Read Genesis 6:5-8, also Gen 8:20-21
Context: It has been about 1,000 years since God created man (give or take about 150 years...). The sin that started in the garden has spread and wickedness is widespread.
Text:
Gen 6:5-8 5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
Gen 8:20-21 20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. 21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though [a] every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The story of Noah always convicts me. In a world full of wickedness, he alone stood out and found favor with the Lord. Fast forward to today...our world is again full of wickedness...by God's standards who would be the one who finds favor with him? Who would be obedient to a massive project taking nearly a century to complete?
I know that as Christians many are confident that they, too, are pillars in their church. I wonder what God sees? I'm sure that there were others who thought they, too, were 'good people' and who occasionally worshiped the Lord (Noah had to learn it from somewhere, right?), but they were all focused more on themselves than on what God wanted.
Is that much different than we are today? I wish I could look at the 85% of Americans who proclaim they are Christians (and myself) and say yes....
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Monday, April 9, 2007
Apr 9 - Sin in the Garden
Genesis 3:1-7
Context: In the Garden of Eden, soon after man and woman were created.
Text:
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "
4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
God knew that his creation would fall, and he knew when and how. He knew we would disappoint him over and over. He knew we would try to hide from him and lie about our sins. Yet he still put the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden.
Sin is never good for us in the long run, but God works out all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). He never wants us to sin, but we would have no idea of the extent of his love without experiencing his forgiveness. Each of us has taken a bite of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Without the knowledge of evil, would we really know what is good?
Context: In the Garden of Eden, soon after man and woman were created.
Text:
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "
4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
God knew that his creation would fall, and he knew when and how. He knew we would disappoint him over and over. He knew we would try to hide from him and lie about our sins. Yet he still put the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden.
Sin is never good for us in the long run, but God works out all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). He never wants us to sin, but we would have no idea of the extent of his love without experiencing his forgiveness. Each of us has taken a bite of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Without the knowledge of evil, would we really know what is good?
Friday, April 6, 2007
Apr 6 - The Long Walk to Jerusalem
Read Mark 10:32-34
Context: After the Transfiguration, Jesus and the disciples left Capernaum and went to the region of Judea across the Jordon. Along the way the Pharisees tried to trip him up with questions about divorce, parents brought their children to him to be blessed, and he met a rich young ruler who wanted to know what he had to do inherit eternal life
Text:
32They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33"We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
In this chapter of Mark there is no indication that the disciples really heard Jesus. The next verses portray the discussion the James and John had with him about who got to sit at his right and left hand in heaven. I imagine it frustrated the human part of Jesus that those who were his best friends were arguing about something so pointless when he was facing incredible pain and betrayal in just a few days. I wonder if he argued with himself about each step he took...the man in him wanting to run the other way and the God knowing it was the only way to save the world.
Context: After the Transfiguration, Jesus and the disciples left Capernaum and went to the region of Judea across the Jordon. Along the way the Pharisees tried to trip him up with questions about divorce, parents brought their children to him to be blessed, and he met a rich young ruler who wanted to know what he had to do inherit eternal life
Text:
32They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33"We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
In this chapter of Mark there is no indication that the disciples really heard Jesus. The next verses portray the discussion the James and John had with him about who got to sit at his right and left hand in heaven. I imagine it frustrated the human part of Jesus that those who were his best friends were arguing about something so pointless when he was facing incredible pain and betrayal in just a few days. I wonder if he argued with himself about each step he took...the man in him wanting to run the other way and the God knowing it was the only way to save the world.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Apr 5 - Jesus Provides an Example
Read John 11:38-45
Context:Lazarus has died, and his sisters are mourning. There is a sense of disappointment, maybe even resentment, that Jesus did not come in time to heal his friend like he had healed so many others.
Text:
38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39"Take away the stone," he said.
"But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."
40Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
45Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.(NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Being able to look back is so much easier than being in the midst of something, isn't it? Jesus told his disciples about returning from the grave, but they really didn't get what he was saying. Now he's showing them the possibility and they aren't able to put the two events together. We don't know exactly what the timing was for this miracle, but it occurs in the text right before Jesus is anointed at Bethany the day before he makes is final Triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Context:Lazarus has died, and his sisters are mourning. There is a sense of disappointment, maybe even resentment, that Jesus did not come in time to heal his friend like he had healed so many others.
Text:
38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39"Take away the stone," he said.
"But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."
40Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
45Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.(NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Being able to look back is so much easier than being in the midst of something, isn't it? Jesus told his disciples about returning from the grave, but they really didn't get what he was saying. Now he's showing them the possibility and they aren't able to put the two events together. We don't know exactly what the timing was for this miracle, but it occurs in the text right before Jesus is anointed at Bethany the day before he makes is final Triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Apr 4 - The Hard Truth
Read Luke 9:22-27
Context: Jesus had recently fed over five thousand people with a small boys' lunch. Later, when he was praying in private with his disciples, he asked them who the crowds thought he was. When asked who they (the disciples) thought he was, Peter answered, "the Christ of God." Jesus warned them not to tell this to anyone...the text continues below.
Text:
22And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."
23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
(In other books of the Gospel, this is where Peter jumps up and tells Jesus his death must never happen.)
I wonder what the disciples were thinking about as the result of Christ's statements. I know they were horrified by the thought that he was going to be killed. They had seen the animosity of the Pharisees, but the crowds loved Jesus and the disciples couldn't imagine the Pharisees going so far as to kill someone.
