Genocide is Justice?

Psalm 9:7-8

But the LORD sits enthroned forever;
he has established his throne for justice,
and he judges the world with righteousness;
he judges the peoples with uprightness.

...............

One of the most common objections to the Christian faith is that the God of the Bible is a homicidal maniac. He is called Jealous. He is narcissistic and deranged, bent on destruction of all who dare not bow down to Him. In this common misconception, we see how the world would consider Christian faith to be petty at best, if not completely foolish.

Indeed, one of the more troubling realities of God's story in Scripture is the Canaanite Genocide described in the book of Joshua, which is also prescribed by God in various passages of Exodus and Deuteronomy. God commanded the Israelites to conduct a kind of "ethnic cleansing," so they say. Men, women, children, and livestock were all "given over to destruction," as entire nations were brought to nothing so that God's people could inherit the promised land of Canaan. This is troubling no matter what you believe about God.

While I could explain away this genocide as some have tried to do, I cannot give an easy answer. The fast answer would be to say that we live in a fallen world which deserves to be utterly destroyed. It is only the grace of God that any of us is spared the destruction that the Canaanites received. But, at the end of that explanation, most people are still left feeling like God is a little harsh. Could mankind's sin really merit that kind of response? I thought God was merciful and kind, one might say.

Well, Psalm 9 gives us a window into the judgment of God that may be helpful in this debate. Verses 7 and 8 make the bold assertion that God is indeed just and that all of His judgments are righteous and upright. We have no problem with his justice when we see it benefiting the oppressed and afflicted (as described in verses 3-4, 9-10, 12, 13-14, and 18). But, we begin to cringe when we learn that God's justice also involves the destruction of the wicked oppressors (as described in verses 5-6, 12, 15-16, and 19-20). What we must realize is that God's redemption of the afflicted and His punishment of the wicked are two sides of the same coin. Truly, judgment means a separation of two camps of people (see the Parable of the Sheep and Goats in Matt. 25:31ff).

While I plan on saying more about the Canaanite genocide in future blogs, it is important to note at this point that the Psalmist is not stricken in his conscience about God's wrath in the ways that we are today. David does not see God's judgment and begin to doubt His goodness. Rather, He sees a God who is rescuing the afflicted, bringing just retribution on the heads of the wicked (9:15), and doing it all out of the vast wealth of His uprightness and integrity.

But who do you say that I am?

Matthew 16:16-17

Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

...............

Our world continues to be confused about who Jesus really was. Was he a great moral teacher? Was he an off-the-wall cult leader? Was he a mystical gnostic iconoclast? The Gallup poll of First Century Palestine was not much different. Some people thought he was just a prophet. Some thought he was the reincarnation of John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah. Some thought he was full of the devil and needed to be executed. But, of all people, the guy who got it right was an old fisherman named Peter.

We've already seen Peter goof things up a little bit on the Sea of Galilee. He doubted that it was Jesus walking on the water. He doubted that God could keep him standing on the waves. Later, he doubts whether claiming Jesus as a friend is worth being arrested, so he denies him three times. And, worst of all, in this very chapter he doubts him, right after getting the correct answer on this identity test. He was truly blessed, but he was also a mess!

Doubt is a form of pride. This is hard for me to swallow, being often doubtful myself, but it still needs to be said: doubt is a form of pride. When someone doubts the clear teaching of the Bible, they are claiming to be smarter than God, to have more common sense than their Maker. We think we've figured out a plot hole in God's great story and we're determined to milk it in order to justify our disobedience. Doubt is not romantic; it is poisonous.

But, it is also encouraging to know that the early followers of Christ were essentially doubters, cowards, and riff-raff of all varieties. This religion is not for the ivory tower and its not just for the already spiritually-minded. It is a "ragamuffin" gospel of sorts. Jesus meets us where we are, takes our smoldering embers of faith, and fans them into flame. Flesh and blood do not reveal that Jesus is the Christ; that is, no logic or common sense point to that conclusion. It is truly the Father alone that makes him known. Even moreso is this true because of the kind of Christ that Jesus was -- not an earthly king coming in power (he will one day be that!), but a humble shepherd laying down his life for his sheep.

And he calls us to do likewise (16:24-28).

The Short List

Matthew 15:3

He answered them, "And why do you break the commandments of God for the sake of your tradition?"

...............

This passage describes a form of hypocrisy that is still rampant in the religious world today: restricted pietism. In Matthew 15:1-9, we get a definition of restricted pietism that is pretty basic: disobedience and hypocrisy. By making a short list of what is required to be truly acceptable to God, the Pharisees were actually disobeying God's clear commands in Scripture. The motive behind this short list was driven by self-worship and self-rule ("their heart is far from me"). This is a clear example of hypocrisy -- having a pretense of holiness, but with alterior motives.

Restricted...

"Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat" (15:2). Here, we see the aspect of restriction in the piety of the Pharisees. They had added to God's commands a practice that may have been wise and good, but not a basic criteria that one must meet to be accepted by God. In fact, by focusing on points of man-made tradition, rather than the clear commands of Scripture, the Pharisees were really attempting to make God's law more feasible, more practical, and essentially less impossible to fulfill. Sounds like a good idea, right? Wrong! The law of God, among other purposes, was meant to be the highest standard imaginable. It is the pathway of complete holiness and righteousness. Later, the apostle Paul will reveal further that the Law was meant to convict us of sin, expose our inability before God, and drive us to Him as our only Hope and Savior. To water down the Law by replacing it with man-made rules is also to water down our desperate need for a Savior.

