Episode 239 - "Loving discipline for disobedience" - Genesis 3:20-24

Gen. 3:20 The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. 21 And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.

Gen. 3:22 Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” 23 therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

Why does the statement, “The man called wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living” (v.20), matter to us? First of all, scholars debate the meaning of her name, which tells us they don’t really understand how it corresponds to the explanation given. So what do we do? We accept the explanation given by the text. We’ll come back to this in a minute.

This is immediately followed by the statement, “And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.” Wait a minute! Didn’t Adam and Eve already have garments? When their eyes were opened after their disobedience, and they saw that they were naked, the text tells us they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. (Gen. 3:7) This Scripture has raised all kinds of questions and debates. The first issue is that some people see this as God initiating the first sacrifice because the garments were made of animal skins. Many people argue strongly against this by saying that this is reading back into the text something that is established later, and that the author does not intend to communicate the idea of a sacrifice. In response to this argument, I would concede that I cannot recall anywhere in all of Scripture that identifies this incident as a sacrifice. Furthermore, I believe it’s entirely possible that the author, the human author, that is, does not recognize God making garments of animal skin as a sacrifice. But what about the divine author? Is it possible that in God’s inspiration of the Scriptures, there is meaning embedded in what is written, which will not be perceived and understood until the LORD reveals more understanding of his divine plan? I think so. I am inclined to think and suggest that God, through this act, is establishing an example of the shedding of blood and substitutionary atonement for sin. In Christian theology, we understand that we have sinned like Adam and Eve and we are unable to adequately cover our shame through our own effort. The blood of Christ was shed on the cross through the divine will to meet our needs. In our modern society of electronic games, developers of games will often create hidden surprises called “Easter eggs.” I understand the risk of reading my theology back into the Hebrew Scriptures. But Jesus himself told people those Scriptures spoke of him. Essentially, Jesus stated that the Hebrew Scriptures had “Easter eggs” of revelation concerning him.

At the very least, I think it’s appropriate to understand this act of God to reveal that Adam and Eve’s efforts to cover their nakedness and shame were inadequate, and only God could appropriately address it. This leads me back to the question of why the naming of Eve and the garments of skin matter to us. I believe that what we are seeing revealed here is God’s grace. Adam and Eve had just disobeyed the LORD’s one prohibitive command, and the LORD had just revealed the consequences of their sin. Like a loving father disciplining his children for disobedience, he also shows his care for them. He is not disowning them. He still has a purpose for them. Adam acts according to the role God gave him and gives Eve a name to reflect the honor she has in becoming the mother of all living. Finally, God is giving them the covering they need for the broken world they will now live in. We need this reminder at this point in the text because God is about to expel them from the garden. We need to be reminded that when we sin, God’s discipline may be painful, but we are not disowned, and we are still valued and cared for by God.

The conclusion of this segment of Adam and Eve’s disobedience and the consequences pronounced by the LORD is found in verses 22-24. For the first time, it’s clearly revealed that the serpent used some truth in his deception of Eve. In Genesis 3:22, the LORD says, “the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil.” So, he resolved to prevent the man from eating the fruit from the tree of life and living forever. In verses 23-24, the LORD expelled the man from the garden and made it impossible for him to reenter. That sounds mean and vindictive, doesn’t it? Actually, it’s quite the contrary. The LORD intended for humanity to enjoy life and all of his creation eternally, but not in a cursed world and a condition that is a far cry from that in which the people were created. How awful it would be to live forever in such a condition. Again, as strange as it may seem, this was an act of grace and not sadism.

The first few chapters of Genesis clearly reveal God’s power, goodness, patience, justice, mercy, value, and purpose for humanity. These are important principles to remember and embrace in our daily lives to encourage us and sustain our faith.

Episode 166 - "Lead the wandering back to truth" - James 5:19-20

James 5:19   My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

We conclude our study in James with one final sentence of James that is divided into two verses. This entire letter has been James’ attempt to correct ideas, attitudes, and actions that had found their way into the lives of these believers to whom James is addressing. Key among these problems are pride, inappropriate speech to others, and believing that a life of faith could be void of works consistent with what they claim to believe. They were self-centered and not honoring the Lord or serving others.

James’ conclusion is an extension of mercy and hope for redemption of such people who have allowed these things to characterize their lives. It seems that this concluding sentence may shed some light on what he meant in the preceding verses that spoke of those who were sick and the value of confessing sin and praying for healing. (James 5:14-16) Let’s look at this more closely.

