God’s Father

Hosea 14:1 O Israel, return to the Lord your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity; 2 Take words with you, And return to the Lord. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. 3 Assyria shall not save us, We will not ride on horses, Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, 'You are our gods.' For in You the fatherless finds mercy." 4 "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. 6 His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon. 7 Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon. 8 "Ephraim shall say, 'What have I to do anymore with idols?' I have heard and observed him. I am like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found in Me." 9 Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.

God has a heart for fathers.

The very title He has chosen for Himself - of all those He could have had us refer to Him by – is ‘Father.’

If there is anyone to be chosen as a role model for fathers and fatherhood, it is God Himself.

God indicates His great concern for the role of fatherhood by His great concern for the fatherless.

43 times in His word, God refers to the plight of the fatherless. In fact, one of the main reasons He chose to judge the nation of Israel is because they did not care for the fatherless children in their midst.

In the Book of James, the Holy Spirit tells us concern for the fatherless is one of the marks of “true religion.” In other words, if you are truly seeking the heart of God, one of the marks of that seeking will be a true concern for those who are fatherless.

In our “modern” age, we have begun to think fathers may not be necessary at all. (Perhaps this was part of Israel’s crime as well.) We say that anyone can raise a child, and that two women or two men doing that job are as equipped as the standard nuclear family to accomplish all that is needed in child-raising.

We have replaced confusion for care and concern. Who is the author of confusion?

That we may have a concern for the fatherless tells us how concerned we are to be for our own actions as fathers. In full definition, a ‘father’ is much more than biological, and this is probably the strongest indication of what God is driving at in His judgment of the people over their lack of concern for the fatherless.

In short, His concern is for the children, plain and simple. The innocent victims of fatherlessness – and most of all the Godlessness of fatherlessness – have always been God’s children. It takes a Godly father to raise a Godly child. Are you God’s father to His children?

-Pastor Bill

The Invitation

Matthew 22:1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 2 "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding." ' 5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. 7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.' 10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are called, but few are chosen."

Jesus next tells a parable involving a wedding invitation.

God’s invitations are different than man’s.

In many cases, when we send an invitation, it is in reality the solicitation of a gift, (according to our culture.) Now, while this may sound a bit crass, it is also true. Very cultured, though.

The receipt of an invitation to a wedding, or a graduation, tells us we are known, we are loved, we are accepted, we are invited to attend, and…we are also invited to go somewhere and pick something up to bring with us or send in the mail. A check will do nicely.

SOMETIMES, the invitation is accompanied by directions about where we may shop to purchase what the one who sent the invitation desires to receive. When we get to the store, we are invited to consult a registry containing ONLY those things which are desired to be received. Very practical. Very congenial. Very cultured.

It keeps the one sending the invitation from having to return the gift you are expected to provide, because you brought with you something they did not need or desire. That would be terrible.

When God offers an invitation, it is all on Him to provide all the characteristics of what the invitation entails. All He desires is you. He even gives you all the gifts He desires to receive, according to the invitation.

And God does not distinguish. He invites everyone. He desires all to come to His ‘Wedding Party,’ and He welcomes all those who will come. He only requires you come according to His “dress code.” In this case, the clothing choice is not merely symbolic – it is a revelation of the condition of the heart of the one responding to His invitation. Will you come? Will you come according to His design?

-Pastor Bill

History as Teacher

Matthew 21:33 "Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 34 Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. 35 And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. 37 Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 38 But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.' 39 So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?" 41 They said to Him, "He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons." 42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'? 43 "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder." 45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. 46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.

It has been well said if you pay no attention to history you are doomed to repeat it.

There are several places in the Bible where a direct recitation of the history of the Jews is provided. Acts 7 is one, with the speech of Stephen before the High Priest and the accusers of the Sanhedrin.

Acts 13 gives us Paul’s account of the history of the Jewish people, how they were enslaved in Egypt, and how God rescued them and brought them into the Promised Land, while driving out the occupants of the land He was providing them.

Both accounts recognize and memorialize God’s care for the Jews, while also reminding us of a problem prevalent among them of not listening to God in the present – even while celebrating all He has done for them in the past.

That’s a strange thing isn’t it?

To consider yourselves a Promised People in a Promised Land – and yet not be presently aware of all God is doing in the here and now? And to learn this has always been the case?

Can you indeed celebrate the history of your people – and the glory of God in working with your people – while at the same time refusing to understand exactly how inglorious the behavior of your people has always been before God when it comes to the prophets God has sent you to reveal His glory?

This is exactly what Jesus is telling the Jews here. God has always been on your side, but you have never been on His. That is a tragedy, and by not making yourselves aware of this history you are presently repeating it, and are about to perform the greatest tragedy in the history of the world.

