Acts 11-12, Psalm 150

Here is my belated reflection:

Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;
   praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
   praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
   praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
   praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
   praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord. (Psalm 150)

Acts 8-10

Here is a belated reflection:

Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon. (Acts 9:43)

The vision Peter has, recorded in the Bible's book of Acts, chapter 10, is foreshadowed by the verse above. Peter is staying with a leather-maker, a man who may become ritually unclean often by handling the carcasses and hides of dead animals (See Leviticus 11:24). Additionally, in some first century Jewish societies tanners are despised. In the words of the Talmud: "The world can exist neither without a perfume-maker nor without a tanner – happy is he whose craft is that of a perfume-maker, and woe to him who is a tanner by trade."

What is God's attitude toward those who do not or cannot obey all provisions found in the Law of Moses? Peter follows the leading of the Holy Spirit in this matter. May I do likewise.

Acts 6-7, Psalm 149

Here is my belated reflection:

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:59-60)

The last prayers of Stephen echo those of Jesus. From the cross of his crucifixion Jesus prays, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46) Here Stephen prays, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Also Jesus prays from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Here Stephen prays, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

I wonder how my last prayers may resemble those of Jesus and Stephen, or how they may not.  

Acts 4-5, Psalm 148

Here is my delayed reflection:

The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed. (Acts 5:12-16)

Signs, wonders, exorcisms, and healing of sick persons: These accompany the apostles in Jerusalem in the months that follow Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension. How is this possible? The apostles receive the Holy Spirit. (Acts 5:32) Their purpose and activity are from God. (Acts 5:39)

From whence does your purpose and activity come, reader?

Acts 1-3

Here is my belated reflection:

Shortly following Jesus' resurrection his disciples just don't "get it." I suspect they have their own prestige in mind. They may be dwelling on these words of Jesus:

"And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Luke 22:29-30)

So they do this:

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)

And later they do this:

So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:23-26)

Twelve apostles to judge the twelve tribes of Israel: Lord, have mercy!

John 20-21, Psalm 147

Here is my belated reflection:

And with that [Jesus] breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:22-23)

Forgiving sins is serious business. Not forgiving sins is very serious business. Is it any wonder that Jesus imparted the Holy Spirit to his followers before investing them with the responsibility for forgiving sins?

John 18-19, Psalms 145-146

(I have fallen far behind the reading schedule in this blog. Today, I post the reading assignments as blank blog posts. Later, I may publish reflections on the readings here. If you want to check back to see those reflections, then please do.)

Here is my "catch-up" reflection:

It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon.

“Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.

But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”

“Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked.

“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.

Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.
The Crucifixion of Jesus

So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.”

Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” (John 19:14-22)

There is no small irony here, namely that Pilate publishes Jesus Messiah's proper title, King of the Jews, while the leading priests reject that title. They give Jesus no title, no place. Their desire is to publish the claim they attribute to him. 

John 14-17

I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. (John 16:12-14)

Here Jesus says truth is uncovered progressively by God the Holy Spirit. Truth is revealed in the Bible, but there is more. Truth is seen in the world around us, but there is more. Truth is witnessed through the lives of great souls, but there is more. I expect to see more and more truth, as I live a Spirit-filled life, because of the promise above.

God is not finished with us yet.

John 12-13, Psalm 144

[Jesus says,] “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John‬ ‭12:27-32‬)

Jesus says he draws all people to himself. Who or what stands in the way? Who or what can resist?

John 10-11, Psalm 143

Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life. (John‬ ‭11:49-53‬)

I’m sensing a lot of possibilities in the verses above. Reader, pay attention! Caiaphas speaks as a prophet on this occasion, but does he speak as an authentic prophet of the Most High God? Or does he speak as a prophet only because it is expected of anyone holding the office of high priest? Are there other reasons John the gospel writer concludes, “He did not say this on his own...?”

If his is an authentic prophecy, then why do Caiaphas’ henchmen plot to end Jesus’ life? Is it merely to assure the “one man must die” part of Caiaphas’ prophecy? I’d sooner believe Caiaphas uttered a self-serving prophecy in order to eliminate the threat Jesus posed to the high priest’s position and power.

In any case I sense irony here, because when Jesus dies for the Jewish nation, for the scattered children of God, indeed, for all humankind, he brings us together as one. The oneness Jesus establishes just isn’t the kind of unity that kicks the Romans out of Jerusalem and gives the high priest even more power, recognition, and fortune.

