Category: faith

I hung out with some radicals last week: Rob, Perry, Shane, Nick, and Joe. Rob is a young man with a contagious smile and a twinkle in his eye. He finished college with majors in Communication and Spanish, but his passion is to love his fellow man. He lived in Bolivia a year, working with the youth of a different culture. He’s saving up money to go back, but while he’s in the States he’s hanging out with the people few do… the homeless, the poor, the ones society rejects. Rob kind of reminds me of Jesus.

Perry bought us all a meal last week. He doesn’t always have a pocket full of money, but on this particular night he did, so he generously said, “Dinner’s on me.” Perry is my age and is a youth minister. He is one of those courageous guys who will tackle any task. If he says he will do something, he’ll do it even if it means working day and night until the job is complete. If a friend says, “Man, I think it would be fun to build a house,” without really knowing what he was talking about, Perry just might say, “Let’s do it!” We’re still living in the house he built twenty-one years ago. Perry kind of reminds me of Jesus.

Shane may be a modern-day prophet. He looks quite different from the regular church-goer, but I guess John the Baptist looked different from the regular Jew when he did his preaching. A young man with a Tennessee accent, Shane humbly preaches a radical message: “Jesus meant what He said.” What gives his message power is that he lives it out. Shane lives simply, giving away things that are given him. When visiting a strange city, he stays with any willing family that offers him a bed. While in his home city, he lives with the poor. “He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.” Such bold living has landed this radical in jail a few times. Shane kind of reminds me of Jesus.

Nick is a college student who loves music and people. If you’ve ever seen a picture of the Confederate General, James Longstreet, Nick has his beard. Nick is the kind of guy that would jump in his car and drive five hours to pick up friends in a distant city and turn around and drive five hours back home. (Young people do these kinds of things…) Nick delayed his education for a season to go live with the homeless in Camden, New Jersey. Now that he’s back in school in a different city, he continues to serve the poor along side fellow college students from different universities. Nick kind of reminds me of Jesus.

Joe is the oldest of these radicals and a reminder that the call of Jesus transcends age. As a young man Joe abandoned all for the Gospel, his home has always been a refuge for the broken, and for decades he’s shared God’s love all over the world. He’s not intrigued with the temptation of retirement. He sees much of the ‘American Dream’ as being in opposition to the life Jesus calls us to live. I think I witnessed God’s desire for the generations last week. Young radicals blessed the older with energy, courage, and zeal while an older radical blessed the younger with wisdom, experience, and an example of what it means to ‘go the distance.’ Joe kind of reminds me of Jesus.

In a time when religious radicals are bringing tension, hate, and death into this world, Jesus is producing radicals that are promoting peace, love, and life. Though misunderstood and persecuted, Jesus brought the Father’s plan of peace to the world. Though hated and eventually killed, Jesus was the epitome of love. “Love your enemies.” How radical is that? And though Satan’s great weapon of death has held mankind hostage for ages, Jesus came to bring abundant Life – one not defined by material wealth or worldly standards. Oh to be a radical like Jesus.

“In him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.” John 1:4-7

Three-year-old John was playing with a manger scene in our home a few days ago. He had pulled out the three Magi when I asked what he was doing. “These are the bad guys,” he replied. “No, those are wise men, John. They came to worship baby Jesus and bring him gifts. See, they gave him gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” John looked a little puzzled, then picked up one of the statues and asked, “Is this Merv?”

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. ‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written.’ (quote from Micah 5:2) Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.’ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” (Matthew 2:1-12)

We have much to learn from the Magi (no matter what their names) about being wise in our generation: First, be looking for what is promised. We may not know enough about celestial beings to notice a strange star, but we should be familiar enough with Jesus’ words to notice signs around us and His promise of a return. Of course people will call you a star-gazer, but I don’t think He’ll call you a fool… and His opinion is the one that counts. “It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.”

