Captain Obvious

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (Philippians 2:1-2).

Captain America has his Vibranium shield. Captain Crunch is a legend because of crunchberries. But my new favorite is Captain Obvious. He’s awesome. This dude possesses the not-so-superpower of recognizing and stating facts that are crystal clear to everyone who can fog a mirror. From his prison cell in Rome, Paul demonstrates that he may we'll have similar abilities. He tells his friends back in Philippi that if four facts about our faith are true then there’s really only one thing we must to do. And it becomes crystal clear that the apostle isn’t using any sort of prophetic mumbo jumbo. He states these conspicuous truths as a way of reminding us who Jesus is and what He’s done for us. Since all Christ has accomplished is undeniable, our response is without question. Just call the apostle Captain Obvious.

Most Bible translations make it seem that there’s some doubt about these four proposals. The very big difference is how we understand a very little word. “If.” Paul kicks off chapter 2 by writing “So if there is any…” (v1 emphasis added). This is the itty bitty Greek term ei. Can we translate it to mean an uncertain outcome? You betcha. But it also can mean since, surely, and because. It can be used to a express a fact regarded as true. Instead of “if” try inserting “since it is true that…” Take each one of the following four proposals and know that they are actually stone cold, lead pipe locks. Surely, what the apostle says here is totally legit. And don’t call me Shirley.

So let’s take a closer look at Paul’s proposals. Call them the Fantastic Four (hey, we’ve got a superhero thing going, so why stop now?). First up, he wants to know if anybody out there has “any encouragement in Christ” (v1). The apostle drops a word (Gr. paraklesis) that paints a picture of somebody walking alongside and helping a buddy when times are tough. Once we place our trust in Jesus, He promises to never leave us hanging. Never to leave us alone. Always have our back. We may hike through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but we never have to do it solo. Jesus walks with us. Through downsizing. Through divorce. Through chemo. He’s there with us, encouraging us every step of the way. Here’s the deal, the Son of God came a LONG way to be by our side. He left the comforts of the heavenly palace to execute the most awesome rescue mission the universe has ever seen. So is “there any encouragement in Christ” (v1)? Well, duh!!

Second, the apostle proposes there is “any comfort from love” (v1). “Comfort” is the Greek word paramuthion, which also means an incentive, persuasion, stimulation, arousal, or even calming. So just how does God’s love persuade us? First of all, Jesus tells Nick at night about His Heavenly Dad’s incredible demonstration of love for those made in His image. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). And just what did we do to deserve such an incredible gift? “But God shows His love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). In other words, we did absolutely nothing to earn His love. Instead of earning God’s love, we were terrorists against His kingdom. Jesus came anyway as an act of divine grace. Tullian Tchividjian refers to grace as God’s descending, one way love. We REALLY deserve death. Instead He puts us under the waterfall of His grace. Doesn’t His love persuade you to do something? Doesn’t His love stimulate you? Persuade you? So is there “any comfort in from love” (v1). You’re kidding, right? Of course there is!

Paul’s third proposal: is there “any participation in the Spirit” (v1)? He’s talking about how the Third Person of the Trinity makes us teammates in the Gospel. As followers of Jesus, we become partners who cooperate together. Sure there are other groups, clubs, and organizations that participate as teams. But there’s one HUGE difference between these gangs and Christ’s crew. His Holy Spirit. Jesus gives each believer gifts through the power of the Spirit. We’re to use those spiritual gifts to build up, challenge, and encourage each other (1Cor 12:4-11). There’s no flying solo in the Spirit. No Lone Rangers for Jesus. We only get the full blessing of God’s Spirit when we hook up and team up with other followers. So is there “any participation in the Spirit” (v1)? You betcha!

The fourth and final proposition from Paul is actually a dynamic duo. As a follower of Jesus, do we experience “any affection or sympathy” (v1)? Let’s be clear, when the apostle writes “affection,” he’s not talking about a warm, fuzzy feeling full of rainbows and teddy bears. This is the Greek word (Gr. splagchnon) for guts, bowels, or intestines.  Has what Jesus has done for you hit you on a gut level? Is there a visceral reaction to His substitutionary life, death, and resurrection on your behalf? Paul pairs this gut level “affection” with “sympathy” (v1). Here’s another intestinal term (Gr. oiktirmos) that describes a connection with others on such a deep level that makes their suffering your suffering. That’s exactly how Jesus reacted when He got a firsthand glimpse of the sick and disenfranchised. “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36). Does your heart break when you see people’s pain? After trusting in Christ, did your heart suddenly become super sensitive to others? So once Jesus gets ahold of us, do we have “any affection or sympathy” (v1)? No question!

