Death

Readings for today: Matthew 27:32-66, Mark 15:21-47, Luke 23:26-56, John 19:17-42, Psalms 22

A professor of mine in seminary once shared a story with us about a Bible study he led on the Gospel of Matthew. For many months, they walked through the gospel verse by verse. Most of the people in the room were adults who came eager to learn but there was one young teenager who basically fell asleep each class. His mom made him come each week so he would slouch in his chair in the back of the class totally disengaged. Or so it appeared. As they neared the end of the class, my professor was describing what happened at the death of Jesus. In particular, he wanted to know what people thought the significance was of the Temple curtain ripping in two. Most of the discussion centered on the traditional interpretation that the death of Jesus gives us free access to God. It was at this point that my professor noticed the young man sitting up in his chair with his hand raised. He called on him and asked him what he thought. The young man said, “I think you have it all wrong. I think the Temple curtain tearing in two means God now has free access to us. All the barriers have come down. God’s now on the loose...and the world will never be the same.” Amazing. 

The death of Jesus changes everything. Not only is the Temple curtain torn in two but the earth itself shakes. Rocks shatter. The sun goes dark. Tombs open. The dead rise. The natural order of things is turned upside down. Things will never again be the same. And this makes perfect sense when one steps back to think about it. The death of Jesus represents the final payment for human sin. Jesus made atonement for the sins of the entire world according to 1 John 2:2. His suffering satisfies the wrath and judgment of God that had been building since the Fall. Now that the perfect Lamb of God was slain, a new situation is created. A new opportunity. A new creation. With the advent of the new creation, we should expect the old creation to react violently as it enters its death throes. Thus, the signs and wonders that accompany Jesus’ last breath. 

What is our response to the universe-altering, world-changing, history-transforming death of Jesus? Hopefully we, like the Roman centurion, respond in faith. “Truly this was the Son of God!” We look in awe and wonder at what God has done. The Creator dying for His creation. The Lord giving up His very life for His servants. God sacrificing everything to save those whom He so dearly loves.  

Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21

Politics

Readings for today: Matthew 27:1-31, Mark 15:1-20, Luke 23:1-25, John 18:28-40, 19:1-16

Anyone who suggests Jesus isn’t political hasn’t read the Gospels. An illegitimate trial by religious authorities under the cover of darkness. An illegal sentence of death for a religious crime. Delivering Jesus to Pilate for judgment. Pilate’s appeal to the crowd to set Him free on Passover. Pilate’s attempt to shift jurisdiction to Herod. Pilate’s many attempts to avoid sentencing Jesus on trumped up charges. Pilate’s caving under the political pressure once Caesar’s name was invoked. It all reeks of politics of the worst kind.

How does Jesus respond? Does He defend Himself? Does He call on His followers to rise up? Does He rage against the injustice of it all? No. In fact, when directly asked by Pilate if He is the King of the Jews, Jesus essentially replies, “Those are your words not mine.” When directly confronted on the many false charges brought against Him, Jesus chooses to say nothing. When Herod questions Him and demands He perform miracles to entertain him, Jesus again stands silent. The only answer Jesus gives is recorded in the Gospel of John. He says, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jewish authorities. But my kingdom is not from this world.” (John 18:36 CSB) This is a clear political statement. Jesus is claiming to represent a kingdom much greater and much more powerful than any kingdom in this world. Greater than Herod’s kingdom. Greater than Pilate’s kingdom. Greater than even Caesar’s kingdom. None of them have any authority over Him except that which has been given to them by the One Jesus came to represent.

Jesus’ example is instructive for us. Jesus never withdraws from the world. He never goes off into the desert to hide or to create an alternative society like the Essenes or the later monastic Christians. Jesus never seeks to dominate the kingdoms of this world. He never seeks to overthrow Herod or Pilate or Caesar. In fact, you will be hard pressed to find any criticism of any worldly authorities coming from Him. It’s not that there wasn’t injustice or corruption in Jesus’ day…quite the opposite actually…it’s just that Jesus never placed any stock in the reformation of the kingdoms of this world. He knew He was here to represent a different kingdom altogether. The same is true for us. To live in the world but not be of the world. To live and love and serve under the authorities of the kingdoms of this world while representing a different kingdom altogether. A greater kingdom. An eternal kingdom. A heavenly kingdom.

Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 27:32-66, Mark 15:21-47, Luke 23:26-56, John 19:17-42, Psalms 22

Humanity

Readings for today: Matthew 26:36-75, Mark 14:32-72, Luke 22:39-71, John 18:1-27

There is nothing more revealing about the humanity of Jesus than His time in the Garden of Gethsemane. Sorrowful and troubled. His soul in great distress. In agony, He weeps. His anxiety is so high, He sweats great drops of blood. Some theologians speculate that what Jesus was experiencing in this moment was the withdrawal of the Holy Spirit. The withdrawal of the Father’s abiding presence as He begins to take on His shoulders the full weight of human sin. The dark reality of what He is about to suffer hits Him with full force. He begs the Father to take the cup away. But the Father is committed to this course of action. The Cross awaits the Messiah. 

The disciples flee. All their hopes are dashed as Jesus commands them to put away their swords. Their secret dreams of an uprising that would overthrow the Romans and re-establish the Kingdom of God on earth come to an end when Jesus heals the wounded soldier. One can imagine their bitter disappointment when Jesus doesn’t call on legions of angels to fight at His side. So they abandon Him. They finally see where all this headed and it doesn’t look good. 

But Peter isn’t quite ready to give up. He follows at a distance. Maybe waiting for an 11th hour miracle that would justify the last three years of his life. Has it all been a waste? Have all the sacrifices he’s made been for naught? Leaving his business? His home? His family? So he sits in the courtyard of the high priest hoping to hear news of the verdict. A servant girls sees him. He denies knowing Jesus and gruffly moves away to the entrance. She follows. Again, he denies knowing Jesus. A crowd has now gathered. Finally, he lets out a curse and swears he has never been with the man. In that moment, Jesus turns and looks at him. Peter sees His Lord on His knees being brutally beaten by the Romans. The religious elite jeering and cursing and spitting on Him. Peter is utterly broken. This is really happening. All hope is truly lost. 

