Brrr. . . Another chilly day. But we could have gotten the snow from that last storm, so I guess cold isn't so bad. (PS I like snow, that silver lining was for everyone who HATES winter :0)Sounds like a warm up is on the way. Just hang in there. . . .
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Mon, Mar 2: What group came to do their work at the Tent of Meeting under the supervision of Aaron and his sons? (Num 8)
Num 8:22 22 After that, the Levites came to do their work at the Tent of Meeting under the supervision of Aaron and his sons.
Hmm, I seem to be off on the readings and days of the week, since the question for Monday actually covers the readings from Tuesday. Let me get that figured out and we'll get back on track again.
And here's today's reflection:
In today's reading from Numbers, we read God's instruction for setting up the lampstand (aka menorah) by Aaron, which was a part of the dedication of the tabernacle. Remember all those chapters in Exodus we spent reading about building the temple? Well, we now see all those lists of this and that finally coming together.
The menorah represents the presence of God in the tabernacle, hence the need for particular attention to its detail (remember "I am the lord your God am therefore be holy as I am holy"). It also has botanical symbolism too. The menorah was created to look like a tree and is probably meant to parallel the tree of life in the garden of Eden. Therefore, it relates God's presence and creation.
This chapter is also concerned with the purification of the Levites. Today's church doesn't really have an official equivalent to the Levite--they weren't quite clergy but not laypeople either. They are a third category all their own. Numbers 8:5-22 seems to indicate they are "living sacrifices in the camp" (Dozeman, NIB Commentary on Leviticus). Dozeman says, "Levites substitute for the divine claim on firstborn, serve the priesthood, and allow the camp to function by atoning for all Israelites."
The author of this commentary goes on to point out that every church does indeed have Levites, whether they are officially recognized or not. "Every church," Dozeman says, "has members who substitute for others by taking on extra responsibility. They serve on committees beyond their appointed time. They teach Sunday school or vacation Bible school for an extra term. The clean up the church on Saturday, paint a room, or set up coffee of Sunday. They are the first persons called in an emergency. Such persons relieve someone else of responsibility every time they take on an extra task. They ransom other members from God's claim on their time. They are living sacrifices of great value."
Perhaps the Levites are the model Paul had in mind in Romans 12:1--"Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." This is a model which Paul intends to be for ALL Christians, though not all follow it. That's why even the Christian church needs Levites, to fulfill the claim for others.
If you are a Levite, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!
Allison
Showing posts with label trees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trees. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Another Puzzling Parable
Hello, again! Glad you dropped by today!
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Thurs, Jan. 29: Jesus tells the disciple a story about a father and two sons. Which son did what the father wanted? (Matt 21)
Matthew 21:31 31 "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you."
BONUS QUESTION: Why?
And here's the question of the day:
Fri, Jan. 30: What is the last plague God sends on Egypt? (Ex 11)
And here's the reflection of the day:
Another Puzzling Parable
It would be a no-brainer to pick an easier piece of Scripture to think about, right? But I've never been one to do things the easy way! (Just ask my mom.) But I have promised myself not to avoid the hard stuff during the Year of the Bible. So, today is another foray into a hard piece of Scripture.
In chapter 21, Matthew tells us that Jesus' authority was challenged (21:23-27). As a response, he tells a series of parables. Ah, parables. . . usually Jesus' convoluted answer to a simple question. Or at least that how we usually feel about them.
According to my handy-dandy "Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms," a parable is "a short story based on common experiences that contains a meaning." Now, it also has a separate entry for "parables of Jesus" that says, "the stories told by Jesus throughout the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) as a way of teaching. They convey meaning, particularly about the major subject of the reign ("kingdom") of God (see Matt 13)."
This wedding banquet parable is the third parable in a series. (The first one is the parable of the two son [Matt 21:28-31] and the second one is the parable of the wicked tenants [Matt 21:33-44]). All three parables are about judgment, BUT this parable concerns judgment on Christians, unlike the first two which concern judgment of the Jews. Now, you may be scratching your head saying, "How did you figure that out?" Well, thanks again to our friend, Douglas R.A. Hare, I have a little explanation.
The king in the story is God. The wedding feast represents the messianic banquet (cf Rev 19:7-9). Those sent to invite the guests are God's prophets and missionaries. The reference to gather "all the people they could find, both good and bad" is meant to include the Gentile mission of the church. Matthew is concerned about the "mixed" state of the church--namely that with the Gentiles came a lot of false prophets and false disciples. So including the Gentiles means bringing the good ones as well as the bad ones.
