I Kings 3:26: "The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, 'Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don't kill him!' But the other said, 'Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!'"
Inserted within the pages of the history of the early years of King Solomon's reign, we find an interesting story of two women who had both birthed a child around the same time. While sleeping, the first woman tragically lay on her child and suffocated him to death; yet instead of grieving the loss of her precious child, the woman was consumed with envy of the other woman who still had a live child. One can see between the lines of the story that this woman was consumed with herself. Life to her was all about her desires, even if it meant harming others in the process. She was unable to celebrate that this other woman was blessed with a child; she coveted the live baby to the point of stealing it in the middle of the night. Specifically, the woman took her own dead baby and placed it beside the sleeping mother and in turn took the woman's live baby back to her home.
As one might expect, when the woman awakened to find a dead baby beside her, she was distraught. But as she looked closer at the child, she realized that the baby was in fact not her own. She knew that someone had come in the middle of the night and switched babies. She went to the woman who had taken her child; but of course the woman denied any wrongdoing. She swore that the live child was her own.
The disagreement intensified to the point that the king was made aware and granted permission for the two women to present their case to him. Of course, both women swore that the live child was their own, prompting the king to make an apparent drastic decision to resolve the conflict. Solomon, who had been blessed with Divine Wisdom (3:12), decided to divide the child in two and give each woman a half.
The rightful mother would not permit the king's edict to be executed; she had compassion for her son (the words literally translated here mean, 'her compassion grew warm') and she asked that the baby be given to the other woman. The mother would not have her baby killed; it was better for her baby to be given to the other woman.
But so show how utterly debased the first woman was who had switched the children, she urged the king to cut the child in two. She was not interested in having the baby; she wanted the other woman to feel the pain that she herself had endured with the loss of her own child. She was consumed with herself; and truly she would have been an unfit mother for any child.
In the end, the wisdom of the king and the selfless act of the rightful mother prevailed as the king gave the living child to the true mother. No other information is given as to the fate of the wicked woman; one would almost hope that the king enacted his sovereign judgment against such a detestible act. Nonetheless, the people were in awe at the wisdom that God had bestowed to the king in being able to administer justice.
Sadly, we find people today who have the same wicked disposition as the woman mentioned above. There are those who are always looking for ways to exploit others for their own selfish desires. They are not able to be content with what has been given to them; they are predators who prey on others for their self-aggrandizement . . . even to the point of wishing evil to others so that others cannot have an "advantage" over them. This level of "personal consumption" is evil in its most hideous form. In the end, the Righteous Judge will enact justice for such wickedness.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Defiling the Sanctuary
Ezekiel 5:11: "Because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your vile images and detestable practices, I myself will withdraw my favor."
When one studies the history of Jerusalem just prior to the Babylonian Captivity in 586BC, one finds that it was filled with people who had chosen to refuse to submit to God as their Sovereign Lord. Although they continued to perform their religious practices at the temple, their hearts were filled with debauchery, violence, and immorality. When God sent the prophet, Ezekiel, to warn the people of their sin, He referred to the people as "obstinate and stubborn" (2:4) who were committing "detestable" acts against the Lord (8:17).
Although the people of Jerusalem had started years before their practice of idolatry and immorality in private settings for fear that their deeds would be exposed (see John 3:20); now they were flagrantly worshipping their idols and enacting their filthy, licentious practices on mountaintops. They wanted to displace the true God with any substitute they could find, whether it was a sun god or the Sumerian god of vegetation, Tammuz, or gods depicting insects and animals . . . any other deity that could validate their wicked behavior. The people chose these inanimate "deities" because they would not challenge the people's evil behavior. Thus, these Judeans could commit any evil that they desired and could ascribe the behavior to the will of the gods. In effect, these rebellious Israelites were worshipping themselves . . . they now thought that they had free reign of their own lives. Neither God nor man would tell them what they could do. In time, God would enact His righteous wrath against these people; He specifically used the pagan Babylonians as the instrument of his vengeance against these obstinate Israelites. Many of the people of Jerusalem were either killed or sent into captivity for their corporate rebellion against the Lord.
