Four Gospels: Creating a Wider View

    There's one gospel message--one foundationally true story of how God came to the world as Jesus Christ and made it possible for people to be forgiven of sins--and wonderfully, there's not just one written account of it, but four! They're all completely reliable, as each narrative was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and while they speak of the same Person and often recount the same events, not one of the four gospels is a carbon copy of another.
    Matthew's gospel, for example, is very detailed with references to Old Testament Scriptures, emphasizing the prophecies of the Messiah spoken hundreds of years before that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled. The gospel of Mark, in something of a contrast, sticks to crafting a quick account of the actions and events that occurred in Christ's ministry on earth, making a shorter but no less fulfilling read. Luke's gospel account (written by a Gentile, which is a rarity) is full of the parables that the Lord spoke, creatively painting pictures of His Kingdom and the kind of lives we, His followers, should lead. And in the gospel of John, spiritual matters are spoken of in depth, stressing Christ's divine identity--particularly in the famously eloquent first chapter.
    Each gospel tells the same story, but they don't tell it in the same way. It's like looking at four different pictures of one tree; the subject is absolutely the same, but the different angles catch new aspects and details that the other photos don't focus on as much. One picture on its own provides a sufficient view of the tree, but all four together complete the appearance, giving a full picture.
    So in having four gospels to read, the Lord has given us a more in-depth look at our Savior; a wider view of His love and the greatness of His saving grace. Isn't that awesome? :)

"Hilkiah the Priest Has Given Me a Book"

There's truly no book like the Book! :)

    The latter half of 2 Chronicles 34 is kind of set up like a dramatic story. Wicked kings had been reigning in the land for fifty-seven years, doing their very best to stamp out proper worship of the true God; but then King Josiah ascended to the throne and got to work in leading the nation back to the Lord. One of the things King Josiah did was start restoring the temple of God (which his predecessors had trashed and filled with profane idols), and while the reconstruction took place, something very significant was discovered.
    It was a copy of the Scriptures, the book listing all the instructions and statutes God gave His people. And it was taken to the royal scribe, Shaphan, right away in order to show the king what had been found. Once King Josiah had seen and had read the Scriptures, he quickly made sure the people also learned what it said. And in verse 34:33, it's said that for all of Josiah's lifetime, the people "did not depart from following the LORD God of their fathers" (NKJ).
    This story is so awesome on multiple levels! The very way that Hilkiah, Shaphan, and King Josiah all reacted when they found the precious word of God was fascinating. Hilkiah, the high priest, seemed surprised but elated to have discovered the Word of his God. Shaphan, when showing Josiah the rediscovered Scriptures, didn't have to explain what it was or even call it something like "the holy words of our God;" all he had to do was say, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book" to convey that it was the most important document ever written. Even the way King Josiah grieved after he read the Scriptures--because he compared the current quasi-pagan traditions to what God had actually instructed them do to--is a huge deal because it shows he took every word to heart. He didn't come across something he didn't like and think, "well, that's not a huge rule that needs to be followed; we can overlook it." No, he was determined to obey it to the letter. All three of the people mentioned in this story showed God's word the absolute respect and obedience it deserves; it's great when that happens!
    And another incredible thing about this story is the way it shows how God can protect His Word. Today there are so many people who say that the Bible is "nice" but not absolute truth because supposedly the translations it's been given have mixed up the meaning of the message. But this 2 Chronicles account--and just the plain logic that the God who sculpted the entire world out of nothing probably wouldn't fail to keep His truth available to people--shows how He can keep His Word completely intact, no matter what. Kings Manasseh and Amon had apparently been so thorough in their attempts to bring down worship of the true God that the high priest was shocked to find a copy of the Law in his hands. But as powerful as the wicked rulers had been, God was clearly stronger, and as always, His good will prevailed.
    The whole dramatic element of this story is also a really fascinating part as well. After so many years of darkness, finding a sole surviving copy of the Scriptures was the spark that began an age of light and obedience. And the fact that there was possibly just one surviving copy that made it possible to revive a whole nation to God's ways is incredible! It's something you'd think could only happen in fiction; something that only God could accomplish in real life.
    Isn't it an awesome event in Israel's history? What aspect of this story do you find most impressive?

