Yours, Mine and Ours

There was tremendous fallout from Peter and John's trial before the Sanhedrin.  They had stood boldly against their charges to proclaim the name of Jesus (Acts 4:13).  

Ultimately, the council simply warned them to stop teaching and healing in His name, something which they openly ignored (Acts 4:18-20).  

These believers celebrated and then prayed for even more boldness to tell the world about Jesus (Acts 4:23-30).  God answered their prayer in an amazing and powerful way (Acts 4:31).

Their filling by the Holy Spirit resulted in incredible community.  It was brief glimpse of what church can be like.  "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul” (v32).  

Complete unity.  

This is what Paul encouraged the Philippians to be (Phil 2:1-11), "being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind."  

Throughout the NT, God calls His church to be unified in and through His Son (2Cor 13:11; 1Pet 3:8).

We much each ask ourselves if this is the condition of our church.  Is my church divided?  Is there a divided focus and mission?  

This doesn't mean that we can't disagree on different issues.  It doesn't mean that we agree perfectly on all things. 

Mark Driscoll refers to "open handed and close handed issues."  The must hold the essential doctrines of our faith with a closed hand.  

These are views on such things as the Person of God, Jesus, the Cross, salvation and the Bible.  We can't budge on these and we hold them tightly in a closed hand.  

Meanwhile, there are other doctrines on which we do not all agree and we hold those in an open hand.  These are things like worship style, the end times, communion and baptism.

The church of Jesus Christ must not be marked by division and bickering.  It must be noted for its unity and singularity of focus.  

One of the big reasons Paul wrote his stinging letter first letter to the church in Corinth was because of factions (1Cor 1:10-17).

The most obvious indication of this Spirit-filled unity in the First Church of Jerusalem is their willingness to share everything with other believers.  They were also open handed in how they viewed their possessions.  

"No one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common” (v32).  They understood that what they had were all blessings from God.  

Yours, mine and ours.

They saw what they had as a way to show grace to others.  These early Christians understood that we are blessed to be a blessing to others.  

And it is a humbling example.  Too often we hold onto what God has given us with a kung fu grip.  

A couple of problems with that.  First, that's not God's design.  Second, it REALLY hurts when He pulls it from our fingers!  We are blessed to be a blessing.

Yours, mine and ours.

Luke tells us that the apostles told everyone about Jesus' resurrection "with great power" (v33).  This was the answer to their prayer for boldness.  

This isn't "kinda sorta special power."  It is MEGA power.  The original Greek describes it as δυναμει μεγαλη/dunamei megala.  

In other words, their testimony about Jesus' resurrection was "mega-dynamic!"  That's what happens when the Spirit of God gets ahold of your life.  Is your testimony "mega-dynamic?"

And don't forget that the empty tomb and the Risen Savior was an essential component of the apostles' teaching (Acts 2:24, 32; 3:15; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30-37).  

We must remember that very most important truth as we tell others about Jesus.  He is ALIVE!  He is RISEN!  And He is till alive today!  

They not only preached with great power but "great grace was upon them all” (v33).  This is χαρις τε μεγαλη/xaris te megala, or “ MEGA grace."  

This is "mega-grace" is a two-sided coin.  On one hand, God had blessed them with His unmerited and undeserved favor.  

On the other, the people of Jerusalem continued to be blown away by what was happening in and through this incredible new movement.

This is a very practical example of the "new command" that Jesus gave His disciples (Jn 13:34-35).  Our love for one another will demonstrate to the world "that you are My disciples."  

The watching world has its eyes on us.  What are they seeing?  Do they see us loving and caring for each other?  

Or do they see us name-calling and infighting?  Let them see our love.  Let them see our love IN ACTION!

Dr. Luke tells us that in the church "there was not a needy person among them" (v34).  Again, can the same be said of our churches today (especially in the US)?  

This isn't to say that our fellowships are to be Christian communes.  No, but it is a call for us to take a "me third" attitude (God first, others second, me third).  

