11 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, jewels, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; all those things made of scented wood, ivory, fine wood, bronze, iron, and marble;13 cinnamon, incense, fragrant ointment, and frankincense; wine, oil, fine flour, and wheat; cattle, sheep, horses, and carriages; and slaves, even human lives. 14 ‘The fruit your whole being craved has gone from you. All your glitter and glamour are lost to you, never ever to be found again.’ 15 “The merchants who sold these things, and got so rich by her, will stand a long way off because they fear the pain she suffers. They will weep and mourn, and say, 16 ‘Oh, the horror! The great city that wore fine linen, purple, and scarlet, who glittered with gold, jewels, and pearls— 17 in just one hour such great wealth was destroyed.’ “Every sea captain, every seafarer, sailors, and all who make their living on the sea stood a long way off. 18 They cried out as they saw the smoke from her burning and said, ‘What city was ever like the great city?’ 19 They threw dust on their heads, and they cried out, weeping and mourning. They said, ‘Oh, the horror! The great city, where all who have ships at sea became so rich by her prosperity—in just one hour she was destroyed. 20 Rejoice over her, heaven—you saints, apostles, and prophets—because God has condemned her as she condemned you.’” (Revelation 18:11-20, CEB)
Things will not be as they are now when the kingdom of God is made known. We will not do the things we do now.
We will not seek after wealth or our own understanding but we will all be one with God’s purpose and understanding.
So do not weep now if you are not liked by the world, for God will set things the way they should be in the coming kingdom and all will be made right.
Just love God and neighbor and let God do the rest.
15 People were bringing babies to Jesus so that he would bless them. When the disciples saw this, they scolded them. 16 Then Jesus called them to him and said, “Allow the children to come to me. Don’t forbid them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people like these children. 17 I assure you that whoever doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a child will never enter it.” (Luke 18:15-17, CEB)
Children in western developed society should be seen and not heard. They need to be kept away so not to disturb the learning or conversation. But wait this passage isn’t from western developed society…
But here we see the value of all life and people. Jesus says the children are to come to him because it is in their faith that the kingdom is known. Children believe what they hear.
This reminds me of The Santa Clause 2 where the character that plays the woman Santa is telling he is Santa doesn’t believe it and Santa’s son says something to the point of adults don’t believe in the North Pole because they have never seen it and children don’t need to see it to believe in it. We need to trust like a child when mom leaves the room she is coming back and I will be cared for.
A child like faith and trust in God is the only way to get the kingdom.
However, a man named Ananias, along with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s knowledge, he withheld some of the proceeds from the sale. He brought the rest and placed it in the care and under the authority of the apostles. 3 Peter asked, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has influenced you to lie to the Holy Spirit by withholding some of the proceeds from the sale of your land? 4 Wasn’t that property yours to keep? After you sold it, wasn’t the money yours to do with whatever you wanted? What made you think of such a thing? You haven’t lied to other people but to God!”5 When Ananias heard these words, he dropped dead. Everyone who heard this conversation was terrified. 6 Some young men stood up, wrapped up his body, carried him out, and buried him. 7 About three hours later, his wife entered, but she didn’t know what had happened to her husband. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, did you and your husband receive this price for the field?” She responded, “Yes, that’s the amount.” 9 He replied, “How could you scheme with each other to challenge the Lord’s Spirit? Look! The feet of those who buried your husband are at the door. They will carry you out too.” 10 At that very moment, she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men entered and found her dead, they carried her out and buried her with her husband. 11 Trepidation and dread seized the whole church and all who heard what had happened. (Acts 5:1-11, CEB)
There is nothing in your life God doesn’t know. So why do we hide the truth from others?
Is it we want to make people think our lives are perfect? Or in the case here to keep something that is ours to keep any way? I mean if Ananias and Sapphira wanted to keep part of the money couldn’t they have said we sold the property for x and are giving y to your control? The gathered community was holding all in common but did you have to give all? The sin here is saying it sold for y when it sold for x. Why do we keep things from others?
