Ever been so parched that you could hardly swallow?  Ever been so fatigued that you didn’t think you could make it another day? Can you imagine experiencing such things with no hope that replenishment was on the way?  I’ve read stories of persons seeing a mirage of water in the desert, only to find a mouthful of dirt.  And this happens more often that we may think.

Journeying with Jairus, Jesus heads out – step by step – toward the synagogue ruler’s home.  In this case, home is truly where the heart is.  And Jairus’ heart is with his twelve-year-old-little girl who is dying.  Along the trip enters the scene a woman who also suffers from the brokenness of our world.  She has been sick for 12 years straight!  She exhausted her livelihood in doctors that couldn’t rid her of the disease that ravaged not only her body but also her relationships and place in the worshiping community.

In both cases, that of the little girl who is dying as well as the woman who has suffered for so very long, there is a level of desperation for the circumstances to change.  Many of us know this desperation all too well.  I remember numerous times where I heard terrible news and impulsively responded – No!  There is a gut-wrenching response that grips our lives in the face of such suffering.  It’s as if we know deep down that life isn’t supposed to be this way.  God’s intentions couldn’t be so cruel.

In Matthew 5.6, Jesus says:

“Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full” (CEB)

Going back to our previous posts regarding G. Stassen’s work, Living the Sermon on the Mount, the word translated righteousness is oftentimes understood to be some form of outward piety.  Some see it as a covering of God’s grace with little transformative impact as to who we are on the inside.  Yet, this misses the point of the text.  Stassen offers a different translation of the passage that sheds some light on things.

“Joyful are those who hunger and thirst for restorative justice, for they will be filled” (p. 51; italics mine)

Those who suffer at the hands of this broken, rebellious, worldly system are no doubt hungry and thirsty for things to be made right.  In fact, this gets at the heart of the passage.  Those who find themselves hungry and thirsty for God’s “restorative justice” will, in the end, be fed until they are full.

In other words, God’s restorative justice will cover the earth.  Brokenness, disease, fragmentation – even death itself! – doesn’t have the final word.  For those who embrace such hope offered through God’s redemptive work, we know that suffering characterizes this world order.  Yet, God is ushering in a new world order.  His Kingdom, although not here in its fullness, is here nonetheless!  And the role of the Church is to bear faithful witness of Jesus Christ over against that which doesn’t reflect His restorative justice.  In the end, He will revamp this place.  And our lives are to serve as a preview to a coming attraction.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples. God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. There will be no mourning, crying, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look! I’m making all things new.” He also said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Rev 21.1-5 CEB)

Desperate for a miracle – Sick and tired of being sick and tired – Made up her mind to get to Jesus – among a host of other pithy sayings that I’ve heard trying to capture what’s going on in Luke 8.  Particularly, preachers tend to zoom in rather quickly to the part where a bleeding lady made her way to Jesus amidst the crowd.  And who can blame them?  Her story is quite amazing.  Yet, one does well to consider the narrative context of her miracle.  In fact, Luke 8 seems to form an identity tapestry, of sorts, as Jesus reveals who he is and the authority he wields through a series of miracles.

Jesus returns from the Gerasenes’ land, where he threw out a “Legion” of demons that occupied “a certain man.”  Upon Jesus’ return, a synagogue ruler, Jairus, comes and falls at Jesus’ feet and begs him to come to the ruler’s house.  Jairus’ twelve-year-old daughter (his only daughter) was dying.

I like how the ESV renders verse 42b – “As Jesus went…” The implication is that Jairus asks Jesus to accompany him to his house, the place where his twelve-year-old-little-girl is at the point of death, and Jesus responds by journeying with Jairus.  No flamboyant declaration.  No dynamic demonstration of what is to come.  Jesus simply comes alongside Jairus in a walk, however briskly, to the place of Jairus’ need.

In the panic of things, whenever we call on (even beg) Jesus to respond to our crisis, it’s easy to think that he hasn’t moved in our behalf at all.  This is especially true if we don’t see a jaw-dropping demonstration of the miraculous.  If things aren’t quickly rectified in the manner that we think they should, it’s tempting to think that God doesn’t really care and hasn’t moved an inch in our direction.

