Green Pastures and Still Waters
- Details
In our text for this coming Sunday, we’ll be learning about the Sadducees. They were wealthy, ruling class Jews and practitioners of false religion. They used religion to secure their own place in Jewish society but they profited greatly from Roman rule. It was a cozy situation they had going and they viewed anyone speaking of another Kingdom as a threat to their way of life. They were contrary to the Pharisees theologically but united with them in their desire to be rid of Jesus. They asked Jesus a ridiculous question but they thought they were really smart. As J.C. Ryle wrote, “They make imaginary difficulties their excuse for unbelief.” We’ll deal with their question and the longer part of Jesus’ answer on Sunday but for now I’d like to point out what Jesus said initially. As always, it is profound. In Matthew 22:29b we read, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.” There are really three parts to this. First, the word mistaken in the Greek is “self-deceived.” They were wrong because they had misled themselves! No one else was responsible for their error, they did this to themselves and they were without excuse. The reason is found in the rest of the statement. They did not know the Scriptures. They could quote verses but they did not know the Scripture. It is possible to prove about anything if we pull verses out of their context. The Sadducees were guilty of what many people still do…find obscure passages, make supposed doctrines and then show their great wisdom in dismantling the straw man they built. This is an ancient practice. Knowing the whole counsel of God is imperative if we are to avoid self-deception. Finally, they underestimated the power of God. This is quite easy to do. There are a number of reasons for fretting and error in doctrine but a principal cause is losing sight of the power of God. I’m reminded of God’s question to Abraham, "Is anything too hard for the LORD?” Obvious answer implied? NO! The omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Creator and Sustainer of the Universe is perfectly capable of resurrecting the body and designing life commensurate to its qualities. If we forget that basic reality, most of our doctrines should be thrown out with our wilted lettuce. The only way to clarity in this broken and messed up existence is to know God by knowing His Word. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life…let’s keep coming to the Father through Him.
- Details
Have you ever wondered or perhaps even chuckled about why we care about the whiteness of our teeth, the shape of our bodies and the clothes that we wear? Diane and I took a few days off after our week at the Iowa Youth Camp and one of our stops was the Mall of America in Minneapolis. The Mall is so big there is an Amusement Park, with roller coasters, in the center of the complex! There are four stories of shops and other than the Swiss Army Knife Store there is very little of practical value (from a man’s perspective). Every imaginable product known to mankind that is available for his/her outward adorning is available there. The coolest socks, the best tops, bottoms and underwear are available and advertized in ways that make you feel like you must have what they are selling. If you want to do something about your skin, there are products for that. If you want to smell better, there are products for that. You can get your hair done, your nails done, your face done and your body done. Of course “done” is a poor word choice because all those things require a return visit. If aliens were real and they came from another planet doing research about what humans care about, after a visit the mall, they would have to conclude that we are obsessed with our image. We all admit that we are more than bodies and that outward adornment can be deceiving but there were no stores that I could find that would help me with my inner life. And, quite honestly, if somebody is cranky and mean, white teeth and an $80 shirt doesn’t do much for their image. The Mall of America can only provide limited assistance for our total image. We care about our image because we were made in Someone’s image. To me, the Mall of America is of great apologetic value. It reveals the lengths we will go to care for our image. Our concern about this is deeper than we acknowledge. The problem is not so much with our outer image concerns; it is that most people have so little regard for the kind of person they are on the inside. A stinky attitude can’t be fixed with a $100 bottle of perfume. What does it actually mean that we are made in the image of God? What should it mean for our daily choices? What should that look like at home and at play? It’s not a sin to have a nice shirt and some cool shoes. We all appreciate it when you smell good. It is sad however when we don’t go a little deeper and think about what we actually owe God as our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer and Friend. Let’s pray we will comprehend what Jesus meant in Matthew 22 when He said, “Render to God the things that are God’s.” Let’s become people who accurately reflect the image of the One who made us and gave Himself for us. And, let’s remember that all these people we come into contact with are also image bearers and care about their immortal souls.