Tag: messiah

Immerse Day 6 Observations

More than 3500 people at  Scottsdale Bible Church are reading through the New Testament together over 8 weeks.

Text: Acts 1:1 – 7:1 (pp. 61-70)

Overview: Moving from part 1 of Luke’s letter to Theophilus to part 2, we transition from the life, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus to (briefly) the post-resurrection activities of Jesus and the impartation of the Holy Spirit upon Christ’s followers (which is the birth of the Church).

Observations:

  • The book opens with Luke recapping for Theophilus the events that were recounted in the letter that we know as the Gospel of Luke.
  • understated point: Jesus walked among the population for 40 days after his resurrection, using many ways to prove that he was alive.
  • One time while eating with them (something a person who is alive does), Jesus told them not to leave Jerusalem, because God would soon be sending them the Holy Spirit (as a gift…not a reward. This is a blessing of grace, not a payment for labor).
  • He told them they would be baptized by the Holy Spirt….literally, immersed in the Holy Spirit. This was not a symbolic or ritual, this was a new experience where they would be spiritually “quickened” through their impending, immersive relational existence within the ongoing presence of God’s Spirit.
  • The Apostles were still fixated on an earthly vision – they were looking to this resurrected Jesus to help them overthrow their Roman occupiers. They asked if the time had come for them to free Israel and “restore our Kingdom?”
  • Question – Did the disciples really appreciate Jesus’ resurrection? They witnessed his tortuous death. They had no doubt about it. They also were experiencing him first-hand resurrected. But they were still processing all these events in the scope of their cultural tensions, pressures and interests. To maintain or persist in this perspective, they had to disregard all the teachings Jesus had given…even his initial call that they would be “fishers of men,” not “overthrowers of governments.”
  • Jesus’ non-answer answer: Only God sets the dates and times, and they aren’t for you to know. Then…one of my favorite passages in Scripture…Jesus answers the question they aren’t asking, saying, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere.”
    • you will receive power – up to now, they’ve been walking in the shadow of Jesus’ power. They’ve been using the power he had delegated or given them. Now, though, they’d be experiencing a new source of power. This also highlights that, on their own, they’d be without power.
    • when the Holy Spirit comes upon you – Jesus returns their attention to what he had been talking about (our human nature regularly takes what God is directing us to and turns it to the things that interest us). Jesus is reiterating that the Holy Spirit will come upon them, and they will experience unprecedented power as a result.
    • and you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere – the proper use of this power is not to throw out occupying governments, but to tell people everywhere about Jesus. Jesus’ agenda (Kingdom) is bigger than Israel (and certainly, Jerusalem, or Judea, or even Samaria…even to the ends of the earth).
  • After saying this, Jesus ascended to heaven. The disciples watched, amazed, until he disappeared.
well, there’s something that’s never happened before.
  • Two angels said to them that Jesus has been taken to heaven, but he will return the same way you saw him go.
  • The Apostles returned to Jerusalem and returned to the upper room where they had been meeting. Roll call (showing us that everyone except for Judas was still present).
    • Note that several women were present, including Mary, the mother of Jesus. She had been there from the beginning and her inclusion here is a testament to her faith in God and her belief in what God had revealed to her about her son.
    • Also present were Jesus brothers. First, don’t miss that Jesus had brothers. Mary had other kids with Joseph. So technically, half-brothers. But close kin nonetheless. Family. And this was family that formerly didn’t believe in (or follow) Jesus, but now were found in the community of believers.
  • Peter takes the initiative to replace Judas (noting that Judas’ death fulfilled prophecy), and that he needs to be replaced.
    • Criteria for replacing Judas are given: someone who had been there from the beginning, a witness to everything that had happened.
    • Two finalists – Matthias and Joseph (aka Barsabbas aka Justus; he had multiple known monikers/nicknames – Barsabbas means “son of the Sabbath, perhaps indicating his love for worship; “Justus” was a gentile nickname or equivalency of his Hebrew name).
    • They prayed. Then they cast lots. And Matthias was selected. The best I understand this is that in praying, they believed that either man would have been appropriate or fitting, and that whoever was indicated on the lot that was first chosen was determined by God, and reflective of his choosing.
    • Interestingly, little is mentioned of either of these men after this event.
  • Pentecost had arrived (50 days after the 2nd day of Passover). Coincides with the Jewish Festival of Weeks (Shavuot), which as a harvest festival commemorates the giving of the Torah.
    • All the believers were still meeting together in a single place.
    • Inference is, here, that they were continuing in the traditions of their faith
  • Suddenly, the Holy Spirit arrived, as a roaring wind from heaven, filling the house where they were (immersed, baptized, if you will).
    • What looked like flames or tongues of fire settled upon each of them.
    • Each of them was filled with Holy Spirit.
    • The first expression of the Holy Spirit’s filling was that they could speak in “other languages.”
  • “Devout Jews from every nation” were living in Jerusalem, and were drawn to witness the loud noise they had heard. They were bewildered to hear their own languages spoken by the believers.
    • the languages spoken were known languages. They were not indiscernible.
    • The foreign Jews were amazed that the Galileans were speaking in their native languages.
    • They attributed this feat to God, and asked each other what it could mean.
    • When skeptics tried to dismiss it all as public drunkenness among the followers of Jesus, Peter stepped up and spoke out.
      • It was only 9 AM, these people weren’t drunk.
      • This was a fulfillment of prophecy from Joel.
      • He issues the clarion call, “whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!”
      • understated points: Peter did, in fact, receive the Holy Spirit’s power, as promised. The power of the Holy gives people their voice.
      • He points people specifically to Jesus, and shows God’s handiwork in the details of Jesus’ betrayal.
      • He unabashedly indicts all the Jewish people in their complicity in the Jesus’ murder and tells them that death cannot contain or impede Jesus (again connecting David’s prophecies to Jesus).
      • Peter preached Jesus resurrected and ascended, then testifies that it is God’s Holy Spirit poured out upon the believers as the crowd has seen and heard, thus articulating the reasonable conclusion that Jesus is both Lord and Messiah.
  • God empowered Peter’s message to have effect. It pierced hearts and they asked what to do in response.
    • Peter instructed them to repent and be baptized and to turn to Jesus.
      • This instruction illustrates that repentance isn’t just “turning away” from sin and self, it is also “turning to” Jesus alone.
    • Peter says if they do this, they, too, will receive the Holy Spirit.
    • Peter continued to preach, to great affect – about 3000 people responded to the message that day.
remember that time that Marvel stole from the Bible?
  • This massive, sudden growth of the community of faith is the birth of the Church.
    • These people are marked, set apart by their common belief in Jesus as Lord and Messiah, and their unity in the experience of being baptized in the Holy Spirit.
    • This community immediately began activities that drew them close together and set the template for the Kingdom of God going forward:
      • They devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching – They submitted themselves to the teachings of this revelatory spiritual experience, no longer content to subject themselves to the religion and empty traditions of their past generations.
      • They committed to fellowship (living in community with each other – they didn’t compartmentalize their faith to one small aspect of their life…their faith gave definition to every other aspect of life)
      • They met together and shared everything. They had a shared identity, and selflessness was a prevailing principle.
