Matthew 11-12 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Matthew 11:1-12:50.

“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Matthew 11:18-19).

Look at how different John and Jesus were.  John’s service to God was marked by asceticism. He was a minimalist. He wore a camel’s-hair garment and a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild honey. He spent the majority of his time in the wilderness. Jesus on the other hand was what we might call more normal. His service was marked by freedom. He ate normal food and drank normal drink. While he spent some time in the wilderness, most of his time was spent in town. He went to parties and banquets. He accepted invitations into folks’ homes. He was not guilty of the excesses of which He was accused. But at the same time, he didn’t view the potential accusations as reasons to back off of His normal freedoms.

One was more ascetic; one was more free. Which one was more spiritual? Neither. There was room in God’s plan for both. They didn’t have to compete, which is what often happens today.

I’ll give two practical examples of how I’ve seen this competition in play.

First, clothes in the assembly. In time past, our society was more formal in dress at every occasion. About the only place that has lingered for some is with the church’s assemblies. Some of us still view the assembly as a place to dress up in order to show respect to God. That isn’t a biblical command, but in the context of our culture, it makes sense. Others, having recognized it is not a command of God are becoming more lax. They even can come up with some good biblical reasons like not attracting attention to themselves based on wealth (cf. I Timothy 2:9-10). Sadly, both look down on the other as less spiritual. One is more ascetic; one is more free. Which is more spiritual? Neither. There is room for both.

Another example is music. Some Christians hold it as a badge of honor that they only ever listen to spiritual music and the Bible on cd. They brag about the cds they have in their car and how they use their drive time to just listen to sermons. They would never listen to any secular music. Others brag about their freedom in Christ to enjoy wholesome, but secular things. One is more ascetic; one is more free. Which is more spiritual? Neither. There is room for both.

Jesus and John were both part of God’s plan. They didn’t have to compete. They didn’t have to compare. They didn’t have to one-up each other. Why would we? There is room for both kinds of servants.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click the following link to add your input: Post a comment.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Today’s reading is Luke 3:1-4:44.

“Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham” (Luke 3:8).

John’s rebuke of the Jews gives me hope beyond all reckoning. Galatians 3:29 says if I’m Abraham’s offspring, then I’m in Christ and I am an heir according to the promise. But how on earth can I become one of Abraham’s offspring? The answer is simply that God can make me Abraham’s offspring. If God can make a child of Abraham from a stone, He can make one from me.

Even as stony as my heart has been at times, God can make me one of Abraham’s children. I can have the promise. I can enjoy the salvation of God. I don’t have to rely on who my physical parents were. I simply need to be in Christ.

Today, I’ll focus on staying in Christ. In God’s time, I’ll enjoy my inheritance.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 1:1-2:52.

“But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John’” (Luke 1:13).

How long has it been since Zechariah actually offered that prayer? Clearly, by his response, he didn’t think having children was possible at his age. He thought God had simply said, “No” and let it go at that. But now, in God’s good time, in the time that could most glorify God, He granted Zechariah’s request.

I’m so happy to read this today. I may think God is saying, “No,” when really He is simply saying, “In My time, not yours.” I have to learn to trust God’s judgment because He can see all ends and what will most glorify Him. Of course, what that means is today, I have to be more concerned about what will glorify Him in the long run than what I want in the moment.

I just hope I don’t have to be struck mute for 9 months to learn to trust God and His timing.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Matthew 11-12.

Sorry for the break over the past week and a half. My schedule with the upcoming move is making getting online every day to write a little hard. Thanks for your patience. 

Today’s reading provided me with a great boost. John the Baptist was a great servant of God. He had a great role in God’s plan. However, Matthew 11:11 says, “Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” 

I’m in God’s kingdom which means I’m greater than John the Baptist. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not seeing this as a competition. I don’t think this means I’m a better person than John. Simply, since I am in Christ, I hold a great role in the kingdom of God. Jesus can and will use me in great ways. That is where we all are. We don’t have to be in competition with each other. If we are in Christ’s kingdom, we are great in His sight and by His grace and strength.

Recognizing that reminds me that I can make it through the day by relying on God, His rule and righteousness.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

Today’s reading is Mark 1:1-2:28.

I was struck pretty early in today’s reading. When the Jews were going out to see John the Baptist, they were being baptized and confessing their sins.

I recognize, of course, that the confession that is part of becoming God’s child is not the confession of sin, but the confession of faith in Christ (Romans 10:9-10). However, this confession caught my attention. Perhaps it caught my attention because of something a friend said to me recently.

“I didn’t really grasp God’s grace, until I actually started confessing my sins.” It was when he began to list out what he was forgiven for that he began to realize exactly how much God had done for him and exactly how much God must love him.

By the way, notice they did more than simply confess that they were sinners. They confessed their sins. Let’s not argue about how necessary this is in order to be saved. Instead, let’s simply recognize how beneficial it is to see God’s love and forgiveness. I’m going to spend some time today considering what God has done for me, what God has forgiven me and be reminded of how much He loves me.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?