For true followers of Jesus Christ today, we would do well to remember this historical account, namely, that debased, defiant sin against the Lord will bring His Holy response of wrath(Galatians 6:7-8). And since our bodies are considered the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19), we should examine how we are glorifying the Lord by our behavior. Are we submitting daily to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and are we demonstrating a life of purity consistent with that submissive spirit? For the person who would say that he has a relationship with Jesus Christ, yet does not follow His commands as found in Scripture is "a liar and the truth is not in him" (1 John 2:4). True proof of a transformed, yielded follower of Jesus Christ is the evidential fruit that one displays in his day-to-day life experiences.
When one studies the history of Jerusalem just prior to the Babylonian Captivity in 586BC, one finds that it was filled with people who had chosen to refuse to submit to God as their Sovereign Lord. Although they continued to perform their religious practices at the temple, their hearts were filled with debauchery, violence, and immorality. When God sent the prophet, Ezekiel, to warn the people of their sin, He referred to the people as "obstinate and stubborn" (2:4) who were committing "detestable" acts against the Lord (8:17).
Although the people of Jerusalem had started years before their practice of idolatry and immorality in private settings for fear that their deeds would be exposed (see John 3:20); now they were flagrantly worshipping their idols and enacting their filthy, licentious practices on mountaintops. They wanted to displace the true God with any substitute they could find, whether it was a sun god or the Sumerian god of vegetation, Tammuz, or gods depicting insects and animals . . . any other deity that could validate their wicked behavior. The people chose these inanimate "deities" because they would not challenge the people's evil behavior. Thus, these Judeans could commit any evil that they desired and could ascribe the behavior to the will of the gods. In effect, these rebellious Israelites were worshipping themselves . . . they now thought that they had free reign of their own lives. Neither God nor man would tell them what they could do. In time, God would enact His righteous wrath against these people; He specifically used the pagan Babylonians as the instrument of his vengeance against these obstinate Israelites. Many of the people of Jerusalem were either killed or sent into captivity for their corporate rebellion against the Lord.
For true followers of Jesus Christ today, we would do well to remember this historical account, namely, that debased, defiant sin against the Lord will bring His Holy response of wrath(Galatians 6:7-8). And since our bodies are considered the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19), we should examine how we are glorifying the Lord by our behavior. Are we submitting daily to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and are we demonstrating a life of purity consistent with that submissive spirit? For the person who would say that he has a relationship with Jesus Christ, yet does not follow His commands as found in Scripture is "a liar and the truth is not in him" (1 John 2:4). True proof of a transformed, yielded follower of Jesus Christ is the evidential fruit that one displays in his day-to-day life experiences.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Strength in the Midst of Tribulation
Psalm 27:1,4: "The LORD is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid? . . . . One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."
David's words in this Psalm should be seen as words of encouragement for us when we face times of pain and tragedy in our lives. The trials that we encounter are packaged differently for each of us. For some of us, it may be a unexpected diagnosis . . . for others it will be the loss of a relationship or a dream or financial security. Nevertheless, we must all face these undesired events as we live our lives.
David faced a number of painful experiences in life . . . in his early years he had to run from King Saul, who saw David as a threat to his throne and sought to kill him. Later in life, David would see the tragic deaths of several of his sons, one who wanted to destroy his father and take the throne for himself. David also knew the betrayal of his father-in-law, Ahithophel, who carried hatred in his heart for the king, and wanted to see the king lose his throne.
Yet with all of these tragedies, David was wise enough to know that the Lord was his Stronghold, who would provide protection throughout the painful trials of life. David also knew that true deliverance would not come during his lifetime, but when David would be ushered into God's eternal presence in heaven.
What we can learn through David's response is the need to keep our eyes fixed upon our Lord no matter what situation we encounter. We must resolve ourselves to keep strong with the faith that Our Lord is Sovereign . . . that He is our Stronghold in times of trouble. And we must trust that He will bring deliverance to us in the end, if we have surrendered to Him as our Lord and Savior. We need to press on, no matter what we are experiencing in this life, for we know that God will be with us each step of the way. And we need to be encouraged with the assurance that our deliverance from pain lay just beyond the horizon in eternity.