      • They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. These are principles that Jesus had taught while living, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, their attention was to sacrificially love and support one another rather than simply look to their own interests.
      • They worshipped together in the Temple. They didn’t abandon their faith….in fact, they continued in it, now with new, fulfilled meaning.
      • They met in their homes for the Lord’s Supper. They remembered the words, teaching, and promises of Jesus, and kept him at the forefront of their faith activities.
      • They shared their meals with great joy and generosity – Their attitude was defined by the presence of God’s Holy Spirit.
      • They praised God and enjoyed the goodwill of the people and each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. People flock to life, and God is actively in the business of rescuing people from death and transporting them into life (life that is experienced in the context of those who are spiritually alive in the Kingdom of God)!
  • On their way to the Temple for prayer, Peter and John were engaged by a paralytic who was begging for money.
    • Peter didn’t have money for him, but instead provided him with healing.
    • The man immediately was healed (from an infirmity that had hindered him since birth).
    • He jumped up, and praising God, entered the Temple with them.
      • For his entire life, he had been relegated to the outside of the Temple, and reduced to begging.
      • His first act of wellness was to enter the Temple to worship!
    • These events created a clamor, and Peter used it to preach Jesus.
    • He reminded them who Jesus was (and their role in putting him to death), and Jesus’ power to overcome that death
    • That same power was the applied to the infirmity of the man, and he was healed.
    • Then he issued a call to repentance, giving references to Samuel and Abraham.
    • Peter and John were confronted by the chief priests, the Temple guard captain and Sadducees for their message, and they were arrested and held overnight.
    • Total count of followers was more than 5000 men…the congregation was huge.
  • The Jewish religious leaders all met the next morning and confronted Peter and John and questioned their power/authority.
    • Peter…filled by the Holy Spirit…reminded them that they were being questioned for performing a miraculous work…a good work.
    • Then he proclaimed Jesus as the source of his good work.
    • He glorified Jesus as the only source for human salvation.
      • God’s Holy Spirit was giving focus and clarity to Peter in the articulation of the Gospel.
    • The response of the religious authorities was amazement.
      • These men were ordinary and without special training.
      • But they had been with Jesus.
      • And the evidence of the healed man was undeniable.
      • After a private conference, they called the disciples back in and forbade them to speak of the name of Jesus.
Peter, in reply to the edict
  • This was an easy call for the disciples, who had no fear in disobeying man in deference to obeying God.
    • They said, “We can’t stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”
    • understated point: we should be of this same orientation, where we can’t stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.
  • Ultimately, despite further threats, they let them go because they couldn’t punish them further without starting a riot, due to the widespread positive report of the healing of a man who had been crippled for more than 40 years!
  • Peter and John returned to the other believers and reported on the events.
    • The believers’ response was to pray.
    • They rhavecalled prophecies of David, and saw them fulfilled in Jesus.
    • They asked God for boldness and power to continue to be faithful.
    • God’s answer to prayer was a fresh indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
    • understated points:
      • God often answers prayer with a fresh provision of himself.
      • These aren’t second anointing, but replenishment (of sorts).
      • it isn’t a matter of God’s spirit depleting in us, but more of a renewal of our awareness of and reliance upon his faithful indwelling spirit. (a lot to unpack here, to be sure)
  • The testimony recapitulates the selflessness, magnanimity, generosity, and unity prevalent within the Church community.
    • This is exemplified in the person Joseph (nicknamed Barnabas, meaning “son of encouragement”).
      • He was a Cyprian Levite. Atypically, he was a Levite who actually had land, which makes it even more provocative the he selflessly sold the land and gave the proceeds to the Apostles.
  • Barnabas’ practice is juxtaposed to that of Ananias and his wife Sapphira, who are indicted here for the crime of lying to the Holy Spirit. They, too, sold some property, but lied about the proceeds and wittheld some of the money. They also lied to the Apostles, but the indictment is for a crime against God.
    • Peter makes the point that the land was theirs to keep or sell…there had been no pressure for them to sell it. Likewise, they could have kept all the money for themselves. The crime was against God because they took the initiative to do these.things but misreport the result and withhold some of the blessing. Ultimately, stealing the money was a representation of the larger crime of attempted theft of God’s glory. Peter said, “you lied to God.”
    • Ananias immediately fell dead.
    • Three hours later, Sapphira was brought in, and (ignorant of her husband’s death), she perpetuated the lie, repeated the offense.
    • Again, Peter re-framed the offense as a conspiracy against the Holy Spirit, and she, too, fell dead.
    • As a result, great fear gripped the church and all who heard
      • this reminded me of an adage: “fear as a byproduct of faith is a tool fit for constructing a right framework of devotion, while fear as a byproduct of doubt is tool useful only in constructing idols.
  • The ministry flourished, miracles abounded, people were healed. Teaching continued. Salvations accumulated.
  • Even as people were freed from evil, the high priest his officials were filled with jealousy. They jailed the Apostles at night. An angel freed them before daybreak.
  • The Apostles obeyed the angel and proceeded to teach in the Temple the next morning, where they were re-arrested. They were not trying to hide from or even avoid the Jewish authorities. Their accusations:
    • You are teaching what we forbade you from teaching.
    • You are holding us responsible for his death.
  • The Apostles’ reply:
But did we obey God?
  • They affirmed they obeyed God rather than men.
  • Their testimony was true. Their assignment of guilt was accurate.
  • Their witness is affirmed by the Holy Spirit – who is given by God to those who obey him.
    • This incited the high priests…they were ready to kill the Apostles.
    • A respected leader amongst them Gameliel spoke, and told them
How ’bout we consider something less…murder-y?
  • Gameliel reminded them of earlier revolutionaries whose followings fizzled out, and advised to let this play out, too.
    • If it isn’t of God, the movement will fade.
    • If it is of God, though…watch out. Not only will it not fade, but you may find yourself fighting God!
    • They accepted this…but still had the apostles flogged.
    • The Apostles left the temple….PRAISING GOD…that God found them worthy of suffering disgrace for the name of Jesus. And they kept teaching every day.
    • While I’m inclined to think people are “soft” today, it could be that I feel this way because we don’t face this risk in my context.
  • This segment closes with an account that as the congregation rapidly grew, a complaint arose that the Greek-speaking widows were being discriminated against in deference to the Hebrew-speaking widows.
    • The Apostles, recognizing that this conflict (while important) was a distraction from their primary responsibility to teach the Word, convened and determined to appoint 7 respected, wise, Spirit-filled men to address this need and the emerging practical ministry challenges.
    • These men were the first deacons.
obligatory Deacon photo (portraying 1st century widow)
  • They were effective, for the final statement here is direct: The number of believers greatly grew in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
  • Understated points: God’s Word not only confronts and changes the irreligious, but it also impacts those who are familiar with faith. God convicts and saves whoever he wants. NOBODY is beyond the reach of his gracious message of love and relationship.