Yet, in this narrative Jesus moves.  And without giving away too much of the story at first, Jesus’ movement toward and alongside Jairus had no immediate consequence on Jairus’ situation.  Jesus.  Crisis.  Petition.  Response.  The response of Jesus, however, appears to be insignificant.  His presence simply accompanies Jairus.

How might this help things?  What difference does God’s presence make in our lives, especially if our crisis doesn’t change?  Moment by moment – step by step – doubt by doubt – fear by fear, Jairus walks.  It’s different somehow, though.  His steps have an accompanying cadence – what seems to be a gracious echo of God’s presence.

to be continued…

Chapter 24 contains an account of a man who had “blasphemed the Name.”  The judgment God declared upon him was stoning!  Now, to me, that is a hard passage to reconcile in my mind.  In our day, someone who had cursed or blasphemed the name of God would not be stoned to death.  In fact, in the right crowd, he/she would be cheered.  But, this passage shows just how holy the Israelites considered God to be.  If we, as the church, would compare our attitudes toward God to the Israelites’ attitude toward God, we will find ourselves direly lacking.  God help me to keep a reverent attitude toward you.

I do want to point out in this same passage, that it was the entire assembly which stoned the man – not merely the priests, or elders, or men – the entire assembly took part in the judgment of this man.  While this is a horrendous action, it also reveals the community mindset of the Israelites.  The entire community took part in this judgment.

In chapter 25, we see the description of the year of jubilee.  Wow!  All the indebted people are released from their debts.  All property that someone sold is returned to the original owner.  This is definitely a way to keep a family from becoming so poverty stricken that they cannot take care of themselves.  It is also a way to keep the rich from becoming richer while the poor become poorer.  I am amazed at the provisions God makes for the poor.  Even if a person sells himself, God told the Israelites not to work this person as a slave, but as a hired hand, and this person is released in the year of jubilee.  Thank you, God, that you make provisions for both the rich and the poor.  Help me to do the same.  Help me to value all life equally.

In chapter 26, God describes exactly what will happen to the Israelites if they disobey the Lord.  It was interesting to read, as exactly what God said would happen is what happens later on in the Old Testament.  God keeps his promises – both the good and the bad.  God, thank you that you are faithful.  Help me to be faithful, too.  I want to receive your blessings, not your punishments.  Help me to be faithful so that I may do so.

Blessings,

Dee

Yes.  I’m still reading through Leviticus.  I really enjoyed today’s passage for several reasons.  Chapter 19 starts out listing various laws – it sounds much like the 10 commandments, just more detailed.  I found verse nine rather comforting.  There is actually a command to the people of God not to be greedy.  They are to leave food in their fields and vineyards for the poor.  Wow!  In our society, most people don’t do things like that – purposefully leave things behind for the poor, but we should, especially those of us who profess to be Christians.  This just reinforces part of yesterday’s lesson and reiterates the comment that Sonny made about social welfare.  God always intended us to take care of each other as a family.  God, help me put others’ needs as a priority in my life.

Throughout this passage, there is a common phrase that I found so liberating.  “I am the Lord, who makes them holy.”  This occurs repeatedly in chapters 21 and 22, and I am so thankful that it does.  God is giving so many laws in this book, that it seems almost impossible for a person to keep them all, especially when we live in a time where lies are common place.  However, God shows through this phrase that he does not expect the Israelites to go at it alone.  God makes them holy, just as God makes us holy today.  It is not by our own efforts that we live a life pleasing to God.  It is by the power of the Holy Spirit.  And, I don’t think that we are meant to do even that alone.  How does God make us holy?  How did God make the Israelites holy?  One very important way is that we are (and they were) part of a community.  This community of believers should help keep me holy.  We are responsible to each other and for each other.  What an amazing gift for God to give us – a community to help us along the journey of faith.  Thank you, God, for my faith family.  Help me to show them that I love them and be there when they need me.