I’ve often wondered what Jesus must have felt in that moment as well. His most faithful disciple. The one He loved perhaps more than any of the others. The man He had poured so much of His life into over the last three years abandoning Him. Betraying Him. Denying Him. Though expected, it must have cut Him deeply. Jesus is now truly all alone. His followers are all gone. The Spirit has withdrawn His presence. The angels are no longer at His side. He must face His suffering alone. He has been forsaken. And this is just the beginning. It is the Father’s will that He drink this cup to its dregs in order to save us from our sins.  

“Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters  pertaining to God, to make atonement, for the sins of the people. For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted…Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede  for them.” (Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬-‭18, 7:25‬ ‭CSB)‬‬

Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 27:1-31, Mark 15:1-20, Luke 23:1-25, John 18:28-40, 19:1-16

History

Readings for today: Matthew 26:1-5, 14-35, Mark 14:1-2, 10-31, Luke 22:1-38, John 13

For me, one of the most powerful places to visit in the Holy Land is the Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu. Located outside the Old City of Jerusalem on the eastern slope of Mount Zion, it is built over the site of the home of Caiaphas, the high priest. It is built on multiple levels and the lowest level includes a stone cellar where it is highly likely Jesus spent the night after his trial. I remember descending the stairs down into the cellar, standing where Jesus Himself potentially stood, and praying a Psalm of Lament Jesus potentially prayed. It was one of the most moving experiences of my life. Then I ascended the stairs out of the cellar that empty into a courtyard. The same courtyard mentioned in our reading for today. The same courtyard where the chief priests and elders of the people gathered to decide Jesus’ fate. The same courtyard where Peter would deny his Lord. Again, I was moved to tears taking it all in.

The events we are reading are not legends or myths or stories made up by the disciples. They are real events that took place within real history. Humanity putting God on trial. Humanity conspiring against God to arrest Him, betray Him, and ultimately kill Him. Humanity doing exactly what Jesus Himself predicted. Killing the Son of God, the rightful Heir to all creation, in order to try to steal His inheritance. It reminds us that sin not only leads to brokenness but open rebellion. We are guilty not just of poor judgment and bad decisions but of sedition and treason.

Another important aspect to this story is the timing of when it takes place. It happens during the Festival of Unleavened Bread, right before the Passover. Jesus sets a table for Himself and His disciples to celebrate the annual feast. However, He switches things up and infuses the meal with new meaning by talking about His body and His blood. Given and shed for the forgiveness of sins. Offered as a sacrifice in order to save humanity from the power of sin and death. The disciples don’t really understand what He’s talking about. He talks about them all falling away and one of them betraying Him but they don’t really get it. Jesus is prepping them for what’s to come. Even giving them a new commandment to serve one another in the days and years ahead.

What do we take away from our reading today? Hopefully, the reality of what Jesus did for us is begins to sink in. The depth of our rebellion swallowed by the even greater depths of His grace. The extent of our pride and arrogance and hunger for power exceeded by the even greater reach of His love. The brokenness of sin in our lives made whole by His sacrifice on the cross in our place. It’s the greatest story ever told. The greatest act ever performed. The greatest event in world history. And He did it for you. He did it for me. Praise Jesus!

Readings for tomorrow: John 14-17

The End

Readings for today: Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21:5-38

Today Jesus gives us a reality check. In this world, we will suffer. There will be trials. There will be tribulation. Our culture will reject God. Nations will defy God. Kings and rulers and authorities. Presidents and Congressional representatives and Supreme Court Justices will go their own way and do what is right in their own eyes. There will be wars. Violence. Natural disasters on a devastating scale. Drought. Famine. Disease will afflict so many. People will love injustice. People will love ungodliness. People will chase unrighteousness. They will call good “evil” and evil “good.” And these are just the beginning of the birth pangs of the new age.

In this confusing time, many will claim to speak for Jesus. They will claim to speak for God. They will push their own agendas. They will offer up their own ideas in place of God. They will promote selfishness and pride and narcissism. They will promote unrighteousness and lawlessness and unfettered freedom. They will be grifters who use the gospel to turn a profit. But they will sound so good that many will be led astray.

There will be abominations of desolation. Incredible acts of self-worship and idolatry that would make the ancient Canaanites blush. Worship will grow cold. Honoring God will become rare as people choose to do what feels good or what seems right in their own eyes. It will be like the days leading up to Noah. The days when the Judges reigned in Israel. Hatred. Rage. Violence. Pain. Suffering. All will become the norm as the world rebels against the authority of God.

Any of this sound familiar? Any of this feel familiar? What’s a Christian to do in the midst of it all? Endure to the end. Persevere in their faith. Cling to Jesus. The world will hate us. The world will seek to destroy us. The world will persecute us. Throw us into prison. Torture us and even kill us. They will restrict our rights. They will label preaching the gospel “hate speech.” They will make faithfulness to the law of God a hate crime. They will drag us into courts. They will put us on trial. They will do all they can to force us to abandon our faith. I’ve seen it happen in some of the places I’ve been around the world and I’m seeing signs of it starting to happen here at home. It shouldn’t surprise me. Jesus promises things will get so bad that if they weren’t cut short – if God somehow delayed His return – no one would be saved.

But make no mistake…God will return! Things will get so bad even nature itself will feel the effect. The sun will darken. The moon refuse to shine. It will seem like the stars have fallen out of the sky. And just when it seems like we cannot go on, Jesus will appear. He will come on the clouds with great glory and power! A trumpet will sound and the angels will gather His family from the four corners of the earth. We do not know exactly when this day will come but we know it draws ever closer. Seemingly with every single breaking news story! Climate change. Political corruption. Violence and hatred. Economic upheaval globally. The world seemingly stands on the brink.

So again, what’s a Christian to do? Stay wise. Be prepared. Make sure we stay about the work God has assigned to us. Caring for the least among us. The hungry and thirsty. The naked and ashamed. The sick and imprisoned. As we care for them, we care for Jesus. Seek the lost. Fulfill the Great Commission. Take the gospel to every tribe, tongue, and nation in the world. This is the work the Master has assigned to us and when He comes again, may He find us faithful!

Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 26:1-5, 14-35, Mark 14:1-2, 10-31, Luke 22:1-38, John 13

Traps

Readings for today: Matthew 22:15-46, 23:1-39, Mark 12:13-44, Luke 20:19-47, 21:1-4, 13:31-35

Let me start by saying God welcomes honest, heart-felt questions. God loves nothing more than comforting His people when they come before Him confused and hurting. Struggling to understand. Trying to make sense of life and tragedy and suffering. He understands our doubts and fears. He can handle our anger and frustration. When we are honestly seeking Him. Honestly asking Him. Honestly and transparently and vulnerably bringing all our insecurities before Him, He gently gathers us in His arms and lets us know it will be okay. He is with us. He is here for us. He will never leave us or forsake us.

However, if we set out to test God. If we set out to put Him on the witness stand and demand He answer to our notions of right and wrong, good and evil. If we try to put Him on trial and require Him to conform to our standards of justice. If we doubt His goodness and holiness and righteousness. If we press Him and try to discredit Him. If we approach God, trying to trap Him as the religious leaders of Jesus’ day did, we are playing a very dangerous game. One that places our eternity at risk.

The religious rulers of the day had no interest in following Jesus. Their only aim was to discredit Him before the eyes of the people. They were seeking to trip Him up with their questions. They wanted to make a public spectacle of Him. Humiliate Him in the eyes of the people. Stamp out His ministry and movement and send Him back to Nazareth in disgrace. Their questions are designed to get Him in trouble politically – “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Their questions serve as impossible riddles – “A woman married seven times goes to heaven…whose wife will she be?” Their questions present logical impossibilities – “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” But Jesus is not limited to human understanding. His answers reveal a divine wisdom that silences those who would seek to destroy Him.

It’s sobering to say the least. And it forces us to engage in honest self-reflection. What lies at the heart of our questions? An honest desire to understand or a selfish desire to justify our actions? A tender insecurity for which we need God’s comfort or an arrogant desire to go our own way and do our own thing? A doubt or a fear that keeps us from experiencing the peace that passes all understanding or a sinful desire to cling to an idol in our lives?

Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21:5-38

Authority

Readings for today: Matthew 21:23-46, 22:1-14, Mark 11:27-33, 12:1-12, Luke 20:1-18, John 12:37-50

Imagine how you would feel if someone lived in your home and trashed the place. I have a good friend who owns a rental house in the Denver area. Several years ago, a tenant used his house to grow weed and cook meth. After going to court to get his tenant evicted, my friend had to gut the house and start over. It cost him thousands of dollars not to mention the time and effort he had to put in to get his house back in working order so it could be rented again. Now put yourself in Jesus’ sandals. The people you’ve entrusted your home to have trashed the place. They have turned it into a den of robbers. Exploiting the pilgrims who come for Passover each year. They make hefty profits by price gouging the people, especially the poor. So He makes a whip of cords and drives them out. He turns over the tables and throws them out. Do you understand now why Jesus is so upset? Zeal for His own home has consumed Him and He will do whatever it takes to restore His house to its former glory.

All four Gospels tell the story of Jesus cleansing the Temple. And it is that particular action that prompts the question that begins today’s reading. “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority?” Jesus responds in typical fashion. He answers their question with a question of His own and when they fail to answer, He tells them a parable. He talks about a landowner who plants a vineyard and then rents it out to tenants. When the time came for the harvest, the tenants didn’t want to give up the produce. Instead, they attacked the landowner’s servants. Beating them. Stoning them. Killing them. So the landowner sends his son to assert his rightful authority over the vineyard. But rather than submit to him, the tenants seize him and put him to death in hopes of stealing his inheritance. This begs the question, “What will the landowner do to these tenants?” The answer, of course, is destroy them and lease his land to others.

The point Jesus is making could not be more clear. Jesus is claiming rightful authority over the Temple. But not just the Temple. He is claiming authority over all of Israel - God’s vineyard. He is making it clear to the religious leaders - the tenants - that their stewardship of God’s people has come to an end. His house shall be a house of prayer. A hospital for healing. A sanctuary for praise. And how do the religious leaders respond? Exactly the way Jesus predicted they would. They look for an opportune time to arrest Him. Try Him. Sentence Him. Execute Him. They cast Him out of His own vineyard and put Him to death, hoping to remain in power. But God flips the script on them. He raises His Son from the dead. He uses the Romans to destroy Jerusalem and the Temple, take away the power of the religious authorities, and He gives it to those who will bear the fruit of His Kingdom. “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruit.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭43‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 22:15-46, 23:1-39, Mark 12:13-44, Luke 20:19-47, 21:1-4, 13:31-35

Hope for the World

Readings for today: Matthew 21:1-22, 26:6-13, Mark 11:1-26, 14:3-9, Luke 19:28-48, John 2:13-25, 11:55-57, 12:1-36

“What has Athens got to do with Jerusalem?” So spoke an early church father by the name of Tertullian. The point he was trying to make is what relationship and/or influence should the world have on our faith? Athens represented the best of pagan philosophy. Jerusalem represented divine revelation. While there is always cultural pressure to conform to the ways of this world, Christians must resist such temptations and instead remember they have been transformed in their thinking and acting by the Holy Spirit. This sets us apart in the world. It makes us different. For our primary citizenship is in the kingdom of heaven, not any earthly kingdom, and our primary allegiance is given to Jesus, not any earthly king. This isn’t an easy line to walk, of course. Many Christians throughout history and even in contemporary society today blur the distinctions between the two. They believe our calling is to align with one political party over another and they try to co-opt Jesus for their own partisan ends.

Remarkably, Jesus and the early Christians didn’t have much to say about the politicians of their day. You never hear a word criticizing Caesar or Pontius Pilate. You barely hear a peep about Herod himself. Certainly each of these men were brutal and corrupt tyrants. They were violent and vengeful and used their authority to enrich and indulge themselves in every way possible. So why doesn’t Jesus speak up? Speak out? Lead a protest movement against them? Jesus seems to save his ire for the religious leaders of his day. He calls them out to be sure but at the same time, he eats with them in their homes. He engages them over and over again in dialogue. He gives them plenty of opportunity to respond to His message. Yes, Jesus does turn over tables in the Temple courts. But that’s not a political act so much as a religious one. The Bible is clear about Jesus’ motivations. The Temple should be a place of prayer not exploitative commerce.