Immerse Day 5 Observations

Immerse is an 8-week (40 day) reading campaign, Scottsdale Bible Church is reading through the New Testament together. To date, more than 3500 people are participating.

Text: Luke 19:18-24:53 (pp. 47-59)

  • Jesus proceeds to Jerusalem. He tells the disciples how to prepare and informs them exactly what to expect. It unfolds precisely as he says. These not only demonstrate his omniscience, but also validate Old Testament prophecies.
  • As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowd entering the city to commemorate the Passover acclaim Jesus as Messiah, laying their coats and palm branches before him (as a sign of acknowledgement of his regal standing)
    • Lingering Pharisees tried to shut down the fanfare, admonishing Jesus to rebuke the followers from their Messianic praise.
    • Jesus replied that there was no denying who he is. All of creation testifies to the deity of Jesus.
    • Jesus wept upon seeing Jerusalem, pained over her rejection of him (and the subsequent judgment that would inevitably follow).
  • Jesus entered the Jerusalem Temple, driving out the commercial interests there.
    • He taught daily in the Temple, and the people swarmed to him.
    • The Pharisees plots turned murderous. Still, they couldn’t rightly accuse him of wrongdoing.
    • He foiled their efforts to challenge his authority, using the deft skills of logic and reason.
  • Jesus shared a provocative parable of a man (God) who leased his land to farmers (Israel). He sent servants back to the land (prophets) and the farmers beat every servant. So the man sent his cherished son (Jesus)…and the farmers killed the son to take the land for themselves.
    • He then connected the dots with prophecy, identifying himself as the rejected stone that would be the chief cornerstone (who would overcome all efforts to oppose him).
    • The Pharisees caught the teaching’s meanings, and despite worries about upsetting the masses of followers), moved forward with their plot.
  • They failed in a plot trying to pit Jesus against Rome, but Jesus responding to “loaded questions” by telling people to respect and obey their earthly authorities (as well as their divine authorities).
  • Jesus is challenged by the Sadducees using a hypothetical dealing with marriage and the resurrection. He answers authoritatively on both.
  • Then Jesus turned the tables and asked them a question they could not answer. He then warned the crowd to be on the watch for their false teachings.
  • Jesus commended the widow for her sacrificial giving, in contrast to the publicly extravagant gifts of the Pharisees that had been taken from their excesses.
  • Jesus talked extensively about the commencement of the end, and not to worry.
  • Framed by the setting of the approaching Passover Feast, The Pharisees benefited from the willingness of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus.
  • The time for Passover had arrived. Jesus told the disciples to make preparations. Again, all occurred exactly as he told them it would.
    • At the Passover meal, Jesus reiterated his impending persecution and suffering.
      • He institutes the Lord’s supper.
      • He reminds them of the servanthood imperative.
      • He tells Peter that Satan has asked permission to sift Peter and that Jesus intercedes for him.
        • He foretells Peters failure
        • He predicts Peters denial
        • He also foretells Peter’s repentance.
      • He then sets out, for the events that must take place.
  • They are greeted in the garden, where Judas identifies Jesus with the betrayer’s kiss.
    • The disciples prepare for conflict, but Jesus de-escalates it (heals the wounded Roman slave) and allows himself to be arrested (despite the lack of credible charges).
  • He is taken to the High Priest’s home. In the courtyard, Peter denies Jesus three times. Rooster crows. Peter runs away in bitterness.
  • The soldiers begin to mock and beat Jesus.
  • Under questioning, Jesus responds to accusers by attesting to his identity as the Son of God. They accuse him of blasphemy.
  • He is taken to Pontius Pilate, who finds no reason to charge him. Jesus is dispatched to Herod Antipas as a matter of protocol. Herod and his guards beat and mock Jesus, too.
    • Interestingly, Herod and Pilate become friends over this abuse of Jesus.
  • He is sent back to Pilate, who still finds no offense in him.
  • In expressing intent to release him, the Jewish leaders instead clamor for the release of Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and accused murderer.
  • Pilate gave in to the demands of the people and sentenced Jesus to die.
  • Jesus was led to Golgotha and crucified there.
    • He was placed between two thieves.
      • One thief worshipped him.
      • The other mocked him, telling him to free himself (a fulfillment of one of his earliest prophecies at the onset of his ministry).
  • The midday sky went dark for three hours
  • At 3 PM, Jesus gave up his spirit and died.
  • The veil in the temple separating people from the Holy of Holies was torn.
  • Joseph (a wealthy, respected Jewish man) received permission to have Jesus’ body brought down before the Sabbath, and placed in his own tomb.
  • Jesus’ female followers prepared the spices and funerary ointments, and finished before the Sabbath.
  • On Sunday dawn, the women went to the tomb, and found the tomb’s entrance stone rolled away.
  • They encountered two men (angels) who announced that Jesus was alive, as he had been telling them would happen.
  • The women ran back and told the men. The men were unconvinced.
  • Peter ran to the tomb, found it empty, and was stymied.
  • Later that day, 7 miles away, Jesus appeared on the road to Emmaus while two disciples were discussing all these events.
    • They didn’t recognize him at first.
    • They recounted to him everything that happened. They invited him in, and at dinner, they recognized him.
    • He proved himself to be no ghost. He ate with them.
    • He opened their mind to the Scriptures for understanding.
    • He promised the soon arrival of the Holy Spirit.
    • Jesus led them to Bethany, blessed them, then ascended to heaven.