There is one more remark I wanted to make about something that really stood out to me.  So far, in Leviticus, we have seen a ton of laws, but in chapter 23, the tone changes slightly.  We are given a list of festivals.  Now, it is still a command (or law) to keep the festivals, but the festivals are to be a time of rejoicing or reflection upon God.  Israelites were excused from work to participate in the festivals.  I am sure that the main goal was to teach the upcoming generations about the awesome history the Israelites had with Jehovah – the wonderful things he had done, but imagine the family time, the relaxation of being off work, the spiritual renewal of focusing on God rather than everyday activities.  This had to be so healthy for the lives of the Israelites.  Thank you, God, for rest.  Help me put aside time for reflection on your goodness.  Help me to make traditions in my family that teach my future children about your greatness.

Blessings,

Dee

The most remarkable thing that I see in these passages (Leviticus 13-18) is how important the priests were to Israel.  The priest wore so many hats!  He diagnosed sicknesses and healing, he inspected homes for mold, quarantined people and places which were “unclean,” offered sacrifices for many different reasons, etc.  He dealt with so many issues that I wonder how he kept them all straight.  Talk about a Superman!  But, there is an important thing to glean from this.  We, as Christians, do not need a priest to intercede with God on our behalf.  We are to be like these priests to the surrounding world.  We are to help those in need – whatever need that many be.  I thank God that I am not required to fulfill every need, but the community of believers is able to do just that.  God has saved many different types of people from many different walks of life – carpenters, doctors, lawyers, accountants, cooks, caretakers, etc.  And, if we would ban together and make our goal to help anyone who is in need and cannot fulfill that need on his/her own, social welfare would be a lost concept.  It wouldn’t be necessary!  God, show me where I can contribute to helping those around me.  Give me the heart of a priest – one that beats for others to know you and your ways more than for myself.

Also, there are so many laws in Leviticus!  I mean, the 10 “biggies” don’t even scratch the surface of everything that Israelites had to know, especially those who were priests.  I was amazed to find laws about mold in someone’s home in this passage.  I think the detail shows that God is concerned with every aspect of our lives, even our health as it concerns being exposed to mold.  But, I cannot imagine having to know all the laws and rules that the Israelites had.  I thank God that Jesus summarized all the law when he commanded us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves.  Wow!  What freedom Jesus has supplied us.  If our goal is to love God with everything we are and love our neighbor in a way that reflects God’s love for them, we will keep the commandments as if it were second nature.  Lord, help me to love like you loved, and help me love you more today than I did yesterday.

Sincerely,

Dee

Once again, there is much in this passage that needs further study in order for me to understand it fully.  Yesterday, I read about the different kinds of offerings.  Today, chapter eight begins with an account of the consecration of Aaron and his sons.  I think that is a very logical progression.  Someone has to be in charge.  Someone has to be the high priest and set the example for all the others, and that someone was Aaron.  Some time is spent on the consecration of Aaron and his sons, and then Aaron offers a sacrifice to God.  Notice that time is spent consecrating them, and only after that does Aaron attempt to sacrifice to God.

It seems to me that we have something to learn from this.  I know the tendency is there once someone turns his/her life around to jump into ministry.  I have seen this before.  However, one must spend time with God before sacrificing oneself to the ministry.  We need to be prepared for the work that God has for us.  So, we need to spend time with God – in His word – in prayer – in fellowship with others.  These things shape who we are and mold us into someone who can handle the pressures of ministry.  (And, everyone should be a minister in some way.)  Does this mean that we have to go to Bible school for six years before we begin to minister?  No, we minister along the way, but we should not minister empty.  We minister out of what we know and have learned, so we must be learning in order to minister effectively.  Lord, help me prepare for ministry in a way that makes me effective and personable to those around me.  When people look at me, I want them to see you.

It breaks my heart what happens in chapter 10.  Shortly after being consecrated, Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu disobey God, and God kills them with fire.  Shannon’s seminary advisor, Dr. Adewuya, cautioned one of his classes one time against the belief that God is loving at the expense of God being just.  He said, “God is a killer” (concerning the continually disobedient) and went on to talk about how we need to approach God in a much more respectful manner than we do sometimes.  Here, we see God’s judgment falling instantaneously on these two men, and I imagine that Aaron was heartbroken as well, but Aaron continued to minister to the people and offer sacrifices as the Lord had commanded him.  God, help me to approach you respectfully.  I know you are a powerful God, and it amazes me that you love me like you do.  I don’t ever want to take your love for granted.

