gift that promises freedom?
“The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. 30 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:28-31)
Posted in A Deeper Walk, Gospel of Mark, Lent, Lent 2012, Liturgical Year, Meditations, Psalms, Shaping Me, The Liturgical Year | Tags: Discipleship, Exodus, Freedom, Gospel, Jesus, Lent, Lent 2012, Love, The Liturgical Year | 1 Comment »
Obedience vs. Compliance: A Revisitation
Obedience vs. Compliance: A Revisitation
Murmuring and Grumbling Obedience—God Looks Upon the Heart
I was reading the other day from the Psalms (Psalm 106:1-48 NLT) retracing the Exodus of Israel from Egypt. As I paused to reflect on this great narrative I was struck by the idea of how uncanny the similarity of our own contemporary society is to the lives of these ancient desert nomads. Hear these words as the Psalmist rings out the praises of God, reflecting a “first encounter” and “surface response” to the greatness of God.
“Praise the LORD! Who can ever praise Him enough? There is joy for those who always do what is right…” His people believed His promises. Then they sang His praise. Yet how quickly they forgot what He had done… In the wilderness their desires ran wild, testing God’s patience… So, He gave them what they asked for, but He sent a plague along with it. (Psalm 106:1-3, 12-15 NLT)
I am caught up in how similar this account mirrors our own experiences: We have an encounter with God, We are awed and proclaim His praises, We grow indifferent and even bored, We pursue our own lusts…
I don’t mean to say this is the experience of every Christian, but history as well as contemporary western society indicates that it is the experience of many Christians, at the very least there is usually some iteration of the pattern. I think this doesn’t have to be the norm; in fact, several hundred years following the Exodus of Israel the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth telling them the Exodus was to be viewed as an example and reminder not to fall into the same trap of mumbly, grumbly obedience. His words follow:
I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. All of them ate the same spiritual food, and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ. Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did, or worship idols as some of them did. As the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.” And we must not engage in sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23,000 of them to die in one day. Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites. And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age (1 Cor. 10:1-11 NLT).
I was talking with a friend recently and something along the lines of this subject matter came up; paraphrasing one of his comments, he said, “Bad and difficult things happen in this life and I don’t know what God’s plan is for them. I have to obey, but I don’t have to like it.” I’m not sure I entirely agree with those sentiments and I’m fairly sure the Bible doesn’t affirm them either. Here is my reasoning.
First, let me qualify my response by saying I agree there are difficult and sometimes grievous seasons of life. There are burdensome missions that each of us is called to engage in for the Kingdom of God. Consider some of the burdens carried by the examples from Scripture; the life of Joseph, Jacob’s son, was not easy, or consider Ezekiel who lost his wife so she might be used as an object lesson for Israel. Jeremiah had no easy road and was instructed to walk it alone for the most part…and there are other examples not the least of which is Jesus who willingly and obediently humbled and emptied himself, setting aside his divine rights to come to earth in the form of a man and in the role of a servant (Philippians 2:5-7). While in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus gives us an incredible model of obedience in the face of one of the greatest tests in the course of humanity… (Matthew 26:39-42).
“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matt. 26:39)
The example and words of Jesus reveal to us what an attitude of obedience looks like opposed to an attitude that results in reluctant obedience or “mumbly, grumbly compliance.” First, Jesus acknowledges his trust and surrender to the primary plan of the Father God with his words, “If it is possible…” Here Jesus concedes this path is not the one he would have chosen and seeks another “if possible…” There is no grumbling. There is no begging. Jesus completes his prayer completely surrendered and obedient to the will of the Father; “Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
When we push back at God with insolent attitudes toward Him it reveals the true heart. Again, I do not want to confuse grief, sorrow, pain, and anger toward life situations with “grumbling complaints” against God. The boy David was anointed as the next King of Israel and taken into the House of Saul. He loved the King and obeyed all that he was instructed. Saul’s jealousy and rage resulted in David’s exile to the wilderness where he was hunted with orders to be killed. This was the most brutal and unfair of situations, but God had a plan. David cried out to God; he lamented his loneliness, he vented his anger, he wept bitterly over the injustice of his situation, but in the end he turned his heart and his soul to the face of God and surrendered his will to the LORD God Almighty… putting his full trust in the Sovereign God over all creation.
