Tag: Bible

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Sola scriptura – scripture interprets scripture.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth.” Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Bible does a great job revealing mysteries and explaining itself. Hebrews is the classic example of how this works. Hebrews 11 is the hall of faith-fame giving us both context, explanation and shout outs for famous Old Testament people. It’s quite the list!

In this chapter we also discover truth about some tricky passages dating back thousands of years. For instance, Hebrews gives us the reason God rejected Cain’s (the first born son of Adam and Eve) offering. “It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts.” Comments about Moses that clear up our questions about extraordinary risk by Jochebed to protect her baby and why Moses was so angry about his origin story! “It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command. It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” Even the reason for Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, would not just be mentioned but also become part of the lineage of Jesus himself. She was not only a Gentile, but her people were enemies of Israel.

All of these people are heralded and celebrated as faith heroes, yet Hebrews calls them foreigners and nomads. It just reminds me that my lineage, as crummy as it was, is very much a part of God’s grand story. When I read the whole Bible and let the entire Word of God speak for itself, I find that folks like me are not just normal but welcomed and expected to be a part of God’s plan.

The warning for all of us, when we take God’s Word out of context and force it to say something that benefits us or allows us to take advantage of others, it is absolutely WRONG!!! God will hold those who do so accountable for misrepresenting Him – leaders, preachers, pastors and self-absorbed speakers beware. God will not be mocked.

Prayer

Dad,
For sure, I am so happy that “my kind,” the illegitimate, broken, outliers of faith are included and highlighted in this grand story of faith and redemption of humankind. However, those who have misinterpreted your Word to favor themselves and mistreat others is such a grievous behavior. Forgive them. Forgive us for being so cavalier with the Word. Forgive us for wrongfully mishandling the Lord Jesus Christ himself, the Logos, the living Word. For all who teach will be held accountable.

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What farmers know that I don’t.

Reading Time: 4 minutes 
“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” Luke‬ ‭8:11-15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

​Thank goodness Jesus explained this one to his disciples, thus explaining it to all of Luke’s readers! I love the fact that Jesus told stories and parables that were fitting for the audience who,was listening. This is an “aggie” story. This is a story for farmers and families who live in an agricultural community. Jesus wouldn’t have told this story, say in downtown Los Angeles. And he wouldn’t have told an urban story to a bunch of Fresno, California peeps. These are rural stories for rural people.

As a non-farmer and the son of a non-farmer, I can get the point, but I will never be able to feel the story or experience the story like those who hands are worn with dirt. How could Jesus, being a Rabbi and a mason, tell a good ‘ol farmer story. I believe Jesus spent an enormous amount of time with a massive cross section of people from all walks of life, all income brackets and social standing.

Did you know that Jesus often told stories with words and concepts from the entertainment industry of that day? Yeah, one example is using the word “hypocrite.” The word comes from theatre troops, popular in Jesus’s day. Jesus would not have attended many of these performances, because they were NSFW, but he did talk with theater people. Same here. Jesus probably did not farm himself, but he spent a lot of time with ordinary farmers. His ability to not just BE with people, but to listen and learn their lingo and their needs is extraordinary! I read this story of “a farmer goes out to sow seeds” and it feels a little flat to me. I’ve never gone out and sown seed. And when I read it, I think, “why is the guy throwing seed on paths, weed patches and unprepared ground?” Seems like a waste of seed to me. But you know what? I’m NOT a farmer, so I have no idea what they really do or why they do it! But the audience knew exactly what Jesus was taking about, probably nodding their heads in agreement with each point he made.

I have friends that live in places like Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas who constantly educate me on the ways of agriculture or livestock. I don’t think our school even had a 4h club, so I wasn’t going to learn about the land that way.

Jesus’ parable, especially with the key-code to unlock the mystery really helps. And, it helps understand a facet of how God works and the Kingdom of God works among us.

One more question before I wrap this up. When Jesus said, “The seed is God’s Word,” I wonder – exactly what “Word” was Jesus referring to? The Old Testament Law? The entire Old Testament, including Psalms, Proverbs and the Prophets? Was Jesus referring to himself, the “Logos” even as he was living and speaking while he was Son of Man/Son of God on the planet? The gospels and the epistles (letters) wouldn’t be written down for several decades, possibly even a hundred years.

I believe, wholeheartedly in the now written Word of God, but I also believe that God continues to speak to men and women’s hearts through all kinds of ways. I don’t claim that any of it is scripture, but God still has ways of delivering his seed, his word our world today. And as it is scattered everywhere in hopes that it finds fertile ground, it is still up to the soil/heart of the hearer to keep their soil in good shape or for sure, clear out rocks, weeds and hardness to allow God’s word to be productive in our salvation and redemption.

Prayer:

Dad,
I love the parables and stories, filled with mystery and just begging to be explored by curious or needy minds. I love the beauty of Jesus’ ability to talk with any and every human no matter their background or way of life. You know us so intimately! You love us so thoroughly. I am grateful that we get to be seed sowers of your love and grace. We get to be wild and liberally tossing out your gracious words of hope and not have to be concerned that every seed finds its rich target in good soil. And, we even get to continue to keep our own heart and soul in a state of preparedness taking care of our own hardness, rockiness, weedyness. I take it this picture of a farmer sowing isn’t a one and done kind of story. It continues on while we live on a very earthy, soiled planet!

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The MOST reliable, stable, true and enduring thing I can know

Reading Time: 2 minutes 
“Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans.” Psalms‬ ‭119:89-91‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We now know that God’s eternal word, as referred to here in the Psalms, wasn’t just commands written in ink on scrolls or finger-lasered by God on stone. It was Jesus, the son of God. The word is a person not just ideas, concepts or even doctrines. And Jesus does stand firm in heaven.

His faithfulness is extending to THIS generation, whether that be Millennials, Z’s or Alpha’s. It’s kinda sad that we’ve given human age groupings names like bad storms. Plus, His regulations or ways remain true today and everything does serve Jesus’ plans. In other translations vs 91 says “they” referring to heaven and the earth. The word “regulations” are Jesus’ judgements (מִשְׁפָט mishpat: judgment).

Three things I observe from these passages:

  • One, God’s word is eternal.
  • Two: God’s word is thankfully extended (endures and abides/stands) to each one of the generations that are passing through time. The way generations are counted, it is possible that there have only been about 100 or so generations from Adam until today – just a hundred!
  • Three: God’s word remains true through all of our entire human history (and beyond). It is THE most true, most enduring, unchanging entity (person) we have known or will ever know. It’s also the most real entity in our existence!

Ahhh, the Word is more real, true and trustworthy than even the laws that govern our universe. The laws of gravity, energy or matter are LESS trustworthy than God’s Word! The Psalmist declares an ancient truth here that defies our understanding of reality. We can’t imagine “doubting” gravity, but we have no problem doubting what God says? Geez, that’s heavier than Uranium (a little element joke there)!

As a follower of Jesus, I should have ZERO doubt in God’s Word and also have ultimate TRUST in His plans. The psalmist adds, “everything serves God’s plans.” Whew. I can sleep better and rest from trying to control people or running the world. God’s got this!

PRAYER:

​Dad,
I don’t purposely TRY to worry or doubt, it just seems to creep up and grab me when I am going through difficult times or, I don’t know, like our world going through a multi-year pandemic!

I read your Psalms, your sacred songs and I can breath a little easier realizing how BIG you are and how very small I am. I can learn to trust in your Word because it IS the most reliable, stable, true and enduring thing I can know. I am learning so much of your character through your Word. Thank you.