Solomon's Fall

    Solomon was a wonderful king. The wisest of all the rulers of the earth, he had a very close walk with God for many years. He judged wisely, built a magnificent temple for people to worship and serve the Lord in, he wrote over a thousand proverbs (many included in the Book of Proverbs), and Solomon really loved the Lord (1 Kings 3:3).
    But then in his later years, things went wrong. He married multiple wives, and they convinced him to start worshipping their pantheons of false gods. Worshipping and building temples for idols this way and that, Solomon totally turned away from the true God. He fell, and it was a long, long, long fall.
    Personally, I think Solomon eventually turned back to the Lord later in life. In the Book of Ecclesiastes, he recounts times where he sought fulfillment in construction projects, knowledge, and endless pursuits of fun; this could easily be an account of the years he spent in idolatry, looking for purpose in life without considering the Lord. But at the end of it all, he resigns with the conclusion that true fulfillment comes with taking heed to the true God, that it's "the whole duty of man" to "fear God and keep His commandments" (Ecclesiastes 12:13; NKJ).
    If Solomon really did turn back to the Lord and repent, then the situation wasn't a complete tragedy. But still, the way that such a wise man fell away from the Lord is sobering. Solomon had a very strong spiritual walk before he slipped; plus, as king of Israel, it's doubtless that he was doing serious praying for guidance in leading the nation. Solomon was ultra-righteous, and if he could slip up in idolatry (or anything that would divert someone from their walk with God), anyone could. Temptations and distractions are frighteningly powerful and destructive.
    But yet, even when someone has fallen back, there's incredible hope and relief from the Lord; His grace is vast, "forgiving all iniquity" (Psalm 103:3), and God is so merciful that He not only forgives us when we ask His forgiveness, but He also helps us repent from the things that made us fall. He offers redemption and restoration in Christ, reaching down to us so we can come back to Him, even when we've fallen; even like Solomon did.
    Now that's amazing grace. Isn't it wonderful to notice these kind of redemption stories in the Bible that we see in our own lives as well?

Hebrews 4:12

 

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJ)

    It's really neat how God's word is called "a discerner" here. Because not only does searching the Bible help us find a solution to a problem in life, but it helps us see the situation more clearly. In some instances, the advice of others and personal bias can give a blurry view of the right thing to do, and even narrow how many options there are; but the word of God cuts through that like a bright headlight shining through fog. God's word points out the vital principles and unchanging facts that explain the way things really are (whether or not a person really did do something deserving resentment, and why Option C is a more Christ-like thing to do).
    Looking through the Bible thoroughly lets us see the way the whole situation really is, and with that knowledge, it gives us a solution through showing us the Lord's thoughts and His heart on the matter.
    So discerner is really a wonderful way to describe the word of God; don't you think? :)

Lovingkindness

    "Lovingkindness;" what a wonderful, wonderful word. The very sound of it emanates emotional comfort; kindness with immense care, beautiful grace.
    It's used in the Book of Psalms in the Bible a couple times. "Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You" (Psalm 63:3, NKJ),  "Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You" (Psalm 143:8, NKJ).  Most if not every time, "lovingkindness" is used when referring to the Lord, to His deeply caring nature.
    Which is fitting, since such continual kindness from love totally fits the way the Lord is. He is deeply kind, lovely, and His care for us is obviously immeasurable.
    This word in and of itself is great for how it's an instant reminder. Just hearing "lovingkindness" can bring to mind all the good, kind things the Lord has done and still does for us, and it reminds of how unstoppable and strong God's love is.
    Part of me wishes that "lovingkindness" was still in common use today, but the other part of me likes how its rarity makes it special and associated with God. You know what I mean? Don't you think "lovingkindness" is a beautiful word?

