An Unexpected Phone Call

What Would Jesus Do? These were the words that defined the latter part of the 1990’s. They were plastered on t-shirts, hats, bracelets, bumper stickers, and anything else that could produce a dollar. The initials became the embraced Christian slogan.

While I am certainly appreciative of any effort to drive Christ deeper into our hearts and lives, I am finding that those words aren’t so easily lived. Sure, it’s pretty obvious to know what Jesus would do while sitting at the bar. No, He’s not going to take the drink. That’s pretty cut and dry. I don’t even have to remember WWJD in that situation.

Early Sunday morning, Julie and I were abruptly hurled into a situation that has sent us reeling. With a 4 a.m. phone call we had moments to decide whether we were going to intervene in the life of a 6 year old or not. The appearance was that it would be a mere child sitting for a day. That day has now moved into days, weeks, months, years?!

In short, the child was removed from his family’s home and doesn’t look to be going back in the coming days. Julie and I are now facing a decision of whether we foster him or place him in the hands of the system. This is certainly not the Christmas week we were planning for!

I’m finding that there’s really no simple answer for this question: WWJD. It is a rather complex situation that has huge ramifications whichever way we go. It is an entire life change and shift if we choose to foster him. And, it is the feelings of guilt and abandonment should we choose to let him go. Sure, he’s going to be placed in a great home regardless, but who wants the feelings of being the one who placed him there?! {Before you give me a padded Christian response…think this thing through!}

As we consider these very heavy issues, I will be backing away from most peripheral things at the moment. For at least the next two weeks, there will be no daily devos and my schedule at the office will be limited to necessity items only.

Julie and I cherish your prayers during this vital time. We have lots to consider and reality to confront. There’s just no simple answer. Thank you in advance for your prayers and your understanding.

Sincerely,

Pastor Allen

Kicked Out of Church; Accepted Into the Kingdom

December 19, 2008
Text: John 9:35-41
Title: Kicked Out of Church; Accepted in the Kingdom

Thoughts:

If there were one thing the religious people of John 9 were not ready for, it was a man blind from birth who was healed by Jesus. (Just typing that sentence feels scandalous.) More time is spent in interrogation in the chapter than in the actual healing. When the ‘right’ answer isn’t given the man is whisked away to the synagogue for further questioning. And, when that’s not good enough, he’s expelled from the synagogue.

As an outsider, you can’t help but shake your head in amazement like the Aflac duck in the Yogi Berra commercial. It is at this precise moment that Jesus again enters the picture. Jesus, too, has a question. Yet, His is much different. He is not seeking to inquire about facts, feelings, and techniques. Jesus wants to know, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (v.35).

I am amazed at the contrasting and conflicting views of religion and faith. Religion cannot accept moves of God that cannot be explained or that interfere with status quo. Faith, on the other hand, simply asks one question: “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” One is condemning, confusing, and cynical. The other is accepting, inspiring, and relationally driven.

Though he was kicked out of church, our formerly blind friend is accepted into the Kingdom. Responding to Christ’s question of faith, he expresses faith and worships Christ. Now, that’s what I want to be a part of. A community that does not worship rules, religion, or regulations, but Jesus Christ. So, go ahead, kick me out of the church and let me be free to join the Kingdom.

Application:

In what ways have you experienced “religion”? (Rules, regulations, rituals void of meaning, etc.)

It’s important to recognize that rules and laws are not inherently evil. However, if they replace faith, we have forfeited faith for works. Have you ever replaced faith for works in your walk with Christ? (see Dec. 17 devo)

If Christ were to ask you, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” What would your answer be?

Prayer:

Father,

Thank You for being there when religion kicked me out. When my failed attempt at good deeds and works had left me in despair and disdained in the eyes of religion, You were there for me. You have asked one thing of me, “Do You believe in Me?” Jesus, I believe in You and place my faith in You today. When religion and rituals seek to take center stage in my life, remind me that it is my faith in You that matters most. May I share this hope with others today.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

At Best: A Savior

December 17, 2008
Text: John 9:6-12
Title: At Best: A Savior

Thoughts:

Yesterday, I wrote of the minimum identity of Jesus. At minimum, He was a Healer. Restoring the sight of one who had been born blind was historically unheard of. Thus, at minimum Christ was a Healer. Yet, He was more than a Healer. Our passage today reveals Him to be Savior.