Now comes the curious case of the wedding guest who was tossed out. This seems like another withered fig tree moment, doesn't it? Nonsensical. Why is the king (aka God) so harsh with this wedding guest? Didn't the king send servants out to invite EVERYBODY to come to the banquet?! It doesn't seem fair that just because he doesn't have nice clothes to wear he's not allowed in, does it?! We want people to come to church no matter how grubby their clothes are, right?
Well, remember, this is a parable and everything has a special meaning. And according to Mr. Hare, the wedding feast represents the "age to come" (aka heaven) and NOT the church. And the required "clothing" for heaven is a garment of righteousness--behavior in accordance with Jesus' teachings (see 28:19). Hare says, "The man is speechless because he has no defense; he accepted the invitation of the gospel, but refused to conform his life to the gospel."
Jesus adds this (at first) disturbing little interlude as an admonishment to Christians, reminding "Christians that they are by no means exempt from the judgment that fell on those who rejected Jesus and the gospel" (p 252). Hare also notes, "The attached saying, 'for many are called, but few are chosen,' should not be taken as a forecast of the proportion of the saved to the damned. Its function is not to frighten Christians with the thought that the statistical odds are against them but to encourage vigorous effort to live the Christian life" (p. 252).
That's a lot to take in, I know. Does that make sense? Click on the "comments" icon below and tell me what you think!
Happy thinking!
Allison
PS Anyone else have the song "I cannot come to the banquet, don't bother me now, I have married a wife, I have bought me a cow, I have fields and commitments, that cost a pretty sum, please hold me excused, I cannot come" going through his/her head?! Oh, Camp Crestfield, how I miss thee. . . .
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Thurs, Jan. 29: Jesus tells the disciple a story about a father and two sons. Which son did what the father wanted? (Matt 21)
Matthew 21:31 31 "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you."
BONUS QUESTION: Why?
And here's the question of the day:
Fri, Jan. 30: What is the last plague God sends on Egypt? (Ex 11)
And here's the reflection of the day:
Another Puzzling Parable
It would be a no-brainer to pick an easier piece of Scripture to think about, right? But I've never been one to do things the easy way! (Just ask my mom.) But I have promised myself not to avoid the hard stuff during the Year of the Bible. So, today is another foray into a hard piece of Scripture.
In chapter 21, Matthew tells us that Jesus' authority was challenged (21:23-27). As a response, he tells a series of parables. Ah, parables. . . usually Jesus' convoluted answer to a simple question. Or at least that how we usually feel about them.
According to my handy-dandy "Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms," a parable is "a short story based on common experiences that contains a meaning." Now, it also has a separate entry for "parables of Jesus" that says, "the stories told by Jesus throughout the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) as a way of teaching. They convey meaning, particularly about the major subject of the reign ("kingdom") of God (see Matt 13)."
This wedding banquet parable is the third parable in a series. (The first one is the parable of the two son [Matt 21:28-31] and the second one is the parable of the wicked tenants [Matt 21:33-44]). All three parables are about judgment, BUT this parable concerns judgment on Christians, unlike the first two which concern judgment of the Jews. Now, you may be scratching your head saying, "How did you figure that out?" Well, thanks again to our friend, Douglas R.A. Hare, I have a little explanation.
The king in the story is God. The wedding feast represents the messianic banquet (cf Rev 19:7-9). Those sent to invite the guests are God's prophets and missionaries. The reference to gather "all the people they could find, both good and bad" is meant to include the Gentile mission of the church. Matthew is concerned about the "mixed" state of the church--namely that with the Gentiles came a lot of false prophets and false disciples. So including the Gentiles means bringing the good ones as well as the bad ones.
Now comes the curious case of the wedding guest who was tossed out. This seems like another withered fig tree moment, doesn't it? Nonsensical. Why is the king (aka God) so harsh with this wedding guest? Didn't the king send servants out to invite EVERYBODY to come to the banquet?! It doesn't seem fair that just because he doesn't have nice clothes to wear he's not allowed in, does it?! We want people to come to church no matter how grubby their clothes are, right?
