Love

Because

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The Bible

It’s important for everyone to take time to reflect on why they do the things they do. Our motivations are key for directing our lives. If we are out of touch with our motives, then we will often behave inconsistently, hypocritically, and differentially towards others. I believe some of the most powerful aspects of a humans life is how we love, forgive, serve, and demonstrate humility. And it’s just as important to be grounded in the “why” behind all of those things.

“We love because he first loved us.”

1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Why love? Because He first loved us. Without His love we wouldn’t have any real firm foundation for why to love and who to love. Our love would be mostly emotion driven and inconsistent at best. We would love those who are lovable and rarely beyond that. But the love of Jesus, for those who put Him on the cross, breaks down all barriers to who we are meant to love. Jesus said to love your enemies, and He certainly demonstrated that. Love is an action of the will. And it must be sincere. When we come across unloving people every day of our lives, we can always fall back on the reminder that Jesus loves us, even in our most unlovable state. And He went to the cross out of that love. We have a heavenly love only when we’ve been transformed but His love.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭32‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Why forgive? Because He first forgave us. Forgiveness can be difficult. If you’ve ever been betrayed, abused, or suffered great loss at the hands of someone else, you know what it’s like to struggle through the process of forgiving others. But the hard, yet freeing reality is, no one could ever hurt us as much as we’ve hurt God. Our thoughts, words, lack of faith, selfishness, and rebellion have all placed Christ on the Cross of Calvary. It’s not until we understand the great measure of grace that has been shown to us that we are finally free to forgive others as we should.

“But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭43‬, ‭45‬ ‭ESV

Why serve? Because He came to serve us. God in the flesh; stepped out of heaven; took on human form, and served humanity. How? He constantly gave of Himself. His life was one of the greatest humility. And when we realize it was the greatest of beings that displayed the greatest humility, how can we help but to give of ourselves?

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV

Why be selfless? Because He was selfless. The story of all creation is His story. The Bible is a unified story that leads to Jesus. In Him and through Him all things were created. He is the beginning and the end. Even-so, Jesus lived for others. He died for humanity. And He rose from the dead and conquered death to give hope to the same ones who put Him on the cross. As the apostle Paul said, “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.“ It is the selflessness of Christ who gives us hope, and it is our selflessness that brings a bit of the kingdom of heaven to earth.

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

Old Verse in a New Light

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The words of John 3:16 have always been powerful to me. But one day they gripped my heart like they never had before. It was one morning, sitting at the kitchen table, reading a devotional with my four year old son. I read the words of this well known verse, and froze. I have read it hundreds of times before. But in this moment, the words shook me to the core. For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only son…I read it again and looked at my one and only son sitting next to me. I was overwhelmed by the sacrifice of Jesus. I was overwhelmed by the reach and depth of God’s love. I squeezed my son and looked in his eyes and told him, “Jesus loves us so much. One day His love will capture your heart like it has mine. Today He has shown new depths to His goodness.” And then I told my son how much I love Him and spent the next several hours praising God for who He is. Don’t forget how loved you are brothers and sisters. Praying that you too will be refreshed in that love and see it anew today.

No One

~ ForCommonGround ~ 3 Comments

No one is beyond the need for God. It is part of our brokenness that drives us to do life on our own. When problems arise, we think we can fix them. When relationship are difficult, we think we have the power to make ourselves and the other whole. As a man, I can say that I have struggled so much in the area of feeling the weight of providing for my family, and have often carried it on my own. the weight is crushing. Sin, when admitted, is often seen as an area kept to ourselves, to be fought on our own terms. Many people in the world think they can get by on their own merits. That they can live a life where the good somehow outweighs the bad. That they are the so called captains of their own fait. But the reality is, it was never meant to be this way. In the book of Romans, chapter three, it says that ALL sin and fall short of the glory of God. This is one of those self evident truths. We don’t have to look beyond ourselves to see just how true this statement is. You are broken and imperfect. I am broken and imperfect. There isn’t a single human alive who can attest to any kind of perfection. The Christian minister, the Buddhist monk, the Catholic Pope, Islamic Imam, and the front line philanthropist, all need God…and equally so. Our standing with God, is only established by the grace of God, through our faith in God. We are all His creation but so much in us tries to deny that deep-seated need for our Creator.