There’s absolutely no doubt about this Fantastic Four of faith in Christ. So now that Paul has proved he’s the first century version of Captain Obvious, what do we do with these? So glad you asked. The apostle writes, “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (v2). If you’re wondering how you could put a smile on the face of the man from Tarsus in his prison cell, stuff a sock in your arguing and start getting along. Nothing would make Paul happier than hearing that his friends in the Philippian church are living in harmony. The night before His murder, Jesus asked His Father for that kind of oneness among His followers. He prayed that we would have the same sort of supernaturally intimate relationship He had with His Dad (Jn 17:11).

Can we take an honest look in the mirror for just a moment? As God’s people, we aren’t exactly known for our teamwork and harmony. Same mind? Same love? One accord? Instead of sharing the unconditional love of Jesus with our friends and neighbors, we’re too busy arguing over silly stuff like music styles, wardrobe, and drinking alcohol. It’s as if Paul saw it coming almost 2,000 years ago! Let’s stop getting our undies in a bundle about the differences in how we worship and celebrate our agreement and union in what we believe. According to the apostle, that’s “being of the same mind, having the same, love, being in full accord and of one mind” (v2). Sometimes we need to be reminded of what is right in front of our face. Just call Paul "Captain Obvious."

Breaking Down the Roster

A pro sports league forms a new team through expansion. Once they select the new leaders of the franchise, this club starts from scratch when finding players. They do it through an expansion draft. That’s when existing teams allow these new franchises to pick from the bottom of their rosters. They also can sign any free agent that’s available. The result is a squad of leftovers, rejects, and has-beens. You’re basically talking about the Island of Misfit Toys. Here in Ezra 8:1-14, the author breaks down the roster of those returning during the second wave of settlers to Jerusalem. Ezra is looking everywhere for people with certain skills who have a heart to head back home. Let’s just say it’s slim pickings. Think of it as an expansion team.

It’s not for lack of government support. King Artaxerxes of Persia has not only given Ezra’s expedition his stamp of approval but also a blank check to cover any costs (Ez 7:11-26). While the pagan dictator’s backing is certainly appreciated, the Big E knows that it’s really God who is putting this crazy idea into the king’s head (Ez 7:27-28). Thanks to his amazing knowledge of Scripture (Ez 7:6, 10-11, 25), Ezra knows this is all part of God’s Big Story of redemption and the fulfillment of His loving promises. In other words, the LORD will win with any roster. As a matter of fact, He prefers to do it that way. Anybody can win with an all-star team. When a roster of rag tags and rejects come out on top, it’s clear that God is the one who gets it done (1Cor 26-31; 2Cor 4:7-10; 12:9-10).

Before they pack up for the Promised Land, Ezra breaks down his roster. “These are the heads of their fathers’ houses, and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylonia, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king” (v1). Family history is a REALLY big deal for these folks. You had to prove your heritage in order to make your claim of real estate back in Israel. “Genealogy” refers to their formal registration with a specific family. That’s similar to what Jesus’ adoptive dad Joseph had to do when he and his pregnant wife loaded up the donkey for the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem (Lk 2:1-5).

As a priest himself, Ezra’s focus is on worshiping God at the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. After 70 years of exile, Zerubbabel and his crew cut the ribbon and reopened the house of the LORD (Ez 6:14-17). But another 59 years have gone by and there’s a need for more priests, worship leaders, and church staff. With an eye on temple worship, Ezra’s roster starts with the priestly families. There are two families of priests, Phinehas and Ithamar who make the trip (v2). Phinehas’ crew traces their line back to Aaron to his son Eleazar (Num 25:7). That includes our man Ezra. The others go back to his brother Ithamar (Ex 28:1). These are the only family lines of Aaron that remain. God removed Aaron’s other sons Nadab and Abihu for a major violation of the divine fire code (Lev 10:1-7). You’ll see Daniel listed as a member of Ithamar’s fam. Relax, it’s not THAT Daniel. The more famous Danny Boy was hauled off to Babylon in 605 BC. That’s almost 150 years before this posse got rolling.

The number of men listed here totals 1,496. When you include their wives and kids the number is probably between 7,000-8,000. That’s just a couple of people less than the first resettlement back in Ezra 2. When you add them all up, Zerubbabel’s crew numbered almost 50,000. That’s the difference between filling a football stadium and small basketball arena. So why the big discrepancy? First of all, you have to think that everybody wanted to be part of the first expedition. After 70 years of slavery under the thumb of Babylon, most Israelites were incredibly homesick. The other factor is that others simply didn’t want to go back. John MacArthur believes that many of God’s chosen people had chosen to take a rain check on returning. They were comfortable right where they were, thank you very much. Making a 1,000-mile trip through the desert to rebuild a nation? No, you go right ahead. Are we too comfortable where we are to take a big, bold step for Jesus? Am I too fat and happy in my La-Z-Boy to get off my blessed assurance and go on mission? Oops, I think I’ve just gone from preaching to meddling. 

Whatever the reasons, God has handed Ezra his roster. It may not look like any kind of dream team, but when the LORD is backing the squad anything can happen. Even an expansion team.