Not THEM, Lord; Anyone but Them...

12 Are you not from everlasting,
    O Lord my God, my Holy One?
    We shall not die.
O Lord, you have ordained them as a judgment,
    and you, O Rock, have established them for reproof.
13 You who are of purer eyes than to see evil
    and cannot look at wrong,
why do you idly look at traitors
    and remain silent when the wicked swallows up
    the man more righteous than he?
14 You make mankind like the fish of the sea,
    like crawling things that have no ruler.
15 He brings all of them up with a hook;
    he drags them out with his net;
he gathers them in his dragnet;
    so he rejoices and is glad.
16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net
    and makes offerings to his dragnet;
for by them he lives in luxury,
    and his food is rich.
17 Is he then to keep on emptying his net    and mercilessly killing nations forever?
(Habakkuk 1:12-17)
The Babylonians had quite a reputation - even though it would be another hundred years before they were at their greatest, their worst. They were known for mercilessly devouring up land, and every living thing in it to build their own empire.  Habakkuk had asked God to discipline His erring people for their sin; He was ready to answer, through the Babylonians. Not them! Anyone but them! Habakkuk accuses God of inconsistency with His own nature: Holy. How could a Holy God use such unholy people as His instruments. Interestingly He still does today. They get our attention, don't they. We see the injustice, the wickedness, the arrogance. We like to compare: we are better than they. God has done it again: He has reminded us that He is Holy, and we are not. Sure, we may think we are "holier than they", but that is not the point. We need to start with us, not them, and allow God to deal with them, after He deals with us. We need to stop comparing and complaining, and stand before Holy God ourselves.

Sweeping Humanists...

5 “Look among the nations, and see;
    wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days
    that you would not believe if told.
6 For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans,
    that bitter and hasty nation,
who march through the breadth of the earth,
    to seize dwellings not their own.
7 They are dreaded and fearsome;
    their justice and dignity go forth from themselves.
8 Their horses are swifter than leopards,
    more fierce than the evening wolves;
    their horsemen press proudly on.
Their horsemen come from afar;
    they fly like an eagle swift to devour.
9 They all come for violence,
    all their faces forward.
    They gather captives like sand.
10 At kings they scoff,
    and at rulers they laugh.
They laugh at every fortress,
    for they pile up earth and take it.
11 Then they sweep by like the wind and go on,    guilty men, whose own might is their god!”
(Habakkuk 1:5-11)
Habakkuk spoke in a very upsetting time. Israel was in moral decay. People were less and less concerned about pleasing God and were living very selfishly. This frustrated the prophet, so he talked to God about it. God's reply was shocking. God was going to humble Israel in a big way - through a Babylonian Empire which was heartless and relentless, powered by its own pride. They swept through the ancient world leaving fear, destruction and desperation. But God let him see beyond their sweeping power to this weekness: they trusted in themselves, in mankind.  They would seem to be "winning" for quite some time. But we need to remember that God does see, and wants us to see, what moves and motivates, and not give in to fear.  We know where trust in ourselves leads, and we don't want to go there. 

Lord, When Are You Going to Do Something?

1 The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw.

2 O Lord, how long shall I cry for help,
    and you will not hear?
Or cry to you “Violence!”
    and you will not save?
3 Why do you make me see iniquity,
    and why do you idly look at wrong?
Destruction and violence are before me;
    strife and contention arise.
4 So the law is paralyzed,
    and justice never goes forth.
For the wicked surround the righteous;    so justice goes forth perverted.

-Habakkuk

Habakkuk lived in some tough times. After a spirit of Revival had swept the nation under young King Josiah, his life had been cut short, and things went back to how they had been, or worse.  Sin, violence and destruction were the themes of the day. The "righteous" seemed far outnumbered by the "wicked". There was no true Justice.  So he cried out to God: "How long?" It was a fair and appropriate question; it would receive a just answer. Are we as aware as Habakkuk was of what is going on around us? Do we sense how "not right" things are? Are we calling out to God to do something? We should. But let us also be willing to receive His answer. Brace yourself. It's coming...

Now that You Have Us All Here...

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28)
Jesus had repeatedly told the disciples to meet Him in Galilee after they knew He was resurrected. He wanted them to come receive some final instructions before He left them.  He wanted them to have all then needed to move forward. He wanted them (and us) to know that we have a right to share the Gospel; we have a need to depend on His presence, and we have a reason, a purpose to be here: make disciples: follow Him and help others to see how to follow Him, as we wait for Him to return.  All of that He condenses here into what we refer to as "The Great Commission", where He gives us authority, assurance, and an action plan.  As we will see, it gave the disciples what they needed, and it will for us too, if we will only trust and follow Him.  

There's So Much More!

24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. (John 21)

Have you ever stopped to think what it would be like to write a book or do a movie on someone's whole life?  You would have to interview everyone with which the person ever had contact, line up all the logistics, then write or film for a lifetime. You would die before your work of art could be completed. Now think about doing in for Jesus, taking in His 33 years of life, but including the angles of all the lives he touched - all those on the hillside, all those He healed and their families, all those present at the feedings of the 4000 and 5000, and all those who lined the streets shouting "Hosanna" and those who stood looking at the cross. It would take many lifetimes. It's bigger than history. Jesus is bigger than History, outside history - all we can do is look at the facts, the evidence, and the testimony of eyewitnesses like John, who knew Him, walked with Him, was changed by Him, and saw for about 60 years what He did in peoples' lives. We can know the truth; we have all the evidence we need. It's time to trust. 

