28 Feb, 1 Mar -- The Code of Hospitality

The readings for Wed 28 Feb & Thur 1 Mar are -- Gen 18:1-19:22; Ps 6:6-10; Prov 1:24-27; Mt 6:25-7:12.

Hospitality has long been an important aspect of Middle Eastern culture. In "A Way Through the Wilderness", Jamie Buckingham writes: " A well-known story tells of a Bedouin who slaughtered his famous stallion, the fastest horse in the desert, in order to serve his guests a meal. He preferred to part with his beloved mount rather than risk being called a miser who did not show true hospitality. Likewise, the tent of the Bedouin is looked upon as a place of refuge. The host, once he has accepted a guest, feels obligated to protect him at all costs -- even at his own peril. During the Turkish rule of the Sinai, two fugitives once took refuge in the tent of a great Bedouin sheikh just as they were about to be caught by pursuing soldiers. When the soldiers arrived, they demanded the chief hand over the culprits. The old chief, standing before his tent with rifle in hand, refused. One of the soldiers decided to enter the tent and arrest the wanted man. Instantly the Bedouin raised his rifle and fired a deafening shot. The soldiers turned back, only to discover the chief had not shot at them; he had shot and killed his favorite mare. 'Be careful,' an old man standing near the tent said to the soldiers. 'The chief has just killed what is most dear to his heart. He has nothing more to lose.' The Turkish soldiers understood and fled back into the desert."

In today's reading from Genesis we see Abraham and then Lot following that code of hospitality. Appallingly, it leads Lot to offer his two daughters to the mob. "You can do whatever you want to them" he says. What a shame that the code of hospitality wasn't matched by a code of proper treatment of women! As Derek Kidner (in the Tyndale Commentary on Genesis) says: "That a virtue can be inflated into a vice is glaringly plain here... It suggests that in any age human conventions will be a most fallible guide."

Christians are to show hospitality to one another (Romans 12:13 & 1 Peter 4:9). But also to strangers -- "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2). Kristine and I have found this a real privilege over the years.

26,27 Feb -- Some Radical Teaching

Readings for Mon 26 & Tues 27 Feb are: Gen 15:7-17:27; Ps 6:1-5; Pro 1:20-23; Mt 6:5-24.

In today's reading from Matthew we have the Lord's Prayer (or The Disciples' Prayer as Selwyn Hughes points out). It includes the challenging words: "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." No doubt sensing the difficulties here for disciples, Jesus' first words after the prayer elaborate on precisely this aspect. Compare with these words from the weekend's Psalm reading. David prays: "Punish them, God; let them fall by their own schemes. Drive them out..." (5:10)

What a radical change of thinking Jesus calls for in his teaching!

Other readings over the last few days have also graphically highlighted this. Take the Beatitudes. Blessed are the gentle..." "Blessed are the merciful..." "Blessed are the peacemakers..." "Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you..." (Bytheway, thanks Susan for your inspiring comments on the Beatitudes and the Kingdom on Sunday morning.) And on the same day that we were reading in Genesis about Abram getting an army to attack the 4 kings and their armies, we were reading these words from Jesus in Matthew --
"You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, don't resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also."
"You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But, I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

The Law and human nature and common practice said one thing. Jesus said another. So radically different! (So radical we still struggle to apply it.) A new era was dawning. Yet, somewhat paradoxically, Jesus said he hadn't come to abolish the Law but to fulfil it.

24,25 Feb -- "Triple A" Protection

The readings for Sat 24 & Sun 25 Feb are -- Gen 13:1-15:6; Ps 5:1-6; Pro 1:17-19; Mt 5:33-6:4.

Selwyn Hughes has some helpful comments about spiritual warfare and God as our shield. I simply want to point out an interesting link between the Genesis and Psalm readings. (I'm finding this a real benefit of readings from different parts of the Bible on the same day -- there are often interesting "co-incidental" links.) God says to Abram (who was counted as righteous because of his belief): "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great." The Psalmist says to God: "For you, LORD, bless the righteous one; You surround him with favor like a shield." As believers counted righteous, we have God as our shield -- "Triple A" protection! That means great reward, favour and blessing.

