During the tense and bitter days of the Vietnam War, Ca.s.sius Marcellus Clay, the brash young heavyweight boxing phenomenon, announced that he had joined the Nation of Islam and had changed his name to Muhammad Ali. He refused to submit to induction into the Armed Services, claiming exemption on the grounds that he was a minister of religion. As a result, he was stripped of his boxing t.i.tles and was convicted under the Selective Service Act.
At first, many people thought that Alias action was just another way of dodging the draft, that no genuine conversion had taken place. But more than thirty years later, he still professes allegiance to Islam.
Dramatic as Alias conversion was, it pales into insignificance beside the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. He, too, experienced a name changea"from Saul to Paula"but that was the least of the changes he went through. By birth, heritage, and training, Saul of Tarsus was a proud, brilliant, and intense Jewish Pharisee whose convictions led him to become the archpersecutor of the fledgling Christian church. In his own words, he said, aI am a real Jew if ever there was one! . . . I harshly persecuted the church. And I obeyed the Jewish law so carefully that I was never accused of any faulta (Phil. 3:5-6).
Saulas conversion meant that he completely changed his mind about the most important things in his life. The main issue in his mind was, what is G.o.das way of amaking us right with himselfa (3:9)? Traditionally, he had been taught, and he fervently believed, that rightness with G.o.d was achieved through keeping G.o.das law. This was something that was dependent on his aown goodnessa and aability to obey G.o.das lawa (3:9). That was why Saul was so fervent as aa member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish lawa (3:5). But when he grasped that Jesus was the Son of G.o.d who had died on the cross as a sacrifice for sin, he recognized that instead of working to secure his own salvation (an impossibility!), he should atrust Christ to save [him]a (3:9). He himself testified, aI once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has donea (3:7). Salvation, he recognized, was not based on his own efforts but on Christas action. Not surprisingly, Saul renounced a religion that ignored Christas sacrificial death and resurrection, and he embraced with all his heart the living Lord Jesus and his cause.
When a man is truly converted to Christ, his life is changed and he changes his world.
June 2
TO READ: Revelation 1:1-18
Self-Disclosure
I am the living one who died. Look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.
Revelation 1:18
The last book of the Bible, commonly known as aRevelationa (meaning aunveilinga or adisclosurea), should really be called aA Revelation of Jesus Christa (Rev. 1:1, see NLT footnote). Revelation is all about Jesus letting his people know about himself. It was his intentional self-disclosure!
This important revelation was granted to John in troubled days for the sake of the Christians who lived in the Roman world. John sent it as a letter to seven churches, to encourage them in their faith. The letter was designed to strengthen their resolve and to brace them for the struggles they were facing.
Jesusa self-disclosure was particularly significant to the Christians who first received the letter, because Jesus was reminding them who he is. He was making sure they understood that he is worthy of their trust, committed to their well-being, and certain of his own ultimate victory over the wicked forces so belligerently arrayed against them.
Times have changed, but the message of Jesusa self-disclosure has nota"nor has our need to hear it! Jesus has not changed, and Christians are still called to live as Christiansa"as followers of Christa"in a world that often demonstrates both disregard of Jesus and relentless antipathy toward him. This world is not always a comfortable place for disciples of Jesus.
As John tried to describe the indescribablea"a vision of the triumphant Lorda"he used the inadequate words available to him, and painted a dramatic picture full of symbols and colorful metaphors. But we are left with only a pale reflection of what he actually saw. When he reported the message Jesus gave him, however, the words were clear and forceful: aDonat be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one who died. Look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the gravea(1:17-18). Jesus wanted the people to know that, as the aFirst and Last,a he was intimately involved in the beginning of all things and in charge until the end of all things. As the aliving one,a he was distinct from all the dead G.o.ds worshiped by other people. But he was not just any aliving oneaa"he had died! He was not just alive, he was alive from the dead, aforever and ever!a Because of his death and resurrection, Jesus had defeated death and was now in charge of both death and the grave. Comforting words, indeed, for Christians facing the possibility of death at the hands of an insane emperor!
Almost two thousand years have elapsed since Jesus revealed himself. They have been centuries of challenge, hardship, triumph, and victory. The little group of apostles has grown to a church of millions throughout the world. And every living member of that church needs to remember what every generation has recognized: simplya"who Jesus is! He is the aAlphaa who gives meaning to existence, the Savior who brings salvation to the helpless, and the aliving onea who imparts power to the redeemed. And finally, he is the aOmegaa who guarantees our eternal destiny.
June 3
TO READ: John 21:1-23
What about Him, Lord?
Peter asked Jesus, aWhat about him, Lord?a Jesus replied, aIf I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You follow me.a John 21:21-22
Small boys get upset if they suspect they are not getting the same deal as their siblings and friends. They are quick to shout, aNot fair!a Given time, they grow into big men, but that does not necessarily mean they grow out of the tendency to resent anything they suspect is unequal. So millionaire ballplayers want to renegotiate their contracts if a new recruit reportedly signs a better one. Prisoners write letters of complaint about unequal treatment in their places of confinement. And should a man standing in line at an airport see someone cut into the line, he will voice his displeasure in loud and strident tones.