...Pietism

"But you say, 'If anyone tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is given to God, he need not honor his father.' So for the sake of your tradition you have made the word of God void. You hypocrites!" (15:5-7). What makes this watering down of the law even more heinous is that the Pharisees claim they are being even more pious by doing so. When we claim that we are more pious than God, we are total fools! God commanded all of his people to honor their fathers and mothers, which implies a level of care and respect that would include financial assistance when necessary. The Pharisees found a way to be even more pious than that -- to give to God what they were supposed to give to their families. Today, Christian ministers face the same situation, in which their families are sacrificed "for the good of the ministry." We live in a Christian sub-culture that has exalted highly-visible, program-based, event-driven ministry, to the detriment of those core relationships that make up our families and the next generation of God's kingdom. I don't condemn programs or sacrifice. But, I do condemn any pious activity that begins to encroach upon the basic expectations of a child of God.

Family. Church. Society. These are the spheres in which every one of us plays an active role. Let's not get them confused and pretend that we are more pious because of it.

The Gospel According to David

Psalm 8:3-4

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?

...............

This is perhaps one of the best summaries of the gospel in the entire book of Psalms. I say this because of the Psalm itself and the way it is referenced in the New Testament in the book of Hebrews.

In itself, this Psalm is a powerful testimony to God's character as Infinite-Personal Creator, and a testimony to Man's character as God-reflecting Image-bearer. The "good news" of the gospel is often boiled down to a cross, an empty tomb, and a sinner's prayer. But, if you know that the gospel story begins in Genesis and continues through the Old Testament, you realize that there is more to it than that. It is not merely reconciliation with God, but reconciliation with a particular God -- the Infinite-Personal Creator of the Old Testament.

In Psalm 8, we get to see the majesty power of this Creator, in all of His infinite glory and creativity. And, we get to see how personal this God really is, stooping down below the heavens to consider the lives of you and me. Humility is the appropriate response, and that's exactly what David displays here. But, humility also involves reflecting God, not just contemplating God. That is why the Psalm goes on to talk about the responsibilities we have as image-bearers who have been charged with stewardship of the Earth and all of its resources. I may not be a member of PETA, but I know from this clear passage that the care of the Earth and its creatures is part and parcel of what it means to be truly human, to be truly made in God's image, because He cares for those things and so should we.

Now, the gospel does not end with a description of who God is and how he has made mankind in His image. We know that God is also a judge over evil, and that mankind has smeared and broken God's image within us by rebelling against Him. We live in a broken world, but the way this Psalm is used in Hebrews gives us a window of hope with a view to the cross and the empty tomb.

"You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned him with glory and honor,
putting everything in subjection under his feet."

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (Heb. 2:7-9)

There's almost nothing more to be said. How wonderful! This Psalm is referring not only to you and I as image-bearers, but really to the ultimate Image-Bearer, Jesus Himself. He reflected God like no one else every had. "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power" (Heb. 1:3). Nobody comes close to being the kind of "image-bearer" that Jesus is.

And he lowered Himself.

He lowered Himself to become a man, and more amazing still, to become a servant to us (see Phil 2:5-11). He took thought for our broken condition and had compassion on us. He has also welcomed us, by faith, into the family of God, allowing us to be redeemed as true sons and daughters, to be adopted by God the Father and allowed to stand in the place of his perfect Son (see Heb. 2:10-18). And, on top of all of that, He is coming again and all things will be put into subjection under His feet. Every knee and heart will bow to Him and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Death and sin will forever be defeated. Justice will once again flow like a rushing river and the world will be restored into a New Heavens and a New Earth.

And, it's all right here in Psalm 8.

The Many Faces of Fear

Matthew 14:27

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."

...............

The disciples were a long way from land, being beaten by the waves in their little boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had stayed behind, seeking to be alone in prayer, possibly to mourn the loss of John the Baptist (see 14:13). The storm was fierce, the boat was rocking and reeling and apparently in danger. And then, in the fourth watch of the night, there appeared what looked like a ghost, coming toward them over the waters. Perhaps there had been sea-faring superstitions about such ghosts; maybe not. Either way, the disciples were "terrified."

Jesus responds to fear with words of courage that point to Himself. He identifies himself. He reminds them that His presence is cause for courage in the midst of this storm. He has proven again and again His awesome power over demons and the physical world. He calmed a similar storm earlier in His ministry (Matt. 8). Knowing who He is, knowing what He is capable of, and knowing that He is present should resolve the fears of any believer.

The key word is believer. If you look at the beginning of this chapter, you get an example of what the presence of Jesus can be for an unbeliever: a true cause for alarm.

Herod the tetrarch had heard about the "fame of Jesus" and it did not comfort Him in the least. For a man of power like him, anyone else of significance was a threat to his position and to his reputation. He had John the Baptist put in prison for this very reason, because this ruler was not about to be "talked down to" by a mangy young prophet from the wilderness. But, hearing of the fame of Jesus, Herod was also terrified. Could this be John the Baptist again, risen from the dead to seek revenge upon me? These are the kinds of thoughts that might keep an unbelieving man awake at night.

The terrors of God and His law are very real, for the man who has not been forgiven should have no pretense of being right with God. The guilt of sin is real, and it is a burden that weighs even heavier in the presence of God. But, there is hope in the gospel, even for the vilest of sinners. Remember that, though the apostle Paul was once a "blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent," the Lord chose to redeem him, "and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 1:14). There is no one who is beyond the reach of His love and forgiveness. I pray that His presence would be a comfort and not a terror, that we would remember the mercy we have received as believers, but also the very real fear that exists in the hearts of the lost. We must remember what it felt like to live without the comfort of God's presence and let that compel us to introduce others to our Savior and only Hope.

God's Daily Indignation

Psalm 7:11

God is a righteous judge,
and a God who feels indignation every day.

...............

Whenever the Bible makes these kinds of blunt characterizations of God, we should stop and think about it for a while.

God is love.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
I am that I am.

These statements should give us pause to consider who God is in Himself. And this Psalm is inescapably about God's character as Judge.

