Jesus said these words following the request of his two disciples (James and John, sons of Zebedee) to be his left and right hand men in the future kingdom (Matthews 20:20-28). No doubt they were thinking of an earthly kingdom. They had seen Jesus' authority and power (feeding the five thousand, walking on water, healing the sick in Matthews 14, just to name a few). They also had experienced the power they were given (healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demons etc - see my last two blogs on Matthews 10). They were committed to go all the way with Jesus. They were convinced that they were able to "drink the cup Jesus was about to drink" (verse 22). I am assuming that James and John understood what this "cup" Jesus was talking about. The Sacred Page has a very good article on "the cup of Jesus". I wonder if they were thinking the cup was the cup of suffering and judgement (Psalms 75:8), or the cup of triumph and blessings (Psalms 23:5). They shall discover much later...
Anyway, they felt they deserved to be ahead of the pack. The other ten disciples were mad at these two for wanting to be singled out. They wanted in also. Then Jesus explained to all twelve of them this great truth:
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
What a completely opposite world view!! The world is telling us to get ahead for the purpose of controlling others. We are to put ourselves in a servanthood (slavery) position. The lower we make ourselves the greater we are to our Lord and our heavenly Father! Jesus has done it. He shows us how to do it. As a result, Jesus sets us free from the real bondage - he has paid the ransom for us - his life for the price for our freedom. What a concept! We won't know if it's true until we try it. Take His word for it!
"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:1-11)
Friday 31 January 2014
Friday 24 January 2014
Jesus' instructions to the twelve apostles - part II
Here I am in historic Charleston, South Carolina for the conference Mere Anglicanism. Listening to John Lennox speak last night was a real treat. What a bright mind who is used by God to challenge the wave of atheism that is so prevalent in our society! Just finished listening to Alvin Plantinga arguing why Naturalism and Evolution can not be compatible. He is a real legend and defender of the faith. I praised God as I watched this man in his 80's still with such a brilliant mind. I only wished my understanding of philosophy was good enough to absorb all he was explaining to me. I have much more to look forward to this weekend. Thank you Lord for this opportunity!
So I will begin where I left off last week - Matthews 10. This is the commissioning sermon before Jesus sent his special disciples (the 12 apostles) to proclaim the good news to the surrounding towns. The good news message was "the kingdom of heaven has come near" (verse 7)! The "telling" was to be accompanied by the "doing" of good works: "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." (verse 8). I noticed that what they were able to give to others came from what they already had freely received.
Biblestudytools.com helps me understand Jesus' instructions to the twelve:
"This directory divides itself into three distinct parts. The first part ( Matthew 10:5-15 ) contains directions for the brief and temporary mission on which they were now going forth, with respect to the places they were to go to, the works they were to do, the message they were to bear, and the manner in which they were to conduct themselves. The second part ( Matthew 10:16-23 ) contains directions of no such limited and temporary nature, but opens out into the permanent exercise of the Gospel ministry. The third part ( Matthew 10:24-42 ) is of wider application still, reaching not only to the ministry of the Gospel in every age, but to the service of Christ in the widest sense. It is a strong confirmation of this threefold division, that each part closes with the words, "VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU" ( Matthew 10:15 Matthew 10:23 Matthew 10:42 )."
Using this as the basic framework to understand Jesus' instructions to the apostles, and to me in modern time, let me see if I can apply this to my situation.
First (based on verses 5-15), I am to reach out to those who are believers immediately around me. I should not worry about how I am to be supported, financially, or any aspect of livelihood. Look for "worthy" persons or "deserving" homes to form meaningful relationships. They too are accountable to God.
Secondly (based on verses 16-23), there will be enemies and strong oppositions as I attempt to reach out to unbelievers (gentiles) and the confused (Samaritans). I need to be wise and be on guard. There may be persecutions but God through his Spirit will enable me to speak. Relationship will be affected and I may not be popular. I need to know when to move on to someone else. God is the judge! I totally can relate to this in my work place and I thank God all the more for this conference where I gain wisdom to be more prepared:
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect"
(1 Peter 3:15)
Thirdly (based on verses 24-42), on the broader perspectives of my mission I need to remember:
So I will begin where I left off last week - Matthews 10. This is the commissioning sermon before Jesus sent his special disciples (the 12 apostles) to proclaim the good news to the surrounding towns. The good news message was "the kingdom of heaven has come near" (verse 7)! The "telling" was to be accompanied by the "doing" of good works: "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." (verse 8). I noticed that what they were able to give to others came from what they already had freely received.