David's words in this Psalm should be seen as words of encouragement for us when we face times of pain and tragedy in our lives. The trials that we encounter are packaged differently for each of us. For some of us, it may be a unexpected diagnosis . . . for others it will be the loss of a relationship or a dream or financial security. Nevertheless, we must all face these undesired events as we live our lives.
David faced a number of painful experiences in life . . . in his early years he had to run from King Saul, who saw David as a threat to his throne and sought to kill him. Later in life, David would see the tragic deaths of several of his sons, one who wanted to destroy his father and take the throne for himself. David also knew the betrayal of his father-in-law, Ahithophel, who carried hatred in his heart for the king, and wanted to see the king lose his throne.
Yet with all of these tragedies, David was wise enough to know that the Lord was his Stronghold, who would provide protection throughout the painful trials of life. David also knew that true deliverance would not come during his lifetime, but when David would be ushered into God's eternal presence in heaven.
What we can learn through David's response is the need to keep our eyes fixed upon our Lord no matter what situation we encounter. We must resolve ourselves to keep strong with the faith that Our Lord is Sovereign . . . that He is our Stronghold in times of trouble. And we must trust that He will bring deliverance to us in the end, if we have surrendered to Him as our Lord and Savior. We need to press on, no matter what we are experiencing in this life, for we know that God will be with us each step of the way. And we need to be encouraged with the assurance that our deliverance from pain lay just beyond the horizon in eternity.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Too Many Burdens
Acts 15:19: (James said) "It is my judgment that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God."
The history of this statement by James takes us back to Antioch, where the Apostles Paul and Barnabas had been in a deep dispute with Jewish Christians about the requirements for God's salvation. These Jewish Christians had arrived in Antioch from Judea and started sharing with the Gentile believers that they must fulfill the customs taught by Moses to be saved. Salvation by God's grace alone through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was not enough for these Jewish believers. They expected that the new Gentile converts perform the requirements of the Mosaic law to receive divine favor.
The debate between Paul and these Judeans was so intense that the decision was made to send Paul, Barnabas, and other believers to the elders in Jerusalem for clarification on the matter.
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas were confronted by Pharisees who reinforced the conviction that the "Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses" (15:5). Paul however noted that the Gentiles who had responded to God's grace by faith alone had received the Holy Spirit, who had purified their hearts. Paul acknowledged that the Lord had not made any distinction between the Jewish and Gentile Christians; both were forgiven through their faith in Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice for their sins. Paul intensified the discussion by saying that these Jewish legalists were in fact "testing God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that (no one past nor present) had been able to bear."
Then James, the leader of the Church in Jerusalem, spoke to the issue. He quoted from the book of Amos which affirmed that the Gentiles who sought the Lord would enjoy the blessing of salvation. He then concluded that the Jewish believers did not need to place unnecessary burdens upon the Gentiles in matters of the faith; rather, the Christian leaders should encourage these new converts to keep themselves pure and not participate in any activities that inculcated idolatry.
When we think of the Christian Church today, we find similar tendencies. That is, we find that some within the church would attempt to add extra requirements upon converts as essential ingredients for salvation and church participation. These elements can take many different forms and can include things like style of dress, expression in worship, ritual expectations, attendance, et al. When the Church establishes such mandates, it in effect is attempting to establish a spiritual hierarchy within its walls. Those who would propagate such tendencies are attempting to elevate themselves above others within Christendom. Of course, these acts are demonstrative proof that the sins of pride and self-aggrandizement are evident; and where self-centeredness is present, so too is corporate spiritual sterility. Richard Foster in his Study Guide for Celebration of Discipline has recognized that churches tend to manifest such dysfunction in either ritual or law: "High-church types usually tend toward ritual, low-church types toward law-they are in reality two sides to the same coin. Neither law nor ritual succeeds in transforming the human personality, although, as Jesus mentioned, both often make quite nice-looking whitened sepulchres."
We would do well to remember that salvation is by God's grace alone through our responsive faith in Him as our Lord and Savior. When the Church begins to add requirements to God's grace, we treat with contempt the sole sufficiency of God in providing salvation to those who would surrender to Him as Lord. As Paul said in Acts 15:10, we "test God" by placing unnecessary burdens upon new converts . . . burdens never intended by Our Lord.
