"Comings & Goings" (Matthew 28:16-20)

Introduction

Let me review Easter …

·        On Palm Sunday … Jesus showed how he was to be the spiritual king of a spiritual kingdom based around real fruitfulness. This was a new fruitfulness, not based around the old ways of temple sacrifices, contrasting with the world’s injustice, not going down a dead-end street, but offering real life and hope.

·        On Good Friday … Jesus did everything that needed to be done so that we could experience forgiveness. The grace seen that day was certainly costly and not to be taken for granted, but at the same time, came to us freely and abundantly.

·        On Easter Sunday … Jesus rose from the dead to show that evil and death could not defeat God’s purposes, that God’s love will win the day. We will never have to try to make it alone, because Jesus has risen and continues to be available to us. We have been invited into a new relationship with God, where we can experience joy in becoming who we were created to be, being fully released in service of others.

Where does that leave us? Was all this only for us who already believe? No, this is all leading somewhere.

Jesus was with his disciples and others for forty days following his resurrection. In this time (according to the various gospel accounts), Jesus reassured us (humanity) about the reality of his physical resurrection – “touch me and see”, gave us a measure of his peace in expectation of receiving the Holy Spirit, and in Peter’s particular case … Jesus reinstalled him in ministry and leadership (with the words, “Feed my lambs”).

But most famously, Jesus commissioned all his followers to a particular course of action. This has been called the “great commission’ – which is fair, because this is such a concise and clear statement about what we should be on about. Yet we read this text, and may find ourselves with more questions than answers:

·        What were they doing on a mountain?

·        Why was there doubt?

·        Where do we “go”, and how do we actually “make disciples”?

·        What does it mean to be “baptised” in the name of all the Trinity?

·        How does the “teaching” happen?

·        How is doubt dealt with?

Together on the Mountain

We should note that the disciples were gathered together to receive their commission. This coming together was at Jesus’ command. What Jesus was going to ask these followers to do was a collective task. And this was a task to be fulfilled out of a faith that was based on a mutual response to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. So there would need to be a ‘coming’ before there was a ‘going’! In fact there would need to be a series of ‘comings together’ to properly facilitate the ‘going out’. In fact … if Jesus’ mission was going to be fully embraced, there would need to an ongoing appreciation of ‘being together’. This was later borne out by the early church’s strong commitment to one another, and to Paul’s theology of the people of God being inter-connected like a “body”, with Jesus at the head.

We should also note that this commission comes from the One authorised to give it. Jesus has become our central focus – the meeting place between ourselves and God – the One who interprets God’s will for us.

The “go” is to “go and to keep on going”. Movement! Connecting! Sometimes the paths which we normally walk in daily life are enough … just with a new focus toward the spiritual well-being of others. We naturally “go” to our neighbours, colleagues, friends, family, and regular contacts. Then there are those people who seem to coincidentally come across our path. Other times we will sense a call outside of our comfort zones. This “going” often means lending much-needed practical support. On some occasions we might feel a special pull towards a certain person or situation. In any case, we need to be prayerful and tuned into God.

This is all about being available to form and build relationships (of safety and trust). This is not about dragging people in (as if they must agree with us), but rather going out to meet people where they are, listening to their story, and sharing with them something that they would find interesting and helpful. This is of course not just about words … it’s about sharing life.

This is about inviting … inviting people to enter a new sense of community, and allowing people to feel accepted and to belong … on their own pathway to finding faith (or discovering something new to believe in). This could mean an invitation to your home, or to a social occasion, small group or special service at church. First comes belonging, allowing believing to come in their time and God’s time. There can sometimes be quite a time lag between the ‘inviting’ and the ‘believing’. The bridge will often be the sense of ‘belonging’ that is appreciated in between. Where relationships grow and flourish, redemption and healing occur.

Making Disciples, Baptising & Teaching

This is not about converts to our way of thinking, this is about the goal of making “disciples” of Jesus. This means preparing the way, through the way we live, for other people to discover how to live with and for Jesus. To be a disciple is to be a replica, a facsimile, a re-run, a follower in all ways; being under the discipline … in this case of Jesus … in lifestyle, attitudes and ethical principles. To be “making” disciples indicates that we are making significant contributions to others’ lives through our faith and practical service. We are helping God to mould people.

“Disciples” of Jesus will come from all nations, backgrounds, ethnic groupings, cultures. How things look now, are not how they will always be; not while we can share the Gospel! This is why we should be very careful about any negative labelling of any grouping, or any generalisations. For if we allow any animosity to build about any group, then this will inevitably disrupt the exercise of our commission! Every person on God’s earth is just a person who needs to know Jesus. Call me naïve if you like, but then Jesus would be naïve too … as he hopefully and graciously engaged with those who may and did send him to a cross! Jesus said that we also should take up our cross, which in part means engaging with those who may hurt us … in an attempt to reach those who will come to love God. Therefore, for centuries, the Christian Church has seen missionaries go out to the most dangerous of places. Now the world is smaller, we all have an opportunity for this sort of mission work (right where we live).

As we have said, discipleship – is the act of following in the Jesus way. Once there, we can make a symbolic presentation of who we are now. This is ‘baptism’ – where we publicly identify with the death and resurrection of Jesus; where water represents a purification. We go under the water to show that we have died to sin (or turned away from sin), and come out of the water to show that we have risen to new life. We are now Jesus people – we have died to self and the world, and now live for God’s purposes. [If any want to be baptised, or know more about baptism, then please ask me.] We want to show the community and world around us the sincerity and validity of faith in Jesus through public witness.

Baptism is given in the name of all members of God’s Trinity. Why?? Two main reasons:

·        Baptism testifies that we are connecting with God in all aspects of life i.e. with God who created us and has always loved us, with Jesus who has saved us and led us into new life, and with the Holy Spirit who enables and empowers us on a daily basis to walk in the ways of God;

·        Baptism in the name of God’s Community shows that we are being baptised into a community i.e. God’s Church – into an interconnectedness with others who have likewise become disciples of Jesus … as God is community, we are baptised into community.

Discipleship, baptism, then learning. Some of us have received the call and gift to be teachers, essentially teachers of God’s Word … where we find all we need to know about being God’s people. Yet, as this is a mutual commission, we are all, in some way or other, teachers of one another. We all have different experiences of God, we all have different testimonies of how God has blessed us and challenged us, we all have learnt things from God’s Word that have made a positive difference in us that we can share. We need to help each other grow! Each of our unique experiences of life and God can bring so much to our understanding of how God is touching people’s lives.

What needs to spread through our teaching and learning is “everything that I [Jesus] have commanded you”. These matters are contained in the four gospels and are also promoted in the rest of the new testament. This is NOT knowledge for knowledge sake or just receiving abstract truths, but rather practical teaching for everyday living. Think of this as training for life, much like being on the training track for sport. What is very obvious, is that a lot of the values that Jesus teaches are very different to how the world around us often operates. Bitterness versus forgiveness. Power versus humility. Hate versus love. Selfishness versus selflessness. Wealth versus generosity. Conflict versus peace. Hardness versus compassion.

