Are We Asking Amiss? Seven Questions for Discerning the Legitimacy of Our Prayer (Mark 10:35-45)

In the following passage, where James and John ask Jesus to be his top lieutenants in his kingdom, we can learn some surprising lessons about prayer.

Mark 10:35-45

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him,  

    “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 

And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 

And they said to him, “Grant us to sit,

                                                        one at your right hand and

                                                        one at your left, in your glory.” 

Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking.

        Are you able to drink the cup that I drink,

                 or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 

And they said to him, “We are able.”

And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink,

         and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 

but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, 

   but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 

And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, 

“You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,

                                                 and their great ones exercise authority over them. 

         But it shall not be so among you.

But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 

and whoever would be first   among you must be slave of all. 

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,

                                                     and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

When I read this passage in the past, I think I probably responded—with indignation—like the other ten apostles (v.41). However, this time I focused more on Jesus’ responses to their specific request. Here are four observations.

First, Jesus' was not offended despite their demanding tone and asked what they wanted him to do. Upon hearing their presumptuous request, Jesus' first answer was, “You do not know what you are asking.” Jesus didn’t pull any punches. The late Walter W. Wessel noted in Expositor’s Bible Commentary,

“Jesus' answer is sharp and penetrating. The two disciples did not really know what they were asking. The way to a privileged position in the messianic kingdom is not by grabbing for power but by relinquishing it through suffering and death.”

I have begun to wonder if, like Zebedee’s family (James, John, and their mom too—Matt. 20:20-21), we are still asking Jesus to do stuff that we want, instead of making his redemptive mission our heart’s desire. And we are not shy about asking, even when we have no idea of the scope and significance of what we are asking.

My second observation is that Jesus used the Old Testament images of cup and baptism to metaphorically describe the suffering and trouble that he would soon face (10:33-34), and James and John overconfidently said, “We got this!” (v.39). While Peter is often critiqued for epically over-promising, “Even though they all fall away, I will not” (Mark 14:28) before being told that he would deny Jesus three times before the next morning, this audacious claim by the sons of Zebedee (which amounts to the same kind of human posturing) often escapes notice. I think its self-promotion hits too close to home for many of us. Ironically, Jesus conceded that they would suffer for his sake. However, Zeb’s boys still didn’t know what they were talking about.

Photo by Stefan Kunze on Unsplash

My third observation focuses on Jesus’ answering their audacious request with what amounts to a loving “No”, or literally, “to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant.” Their clueless request shows that they still misunderstood his role as Messiah as well as the nature of his coming kingdom. He had told them at least three times that his journey to Jerusalem would end violently—with a crucifixion, not a coronation. But they couldn’t grasp such a dramatic plot twist to their carefully curated expectations. What about us? Do we have such a clear vision and plan for the future that we cannot recognize the working of God outside of our plans?

Photo by Marco Oriolesi on Unsplash

My fourth observation is that in v. 42-45 Jesus provided a “But it shall not be so among you” corrective to both the sons of Zebedee and the other ten apostles. Our prayer lives, as well as our life values in general, are not to be like that of the world.

The ancient church had a saying, “The law of prayer is the law of belief” In other words, the way we pray and worship, is the way we really believe…more so than any written creeds, or catechisms we may claim.

On that note, as we prepare to enter 2020, let me suggest seven questions—drawn from this passage—for discerning the kingdom legitimacy of our prayers and the ministries which they shape.