No on is beyond the reach of God. It would be a sad tale if the story ended with our need and dependency on God in order to be whole. With that need comes a promise. In that same chapter of Romans, it says that all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Our need finds it’s fulfillment in Jesus. It’s not in a career, our kids, wealth, our good deeds, or any sort of success we have in this lifetime. While all of those things are good, they can never bring wholeness. Only Jesus can do that. Because only Jesus and impart holiness onto every single broken human in this world. All we have to do is recognize that…choose Jesus…and allow the brokenness to be mended. I have been following Jesus for a very long time. I am still not a perfect person. But I am holy. Not because of myself, but because of Him whom I swear allegiance to. I do have purpose and meaning to my life and it far supersedes any temporary achievement, no matter how great it may be. I have a hope that can never be shaken no matter what happens to me or those in my life. Because it is not based on circumstances, comfort, or control. And I have that because God reached me. Just like He can reach you, and those you know. And God is reaching people all over the world. Christianity is the fastest growing faith worldwide. The top ten countries with growing believers are, Nigeria, China, The Philippines, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. Literally thousands of mosques have closed down in Iran because people are leaving Islam for Jesus. Some estimates have it as high as 60% of the total number of mosques have or will be closed. The Bible itself is full of stories of lost and sinful people being redeemed by Jesus and their lives being used for godly purposes. God has a long history of reaching prostitutes, murderers, liars, adulterers, sexually immoral, thieves, and many more.

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

No one is beyond the love of God. I try and tell my children every night that I love them always, no matter what. I want them to see God’s love reflected in the way I love them. I want them to know that His love is far greater than anything they will experience on this earth. He loves you. He loves everyone. Always no matter what. The problem is, far too few actually love Him in return. Far too many reject Him and deny Him and in the end will spend eternity separated from Him. Imagine how that pains God’s heart. Especially when he went to the greatest lengths possible to show the world His love. Jesus, being God in the flesh, allowed Himself to be beaten, mocked, and scorned, and after all of that, allowed His own creation to nail Him to a cross. Jesus, Perfection, died in the place of imperfection. Holiness in the flesh hung on cross where you and I belong. Why? Because He loves us. With a love that is so difficult to grasp. A love that pursues it’s enemies in order to die in their place. A love that denies self at the greatest cost so that unworthy people can receive the greatest gift. If He loved us enough to do that, there is nothing we can do or have to do in order to earn it. But we do need to choose Him. To choose His love. To allow ourselves to be loved and to be driven by that love.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:16-17

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

Mountains

~ ForCommonGround ~ 1 Comment

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV

I read a really good quote the other day. It said that God may have assigned you this mountain to show others how it can be moved. It made me think of some of the difficult interactions of my life and how God has brought me through them. In almost every case, I have been able to use it as a testimony for the benefit of others. In the moments it seems crushing. Those trials were painful, and at times, they felt desperate. But I can honestly say, the hardest of circumstances are the ones that have brought me closer to the Lord. Through the gospels, the same theme is presented. It’s when the waves are threatening to drown the disciples, or a dear friend in Lazarus has died, or Christ is being crucified, or persecution is all around and people are being tossed into prison, that faith is being deepened and mountains are being moved.

“Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.”

Mark 11:23 ESV

No mountain is permanent. Through time and faith you’ll see them cast into the see and your path cleared. In that moment we can find others facing their mountain and testify of God’s goodness and faithfulness. We can stand along side them, and encouraging, listening to, and praying for them. Our experiences on this faith journey are meant to make us better equipped to serve and help those around us. Don’t undervalue your story and how it could empower others.

Peace in Chris brother and sisters.