And this brings us back to the required balance between ‘coming’ and ‘going’. We need to be together to learn and encourage one another in being disciples, in combination with our ‘going’ … to share the love and grace of Jesus with those who we meet and are led to.

Doubt & Faith

We should note the comment that “some doubted” (v.17b). We know that some disciples, most famously Thomas, doubted the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. Despite all of Jesus’ appearances and reassurances, some found it hard to fully accept what had happened. Even now as they had gathered around Jesus and worshipped him, and were there in the act of being commissioned for ministry and fruitfulness, “some [still] doubted”! Doubt brings uncertainty and hesitation. It’s hard to give yourself fully to something where doubt exists. Such doubt would mean that these disciples were not fully ready or prepared to embrace the mission set before them.

What would we do with such doubt and inertia … in ourselves, or in others??

·        In ourselves … get involved, especially in corporate worship, give things a try, be open to the faith and encouragement of others

·        In others … one word – encouragement … positive encouragement, about their value, about their giftedness, about how much God loves them.

Doubt may be based all around human incapacity and limitation. The disciples may have been actually doubting themselves. Where was all this leading, and would they be up to it!? The disciples that day may have been feeling the enormity of the task. But this is not all of what there is to the mission of God! This is super/human work empowered by a greater source than merely the human. This is Jesus’ work, and it will all being empowered by the Holy Spirit of God.

If the opportunity exists, so will the resources! So in the face of some who were doubting, Jesus said, “Remember, I am with you always” … and not just today and tomorrow, but, “to the end of the age”. Jesus will go with us, before us, beside us, behind us and within us … guiding, comforting, reassuring, empowering, encouraging, strengthening … all bases covered.

I suppose it’s human to want all the facts, and have some idea what the future might hold, but this is not the way of faith. We might find that it is only as we “go” that we experience Jesus’ company, and, conversely, if we are not experiencing Jesus’ company, it might be because we haven’t gone anywhere! The more I “go”, the more of Jesus I might get!! Faith expressed is faith embraced.

Jesus clearly believes that his disciples can succeed. And Jesus’ first disciples did succeed brilliantly … in the power of the Holy Spirit. The challenge of this ‘great commission’ is now ours. This is in the face of some levels of disinterest or even antipathy, and many other options for people’s allegiances. Yet in a town like this, where we live, we do have plenty of opportunities to build on one another’s efforts in addressing the ‘great commission’.

Conclusion

Never think we go out on mission on our own, under our own devices! This is a partnership. This is a partnership … built on a series of relationships that have been forged, in each and every case, in two places – at the foot of the cross, and at the open tomb. Have we been to both places? Have we received the forgiveness we need at the cross, followed by the entry into new life at the open tomb?? If our answer is ‘yes’ and ‘yes’, then we are promised the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which will not only deal with any doubt, but also deal with all fear.

Our friends and neighbours live and breathe in the presence of the greatest Lord. Yet, [often], they do not know it. We, the people of the Lord, who know [God’s] majesty over heaven and earth, must stand up … and, in whatever way is appropriate to our gifts, personality and circumstances, promote [God’s] glory. [from John Dickson: “The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission”, pg.37.] Amen to that!!

Resurrection Sunday Message (Luke 23:50-24:12)

Humanity had done its worst. Those who had killed Jesus had brought darkness across the land. They had tortured and crucified an innocent man. Jesus was laid in a tomb and left among the dead. All Jesus could have been accused of was upsetting the apple cart. People too set in their ways, too hard of heart, too attached to their privileged positions, or just too proud … rejected Jesus and put him on a cross. Yet ironically and majestically this was actually a case of self-giving … of self-sacrifice to the greater good. God would never have allowed this unless it was going to make a difference for good in the world.

We look at the sealed tomb where Jesus is. What happens from here? For some, hope had been dashed. Others were lost as to what they should do. The ones who hated Jesus were glad it was all over (or so they thought). Kind and good hearted Joseph of Arimathea had gone against his misguided colleagues and provided a dignified resting place for Jesus. Women were available to anoint Jesus’ body. What would we expect to happen next?

God sent his beloved Son Jesus into the world to forge a path toward salvation. Jesus willingly took on this mission of love and grace. If we are able to find it within us to humbly admit that our life is messed up and we need forgiveness, then Jesus has done all that is required for us to receive that forgiveness. Jesus took all our burden of guilt and shame to the cross with him, and dealt with it all for us. So, we find forgiveness; but the question remains – how can we maintain a life of freedom and joy (on our own) … how can we make life work for us? How will our life be ‘set apart’ or different? It would actually be too hard to try to make it on our own!

So, the answer is … forming a relationship with God. And this would be a growing relationship, so that we might come to appreciate the quality of this relationship every day. Where we once filled all the time on our hands with things that took us nowhere, we would now fill our lives with God … which takes us everywhere. A quality relationship with God means that we continue to learn, grow into our full potential, experience peace and joy, find supportive community, effectively help others – generally finding purpose. Often people can look back, and feel a sense of waste about parts of their lives so far. What God is offering through the events of Easter Sunday is a new start, where nothing in the past is held against us, and nothing in the future will be wasted.

The further question then, is whether we stay with the closed tomb of death, or, on the other hand, approach the open tomb of life. It’s a matter of how we respond to the question, “Why do you look for the living among the dead” (Luke 24:5)? We are unlikely to find a way forward in life, if we dwell in our past and present negativity. Old tombs of bitterness. Looking for answers down dead paths. If any of us is feeling defeated, then we should listen for what, first the women, and then Peter, discovered on Easter Sunday.

The text we read (from the Gospel of Luke) started with the body of Jesus (wrapped in cloths of linen) being laid in a rock-hewn tomb and a stone being set across the entrance. This text concluded with an open tomb, where the linen cloths (previously around the body of Jesus) lay by themselves. This changed everything.

The women in this narrative had prepared spices and ointments to anoint Jesus’ body, but when they came on Sunday found the body missing. These women were understandably perplexed. Questions arose. They would have been talking amongst themselves. Had his body been stolen? What was going on? The women then hear the voices of reassurance, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? [Jesus] is not here, but has risen!” Yes, that’s right! These women remembered that, yes indeed, Jesus had talked about something happening on the third day (after his crucifixion)! The women started to believe that something fantastic had happened.

So, they went and told the disciples all about what they had found out. In listening to the story in Luke, I think I can sense the women’s excitement building … they were becoming convinced … there is no other conclusion to be drawn – Jesus had risen from the dead. Now this could make total sense! Jesus was innocent after all, and he was God’s servant, and he did heal many other people over the last 3 years – he did a lot of good for many people. Jesus’ friend Lazarus rose from the dead. Could not the Creator of the universe recreate life at will! If Jesus was God’s Son then of course death would not be the end.