Two points to note in this Psalm. One, this is a great example of David calling upon God for justice against his enemies, while also vindicating himself in light of his own integrity. This is a theme throughout the Davidic psalms. For instance:

The LORD judges the peoples;
judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness
and according to the integrity that is in me (7:8).

You begin to realize what a very bold statement David is making by the time you get to the end of the Psalm. Indeed, the second point in the psalm is that God's wrath is incredibly serious, unstoppable, and completely fair. We see in the verse at the top that God feels, that God not only feels love and joy, but also wrath, and that God feels this wrath everyday! This is very serious. "If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow; he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts" (7:12-13). So, we see that God feels indignation against sin, and that this wrath is serious and deadly. But, let's not forget that it is also fair. As David describes the targets of God's anger, he makes this statement:

His mischief returns upon his own head,
and on his own skull his violence descends (7:16).

While it is not common in devotional life to dwell on the wrath of God, we must stop and consider this part of God's feelings. I'm not so sure that wrath is "essential" to God's nature, as He surely had none in eternity past, when He lived in perfect harmony within the love of the Trinity. But, because of the Fall, He has justly responded to man's sin by first cursing us and then eventually bringing all thoughts and deeds into judgment. There will be a final separation, and God will be entirely just in letting man's mischief return "upon his own head."

The Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew 13:44

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

...............

The parable of the Hidden Treasure falls in the middle of a collection of parables in Matthew 13, all of them concerning the nature of God's kingdom and the nature of those who are its citizens. The following will be merely a brief list of characteristics of this kingdom, based on themes that are found in many of these parables.

(1) Hiddenness. We have already seen in Matthew 12 that there were many times in Jesus' healing ministry that he commanded people to keep secret the miracles that he performed. And, we have already discussed how this secretiveness was not driven by fear, but more by Jesus' character and timing. Here, we see yet another reason for the early secretiveness in Jesus' ministry: the very nature of the kingdom of heaven is that it is hidden from some.

This hiddenness has often been distorted into a gnostic kind of mysticism, in which God is completely unknowable except through some ecstatic experience. These parables do not lead in that direction. Rather, the parables are poetic ways of describing what has been "hidden since the foundation of the world" (13:35). This verse, and the Isaiah passage quoted in 13:14-15, make very clear that the kingdom's hiddenness is rooted in mankind's chosen rebellion. I am reminded of the paradox of Pharaoh's hardened heart in the Exodus story. It is true that God hardened his heart, but many verses in Exodus also describe Pharaoh as hardening his own heart. We see this in Romans 1 as well, where those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness are ultimately given over to their desires, in a sense abandoned by God. The hidden nature of God's kingdom is somewhat paradoxical, rooted in our own chosen sinfulness, but also perpetuated by God who justly withholds light and knowledge from those who have chosen self-rule in their own kingdoms.

(2) Progressive Growth and Value. We see in the parables of the Mustard Seed, the Hidden Treasure, and the Pearl of Great Price that God's kingdom is coming with progressive growth and is of greatest value. Briefly, the reason why God's kingdom is of greatest value and should be sought after with joy, is that it is the essentially the wise and good rulership of our heavenly Father. Indeed, every treasure and joy of this life should be considered second-rate rubbish in comparison to this kingdom, to this reality. While we enjoy the goodness of this earth and its reflection of the Creator's goodness, we also look forward to the coming kingdom and its superior peace and wholeness. Thy kingdom come, indeed.

(3) Reward and Punishment. The Parable of the Weeds is explained by Jesus in verses 36-43. We see that there are two very distinct groups of people from the perspective of the kingdom of heaven: the "children of the kingdom" (13:38) and the "causes of sin and all law-breakers" (13:41). In this parable, and in the parables of the Sower and the Net, we see that there will be a final separation between these two groups, the first being granted eternal favor in God's presence, the latter being "thrown into the fiery furnace" where there will be "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (13:42). The fact that this is part of Jesus' literal explanation makes clear that he is not making some figurative reference to blessings and curses in this life alone. The literal King of the literal kingdom is literally coming to earth to make a final separation and bring his children home.

I pray that we are given eyes to see our King at work in this life, consider the surpassing value of His rulership and wisdom, and tremble at the reality of the coming judgment, when everyone will be held accountable for whose kingdom they were submitting to, their own kingdom or the kingdom of King Jesus.

SPECIAL REPORT - God is not Trite

Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers,
by the mercies of God,
to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and acceptable to God,
which is your spiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and acceptable and perfect.

...............

This has been on my mind all morning. I cannot help but write about it.

God is not trite.

He is not petty. He is not narcissistic, schizophrenic, unreasonable, or unstable. Why am I saying all of this? What is happening that makes God appear to be petty?

The Church.

The Church is what is making God appear so small, so irrelevant, and so detached from reality. It drives me mad just thinking about. Now, before I get into the details, this is not a full-fledged condemnation of God's church. The Church is God's holy bride that will be washed in his blood and taken into the new heavens and new earth to live with him forever. I love the church. That's why it's imperative that we call her out of darkness. And, the particular kind of misrepresentation that is driving me mad this morning is this: WORSHIP.

Consider, how many times does the New Testament make reference to singing? How many times in the book of Acts, for instance, do we see the early church singing? In Acts 4:42 we have a brief summary of the life of the church. "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." Does anybody see singing in there?

The point is, worship is not what many people think it is.

Worship does not equal singing, raising your hands, trembling, feeling awe, getting slain in the Spirit, or any other ecstatic experience. God demands worship, in Spirit and in truth, and he promises eternal hell for those who do not worship him. I'll say that again: He promises hell for those who do not worship.

Whoa, wait a minute! Hell? For not singing? For not attending a weekly "worship" service? Why, God sounds like a petty, immature, narcissistic, maniac!! What a waste, why would I ever worship a God like that?!