While studying last week’s message, I came across this thought from Irenaeus. I will quote it and then respond.

“The narrator’s symbolic interpretation of Siloam as Sent (v.7) opens the possibility that the whole procedure described in verses 6-7, vivid and factual though it is, serves as a symbolic purpose in the narrative. Irenaeus, writing near the end of the second century, proposed that the ‘work of God’ displayed in these actions of Jesus was nothing less than ‘the fashioning of man’ in the beginning, by which ‘the Lord took clay from the earth and formed man’: what the Word ‘had omitted to form in the womb’–that is, the man’s eyes–he ’supplied in public, that the works of God might be manifested in him.’ Irenaeus uses this to show the redeemer and Father of Christians is also the world’s creator. The washing in Siloam is the ‘laver of regeneration,’ the new birth represented by Christian baptism (Against Heresies 5.15.2-3; ANF 1.543).” (New International Biblical Commentary: John, pp. 161-2)

In short, Irenaeus challenges that Jesus’ actions of taking the clay and applying to the blind man’s eyes is reminiscent of the creation story of Genesis 2:7. Here, however, Jesus is creating that which the flesh was unable to create. Throughout this passage we must understand that sight is symbolic of salvation (Jn 9:39-41). And, like the blind man, we are all born spiritually blind. Thus, Jesus, our Healer and Savior, is the only One who can create what is missing in our lives.

How often do we strive to form what is missing in our lives? With our good deeds, religious obligations, and self-denial we seek to recover what is lacking without Christ. Imagine offering a man with no eyes glasses, contacts, or laser surgery. What’s lacking cannot be corrected. It must be created. It is only through salvation that our sight is created, that we are connected with God. Christ is that Savior and Creator!

Application:

In what ways do we seek to bring sight, though we are blind? (church attendance, charity, volunteering, etc.)

As wonderful as corrective eyewear and procedures are, what good are they to someone without eyes? Similarly, what are good deeds to someone who is lacking a relationship with Christ?

In what ways might you be working to correct something that is missing in your spiritual life?

Prayer:

Father,

I thank You for giving me spiritual eyes to see You. When I lived spiritually blind, I sought to do good things in order to see. Like glasses to a blind man, my works were ridiculously silly. They meant nothing to You. You desired a relationship, not a a blind servant. Coming to You, I received my sight. I saw You in the light of WHO You really are! You are a Savior. Today, help me to live with the vision of who You are and lead those who are blind to the only One who can give them sight!

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

At Minimum: A Healer

December 16, 2008
Text: John 9:6-12
Title: At Minimum: A Healer

Thoughts:

The New Testament accounts of Jesus reiterate emphatically that He was more than a mere man. An excellent teacher, inspiring communicator, and renegade spiritual leader are all appropriate descriptions of Christ. Yet, He was more than the latest televangelist, preacher of the century, or positive-thinker. Jesus was the Son of God. He was working the works of His Father.

And, healing was a work of the Father. Isaiah 53 declares, “But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastising of our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed” (v.5).  Reading from Isaiah 61, Jesus proclaimed: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord” (Lk 4:18-19).

Though he didn’t know Him, the blind man of John 9 embraced Jesus as Healer. He had probably been the recipient of numerous healing techniques and cure-all gimmicks. Nevertheless, it was only Jesus that could create what he never had, namely sight. History had never recorded a man born blind having received sight (v.32). Until…Jesus!

May we reintroduce ourselves to the Healer today. Often times people turn to Jesus as their religious obligation and less as Healer, Provider, Comforter, and Life Giver. The blind man in John 9 found more than his healing that day…but he found his healing. Let’s trust Christ as our Healer today.

Application:

Have you ever been healed by the Lord? Or known someone who was?

To what degree can we trust Jesus as our Healer? (headaches, cancer, blindness, etc.) Does scripture list an end to His ability to heal?

Prayer:

Father,

Reading the words of this passage and devo, I am challenged to trust in You as my healer. Nevertheless, my faith is pressed. I feel a bit like the father who asked You to heal his son. “I do believe; help my unbelief” (Mk. 9:24). As I walk through this life and consider the sickness of those around me, may I recall and confront my faith and belief in You. May it be more than words from my mouth. May it be the truth that I live by.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.