NOOO!

A Series on the parables of Jesus – Part 2
The new cloth and the old garment
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Matthew 9:9-17 

[During the first century, it was common for a rabbi to use parables when teaching their disciples. The parables of Jesus were stories that he told to illustrate spiritual truth using some element from everyday life. Jesus used seeds, fish, trees, bread - things people could easily relate to – for a “teachable moment”.]

  

There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who embrace change… and the rest of us.

 

Change is risky, scary and stressful. I prefer all things routine. Every morning and every evening, I have the same routine. I have a calendar that helps me to stay in my routine. These routines help me to know what to expect, and to feel like I’ve got it under control… even if I don’t.

 

My normal reaction to change is to resist. One place where I’ve observed this is during choir rehearsals at church. When the director decides to sing a song that’s in Latin or she tells us to sing acapella, my first reaction is… “NOOO!”

 

Jesus faced this same resistance to change when Matthew, who was a tax collector, decided to follow him. To celebrate the occasion, Matthew hosted a banquet in Jesus’ honor. Because tax collectors were considered traitors by the Jews, the Pharisees questioned why Jesus would eat with sinners.

 

¹² When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.”            NLT

 

Later the disciples of John the Baptist complained that both they and the Pharisees fasted while Jesus and his disciples didn’t.

 

¹⁵ Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not… ¹⁶ “Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth... ¹⁷ “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins”.   NLT

 

Jesus is telling them that things are changing fast. He is the groom; he is the new cloth; he is the new wine. The old is on the way out to be replaced by the new. If you read between the lines, you can hear the collective response of… “NOOO”!

 

In addition to death and taxes, change is a constant. We’re all looking for stability in an unstable world. Into this chaotic world of change, came the one unchanging constant. The One who can bring stability and peace.

 

⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.        Hebrews 13 NIV

 

This is good news because Jesus is faithful. We can always depend on him. But, with this newfound stability comes change… NOOO!

 

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!     2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

 

Getting rid of the old can be hard. The old is comfortable. It’s what we’re used to. So we try to patch the old garment with the new cloth. But, like Jesus said, and Paul confirmed, the old is on the way out to be replaced by the new. This is Good News.

 

Copyright 2023 Joseph B Williams

 

 

Blind Spot

A Series on the parables of Jesus – Part 2
The speck and the log
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Matthew 7:1-5 

[During the first century, it was common for a rabbi to use parables when teaching their disciples. The parables of Jesus were stories that he told to illustrate spiritual truth using some element from everyday life. Jesus used seeds, fish, trees, bread - things people could easily relate to – for a “teachable moment”.]

  

The first car that I ever owned was a brown 1971 Ford Pinto. It was a no-frills car with a stick shift, crank windows, push button AM radio and no air conditioning. But it was affordable, and it was mine!

 

Little did I realize at the time, that it would later be considered by some, “the most dangerous car ever created”. Apparently, there was a series of design defects that could cause the car to burst into flames in low-speed collisions.

 

Thankfully car manufacturers are making vehicles much safer today. One safety feature that really helps is the side mirror that lights up when another car enters your blind spot. It’s very useful because… everybody has a blind spot.

 

The parable of “the speck and the log” is about the blind spots that we all have. But before Jesus tells the parable, he gives a commandment with a consequence.

 

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.       NIV

 

He then clarifies what he’s saying by using hyperbole. In doing this, Jesus draws an absurd picture to drive home his point.

 

³ “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? ⁴ How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?         NLT

 

His solution to this is to first recognize our own blind spots before trying to help a friend with their blind spots. Easier said than done. However, previous to this parable, Jesus had taught his disciples how to pray which included forgiveness instead of judgement.

 

¹² and forgive us our sins,
    as we have forgiven those who sin against us.         NLT Matthew 6

 

As mentioned above, cars today are much safer. Unfortunately, manufacturers haven’t figured out how to remove the blind spot of human nature. I guess there’s only so much they can do. But in Christ, all things are possible.

 

³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.            NIV Ephesians 4:32

 

Copyright 2023 Joseph B Williams

 

 

 

 

The Old Man

A Series on the parables of Jesus – Part 2
Salt and light
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Matthew 5:13-16 

[During the first century, it was common for a rabbi to use parables when teaching their disciples. The parables of Jesus were stories that he told to illustrate spiritual truth using some element from everyday life. Jesus used seeds, fish, trees, bread - things people could easily relate to – for a “teachable moment”.]

  

In the 1983 movie “A Christmas Story”, Mr. Parker, better known as “the old man”, received an award. It was a lamp in the shape of a woman’s leg; gaudy at best. With uninhibited pride and enthusiasm, he set it on the table right in the center of the front window, much to his wife’s dismay.

 

He then went outside to admire his glorious prize, and to make sure that all his neighbors could see it. In fact, they began to congregate around him and ask “What is it”. Soon it became the center of attention on the block. Just what the old man wanted.

 

The Sermon on the Mount includes the parable of salt and light which, metaphorically speaking, illustrates how a true disciple should live.

 

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.   ¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.    NLT

 

Although the old man’s “leg lamp” may not be the best example to highlight Jesus’ parable, it does make the point. The old man made sure to put the lamp where everybody could see it. He just had the wrong motivation.