Blessings,

Dee

This portion of Scripture describes in detail the different types of sacrifices in the Old Testament.  I must admit, I did not understand much of what I read today.  I do not understand all the different types of offerings.  There are great resources out there concerning the types of offerings, so maybe I need to read some of the them or at least a commentary on Leviticus.  However, I can make a few observations.

First, this passage is violent – at least to the animals being killed, it is violent.  In fact, in some ways I did not enjoy reading this passage because of the violence.  I cannot imagine being the person who brings a lamb for a guilt or a sin offering and having to kill the animal with a knife.  Or bringing turtledoves and having to wring their necks to kill them – but not sever them completely.  This is violent to me.  But, I guess its violence is in direct proportion to the violent act of the Fall.  Adam and Eve’s innocence and communion with God was violently ripped away in a moment, and to repair that breach would take an act proportionately violent.

Thank God, that he summarized seven chapters of laws covering all offerings in one word in the New Testament – Jesus.  But, even Jesus suffered such violence – proportional to ripping us away from God – proportional to the priests offering sacrifices every day for the people.  Such violence makes me want to turn my head and pretend that I have not seen it.  But, I cannot.  I must look at the violence our sin has caused – the culmination of life devoid of love and full of sin is violence.  Jesus, thank you for enduring such violence for me so that I may live a life full of love and devoid of sin.  Help me to do that.

Second, I am amazed how God made preparations for each person in Israel, regardless of socio-economic status.  In Chapter 5, God gives instructions for people to bring a lamb, but if they cannot afford a lamb, bring two turtledoves or pigeons.  And, if they cannot afford that, bring an ephah of fine flour.  Wow!  In a society that refuses to care for the poor, this is an amazing contrast.  Lord, help me to reflect your compassion.  And, God didn’t just say, “If you can’t afford it, don’t worry about it.”  I think we all need to realize that when a person is excused from payment, he/she will not own his/her mistakes.  God made it where each person must pay for sin, but only within the limits of what one could afford.  Justice and compassion holding hands!

Finally, I am amazed at the detail with which God gave the instructions.  Don’t sever the head completely, don’t eat this part – burn it or take it out of the camp and burn it.  Wave this, sprinkle that . . . And the list goes on.  With such detailed instructions, I am sure I am missing out on a big picture that a deeper study would show me, but I can see that God was concerned with details.  I hear people say, “Just try your best – God knows your heart.”  And, I agree on one level, but on another level, I wonder is it enough?  If I am using that as an excuse not to do things right, then I don’t think it is enough.  God was detailed, so I am sure he is concerned with the details in my life, as I should be.  Other people see the details as well.  I have noticed many times when someone asks how I am doing and then keeps walking without waiting for a response.  That is a detail that speaks volumes.  So, Lord, help me be concerned with the details in such a way that people know I love you and I love them.

Blessings,

Dee

³²Moses said, ‘This is what the Lord has commanded: “Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations, in order that they may see the food with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.” ’ ³³And Moses said to Aaron, ‘Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord, to be kept throughout your generations.’ ³⁴As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron placed it before the covenant,^* for safe-keeping. ³⁵The Israelites ate manna for forty years, until they came to a habitable land; they ate manna, until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.

(Exod. 16. 32-35 NRSV)

For 40 years, God provided for Israel while they wandered in the desert.  Due to unbelief and disobedience, Israel did not immediately enter into God’s desired blessing of the Promised Land, “a land where you may eat bread without scarcity” (cf. Deut. 8. 6-10).  Yet, God still provided for his people in the midst of their wanderings.  Isn’t this an amazing display of God’s gracious intervention in our lives in spite of our less-than-ideal circumstances and/or response?  As a gracious Dad, who longs for his children to have the very best, he provides for us even when we don’t quite understand his provision (remember that “manna” literally means “what is this?”).  However, as we’re making decisions each day at home, on the job, at school, in the hospital, at the church, in the jail, etc., we’re not left alone in the process of things.  God, by his Spirit, calls, beckons, woos, encourages, convicts us toward unreserved surrender in our relationship with Him.  But must we have everything figured out (even the Bible) before we say “Yes” to God’s purpose for our lives?