Seven Questions for

Discerning the Legitimacy of Our Prayer

Photo by Vil Son on Unsplash

By way of application, I want to pose seven simple questions that arise from this pericope which will help us not waste the privilege of prayer by asking wrongly. Not every request is legitimate, nor is every motive pure. Can we with the psalmist humbly ask,

“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24)

1. Do we presumptuously demand that Jesus do our bidding? While it is true that we have amazing access to the Lord, and can even be bold in our prayer, “so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” This is not the same thing as demanding that Jesus do what we want. He is not a voice-activated vending machine. As a loving Father, why would he give us something that will hurt us or others just because we demand it?
2. Do we realize what it is that we are asking? Sometimes we really don’t understand what God is doing and how he is at work. It might be that our prayer could be in opposition to his intended plan. There could also be ramifications to our prayer that we cannot imagine.
3. Is our prayer requesting something that Jesus can grant and still fully reveal the character of his Heavenly Father? He will not misrepresent the love and glorious goodness of his Father any more than the Father would share the glory of the Son with idols (Isa. 48:11). If Jesus had granted this request, it would have made it seem as though God played favorites, and that position in the kingdom of heaven was to be gained by political means. Neither of these is true.
4. Would others be troubled by our request? If I pray for the Seahawks to beat the 49ers on Monday Night Football my new neighbor would be troubled. What if he was praying the other way? While that is a relatively unimportant example, the point is that we should not pray for our own exaltation and/or enrichment above others. Additionally, it is wise to consider how a person might react if they overheard our prayer. I recently heard an evangelist praying for a government official in a way that, had they heard it, would likely have hardened them against the gospel message. Our prayer should selflessly radiate the love of God.
5. Is our prayer in keeping with Jesus’ kingdom values? We should take time to study the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:1-12) and allow their counter-cultural nature to inform the direction and tone of our prayer. Jesus values humility, servanthood, and self-sacrifice for the love of others in response to the love of God. Do our prayers mourn over sin—personal and corporate? Is it poor in spirit? Is it deployed in our peacemaking efforts or is it merely a means to maintaining our comfort, privilege, and asset accumulation?
6. Does our prayer life help us to be servants of others? As an extension of the previous question, does my prayer life cause me to be more sensitive or less sensitive and responsive to the needs of others? Any time we spend listening to Jesus should leave its mark on our lives, making us more servant-hearted like him.
7. Finally, is our prayer in keeping with the example of Jesus? By his example, I mean not only that he didn’t ask for others to serve him, but he purposefully served and gave his life for others. When it came down to the hardest prayers of all, Jesus said, “Not as I will, but as you will,” and “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Photo by Jack Sharp on Unsplash

Notice also that in v. 51, Jesus asked the blind beggar Bartimaeus the exact same question that he asked James and John, and he granted his request. He set Bartimaeus free from blindness to “go your way” and Bartimaeus’ way was to follow Jesus “on the way” (v.52). When Jesus answers our prayers, do we do more of our own thing or more “following him on the way” as he works to rebind the broken cosmos?

If we pray, is our prayer legitimate? These seven questions should help answer that question. Jesus’ half-brother James wisely wrote,

You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (James 4:2-3)

Today, my prayer is that out of our blessed relationship with Jesus Christ we will trust, ask, and ask not amiss.

The Days Grow Short—An Autumn Reflection on John 9:4-5

Photo: Greg Dueker

Autumn—the season when nature grows dormant and dies back, it challenges me to wake up and free myself from the cobwebs of inactivity. The days grow shorter and cooler. Now, as I drive home from work, the sun is already setting when only recently it would have been up for another four hours! The nights grow longer and seem bolder as day by day my calendar nears its end. They signal winter's rapid approach. Soon we will long for a warm dry day to be enjoyed to its fullest, whereas just last week sunny and dry was business as usual.

Photo by Greg Dueker

I must ask myself whether I've grown spiritually lethargic and apathetic—having had so many sunny days in which to work. I'm thankful that autumn's brisk winds cut straight through my lungs to my heart. They remind me that time is short, indeed precious, and to be used for his kingdom.

Jesus' words in John 9:4-5 are quickened to me. He said, 

"We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Later, Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” So have I been sent? Has God given me a job to do? Am I a husband, father, neighbor, witness, or encourager? Am I doing the good works which God created and redeemed me to do (Ephesians 2:10), or am I merely living for myself unfulfilled and unfruitful?