So what do we learn from Jesus’ example? Should we just withdraw from the world? No longer engage in civic discourse, debate, or exercise our responsibility to vote? Some Christians have made that argument. Should we go the opposite direction and engage as fully as possible with the hope we can gain control of the levers of political and cultural power and enforce a Christian worldview on the nation? Some Christians have made that argument. I believe the answer lies not in a “middle way” or a “third way” but a completely different way altogether. I believe what Jesus proposes is the only way. “The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John‬ ‭12‬:‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬) To put it another way, we must live in this world but not be of this world. We must pray for this world but not place our trust in this world. We must serve this world but not fall into the trap of believing we can transform this world. It is Jesus who will bring about the new heavens and the new earth, not us. It is Jesus who will bring the New Jerusalem to earth, not us. It is Jesus who will bring about a reign of righteousness and peace, not us. We must pray. We must preach. We must serve. We must love. And hopefully the world takes notice and listens but we must always remember our world lives under the tyranny of sin and it’s only hope is Jesus.

Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 21:23-46, 22:1-14, Mark 11:27-33, 12:1-12, Luke 20:1-18, John 12:37-50

Grace

Readings for today: Matthew 20, Mark 10:32-52, Luke 18:31-43, 19:1-27

The story Jesus tells about the workers in the vineyard always hits me hard. Day laborers are hired to work in a vineyard. They are hired in waves. Some at first light. Others mid-morning. Some come at lunchtime. Others mid-afternoon. Finally, there are those who arrive an hour before closing time. Each and every one receives the same wage. If you are like me, you probably feel the Master is being unfair, perhaps even exploitative, especially towards those who’ve been working all day. This isn’t equal pay for equal work and those who put in more hours deserve higher pay. It just goes to show how little we understand the ethics of God’s Kingdom.

Our problem is that we tend to think “transactionally.” This is a natural consequence of growing up in a capitalist system. We work hard so we can earn a paycheck. We use our paycheck to pay the bills that fund our lifestyle. If I want more, I work harder. If I want to enjoy the finer things of life, I get more education, work my way up the corporate ladder, always on the lookout for the better deal. Sadly, we approach relationships the same way. You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. You do for me and I will do for you. I’ll hold up my end of the deal as long as you hold up your end. As soon as one party reneges on the agreement or doesn’t fulfill their obligations, we are free to terminate the arrangement and move on. This happens in marriages. Families. Friendships. Business partnerships. Churches. Even our relationship with God.

Jesus wants us to grasp the wideness of God’s mercy. The abundance of God’s generosity. The radical nature of God’s amazing grace. Our relationship with God is not based on works but purely on grace. Whether we come to faith as a young child or on our deathbed, God gives us the same gift of eternal life. Whether we live a life of full devotion to God or we struggle to remain faithful along the way, God mercifully and graciously prepares a place for us. This is why Jesus is so appealing to tax collectors and sinners, prostitutes and beggars, the lame and the lepers. They all know they have nothing to offer God and have no expectation of being invited to be part of God’s Kingdom. It’s much different for those of us who are successful and wealthy, healthy and strong, popular and famous. We believe we’ve done well and have rightfully earned our spot in God’s Kingdom.

So I want to challenge you pray a simple prayer. Pray it as often as possible until it you believe it. “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Every single human being – no matter their position or the number of their possessions – is a sinner. Utterly guilty of breaking God’s perfect Law. We rightfully deserve God’s judgment and our only hope is a divine pardon. Thankfully, God promises to show mercy to all who humble themselves before Him. I encourage you to cry out like the blind beggars of Jericho today and receive the mercy of Jesus as He heals your heart and makes you whole.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Radical Generosity

Readings for today: Matthew 19, Mark 10:1-31, Luke 16-17, 18:1-30

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬)‬

Honestly, I think this is one of the most difficult passages in all the Scriptures. Why? Because I am rich. By the world’s standards. By historical standards. I am one of the richest people to have ever lived on the face of the earth. I am not only in the top 1% but am in the top tenth of a percent of the wealthiest people to have ever walked the planet. Frankly, so is anyone who lives a middle class lifestyle in modern day America. So when Jesus says it is harder for a person like me to enter the kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, it is terrifying. It sounds impossible.

So what’s a person like me to do? Where can I find hope? First and foremost, I find hope in Mark’s version of the story because he includes this wonderful little nugget in verse 21. “And Jesus, looking at him, loved him…” Jesus loved the rich young ruler. He had compassion on the man. He saw the internal struggle in his eyes. Saw how much he wanted to please God and yet saw the hold his riches had over him. He knows how tempting it is for us to love money. He knows how easy it is for us to place our trust in our wealth. Jesus knows the fears and anxieties we feel every time the stock market drops or our savings diminish or our credit card bills go up. And Jesus wants to save us from it all. Jesus doesn’t hate rich people. The accumulation of wealth is not, in itself, a barrier to God’s love. And for that I am thankful.

Second, Jesus gives me a practical way forward. "Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." The path Jesus offers is the path of generosity. He calls me to give as much as I can away to those who are less fortunate. He calls me to use my wealth to bless others. He calls me to invest the resources He has entrusted into my hands into His Kingdom so it can advance around the world. In this way, I protect my heart from the sin of falling in love with money. Trusting my riches. I cannot serve both God and money so I need to make a choice and I need to make this choice every single day because I live in constant temptation. Loving money more than God puts me in real spiritual danger so heeding Jesus’ command here is vital.

Third, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." God is mighty to save. The least. The lost. The rich. The poor. The powerful. There is no one who stands beyond the reach of His grace. Salvation ultimately is not be determined by the amount of money I give but by the grace that is given freely to me in Jesus Christ.