If we saw each other through God's eyes, we would be generous and giving.  Pray that we see with His eyes.

Yours, mine and ours.

We see that these early church members leveraged their belongings, in particular their real estate, to take care of each other.  

They would sell their possessions and give the proceeds to the apostles (v35).  They trusted their leaders to make needed decisions.       

The good doctor then gives us a very practical example of someone who did just that (v36-37).  A guy named Joe.  An average Joe.  

But you may know him better by his nickname.  Barnabas.  This nickname means "son of encouragement."  

One way this Jewish native of the island of Cyprus encouraged his brothers and sisters was to sell a piece of property.  He gave the money to the apostles so they could distribute it to those in need.

One very important reason for this passage is to set up the story of Ananias and Sapphira which follows.  Keep that in mind as you read ahead in Luke's sequel.  Theirs is an example what NOT to do.  But that's for tomorrow.

Do you and I see what God has given us as a means to bless others.  Do we see these blessings as yours, mine and ours?    

©2011

Jay Jennings

Rocky II

 Sequels usually disappoint.  Whether a movie or a book, the second rarely is as good as the first.  

Sylvester Stallone's "Rocky II" is a great example.  But here in his sequel, Luke gives us his version of "Rocky II."  

Simon Peter, who Jesus Himself nicknamed Rocky (Jn 1:42), delivers his second message.  Powered by Holy Spirit, Pete's sermon sequel doesn't disappoint.  

God used his first to save 3,000 (Acts 2:41).  He will use the second to save another 5,000 (Acts 4:4).

The setting for Pete's sermon sequel is Solomon's Portico on the temple grounds in Jerusalem (v11).  

This is the covered porch that surrounded the Court of the Gentiles.  Jesus preached at this very same place on at least one occasion (Jn 10:23).

God has just used Peter and his fellow apostle John to heal a 40-year-old beggar who was unable to walk from birth (Acts 3:7-8).  

Once healed, this dude danced and jumped around like he had just one the lottery.  And the miracle blew people away (Acts 3:9-10).

Once the former disabled dude finishes his victory lap around the Court of the Gentiles, he latches onto Pete and John.  The scene in the temple courts was getting crazy.  

Luke tells us that "the people, utterly astonished, ran together to them” (Acts 3:11).  God's miracles tend to escalate things very quickly.

Rocky saw this is a God-given opportunity to explain to everyone what had just happened and to tell the crowd about Jesus (v12).  He uses this as a chance to set everyone straight on what they had seen.  

Pete tells the excited mob that he and Johnny didn't do anything.  There's no reason to be looking at them ("why do you stare at us?").  

What they had just witnessed had absolutely NOTHING to do with any special power or any great godliness on their part.

Rocky tells the crowd that God did all of this (v13).  And here on the temple grounds, he tells his audience EXACTLY who this God is.  "The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers."  

In other words, the God who healed this man is the one and the same God who made those amazing covenant promises to their Jewish forefathers.  This is the same title God declared for Himself when Moses checked that bizarre burning bush (Ex 3:6, 15).

Pete goes on to say that this miracle was just the way for our Promise-Keeping God bring glory to "His servant Jesus."  

In other words, it was God's way of reinforcing His point that all of the covenant promises are fulfilled in the Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth.  

Through this miracle, God endorses Jesus as Messiah and these two men as His apostles.  Time and time again in the NT, God uses wonders to reassure the people that these apostles are His divine representatives who speak His Gospel.

Rocky uses a very interesting title for Christ, "His servant Jesus."  It is only used of Jesus four times, three of them here in this impromptu sermon (Acts 3:26; 4:27, 30; Mt 12:18).  

The Greek word for servant here is pais/παις.  It can mean child.  But it also can carry the idea of a servant, specifically a king's attendant (Thayer/BDB).

While it's only used four times in the NT, but the Greek translation of the OT (the Septuagint or LXX) repeated uses pais/παις to translate the word servant.  