Peter would have been at home in such company. Jesus had told Peter, rather enigmatically, aWhen you are old you will stretch out your hands, and others will direct you and take you where you donat want to goa (John 21:18). Peter then noticed John standing nearby and said, aWhat about him, Lord?a (21:21). Jesus was telling Peter that the future was not going to be pleasant for him, and Peter wanted to know if he was the only one who was going to have a hard timea"particularly in comparison to John, who, as everybody knew, had a special relationship with the Lord.
The answer Jesus gave was straight to the point: aIf I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?a (21:22). In simple language, that meant that what Jesus decided to do with John was none of Peteras business! Johnas future was strictly between Jesus and John. In the same way, Peteras future lay in Jesusa hands and was therefore only of concern to Jesus and Peter. What Jesus had told Peter about his own future was all that Peter needed to know.
Jesus added, aYou follow me!a (21:22). In light of the future that Peter was being called to live, he could not afford to allow any distractions from the fundamental and all-consuming call to follow Jesus. That was what he had been challenged to do years earlier beside the lake, and his call had not been rescinded or altered.
Trying to understand G.o.das ways of dealing with other people can be confusing. We may become disgruntled, but one thing will help. We should let Jesus do his job, which is to lead, and we should do ours, which is to follow. That will keep us on track.
June 4
TO READ: Psalm 66
Foxhole Faith
Now I come to your Temple with burnt offerings to fulfill the vows I made to youa" yes, the sacred vows you heard me make when I was in deep trouble.
Psalm 66:13-14
It is commonly understood that there are no atheists in foxholes. Men who exhibit little interest in spirituality and eternity are suddenly moved to pray when under fire. Others have been know to experience dramatic conversions under threat of hanging. This phenomenon is similar to the one described by Samuel Johnson, in his famous observation: aWhen a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.a24 In many instances, the promises to G.o.d made in the foxhole have been fulfilled when the guns have fallen silenta"but not always. And when death sentences have been commuted, some relieved offenders have sadly forgotten the commitments made to G.o.d under duress.
The psalm writer, recounting the dire circ.u.mstances through which his nation had pa.s.sed, observed, aWe went through fire and flood. But you brought us to a place of great abundancea (Ps. 66:12). This situation offered the chance for the people to express great grat.i.tude in genuine worship, obedience, trust, and service. It also provided the opportunity for shallow promises to be exposed by thoughtless, thankless actions.
The Lord had warned his people of such a possibility when Moses gave them their final instructions shortly before they entered the Promised Land. He told them that their arrival in the aplace of great abundancea was athe time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your G.o.d and disobey his commands, regulations, and lawsa (Deut. 8:11).
The psalm writer was able to testify, aNow I come . . . to fulfill the vows I made to youa"yes, the sacred vows you heard me make when I was in deep troublea (Ps. 66:13-14). No foxhole faith is in evidence here, only a deep appreciation for mercy extended and grace received. He was deeply aware that the Lord adid not withdraw his unfailing love from [him]a (66:20). The psalmist showed his appreciation first of all in the quality of his response. There is nothing grudging, halfhearted, or coldly formal here. He brought athe best of [his] ramsa (66:15), unlike some of his compatriots who were known to aoffer animals that [were] crippled and diseaseda (Malachi 1:8). His appreciation was shown repeatedly to be real through his desire to share his experience of G.o.das goodness with othersa"aCome and listen, all you who fear G.o.d, and I will tell you what he did for mea (66:16).
What better response can a man have to the Lordas unfailing love than to show unfailing grat.i.tude to the one who has not failed him! Fires, floods, foxholes, and the actions that follow will show the caliber of a manas faith.
June 5
TO READ: Exodus 13:1-16
Dedicated Donkeys
A firstborn male donkey may be redeemed from the LORD by presenting a lamb in its place. But if you decide not to make the exchange, the donkey must be killed by breaking its neck. However, you must redeem every firstborn son.
Exodus 13:13
When the Moral Majority, under the leadership of Jerry Falwell, was making headlines, many people suspected that the movement was really an arm of the Republican Party. This meant that committed Democrats were not always enamored of their statements and activities. One such person, fortunately not lacking a sense of humor, wrote to a national magazine asking the editor to inform Jerry Falwell that aif Jesus had wanted us to vote Republican, he would have ridden into Jerusalem on an elephant!a Of course, the donkey is the symbol of the Democrats and the elephant that of the Republicans. Astute readers will remember that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey.