Finally, I need to take these words of Jesus to heart. Let them re-orient my desires. Let them re-order my priorities. Let them re-define success and achievement in my life. “But many who are first will be last, and the last first." Many years ago, I suffered a massive failure. Professionally. Personally. It was traumatic. It almost cost me my marriage and my ministry. Thankfully, God used the trauma of that experience to strip my life down to the studs. The result was a brand new outlook. A deep awareness of my own weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Love of money is one of those. So is success. As a result, I felt God calling me to never ask for another raise and never seek another position professionally but instead to walk with open hands, trusting Him to take care of me. Over the last fifteen years, God has more than delivered on His promises. My life has been enriched in every way imaginable. And I have learned to live in the overwhelming abundance of His grace.

Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 20, Mark 10:32-52, Luke 18:31-43, 19:1-27

Mountaintops

Readings for today: Matthew 17-18, Mark 9:2-50, Luke 9:28-56

I love “mountaintop” experiences. Whether I am literally standing on top of the one of many 14,000 foot mountains in Colorado or I am having a powerful experience with the Lord on a retreat or on one of the many mission trips I go on to Eastern Africa each year as I seek to serve the Lord. When I’m having those experiences, my first instinct is to react like the disciples did when they stood on the mountain and saw Jesus transfigured before them. Let’s build shelters and hang out here! Let’s do all we can to remain in the presence of the Lord! Let’s hold on with all our might to what we’ve seen and experienced! But Jesus is quick to remind me, just as He was quick to remind Peter, James, and John, that real life and real ministry happens in the valley. God gives us the mountaintop experiences to inspire us and equip us and strengthen us for the work He’s called us to do once we head down the mountain and back into the everyday.

I’ve always found it fascinating and convicting to pay close attention to what happens when Jesus and his disciples come down from the mountain. They are immediately confronted with the needs and demands of the people who were following them. A man whose son needed freedom from demonic possession. Challenges from the tax collectors in Capernaum. Rivalries within their own ranks over who is the greatest. And most of all, Jesus Himself talking openly and specifically about his suffering and murder at the hands of the Roman and religious authorities. It must have been tough to take it all in. Especially after their experience seeing Jesus in glory talking with Moses and Elijah. But through it all, Jesus is teaching them what it means to serve and follow Him.

The same is true for us. I imagine most of us can think of “mountaintop” experiences we’ve had in life. Moments where the veil between this world and the world to come grew thin and we felt the presence of the Lord in a powerful way. Those are wonderful moments. Moments to treasure up in your heart. But they are not the “end” in themselves. They are the “means” by which God refuels us for His mission in the world. From eternity, God has been on a mission to save and rescue the lost. It’s why Jesus tells His disciples the Parable of the Lost Sheep. God desires all to be saved and come to the knowledge of His truth and He will not rest until every single one of His sheep has had a chance to hear and receive the gospel. This is the work He’s called us to do and it happens not on the mountain but in the valleys of life.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Rock

Readings for today: Matthew 16, Mark 8:11-38, 9:1, Luke 9:18-27

For the past two weeks, I’ve been preaching to indigenous church planters in South Sudan and Northern Uganda. These courageous men and women are planting churches in villages all over East Africa. They only go where the gospel has not yet been heard. They take nothing with them except the clothes on their backs and maybe a Bible. They have little to no relational connections to depend on. They simply show up. Start preaching. And God does the rest. Why do they go? Why do they risk their lives? Why do they sacrifice everything for the sake of this mission? Simply put, they trust Jesus. They trust the promise Jesus gives us in Matthew 16:18 CSB when He says, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

Jesus is building His church. He is the architect and He holds the master plan. He is the general contractor who is gathering together all the materials. He is the laborer who actually puts all the pieces and parts together. His goal is to create a community to call His own. To call out from the world a family who will bear His name. Through the church, Jesus is fulfilling the ancient promise of God. “I will be there God and they will be my people.” It’s one of the earliest promises God makes to humanity. A promise to restore that which was broken. A promise to redeem that which was lost. A promise to save that which is enslaved. God wants to walk with us in the Garden in the cool of the day. God wants to live with us in an eternal city full of light and life and wonder and joy. And between what was at creation and what will be in the new creation, God has a church. And because that church draws her life from Jesus Himself, she can never be overpowered. She can never be overcome. The gates of hell itself cannot stand against her.

These church planters I serve go to the gates of hell. They live at the edge between the natural and supernatural realms. Their lives are “thin spaces” where the veil between this world and the next becomes translucent. They often battle demonic powers. The spiritual forces of evil manifest themselves in all sorts of ways over here. Deliverance from demonic possession is a practical, pastoral skill. Their churches are often planted through a miraculous demonstration of God’s power. A healing. A resurrection. Manna from heaven. The kinds of things we read about in the Bible but aren’t quite sure we believe. They are lived realities over here. And through their prayers and sacrifice and service and love, the Kingdom of God is advancing and the kingdom of Satan is fading. Heaven is filling up. Hell is emptying out. Entire communities are being transformed. It’s breathtaking.

Can this happen in America? Absolutely. What will it require? A commitment to build our lives on the Rock that is Jesus Christ. He alone is steadfast, immovable, and unshakeable. He alone is faithful and true. He alone holds the power of Death and Hades in His hands. And He alone has the knowledge and authority and skill to build His church in such a way that not even hell itself can stand against it. What part do we play? Simply put, we believe. We obey. We pray. We proclaim. We give. We serve. We sacrifice. As we do these things over a lifetime, God promises to use us as “living stones” to build up His church.

Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 17-18, Mark 9:2-50, Luke 9:28-56

Traditions

Readings for today: Matthew 15, Mark 7, 8:1-10

We just finished up a week of training in South Sudan. One of the things I am constantly confronted and challenged by when I am over here is how quickly the Holy Spirit raises up church planters and sends them into the mission field. In my denomination in the United States, it takes years and tens of thousands of dollars to get prepared to go into ministry. We employ a model based on a Western academic culture that requires significant graduate level work over a significant period of time and if we’re totally honest, the results aren’t great. Most of our churches have plateaued or are dying. The Christian faith is shrinking not growing. But still we cling to our model. We cling to our traditions. We refuse to let go and try something new. Contrast our approach with how church planters are raised up over here. They are called by the Holy Spirit through the local church. They are sent out into the field almost immediately. While in the field, they often plant multiple churches in multiple villages. And then they are responsible to raise up their replacements as soon as possible so they can go to the next unreached village. Along the way, they attend training conferences. They gain knowledge and wisdom and understanding. They grow spiritually. They are held accountable. They are disciplined if they go astray. They are restored after demonstrating true repentance and sent back out. The results are incredible. Thousands of churches being planted. The Christian faith exploding as millions come to Christ. It’s incredible.

