# 612 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 11:12-14”Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." And His disciples heard it.
In Matthews account of this incident we are told that this fig tree was found along the road. (Mt 21:19) This means that it was available to all, it wasn't owned by a fig tree farmer.
It was an unusual tree that evidently had a great location, because it was ahead of other fig trees as far as it's bloom was concerned. (Since “it was not season for figs.”) Fig trees grow their fruit first and then the leaves follow. So naturally, when Jesus saw the leaves, He went over to the tree to grab a fig or two. But when He got there, He found nothing but leaves, not even a promise of fruit.
Finding no evidence of fruit, He sentenced the tree to death. (“Let no one eat fruit from you again!”) That seems harsh, but learn from the fig tree. It's not about all show. It's not about looking good on the outside, it's about true faith on the inside which always produces fruit on the outside. This fig tree incident is simply a visual of James 2:20 “faith without works is dead.”
Father, It is so easy to be a “doctrinal” Christian. Help us to live for You in a balance that makes us more than just “hearers” of Your Word.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
When's the Last Time Your Temple Was Cleansed
# 611 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 11:11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Jesus decides to go to the temple in Jerusalem. He looks around and takes in all the abuses. The moneychangers are at it again! If you recall, at the beginning of His ministry He had cleansed this very same temple. Joh 2:14-16 tells us: “And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"
Well, guess what? They're baaaack.. Jesus cleansed our personal temples when we were baptized. If He were to examine your temple today, what would He find? What have you allowed back in to your temple? What are those things that you have quietly accepted as business as usual, but God regards as sin?
Friend, today, right now, take the time to embrace 1 Jn 1:9 and freshen up your temple. 1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Father we take the time to cleanse the outside of our body, help us to make our inner cleansing a top priority through confession of our sins, daily repentance, and receiving Your promised absolution.
Jesus decides to go to the temple in Jerusalem. He looks around and takes in all the abuses. The moneychangers are at it again! If you recall, at the beginning of His ministry He had cleansed this very same temple. Joh 2:14-16 tells us: “And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"
Well, guess what? They're baaaack.. Jesus cleansed our personal temples when we were baptized. If He were to examine your temple today, what would He find? What have you allowed back in to your temple? What are those things that you have quietly accepted as business as usual, but God regards as sin?
Friend, today, right now, take the time to embrace 1 Jn 1:9 and freshen up your temple. 1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Father we take the time to cleanse the outside of our body, help us to make our inner cleansing a top priority through confession of our sins, daily repentance, and receiving Your promised absolution.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Beware of Your Expectations
# 610 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 11:9,10 “Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"
What a glorious day as the throng chants from the 118th Psalm with loud Hosanna's! The word means “save now.” Why all the excitement?
Luke tells us that they were rejoicing and praising God “for all the mighty works they had seen.” (Luke 19:37) This was a holy, unbridled moment of enthusiasm, a wave of real spiritual feeling and joy. Something like one might catch at a stadium worship event.
But what happened? Later in this week , this same crowd would be demanding that He be crucified.
Beware my friend, lest your mountain top worship experiences be forgotten, in the ordinary expectations of life. This crowd did not expect their Messiah to allow Himself to be whipped and humiliated by the much hated Romans. In fact such a Messiah was really no Messiah at all. Forgetting all the other mighty works He had done, the moment He stopped meeting their expectations, they turned on Him.
The question begs to be asked. What will we do with Jesus when our expectations aren't met?
Father, guard our hearts from allowing our own expectations to rule our hearts, and let us be more concerned about Your expectations. Let Your expectations rule our hearts and lives.
What a glorious day as the throng chants from the 118th Psalm with loud Hosanna's! The word means “save now.” Why all the excitement?
Luke tells us that they were rejoicing and praising God “for all the mighty works they had seen.” (Luke 19:37) This was a holy, unbridled moment of enthusiasm, a wave of real spiritual feeling and joy. Something like one might catch at a stadium worship event.
But what happened? Later in this week , this same crowd would be demanding that He be crucified.
Beware my friend, lest your mountain top worship experiences be forgotten, in the ordinary expectations of life. This crowd did not expect their Messiah to allow Himself to be whipped and humiliated by the much hated Romans. In fact such a Messiah was really no Messiah at all. Forgetting all the other mighty works He had done, the moment He stopped meeting their expectations, they turned on Him.
The question begs to be asked. What will we do with Jesus when our expectations aren't met?
Father, guard our hearts from allowing our own expectations to rule our hearts, and let us be more concerned about Your expectations. Let Your expectations rule our hearts and lives.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Submit To the King
# 609 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 11:7,8 “ Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.”
First of all, remember that these people still held the idea that Jesus was an earthly Messiah, an earthly king. They believed he would restore the fortunes of Israel to the good times of David and Solomon.
Even so, I wish we in the church would be able to get a better grasp of the majesty of our Jesus, who is King of kings and Lord of lords. This was no “buddy, buddy,” worship service, this was Handel's Messiah to the nth degree.
Don't get me wrong, there is a place for contemporary worship and a place for the majesty of the church organ and trumpets. But here, on Palm Sunday, it was all about the latter.
Robes thrown under the feet of the king, just as they did for Jehu in 2 Kings 9:13, “in haste, every man of them took his garment and put it under him on the bare steps and they blew the trumpet and proclaimed, Jehu is king.”
This was an extraordinary symbolical act indicating a willingness to submit to the king. I pray that this is one aspect of our worship we will never omit from our worship services be they contemporary or traditional. Submit to Jesus with joy, let the Holy Spirit have His way with you, because Jesus is the King!
Father, so many things vie for our attention, even during our worship services, help us to quiet our hearts and joyfully submit to You, for in joyful submission is true worship.
First of all, remember that these people still held the idea that Jesus was an earthly Messiah, an earthly king. They believed he would restore the fortunes of Israel to the good times of David and Solomon.
Even so, I wish we in the church would be able to get a better grasp of the majesty of our Jesus, who is King of kings and Lord of lords. This was no “buddy, buddy,” worship service, this was Handel's Messiah to the nth degree.
Don't get me wrong, there is a place for contemporary worship and a place for the majesty of the church organ and trumpets. But here, on Palm Sunday, it was all about the latter.
Robes thrown under the feet of the king, just as they did for Jehu in 2 Kings 9:13, “in haste, every man of them took his garment and put it under him on the bare steps and they blew the trumpet and proclaimed, Jehu is king.”
This was an extraordinary symbolical act indicating a willingness to submit to the king. I pray that this is one aspect of our worship we will never omit from our worship services be they contemporary or traditional. Submit to Jesus with joy, let the Holy Spirit have His way with you, because Jesus is the King!
Father, so many things vie for our attention, even during our worship services, help us to quiet our hearts and joyfully submit to You, for in joyful submission is true worship.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
The Specific Words of the Sacraments
# 608 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 11:1-6 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; and He said to them, "Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. "And if anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord has need of it,' and immediately he will send it here." So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. But some of those who stood there said to them, "What are you doing, loosing the colt?" And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go.
We have arrived at the day we call “Palm Sunday.” Passion week is about to begin. This particular incident regarding Jesus riding on the foal of a donkey into Jerusalem was a specific prophecy found in Zec 9:9. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey. This prophecy was written over 500 years before Jesus was born!
I want to zero in on one specific part of this event. “They spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded, so they let them go.” Have you ever considered that Jesus has given us specific words to speak in the Sacraments? Speak them as He commanded and they have the same force as if He were there speaking them.....because He is.
Virtually every Christian baptism and every celebration of the Lord's Supper uses these words in one form or another.
Don't mess with them. Speak them as He commanded, because they are spoken in faith to loosen us from our sins. They are spoken as a direct command from Jesus through His servants, and our sins have no choice, they, like the owners of the donkey, “must let go.”
Father, thank You for the Sacraments, thank You for the consolation and confidence that our sins are untied and sent away, gone forever in the Sea of Forgetfulness.