 

Historically, Christians have led the way with good deeds. They see a need and do whatever it takes to meet it in the name of Christ. Everything from colleges to hospitals to recreational organizations, have been founded by Christians to show Christ’s love and to bring him glory.

 

I like how Eugene Peterson paraphrases these verses in The Message. He’s very direct, but it’s easy to imagine Christ saying it exactly how Peterson wrote it.

 

^13a “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.

^14a “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept… so shine!           MSG

 

The old man inside of us is not interested in being the light. But no matter how big or small the endeavor, we’re called to let our light shine. So… take that first step to let your light shine showing Christ’s love.

 

Copyright 2023 Joseph B Williams

 

 

Spinning out of Control

A Series on Lent
Jesus is arrested, tried and sentenced
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
John 18:28-19:16 

[Lent is a 40-day season of personal reflection through prayer, fasting and giving in order to prepare your heart to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter. We will be following Jesus through the Gospel of John as he enters Jerusalem for Passover, and the ensuing events that led up to his trial, crucifixion and resurrection.]

 

Sometimes life can feel like it’s spinning out of control.

 

In 2020, my wife Debbie had a stroke. At first it didn’t seem too crazy because we didn’t know what was happening. But when Debbie couldn’t sit upright, I realized something was terribly wrong and called 911.

 

Although Debbie’s symptoms improved, the situation worsened. Every test made it scarier. Waiting made it scarier. Fear of the unknown made it scarier. Our life was spinning out of control.

 

The story of Jesus’ arrest, trial and sentencing reads the same way. It starts slow, picks up speed until it seems unstoppable as it spins out of control. Even Jesus seems to get caught up in it at the Garden of Gethsemane.

 

³³ He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ³⁴ “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”         Mark 14 NIV

 

Following Jesus’ arrest, he is interrogated by the chief priest and quickly taken to the Roman governor Pilate. The Jewish religious leaders intended for Jesus to be crucified and only Pilate could make that happen.

 

However, Pilate doesn’t find any reason to charge Jesus. So hoping to appease the Jews, he offers to let a prisoner go free. They choose Barabbas, a known murderer. 

Jesus is then flogged and abused by the Roman soldiers. Pilate once again tells the Jews he finds Jesus to be innocent. But after the flogging, the crowd smells blood in the water. They’re incensed. 

 

⁵ Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said, “Look, here is the man!” ⁶ When they saw him, the leading priests and Temple guards began shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”               NLT

 

For the third time, Pilate tells the Jews that he doesn’t find Jesus guilty of anything. Only then do the Jews confess to Pilate that Jesus has broken their law by claiming to be “the Son of God”. This terrified Pilate.

 

¹² From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”         NIV

 

Sitting in his judgement seat, Pilate presented Jesus one final time saying, “Here is your king”. The Jews demanded that he be crucified, even proclaiming that they have “no king but Caesar”. Compelled by the Jews, Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified.

 

When life is spinning out of control, we do everything we can to regain it. That’s what Peter did when Jesus was being arrested. He drew his sword and cut off the ear of the High Priest’s servant.

 

But Jesus knew that it was Friday and Sunday was coming. And when it did, the world would never be the same. Our world will never be the same… even when it’s spinning out of control.

 

Copyright 2023 Joseph B Williams

 

 

The Pieta is a sculpture created by Michelangelo. The link below is a rendition of the song Pieta by Joseph Martin and includes a dramatic dance presentation. I found this very meaningful and hope that you enjoy it.

 Pieta by Joseph Martin

 

To Do List

A Series on Lent
Jesus prays for the disciples & all believers
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
John 17 

[Lent is a 40-day season of personal reflection through prayer, fasting and giving in order to prepare your heart to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter. We will be following Jesus through the Gospel of John as he enters Jerusalem for Passover, and the ensuing events that led up to his trial, crucifixion and resurrection.]

Are you a list maker? Do you create a “to do list” to be organized? Do you create a shopping list when you go to the grocery store? Do you have a standard list of things to pack when you go on a vacation? If you answered yes to all of these… I’m glad, because we do the same thing in our house.

 

Jesus was running out of time! For the past three years, he had been an itinerant rabbi walking throughout Israel from Galilee to Judea. He had been healing the sick, feeding the hungry and teaching anyone who would listen.

 

Mainly, he taught a small group of committed followers which included the twelve disciples. But it was crunch time. Jesus would be going away to his Father soon, and it was critical to communicate certain things to the disciples. You might say he had a “to do list”.

 

In John 17, Jesus prays his longest recorded prayer. Much of it focused on Jesus being sent by God and in turn, sending the disciples. During his final hours, he begins praying by defining eternal life. Not in terms of going to heaven, but in terms of a relationship.

 

³ Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.          NIV

 

Then he prays for God’s protection of his disciples.

 

¹¹ Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.          NLT

 

However, his prayer for protection is not so that they can hide in a locked room or return to their former lives. It’s to sanctify them, to set them aside for the special purpose of going into the world to spread the Good News.

 

¹⁸ Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. ¹⁹ And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.                     NLT

 

Jesus’ prayer was not only for his disciples. It was for us too. Like the disciples, we are called to a relationship with Christ. And he has sent us into the world to share that relationship with others.

 

Maybe a “to do list” will help you get started.

 

Copyright 2023 Joseph B Williams