Acts 10:34-48 Gentiles Hear the Good News

Judaism, the religion of the Jews, have different categories to classify the Gentiles (non-Jews) even today. There are those who are "righteous" Gentiles - ethical monotheists, no matter what religion they practice. They are bound by Noah's seven commandments, but these Gentiles are not part of the Jewish "society." Then there are those "righteous" Gentiles who desire to join the Jewish society. These Gentiles go to their court and promise to live by the Jewish Law (613 commandments). The last category is comprised of those Gentiles who are idolaters. They don't care about entering Jewish society and don't care about becoming ethical monotheists. Jews stay away from them and avoid mixing with them.

In Jesus' day, when the Temple was functional, Gentiles were not allowed to worship together with Jews. They had to gather in a different courtyard altogether. There were different areas of worship and the further away from the ark of the covenant (holy of holies), the less important. The first area was designated for the priests. The second area was for Israel. The third courtyard was for women. And the last and furthest one surrounding all others, was for the Gentiles to worship. The Gentiles were treated like second class citizens even if they converted to Judaism.

Peter's message to Cornelius and his family is that God shows no partiality! That's the message of the Gospel. He explains that the Jesus the Jews killed was the one God sent to preach the good news of the Gospel and God raised him from the dead calling them to continue to preach the good news. This Jesus is the one that the prophets proclaimed. And without exception, everyone who believes in his name is granted forgiveness of sins. And to seal the truth of Peter's preaching, the Holy Spirit fell upon the believers in Cornelius' home causing them to speak in tongues and praise God. The fact that Gentiles enjoyed the same gifts from God was evidence enough to understand that God shows no partiality. Jew and Gentile are to be treated with equality.

In a world filled with prejudice and racism, we make distinctions by ethnicity, skin color, nose size, height, education, socio-economic status, political views, theological views, etc, etc, etc. This is contrary to the Gospel! God is calling people from all nations to come to him and worship him as one, bringing down the barriers that divide us. The Church should strive to be a place of integration for believers coming from all kinds of different backgrounds. There is no room for partiality in the kingdom! The Gospel calls us to renounce prejudice and racism. In the kingdom of God there is no white, black, yellow or brown church. There is only one Church!

I must learn to love my brothers and sisters from all countries around the world as well as my brothers and sisters from around Chicagoland. I should not judge them for their looks or for their past life. Ex-gangsters, ex-addicts, ex-prostitutes as well as the homeless and the poor, no matter their country of origin, should be viewed as brothers and sisters in the family of God.

Father, teach me to love all people. Break down the barriers in my heart that hold me back from loving as you love. Fill me with your Spirit and pour your love in my heart free from prejudice and racism. Amen.

Joshua 22:1-9 Eastern Tribes Return Home

Evidence that God had fulfilled his promises to Israel, as far as the land is concerned, is the fact that Joshua dismisses the Eastern tribes (Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh) so they are free to go back home. These two and a half tribes were sworn in the beginning of the campaign as they were entering the promised land to stick with their brothers to fight together until the whole land was in their hand. The ending of Joshua chapter 21 is clear:

43 "Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. 44 And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. 45 Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass."

Joshua blesses them and reminds them to be faithful to the Lord with the words: "5 Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul." This is a very comprehensive charge that challenges my own life. Whether in turmoil or in peace, the Lord must be our everything at all times.

Be careful to observe the commandment and the law! I'm not so certain of how careful I really am in the observance of God's commandments. Many Christians have great difficulty reciting the ten commandments, never mind trying to carefully observe them. I must review God's commands and pay attention to my life to make sure I am observing them. I must keep his commandments.

If I have any doubts of what it means to observe the law, Joshua clears it up for me. It means to love the Lord. So many times I focus on the mechanical and ceremonial aspects of my spiritual practices, but forget that they are meaningless unless I truly love the Lord through them. The other pitfall with the law is to intellectually understand it and even be able to recite it, but forget to walk in his ways. My relationship with God requires a heartfelt devotion as well as a solid practice - they go hand in hand.

Also, observance of the law requires an intimate relationship with God - "cling to him." It is unfortunate that the practice of the Israelites over time became only a ritual without passion. But God gave the law for them to cling to him. He wants me to cling to him! Moreover, my relationship with God does not consist of mere ceremonies and rituals, but service. I must serve God with my life. Service is a very important aspect of my relationship with God. And that service cannot be a half-hearted commitment, but a passionate one. I must serve with all my heart and with all my soul.

Father, help me to memorize your commandments and be careful to observe them day by day. Fill me with your Spirit that I may be fully devoted to you. Make my practice and my passion one that honors you in every way. Amen

Matthew 27:27-44 Jesus is Mocked

The soldiers of the governor took Jesus to prepare him for his crucifixion. They stripped him of his clothes and dressed him in scarlet. Gave him a reed for a scepter and thorns for a crown. Over 100 men gathered around for the spectacle. As they knelt down before him, they spit on his face, beat him with the reed, and mocked him saying: "Hail, King of the Jews!" The King of kings suffered insult, injury, and mockery. 