But these women got a bit of a wet blanket response. Don’t you hate that when you have good news to share! At first the disciples thought this news was a bit of an “idle tale” – it couldn’t really be true, could it. But one of them, Peter, was more willing to listen. He must have sensed that these women were so sure! It’s hard to deny that something is true when those who believe it are so deeply convinced!! And we know that one of the best proofs of Jesus’ resurrection is the fact that his first disciples were subsequently all willing to die defending the reality of this. Not only this – how their lives changed! Fearful and hesitant seekers transformed into courageous and competent leaders.

So, Peter, with hope beginning to bubble up within him, decided he would check it out. The Gospel of Luke says, “Peter got up and ran to the tomb” (24:12). The thoughts that would have been going through Peter’s head, as he ran!! All the lessons Jesus had taught him. How Jesus’ whole three year ministry had made such a difference. The power of God that Jesus had shown! And this strong assurance Jesus had … that going to the cross was the right thing to do; and that God would not leave things there, but rather set them right. “On the third day I will rise again”, possibly began to echo in Peter’s ears! When Peter got to the tomb, he discovered that the clothes in which Jesus was buried had been laid aside. Wow!

Peter then went home in amazement, expectantly waiting for what would happen next … there had been such a dramatic turn of events. Later Jesus would join his disciples to spend some more time with them before he moved on (returning to God). Jesus was surely alive! Death could not hold the mighty Son of God. Evil cannot beat God. The resurrection, attested to by so many witnesses, proves that Jesus was who he said he was: the Son of God. Jesus’ resurrection proves that his death was absolutely effective in securing the forgiveness of sin (for those who believe). Jesus had risen to lead Peter, the other disciples, the women, and all of us … into an experience of new life.

The apostle Paul famously wrote these magnificent words, “So if anyone is in Christ [Jesus], there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17)!

Peter ran to the tomb to discover that his future lay in following the risen Lord Jesus. The crucifixion and resurrection are the most magnificent acts of love – God’s love. Through this we just know that God has his arms open wide to give us his love. We may lack all the evidence we want, but when we see how it has worked for so many others, and when it makes so much sense that we are not here on this earth just randomly for no reason, we should run into the open arms of our loving creator. At the same time, this will be a step of faith for each one of us, a conviction that we each come to ourselves … as we are open to a new experience of God.

It doesn’t matter how far we’ve strayed, it doesn’t matter how distant we think we are, we can discover the ‘open tomb’ right here and right now. Peter, just about three or four days before, had denied even knowing Jesus … Peter had renounced his three-year friendship with Jesus. How dreadful would Peter have been feeling! But Jesus instantly forgave him and welcomed him back into the fold. This is our way forward … embracing the risen Jesus. It is here that we find a life of freedom, peace, joy and purpose – the risen Jesus walking with us, leading us. Here is the relationship we need! But we should get our best running shoes on, and not waste any time getting to the ‘open tomb’ to experience this extraordinary resurrection ourselves.

"It is Finished - Mission Accomplished" - Good Friday Message (John 19:30)

Introduction

“It is finished”, said Jesus. What was “finished”? Certainly not his life, for he would rise again very soon! And besides, this verb (all one word in Greek = tetelestai), is in the third person [actually a third person singular perfect passive indicative verb]. Thus the “It” refers to something else. Perhaps though, we should pause to think, that in this moment, there was the lifting of all the burden of ministry and suffering that had been laid on Jesus. We could understand that. But still, there was more to it.

The translation “finished” could easily be translated “accomplished” i.e. “It is accomplished”. It was the purpose for which Jesus came that was accomplished – mission accomplished! Jesus has completed the work that God had given him to do. In John 4:34 we read Jesus saying, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work”. And then later in John 17:4 Jesus said, “I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do”.

What was that work/mission?

There was a work of ministry, and there was a work of redemption.

Ministry

Jesus taught a whole new value system based around loving others.

Jesus healed people as signs of God’s compassion.

Jesus demonstrated that mercy and forgiveness, not judgment, is the way forward for God’s people.

Jesus challenged us to get beyond any prejudices or fears and embrace people that we would not necessarily engage with.

Jesus shone a light on all sorts of darkness especially any forms of injustice.

Even here, in the midst of the torture of the cross, Jesus provided an extraordinary example of care for others, as he made provision for his mother’s future (in the home of his disciple John). Mary would have been experiencing deep grief, and this serves to remind us of the need to support those who are hurting and in pain, for these are the works of God. Works of love are paramount for the disciples of Jesus.

Redemption

Ultimately Jesus gave up his life so that we could all freely embrace God and experience salvation. Here is the forgiveness of our sins, and our release from shame and guilt. Jesus was redeeming us back to God. Jesus was paying the ransom so that we might be able to return to our Father God. Truly we can be born afresh, given a new start, not restricted by the brokenness and negativity of the past.

We have all been created with the need to form relationship with our loving Creator. Each of us is incomplete without a relationship with God. While God has always fully loved us, lots of stuff has got in the way of us fully loving him. We have given other things priority, we have repeated our mistakes in pursuing certain less-than-best objectives. We have sinned, we have failed. And, we know, most of us, somewhere deep within, there is something … rather Someone … missing.

God knew each of us and loved us in our mother’s womb.

As we were born, God saw our personality and potential and loved us intently.

As we were carefree children, running amuck through our parents’ lives, driving our teachers mad, God loved us then.

In our first times of rebellion, when we started to ignore God, and maybe hurt others, God still loved us.

And now, with the possibility that we are battered and broken people, nothing has changed – God’s love remains.

No wonder God took such extreme measures to bring us back to him!

God had felt the loss of us.

God didn’t remain passive about this, but took steps to right the situation.

Enter Jesus!

We talk about God’s love. God is Love. In his self-giving, Jesus fully represented all of who God is. If we want to know what God is like, then we look at Jesus … and we see what God is like. Jesus showed himself to be our primary point of reference when it comes to knowing God – the ‘bread of life’, the ‘light of the world’, the ‘great shepherd’, the ‘lamb of God’ who takes away the sins of the world.

We see many people trying to get close to their favourite stars of music, film or sport only to be blocked by barricades, security guards and just the extent of the crowd. It appears that they never even get close! In our desires to connect with God, we seem to be blocked by the guilt and the shame that has built up over time. But in this case, the magnificent forgiveness offered from the cross breaks through all that stands in our way.

It may be that we have previously sensed some degree of forgiveness, but we have never really been released through the power of the cross. Sometimes we live in prisons of our own making. God does NOT want us to stand separate from him any longer! Down with those barricades!! Gone those prison bars! Jesus identifies with our need and takes our burdens upon himself on to the cross. Can we identify with him, and accept that he did this for me?