Then there was that statement about them having to 'take up their cross daily' and follow him. They knew what a cross was, but I don't know that it was a topic of regular discussion. If Jesus was our daily teacher, it would be like him saying that for us to follow him we have to sit in the electric chair daily. It wouldn't make any sense.
Yet that IS what he is telling us to do...I struggle with how to apply that in my own life. I can imagine Nicodemus asking Jesus this question, too, "In addition to being born again, how do I die daily?"
Context: Jesus had recently fed over five thousand people with a small boys' lunch. Later, when he was praying in private with his disciples, he asked them who the crowds thought he was. When asked who they (the disciples) thought he was, Peter answered, "the Christ of God." Jesus warned them not to tell this to anyone...the text continues below.
Text:
22And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."
23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
(In other books of the Gospel, this is where Peter jumps up and tells Jesus his death must never happen.)
I wonder what the disciples were thinking about as the result of Christ's statements. I know they were horrified by the thought that he was going to be killed. They had seen the animosity of the Pharisees, but the crowds loved Jesus and the disciples couldn't imagine the Pharisees going so far as to kill someone.
Then there was that statement about them having to 'take up their cross daily' and follow him. They knew what a cross was, but I don't know that it was a topic of regular discussion. If Jesus was our daily teacher, it would be like him saying that for us to follow him we have to sit in the electric chair daily. It wouldn't make any sense.
Yet that IS what he is telling us to do...I struggle with how to apply that in my own life. I can imagine Nicodemus asking Jesus this question, too, "In addition to being born again, how do I die daily?"
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Apr 3 - The Sign of Jonah
Read Matthew 12:38-41
Context: Not too long after Jesus had sent out his twelve disciples to witness to surrounding towns, Jesus healed a man possessed by demons. The people were astonished and they were wondering if He were the Christ. The Pharisees quickly claimed he was Beelzebub
Text:
38Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."
39He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one[a] greater than Jonah is here. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Matthew 12:41 Or something; also in verse 42
The Pharisees wanted a sign? Where were they when Jesus healed the man with leprosy, the Roman centurion's son, Peter's mother-in-law, the paralyzed man, the demon-possessed man, and the man with the shriveled hand? How about when he calmed the storm, walked on water, or raised Jairus's daughter from the dead? Each of these miracles have happened before this conversation occurred.
It is really easy for me to look at the Pharisees with contempt...often because I hate those same traits in myself. I ignore the miracles and wonders in my own home hoping for something REALLY amazing. In this day of incredible special effects and easy access to amazing sights, I often downplay the miraculous things that God does in every day life. How about you?
Context: Not too long after Jesus had sent out his twelve disciples to witness to surrounding towns, Jesus healed a man possessed by demons. The people were astonished and they were wondering if He were the Christ. The Pharisees quickly claimed he was Beelzebub
Text:
38Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."
39He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one[a] greater than Jonah is here. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Matthew 12:41 Or something; also in verse 42
The Pharisees wanted a sign? Where were they when Jesus healed the man with leprosy, the Roman centurion's son, Peter's mother-in-law, the paralyzed man, the demon-possessed man, and the man with the shriveled hand? How about when he calmed the storm, walked on water, or raised Jairus's daughter from the dead? Each of these miracles have happened before this conversation occurred.
It is really easy for me to look at the Pharisees with contempt...often because I hate those same traits in myself. I ignore the miracles and wonders in my own home hoping for something REALLY amazing. In this day of incredible special effects and easy access to amazing sights, I often downplay the miraculous things that God does in every day life. How about you?
Monday, April 2, 2007
Apr 2 - Inside the Fish
Read Jonah 1:12-17, Jonah 2:10
Context: Jonah was told to go to Nineveh, but instead he boarded a ship heading for Tarshish, the opposite direction. A terrible storm is raging and threatens to sink the ship. The sailors have realized that God is causing the storm as a result of Jonah's sin.
Text:
Jonah 1:12-17 12 "Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."
13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they cried to the LORD, "O LORD, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased." 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.
17 But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 2:10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I always wondered what happened to the sailors who were left on the ship after Jonah was swallowed by the fish. It says that the men greatly feared the Lord, offering a sacrifice and making vows to him. Did they see the fish swallow Jonah, or was he already underwater when the fish found him? They knew that the calming of the seas was an act of God, but did they ever realize that an even greater miracle occurred? Did they know that Jonah survived his deep water experience? We never hear of them again...I wonder if they kept those vows?
Context: Jonah was told to go to Nineveh, but instead he boarded a ship heading for Tarshish, the opposite direction. A terrible storm is raging and threatens to sink the ship. The sailors have realized that God is causing the storm as a result of Jonah's sin.
Text:
Jonah 1:12-17 12 "Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."
13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they cried to the LORD, "O LORD, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased." 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.
17 But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 2:10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I always wondered what happened to the sailors who were left on the ship after Jonah was swallowed by the fish. It says that the men greatly feared the Lord, offering a sacrifice and making vows to him. Did they see the fish swallow Jonah, or was he already underwater when the fish found him? They knew that the calming of the seas was an act of God, but did they ever realize that an even greater miracle occurred? Did they know that Jonah survived his deep water experience? We never hear of them again...I wonder if they kept those vows?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)