I think it is okay to cry out to God. I think it is okay to be angry, to lament, and to grieve over some situations. As we pray and share our hearts openly with God, our process should look similar to David as revealed in his prayers in the Psalms. In many or most of these raw and heartfelt prayers even the imprecatory psalms, David surrenders with trusting obedience to the will and plan of God and in several cases he ends his prayer with rousing exclamations of praise (consider Psalm 80:4-18 and 86:1-17 as a couple examples).
The point here and difference between grievous lamentation and “mumbly-grumbly” insolence is all attitude of heart. This isn’t always easy to see on the “outside” of a man (or woman). What looks like perfect obedience can often be bitter compliance; “I’ll do it, but I don’t have to like it” attitude. Sometimes the lamenting complainer has the true heart of obedience…
A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. “Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” (Matthew 21:28-31).
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
I think many of us will think we are “good to go” because we obey the perceived Laws of God: we go to church, we tithe, we volunteer for ministry “stuff,” we do this good thing or that good thing, etc., etc., fill-in-the-blank… But, truthfully our hearts are not in the right place and we inwardly are resentful or bitter about how we feel when we comply with God’s precepts, perceived or otherwise. I think again to the desert travelers as they made their way from Egypt to Canaan who obediently went into the desert and made their way to the Promised Land… kicking, complaining, and second-guessing God every.step.of.the.way.
“For everyone who has first renounced this world and then returns to his former pursuits and his erstwhile desires proclaims that in deed and intention he is the same as they were, and he says, ‘It was well with me in Egypt.’” -John Cassian; Conference 3.7.6-7
The Exodus example shows us the heart of the people who complied and did not trust God. They would say they were obedient… I can hear it now; “We’re here aren’t we? We left Egypt and we’re going to the Promised Land… what else do you want? When do we get something else to eat? We hate this manna stuff. And, we’re tired of water out here in this desert… can’t we have some wine or pomegranate juice? Oh? Now you want us to go into this land with Giants? Have you seen the size of those people? Sure, we trust God, but hey trust only goes so far… those guys in Canaan are huge… and we’re not so sure God has seen them.”
Incessant complaining and complying because we have to—not because we want to is a dangerous place to be. If we don’t recognize this place or attempt to justify our attitudes, we are in terminally dangerous territory. Either we trust God and obey Him… or we complain and comply, because we think we are actually more knowledgeable than He is. One path leads to life and the other leads to dry, barren, death… the same as our ancestors who were strewn across the desert (1 Cor. 10:5).
I will pray the Holy Spirit of God will continually convict me of the days I choose bitter compliance over trusting obedience. I want to be a cheerful, obedient, and trusting son.
“Indeed, obedience must be given with genuine good will, because God loves a cheerful giver. If obedience is given with a bad will and with murmuring not only in words but even in bitterness of heart, then even though the command may be externally fulfilled it will not be accepted by God, for he can see the resistance in the heart of a murmurer. One who behaves in such a way not only fails to receive the reward of grace but actually incurs the punishment deserved by murmurers. Only repentance and reparation can save such a one from this punishment.”