On Sun/Mon we read in Ps 3: "But you, LORD, are a shield around me... I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the LORD sustains me." Then on Tues/Wed we read in Ps 4: "I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety." To be able to sleep easy knowing that God is our shield is a great blessing.

Sweet dreams! I'll see you in the morning.

22,23 Feb -- Salt with The Last Supper

The readings for Thur 22 & Fri 23 February are -- Gen 11:1-12:20; Ps 5:1-6; Prov 1:15-16; Mt 5:13-32.

Following on from yesterday, here is some more about salt from "A Way Through the Wilderness" by Jamie Buckingham.
"Leonardo da Vinci caught this concept in his painting of the Last Supper. All the men sitting at the table with Jesus were men of loyalty -- all save one. On the table in front of Judas was an upended salt shaker, its contents spilling onto the cloth. It was the perfect symbol of broken Covenant." (Page 83.)
I tried to find a high resolution picture of The Last Supper on-line to verify this. It's very indistinct, but there is something on the table in front of Judas' hand. (Go to www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Supper_%28Leonardo%29 and look at the section at the bottom headed "External Links". Then click on "The Last Supper - High Resolution Zoomable image", which takes you to the painting at www.elrelojdesol.com/interactive-paintings/the-last-supper.html As an alternative, under "External Links", click on "HIGH RESOLUTION cropping of The Last Supper", which takes you to the picture at www.kaleb222.uw.hu/LASTSUPPER_ENHANCED.jpg )
Judas is in the group of 3 at Jesus' right. He is the only one in the painting with his elbow on the table -- bad form even back then! He has a blue robe and is holding a money bag in his hand. Take a look on the table just in front of that hand.

Here is what Buckingham says as he concludes that chapter.
"Salt is composed of two elements that, if taken separately, are poison: sodium and chlorine. Either will kill instantly. But mixed together, these two elements form an ingredient absolutely essential to life. The wilderness experienced by itself kills. But the wilderness experienced with others brews a recipe of hardy nourishment. Such is the covenant of salt." (Page 84.)

I think he's onto something with all this. But still trying to think it through. The usual interpretation of "You are the salt of the earth" emphasises the Christian's role in the world (preserving, purifying, flavouring etc.) What is said next about being "the light of the world" (especially "let your light shine before men...") reinforces this. The focus is on our witness in and to the world. Yet Buckingham's comments on salt seem to redirect the focus onto the relationship between Christians (and with God)! Before I preach on it I obviously need to get that aspect sorted in my own mind. Any suggestions or comments or insights?

22,23 Feb -- Like Salt?

Readings for Thurs 22 & Fri 23 February are -- Gen 11:1-12:20; Ps 5:1-6; Prov 1:15-16; Mt 5:13-32.

"You are the salt of the earth." I've preached on and referred to that many times. But here is a new perspective (to me at least). It comes from a book I read last month while on holidays -- "A Way through the Wilderness" by Jamie Buckingham (1986).

Salt is a sign of precious and sacred covenant, for covenants are never entered into without a sign. Each time God entered into a covenant with man, there was a sign. With Noah, it was a rainbow in the sky. With Abraham, it was accompanied by circumcision....
In common life, salt was a symbol of covenant relationships. Salt contained the power to strengthen and preserve it from putrefaction and corruption. In the sacrifice this meant the unbending truthfulness and loyalty between between God and man. Thus it was commanded that the Levites present salt in the grain offering and add it to all the other offerings as a sign of continued loyalty and purification. (See Numbers 18:19; Leviticus 2:13) It is stated that, in the time of David, his kingdom was established by a covenant of salt (See 2 Chronicles 13:5) ....
Salt represented covenant relationships. Even in the desert today when Arab men get together, they may express their loyalty and devotion to one another by saying, "There is salt between us." When Jesus told His disciples, "Ye are the salt of the earth," He was speaking of this covenant of loyalty. Many of us have heard sermons on that passage from the Sermon on the Mount, pointing out how salt preserves, purifies, seasons, even creates thirst. All are true points. But they are merely incidental to the central theme of the biblical concept of salt, for salt represents covenant. It represents covenant between men, and between men and God.
Salt means loyalty. When Jesus emphasized the imperativeness of saltiness, He was referring to the necessity of walking out the covenant with God and with one another.

