Human Depravity

Psalm 14:1

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds,
there is none who does good.

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

We have seen this description of the wicked in Psalm 10 already, that they say in their hearts, "There is no God." We noted that atheism is really a form of pride, a way of exalted oneself over the inconvenient reality of God's rightful place in the universe. In this Psalm, we see the phrase used as the root issue behind all of human depravity: There are none who can genuinely be called good because, as a whole, mankind has turned away from God and called down his just wrath.

This Psalm is really from God's perspective. In verse 2, we hear that God "looks down from heaven" in order to see if there are "any who understand, who seek after God." This would not have been a controversial concept for early Jewish believers. They understood very well that the Gentiles were living under God's displeasure. We can almost see them nodding their heads in agreement when the first Roman Christians read the apostle Paul's letter to them:

The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (Rom. 1:18).

However, it is the way that Paul references this Psalm in Romans 3 that presents the Jews with quite a theological curve-ball. They might have expected Paul to use this description of man's depravity as a kind of final verdict upon the rebellious Gentile "dogs," as they were popularly known. Instead, Paul takes Psalm 14 and throws it up as a description of the Jews and Gentiles alike:

What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written, "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God." (Rom. 3:9-11)

As we've noted elsewhere, the first step in interpreting the Old Testament is to see how it is directly or indirectly referenced in the New Testament. Psalm 14 may have been used by the Jews to condemn their unrighteous enemies, but the perspective of God, as further illuminated by the New Testament, is that this judgment refers to all people, regardless of their race or religion.

Fortunately, that condemnation is not the end of the story. Just as Paul finishes his universal condemnation of all people as completely unrighteous and without hope in the world, he throws yet another theological curve-ball:

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it---the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. (Rom. 3:21)

Romans 1 told us that God's wrath was being reveal against unrighteousness; Romans 3 now tells us that God's righteousness has now been revealed that is apart from the law -- a rightness with God that is given to us as a gift, through faith in the work of Jesus Christ upon the cross, where he took our sin upon Himself, and then rose from the dead to secure new life for us and an eternal reconciliation with God. Death has been overcome; our depravity will be once for all eliminated; and our hope has been restored, not in ourselves, but in the God who comes to us and makes things right. Amen.

Paradox in the Garden

Matthew 26:56

"But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled.

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

Jesus is described as the most valuable, the most worthy being in the universe. In Him, writes Paul, are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2). In Jesus is all the hope of humanity to escape condemnation and be completely justified before a holy God (Rom. 8). Even in this very chapter, Jesus accepts the costly worship of a humble woman, allowing her to pour expensive ointment on his head as a sign of adoration.

And yet, he was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver.

Jesus is described as the most powerful being in the world as well. He upholds the entire universe merely by the word of his power (Heb. 1). He had the power to command demons and control the weather. In this very chapter, we get a glimpse of his power when he publicly claims to have legions of angels at his disposal (26:53).

And yet, he agonized in prayer, submitting himself to the will of his Father.

Jesus was undoubtedly the most faithful and compassionate friend ever known on the face of earth. He sought out and called the most humble, the most unwanted people in society and made them his personal companions. He taught them all the most profound and important truths ever expressed by a human teacher. To Peter especially, he gave the most precious opportunities of friendship and love.

And yet, Jesus watched his closest friends fall asleep in his time of greatest need. He watched them all flee, just when he needed them most. He felt the sting of betrayal from his best friend on earth.

This chapter is filled with paradox: How could the One who was most worthy, most powerful, and most loving be utterly human at the same time, experiencing the humility, the weakness, and the betrayal that we often feel ourselves, but to a degree we could never understand?

Oil, Talents, and Mercy

Matthew 25:34-36

Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."

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

There once was a master. He left his servants in charge of his possessions and told them what to do while he was gone. He came back one day to see what his servants had done with what he gave them. Some were not ready, so they were condemned. But, some had used what was given and had achieved incredible results.