James speaks of two kinds of people. There are those who “wander from the truth.” These are people who curse or judge others. They treat some people with a preference, to the neglect and abuse of others, because of money or social status. Some of these people may gain or use their wealth by defrauding others. They exude jealousy and selfishness. Here James is speaking to the second kind of people. They are the ones he encourages to be instruments of mercy and redemption by bringing the first group back to the truth and the way of Jesus.

James tells these Christians they have a responsibility and privilege to be agents of redemption. He says, “let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death . . . “ (v. 20) In our society today, our culture values independence and a “do what feels good to you” attitude. We have a “mind your own business, and I’ll mind mine” attitude that pervades much of our society today. Therefore, James’ counsel is in direct contrast to our societal values. His instruction insists that we have a great responsibility to attempt to lead people back to the truth. We should not be uncaring of the consequences of people’s actions. Why? Because it could lead to their death. Maybe that’s why he spoke of sick people and their need to confess their sins. They should have the elders pray and anoint the sick with oil in the name of the Lord. Through this kind of ministry, they are able to lead these people back to the truth and healing through God’s mercy.

But that is not all that is accomplished by leading a brother or sister in Christ back to the truth. He says this act of redemption “will cover a multitude of sins.” The sins are paid for by the blood of Jesus when he died on the cross. But, if that wandering soul returns to the truth, he is appropriating the forgiveness available to him that restores his fellowship with God. The apostle John wrote in his first letter, 

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:5-10)

John’s teaching supports James' teaching. True Christian fellowship with each other and God requires that we walk in the light of Christ and his truth. When we sin, Jesus is ready and willing to receive our confession, forgive us, and cleanse us from our unrighteousness. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father - Help me walk in the truth of Jesus and in humility toward you and my fellow believers. Let me have the courage to humbly lead others back to your truth.

Episode 151 - "Show no partiality!" James 2:1-7

James 2:1   My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

In reading this, I was tempted to offer no commentary and only a simple prayer. The message is clear. Christians are not to show partiality based upon appearances or economic status. Let’s take a brief look at this, not to suggest that it means anything different, but rather to savor the nuances in James' message that it may make an impact in our lives.

As he has already done multiple times through the first chapter, he addresses his audience once again as “brothers.” (2:1) James is setting an example that he wants his readers to follow. James was a leader in the early church. However, he does not talk down to these fellow Christians. He treats them as fellow siblings in the faith. 

The next thing that is not so obvious in our English translations is that James’ instruction in verse James 2:1 is actually an imperative (command): “Do NOT hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory!” What? Is James telling them NOT to have or hold faith in Jesus? Well, not exactly. He qualifies this imperative by prefacing it with “in partiality.” So, a better translation might read, “Do not hold faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory with partiality.” (My interpretation) The point here is that showing partiality toward people based on their appearance or financial status is in direct contradiction to being a Christian. 

In verse 2, he spells out what this looks like. Notice that he speaks of two men “coming into your assembly.” One of them appears wealthy and the other poor. The insinuation is that if these people are coming to worship with you, they are professing to be believers. This is an important note for what he will soon add. Verse 3 explains partiality as giving favor to the wealthy person while disregarding or even deriding the poor man.

James explains in verse 4 that in showing such partiality, you have “become judges with evil thoughts.”  This is certainly not how the Lord wants to make us complete. It does not demonstrate wisdom or justice that James is telling them is consistent with God’s character. 

In verse 5, James says, “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?” This reveals the foolishness and evil in showing partiality. If God values the poor, who are we to treat them poorly?

James reminds these “brothers” that it is the rich (so-called) brothers who treat them poorly and oppress them through their financial power. (v. 6) In doing so, “they blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called.” (v. 7)

Do you see the connection there? A professing believer with means commits blasphemy if they use their power to oppress others. Yet, we are no different if we show partiality and disregard or deride others. 

Prayer - Lord, humble us to treat everyone in the way that you treat us, with mercy and grace.

Episode 139 - "They knew it was the Lord" - John 21:9-14

John 21:9   When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Prior to Jesus’ interaction with Peter, John described the scene as the disciples arrived at the shoreline with their boat and dragging their net full of fish. They had fished all night without catching a single fish and along came Jesus who told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. They obeyed Jesus’ command and the result was an immediate and overwhelming success. John specified here the exact count of 153 large fish. John so frequently includes little details that have significant implications or meaning and I can’t help but wonder if there is significance to this detail. At the very least it defines the magnitude of the catch or perhaps the abundant provision of God. One can find a number of interesting and plausible interpretations for this specified number within many commentaries. 