Benedict of Nursia—
More posts on obedience vs. compliance:
Monastic Notes (Pt.6) June 25th 2011
[24JULY2011]
Monastic Notes (Pt.6—June 25th 2011)
(Continuing to share my experiences at the Pecos Monastery: writings from my journal; June 19th – July 17th 2011…)
Morning Praise: Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live (Psalm 146:1). My soul waits for the LORD, more than the watchmen for the morning, more than the watchmen for the morning (Psalm 130:5). Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Lectio Divina Reading (Psalm 107:33-43):
“Let those who are wise ponder these things, and consider the steadfast love of the LORD.” (Psalm 107:43)
“…Let those who are wise ponder these things.” I love to ponder the things of God. I love to consider His ways and examine the history of my life as I ask the Holy Spirit to reveal all of the places that God has taken interest in my life. I love when He answers my request with the response, “Everywhere.” “I have been interested and involved in every nanosecond of your life.” I think we are quick to forget this truth or we might not want to believe it at all, but the reality of God’s character is this: He is present and active in every moment of life; He is never not present or inactive. The thing I believe can be a little disturbing are the “silent” moments and the “difficult” moments. I think we might prefer that God is not present in those times, but the converse is actually true. He is even closer in these moments—we are usually the ones too preoccupied to notice or listen for His Voice in those times. I am challenged, inspired and encouraged to seek God, wait for God, and listen for God in every moment, every second, of every day. Oh the joy for those who dance and rest in His always-present-Presence.
Monastic Notes (Pecos: Day 6—June 25th 2011)
My lectures were great again today… Paul Spilsbury led the way once more for us, opening the Bible to us as Story and sharing its Narrative Coherence (The connected network of stories that make up the Bible gives meaning and substance to our individual faith. For that matter, the Bible also gives meaning and substance to our collective faith). I have been a faithful supporter of this style of teaching the Bible for some time now. When I teach “How to Read the Bible,” I use a three-pronged approach (1) The Bible as Story (2) Inductive Bible Study (3) Lectio Divina. I liken this style of reading as a Bread of Life “Food Pyramid” and without a balanced diet of all methods our Bible reading will fall short of the mark that God intends for us. …but back to the lecture notes.
Two particular elements from the lectures today that impacted me in a big way follow:
- This was almost an aside comment, but it continues to thump in my heart and glow in my brain; Paul shared a passage from Ephesians 2:10 “We are God’s workmanship.” Workmanship is translated from the Greek Poiema. We get our English word, Poem, from this Greek word. Check this out—”We are God’s ‘poem’” Now check this out: when we investigate other definitions and synonyms for poem and poetry we stumble over the word “epic.” Here is the definition for epic— noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style. In the Biblical Narrative, the creation of man and God’s redemptive Story is the Epic Poem of God in which He is the Hero and we are the saved.
- Dr. Spilsbury used the Exodus Narrative as the grounding narrative for the meta-narrative (that’s a lot of narrative) of God’s Epic Poem. The Exodus is the centering narrative for every story in the Bible and it is also the centering narrative for every story of every life outside of the Bible as well. We are able to overlay the Exodus narrative to any life (try it—overlay the Exodus to your life and identify the times of bondage, freedom, wilderness, and Promised Land).
Paul shared a visual for us to illustrate the Exodus Narrative. I recreated it in my notes and embellished it a bit as I was inspired with a few additional thoughts. He shared this thought: “The Exodus story is retold throughout Scripture to regroup and call people to remembrance of God’s salvation.
After redrawing the chalkboard illustration, I added the following thoughts:
The desert is the place of God’s Presence. It is God’s workshop and our school of divine apprenticeship. In the desert God provides all that we need. The wilderness has its many challenges, this is for sure, but it also is a place of incredible revelation and miracles. Best of all, God is always with His people in the desert…always teaching, always providing, always disciplining, always comforting, always leading, always protecting, always, always near, and always teaching and revealing the true identity of His children to them. The desert is a beautiful place.
And, I continue to chew on and “ponder these things, and consider the steadfast love of the LORD.” (Psalm 107:43)
My Guide
During the time I am away, I will reposting older entries from the icrucified blog. The following post was an entry from Feb. 18, 2009
The God who Guides…
Exodus 33:12-17 12 One day Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ 13 If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.” 14 The LORD replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest– everything will be fine for you.” 15 Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. 16 How will anyone know that you look favorably on me– on me and on your people– if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.“ 17 The LORD replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”
I love this. I read this passage several days ago and I have not been able to get it out of my mind or off my heart since (not that I’m trying…it is one of those passages of scripture that just grips you sometime). I’m still processing my thoughts for this passage (probably will be for awhile), so I’ll share what’s stewing and brewing at the moment.