Close to our Savior

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“And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,”

John‬ ‭17‬:‭19‬-‭22‬ ‭ESV

In the hours before Jesus went to the cross, He prayed. He prayed for those who had followed Him. And He prayed for those yet to follow Him. This prayer speaks volumes about His heart for the world…for us…for you. Jesus, wants His followers to enter in to communion with each other, and most importantly, with Him. And He had to go to the cross to make that happen. His sacrifice makes the way for us to be one with Him. His glory is imparted to sinful, yet humble and repentant, faith-filled humans. Our brokenness is replaced with His beauty. Our emptiness is filled with His Spirit.

No matter what your 2023 looked like. All your pain, your hurt, your loneliness, your mistakes, your sin, and your failures…they can all be brought to the cross. There. they meet with redemption, love, and grace. If distance is what you’ve felt, it’s time to come close. If your year was full of joy, success, new relationships, and promise…they can all be brought to the cross. There they are met with a gratitude for the One who made it all possible. If you’ve been close this year, it’s time to get closer. Wherever you find yourself at the close of this year, take your next step towards Jesus.

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters!

Witnessing through the Waves

~ ForCommonGround ~ 2 Comments

As a public school teacher, I am finding the values of my faith and the values of society coming more and more into contrast. I wear my faith on the outside and that has at times caused problems. I sponsor a Christian club in the school. We pray, we worship, we spread the word, and we study scripture. I get to be with some brave teens who are willing to step out amongst their peers and share God’s word, even when it causes ridicule. But there are many around the world who are doing far more and putting far more at risk. Those people make me want to do more, to risk more, to share more. And the reality is, it’s always been that way, since Christ Himself walked the Earth. I wanted to highlight one such story. This one is about Paul and Silas on one of their missionary journeys.

“As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.”

Acts 16:16-24 ESV

The culture, and even the law will be against biblical principles. People will getting angry. It will cost. We may even have to pay with our health and freedom. But salvation spreads like wildfire in the midst of a dry and thirsty land. The jailer and his family were saved by Silas and Paul’s time in prison.

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.”

Acts 16:25-34 ESV

The courage and faith of Paul and Silas is inspiring. And we know that many others faced similar challenges as the gospel message spread throughout the world. Many believers still face those kinds of road blocks to their mission as ambassadors of Christ. Check out this story. Vani, a 30-year-old widow, spent 15 days in jail after being charged with kidnapping and “forcing” a child to convert to Christianity. During her two-week stay, she witnessed to more than 70 women, 14 of whom became Christians. Vani was charged in connection with an incident in early February, when she helped a teenager and introduced her to some other believers. Vani was arrested after the girl’s parents reported her to police. While Vani was in jail, the jailer encouraged her to share the gospel and pray for the other women because he had seen dramatic change in those who accepted Christ. Vani has been pursuing prison ministry ever since being released from jail.

The world systems have always been hostile to God,. Even in predominantly Christian societies, like the United States, the pure message of Christ is not welcomed in much off society. However, our mission to follow Christ and tell the world about Him remains the cornerstone for every Christian.

Take heart fellow brothers and sisters. Remember the words of Jesus Himself on the eve of His crucifixion.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

John 16:33 ESV

“The Power of Forgiveness: Lessons from the Bible”

~ ForCommonGround ~ 1 Comment

Forgiveness is a fundamental concept that resonates throughout the Scriptures, teaching us valuable lessons about compassion, healing, and the grace of God. It has played a key role in my life, especially pointing me to the goodness of God and seeing that goodness in His children. Below are several lessons about forgiveness that have been shown to me through the years and I hope they will mean something to you as well.

Forgiveness is a Divine Act. One of the most powerful examples of forgiveness in the Bible can be found in the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). This story beautifully illustrates the Father’s unconditional love and forgiveness, welcoming back his wayward son with open arms. We learn that God’s forgiveness is boundless and available to all who repent. Therefore my forgiveness should be boundless.

The Lord’s Prayer is a model of forgiveness. In the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), Jesus teaches us to pray for forgiveness as we forgive others. This passage reminds us of the reciprocity of forgiveness – the extent to which we forgive others directly influences the forgiveness we receive from our Heavenly Father. It underscores the importance of extending grace to one another. Jesus says, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matthew 6:14-15). This verse reinforces the concept that we must be willing to forgive others just as we expect God to forgive our sins. Forgiveness is not just a one-way street but a continuous cycle of grace and mercy.