We have arrived at the day we call “Palm Sunday.” Passion week is about to begin. This particular incident regarding Jesus riding on the foal of a donkey into Jerusalem was a specific prophecy found in Zec 9:9. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey. This prophecy was written over 500 years before Jesus was born!
I want to zero in on one specific part of this event. “They spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded, so they let them go.” Have you ever considered that Jesus has given us specific words to speak in the Sacraments? Speak them as He commanded and they have the same force as if He were there speaking them.....because He is.
Virtually every Christian baptism and every celebration of the Lord's Supper uses these words in one form or another.
Don't mess with them. Speak them as He commanded, because they are spoken in faith to loosen us from our sins. They are spoken as a direct command from Jesus through His servants, and our sins have no choice, they, like the owners of the donkey, “must let go.”
Father, thank You for the Sacraments, thank You for the consolation and confidence that our sins are untied and sent away, gone forever in the Sea of Forgetfulness.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Give Me the Eyes of Faith
# 607 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:51 So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
What a physical miracle! Jesus has the power to restore the eyesight of Bartimaeus. And what a picture of the power He has to restore our spiritual blindness. We are all born, (indeed conceived) in spiritual blindness. “in sin my mother conceived me.” (Ps 51:5) “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1Co 2:14)
So, we, being made aware of our spiritual condition through the Law, call out to Jesus for mercy, He responds to our pleas and calls us through the gospel, we respond by casting aside anything that would hinder us from coming to Him, and He says, “What do you want me to do for you?” And our response is similar to that of Bartimaeus.
“Give me the eyes of faith. Let me see things from Your perspective.” And Jesus replies, “Because God has caused you to believe (given you faith) I can do this, let it be done.” And immediately his sight was restored and He followed Jesus. That's his story, it's my story, and we're sticking with it.........make it yours.
Thank You Father for the gift of faith, may You continue to help us see things from Your perspective.
What a physical miracle! Jesus has the power to restore the eyesight of Bartimaeus. And what a picture of the power He has to restore our spiritual blindness. We are all born, (indeed conceived) in spiritual blindness. “in sin my mother conceived me.” (Ps 51:5) “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1Co 2:14)
So, we, being made aware of our spiritual condition through the Law, call out to Jesus for mercy, He responds to our pleas and calls us through the gospel, we respond by casting aside anything that would hinder us from coming to Him, and He says, “What do you want me to do for you?” And our response is similar to that of Bartimaeus.
“Give me the eyes of faith. Let me see things from Your perspective.” And Jesus replies, “Because God has caused you to believe (given you faith) I can do this, let it be done.” And immediately his sight was restored and He followed Jesus. That's his story, it's my story, and we're sticking with it.........make it yours.
Thank You Father for the gift of faith, may You continue to help us see things from Your perspective.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
How About A Thanksgiving Resolution?
Happy Thanksgiving! One day of the year which we have set aside in our nation to give thanks to God. Wow! Aren't we something special! A day that has been gobbled up with massive tradition laden meals , football games, dreams of shopping deals on the morrow, and oh yes, maybe.....maybe a table prayer that mentions God, or more likely a list of things and people that we are thankful for.
Believe it or not, I don't have a problem with that. Please, enjoy all these good things that God allows us to have! I know I will!
But would you at least consider this. Would you consider making a thanksgiving resolution today? No need to declare it at the table, or make an announcement during halftime, just a quiet resolution between you and the Lord to become a thankful person on a daily basis for the next year.
Ps 54:6b,7 says, “I will give thanks to Your name O Lord, for it is good. For He has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.”
There's your resolution. “I WILL give thanks.” Why? Because God is good, and even when it doesn't appear that way, we have His promise that “all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose,” (Rom 8:28)
Further we read that He has delivered us from every trouble. That doesn't mean that He removes trouble, it means that He delivers us through our troubles. He gives us what we need to cope and endure. Is that not reason enough to thank Him on a daily basis? Who knows what lies ahead today, tomorrow, or in the year to come?
And finally, as you daily give thanks to God for His gift of Jesus, and daily come to Him confessing your sins and receiving His forgiveness, your “eye will look in triumph on your enemies.” No, your enemy is not that family member or neighbor or co-worker that you just can't seem to get along with. Your enemies are the world, your flesh and the devil, who all desire to separate you from the love of God.
And in the coming year, if you keep your thanksgiving resolution, and daily confess your sins, receiving God's forgiveness and asking His help for victory over sin in your life, I guarantee you, that your eye will see victory over your enemies. This is the key to the preservation of your soul, and when all is said and done, if it is well with our soul, all we can say is “Thanks Lord!”
Father, thank You!.
Believe it or not, I don't have a problem with that. Please, enjoy all these good things that God allows us to have! I know I will!
But would you at least consider this. Would you consider making a thanksgiving resolution today? No need to declare it at the table, or make an announcement during halftime, just a quiet resolution between you and the Lord to become a thankful person on a daily basis for the next year.
Ps 54:6b,7 says, “I will give thanks to Your name O Lord, for it is good. For He has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.”
There's your resolution. “I WILL give thanks.” Why? Because God is good, and even when it doesn't appear that way, we have His promise that “all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose,” (Rom 8:28)
Further we read that He has delivered us from every trouble. That doesn't mean that He removes trouble, it means that He delivers us through our troubles. He gives us what we need to cope and endure. Is that not reason enough to thank Him on a daily basis? Who knows what lies ahead today, tomorrow, or in the year to come?
And finally, as you daily give thanks to God for His gift of Jesus, and daily come to Him confessing your sins and receiving His forgiveness, your “eye will look in triumph on your enemies.” No, your enemy is not that family member or neighbor or co-worker that you just can't seem to get along with. Your enemies are the world, your flesh and the devil, who all desire to separate you from the love of God.
And in the coming year, if you keep your thanksgiving resolution, and daily confess your sins, receiving God's forgiveness and asking His help for victory over sin in your life, I guarantee you, that your eye will see victory over your enemies. This is the key to the preservation of your soul, and when all is said and done, if it is well with our soul, all we can say is “Thanks Lord!”
Father, thank You!.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The Lessons of Bartimaeus
# 606 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:49,50 “So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you." And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus”
Blind Bartimaeus. A picture of you and I when we were once lost, as the song says “I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.”
Please note that Jesus has responded to the heartfelt cry for mercy from Bartimaeus. He knows when we need it, He knows when we are ready for it. When we are ready, He calls. How does He call?
The call is stated beautifully in the Lutheran catechism, where we read, “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel.”
Jesus calls those desiring mercy through the words of the Gospel, and when we hear those words in our heart of hearts, our heart is cheered as we rise up from our lost condition to meet Him, casting aside all those things of the world that might hinder us.
Did you notice what Bartimaeus did? He cast aside his garment. Do you understand this? Bartimaeus was blind! Removing his garment wasn't going to help him run any faster. It was a symbolical act, of casting aside any and all hindrances to responding to God's mercy..
Beloved, when you hear the call be prepared to let go of any and all things that will hinder you from responding fully to the call and mercy of Christ.
Father, I need Your mercy daily, help me to cast off any hindrances to receiving it.
Blind Bartimaeus. A picture of you and I when we were once lost, as the song says “I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.”
Please note that Jesus has responded to the heartfelt cry for mercy from Bartimaeus. He knows when we need it, He knows when we are ready for it. When we are ready, He calls. How does He call?
The call is stated beautifully in the Lutheran catechism, where we read, “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel.”
Jesus calls those desiring mercy through the words of the Gospel, and when we hear those words in our heart of hearts, our heart is cheered as we rise up from our lost condition to meet Him, casting aside all those things of the world that might hinder us.
Did you notice what Bartimaeus did? He cast aside his garment. Do you understand this? Bartimaeus was blind! Removing his garment wasn't going to help him run any faster. It was a symbolical act, of casting aside any and all hindrances to responding to God's mercy..