Matthew West performs a song, Truth be Told:
Lie number one you’re supposed to have it all together And when they ask how you’re doing Just smile and tell them, “Never better”
Lie number 2 everybody’s life is perfect except yours So keep your messes and your wounds And your secrets safe with you behind closed doors
Truth be told The truth is rarely told,
nowI say I’m fine, yeah I’m fine oh I’m fine, hey I’m fine but I’m not I’m broken And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control but it’s notAnd you know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it When being honest is the only way to fix it There’s no failure, no fall There’s no sin you don’t already know So let the truth be told
There’s a sign on the door, says, “Come as you are” but I doubt it ‘Cause if we lived like it was true, every Sunday morning pew would be crowded But didn’t you say the church should look more like a hospital A safe place for the sick, the sinner and the scarred and the prodigals Like me
Well truth be told The truth is rarely told Oh am I the only one who says
I’m fine, yeah I’m fine oh I’m fine, hey I’m fine but I’m not I’m broken
And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control but it’s not And you know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it When being honest is the only way to fix it There’s no failure, no fall There’s no sin you don’t already know So let the truth be told
Can I really stand here unashamed Knowin’ that you love for me won’t change? Oh God if that’s really true Then let the truth be told
I say I’m fine, yeah I’m fine oh I’m fine, hey I’m fine but I’m not I’m broken And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control but it’s not And you know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it When being honest is the only way to fix it There’s no failure, no fall There’s no sin you don’t already know Yeah I knowThere’s no failure, no fall There’s no sin you don’t already know So let the truth be told
13 Now when Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Human One is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” 15 He said, “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Then Jesus replied, “Happy are you, Simon son of Jonah, because no human has shown this to you. Rather my Father who is in heaven has shown you. 18 I tell you that you are Peter. And I’ll build my church on this rock. The gates of the underworld won’t be able to stand against it. 19 I’ll give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Anything you fasten on earth will be fastened in heaven. Anything you loosen on earth will be loosened in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-19, CEB)
Peter looks really good in this passage because he says Jesus is the Son of God. We all have these moments where we are connected with God and are led by the Spirit and in tune with what God is calling us to be and do.
And yet a few verses after this Peter gets called Satan by Jesus. Because sometimes when we get praised we get a big head and loose that connection.
Live in the connection, not our own understanding.
Confess and give God space to control what happens in your life.
43 The next day Jesus wanted to go into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law and the Prophets: Jesus, Joseph’s son, from Nazareth.” 46 Nathanael responded, “Can anything from Nazareth be good?” Philip said, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here is a genuine Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 48 Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” 49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are God’s Son. You are the king of Israel.” 50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these! 51 I assure you that you will see heaven open and God’s angels going up to heaven and down to earth on the Human One.” (John 1:43-51, CEB)
Why do you believe Jesus is the Messiah?
There are a lot of reasons not to believe. We have not ever seen Jesus or God. There is no imperial evidence of God’s existence. Many say there is no proof.
But there are things we believe in we have never seen. Have you ever seen the wind? I haven’t. I’ve seen things moved by the wind and carried by the wind but I have never seen the wind. And I still believe the wind exists.
Same for me with God, while I have seen Jesus and God in the face of my neighbor I have also seen the effects of God. The creation all around me and the care and love I see in others.
My proof is in the promises made and kept and the effects of God all around.
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten young bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom.2 Now five of them were wise, and the other five were foolish. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but didn’t bring oil for them. 4 But the wise ones took their lamps and also brought containers of oil. 5 “When the groom was late in coming, they all became drowsy and went to sleep. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Look, the groom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 “Then all those bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 But the foolish bridesmaids said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps have gone out.’ 9 “But the wise bridesmaids replied, ‘No, because if we share with you, there won’t be enough for our lamps and yours. We have a better idea. You go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were gone to buy oil, the groom came. Those who were ready went with him into the wedding. Then the door was shut. 11 “Later the other bridesmaids came and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us.’ 12 “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore, keep alert, because you don’t know the day or the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13, CEB)
Every time I read this passage I think of the Boy Scout motto, Be Prepared. You never know what is going to happen so be prepared for anything.
Or MacGyver. With a roll of duct tape, a package of gum, and a Swiss army knife he can take on the world!
But there is a also an aspect of helping out others. Why would the 5 who had oil not share some? Yes they thought they would run out, but did they?
We need to be aware of what is happening in the world and aware of what God has called us to be and do. We need to give freely as God gave to us, but also know when is the time to not give. How do we know this?
Are you connected with God and know how you are being led?