What Jesus has done for us is complete! Nothing further needs to be done. Part of what was “finished” was any continuation of the old idea of achieving your own salvation. No more striving, no more temple sacrifices, nothing to be earned through effort. Striving harder, doesn’t, on its own, make us feel any better about ourselves. Now it would just be a humble response to Jesus alone – a readiness to receive a free gift of grace.

Jesus fulfilled all of what earlier scriptures and prophecies had indicated about God’s provision of salvation. Jesus had become the point of decision … the way to know God – some would reject him, and some would follow him. Which are we?

Conclusion

The powers that be think they have successfully dispensed with Jesus – that the cross means victory for them; but how wrong could they be. Jesus, rather than dying a needless death, was actually releasing God’s love … so that lives might be transformed. Many will still be confused as to what sort of “king” Jesus is, but those who come to the cross with humility and faith … will know that Jesus is the King of a Spiritual Kingdom where lives are changed and human communities are influenced to the good.

So here was a cry of relief … “It is finished” … because the suffering and continual self-giving in the face of rejection was over!? And here was a shout of triumph … because sin was defeated and victory was at hand … “It is finished”!?!? Definitely, yes!

“Eternal life” … life in all its fullness … begins at the foot of the cross.

We can end our struggle at the foot of the cross – where we find love, grace, forgiveness, and hope for tomorrow.

Palm Sunday message - "New Fruitfulness" (Mark 11:1-25)

It’s Palm Sunday. Jesus comes riding into Jerusalem for the last time on a donkey. There is much acclaim. For people to spread their cloaks on the road and spread leafy branches out in front of Jesus showed a great deal of respect. This was an acknowledgement of Jesus’ importance – a king of some type. Then there were shouts of praise with the word Hosanna … meaning ‘Save now’. Clearly some had high expectations concerning Jesus.

But in just a few days the shouts would be very different (‘Crucify him, crucify him’). Why???

·        Was deliverance from the oppression of Rome seen as the big problem to be solved, well ahead of a person’s own sinfulness and brokenness?!

·        Is the idea of salvation fine until the point where it demands something of us!?

·        Higher ethical standards was a bit of a stretch!

·        Was it easier in the end to just fall in behind the leaders who were set on preserving the status quo – didn’t that just make for a quieter life!?

Isn’t that just why Jesus had to die – we human beings tend to just want to please ourselves! We cheer others on when it suits, just like the crowd did on Palm Sunday for Jesus, but when it doesn’t suit we might tend to ‘crucify’ them … well just shun them maybe.

When the salvation plans of Jesus toward the transformation of the human heart could no longer be quelled, his opponents accelerated their evil plot. Today there would no doubt be a negative social media campaign, back then … just continual conversations about how Jesus must be dispensed with. This included the manipulations of tragically weak characters like Judas, Pilate and Herod. How so many others were so influenced by this horrific campaign, shows how fickle human thinking can be.

To the annoyance of some, Jesus DID NOT approach Jerusalem as a conquering warrior on a white horse, but as a ‘prince of peace’ on a humble donkey. Here was a ‘servant king’. This indeed fulfilled a prophecy from Zechariah, yet this was largely unrecognised. Jesus came to deal with the problems that lay deep within our souls. “Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zech.9:9b). Then in the next verse – “he shall command peace to the nations” (9:10b).

When Jesus entered Jerusalem he went to the temple. When he looked around he sensed that all was not right. This disturbed Jesus. No doubt this was still on his mind the next morning when he came upon a fig tree. Jesus was hungry (as he may have been spiritually hungry the previous night at the temple). There were leaves on this fig tree which gave the impression of life. Yet this gave false hope as there was absolutely no sign of fruit to be found. Disappointment set in. Jesus, disturbed by this whole concept of fruitlessness, put a little curse on that fig tree.

It is curious that there is this remark that, “it was not the season for figs” (v.13b)! This might have been seen as an excuse, even a reality that explained the lack of figs. Still, was there any real evidence that fruit would ever arrive on this tree! What we have here is a symbolic act or lived out parable – an act (from Jesus) designed to point to something else much bigger. Some point of displeasure. A comparison is being invited between the fruitless fig tree and the fruitless temple. We read in verse 14, that “his disciples heard it”. They knew it was something for them to reflect on the meaning of. Jesus was making the point that fruitlessness in the present indicated continuing fruitlessness in the future!! The work of God was being depleted; and people are so set in their ways (that this is unlikely to change)!

What did Jesus see at the temple that so disturbed him (verses 15-17)?? Injustice and thoughtlessness!!

(1) There was injustice flowing through the selling of the sacrificial animals – people were being ripped off through inflated prices … their desire to present sacrifices for their sins was being taken advantage of. “Doves” were specifically mentioned … why … because “doves” were the much less expensive option for the poor – the offence reaching its height when it affected the least able to pay. Then there were the “money-changers”, who when changing foreign currencies into the local currency used to purchase the sacrifices, were also taking advantage of people.

(2) Most of this noisy market activity was occurring in the outer area of the temple complex, which also happened to be the only area in which non-Jews could pray. These were Gentiles who had been attracted to the Jewish religion, but were not (because of their perceived uncleanness) allowed greater access to the temple. No wonder Jesus brought to mind and quoted from the great (and largely ignored) prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah (in verse 17).

At what should have been the spiritual heart of the community, Jesus only experienced disappointment. Clearly his strong words and dramatic actions were aimed at those who had let this happen, and those who were profiting from it. The previous temple had been destroyed by the Babylonians, when according to Jeremiah the people had forsaken God for other pursuits. This second temple would be destroyed by the Romans in another 40 years. In any case, the time of the temple system and physical sacrifices was coming to an end. Jesus was about to change everything! As we shall reflect on continually over Easter, our spirituality and salvation would now centre solely around our relationship with Jesus.

When the disciples (with Jesus) returned past the fig tree, they saw it withered away and dead (verse 20). Peter remarked on this. What was the lesson?! In response to the coming of Jesus, in response to God’s love in sending Jesus, there needed to be a NEW FRUITFULNESS!! This fruitfulness will be based on a real faith in God, such faith that believes mountains can be moved. This fruitfulness will be sourced in prayer, such that we will have no doubt that God is working through us. Through faith and prayer … outstanding possibilities exist. There may be circumstances around us that seem as immovable as mountains, however they are NOT beyond the capacities of faith and prayer. And we should also note verse 25 – this fruitfulness will be fuelled by a heart attitude of forgiveness – forgiving those who have offended against us and against God … so that there will be no ill-feeling that stands as a barrier against our fruitfulness.

FAITH, PRAYER & FORGIVENESS lead to the sort of fruitfulness God requires of us.