The Servant is one of Isaiah's most powerful images of God's Messiah (Is 42:1; 49:6; 50:10; 52:13).  This messianic Servant is to suffer at the hand of God on behalf of God's people (Is 53).  

Pete explains that is exactly what has happened to Jesus.  He is the Messiah God promised.  He is that Servant that Isaiah prophesied.

In other words, Jesus and the Gospel of Grace is no sequel.  He is the continuation of God's original story of salvation! 

Here in Rocky's sequel sermon, he goes back to the same theme of the first.  He accuses his audience of killing Jesus.  

Instead of embracing their God-promised Messiah, they handed Him over to Pilate and demanded his execution.  They did all this after the governor had ruled Him innocent time after time.

"But you denied the Holy and Righteous One" (v14).  Pete charges his listeners with giving the Heisman to God's Holy One, for rejecting the Righteous One.  

Note the title.  Jesus was not just holy, but THE Holy One.  Again, a common title for Messiah in the OT, especially by Isaiah.  

There is no one else like Jesus.  He is set apart.  He is unique.  He is completely different.

And He is the Righteous One.  While not used as often, this is another term found in the OT.  As a matter of fact, God uses it to talk about Jesus in Isaiah.  

"By His knowledge shall the Righteous One, My Servant, make may to be accounted righteous, and He shall bear their iniquities" (Is 53:11).  As the Righteous One, Jesus is absolutely without sin.  Pure.  

And if rejecting God's Holy and Righteous One isn't bad enough, Peter points out that the people "asked for a murderer to be granted to you."  

That's Barabbas (Lk 23:18-25).  As bad as Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio was, this was the worst trade in the history of mankind.

Rocky then delivers his knockout blow.  "You killed the Author of Life, whom God raised from the dead" (v15).  

Imagine standing before thousands of people and telling them they killed God.  But that's EXACTLY what Pete did.  

"Author" is the Greek word archegos/αρχηγος.  It means the chief leader, the one out front, the pioneer, the originator.  

The writer of Hebrews uses it twice to refer to Jesus (Heb 2:10; 12:10).  They had taken the life of the One who gives it.

If Pete would've ended his message there, people would have had no hope.  But he doesn't stop there.  

He tells the crowd the Author of Life is no longer dead in the grave.  No, God raised Him from the dead!!!  

They may have killed Christ, but God has something greater in store.  And if the people have any doubts about the fact that Jesus is alive, there are plenty of witnesses.

Rocky tells his audience that it was this same Jesus that actually healed the disabled man.  

"And His name--by faith in His name--has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all” (v16).  

Pete tells the crowd to look at the guy.  He's healthy.  Jesus did that!  And this is picture of what life in the kingdom will be like for all of us.  Perfect health for everyone.

Peter preaches a message of grace.  This is about what God has done and continues to do.  

God made promises to the patriarchs.  God sent Messiah in the form of His Son Jesus.  The people rejected Him.  The people murdered Him.  Yet God offers life and salvation in His name.

God saves us because He is gracious.  He provided everything.  We've done nothing...nothing but reject Him.  

Rocky makes it clear that everything that has happened is God's doing.  The healing of the man.  The offer of salvation.

That's the theme of "Rocky II."  This sequel does not disappoint.

©2011

Jay Jennings

The Record Scratch

Back before Spotify

SKRRRRRRRRP!

That’s the sudden and unexpected sound of a record scratch. Let’s go back before iTunes or Spotify. Before CDs. Before cassettes. Rewind even further. Even before eight-track tapes, everyone listened to vinyl. We ALL listened to vinyl. Not just the nerdiest audiophiles.

Back in the day, folks knew firsthand all about the irritating screech made by dragging the needle across an LP or 45. Fast forward to the 21st Century, the record scratch has become a kitschy sound effect. Or as Merriam-Webster puts it, the noise associated with “surprise or change…an abrupt interruption.”

Leader of the Revolution

Way back even before turntables, Jesus drops such unexpected news on His closest followers that it’s deserving of one of the loudest record scratches in history. He’s just confirmed to the disciples that He is indeed the Messiah, the long-awaited Hero from heaven. Just NOT the kind of Messiah they’re expecting.