And, those are the appropriate questions the church has to face. We've painted God to be petty and then demanded people to worship. Our children grow up thinking this way and they end up turning away by the time they hit college. The problem is, the Church continues to try and solve this problem in the wrong way. Emergent churches try to make "worship" more trendy and in line with the surrounding culture (God is somehow lagging behind culturally?). Mainstream churches make "worship" more formalized and liturgical, hoping to bring people a sense of reverence or nostalgia (God wants to be lagging behind culturally?). And, Evangelical churches just switch the music around, fire the choir, and hire a twenty-something guitar player to lead us in a "worship experience." All of this is under the pseudonym "worship."

Romans 12 gives us another definition of worship: putting every aspect of your life on the alter, and conforming those details to the will of God, rather than to the world. That is worship, in a nutshell. Doing EVERYTHING to the glory of God. But, it's not doing everything with a Jesus-stamp on it. It's not just slipping people a gospel pamphlet with their receipt at the register. Or, whispering prayers while you toss boxes or punch in numbers on the keyboard. No, doing everything to the glory of God is really seeing what you do in a new way. That may require some basic changes in what you do with the majority of your time. Or, it may mean merely changing the WAY you do what you do with the majority of your time. Either way, it is comprehensive, all-encompassing, and powerfully relevant.

God is not trite. He cares so much more about the ins and outs of your daily life than in whether you had a certain kind of experience or sang a certain kind of song on Sunday morning. And, when we start to see the comprehensive nature of the worship that He demands, it begins to make a little more sense why Hell is the alternative. For those who make their lives into a personal kingdom of self-rule and self-worship, Hell is the only logical destination. We condemn ourselves by making God into a petty, distant, immature music-leader. He doesn't just want our songs.

He wants our lives.

(P.S. I do enjoy singing and think the Church has plenty to sing about!)

He Will Not Quarrel

Matthew 12:19

He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice in victory;
and in his name the Gentiles will hope.

...............

I have been having the hardest time knowing what to say about this chapter. I have considered outlining the four accusations of the Pharisees that are recorded here. I thought about having a tangential discussion of the "unforgivable sin" in verse 31. I keep trying to find the common theme in the whole chapter, but I've realized that these chapter divisions are sometimes arbitrary; there may not be a common theme in some chapters.

So, let's talk about this Isaiah quotation and how in the world this passage was "fulfilled" by Jesus when he "ordered them not to make him known" (verse 16). Many have speculated on the secretive aspect of Jesus' early public ministry. He would often heal people and then tell them to keep it to themselves; don't tell anybody. And, just as often, they would go and tell everybody anyways! Was Jesus just afraid of the authorities? After all, they were conspiring against him, "how to destroy him" (verse 14).

Well, this passage makes clear that Jesus was not being secretive out of fear. Rather he was fulfilling an Old Testament description of the Messiah. If you are familiar with Isaiah 53, the prophecy of the Suffering Servant, than you are already acquainted with the "Servant Songs" of Isaiah. This quotation in Matthew 12 is just from another part of that Servant Song, Isaiah chapter 42. This passage says a number of things about what the Messiah will be like.

- He is chosen and beloved of God (verse 18 - notice the reference made to this at Jesus' baptism by the voice of God from heaven)
- He has the Spirit of God upon Him.
- He will proclaim justice to the Gentiles
- He will not quarrel
- He will not shun those of little faith (a bruised reed he will not break)
- He will bring justice to victory
- The Gentiles will hope in Him.

There is so much to be said about these few descriptions. But, the immediate context demands emphasis upon the fact that Jesus "will not quarrel." It's not that he was afraid of the Pharisees and their plot to destroy him; he knew all about that and where it would lead. But, his time had not yet come and he was not quarrelsome by nature.

He was not quarrelsome by nature.

Isn't that nice to know? That Jesus is not a "devil's advocate" (oh boy, that's obvious). He wasn't looking for a fight with the Pharisees. When he challenged them in public, it was not to be quarrelsome, but to pierce their hearts with the truth of the kingdom, to show them who was really king, and to denounce their false teaching publicly for the sake of his flock. We've seen in chapters 10 and 11 that Jesus was not afraid of publicly foretelling the downfall of his unbelieving enemies. He sounds rather judgmental at times (He is the Judge of all creation!). But, remember also that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. For those of little faith, he will welcome them without quarreling; he will not quench their smoldering flame of faith.

The Last Breath

Psalm 6:4-5

Turn, O LORD, deliver my life;
save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
For in death there is no remembrance of you;
in Sheol who will give you praise?

...............

There are some realities that are too full of emotion to put into words. That may sound trite, but consider how much poetry has been written through the centuries concerning the two great mysteries: love and death. Perhaps that is why so many believers have turned to the Psalms in their desperate hours, when life is hanging on by a thread because of some unspeakable injustice, or some stomach-turning grief.

David found himself at a loss for words. We don't know what the context of this Psalm was, what caused David's eye to waste away because of grief. But we do know that it shut his mouth.

Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.
My soul also is greatly troubled.
But you, O LORD---how long?

That last line resonates in my mind as I consider the pain I have witnessed this year in the hearts and in the eyes of some of my closest friends. When the sorrows come there can be only few words. And, even those few words may be truncated by tears or loss of breath. David can only get out that last line with trembling and quivering lips. Don't gloss over the words here; the sentence structure says it all. The pain is too great for exposition. Only emotion remains.

I notice the repetition of "O LORD" and wonder at the focus and direction of this prayer. He is fixated on the source of Life, his only hope in the midst of this disaster that threatens him. O LORD! O LORD! O LORD! Where else can I turn? And then he reasons with God, the best that he can in the midst of this.

For your sake, O LORD; for the sake of your reputation, deliver me. Who will praise you in death? Who will remember you by dying? Reach out and deliver me and let it be to your praise.

