by Brad Kibler
I think one of the universal philosophical questions asked throughout the ages and almost every recorded culture is: "What happens to us after we die?" How we answer this question leads us each to the root philosophy on which we base our lives. If there is no after-life, then why not live for the moment? If we knew we could 'get away with' something and no one would ever know in this life, then what would stop us? On the other hand, if there are eternal consequences for our actions, our lives should absolutely be lived with that fact constantly in mind.
Even if you agree there is an afterlife with reward and punishment, there are still unanswered questions: Do we immediately 'wake up' in either heaven or Hell? Do we have to go 'toward the light' to reach our final destination? Is it possible to get 'stuck' in Limbo or Purgatory or on this earth as a ghost? What happened to the Jewish believers who died prior to the coming of Christ? Well, Luke 16 seems to give us a glimpse into the answer to that question.
If you're not familiar with the Lazarus that Jesus did not raise from the dead, Luke 16:19-31 tells us his story. You can read the whole thing on-line at http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2016&version=31, but the basics are that Jesus told about a rich man who had a beggar named Lazarus that lived at his gate. Lazarus died and "the angels carried him to Abraham's side". The rich man also died, and was then in torment in Hades. The rich man "looked up and saw Abraham far away... so he called to him... 'have pity on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony...'" (23-24) Abraham says no, because that wouldn't be fair to Lazarus or the rich man (they were both getting what they deserved) but also because "between us and you a great chasm has been fixed" (26) that either side can't cross to get to the other.
Now there are theologians who will call this story a parable, but if it is, it is unique in that it would be the only parable in which Jesus gave a character a name. Luke, the doctor, also uses a specific medical term in describing Lazarus' condition that doesn't appear elsewhere in the New Testament. If this was a theoretical scene, then why use a specific name and a specific diagnosis? Now, if this isn't a parable, then that would infer that this actually occurred, which is amazing in so many ways to me, and raises so many more questions: Is part of the torment that he could see what he was missing? Was Abraham the only one who could communicate across the 'chasm'? Did this occur prior to Jesus' coming to earth when he was present to witness this exchange, or did he have regular insight into afterlife happenings while here on earth? But, I digress.
After getting his hopes for relief dissuaded, the rich man asks that this other Lazarus be raised from the dead to warn the rich man's family. Abraham's reply is "They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them." (29). The rich man persists that a resurrection would be better, and Abraham concludes the narrative with "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not listen be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." Wow. That's a reality check: The biggest obstacle between disbelief and faith is not a lack of evidence. There is more quantity of evidence of God's existence and His love story for us, and more availability to that evidence than ever before in history, yet the case could be made that there is more widespread ridicule of that evidence than at any other time in history.
Who in this country hasn't heard the name of Jesus? Yet organizations pay good money to put just his name on billboards. Is that really changing hearts? People seek God because they see how He changed the lives of those who follow Him. Share your life experiences with those who don't know Him. Make it your mission to be ever present light in the lives of those who are in the dark, and the Spirit will provide the opportunities and the words to say. Don't think that people need a miracle, they just need you.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
The Stuff of Life (Luke 12:11-34)
by Brad Kibler
It often takes a tragedy for us to take a step back and look at our priorities. It is often the tragedy of death that gets us thinking with an 'eternal' perspective and out of our here-and-now perspective. In Luke 12:13, Jesus is confronted by a member of the crowd who said to him "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." In the wake of the death of his father, he and his brother are at odds. Should this be? Shouldn't the death of a loved one help focus our hearts on fostering relationships, and honoring the heritage that was passed down to us?
Earlier this year, my mother's mother passed away. In the wake of her passing, I have communicated more with my cousins and uncles than I have in years. My communication with my cousins has been great, and we're bonding and growing closer together. On the other hand, my communication with my uncles has focused almost all on, you guessed it, the inheritance. I won't bore you with the details of Illinois probate law, but suffice it to say that basically one of my mom's brothers, who is the executor of the estate, thought there should be a 3 way split between himself and his two brothers, but my dad and I thought that my mom's share should pass to her heirs and not be 'absorbed' by her siblings.