I don’t think so…

If you feel like you’re wandering somewhat aimlessly in a desert land, know for a surety that God loves and cares for you in the midst of your reservations, doubts and fears.  That you don’t have to have everything figured out in order to trust Jesus (who is God revealed to us).  What our enemy (satan) doesn’t want us to do is to slow down and take inventory of God’s goodness in our lives (even while we’re wandering in limbo regarding faith in Jesus).  The one who provides the bread in the wilderness (a sustaining nourishment to make it through the day) is he who calls you to trust him with your heart and life.

Peace,

Shannon

Entering the room, I didn’t know exactly what to expect.  I knew that it was a wonderful opportunity to be able to meet and talk with some fellow ministers concerning what it means to follow Jesus Christ and lead others in this path.  Young in ministry and in my overall walk with God, there is so much of which I am unaware. Programs, leadership styles, methodologies, conflict resolution, vision casting, spiritual guidance, family nurture, spiritual warfare, biblical exposition, mentorship, communication, time management, ecumenical perspective, organizational facilitation, and the list goes on and on. So many things to consider in the direction of pastoral ministry.  

In many ways, and oftentimes, the how tends to overshadow the why. To me, the why is a given.  God loves us and made a way for persons to be restored to Him.  By faith in Jesus, we enter into a relationship with God.  This relationship is empowered by the Holy Spirit (God), so it is a matter of trust and obedience as opposed to simple will power and personal piety (although both are involved).  As we grow in this relationship, God calls us to a life of influencing others to enter his Kingdom, thereby embracing his lifeline to rescue us from eternal sin and death.  The why seems much clearer than the how.  Thus, in my mind I think I was more focused on learning the latest info pertaining to the how of ministry.  You know, that which makes things more “effective.”

And as I’m walking into the room, I see an older lady who appears sweet and hospitable, yet somehow firm and resolved.  

“Hello, my name is Shannon.”

With a gentle smile, she replies, “Hello, Shannon.  I’m Margaret Gaines.”  

My mind considers the name somewhat familiar.  However, it doesn’t fully dawn on me until we’re all seated and the meeting begins – Margaret Gaines…(trying to remember)… She is the missionary to the Arabs of whom I have heard tremendous accounts of miracles in ministry.  In a short while, Sis. Gaines is asked to share with us some things on her heart concerning ministry.

Of all the things which she shared, the one thing that resonates in my mind pertains to the simplicity of walking with God.  We must be willing to walk with God.  And in walking with God, his love draws us into a loving relationship (with Him and others).  Such a relationship entails a sincere trusting God with our lives that finds expression in faithful obedience to God’s Word.  So, beyond novel methods, models and means, the word shared was one that called us back to the simplicity of faith – as a child lays her head upon the shoulder of her father, we can trust our Father to take care of us in spite of the storms.  

Arriving home later that evening, I thought of the many wonderful things learned throughout the day.  However, some things slipped through… They slipped through the note-taking, concept-oriented rationality which is definitely a necessary component, and they began to percolate in hidden places of my heart.  No matter how well versed I am in the methods, models and means of ministry, the heart of my influence stems from walking with God.  Am I walking with God, day by day, place by place, conversation by conversation?  Have I pledged devotion to Him, even when I don’t fully understand life, death, the world, the church, salvation, sin, people, pain, etc.?  For it is in walking with God that I find myself joined hand in hand, heart in heart, gift in gift with other brothers and sisters of like surrender who know that without trusting God, we are left to our own devices.  Such a picture underlines the gravity of being disconnected from God (by sin) and the gracious redemption offered by a loving Father determined to rescue his children.

Pondering her call to walk with God,

Shannon