16 Standing up, Paul gestured with his hand and said, “Fellow Israelites and Gentile God-worshippers, please listen to me. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors. God made them a great people while they lived as strangers in the land of Egypt. With his great power, he led them out of that country. 18 For about forty years, God put up with them in the wilderness. 19 God conquered seven nations in the land of Canaan and gave the Israelites their land as an inheritance. 20 This happened over a period of about four hundred fifty years. “After this, he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. 21 The Israelites requested a king, so God gave them Saul, Kish’s son, from the tribe of Benjamin, and he served as their king for forty years. 22 After God removed him, he raised up David to be their king. God testified concerning him, ‘I have found David, Jesse’s son, a man who shares my desires. Whatever my will is, he will do.’ 23 From this man’s descendants, God brought to Israel a savior, Jesus, just as he promised. 24 Before Jesus’ appearance, John proclaimed to all the Israelites a baptism to show they were changing their hearts and lives. 25 As John was completing his mission, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I’m not the one you think I am, but he is coming after me. I’m not worthy to loosen his sandals.’ (Acts 13:16-25, CEB)
Did you see in this reading that God was very open to the leading of the people?
God led the Israelites out of Egypt and to the promise land when they grumbled in their slavery, and then when they settled in the promised land God provided Judges to help the people. When the people wanted kings rather than judges, kings were provided.
Then God found one who was a man who shares God’s own heart, who also went after his own desires from time to time. But through this man, God brought us the messiah. Jesus came through the lineage of David to show us how to live and be the children that God created us to be.
Let us be like Jesus, and love all and speak for those who can not speak for themselves.
10 I know what some people are saying: “His letters are severe and powerful, but in person he is weak and his speech is worth nothing.”11 These people need to think about this—that when we are with you, our actions will show that we are the same as the words we wrote when we were away from you. (2 Corinthians 10:10-11, CEB)
Have you ever met a person through writing, either letters or online and then met them and they were different people?
We should be the same, in print, online, or in person. The same always. Never compromise yourself or your beliefs or understanding to make someone else happy. It isn’t worth it. The best thing you can do for the world is to be authentic all the time.
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one about whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is really greater than me because he existed before me.’ 31 Even I didn’t recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be made known to Israel.” 32 John testified, “I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it rested on him. 33 Even I didn’t recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and testified that this one is God’s Son.” (John 1:29-34, CEB)
John witnessed to who Jesus was not because he completely knew Jesus and everything he could/would do but because John trusted God and knew God’s promises were true. So when God said when you see the spirit descend on this one, that is the Christ. John believed it.
2 When they heard him address them in Aramaic, they became even more quiet. 3 Paul continued, “I’m a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia but raised in this city. Under Gamaliel’s instruction, I was trained in the strict interpretation of our ancestral Law. I am passionately loyal to God, just like you who are gathered here today. 4 I harassed those who followed this Way to their death, arresting and delivering both men and women into prison. 5 The high priest and the whole Jerusalem Council can testify about me. I received letters from them, addressed to our associates in Damascus, then went there to bring those who were arrested to Jerusalem so they could be punished. 6 “During that journey, about noon, as I approached Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven encircled me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice asking me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me?’ 8 I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are harassing,’ he replied. 9 My traveling companions saw the light, but they didn’t hear the voice of the one who spoke to me. 10 I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ ‘Get up,’ the Lord replied, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told everything you have been appointed to do.’ 11 I couldn’t see because of the brightness of that light, so my companions led me by the hand into Damascus. 12 “There was a certain man named Ananias. According to the standards of the Law, he was a pious man who enjoyed the respect of all the Jews living there. 13 He came and stood beside me. ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ he said. Instantly, I regained my sight and I could see him. 14 He said, ‘The God of our ancestors has selected you to know his will, to see the righteous one, and to hear his voice. 15 You will be his witness to everyone concerning what you have seen and heard. 16 What are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins as you call on his name.’ (Acts 22:2-16, CEB)
Saul was persecuting the followers of Jesus. He was having them arrested, out in jail and possibly killed. He didn’t know the work he was doing against God until he was blinded and had to wait for a disciple to help him gain his sight back. Then he knew what God needed him to do and he followed after God.
Has God made it clear to you your path? Are you following Jesus or your own God?
aSacredRebel 