And he did. This time. God heard David's weeping and accepted his prayer. David's confidence grew and he began to trust that his enemies would be turned away and defeated. But, this is not always the case with sorrow.

But, before you despair of the pain and grief that God may choose to leave with you, consider also the Man of Sorrows. Turn to Isaiah 53. Consider His grief and wonder at the cross. It is a balm to the weary, and comfort to know that someone is with you, someone who cares is with you to hear your truncated prayers, to hear those last breaths, those wordless breaths, and he will never leave you nor forsake you.

SPECIAL REPORT - My Excellent Wife

Proverbs 31:10-11

An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trust in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.

...............

I had the rare opportunity last night to eavesdrop on a conversation between my wife and one of her best friends, Bethany. They were discussing parenting and getting into the details of correction and discipline, as well as the fundamentals of how we should view our children -- primarily as sinners, or as bearers of God's image. The more I listened, the more grateful and undeserving I felt. What a shame that I do not realize EVERY day what a treasure of wisdom and thoughtfulness I have here in my own house. I am so blessed to have a wife who is both my best friend and deepest love. I pray that she is blessed today in knowing how much I love and appreciate her...

Donna, you have given me every reason to trust in you.

You have carried our second child through months of sickness and weakness, all while caring for Gracie with your whole heart. You've given until it hurts, and then gave some more. You've prayed for me, encouraged me, and served me too many times to count.

I know that you will do me good, and not harm, all the days of your life.

You have proven time and again how to pinch a penny, make a dollar go farther, and find creative ways to get us through to the next paycheck. You've denied yourself dozens of times by putting off haircuts, buying generic off-brands, and considering the future before the decisions of today. You work your butt off, both in physical effort and intellectually, doing your research on parenting and real estate and cake decorating. These efforts, I truly know, are part of how you are strengthening this household.

You have dressed yourself with strength and made your arms strong.

I look to you before anyone else in my moments of doubt and confusion. You are a woman of incredible wisdom, not satisfied with pat answers, but digging deeply to find a genuine answer for the toughest questions. You are a woman of conviction, and you have stuck with your conscience so many times, even when there were few (or none) around you who agreed. That is true humility. You've put our family even above your own reputation, and I love you for it.

You open your mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on your tongue.

I am so very grateful for your sacrifice, for your constant affection and encouragement, and for the wisdom and thoughtfulness that you exude in every circumstance. You are truly praiseworthy, my bride and my friend. I will trust you all of my days, because I know that you are on my side, for my good, and for the good of our family.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her.
P.S. Thanks for packing my lunch today! You are so sweet!

Mistaken Identity

Matthew 11:27

All things have been handed over to me by my Father,
and no one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

...............

This appears to be a rather cryptic statement in the middle of Jesus' public ministry. No person knows the Son unless the Son chooses to reveal himself to them? How can that be? There were plenty of people who could see Jesus in the flesh, who witnessed His miracles and acts of mercy, and even those closest to Him heard His teaching about Himself in very intimate encounters. Surely, somebody knew Him. This "knowing" must refer to some deeper kind of knowledge, right? The "knowing" of a Father-Son relationship, perhaps? Yes, I think that is part of what Jesus is saying -- this is the intimate knowing that is equivalent to being reconciled with God and being "chosen" by Jesus to have eternal life. I completely agree with the Calvinistic/Reformed usage of this verse in that regard.

But, I think this "knowing" is also referring to a more basic kind of knowledge -- identity.

I get that idea from the rest of the chapter, which can be seen as a kind of case study in mistaken identity. The fallen world of common man appears in this chapter to be completely at a loss when it comes to identifying spiritual realities. These people really were "dwelling in darkness" (Mt 4:16). Here are some examples of mistaken identity from Matthew 11.

(1) "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" (Verse 3). If anybody should know that Jesus was the Messiah, it was John the Baptist. Not to say that John was living in total darkness. He understood more than most about who Jesus was and what kind of ministry he came to carry out. However, when he was locked up in prison, John could not escape the nagging doubts that Jesus might not be who he thought he was. John needed some confirmation. So, he sent messengers to ask and he received in response a description straight from the Old Testament -- a description of a healer, a preacher, and a leader who could be none other than the Messiah himself (Isa. 61:1-12; see also Luke's account of Jesus describing himself with these very words, Lk. 4:18-19).

(2) "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds" (Verses 18-19). The second case of mistaken identity in this chapter concerns both John and Jesus. The crowds are likened to children who are not satisfied with mirth or tears, joy or solemnity. They are essentially always looking for an excuse to ignore the teachings of these men. So, they accuse John of having a demon, and they accuse Jesus of being a drunkard. Nothing is good enough for these people, no matter how many types of prophets God sends to them. They are stubborn-hearted and set in their ways. But wisdom will be justified by her deeds; that is, the rightness of their teaching will eventually be justified by the fruit it bears and the victory it attains.

(3) "Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent" (Verse 20). Finally, the fact that these cities refused to turn from their ways in the face of such astonishing miracles is further proof that they just didn't get it. They knew that Jesus was an amazing person, perhaps even a prophet. But the kind of knowledge that is necessary for repentance and faith was sorely lacking. It will be more bearable for Sodom on the last day, than for these unrepentant cities.

In case you are feeling a bit pessimistic about this fallen world and its perpetual darkness, remember there is a sign of hope after all this. In true prophetic fashion, Jesus concludes this segment of righteous indignation and warning with a message of genuine hope and invitation (verses 28-30). May we consider the sad reality of this dark world and be motivated to turn back to Christ, whose arms remain open to welcome us to a true knowledge of himself:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Have No Fear

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Matthew 10:26

So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

...............

This chapter appears worlds away from the common experience of American Christians. Jesus gives directions for his Twelve apostles to go out for an itinerant ministry of healing and teaching. He then gives his second teaching discourse, focusing on the eventual persecution to be faced by the early church. Let's first consider the potential causes of fear in the persecuted believers, then we will look at the command to "have no fear," and the motivating reasons that can keep us from fear in the face of trials.