In the John 9 passage quoted above, the Lord Jesus knew his days on earth were numbered, and he was committed to fulfilling his calling:

• revealing the Father’s loving character to the lost,
• restoring sight to the blind,
• releasing those in spiritual captivity
• repelling darkness, and,
• redeeming mankind from the power and penalty of sin.

Photo: Greg Dueker

He worked with singleness of mind, heart, and purpose. Jesus knew he was sent. He knew his days were growing short. He knew what was at stake for himself, for his disciples, for the multitudes, and for us. Our days in this world are also numbered and growing short. As the psalmist prays, "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). 

Photo by Alexander Andrews on Unsplash

The time comes all too swiftly when we go to meet our Lord through that doorway called death. I know I've had many sunny days to minister God's love, light, and life to others, and I don't want to go into Jesus' presence trying to explain why I took my one, two, or five talents and buried them in the TV, a book, or my own appetites. God wants us to invest our all in reaching the lost with the good news that he has paid the price for our sins. He is not willing that anyone should perish but that everyone would come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Yet, He is coming soon: the night is coming when no one can work...when it will be too late.

We don't know how long we'll be here.

We don't know how long they'll be here.
We don't know how long until He gets here.
            The days are only getting shorter.

I am seeking a heart of wisdom this fall! How about you?

No Excuses—7 Helps in Overcoming Temptation (1 Cor. 10)

[This article was originally posted on my Our Long View blog]

While this topic sounds a little heavy on self-effort, it actually is more of a response of love to the love which God has poured out into our hearts. However, following Christ doesn’t mean that the testing times of adverse circumstances go away. With that, we will continue to be tempted to take things into our own hands. Our current culture is biased towards a non-faith position—that God either doesn’t exist or that if he does he doesn’t reward those who seek him (contra Heb. 11:6). The Apostle Paul knew that the life of a follower of Jesus is one that requires us to not let our defenses down because temptation will come.  

The purpose of temptation is to cause us to be disqualified from the race entirely, or at the very least to prevent us from winning the reward by:

Dragging down, puffing up, wearing down, breaking up, putting out, working in, walking out, sucking in, sneaking around, racing through, getting by, laughing at, running away, leading astray, skimming through, sweeping under, exalting over, leaving behind,

& It comes near by . . . accommodating, accessing, accusing, back-biting, blaming, blaspheming, convincing, confusing, compromising, criticizing, deceiving, defiling, denying, depriving, desensitizing, devastating, dishonoring,

distracting, doubting, embittering, entangling, exhausting, fearing, killing time, lusting, minimizing, mocking, quitting, rationalizing, sensationalizing, satiating, seducing, slandering, self-destructing, slothfulness,

                                   . . . and a lot more ways if I really wanted to list them!

In 1 Corinthians 10, the concept of disqualification continues as Paul writes about those Israelites who were disqualified in the wilderness…

1 Corinthians 10:1-14

For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers,

that our fathers were all under the cloud,

                           and all passed through the sea,

                           and all were baptized into Moses

                                             in the cloud and

                                             in the                 sea, 

                          and all ate the same spiritual food, 

                          and all drank the same spiritual drink.

                        For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them,

                                                               and the Rock was Christ.

  Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased,  

                         for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

  Now these things took place                   as examples for us,

that we might not desire evil as they did. 

                Do not be idolaters 

                         as some of them were; as it is written, 

“The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 

       We must not indulge in sexual immorality 

                          as some of them did,

                                              and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 

       We must not put Christ to the test, 

                          as some of them did

                                              and were destroyed by serpents,

                      nor grumble, 

                          as some of them did

                                              and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 

Now these things happened

                                         to them as an example,

                                                  but they were written down for our instruction, 

                                                         on whom the end of the ages has come. 

   Therefore 

                  let anyone who thinks that he stands

                                     take heed lest he fall. 

                                   No temptation

     has overtaken you that is not common to man.

 but God is faithful,

and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability,

                     but with the temptation

       he will also provide the way of escape,

                      that you may be able to endure it.