Well, remember, this is a parable and everything has a special meaning. And according to Mr. Hare, the wedding feast represents the "age to come" (aka heaven) and NOT the church. And the required "clothing" for heaven is a garment of righteousness--behavior in accordance with Jesus' teachings (see 28:19). Hare says, "The man is speechless because he has no defense; he accepted the invitation of the gospel, but refused to conform his life to the gospel."
Jesus adds this (at first) disturbing little interlude as an admonishment to Christians, reminding "Christians that they are by no means exempt from the judgment that fell on those who rejected Jesus and the gospel" (p 252). Hare also notes, "The attached saying, 'for many are called, but few are chosen,' should not be taken as a forecast of the proportion of the saved to the damned. Its function is not to frighten Christians with the thought that the statistical odds are against them but to encourage vigorous effort to live the Christian life" (p. 252).
That's a lot to take in, I know. Does that make sense? Click on the "comments" icon below and tell me what you think!
Happy thinking!
Allison
PS Anyone else have the song "I cannot come to the banquet, don't bother me now, I have married a wife, I have bought me a cow, I have fields and commitments, that cost a pretty sum, please hold me excused, I cannot come" going through his/her head?! Oh, Camp Crestfield, how I miss thee. . . .
Thursday, January 29, 2009
"'Cause You Had a Bad Day"
Good morning! (or afternoon or evening. . .) I'm glad you dropped by today!
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Weds, Jan. 28: What does the fool say in his heart? (Ps 14)
Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
And here's the question of the day:
Thurs, Jan. 29: Jesus tells the disciple a story about a father and two sons. Which son did what the father wanted? (Matt 21)
And here's the reflection of the day:
"'Cause You Had a Bad Day"
On a recent season of "American Idol," they used a song by Daniel Powter to play when those who were voted off the show were leaving. (Here's the link if you'd like to see the video: http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--14168054) Part of the chorus is this: "You had a bad day, the camera don't lie, You're coming back down and you really don't mind, You had a bad day, You had a bad day." You know what a bad day is like: everything that can go wrong does go wrong and a foul mood descends over you and beats your spirit down to a pulp. That's what this song is about. And as I was reading the little episode of Jesus and the fig tree, that's the song that popped into my mind! (Matt 21:18-22)
It seems like Jesus was having a bad day when He ran into that poor, unsuspecting little fig tree. He was hungry and it had no figs. So He made it wither, never to bear fruit again.
Seems pretty shocking, doesn't it? Nonsensical even. We know there's a reason for everything Jesus says and does, but this is likely to stump us for a while. But friends, this is where the beauty of the Year of the Bible comes in. The answer to what is going on in this little passage isn't found in the passage; it's found in the verses surrounding the text. And since we are reading it straight through each book of the Bible, we have all the pieces we need to finish putting this puzzle together. So let's get to it!
This isn't the first display of Jesus', umm, shall we say "spiritedness," in Matthew 21, is it? Starting in verse 10, Jesus "cleanses" the temple, driving out "all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves." Jesus does this not because he is upset by the business itself (animals for sacrifice during worship were mandated)--really it's the location of the business that bothered him. They brought commerce into the house of worship, making the house of prayer a "den of robbers" (cf Jer 7:9-11). They have ruined the sanctity of the temple, and this is a foreshadowing that God's judgment on Israel will include the destruction of the temple.
Verse 22 is the link between these two passages: "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Those who had been frequenting the temple, and engaging in business with the money changers, were short on faith in God which is a prerequisite of effective prayer. They had more faith in the sacrifices they were making than in the God they were sacrificing to. In the withered fig tree passage, Jesus says, ". . . if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to the mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done" (v21).
So Jesus and the withered tree in verse 19 is really trying to tell us two things: first, it implicitly represents the judgment of God's unfruitful (unfaithful) people; and second, at the same time, it represents the power of prayer. Jesus is using the tree as an example, a lesson for the disciples (and us!) to learn. It actually has nothing to do with being hungry or having a bad day. It was about what Jesus was always about: teaching people who God is and what faith is about. Consequently, this is what we should always be about: getting to know God better and sharing what we know with others.
When it comes to faith and prayer, it's important to remember four things (well, I'm sure there's more than four but these are the four I'm going to mention :0) . . .
1. Just because we pray with great frequency and fervor doesn't mean we're going to get a "Yes" from God. All of our prayers should be subject to Matthew 26:39 where Jesus himself says, "Not my will but thine be done."
2. You don't need to have perfect faith for your prayers to be acceptable to God. Faith grows step by step, sometimes over a lifetime.
