The Wedding of the Messiah to His People

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Annelise

Day 37 of the 40-Day Fast

Pray for:
*  the Family Cell Group, that the families will be strengthened and that the Lord will raise up leadership and build community within the group.

Passage of the Day:  Revelation 19
 1 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:

“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2 for true and just are his judgments.
He has condemned the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.
He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

3 And again they shouted:

“Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”

4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:

“Amen, Hallelujah!”

5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

“Praise our God,
all you his servants,
you who fear him,
both great and small!”

6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small.”

19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

Reflections

We’ve been blessed with many weddings in the UPC congregation in just the past year, and it is a joy to witness these newlyweds embark on the journey of a lifetime together.  Perhaps my favorite part of each ceremony was watching the groom’s face when the bride entered.  It was so moving to see the hope and love (and maybe a manly tear or two) fill their eyes as they took the hand of their wives at last.  The scene in Revelation 19 is something like that, but even more life-changing: this is the long-awaited marriage of the Lamb (“the groom”) to the Church (“the bride”).

This is the wedding to end all weddings: God pulls out all the stops in this celebration of Christ’s love for us.  Instead of a string quartet and two hundred guests, there is “a great multitude” all exclaiming jubilantly, “Let us be glad, rejoice, and give Him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has come”!  Instead of a chapel, this couple marries in the splendor of Heaven, in the perfect home Jesus has been preparing for us since His return to the Father.  No wedding here on earth can compare to the marriage of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to us one day.

So, like brides counting down to our wedding day, let us eagerly prepare for the return of Jesus by not failing to share His love with other people, and not hesitating to share the Gospel in a way somewhat similar to giving out wedding invitations.  Finally, as many brides spend weeks selecting and tailoring their wedding dress, we as the bride of Christ should also invest our hearts, time, and effort in the best possible garment of fine linen, which represents “the righteous acts of God’s holy people.”  Then, we can appear on the day of union with Christ without regrets, only the bliss of the greatest love ever, fully realized.

 

 

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The Worthy Lamb

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Annelise

Day 36 of the 40-Day Fast

Pray for:
*  the graduating seniors, that God will guide them in their future plans.

Passage of the Day:  Revelation 5
 1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign[b] on the earth.”

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Reflection

If there is any doubt that Jesus is truly the Son of God, the events of Revelation 5 serve to confirm His deity.  John writes, “I wept and wept” because no one was worthy enough to open the scroll in the hand of God.  No one person, out of every human that has ever lived, could possibly approach the throne of the Holy God and take this scroll – except God Himself. It is Jesus who takes the scroll from the Father, and when He does, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders surrounding God’s throne fall down before Him.  In the previous chapter, we learned that these creatures constantly declare the holiness of God and the elders also continually worship bow down before the Father seated on the throne, so when they all fall down before the Lamb, they affirm that Jesus truly is God.

When Jesus takes the scroll from the hand of His Father, He is commencing the end times.  In the next four chapters, the consequences of each seal on the scroll are revealed – famine, earthquakes, and the dismantling of the earth, to name a few.  These events can be quite fearsome to think of, and yet I am comforted that such awesome power can only be wielded by God.  He who has the authority to bring destruction on the imperfect earth we live on as temporary residents is also the Architect of the perfect new home we have with Him in Heaven.  What a privilege it is to know this mighty God, and to be called His friends, His children!  Because He alone is worthy of our awe and praise, as acknowledged by “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them,” let us not fail to give Him the glory in our lives, and to be thankful for the life we do not deserve but may still claim because of His measureless sacrifice.  Take some time to tell God how thankful you are for His gift of a new life with Him, praise the Lord for who He is, and determine to view each day in this world through the perspective of a citizen of the kingdom of God.

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The Majesty and Awe of God

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Annelise

Day 35 of the 40-Day Fast

Pray for:
*  UPC’s Worship Team — that they would be filled with God’s Spirit as they lead the congregation in worship and pray for new members to join.

Passage of the Day:  Revelation 4

1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’[b]
   who was, and is, and is to come.”