A case can be made that G.o.d is looking for dedicated donkeys. The children of Israel were delivered from Pharaohas tyranny in Egypt only after the angel of the Lord killed the firstborn male of every Egyptian family, while sparing those of the Israelites. In commemoration of this dramatic deliverance, G.o.d ordained that all firstborn males in Israel should be dedicated to the Lord. As the Egyptian firstborn males perished during the Exodus, by the same token the firstborn Israelites owed their lives to the Lordas protection and should, out of grat.i.tude, be dedicated to the Lord. The expression aAll firstborn sons and firstborn male animals must be presented to the Lorda (Exod. 13:12), meant that they should be slaughtered as a sacrifice of thanksgivinga"with two notable exceptions: Firstborn sons and donkeys could be redeemed. That means a subst.i.tute animal could be sacrificed for them. The reason for this exception in the case of sons is obvious. In the case of donkeys, it is less so. The donkey was such a aworkhorsea that its slaughter would seriously jeopardize the well-being of the people. Therefore, donkeys should be spared. This idea of a subst.i.tute sacrifice echoes Paulas words: aI plead with you to give your bodies to G.o.d. Let them be a living and holy sacrificea"the kind he will accepta (Rom. 12:1).
Sometimes G.o.d calls men to lay down their lives for him and his causea"to make the ultimate sacrifice. More often, the Lord does not ask us to die for hima"something that may be accomplished in a moment. Rather, he calls us to live for hima"a matter of a lifetime of service. G.o.d is looking for dedicated donkeys!
June 6
TO READ: Exodus 13:17a"14:4
Divine Detours
When Pharaoh finally let the people go, G.o.d did not lead them on the road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest way from Egypt to the Promised Land. G.o.d said, aIf the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.a Exodus 13:17
While it is true that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, it is not always true that a straight line leads to the best route. G.o.das chosen destination for his liberated people was the Promised Land, and athe shortest way from Egypt to the Promised Landa was right up the coast of the Mediterranean from Egypt (Exod. 13:17). But there was one problem with that routea"it went straight through Philistine territory, and there was no way that the Philistines would allow the huge crowd of Israelites to pa.s.s through their territory unchallenged. Of course, all things are possible for G.o.d, but not all things were possible for the Israelites!
In G.o.das opinion, the Israelites were not ready for a fight. So rather than send them on the shortesta"and toughesta"route, he ordered them on a divine detour. He knew them well enough to know that, glad as they were to escape Egypt and its travails, they would probably have turned tail and headed back to slavery rather than fight for their lives. They would have avoided the short-term problem, which not only would have led to bigger problems but would also have robbed them of a divine destiny. The Israelites probably did not appreciate this at the timea"as they began to experience the rigors of wilderness existence, they let it be known that they were less than enthusiastic about their new environment and adventures. What they were led into was far from pleasant. No doubt they were put off by the difficulties and the delays of their route. But perhaps they forgot that what they were saved from was immeasurably worsea"and that what they were going toward was immeasurably better!
Detours, disappointments, and delays are rarely pleasant. But if they are truly from G.o.d, they are prompted by insights hidden from human view and predicated on divine plans not always understood by man at the time. A man may see his immediate objective and go for it with energy and enthusiasm, only to be stymied and frustrated. What he may not see is the danger that lurks on the way, the disasters that lurk in his path from which he can be delivered only by delay and detour.
June 7
TO READ: Exodus 14:5-31
Stand Still and Get Moving
But Moses told the people, aDonat be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the LORD rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again. The LORD himself will fight for you. You wonat have to lift a finger in your defense!a Then the LORD said to Moses, aWhy are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!a Exodus 14:13-15
Its amazing how quickly men forget! Only a few days after begging the Israelites to leave, following the dreadful disaster of the death of the firstborn, Pharaoh and his men regretted the decision. a aWhat have we done, letting all these slaves get away?a they askeda (Exod. 14:5). So the Egyptians mobilized the army and took off after the escaping slaves. Meanwhile, when the Israelites realized the Egyptian armies were coming after them, they turned on Moses and accused him of leading them into the wilderness against their will, a.s.serting that aEgyptian slavery was far better than dying out here in the wilderness!a (14:12).
With remarkable faith and confidence, Moses told the panicking people, aDonat be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue youa (14:13). So that is precisely what the people dida"probably while paralyzed with fear. But then the Lord commanded Moses, aTell the people to get moving!a (14:15). So Moses, having just told them to stand still, now told them to get moving!
When Moses told the people to stand still, he was stressing that athe Lord himself will fight for you. You wonat have to lift a finger in your defensea (14:14). As things turned out, he was quite right! But at the same time, in order for them to see what G.o.d would do, it was necessary for them to move through the opened waters to the other side of the sea.
There are things in life that only G.o.d can handle and situations in daily experience for which no man has an answer. But G.o.d has the answers. Recognition of this sometimes leads a man to astand stilla and see what G.o.d can and will do. It is a matter of trust, of faith. At the same time, while man cannot solve his problems, G.o.d may tell him to get moving so that G.o.d can solve them. Then it is a matter of obedience.
In fact, all spiritual experience is about faith and obedience. The two are not incompatible. The power to obey becomes available as we trust G.o.d to act. Without faith, there will be no obedience, and without obedience there is evidently no faith. So, as the old hymn says, atrust and obey.a Or, if you prefer, stand still and get moving.
June 8
TO READ: Exodus 15:19-21
Miriam the Prophet
Then Miriam the prophet, Aaronas sister, took a tambourine and led all the women in rhythm and dance.
Exodus 15:20