I admit that I spent way too much time doing legal research and basically obsessing about this for at least a month or two. I feel like I've resigned myself to let happen what will at this point, but it was a real struggle to get to that point mentally. When Jesus responded to the audience member's query about his inheritance, he told him a parable about a man who encountered prosperity and said to himself
If you're like me, it can hard to find that balance between focusing on my work and my responsibility to provide for my family, but not focusing so much on that provision that I try to take the reigns out of God's hands. How many times during the day do I need to hand those reigns back over to Him? The more I focus on the people and relationships in my life, the less that I focus on 'stuff'. And really, aren't the relationships we build here the only thing we take with us?
If you haven't read the full story of the parable of the "Rich Fool" and Jesus' take on worrying about things of this world, you read it online at http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=49&chapter=12&version=31 or you can use your own Bible.
It often takes a tragedy for us to take a step back and look at our priorities. It is often the tragedy of death that gets us thinking with an 'eternal' perspective and out of our here-and-now perspective. In Luke 12:13, Jesus is confronted by a member of the crowd who said to him "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." In the wake of the death of his father, he and his brother are at odds. Should this be? Shouldn't the death of a loved one help focus our hearts on fostering relationships, and honoring the heritage that was passed down to us?
Earlier this year, my mother's mother passed away. In the wake of her passing, I have communicated more with my cousins and uncles than I have in years. My communication with my cousins has been great, and we're bonding and growing closer together. On the other hand, my communication with my uncles has focused almost all on, you guessed it, the inheritance. I won't bore you with the details of Illinois probate law, but suffice it to say that basically one of my mom's brothers, who is the executor of the estate, thought there should be a 3 way split between himself and his two brothers, but my dad and I thought that my mom's share should pass to her heirs and not be 'absorbed' by her siblings.
I admit that I spent way too much time doing legal research and basically obsessing about this for at least a month or two. I feel like I've resigned myself to let happen what will at this point, but it was a real struggle to get to that point mentally. When Jesus responded to the audience member's query about his inheritance, he told him a parable about a man who encountered prosperity and said to himself
"You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry" (12:19). But, that very night he was to die, and would never enjoy that planned merriment. Jesus followed that parable with this teaching: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, … or about your body, what you will wear… do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well" (12:22,29-31).
If you're like me, it can hard to find that balance between focusing on my work and my responsibility to provide for my family, but not focusing so much on that provision that I try to take the reigns out of God's hands. How many times during the day do I need to hand those reigns back over to Him? The more I focus on the people and relationships in my life, the less that I focus on 'stuff'. And really, aren't the relationships we build here the only thing we take with us?
If you haven't read the full story of the parable of the "Rich Fool" and Jesus' take on worrying about things of this world, you read it online at http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=49&chapter=12&version=31 or you can use your own Bible.
Better Late Than Never
For the next four weeks or so we have a guest blogger! I'm going to take some time off, and Brad Kibler from the Faith Builders Class will write our devotions. Here is his first installment.
In the first chapter of Luke, we see a detailed record of the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist. Luke, the doctor and historian, decided to include this profile, but the other gospel writers don't have nearly the detail we get here. We're told Zechariah was a priest, and that he and Elizabeth were "upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly." (1:6) They wanted children (1:13), but that blessing hadn't been granted to them, yet, and they were both "well along in years" (1:7).
Do you ever get 'blessing envy'? Does it seem like God isn't granting your heart's desire, but that it seems like almost everyone else you know is getting blessed in that way whether they are followers of Christ or not? Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, I wanted kids, my wife wanted kids, but yet for 5 years, that wasn't to be. No angel came to surprise me to tell me the good news of our first child, and we didn't have to wait as long Zechariah and Elizabeth, but I had a glimpse of their frustration. When you hear about people being upset about having an unplanned preganancy, and a pregnancy is what you want for your family, it can cause some strong emotions.