NEXT UP: Acts!

Immerse Day 4 Observations

Immerse is an 8-week (40 day) reading campaign, where we (our church, Scottsdale Bible Church) is encouraging everyone to read through the New Testament together. To date, we have approximately 3500 people who have expressed intent to participate.

Text: Luke 13:33-19:39 (pp. 37-47)

  • Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem, undeterred by the Pharisees threats that Herod has Jesus targeted.
    • Jesus identifies Jerusalem as “the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers.” The tourism commission voted against adopting it for an ad campaign.
    • Jesus laments his heart for saving Jerusalem is unrequited; consequentially, the city will face judgment. Nonetheless, hope remains that Jerusalem will one day joyfully announce the coming of the Lord.
  • Jesus has yet another tense conversation about “working” (doing good) on the Sabbath. This exchange is highlighted by the Pharisees refusing to answer the questions, on the grounds that doing so would self-incriminate them as stupid and hypocritical.
    • The person in question was a man with fluid buildup (edema). This used to be called dropsy (and is rendered as such in other translations). “Dropsy” is how I would diagnose chronic clumsiness. Sometimes I get distracted by details such as this.
  • Jesus tells the egomaniacal guests at the party that they should instead pursue humility, and that the host should invite more “undesirable” people to his parties.
    • A guest exclaimed “What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!” In other translations, this sounds more reverent. Here, it reads more sarcastic, like he was seeing Jesus’ challenges as inviting a “Dinner for Schmucks” type vibe.
  • Jesus replied, telling a story to make the point…the Kingdom banquet will be filled with the outcasts, downtrodden, forgotten, and marginalized….and that none of the elite (in this world) will be there. Surely, this left the snooty guests feeling…
  • Jesus talked to the crowd about the cost of following him.
    • Condition 1: loving Jesus above all else, even family and self. Love for Jesus must be such a priority that other affections would be thought of as hate by comparison.
    • Condition 2: surrender to suffering.
    • Condition 3: sacrifice comforts.
    • “Unsalty salt” in this parable is the “unconsidered decision” to follow Jesus.
    • understated point: truly following Jesus includes thoughtfulness and consideration.
  • Jesus’ message was attractive to notorious people. You know, lost people who knew they were lost. This greatly irritated the lost people who mistakenly thought they weren’t lost (the religious elite). So Jesus told 3 stories to help the elite get the point:
    • He told them about the joy a man has in finding his 1 lost sheep out of the flock of 100.
    • He told them about the joy a woman has in finding 1 lost coin out of 10 silver pieces.
    • He tells the extended story of the prodigal son who returns
      • the lost son became lost as a result of his own foolish choices
      • he came to the end of himself and thought to beg his dad to let him be a servant (which would’ve been better than his current mess)
      • he went home, but his dad was on the watch for him and saw him coming.
      • The father ran out to the son and embraced and kissed him.
        • The father immediately clothed with a robe of honor
        • The father immediately gave him a ring of authority
        • The father shod him with sandals (provision as family)
        • The father had the fatted calf slain (feast of celebration)
      • The older son was not happy with news of these developments
        • he exaggerates his own labors
        • he understates his dad’s generosity and provision
        • he indicts his brother and his father
      • The dad corrected the orders son’s misperceptions and returned to the celebration.
      • point: Finding lost people is a BIG deal to God, and he (and all of heaven) celebrates when the lost are found!
not actual footage of heaven cutting footloose
  • This following passage is difficult (for me). Jesus tells the story of a dishonest, shrewd manager who gets commended for selfish, shrewd behavior in preparing to be fired. The lesson, read in context to the story, seems very troubling (anti-biblical in terms of ethics)
  • I think the lesson is better, more biblically consistent if detached just a bit from the story.
    • This is possible by just reading it this way – that the lesson, rather than serving as a conclusion to the story, serves as an introduction to the principle that follows.this requires shifting the “they” in “they will welcome you to an eternal home,” away from the worldly friends to heaven’s citizens (angels). The idea, therefore changes…
      • The story is of an shrewd manager (worldly) commended by rich man. Our tendency is to think of the rich man as God.However, if we see the “rich man” as the world, then “management” of the world’s resources is “worldly wealth.”Jesus’ instructions, then, are to spend worldly wealth on worldly concerns (friends for the ‘here and now’) because that wealth will come to and end.At death, there is no worldly wealth. Wealth in life offers no privilege in heaven. So…when your possessions are gone (at death), they (heaven’s citizens) will welcome you to an eternal home.”
      • what do you think?
    • Now, this principle ties to Jesus’ teaching about being faithful in small things, being entrusted with bigger things.
    • Jesus’ bottom line: you can’t serve God and be enslaved to money. (I wonder if Judas was in the audience).