For my purposes here, I’d like you to notice what the disciples see when they first got to shore. Jesus had a fire going with breakfast of fish cooking on the charcoals along with some bread for his meal. Where did these come from? He wasn’t on the boat. There’s no record that he had his own net or fishing pole. This caused me to recall John chapter four when Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman at the well. After his disciples returned from town with food and the woman went to town to tell others about Jesus, the disciples encouraged Jesus to eat. But Jesus replied, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” (John 4:32) Shortly he explained, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” (John 4:34) Soon after this Jesus would take a few small fish (contrasted with 153 large fish) and a few loaves of bread and multiply them to feed thousands of people. It would seem from John’s observation and interpretation of Jesus’ providing the fish and the bread served to remind these disciples of how Jesus had provided for so many before. We see throughout the Scriptures the importance of remembering what God has done before. Sometimes people even built monuments as a means of reminding them and also as a means to teach others who this God is and what He has done. The end purpose is to trust in the LORD because we remember that God is able and God is willing to provide what we need.

In verse twelve, Jesus invited them to have breakfast. I think that Peter was not the only one who was struggling with the LORD’s presence due to guilt or shame they had abandoned him when he was arrested. Notice that John mentioned that no one asked him “Who are you?” Why does John feel the need to say this? These are people who had been living with him for the past few years. They know what he looked like. I suspect that their shame evoked by his appearing to them alive was uncomfortable. Furthermore, it would have conflicted with their reason. “Is he really, physically alive and here with us?” they might have thought. It would be easy to think out loud, “Are you really the Lord?” But, John says that they didn’t ask him because they knew it was him. Now, here he is inviting them to eat with him once again. It’s a way in which he is communicating that he wants to fellowship and be present with them. He has not and will not abandon them. 

Finally, John mentions this was the third time he appeared to his disciples. Again, I believe John has a purpose in providing this detail. In my opinion, it’s an indication of what is about to transpire between the Lord and Peter and perhaps the others who may be hearing what Jesus is saying to Peter and perhaps indirectly to them. Peter had denied three times that he knew Jesus after Jesus’ arrest. Now, this is the third time the resurrected Lord has appeared to him and the others. Despite Peter’s attempts to separate his identity as a friend of Jesus, Jesus is demonstrating that he is still with them. 

What speaks to me in this story is the grace and mercy Jesus showed to his disciples. He knows their thoughts and he understands their feelings. He draws them to him in fellowship through this amazing provision and a meal. As we will soon see, he has not cast them off from the purpose he has established for them. They will soon become fishers of mankind.

Episode 56 - A Need for Mercy, A Call to Holiness - John 7:53-8:11

John 7:53   [[They went each to his own house, John 8:1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”]]

In many English translations of this section, you will notice a footnote for it or, as in this case, there may be brackets around the text. The reason for this is that a number of scholars believe this story was not in this part of John’s Gospel, or at least not in this location. They have their reasons for that view and I am not equipped to argue one way or the other. But, whatever the answer is, no one is saying that this is not a true story. Most importantly, the story is consistent with Jesus’ actions and teaching. In this story, we find a beautiful balance of a call to living in a manner that is right and pure as well as a demonstration of grace and mercy.

The scribes and Pharisees bring a woman to Jesus who was caught in the act of adultery. (v4) They inform Jesus of the charge and tell him that the Law was given by Moses “commanded us to stone such women.”(v5) This may seem harsh to us that adultery would call for capital punishment. But, we must be careful to not impose our own cultural values upon a people two thousand years removed and half a world away. The view of adultery in the twenty-first century of Western culture is mixed. Adultery leads to much pain and divorce in many marriages. But, there are others who think nothing about it. 

When we look at the creation of marriage in the opening chapters of the Bible, we see that this is a special relationship intended by God to be a tangible expression of unity and harmony that is perfectly existing in the divine Godhead. A marriage relationship is supposed to demonstrate covenant faithfulness. Adultery is a clear and strong violation of that relationship. Therefore, it is an expression of our rebellion against the character of God. In light of that, it becomes more clear as to why God told Moses that this sin merits the death penalty. 

But, there’s a problem here. Did you notice it? They only brought one of the guilty parties. If they caught this woman in the act, did they not catch the man in the act? If so, why did they not bring him as well? The Law didn’t call for the woman to be put to death. The Law required that both of them be put to death. (See Leviticus 20:10 and Deuteronomy 22:22-24) Something is fishy here.

John tells us their motivation in bringing her to Jesus. They wanted to trap Jesus. Nothing in this story lessens the offense of the woman. However, these people who are using this woman for their own evil desires are violating the Law themselves in various ways. 

Jesus’ response is to bend down and draw in the dirt with his finger. He does it twice. What is he drawing? Some have suggested that he’s writing the sins of these accusers. Others have suggested that just as God wrote the Ten Commandments with His “finger,” Jesus is writing the Ten Commandments in the dirt. The text doesn’t tell us. But, I’m inclined to suspect this latter suggestion to be the answer. These two writings in the dirt are split by Jesus standing and telling them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.”