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”

Reflections

The words of Revelation 4 can be quite confusing – One with the appearance of jasper and ruby, a rainbow that shone like an emerald, and creatures with eyes all over their bodies – all these images are foreign to us, and it is likely we won’t really be able to comprehend their true nature until we reach Heaven and see it for ourselves.  One part of this passage we can relate to right here and right now, though, and that is the majesty of God.

Living in Los Angeles, it is so easy to lose ourselves in “the concrete jungle” of skyscrapers and six-lane freeways, and it can be difficult to step outside the manmade construction and into the astounding wonder of God’s own creation of nature.  When I walk through a forest, or go on a boat far out in the sea, or hike along a rocky mountain trail, I begin to remember how small I am and how awesome my God is.  The great I Am is the God who made all the world, and owns everything in it.

When Revelation 4:5 says, “From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder,” I remember how afraid I was of thunderstorms as a child.  Only a few minutes would pass before my mom would hear the knock-knock-“Mom?” on her bedroom door, and I would crawl into the safest place I knew – next to her.  Frankly, I’m still not terribly comfortable around lightning, but now I know that I no longer need to worry about the storms in my life (literal or figurative), because my Father in Heaven is Creator of the Universe, and His arms are the safest place I can be.

We may not always understand what the Holy Spirit demonstrates through Revelation, but our hearts can still offer the same praise to the powerful and incredibly gracious Father who loves us:

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Let us honor Him not just with the praise of our tongues, but of our hearts and our actions today.

“Be Exalted” – Cory Asbury
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gB6IiCXmvOk

 

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Take Up the Shield of Faith

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Yumi Lee

Day 34 of the 40 Day Fast

To Pray:

  • For God’s help and guidance to practice His Word in our lives today.
  • For UPC’s Bible study leaders – for strength, encouragement, and wisdom.

When led of the Spirit, the child of God must be as ready to wait as to go, as prepared to be silent as to speak. -Lewis Sperry Chafer

Today’s Passage: Ephesians 6

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[a]

4 Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.

23 Peace to the brothers and sisters,[c] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.[d]

Reflections

In this passage of Ephesians 6:10-20, we can learn several things. First and foremost is that strength and power are in the Lord (v.10). Our hearts must be in full agreement with this statement before we go on to the next verses. It is in Him and in His mighty power that we can be strong and stand firm in our faith.

The “full armor” in its root word is panoplia, which includes a shield, sword, lance, helmet, greaves, and breastplate. It is interesting that while these are physical things that protect our body, the panoplia of God are unseen things that protect our soul.

Take a look at what we are in battle against in verse 12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”. Our battle is not against another body or physical weapons, but against the rulers, authorities, powers, and spiritual forces of evil.

What does this mean for us? What are these struggles we are battling against in our daily walk with the Lord?

I think we can find the answers in the way that God dresses us in His armor. It is against the lies of the enemy we are in battle against, hence the belt of truth. It is against unrighteousness, hence the breastplate of righteousness. It is against unpreparedness, hence the feet fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. What lies are we struggling against today? What unrighteousness? Are we not prepared to stand firm in our faith and therefore do not have peace which comes from the gospel?

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one (v.16).

The shield of faith can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. If our struggle is against the lies, then let us take up the shield of faith and believe that the Truth has set us free (John 8:32). If our struggle is against unrighteousness, then let us take up the shield of faith and believe that we are considered righteous because of the blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22). If our struggle is against unpreparedness, then let us take up the shield of faith and seek God who will equip us with everything good for doing His will (Hebrews 13:21). And lastly, if our struggle is against unbelief, let us cry out to the Lord and ask Jesus to help us overcome our unbelief (Mark 9:24).

In this way, the enemy’s flaming arrows have no harm on us if we have faith. Every flaming arrow is extinguished by faith. If we have faith in Him who is our strength and power, there is nothing that can break us. The righteous will live by faith (Romans 1:17). No matter what our struggle is today, let us live by faith and fully trust that nothing can withstand the full armor of God.

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What Good Is It?