John 8-9, Psalm 142

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:1-4)

I continue to contemplate the issues touched in this story. In Jesus' time some thought that every misfortune suffered by a human was the result of some kind of sin. Apparently this was the view of Jesus' disciples, hence their question: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

On one hand, I find Jesus' response comforting. He says that the man's blindness was not caused by sin. If I may generalize, then you and I need not endlessly scrutinize every misfortune of mine nor the mishaps of others, looking for the transgressions that supposedly caused our ill health, poverty, or calamity. Some stuff just happens, and it's up to us to take advantage of those opportunities to rely on God and to display God's working in us.

On the other hand, Jesus' response troubles me. Is he saying that God deliberately caused the man to be born blind, so that God would be glorified in the man? Generalizing, is it true that God is the specific cause of every human condition and that God therefore chooses misery for some, so that God's working in them can be put on display? I think not, and I will tell you why.

In my view God is not the specific cause of every human condition, but because of reasons beyond my comprehension, God does allow every circumstance in which humans choose to live or in which humans find themselves living. In point of fact some injuries are caused by misbehavior. Some calamities are the result of sins against humanity or sins against God. They are allowed by God, but not purposed by God.

Jesus is discouraging the fault-finding, blaming, and negative judgment espoused at first by his disciples. He is saying, in effect, "Give the guy a break! He's got a difficult life, as it is. As to his sinfulness or his parents' sinfulness, don't even go there."

At the same time Jesus is encouraging mercy, wholeness, gratitude, and repentance. He's saying that no matter the condition of another human being, God's grace and healing are available. He's saying that when the things of God are humbly received by anyone, then praise, worship, and thanksgiving redound to God. 

Where does repentance enter the picture? It is required of us who thought ill of the one receiving gifts from God, those of us who gossiped about him or her, who condemned her or his parentage, kinfolk, ethnicity, appearance, customs, etc.

John 6-7, Psalm 141

I call to you, LORD, come quickly to me;
   hear me when I call to you.

May my prayer be set before you like incense;
   may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
Set a guard over my mouth, LORD;
   keep watch over the door of my lips.
Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil
   so that I take part in wicked deeds
along with those who are evildoers;
   do not let me eat their delicacies. (Psalm 141:1-4)

Look how embodied David's prayer is: He calls with his voice. He lifts his hands up. He asks the LORD to guard his voice and his heart. He asks for protection against "eating" the wicked deeds of evildoers.

My prayer is often a prayer of my mind. Less often, it is a prayer of my heart. Embodied prayer? I seldom pray that way.

Why?

John 4-5, Psalm 140

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6)

What is your deepest need? You may have a longstanding need, similar to the thirty-eight-year-old need of the man who lay near the pool called Bethesda, or you may have only recently become aware of your need, deep and pressing upon you. Assess your feelings. Do you feel overwhelmed? Confident? Helpless? Some folks love a challenge. Maybe your deepest need makes you feel energized. Stay with your predominant feelings, allowing yourself to sense them in your heart, mind, and body. 

Now imagine Jesus coming to you in your deepest need. Imagine yourself telling Jesus how you feel. Imagine Jesus asking you, "Do you want your deepest need filled?"

How do you respond in your imagination?

Now, whether imagination has anything to do with it or not, how do you choose to be and what do you choose to do?

John 1-3, Psalm 139

How do I fall so far behind in my blogging? Oh well, here goes!

This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. (John 1:28)

I wonder where "Bethany on the other side of the Jordan" is. Here is one take, published by The Biblical Archaeology Society:

BAS News: Bethany beyond the Jordan

Luke 22-24

On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. (Luke‬ ‭22:40-43‬)

How is it that I skip over details? AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN APPEARED! Art has influenced me, I suppose. The depiction most familiar to me is this one:

Heinrich Hofmann - Public Domain

But there is this one, too:

Karl Bloch - Public Domain

Let’s see what happens, as I meditate on this...

Luke 20-21, Psalm 138

Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple. (Luke‬ ‭21:37-38‬)

Jesus is following a pattern of living he has established for the last chapter of his life. During the days, he is in the temple, surrounded by those who want to hear him. This makes me think of Jesus in his youth (See Luke 2:41-50), sitting among the rabbis and asking questions.

Jesus is easily found, for his chosen pattern puts him either in the temple or on the Mount of Olives, eastward across the Kidron Valley from the Temple Mount.