Having said this, we in the Church (like James and the early Church) should expect that new converts demonstrate a transformed life in Christ by living a life of purity and obedience to the Lord. This obedience includes renouncing any association with any "idols" that may have been part of one's life before salvation. Nevertheless, we should enjoy the blessing that our Lord has given to us to serve Him freely . . . unencumbered by anti-Biblical burdens that were never intended by our Lord as essential for salvation.
The history of this statement by James takes us back to Antioch, where the Apostles Paul and Barnabas had been in a deep dispute with Jewish Christians about the requirements for God's salvation. These Jewish Christians had arrived in Antioch from Judea and started sharing with the Gentile believers that they must fulfill the customs taught by Moses to be saved. Salvation by God's grace alone through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was not enough for these Jewish believers. They expected that the new Gentile converts perform the requirements of the Mosaic law to receive divine favor.
The debate between Paul and these Judeans was so intense that the decision was made to send Paul, Barnabas, and other believers to the elders in Jerusalem for clarification on the matter.
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas were confronted by Pharisees who reinforced the conviction that the "Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses" (15:5). Paul however noted that the Gentiles who had responded to God's grace by faith alone had received the Holy Spirit, who had purified their hearts. Paul acknowledged that the Lord had not made any distinction between the Jewish and Gentile Christians; both were forgiven through their faith in Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice for their sins. Paul intensified the discussion by saying that these Jewish legalists were in fact "testing God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that (no one past nor present) had been able to bear."
Then James, the leader of the Church in Jerusalem, spoke to the issue. He quoted from the book of Amos which affirmed that the Gentiles who sought the Lord would enjoy the blessing of salvation. He then concluded that the Jewish believers did not need to place unnecessary burdens upon the Gentiles in matters of the faith; rather, the Christian leaders should encourage these new converts to keep themselves pure and not participate in any activities that inculcated idolatry.
When we think of the Christian Church today, we find similar tendencies. That is, we find that some within the church would attempt to add extra requirements upon converts as essential ingredients for salvation and church participation. These elements can take many different forms and can include things like style of dress, expression in worship, ritual expectations, attendance, et al. When the Church establishes such mandates, it in effect is attempting to establish a spiritual hierarchy within its walls. Those who would propagate such tendencies are attempting to elevate themselves above others within Christendom. Of course, these acts are demonstrative proof that the sins of pride and self-aggrandizement are evident; and where self-centeredness is present, so too is corporate spiritual sterility. Richard Foster in his Study Guide for Celebration of Discipline has recognized that churches tend to manifest such dysfunction in either ritual or law: "High-church types usually tend toward ritual, low-church types toward law-they are in reality two sides to the same coin. Neither law nor ritual succeeds in transforming the human personality, although, as Jesus mentioned, both often make quite nice-looking whitened sepulchres."
We would do well to remember that salvation is by God's grace alone through our responsive faith in Him as our Lord and Savior. When the Church begins to add requirements to God's grace, we treat with contempt the sole sufficiency of God in providing salvation to those who would surrender to Him as Lord. As Paul said in Acts 15:10, we "test God" by placing unnecessary burdens upon new converts . . . burdens never intended by Our Lord.
Having said this, we in the Church (like James and the early Church) should expect that new converts demonstrate a transformed life in Christ by living a life of purity and obedience to the Lord. This obedience includes renouncing any association with any "idols" that may have been part of one's life before salvation. Nevertheless, we should enjoy the blessing that our Lord has given to us to serve Him freely . . . unencumbered by anti-Biblical burdens that were never intended by our Lord as essential for salvation.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Hardening of the Heart
Exodus 9:27,29-30,34: [After God inflicted the land of Egypt with hailstones, resulting in utter destruction of the vegetation] "Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. 'This time I have sinned,' he said to them. 'The LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. Pray to the LORD . . . .Pray to the LORD, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don't have to stay any longer.' Moses replied, 'When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD's. But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the LORD God.' . . . . When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts . . . He would not let the Israelites go, just as the LORD had said through Moses."
