How to Glean from the Old Testament like Jesus

The recent sermon series (Inspired) challenged me to reevaluate a number of my long held beliefs regarding scripture. Do I treat the Bible like it is Jesus Himself? Do I make it so central to everything I do above and beyond any other sources of inspiration? Do I submit to its authority, especially when it comes to applying the words literally to my life? And finally, do I overly emphasize its inerrancy, i.e. the scripture in its original manuscript contains no error?

Since my early days after becoming a Christian (as a 25 year old adult), I had been taught to believe in the Bible - its truths and its power to transform life (mine and others). The scripture is my primary source to learn about who Jesus was and what He did while He was on earth. The rest of the Bible was put together by godly men and women early on in church history (referred to the Biblical Canon). I believe (I still do) that God is the same in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Although I was from time to time intrigued how differently God dealt with man in the Old Testament days. Jesus brought a new understanding to scripture (which was primarily the Old Testament in His days). For example, in the famous Sermon on the Mount Jesus said repeatedly (there were six of these): "You have heard that it was said... but I tell you..." (Matthew 5:21-48). "What Jesus is doing in this portion of the sermon is unpacking the true and full meaning of the law as it was originally intended—especially in contrast to the limited, narrow, and woodenly literal approach of the Pharisees. Their hermeneutic (the method by which they interpreted Scripture) was laden with sophistry. They could expound for hours on the law’s invisible fine points while inventing technical twists and turns to make exceptions to some of the law’s most important moral precepts." (from John Macarthur).

This is helpful. Whenever I read scripture (especially in the Old Testament) I would try to understand the meaning and the principles behind it with "what would Jesus say" as a reference. There will be times when the scripture stories just don't make any sense at all. In these situations I will use these 5 simple pointers (SPECK - think Matthew 7:3-5) to uncover what God is trying to teach me:

• Sin I need to avoid or repent of?
• Promises I can be encouraged by?
• Examples to follow, or avoid?
• Commands I need to obey?
• Knowledge of God, the world, or myself?

So in today's scripture reading (Exodus 21–22; Matthew 19) I learn:

• Treatment of Servants (more like slaves in those days, Exodus 21:2-11) - the Bible seems to be saying... but Jesus tells me that I must treat those under my authority with respect as they are made in God's image. God loves them and wants them to have a relationship with Him. God wants me to be generous with them. If they owe me their service I should always consider generosity a better way. Women deserved equity and protection, especially when equity does not exist.
• Justice on Personal Injuries (Exodus 21:12-36) - the Bible seems to be saying "an eye for an eye" (vv. 23-25)... but Jesus tells me to love even my enemies and to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-42). God has provided us with a trustworthy judiciary system but He Himself is the final judge. I should look to God, the righteous judge, to provide divine justice rather than retribution and proportional punishment. I should treat those who injured me with grace as I myself have received grace.
• Protection of Property (Exodus 22:1-15) - the Bible seems to say what is mine is mine (v. 9)... but Jesus tells me that God provides richly all my needs. It is better to give than to receive.
• Social Responsibility (Exodus 22:16-31) - the Bible seems to be saying that I will gain God's favor by following strictly to a list of rules but Jesus tells me that these rules are but a shadow of what is to come (Hebrews 10). They are impossible to be followed strictly, I will fail at least one of the them at some point. But Jesus has done what it takes for me to enter into a right relationship with God already. Perfection will come as I learn from Jesus until I see Him face to face.

Interestingly, the New Testament passage also contains a teaching on Divorce (Matthew 19:1-12). The religious people (the Pharisees) tested Jesus by quoting a law from the Old Testament: "Why then did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”" and Jesus answered them: “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”. Jesus tells me that from the beginning when God created Adam and Eve, He knew that we all need relationship (procreation was only secondary). God's intention is that the married couple is a special relationship. But many will choose to remain single and focus their relationship with other people in a non-sexual way. Jesus teaches me that I can learn from the perfect relationship which is found in the one Jesus had with the Church:
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." (Ephesians 5:25-33)

What is That in Your Hand?