  • In a not-an-all-awkward transition (and by that I mean, totally deliberate), the Pharisees are described as a group who “dearly loved their money.”
    • This exposition directed at the Pharisees reveals the eternal truth of the laws of God, and the wisdom in living now with an eternal intentionality (and how that affects thoughts on wealth and marriage)
  • Jesus “unpacks” this teaching using the story about the rich man and Lazarus.
    • Rich man had everything in life.
    • Lazarus was pitiful.
    • Yet at death, this was inverted.
      • Truly amazing to me is that even from hell, the rich man looked at Lazarus and had no regard for him, other than how he might be useful to serve his selfish needs. He even assumed Abraham considered Lazarus the same way.
    • Abraham responded to the rich man’s requests with some harsh truths
      • these destinations were permanent and unbridgeable.
      • still-living loved ones who were resolute in unbelief wouldn’t be persuaded by a supernatural visitation if they hadn’t been convinced by Moses and the prophets.
        • We will see this to be true in how the Pharisees react to God raising his friend Lazarus from the dead (and the common name is possibly not coincidental, either).
  • In rapid-fire succession, we read quick teachings on:
    • Don’t tempt others (lead others into sin). That’s bad. you’ll regret it
    • Forgive others. a lot. as often as needed. You’ve been forgiven for more.
    • a response to the request to “teach us how to grow our faith.”
      • Jesus doesn’t really honor their request, as much as he exhorts them to use the faith they already have.
      • It’s not so they could work wonders (like relocating a tree)…but that they can do the things Jesus is leading them to do if they’ll rest more in the faith that he has given them to do the things they’re commanded to do.
    • A seeming warning to not get boastful about what they do. Remember, this is tied to the faith question, and the point is faithful service, not accomplishment of boast-worthy feats. Jesus’ exhortation is for followers to do their duty, relying upon the faith given to them to do it.
  • Jesus then healed 10 men with leprosy. Only one came back to thank him.
Solo gratitudo
  • Jesus addresses the Pharisees interest in the coming Kingdom of God.
    • He says, “It’s already among you!” He is clearly associating himself with the Kingdom of God.
    • He tells them he’s about to depart and they will long for the day when he returns, but they will not see it. (Yikes!)
    • He foretells his own suffering and rejection.
    • He compares this time with the days of Noah and the days of Lot. The phrase “destroys them all” is repeated.
paddles will be in short supply
  • There will be no shortage of signs indicating that things are wrapping up here (and none of them are good).
  • Hard pivot: Jesus tells followers to pray and never give up. God is good and likes to answer prayers (caveats: on his time, and according to his will. These caveats may be challenging to reconcile to your experience from time to time).
  • Jesus uses an arrogant Pharisee to teach humility in prayer.
  • understated point: God hears the prayers of the humble, and resists the blathering of the prideful.
God, when prideful person prays
  • Jesus chastises the disciples for scolding parents of kids rushing Jesus.
    • He says to receive the Kingdom of God like a child.
    • I think this is more about eagerness and total dependence than about innocence.
  • Jesus talks with the rich man about eternal life. He calls Jesus good, which Jesus points out attests to his divinity.
    • Jesus tells the man to obey the 10 commandments. Check.
    • Jesus tells him to sell all possessions and follow him. Oops…problem.
    • Jesus points out that wealth is a problem for a lot of people.
    • He also points out that God can overcome that problem, and that anything given up for Jesus is rewarded.
  • Things are picking up…Jesus tells the twelve that they’re heading into Jerusalem, and that everything promised will start to play out. Including his sham arrest, torture, and murder. But also his resurrection.
    • They missed the point.
not the actual disciples
  • The blind man shouted to be saved. Jesus saved him. Everyone rejoiced
  • Jesus went in Jericho. Met Zaccheus. He was wee. But his faith was big.
    • “Sin-sniffers” grumbled. Jesus saved him anyway.
  • Jesus told the story about the nobleman whose son was going to be crowned king. This story is known as the parable of the talents, and the message is that Jesus was going away, that he’d be returning, and there will be an accounting of the investments he makes in his followers and how those investments were used.
  • understated point: use the gifts God has given you to make a Kingdom impact.

Immerse Day 3 Observations

Immerse is an 8-week (40 day) reading campaign, where we (our church, Scottsdale Bible Church) is encouraging everyone to read through the New Testament together. To date, we have approximately 3500 people who have expressed intent to participate.