Beloved, when you hear the call be prepared to let go of any and all things that will hinder you from responding fully to the call and mercy of Christ.
Father, I need Your mercy daily, help me to cast off any hindrances to receiving it.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Stopping God In His Tracks
# 605 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:46-49a, “Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" So Jesus stood still.”
A couple of things stand out here. First of all, the faith of Bartimaeus. Who told him that Jesus was the Son of David? The Son of David was the title reserved for the Messiah! Only God could've revealed this fact to Bartimaeus.
Next, notice what Jesus did when the cries of Bartimaeus hit His ears. “He stood still.” He literally stopped in His tracks. Beloved, every cry for mercy stops God in His tracks? Ps 33:18 says, “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy.”
A cry for mercy, is hope for mercy and it's why the publican went to his house justified and the Pharisee did not. The publican prayed, “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” ( Lu 18:13b) This heartfelt prayer will stop God in His tracks every time . Need mercy and forgiveness from God? Just ask. He is more than happy to give it
God, how I need Your mercy! Even when I'm on top of my game and everything seems to be running smoothly, my heart cries out for Your mercy. It thrills me to know, that such heartfelt cries stop You in Your tracks, and move You to action on my behalf.
A couple of things stand out here. First of all, the faith of Bartimaeus. Who told him that Jesus was the Son of David? The Son of David was the title reserved for the Messiah! Only God could've revealed this fact to Bartimaeus.
Next, notice what Jesus did when the cries of Bartimaeus hit His ears. “He stood still.” He literally stopped in His tracks. Beloved, every cry for mercy stops God in His tracks? Ps 33:18 says, “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy.”
A cry for mercy, is hope for mercy and it's why the publican went to his house justified and the Pharisee did not. The publican prayed, “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” ( Lu 18:13b) This heartfelt prayer will stop God in His tracks every time . Need mercy and forgiveness from God? Just ask. He is more than happy to give it
God, how I need Your mercy! Even when I'm on top of my game and everything seems to be running smoothly, my heart cries out for Your mercy. It thrills me to know, that such heartfelt cries stop You in Your tracks, and move You to action on my behalf.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Perfect Fulfillment
# 604 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Who will be the greatest (mortally speaking) in the Kingdom of heaven? The Son of Man! Jesus! But even He did not come to be waited on hand and foot! This seems to be another idea concerning the Kingdom that needed to be clarified for the disciples.
I don't believe the kingdom of heaven either now or for eternity will consist of believers sitting on thrones while servants peel their grapes for them. I believe it will be more like the perfect contentment that comes from being useful.
I'm not sure how that will play out, but I imagine all our God-created giftedness and uniqueness will be maximized in perfect fulfillment, and He will forever be praised because of it.
And think about it, the only reason you or I even have an opportunity to be partakers of this Kingdom is because Jesus played the role of the Servant perfectly and then paid the ransom.
In a sense, we were all kidnapped when Adam and Eve fell. The ransom price was set by God Himself, for His Word says that the wages of sin, (the ransom) is death Jesus paid that price and the bonds of sin, which had held us captive were burst and we have been set free.
Jesus served in perfect fulfillment and it brought Him great joy: Heb 12:2b “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,”
This same kind of fulfilling joy awaits all who remain in Christ.
Father, what a blessed place heaven will be, open the ears of the spiritually deaf, that they may hear and believe, and one day experience their created purpose in all its fullness.
Who will be the greatest (mortally speaking) in the Kingdom of heaven? The Son of Man! Jesus! But even He did not come to be waited on hand and foot! This seems to be another idea concerning the Kingdom that needed to be clarified for the disciples.
I don't believe the kingdom of heaven either now or for eternity will consist of believers sitting on thrones while servants peel their grapes for them. I believe it will be more like the perfect contentment that comes from being useful.
I'm not sure how that will play out, but I imagine all our God-created giftedness and uniqueness will be maximized in perfect fulfillment, and He will forever be praised because of it.
And think about it, the only reason you or I even have an opportunity to be partakers of this Kingdom is because Jesus played the role of the Servant perfectly and then paid the ransom.
In a sense, we were all kidnapped when Adam and Eve fell. The ransom price was set by God Himself, for His Word says that the wages of sin, (the ransom) is death Jesus paid that price and the bonds of sin, which had held us captive were burst and we have been set free.
Jesus served in perfect fulfillment and it brought Him great joy: Heb 12:2b “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,”
This same kind of fulfilling joy awaits all who remain in Christ.
Father, what a blessed place heaven will be, open the ears of the spiritually deaf, that they may hear and believe, and one day experience their created purpose in all its fullness.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
A Ready Ministrant
# 603 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:41-44, “And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
"Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.
John and James didn't get it, and neither did the other ten. They were displeased at this attempted power grab of the sons of thunder. I mean after all, weren't they deserving of a special place in the royal court too? Jesus uses their displeasure as another teachable moment.
Please note that He does not ditz the idea of seeking to be great in His kingdom. In fact He unlocks the secret to greatness in His kingdom for any who wish to achieve it. “If you want to be great, then serve others.”
The force of the Greek here is to be a “ready ministrant.” Be ready to pour out the grace you have freely received in your life, into the lives of others. Minister to them! Grace flowed through Jesus because He made Himself a “ready ministrant.” It will flow through us if we are willing to do the same.
Father, give me a willing heart. That I may be a vessel of Your grace to others.
"Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.
John and James didn't get it, and neither did the other ten. They were displeased at this attempted power grab of the sons of thunder. I mean after all, weren't they deserving of a special place in the royal court too? Jesus uses their displeasure as another teachable moment.
Please note that He does not ditz the idea of seeking to be great in His kingdom. In fact He unlocks the secret to greatness in His kingdom for any who wish to achieve it. “If you want to be great, then serve others.”
The force of the Greek here is to be a “ready ministrant.” Be ready to pour out the grace you have freely received in your life, into the lives of others. Minister to them! Grace flowed through Jesus because He made Himself a “ready ministrant.” It will flow through us if we are willing to do the same.
Father, give me a willing heart. That I may be a vessel of Your grace to others.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Who Gets To Sit On the Right and Left Hand of Jesus
# 602 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:40 "but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared."
James and John have asked for the privilege of sitting on the right and left hand of Jesus when He comes into His kingdom. Jesus told them that they didn't understand what they were asking and here He adds that these seats are not His to give. That should tell us that these seats are assigned by the Father.
Further we learn that these seats have not yet been occupied, but rather there is some preparation work that must first be accomplished. The prep work will be completed when Jesus ascends into heaven. Who then will occupy these seats?
I believe it's not a who but a what. In Zech 4, we read of a prophetic vision involving a lampstand and two olive trees, one on the right of the lampstand and the other on the left. The lampstand represents the church, (Jesus) These olive trees represent the means of grace that God will use through His church to add to His kingdom. Namely the Word of God and the Sacraments.
The Word of God will have pre-eminence (on the right) because the Sacraments derive their power from the Word.
No need to rack your brain trying to figure out this seating arrangement, rather purpose to seek your role in bringing these means of grace to our dying world.
Father, sometimes we spend more time trying to figure out Your Word than living it. Help us to live whatever revelation You have given us, and forgive us when we fall short.
James and John have asked for the privilege of sitting on the right and left hand of Jesus when He comes into His kingdom. Jesus told them that they didn't understand what they were asking and here He adds that these seats are not His to give. That should tell us that these seats are assigned by the Father.
Further we learn that these seats have not yet been occupied, but rather there is some preparation work that must first be accomplished. The prep work will be completed when Jesus ascends into heaven. Who then will occupy these seats?
I believe it's not a who but a what. In Zech 4, we read of a prophetic vision involving a lampstand and two olive trees, one on the right of the lampstand and the other on the left. The lampstand represents the church, (Jesus) These olive trees represent the means of grace that God will use through His church to add to His kingdom. Namely the Word of God and the Sacraments.