Why do we ask?

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” (John 21)
Jesus has just given Peter a glimpse into his future. His will be a life filled with purpose, along with the promise of martyrdom.  He then turns and asks Jesus about John, the writer of this Gospel. Why? Why does he care or even compare? Actually, we are not told what was in Peter's heart. Humanly speaking, John was Peter's closest competition of "disciple of the year", but I really don't think it was jealousy, or morbid curiousity, or any impure motive.  I think Peter finally was learning to love his brothers as Jesus had taught and shown. In the days ahead we will see how they work as a team. He really did care what happened to John.  But why do we wonder what will happen to our fellow believers? Do we want them to "get theirs"? Are we comparing so we feel justified in our failures? Are we learning to really love and care for one another just like Christ does for us?

When You Fall, Get Up and Follow...

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” (John 21)
This was the third time Jesus had gotten together with a group of His disciples. It was high time He and Peter talked about "the elephant in the room." Peter had promised great things to Jesus and failed big time.  He had been Jesus' #1 follower and assistant. Where did he stand now?  Jesus does not do any "I told you so" or make a list of Peter's failures; He offers Him a contract renewal. It is as if He is saying "Peter, I still want you to step out and lead the way. I have not given up on you. I know you are not perfect.  I want you to ask yourself: 'It is worth it to you to whole-heartedly follow Jesus?'  During this time of trial we are going through, we have failed a lot: we have reteated to our homes to hide and focus on ourselves; we have not reached out to others as we ought; we have complained and pointed fingers; we have wasted time worrying. Yet Christ still says: "I want you as my followers. Do you want to follow, and lead others? Get to work."

Sharing with Jesus

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. (John 21)
There is something significantly different in this setting than the past.  To be sure they had many times sat on the shore with Jesus and had breakfast. And having Him bread the bread and pass it along with the fish would have reminded them of the feedings of the 4000 and 5000. But did you notice what else He does? He asks them to contribute something - some of their fish. Jesus invited them to share in His ministry. Yes, He had sent them out two by two before, and given them instructions and authority, but here he says: you have a part in this. You are more than just a body to use; you have something I want you to contribute. He honors them (and us) by allowing our investment in His plan. Let's do this together. 

What would you do?

4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. (John 21)
The disciples were waiting. Patiently (or maybe not...) waiting for Jesus to get to Galilee, where He told them to meet them.  After a fruitless night of fishing (not sure fish are considered a fruit...) they had nothing to show for it.  Then this guy on the beach gives a recommendation. Why would they listen to Him? Did they think He might just be an experienced fisherman? (in a way, He was!) For whatever reason, they listen and get more than they counted on (153 to be exact, John later tells us). How would they respond? John simply stated facts; Peter abandoned all and swam/ran to Jesus, and the rest got stuck dragging in the heavy load. Which one was right? All of them, of course.  Each one was responding with his whole being: John mentally and spiritually, Peter emotionally and the rest very physically. (It would be a sin to let such a haul get away...)  Which would you do? It depends on your personality, experience, and what everyone else is doing, but if you are a follower of Christ, you will respond.  As we watch and wait for what's next, let us be unified, each doing our own part, keeping our eyes focused on Jesus, hearing His voice, and following Him, whatever He calls on us to do. 

Go fishin'

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. (John 21)
After spending several days making surprise visits on His followers, Jesus went ahead to Galilee. His disciples had also, in obedience to His command, gone there to wait for Him to meet with them.  As was often the case, Jesus did not arrive immediately. He often tended to wait so they could react to the situation. Most, if not all, of these seven were fishermen, so it is not surprising they do that while they wait. Their venture must have been frustrating; had they lost their touch?  While we wait - not only for what our lives will look like in the near future, but as we wait for Christ to return, what will we do? We are not told that the disciples did anything wrong here. In fact, Jesus never wants us to sit around doing nothing while we wait. We may get frustrated. But how do we deal with our frustrations?  Sometimes being obedient, waiting patiently, can be hard.  Don't give up. Don't let it get the best of you. Press on, and wait. 

Dealing with our Doubts...

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20)

Jesus loves skeptics, doubters, those who ask questions.  The Gospel of John has already shown us that with Nathaniel, Nicodemus, the woman at the well, and often, Peter.  The phrase "doubting Thomas" is often used in a negative sense, but Jesus wants this; He welcomes it. He wants Thomas to be assured, confident, and bold. He wants the same for us.  When life gets surreal, like it did for the apostles after the resurrection, they all needed time to ask questions and wrestle with the "what now?" and the "what does this all mean?". God has given us the time.  Westle with it. Seek His Word and His face; He invites you to ask.

The Promised Peace

 36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them.  (Luke 24)
In the Upper Room, Jesus had promised His disciples and unsurpassed peace - one only He could give.  Over the past few days their lives had been anything but peaceful: His annoucements of going away, the strain of praying in the garden, the betrayal, trial and execution of Jesus: these all left them unsettled and depressed. One word changes everything: Peace - that inner calm that all is well and right, even though things are not yet "fully resolved".  God is in control after all; He does know what He is doing; He has what we really need in store.  Peace overrules fear and doubt; when they pop up, peace controls them, because peace comes with the presence of Christ, and He is here even when we cannot see Him.  He has been here all along.