God may or may not grant our hopes in this world, he is sovereign and knows what's best for us in the long term. If we're not careful we can let our desires build up to become a blockade of resentment that hinders our relationship with Him. How would you react if God answered a prayer you've been praying for year after year? Thanksgiving? Awe? Joy? Praise? Well Zechariah's first reaction was that he didn't believe it, and he questioned God's messenger (1:18-20), and so God made him mute for (at least) a few months. It makes me wonder how often God has wanted to give me a 'yes' answer to a prayer, but that my heart wasn't ready for that 'yes' answer! Take a moment to reflect on your heart's desires. Are your feelings for those potential blessings getting in the way of your feelings for your Lord and Creator?
If you haven't read the rest of Zechariah and Elizabeth's story already, you can read Luke 1 online at: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%201&version=31, or you can of course always use your own Bible.
In the first chapter of Luke, we see a detailed record of the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist. Luke, the doctor and historian, decided to include this profile, but the other gospel writers don't have nearly the detail we get here. We're told Zechariah was a priest, and that he and Elizabeth were "upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly." (1:6) They wanted children (1:13), but that blessing hadn't been granted to them, yet, and they were both "well along in years" (1:7).
Do you ever get 'blessing envy'? Does it seem like God isn't granting your heart's desire, but that it seems like almost everyone else you know is getting blessed in that way whether they are followers of Christ or not? Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, I wanted kids, my wife wanted kids, but yet for 5 years, that wasn't to be. No angel came to surprise me to tell me the good news of our first child, and we didn't have to wait as long Zechariah and Elizabeth, but I had a glimpse of their frustration. When you hear about people being upset about having an unplanned preganancy, and a pregnancy is what you want for your family, it can cause some strong emotions.
God may or may not grant our hopes in this world, he is sovereign and knows what's best for us in the long term. If we're not careful we can let our desires build up to become a blockade of resentment that hinders our relationship with Him. How would you react if God answered a prayer you've been praying for year after year? Thanksgiving? Awe? Joy? Praise? Well Zechariah's first reaction was that he didn't believe it, and he questioned God's messenger (1:18-20), and so God made him mute for (at least) a few months. It makes me wonder how often God has wanted to give me a 'yes' answer to a prayer, but that my heart wasn't ready for that 'yes' answer! Take a moment to reflect on your heart's desires. Are your feelings for those potential blessings getting in the way of your feelings for your Lord and Creator?
If you haven't read the rest of Zechariah and Elizabeth's story already, you can read Luke 1 online at: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%201&version=31, or you can of course always use your own Bible.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Mark - Day 5
Read Mark 13-16
Today's Devotion -- Mark 13:27-31
27"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written:
" 'I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.' 28But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
29Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not."
30"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."
31But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The fourth of July is always a fun day of feasting and celebration. It represents the freedom we have because so many people have willingly put their lives on the line so we could make our own decisions as a country.
For Christians, it is also an opportunity for us to remember that Christ willingly put his life on the line so someday we can celebrate with him in heaven. His sacrifice means that we are free to make our own decisions -- even when he knew we would regret many of the decisions we make.
Just as he knew in advance that all of his disciples would fall away, and that Peter in particular would deny any association with him in a matter of hours, Jesus knows that we too will falter in our faith. In those moments when we make choices that demonstrate our weakness, he still loves us more than we can comprehend. And just like Peter, he doesn't stand by to condemn -- he simply offers us redemption and he hopes that we have learned from our failures.
Tonight when you see fireworks light up the sky, take a moment to think about the men and women who have given their lives so we can live in a free country. Think also of the men and women who have given their lives so all have the opportunity to hear of the love of Jesus -- the martyrs who stood strong to the end. Imagine what the fireworks must look like from Heaven, and consider the magnificent shows the angels might put on to welcome each newcomer to eternity!
Today's Devotion -- Mark 13:27-31
27"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written:
" 'I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.' 28But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
29Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not."
30"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."
31But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The fourth of July is always a fun day of feasting and celebration. It represents the freedom we have because so many people have willingly put their lives on the line so we could make our own decisions as a country.
For Christians, it is also an opportunity for us to remember that Christ willingly put his life on the line so someday we can celebrate with him in heaven. His sacrifice means that we are free to make our own decisions -- even when he knew we would regret many of the decisions we make.
