What's This Wisdom?

When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles!

Mark 6:2

Jesus' teaching was amazing! People asked the question about the source of His teaching. Where did He get such wisdom? Where did His teaching originate? Having received the Gospel, we know that it came from Heaven! What's interesting is how miracles are attached to His teaching. People WERE amazed!

I'd like people to ask that question of my teaching... and quickly find the answer! God's Word is the message of heaven and if there is anything amazing in what I share, that is the source! That is where the wisdom comes from. I, in myself, have nothing to share. What I do have is Christ in me.

Father, invigorate your good news in my life. Speak it in me and through me so that people will stand in awe of You!

Teaching The Kingdom

Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else - to the nearby villages - so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."

Mark 1:38

Jesus came to preach. This is not usually the first thing we think of, is it? Jesus came to save, maybe. Jesus came to die (and He rose again!). These are more common, and yet in these first 4 chapters of Mark, it's all about the preaching. Jesus is referred to as "Teacher" even as He is healing someone. He came to teach about the Kingdom of Heaven. "The Kingdom of God is near, He said. Repent and believe the good news!" (1:15) "...and He preached the Word to them" (2:2). "Again Jesus began to teach by the lake" (4:1).

Why was teaching such a priority for Jesus?

Thank You, Lord, for the dozens of questions I have buzzing through my mind at this moment. I trust You to deliver the answers as I continue forward with You. Thank You for the power of Your Gospel message.

How The Word Spreads

Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

Acts 19:8-10

Paul takes his disciples and daily they had "discussions" in the "lecture hall" of Tyrannus. For 2 years this went on and the result was that, amazingly, ALL the Jews and Greeks in that area heard the Word of the Lord. This is how the Gospel spreads - through teaching/lectures (surely Paul did some of that!) and discussions. Later (vs 17-20) it is described how the Word spread in Ephesus. People heard the Gospel, openly confessed their sin and "in this way the Word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power" (vs. 20).

This is the primary work of the church... and of my life, to spread the Word of the Lord. It comes as the Good News is taught, people discuss it and respond. Discussion is vitally important because this is how truth is process and applied to your life. We need other people. We need community. The repentance from sin and the changed lives it brings give a momentum to the Gospel in a church and community. In Ephesus it 'grew in power.' Well, no kidding! I want to lead other people in this direction; to experience what we read in Acts 19, but it begins with me. The Gospel is for me this day. It needs to be applied to my life and grow in power. This will happen as I humble myself, seek community and actively repent of things not of God. People will only follow me to that place if it is the direction I'm headed.

Father, You are the Holy God and above all others. I humbly submit to You today. Search me and know me today... and use me for Your own purposes is my prayer, in Christ's Name.

Forgiving God

But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.

Nehemiah 9:17b

This is part of a long prayer in Nehemiah that retells much of Israel’s history to that point. Verse 16 and into 17 tells of the arrogance and rebellion of God’s people, but He is a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate… He did not desert them. This is the story of the Bible! In Acts 2 Peter preaches, retelling much of the story. The people are convicted that they crucified the Messiah and ask what they should do. Peter and the others reply that they should repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. God is a forgiving God, even in the killing of His own Son. He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love!

So here I am, one who has received and continually needs salvation. How am I to be? Certainly humble and not arrogant. I also am becoming more and more like this great God I serve. I am to take on these same qualities and be forgiving, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. As I am like Jesus in these ways, it will mean salvation for me and for those around me.

Holy Father – You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Thank you. Make me like You.

Under The Same Sentence

There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Luke 23:38-43

Here are two guys, both criminals under the same sentence, hanging on each side of Jesus. They are both going to die. They both need a Savior. The difference between them is their posture. The first, in spite of his current situation, is demanding and disrespectful. The second is humble and needy. He sees how things really are: Jesus is righteous and innocent. They are guilty of sin and deserve this crucifixion. His request comes from this humble heart. James wrote, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” God responds to people who understand clearly where they find themselves. It is those who are ‘poor in spirit’ and know their need for a Savior that God extends immense amounts of grace. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” He is the Son of God. He can save whomever He wants! That thief on the cross is as deserving of salvation as any of us… he wasn’t deserving! Salvation is God extending grace to sinners.

The two men represent all of us. All of humanity is under the same sentence. We deserve death. They represent the two choices people make when it comes to the cross. Salvation comes by the grace of God to those who know they deserve nothing, but humbly admit that Jesus was a righteous man who died a wrongful death… a death He died for us!

Every person I see need God’s grace. We are under the same sentence! Whenever pride comes (in any of its various expressions) I need to follow the example of the second criminal. ‘Nothing do I bring, only to the cross of Christ I cling!’ Salvation comes by God’s grace.

Father, I know full well my need for You and Your grace. Thank You for giving Your Son to be my Savior. He was the King of the Jews… and is the King of the universe! Salvation comes as You extend grace. Grace me this day as I live for You. May people see Jesus in me is my prayer.

At God's Right Hand

At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 67"If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us."

Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."

70They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?"
He replied, "You are right in saying I am."

71Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips."

Luke 22:66-71

At this point Jesus knew that all authority had been given to Him. He also knew what the will of His Father was and what was ahead of Him. He sees through the duplicity and arrogance of this council and speaks the truth to them. They would not believe Him, so He makes the statement beyond a confession that He is the Christ. He says that He will be at God’s right hand! The council asks a clarifying question and Jesus turns it into their confession: He is the Son of God.

Jesus is my friend and my brother. He is also at the right hand of God! He is in the Presence… He is God! I will worship Jesus because He is the Christ; the Chosen One; The Son of God.

Lord Jesus, all praise and honor and glory belong to You. There is no one like You and no one who has done the things You have done. You were obedient to the will of Your Father and He has given You the Name that is above every other name! At Your Name, Lord Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that You are Lord. You are exalted to the highest place. Reign over my life this day.

Catalyst 2007

We are done with Day One of Catalyst and my mind is full. I have a dozen things I could write about, principles I've learned or great insights I've received... but I'm tired.

God doesn't sleep or grow tired. I sure do!

There's always tomorrow. Oh wait! There's tomorrow! Up at 5:45am and done pretty late. There's always the day after tomorrow... or next week.

It's good to be here. I do miss my family and am praying for each one.

Peace to you...