God is Not a Braggart

    There's a certain passage in Exodus where the Lord makes an in-person appearance to His people. As He makes His appearance and passes before Israel, He says something to them; what He told Moses would be "the name of the LORD" in Exodus 33:19.
    "And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, 'The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression of sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation.'" (Exodus 34:6-7 NKJ)
    Quite a resume. A lot of people get somewhat puzzled the first time they read it though, because it sounds a little bit like bragging, like the Lord is going on and on about how wonderful He is. God definitely is all of these wonderful things, but He definitely is not a narcissist. Haughtiness is at the top of the Proverbs 6:17-19 list of things He hates. So why does He announce His own flawless characteristics to the people? Why not have an angel do it?
    Omission of the truth counts as deceitfulness, and God can't lie, but since Moses and the people undoubtedly already knew that Lord is righteous, a need to announce His characteristics in order to be truthful probably wasn't the reason. The Lord would also never allow His Holy Word to be polluted with a lie, including a fictional event written by someone who just wanted to "add a story" to the Bible like oral tales like Beowulf were edited over time; so that's not it either.
    Maybe the reason the Lord announced Himself like this is was an act of assurance. Because He wanted His people to know--really know--that He has all of these characteristics. To keep them and future generations from thinking of Him as only just (without mercy) or only gracious (without justice). Maybe the reason He proclaims all these wonderful things Himself is to ensure that it's not the wishful thinking of man, but that mercy, grace, patience, goodness, truthfulness, forgiveness, and justice all truly are in His character. The people knew that God can't lie, and He knew that they knew. Maybe this is the reason He chose to make the introduction Himself.
    What do you think? Have you ever wondered about this event in the Bible?

Some Thoughts on the Book of Jeremiah

    I've been reading the book of Jeremiah in the Bible lately. Fifty-two chapters seemed like a lot at first, but it's gone by surprisingly quickly.
    And man, is it an interesting read! A divine call, prophecies about an invasion, prophecies about the Messiah, various reigns of kings, betrayal, promises of redemption. These are just a few major things about the book, and there are lots of others as well.
    -Jeremiah himself is an interesting factor to begin with. Sometimes called "the weeping prophet," we get to see other shades of his personality and his emotions as he goes through a 20+ year-long ministry. He grieves for his nation, yearns for his people to turn back to the true God, but he also gets really angry once or twice when persecutors seriously wound him. But even when he seems to be seething with humiliation and pain, he doesn't lose his temper at the people or yell at God. Instead, when he goes to the Lord with his problems and pain, he respects Him and asks for help (Jeremiah 18:18-20 and Chapter 20 are some instances of this). It's a nice example to follow, taking our problems calmly and faithfully to the Lord, "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7 NKJ).
    -The way God protects Jeremiah and the few people who help him is also a really cool thing to consider. Basically everyone in the country had him in their crosshairs; rulers, religious leaders, even his own neighbors. Jeremiah's life was threatened numerous times, he was thrown into prison for a crime he didn't commit, and he almost starved to death there. But throughout it all, he lived. And so did Jeremiah's scribe Baruch (Jeremiah 45:5), and Ebed-Melech, the man who saved Jeremiah's life by getting him out of a waterless cistern (Jeremiah 39:18), because God was protecting each of them. I just think it's a really great reminder of how He protects and guides us through whatever craziness we might face in life.
    -It was also very enlightening how the book of Jeremiah talks about what happened after the Babylonian invasion. It explains why the remnant that was left behind and their descendants weren't around when Zerubbabel and the people he led came back to the land. The after-invasion chapters also show what happened to Jeremiah after his immediate prophecies came to pass, which answers a couple other questions.
    -And of course, there are a lot of good verses in this book. Personally, Jeremiah 1:5, 1:8, and 20:9 in particular stuck out to me. They're beautiful statements that comfort and inspire, and encourage us to keep witnessing for the Lord.
    What do you think of the book of Jeremiah? Is it your favorite of the prophecy books in the Bible?