Maybe I ought to preach again on "You are the salt of the earth".

20,21 Feb -- Pancakes and Ashes

The readings for Tues 20 and Wed 21 February are -- Gen 9:8-10:32; Ps 4:1-8; Pro 1:10-14; Mt 4:21-5:12. (For a list of the readings for the rest of February, see "Previous Posts" and click on "Bible Readings for February".)

Today is the beginning of Lent -- a period of reflection and preparation prior to Easter. (Compare with Advent prior to Christmas.) Lent begins 46 days before Easter Sunday, but is normally thought of as being 40 days (which excludes the Sundays). Traditionally Lent includes some form of fasting or going without.

Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, derives its name from the practice of the priest drawing the sign of the cross on the foreheads of worshippers with ashes mixed with olive oil. The ashes come from the burning of the palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday. It symbolises repentance (like "sackcloth and ashes" in the OT).

"Pancake Tuesday" is the popular name given to the day before Ash Wednesday. It is the day to clear out all remaining meat and animal products before Lent. Including eggs and butter. Hence the pancakes. In French, it is "Mardi Gras" = Fat Tuesday. Historically it marked the last day of a 2 week period called "Carnival" or "Carnivale" (from the Latin carne = meat, and vale = farewell). So you can see where Sydney Mardi Gras got its name, but it's rather ironic. The traditional name is "Shrove Tuesday". Shrove means confession.

Some of the beatitudes in today's reading in Matthew seem particularly apt for this time.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs."
"Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted."
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after for righteousness, because they will be filled."
"Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God."

May you be blessed. John.

Bible Readings for February

Mon 12 & Tue 13 Feb --
Pg 1. Gen 1:1-2:25; Ps 1:1-6; Prov 1:1-4; Mt 1:1-25
Wed 14 & Thu 15 Feb --
Pg 5. Gen 3:1-4:26; Ps 2:1-6; Prov 1:5-6; Mt 2:1-23
Fri 16 & Sat 17 Feb --
Pg 9. Gen 5:1-6:22; Ps 2:7-12; Prov 1:7; Mt 3:1-17
Sun 18 & Mon 19 Feb --
Pg 12. Gen 7:1-9:7; Ps 3:1-8; Prov 1:8-9; Mt 4:1-20
Tue 20 & Wed 21 Feb --
Pg 16. Gen 9:8-10:32; Ps 4:1-8; Prov 1:10-14; Mt 4:21-5:12
Thu 22 & Fr 23 Feb --
Pg 20. Gen 11:1-12:20; Ps 5:1-6; Prov 1:15-16; Mt 5:13-32
Sat 24 & Sun 25 Feb --
Pg 23. Gen 13:1-15:6; Ps 5:7-12; Prov 1:17-19; Mt 5:33-6:4
Mon 26 & Tue 27 Feb --
Pg 27. Gen 15:7-17:27; Ps 6:1-5; Prov 1:20-23; Mt 6:5-24
Wed 28 Feb & Thu 1 Mar --
Pg 31. Gen 18:1-19:22; Ps 6:6-10; Pr 1:24-27; Mt 6:25-7:12

18,19 Feb -- Wise or Stupid?

Readings for Sun 18 & Mon 19 February are -- Gen 7:1-9:7; Ps 3:1-8; Prov 1:8-9: Mt 4:1-20.

What an awesome service last night! 33 people with very diverse ages, nationalities and backgrounds expectantly gathered to meet with God. And it was a time of real inspiration, encouragement, challenge, reflection, worship, praise and fellowship. Thanks to Andrew (service leader, keyboard, vocals), Callum (guitar, vocals), Lisa (bass), Caleb and Sarah (also guitar), Al (drums) and Zac (data projector).