Next, be willing to take a journey. These wise men didn’t really know where they were going; they just packed up and left. They didn’t have to wander as long as Abraham did, but their story reminds us that God is pleased with faith in action. If these guys had simply said: “Behold, a new star! Come all you people of the east and let us tell you what we have found,” but had never taken the journey, we would have never known about them. I’m sure their trip was not easy – it took sacrifice; it was inconvenient; some probably called them crazy; but oh was it worth it. Jesus says, “Watch and pray,” but He’s not telling His followers to sit around. “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

Next, be humble enough to ask directions. “We know a King has been born. Could you help point the way?” Today the question is similar: “We know the King is alive. Could you help point the way?” Listen to answers with great discernment; not everyone has proper motives. “Come over here! We are bigger and better than everyone else. You are sure to find God here… just look at how much He’s blessed us!” Jesus gave different directions: “You’ll find Me in the least of these my brethren… the poor, the hungry, the sick, the imprisoned… But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Next, don’t quench the joy of the Lord. These wise men found the King! They worshiped… they gave… they celebrated… they were overjoyed. If there is no joy in worship, we don’t see the King. If we give out of duty (or if we don’t give at all), we don’t see the King. If we don’t celebrate freedom from sin, freedom from hell, and freedom in Christ, then we don’t remember or understand what the King has accomplished. “O worship the King, all glorious above, and gratefully sing His wonderful love; Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.”

Finally, follow God’s guidance. Though doubtless these wise men intended to share their good news with many listeners, they would not share it with Herod. God sees the battle and He gives perfect orders. We don’t see clearly, so we must depend on His wisdom and direction. God knew this: Herod was an evil man. He was the tool of the devil and he was about to destroy all the innocent male babies of an entire town. So the wise men were warned in a dream and they heeded the warning. (If they hadn’t… we wouldn’t call them wise men.) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Once again, here’s the chorus of Nicole Nordeman’s song, “Legacy”:
I want to leave a legacy.
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering.
A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy.

If Jesus had been asked to name a person who left a great legacy, I think he would have answered quickly: “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” Jesus then gave insight into prophesy learned Jews often pondered. “For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.”

The interesting thing is that John didn’t see himself so clearly. He readily confessed, “I am not the Christ.” So the curious asked, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” and John replied, “I am not.” John wasn’t lying; he just didn’t know.

The greatest legacies in God’s eyes are left by those who don’t know everything. John knew he was a voice calling in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord.” Isaiah’s words had special meaning for John, but he could only preach the things God showed him. As he baptized with water, he talked about One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. John was simply faithful. When the Messiah was revealed, he was overjoyed. The legacy of John was that he was consumed with another. Nicole Nordeman would say he pointed to Jesus “enough to make a mark on things.”

But though he was faithful, things didn’t turn out the way John expected. His ministry brought criticism. Some concluded, “He has a demon.” Others simply discounted his message of repentance. Then a wicked king threw him in jail… and a wicked queen asked for his head. In the cloud of lonely suffering, doubts invaded the mind of the prophet. “Did I miss it? Is he really the One? Was I somehow deceived?” One whose legacy depends on Christ stands on a solid Rock but often feels like he’s on an uncertain journey. When everyone deserted Jesus after his difficult teaching in John 6, the apostles were a little stunned. “You don’t want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know you are the Holy One of God.” Peter gave this wonderful reply, but John the Baptist asked a different question. “Go ask Jesus, ‘Are you the One who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’” Jesus told his friends to go report the powerful things he was doing: the blind received sight, the lame could walk, the lepers were healed, the dead were raised, and the good news was preached to the poor. Then Jesus added an intriguing sentence: “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

John’s response to Jesus’ message is not recorded in Scripture, but I’ll bet he was encouraged. “OK… It’s not about my plan; it’s about God’s. I’ll trust him to the end.”