The Word of God will have pre-eminence (on the right) because the Sacraments derive their power from the Word.
No need to rack your brain trying to figure out this seating arrangement, rather purpose to seek your role in bringing these means of grace to our dying world.
Father, sometimes we spend more time trying to figure out Your Word than living it. Help us to live whatever revelation You have given us, and forgive us when we fall short.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Baptized With the Holy Spirit
# 601 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:38,39 “But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." So Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized;
I believe that Jesus is pointing the disciples ahead to Pentecost, for it was on that day that the disciples experienced the baptism of fire. The word “baptize” here means to be whelmed or completely covered. Some have used these verses as proof of the necessity of baptism by immersion, but be careful, there is enough proof in other places of Scripture that discount such a doctrine.
Nonetheless, the effect of water baptism is the same, it produces a “whelming”, a saturation, of the Holy Spirit in those who receive it. Baptism also produces a drinking of the cup, that is, a complete emptying of self as the old man is crucified, and the new man aflame with the Holy Spirit comes forth.
The Holy Spirit (the baptism of Jesus, Mt 3:11) was given to the church on Pentecost, and He is received in baptism. (Acts 2:38Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you SHALL RECEIVE the gift of the Holy Spirit.)
This passage is also interpreted to speak of the necessity of suffering for those who follow Jesus, and while this is true, we do the text no harm as we speak of baptism because, once we are received into the kingdom, we will also take on His suffering in varying degrees......it comes with the territory.
Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, and help me to empty my cup (my self) on a daily basis so He may have full sway in my life, helping me to endure any and all struggles that may come my way.
I believe that Jesus is pointing the disciples ahead to Pentecost, for it was on that day that the disciples experienced the baptism of fire. The word “baptize” here means to be whelmed or completely covered. Some have used these verses as proof of the necessity of baptism by immersion, but be careful, there is enough proof in other places of Scripture that discount such a doctrine.
Nonetheless, the effect of water baptism is the same, it produces a “whelming”, a saturation, of the Holy Spirit in those who receive it. Baptism also produces a drinking of the cup, that is, a complete emptying of self as the old man is crucified, and the new man aflame with the Holy Spirit comes forth.
The Holy Spirit (the baptism of Jesus, Mt 3:11) was given to the church on Pentecost, and He is received in baptism. (Acts 2:38Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you SHALL RECEIVE the gift of the Holy Spirit.)
This passage is also interpreted to speak of the necessity of suffering for those who follow Jesus, and while this is true, we do the text no harm as we speak of baptism because, once we are received into the kingdom, we will also take on His suffering in varying degrees......it comes with the territory.
Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, and help me to empty my cup (my self) on a daily basis so He may have full sway in my life, helping me to endure any and all struggles that may come my way.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Go Right To Jesus
# 600 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:35-38a) “Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask." And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask."
James and John are soooo close to understanding the concept of Jesus as the “King of all kings,” and they are asking Jesus to give them positions of great honor when He assumes what they thought would soon be His earthly throne.
In today's politics, these would be presidential advisers. They would be powerful people who have the president's ear. Jesus then gently tells them that they don't understand the role of the right and left hand men of His kingdom.
You see, it's not about having His ear in a special way, it's not about personal power. The fact is ALL believers have His ear and all believers have access to His power. When Jesus died, the temple curtain was torn in two, dramatically making the point that we may now boldly approach the throne (Heb 4:16) through the blood of Jesus! (Heb 10:19,20) No need to go through right hand or left hand men,
Go right to Jesus. He won that right for you.
To go to Jesus through any other means turns your personal relationship with Jesus into an impersonal relationship with Jesus, and when you think about His love for you, is that where you want your relationship to be?
Father, guard my heart from any and all things that would distance me from You.
They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask."
James and John are soooo close to understanding the concept of Jesus as the “King of all kings,” and they are asking Jesus to give them positions of great honor when He assumes what they thought would soon be His earthly throne.
In today's politics, these would be presidential advisers. They would be powerful people who have the president's ear. Jesus then gently tells them that they don't understand the role of the right and left hand men of His kingdom.
You see, it's not about having His ear in a special way, it's not about personal power. The fact is ALL believers have His ear and all believers have access to His power. When Jesus died, the temple curtain was torn in two, dramatically making the point that we may now boldly approach the throne (Heb 4:16) through the blood of Jesus! (Heb 10:19,20) No need to go through right hand or left hand men,
Go right to Jesus. He won that right for you.
To go to Jesus through any other means turns your personal relationship with Jesus into an impersonal relationship with Jesus, and when you think about His love for you, is that where you want your relationship to be?
Father, guard my heart from any and all things that would distance me from You.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
If You Ask Anything In My Name, I Will Do It
# 599 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask."
In Matthews account of this incident it was Salome, the mother of James and John who made this request. Apparently it was something that the three had cooked up a while ago and Salome was waiting for an opportune time to make the request.
Mom was speaking for her boys and that's why the Holy Spirit speaking through Mark says the words came from James and John. Listen to the tone of their request: “We want You to do for us whatever we ask.” What cheek right? Wrong! They actually sort of get it!
An earthly king is able to grant any request and need not know what it is in advance. The case of Herod granting the wish of Herodius' daughter and delivering the Baptist's head on a platter is an example of such powers.
What they didn't understand yet was that Jesus' kingdom is not of this world. It is far above and over this world. When the disciples rightly understood what the true realm of Jesus is and when we rightly understand it, the entire focus of our petitions broadens from mere earthly concerns to high heavenly concerns, and we pray with Salome, “Do for us whatever we ask,” because Jesus Himself has said, Jn 14:14, "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it..”
Stop settling for just the things of your kingdom and start seeking the things of the Lord's kingdom. If you ask anything related to His will, He will grant it, and unlike Herod He will not look back with regrets over granting your request.
Father, give us kingdom vision and priorities that we will not ask amiss.
In Matthews account of this incident it was Salome, the mother of James and John who made this request. Apparently it was something that the three had cooked up a while ago and Salome was waiting for an opportune time to make the request.
Mom was speaking for her boys and that's why the Holy Spirit speaking through Mark says the words came from James and John. Listen to the tone of their request: “We want You to do for us whatever we ask.” What cheek right? Wrong! They actually sort of get it!
An earthly king is able to grant any request and need not know what it is in advance. The case of Herod granting the wish of Herodius' daughter and delivering the Baptist's head on a platter is an example of such powers.
What they didn't understand yet was that Jesus' kingdom is not of this world. It is far above and over this world. When the disciples rightly understood what the true realm of Jesus is and when we rightly understand it, the entire focus of our petitions broadens from mere earthly concerns to high heavenly concerns, and we pray with Salome, “Do for us whatever we ask,” because Jesus Himself has said, Jn 14:14, "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it..”
Stop settling for just the things of your kingdom and start seeking the things of the Lord's kingdom. If you ask anything related to His will, He will grant it, and unlike Herod He will not look back with regrets over granting your request.
Father, give us kingdom vision and priorities that we will not ask amiss.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Gift of Peace
# 598 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:32-34 “Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; "and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again."
Amazed and afraid. The idea of being amazed is they were dumbfounded....found to be dumb, in other words they were speechless. They couldn't believe that their Master was bent on going to Jerusalem! Grave danger lay ahead for Him!
They were also afraid. The word in the Greek is phobea, from which we get the word phobia. This was not an ordinary fear, it was paralyzing. It explains why they missed what Jesus said next. They missed the part about Him rising from the dead!
All they could focus on was their fears. None of us hear very well when we are panicked. Too bad, because if we would but listen to Him here, perhaps we could better handle are own times of fear.
The worst possible scenario was going to happen to Jesus, yet in the end, He wins. He rises from the dead, and so will we. Let that fact bring peace to your troubled soul.
