I’ve said before that the problem with religion is that it’s easier than following Jesus. It is usually a given that something is wrong with us, wrong with the world, perhaps critically or else just a little off, but most people agree that something must be done because all is not right in the world as it is. Religion, in most cases, offers us the chance to do something. If we read the right book, say the right things, act right, talk right and treat each others the right way we can “fix” what is wrong. Religion, as such, is worthless. But what could I mean that Jesus was not religious? Continue reading
Category Archives: Theology
Can A Person Get Saved Reading the Old Testament?
I certainly teach that the whole Bible is about Jesus. The Bible, on the whole, is the story of how a holy God relates to a sinful and fallen people. Jesus is at the center of that story. You’ve heard all this before.
The question I heard raised this morning is “Can a person get saved only reading the Old Testament?” II Timothy 3 tells us that all scripture is given by the inspiration of God. Obviously the New Testament is God-given, and we need to read and study it. If the Old Testament was sufficient, why would God give us another? But still, if the gospel is all over the Bible, is there enough there to lead a person to Christ? And I say, yes it is possible. Continue reading
Our Call to Discipleship
At the end of Matthew’s Gospel (28:16-20) Jesus gives his disciples the Great Commission. In Mark’s account (16:15), Jesus commands the disciples to “preach the gospel to all creation.” This was the first verse I ever memorized as a child. In the King James it reads “to every creature.” The wording in Matthew is a little different. We’re not just to preach the gospel, we are to make disciples. What’s the difference? Continue reading
An Easter Sermon
But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth. -Isaiah 53:5-7
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. -Acts 2:22-24
In John 10, Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd; and we are very much in need of a shepherd. He is also described as the Lamb of God, the perfect sacrificial lamb that takes away the sin of the world. When we need a shepherd, he is our shepherd. But when we need a sacrifice… Jesus is that for us too.
Easter is the celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. He is the Lamb that was slain, but he is so much more. In short, he is an all sufficient savior.
Listen to the sermon Jesus, Sheep or Shepherd
Thoughts on Holy Week: Jesus’ Prayer from the Cross
In his first sermon (Mark 1) Jesus offers a simple message: “Repent and believe the gospel.” As he hangs on the cross some 3 years later, what is Jesus doing? We have only a handful of words spoken by Jesus during the crucifixion, but there are some powerful lessons to be shared in them.
As he hangs on the cross, he was in between two thieves. One of them mocked Jesus, but the other asked to be remembered by him. Jesus replied that he would be with him in paradise. Even while dying on the cross, Jesus won a convert!
But even more amazing: Jesus said the prayer of intercession for the very people crucifying him that day. Not just of the Roman soldiers, but for those really responsible, including the Jewish people, the priests and the Sanhedrin. “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He prayed for the very people taking his life. Taking the form of a servant is one thing. Washing feet is another. Praying for those that despitefully use you is another entirely. But none of those compare to asking forgiveness for the very people that are nailing you to a cross, where you will slowly bleed and die.
Jesus, Sheep or Shepherd?
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
The 23rd Psalm; a very familiar passage and perhaps the most quoted poetry from the Old Testament. In John 10, Jesus explains that he is the good shepherd. He is not a hireling, but loves the sheep, and would lay down his life for them. He has been entrusted by the Father to care for the sheep. And of course, we’re the sheep.
We’ve all seen pictures of Jesus holding a lamb. But it’s more than a cute analogy. Sheep must be cared for. They have few natural defenses, and are very near sighted. They need the shepherd. We too are no match for the devil, often nearsighted (or blind), and desperately need the Good Shepherd. Continue reading
Thoughts on Holy Week: Jesus Died
I know, perhaps you’re thinking “Well duh.” But give it just a little more thought than that. This is God’s only son we’re talking about here. As a matter of fact, Jesus is God.
On Easter we will celebrate the resurrection. Jesus wasn’t just resurrected, he IS the resurrection. So we’re not simply celebrating the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. He was not the first to rise again. That miracle had happened more than once already. But when Jesus hung on the cross, it was the first time that God had ever died. Two of the gospels recorded Jesus’ birth; all four record the crucifixion. In Matthew’s Gospel, he records the sky going dark until the 9th hour (3 p.m.). Only Matthew goes on to say that the veil was torn in the temple from top to bottom, and the graves of the saints opened up. The Old Testament saints went through the street of Jerusalem prophesying (Matt. 27:45, 51-53). The darkness, the earthquake, the veil, the saints, all highlight an extraordinary event taking place that day. I’m thinking of a few other scriptures beyond the gospels: Continue reading
Palm Sunday: Jesus’ Triumphal Entry
UPDATE: this entry is from 2009. A newer post, with much more information, is this one from 2010.
Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week. The triumphal entry of Jesus was to be the last time he went up to Jerusalem. He and his desciples were coming into the city to celebrate Passover. Thousands of Jews from around Aisa Minor, Africa and Europe were doing the same. Throughout his ministry, some listeners (among them the Zealots) expected Jesus to claim his throne on earth. Their idea of Messiah was a military leader, and Jesus was on the scene at the right time if he was going to throw the Romans out of Israel. Many Jews could hear Messianic things in what Jesus said, and here he was riding into Jerusalem. The crowd shouted “Hosanna,” and spread palm branches and even their coats along the highway. Hosanna is sort of like our hallelujah, but literally means save now. Jesus seemed poised to ride ahead into his greatest victory.
As we move into Holy Week, try to imagine the horror of these first century observers as Jesus was arrested and tried. What many followers witnessed, including his own 12 apsoltles, was a dramatic turnaround from first to last place. Some of the same Jews who shouted “Hosanna” would be shouting “Crucify him” by the end of the week. This is that week.
The Gospel is Offensive
The Gospel is good news. It is the power of God unto salvation. It is the story of God with us. As Christians, we believe all these wonderful things, and more, about the Good News of Jesus Christ. But the vast majority of people will say “Thanks but no thanks,” and some will get defensive first and then angry. For better or worse, hearing the good news offends people.
Jesus has a long conversation with some Jews that “had believed him” in John 8:31-59. In verse 39, the Jews respond to Jesus that Abraham is their father. In 41, they say that God is their only father. Jesus’ final statement, “Before Abraham was I am,” is the Gospel. Jesus is using language that only God would use (i.e. the burning bush), and seems to make a play on words with God’s name. It was not only blasphemy to use God’s name this way, he is saying that in fact he is God; God with us. That’s good news. But on this occasion, it’s not good news for Jesus. They were picking up stones with which to kill him as he escaped from their midst. Continue reading
The God We Wouldn’t Make Up
God made man in his own image. And man, in his infinite wisdom, returned the favor. -Mark Twain
In my last post, I argued that if Christianity were a lie, we would have told a better lie. A similar line of thinking applies to God. Many gods have been invented by people. The God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, the Almighty God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, isn’t one of them. Here’s why no one would make up such a god:
God requires perfection. We would make up a god that settles for good enough. Our imaginary god would be happy with 70%. That’s good enough to pass. The best you can do is the best you can do. Who would ask for more than that? The God we wouldn’t make up, that’s who. Continue reading
The Master's Table 