Biblestudytools.com helps me understand Jesus' instructions to the twelve:
"This directory divides itself into three distinct parts. The first part ( Matthew 10:5-15 ) contains directions for the brief and temporary mission on which they were now going forth, with respect to the places they were to go to, the works they were to do, the message they were to bear, and the manner in which they were to conduct themselves. The second part ( Matthew 10:16-23 ) contains directions of no such limited and temporary nature, but opens out into the permanent exercise of the Gospel ministry. The third part ( Matthew 10:24-42 ) is of wider application still, reaching not only to the ministry of the Gospel in every age, but to the service of Christ in the widest sense. It is a strong confirmation of this threefold division, that each part closes with the words, "VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU" ( Matthew 10:15 Matthew 10:23 Matthew 10:42 )."
Using this as the basic framework to understand Jesus' instructions to the apostles, and to me in modern time, let me see if I can apply this to my situation.
First (based on verses 5-15), I am to reach out to those who are believers immediately around me. I should not worry about how I am to be supported, financially, or any aspect of livelihood. Look for "worthy" persons or "deserving" homes to form meaningful relationships. They too are accountable to God.
Secondly (based on verses 16-23), there will be enemies and strong oppositions as I attempt to reach out to unbelievers (gentiles) and the confused (Samaritans). I need to be wise and be on guard. There may be persecutions but God through his Spirit will enable me to speak. Relationship will be affected and I may not be popular. I need to know when to move on to someone else. God is the judge! I totally can relate to this in my work place and I thank God all the more for this conference where I gain wisdom to be more prepared:
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect"
(1 Peter 3:15)
Thirdly (based on verses 24-42), on the broader perspectives of my mission I need to remember:
- He is God and I am not! Jesus is the teacher and master. I am the student and his servant. He is in charge and not the devil.
- Do not be afraid - and he said it three times! Don't be afraid of those who may talk in my back. God will reveal the truth in due time. Don't be afraid who may harm us. They can't touch my soul! Always remember that God is the judge at the end. Don't be afraid about anything. God knows me well and will supply all my needs.
- Acknowledge God before others knowing that Jesus will be acknowledging me before my heavenly father! Even though sometimes I won't be well received. What Jesus has done for us is according to God's plan. His message of salvation goes against our sinful nature to want to create our own gods. Jesus' message will always divide. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18).
- Put Jesus first. I can't say better than this: "Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it."
- We will be welcomed too - first by other believers and finally by God himself, and with my reward in heaven! And the reward won't depend on how big of a job I do for him - "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
Friday 17 January 2014
Jesus' instructions to the twelve apostles
I recently read Matthews 10 and was struck by the details Jesus instructed his twelve special disciples whom he called apostles for the first time. The word apostle from Greek is apostolos, which means messenger, or from apostellein, which means to send off (which was later translated into Latin as missio, the source of the English "missionary"). Matthew spent the whole chapter to record Jesus' instructions to his apostles before sending them off (Mark's Gospel has a shorter version but highlighted that Jesus sent them out two by two to towns in Galilee - Mark 6:7-13). He gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. This is particularly relevant to me since my vocation involves the "healing" of disease and sickness. I have never driven out impure spirits in the sense of casting out demonic forces in other people's lives but I take this to mean helping people see the "light" of Jesus. This is similar to Paul's understanding of Jesus' call to him in Acts 26:18 "I am sending you to them (gentiles, or non-Jews) to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’"
For Jesus' disciples, Matthew recorded the famous "Sermon on the Mount" in chapters 5 to 7. The sermon describes what the perfect kingdom of God looks like. It's like a roadmap for us as a community of believers - showing us how to relate to each other and to the world. Chapter 10, the "Sermon for the Apostles" focuses more on how we relate to those to whom God sends us with the gospel which is nicely summed up in Psalm 103:2-5
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Who are these apostles (see a good reverence)? Their names are "Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him." (verses 2-4). There is an interesting comparison of the "list" between the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) in Wikipedia. Of these, four (Andrew and Peter, James and John) were known to be fishermen by trade. Matthew, who was the only apostle whose ancestor was from the priesthood tribe (Levi), was a tax collector. Tax collectors were generally despised by the Scribes and the Pharisees as greedy and corrupt, since they collected taxes from the Jews for King Herod Antipas, the client ruler of the great Roman empire, while reaping a profit in the process. It is interesting to see how this rich tax collector, who should have been a priest, became the early missionary to a people who despised him. It most certainly required "power from above" for sure! Simon the Zealot was a radical and a revolutionary against the ruling Romans. Little else is known about him but it's interesting to imagine someone who changed from wanting to make change by force to someone doing it with love! And then of course there is Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus and hanged himself when he became remorseful with what he had done. Did he not also receive power from Jesus to do good to those he was sent to? Or did he get corrupted along the way by the fact that he was the treasurer of the new Jesus movement and he didn't like doing good without proper return on investment? Hard to say but it's definitely a caution for me (see my work with OSCAR).