I am so encouraged by the promises God gives in these verses. Yes, I know that God is talking to Moses. Yes, I know that Moses was favored by God. I know this was the story of God’s delivering a people He had selected for Himself from the bondage and tyranny of slavery at the hands of Egypt. But…I also know this is my story. I also know these are God’s words spoken to me. I know that Moses’ fears are also my fears. And, I know that God’s responses to Moses’ fears are His (God’s) responses to my fears. This, in my opinion, is proper perspective and a very right hermeneutic. Let me share why I think this way.
Immediately upon reading this passage of scripture, several more verses came to my memory. While reading, I recognized a warming of my heart and I sensed the “closeness” and felt presence of God’s Spirit very near to me. Here is a list of the verses that came immediately to my memory:
- Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
- John 4:26 Then Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah!”
- John 14:9-10 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.”
- John 14:15-17 “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.”
- John 16:12-15 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’”
It seems almost beyond comprehension, but there it is…the God of all creation…the One who knows no beginning and has always been looks “favorably” on me and “knows” me by name. When I ask Him to teach me, He responds with “I will indeed do what you have asked.” He assures me; “I will personally go with you, Jeff -everything will be fine for you.” OH….My….GOODNESS! This is utterly fantastic! Jesus is God in the flesh (see Colossians 1:15-17), and He says that His indwelling Holy Spirit (yes, the Spirit that dwells in me!!!) will speak HIS VERY WORDS into my soul…guiding me!!! OH….MY….GOODNESS!!! YES! The OTHER and Omniscient and Omnipotent and Eternal God…the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob…He speaks to me, He guides me, He favors me, He promises me that it will be fine for me, and that I will enjoy His rest. Why? Because He is with me and He will guide me. Hallelujah!
I believe, with all my heart that God is always guiding. He has plans for us mapped out before we existed. The breakdown occurs because we fail to recognize and obey His guidance. I pray that I will always be searching, sensing, and in submission to His plan and lead. He is the God that guides. I want to go where He goes and where He wants me to go. Thank You, O God, that You give me the assurance this is so. Help me to be aware, always aware, of your guiding and indwelling presence. I don’t want to go where You are not. Amen.
…and Aaron was silent.
…and Aaron was silent.
Part of my meditation this week has included “Minding the Inner Life” (see Salvation that Transforms). In this meditation, Pastor Kang, reminds us that the heart is the wellspring of life and teaches that spiritual formation means “cultivating the heart.” As I have reflected and meditated on this teaching, my daily Bible reading has served to bring insight helpful in understanding how much the heart of a man can stand as an obstacle to advancing in the ways of Christ or serve as a catalyst and encourager for transformation to His image.
…daily reading: The last couple weeks have been taking me through the books of Exodus and Leviticus. There have been several points that have been helpful in illustrating the fickleness of the human heart. We are so incredibly quick to flip-flop our attentions and our memory seems very limited, or short, when it concerns the lessons of God versus the desires of our heart. Before I go any further, I should make clear some of the things that standing out in my own memory that have been fueling my thoughts. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in A Deeper Walk, Becoming the Word, Bible Journey-Reading, Meditations, Shaping Me | Tags: Aaron, Consuming Fire, Exodus, God, Heart, Joshua Choonmin Kang, Leviticus, Moses, Tabernacle | No Comments »
The God who Guides…
The God who Guides…
Exodus 33:12-17 12 One day Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ 13 If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.” 14 The LORD replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest– everything will be fine for you.” 15 Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. 16 How will anyone know that you look favorably on me– on me and on your people– if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.“ 17 The LORD replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”
I love this. I read this passage several days ago and I have not been able to get it out of my mind or off my heart since (not that I’m trying…it is one of those passages of scripture that just grips you sometime). I’m still processing my thoughts for this passage (probably will be for awhile), so I’ll share what’s stewing and brewing at the moment. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Becoming the Word, Bible Journey-Reading, Meditations, Shaping Me | Tags: Exodus, God, God Guides, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Moses | No Comments »
