20150923 COMPASSIONATE UNDERSTANDING

COMPASSIONATE UNDERSTANDING

Matthew 9:14-15 One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked Him, "Why don't Your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?"  (15)  Jesus replied, "Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Please note it is the disciples of John the Baptist who are asking Jesus this question. Also note that Jesus does not berate them for it. At this time, their leader, John is in prison. They have great sorrow in their hearts knowing at any moment John could be put to death. They have good reason to be fasting.

On the other hand Jesus is with His disciples. It is a time of celebration. The Messiah has come and is teaching them daily. He compares Himself to a groom and a truly loving groom does not mourn. He rejoices and His guests rejoice with Him.

There is a compassion here that I have missed in the past. Jesus recognizes the pain that John’s disciples are experiencing and He foretells that same pain for His own disciples. They will miss Him when He is taken away and they will mourn and fast.

They must have missed His message on fasting in secret. If the disciples of Jesus had been fasting according to His teaching no one would have known anyway. Again, Jesus doesn’t use this as an opportunity to chew them out, but lets it be known that he understands their pain.

When others criticize us it would do us, and them good if we are quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. Try to understand where they are coming from. Tomorrow we are going to see another amazing piece of compassion from our Savior.

Father in heaven, thank You for Your compassion. Grant us understanding hearts, compassionate hearts. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

20150819 GOOD EYE BAD EYE

GOOD EYE BAD EYE

Matthew 6:22-23 "Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.  (23)  But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

There is much said about spiritual blindness and sight in the scriptures. Let us look at these two verses in light of what Jesus has said thus far in this chapter.

A good eye looks to give as quietly as possible because someone has a need. It looks to pray secretly because it sees its own need for the Father daily and the same need for its siblings. It looks to forgive quickly because it sees that it has been forgiven. It looks to fast quietly because it knows how much it needs the Father. And that eye is wide open and the light of God shines into the body through that eye and to it God gives His reward in His time.

A bad eye looks to be admired and to receive the praise of men. It gives with much fanfare when others are watching. It prays in public with many words and much false humility for the sake of those listening. It watches through a squinted eyelid for others to get the retribution coming to them and even looks in a conniving and secret manner for ways to bring it about. It fasts with a long, sorrowful face groaning about its sacrifice for

“the sake of God.” All the while its lids are barely slit so it can keep a watch on who is recognizing and adoring him as some great, sacrificing guru of the faith. That eye thinks it is letting in light, but it is only darkness that enters, a very loathsome dank darkness. The only reward it will see is the praises of those caught up in man worship. In the end those rewards will be as empty as the darkness that fills its heart.

The good eye is always looking to the Father and seeking Him and His Kingdom. The bad eye is always looking out for itself.

Father in heaven, be our eye doctor today. Search the motive of all we do and cleanse it, make it pure and holy. Wash all impure motives from our eyes and hearts. Do laser surgery if necessary, but give us eyes that are holy and wholly given over to You and Your purposes and then our lives will be filled with Your light for Your glory. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

20150817 WHEN YOU FAST

WHEN YOU FAST

Matthew 6:16-18  "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.  (17)  But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.  (18)  Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Thayer Definition:

1) to abstain as a religious exercise from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted but a single day, or from customary and choice nourishment, if it continued several days

Again we see the word, “when” instead of “if,” meaning God intends for us to fast. He also intends it to be done with the right attitude and for the right reasons. A detailed study of the subject, which I won’t go into here, seems to suggest that fasting makes the following statement; “God, I want You more than I want the food it takes to sustain my life. I need Your answers above my own reasoning.” Throughout the scripture people fasted for various reasons. David fasted hoping God would spare the life of Bathsheba’s first child. Esther and her friends fasted when she prepared to go in and approach the king to try to save her people. Jesus fasted before beginning His earthly ministry. There are many other examples for us throughout God’s Word.

The point that Jesus is making here is that we are to fast and we are to do it secretly. We are not to boast about it, nor make a show by refusing to bathe or by wearing a long mournful face. Nor are we to sit around the dinner table groaning as someone else takes each bite. While fasting it is a great idea to take meal times and pray. Use that time you normally use eating to spend time with your Heavenly Father.

It is interesting to note the word, “reward” is used twice in these three verses. Jesus puts emphasis on a reward for giving alms, praying and fasting. When these things are done for His glory as quietly and privately as possible the Father will reward you. When these things are done so that others will see and admire you that brief admiration is all you get.

Father in heaven, Thank You that You want to bless us with rewards. You have already given us so much in Jesus Christ. May our giving, our praying and our fasting be done in love for You, not out of fear of You, for Your love cast out our fear. In Jesus Holy Name, AMEN!!!