Whether they are convicted concerning their own sin or simply smart enough to realize their objective had failed is uncertain. But, their response is simply to leave. Jesus is the lone individual who had the right to throw the first stone. According to the Law, he would have been just in doing so. But, he demonstrates mercy and does not condemn her. He also doesn’t downplay her sin. He tells her to stop sinning. 

God’s grace and mercy are never to give us a pass to do what we want. It is not God turning a blind eye to our rebellious actions. God’s grace and mercy are for us to see God’s love toward us and that we should desire to live in a manner that demonstrates God’s faithfulness, love, and mercy to others. 

Episode 48 - Are you offended? - John 6:60-65

John 6:60   When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

Did you notice something? Up to this point, we’ve seen “the Jews” as those who are not receiving or believing in Jesus even though they’ve seen evidence and recognize the divine source of what Jesus is saying and doing. But now, even many of Jesus’ disciples are letting their reason and pride get in the way of faith and an appropriate response to God’s revelation through Jesus. Through their unwillingness to accept what Jesus is telling them about himself, they are saying that no one can accept his teaching. 

I love Jesus’ response to them. “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?” Where is that? Where was Jesus, the Son of Man, before? Answer: With the Father in Heaven. I’m not certain. But, I think there is an element of sarcasm in Jesus’ words. Basically, he’s saying that they’ve seen him work miracles and recognized those miracles as indicative of Jesus being the Prophet like Moses. They recognize a divine source or authority in what Jesus is doing. But, they are rejecting it. So, Jesus is saying, “If I do something more significant and more that testifies of my origin from heaven itself, you will reject even more.” Wow!

This is why in verse 63 he says, “the flesh is no help at all.” Jesus is telling them that their eyes, and all their senses with their human reason does not help them have faith. “It is the Spirit who gives life” and “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (v63) They need to trust Jesus' words. He is explaining to them that by saying that they need to “eat his flesh” and “drink his blood” it is a spiritual message and not literal cannibalism. They need to internalize everything that he says and trust him because they are the eternal life giving power from God. 

Then, he says, “But, there are some of you who do not believe.” (v. 64) John adds that Jesus knew all along who did/would believe and who wouldn’t. He even knew who would betray him. Yet, he still called them to follow him. How could he possibly know this? Answer: He’s from heaven. He is God. Despite everything that God already knows, He demonstrates His grace by inviting people to hear Jesus’ words and to believe him.

This section closes by Jesus telling these people that no one can come to Jesus unless granted by the Father. The point of this statement is to emphasize the reality that people do not get to heaven by their own schemes and efforts. All the credit goes to God who leads people to Jesus. They need to trust in him.

Episode 29 - In "light" or in "darkness?"

John 3:19-21

19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

John has just told us that those who have not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God are already condemned to perish. But, those who receive God’s love and receive eternal life are those who believe in His name. In case one might think that this could be arbitrary and perhaps unfair, our text for today makes it clear on what basis are this judgment and condemnation. 

Verse 19 says that 1) the light has come into the world and 2) people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. So, based upon what we’ve already been told in this book, we know that the “light” or rather “true light” that came into the world is the Word which was in the beginning with God and was fully God and that the light and Word is Jesus. Remember, John has already told us that he did not come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. The point here is that God is not only demonstrating His mercy and compassion to mankind, but He’s also making it painfully obvious. Think of this picture being given. Consider what happens when light is brought into a dark room. The darkness is dispelled and much is illuminated with even a little light. Jesus is the true light that came into the world. 

So, why doesn’t everyone believe in Jesus? Why aren’t people clamoring to find out more about him? John tells us right here; “people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” They don’t want God’s light. If that’s the case, it is not so difficult to understand why there is judgment. God alone is the source of what is good and right.

Notice how verse 21 helps us understand more about others; those who do come to the light. It says, “whoever does what is true (or faithful) comes to the light.” Don’t overlook the fact that some people come to the light. Why is this important? Because this is revealing that they weren’t always in the light if they are coming to the light. They themselves have done evil things and have been in the darkness. 

So why would they come to the light? John tells us, “So that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” There is a two-fold benefit in coming to the light. The first is so that our own evil is exposed by the light and secondly, so that we and others around us recognize that the truly good things we do are actually from God working in us. 

Do you see the amazing freedom there is in that? God sent His only Son into the world to provide us an escape from the judgment for our evil works, but He is also working good within us. There is a concept that should inspire our praise and worship.