This is clearly NOT what had been motivating spirituality of recent days. This is typified in what Jesus experienced at the temple. And when Jesus strongly pointed all this out, the plot against him intensified. There was a major campaign to change the community view from ‘Hosanna’ toward ‘Crucify Him’.

What is FRUITFULNESS??

The great apostle Paul described fruitfulness (or the ‘fruit of the Spirit’) in nine words: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-3). This indicates a sort of discipline (or discipleship) that embraces these characteristics as basic foundations for interpersonal living. From these basic characteristics (or marks of our character) our more specific activities of fruitfulness follow.

As opposed to the displeasure Jesus felt at the temple, good fruit is any attitude, word or action that pleases God [Mark Greene, p.35]. This may be everyday seemingly small actions or more major public efforts. Cleaning up a park or river, offering a glass of water to a thirsty person, an animal properly cared for, or a normally invisible person given a thank-you. Seemingly small actions could have considerable outcomes for good (in God’s hands). Then there is patient listening, sharing some God-inspired perspectives, bringing gentle introductions to Jesus, sharing testimonies of faith, speaking prayers for the ‘shalom’ of our community, dealing gracefully with opposition, or, perhaps publicly witnessing to faith in the waters of baptism. A little more demanding is confronting injustice, challenging violence and abuse, welcoming strangers, and caring for the vulnerable.

Being fruitful means seeking ways to either affirm or change i.e. affirm what is already good, or change what could be better. God is glorified as his character, priorities, goodness and power are expressed through our everyday lives.

Fruitfulness, to be our norm, will require ongoing humility, consistent repentance, and a complete openness to the Spirit of God. Fruitfulness is promoted as we imagine Jesus beside us as we go through our daily lives. We then more and more naturally see things through Jesus’ eyes, and more and more possibilities for fruitfulness emerge. As we have our eyes are ears more attuned, what else might Jesus point out to us? Love is alert to possibilities. We also see Jesus in others, and develop a more hospitable spirit – through which can grow a new appreciation of trust and safety (that had previously and tragically been lost). God activates his plans of blessing people through us.

The goal of our fruitfulness is to bring glory to God – that others might come to know and appreciate God for all of who he really is [Mark Greene p.36-7]. This is what the temple that Jesus encountered was NOT doing. In John’s Gospel we hear Jesus saying, “My father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples (John 15:8).

A Study on the Book of Jonah - "Are We Ready?"

This is a book about mission and engagement. God asks us to partner with him in reaching out to the community around us with the good news of Jesus. This is our mission. The book of Jonah explores whether we are we prepared to embrace this mission? It asks, ‘Are we ready’?

Jonah himself was given a mission. Read Jonah 1:1-3.

Jonah’s mission was to go to a place called Nineveh and convince them of the error of their ways (1:2). We know that Jonah, rather than going to Nineveh, fled in the other direction, even seeking to escape the presence of the Lord (1:3). Nineveh is due east – Jonah heads due west … as far as he could possibly go … to Tarshish. Jonah couldn’t deny God’s call – so he had to try to lose God’s voice from his head. Jonah was trying to offer his resignation!

We are given possible reasons for Jonah’s reluctance (1:2). These reasons for reluctance to obey God could resonate with us. These are worth considering, even though the biggest reason behind Jonah’s reluctance is revealed later.

Nineveh was a big city – the capital of Assyria – so seemingly this was a big task. Also, this was a nation not known for its friendliness to Jews, in fact was a traditional enemy of God’s people in Israel. And Jonah was asked to face off against “wickedness” and call people to account. The Assyrians could be brutal, and tolerated commercial exploitation. Nineveh was known as the ‘robber city’, looting neighbouring places. One could only imagine the variety of transgressions that Jonah would encounter, and the opposition that he would imagine coming up against. If he was to tackle injustice, violence and abuse in that place, he would be likely to become a victim himself … or so he must have thought. Reluctance or resistance usually comes down to fear. Perhaps Jonah was stuck in pre-conceived notions as to how he would be received, and couldn’t move past these. Thus there was a tension between Jonah’s level of faith and God’s call on his life. As we shall come to see, there was something else in the back of Jonah’s mind as well!

What Jonah failed to realise was that if God calls someone to a task, God will also equip them for that task. Not only this, but as this is God’s mission, not just a human endeavour, God would be present personally in this effort. This would still be the case … for individuals, and certainly for churches on mission together. So Jonah, it seems, lacked faith in what God could do. And, as we come to see, these pre-conceived notions about failure were completely unfounded. Change may have seemed improbable, but that’s just a way a human would think!

Now, this escape attempt doesn’t work out too well! Running from God and his purpose for your life is very unlikely to lead to better places or safer pastures. As we know from Psalm 23, ‘green pastures’ are found inside of God’s will. There was a “mighty storm” that threatened to break up the ship that Jonah was travelling on. While Jonah slept, perhaps in some state of apathy or denial, there was general panic on board. The sailors all cried out to their gods and took practical steps to lighten the load. Ironically, it was the ship’s captain, hoping for a miracle, who had to wake Jonah up and suggest prayer to him. And when the crew came to the opinion that it was Jonah’s fault that they were in this threatening position, they sought answers from Jonah. To discover that Jonah was trying to flee his God made them even more scared for their lives.

At this moment Jonah had the self-realisation that this storm was all his fault. One couldn’t ignore God without repercussions … and these repercussions are not confined to the disobedient party. Larry Richards writes, “Our lives and the lives of others are woven together; we cannot disobey God without in some way affecting others for ill”. The only way that these other sailors could be safe, was if Jonah was thrown overboard. In 1:12 we read … [Jonah] said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you; for I know it is because of me that this great storm has come upon you”. A statement made with new understanding and the beginnings of repentance.

Yet this directive to throw Jonah overboard was seen as extreme by the sailors, even in this situation, because of the guilt and responsibility they would feel for Jonah’s probable demise. So they kept trying to save the ship. But, reluctantly, when they seemed to be left with no alternative, for reasons of self-preservation, they chucked Jonah over the side. Jonah, it would seem, would be doomed.

However, in a spiritual sense, Jonah was already on the way back to God. He had admitted taking the wrong path. Instead of drowning, Jonah was scooped up by a great big fish, and found some temporary accommodation in this fish’s belly. Now for a re-think! Over the next three days and three nights in the fish’s belly, Jonah got to engage in some serious reflection and prayer.

Read Jonah 2:2 … I called to the Lord out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.

Remember that fear, that lack of faith, exhibited by his attempted flight – what was that!?! And where did it leave Jonah. Jonah recalls his recent experience, a near-death experience, and comes to this conclusion –

Read Jonah 2:7-9 …

As my life was ebbing away, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.
Those who worship vain idols forsake their true loyalty.

But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Deliverance belongs to the Lord (2:7-9).