This blog is getting too long already. I will do another one on Jesus' instructions in Matthew 10.
For Jesus' disciples, Matthew recorded the famous "Sermon on the Mount" in chapters 5 to 7. The sermon describes what the perfect kingdom of God looks like. It's like a roadmap for us as a community of believers - showing us how to relate to each other and to the world. Chapter 10, the "Sermon for the Apostles" focuses more on how we relate to those to whom God sends us with the gospel which is nicely summed up in Psalm 103:2-5
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Who are these apostles (see a good reverence)? Their names are "Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him." (verses 2-4). There is an interesting comparison of the "list" between the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) in Wikipedia. Of these, four (Andrew and Peter, James and John) were known to be fishermen by trade. Matthew, who was the only apostle whose ancestor was from the priesthood tribe (Levi), was a tax collector. Tax collectors were generally despised by the Scribes and the Pharisees as greedy and corrupt, since they collected taxes from the Jews for King Herod Antipas, the client ruler of the great Roman empire, while reaping a profit in the process. It is interesting to see how this rich tax collector, who should have been a priest, became the early missionary to a people who despised him. It most certainly required "power from above" for sure! Simon the Zealot was a radical and a revolutionary against the ruling Romans. Little else is known about him but it's interesting to imagine someone who changed from wanting to make change by force to someone doing it with love! And then of course there is Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus and hanged himself when he became remorseful with what he had done. Did he not also receive power from Jesus to do good to those he was sent to? Or did he get corrupted along the way by the fact that he was the treasurer of the new Jesus movement and he didn't like doing good without proper return on investment? Hard to say but it's definitely a caution for me (see my work with OSCAR).
This blog is getting too long already. I will do another one on Jesus' instructions in Matthew 10.
Friday 10 January 2014
Noah's Ark
I read through the account of Noah's Ark recently (Genesis chapters 6-9) and once again I was faced with many questions concerning this biblical story. Like the creation story in Genesis chapter one, do I really believe in the literal explanation of the flood that destroyed mankind and Noah's Ark that basically restarted humanity and the entire animal kingdom? So I decided to do more research on it with a somewhat open mind, while holding on to a few basic premises like: I believe in a God that created heavens and the earth; I believe the bible is one important way God communicates with man; and, I believe that all biblical stories point to Jesus who brings salvation to all man.
These are some interesting facts from Wikipedia:
"God gives Noah detailed instructions for building the ark: it is to be of gopher wood, smeared inside and out with pitch, with three decks and internal compartments; it will be 450' long, 75' wide, and 45' high; it will have a roof "finished to a cubit upward", and an entrance on the side.
Although some religious organisations fully embrace the story of the ark as canonical, since the 19th century few scholars have believed the story to be literally true. Among other issues are the immense difficulties of explaining how collecting, housing, watering, feeding and caring for very large numbers of animals in a wooden ship smaller than many modern ships could be achieved. Additionally there are the problems of how the animals subsequently travelled to where they are now geographically found. For these and many other reasons the ark story is generally considered to be apocryphal. Various archaeological expeditions have focused their attention on Mount Ararat in the search for Noah's Ark but no conclusive evidence has been uncovered."
Proponents of a literal interpretation (X-Evolutionist.com, answersingenesis.org) of the Noah's Ark story explain many of the common objections:
John Lennox, the mathematician and Oxford Professor, is definitely my wife's favourite Christian Apologist. In his book Seven Days that Divide the World, he proposes a succinct method of reading and interpreting the first chapters of Genesis without discounting either science or Scripture. He wrote a three-part series (taken from chapter 2 of his book) on Biologos Forum on Science and the Bible. Although he did not explain his position on Noah's Ark specifically in these articles, he laid down important principles in interpreting the bible. However, he is not without harsh criticism from the Creation Scientists and Young Earth believers (just google John Lennox on Noah's Ark).
My nephew William brought me to see a replica of Noah's Ark a few years ago while visiting Hong Kong. It is an interesting "theme park" which I think does a fair job to bring in the biblical account of the great flood and explain how the Ark represented God's salvation which is available to all mankind.
Am I closer to have my own position to explain to believers and skeptics alike concerning the Noah's Ark? Yes, to some extent. I should be able to explain the polarizing positions between atheists and theists, as well as between the hard line creationists and someone like me! I will try to focus on God's plan of salvation to us, in a humble and gentle sort of way.