The anticipation of the Hebrew nation for the Messiah is a revolutionary political and military leader. He would command the rebellion, throw their Roman oppressors out on their ear, and lead the Jews to become a world superpower like never before.

Instead Jesus reveals He’s come as a very different kind of Messiah. Don’t expect Him to rise up against Rome. No, He’s come to be the suffering Servant who will lead the rebellion against sin and death.

The Messiah Will Suffer?!?

We pick up the story in the eighth chapter of Mark’s Gospel. “Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of the religious law. He would be killed, but three days later He would rise from the dead” (v31).

The Messiah will suffer?!? Be rejected?!? And be KILLED?!?!? What in the wide world of sports is going on here?!?!? That is NOT how this is supposed to go down!! Cue the earsplitting sound of a record scratch.

SKRRRRRRRRP!

Who Is Jesus?

Mark’s bio of Christ takes a hairpin turn here in the middle of chapter 8. Till this point, the second Gospel asks one question over and over and over. Who is Jesus? Could He possibly be Messiah? Is He the One God has promised to send that we’ve all been waiting for?

His weird, bug eating cousin John knew exactly who He was (Mk 1:7-11). So do the devil and his toadies (Mk 1:12). But until now, Jesus keeps everybody else guessing.

Off His Rocker or Straight from Satan?

Is He crazy? His own family thinks so (Mk 3:20, 31-32). Folks in His hometown certainly aren’t impressed (Mk 6:1-6). Religious leaders even suspect He’s on assignment straight from Satan (Mk 3:22).

But as He continues to teach the people, heal the sick and diseased, as well as drive out demons, Jesus’ popularity surges to an all-time high. Is is possible that He’s one of the great prophets of the OT who’s come back for an encore (Mk 6:14-15; 8:28)?

A Hike into the Mountains

All along the way, the Lord starts dropping clues that He could actually be the Christ. Here on this hike from Bethsaida up into the mountains near Caesarea Philippi, Jesus connects the divine dots for the disciples (Mk 8:27-30). Yes, He IS the Messiah!

Not That Long Ago

Strap yourself in their sandals and let that sink in for a moment. This radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth really is the Christ. 

Picture yourself as James or John. It wasn’t that long ago that you were working at your dad’s fishing business when this Man invited you to be part of His posse (Mk 1:16-20).

Or maybe you're Matthew.  You were busy putting the squeeze on your own people and taxing them on behalf of the evil Roman Empire. Then one day, Jesus stops by the office to chat when everyone else avoids you like the plague. Meeting Him is so life changing that you throw a party for your friends so they can meet Him too (Mk 2:13-17).

Blowing Their Messianic Minds

In the months that follow, it becomes even more clear that something is very different about Him. His teaching. His miracles. His compassion. You have those whispered side conversations with the other guys. Could He be the One? Is it really possible?

Here in the shadow of massive Mount Hermon, Jesus confirms He’s the Christ. There’s just one problem. He’s not THAT kind of Christ. Not the one they’re expecting, anyway. As a matter of fact, He’s about to blow their messianic minds.

Jesus’ Personal Favorite Nickname

First of all, Jesus confirms He’s Messiah by calling Himself the “Son of Man” (v31). This is our Savior’s favorite nickname for Himself. This phrase shows up a total of 14 times in Mark. And the only person who calls Jesus the Son of Man is none other than Jesus.

What exactly does the name mean? It comes from a passage in the OT where God pulls back the curtains of the heavenly throne room for a dude named Daniel. What the prophet sees is a divine coronation, a passing of the baton from Father to Son.

Messiah’s Coming out Party

“As my vision continued that night, I saw Someone like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into His presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey Him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed” (Dan 7:13-14).

All Bible scholars agree on the identity whom Daniel sees. The Ancient One is the First Person of the Trinity, God the Father. The Son of Man is the Second Person of Godhead, God the Son.