What was the “vain idol” Jonah struggled with? A reliance on self perhaps – a preference for seeing things his own way! Jonah had not fully committed to God, and thus experienced a blip on the radar. He had gone missing for a while. But, here’s some good news! God had never lost sight of Jonah, and now he was back! The anxiety-ridden incident on the ship had taught him something. The place to be is where God wants you to be! And for Jonah that was to be Nineveh. Jonah had broken his covenant with God, but now that had been restored. So the fish now spewed Jonah out on to dry land.

Take two! Read Jonah 3:1-5.

We would note how quickly the people of Nineveh responded, and on mass (including the king – 3:6-9). Any pre-conceived notions of failure were indeed misplaced! God had gone before Jonah, and prepared the people in advance to receive the prophet’s message (once he was prepared to step up)! It was an extreme message, related in very few words (3:2b). But it obviously, in that time and place, connected with the hearers in a big way. Jonah did not need to spell out what the required response was. It was understood naturally and acted upon spontaneously. There was clearly a dissatisfaction … that was looking for a solution.

The evil and violence being committed in that city was occurring through habit … it’s just how they lived, it’s just what they did; and they lacked any alternative course. No one was happy about that state of affairs … but what could be done about it? When the message of the prophet of God came, the people were ready for something new (more positive and life-giving).

In 3:10 we are reminded about the God of second chances, even in the most dark of circumstances. God sends prophets NOT TO CONDEMN, but to seek repentance, change and transformation. This is all consistent with Jesus’ teaching in the parable of the prodigal son. Just one step back in the right direction, and God is there with open arms. This threat then resolution dynamic … reminds us how deeply God is seeking right living. God is passionate about our lives bearing fruit, and not being wasted (with idols or evil). We note that God positively responded to the people practically turning from their evil ways (not just the outward fasting and mourning).

NOW, YOU WOULD THINK WITH RESULTS LIKE THIS, THAT JONAH WOULD BE DOING HANDSTANDS, CARTWHEELS & HIGH-FIVES ALL OVER THE PLACE!!

But, Read Jonah 4:1-5.

We see here that other reason, maybe the main reason, why Jonah was reluctant to go to Nineveh. Not just fearing the possibility of failure, Jonah also feared the possibility of success. What’s going on there?!? Sometimes we may prefer certain people to get their just desserts … rather than changing and receiving the same grace we have received. Jonah was actually happy with the dire judgment he envisaged over Nineveh (they were such a violent threatening people)! It would be good, in Jonah’s mind, if another nation came and did to them what they had done to others!

It’s NOT that Jonah was ignorant about God’s character. Jonah knew what God was about … “gracious, merciful, slow to anger/patient, abounding in steadfast love” … Jonah knew that God’s intentions are always towards transformation; HE JUST DIDN’T LIKE IT!

Sometimes we might be involved in the mission, but have a negative view of the outcome. Worse, we may not be ready for the turnaround – not ready to receive people who have freshly experienced God’s grace. They may still be pretty rough, and just at the beginning of God’s work within their lives. We are actually all still a little rough around the edges (in the process of change). We sometimes deny this with a bit of ‘appearance management’. Who are we to deny others grace – who was Jonah to deny Nineveh grace!!

Jonah went off to sook. Worse than that, he wanted to reverse God’s lifesaving work in his life, and die! This was like the character of Javert (the town policeman) in Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, who would rather die than accept that Jean Vanjean could change (from sinner to hero).

But of course God wasn’t finished with Jonah. God took Jonah on a process of understanding (as described in 4:6-11), which we hope Jonah came to fully appreciate.

Read Jonah 4:6-11.

Jonah was worried about the loss of shade that was gifted to him without any effort on his part. This surely pales into insignificance when faced with the big picture of ‘lostness’ in Nineveh and ‘despair’ in the world generally. And this also pales into insignificance when compared to the creative crafting of the world and all its inhabitants and features that God has invested in. Jonah, it seems, was too focussed on his own sense of righteousness, thus ignoring the needs of others. Sometimes we would prefer vindication – an acceptance that we are right – above all else. However, this neglects God’s mission to the outermost. The grace Jonah felt personally (expressed in his earlier prayer – chapter 2), has not transferred into his feelings toward others. Jonah has been exposed as being ‘small-minded’.

Maybe Jonah has had a bad personal experience with Nineveh we have heard nothing about. Can we accept that God may want to forgive someone who has hurt our community or offended us personally, even using us to express this grace? Do we really believe that God is full of mercy, such that we actively offer it to others?? Might we sing about God’s love in church, but restrain it outside these walls!

The reality is that God deeply cares for what he has laboured over – a great city – over 120,000 people – and lest we forget our responsibility over the wider creation, animals are mentioned as well (4:11). In the magnificent last verse, God has an emotional investment in all that he has created. What God has created and deemed “very good”, God will want to redeem and restore relationship with. Are we ready to partner with God in bringing transformation to people’s lives and the community around us? Are we ready to receive, welcome and offer hospitality and care to those who start to appreciate the light?

This involves engaging. We should never be content with occupying a seat on Sundays or going through the religious motions. Yes, God brings the growth, but God chooses us to make the connections. Usually we don’t even have to ask how – we already have neighbours and opportunities to serve in various community groups. We are God’s hands and feet, channels of God’s blessing!

Jonah first ran, and then didn’t align easily with God’s compassion and love. We leave Jonah with the sun beating down on his head, wondering (refer 4:8). We should wonder what happened next in Jonah’s life. Did he get it? Did he grow? The book carrying Jonah’s name challenges us to get on board with God. 

"Whose Approval Counts?" (Proverbs 29:25)

Who do we seek approval from?

When we want to feel appreciated and valued where do we look?

Who do we look to for acceptance?

The need for approval and acceptance is something planted deep within us, as is evident from an early age. The thoughts and opinions of parents matter to their children. What my mother and father thought about me as I was growing up meant a whole lot. Their thoughts and opinions could crush me or lift me in a moment. As we are made for relationship we are also made for approval, and though our parents are often the first ones to give this (or withhold it from us), the truth is that we seek this approval from others all the time. Our sense of approval consciously or unconsciously affects our thoughts, choices and actions every day [with acknowledgement to Jonathan K Dodson here].

This can also lead to ‘appearance management’ (or, ‘impression management’), where we try to be more than we are; we ‘fluff up’ our resume a bit, or talk ourselves up because we just want to be accepted. Ultimately though, the truth will be seen, and in any case, this doesn’t really make us feel any better. We are trying to enhance our reputation ahead of developing our character.

Sometimes we need so much applause.

I know that sometimes when I have posted something on Facebook, I have waited and hoped a certain person will put a ‘like’ there. This is but one example of seeking to build our own feeling of self-worth on the basis of what another person might think. Needing human approval sets up co-dependencies. Men can be dependent on the approval of women, and women on the approval of men. Men seek approval from other men, women from other women. All this is fraught with danger! This is because many times what we think we need, we just do NOT get.