The presence of evil and hatred in the world is a reality we cannot ignore. If Jesus, the Son of God, suffered in the hands of men; if the Creator of the universe was beaten by his creatures; if the Healer of our infirmities was beaten and abused, why am I surprised by the persecution against the children of God around the world? Evil, injustice, and suffering reign in this world. The hope of the kingdom of God is a renewed people in a renewed world under the reign of a just and holy ruler where justice, peace, and love reign forever. That's my hope! I can't wait!

Crucifixion was one of the cruelest means of Roman execution. It is believed that hanging on the cross caused the body to slump making it difficult to breathe. To be able to catch his breath, the prisoner had to push with his feet (nailed) and legs causing great pain. Once again, the body would slump and make breathing difficult until the prisoner died either of asphyxiation, bleeding due to the scourging, or trauma caused by the beatings. Jesus suffered the cruelest of deaths and the most humiliating of executions. The giving of wine with gall (bitter herb) was a mockery upon mockery. He was able to get down, but his love for me kept him there. He took my place and paid the penalty for my sin. Amazing love!

Suffering is a bad word for me. I shrink from it and I don't want to even think about it. But suffering is not without a purpose. If God was able to use one of the cruelest and most humiliating of executions for the greatest work of salvation for all humanity, who am I to shrink back from suffering? This is precisely the way that the kingdom of darkness has been upset - that God takes the most vile and evil acts and turns them into the most redeeming, fruitful, and growing experiences in life. My God works on my behalf in the worst of circumstances!

Lord, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me! Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven! I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love all the days of my life.

Matthew 26:17-25 The Passover with the Disciples

The Passover is a Jewish feast celebrating the liberation of Israel, God's people, from Egypt, the land of slavery. Specifically, it alludes to the night in which the firstborn children of the Israelites were spared because they put the lamb's blood on their doorposts. Death passed over their houses and caused no harm to their firstborns. Jesus gets ready to celebrate this feast with his disciples. It must've been an occasion with mixed feelings. On the one hand, it was a joyous occasion because Jesus is the lamb to offer his blood for the redemption of mankind. On the other hand, the price for that redemption is his life and before then, his betrayal.

Judas had been with the Lord for over three years now. He walked with him. He witnessed his miracles. He heard his teachings. But more than that, Judas experienced the intimate fellowship that few human beings have experienced with the Lord. Jesus loved him and cared for him. But it was Judas who sold Jesus out for thirty pieces of silver and the Lord knows it. Yet he continues to love him and care for him, but it must have broken his heart.

Betrayal is a breach in trust of such magnitude that it seems nothing can repair it. But the love of Jesus never stopped flowing towards Judas. The pain and the agony his betrayal caused Jesus was used for a great purpose. Unfortunately, Judas' end was not glamorous. Why is it that some people cling to the Lord and others don't? Ultimately, the answer is in the hands of a Sovereign God. Can I trust him? Can I trust his purposes?

I have betrayed my Lord plenty of times. The pain and the suffering I have caused cannot be measured. But the love of God has reached my heart and filled me to overflowing, forgiving my past and giving me hope for a better future. Many have betrayed me as well. Will I continue to love? Will I forgive? Will I pray that God will reach them with the same hope that is in my heart?

Lord, I pray that you fill me with love and compassion for those who betray me so I may forgive. Thank you for your forgiveness as my betrayal caused you much pain. May your mercy and benevolence flow through me unto others.

Matthew 24:1-14 Signs of the Close of the Age

The disciples wanted to know when the destruction of the temple was going to take place and what was the sign for Jesus' return. A sign is an indicator of what is to come. It is important to realize that the conversation has two very distinct events in view: the destruction of the temple and the return of Christ. But Christ does not make a clear distinction between these events in his timetable. It is my conviction that the events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (AD70) are the characteristic events that will lead us to Christ's return.

What are those events? In short, they are: false prophets, wars, famines, persecution, and apostasy. The appearance of false doctrines and prophets is as common as wars and famines around the world. The Church is being persecuted today more than ever before. We had more martyrs for the faith in the 20th c. than all the previous centuries combined and it is going to get worse. As a result of persecution there will be a great apostasy - people denying and abandoning the faith. These events led to the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple and will continue to lead this age to its close.

One important and determining factor for Christ's return is the proclamation of this gospel of the kingdom into all the world as a testimony to all nations. All other sings are out of my control, but this one is in my hands. If I work to ensure the proclamation of the gospel around the world, I am in fact working to ensure the return of Christ is sooner rather than later. I must have a sense of urgency about missions. It means the end of this age filled with evil and suffering to welcome a new age filled with joy and peace. I want to go home...