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Yumi Lee

Day 31 of the 40 Day Fast

To Pray:

  • For God’s help and guidance to practice His Word in our lives today.
  • God would provide jobs for those who need jobs and for strength and encouragement in the process.

Today’s Passage: James 2

Favoritism Forbidden

1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”[b] also said, “You shall not murder.”[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Faith and Deeds

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[e] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Reflections

This week we are praying for breakthroughs in our faith. In James 2:14-26, the message is simple and clear to us: faith without deed is useless.

What good is it? What good is it?

James repeatedly challenges us with this question in verses 14 and 16. The word good here in its root word ophelos can be translated into- advantage, use, and profit. In other words, what advantage, use, and profit are there to our faith in Christ? How is our faith in Jesus being put to use for the good of others? God surely didn’t just save us to be happy campers and do nothing to benefit those around us for His purpose.

How is my faith being used as an advantage and profit for God’s kingdom today?

I think this is an application we can all make to have breakthroughs in our faith. It is not to say we do things out of wanting to be seen and recognized by people or to prove ourselves worthy (not that we can do this anyhow). Surely it says that Abraham and Rahab were considered righteous (by God, not by ourselves or others) for their actions. It is not to consider ourselves righteous by our deeds and performance, but to be considered righteous by Him who will call us His friend and credit us as righteous (notice the directional statement; it is from God to us, not the other way around).

Take the example of a brother or a sister in physical needs. In our own lives, we have many things and talents that God has blessed us with. However, how is my blessing being passed on to bless others? This is where action comes in because faith is made complete by what we do. Faith alone is useless (has no benefit) if not accompanied by action. Whether it be giving our material goods, words of encouragement, sharing the Gospel message, our faith needs to be beneficial to those in need for Jesus Christ.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. -1 Corinthians 10:31

If we just look around us today, there are so many things we can do and we do anyhow that can be all for the glory of God. Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do today, do it all for the glory of God – to be useful for Jesus Christ.

 

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Discipline and Perseverance in the Christian Faith

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Christine

Day 30 of the 40 Day Fast

To Pray:

  • For God’s help and guidance to practice His Word in our lives today.
  • For Koi Cell Group–that the members will continue to build one another up and grow in discipleship.

Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones. And when you have finished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake. ~Victor Hugo

Today’s Passage: Hebrews 12  (Key verses: 1-3)

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

God Disciplines His Children

4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a]

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,”[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Warning and Encouragement

14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”[c] 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”[d]

22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”[e] 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”[f]

Footnotes:

  1. Hebrews 12:6 Prov. 3:11,12 (see Septuagint)
  2. Hebrews 12:13 Prov. 4:26
  3. Hebrews 12:20 Exodus 19:12,13
  4. Hebrews 12:21 See Deut. 9:19.
  5. Hebrews 12:26 Haggai 2:6
  6. Hebrews 12:29 Deut. 4:24

Reflections

Today’s key verses wraps up the portion of Paul’s letter to the Hebrews which calls us to remember the faithful heroes in the Old Testament. The imagery evoked in this passage is one of an athletic contest in a great amphitheater. The witnesses are the heroes of the past who have just been mentioned, cheering us on by being inspiring examples of how we should hold on to faith and hope. They bear testimony to the power of faith and to God’s faithfulness.

The imagery depicts the Christian life not as a short sprint where we rush as fast as we can to obtain holiness and once we have obtained it, can claim our growth complete and revel in our success. Instead the Christian life is depicted as a long race. Just as the racer keeps his eye on the finish line, we are instructed to keep our eyes on Christ: our goal and objective of our faith. After the long list of faithful people Paul asks us to emulate, he ends his exhortation on faith by giving the Ultimate Example of a man who suffered more than we ever will: Jesus Christ. Since he understood any trial was worth the joy that he would obtain by accomplishing our eternal redemption and his glorification at the Father’s right hand, we can be encouraged that any bad day, any trial, any attack on our faith is worth enduring for the joy we receive from an eternal relationship with our loving Father in heaven.

The Hebrews at the time of Paul’s writing had been facing some persecution, yet not to the point of death. They were tempted to drop out of the race, so after laying down example after example of God’s children who endured so many trials and yet persevered, he also encourages them to view their trials as discipline from God.