-Pastor Bill

Usurped Authority

Matthew 21:12 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 And He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.' " 14 Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant 16 and said to Him, "Do You hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?" 17 Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there. 18 Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, "Let no fruit grow on you ever again." Immediately the fig tree withered away. 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither away so soon?" 21 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." 23 Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?" 24 But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 25 The baptism of John--where was it from? From heaven or from men?" And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 26 But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet." 27 So they answered Jesus and said, "We do not know." And He said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. 28 "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' 29 He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, 'I go, sir,' but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said to Him, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.

From the Book of Exodus on down, the Hebrew people have been given charge over what relationship with Holy God should be like, granted by the authority of God.

That relationship has a “look” and “feel” is unquestionable in human experience, and it is the same with God. God has provided guidelines about how relationship with God is to take place – and to take the design He has provided and make it into something else is a fruitless abomination before God.

This is what Jesus is so profoundly demonstrating to all who would see in the days just prior to His death. The leaders of the “faith” have misled the people into callousness and fruitlessness, the people chose to follow - and within 40 years the Temple, the city of Jerusalem, and the Hebrew people would be withered and dead, with a mere remnant left to survive, even to this day.

-Pastor Bill

Sight for the Blind

Matthew 20:29 Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. 30 And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!" 31 Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!" 32 So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 33 They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." 34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

Matthew 21:1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them." 4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: 5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.' " 6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' Hosanna in the highest!" 10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?" 11 So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee." 12 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 And He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.' " 14 Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant 16 and said to Him, "Do You hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?" 17 Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there.

As Jesus leaves Jericho for the final time, He is acknowledged by a blind man in a way that reveals the true nature of sight.

Previously, Jesus had also healed a blind man at Jerusalem on the Sabbath. When He was accosted by the Pharisees because he had healed the blind man, Jesus told them it was they who were blind, not because they saw – but because of what they overlooked.

Now it is Bartimaeus seeing things no one in this crowd can see. In his physical blindness, this blind man saw Jesus as the ONLY one who could possibly heal him. There is a great difference in seeing Jesus from a place of desperation and seeing Him from a place of “interest.” Jesus honors that difference every time.

As He enters Jerusalem, Jesus encounters that same contrast in the eyes of the crowd. Who will see Him for Who He truly is? Who will remain willfully blind?

-Pastor Bill

Raising Servants

Matthew 20:20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. 21 And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom." 22 But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." 23 So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father." 24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." 29 Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. 30 And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!" 31 Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!" 32 So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 33 They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." 34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

Salome, John and James’ mother, comes to Jesus to ask of Him what all mothers with a knowledge of Christ may desire to ask of Him, should they be so bold.

Apparently, Salome was that bold.

And it stands to reason, as Jesus had nicknamed her boys, “Sons of Thunder.” They had to have gotten that spirit from somewhere, and we see in this passage their mother is a likely candidate to have instilled that nature in her sons.

Now she asks Jesus to set her sons above all others in the kingdom of heaven. She understands it is “His kingdom,” and she senses His ability to install those He will where He will in His kingdom.

Jesus fends her off by teaching her the source of true greatness. While declaring this greatness of position is not of His design, but of the Father, Jesus goes further by declaring what is demanded of those who would follow and seek Christ’s greatness.

It would come at a high price. Discipleship would cost everything – and even then to be at His right hand and at His left was not something to strive for.

That which Jesus encourages us to instill in our children is a sense of servanthood. A desire for it. Servitude…for my son?

This is totally contrary to what most of us seek as parents. Can you imagine, (upon the birth of your child,) praying to God and asking, “Dear Lord, please make my son a servant?”

While it may be beyond our imagining, Jesus declares this is the source of greatness. Jesus says, “Whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant.” Do you desire greatness for your child?

-Pastor Bill

The Debt You Owe

Matthew 20:1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.' 8 So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.' 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.' 13 But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." 17 Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, 18 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, 19 and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again."

What is the economic basis of the kingdom of heaven? Is it what you deserve to receive – or is it the debt you owe?

Religion teaches me what to do so I can have a sense of accomplishment. With the sense of accomplishment comes the additional sense that somebody owes me something. Since God apparently sits at the head of the religious system – then it is God who owes me what I deserve to receive for accomplishing what I have accomplished.

Can you imagine “serving” God all your life, only to see someone come in at the last minute - serve Him for that minute – and then receive the same reward as you? That would be terrible wouldn’t it?

Compare this attitude with Jesus’ attitude toward His reward, (for my sake.)

He says, “the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify.” Does it sound as though Jesus is concerned with what He is owed?

Or does it sound as though Jesus’ only concern is to personally pay the debt I owe? If Jesus has personally and completely paid my debt – then what do I owe Him? At the very least, I owe Him an equal concern for others that He has for me.

-Pastor Bill