Luke 17-19, Psalm 137

Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst (or within you).” (Luke 17:20-21)

When will God's rule become the ruling power anywhere and/or everywhere on earth? It can't be seen, according to Jesus' word, and he tells us why. Depending on how the Greek words ἐντός ὑμῶν are translated, God's rule is either "within you" or "in your midst." 

If God's rule is "within," then it isn't seen by an outside observer. We can observe our own souls, in my opinion. Through a variety of spiritual disciplines we may explore the inner contours of our being, and we may come to know the reach of God's rule there. But to everyone else (with the possible exception of a trusted spiritual director) God's ruling within a person just can't be seen.

On the other hand, if God's rule is "in your midst," then perhaps Jesus is saying the kingdom of God is already in place. It's already right here, right now, and it simply isn't being discerned. The church teaches that Jesus is the first human being who fully follows God's will. So when is the kingdom of God coming? It is coming in the person of Jesus. He is bodily present in the midst of his first-century family, friends, followers, disciples, and others, and he is spiritually present in the midst of us today through his resurrection, ascension, and glory.

"In your midst" may be applied in a wider sense, also. It may be right here, right now, not only when Jesus fully follows God's will, but also when any of us momentarily follows God's will. You and I may not discern properly in every situation, but we may discern perfectly in some situation. We may not act in a godly way in every moment, but we may act in a godly way in some moment. In those certain situations and in those particular moments, God rules among us completely and wholly. It's just not 100% seen by everybody. 

Jesus seems to be saying to me, "Have faith. God rules in much more that you may know--within, around, above, below, behind, before, and throughout!"

Luke 15-16, Psalm 136

Psalm 136 begins:

     Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. (Psalms‬ ‭136:1‬)

And it ends:

     Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. (Psalms‬ ‭136:26‬)

“His love endures forever” is the refrain repeated in every verse of Psalm 136. The psalmist seems to view every attribute of God and every action of God as evidence of God’s constant, never-ending love. For that love, for each attribute, and for every one of God’s actions, the psalmist issues a call to gratitude: “Give thanks to the LORD.”

When we respond to God with love, showing gratitude for our Creator or loving our neighbors, as God loves, we are taking part in something eternal. We are co-creating the universe of love together with God, and that universe never ends. It goes on and on and on. There is no stopping it.

How cool is that?

Luke 12-14

Then [Jesus] told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’” (Luke 13:6-9)

In Luke's gospel this parable is told immediately following some conversation about two tragedies--one, the Galilean citizens whose blood Pilate had mixed with sacrifices, and the second, the victims of a tower's collapse at Siloam. If some supposed that these tragedies were brought about by extraordinary sinfulness, then Jesus attempted to dispel their speculations. They were no more sinful than others living in Jerusalem, according to him. Jesus says, in effect, that the appropriate response to news of any tragedy is the searching of one's own soul and repenting of one's own sin.

What's up with the parable of the barren fig tree, then? I believe it's the lesson of fruitfulness. The fig tree is allowed to grow as long as it bears fruit or as long as there is hope that it will bear fruit. Jesus may be saying that God has given us life, that the purpose of our living is to bear the fruit of godliness, and that the time period for bearing such fruit is limited. 

I hope Jesus is not threatening to foreshorten our lives for lack of fruitfulness, and I don't believe he is doing so. In my opinion he is simply pointing to humans' limited spans of life and encouraging us to make the most of our opportunities while we have the chance to do so.   

Luke 9-11

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him. (Luke‬ ‭9:7-9‬)

“And he tried to see him.” Throughout my years of Bible reading and study I have given little thought  to this sentence. Herod Antipas, Son of Herod the Great, tried to see Jesus, and the inference is that he did not or perhaps could not.

There is no small irony here. Herod the Great had tried to “worship” Jesus as a baby. (See the Bible’s book of Matthew, chapter 2.) But His informers, the Magi, returned to their homes in the East, taking the secret of the Christ Child’s location with them.

Now Herod the tetrarch, Herod the Great’s son, wants to see Jesus, indeed, tries to see Jesus. Why would Jesus grant Herod Antipas an audience? He had ordered the execution of John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin. So he threatened Jesus as a man just as his father had threatened Jesus as a baby.

The words of Jesus in the next chapter of Luke’s gospel certainly apply to both Herods:

     Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
     For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it,
     and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” (Luke‬ ‭10:23-24‬)

Luke 7-8, Psalms 134-135

Praise the LORD.

Praise the name of the LORD;
   praise him, you servants of the LORD,

you who minister in the house of the LORD,
   in the courts of the house of our God.

Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
   sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant. (Psalm 135:1-3)

How does one give praise to God? Through words written and spoken that acknowledge God highly, by singing favorable lyrics to God and about God, and with the living of one's life in a godly way--these are some ways of fulfilling the invitation given in the psalm above.

I'm not sure I talk enough about God, especially how God blesses and helps me. I sing to God, and I sing about God often, but who hears? Is my singing an appropriate form of praise when few people hear it? I believe I live life in a godly way, but do others recognize it? Do they discern my motive?

Praise, praise, praise to You, God Most High!

Luke 4-6

Dear reader, you are not the first one to quote scripture out of context. Witness the devil in Luke's gospel:

The devil led [Jesus] to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written:

   “‘He will command his angels concerning you
      to guard you carefully;
   they will lift you up in their hands,
      so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Luke 4:9-12)

When the devil says, "For it is written...," he begins to quote the Bible's book of Psalms, chapter 91, verses 11 and 12, which pertains to "whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High." Now Jesus qualifies for that title, as do others, but not in the sense that the devil has set up, namely, the purposeful attempt to destroy one's self in order to prove a point.

Jesus knows what the devil is doing, and he, too, can quote scripture, which he does in the last sentence of the scripture reading above. The quote, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test..." comes from Deuteronomy 6:16; and Jesus applies its wisdom in the widest sense.

Begone, devil!

Luke 1-3

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke‬ ‭3:21-22‬) Luke’s gospel follows Mark’s gospel in this respect. See Mark, chapter 1, verse 11.

According to Luke’s gospel, the voice from heaven at Jesus’ baptism communicates a personal message and perhaps a private one, also, “You are my Son...” (italics mine)

Matthew’s gospel puts it this way: “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’” (Matthew‬ ‭3:16-17‬, italics mine) The heavenly voice announces Jesus’ identity to others publicly, not as a personal communication with Jesus. The way Matthew records it, it feels to me as if the voice intends to convince the public of Jesus’ identity as God’s divine son or, at least, to convince Matthew’s readers of the same. Whether Jesus is convinced or not does not seem to be an issue for Matthew.

It feels to me as if Mark’s and Luke’s account of the event makes Jesus seem more human, as if Jesus may have doubted his identity and calling and so needed an encouraging word: “Yes, you are who I say you are. I call you out to be who you are and to do as I say.” Jesus’ identity as God’s divine son is clearly grounded in the heavenly communication, but Jesus, the human, is addressed at the same time.  

This scripture is encouraging to me, for I struggle with my identity at times, too. Who am I? At times I lose focus on my calling. How am I to be? What am I to do? In those times I can console myself with the knowledge that a voice from heaven spoke a reassuring word to Jesus, giving him the impetus to go forward with his life and ministry. God speaks to me, also, through Luke’s gospel: “You are my beloved son, Roger. You please me well.”

Today, I thank God for all of the people who have encouraged me from time to time, saying things such as this: “You are a good man,” “God has a plan for you,” “You did that well,” or even, “You will do better than that!” God speaks to me through you.

I feel very blessed indeed.

Mark 15-16, Psalms 132-133

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalms‬ ‭133:1‬)

So what is it when God’s people quarrel or divide? Good, bad, or neutral? Unpleasant, pleasant, or neither? Of what does togetherness consist? How is unity fostered?

Mark 13-14, Psalms 130-131

My heart is not proud, Lord,
   my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
   or things too wonderful for me.

But I have calmed and quieted myself,
   I am like a weaned child with its mother;
   like a weaned child I am content. (Psalm 131:1-2)

Humility: I'm not sure I've yielded to the virtue of humility, letting go of pride, looking up instead of down, or choosing interests other than interest in the lifestyles of the rich and famous. I'm working on it, practicing mindfulness, embracing the peace beyond understanding that God gives, diving into solitude, and just being.

Meditating on Psalm 131 helps.

Mark 10-12

Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

“What did Moses command you?” he replied.

They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”

“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” (Mark 10:2-12)

Here Mark's gospel displays a set of concerns over divorce that differ from the concerns of Matthew's gospel and Luke's gospel. According to Mark's gospel, Jesus allows no grounds for divorce and remarriage. If a man divorces his wife and remarries, then he is guilty of adultery. Likewise, if a woman divorces and remarries, she is guilty of adultery.

According to Matthew's gospel, Jesus puts it this way: “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (Matthew 5:31-32)

In this teaching a man is given one valid excuse for divorcing his wife. If she has been unfaithful sexually, then he may divorce her. If he divorces her for any other reason, then he "makes her the victim of adultery." He becomes the root cause of her guilt. It is noteworthy that nothing else is said of his guilt.