Why do we cling to our traditions? Jesus confronts the Pharisees with this question in our reading today. Over time, humanity tends to create systems and structures and these things become more important than the people they are designed to serve. The Pharisees were famous for creating all kinds of rules to govern everyday life. Granted, it was from a desire to be faithful to God but their commitment was misplaced. They focused on all the wrong things and they nullified the Word of God by their traditions. They honored God with their lips but their hearts were far from God. This is what makes them blind guides. I wonder. Are we making a similar mistake? Am I making a similar mistake in the organizations in which I serve and lead? Where have I created barriers, however unwittingly and with the best of intentions, to what God wants to do in and through me and others?

Traditions don’t just exist in the church. We all have our traditions. In our homes. In our schools. At our work. In our personal lives. We all have our systems and structures and routines. But when those things become more important than the deeper values of mercy and compassion and love and sacrifice. When those things no longer serve but must be served, we run aground in our faith. We must repent and renew our commitment to put the Lord’s will above our own.

Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 16, Mark 8:11-38, 9:1, Luke 9:18-27

Authority

Readings for today: Matthew 10, 14, Mark 6:7-56, Luke 9:1-17, John 6

“Summoning his twelve disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness.” (Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬)

The gospel is not an idea. It’s not a human philosophy. It’s not a moral code. It is quite literally the power and authority of God. So when we talk about believing the gospel and receiving the gospel and laying hold of the gospel, we are talking about being filled with the literal power and authority of God. And why does God grant us such power and authority? It’s given so that we might fulfill the creation mandate and exercise dominion over all He has made. Jesus gave this power and authority to His disciples. And away they went, proclaiming the good news, casting out demons, healing the sick, and raising the dead. These signs and wonders served to authenticate the message they were preaching. 

I have seen this in action in our world today. In fact, I am in a place right now where such signs and wonders are common. Turns out Jesus is still granting His power and authority to His disciples! It’s one of the major reasons the church in Africa is growing at such an exponential rate. The church planters we support are filled with power as they go forth. They cast out demons. They heal disease. They raise the dead. They survive beatings, stonings, stabbing, shootings, and miraculously recover. I have personally interviewed hundreds of them over the years and have heard their testimonies. I have personally witnessed miracles of healing and resurrection and deliverance from demonic oppression and possession. To see the power of God in action is awe-inspiring to say the least. It brings me to my knees. 

How can we access such power? It’s not complicated. We simply keep the first and greatest commandment. We commit to loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The more we love God, the more we will serve God. The more we serve God, the more He will equip us for that service. The more we sacrifice for God, the more He will provide for us. The more we relinquish to God, the more He is able to use us. The secret to the power of the disciples in the early church or the disciples in the modern-day African church is their whole-hearted devotion to Christ. They do not try to live a double life. They do not try to have their cake and eat it too. They understand that holding onto the things of this world while laying hold of the world to come will only pull them apart. You cannot have it both ways. You cannot live with a foot in both Kingdoms. You either give yourself fully over to Christ and die to self or you hold onto “Self” and lose your grip on Christ. There is no neutral ground. 

So that brings up a really hard question we all have to face...if we are not experiencing the power and presence of Christ in our lives then it’s highly likely we have allowed some other “love” to gain a foothold. It could be a relationship we can’t live without. A lifestyle we refuse to relinquish. A preferred future we can’t let go of. A dream we won’t let die. It could be a sin we’ve allowed to enslave us. A lie we believe. How does one discern? How do we know? Engage in some healthy, prayerful self-reflection. Look at the life of Christ. What about Him do you find unattractive or unrealistic? Is there anything about what He teaches or how He lived that you find yourself resisting? When you hear His words and see His love, do you find yourself dis-believing on some level? Do you trust the lies of your own heart over the truth Jesus preaches? 

This is where the rubber meets the road in the Christian life. Following Jesus is a lifelong struggle to crucify the flesh with all its sinful desires and allow the Holy Spirit to align us more with Christ. It is a long obedience in the same direction. A marathon not a sprint. It forces us to constantly grapple with our greatest enemy...Self. But here’s the good news! The more the “Self” dies, the more the power of God manifests itself in our lives. The more the power of God manifests itself, the more the “Self” dies. This is the promise of the gospel and it lies within reach of every single person who calls on the name of the Lord! 

Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 15, Mark 7, 8:1-10

Compassion

Readings for today: Matthew 8:18-34, 9:18-38, Mark 4:35-41, 5:1-43, Luke 8:22-56, 9:57-62

I have met Legion. Men and women so tormented and oppressed. I have seen them sitting catatonic in the streets of so many cities. I have watched them convulse and tremble behind the bars of a prison cell. I have met them in psych wards where they live for their own protection. Sadly, they feel cut off from community. Isolated and alone. Helpless and afraid. They are desperate for freedom. 

I have met the woman with the issue of blood. They live all over the developing world. Without access to basic sanitation and medical care, women are often left to fend for themselves. Their menstrual cycles make them feel cursed. Especially when there are problems. They too feel cut off from their community. Isolated from their families. Helpless and afraid. At the mercy of their biology. Desperate for freedom.  

I have walked with countless families through grief. The loss of someone they love. It’s especially tragic when they are young. When they have their whole life ahead of them. The loss of children in particular can make or break a person’s faith. I have wept with parents at the bedside of a child dying of cancer. I’ve been in the hospital room when the doctor delivers the terrible news of a rare and terminal illness. These are incredibly painful and difficult spaces. Those living through them often feel cut off from their community. Isolated from their friends. Helpless and afraid. Desperate for healing. 

