TO READ: Mark 4:21-25
Never Stop Learning
aTo those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.a Mark 4:25
People often talk about awhere they received their education.a They usually mean awhere they went to school.a Speaking of receiving an education in these terms suggests that an education is complete once graduation has been achieved. It also a.s.sumes that while people are in college they are busy being educated, while quite often they have insufficient time to attend cla.s.ses without interrupting their social life! Peter Drucker, the management expert, said that an educated person is someone who has learned how to learn and never stops learning. Perhaps we should not talk about where we received an education but about how our education is progressing.
This was the thrust of Jesusa teaching about the lamp, the basket, and the bed (Mark 4:21). When a light acomesa into a room it is not promptly placed under a basket or a bed. The purpose of light is to be seen and to make sight possible. To hide a lamp would be counterproductive. It would not only fail in its objective of lighting the room, but the law of unintended consequences would apply: The lamp would light the housea"on fire!
Jesusa next saying is aEverything that is now hidden or secret will eventually be brought to lighta (4:22). This suggests that while the objective of bringing light is not to hide it, that is precisely what happened in his ministry! The hidden things will be revealed, but only to those who take the trouble to listen.
There is no problem in ascertaining what Jesus expected people to listen to and what the secret is that would be revealed: athe secret about the Kingdom of G.o.da (4:11). Jesus was telling his disciples that, in his own coming into the world, there had been a great revelation of G.o.das purposes and his kingdom, but there was still much more to be revealeda"the lamp was still under the bucket and the bed. His disciples must constantly be open to new discoveries of his plans and purposes. In other words, they must not stop learning!
Jesus promised, aTo those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be givena (4:25). In other words, those who listen to what Jesus tells them receive even more insight into G.o.das eternal purposes. But Jesus also warned, aTo those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.a Those who do not pursue G.o.das self-revelation find the little they had learned slowly disappears.
G.o.d has no intention of leaving the message of the kingdom under a bed. He puts it out in the open where Christian disciples never stop learning. And they never graduate.
January 14
TO READ: Mark 4:26-34
Knowing Your Limitations
Here is another ill.u.s.tration of what the Kingdom of G.o.d is like: A farmer planted seeds in a field, and then he went on with his other activities. As the days went by, the seeds sprouted and grew without the farmeras help, because the earth produces crops on its own.
Mark 4:26-28
A famous organist was visiting a number of small towns giving recitals in the local churches. At each stop he hired the services of a small boy to pump the organ manually. After a highly successful recital, the boy who had been pumping said to the organist, aWe had a great recital tonight, didnat we?a The organist replied, aI had a great recital. Not we! I! I had a great recital tonight!a The following night, halfway through the repeat recital, the organ ceased to function. Then a small face appeared from behind the screen where the pump was. With a grin, the boy announced, aWe arenat having such a great recital tonight, are we?a The organist had developed such confidence in his own skills that he had overlooked his dependency and forgotten his limitations.
Jesus made sure that his disciples were aware of their limitations. He spoke about a farmer who sowed his seed and then went on with his normal activities while the seed germinated, developed, and matureda"all without his help or even his understanding how the procedure worked! Jesus told his disciples, aAs the days went by, the seeds sprouted and grew without the farmeras help, because the earth produces crops on its owna (Mark 4:27-28).
The disciples certainly had a role to play in scattering the seed of the word, but they were totally incapable of producing the lasting effects of the Word in peopleas lives. Only G.o.d can do that. The mysterious power hidden in the most unprepossessing, dry, little seed, when planted in good soil, has the ability to grow and produce in remarkable ways. Even in our enlightened scientific world there are still great mysteries about life that the finest brains have not fathomed. That is how it is with the work of G.o.das kingdom, too. G.o.das people must recognize what they are called to doa"and do it. Then they must depend upon G.o.d to do what only he can do. And he will.
Thereas something wonderfully humbling about knowing your limitationsa"and liberating, too. Once the disciples had presented the message, they were free from responsibility for the response of the hearers. They had to plant the seed, but they didnat have to make the seed grow. And they could watch with amazement as it did.