I happened to be reading Exodus 4–6; Matthew 14:22-36 for my daily scripture reading today. I am following the reading assignment to read through the entire Bible in a year. I have been doing this for many years. I find it helpful to survey the entire Bible regularly. And God has blessed me through this discipline by blessing me with new insight often, especially on the day when I write this blog. You can follow the reading schedule either through Our Daily Bread (the Bible in a Year link is right beneath the daily photo). Alternatively you can subscribe to the BibleGateway's Reading Plan.

The first lesson I was reminded of today was from Exodus 4:2 "Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”". Moses answer was of course an ordinary staff, or a walking stick. Moses was a shepherd by trade. He would use the staff to shepherd his flock. I would imagine the staff would come in handy if he had to fight off a wolf or a snake. God would demonstrate to Moses that He can use an ordinary staff to perform mighty acts (see Wikipedia for a nice summary of miracles using the Staff of Moses). The lesson for me is "What's that in my hand?". God can use the most ordinary to do the extraordinary things. My pastor gave a sermon based on the same verse recently. It's worth listening to.

The next lesson is related and it concerns my hand as well. It is from Matthew 14:31: "Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”". This is the story of Jesus Walking on Water. What is less talked about in this story is that the Apostle Peter also walked on water! This happened shortly before dawn when the apostles were rowing their boat fighting wind and waves and were quite a bit off shore. Jesus was delayed to join them having to send away the 5000+ men and women and children following the miracle of feeding them with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes. Jesus then caught up with them by walking on the lake. After reassuring them that He was not a ghost as they had thought, Peter demanded a proof that it was indeed Jesus: " “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”" (Matthew 14:28). And Jesus did! I don't know what Peter was thinking. It's one thing to have doubt during times of difficulties not being able to tell Jesus from the devil, but it's another to challenge Jesus to give him an impossible job! I would much rather ask Jesus to calm the storm instead (which happened in the story as soon as Jesus climbed into the boat). So an already scared and shaken Peter stepped out of the boat and starting walking on water towards Jesus. But he doubted. What was a great triumph in faith turned into a disaster. Jesus' hand had to reach out to his hand to keep him from sinking.

I think Peter's story happens a lot more than I like in my life. Facing with a difficult decision, I panic. I had asked God to give me a job more than I had really wanted to do at this stage of my life. If it goes through I would step into the unknown. And if I doubt, which I surely will at some point, may I not lose sight of Jesus. Help me to reach out my hand to catch His. He will keep me from sinking.

Thank you Lord for the Word You spoke today. I don't feel I have much to offer at this stage of my life and yet I trust that you would turn the little I have in my hand to do great miracles. But hold on to me. I am prone to doubt and fear. Take me safely to the boat where you will immediately calm the storm and I will find rest in You!

“Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:33)

The kingdom of heaven has come near

Today's scripture reading includes Matthew 10. This is a fresh look at a familiar passage. Firstly, I learned that chapter 10 of Matthews comes right after the familiar instruction by Jesus to his disciples, and therefore to us today:
“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

As Jesus' disciple, I must learn to see as Jesus sees. He sees needy people everywhere. He also sees that many of them desire to enter into a relationship with Him. But how will they know the way to Jesus if nobody tells them?
But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That’s why Scripture exclaims, A sight to take your breath away! Grand processions of people telling all the good things of God! But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: “Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?” The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to. (Romans 10:14 MSG translation)

So I am to regularly (in obedience) ask the Lord of the harvest to send someone out to this harvest field. Guess who this someone is? Me! It is a great reminder that the purpose of prayer is to cause a change in my heart and not to change God. Chapter 10 of Matthew might as well be the "Great Commission" (the term is often referred to Matthew 28:16-20) because it contains much more details not only the What, but also the How of Jesus' commission.