Text: Luke 9:51-13:33 (pp. 28-37)

  • “As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven…” A subtle reminder that an important appointment had been set and would not be rescheduled.
  • All these events (thus far and to come) were also appointed.
  • The Apostles experienced an inhospitable response at the Samaritan village. They asked to rain down fire from heaven.
When the crew redefines ‘lets get lit’
  • Jesus shut down that nonsense and they went do a different village. The Apostles’ response shows we have the propensity to misuse power and authority.
  • Jesus talks with three who are interested in following Jesus, and in doing so explains the cost of discipleship – abandoning earthly comforts, prioritizing God’s agenda, and not lingering in the past (or even present).
    • I think this is largely lost or re-contextualized in modern, Western culture. Our frame of reference struggles to appreciate this call and the demands biblically associated with following Jesus.
  • Jesus pairs up 72 disciples and sends them out as advance teams, saying, “The harvest is great but the workers are few…”
  • understated points: there will always be more people to be saved. We will never run out of the harvest. We must never stop harvesting.
  • Jesus tells us to ask the Lord to send out more workers into the harvest.
    • I think we have the habit of making workers and praying for the harvest, rather than praying workers and sending them out into the harvest.
  • Jesus instructs his team to accept hospitality because those who work deserve their pay.
    • This verse is a line of tension for me because my family has lived on the generosity of faithful givers over the course of my ministry, but I also acknowledge this is a misused/abused verse.
  • Jesus repeatedly tells his crew that their message is “The Kingdom of God is near.”
    • It is inadequate to just think about this prophetically, or eschatologically.
    • understated point: The Kingdom of God is never nearer in the relational proximity of Jesus Christ through the indwelling presence of God’s Holy Spirit.
  • Jesus’ dis on the various cities highlights that not everyone was on board the Jesus Express. Though he had a significant following, his was a minority and not embraced by the whole.
  • shoutout was a head-scratcher because good things happened there. Looking around, I read that it suggests that perhaps there was thought that Capernaum would be “elevated” because of the early miracles that Jesus performed there. Jesus was saying that not only would they not be elevated, but the unbelievers there would be judged just as impartially as everywhere else.
  • Jesus mentions, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning.” This reiterates the eternality of Jesus, and that when the angelic fall occurred, Jesus sat on his throne in heaven.
  • “Satan” is the term representing the totality of the angelic rebellion…not a singular spiritual foe of God.
  • “Like lightning” explains the swiftness and magnitude of God’s judgment against the angels who rebelled. It was no slow roll eviction. Sudden, swift, and total.
  • Jesus makes it clear that bigger than having spiritual authority over evil spirits is that the names of his true followers are registered in heaven.
  • understated point: your salvation is a bigger deal than your spiritual giftedness.
  • Jesus prays to the Father, detailing again his total one-ness with the Father.
  • Jesus tells his disciples that they are experiencing something truly unique in history and divine revelation. What was the hope and promise of the ancestral prophets and kings was the daily reality of these in Jesus’ audience.
  • Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan in response to the “set up” question being asked about how to inherit eternal life, and specifically the question of “Just who is my neighbor?”
  • understated point: neighborliness is characterized more by compassionate relationality than by locational proximity.
  • Jesus has meal at Mary and Martha’s house. Martha is frustrated by Mary’s lack of help in preparing. Jesus corrects her, saying Mary had figured out the only thing that mattered: just enjoying being in the presence of Jesus.
  • Jesus then taught the disciples how to pray. Principles to remember:
    • God is our perfect, heavenly father
    • He is holy
    • We should be wanting and expecting his Kingdom to come soon.
    • He provides for our day-to-day needs
    • He forgives graciously
    • He empowers us to be forgiving
    • He helps us overcome temptations
  • He also encourages us to never stop asking and seeking in prayer. God isn’t withholding.
  • This is challenging. I believe it with all my heart. I know it to be true. I also know of prayers that have been prayed for extended times that have not yet been answered. I know that it is hard to persevere in prayer when it feels like the prayers aren’t being heard.
  • Jesus casts out the demon from the mute man, and gets accused of doing the miraculous through the power of Satan.
God-glorifying miracles, powered by God-hating demons?
  • Jesus points out their flawed thinking, pointing out…IF (and “if” really meaning “since,”) demons are cast out by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God HAS arrived among you.
  • understated point: Jesus is the kingdom of God.
  • From this, he basically says, if you’re not for me, you’re against me.
  • In response to the “calls for a sign,” he tells them he will give them the sign of Nineveh, meaning his three days in the tomb. The point escaped them.
  • He also pointed out that the Queen of Sheba and the Ninevites would stand in testimony against the unrepentant crowd because they both sought and listened to wisdom (in contrast to the hard-heartedness of the crowd’s unrepentant).
  • Jesus then accepted another meal with a Pharisee and corrected the Pharisee’s mistaken obsession over external cleanliness at the neglect of internal corruption. He called them hidden graves. They found that insulting.
Jesus was just getting started.
  • If they thought that was rude, surely they didn’t like him reminding them that they had built monuments to the prophets that their ancestors had killed, joining in their crimes and perpetuating them!
    • fun fact: it is here where we see Abel revealed as history’s first prophet. (remember that for your next Bible trivia night)
    • Jesus tells them that not only do they not contribute positively to the Kingdom, but that they take away the key to knowledge, and they keep people out of the Kingdom! Yikes.
    • The Pharisees and experts had become hostile, (gee, you think?!?) and tried to provoke him, trying to trap him with his answers. Worst dinner party ever.
  • Meanwhile…crowds kept growing.
  • Jesus warned the crowd to be wary of the “yeast” of the Pharisees, comparing their hypocrisy to yeast that works its way through the dough (of the Kingdom). He declared that their hidden plots would soon be revealed.
  • He told the crowd not to fear death more than they feared God, then gave analogies that demonstrate the love and care and attentiveness of God.
  • He also makes it clear that nobody is permitted to be an “undercover” believer. Our faith and belief should be on display for others to see.
  • Jesus promised that Holy Spirit would empower every person to witness faithfully in the faith of persecution.
  • Jesus warned against greed. And worry.
  • Jesus said “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need,” and “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart also will be.”
  • Understated point: treasuring God causes you desire God, which is seeking God. Ample provision accompanies a God-focused life.
  • Jesus gives some extended/ connected analogies to “unpack” this God-focused life that is characterized by preparation, expectation, faithfulness, responsibility, and reward.
  • Jesus then says some hard things about coming to set the world on fire and dividing people against each other.
Wolverine walking away from an explosion is as close as I could get to the point, here
  • His point is that judgment is coming, and that the Gospel is divisive, because some will reject it (and him).
  • He told his crowd that they should recognize the day they’re in, and notice the signs of the times.
  • Using the sad news of Pilate’s murder of worshippers, he pointed out that people living in a sinful world die every day. Accordingly, the need to repent and get right with God is timely.
  • Jesus talks about cutting down an infertile fig tree. The story speaks of patience…but also of eventual judgment. This is particularly interesting in light of John 15 where Jesus identifies God as the Vinedresser (gardener) and talks about pruning.
  • We now read another “healing on the Sabbath” conflict. The Pharisees were really dogmatic (and wrong-spirited) about this.
The Pharisees were missing the point about the Sabbath.
  • So Jesus healed the woman, the Pharisees were shamed, and the people rejoiced.
  • Jesus now began speaking provocatively about the Kingdom of God (in terms of what it is like here on earth).
  • It’s worth further study to consider a what a mustard bush should look like, birds and yeast as a type or symbol in scripture.
  • Jesus pressed on toward Jerusalem. He was on a mission!
  • Jesus talked about the path to heaven having a narrow gate.
  • Jesus mentioned that there would be people who were in locational proximity to Jesus, but will be excluded because they are relationally alienated from him (by their own choice, or fidelity to evil).
  • YET, despite the path being narrow, the Kingdom of God will welcome people from all directions, from all over the world.