What I love most about Jesus is His great compassion. “When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭36‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬) One can only imagine the pain and suffering He saw as He surveyed the hundreds, even thousands, of people who flocked to hear Him speak. He knows their every need. He knows their every desire. He knows their heartaches and heartbreaks. He knows how desperate they are for healing. How desperate they are for freedom. And He loves them. He has compassion on them. He reaches out to them. Demons flee. Diseases are cured. The dead are raised. Everywhere Jesus goes, these miraculous signs accompany Him. Everywhere He goes, the Kingdom comes with power and authority. Everywhere He goes, new life breaks forth. 

But the needs are too much even for Jesus. He cannot heal every single person. He cannot cast out every single demon. He cannot sit with every family in their grief. So He sends His disciples. They will be His hands and feet. They will minister in His name and under His authority. They will be His ambassadors, Christ making His appeal to the world through them. Christ healing through them. Christ delivering through them. Christ bringing His Kingdom through them.

Our world is still full of desperation. People feel so harassed and helpless. They wander aimlessly through life like sheep without a shepherd. And the question for the church is this...do we have compassion? Are our hearts tenderized by the needs we see all around us? Do we make the time and take the time to come alongside those in pain? Are we willing to re-orient our priorities? Redirect our resources? Re-order our lives in such a way that we make space to care for the lost and lonely who live all around us? This, friends, is what it means to love and follow Jesus. 

Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 10, 14, Mark 6:7-56, Luke 9:1-17, John 6

Seeds of the Kingdom

Readings for today: Matthew 13:1-53, Mark 4:1-34, Luke 8:1-18

I am blessed to be involved in several different Kingdom movements around the world. First and foremost, God is working powerfully through the church I serve in Parker, CO. PEPC is flourishing as she seeks first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. She has put God’s mission first in her life and God has richly blessed us as a result. I’ve never been part of a church making a greater impact in the world for the gospel. It’s humbling and awe-inspiring. Second, I serve as the chair of the board of the Petros Network which has planted over 8000 churches in the Horn of Africa. We work with over 180 denominations at last count and through them, I’ve met some of the most amazing men and women who willingly offer their lives to spread the gospel. Third, I get to work with incredible immigrant leaders in my own community. They come from India and Latin America. The work they’re doing to spread the gospel among their own people is incredible. What these movements all have in common is they began small. They faced real obstacles along the way. They’ve often had to work with a skeleton staff on shoestring budgets. But God is faithful. The seeds we’ve planted are growing. They are becoming tall trees and many are coming to rest in their branches.

According to Jesus, the Kingdom of God often takes the form of a small seed. It may not look like much at first but after it’s planted and watered, God gives the increase. It grows and grows and the fruit is undeniable. Listen to how He described it to His disciples again. “He presented another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It’s the smallest of all the seeds, but when grown, it’s taller than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches.” (Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭CSB‬‬) I will admit it’s hard at the beginning. I know I’ve often grown impatient as I waited for the seed to take root and grow. I’ve sometimes become discouraged at the time and effort it takes to cultivate the soil and water the ground. But God is quick to remind me that there’s nothing I can do to make the seed grow more quickly. I have to be patient and faithful and trust God for the increase.

When I think back over the course of my life, I see a similar dynamic in play in my marriage and parenting. I see it my own personal journey as a believer. Perhaps you do as well? What seeds are being planted in your life right now? Where are you being called to wait and trust God for the growth? What are you working to cultivate in your marriage, family, career, or personal life? What fruit are you harvesting? In my experience, we are usually engaged on some level in all of these areas. Don’t let fear or discouragement disrupt the work of the Kingdom of heaven in your life!

Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 8:18-34, 9:18-38, Mark 4:35-41, 5:1-43, Luke 8:22-56, 9:57-62

Division

Readings for today: Matthew 12:22-50, Mark 3:22-35, Luke 8:19-21, 11:14-54

“Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.” (Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Abraham Lincoln quoted this verse in his famous campaign speech delivered in 1858 at the Illinois Republican State Convention. Though largely unknown, he had just won the nomination to run for U.S. Senate against Stephen A. Douglas. Lincoln was referring to the issue of slavery, of course. Douglas wanted to find a middle ground between the North and South but Lincoln knew better. He knew the issue had to be settled once and for all. He knew there could be no compromise. He knew the United States could not continue with half in support of slavery and half in support of freedom. A nation divided cannot stand.

The same was true in Jesus’ day. The house of Israel was divided along all kinds of political lines. Some supported collaboration with Rome. Some refused to entertain any such thing. Some advocated for a violent overthrow. Others eschewed violence altogether. Some believed the answer was Torah faithfulness. Others withdrew into the desert because they believed the religious authorities were corrupt. And then along comes Jesus. A miracle worker. A healer. An exorcist. He performs His signs and wonders publicly and it must have felt to the scribes and Pharisees like He was throwing gasoline on the fire. It’s why they tried so hard to discredit Him. Accusing Him of casting out demons by the power of the devil. But Jesus was ready for them. He knows their kingdom is divided and is about to be laid waste. He knows the glorious city of Jerusalem is a tinderbox waiting to explode. He has no desire to act as an “accelerant” rather He wants them to see and experience the Kingdom of God. He points them to the fruit of His actions. The blind see. The mute speak. The deaf hear. The lame walk. These are not acts of the devil that result in further pain and suffering and division and brokenness. No, the fruit Jesus bears is healing, wholeness, and restoration. All signs of the Holy Spirit at work.

I’ve been thinking about this verse a lot recently. Especially as a pastor. How does a follower of Christ respond in our current cultural moment? How do we respond to all the division and the violence and the hate? We respond like Jesus. We make it our aim to act as agents of healing in our communities, doing all we can to come alongside those who are hurting. We act as agents of unity in our communities, doing all we can to bring people together. We act as agents of wholeness in our communities, binding up the broken and helping them put the pieces back together. We act as agents of blessing in our community, bearing the fruit of the Spirit which is good and righteous and true.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Mercy

Readings for today: Matthew 8:1-4, 9:1-17, 12:1-21, Mark 1:40-45, 2, 3:1-21, Luke 5:12-39, 6:1-19

“Jesus said, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

This is what I love most about Jesus. He absolutely loves sinners. He loves the lost. He loves the wandering. He loves the confused. He loves the doubter. He loves the questioner. He loves the hurting. He loves the broken. He loves the oppressed. He loves the enslaved. He loves the imprisoned. He loves all those who find themselves struggling with unbelief. He not only loves them but He comes to be with them. He comes to heal them. He comes to rescue them. He comes to deliver them. He comes to set them free. He comes to reclaim them. He comes to redeem them. He will never rest until He chases down every single person who is lost and brings them home again. This is His heart and we see it on full display in today’s reading.