These are some interesting facts from Wikipedia:
"God gives Noah detailed instructions for building the ark: it is to be of gopher wood, smeared inside and out with pitch, with three decks and internal compartments; it will be 450' long, 75' wide, and 45' high; it will have a roof "finished to a cubit upward", and an entrance on the side.
Although some religious organisations fully embrace the story of the ark as canonical, since the 19th century few scholars have believed the story to be literally true. Among other issues are the immense difficulties of explaining how collecting, housing, watering, feeding and caring for very large numbers of animals in a wooden ship smaller than many modern ships could be achieved. Additionally there are the problems of how the animals subsequently travelled to where they are now geographically found. For these and many other reasons the ark story is generally considered to be apocryphal. Various archaeological expeditions have focused their attention on Mount Ararat in the search for Noah's Ark but no conclusive evidence has been uncovered."
Proponents of a literal interpretation (X-Evolutionist.com, answersingenesis.org) of the Noah's Ark story explain many of the common objections:
- How large was Noah's Ark? How could Noah build the Ark?
- How could Noah round up so many animals? Was Dinosaurs on Noah's Ark? How could Noah fit all the animals on the Ark? How did Noah care for all the animals?
- How could a flood destroy all the living things? How could the Ark survive the flood?
- Where did all the water come from? Where did all the water go? Was Noah's flood global? Where is the evidence in the earth for Noah's flood? Where is Noah's Ark today?
- Why did God destroy the earth that He had made?
John Lennox, the mathematician and Oxford Professor, is definitely my wife's favourite Christian Apologist. In his book Seven Days that Divide the World, he proposes a succinct method of reading and interpreting the first chapters of Genesis without discounting either science or Scripture. He wrote a three-part series (taken from chapter 2 of his book) on Biologos Forum on Science and the Bible. Although he did not explain his position on Noah's Ark specifically in these articles, he laid down important principles in interpreting the bible. However, he is not without harsh criticism from the Creation Scientists and Young Earth believers (just google John Lennox on Noah's Ark).
My nephew William brought me to see a replica of Noah's Ark a few years ago while visiting Hong Kong. It is an interesting "theme park" which I think does a fair job to bring in the biblical account of the great flood and explain how the Ark represented God's salvation which is available to all mankind.
Am I closer to have my own position to explain to believers and skeptics alike concerning the Noah's Ark? Yes, to some extent. I should be able to explain the polarizing positions between atheists and theists, as well as between the hard line creationists and someone like me! I will try to focus on God's plan of salvation to us, in a humble and gentle sort of way.
Friday 3 January 2014
New Year Resolution
Today's Our Daily Bread reading was very helpful. It talked about soul-improvement rather than self-improvement for the coming year. One of the key bible references concerning our purpose in life on earth is Micah 6:8:
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
To do this we need the help of the Holy Spirit and thankfully God has promised: "out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being" (Ephesian 3:16).
So to be specific, what commitment am I going to make this coming year? Last year I was richly blessed by committing to writing this blog (and a somewhat less tangible promise of loving my wife more - which did result in my switching worship to her church and committing time and energy to her, and now our home church group). My prayer life has been very undisciplined. I think dedicating an hour a week is realistic. I will be journaling my prayers and occasionally share any "God-sighting" on this blog.
I will also commit to memorizing scripture weekly, beginning with this verse:
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (Titus 2:11-12). The promise continues (but I will only memorize verses 11-12):
while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (verses 13-14).
On the compassion front, I have sponsored 2 children. I will commit to writing them once a month. I think by writing to them I will be praying for them as well.
I am excited to watch and see what God has in store for me in 2014 which I will share on this blog.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
To do this we need the help of the Holy Spirit and thankfully God has promised: "out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being" (Ephesian 3:16).
So to be specific, what commitment am I going to make this coming year? Last year I was richly blessed by committing to writing this blog (and a somewhat less tangible promise of loving my wife more - which did result in my switching worship to her church and committing time and energy to her, and now our home church group). My prayer life has been very undisciplined. I think dedicating an hour a week is realistic. I will be journaling my prayers and occasionally share any "God-sighting" on this blog.
I will also commit to memorizing scripture weekly, beginning with this verse:
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (Titus 2:11-12). The promise continues (but I will only memorize verses 11-12):
while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (verses 13-14).
On the compassion front, I have sponsored 2 children. I will commit to writing them once a month. I think by writing to them I will be praying for them as well.
I am excited to watch and see what God has in store for me in 2014 which I will share on this blog.
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