(1) The Potential for Fear in the midst of Persecution.

Jesus sends out his followers and says that our experience in the world will be like "sheep amongst wolves." We are surrounded by fearful dangers, a world that is essentially in opposition to the claims of Christ and His kingdom. We are told to "beware of men" who will drag believers into court, make false accusations, and deliver some to death. The history of the early church which we now know is filled with these kinds of stories. And, the unfortunate reality is that this kind of danger continues to face believers all over the world. (Check out www.persecution.com for a clear picture of this present reality).

This chapter carries a heavy tone about it, and it should be clear to the reader that this persecution is a heart-breaking byproduct of the universal curse of sin which has infected every person on the planet. Our world is broken, from the actions of nations to the inner thoughts of the smallest child. We carry in us the very image of God (Gen 1:26-27), but it has been torn and tattered through generations of self-worship (see Rom. 1 for a rundown of the effects of sin on the world).

Topping off all this human wickedness, Jesus comes with a sword (10:34), perhaps an allusion to the intrinsically offensive character of the call to repentance. My own speculation is that the "sword" is something like a scalpel, and that the household dissensions caused by the gospel can be likened to the pain of surgery. The Physician has entered a wounded humanity with a message that is sharper than any two-edged sword, which divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, "discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb. 4:12). It is only through such pain that healing and salvation can come.

What courage do we have in ministry in the midst of this broken and dangerous world?

(2) Motivations to Have No Fear

Jesus does not leave us in despair concerning the persecution that will surely come to his followers. Verses 26-33 especially give us a list of reasons to "have no fear" in our ministry to those around us.

Justice will eventually be done. "For nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be revealed" (10:26). We are to have no fear in our trials because we know the truth that God is judge and will bring everyone to account for their every word and deed. All injustice will be uncovered at the final judgment. We can have real courage in the face of persecution because we know that God is just and will vindicate his adopted children.

Our enemies cannot kill the soul. "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (10:28). We are to have no fear in our trials because we know the truth that our souls are eternally secure, preserved by the almighty hands of our Maker and Redeemer. Rather, we are to have a proper fear of God, who can kill the soul as well as the body. This may be yet another allusion to the Justice that will be done, when God will bring eternal condemnation on His enemies, sealing the rebellious fate they have deserved.

God's children are valuable to Him. "Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows" (10:31). Verses 29-31 have been an encouragement to many believers over the centuries. And, while we should never allow the concept of human value to morph into some man-centered religion (as if Jesus died for us only because of our great value), there is a real comfort here in knowing that my heavenly Father likes me! He loves me! The Fatherhood of God is not incidental to our relationship with Him; it is fundamental. And, just as earthly fathers allow trials and challenges to come into the lives of their children, they still remain fathers, and (the good ones at least) will never leave their post as protectors and saviors (see Ps 121 for a reminder of God's character in this respect).

I pray that you and I will not be ashamed of proclaiming the Word of God in a dangerous world, because we know these three unchangeable truths: Justice will be done, our enemies cannot kill the soul, and we are valuable children in the arms of the most loving Father imaginable.

Who is Righteous?

Psalm 5:12

For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
you cover him with favor as with a shield.

...............

On first reading, this sounds like salvation by works. The Psalms contain many verses that sound that way, especially when David is banking on his integrity in order to obtain God's protection in some dire circumstance. But, does this verse really mean that God gives his favor to those who have made themselves righteous? God helps those who help themselves?

Two reasons from this very chapter that go against that notion:

(1) The immediate context (verse 11) reads,

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.

This puts the primacy on the power of God, not man. The order of things is, first, we should take refuge in God and find our joy in Him. Then, we are considered righteous and receive his favor and protection. Here is, yet again, a reference to "heart-religion" in the fact that "those who love your name" is the description of those who seek refuge in God and are therefore considered righteous. Genuine love for God, and trust in his protection, will proceed any state of rightness with him.

(2) Verses 9 and 10, along with their reference in Romans 3.

For there is no truth in their mouth;
there inmost self is destruction;
their throat is an open grave;
they flatter with their tongue.
Make them bear their guilt, O God;
let them fall by their own counsels;
because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,
for they have rebelled against you.

Here again, we get the general vibe that David is justifying himself in the face of his enemies' threats, willing to confess his hatred of them, and then calling down the judgment of God upon them. Should we emulate such "hatred?" I believe the answer is NO.

This passage is used by Paul to under gird his argument in Romans that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). The curse of sin is all-pervasive, touching every person who ever lived and binding them all together under the just wrath of God. We have all rebelled, not just David's enemies. None are righteous, "no not one." Yet another reason to say that Psalm 5 is no encouragement for us to trust in our own righteousness and walk around with an attitude of self-righteous indignation and bravado. Rather, we should fly to the refuge that God has provided - his own house (5:7). While we deserve to be cast out because of the "abundance of [our] transgressions" (5:10), we have received, in Christ, quite the opposite:

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
will enter your house.

The Minister's Job Description

Matthew 9:35-38

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

...............

This chapter provides a wonderful balance for the minister's job description. As I have read through these accounts and descriptions of Jesus, I have been stung by how far I have to go to be even close to the kind of person He was. Well, no duh! We all have infinitely far to go to be like Jesus. But, while we will never quantitatively match our Savior in any respect, there are qualitative aspects to his ministry that we should expect to reflect in our own, whether it's in a church, or in our workplace, or in the ministry we have in our homes. I see three qualities in this chapter that we should strive to reflect:

(1) Healing. "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners" (9:12-13). Doesn't this passage hit you like a laser beam? I spend every waking hour trying to perform for my boss, for my family, for my Lord....and God does not desire sacrifice! At least not in comparison to MERCY. Now, some acts of sacrifice are motivated by mercy, but the passage here is loud and clear. We are called to show mercy, which implies being around people who need mercy, like the "sinners and tax collectors." There is no shortage of needs in this world, so we have no excuse really. While we can never match the quantity of healing work accomplished by the Great Physician, there is a quality here that we must emulate.

