Tag: love

Korah’s Rebellion (Numbers 16:20-35)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
Korah’s Rebellion, by John Bradford

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Separate yourselves from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once.”

But Moses and Aaron fell face down and cried out, “O God, the God who gives breath to all living things, will you be angry with the entire assembly when only one man sins?”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Say to the assembly, ‘Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.’”

Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. He warned the assembly, “Move back from the tents of these wicked men! Do not touch anything belonging to them, or you will be swept away because of all their sins.” So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram had come out and were standing with their wives, children and little ones at the entrances to their tents.

Then Moses said, “This is how you will know that the Lord has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea: If these men die a natural death and suffer the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. But if the Lord brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the realm of the dead, then you will know that these men have treated the Lord with contempt.”

As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. They went down alive into the realm of the dead, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community. At their cries, all the Israelites around them fled, shouting, “The earth is going to swallow us too!”

And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense. (New International Version)

Rebellion in the community was afoot. There were certain Levite leaders who rejected the leadership of Moses, and especially Aaron. They failed to discern that these men were God’s appointed leaders.

On the surface of things, Korah the ringleader, put the matter in a pious sounding way by presenting Moses and Aaron as against democracy. He insisted that all the community is holy, so therefore, Moses and Aaron were exalting themselves over everyone else.

It becomes apparent, however, that Korah and the other Levites were with him to gain the priesthood. It was the age-old play for power and authority. At the least, the rebels were ungrateful for their own place in the religious system that God, not Moses, had set up.

Moses responded by having Korah and his followers act like priests. He had them come to the tent of meeting with censers to burn incense before the Lord. Then, they could clearly find out whether God would accept their priestly service, or not.

The entire camp, of course, showed up, looking like the townspeople in an old Western movie. The Sheriff and the gunslinging bandit, in the street, about to duel each other.

Since the Lord is a big God, the Lord showed up big.

Yahweh’s glory appeared, threatening to exterminate everyone, townspeople included. Clearly, God had had enough of the people’s continual grumbling and their incessant rebellious spirit.

To demonstrate, once and for all, which side of things God is on, the Lord caused a singular disaster to occur – which had never happened before or since. The ground opened up and the earth literally swallowed up the rebels’ households and all who were with them in the rebellion.

As for the 250 men who were challenging Moses and Aaron with their censers in hand, were seen for who they were: Rebels against God. The little fires in each of their censers erupted into great flames of fire which completely consumed them. They were dead on the spot.

That experience clarified forever who was supposed to be doing the priestly service in Israel.

Although today’s Old Testament lesson is one of the more famous (or infamous) stories of divine judgment in the Bible, it seems to me that perhaps we might focus a bit more on the grace which existed with Moses and Aaron.

After all, if we want to see humanity’s better angels, then let’s talk about them.

I’m not really sure if I would have the humility and wisdom of Moses and Aaron to be concerned for the entire community in such a suspenseful and vitriolic situation. And yet, the two of them appealed to God for mercy on the nation. As a result, it was only the 250 men and their households who experienced condemnation.

There will always be persons like Korah and his followers on this earth. No matter where we go, and no matter how much we may try to avoid them, they’ll show up. And we will have to deal with them.

At such a point, we certainly have a biblical warrant for praying great imprecatory (judgmental) prayers upon them, just as the psalmist did many times.

And there is nothing wrong with our feelings of anger, that is, unless we allow that anger to come out sideways and add to the problem.

Yet, we really do have other options, which is what I think Jesus was getting at with his followers when he said:

“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” (Matthew 5:43-48, MSG)

We, of course, see the real stinker that Korah was, along with those who followed him. Yet, we also see the real deal with Moses the leader and Aaron the priest.

In the crucible of a very difficult situation, their true muster came out. They did not try to become judges themselves, nor did they encourage God to raze the entire place and start all over again. Instead, they prayed with humility and wisdom, demonstrating why God had them as leaders over the nation of Israel.

And we are left with the realization that people like you and me will always need to be cognizant and aware to keep developing those virtues of wisdom and humility in our lives.