Just as he knew in advance that all of his disciples would fall away, and that Peter in particular would deny any association with him in a matter of hours, Jesus knows that we too will falter in our faith. In those moments when we make choices that demonstrate our weakness, he still loves us more than we can comprehend. And just like Peter, he doesn't stand by to condemn -- he simply offers us redemption and he hopes that we have learned from our failures.
Tonight when you see fireworks light up the sky, take a moment to think about the men and women who have given their lives so we can live in a free country. Think also of the men and women who have given their lives so all have the opportunity to hear of the love of Jesus -- the martyrs who stood strong to the end. Imagine what the fireworks must look like from Heaven, and consider the magnificent shows the angels might put on to welcome each newcomer to eternity!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Mark Day 4
Read Mark 10 - 13
Today's Devotion -- Mark 10:35-45
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Do you ever regret receiving things that you asked for? Things you thought were going to be wonderful, but ended up requiring much more than you expected?
We learn in Acts 12:2 that Herod, who had beheaded John the Baptist at the request of his daughter, had James put to death by the sword. We don't know what James went through before his death, but it is clear that Herod wanted to persecute those in the church. We know that John was imprisoned on the island of Patmos and probably died in exile there. How many times do you think they wish they had not offered to drink from the same cup as Christ?
Many times we make promises to God that are shallow and tied to a desired result. "If you will just do this for me, I promise I will (fill in the blank) forever!" Yet, when he does as we ask, it doesn't take long for us to come up with excuses and justifications for why we don't keep our end of the bargain. He even knows ahead of time that we will wimp out on him, yet he provides for us anyway.
It's interesting that Jesus gets John and James' commitment before he tells them that he's not the one who decides the seating arrangements in Heaven. They get to fulfill their part of the bargain without any assurance that they will receive what they requested.
Whom do you think will actually hold those seats next to Jesus?
Today's Devotion -- Mark 10:35-45
35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said,
"we want you to do for us whatever we ask."
36"What do you want me to
do for you?" he asked.
37They replied, "Let one of us sit at your
right and the other at your left in your glory."
38"You don't know
what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized
with the baptism I am baptized with?"
39"We can," they answered. Jesus
said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I
am baptized with, 40but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These
places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."
41When the
ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42Jesus called
them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the
Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over
them. 43Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must
be your servant, 44and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45For
even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his
life as a ransom for many." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Do you ever regret receiving things that you asked for? Things you thought were going to be wonderful, but ended up requiring much more than you expected?
We learn in Acts 12:2 that Herod, who had beheaded John the Baptist at the request of his daughter, had James put to death by the sword. We don't know what James went through before his death, but it is clear that Herod wanted to persecute those in the church. We know that John was imprisoned on the island of Patmos and probably died in exile there. How many times do you think they wish they had not offered to drink from the same cup as Christ?
Many times we make promises to God that are shallow and tied to a desired result. "If you will just do this for me, I promise I will (fill in the blank) forever!" Yet, when he does as we ask, it doesn't take long for us to come up with excuses and justifications for why we don't keep our end of the bargain. He even knows ahead of time that we will wimp out on him, yet he provides for us anyway.
It's interesting that Jesus gets John and James' commitment before he tells them that he's not the one who decides the seating arrangements in Heaven. They get to fulfill their part of the bargain without any assurance that they will receive what they requested.
Whom do you think will actually hold those seats next to Jesus?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Mark Day 3
Read Mark 7-9
Today's Devotion -- Mark 8:32-38
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Jesus said a lot of things that didn't make much sense to the people at the time...and I imagine this one confused almost everyone. It almost seems like he said these things for our benefit -- the benefit of those who could look ahead to the events that would occur in Jesus' future.
Today we think about the cross where Jesus died, and we see some burden we bear as our 'cross' -- in almost all cases our crosses are nothing to bear when compared with Christ's cross!
But at that time, no one knew that Jesus would be nailed to the cross like a common criminal. They had all, no doubt, seen murderers and thieves struggling to carry heavy wooden posts on their backs toward the crucifixion site. How awful it must have been to have to carry a huge post on your back, causing deep splinters and cuts with every step, knowing that as soon as you stopped you would be nailed to it. They may have thought they didn't hear him well -- surely that wasn't what he meant!