Also to Dennis for a great message (and fantales!) It was on Proverbs 1:7 -- "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." Dennis pointed out that fear means respect and that beginning can also be translated as foundation. We'll long remember the tall tower built on a good foundation (the communion table -- symbolic, eh!) and the collapse of the smaller one built on a poor foundation (the sloping floor). Much better to be wise than stupid!

In the morning , I presented "A Panoramic View of Genesis". Here's the quote from J. Sidlow Baxter. "The major themes of Scripture may be compared to great rivers ever deepening and broadening as they flow. And it is true to say that all those rivers have their rise in the watershed of Genesis."

Have a great week. John

16,17 Feb -- the Divine Son

Readings for Fri 16 & Sat 17 Feb are -- Gen 5,6; Ps 2:7-12; Prov 1:7; Mt 3.

Hi. John the Baptist here. (Blame my family for that one. They made me put it in after we'd read Mt 3 together.)

Don't miss the big band night tomorrow night. Dennis is speaking on today's reading from Proverbs -- "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Now for a bit of advanced Bible study for those who'd like some challenging extension work. Psalm 2 has no superscription, but is attributed to David in Acts 4:25. It's generally regarded as a Messianic Psalm. Some argue it was used in the coronation rite for a new King. Can you imagine it in the order of service?

Ps 2:7 relates to the historical occasion in 2 Samuel 7 when the Prophet Nathan has a word from God for David -- "I will raise up after you your descendant... I will be a father to him, and he will be a Son to me." It is referred to several times in the NT and is obviously a very significant verse. It is quoted in Acts 13:33 re Jesus' resurrection (see also Rom 1:3-4); Hebrews 1:5 re his Ascension/enthronement; Hebrews 5:5 re his High Priestly role. At Jesus' baptism (see today's Mt reading), God says "This is my beloved Son...", echoing Ps 2:7. God says the same thing at Jesus' transfiguration (see Mt 17:5 & 2 Pet 1:17). It all emphasises the Sonship and Divinity of Jesus.

16,17 Feb -- What makes God grieve (& what makes God pleased)

The readings for Fri 16 & Sat 17 Feb are Gen 5,6; Ps 2:7-12; Pro 1:7; Mt 3.

What grieves God? It's pretty obvious from Gen 6:5-6. The LORD was grieved in His heart when He "saw that man's wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time". Evil grieves God. True, but a bit abstract. Let's get personal. God grieves over the evil things people do and the evil in their hearts. Now let's get real personal, and honest. The evil motivations and actions of you and me grieve God.

"Repent!" said John the Baptist. That's what we all must do. It means to grieve over our evil and to turn away from it to God. A total turn-about. One that's so dramatic it's like dying to the old life and being born to a new one. As perfectly symbolised in baptism.

I feel sorry for God. How great His grief! In the beginning "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good" (Gen 1:31). But then "God saw how corrupt the earth was" (Gen 6:12). Then centuries later the religious leaders were a "brood of vipers" (Mt 3:7). Then you and me, and the grief we've given.

But fortunately some have given God pleasure.
* Like Noah. He was a "blameless", "righteous man" who "did everything that God had commanded him". He "walked with God" and "found favour in the eyes of the LORD" (Gen 6).
* Like John the Baptist. "Among those born of women there has risen no one greater" said Jesus.
* Like Jesus himself. "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased" said God's voice from heaven (Mt 3).
* Like you and me??? Remember the first purpose from 40DOP? -- You were planned for God's pleasure. To quote Rick (p63), "Bringing enjoyment to God, living for his pleasure, is the first purpose of your life."

14,15 Feb -- What makes God laugh (& what makes God angry)

Readings for Wed 14 & Thur 15 Feb -- Gen 3,4; Ps 2:1-6; Pro 1:5-6; Mt 2

At our homegroup last night, we looked at Psalm 2 together. Verse 2 says: "The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers conspire together against the LORD and His Anointed One". We noticed how the reading from Matthew 2 gave a startling example of this. King Herod conspired to find out "where the Messiah (= Anointed One) would be born" (v4). Then he conspired to have him killed. Unsuccessfully.