How Can We Be Victorious Over Temptation? A good place to start is to stop making excuses! Here are several Scriptural ingredients in the recipe for overcoming temptation successfully. Let's take a moment to examine them.

1) Learn from the mistakes of others (v.1-11)

• Avoid Their Idolatry—They worshipped other gods (v.7; Exodus 32:6).
• Avoid Their Immorality—They indulged in sexual immorality (v.8; Ex. 32; Num. 25:1-3 & Psalm 106 are similar but not the same).
• Avoid Their Ingratitude—They murmured or grumbled at the providence of God. It was an indictment of his character. (v.10; Num. 11, 14:2,29-37).

I find that Psalm 106 is a great Psalm of “National Confession” for all these sins in the wilderness as opposed to Exodus 32:21-24 which contains Aaron’s lamest excuse ever!  
   “So I said to them, ‘Let any who have gold take it off.’ 
    So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.”

 Excuse Dealt With…"I didn't know." Idolatry, sexual immorality, and grumbling are never OK and we have been warned about them in advance.

In v. 12-13 we find quite a few other important excuse-busters…

    Therefore 

                  let anyone who thinks that he stands

                                     take heed lest he fall. 

                                   No temptation

     has overtaken you that is not common to man.

       God is faithful,

and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability,

                     but with the temptation

       he will also provide the way of escape,

                      that you may be able to endure it.

2)    Be Watchful, Wise, and Humble (v.12)

       “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

This command to “take heed” (Greek blepo) means to be able to see; to perceive while looking. To both see and understand. When we think we are strong and secure we tend to stop watching with vigilance. The Bible tells us to wise up and learn from others’ failures, humbling ourselves to the idea that we are fallible. We are told the attack is coming ahead of time so that we can be ready when it comes. The late Ron Mehl used to say, “You can’t prepare for a crisis in a crisis. It must be done ahead of time.” The Bible helps us in many ways, including warning us ahead of time and removing one of the most common excuses.

Excuse Dealt With …“I wasn’t ready!”

3)    Realize Your Case Is Neither Unique Nor Unbearable (v.13)

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man”

This phrase, "Except such as is common" is both humbling and encouraging. It is humbling because it tells us not to flatter ourselves by thinking that we are "special cases" who are suffering under some exceptionally irresistible temptation. We encounter nothing that is not a "common" temptation. The NIrV says, “You are tempted in the same way all other human beings are.” At the same time, we can, and should, be encouraged that others have faced and overcome what we may be facing right now. We are not alone in our fight, nor are we the sole focus of all the attention of the enemy.

Excuse Dealt With…"I’m an exception. No one's had to go through what I have."

4) In the Midst, Remember What Our God Is Like (v.13)

       "[but] God is faithful"

This simple phrase in the midst of this passage raises the shield of faith with the vitality of a champion! We are reminded that when faced with grave temptation we must believe that God really does care about us! I am convinced that all temptation comes at this point—whether we believe that God is faithful or not. In the wilderness, Satan tempted Jesus (as he had tempted Adam & Eve) to believe that God really didn't care or have his best interest at heart. Yet, Jesus clung fiercely to the truth that the Father is faithful — whether we can understand it all or not.

Excuses Dealt With… "God doesn’t care", or "God can't be trusted to provide what I really need."

5) Stop Enabling Your Failure and Start Seeking the Solution (v.13)

    “he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability…”

Tied to the concept of God’s faithfulness is the promise that no temptation will come upon us that will be beyond our ability (in Christ, by the Holy Spirit) to bear. We will certainly face that which is beyond our individual strength, but Jesus doesn’t leave us alone. At a later date, Paul would write to these same believers about his own experience while ministering in Asia Minor,

“For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” (2 Cor. 1:8-9)

Jesus will not allow us to face a situation where we will have to fail, for he desires not that we should fail the test, but has done everything so that we might pass.

Excuse Dealt With…“I couldn't help it.”