Secondly, I must remember that Jesus gave me His authority to go. "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." (Matthew 10:1) Jesus has all the authority I need. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." (Matthew 28:18) This is not authority to lord over people but authority to do the service (of healing - physically and spiritually) for people in order to earn their trust to listen to this message: "The kingdom of heaven has come near." (Matthew 10:7) Jesus will be explaining what this kingdom is using many parables (Matthew 13) but there are plenty of glimpses into this kingdom throughout this chapter already.

Thirdly, I am to begin where I am. As the apostles in Matthew 10 were sent only to the Jews living around the towns of Galilee (Matthew 10:5-6), I am to begin my service to those people immediately around me, my family, my neighborhood, and my work place. This idea is reinforced in Acts 1:8 and Roman 1:16. But God's kingdom will include anyone who trusts Jesus everywhere in the world.

Fourthly, "Freely you have received; freely give." (Matthew 10:8) What a reminder! In God's kingdom we have received freely all the privileges and love as His citizens. My acts of service is but handing out what we have been freely given. Likewise receiving support from others in His kingdom  is to be expected and welcomed. So I must not think that I need to be self-sufficient to do God's work. How else can I learn to trust and depend on God?

Fifthly, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matthews 10:16) Don't forget the kingdom of darkness is still at work. "Both the snake-intelligence and the dove-innocence are both designed to keep the sheep out of trouble. Jesus does not mean for us to get ourselves into as much difficulty as possible. He means: Risk your lives as vulnerable, non-combative, sheep-like, courageous witnesses, but try to find ways to give your witness in a way that does not bring down unnecessary persecution." (John Piper) And "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28) I am well protected in God's kingdom. After all, He is in control!

Lastly, "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." (Matthew 10:42) In God's kingdom, little acts of kindness to the least deserving still counts.

Now Lord, here am I, send me (Isaiah 6:8). If only those around me even get a glimpse of your beautiful light, they will come running towards you. Can I be the little light that points them to you?

Seek first his Kingdom and his Righteousness

I went for a job interview yesterday. After working in the same place for almost 20 years I thought it would be good to finish my career with more focus (on improving palliative care services). So I applied for the job. I had my wife and a church elder praying for me. I asked my elder brother to pray that I will be like Jesus - who is full of grace and truth (John 1:14). I think the prayer was answered. There was a peace in my heart that "surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7) and I was able to present my vision for the job with passion and sincerity. Now the outcome is in God's hand. I'll know in a week or so.

I had to do some heart searching as well - I have a comfortable job now so why risk it? I want to work less as part of my retirement plan (this position is only for two days a week) but do I need a well paying job to pad the transition? Has not God provided all that I have needed so far? Or is it because of pride? Anyways, confusing thought. If this job is God's will for me I am sure the devil will be hard at work to dissuade me (for he is a liar and an accuser - John 8:44 and Revelation 12:10).

The scripture reading this morning was very reassuring. First, I read in the Old Testament the account of Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac (Genesis 22:1-18). At the last minute, he was provided a ram in place of his son. It says in verse 14: So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”. The Hebrew word for "The Lord Will Provide" is Jehovah-jireh - it is in God's nature that He will provide all our needs. The mountain where God provided Abraham the ram is in the land of Moriah. As I was waiting for my interview on the 16th floor of Cancer Care Ontario, I looked out the window and this Psalm came to mind: I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121)

The New Testament reading was equally reassuring. In Matthews 6:19-34 I was reminded of two important life lessons:

1. Go for treasures in heaven - Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (verses 19-21)
2. Do not worry -  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (verses 31-34)

This is liberating! Getting old, thinking about retirement, figuring out what else to do to bring meaning to life, will I need health insurance after I quit the university, on and on and on. Today I am at peace (despite not being able to sleep well last night). I am in God's loving hand. Just thinking about this brings tears to my eyes.