Jesus is the Great Physician. He has come to heal the great sickness infecting all of humanity. He knows sin is more than what we do or say or think. It is a disease that corrupts all it touches. A pervasive power at work inside us, poisoning our very souls. It is a terminal illness we cannot escape. A pandemic for which we have no effective treatment. Thankfully, Jesus sees our helpless condition. Jesus knows the hopeless condition into which we are born. And He alone has the power to heal us. Even more importantly, Jesus wants to heal us. It is the great desire of His heart. It is the fundamental reason behind why He came.

Can you imagine what might happen if the followers of Jesus became known more for mercy rather than right sacrifice? Known more for love of sinners rather than condemnation? Known more for compassion towards those who are lost and wandering, doubting and deconstructing than judgment?This is Jesus’ call to us today. As we go about our daily lives, we meet all kinds of people. Lepers, paralytics, tax collectors, sinners, Sabbath-keepers and Sabbath-breakers, Pharisees, scribes, men and women with withered hands and withered souls. How do we respond to them? Do we treat them with the dignity and love they deserve as human beings made in the image of God? Do we have compassion on their helpless and hopeless estate? Are we willing to extend grace and mercy and embrace them as Jesus did? Pray for God to open your eyes to truly see the spiritual condition of those around you. Pray for God to fill your heart with His love and compassion so you might minister to their deepest needs. Pray for opportunities to introduce them to the Great Physician who longs to heal them and make them whole.

Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 5-7, Luke 6:20-49, 11:1-13

Greatness

Readings for today: Matthew 4:23-25, 8:14-17, Mark 1:21-39, Luke 4:31-44

We arrived in rural East Africa today. A place full of great beauty and great brutality. A community that has known a great deal of conflict. The people here are intimately familiar with pain and suffering. Famine and malnutrition are constant companions. Disease and death stalk these lands. Demon-possession is not uncommon. Truly this is a place where the devil roars and prowls about, looking for someone to devour. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy any and all hope. But God is at work here. The Kingdom of God is advancing with power and authority. Disease is giving way to healing. Death is giving way to life. Darkness is giving way to light. All because faithful, indigenous men and women are willing to sacrifice it all for the sake of the gospel. I am in awe of them. They are my heroes and heroines. Every time I stand before them, I am deeply humbled. They are truly the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven and I am among the least.

What makes them so great? They simply do what Jesus did. They travel from village to village preaching the gospel. They heal the sick. The cure disease. They deliver the demon-possessed. They raise the dead. Every time I’m with them, it’s like I’m reliving the gospel story. “Now Jesus began to go all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Then the news about him spread throughout Syria. So they brought to him all those who were afflicted, those suffering from various diseases and intense pains, the demon-possessed, the epileptics, and the paralytics. And he healed them. Large crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.” (Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬-‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬) You could literally insert any one of our church planter’s names for Jesus, shift all the coordinates on the map, and the stories would sound much the same. These men and women are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. They perform all kinds of miraculous signs and wonders. The gospel is proclaimed. Churches are planted. Heaven is filled. Hell is emptied. And all kinds of redemptive lift comes to these communities.

What does it mean to be great in the Kingdom? In America, we define it by influence. Power. Wealth. The size of our churches. The number of book deals. The extent of our social media reach. But here in East Africa, it’s defined by sacrifice. Humility. Poverty. Pain and suffering. A willingness to go to the hardest to reach places and preach to the hardest to reach people. It means placing one’s life at risk over and over again. Leaving everything behind including jobs and homes and families to carry the good news to communities who have never heard the name of Jesus. It means laboring in complete obscurity and anonymity and insignificance. Your name and work known only to God. Your eyes fixed on heavenly rather than earthly rewards. This is why God moves so powerfully over here and it’s why the church in America continues to struggle. We refuse to give up greatness in our kingdom for greatness in God’s Kingdom.

Readings for tomorrow: John 3-5

Hunger

Readings for today: Matthew 4:1-22, 13:54-58, Mark 1:12-20, 6:1-6, Luke 4:1-5:11, John 1:35-2:12

After forty days and nights in the wilderness without food, Jesus was hungry. Such a small, ordinary, and obvious detail. I’ve often wondered why the Gospel writers chose to include it. Perhaps it was to reinforce the humanity of Jesus. Signal to their readers that Jesus suffered from human needs just like the rest of us. The need for rest. The need for food and water. These are points of connection we share with Him. But what if it’s meant to signal something deeper as well? What was Jesus hungry for? Food? He could have provided for Himself by turning stones into bread. Fame and glory? He could have thrown Himself down from the Temple and made a name for Himself. Power? He could have taken over all the kingdoms of this world in an instant.

It had to be tempting. After all, His Father had promised Him all those things and more. Why not reach out and take hold of them? Were they not His by divine right? Of course they were but Jesus was “hungry” for something more. He was hungry for God. He was hungry for His Father’s good pleasure and plan. He was hungry for the Kingdom of God and righteousness. And He knew to accomplish God’s ends through ungodly means would result in failure. Compromising on God’s truth would result in defeat. To give the devil even an inch would result in him taking a mile or more and Jesus would not have it. Why? Because His hunger was more than physical. More than emotional. More than intellectual. It was deep and spiritual and He refused to satisfy it through any other means than what His Father had ordained.

What about you? Do you hunger and thirst for God? Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness? Do you hunger and thirst for the Kingdom of God in your life? How are you satisfying that hunger? Are you turning to the means God has ordained for you? Prayer. Worship. Meditation of God’s Word. Sacrifice. Service. Where is the enemy tempting you right now to satisfy your hunger through ungodly means? Take a look at your schedule or how you spend your money or where your focus tends to be. Is there time devoted to God? Do you give generously to the work of the Lord? Are you focused on others more than yourself?

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays