Active Watching

Matt 25:13 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."

 

The last time I wrote, Jesus told His guys to be ready because He was coming at an hour when they didn't expect. Now He kind of repeats that exhortation, but now He changes it a little. Instead of "be ready" He now says "watch" because they were not going to know the hour or even the day when He would return.

 

Why does He say "watch"? The word for watch actually is an active word. It is a word that tells us to pay strict attention to what is going on and what we are doing. It is an active expectancy. It implies that we are to not just sit on our hands with our eyes open, but rather, we are to be busy because what we do proves that we are watching.

 

Jesus explains this with a few parables. The parable of the 10 virgins. Five of the virgins were actively expectant. Five of them were not. Five of the virgins were ready to go into the wedding feast because they had enough oil to see when the bridegroom came, and five of them did not. Five of them prepared for what was going to happen. Five of them were lazy. How prepared am I? I mean, am I actively expectant? Is everything ready to go? Or is Christ's coming going to take me by surprise? The active participation here is preparation.

 

The next parable is the giving of the talents. One guy got five, one guy got two and one guy got one. The five gained five more, the two gained two more and the one was, once again, lazy and gained nothing. The guys who used their talents, who took risks and who invested were told: "Well done." The lazy guy had to turn his one over to the guy who had ten and then he was cast into outer darkness. Interesting, the guy who had one really proved one thing: he really did not believe the things that he said that he did. He claimed that he knew that his master was exacting and expected things but he did nothing about it. He did not act on what he claimed he believed. The end result proved who he really was: a fraud.

 

This last weekend I went on another men's retreat. I think I am done retreating for awhile. Anyway, it really challenged me to not stay where I am. It challenged me to press on. To keep growing. To not sit on what I know and have but to keep moving forward. There is so much to learn. There is so much to do. There is so much more that God wants for me. I can't plant my talent in the ground. I have to use what God has given me and gain more. If I don't, it proves that I really don't believe.

 

Finally, and this is where the rubber meets the road, the sheep and the goats. The sheep: True believers. The goats: Only playing the game. The true believers prove who they are by what they did. Helped others. The ones playing the game ignored others. The true believers inherited the kingdom. The fakers: everlasting fire. Question: What am I doing to prove I am a true believer? How am I helping others…the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, the imprisoned? Really a very challenging question.

 

All these things proving whether I am actively watching…or if I am just playing a game.

Be Ready

Matt 24:44 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

 

We don't hear much about this anymore in our churches. I know that in our church we center on three things Christ, the cross and His word. All solid stuff…and frankly, the things that we should be focused upon. The thing is, I have heard that some Bible based churches avoid the topic of the second coming because they are not sure about whether it is pre-trib, post-trib or mid-trib, so since they don't know they don't talk about it. That is crazy. A whole book in the Bible is centered on it. (Revelation) The book of Daniel is full of it, and Jesus spent a significant amount of time describing it in this chapter in what is known as the Olivet Discourse. Beyond that we have I Cor 15 and I Thess 4 that addresses it. And, by the way, all kinds of stuff is happening in our world right now that would point to the fact that God is at work doing something. ("For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places." (v7) Sounds like the front page of today's paper.)

 

The exhortation by Jesus is this: "Be ready." The Boy Scout motto – "Be prepared". Pay attention. Look around. This is going to happen when we don't expect it. In practical ways, what does getting ready look like? Does it mean stashing away gold and silver? Does it mean building our food pantry? Does it mean getting out of debt? It may, but I think it means a lot more. It means being busy in building the kingdom and don't let up. Don't let your guard down. Run after it. Be consistent. Don't get weary in well doing. Passionately pursue it. Be a faithful and wise servant. (v45)

 

And we need to be sure to open our mouths. When we see what is going on around us we should be in the business of reminding people that Christ is coming. Do we know when? No. But we know that in Matt 24 he gave us a ton of warning signs. Jesus did not want us to be caught by surprise so He spent a lot of time telling his guys what it was going to be like before He returned.

 

So be ready. Get ready. It may happen at any moment. When was the last time you heard that?

 

Titles

Matt 23:8-10 "But you, do not be called 'Rabbi' for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.  And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ."

 

Titles. We get so wrapped up in them. In fact, our identity most of the time is centered on a title. I know that when a guy meets another man for the first time, one of the first things that comes out of either's mouth is: "What do you do?" In other words, "what is your title?". If I tell people I am an attorney, that kind of wraps up what I do…but it does not address who I am. There is a difference.

 

The deal with the scribes and Pharisees was that they were really into this title thing. Their big deal was "I am a Rabbi" or "I am a temple father" or "I am a teacher". This didn't just encompass what they did, it identified who they were…deep down who they were. It really identified the fact that they had this deep inner need for recognition. They had this deep desire to be looked up to and admired and respected and revered. And it revealed that deep down, they thought that they were better than your average Joe out there. Deep down they thought that they were pretty hot stuff. They would be offended if someone told them that they were just a person, just like everyone else, who needed to be forgiven for their rotten sin. No. They were better than that. They didn't need anyone to tell them what to do. Instead, they told people what to do and gave others heavy burdens to bear.

 

Jesus' advice: "Stay away from that." Stay away from titles. Stay away from the deep desire for recognition. Stay away from this prideful heart. Instead, humble yourself. Be a servant and realize that "you are all brethren." We are all the same. No one is better than the other. There is only One who deserves recognition. There is only One deserves the title of Rabbi, Father, Teacher…Jesus.

 

It is weird, but as I have written before, I am a guy who wants recognition. I am a guy who struggles with wanting to hear my name spoken in front of people. Stop it. As James MacDonald said in one of our studies, when this desire rears its ugly head I need to tell it to "Shut up!".

 

The other weird thing is that the other night I received a phone call from a guy in our church who is fairly new to our body. He called me to ask about a Bible that he recently bought. Then he said: "Thank you." For what? "For accepting me. My wife and I love you and Georgann." You see, this guy had this mindset that as an attorney he didn't think that I would give him the time of day. That I was some hot stuff. Nothing can be further from the truth. I am small stuff. I am one of the "brethren". The ground is level at the foot of the cross. The only One who deserves to be recognized, exalted, lifted high who deserves any high title at all is Jesus. The rest of us are all the same, all brethren, all people who need the cleansing blood of Christ. No titles. No pretense. No pride. Take it all away.

Hosanna

Matt 21:9b "Hosanna to the Son of David! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' Hosanna in the highest!"

 

Here is the picture. Two of Jesus' guys grab a donkey from a guy in a city opposite of Bethphage. It may have been Bethany, we really are not sure. Anyway, Jesus was close to the Mount of Olives, a short distance outside of Jerusalem. These two bring the donkey to Jesus and Jesus mounts it and rides into Jerusalem on it. As Jesus is riding into the city a crowd gathers. They are yelling. They are cheering. They are excited. They are so excited, they are taking off their coats and laying them on the road for the donkey to walk over. If they did not have a coat, or if they already used their coat, they cut down branches from the trees around them and put them on the road in front of Jesus. They basically were giving Him the "red carpet treatment". As they were doing this they were yelling out: "Hosanna to the Son of David." And they were quoting the first part of Ps 118:26 – "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." But they didn't stop there. They kept saying: "Hosanna in the highest." I think that it would be an understatement to say that these people were really into greeting Jesus.

 

The word Hosanna basically means: Propitious. It means Favor. It was a greeting that these people were giving to Jesus which basically said: "Long live the King." They didn't just say: Hosanna, they also said "Blessed". This means: "Praise". It means: "Prosper". May God's prosperity and favor rest upon You. Then they followed it up with another Hosanna but they added "in the highest: which means "most high, in the rank of God." Look out. Here is this crowd, giving Jesus the red carpet treatment, saying "Long live the King", saying "May God's prosperity rest upon You." Saying: "Long live the King who is as high as God." Yikes! Dangerous, but true words exiting the mouths of the people. Dangerous because this was the beginning of the end. This is all the religious leaders could stomach. This was the straw that broke the donkey's back. This was it. But true because "Out of the mouths of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise." V16.

 

As I think through this, I wonder what my praise is like? I know who Jesus is. I have seen Him work in my life. He is my Savior, my Lord, my Rescuer, my Forgiver, my Healer, my King…and how excited do I get? Would I lay my coat down? Would I climb a tree to cut down branches? What words come out of my mouth? Are they fit for a King? Are they fit for the Lord in the highest…the Lord most high? Do I shout out "Hosanna…Blessed"? Or am I too reserved? Am I afraid of what people would think? It's just not my personality? I shout at stadiums rooting for the Browns or Indians…what should I be like when I root for my Savior? I should be loud sometimes, and I should be silent at other times. Something to think about.

 

Recognition

Matt 20:26-28 'Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Position. Recognition. Authority. We all want it. We all want to be placed in positions where we are recognized. At least I do. This is one area that I really struggle. People don't see it in me, but I see it in myself. Deep down, in my heart of hearts, in my inner man I want people to mention my name. I want them to point me out when I have done something worthwhile. This is nothing but stinking pride, and I hate it…but I have to deal with it.

Jesus' disciples were the same way. Here is the God of the universe, who just told them that He was going to be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes who were going to deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, and scourged, and then finally crucified, but that He would rise from the dead on the third day. You would think that this kind of news would shock them. You would think that this kind of news would result in concern for their Friend. You would think that this kind of news would result in a desire to protect, to take up arms, to fight…but no. After Jesus told them this news Mommy comes up to Jesus and said: "Let my boys sit in places of authority when You come into your kingdom. Let them sit on your right hand and your left hand. Let them be recognized. Give them position. Give them power." Unreal. Yet here comes a teachable moment.

Jesus then said: "Do you want to be great?" Of course the answer to that is: "Yes." "Then the way up is down. The way to lead is to serve. The way to be first is to be last." We don't like to hear this. We don't want to go down, serve and be last. We want to be in charge. But this is not how it happens. In fact, Jesus set the example throughout His life. He didn't come to take over. He didn't come to have people serve Him, although He could have. He is God. He could have demanded that everyone bow. He could have demanded that everyone submit. He could have demanded that everyone serve Him, but He didn't. Instead, He was humble. He was a servant. He taught, and healed, and fed, and helped others. He never had His eyes on Himself or His own needs. He only considered the needs of others…to the point of death. He only considered my most basic need for cleansing, for forgiveness from my sin and He did something about it and submitted Himself to the cross. Talk about the ultimate Servant. He didn't want recognition. He didn't care about power. He didn't strive for position. He came to serve.

Somehow, someway, I need to develop this attitude. Never ever caring whether I am recognized or not. In fact, I need to serving others so they can be recognized. That is how I have to live. God help me.

Famous Mottos

Matt 19:26 "But Jesus looked at them and said to them, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"

The setting is this: A rich guy comes to Jesus and asks how he can inherit eternal life. Jesus gives him an interesting answer…an answer that we would not give: "Keep the commandments." In other words, good works will get you to heaven? No. That was not the point. In fact, Jesus was trying to make a point, but this guy was not getting it. How do I know. Because he said that he had kept all of the commandments. Pretty good. This guy thought he was perfect. Jesus had to debunk that. He had to show him that he was not perfect. He had to show him his need, so He hit him between the eyes. Jesus knew that this guy was rich so He told him to give it all up. Well, there was no way. Even though this guy had a significant need, the need to put God first, the need for a Savior, he decided that he would have to stay in his imperfection because he liked it too much.

I wonder how often I am there. I like my imperfection too much. I don't want to give up a pet desire. I don't want to let go of a cherished attitude. I don't want to eliminate a habit. Jesus does not want any competition. He is God. He wants complete allegiance. In this guy's case it was all of his stuff.

Next comes the lesson for Jesus' guys. "It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." V23 His disciples wondered about this. If a rich guy can't get in, then who can get in? I mean, you would think that the rich would be able to get in and if they can't, then certainly the poor can't get in. I am not sure that they were grasping what Jesus was getting at.

This then brought about the main lesson: "Man can't do it. It is impossible. But with God all things are possible." Even the rich can get in. Even the poor can get in. Even the proud can get in. Event the humble can get in. Even the thief can get in. Even the honest can get in. Even the hateful can get in. Even the loving can get in. How? Through the unbelievable work of God. No, you can't stay in the state that you are in. You have to repent. You have to change. You have to trust. You have to come to God and surrender…but we all can get in, not because we keep the commandments, because with man that is impossible. But we can get in because with God all things are possible…Jesus death on the cross made it all possible.

Beyond this, however, I have to think about this statement: "But with God all things are possible." Believe it or not, this is the State of Ohio's motto. I wonder if we really believe it? Where is our trust? What do we put our confidence in? Our smarts?. Our abilities? Our money? Our wisdom? Or do we really trust God? Do we say: "God, we have this 8 billion dollar shortfall this year. We don't know how to get out of it, but You do. Give us the wisdom to get out of it because with You all things are possible."

Or, what about me? Do I believe this? Sure, for my salvation…but what about my life? What about my needs? What about my future? What about the stuff I am concerned about? Am I trusting God or am I relying on my own abilities? I think that maybe this was what Jesus was getting at with the rich guy and His disciples. It isn't you…it's all God…trust Him. That leads me to another famous motto: "In God we trust." Do we? Really?

Hear Him

Matt 17:5b "This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"

If there is any question what we are to focus our attention on as believers, as a church, as the Church universal, God the Father dispelled it with this statement. And here we are toward the end of Jesus' ministry on earth. A few verses after God made this declaration Jesus told His guys that He was going to die but He would rise from the dead. (vs 9, 12, 22-23) So, at the beginning of Jesus ministry God the Father spoke from heaven when He was baptized and said: "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." Matt. 3:17 and now toward the end of His earthly ministry God said: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him." Same statement but with an addition. "Hear Him".

A couple of years ago our men's ministry went through a study by Robert Lewis called "Men's Fraternity" Robert Lewis said that this statement showed two things about the Father's relationship with the Son. He loved Him and He was proud of Him. (His point was that every boy should know that their Dad feels this way about them.) God's love for His Son was and is immeasurable. Yet even in His love, He allowed Jesus to die. Even in His love He turned His back on His Son as He hung on the cross because the Father could not stand to look at the sin that Jesus carried for me and the whole world. No wonder He could say that He was well pleased. No wonder He was proud of Him. And this love and this pride did not waver. Jesus came to do and say the things that His Father told Him to do and say. He was obedient even up to death and the Father was pleased. (Try to wrap your brain around this verse: "Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand." Is. 53:10) God had pleasure in His Son, He had pleasure in His death, and He has pleasure in His reward.

No wonder He said that we need to "Hear Him". There is no one like Jesus. There is no one who has the truth…Jesus is the truth. There is no one who has the words of life…only Jesus does. If we want the truth, if we want to really live we need to listen to Jesus. We need to pay attention to Him. We need to soak in everything that He has to say. We have to concentrate on Him. We have to fix our eyes on Him. No other message, no other distractions, no other person…only Jesus.

Why? Because: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him."