3. Ordinary Christians can move mountains. You may think it's the Billy Grahams or Joel Osteens or Joyce Meyers of the world who move mountains; but it's not just them. It's the rest of us too. When we are brought to our knees by impossible circumstances and find the strength to persevere through prayer, we can do things we never thought we could--for with God, all things are possible! (Matt 19:26).
4. And finally, "And if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing" (I Cor 13:2).
Does that make sense? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Allison
PS Mark's gospel also contains this story but in a slightly different order within the chapter. Five bonus points (like the points on "Whose Line is It Anyway?"!) if you read and compare and contrast Matthew's version with Mark's in 11:12-25. Does the interpretation seem the same?
PPS I would like to thank Douglas R.A. Hare and his commentary on the gospel of Matthew for his help in figuring all this out!
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Weds, Jan. 28: What does the fool say in his heart? (Ps 14)
Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
And here's the question of the day:
Thurs, Jan. 29: Jesus tells the disciple a story about a father and two sons. Which son did what the father wanted? (Matt 21)
And here's the reflection of the day:
"'Cause You Had a Bad Day"
On a recent season of "American Idol," they used a song by Daniel Powter to play when those who were voted off the show were leaving. (Here's the link if you'd like to see the video: http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--14168054) Part of the chorus is this: "You had a bad day, the camera don't lie, You're coming back down and you really don't mind, You had a bad day, You had a bad day." You know what a bad day is like: everything that can go wrong does go wrong and a foul mood descends over you and beats your spirit down to a pulp. That's what this song is about. And as I was reading the little episode of Jesus and the fig tree, that's the song that popped into my mind! (Matt 21:18-22)
It seems like Jesus was having a bad day when He ran into that poor, unsuspecting little fig tree. He was hungry and it had no figs. So He made it wither, never to bear fruit again.
Seems pretty shocking, doesn't it? Nonsensical even. We know there's a reason for everything Jesus says and does, but this is likely to stump us for a while. But friends, this is where the beauty of the Year of the Bible comes in. The answer to what is going on in this little passage isn't found in the passage; it's found in the verses surrounding the text. And since we are reading it straight through each book of the Bible, we have all the pieces we need to finish putting this puzzle together. So let's get to it!
This isn't the first display of Jesus', umm, shall we say "spiritedness," in Matthew 21, is it? Starting in verse 10, Jesus "cleanses" the temple, driving out "all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves." Jesus does this not because he is upset by the business itself (animals for sacrifice during worship were mandated)--really it's the location of the business that bothered him. They brought commerce into the house of worship, making the house of prayer a "den of robbers" (cf Jer 7:9-11). They have ruined the sanctity of the temple, and this is a foreshadowing that God's judgment on Israel will include the destruction of the temple.
Verse 22 is the link between these two passages: "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Those who had been frequenting the temple, and engaging in business with the money changers, were short on faith in God which is a prerequisite of effective prayer. They had more faith in the sacrifices they were making than in the God they were sacrificing to. In the withered fig tree passage, Jesus says, ". . . if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to the mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done" (v21).
So Jesus and the withered tree in verse 19 is really trying to tell us two things: first, it implicitly represents the judgment of God's unfruitful (unfaithful) people; and second, at the same time, it represents the power of prayer. Jesus is using the tree as an example, a lesson for the disciples (and us!) to learn. It actually has nothing to do with being hungry or having a bad day. It was about what Jesus was always about: teaching people who God is and what faith is about. Consequently, this is what we should always be about: getting to know God better and sharing what we know with others.
When it comes to faith and prayer, it's important to remember four things (well, I'm sure there's more than four but these are the four I'm going to mention :0) . . .
1. Just because we pray with great frequency and fervor doesn't mean we're going to get a "Yes" from God. All of our prayers should be subject to Matthew 26:39 where Jesus himself says, "Not my will but thine be done."
2. You don't need to have perfect faith for your prayers to be acceptable to God. Faith grows step by step, sometimes over a lifetime.
3. Ordinary Christians can move mountains. You may think it's the Billy Grahams or Joel Osteens or Joyce Meyers of the world who move mountains; but it's not just them. It's the rest of us too. When we are brought to our knees by impossible circumstances and find the strength to persevere through prayer, we can do things we never thought we could--for with God, all things are possible! (Matt 19:26).
