Sight
And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” (Mark 8:22-26 ESV)
Have you ever had your pupils dilated? You know where they put the drops in and look into your eyes at an examination to get a good look at the back of your eye. Then you can’t see clearly for a while. I image this is what this man saw. When he saw people that looked like trees, he couldn’t see clearly.
How many of us walk around every day and can not see clearly? Now I don’t mean real eye sight, but the mirror that Paul refers to, now we see in a mirror dimly, but then we will see face to face, and clearly. Sin has blinded us to the world around us and makes us to focus on ourselves. That is truly the most vile of sins, the ones that make us think more highly of ourselves, and to ignore the needs of those around us. To say we love everyone and allow injustice to take over people’s lives.
How many of us need Jesus to touch us again so we can clearly see? Ask Jesus to help you let go of your looking inward and caring only for yourself, and to clearly see the world around you. Ask Jesus to give you His eyes, so you can see everything as He does…
Jesus the guarantor
Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’” This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. (Hebrews 7:11-22 ESV)
The law will not get you into heaven.
Interesting though when I say Law, what do you think?
On Facebook today Nadia Bolz-Weber pastor of House for All Sinner and Saints posted this:
You can click on the text to hopefully go to her page on Facebook and find the discussion if you want it is good stuff. But the Law is an insider term. We use it to refer to the 10 Commandments, or the whole of the Levitcal Law or the Hebrew Scriptures, meaning the Pentateuch (another insider term…). You see even we can not agree or know what the Law is. It means many things.
Now if you were not raised in the church the Law might be the civil order code that we have to follow, like motor laws for the road. It could mean those who make sure the rest of us follow the rules, i.e. the cops.
But even in these cases, those things, the rules, those who help us keep them, can not save us. They can not make sure we do what we are suppose to as if following some set of rules could get us to heaven.
Jesus is the guarantor of a covenant that is not bound by our keeping the rules or acting a certain way. We are created by God to be who we are and uniquely a part of the whole of creation. SO allow the grace that Jesus will give you to be all that you need. Do not try to tell others that they have to follow rules in order to be right with God, but help them to know they are loved by God just as they are.
And Always remember that Grace is not just a girl you met in Kindergarten. It is the most wonderful gift you have ever been given!
Looking for a blessing…
It seemed like a dream, too good to be true, when God returned Zion’s exiles. We laughed, we sang, we couldn’t believe our good fortune. We were the talk of the nations— “God was wonderful to them!” God was wonderful to us; we are one happy people. And now, God , do it again— bring rains to our drought-stricken lives So those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest, So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing. (Psalm 126 MSG)
Isn’t it funny how when ever our lives are in shambles we search for that thing that will make it all better. How if we are not really practicing our faith we become very active and praying every day that God will come to our rescue like He has every time before. Like God is some cosmic vending machine we only visit when we need something.
People marvel at the way I have held kept my cool and calm over the past 8 months as I have searched for a call. How I have been so relaxed about not obtaining a call quicker. I always commented that God has a plan for us and will take care of us. It was not just something I said but something I 100% believe. Now don’t get me wrong there were times I questioned and yelled ans got very upset with God. But you know what? God is big enough to take it and understand where I am coming from.
I say all of that to say it is OK if you don’t have it all together and your faith is not all that. If you need God to fix you that is fine He can do that and will if you will let Him. I also say that to say that if it were not for my faith and the blessings God has given me in my wife and family I’m not sure I would have made it this far. So don’t think you need something more than God has already given you. The thing you think will make your life great maybe something you already have!
An example…
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (John 13:1-17 ESV)
We are so hung up on doing things right. We want to know the rules so we can do what we have to do to get into the club, or be included. We spend a lot of time trying to help others know the rules so that they can follow what needs to be done so that they are included as well.
But we do not have some secret knowledge as followers of Jesus, or do we?
I think we do, but it is not the secret to what we have to do right, or follow to make it to heaven. It is the secret that Jesus lived His life as an example to us. He is the King of all creation. He created you and me and all of the universe, but the night before His death He washed the feet of His followers. To give them an example of how to live their lives in service to others. No one is greater than another. We all need to serve each other and not expect anyone to serve us. we need to give of ourselves, just as Jesus gave of Himself.