Nothing is said about remarriage for the man who has divorced due to his first wife's sexual immorality. May he marry again or not? 

What about the wife whose husband has been unfaithful sexually? Is she given a valid excuse for divorcing him? May she remarry without guilt? Matthew's gospel doesn't say, but it does say that anyone who marries a divorced woman carries the guilt of adultery.

Luke's gospel tells it this way: [Jesus says,] "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery." (Luke 16:18)

Luke's gospel records only Jesus' concern for the man who divorces and remarries or who marries a divorced woman. That man bears the guilt of adultery. Nothing is recorded concerning the woman whether single, married, divorced, or divorced and remarried.

It seems the early church felt conflicted over the issues of marriage, divorce, and remarriage, as is reflected in the teachings recorded in the gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke. I think conflicted feelings will persist in the church as long as people are marrying, divorcing, and remarrying.

Mark 7-9

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.” (Mark 8:22-26)

Have you ever been criticized for taking too many tries to achieve a goal? Then here is a story for you: Mark 8:22-26. On his first try Jesus heals a man of his blindness, only the man doesn't have 20-20 vision. The people the man sees look like trees instead of humans. Jesus tries again; and the man's vision is completely restored. 

Even Jesus gets a "do over." Why shouldn't you?  

Mark 4-6

Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. (Mark 6:1-6)

If you were a country music performer, then...

If you were a college football coach, then...

If you were a United States president, then...

But if you were a prophet, then not so much, not according to Jesus, anyway. Your town didn't want you. Your relatives didn't care about you, and those in your own home rejected you. Since Jesus knew this and said so, it's curious to me that Mark reports on Jesus' reaction: "He was amazed at their lack of faith."

Mark 1-3

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. (Mark 1:21-26,32-34)

It's a little mysterious to me how demons know Jesus' identity and why Jesus prevents demons from speaking for that reason. Maybe he is teaching his followers something. Perhaps he is hoping to prolong his preaching and healing ministries, because the sooner he is publicly identified as Messiah, the sooner he will be opposed by the political and religious "establishment."

When the time is right Jesus accepts that his followers identify him as Messiah, reference Peter's claim, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." (Matthew 16:16) For whatever reason here he is not ready for demons to reveal that information.

Matthew 26-28

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. (Matthew 28:16-17)

After Jesus was put to death he came back into life, according to Matthew's Gospel. He appeared to some of his female followers and told them to relay a message to the men who followed him, saying, "Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Per the two verses of scripture above the eleven disciples did as they were told. They went to Galilee. They saw Jesus. They worshiped him; but some doubted.

I feel that if the original eleven disciples had second thoughts about their faith in Christ Jesus, then my having doubts from time to time puts me in their company. Who doesn't doubt? Answer: The one who never believed in the first place!

Matthew 24-25, Psalm 128-129

[Jesus says,] “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,but only the Father." (Matthew 24:36)

This is the reason I choose to suspend judgment concerning the timing of the Day of the Lord: No one knows, not even Jesus. If I knew, then it's likely I would delay my personal preparation until the evening before the Day of the Lord. As it is, I am inclined to make my personal preparation every single day. And I believe Jesus wants it this way--followers in continual preparation for his second coming!

Matthew 21-23

[Jesus says,] “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 23:8-12)

I teach, and some call me teacher. My wife and I have grown sons, and they call me, "Dad." I serve, and some serve me. I hope and pray not to build myself up in order to be acknowledged by others. I hope and pray to humble myself in obedience to Jesus' teaching here. Sometimes, I yield. Sometimes, I do not. Lord, have mercy on me.

Matthew 18-20

Be humble!

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. (Matthew 18:2-5)

Be humble!

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. (Matthew 19:13-15)

Be humble!

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. (Matthew 19:28-30)

Be humble!

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

“About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.

“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

“‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

“The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:1-16)

Be humble!

Matthew 15-17

Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. (Matthew 15:21-28)

This is a difficult story to process, but here is my thought for today: Jesus thought his mission was to marginalized Jews, "the lost sheep of Israel," but he learns a new thought through the faith of the Canaanite woman. From this point forward Jesus understands that his mission is not only to marginalized Jews, but also to gentiles, that is, non-Jewish persons.

Jesus is the incarnation of God, but he doesn't know everything there is to know. He is teachable. He learns. He knows more about himself and more about his mission after he encounters this persistent "foreign" woman.