One word of caution is in order. The farmer, despite his limitations, was still called upon to put in the sickle and harvest the crop (4:29). Knowing your limitations is no excuse for laziness. Knowing what you cannot do does not allow you to fail to do what you are called to do!
January 15
TO READ: Psalm 85
Listen Carefully
I listen carefully to what G.o.d the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his people, his faithful ones. But let them not return to their foolish ways.
Psalm 85:8
William Wordsworth, in his poem aThe Excursion,a talked about meeting a small boy holding to his ear a seash.e.l.l ato which, in silence hushed, his very soul listened intensely.a Even though the boy lived far from the sea, as he listened he aheard murmuringsa which aexpressed mysterious uniona with the ocean. As a result ahis countenance soon brightened with joy.a Getting some boys to listen to anything, whether intensely or otherwise, is a challenge. Activity, rather than contemplation, is their rhythm. And yet if they could be persuaded to, as the railway crossing signs command, aStop, Look, Listen,a they would be surprised by what they heard.
Men, like small boys, also find it hard to stop, look, and listen. We donat like to stop what weare doinga"we think it wastes time. We donat find it necessary to looka"we think we already know. We find it difficult to listen because as another speaks, we are formulating a reb.u.t.tal. But failure to listen intensely can mean missing the message entirely, or it can lead to hearing the message only partially. To miss the message entirely means living in ignorance; to grasp it only partially can mean living with confusion.
The psalm writer, on the other hand, had decided to alisten carefully to what the Lord is saying,a because he had learned that the Lord aspeaks peace to his people, his faithful onesa (Ps. 85:8). In those days, the Lord spoke directly and powerfully through the prophets who had responded to his call to alisten carefullya to the message G.o.d was delivering to them. Then they had to get the message across. But it was a difficult task. The people either didnat listen or they listened only halfheartedly, and they ignored the warnings, predictions, pleadings, and promises of the prophets. Because they did so, disaster overtook them. They had lived in such turmoil that their question to G.o.d was, aWill you be angry with us always? Will you prolong your wrath to distant generations?a (85:5). Those who had taken the trouble to listen had learned that G.o.das asalvation is near to those who honor hima (85:9). They knew about unfailing love, truth, righteousness, and peacea"athe amazing blessingsa (85:1) which the Lord delighted to pour out on his people. But they also knew better than ato return to their foolish waysa (85:8).
Men today have the Bible, G.o.dly preachers, and gifted authors on every hand speaking G.o.das message. If these men will try listening attentively to what G.o.d is saying, they will find that he is still offering apeacea and warning against afoolish ways.a And, like small boys with sea sh.e.l.ls, their countenances will be abrightened with joy.a
January 16
TO READ: Isaiah 29:1-14
The City of David
aThese people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away. And their worship of me amounts to nothing more than human laws learned by rote.a Isaiah 29:13
aThe house that Ruth builta is Yankee Stadium in New York city. Babe Ruth was neither the architect who designed the imposing structure nor the contractor who built it. But his baseball exploits put the stadium on the map. Not that the fans entering athe house that Ruth builta talk about New York City. Itas aThe Big Apple.a In the same way, New Orleans is aThe Big Easya and London, England, is athe Smoke.a aThe City of David,a as every Old Testament scholar knows, is Jerusalem. But King David didnat design or found the city. The Jebusites did that before Israel arrived from Egypt. But David conquered them, occupied the city, and put Jerusalem on the front pages of history (see 2 Sam. 5:6-7).
In keeping with the tendency to give major cities nicknames, Isaiah called Jerusalem, the City of David, aAriel.a He explained that Ariel means aan altar covered with blooda (Isa. 29:2)a"certainly an odd name for a city!
In the temple, the altar was a constant reminder of the need for sin to be confessed and dealt with by sacrificea"a clear pointer to the eventual death of Christ as a sacrifice for our sin. But the altar was also a continual source of encouragement because it spoke of divine forgiveness and restoration. In the same way aArielaa"that is, Jerusalema"would be a historical reminder of both divine judgment and heavenly restoration.
