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Published: 01 August 2014

I have a fairly vivid imagination.  This is a gift and a curse.  I had a lot of imaginary little friends when I was young and even toyed with a couple different personalities to the amusement of my brothers.  Imagination is wonderful when I am reading the Bible.  Imagination is sometimes terrible when I am reading the Bible.  For example, this week we are studying the death of John the Baptist.  I have had to meditate on the evil of this situation and tried to imagine what it was like for John and his followers.  Because I want a happy ending I like to imagine a different ending to the story than the one Matthew recorded.  My ending is more “Braveheart” style.  In my ending, there is an epic scene where Jesus learns of the injustice about to be committed and He and the boys (disciples) mount up on winged horses and ride into Herod’s birthday party just in time.  The ax is about to drop on John’s neck but Jesus zaps the executioner with a bolt of Divine power.  While Herod and Herodias are trying to flee the wrath of the righteous King, their heads get lopped by Orcs who were chased from the Shire by Gandalf the Grey.   How’s that for a crazy epic ending?  Just imagine what I’ll be like if I ever have dementia!  Matthew’s ending is not quite that epic.  Without any compassion or commentary, John the Baptist is executed to satisfy the power lust of a scorned puppet queen.  I don’t like it at all.  If that was the end of the whole story, I wouldn’t like Jesus very much either.  It seems like a good and mighty King would save his own cousin and take out the tyrant.  But thankfully, this is not the end of the whole story and there are some helpful reminders throughout the Word to help us deal with the injustice we often see in this life.  Lord willing, we’ll see you Sunday for “That Stinks!”  

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Published: 26 July 2014

There have been many attempts over the years to domesticate Jesus.  By this I mean that people have wanted to “tame Jesus, to adapt Him and cultivate Him for human use.”  It’s amazing how many groups (even in my short lifetime) have claimed Jesus in support of their cause.  If you are reading this blog you likely read other things as well and I don’t need to illustrate by listing all the groups lining up to fashion Jesus in their own image.  In our text for this coming Sunday, Jesus was not politically correct.  He would not be adapted to human use.  He would not be tamed.  He spoke of a judgment to come.  He reminded the hearers that there are wicked people who will receive the consequences they deserve.  He never denied His authority or proposed that He was “just one of the boys.”  Though He had great power, He would not do a side show in response to the unbelief of His hometown people.  He called the listeners to responsible action in light of their understanding.  This King is a lion and a lamb!  He is God and He will not change, bend or accommodate to our human whims.  Oh, He did take on the form of a servant and became obedient even to death.  He did serve others and even washed the disciple’s feet.  He did pray “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.”  He did not “quench a smoking wick or break a wounded reed.”  But, make no mistake, He did all this as the King of Glory and He will return in power and majesty and establish His reign of righteousness.  Those who have wanted His righteousness will have it and those who have refused His good offer will suffer without forever.  He is good but He is not tame.  It is the most wonderful privilege imaginable to be a part of His Kingdom.  Are you in?