(I’ll comment on the last content on pg 37 tomorrow because it fits with tomorrow’s content).

Let me know if you have comments or observations of your own!

Immerse Day 2 Observations (part 2)

Immerse is an 8-week (40 day) reading campaign, where we (our church, Scottsdale Bible Church) is encouraging everyone to read through the New Testament together. To date, we have approximately 3500 people who have expressed intent to participate.

Text: Luke 4:14-9:50 (pp. 13-27) Part 2 of this recap will cover 19-27

Read part 1 here. Continuing on…

  • Jesus is now in Capernaum, a slave of a Roman officer fell ill.
    • the Gentile officer sent respected Jewish elders (who went).The Roman’s love for the Jewish people is highlighted.Jesus is greeted by the Roman’s humility.The Roman declared faith in Jesus by expressing his understanding of Jesus’ authority (as one himself under authority). Question: Do we today fail to appreciate Jesus authority because we don’t experience authority in this way in our daily life? Jesus affirms the Roman (Gentile) faith, saying basically, “he gets it!”The slave is completely healed.
  • Jesus travels to Nain – heals the dead.NBD
    • They responded in fear.They called him a prophet. News of Jesus spread.
  • John the Baptist asked for confirmation that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
    • Jesus confirmed that he is the Messiah.
    • Jesus affirmed that John is fulfilling his prophesied role.
    • John’s greatness is affirmed, but clarified…human greatness can’t compare to Kingdom “lowliness.” Like the difference between Pee Wee Ball and Major Leagues.
    • Pharisees heard this…and chose not to repent. Jesus again calls them out.
      • they are indicted for rejecting the message of the Kingdom of God, presented both by Jesus and by John.
      • understated point: wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.
  • Jesus dined with a Pharisee(!), when a prostitute showed up, and made a scene.
    • Question: is this another setup (using her as a pawn).
    • Again, Jesus is criticized for not expelling her based on external considerations.
    • Jesus responds with a smack-down parable.
      • He tells the Pharisee her many sins are forgiven
      • More important, he turns and tells her she’s forgiven.
      • Because she’s forgiven, she can go in peace (with God!)
      • The Pharisees cannot reconcile what they’ve just observed. They don’t have room in their understanding for the Messiah to be God himself.
  • Jesus goes on tour (p. 22)!
    • women are included, mentioned by name. This is a big deal.
    • He teaches the parable of the soils…and tells everyone with ears to listen & understand.
    • He explains to followers that parables are meant to give insight to the followers and obscurity to the enemies.
    • He explains the parable, that there will be different people in the crowds who will hear and receive and respond differently.
    • Understated point: “So pay attention to how you hear.”
      • listen and you’ll learn
      • Don’t listen and you’ll not only not learn, but you’ll become more foolish.
  • Jesus explains that his family is not only blood kin…but all who hear and believe.
  • The Kingdom of God is the most inclusive community that ever has or ever will exist.
  • Jesus and crew cross Galilee. Meet the Gerasenes demoniac. He’s a mess.
  • He confronts Jesus, then demon complains, “Why are you interfering?”
    • Illustrates human/demonic interaction/turmoil.
  • Demons beg not to be tortured, thrown into bottomless pit.
    • They know it exists
    • They know it’s their destiny
  • Jesus sends them into the swine. They commit mass pig-suicide.
  • the people’s reaction is amazing, like not in a good way.
    • They see the demoniac clothed and sane at Jesus’ foot, and they are all afraid.
    • They begged Jesus to leave them.
Wait. What?
  • So he left them.
  • But he left behind this sane man who now went through the whole town with the message of deliverance from the Son of Man who had terrified them with his holy power (when they hadn’t been at all troubled by the man’s demonic possession/oppression).
  • The crowd back on the other side of the lake welcomed him.
  • Jairus, a Jewish synagogue leader, rushed to him because his 12-year old daughter was dying!
    • Crisis strips away religiosity.
  • Along the way, his hem is touched by a woman with a 12-year blood issue.
  • young v. old, Jew v. Gentile (speculation); clean v. unclean.
  • Touching Jesus hem healed the woman. He was aware.
  • She couldn’t hide. Jesus’ healing is a public testimony.
  • Her “interloping” couldn’t derail Jesus from his plan to heal the girl.
  • Jesus healed the woman of her blood issue. He healed the girl of death.
  • News of her death had already got out. So even though he instructed her parents to be chill…news still went viral.
I’m so hip in how I explained that
  • Jesus sent out the apostles to extend his ministry, advance his gospel. They did.
  • Herod Antipas was hearing the buzz….couldn’t make sense of it because he had already beheaded John the Baptist (and, by the way, nice passive sharing of *that* news. Yikes!)
  • Jesus was on the big wigs’ radars.
  • The Apostles returned. The crowd amassed. Jesus fed them. Miraculously.
  • Jesus asks the Apostles who they think he is.
    • Peter says definitively, “You are the Messiah sent from God.”
    • Jesus affirms it, then immediately foretells that his is going to be rejected and killed. Wow.
    • He tells them to take up their cross…this stood out to me. He hadn’t yet mentioned the cross, prophetically. Question: was this a retrofit colloquialism? or foreshadowing?
    • and tells them that a few of them will get a sneak peak of the Kingdom of God in short order.
  • 8 days later – so specific! James, John, Peter & Jesus on a mountain to pray…transfiguration occurred.
    • Moses appeared (representing the Law), Elijah too (representing the Prophets). They were glorious to see. This is their eternal reality, reflecting the glory of God.
    • They were talking with Jesus…relating with Jesus as friends!
    • When the Apostles woke, they saw Jesus in glorified appearance.
    • Peter throws out a bad idea. God shuts him down. Graciously, but still…
Peter’s second suggestion didn’t go over any better…
  • God appeared (in an encompassing cloud) and said, “Let’s let Jesus be the idea man of this group….”
  • The Apostles didn’t tell anyone at the time what they had seen. I can think of several reasons why this made sense for them not to do so.
  • A few days later, a troubled person came forward, saying his problem was too big for the Apostles.
  • Jesus was critical…revealing that the complaint said more about the complainer than it did about the Apostles.
  • Jesus healed the man anyway (showing that God’s healing is about faith in God…he wants us to have faith in him, and our faith in leaders should always be about trust in God working powerfully through our leaders, and not in the leader him/herself.)
  • This reading closes with Jesus announcing again he was about to be betrayed. They were afraid to press him on it, so instead started talking about which among them was the greatest.
  • Jesus course corrects them using a child as an object lesson…
  • understated point: the least among you is the greatest.
  • Jesus closes the exchange by telling Apostles not to be harsh with an “outsider” using Jesus name to do good work.
  • understated point: anyone not against you is for you.
  • <whew>