Unfortunately, the people of Jerusalem in Isaiahas time had rejected the Lordas constant reminders of their sin and his offers of forgiveness for so long that they had become stupefied. You can only reject truth for so long before you become hardened and blinded to it. aAriela was about to see the judgment of G.o.d, yet it was in no mood to welcome the forgiveness of G.o.d. The promises of G.o.d were aa sealed book to thema (29:11). They continued with their worship activities but they were anothing more than human laws learned by rotea (29:13). The people of Jerusalem were practicing religious rites devoid of reality, and they were professing a faith without performing it. The Lord complained, aThey honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far awaya (29:13).
The judgment promised for Jerusalem finally came, but the promised blessing came, too. Seven hundred years after Isaiah, the angels announced Christas birth ain Bethlehem, the city of David!a (Luke 2:11). Bethlehem was the acity of David.a It was there that David had been born and there that, in Christas coming, hope for promised blessings was born anew.
January 17
TO READ: Isaiah 30:8-17
Quietness and Confidence
The Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says, aOnly in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.a Isaiah 30:15
When activists see that something needs fixing, they fix it. They see a problem, identify a solution, establish a strategic plan, create a budget and goals, and move into action. Obstacles are defined as problems to be solved and problems are seen as opportunities. The can-do spirit reigns, and optimism is the only legitimate att.i.tude. In less time than it actually takes, everything will be on track.
Jerusalem in Isaiahas time had its share of activists. The problem was a man called Sennacherib who had a mighty a.s.syrian army at his disposal. And Jerusalem was in his sights! The solution to the problem was the ama.s.sing of enough power to counter the a.s.syrians. The Egyptians were close at hand, and a strategic alliance with them was suggested. This would be costly, but pack animals could be sent immediately with the necessary bribes and gifts (Isa. 30:6-7). If Egypt could be counted on to cooperate, the problem was solved. No problem!
Meanwhile, back in Jerusalem, Isaiah was holding forth! Isaiah was convinced that Egypt was worthless as a source of helpa"a aHarmless Dragona with big teeth but no bite. Isaiah warned that sending amba.s.sadors with pack animals loaded with gifts was a waste of time and money and that, if Judah persisted in this asolution,a it was only a matter of time until everything would collapse alike a bulging wall that bursts and fallsa (30:13). Isaiahas strategic plan, by contrast, was very simple. He had received it from the Lord, who said, aOnly in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strengtha (30:15).
Activists do not see the wisdom of aquietness and confidence.a Their doctrine is, aG.o.d helps those who help themselves,a even though they are usually so confident in their own abilities that the help of G.o.d is rarely seen as significant unless things get really out of hand! The Jerusalem activists were not at all responsive! aShut up! We donat want any more of your reports,a they shouted at Isaiah (30:10). They added, aWe have heard more than enough about your aHoly One of Israel.a We are tired of listening to what he has to saya (30:11).
Is any of this relevant? The Lord certainly thought so, because he told Isaiah, aWrite down these words concerning Egypt. They will then stand until the end of time as a witnessa (30:8). In other words, look at what eventually happened to Jerusalem, as Isaiah said it would, and learn the lesson which applies ato the end of time.a The lesson is this: In every situation, turn to the Lord, quietly and confidently, and expect him to work! And he will!
January 18
TO READ: Luke 12:35-48
Accountability
But people who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given.
Luke 12:48
In the so-called aGender Wars,a some women have made harsh statements about men, and the men have not exactly taken it lying down! Having said that, both sides did get some things right. For instance, the women who said that men needed to aget in touch with their feminine sidea were making a fair point, even though they went overboard in making it. Men do need to recognize that masculinity is not all about muscular machos making mayhem. Men can and should be gentle and considerate! The women also said that men should stop being cowboys and lone rangers, and that they should be willing to be vulnerable enough to make intimate friendshipsa"even to be accountable to others for their actions! Vulnerability, gentleness, consideration, and accountability are not purely feminine traits, though. They are masculine traits as well.