A Few Thoughts On Joseph

    The story of Joseph (the son of Jacob, not the husband of Mary) is a really fascinating one. It's got brotherhood, betrayal, integrity, righteousness, faith in God, an incredible rise to power, forgiveness, and peculiar dreams.
    Said dreams, at first, didn't seem to bring their bearer, Joseph, much good. The first two times he talked about them, he was scolded by his family, his brothers became bitter against him, and they eventually sold him out--literally. Then he ended up in prison interpreting the dreams of prison mates. He had to tell one that he was going to die, and when he asked the other to have someone get him out of prison, he was completely forgotten.
    Then, two years later, he was called up by the country's ruler to interpret his dream. And immediately, Joseph went to do it.
    Which seems incredible considering what had happened to him so far. There were so many things that could've kept Joseph from speaking.
    Fear of something bad happening, for example--this was the ruler of the land; if Joseph did something wrong or even just offensive, he could be executed. Then there was the possibility of bitterness--it's so tempting to be angry when you've been kicked more than once. Joseph also must have been plagued with doubts at some point--his initial dreams about wheat sheaves and the lights in the sky hadn't come to pass yet, after all.
    Fear, bitterness, and doubt. All of these things are powerful motivations to keep quiet. So why did Joseph take the risk? Why did he dare to speak of dreams again?
    In Genesis 41:16 (NKJ), Joseph tells the Pharaoh that: "'It is not in me: God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.'" He understood that God was the one who gave him any wisdom in anything--that He was the one who gave him dreams and interpretations of them. Joseph also believed that God had put him there in that situation and that God had given him things to say of dreams.
    He had faith that God had given him the gift and was willing to risk his life on it--and he was not only righteous in doing so, but right. Since Joseph didn't succumb to fear, bitterness, or doubt, God used him to save more than one nation from a severe famine. He used the situation to give Joseph authority and to reunite him with his family in forgiveness.
    So among being a story of integrity, righteousness, coming to power, and faith, the story of Joseph seems to also be a story of using the gifts that God gives, even when it has a cost.
    Genesis has so many awesome stories like this. Isn't it cool? Which story in Genesis is your favorite?

A Few Thoughts On Martha

    Martha, Martha, Martha.
    Anyone know who I'm talking about? The Bible's Martha? Sister of Lazarus and alabaster-jar Mary, housekeeper, "make my sister help me with these chores" Martha?
    She's cool! Flawed like every other human being, but still a great role model. In spite of the fact that she's only in a few chapters in half of the gospels, a person can learn a lot of things about and from her in those appearances. For example . . .
    -She worried. A lot. And lots of us can relate to this. In Luke 10:41 (NKJ), Christ plainly tells her, "'Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed,'". That "one thing" He spoke of was Himself, fellowship with Him. And as Martha learns that, we do as well. The answer to all our anxieties is to spend time with the Lord, to hear His words.
    -Martha also served people. She was the one who invited Christ into the family's house (Luke 10:38), and during His visit she ran all over the place to serve Him. Verse 40 of Chapter 10 (NKJ) states that her "much serving" was being a distraction to her. But her intentions were noble, and she was definitely working as hard as she could to respect and honor the Lord; which is something good to do in a non-distracting way.
    -She got irritated when she thought her sister was shirking her duties. Most if not all people with siblings understand this. It's annoying when someone equal to you doesn't do their share! The words Martha uses in Luke 10:40 (NKJ) are: "'Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.'" But Mary hadn't been intentionally leaving her sister to do all the work; she just wanted to be with Jesus. We with siblings could be often wrong about the way we think of them. Their "laziness" in our eyes could in reality be something completely different. This instance seems to be a really great example of that.
    -Martha ran the household. Never once are the parents of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus mentioned, and both Lazarus and Martha seem to be adults, which are pretty strong indicators that the parents had at that point passed on. The Bible never mentions a spouse of Lazarus or Martha in the picture either, which suggests to me that it's very probable that Martha took up full responsibility to care for her siblings as soon as their parents died. Whether that was the case or not, at the time of their roles in the gospel, Martha was the one running the house (a job that carries some serious responsibility and dedication), and she seemed to have been doing an impressive job.
    -Martha believed that Jesus is the Christ. The words she speaks in John 11:27 are pretty clear on that matter. She believed in Him, believed what He said, and had respect for Him.
    -Martha also knew that Christ can do anything, but she seemed afraid to dare to ask Him to. That was what I perceived when I read John 11:21-24. She says that she knows her brother wouldn't have died if He'd been on the scene, and that even after the death, anything He wished would happen. But she never flat-out asks "Lord, please bring my brother back to life." I sometimes feel that way when I'm praying for something, don't you? Knowing that God could do it, but not wanting to be greedy asking the Lord for "too many" blessings. It prompts a bit of nervousness and guilt that the Lord doesn't want us to have. Little had Martha known that what she was afraid to ask the Lord for was the very reason He came at that time!
    Martha's one of my favorite people in the Bible. The way the Lord comes into her life and the lives of the rest of her family is so wonderful and beautiful and a great learning experience.
    What do you like about Martha?