“How can that be encouraging?”, you might ask. Paul explains that a father who truly loves his children will discipline them, knowing that providing structure and rules (and following through on them) will cause his children to grow, mature, and be better people, able to face the world and its challenges. Only a father who doesn’t care about his children ignores them and allows them to do as they wish with no discipline. Such a child will grow up with no standards, no sense of responsibility, and most likely will not succeed in the workforce or in raising a family.

In this analogy, God acts as our Father who lovingly allows us to face trials in order that we might grow. If I think back on the times in my life when I grew the most, when I felt the closest to God, it was the most painful times of my life. In this case, discipline may not mean God is giving you a hard time as punishment for some sin. Discipline means corrective and instructive training, so I think a good analogy would be the discipline of making your bed each day, helping clean house, helping set the table, going to bed at a reasonable hour. In sports discipline is forcing your body to run 2 miles each morning, or pumping iron 3 days a week. Discipline is never “fun”, but the result is good character.

God does not want to keep us as infants, but rather to allow us to mature and grow through discipline because He loves us and wants us to be the best that we can be. This is the mindset that Paul asks the Hebrews to have of their persecutions, so let’s try to have that mindset when we face problems in our lives as well. We are being called to have faith that God has an ultimate purpose even behind our trials.

I do want to make a caveat statement, however, in that we should never just assume that any trial is specifically sent by God. There are dark forces in this world, so when we face persecution and trials we shouldn’t just sit back and take it thinking God is dishing it out to us and we should accept it. God may be allowing it to happen, but He may be allowing it to happen such that we PRAY more fervently to Him to make it stop, or to teach us to ACT in a way to help the situation and thus learn and grow in that area. God is not giving us the trial because he wants us to be unhappy or because he wants us to face the trial forever. God may allow a trial into our lives for the pure sake of wanting us to OVERCOME the trial, and once overcoming, to be stronger in faith, hope, and love as well as closer to His heart.

Chapter 12 ends with Paul making a final plea to the Christians who are wavering in their faith by pointing out that they have it much better than the Israelites who couldn’t even approach Mount Sinai because touching it meant instant death.  No, instead, they (and we) come to Mount Zion, where we may approach God directly amongst the heavenly host and with Jesus Christ our Mediator who has ushered in this New Covenant. Since we have been called to approach God so directly as never before, Paul warns that it would be quite horrible to turn our backs.

Instead, although our world may feel like it is shaking all around us, we can and should hold onto the promise in faith that God in heaven will never be shaken, and it is that unshakeable, permanent place that God is calling us to and that we have to look forward to at the end of our race.

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Faithful Patience

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Christine

Pray:

  • For God’s help and guidance to practice His Word in our lives today.
  • For God’s protection and provision for those who are in need or experiencing homelessness. Pray that more people will be called to serve in our ministry to the poor and homeless.

We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Passage: Hebrews 11:20-40

Key verses: These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us that only together with us would they be made perfect.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.

23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea[d] as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[e]

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned[f]; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Reflections

Haha, clearly I didn’t look ahead at the next day’s passage when I wrote yesterday’s blog. So I’ll keep today’s short and focus even more on yesterday’s point, and the final verse of this passage.

“God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

Yesterday we meditated on how these faithful characters’ lives may be similar to our own in some way and tried to apply their steps of faith to what we may be asked to do.

Today let’s meditate on the key verse and its implication that in fulfilling His promises, God might not bring everything to completion right away (in fact usually He doesn’t). Instead He waited to introduce the new covenant through Christ long after these Fathers of the Faith lived on earth for His perfect timing, such that we can all “be made perfect” together. As it applies to our lives today, we shouldn’t get discouraged when it seems we aren’t getting anywhere, even though we are following what God has willed for our lives. Sometimes it takes decades for His promises to come to fruition (if even that quickly), and it may be so that others may also benefit from His promises.

Is there something you are being impatient about? Let’s be encouraged and motivated by these examples of people who waited decades (think Moses as a shepherd for 40 years before leading Israel, Joseph as Potiphar’s servant and then in prison for 13 years before saving Egypt, etc.) before they understood why God allowed their lives to play out as they did. It may feel daunting, but we see that in the end God really does have a purpose behind it all. We can also be thankful for the promises God kept throughout the centuries in sending His Son as the ultimate atonement for our sins. We see that God may not be into immediate gratification, but He always fulfills His promises in due course.

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Faithfulness Based on Trust, not Tangible Results

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Christine

To Pray:

  • For God’s help and guidance to practice His Word in our lives today.
  • For the UPC Choir–for the director (Noah Park), current members and for more people to join the choir.

Passage for the day: Hebrews 11:1-19

Key verses: Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrews 11

By Faith

1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.

3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he[a] considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring[b] will be reckoned.”[c] 19 Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

[End official passage for the day. The rest of Chapter 11 included for context. The end is especially pertinent as it wraps up the chapter.]

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.

23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea[d] as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[e]

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned[f]; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Footnotes:

  1. Hebrews 11:11 Or By faith even Sarah, who was past age, was enabled to bear children because she
  2. Hebrews 11:18 Greek seed
  3. Hebrews 11:18 Gen. 21:12
  4. Hebrews 11:29 That is, Sea of Reeds
  5. Hebrews 11:31 Or unbelieving
  6. Hebrews 11:37 Some early manuscripts stoned; they were put to the test;

Reflections

Today we jump ahead in Hebrews to read this chapter on Faith. Since it was only a few chapters ahead of yesterday’s passage, I quickly read through the in-between to see how we got from Paul’s exhortation about moving on to Spiritual Meat to this list of faithful men and women from the Old Testament, and how it tied together.

In short, Paul continues on his explanation of how Jesus is the Ultimate High Priest, and coming from a new order of priests (new because he wasn’t from the tribe of Levi, in fact he was from the tribe of Judah and thus not a priest by early heritage–instead by spiritual appointment through an oath given by God), he represents and mediates for a new covenant. In fact, the old covenant and way of repeated sacrifices, even the creation of the tabernacle, was all just an early copy of the real version in heaven. But since Christ is the REAL high priest, he doesn’t have to repeatedly give sacrifices to cleanse himself and us from sin. He sacrificed himself once and for all, such that we may enter the Most Holy Place (meaning, we may enter into God’s presence–a feat which previously ONLY the High Priest could do, and that only once a year after making the appropriate cleansing sacrifices).

Paul ends his explanation of how the old covenant has been fulfilled and replaced by the new covenant by saying that since we can now enter the Most Holy Place, we should draw near to God and “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”  In chapter 5 Paul writes,

“32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.  35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. “

From this he then goes into the long list of Old Testament men and women who were examples of faithful servants of the Lord. To me it is obvious that the Hebrews were undergoing some persecution and needed reinforcement. Paul reminds them of the faith in which they have believed in, encouraging them that for such a reward as the ability to enter into the Most Holy God’s presence, they should never waver in their belief.

He then encourages them by listing examples of people who also had to take leaps of faith even when the outcome was not clear. Even when the promise they were given wouldn’t be fulfilled in their lifetime, or even their children’s children’s lifetimes. Yet they remained true to the Lord and trusted Him and His purposes for their life. With the benefit of hindsight, we can look at how their lives played out and see how God was faithful to them, even after their death.

As I was reading the list of the faithful, I could see how it would transpire today, or in my own life.

We are still called to believe that God created the universe.

Abel demonstrated faith in the Lord by presenting Him with his first fruits. Abel could have withheld his best for fear that if he burned it all up as a sacrifice to God, he wouldn’t have enough food for the year. Instead he gave it back to the Lord, and was proved more faithful than his brother Cain who kept the best for himself, not trusting the Lord to provide. We can try to achieve Abel’s level of faith as well by giving God our first fruits, whether that is making sure we tithe our wages (hey, sometimes it can be super hard to write that check to give 10% of our money away…); it could be the willingness to donate to a friend in need; it could be having a heart of hospitality that invites people into our homes for their spirits to be refreshed and renewed, regardless of the cost it takes to feed them. I’m sure you can creatively think of many other ways you might step out in faith to give God your first fruits!