Here again is a good example of a supposedly penitent heart that (1) acknowledges that he has sinned, (2) confirms that the LORD is right, and (3) asks that Moses pray for him to bring deliverance. Still what is lacking in Pharaoh is a heart that is willing to submit to the LORD.
When God's judgment of hailstones ended, Pharaoh revealed his true heart. Even though God had stopped the plague of hail and rain at Moses' request, Pharaoh again desired to challenge the Lordship of the true God and keep God's covenant people in captivity. Pharaoh and his officials "hardened their hearts" in order that they might assert their own quest for lordship over the One Sovereign Lord (9:34).
Today, we must all evaluate ourselves to see who is on the throne of our lives. Are we passionately pursuing our own "rights" to divinity, or are we submitting to the One and Only True Lord?
Job 15 says that the wicked man, "shakes his fist at God and vaunts himself against the Almighty, defiantly charging against him with a thick, strong shield." In the end, the one who attempts to challenge God's Sovereignty will see God's righteous wrath. Still, those who surrender to the rightful Lordship of God through repentance, faith, and obedience will live in the blessing of the LORD's goodness (Lam. 3:25).
Here again is a good example of a supposedly penitent heart that (1) acknowledges that he has sinned, (2) confirms that the LORD is right, and (3) asks that Moses pray for him to bring deliverance. Still what is lacking in Pharaoh is a heart that is willing to submit to the LORD.
When God's judgment of hailstones ended, Pharaoh revealed his true heart. Even though God had stopped the plague of hail and rain at Moses' request, Pharaoh again desired to challenge the Lordship of the true God and keep God's covenant people in captivity. Pharaoh and his officials "hardened their hearts" in order that they might assert their own quest for lordship over the One Sovereign Lord (9:34).
Today, we must all evaluate ourselves to see who is on the throne of our lives. Are we passionately pursuing our own "rights" to divinity, or are we submitting to the One and Only True Lord?
Job 15 says that the wicked man, "shakes his fist at God and vaunts himself against the Almighty, defiantly charging against him with a thick, strong shield." In the end, the one who attempts to challenge God's Sovereignty will see God's righteous wrath. Still, those who surrender to the rightful Lordship of God through repentance, faith, and obedience will live in the blessing of the LORD's goodness (Lam. 3:25).
Friday, January 11, 2008
Greatness in the Eyes of God
John 3:26-30: "They came to John and said to him, 'Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan-the one you testified about-well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.' To this John replied, 'A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.'"
John 10:41: "Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true."
Matthew 11:11: (Jesus said) "Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist."
John the Baptist is a great example of a man who had the right perspective concerning his purpose in life. He had a significant following of disciples around the Jordan River, where he taught the people repentance. So impacting was his ministry, that "the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him" in the desert to hear his preaching of repentance (Mark 1:4-5). John had amassed quite a following of people who wanted to hear more about God's forgiveness of sins; however, when Jesus began his ministry, many people deserted John in favor of Jesus. John's disciples warned their leader that they were losing their following.
John rightfully identified Jesus as the Christ, and he knew that his own purpose in ministry was to exalt the Messiah over himself. John could exclaim that he was full of joy, for he knew that the true Bridegroom had come into the world to bring the very repentance of which he had been preaching. One of the most profound statements found in all of scripture is John's response to his disciples' concern about Jesus' ministry: "He (Jesus) must become greater; I must become less."
In effect, John was saying, "It's not about me . . . It's about my Lord . . . He should have the praise . . . I yield myself to Him."
What is fascinating is a very small statement made several chapters later in John 10; in the text, John is described as having never performed a miraculous sign. John was not the flashy prophet who parted waters or called down fire from heaven or raised people from the dead. He was an ordinary man who was obedient to God's calling to teach repentance and who submitted himself to His Lord. He was not the type of prophet who attempted to draw attention to himself . . . he wanted Jesus to receive the praise.
So, what was Jesus' opinion of John the Baptist? If one reads the Matthew 11 passage above, one can see that Jesus proclaimed that John was greater than anyone else ever born. Jesus saw the greatness in John, for John proclaimed the truth of God boldly and yet he didn't let his success take his eyes off of his Savior. Although God did not perform extraordinary miracles through John, God still considered him greater than any other prophet, priest, or teacher. What an incredible tribute by our LORD!