Joseph’s Forgiveness is a Testament of Strength. The story of Joseph and his brothers (Genesis 37, 39-45) offers an inspiring example of forgiveness. Despite being betrayed and sold into slavery by his own siblings, Joseph forgives them when they come to him in need. His journey from betrayal to forgiveness reminds us that forgiveness can bring about healing and restoration. I find myself needing to forgive others for much less. Shame on me if I find it hard to offer the grace that has been offered me.

Forgiveness leads to peace. In Colossians 3:13, we are instructed to “bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Forgiveness not only mends relationships but also leads to inner peace and harmony within the community of believers.

The Sacrifice of Jesus: The Ultimate Act of Forgiveness. The pinnacle of forgiveness in the Bible is seen in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins demonstrates the magnitude of God’s love and forgiveness. Jesus, even in his agony, cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). This profound act of forgiveness serves as the foundation of our faith and redemption, underscoring the importance of forgiving others as we have been forgiven.

Forgiveness brings healing. In James 5:16, we are told to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other so that we may be healed. Forgiveness is not only a spiritual act but also a source of emotional and physical healing. Holding onto bitterness and resentment can be detrimental to our health, and forgiveness brings about freedom and restoration.

Forgiving Seventy Times Seven. In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus responds, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.” This statement is a call to limitless forgiveness. It highlights that forgiveness should be a continual practice in our lives, not a limited resource.

The Blessings of Forgiveness. In Psalm 32:1-2, King David beautifully expresses the blessings of forgiveness: “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them.” Forgiveness brings relief from guilt and the assurance of God’s love.

In our journey of faith, let us remember that forgiveness is a divine act that brings healing, reconciliation, and blessings. Through Christ’s sacrifice and the biblical teachings on forgiveness, we are called to extend grace to others as we have received it from our Heavenly Father. By doing so, we live out the gospel, becoming instruments of God’s love and reconciliation in the world. Forgiveness is a central theme in the story God has been telling. that reflects His boundless love and grace. Because of that, we are called to live from a place of compassion and mercy to one another.

May you experience the peace that comes with living in His forgiveness.

Misconceptions on God’s design for husbands and wives

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Other than humanity’s standing with God, what relationship was first rocked by their sin? The union between Adam and Eve. And what has resulted for millennia, is a faulty approach to the marriage relationship ever since. Not to say that some haven’t gotten it right. But I believe that the world, and even many in the church, have been getting it wrong for centuries. That stems from a wrong reading of the text. If you trace our history back you will see sermons telling the women to stay in their place and to follow their men. Even in America, women faced oppression for nearly all of our existence, much of which was justified using faulty interpretations of God’s design. The Bible itself is full of examples of how men and women screw things up. Let’s read over the wives and husbands commissions found in Ephesians five in light of the garden events from Genesis 2 and 3.

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.”‬‬

Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ‭ESV

Some misconceptions can be traced back to Genesis 3 where God is pronouncing the consequences of sin. We can view Ephesians 5 as a call back to a pre-fall relationship. The first big misconception is in the terms of the “wives submit” terminology. The word submit used here is idios in greek. This means to treat as one’s self. Literally unite with. This is never once used to denote an inferior position. In fact let’s look at the origins of Eve. She is described as a “help meet” ( Gen 2:18&20). The word ezer, (Strong’s concordance #5828) means a shield, a form a saving. God is described often as an ezer. So that’s the pre-fall purpose for wives. That’s the intent of God. For wives to be united with husbands, to be one with them, to walk along side them (not under or behind them) to help shield them and be an essential role in the mission of God.

The post fall narrative, on the other hand, is much different (Genesis 3:16-17). We see the words ruling and desire used in this portion of Genesis. Both are prescribed in the midst of negative consequences from Adam and Eves actions. Nowhere does it alude to this being God’s plan or ideal. To say that, would be like saying God wanted brokenness and screwed ip relationships. If anything, the context of these verses makes it apparent that it is opposite of how God designed things. The next time this word for desire is used its to describe sin’s desire for Cain.

Can you think of examples when women and men from the Bible showed this fallen narrative? Times women subverted and disrespected or preyed on men. How about Rebecca and Sarah? Times men ruled as jerks and treated woman like animals? Maybe Isaac and Abraham? These relationships, while containing some good elements, were not models to follow, but illustrations of the brokenness of the fall. If anything, God was heartbroken over this.

Ephesians 5 is a picture of the reality of God’s design, opposite of that of the Genesis 3 fall motif. Wives are designed as an ezer, or defense, shield, life-giver, unified with her husband. Not a submissive, second-rate counterpart to do her husband’s bidding.

Now let’s address husbands.

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,”‬‬

Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬-‭29‬ ‭ESV

Husbands, also, are meant to lead, not as Genesis 3 states, but as Christ does. As a servant, in humility. Ephesians 5 uses the comparison of washing the bride with the word. Looking back at Genesis, Adam should have intervened when the serpent was twisting God’s words. Adam, by all accounts, was there, being passive, and not leading. He was also flattered and deceived by the serpent. He was meant to be a guardian, a shepherd, in pursuit of God’s mission. And so are men today.

Ephesians five uses some powerful words to define husband’s role. It says for husbands to love, give themselves up for, to cherish, and to nourish. If Adam had done that, the serpent would have lost his head that day. The leadership of men is a selfless leadership. It is wholehearted leadership. The leadership of a husband seeks Christ first and the heart of his wife second. The husband must lead from his knees not from a pedestal. My how world history would be different if men actually did that. -Men, we must be committed to seeing our wives thrive just as Christ seeks that for His bride. If Christ’s love and commitment to His bride is our example for loving our brides, then we have to step it up. And we do that by surrendering more of ourselves to Christ and His leadership in our personal lives.

God obviously doesn’t want us living in the Genesis three story. And we will be opposed. The serpent isn’t gone. The next chapter of Ephesians addresses the spiritual war that still rages on and how we are to fight. Enter Jesus. He is our shield of faith, our breastplate of righteousness, our belt of truth, our helmet of salvation. He came to be our example. He came to crush the serpent. He came to restore right relationships. He came to heal our broken approach to life and to love. He came to impart God’s wisdom. For Jesus is, ““He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power…” Hebrews 1:3 ESV and, ““And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image…” 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV and, ““whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:6 ESV

Whether we are single, married, wives, or husbands, our call is to be like Jesus…abiding in Him…unified with Him…and then we will see God’s kingdom come in our homes and in our relationships.

God’s Redemptive Love Part IX: The Prophets

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Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. 

Isaiah 59:1 NKJV

For behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,’ says the Lord. ‘And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. 

Jeremiah 30:3 NKJV

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

Matthew 23:37 NKJV

Even in the midst of their depravity, God looked upon Israel with compassion and a desire to save them from themselves. He sent prophets to them such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Ezra, Micah, and several others. These prophets gave stern warnings to the people and encouraged them to abandon their sinfulness. They reminded the people of God’s love for them and His future glory that awaits. Even once Israel was taken away to bondage God used prophets such as Daniel to speak words of hope.

As prophecy was being fulfilled and the people were being gathered by God from captivity, He raised up more prophets such as Ezra and Zechariah to remind them of God’s goodness and His call on their lives as they enjoy their newfound freedom. But as Jesus states in Matthew 23, God was so much desiring His children, and they would not listen.

Despite our hard hearts at times, God is still whispering (sometimes shouting) His love in our ears. In my darkest days, I still saw God moving in my life. Even at my worst, God still loved me and didn’t abandon me. Whether you are started down a bad road, caught up in bondage, or experiencing your freedom in Christ, God is constantly after your heart. The stories of the prophets are just that much more of a reminder that God does not leave us nor forsake us. It is also a good lesson in listening to God, heeding His voice, and following His path which will keep us from stumbling. God and His word will never leave us no matter our circumstances because His heart is always seeking the redemption of our souls.