(2) Teaching. "Teaching in their synagogues..." This chapter does not belong to one of the five major teaching sections of the book of Matthew, but don't gloss over the teaching aspect here. Jesus is mostly healing people, but even these healings are occasions to make a point, and Jesus never misses such an opportunity to explain the nature of His kingdom. The explanation about fasting (9:15-17) is the largest exposition here. I would also include the reference to "sheep without a shepherd" as an allusion to the need for ministers who teach, admonish, encourage, and generally use all types of words to keep their flocks from being "harassed and helpless."

(3) Laboring. "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." There is no doubt that ministry is labor. I must confess the tendency to slide into "accidental" ministry, hoping for opportunities to hit me in the face, rather than laboring for a chance to glorify Christ in what I do. Picking up on the "harvest" imagery, and taking a look forward to the farming analogies of Matthew 13, I think we should be reminded that the labor of ministry may sometimes be like planting seeds, or at other times, like reaping a harvest. Let us not belittle one aspect over another.

Before I leave the whole quantitative-qualitative concept, I'd like to include one more verse that keeps popping into my head throughout this discussion. In Colossians 1:10, Paul describes what it means to "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him." It means...

bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

There is a similar balance here that is incredibly vital to our growth and encouragement in the faith. The quantity of our good works may not be infinite, but the quality of our ministry includes many different kinds of good deeds (including healing, teaching, and laboring). And I love the reminder that a life which is truly pleasing to God is not made up of mere externals, but consists of an increasing knowledge of Him. Do I know Him better this year than last year? That may be hard to measure, but I sure hope the measure of my ministry includes such an important, and biblical, criteria.

How's the Weather?

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Matthew 8:27

And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"

...............

If you are feeling awkward in a social situation, there is always the weather. This is especially so in Louisville, KY. Now, I know many cities claim the axiom that we use here, but it is still appropriate: "If you don't like the weather, just wait (a day or 10 minutes or whatever)." This is par for the course here in River City, where the weather can be light flurries of snow in the morning and sweltering hot in the afternoon, no joke. And this past year has been exceptionally freakish, giving yet more fodder to the awkward socialites like myself. An earthquake, a hurricane, and an ice storm, the last two of which caused record-breaking power outages and no shortage of grief. There is always the weather.

So, it is quite appropriate to be flabbergasted by someone who has control over the weather. This guy is something to talk about. Matthew 8 records many amazing things that Jesus did, which drew crowds and caused exclamation among the people. But, it was this calming of the storm which brought his closest followers to the end of their logical ropes. This is no ordinary Messiah. He's not just a healer and teacher and potential political leader. He might be the King. The King of Kings Himself.

A couple other things about this chapter bring verse 27 into stark relief. The chapter begins with crowds of people following Jesus down from the mount, after a sermon that would forever be ingrained in their memories. He cleansed a leper, he healed the centurian's servant with a word, he (almost casually) healed Peter's mother-in-law from a fever.

And then the cost.

Verses 18-22. Talk about disillusionment. I have a feeling that when the disciples got into their boat, many people in the crowds were ready to turn back anyway. This points us to the end of the chapter where we find a stark contrast to how the chapter begins. "And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region" (8:34). After yet another astonishing miracle, cleansing the two demon-possessed men, Jesus finds himself kicked out of town. It wasn't the healings that had changed. It wasn't the person that had changed. People were starting to realize that this guy was no ordinary revolutionary. If you followed this guy, it would be no use talking about the weather anymore. Daily life would never be the same.

I'm going to try to be more amazed at Jesus than I am about the weather. Ask me how it's going and we'll see how I respond. :)

The God Who Hears

Psalm 3

Father, You alone are my righteousness.
You alone can make me right with you.
You alone have made me right with you.
Answer me.

You have given me relief in the past,
when I was distressed, upset, and alone.
Be gracious to me in this moment of need
and answer me.

My honor has been turned into shame.
My enemies love vain words and seek after lies.
But You have set apart the godly for Yourself.
and You will answer me.

I will not sin in my anger,
but I will ponder in the night and be silent.
My offering, and my trust, I give to You.
Lord, answer me.

Many say, "Who will bring any good?
Where is God's face in this darkness?"
Their doubts rail against me, O Lord.
Please, answer me.

But You have poured joy into this heart,
more joy than their abundant grain,
more joy than their flowing wine.
You have answered me.

In peace I will lie down and sleep.
In Your righteousness, I have found my rest.
for You alone make me dwell in safety.
I know that You hear me, O Lord,
You have answered me.

A Tall Glass of Perfection - Part 3

Matthew 7:23

And then will I declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."

...............

I promised to give some practical encouragement on how to avoid hypocrisy. Well, the more I thought about it, and thought about the Sermon on the Mount, the harder it became to make this practical. I've already said that this issue is one of internal transformation, rather than a superficial spirituality. The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart. Our Father sees what is done in secret and rewards us accordingly.

A wise man once said, "Integrity is who you are when no one else is around." That's true to an extent, but I think Matthew 7 gives us some clues to how a person of integrity (in contrast to a hypocrite) would act around other people. Rather than giving you another spiritual "to-do" list, Matthew 7 provides some characteristics, some signs, that someone is genuinely living for God from the heart.

(1) A person of integrity will search their souls carefully before confronting sin in others. "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" (7:5). It is important to note that rebuking someone is not forbidden here, and confronting someone's sin is not antithetical to having integrity. Rather, the sign of a true believer is confronting self before confronting others.