“John’s disciples came to him and said, ‘Teacher, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you said was the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going over there instead of coming to us.’ John replied, ‘God in heaven appoints each person’s work. You yourselves know how plainly I told you that I am not the Messiah. I am here to prepare the way for him – that is all. The bride will go where the bridegroom is. A bridegroom’s friend rejoices with him. I am the bridegroom’s friend and I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the things of the earth, but he has come from heaven. He tells what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Those who believe him discover that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God’s Spirit is upon him without limit. The Father loves his Son, and he has given him authority over everything. And all who believe in God’s Son have eternal life. Those who don’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life, but the wrath of God remains upon them.” John 3:27-36 (New Living Translation)

This is the chorus of Nicole Nordeman’s song, “Legacy”:
I want to leave a legacy.
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering.
A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy.

I guess everyone eventually asks the question: Did my life make a difference? Non-believers think about legacies too, but the Christian is concerned with the Heavenly Father’s judgment. He does not examine with ‘worldly wisdom,’ and his evaluations are perfect. “His (the believer’s) work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” (I Cor 3:13-15) The raging fires in California look tame compared to God’s holy fire.

Most don’t even try to understand such a passage, for the world disregards God and considers only the temporal. The believer knows the eternal is most important so he must ask, “What will God’s fire consume?” This can be a frightening thought and the faint of heart might decide not even to make an attempt. “God is such a perfect judge; I’m just going to bury my talent to make sure I don’t lose it.” Jesus’ parable warns against such a poor strategy as the Master pronounced a dreadful sentence on such a one: “Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

So what’s your strategy? You know these writings are usually writings to myself. It’s like God asks me to write down what he wants me to live out. Here’s my side of the conversation: “Lord, I don’t want the world’s type of legacy… I want to think like you do. When your fire falls on much that I’ve done in my life, I know it will burn like grass. I’m not going to pretend; forgive me of my sins, my pride, my presumption, and my unbelief. I know I must build on what you’ve done. I know I’ve sinned and fallen short of your glory, but I will hold to the rest of the sentence… that I have been justified freely by your grace through the redemption that came by Jesus. Thank you. So, Lord, you have proclaimed me righteous through your Son, let me live up to what I’ve attained. I know I must build on Jesus Christ. Everything else is going to burn, isn’t it? Only those things solidly built on him, through him, and in him will last. So, Lord, give me wisdom. Give me eyes to see; give me ears to hear. Lord, I offer myself to you. Let me be diligent to use everything you’ve given me for your glory. Lord, fill me with your Spirit that I may not be fooled or distracted by the evil one. Lord, let me build wisely with a heart set on eternity. Let me not be lazy. Let me not be foolish. Let me not be selfish. I depend on you, Lord, Christ in me, the hope of glory. Unless you build the house, I labor in vain. May your Kingdom come and may your will be done in me and in my family and in this earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.”

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” I Cor 3:10-11

Because she studied, she did well on the test. Because he practiced, he made his free throws in the game. Because she was diligent, she was given the raise. Because he was reliable, he was chosen for the position.

Caleb was one of two spies who came back from an assignment with a positive report. Ten spies (no one remembers their names) said it couldn’t be done. Joshua and Caleb proclaimed, “Do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” Such confidence produced discussion among their fellow Israelites of a stoning, but God intervened. “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me?” Moses then begged God not to destroy his faithless people. So they wandered in the wilderness forty years and only Joshua and Caleb got to enter the Promised Land.

As an old man, Caleb remembered something Moses had promised him: “The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.” (Joshua 14:9) Moses had communicated to Caleb what the Lord had told him about the people’s lack of faith to enter Canaan. “No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendents will inherit it.” (Numbers 14:23-24)

Whether a forty-year-old or an eighty-five-year-old, Caleb was consumed with God. Knowing God made him a warrior. ‘God is love’ and ‘perfect love drives out fear.’ Because he followed wholeheartedly, he gained the prize.

“‘Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still just as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.’ Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Japhunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Japhunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.” Joshua 14:10-14