Peace in Christ brothers and sisters.

God Pursues the Undeserving

~ ForCommonGround ~ 5 Comments

What is Passover about? That’s really the question that I want to answer in this post. I am aware that some of you may fully know what the Passover is. And the idea of the Passover is not a new one, nor do I want to present a brand new concept around what the Passover is. But in answering my initial question, that is, what is Passover all about? I am going to attempt to answer a couple of other questions. The first question I want to look at is, in the Passover, did Israel deserve to be saved? The second question is, why did God rescue Israel in the Passover?

You can read about the story of the Passover in the book of Exodus, starting in chapter 3 with the call of Moses and through the 10 plagues. However, I would argue that the theme that the Passover represents was not new with the event of the first Passover nor did it end with the first Passover. What are some of the themes of Passover? Some big themes that stand out are redemption, rescue, salvation, and God saving Israel from slavery.

This brings us to our first question: Did Israel deserve to be saved? The simple answer is no. Let me classify. In both Joshua 24:14 and Ezekiel 20:6-9 Israel is described as a people who served the gods of Egypt were rebellious, and set detestable things before their eyes.

I think it’s easy for us to think of Israel as a godly people in captivity. But they were essentially a pagan idolatrous people by the time that Moses hits the scene. Moses doesn’t even know who God is when they meet at the burning bush. Moses wants to know what to call God when he tells Israel about Him, most likely because the people of Israel would have lost connection with Him over the previous 400 years.

So we know Passover is about redemption and rescue and is not deserved in any way. I say that, not to single out or harp on the people of Israel. Lord knows you and me would have most likely been the same way had we lived then. The undeserving element, in my opinion, adds so much encouragement.

Now for our second question: why did God rescue Israel in the Passover? When God is speaking with Moses He says things like…He was watching over them and that He remembered the covenant with Abraham.

“The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,”

Exodus 34:6 ESV

This verse is how God describes himself. And His track record more than proves it. God delivered Israel for the same reason He delivers anyone, He is abounding in love and faithfulness. He makes promises and He keeps promises. God promised Abraham, back in Genesis 15:12-14, He would rescue his descendants. There was no stipulation tied to it. God’s faithfulness to His promises is why the Passover happened.

In addition to His faithfulness, another reason for the Passover is God’s desire to make His name known. In Speaking with Moses, God said that He will send plagues in order to make His name known. God also wanted to make Himself known to Israel. And through Israel, He would be made known to the world. And in Exodus 12, we see not only Israel going out of Egypt, but a mixed multitude of other peoples with them. God’s wonders humbled the most powerful kingdom in the ancient world at that time, rescued an entire nation of people from slavery, and convinced a multitude of non-Israelites to go with them.

Now let’s go back to our overarching question: what is the Passover? It’s salvation, initiated by God, towards undeserving people, out of His love and faithfulness, to make His name known. What does that sound like? The Gospel right? Look at these New Testament passages.

He saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace…

2 Timothy 1:9a ESV

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”

Romans 3:23-24 ESV

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

This is our message. The one that God has been telling since the beginning. God sacrificed an animal to cover Adam and Eve after they sinned (Genesis 3). God rescued Noah and his family (Genesis 6-9). God saved Israel time and time again through the Judges from Othniel to Samuel (Judges and 1-2 Samuel). God brought Israel out of Egypt and out of Persia (Ezra and Nehemiah). God preserved Israel through Esther and Mordecai while they were still in Persia (Esther). He has been in the business of rescuing and redeeming undeserving people since the beginning. Passover is a major expression of that. And one that pointed to a future Passover in which, not just a lamb, but the Lamb would suffer and die.

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”

Romans 5:6-10 ESV

I don’t deserve Jesus. You don’t deserve Jesus. That’s the point. Thank you Lord for the Passover. Thank you Jesus for loving us and saving us. Help us grow in gratitude for all you’ve done.

“And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

Luke 22:14-20 ESV