(2) A person of integrity will treat others the same way that they want to be treated. "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets" (7:12). The Golden Rule. 'Nough said.

(3) A person of integrity will be careful not to follow the teaching hypocrites. "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (7:15). How do we know if we're following a false teacher? "You will know them by their fruits" (It's so important, he says it twice in this passage, and gives an illustration).

(4) A person of integrity is more interested in knowing God than impressing Him. Matthew 7:23, quoted at the top, is the key verse here. False teachers will be known by their bad fruits, and one of those bad fruits is a showmanship that is for one's own glory. If we are truly seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness, we will avoid this kind of self-glorifying behavior. Let us be careful too, that our tendency toward works-righteousness does not lead us to trust in ourselves and our own merit rather than only in the blood of Christ - the once for all sacrifice that has torn the veil and brought us back into the presence of our Creator.

(5) A person of integrity will build his life on the promises and commands of God. "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock" (7:24). It's easy to yawn at this point and say, "Every sermon application I've ever heard tells me to read the Bible more!" Well, it kind of looks like that is how Jesus is ending His sermon, too! But, look carefully and notice that it is not about the quantity of Scripture that you take in to your life. Rather, the man who will withstand life's stormy trials (and eventually withstand the storm of God's judgment) is the one who trusts in those promises and banks on the wisdom and goodness of those commands. Such a person will remain standing no matter what happens.

Again, this is not a spiritual "to-do" list. The glass of perfection is still too tall for us to handle in our own strength. We would end up like the man who built his house on the sand if we tried to impress God with our own wisdom and strength. And He wouldn't want it that way. He would rather that we come to him, trust him like a child with a father, and let our hearts be transformed from the inside out.

A Tall Glass of Perfection - Part 2

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

...............

We've seen that hypocrisy is at the center of Jesus' critique of the Pharisees and the common spirituality of his day. What is this hypocrisy and how do we avoid it? A quick definition from Webster's may be helpful:

Hypocrisy
"1: a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not ; especially : the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion."

The word comes from the Greek for "play-acting," a technical term from the world of the theater. Jesus was accusing the religious leaders of being insincere in their beliefs and practices. They were wearing a mask of sorts, a crime that is condemned again and again in the New Testament. For example, Paul argues that "no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly," but rather "a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter" (Rom. 2:28-29). The author of Hebrews quotes from the prophet Jeremiah concerning the new covenant that will be written on our hearts (Heb. 8:8-12; Jer. 31:31-34). There is yet another reference to God giving us a new heart in the prophet Ezekiel (Ezek. 11:19-21). In both prophets there is a concluding vision of what this new heart is really all about: "And they shall be my people, and I will be their God" (Jer. 31:33 & Ezek. 11:20).

Matthew 6:33 gives us a similar conclusion when Jesus is wrapping up his critique of superficial spirituality, i.e. being consumed with the worries of the present moment.

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.

You may check off everything on your spiritual "to-do" list, but if you leave this out, everything is in vain. The problem is that the glass of perfection is still too tall. The Bible won't settle for external conformity to some religious "to-do" list. The Word of God demands genuine love, for our Creator, for his kingdom, and for his creatures. The fact that the prophets described this love as coming from a "new heart" (not to mention the teaching that Jesus gives about the necessity of a "new birth" in John 3) reminds us that we are utterly incapable of producing the righteousness that God requires. Hence, the command to seek "His righteouness;" that is, the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ and banks everything on the substitutionary atonement that he accomplished on the cross. It is what theologians call an "alien righteousness," something outside of ourselves that has been imputed to us. (Check out Romans 4 and 5 for a refresher on "faith counted as righteousness.")

So, if we are utterly incapable of giving ourselves this "new heart," what can I do to follow Jesus' teaching? How can I avoid the hypocrisy he condemned and instead "Seek first His kingdom?" Maybe we'll get to some practical encouragement on this matter tomorrow!

To be continued...

A Tall Glass of Perfection - Part 1

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Matthew 5:48

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

...............

What can be said about Matthew 5 and the Sermon on the Mount that hasn't already been said? Men and women have spent lifetimes studying this passage, attempting to tease out the meaning of "the Law" and whether Jesus really meant for us to obey these commands, or whether the apparent impossibility of the commands was meant to be instructive concerning our depravity and utter need for a Savior. My short answer is: both.

This is yet another great opportunity for a lesson in interpretation. There are many key verses in this passage. I was inclined to think that 5:17 was really the window to understanding the whole chapter. But, I also think that 5:48 is a good candidate. Two reasons: It comes at the conclusion of this section (Jesus often summarized parables and teachings with memorable one-liners at the very end), and the verse contains a "therefore," adding more weight to the idea that Jesus is summing up all that he has just said. And the conclusion is, you must be perfect as your Father is perfect. No big deal, right?

Well, this verse is quite discouraging at first. It parallels verse 20, where Jesus said that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. In what sense is our righteousness supposed to exceed theirs? I think from the examples that Jesus subsequently gives, it is clear that the kind of righteousness he is commanding is a lifestyle of obedience without hypocrisy.

You could say, with some weight, that the entire sermon is merely a scathing critique of religious hypocrisy. Your loving actions mean nothing if there is anger in your heart, or if you only love those who love you. Your chastity is nothing if there is lust in your heart. Your "certificate" of divorce means nothing, period! Your just retribution is nothing, since God also wants to display mercy on the righteous and unrighteous. Furthermore, Jesus exposes in the hypocritical motives behind the religious leaders' alms, their prayers, and their fasting in chapter 6.

So, what is this tall order of "perfection?" It is probably referring to obedience to the whole counsel of God, the whole Law, and more importantly, obedience in such a way that is completely heart-felt and motivated by love for God and all people. And you thought the Ten Commandments were a tall order on their own!

To be continued...