Think of all the times in Scripture, where the Lord says, “Fear not.” I don't think it is a suggestion. I believe it has the full authority of a command, and when He commands the spirit of fear to depart from our flesh, it has no choice but to leave.
I have come to believe through my own personal experience, that peace (a lack of fear) is a gift from God, and that it can depart at any time, therefore I thank God every day for peace, and I pray that He will continually command the spirit of fear to depart when my heart is troubled.
Father, guard our hearts from fear and grant us Your peace.
Amazed and afraid. The idea of being amazed is they were dumbfounded....found to be dumb, in other words they were speechless. They couldn't believe that their Master was bent on going to Jerusalem! Grave danger lay ahead for Him!
They were also afraid. The word in the Greek is phobea, from which we get the word phobia. This was not an ordinary fear, it was paralyzing. It explains why they missed what Jesus said next. They missed the part about Him rising from the dead!
All they could focus on was their fears. None of us hear very well when we are panicked. Too bad, because if we would but listen to Him here, perhaps we could better handle are own times of fear.
The worst possible scenario was going to happen to Jesus, yet in the end, He wins. He rises from the dead, and so will we. Let that fact bring peace to your troubled soul.
Think of all the times in Scripture, where the Lord says, “Fear not.” I don't think it is a suggestion. I believe it has the full authority of a command, and when He commands the spirit of fear to depart from our flesh, it has no choice but to leave.
I have come to believe through my own personal experience, that peace (a lack of fear) is a gift from God, and that it can depart at any time, therefore I thank God every day for peace, and I pray that He will continually command the spirit of fear to depart when my heart is troubled.
Father, guard our hearts from fear and grant us Your peace.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Your Baptism Alone Will Not Save You
# 597 - Today's Du-votional Living Word comes from: Mr 10:31 But many who are first shall be last, and the last, first."
Jesus has just finished speaking of the necessity of forsaking all and following Him and the rewards associated with that path. He concludes with a stern warning. The sternness of the warning is found in the word, “last.”
He is not using the term in the sense of a pecking order, He is using it as a dividing line. The “last” are those left outside the gates of heaven, which means the “first” are those who will be admitted into heaven.
This is especially important for those who have enjoyed an outward attachment to the church, but have lost their first love. For whatever reason, Jesus has been crowded out of their hearts. When such people were baptized, they were among the first, but unless they persevere in their God-given faith, they will be last, left on the outside looking in.
Don't rely on your baptism alone for salvation. Mr 16:16 makes it clear that baptism must be accompanied by faith. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
Can it be any plainer than that? Baptism plus belief equals salvation. Baptism minus belief equals condemnation. In other words without enduring faith, you become the first that was last....baptized or not.
Father, let this be a wake up call for all of us. We are either in love with Jesus or not. There is no room for the cold or lukewarm. Help us to live a daily surrendered life to You.
Jesus has just finished speaking of the necessity of forsaking all and following Him and the rewards associated with that path. He concludes with a stern warning. The sternness of the warning is found in the word, “last.”
He is not using the term in the sense of a pecking order, He is using it as a dividing line. The “last” are those left outside the gates of heaven, which means the “first” are those who will be admitted into heaven.
This is especially important for those who have enjoyed an outward attachment to the church, but have lost their first love. For whatever reason, Jesus has been crowded out of their hearts. When such people were baptized, they were among the first, but unless they persevere in their God-given faith, they will be last, left on the outside looking in.
Don't rely on your baptism alone for salvation. Mr 16:16 makes it clear that baptism must be accompanied by faith. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
Can it be any plainer than that? Baptism plus belief equals salvation. Baptism minus belief equals condemnation. In other words without enduring faith, you become the first that was last....baptized or not.
Father, let this be a wake up call for all of us. We are either in love with Jesus or not. There is no room for the cold or lukewarm. Help us to live a daily surrendered life to You.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
The Other Part of the Reward
# 596 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:29,30 “So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, "who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life. "
There is no exception here. All those who forsake, who make Jesus their top love and priority, will be rewarded in the here and now with the sweet shared and sharing fellowship found only in the Body of Christ. Now don't miss the other part of the reward....persecutions.
As a member of the Body of Christ and in active fellowship with others, you will experience persecution. Jesus said in Joh 15:19,20 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”
As a forsaker, you have been called out of fellowship with the world and into fellowship with Jesus and other believers. This means persecution must come for the sake of your faith. Persevere brothers and sisters for the sake of the age to come, namely heaven.
Re 21:7 "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
Father, help me to not overlook the fact that persecution will come. It will come in all forms, help me to be aware of it and to keep my eye on the prize when it comes. Help me to be an overcomer that I may be with You one day in Paradise.
There is no exception here. All those who forsake, who make Jesus their top love and priority, will be rewarded in the here and now with the sweet shared and sharing fellowship found only in the Body of Christ. Now don't miss the other part of the reward....persecutions.
As a member of the Body of Christ and in active fellowship with others, you will experience persecution. Jesus said in Joh 15:19,20 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”
As a forsaker, you have been called out of fellowship with the world and into fellowship with Jesus and other believers. This means persecution must come for the sake of your faith. Persevere brothers and sisters for the sake of the age to come, namely heaven.
Re 21:7 "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
Father, help me to not overlook the fact that persecution will come. It will come in all forms, help me to be aware of it and to keep my eye on the prize when it comes. Help me to be an overcomer that I may be with You one day in Paradise.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
A Whole New Realm of Blessing
# 594 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:29-31 “So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, "who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life. "But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
Disciples of Jesus are forsakers. Lu 14:33 says, "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”
And here we see two levels of forsaking. There is one forsaking for His sake and another forsaking for the gospel's sake. The first refers to one's own personal faith and salvation, the second refers to those who we would call missionaries today. (the gospel's sake)
Notice that the promised reward is the same for both.
But what is this promised reward? If we take it literally all believers and missionaries will end up with one hundred brothers, one hundred sisters, one hundred mothers, one hundred children, and one hundred parcels of land! Sounds like a logistical nightmare to me!
So what is Jesus really saying here? Simply put, He is promising to open up a whole new realm of blessing to all forsakers, giving them access to all the people in His kingdom, (we call that fellowship) And He promises to dispense any and all material goods to His forsakers as needed.
These blessings of shared fellowship and material goods are for the here and now, (hence the 100 figure as opposed to 1000 which would represent the total completeness of eternity.)
This sharing of fellowship and material goods is beautifully portrayed in the 2nd Chapter of Acts, where we read: “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” (Acts 2:44,45)
Some of this is missing to a certain degree in the church today, and maybe it's missing because we haven't truly been willing to forsake all. When we go “all in” with Jesus the fellowship and shared material blessings will follow suit.
Father, help me to let go from anything that is keeping me from enjoying the hundredfold blessings that Jesus promises to His forsakers.
Disciples of Jesus are forsakers. Lu 14:33 says, "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”
And here we see two levels of forsaking. There is one forsaking for His sake and another forsaking for the gospel's sake. The first refers to one's own personal faith and salvation, the second refers to those who we would call missionaries today. (the gospel's sake)
Notice that the promised reward is the same for both.
But what is this promised reward? If we take it literally all believers and missionaries will end up with one hundred brothers, one hundred sisters, one hundred mothers, one hundred children, and one hundred parcels of land! Sounds like a logistical nightmare to me!
So what is Jesus really saying here? Simply put, He is promising to open up a whole new realm of blessing to all forsakers, giving them access to all the people in His kingdom, (we call that fellowship) And He promises to dispense any and all material goods to His forsakers as needed.
These blessings of shared fellowship and material goods are for the here and now, (hence the 100 figure as opposed to 1000 which would represent the total completeness of eternity.)