6) Start trusting in God’s provision for your need

       “But with the temptation will also make the way of escape,”

"He will make a way! He will provide a way out": How can we deal with temptation successfully?  By using the "way out" that our faithful Lord provides.

Paul’s imagery is that of an army trapped in a rugged country, which manages to escape from an impossible situation through a mountain pass. I am reminded of the Exodus march as the Israelites were pursued down a wadi to the beach of the Red Sea. They were utterly trapped until God parted the Red Sea and enabled them to cross while destroying the pursuing army. Then in the wilderness, how many ways did he provide for his people? It is absolutely stunning to consider. So when we are at the breaking point, how many times has he sent us encouragement from his Word, kindness from a stranger or friend, a financial gift we were not expecting, healing from illness and injury, etc.

Just as Jesus, our example, was never in a situation where he was "forced to sin" by choosing the “lesser of two evils” we are never in such a situation…if we make timely use of "the way out" that God provides. We find that way out in the person of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Word of God.

 Excuse Dealt With…“I couldn't escape it. It’s hopeless to try.”

7) Stand firm in Jesus’ Strength

"So you may be able to bear it  (Greek hupophérō = to stand up or bear up under it)":

This doesn't necessarily mean the removal of all tempting circumstances. While we need to use wisdom and avoid those situations that we know will cause temptation, what about those situations we cannot change? This verse teaches us that by making use of "the way out" we can be victorious by endurance and patience while still in the situation. The “way out” or “way of escape” mentioned doesn’t promise the removal of the circumstances, rather God makes it possible for us to "stand up under it!" Think of Jesus' compassionate words in Matthew 11:28-30,

^“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, 
and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

  Excuse Dealt With… "I can't take it anymore."

So much more could be said about the way of escape that Christ provides, but I will close this post by simply listing three ways we can begin to recognize it. I will also include Bible references for you to use in your personal devotions on this subject.

• By Praying Regularly: The first ingredient in personally overcoming the temptations we face, and making use of the way of escape, is prayer. We need to be in constant relationship with our Deliverer, the One who is the "way of escape." We petition the Lord to lead us away from temptation. We can’t do it on our own, but when we bring it all to Jesus and ask for direction, he shows us the path to follow, transforms our hearts to want to follow it, and strengthens us to actually do it. Without the ongoing relationship and gratitude of prayer, we will most likely be found "easy pickings" by the temptations of pride and self-reliance. (Matthew 6:13; 26:41; Mark 14:38)
• By Knowing, Obeying, & Applying the Word Of God: The way in which we come to the place where we can overcome in the midst of a wicked and evil generation is the way of the Word. We must diligently study, meditate, and search the Scriptures for God's loving answer and then obey what he says, and trust in his promises. If we "hear and do" what the Word says then we will not fall before the floodwaters of temptation no matter how strong or how sudden its onset. It is the Spirit that gives the Scriptures life and power. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to quicken the Scriptures to our souls and illuminate the "way of escape" brighter than any green "Exit" sign ever appeared. Brother Yun, in The Heavenly Man, wrote, "You can never really know the Scriptures until you're willing to be changed by them." May we know the Word because we welcome the change Jesus brings! (Psalm 119:9; 1 John 2:14b; Matthew 7:24-25; James 1:25; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16)
• By Resisting the Devil: When we resist the devil, in the authority of Jesus Christ, then the devil must flee. Finally, in our struggle against temptation we need to remember that temptation is not yet sin, and that instead of beating ourselves up because some ungodly thought crossed our minds we need to immediately turn to resist the one who put that thought there — the enemy of our souls. We must resist the devil in the armor which God provides (Eph. 6), humbly submitting ourselves to God's care. It is important to know that in order for us to resist we need to be on the lookout for the attacks that will come. It is much harder to prepare once you are in the midst of temptation. Let us be wise and prepare ourselves before temptation comes and live our lives watchfully. We only need to outlast the devil by a fraction of a second and we will have won the victory.  (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-10; James 1:12)

And what is that crown called here in 1 Corinthians? An imperishable crown (v. 25), something far better than celery! 