For there is always a new situation which arises, needing our better angels to show up and handle things well.

O God, you guide the humble in all things, and cause light to bear upon the darkness. Help us, in all of our doubts, uncertainties, and insecurities, to depend upon your grace and ask what you would have us to do. May the Spirit of wisdom save us from foolish choices, so that in your light we can see light, and walking your straight path we may not stumble. Amen.

What Should We Do? (Acts 2:37-42)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
Apostle Peter Preaching, by Lorenzo Veneziano, c.1370

When the crowd heard this, they were deeply troubled. They said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

Peter replied, “Change your hearts and lives. Each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you, your children, and for all who are far away—as many as the Lord our God invites.” With many other words he testified to them and encouraged them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized. God brought about three thousand people into the community on that day.

The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. (Common English Bible)

The Apostle Peter, follower of Jesus, had a fire in his belly and fresh wind in his lungs.

Pentecost will do that to a person.

The promised Holy Spirit came – the Spirit of fire and wind – and the result was an impassioned, reasoned, and convicting message from Peter.

The crowd of people listening to Peter understood clearly that he was saying the person and work of Jesus was the activity of God.

And Christ was killed because of his presence and ministry. But three days later, he was raised from death. And then, ascended to heaven, promising the Spirit’s continual involvement.

The people listening to Peter were cut to the heart, convicted in the depths of their soul, and beside themselves as to their culpability in Christ’s situation. They cried out to Peter and asked him what they should do, how they could possibly be a part of what God is doing in the world.

Peter’s response to the crowd was to change – to repent and be baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle was telling them to turn away from the old way, and turn toward the new coming kingdom of God.

Baptism assures people that God has received their repentance, and has forgiven them. It initiates the believer into the new community of the redeemed, the church.

This was not only for Jewish people, but also for Gentiles; and for everyone, both far and near.

Celebration, by John August Swanson (1938-2021)

The four qualities which characterized the earliest church were these:

  1. The new community followed apostolic teaching (the story of Jesus)
  2. The church continually engaged in fellowship (mutual encouragement and working together in unity)
  3. The believers broke bread together (kept meeting together in shared meals to remember the person and work of Jesus)
  4. They prayed (as the Lord had taught them to pray – for God’s gracious and benevolent kingdom to come, and God’s ethical and moral will to be done, right now on this earth, as it is always done in God’s heaven)

For those who are established in the faith of Christianity, all of this material raises several questions to reflect upon in how our life together as Christians is going:

How do Christians understand the word “repentance?”

Because this determines a great deal of how we live as believers. If we discern repentance as following the rules – both written and unwritten – then we are likely behaving more in the old ways that the earliest believers were to repent of.

But if we see repentance as a way of life, of continually offering prayers of confession to God, and seeking to align our life with the words and ways of Jesus, then we are living more into the spirit of Peter’s original exhortation to the people.

Is the Church living as the baptized community of the redeemed?

Again, how do we understand the word “baptism?” If baptism is nothing more than a personal decision to outwardly show one’s faith, then we have severely truncated Peter’s meaning of the word.

Baptism is the outward sign that we belong to God. And belonging to God is something God does, not us.

One good way of understanding the whole of the Christian life is that we are to ‘live into our baptism,’ that is, we are to daily live our lives cognizant that our life is not our own.

We belong to God. Long before we happened to choose God, God chose us. And we must always remember that.

Are believers in Jesus living in the Spirit?

The Spirit has been given as the continuing presence of Jesus on this earth. The Spirit reminds us of Christ’s words and ways, his person and work. To live in the Spirit is to be continually reminded that what is important to Jesus, needs to be important to us.

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of competing or fighting. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

“You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. (Matthew 5:3-10, MSG)

Are individual Christians and the Church communicating the promise to those who are far away? In other words, are we seeking to include others in the community?

Too many churches are closed groups who have a lot of extraneous rules and ancillary beliefs in order to truly be a part of their local church.