During his earthly ministry, Jesus referred to accountability more than once. He predicted both his departure to his Father and his coming again to establish his eternal kingdom. Using the a.n.a.logy of a rich landowner who had gone away, leaving his affairs in the care of a trusted servant, Jesus said his disciples were his servants and, like the landowner, he would return and evaluate their lives. Jesusa coming again would not be advertised in advance any more than a thief would advertise his arrival to divest an owner of his property. It was inc.u.mbent on the servant to be ready. Jesus explained, aBe dressed for service and well prepared, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feasta (Luke 12:35-36).
The thought of being held accountable by their master is a challenge to Christas disciples. It serves as a powerful motivating factor. But it is not designed to strike fear into their hearts. The Lord said standards of evaluation would be based on opportunities presented and responses to opportunity. Using dramatic hyperbolic language, Jesus described the lot of the servants who blatantly abuse their positions (12:46-47). He also explained, aMuch is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is givena (12:48).
That raises a question: How much is much and how much more is much more? Perhaps the answer is found in the Lordas description of the kind of servant he is looking for. He had in mind a afaithful, sensible servanta (12:42)a"afaithfula in the steady, consistent fulfilling of duties and obligations with joy and delight; and asensiblea in that the servant is very much aware of the impact of grace, the bestowal of privilege, and the embracing of opportunity.
Faithful, sensible servants have nothing to feara"their Lord is faithful and sensible, too!
January 19
TO READ: Isaiah 32:1-8
Heroes and Celebrities
Look, a righteous king is coming! And honest princes will rule under him. . . . In that day unG.o.dly fools will not be heroes. Wealthy cheaters will not be respected as outstanding citizens. Everyone will recognize unG.o.dly fools for what they are.
Isaiah 32:1, 5-6a
Where have all the heroes gone? What happened to the Lincolns and the Washingtons, the Roosevelts and the Churchills? Where are men of courage, principle, and integrity, who operate with vision, drive, and initiative, and whose achievements are plain to see, beneficial, and far-reaching? What happened to the great athletes who played through their pain, who believed they were role models to the young, and who invested their lives in their communities, playing for one team all their careers? People talk about the death of G.o.d. But what about the death of heroes?
Os Guinness, in his book The Call, cites three reasons for the conspicuous absence of heroes. First, we live in a cynical age that respects nothing and reveres n.o.body. Guinness wrote, aAs modern people, we look not for the golden aura but for the feet of clay, not for the stirring example but for the cynical motive.a4 Second, we see fewer heroes for the very simple reason that there arenat as many around! We have traded heroes for celebrities. As everybody knows, celebrities are just people who are famous for being well-known. It is not that they have achieved anything of profound significance or have invested their lives in some n.o.ble venture that will change the lot of humanity for the better. They just happened to be around doing something when the lights came on and the cameras started to roll. Third, we are lacking in heroes because we have lost sight of G.o.d as an active partic.i.p.ant in human lives. So we lack the ability to see G.o.d calling men to live for him and his cause, which transcends anything humans can envisage. Having such a calling gave menas lives grandeur and n.o.bility of purpose, with the result that many became true heroes.
In Isaiahas time it wasnat so much that they lacked heroes. It was a matter of the people regarding aunG.o.dly foolsa as heroes. Perhaps that is nearer the truth of the situation in our culture. There is no shortage of celebrities who are considered aheroes,a whose words are recorded with awe and whose actions are followed with slavish devotion. It is just that so many of them are such incredibly unG.o.dly fools! And people havenat realized it yet!
The prophet looked forward to a day in the future when aunG.o.dly fools will no longer be heroes. Wealthy cheaters will not be respected as outstanding citizensa (Isa. 32:5). It would be a time when their society would be turned right side up! Good would be recognized as good and evil as evil, and foolishness would be recognized as foolishness and accomplishment as accomplishment.
That day will finally come when the aRighteous Kinga (32:1) arrives to establish his kingdom. In the interim, G.o.das people need to recognize that in todayas world, any fool can become a ahero,a but in G.o.das economy a real hero is no fool!