We seek approval from those who are just as broken, if not more broken, than ourselves. If we look into a broken mirror we will only see distorted messages. People often set themselves up as judges, but mostly are not very good ones (judges). And we can be really undone through the criticism of others. This leads to broken relationships, and the inability to deal with relationships properly.

We know the negative power of internalising the non-acceptance of others (as if this is all there is to be known). Sometimes our habit of negative self-talk means that we only hear statements of disapproval.

We want to be liked, accepted and included; we don’t want to be left out.

An ‘approval addiction’ is based on the false idea that I can’t like me unless you like me. This very thing would tend to compromise our behaviour at times, behaving in ways aimed at inclusion, rather than growing who we really are. Rather than doing what is right for us, we do what is desired by others according to their agenda. We sometimes say “yes” to something we really didn’t want to do. We do and say different things for different people, depending upon the predicted response, thus fracturing our lives. We can start to be led by the wrong people down a slippery slope! Sometimes this occurs in something of an unconscious blind spot for us – something that we don’t really recognise in ourselves.

Others don’t want to be challenged by us, so they will seek to get us to conform to their image. A guy called Jesus resisted this himself many times in his life.

So many people bring a variety of expectations of us, some fair, some not so fair. Trying to address such expectations or please these people can leave us in a spin, tied up in knots. This is such a trap! I’ve been here!! I can talk about this with some personal experience. I used to desire approval from my teachers … and I was destroyed when I didn’t get it. For others it might be a colleague, a teammate, a coach, or a partner. And I know that it can be a long journey to that point of no longer internalising negatives. I’m probably still on that journey.

This proverb (29:25), like so many in the Bible, really makes sense:

The fear of others lays a snare, but one who trusts in the Lord is secure.

It’s not that we’re afraid of other people so much (although sometimes we may be), it’s more that we’re deeply concerned with what they think about us or say about us.

Another version of this proverb (from “The Message”) reads:

The fear of human opinion disables, trusting in God protects you from that.

People in the public eye get a lot of feedback … in the newspapers, in social media. The poison tongue of human opinion can disable a person (in a spiritual and emotional sense) just as much as being hit by a bus can (in a physical sense).

People playing competitive sport get all sorts of things yelled at them over the fence (as do umpires). For followers of AFL, think of Adam Goodes, and all the commentary he had to deal with. I’m not saying Adam Goodes is an approval seeker per say, but using him as an example of what sporting people in the limelight, and many others, have to endure. Some people say to people like Adam Goodes that they should ‘harden up’. Really!?! This would not be any sort of solution for a person struggling with the opinion of others – it just represses them and isolates them further.

People struggling with the criticism of others need healthy and encouraging community around them to help rebuild their sense of value. If it is often said, that it takes at least one hundred pieces of real encouragement to offset one cutting putdown. Yet what is needed is for us to start with that first single offer of encouragement.

As natural as it is at times, we should NOT look to others for our approval or sense of value. Only God can really fill this void.

For those of us who believe in God, there is another way.

The Bible suggests (in the very same proverb) that there is safety in trusting in God.

How so?!? The world has the appearance of a dangerous place.

Where is the security in trusting in God?

This trust would be based on an unconditional love that reaches out beyond any offences, shortcomings and personality flaws.

God has created us all in God’s own image, and therefore only sees potential.

God loves us all intimately and has a purpose for our lives.

God rejects no one who comes for help.

As we shall soon reflect on over Easter … God sent his son Jesus into the world to show us how much he cares for us.

God is available to us every day in every situation.

When life gets on top of us, God wants to hug us.

There is our value – there is our approval – let us reflect on that!

The Christian Gospel promotes that we can embrace God, and then learn to be our true self.

A new appreciation of God’s radical love can break through all the old cruel remarks that have burned into out brain over the years. The approval that God brings can liberate us from damage done in the past; and when the next cruel remark or unthinking action occurs, we can more easily ignore it, and forgive it, and NOT internalise it – because all our sense of value rests in God. This level of security is deep and enduring. The only thing we should internalise is God’s gracious love, and the caring and encouraging voices that are speaking to us on God’s behalf. We have been rescued from the need for human approval.

What the young people of our town need are good supporters. Good supporters are those whose hearts and hands are full of love and encouragement. This follows an ultimate example. God is a loving parent and a keen supporter and a loyal friend.

"Standing Out in the Crowd" (Daniel 3)

What would you like to be known for?

What about Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego? What were they known for?

Last week we studied Daniel’s test. When he was commanded not to worship any other than King Darius, he carried on nonetheless to pray with his windows open, in praise and intercession, three times a day (Daniel 6:10). This ultimately led, under the miracle-working hand of God, to an escape from the lions, and a complete change in the attitude of King Darius. Daniel chose allegiance to God over allegiance to the king, to great effect. Daniel expressed his primary citizenship in God’s Kingdom.

This week, under the previous king Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel’s friends, also exiled Jews, also high-ranking public servants, Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego, are commanded to directly worship a “golden statue” … an idol of the King’s own creation … ridiculously large and completely self-indulgent – this also under threat of death if they did not (refer verse 12). The king was seeking to exercise maximum power over people. [in chapter 6, King Darius had to be tricked into this sort of behaviour, but with King Nebuchadnezzar, he already had a hugely inflated ego.]

For Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego, this was totally opposed to what they had come to appreciate in their lives. They worshipped their real and living God – a gracious God who offered people an opportunity to worship Him, not through compulsion and threat, but through their free choice. What would it have meant if they actually worshipped this statue and meekly come under this king’s power?? Would it have mattered?? Others, either apathetically or fearfully, succumbed!

It certainly would have suggested that all Gods/gods were equally deserving of worship; and you could switch allegiance depending on circumstance and self-interest. It wouldn’t have said much about the capabilities and faithfulness of the real and living God, if these ‘boys’ had succumbed to the pressure! Having said that, this was serious pressure.

There are various ways we can be derailed!

There are various interests competing for our loyalty!!

And there can be pressure brought to bear.

It is sometimes very subtle.

There are various challenges to our focus or commitment!

There are various alluring temptations!!

There are various responsibilities that we need to prioritise!

How do we decide these matters?

Where is our measuring stick??

Are we leaders or followers? If a leader, who do we follow? If a follower, who leads us??

What activities aid our progress, or conversely … what activities inhibit our growth?

The threat that Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego faced, seemed even more severe than Daniel’s, because this came right out of the ego and ambition of King Nebuchadnezzar himself (he didn’t need to be manipulated). Just simply worship as I say, and avoid the fiery furnace! Fail to worship as I say, and the “furnace of blazing fire” awaits. Nebuchadnezzar clearly had the expectation that these three would buckle.