4. And finally, "And if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing" (I Cor 13:2).
Does that make sense? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Allison
PS Mark's gospel also contains this story but in a slightly different order within the chapter. Five bonus points (like the points on "Whose Line is It Anyway?"!) if you read and compare and contrast Matthew's version with Mark's in 11:12-25. Does the interpretation seem the same?
PPS I would like to thank Douglas R.A. Hare and his commentary on the gospel of Matthew for his help in figuring all this out!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Kickoff Sunday!
Blogging is turning out to be quite a challenge for me, especially since my schedule has been a little upside down with the New Year's holiday. (I actually look forward to things being back to normal again soon!)
There are many things I personally am hoping to get out reading the Bible in a year. Personal discipline has never been one of my strengths. So this is an excellent test for me. I also anticipate that making the time for blogging and the extra thinking it requires will be an ongoing challenge for me. But I've always enjoyed challenges! I don't know how many people will read this, but blogging is good accountability for me, which is especially important for those of us with no self-discipline! And I think I'm learning more about the Scripture passages we're reading because I actually have to process and reflect on what I'm reading. It's better for me than just reading the passages straight through. I hope you are learning as much as I am!
Now, let's get down to business. . .
Here's yesterday's question and answer:
Saturday, Jan. 3 After the animals were in the ark, how many days did they have to wait for rain?
Genesis 7:10 10 And after the seven days the floodwaters came on the earth.
And today's question:
Sunday, Jan. 4 To what does Psalm 1 compare to a tree planted by streams of water?
And today's reflection:
Dig Down Deep
Psalm 1:3 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
The "Year of the Bible" (YOTB) logo we are using is a tree and this is one of the passages that inspired that idea. You have seen the big poster we made and the commitment card you signed and left at the church was a leaf. Our sermon tomorrow is all about trees and the role they play in the Bible. Trees will keep popping up as the year goes on--keep your eyes open!
This psalm exemplifies exactly what I hope is accomplished with this YOTB. I hope that all who participate become like a tree whose roots grow down deep into the Word of God. I hope that all who participate find themselves planted next to the living water, always close to the Source. I hope that all who participate bear good fruit in season because by our fruits we will be known. I hope that all who participate find themselves anchored in Christ so that when the storms come, we have something, or rather Someone, to hang on to. I hope that we all grow a little closer to God and to each other as we travel on this journey together. May you dig down deeper into God's Word this day and the other 361 in 2009!
I hope, if you are able, to see you in this morning! Come and celebrate our kickoff Sunday together!
Allison
There are many things I personally am hoping to get out reading the Bible in a year. Personal discipline has never been one of my strengths. So this is an excellent test for me. I also anticipate that making the time for blogging and the extra thinking it requires will be an ongoing challenge for me. But I've always enjoyed challenges! I don't know how many people will read this, but blogging is good accountability for me, which is especially important for those of us with no self-discipline! And I think I'm learning more about the Scripture passages we're reading because I actually have to process and reflect on what I'm reading. It's better for me than just reading the passages straight through. I hope you are learning as much as I am!
Now, let's get down to business. . .
Here's yesterday's question and answer:
Saturday, Jan. 3 After the animals were in the ark, how many days did they have to wait for rain?
Genesis 7:10 10 And after the seven days the floodwaters came on the earth.
And today's question:
Sunday, Jan. 4 To what does Psalm 1 compare to a tree planted by streams of water?
And today's reflection:
Dig Down Deep
Psalm 1:3 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
The "Year of the Bible" (YOTB) logo we are using is a tree and this is one of the passages that inspired that idea. You have seen the big poster we made and the commitment card you signed and left at the church was a leaf. Our sermon tomorrow is all about trees and the role they play in the Bible. Trees will keep popping up as the year goes on--keep your eyes open!
This psalm exemplifies exactly what I hope is accomplished with this YOTB. I hope that all who participate become like a tree whose roots grow down deep into the Word of God. I hope that all who participate find themselves planted next to the living water, always close to the Source. I hope that all who participate bear good fruit in season because by our fruits we will be known. I hope that all who participate find themselves anchored in Christ so that when the storms come, we have something, or rather Someone, to hang on to. I hope that we all grow a little closer to God and to each other as we travel on this journey together. May you dig down deeper into God's Word this day and the other 361 in 2009!
I hope, if you are able, to see you in this morning! Come and celebrate our kickoff Sunday together!
Allison
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