Someone suggested that v2 of the Psalm is just as apt a comment on today's world situation.

V4 tells us God laughs at the conspiring rulers. Why? Perhaps it's because of the arrogance and foolishness of their opposition. After all, God is the Almighty, omnipotent Creator (as we saw in Gen 1&2). He is the King, "the One enthroned in heaven". His plans will prevail. Just as they did when Jesus escaped King Herod's conspiracy and lived to fulfil his mission.

Though God laughs, in a sense it's no laughing matter! As we see in v5, where we have another startling anthropomorphism. God is angry with them. Selwyn Hughes' pithy comment is insightful -- "Sin has been defined as 'God's One great intolerance', and for that we ought to be eternally grateful. As His children we ought to rejoice that He will not tolerate anything that is harmful to us."

PS David and Judy pointed out that the song just before The Hallelujah Chorus in Handel's Messiah is based very closely on Psalm 2. (We couldn't sing it though. We didn't have the music!)

14,15 Feb -- Love

Happy Valentine's day!

I hope you have a "lovely" day. In the sense that it's full of love and you know you are loved. Though not necessarily "Valentine love". Hopefully love that is more substantial and longer lasting. The kind of love described in 1 Corinthians 13.

I've spoken about that love a couple of times in the last few days. On Saturday, it was at the marriage of Adam (my son) and Janine. They chose 1 Cor 13 to be read and spoken on, as many marrying couples do. A great ideal to aim for in a marriage. The second occasion was this morning (seeing it's Valentine's day). A very different occasion -- the morning service at our nursing home and aged care hostel. Yet 1 Cor 13 was still very appropriate. In fact, it's not about marriage, though it has obvious application to that relationship. It's about relating to all with that kind of love.

But I should move on to our "Thru in 2" readings for today.
The readings for Wed 14 and Thur 15 Feb are:
Gen 3:1-4:26 Ps 2:1-6 Prov 1:5,6 Mt 2:1-23.

What a beautiful way for yesterday's OT reading to end. "Both the man and his wife were naked, yet felt no shame." What a contrast with Gen 3:7 -- "Then the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves." What a shame! The idyllic man-woman relationship in Gen 1&2 is shattered by guilt, enticement, blaming, doubt and lies.

Still, "Adam knew his wife Eve intimately, and she conceived" (4:1) Quite a euphemism! It had never happened before, but it happens quite a bit in Gen 4 (and subsequently). Note the contrast with what we saw in Mt 2:25 -- Joseph married Mary "but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son". That had never happened before! Nor since. Notice too the very careful wording of Mt 1:16 -- "and Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, who gave birth to Jesus".

In love, John

12,13 Feb -- In the beginning

We've started! Started "Thru in 2" ie reading the through the whole Bible in 2 years. Why? Because it will help us growing spiritually together (one of our goals for 2007 and 2008).
I like Selwyn Hughes' comment at the end of his first devotional. It's a good one as we begin this Bible Reading plan. "I tell you with all the conviction of which I am capable: if God is not our primary focus, then everything else will soon get out of focus."

The readings we begin with (on Mon 12/2/07 & Tue 13/2/07) are:
Genesis 1:1-2:25 Psalm 1:1-6 Proverbs 1:1-4 Matthew 1:1-25

"Genesis" means beginning. The Bible begins with the words "In the beginning God..." Our 1st reading gives 2 accounts (from different perspectives) of the creation of the Heavens and the Earth, including humankind, by God. The Matthew reading is also about a beginning. The book is the beginning of the New Testament. A new Covenant was necessary. And so, as Matthew tells us, God sent Jesus. In a new way. To do a new thing. Named Jesus because he would be a saviour from sin.
God started a new beginning when he sent Jesus 2,000 years ago. And God is still in the business of new beginnings in people's lives.
May this be the beginning of something new and precious for you.