This sharing of fellowship and material goods is beautifully portrayed in the 2nd Chapter of Acts, where we read: “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” (Acts 2:44,45)
Some of this is missing to a certain degree in the church today, and maybe it's missing because we haven't truly been willing to forsake all. When we go “all in” with Jesus the fellowship and shared material blessings will follow suit.
Father, help me to let go from anything that is keeping me from enjoying the hundredfold blessings that Jesus promises to His forsakers.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Love Your Kingdom Less Than His
# 593 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:29-31 “So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, "who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life. "But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
This text is so rich, so full of blessing for the followers of Christ, I hardly know where to begin. Let's start with the word “assuredly.” This is a promise from Jesus that will never fail. It is always true. It's money in the spiritual bank!
He uses an extreme example to make His point. What could be the most difficult thing to sever ties with in order to follow Jesus? How about home and everything associated with it. House, family, (Matthew and Luke include wife in the list.)
This leaving is a declaration that we are pilgrims here. As the old hymn says, “I'm but a stranger here, heaven is my home.”
Understand that He is not advocating deserting your spouse, your children, your parents, or your family. That would be contrary to everything in the Scriptures. All he is saying is love them less than you love Him. Love His kingdom more than yours.
Father, I find my kingdom often collides with Your kingdom, and far too often I leave You in order to follow my own whims and fantasies. Help me to see that Yours is the only kingdom that will last, help me to seek first the kingdom of God and it's associated righteousness, believing then that You will be the caretaker of my kingdom.
This text is so rich, so full of blessing for the followers of Christ, I hardly know where to begin. Let's start with the word “assuredly.” This is a promise from Jesus that will never fail. It is always true. It's money in the spiritual bank!
He uses an extreme example to make His point. What could be the most difficult thing to sever ties with in order to follow Jesus? How about home and everything associated with it. House, family, (Matthew and Luke include wife in the list.)
This leaving is a declaration that we are pilgrims here. As the old hymn says, “I'm but a stranger here, heaven is my home.”
Understand that He is not advocating deserting your spouse, your children, your parents, or your family. That would be contrary to everything in the Scriptures. All he is saying is love them less than you love Him. Love His kingdom more than yours.
Father, I find my kingdom often collides with Your kingdom, and far too often I leave You in order to follow my own whims and fantasies. Help me to see that Yours is the only kingdom that will last, help me to seek first the kingdom of God and it's associated righteousness, believing then that You will be the caretaker of my kingdom.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
God Owes Us Nothing But Judgment
# 593 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:28 “Then Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You."
“Toot! Toot!” Listen to Peter toot his own horn. The very thing that Jesus had challenged the rich young ruler to do had indeed been done by these disciples. They had left their occupations, their families, for a life on the road following Jesus. (No mention by Peter though of selling their possessions and giving to the poor.) Isn't that just like you and I? We pick out maybe one item to which we have been obedient and think we have done it all! “Toot Toot!
Actually, quite the opposite is true. Jas 2:10 says, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” That little verse ought to keep all of us from patting ourselves on the back!
Make no mistake about this, Peter heard the Lord's promise to this rich young ruler about treasure in heaven and he wanted to remind the Lord that they were in line for it. Again, isn't that just like us? Peter views his following Christ as an action on his part that deserves a reward. It's the old spirit of works righteousness cropping up again in the flesh.
Remember friend, God owes nothing to sinners like us but judgment, but in His mercy, He overlooks our sins and gives us the kingdom through the merits of His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Father, I know that works righteousness is always present in me, always wanting to break out, guard my heart against such folly, and let me ever be thankful for Your grace and mercy.
“Toot! Toot!” Listen to Peter toot his own horn. The very thing that Jesus had challenged the rich young ruler to do had indeed been done by these disciples. They had left their occupations, their families, for a life on the road following Jesus. (No mention by Peter though of selling their possessions and giving to the poor.) Isn't that just like you and I? We pick out maybe one item to which we have been obedient and think we have done it all! “Toot Toot!
Actually, quite the opposite is true. Jas 2:10 says, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” That little verse ought to keep all of us from patting ourselves on the back!
Make no mistake about this, Peter heard the Lord's promise to this rich young ruler about treasure in heaven and he wanted to remind the Lord that they were in line for it. Again, isn't that just like us? Peter views his following Christ as an action on his part that deserves a reward. It's the old spirit of works righteousness cropping up again in the flesh.
Remember friend, God owes nothing to sinners like us but judgment, but in His mercy, He overlooks our sins and gives us the kingdom through the merits of His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Father, I know that works righteousness is always present in me, always wanting to break out, guard my heart against such folly, and let me ever be thankful for Your grace and mercy.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
What Good Thing Shall I Do To Be Saved?
# 591 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:26,27 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."
The great astonishment of the disciples tells us that they understand completely what Jesus is saying. They also confess the rich young ruler in all of us! Yes, there is a little bit of covetousness in all of us, and if this desire to be at ease materially is in all of us, (trust in riches) and keeps us out of the kingdom, “Who then can be saved?”
But Jesus looked at them one by one because again, He wants them to get His point. Men cannot save themselves. There is not one single good thing we can do to earn heaven. And this takes us back to the initial question of the rich young ruler as stated in Mt 19:16b “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"
There is no good thing! All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags! It is impossible for us because we are born, yes even conceived as spiritually dead people. “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit,” (1Co 2:14) “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (Jn 3:2) It is impossible for a dead man to revive himself, but it is not impossible for God. He is able to save to the uttermost!
I know. He saved me.
Oh, God, let me never forget that it is my Your great mercy that I am a follower of Christ. Keep me ever reliant on Him.
The great astonishment of the disciples tells us that they understand completely what Jesus is saying. They also confess the rich young ruler in all of us! Yes, there is a little bit of covetousness in all of us, and if this desire to be at ease materially is in all of us, (trust in riches) and keeps us out of the kingdom, “Who then can be saved?”
But Jesus looked at them one by one because again, He wants them to get His point. Men cannot save themselves. There is not one single good thing we can do to earn heaven. And this takes us back to the initial question of the rich young ruler as stated in Mt 19:16b “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"
There is no good thing! All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags! It is impossible for us because we are born, yes even conceived as spiritually dead people. “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit,” (1Co 2:14) “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (Jn 3:2) It is impossible for a dead man to revive himself, but it is not impossible for God. He is able to save to the uttermost!
I know. He saved me.
Oh, God, let me never forget that it is my Your great mercy that I am a follower of Christ. Keep me ever reliant on Him.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Who Unpacks the Camel?
# 590 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 10:25 "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
(Mr 10:25)
Many attempts have been made to use this passage in such a way to actually make it possible for a covetous man to enter heaven. My favorite is the illustration that when Jesus spoke of the needle, He meant the small portal of a gated city. In order for a camel to enter through such a portal, it would have to be unpacked of all excess baggage, and actually kneel to get through. The problem with this illustration is once through the camel is ready to be loaded up again, and the sin of covetousness has not really been dealt with.
Now this is a lovely illustration and a great spiritual principle and certainly connected to being followers of Christ. Jesus said elsewhere in Scripture Lu 14:33 "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.. In other words it is necessary to let go of worldly things (unpack the camel) to follow Him. Just don't load him up again! This is a daily unpacking, a daily forsaking and following.
Furthermore it is bluntly stated in 1Co 6:10, that the covetous will not inherit eternal life. “ Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
While this illustration of the camel makes for an interesting sermon, it misses the real point that Jesus is making.
A real live camel, packed or unpacked cannot fit through the eye of a needle. It's that simple. We must trust God. He is the only one able to move our trust in wealth and other things to a saving trust in Him.
Can a camel unpack itself? Of course not! It needs outside help and so do we! This is the point! Don't miss it!
Father, help me to stop looking for my salvation apart from You
(Mr 10:25)
Many attempts have been made to use this passage in such a way to actually make it possible for a covetous man to enter heaven. My favorite is the illustration that when Jesus spoke of the needle, He meant the small portal of a gated city. In order for a camel to enter through such a portal, it would have to be unpacked of all excess baggage, and actually kneel to get through. The problem with this illustration is once through the camel is ready to be loaded up again, and the sin of covetousness has not really been dealt with.
