On Sunday nights, we have been looking through 1 Corinthians. Last night we finished up the first section of the letter, chapters 1-4. The major theological point in the section is quite clear: God's wisdom is triumphantly different from man's wisdom.
Consider some of the Old Testament quotations the Paul has used to support this theological point.
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside." Isaiah 29:14/1 Corinthians 1:19
"For who has known the mind of the LORD, that He will instruct Him?" Isaiah 40:13/1 Corinthians 2:16
"He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness." Job 5:13/1 Corinthians 3:19
"The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless." Psalm 94:11/1 Corinthians 3:20
These Old Testament passages support Paul's argument that God's wisdom is far superior to man's wisdom.
The way God works does not make any sense to those who are wise in this age. Paul's biggest test case for this reality is Jesus' death on the cross. Paul says that God is using the cross of Jesus to bring about salvation for those who believe; however, those who are perishing do not see Jesus' death as the wisest move if salvation is the goal.
God's wisdom trumps man's wisdom. This is the testimony of the Old Testament and the testimony of the cross.
The situational problem in Corinth exists because of their failure to recognize the way God's wisdom works. The Corinthians think they are spiritual, mature, and wise, but they are wise according to this age and the rulers of this age. Their dependence upon this wisdom is causing them to divide up into little groups. They have divided up in the name of certain teachers in the church. Some like Peter more, some like Paul more, some like Apollos more.
Paul takes issue with their divisions; however, more than that, he sees that the real problem is their lack of understanding of the way God works. This lack of understanding is causing them to be arrogant and boastful. As their "father" in Christ, Paul simply cannot stand for such nonsense, so he speaks to the heart of the problem: they are making their evaluations based on man's passing wisdom, not God's lasting wisdom.
Paul's message to the Corinthians is very relevant for today. God's special, called-out people of the 21st century need to heed Paul exhortation to rely upon God's wisdom. When this happens, they will not boast in teachers, riches, societal positions, wisdom, maturity, spirituality, etc; they will boast in the only thing that is appropriate to boast in, YHWH the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Jesus.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
God's Interests vs. Man's Interests
In Matthew 16, Peter declares that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt 16:16). For this statement, Jesus says that he is blessed.
A couple of verses later, Jesus tells the disciples that he must suffer and be killed. Peter does not like the sound of this by any means and therefore rebukes Jesus for even mentioning such a crazy idea. Jesus gives a completely different response to this statement: "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's" (Matt 16:23).
One minute Peter is called blessed, and the next he is called Satan (God's adversary). What can account for Peter's complete change of status?
Jesus said it was because he was setting his mind on man's interests.
The whole chapter seems to be about that very issue: setting man's interests above God's.
Early in chapter 16 the Pharisees and the Sadducees ask Jesus for a sign from heaven. What they are asking for was not a miracle the likes of feeding 4,000 people with very little food or causing the mute to speak or the lame to walk or the blind to see (see Matthew 15:31-39), they want a political overthrow of the Romans; after all, this is what the Messiah was supposed to do. Jesus refuses to give them the sign they ask for and warns the disciples to beware of their teaching.
At this point in his life Peter shares the same perspective as the Pharisees and Sadducees. He too would love for Jesus to overcome Roman oppression. This is why Peter doesn't like the idea of Jesus suffering and dying. This is also why Jesus responds to him in a similarly negative way.
What separates Jesus from the Pharisees, Sadducees and Peter is one simple thing: His complete, undivided focus on God's interests.
Men are interested in many things such as wealth, success, fame, political power (e.g., Pharisees, Sadducees, and Peter).
God is interested in one thing: Loyalty to Him.
What are you interested in?
Jesus was completely loyal to His Father. And God's raising him from the dead testifies to Jesus' faithfulness to Him.
This is the only sign that the Pharisees, Sadducees, Peter, you and I have to look forward to.
A couple of verses later, Jesus tells the disciples that he must suffer and be killed. Peter does not like the sound of this by any means and therefore rebukes Jesus for even mentioning such a crazy idea. Jesus gives a completely different response to this statement: "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's" (Matt 16:23).
One minute Peter is called blessed, and the next he is called Satan (God's adversary). What can account for Peter's complete change of status?
Jesus said it was because he was setting his mind on man's interests.
The whole chapter seems to be about that very issue: setting man's interests above God's.
Early in chapter 16 the Pharisees and the Sadducees ask Jesus for a sign from heaven. What they are asking for was not a miracle the likes of feeding 4,000 people with very little food or causing the mute to speak or the lame to walk or the blind to see (see Matthew 15:31-39), they want a political overthrow of the Romans; after all, this is what the Messiah was supposed to do. Jesus refuses to give them the sign they ask for and warns the disciples to beware of their teaching.
At this point in his life Peter shares the same perspective as the Pharisees and Sadducees. He too would love for Jesus to overcome Roman oppression. This is why Peter doesn't like the idea of Jesus suffering and dying. This is also why Jesus responds to him in a similarly negative way.
What separates Jesus from the Pharisees, Sadducees and Peter is one simple thing: His complete, undivided focus on God's interests.
Men are interested in many things such as wealth, success, fame, political power (e.g., Pharisees, Sadducees, and Peter).
God is interested in one thing: Loyalty to Him.
What are you interested in?
Jesus was completely loyal to His Father. And God's raising him from the dead testifies to Jesus' faithfulness to Him.
