Monthly Archives: February 2009

Yes, Yes, No… Jesus Makes Us Marvel

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Mark 5 hosts the story of Jesus healing the demon-possessed man in the country of the Gerasenes. There is something rather odd in this narrative. Three different characters beg Jesus.

The demons beg Jesus to stay in the country (v. 10) and to enter the pigs (v. 12).

The people beg Jesus to leave the country (v. 17).

The man freed of demons begs Jesus to go with Him (v. 18).

The same word for beg (παρακαλεω) is used in vv. 10, 12, 17, 18. The repetition signifies some sort of significance. Odd is the point that Jesus grants permission to each plea except for the man who He just set free. Contrary to what he told the demons and the frightened people, Jesus told the liberated man, “No.”

The man is sent back to Decapolis to tell them how much the Lord has done for him. Jesus turned down his request and commanded him to testify of God’s mercy. This is glorious, but it is not like the man’s begging was vain to begin with. He just wanted to be with Jesus. He wanted to go with this man who had just healed him. 

I do not doubt that there is a textual strategy at work here. Decapolis comes up again in 7:31. This is in the context of the rebuke of Jewish tradition and the existence of Gentile faith (cf. v. 19). But for now, let us just be stumped by the content and marvel at a Savior who can do whatever He wants and who always knows best.

Here is a Savior who has the authority to cast out demons… who has the wisdom to grant permission to the demon’s ridiculous petition but at the same time shoot down a saved man’s noble petition. And we don’t get this we can’t get this! And it is quite okay to live in such a tension. Our God is One beyond our finding out. Even in the peak of His revelation He is doing things beyond us… let us marvel at Him! Let us sing to Him! Let us testify of His mercy!

Triune God, please give us grace to trust Your hand of goodness, even when we are most confounded by Your ways.

A Good Question to Ask Ourselves: Do We Pretend to Be Wiser Than God?

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Spurgeon here concerning preaching…

The glory of God being our chief object, we aim at it by seeking the edification of saints and the salvation of sinners. It is a noble work to instruct the people of God, and to build them up in their most holy faith; we may no means neglect this duty. To this end we must give clear statements of gospel doctrine, of vital experience, and of Christian duty, and never shrink from declaring the whole counsel of God. In too many cases sublime truths are held in abeyance under the pretence that they are not practical; whereas the very fact that they are revealed proves that the Lord thinks them to be of value, and woe unto us if we pretend to be wiser than he.

C. H. Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, 412

Cutting Back on Coffee

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This happens periodically. And so it is that time again. I am cutting back on coffee. I must decrease the amount of coffee I drink and break my dependence upon the substance. In the past when I have cut back, all it takes is a late night or rigorous study streak to force me off the wagon. That could likely happen again, I don’t care. The point is that I am cutting back now. I will put forth the following reason and strategy:

Reason-

To drink less coffee is best. If something is best and it is possible, then why would I not pursue it?

Strategy-

  1. One cup a day, in the morning
  2. Supplement hot tea for the other coffee urges throughout the day
  3. Vitamins for energy (Multivitamin and B12)
  4. Appropriate sleep
  5. Pray, pray, pray (trust in Jesus)

Michael Scott, The Office, and the Evil in Our Hearts

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What can we learn from Michael Scott?

My greatest social oversight in college was that I did not watch the NBC comedy The Office. Over the past month the show has become a humorous discovery for Melissa and I. We have watched dozens of past episodes, as well as trying to keep up with the current season. We laugh aloud all throughout the 20 minute shows. The more we watch, the funnier. There is something about the character personalities and interactions that is just fun. The boss of the Scranton branch of the small paper company, Dunder Mifflin, is a man named Michael Scott. His character is the hub of the comedy. His work ethic is near to none. The viewers wonder how his branch is successful, and how in the world he got his position!

But Michael is a nice guy. He cares for his employees. And it is very obvious that he wants them to care for him. He really wants them to like him. In each episode, in one way or another, Michael vies for their approval. He really seeks to be popular. This paper company boss is portrayed to be a very naive, spotlight-seeking man. And it is portrayed in a way that he is liked, pitied, and object of cheerful laughter. He is not power-hungry and grumpy, he is not foaming at the mouth as an inconsiderate monster.

My assessment of his character’s condition is not ugly in its manifestation. But I think it is a most atrocious situation that puts Michael Scott at a level of vanity so high we couldn’t see it with a telescope. He is a self-worshiper. He is a self-evangelist. It should not fool us that the best method of self-propagation is generosity. Be nice to people so that they will like you. That doesn’t look as evil as it is. Michael Scott is willing to nearly do anything to make his employees like worship him. So much so that he is sad when he thinks he has lost face, happiest when he is complimented.

Michael Scott is a vain man. He is an idolater. A prideful man. A self-worshiper.

Michael Scott is the clearest picture of who we are, who I am. And that is nothing to laugh at. As a matter of fact, I want the Michael Scott in me to die. I don’t want to be the that way. That is not gospel. The approval God has of me, through Jesus Christ, in spite of me, is enough. That is enough. If the only Sovereign of the universe declares me righteous by the blood of His Son, then why would I care about any other opinion?!

Yes. Jesus Christ is enough.

Wild Joy

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“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.”

(1Thessalonians 1:6-8 ESV)

By what is the ever-spreading faith characterized? Joy in the Holy Spirit. That is, joy in the midst of much affliction. 

Joy in the context of suffering is a wild thing. It is most exotic. Like Sasquatch walking in Times Square.  It is a head-turner, an eye-opener, a mind-stumper, a faith-stirrer. This is not a superficial glee. There is a strange deepness here. Real joy.

Lord Jesus, may it abound in Your people among the nations–from You, in You, for You!

Living By Faith that Lives

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“Although the Christian is thus free from all works, he ought in this liberty to empty himself, take upon himself the form of a servant, be made in the likeness of men, be found in human form, and to serve, help, and in every way deal with his neighbor as he sees that God through Christ has dealt and still deals with him. This he should do freely, having regard for nothing but divine approval. He ought to think: ‘Although I am an unworthy and condemned man, my God has given me in Christ all the riches of righteousness and salvation without any merit on my part, out of pure, free mercy, so that from now on I need nothing except faith which believes that this is true. Why should I not therefore freely, joyfully, with all my heart, and with an eager will do all things which I know are pleasing and acceptable to such a Father who has overwhelmed me with his inestimable riches?” 
 

Martin Luther, The Freedom of a Christian, 304

… but we are His.

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In Christ all perfections of mercy and love meet. How great then must that mercy be that lodges in so gracious a heart? Whatever tenderness is scattered in husband, father, brother, head, all is but a beam from him; it is in him in the most eminent manner. We are weak, but we are his; we are deformed, but yet carry his image upon us.

Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed, 62

As a Manner of Theme…

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I agree with Jim Hamilton that the theme of Acts consists of the resurrection of Christ terminating on the glory of God. He writes in Themelios 33.3 (2008) 34-47…

This essay contends that the intended result and natural outcome of the resurrection, the forgiveness of sins available through the cross, the healings, and the overcoming of opposition to the church, is the ascription of glory to the God who has accomplished salvation through judgment (e.g., 2:47; 3:8–10).

This is the repeated theme of the narrative. But what of the manner whereby this theme is carried out? 

 It is that the apostles spoke. They were saying stuff. Important stuff. Their mouths opened and amazing things flowed out. I think Luke emphasizes the manner by showing us what they were saying and how they were saying it.