Welcome to our church…
So what does a great welcome message look like? What does an awesome welcome message look like?
It looks exactly like what “Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Community” Daytona Beach, FL, has in their church.
My friend attended there recently, and got a copy of what they hand out, and here’s what it says:
We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, gay, filthy rich, dirt poor, yo no habla Ingles. We extend a special welcome to those who are crying new-borns, skinny as a rail or could afford to lose a few pounds.
We welcome you if you can sing like Andrea Bocelli or like our pastor who can’t carry a note in a bucket. You’re welcome here if you’re “just browsing,” just woke up or just got out of jail. We don’t care if you’re more Catholic than the Pope, or haven’t been in church since little Joey’s Baptism.
We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome soccer moms, NASCAR dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, junk-food eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted. We welcome you if you’re having problems or you’re down in the dumps or if you don’t like “organized religion,” we’ve been there too.
If you blew all your offering money at the dog track, you’re welcome here. We offer a special welcome to those who think the earth is flat, work too hard, don’t work, can’t spell, or because grandma is in town and wanted to go to church.
We welcome those who are inked, pierced or both. We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down your throat as a kid or got lost in traffic and wound up here by mistake. We welcome tourists, seekers and doubters, bleeding hearts … and you!
Guaranteed…
For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:13-20 ESV)
Have you ever had someone or some product was 100% satisfaction guaranteed? And if so, were you?
I mean that is a pretty large bill to hold up. That every person that uses/eats this product will be 100% satisfied. I highly doubt we all want to exact same results or tastes even though it is probably clearly states how it will work or taste. We see we will be satisfied and know it will be good…
Not always and the world and its products will let us down. We will not be 100% satisfied with anything the world gives us, we are not hardwired that way.
But the passage above from Hebrews tells us that we cab trust in God. And He has even sworn an oath that the promises He made He will keep. Not just a promise or a guarantee but an oath or a 100% satisfaction guaranteed promise. Not that you will always be happy or get everything you want. But something even better. Everything God promised will be the way He promised and He will always be with us!
Steps…
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing. Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever. The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip. The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death. The Lord will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial. Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land you will look on when the wicked are cut off. I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree. But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found. Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off. The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. (Psalm 37:23-40 ESV)
Do you delight in the ways of the Lord?
Do you try to follow His ways but fall some times?
This psalmist says that the Lord establishes the steps of the man who delights in His ways. And the Lord will hold a person so that even if they fall they will still be in the care of God.
Those are comforting words. Even if we fall if we delight in the Lord’s way He will not leave us. Even in our times of trouble He is our stronghold and He saves us from evil. Delight in His ways and your steps will be set.
Scarcity…
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:35-45 ESV)
Have you ever had some one do something you thought of doing before you? And if you were like the disciples you got upset, not because someone else did what you thought about doing, but you were upset because they did it first.
We live in an era of scarcity. We have been told and think there is only so much money, time, love, coffee, or what ever you want… we have to get our portion so we get as much as we need. We can not wait because we will miss out because someone else will get what belongs to us.
In this passage where James and John ask Jesus to give them what they want we see Jesus turn the world in its head. He invites the disciples and us to re imagine what glory and honor and power are. He shows us here that power and glory and honor are obtained by serving. He came to serve not to be served and in order to follow someone who serves we have to serve. Which means we have to give up our thoughts that there isn’t enough and look out for our neighbors before our selves.
So serve Jesus by thinking of your neighbor before your own needs…
Power
A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. (Luke 22:24-27 ESV)
Are you in a place of power? Notice here that Jesus does not say that power is a bad thing. It is all in what you do with your power…
See some of us have the gift of leading and being in positions to help others and advise others on what needs to be done. The question comes in who you are looking out for.
See those who seek power for their own gain use the power they get for their own upward movement. They use those who are under them to get more for themselves and they only care about number 1.
So if you are in a place of power make sure you think about the other before you think of yourself.
aSacredRebel 