This is a bare bones sketch of all three of these parables in Matthew 25. I don't think I've every considered the parallels between them, but right now it is almost too obvious - and quite helpful in interpreting them. Much like the parallel parables of Luke 15 (the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the lost son), these three parables tell the story of the Last Judgment and the kinds of responses people will receive from Jesus upon his return. Some will be wise, having preserved enough oil or invested properly. But, some will be foolish, having been ill prepared and performing poorly with the blessings they were given.

What is most striking to me, if these parallels are fair to the original intent, is how the third parable sheds so much light on the first and second. Namely, that the mysterious oil and the cryptic reference to talents are both symbolic of the MERCY of God that we have received and of which we are now stewards.

We are stewards of the mercy of God.

He will return one day and he will ask each one of us how we have used the mercy we have been given. Did we use it as a license to sin, or a security blanket to insulate ourselves from the world? Or, did we share that mercy with those who are called the "least of these" - the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. I am challenged now to always look at the parable of the talents especially in reference to this parable that follows. I hope and pray that I will invest the blessing of mercy I have received so that it multiplies into blessings for all of the many needs in this world. Lord, help me to be that good and faithful servant.

"Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master."

Poetry in Emotion

Psalm 13:1-2

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

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

When we are under incredible burdens or in the depths of despair concerning some overwhelming challenge, the reasonable thing to ask God is Why? For what, O LORD? For what purpose is all of this happening to me? But, the psalmist doesn't ask why, precisely because the person who is in despair has little reasoning faculties left to call upon in conversation with God. The pain and oppression have worn away at reason and left nothing but a raw core of emotion. How long? When will this end? How long will you hide your face?!

Consider the sliver of hope that comes at the end of Psalm 13, train your mind to never let go of that hope, even in the midst of the most overwhelming trial, and then try to put into words the prayer of your heart, perhaps in words of desperation.

Try being honest with God; he can handle it.

Rather than defeat my own interpretation by offering a "reasonable" summary of this psalm, I'd rather quote a hymn and encourage you to make it your own prayer. May we continue to fight to remember how faithful He is, even when it appears that He has vanished.

Image by SPH via Flickr

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

Realism and Hope

Matthew 24:8

All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

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

If you've ever been involved in the birth of a child, then this short sentence may shed a lot of light on this passage for you. Jesus responded to the disciples interest in the building of the Temple by telling them that it will all be destroyed. In turn, the disciples wanted to know when this would take place (Note: see how the disciples ask the wrong question, much like believers today who get obsessed over the symbols and chronology of the end times). Jesus does eventually answer that question (24:44), though not in the way they had hoped for. He will be coming back at an hour that they will not expect.

And that is a no-brainer if you remember the birthing analogy. The evolution of childbirth by on-demand cesarean section is a very recent development in the history of labor and delivery. The rest of us are fully aware that babies come into the world at an hour that no one will expect.

Here's a second parallel between the end times and the birth of a child: it has always been excruciatingly painful, yet filled with hope. The pain is a result of the Fall (Gen. 3) and will continue to accompany childbearing until all things are made new (Rev. 21). The hope is a result of the image of God in us that has not been completely destroyed by the Fall, and which is progressively renewed and reformed by the Spirit of God in the lives of those who believe in Christ. The hope is real, just as much as the pain.

This is difficult for us today in the "Christian" West. We read about pastors being unfaithful to their wives and to their congregations almost every week. We hear about abortion doctors being shot to death in the pews and we wonder what impact the gospel of peace is really making on individuals and on the broader culture. These questions, when left unanswered, can easily turn into an undercurrent of pessimism and cynicism.

But, we must remember that Jesus saw all this coming. He told us there would be wars, famines, earthquakes, tribulations, martyrs, betrayals, false prophets, and overall lawlessness, even among the supposed members of the church. The news headlines should shock us and grieve us, but we must always remember that justice will eventually be done, that these atrocities were foretold, and that somehow they are part of the birth pains which will eventually give us a new heavens and a new earth. Let us read this concluding statement and remember to mix our saddened realism with genuine hope. The kingdom will prevail, and His true children will endure to the end.

And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Mt 24:12-14)