Now this is a lovely illustration and a great spiritual principle and certainly connected to being followers of Christ. Jesus said elsewhere in Scripture Lu 14:33 "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.. In other words it is necessary to let go of worldly things (unpack the camel) to follow Him. Just don't load him up again! This is a daily unpacking, a daily forsaking and following.
Furthermore it is bluntly stated in 1Co 6:10, that the covetous will not inherit eternal life. “ Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
While this illustration of the camel makes for an interesting sermon, it misses the real point that Jesus is making.
A real live camel, packed or unpacked cannot fit through the eye of a needle. It's that simple. We must trust God. He is the only one able to move our trust in wealth and other things to a saving trust in Him.
Can a camel unpack itself? Of course not! It needs outside help and so do we! This is the point! Don't miss it!
Father, help me to stop looking for my salvation apart from You
Monday, November 7, 2011
Prosperity Theology
589 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:23,24
“Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!
Did you note the difference between the first statement of Jesus and second? In the first He says it's difficult for those who HAVE RICHES and in the second he says it's difficult for those who TRUST IN RICHES.
Both statements are true of course. Wealth can distract us from what matters for our spiritual well-being, but woe to those who allow the distraction of wealth to lead to absolute trust in wealth.
The disciples were “astonished “ (the Greek Word means “stupefied”) at His remark. Why? Because the religious thinking of the day was that wealth was connected with the favor of God, and Jesus remarks were putting that notion to rest! He clarified His remark by saying in essence, if this is your theology, if you are trusting in this line of thinking, you are barking up the wrong tree.
Are we all that far from the same line of thinking today? I'm amazed how often I associate my own material blessings with God's favor, or how quick we are to use the size of the offering to gauge God's approval, or how easily people are duped into following after the theology of prosperity gospel.
Father, guard my heart against any semblance of trust in riches. True blessing is not tied to the size of my wallet, but rather what You do to the size of my heart.
“Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!
Did you note the difference between the first statement of Jesus and second? In the first He says it's difficult for those who HAVE RICHES and in the second he says it's difficult for those who TRUST IN RICHES.
Both statements are true of course. Wealth can distract us from what matters for our spiritual well-being, but woe to those who allow the distraction of wealth to lead to absolute trust in wealth.
The disciples were “astonished “ (the Greek Word means “stupefied”) at His remark. Why? Because the religious thinking of the day was that wealth was connected with the favor of God, and Jesus remarks were putting that notion to rest! He clarified His remark by saying in essence, if this is your theology, if you are trusting in this line of thinking, you are barking up the wrong tree.
Are we all that far from the same line of thinking today? I'm amazed how often I associate my own material blessings with God's favor, or how quick we are to use the size of the offering to gauge God's approval, or how easily people are duped into following after the theology of prosperity gospel.
Father, guard my heart against any semblance of trust in riches. True blessing is not tied to the size of my wallet, but rather what You do to the size of my heart.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
With God All Things Are PASSABLE
# 587 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:23-27 “Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."
“Then Jesus looked around.” Picture the Lord here, slowly meeting the eyes of each one of His disciples....His church, you and I....this is something He wants you and I to get!
How hard IS IT to enter the kingdom of God? Well, the word “hard” here in the Greek means “impassable.” Think about that for a minute. Think in terms of a mountain road and a rock slide. You cannot get through to the other side. It is “impassable.”
This is what He wants us to get! The only way you will be able to get through is when the obstacles are removed, and you cannot move those rocks yourself, you will need help. God is ready and willing to help you remove any and all obstacles to salvation. Maybe we should say with God all things are “passable.”
You see, it really is by grace we are saved through faith and that not of ourselves, it is a gift of God's! (Rough paraphrase of Eph 2:8,9)
Father, help me to step aside and allow You to work in my life. Remove any and all obstacles that keep me from having fuller intimacy with You.
“Then Jesus looked around.” Picture the Lord here, slowly meeting the eyes of each one of His disciples....His church, you and I....this is something He wants you and I to get!
How hard IS IT to enter the kingdom of God? Well, the word “hard” here in the Greek means “impassable.” Think about that for a minute. Think in terms of a mountain road and a rock slide. You cannot get through to the other side. It is “impassable.”
This is what He wants us to get! The only way you will be able to get through is when the obstacles are removed, and you cannot move those rocks yourself, you will need help. God is ready and willing to help you remove any and all obstacles to salvation. Maybe we should say with God all things are “passable.”
You see, it really is by grace we are saved through faith and that not of ourselves, it is a gift of God's! (Rough paraphrase of Eph 2:8,9)
Father, help me to step aside and allow You to work in my life. Remove any and all obstacles that keep me from having fuller intimacy with You.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Let Go and Trust God For Your New Life
# 587 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"
What a contrast! The rich young man had just moments ago ran up to Jesus! He couldn't wait to talk to Him about salvation! Now, presented with what was necessary for him to obtain it, he trudges away with a gloomy face and a heavy heart.
I remember my own Prodigal story. My drinking and partying had caused me to hit rock bottom, and I came to the point where I desired the Lord's forgiveness and salvation. As I wrestled with the Lord about this matter of picking up my cross and following Him, I knew the drinking and partying would have to go. This was my wealth. This is what I lived for. Would I be willing to give it up?
Obviously, the answer was yes, but it was a struggle and I know it was only by the grace of God that I was empowered to say yes to Jesus and no to my old lifestyle. Is there something keeping you from the kingdom of God? May I suggest that you read 1 Cor 6:9-11. It's quite a list of just some of the things we need to give up. Don't despair as you read them, just be willing to give them up and allow them to become past tense in your life as you surrender to the Spirit of God.
1Co 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Thank You Father, for leading us to turn from these sins, that we might have eternal life, how wonderful to know that these can all be past tense in our lives through the power of Your Holy Spirit.
What a contrast! The rich young man had just moments ago ran up to Jesus! He couldn't wait to talk to Him about salvation! Now, presented with what was necessary for him to obtain it, he trudges away with a gloomy face and a heavy heart.
I remember my own Prodigal story. My drinking and partying had caused me to hit rock bottom, and I came to the point where I desired the Lord's forgiveness and salvation. As I wrestled with the Lord about this matter of picking up my cross and following Him, I knew the drinking and partying would have to go. This was my wealth. This is what I lived for. Would I be willing to give it up?
Obviously, the answer was yes, but it was a struggle and I know it was only by the grace of God that I was empowered to say yes to Jesus and no to my old lifestyle. Is there something keeping you from the kingdom of God? May I suggest that you read 1 Cor 6:9-11. It's quite a list of just some of the things we need to give up. Don't despair as you read them, just be willing to give them up and allow them to become past tense in your life as you surrender to the Spirit of God.
1Co 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Thank You Father, for leading us to turn from these sins, that we might have eternal life, how wonderful to know that these can all be past tense in our lives through the power of Your Holy Spirit.
Friday, November 4, 2011
What Does It Mean To "Go Your Way? "
# 585 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:21 “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."
We read this and it's easy to assume that we can earn our way to heaven by taking a vow of poverty and giving to the poor, but that would contradict the message of the Gospel.
What's going on here?
The key to understanding this, is the phrase, “go your way.” Think about it, how can one “go his way” and “follow Jesus” at the same time?
In sending the man away Jesus is forcing the man to confront his sin. He is saying, I can't do business with you until you “go your way and deal with your sin,” (until you have come to repentance,) The man needed to be willing to face his sin of covetousness and repent of it.
When you and I are willing to give up our sins, when we are willing to nail them to the tree with Jesus, then we have indeed taken up our cross, (died to living for self) and are ready to follow Jesus.