Immerse Day 1 Observations

Immerse is an 8-week (40 day) reading campaign, where we (our church) is encouraging everyone to read through the New Testament together. To date, we have approximately 3500 people who have expressed intent to participate.

Can’t promise I’ll be able to do this every day, but I’ll try to do so as often as I’m able…

Text: Luke 1:1-4:13 (Immerse introduction – p. 12)

  • Acts (to be addressed after Luke, paired with Luke’s Gospel in Immerse) reveals 6 barriers of Gospel advance (1 linguistic, 4 geographic, and 1 cultural).
  • “Many people” acknowledged by Luke wrote alternative accounts of the events detailed in his writing. These events were widely-known and reported. Luke himself undertook a thorough investigation, and his account is attested to be accurate.
  • His account was written so Theophilus could be certain that everything he had been taught was true.
  • Framing the events in the time of Herod was a time frame, a political frame, and a cultural frame.
  • Zechariah’s placement in the Temple was the result of casting lots. It seems random, but the events that unfold reveal that randomness is a phenomenon often attributed due to a lack of perspective.
  • Zechariah was a holy man. Righteous in God’s eyes. YET…he was shaken and overwhelmed with fear at the sight of Gabriel. We scarcely fathom the significance of holiness.
  • The Holy Spirit is mentioned…a lot…in these first pages. He is at work, a co-agent in the activity of the Lord.
  • John is revealed prenatally to be about the work of preparing people for the coming of the Lord….this work that would transform hearts and restore relationships is in harmony with the will of the Lord and the way of the Lord.
  • John, Gabriel promised, would be filled with the Holy Spirit for his task. John did nothing on his own, apart from or independent of God’s Holy Spirit.
  • Zechariah was more concerned about the birth of John than of the ministry or blessing of John. His response is judged as non-belief.
  • Gabriel recalibrates Zechariah…reminding the man of the angel’s proximity to and delegation by God…and of the certainty of what is prophesied.
  • Gabriel then visits Mary; her response is of confusion and disturbance. Yet, her response is not credited as disbelief. Perhaps a good explanation is that “opening the womb” was not unprecedented, while a virgin birth absolutely is.
  • When Mary visited Elizabeth, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and received divine insight to the nature and personhood of the baby in Mary’s womb. Mary’s response is fully of faith.
  • Zechariah and Elizabeth’s naming of John went against cultural expectation. John’s name (in Hebrew) means “God is gracious.” This man’s name was his message.
  • Zechariah, suddenly able to speak, prophesied about John. Interestingly, his prophecy focused primarily on Jesus, and only later on John’s role in preparing others for the Messiah.
  • The story transitions to the birth of Jesus. Shepherds are mentioned being “terrified” by the appearance of Gabriel. God’s holiness is unmatched in our human experience.
  • Jesus’ birth was received with great joy by Anna and Simeon…two people whose lives had been devoted to spiritual awareness.
  • Little is mentioned of Jesus’ youth/adolescence. This isn’t the stage of life that matters most…only a single anecdote to affirm that his attentions to God were consistent and increasing. He was unique.
  • Luke’s extensive list of Roman authorities and Jewish religious leaders offers a precise triangulation of the historicity of Jesus.
  • John (now an adult) is seen fulfilling the promises that had been foretold of him. Jesus inaugurates his ministry by being baptized. Not for need, but to exemplify the salvific nature of his ministry.
  • His genealogy offers a clear trail of his origins to Adam. Jesus is fully man.
  • This reading closes with Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, having been led by God (!) to it. He resists and overcomes his adversary solely through the power-filled Word of God. God’s truth overcomes all carnal assaults.