John 10:41: "Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true."
Matthew 11:11: (Jesus said) "Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist."
John the Baptist is a great example of a man who had the right perspective concerning his purpose in life. He had a significant following of disciples around the Jordan River, where he taught the people repentance. So impacting was his ministry, that "the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him" in the desert to hear his preaching of repentance (Mark 1:4-5). John had amassed quite a following of people who wanted to hear more about God's forgiveness of sins; however, when Jesus began his ministry, many people deserted John in favor of Jesus. John's disciples warned their leader that they were losing their following.
John rightfully identified Jesus as the Christ, and he knew that his own purpose in ministry was to exalt the Messiah over himself. John could exclaim that he was full of joy, for he knew that the true Bridegroom had come into the world to bring the very repentance of which he had been preaching. One of the most profound statements found in all of scripture is John's response to his disciples' concern about Jesus' ministry: "He (Jesus) must become greater; I must become less."
In effect, John was saying, "It's not about me . . . It's about my Lord . . . He should have the praise . . . I yield myself to Him."
What is fascinating is a very small statement made several chapters later in John 10; in the text, John is described as having never performed a miraculous sign. John was not the flashy prophet who parted waters or called down fire from heaven or raised people from the dead. He was an ordinary man who was obedient to God's calling to teach repentance and who submitted himself to His Lord. He was not the type of prophet who attempted to draw attention to himself . . . he wanted Jesus to receive the praise.
So, what was Jesus' opinion of John the Baptist? If one reads the Matthew 11 passage above, one can see that Jesus proclaimed that John was greater than anyone else ever born. Jesus saw the greatness in John, for John proclaimed the truth of God boldly and yet he didn't let his success take his eyes off of his Savior. Although God did not perform extraordinary miracles through John, God still considered him greater than any other prophet, priest, or teacher. What an incredible tribute by our LORD!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Parable of the Wedding Banquet
Matthew 22:3,7,11,13-14: "He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come . . . The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned the city . . . . The king came in to see the guests; he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes . . . . Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are invited but few are chosen."
As one reads this parable of Jesus, one is reminded of the preceding parable in Matthew 21 concerning the tenants. In the chapter 21 parable, the story is told of a landowner who had entrusted his land to tenant farmers, who were to submit to the will of the landowner and cultivate the land to produce fruit for harvest. Instead of following the decree of the owner, the tenants strove to take the inheritance from the landowner by first killing the servants sent to collect the harvest; then these farmers killed the son of the landowner thinking that they would then be able to take the land for themselves. In effect, Jesus is sharing a story about those who would challenge the rightful Lordship of God (the Landowner).
Then Jesus further addresses the foundational issue of Lordship by interjecting the parable of the wedding banquet. The imagery of this story portrays God's plan of salvation for humanity. Salvation IS the blessedness of being invited to His Divine, eternal Wedding Banquet. It is the opportunity of entering the joy of His eternal presence in Heaven . . . a place that is beyond our finite physical senses and understanding today (I Corinthians 2:9). He has paid the price for our redemption solely through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Still, God's calling to those invited necessitates a response of submission to Him. Although the parable suggests that the king (i.e. God) invited many to the banquet, many refused to come. The people were willing to shun the invitation, because they did not want the king telling them what they must do. They desired their own wills over the blessing of the king's wedding banquet . . . they would rather stay in the dark, dingy streets where they could maintain control of their lives than enter the glorious splendor of the king's court and enjoy his spectacular feast. Here we see that Jesus is addressing a lordship issue; for each man must come to a point of reckoning, whether he will surrender himself to Jesus Christ as Lord or continue to seek his own selfish desires above God (e.g. desiring to be God himself).