What sins are keeping you from following Jesus. What part of self are you desperately trying to hang on to? “Go your way!” Jesus can have no part with you until you are ready to give up your sins. Let the Holy Spirit deal with you. Let Him bring you to repentance, and then taste the sweetness of the Gospel, knowing that God has forgiven you, through faith in Jesus Christ.
Father, “Go your way” are harsh words that we all must deal with. We must face our sin. Give us the strength to do it. Bring us to conviction, repentance, forgiveness, and true faith.
We read this and it's easy to assume that we can earn our way to heaven by taking a vow of poverty and giving to the poor, but that would contradict the message of the Gospel.
What's going on here?
The key to understanding this, is the phrase, “go your way.” Think about it, how can one “go his way” and “follow Jesus” at the same time?
In sending the man away Jesus is forcing the man to confront his sin. He is saying, I can't do business with you until you “go your way and deal with your sin,” (until you have come to repentance,) The man needed to be willing to face his sin of covetousness and repent of it.
When you and I are willing to give up our sins, when we are willing to nail them to the tree with Jesus, then we have indeed taken up our cross, (died to living for self) and are ready to follow Jesus.
What sins are keeping you from following Jesus. What part of self are you desperately trying to hang on to? “Go your way!” Jesus can have no part with you until you are ready to give up your sins. Let the Holy Spirit deal with you. Let Him bring you to repentance, and then taste the sweetness of the Gospel, knowing that God has forgiven you, through faith in Jesus Christ.
Father, “Go your way” are harsh words that we all must deal with. We must face our sin. Give us the strength to do it. Bring us to conviction, repentance, forgiveness, and true faith.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Start Giving To The Poor
# 585 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:21 “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."
This is loving this rich young ruler? Sounds pretty harsh to me!
Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is bring in God's truth. This man needed to see his sin of covetousness. So do we in America today! We are as rich, if not richer than this rich young ruler was.
Jesus uses this incident to underscore God's desire for His people to have compassion on the poor. Did you know that when you and your church give to the poor, you are giving to God? Prov 19:17 says, “ Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and HE will repay him for his deed.”
God takes note of even a glass of water given in His name, and His promise is that He will repay! It's money in your blessing bank! It's treasure that can never be taken away from you. It goes directly into your piggy bank in heaven.
The Kingdom of heaven is not some place that comes into existence when you die. It exists now, and if God chooses, He can shake that piggy bank and supply a blessing for you from heaven in the here and now. He will repay! If not now, then one day in glory. Make giving to the poor a high priority in your life and the life of your church.
Father, we are so richly blessed with material goods. Give us willing hearts to share with the less fortunate.
This is loving this rich young ruler? Sounds pretty harsh to me!
Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is bring in God's truth. This man needed to see his sin of covetousness. So do we in America today! We are as rich, if not richer than this rich young ruler was.
Jesus uses this incident to underscore God's desire for His people to have compassion on the poor. Did you know that when you and your church give to the poor, you are giving to God? Prov 19:17 says, “ Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and HE will repay him for his deed.”
God takes note of even a glass of water given in His name, and His promise is that He will repay! It's money in your blessing bank! It's treasure that can never be taken away from you. It goes directly into your piggy bank in heaven.
The Kingdom of heaven is not some place that comes into existence when you die. It exists now, and if God chooses, He can shake that piggy bank and supply a blessing for you from heaven in the here and now. He will repay! If not now, then one day in glory. Make giving to the poor a high priority in your life and the life of your church.
Father, we are so richly blessed with material goods. Give us willing hearts to share with the less fortunate.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The Two Great Needs of the World
# 583 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:20,21 “ And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth." Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."
This rich young man could look at Jesus and say from his heart of hearts that he had indeed “kept” the Law of God. This church going man had bought into all the religious rules of the Pharisees designed to keep one away from any outward breach of God's commands.
Then Jesus gets very personal with this young man.
He looks at him.....lovingly.
Just let that sink in for a while. This man who thought he was very holy was suddenly thrust under the holy gaze of God. And what did Jesus do? Establishing His love for the young man, He then spoke the truth, flowing from His heart of love..
The essence of the Greek word here is He began to love him, and this love is that agape love that we read of in Scripture. It is the love that comprehends all that is involved and then seeks to perfectly help the individual. This love gives not necessarily that which is wanted, but that which is needed.
Guess what? The two great needs of the world are love and truth, and Jesus embodies them both. Love doesn't just stop at love, and truth doesn't just stop at truth. They must go together.
God “agaped” the world when He sent Jesus to die on the cross. His death a picture of benevolent love, the cross a picture of the harsh reality (truth) of our sins.
Father, guard us from the temptation to lock onto love and forget about truth or to lock onto truth and forget about love.
This rich young man could look at Jesus and say from his heart of hearts that he had indeed “kept” the Law of God. This church going man had bought into all the religious rules of the Pharisees designed to keep one away from any outward breach of God's commands.
Then Jesus gets very personal with this young man.
He looks at him.....lovingly.
Just let that sink in for a while. This man who thought he was very holy was suddenly thrust under the holy gaze of God. And what did Jesus do? Establishing His love for the young man, He then spoke the truth, flowing from His heart of love..
The essence of the Greek word here is He began to love him, and this love is that agape love that we read of in Scripture. It is the love that comprehends all that is involved and then seeks to perfectly help the individual. This love gives not necessarily that which is wanted, but that which is needed.
Guess what? The two great needs of the world are love and truth, and Jesus embodies them both. Love doesn't just stop at love, and truth doesn't just stop at truth. They must go together.
God “agaped” the world when He sent Jesus to die on the cross. His death a picture of benevolent love, the cross a picture of the harsh reality (truth) of our sins.
Father, guard us from the temptation to lock onto love and forget about truth or to lock onto truth and forget about love.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Isolating God's Commands
# 583 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:19,20 "You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'" And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."
It is interesting to look at the word “kept” here. Most of the times in Scripture, the idea of “keeping” the commandments means to “put a hedge around them as if they are something valuable. In short, it usually means to treasure them. Of course, if you treasure them, you will seek to obey them.
But here the word means to isolate. Do you see the subtle difference? One is fear based, and the other is love based. The Pharisees sought to isolate the commandments by putting their own little fences around God's commands in the form of their man-made rules.
In time, they came to treasure their man-made hedges more than God's Word. They believed that adherence to their man-made rules would actually keep them from breaking God's commands. This is the heart of legalism.
Legalism always misses the Spirit of the Law which is love. Don't isolate yourselves from God's Words. Treasure them! And remember, only the Holy Spirit can give us the proper love of God's commands. Only He can cause us to treasure God's Word. Surrender your life to Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to rule your heart. Then you will be able to say with the Psalmist, “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Ps 119:97)
Father, How I need the love of the Holy Spirit in my heart, humble me. Make straight the way, remove any and all barriers I have put up, that He might come and reign in my heart.
It is interesting to look at the word “kept” here. Most of the times in Scripture, the idea of “keeping” the commandments means to “put a hedge around them as if they are something valuable. In short, it usually means to treasure them. Of course, if you treasure them, you will seek to obey them.
But here the word means to isolate. Do you see the subtle difference? One is fear based, and the other is love based. The Pharisees sought to isolate the commandments by putting their own little fences around God's commands in the form of their man-made rules.
In time, they came to treasure their man-made hedges more than God's Word. They believed that adherence to their man-made rules would actually keep them from breaking God's commands. This is the heart of legalism.
Legalism always misses the Spirit of the Law which is love. Don't isolate yourselves from God's Words. Treasure them! And remember, only the Holy Spirit can give us the proper love of God's commands. Only He can cause us to treasure God's Word. Surrender your life to Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to rule your heart. Then you will be able to say with the Psalmist, “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Ps 119:97)
Father, How I need the love of the Holy Spirit in my heart, humble me. Make straight the way, remove any and all barriers I have put up, that He might come and reign in my heart.
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