This does not mean we are to have no rules or guidelines or any teaching about our particular Christian tradition. However, it does mean that make sure we are proclaiming good news (which is what the word “gospel” means) because the gospel is radically inclusive, not exclusive.

Therefore, to have a community of people who genuinely love one another by spiritually changing and growing, serving and helping, sharing and encouraging, praying and opening up, is to have a group of redeemed persons who give a compelling proclamation of good news through both their gracious words and their loving actions.

If we have little Christ’s walking about this world and living according to his words and ways, and being full of the Spirit, then we give other people a big reason for faith, hope, and love in a world that is too often characterized by being overwhelmed, jaded, and hopeless.

One can never go wrong with living a blessed life as Jesus has defined it; and as the early apostles and believers lived it.

May it be so, to the glory of God, and for the blessing of the church and the world. Amen.

Waiting with Hope (Romans 8:22-25)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
Art depicting cracked earth, a dry riverbed, white plastic shapes, a lack of life and the red glow of fire. The figures are separated, lacking any real connection. By artist Chris De Hoog

For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering.

We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) (New Living Translation)

Salvation is not only personal; it’s also cosmic.

That is, freedom from the power of sin, death, and hell is not only for an individual person, but this deliverance is for all of creation, for the entire earth.

So then, all of creation – not just people – long for and groan for the advent of Christ. My oak tree in the backyard longs for it. My dog whines for it. When it rains, the sky is wondering how long it will have to keep up its tears.

Together with the entire cosmos, we look forward to the complete fulfillment of our inheritance as God’s creation, as God’s creatures.

Since that is true, it is Christians who need to see the privilege and responsibility of conducting ourselves with unity, harmony, and non-violence. We are to live this way because we are foreshadowing the end of the world’s story.

There is a day coming when there will be no more malevolent and selfish posturing for power and control. No more oppression and victimization. No more injustice.

And we have the chance to begin living that way now, and not only in a future time. We get to do this because of Christ.

But that doesn’t mean we don’t suffer anymore. Presently, along with all creation, we have pain like that of a woman in childbirth. This is no papercut inconvenient pain; this is “I hurt like hell” pain. That sort of pain has us awaiting the redemption of our bodies.

I work as a hospital chaplain. Every day, I see suffering, some of it unimaginable. I listen to stories of people longing for healing, and grasping at hope. And I hear plenty of groaning (both the actual physical groans, as well as the more quiet internal sighs and groans).

I say to you: The human body is not meant to be destroyed. Our physical selves are not destined for elimination. No, our bodies are meant to be redeemed; they are meant for salvation. It will not always be this way!

So, we hope.

The Christian has the confident expectation that not only is the soul redeemed, but the body, as well. We can enjoy spiritual salvation now. But we must wait for the physical deliverance. There must be patience on our part until Resurrection Day.

The Apostle Paul was calling on believers to hope. Five times he said it in only two verses. Paul was emphasizing the need for spiritual endurance because we have not yet arrived.

In case you haven’t noticed, we aren’t in heaven; this isn’t a renewed earth; people around the globe are not all presently singing kumbaya together.

Therefore, it is imperative that we live with the tension between the “now” and the “not yet.” It’s a weird existence, this Christian life. But, in reality, we exist in the paradox of being saved now, and not yet being saved.

Another way of putting this is that God’s adopted children have not yet received their inheritance.

But that doesn’t mean we’ve been left to ourselves. We have the first fruits of our salvation: the Holy Spirit.

We presently, right now, enjoy a real and significant portion of God’s freedom and deliverance. We have God’s gift of presence. There is the continuing presence of Jesus Christ with us, the blessed Holy Spirit.

And this divine presence is what today helps us to endure and hold onto hope. By holding this future hope, we learn to accept, cope, and transcend our circumstances through love.

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:1-5, NLT)

The very suffering which we so often try to avoid and get out of, becomes the means of connecting us with Christ and with others.

The problem becomes the answer.

The Spirit groans with our own spirit, and we all become connected together.

I point out, however, that not everyone wants this sort of connection. There are many people who want nothing to do with solidarity.