The closest I can get in today's world to comprehending what people may have thought he said is that if I want to follow Jesus (whom I've seen as a great teacher and miracle worker), I have to ignore anything that I want in life and volunteer to go to the electric chair.
According to tradition, Jesus' disciples did go on to die painful deaths. Very few, if any, of us will suffer that way. But how deep is your faith? What have you given up for Christ's sake? Do you think you could keep trusting God despite severe humiliation and pain leading to death?
Today's Devotion -- Mark 8:32-38
34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone
would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life
for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the
whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his
soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful
generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's
glory with the holy angels."
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Jesus said a lot of things that didn't make much sense to the people at the time...and I imagine this one confused almost everyone. It almost seems like he said these things for our benefit -- the benefit of those who could look ahead to the events that would occur in Jesus' future.
Today we think about the cross where Jesus died, and we see some burden we bear as our 'cross' -- in almost all cases our crosses are nothing to bear when compared with Christ's cross!
But at that time, no one knew that Jesus would be nailed to the cross like a common criminal. They had all, no doubt, seen murderers and thieves struggling to carry heavy wooden posts on their backs toward the crucifixion site. How awful it must have been to have to carry a huge post on your back, causing deep splinters and cuts with every step, knowing that as soon as you stopped you would be nailed to it. They may have thought they didn't hear him well -- surely that wasn't what he meant!
The closest I can get in today's world to comprehending what people may have thought he said is that if I want to follow Jesus (whom I've seen as a great teacher and miracle worker), I have to ignore anything that I want in life and volunteer to go to the electric chair.
According to tradition, Jesus' disciples did go on to die painful deaths. Very few, if any, of us will suffer that way. But how deep is your faith? What have you given up for Christ's sake? Do you think you could keep trusting God despite severe humiliation and pain leading to death?
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Mark - Day 2
Read Mark 4-6
Today's Devotion -- Mark 6:14-20
taken from www.biblegateway.com
This section of text goes on to tell how John the Baptist got beheaded by Herod despite Herod's admiration for the man.
Herod was afraid of John yet liked to listen to him, even though he (Herod) couldn't quite understand what John was talking about. At least the message seemed to be thought-provoking.
Had Herod not heard of Jesus before this time? We don't know how much time passed since John had baptized Jesus, but John obviously continued preaching and teaching. How did Herod hear John's message? I doubt that John held one-on-one meetings with the King in the palace, but it's also hard to imagine that Herod left his home to go hear John in the wilderness.
There isn't any evidence that Herod went out to hear Jesus or that he confronted him to see if he was indeed John the Baptist brought back from the dead. I'm sure it would have been easy to tell! Was Herod's first experience with Jesus on the night of Jesus' arrest when he attempted to try him and hoped to see a miracle?
It's unfortunate that Herod didn't seek out enough information to find the true answers to the questions that puzzled him. How do you respond to things that don't make much sense to you? Do you ignore them, or do you seek until you understand?
Today's Devotion -- Mark 6:14-20
14King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying,[g] "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him."
15Others said, "He is Elijah."
And still others claimed, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago."
16But when Herod heard this, he said, "John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!"
17For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. 18For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled[h]; yet he liked to listen to him.(NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
This section of text goes on to tell how John the Baptist got beheaded by Herod despite Herod's admiration for the man.
Herod was afraid of John yet liked to listen to him, even though he (Herod) couldn't quite understand what John was talking about. At least the message seemed to be thought-provoking.
Had Herod not heard of Jesus before this time? We don't know how much time passed since John had baptized Jesus, but John obviously continued preaching and teaching. How did Herod hear John's message? I doubt that John held one-on-one meetings with the King in the palace, but it's also hard to imagine that Herod left his home to go hear John in the wilderness.
There isn't any evidence that Herod went out to hear Jesus or that he confronted him to see if he was indeed John the Baptist brought back from the dead. I'm sure it would have been easy to tell! Was Herod's first experience with Jesus on the night of Jesus' arrest when he attempted to try him and hoped to see a miracle?
It's unfortunate that Herod didn't seek out enough information to find the true answers to the questions that puzzled him. How do you respond to things that don't make much sense to you? Do you ignore them, or do you seek until you understand?
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