After those who had refused to enter the king's banquet had been destroyed (figurative of eternal judgment); the story shifts to the royal court where the king enters to enjoy the banquet this those who had entered. Upon his entrance, the king notices one man who was not wearing wedding clothes. This latter story is symbolic of one who wants the benefits of salvation, but still has a problem with lordship. This man thinks that he can get by and experience the blessing of the wedding feast by doing things his own way, instead of being obedient to the king's command. We find this parallel in our society today. Whereas God has decreed that salvation is provided solely through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is actualized for the individual through his repentance and submission to Christ as Lord, we still find people who think that they can gain entrance into God's eternal "banquet" of heaven through their own efforts. As the man in the parable thought he could do things his own way and then could expect God to let him into the banquet, so too people today think that if they are a "good person," then God must permit them to enter heaven.
The story is quite sobering when the king commands his attendants to "tie (the man) hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Jesus is telling the hearers of the parable that God will not tolerate those who would attempt to circumvent his proscribed provision of salvation by attempting to merit favor with God through their own vain efforts. Only by surrender can one be welcomed into God's eternal banquet.
In summary, we find two groups that are excluded from the kingdom of Heaven:
(1). Those who obstinately refuse the Gospel of Christ (a Lordship issue).
(2). Those who attempt to enter heaven through their own attempts at self-righteousness (a Lordship issue).
In either case, the power of the cross and resurrection is not merited, for these two groups have forsaken Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Again, submission is the key!
As one reads this parable of Jesus, one is reminded of the preceding parable in Matthew 21 concerning the tenants. In the chapter 21 parable, the story is told of a landowner who had entrusted his land to tenant farmers, who were to submit to the will of the landowner and cultivate the land to produce fruit for harvest. Instead of following the decree of the owner, the tenants strove to take the inheritance from the landowner by first killing the servants sent to collect the harvest; then these farmers killed the son of the landowner thinking that they would then be able to take the land for themselves. In effect, Jesus is sharing a story about those who would challenge the rightful Lordship of God (the Landowner).
Then Jesus further addresses the foundational issue of Lordship by interjecting the parable of the wedding banquet. The imagery of this story portrays God's plan of salvation for humanity. Salvation IS the blessedness of being invited to His Divine, eternal Wedding Banquet. It is the opportunity of entering the joy of His eternal presence in Heaven . . . a place that is beyond our finite physical senses and understanding today (I Corinthians 2:9). He has paid the price for our redemption solely through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Still, God's calling to those invited necessitates a response of submission to Him. Although the parable suggests that the king (i.e. God) invited many to the banquet, many refused to come. The people were willing to shun the invitation, because they did not want the king telling them what they must do. They desired their own wills over the blessing of the king's wedding banquet . . . they would rather stay in the dark, dingy streets where they could maintain control of their lives than enter the glorious splendor of the king's court and enjoy his spectacular feast. Here we see that Jesus is addressing a lordship issue; for each man must come to a point of reckoning, whether he will surrender himself to Jesus Christ as Lord or continue to seek his own selfish desires above God (e.g. desiring to be God himself).
After those who had refused to enter the king's banquet had been destroyed (figurative of eternal judgment); the story shifts to the royal court where the king enters to enjoy the banquet this those who had entered. Upon his entrance, the king notices one man who was not wearing wedding clothes. This latter story is symbolic of one who wants the benefits of salvation, but still has a problem with lordship. This man thinks that he can get by and experience the blessing of the wedding feast by doing things his own way, instead of being obedient to the king's command. We find this parallel in our society today. Whereas God has decreed that salvation is provided solely through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is actualized for the individual through his repentance and submission to Christ as Lord, we still find people who think that they can gain entrance into God's eternal "banquet" of heaven through their own efforts. As the man in the parable thought he could do things his own way and then could expect God to let him into the banquet, so too people today think that if they are a "good person," then God must permit them to enter heaven.
The story is quite sobering when the king commands his attendants to "tie (the man) hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Jesus is telling the hearers of the parable that God will not tolerate those who would attempt to circumvent his proscribed provision of salvation by attempting to merit favor with God through their own vain efforts. Only by surrender can one be welcomed into God's eternal banquet.
In summary, we find two groups that are excluded from the kingdom of Heaven:
(1). Those who obstinately refuse the Gospel of Christ (a Lordship issue).
(2). Those who attempt to enter heaven through their own attempts at self-righteousness (a Lordship issue).
In either case, the power of the cross and resurrection is not merited, for these two groups have forsaken Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Again, submission is the key!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