There is this staggering statement by the king (verse 15b), “… who is the god that will deliver you out of my hands”. King Nebuchadnezzar is saying that there can be no greater force or higher authority than him. No one can overrule his decisions. He, the king, is the ultimate judge. He defies any other being or ‘god’ to overrule him. There is such arrogance in this statement. There is here the cultural assumption that there is no greater power or authority to be concerned with. Is that not also prevalent today … an unawareness of any greater authority through which to assess/examine/evaluate our moral and ethical behaviour. So, says the king, give in, join the mob, just worship what I say to; like everyone else is doing!

How did these three guys respond?? A basic ‘No’!

Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego (with Daniel) had been tempted by this same King Nebuchadnezzar previously (in chapter 1). There was an attempt to get them to buy into the whole extravagant and elevated palace lifestyle. In their minds this would have clearly dented their primary relationship with God. They wanted to stand out in their faith, not be absorbed into something else. It’s interesting how temptations keep returning in different guises, but each tend towards depleting our relationship with God and our possibility of growth.

It was ‘no’ then, and it is ‘No’ now!!

Verse 16 has the statement of Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego, that “we have no need [O king] to present a defence to you in this matter”. Their lives stood as their own testimony. No point debating – words are unlikely to help in this instance. They would just be … who they are … in God! This would need to be enough. This is why we have to let God do a deep work within us, so our life would be enough witness, without the need for words. Sometimes people are deaf to words, but open to the example of a lifestyle. Of course they wouldn’t worship a false god when they knew the real God! These ‘boys’ knew they were smack bang in the middle of God’s will for them, and that’s where they would stay.

Sometimes our bad decision-making puts us in danger. Ironically, it was good decision-making that put these ‘guys’ at risk.

Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego do not doubt the power of their God to rescue them from the king’s furnace, but they have no right to presume that he will do so. If God happens not to rescue them (in a physical sense), they are ready to take the consequences of rejecting the king’s wishes, rather than compromise. Yet they also knew that God will be with them in all circumstances and situations, including any sufferings, that lie ahead. They act from the depths of their belief system (irrespective of the consequences). The continual application of faith builds courage! And it is courage (and the encouragement of others), that takes us beyond our comfort zones into the places where God would have us be!!

As you might imagine, this stirred up an arrogant man to even greater anger and the severest of reaction. Such was the king’s state of mind, that he would not have thought it possible that anyone could have stood against him. He didn’t really want to destroy these men (for they were good workers) – he just wanted to control them. But the penalty was applied with extreme prejudice (v.19-22).

Yet to Nebuchadnezzar’s astonishment, while expecting to witness the end of these three, quite the opposite occurred. Three “bound” men had been thrown in to the raging furnace (where they were expected to last for only seconds), but four “unbound” men were visible (within the fire), untouched by the flames – with the “fourth” having the appearance of a [REAL?] god (refer verse 25).

This reminds me of words from the prophet Isaiah:

Thus says the Lord, ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour (from Isaiah 43:1-3).

This also reminds me about another ‘test’ recorded in the Bible concerning worship. Right at the start of Jesus’ ministry, just after his baptism, he had that face off in the wilderness. We read in Matthew that Jesus was “led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1). It’s like such temptations had to be soundly dealt with before Jesus could move on. It’s like sometimes we have to be tested before we can grow.

The third of Jesus’ temptations went this way:

Again, the devil took [Jesus] to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to [Jesus], “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me” (4:8-9).

Now it’s irrelevant whether the devil could actually make good on a promise like this, the issue is the possibility of such a temptation. This is the human desire to want it all, to rise above others, to rule and exercise power … whether on the big stage of government or business, or on the small stage of family or community. But what idols or false ‘gods’ would we have to embrace to get there? [Likely these wouldn’t even be the right goals for us anyway!] What would be the outcomes of such behaviours unrestrained?? Broken and strained relationships! Unrealised expectations leading to all sorts of negative health outcomes! Not to mention the complete deadening of our spirit!!

Jesus, of course, handles this perfectly:

                                “Away with you, Satan, for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him’.”

                That dealt with that!! And what happened then??

                                                Then the devil left [Jesus], and suddenly angels came and waited on him (4:10-11).

Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego got it right. Short-term gain could not override long-term loss. We put aside the false ‘gods’ of this world, and humbly worship the One True God that brings freedom and salvation. It was in the midst of faith and fire, that we see Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego “unbound” (verse 25) in the company of God.

What are the false ‘gods’ (or pervasive norms) of our time?? Materialism; personal fulfilment to the exclusion of others (individualism); power and control; bitterness, defensiveness and revenge; fame and success; comfort and ease; apathy; to be one’s own ‘god’ (without the threat of contradiction or change); unhindered living without accountability!?! Only you can decipher what alternative ‘gods’ you are tempted with, and make the needed determinations.

Here’s the key question:

What is it that would tend to stop you worshipping God? And if this is in the area of faith for you (where there might be fear or doubt), what might lie behind this in the past. If you need help with this, I strongly encourage you to seek help. Any sense of defeat, if nipped in the bud, can turn to victory very quickly. Though … negative feelings unchallenged, can be very problematical.

All our ambitions should be centred in God. Ambition outside of God’s will for our lives will only lead to anxiety. Contrary to worldly ambition, our leader Jesus denied himself to the point of sacrificial death with the ambition of opening a new path to God for all of us. True ambition is seen through the lens of loving God and serving others, not promoting self and stepping on others.

So we can be ambitious to become the best … fill in the occupation here … via seeking to please God and build-up others. This is very different to how worldly ambition often plays out. You can refer to a great short article on “ambition” by Greg Clarke (Bible Society Aust. CEO) in the February Eternity magazine.

For those who have abided in God, God has abided with them! Alas, those who have stood up for God don’t always survive in this life, but they always have this abiding presence in their suffering. The dichotomy between the consequences of a fallen world and the activity of a loving God is not always easy to work out. But this we know, Jesus promised to be with us always. Faith is again connected to God’s provision – there was a “fourth” person in that furnace!

That this “fourth” entity had made an impression on the king, we know from his next words, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, SERVANTS OF THE MOST HIGH GOD, come out” (v.26)! It seems that the radical turnaround of both kings, Darius and Nebuchadnezzar, based on the strong testimony and committed actions of Daniel and the three friends, was immediate. Verse 28 reflects an amazing turnaround indeed. Yet, verse 29 shows that he, like Darius, had a long way to go before understanding fully the God that had been revealed to him.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stood out in the crowd. But it was all about their own character, together with God’s faithfulness. They didn’t point the finger at others or judge others; just made sure they were on the right track themselves, and relied on the integrity of their faith in God. They didn’t stand aside from the community, indeed they embraced their civic responsibilities. They just made a difference where they stood, and lived lives that counted. They stood clearly for what they believed in, without erecting barriers between them and others.

It is only the true Jesus-followers who can change what we all bemoan, and restore people and communities to the way they should be.

When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stood out in the crowd, God was standing with them!!