Enoch was rewarded for belief in God’s existence, and so we also have the assurance of everlasting life just as Enoch lives forever simply from living a faithful life.

Noah believed in something that seemed ridiculous, but as a result he saved his family’s life and carried God’s promise to future generations. Sometimes our belief in God and His promises may feel ridiculous, especially in the eyes of our non-Christian friends and co-workers. But holding on to our belief may not just save ourselves, but may lead our family to salvation as well.

Abraham was called to leave his home and go somewhere he’d never been before, simply on God’s promise that He would take care of him and grow him into a mighty nation. Seriously, now that I’m older and have experienced moving around, I can somewhat comprehend the magnitude of this leap of faith. Even now as I must start thinking about future careers post-graduation, I don’t want to consider leaving the life and city I have come to know and be comfortable in. Do you think that if God called you to another city, another state, another COUNTRY that you would be willing to go? Would you trust that God was leading you to where He needed you to be? It could even be in the case of Abraham, that where you are led would never have TANGIBLE results during your lifetime…Maybe you are just a seed that will start the growth of something huge for God, but it would not show up during your life. I feel that would take a LOT of faith and trust and especially SECURITY in God, to realize that the meaning and purpose of your life cannot be measured by human standards. One can’t use human measurements of “productivity” such as “what have you actually accomplished visibly in your life”, when perhaps what God wanted was to use you to begin a long process that would alter the course of a nation.

As Paul says, “And what more shall I say?” I could continue down the list of the Faithful by listing current day applications, but you are just as capable of doing that. Why don’t we all take the time to meditate on this passage by thinking of ways that God may be calling you to take steps of faith in a similar fashion as these Fathers and Mothers of our faith.

The point of all this, as we see at the end of the chapter, is that we are called to trust and called to have faith in spite of and even because of the fact that the promises of God may not be realized in our own lifetimes. Paul was writing to a generation that faced death in the Colosseum; horrific persecution in being fed to lions, killed by Gladiators for sport, imprisoned for their faith alone. He wanted to encourage them by pointing out that the famous faithful in the past underwent the same thing. They were called to give up their lives of ease to believe in something better than this world has to offer. And even if we do not see the results of our faith in this lifetime, it is the reward we receive after this life in heaven for which our faith exists in the first place.

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Helping Others as we Grow into Maturity

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Christine

Pray:

  • For God’s help and guidance to practice His Word in our lives today.
  • For the church elders–that God will give them wisdom and the Holy Spirit’s anointing as they guide the church.

Scripture Passage: Hebrews 6

(Key verses: “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”)

[starting with Hebrews 5:11]

Warning Against Falling Away

11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 6

1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[a] and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites,[b] the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen[c] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

The Certainty of God’s Promise

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”[d] 15And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Reflections

Since this chapter began in the middle of a subject heading, I wanted to read a little beyond to get some context. It appears that today’s passage is an aside embedded within Paul’s doctrinal teaching about Jesus being a High Priest of the order of Melchizedek.  In chapter 5 he starts explaining it, but then stops to lament how he wishes he could explain these deep doctrinal truths to the Hebrews however they are “so slow to learn!” He complains that at this point they should be the ones teaching these deeper truths, but instead they always return to “milk”, which is the elementary teachings which are the foundation of Christianity.

A paraphrase of his cry may be, “Should I really be writing to you again about the foundations of Christianity?! NO! I shouldn’t have to always return to them…Those elementary teachings being:

  • Repentance from sinful acts that lead to death
  • Faith in God
  • Baptism
  • The Resurrection of the dead
  • Eternal judgment”

It seems that although the Hebrews should already be open to learning about the deeper issues of Christianity, they still are in need of rehearing the basic truths all over again.