Unfortunately, another sign that has to do with me as a believer more than the world, is cold-growing love.  Is my love for Christ and for others growing cold? Am I afraid of persecutions and want to play it safe? A love that grows cold is a hindrance to the proclamation of the gospel and therefore to the prompt return of Christ. A cold love will make me worry about my local church but not care for world missions. The promise of salvation is for those who persevere until the end. I must persevere in the teachings of Christ. I must persevere in love. I must persevere in the proclamation of the Gospel.

Lord, help me be alert to the signs of the end of the age. Grant me courage so that I will not be intimidated by persecution. Fill me with a sense of urgency to preach the Gospel around the world to speed your return. Revive my love for you and the world; don't let it grow cold. Give me strength to persevere until the end.

Matthew 22:34-40 The Greatest Commandment

Jesus, when questioned by the Pharisees on the most important commandment, said it was love. Love your God and love your neighbor as yourself. This summary of the Law is significant because the Pharisees were very strict in the observance of the Law and had developed additional laws to help them apply it on a daily basis. The life of a Pharisee was heavily regulated by do's and don'ts, but was lacking in love. Love is the most important thing in life. Relationships are the foundation for everything in life.

To be sure, there is an order to the proper development of relationships. First, we are able to love God because he loved us first (1Jn.4:9) and he pours his love into our hearts by his Holy Spirit (Rom.5:5). Second, we are able to properly love others, even our enemies, when we are in relationship with our God because he is the source of true love. It is impossible for me to muster true love on my own strength. I need to come to the source to find the supply I need every day.

It is important to take notice of the kind of love Jesus is talking about . It is not the half-hearted politeness that I show most people. My love for God must be a fully devoted love with all my being: thought, affections, and will. Anything less than that falls short of true love. Love for God is exclusive; it cannot be shared with others. I cannot love God and money. I cannot love God and power. I cannot love God and "fill in the blank." Whatever competes with my full devotion to God makes my love less than genuine and becomes idolatry.

My love for my neighbor is qualified by my self-love. It is important to note that the Scripture assumes self-love and does not tell me that I have to work much at loving myself. Self-love is innate and automatic. I care for myself as I feed and preen my body every day. I do the best I can to care and protect myself. This is the way in which I am to love my neighbor. The Golden Rule sums it up for me: whatever I wish others would do to me I should do to them. This kind of love is not possible unless I am in a relationship with my God. On my own, I am selfish and arrogant.

Lord, I want to love you more each day. Pour out your love in me through your Spirit. Fill me to overflowing that I may also love my neighbor as myself.

Matthew 18:15-20 If Your Brother Sins Against You

When it comes to conflict resolution, nothing beats the procedure outlined in this passage. Yet I find myself ignoring it time and again. The first step is one of evaluation: "If your brother sins against you..." I have to discern if my brother's fault is worth a confrontation (second step: "...go and tell him his fault")  or if I am willing to let it go without a confrontation. I should be willing to sit down and talk if my brother's well being is in danger due to sin or if it bothers me to the point that I can't be at peace. Even if there is a misunderstanding on my part, I should be willing to sit down with my brother to clarify.

The reason I ignore this precious passage so often is fear. I fear hurting someone, so I tell myself. But reality is that true love speaks the truth and does not hide behind a mask of being "nice." There is no value in being nice when your brother's soul is in danger of hell or your peace of mind does not let you sleep at night. Since my need of venting is so great, my fear drives me to sin by violating the privacy clause "between you and him alone." Somehow, I feel justified to tell someone else my problem with my brother falling into gossip. I realize there is need for counseling to deal with internal issues, but venting with others and speculating about my brother's intentions and motives is not healthy at all. I must go to him!

So often I look at conflict as a nuisance to avoid instead of an opportunity to grow a relationship. The benefit is clear: "If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." There is much to gain from proper conflict resolution. If my brother does not listen, I should be willing to bring witnesses. If I am willing to bring witnesses it is because I am very certain of what I am talking about. I should not bring witnesses to a situation if I am not certain. If my brother still ignores my warning, then I should be willing to come to the church - not the whole congregation, but its representative government (pastor, elders or governing board).

If no resolution is possible after all this, it means that my brother may not be a brother at all. I should have compassion and treat him like an unbeliever: "let him be to you like a Gentile and a tax collector." This does not mean to despise him, but to love him as one who needs Christ. The powers of binding and losing are given to me as a kingdom person through the Gospel. Just a reminder that the binding and losing takes place in the heavens and I am called to discern what my God is doing and follow his lead not the other way around. The Father has promised to be with me and answer my prayers when I am willing to sit down with my brother to resolve our conflict.

Father, thank you for your presence and power in my life to deal with conflict. Don't let fear hold me hostage to be nice and never deal with my issues. Set me free to welcome conflict as an opportunity to grow as a Christian and mature in my relationships.