Dan’s vision is actually the Messiah’s coming out party. So when the Son of God uses the Son of Man as His personal label, it’s His not-so-subtle way of revealing He’s the One the Father has promised to send.

Dripping with Meaning

Jesus reaches deep into the OT and selects a name that drips with messianic meaning. Jews know full well what the Son of Man signifies. It’s another way of saying the Christ or the Anointed One. But it’s a title that probably doesn’t trigger any alarms for the Romans.

This. Must. Happen.

At this point, you can bet the boys are all in. Our Lord is Messiah! Sweet!! We’ve hitched our wagon to the right Rabbi, fellas!!! Suddenly our Savior says that He “must suffer many terrible things” (v31).

What the WHAT?!?!? Messiah is supposed to rule and reign. Who said He “must suffer many terrible things” (v31)? Jesus makes it clear that what’s about to happen isn’t a possibility. There’s no getting around it. This. Must. Happen.

It’s a Lock

“Must” is the Greek verb δει/dei, which means to be necessary and inevitable. It comes from a root word meaning to chain things together or put someone in handcuffs. We’re talking about something that is a lock. It’s not “if” but “when.” 

A little later, the Lord tells the Twelve all about how God will pull all the strings just before His Second Coming. “These things must (Gr. δει/dei) take place” (Mk 13:7). It’s ALL part of the plan. It’s all part of HIS plan!

God’s Gonna Do What God’s Gonna Do

We may think we know what God has to do. There’s just one little problem. God’s gonna do what God’s gonna do. Period. Just ask Job. Here’s what he said to the LORD after his ordeal, “I know that You can do anything, and no one can stop You” (Job 42:2).

When God wants to do something, there’s no getting around it. It’s a lock. This. Must. Happen.

A Prediction of Pain

And Jesus says what’s about to go down is going to be nasty. Well, at least three out of the four. First, He’s going to “suffer many terrible things” (v31). “Suffer” (Gr. πασχω/pascho) is a word in the original language which means to experience physical or psychological pain, if not both.

You might be interested to know that this term is the source for both Passover as well as what we’ve come to call Jesus’ passion describing His crucifixion, death, and burial. This suffering reminds me of when they ask Clubber Lang’s prediction for his fight with Rocky Balboa. “Prediction? Pain.”

Our Savior is predicting His own pain on what we’ve come to call Good Friday. He’ll undergo not just the physical torture of 

scourging and one of the most excruciating forms of capital punishment the world has ever seen, but the psychological torment of rejection by His heavenly Dad.

No Ticker Tape Parade

Second, Jesus breaks it to the boys that He’ll “be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of the religious law” (v31). Imagine the disciples shock at hearing these words. Of all the people on the planet, shouldn’t these guys be the ones who organize the ticker tape parade for God’s Messiah?

The Roster of Religious Big Wigs

Let’s take a snapshot of the roster of religious big wigs the Lord lists here. Leading off are the elders. These are older members of the ruling council who’ve orbited the sun for several decades. They don’t necessarily hold a professional position like a priest or scribe.

Next are the leading priests. These men are in charge of worship at the temple in Jerusalem. It wasn’t that long ago that the chief priest had to be a descendant of Aaron and served for life. But once the Romans rolled in, they threw that out the window and handpicked the high priest.

So the leading priests includes also includes those who had previously served in that role. Apparently, once a chief priest, always a chief priest. The term could also include other important priestly power players at the time.

The So-Called Experts

Last and certainly not least in this who’s who of the Jews are “teachers of the religious law” (v31). A lot of the other translations call them “scribes.” These are the so-called Bible experts who should know the finer points of interpreting and applying Scripture. Notice how I said “should.”

Despite their incredibly impressive resumes, the Lord says these big dogs from the Hebrew home office will reject Him as Messiah. The idea behind this kind of rejection is to kick something to the curb after determining it is counterfeit.

A Brutal Murder

Which brings us to the third part of this terrible triple play. Don’t think this is simply the Jewish leaders telling Jesus “thanks but no thanks.” The Son of God tells the Twelve that “He will be killed” (v31).