So I started asking myself two questions. First, are we as a church constantly returning to milk to drink? Or are we striving to teach and to learn “meat”, the deeper truths behind the faith in which we profess? If we are always returning to elementary teachings, we can never grow, never mature as individuals or as a community. Sure it may be easy to teach and to learn about the Prodigal Son, about God’s mercy and love and about the need to turn away from sin. But what about the deeper, stickier issues of theology and doctrine? The “elementary teachings” may be foundational to faith, they may be the most important factors to what we profess…But does that mean it is all we should focus on? By all means no! It would be ignoring the beauty of the deeper truths and questions that arise in our faith.

The second question I asked myself is how does this relate to the key verses which are supposed to focus on evangelism and outreach? “10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

The relationship I saw was that even though we may act immature, even though our faith may still be in process of building, God is not ignorant of the love we show Him through the way we treat others. He knows and understands that we are not strong fathers and mothers in the church and that it takes growth, time, and perseverance to grow in wisdom. But in the meantime, it doesn’t mean we can’t be used by God to touch the world. Even as infants in the faith, we can reach out to others. And guess what? God sees this, recognizes it, and counts it as righteousness.

It motivates me to step out in faith even when I don’t feel capable or mature. “He will not forget…” If we are trustworthy with the small things–maybe it’s reaching out to a small group member who seems to be down, maybe it’s making a dinner for a friend who is stressed out and would appreciate the sign of care–God will recognize that and help us grow into maturity. But let’s be open to that; open to delving into some more difficult subjects that cause us to question and deepen our faith.

 

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Even the Small Token of Kindness Will Go Far

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Esther Chung

Matthew 25

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

The Parable of the Bags of Gold

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

The Sheep and the Goats

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Footnotes:
Matthew 25:15 Greek five talents … two talents … one talent; also throughout this parable; a talent was worth about 20 years of a day laborer’s wage.
Reflection

I know it is a long chapter, but if we look at Matt 24: 45 to the end of chapter 25, we can really understand what Jesus meant by “keep watch” and “be ready.”  These parables are written to help us ready for Jesus’ Second Coming; however,  the amazing thing about these parables is that they are not urging us to do extraordinary activities such as quitting what you have been doing, selling everything you have, forming a community, and living a separate life from the rest of the world.   Some people might be called to live such lives to be fully devoted, but what Jesus is asking ordinary people like you and me is something we can do on a daily basis.

Let’s explore them.  For these parables, I am only going to write the main points, and hopefully encourage readers to think about how we can live the talk.

* Matt. 24:45-53:  Whatever God assigned you to do, tend to it faithfully.  Don’t abuse the privileges that come with the task because if we do, we will get in big trouble later.

* The parable of the Ten Virgins:  This really calls for our attention because all ten ladies were doing the same thing -waiting for the bridegroom to come- and they all had lamps.  The only difference is that the foolish ones didn’t have oil.  Then you have to ask the question, “What does oil represent?”  Oil gives the lantern its light.  If we are lanterns, then, the next question is, “What makes us shine?”  It is our love for the Lord and others generated by the Holy Spirit.  Love that comes from us is short-lived.  It changes depending upon our circumstances; however, if the Holy Spirit is the source of our love, it will be everlasting.  We need the Holy Spirit to stay alert to welcome Jesus at any time of the day.

* The Parable of the Talents: We would all agree that the servants who received five and two talents were both industrious, multiplying what they originally got from the master.  Why then, did the servant with one talent hide the money until his master came? He says “Master, I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed” (v. 24).  He perceives his master as result-oriented, unreasonable, and harsh! As a result, he was afraid of taking risks and hid the talent.  If we can’t see God as our loving Father, who will do anything for our well-being, then we can’t live our lives to the maximum!  If we don’t have confidence in our Creator, how can we live victoriously?  If we ever doubt God’s love, we simply have to remind ourselves of 2 Corinthians 5:21: “God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”   Let’s put our trust in God, and live a fruitful life.  Not only will we please our Maker, we will also be joyful.

*    The Sheep and the Goat:  The key point is in verse 40, “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”  Instead of writing any expose, I would like to share a song by Casting Crowns with you and remind ourselves that even a small act done for others will be accounted for at the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkH101kgT9U

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