Bring the Book! (A SOAP Journal from Nehemiah 8:1-3, 8-9)

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

In addition to regular articles, I regularly post some simple SOAP journals that were produced during a regular small group gathering to read, journal, pray, and encourage one another. These are not exhaustively studied as they are generally the work of 20 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of writing, and 20 minutes of sharing with each other what we have written. Whether we are Christian leaders or new believers, this group approach to Bible journaling is encouraging.
If you are not familiar with the term, we used the SOAP acronym as a simple devotional guide... standing for:

• Scripture—what verse or short section caught my attention today? 
• Observation—what can I briefly notice that the passage specifically says?
• Application—what will I do differently as a result of having read this today?
• Prayer—what will I ask the Triune God to do for, in, and through me today?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

S = Nehemiah 8:1-3, 8-9

And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate.

And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses

    that the Lord had commanded Israel. 

                So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly,

         both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, 

on the first day of the seventh month.

And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate

                               from early morning until midday,

                              in the presence of

          the men and the women and those who could understand.

And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law…

v. 8-9

        They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, 

  and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

 And Nehemiah, who was the governor,

 and Ezra the priest and scribe,

 and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, 

         “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.”

                                  For all the people wept

      as they heard the words of the Law.

Photo by Nicole Honeywill on Unsplash

O = In this passage we read about a unique request. The people gathered “as one man” and told Ezra to “bring the Book” (of the Law) and read it. As a pastor and Bible teacher for over 30 years, I love it when people want to know more about what God has said in the Bible and then they respond to it on a heart level. In Nehemiah 8, it was not the priest, prophet, or governor that called for the reading of the Law, but the people who said, “Bring the book!”

It is quite possible that they realized that their re-entering the land was a new start and remembered something about how Joshua had gathered the Israelites at Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim (in obedience to the Lord) to publicly read the Law and declare the covenant blessings and curses at the beginning of the campaigns of conquest (Joshua 8). The reading by Ezra was explained by faithful men so that all could understand. But their understanding was not just on an intellectual level, at this moment the hearts of the people were softened to respond. Their reaction to hearing and understanding the Law was to weep, likely with conviction and shame, for as a people and as individuals they had all violated the law. The Law also makes it clear that they could not hope to stand on their own and they had to be encouraged that “the joy of the Lord was your strength” (v.10). Despite their unworthiness, they could rejoice that “his steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 136). The same is true for us today, as it is written,

Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph. 2:4-10)

Photo by KEEM IBARRA
on Unsplash

A = In this passage, the reading of the Law was done publicly, and the explanation was public as well. Theological concepts and terms were interpreted so that all those gathered that day could understand. The law of God was not about secret knowledge for an elite few but was given as a gracious message for all—men, women, and children alike. In applying this passage, I find myself asking questions like: How eager am I to hear the Word of God? How well can I explain it to others? How readily do I respond on a heart level to God’s written Word?
This passage, in concert with many others, is a reminder to me of my need to hear, understand, and respond to the Word of God together in community, not just in introverted isolation. To the degree that I understand the Word of God, I should respond in humility, but also in the faith that it is the Lord who lifts my head and strengthens me with his joy! This situation reminds me of Luke 15:21-24 where the prodigal son comes back “weeping” but is gathered up into the joy of the Father’s overflowing love. Just as the father rejoiced in the return of his “unworthy” son, and picked him up off the ground, clothed him in a special robe, restored him with a ring, and prepared a feast for him, the Lord Jesus does the same for us! How can I not repent and return to him?

P = O Lord, let not my heart become disinterested in what you would say nor let it become hardened to my need to hear from you the Lover of my soul. May my heart respond in mournful humility for I regularly fall short, but also in joyful faith because you have made a way and desire to share your joy with us! May I like Ezra, “bring the Book” to read it not only to others but to allow it to read me and conform me to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29)