This is the only sign that the Pharisees, Sadducees, Peter, you and I have to look forward to.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Ignored, Rejected, and "Dogged"...by Jesus?
Last night at the park we read a VERY thought provoking passage in Matthew 15:
"Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed." But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, "Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us." But He answered and said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, "Lord, help me!" And He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." But she said, "Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus said to her, "O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed at once." (Matthew 15:21-28)
Jesus denies her request on three different occasions. Most people speculate as to why Jesus did this. Was he testing her faith? Was he trying to teach his disciples about great faith?
A better question might be, why would this woman continue to pursue someone who had ignored, rejected, and "dogged" her?
Would you do the same if you went to Jesus for help and received a similar response?
The woman's thought process was "It may not be appropriate for me, as an outsider, to get help from you Son of David, King of Israel, but it is more than appropriate for me to direct my faith towards you."
Jesus saw this as being right on the money.
Jesus came to bring salvation and healing to his people, Israel. We can turn away sad and offended, calling Jesus a racist, or we can be like the woman and press forward knowing that Jesus is the ONLY appropriate person worthy of our faith, whether we are Jews or Gentiles.
What are your thoughts on this passage?
"Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed." But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, "Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us." But He answered and said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, "Lord, help me!" And He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." But she said, "Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus said to her, "O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed at once." (Matthew 15:21-28)
Jesus denies her request on three different occasions. Most people speculate as to why Jesus did this. Was he testing her faith? Was he trying to teach his disciples about great faith?
A better question might be, why would this woman continue to pursue someone who had ignored, rejected, and "dogged" her?
Would you do the same if you went to Jesus for help and received a similar response?
The woman's thought process was "It may not be appropriate for me, as an outsider, to get help from you Son of David, King of Israel, but it is more than appropriate for me to direct my faith towards you."
Jesus saw this as being right on the money.
Jesus came to bring salvation and healing to his people, Israel. We can turn away sad and offended, calling Jesus a racist, or we can be like the woman and press forward knowing that Jesus is the ONLY appropriate person worthy of our faith, whether we are Jews or Gentiles.
What are your thoughts on this passage?
Monday, December 6, 2010
Jesus Fulfills All Leadership Roles in Israel
Tonight at the park we read Matthew chapter 14. One of the stories in the chapter recalls the fatal fate of John the Baptist. Here is a quick summary. The chapter begins with Herod “the King” of Israel thinking that Jesus is John the Baptist, raised from the dead. Matthew then tells the story of the events that led to John’s execution.
Herod had been sleeping with Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. John the Baptist, in true prophetic fashion, rebukes Herod for this breaking of the Law of Moses. Herod wanted to have John the Baptist executed at that moment, but John was too popular to execute; all of the people might have caused a riot. However, at Herod’s birthday party one night, Herodias’ daughter danced and pleased him very much. Herod swore to her in front of all of his guests that he would give her whatever she asked for. The girl went to her mom to find out what she should ask for. Herodias told her dancing daughter that she should ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. The girl listened to her mother’s advice, and Herod was obligated to grant her wish because of the oaths he made. Herod has John executed.
One of the things that came up in our discussion at the park was the presence of the different leadership roles at work in this little episode: the prophet and the King. Israel’s prophets* were carriers of God’s word to all of Israel. There was no exception for the king. The King of Israel was to be God’s anointed representative on the earth. He was to be a King over Israel on God’s terms. Throughout Israel’s history, the prophet and the king have experienced friction within their relationship. Even a great king such as David was not beyond rebuke. The prophet Nathan, like John the Baptist, rebukes the King for his improper relationship.
In the New Testament, Jesus uniquely takes on both the role of the prophet and the role of the King in a conclusive way. Jesus is the final carrier of God’s word, and later in the Gospel, this will produce much friction between Jesus and the leadership in Israel. Jesus also takes on the role of the King. He has already stated in the gospel that his father has handed all things to him, but he is not like other Kings; he is gentle and humble in heart.
Herod had been sleeping with Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. John the Baptist, in true prophetic fashion, rebukes Herod for this breaking of the Law of Moses. Herod wanted to have John the Baptist executed at that moment, but John was too popular to execute; all of the people might have caused a riot. However, at Herod’s birthday party one night, Herodias’ daughter danced and pleased him very much. Herod swore to her in front of all of his guests that he would give her whatever she asked for. The girl went to her mom to find out what she should ask for. Herodias told her dancing daughter that she should ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. The girl listened to her mother’s advice, and Herod was obligated to grant her wish because of the oaths he made. Herod has John executed.
One of the things that came up in our discussion at the park was the presence of the different leadership roles at work in this little episode: the prophet and the King. Israel’s prophets* were carriers of God’s word to all of Israel. There was no exception for the king. The King of Israel was to be God’s anointed representative on the earth. He was to be a King over Israel on God’s terms. Throughout Israel’s history, the prophet and the king have experienced friction within their relationship. Even a great king such as David was not beyond rebuke. The prophet Nathan, like John the Baptist, rebukes the King for his improper relationship.
In the New Testament, Jesus uniquely takes on both the role of the prophet and the role of the King in a conclusive way. Jesus is the final carrier of God’s word, and later in the Gospel, this will produce much friction between Jesus and the leadership in Israel. Jesus also takes on the role of the King. He has already stated in the gospel that his father has handed all things to him, but he is not like other Kings; he is gentle and humble in heart.
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