Some folks want to remain in their own little huddle or small world; and they take offense at anyone outside of their group who seeks to understand and connect with that group’s suffering.

Although everyone’s pain and suffering is unique – and no one can fully know another’s sorrow – that does not mean solidarity and connection are impossible, or undesirable.

I don’t need to have cancer in order to connect with a cancer patient. I don’t have to become victimized to show genuine empathy and extend competent comfort. Yet, sadly, some persons only want connection and consolation from a certain person or group.

But I say to that: Who are you to tell God whom God can love you through?

To suffer is one thing, because we all must suffer in some way. But to compound your suffering by your own volition is another thing altogether.

You deserve better than harming yourself through cutting off help.

It could be that today is the day you reach out to that person you know will be there for you. Or, perhaps now is the time to quite putting off making space for prayer and reflection.

Whatever it is that you need to do, it’s okay to do it, without putting it off until tomorrow.

Lord Jesus Christ, by your patience in suffering you hallowed earthly pain and gave us the example of obedience to your Father’s will: Be near me in my time of weakness and pain; and sustain me by your grace, so that my strength and courage may not fail. Heal me according to you will; and help me always to believe that whatever happens to me here is of little account if you hold me in eternal life. Amen.

“I Have Overcome the World” (John 16:25-33)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
All Are Alike Unto God, by Madison Wardle

“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (New International Version)

Imagine you are with Jesus in the Upper Room celebrating Passover. And your Lord tells you he is leaving – going back to the Father. After three years of a difficult, yet incredible ministry, there is palpable grief in the room. It’s as if you got sucker-punched. You want this time with Jesus to never end….

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of Man, Savior of the world, does not forget you. The Lord is concerned and careful to provide wonderful words of assurance: Father God loves you. I give you my peace. I have overcome the world.

My friend, do you hear the words of Jesus? Do you truly understand what the Lord of all the earth has said to you? The love and peace of Christ has overcome the world. That love and that peace is given to you. You, and not just someone else, possesses the love and peace to overcome the world.

Whenever we encounter trouble; in those times when grief seems to be swallowing us whole; and when all is dark and we cannot see our hand in front of our face – it is in these moments the Lord comes alongside us and communicates a loving divine presence which grants us the peace of settled rest, even if, and especially when, our troubling situations do not change.

If you have had a life largely free of struggle, the privilege of knowing where your next meal is coming from, and the assurance of having your most basic needs met, then please understand that many people throughout the world, right this moment, know nothing of that kind of experience.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that needy persons are unhappy, discontent, or bitter. Heavens, no!

Love and peace are neither bound nor limited by adverse circumstances.

In fact, love and peace are known in a much deeper way whenever we have been hated and in conflict. That’s because love thrives and flourishes in an environment of hate; and peace takes root more surely wherever there is disharmony and misunderstanding.

If everything always goes our way, how then would we know the Lord’s great grace to us? How would we ever know God as Provider unless we were in want? How would we know Christ as the Healer unless we were broken? How could we ever know resurrection unless there was a crucifixion?

Jesus specializes in the improbable and the impossible. He comes and lands on the Island of Misfit Toys, and airlifts the discarded ones to be a gift to the world.

You see, this is precisely how we overcome the world: We love and serve, just as our Lord did. Since he overcame, we walk in his footsteps.

The acquisition and presence of peace is anything but passive. Peace has been achieved through a bloody cross and settles within the spirit through an active pursuit of harmony, wholeness, integrity, and love.

Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He has brought us by faith into this experience of God’s grace, in which we now live. And so, we boast of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory! We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God’s approval, and his approval creates hope. (Romans 5:1-4, GNT)

For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (Romans 14:17-19, NRSV)

God’s peace and love is free, but it is not cheap. It is obtained smack in the middle of worldly troubles. So, may the peace of God be with you, my friends, now and always.

Almighty and everlasting God, you are the fountain of all peace, spiritual and temporal. We humbly pray, in your great goodness grant us that peace which the world cannot give, that we may ever live in your fear, obedient to your commandments, to the end that you may deliver us from all our enemies, through your dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.