That translation of the Greek verb αποκτεινω/apokteino actually soft sells it just a bit. This word describes a brutal murder or dying a violent death. What ultimately awaits Jesus in Jerusalem will be gruesome and gory.

Just to review. Christ says it won’t be pretty. Pain. Rejection. Violent death.

The Suffering Servant

While His closet followers can’t figure out what all this has to do with God’s Anointed One, the prophet Isaiah wrote extensively about how Messiah would actually be what he calls the suffering Servant (Is 52:13-53:12).

This prophetic passage checks all the same boxes that Jesus teaches His team. One, it must happen. “It was the LORD’s good plan to crush Him and cause Him grief” (Is 53:10). In other words, what’s about to happen is right down the center of the Father’s plan.

Suffering, Rejected, Murdered

The Servant Messiah will suffer terribly. “His face was so disfigured He seemed hardly human, and from His appearance, one would scarcely know He was a man” (Is 52:14). The Christ will be “treated harshly” (Is 53:7).

Isaiah describes in detail how the Messiah will be a target of rejection and scorn. “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief…He was despised, and we did not care” (Is 53:3).

And just as Jesus tells the Twelve, He will be brutally murdered. “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter…No one cared that He died without descendants, that His life was cut short in midstream” (Is 53:7, 8). When it’s over, “He was put in a rich man’s grave” (Is 53:9).

The Reason for the Bloody Scene

Believe it or not, Isaiah wrote these words 700 years BEFORE Jesus was born! The prophet also reveals the reason behind this bloody scene. It’s all for you and me. Yeah, you read that right. For you. For me.

“We thought His troubles were a punishment from God…but He was pierced for OUR rebellion, crushed for OUR sins. He was beaten so WE could be whole. He was whipped so WE could be healed” (Is 53:4-5, emphasis added).

SKRRRRRRRRP!

It’s God’s Idea

Yeah, you read that right. This is all God’s idea. It’s the Father’s plan. He gave His one and only Son so that we could have a relationship with Him. It’s the only way to bridge the mammoth chasm between Him and us.

A guy named Paul says it this way AFTER it happened. “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (2Cor 5:21).

Jesus Does for Us What We Can’t

Through the lens of 2,000 years of history, we can see what the disciples can’t. We know that Jesus lives the perfect life that we failed to live. He suffers excruciating pain and is totally rejected so that we never have to be. He dies the death for our sin that we should have died.

But thank heavens that it doesn’t stop there. He rises to a glorious new life that we totally do not deserve.

A Sudden Realization

Zoom back to the scene in Mark. If we could only see the looks on the faces of His disciples at His words. This is certainly not the reception Messiah is supposed to receive. Suddenly they must realize they’ll soon face something very similar. Pain. Rejection. Violent death. Cue the record scratch.

SKRRRRRRRRP!

Drowning out the Best Part

The ear-piercing sound apparently drowns out what Jesus says next. “But three days later He would rise from the dead” (v31). All His talk of agony, denial, and murder is so loud that they never hear the best part.

Two more times, Jesus will look His team straight in the eyes and tell them about His upcoming betrayal, murder, and resurrection (Mk 9:30-31; 10:32-34). And just like the first time, they just don’t understand (Mk 9:32; 10:35-45).

They just don’t get it. And before we get too cocky, you and I wouldn’t either. But it won’t be long before they do. One day soon, the resurrected Christ will come strolling out of the cemetery on a quiet Sunday morning.

A New Mega-Theme

What they don’t understand now is that before the Son of Man can rule and reign forever, He must first suffer and die on our behalf. And so begins the new mega-theme in Mark’s Gospel. Jesus has a date with death in Jerusalem on our behalf.

Later that Friday, an even more deafening scrape will resonate throughout all eternity. When our Savior dies in our place, rocks will split, curtains are torn, and dead will rise. Talk about a record scratch!

SKRRRRRRRRP!

©2018

Jay Jennings