Why don't we leave well enough alone?

by Timothy Howe

 Yesterday we wondered why Saul was rejected? It might be good to do some back tracking on this to see how the OT gets to Saul in the first place. How did Israel end up with a king?

Samuel was a hero

Samuel is one of the biggest heroes in the Bible. He heard from God at a time when "the word of the Lord was rare" and "visions from Him were infrequent" (1 Samuel 3:1). Samuel was God's movement away from the corrupt House of Eli. Samuel heard from God. That is actually what his name means - he heard from God. He brought the worship of Yahweh back to its proper heights. 

Heroes aren't always heroes

Sad but true - all of our heroes fail sometimes. We have seen sports heroes fall to substance abuse. Religious heroes have moral failure. Political heroes turn out not to be who they were elected to be. Heroes are still human. They still fail. For all that Samuel did well, he also failed.

Samuel Started the Whole Mess

Samuel’s sin led to Israel’s misguided request for a king. (1 Samuel 8:1-3). What was Samuel's sin? There were two different problems. 

(1) Samuel chose the next judge, not God as was the pattern.

All of the judges in Israel's history until and including Samuel were selected by God. 1 Samuel 8:1 tells us that when he sensed it was time for a new judge, he selected the next judge. He did not wait on God to do what God had always done. The person who became famous for hearing from God, chose to act according to his own volition than to wait to hear from God. 

(2) Samuel chose a dynastic approach, his descendants, not through merit.

What is even worse is the fact that Samuel attempted to install his own sons in the authoritative position of being a judge, instead of allowing God to choose a godly man. When Gideon had tried to do this with his son Abimelech in Judges 9, things turned out terribly for his son and for Israel. One would think that a prophet of God would have learned from the past.

The Elders Ask for a King

Samuel's poor choice forced the hands of Israel's elders. The elders of Israel rejected Samuel's sons as judges over them and asked for a king instead. The poor decisions of one man, Samuel, prompted poor decisions from other people; and so a vicious cycle began that would have dire consequences for the people of Israel.

Tomorrow we will see how 

poor decision-making becomes infectious.

Why David, Why Not Saul

by Timothy Howe

This week I want to look at something that frustrating me in times past. As many of you know, I like studying the Bible. I really enjoy learning about its history and background which serve to explain its teachings. Some of these teachings are not always super easy to decipher.


The events surrounding the lives of the first two kings of Israel is an area that once upon a time really bothered me. Many of you may know the story of these two men - Saul and David.


Saul a Man's Man
Saul was chosen by Samuel as directed by God. He was tall, good looking, and a fierce warrior. By all accounts he served as a faithful king with a few mess-ups along the way. He had a real temper and made a few inappropriate boasts, oaths and sacrifices. But we would almost expect these slight imperfections in our leaders.


David a Loyal Man
David followed Saul as king after Saul and his son Jonathan died in a terrible battle. This came on the heals of a strange and tortuous relationship between David, King Saul and Prince Jonathan. David had been in the court of Saul serving as both a warrior and a musician for the King. In addition, David was best friends with Prince Jonathan. David was grieved at his loss. At one point, Saul tried to destroyed David out of jealousy because David was becoming very popular in Israel, but David remain true to his King.


David a Failed Man
Eventually David replaced Saul and he then served as king. During his reign, David married several wives, something strictly forbidden by God; he had an improper relationship with another man's woman; he had that man killed; and he stirred up hatred between his own children that led to them killing each other. This sounds like really bad stuff. As bad as Hollywood could dream up.


Then why David over Saul?
Yet the Scriptures teach that God rejected Saul and took his throne away for sinfulness while it teaches that David was a man after God's own heart who would have someone sit on his throne forever. Indeed, the Messiah came from the lineage of David. What is up with that? Why was Saul rejected and David accepted as king?


This week I want to explore that question. Today, I want to focus on King Saul. What sin caused Saul to be rejected? You can find the answers in 1 Samuel beginning in chapter 9 or by clicking on this link - Saul Chosen to be King.


So, what is your first guess? What sin caused Saul to be rejected?

Get a free sms student response system at Poll Everywhere

Authority from Humility

by Timothy Howe

This past week Christian celebrated the seminal event in Christianity, the Resurrection of Jesus. Everything in the faith revolves around the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah. The entire week functions as a time of celebration. We reflect on the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday and the role of Jesus as King over all. We consider Jesus’ reinterpretation of the Passover Meal on Thursday. Our hearts are broken on Good Friday. Hope floods our souls on Resurrection Sunday.

So Much More. Reread the Passion Story

Yet, these are just the highlights of the week. There is so much action and teaching packed into the week that might get lost in the greater movement. Now, Post-Resurrection Sunday, would be a good time to go back and read some of the teachings and stories of Passion Week.

One of those perhaps overlooked moments occurs at the very beginning of the week. Jesus has just entered into the city at the acclaim of the crowds shouting, “God saves us, God saves us” – the literal translation of Hosanna.

Jesus Exerts Authority 

Matthew describes how He heads directly for the Temple and cleanses it of unholy practices. He certainly overturned the apple cart and got the attention of the religious leaders. Jesus returned to the Temple the next morning and began teaching whereupon the religious approached him questioning His authority for his actions and teachings.

And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?

Matthew 21:23 ESV

No Answer

Jesus does not answer their question directly but continues teaching, and his teaching is not pleasant to the ears of the leaders. He tells the parables of the two sons, the wicked tenants, and the wedding feast of the guests who refused to come. Each of these parables describes the rejection of the people who assumed they were God’s chosen people. Jesus affirms His authority through teachings that confounded His critics.

And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Matthew 22:46

Authority from Humility

He would go on to demonstrate His ultimate authority in the most expected way – by dying on the cross. The Apostle Paul explains how His authority comes from the most unexpected places, from His humility.

¹So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, ² complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:1-11

Jesus never declared verbally from where He received His authority. He made the case that He had the authority through His powerful teachings and even more powerful actions. His life exhibited the origination of authority. 

May we recognize His true authority in our lives. 

The Beginning

by Timothy Howe

    Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” 
     Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

Mt 28:1–10, 16-20 ESV

Our Faith Began with a Disturbance. 

An Earthquake powerful enough rolled away the stone to reveal an empty tomb.

Our Faith Began with an Appearance.

An angel appeared to the women; the women were not left alone. 

Our Faith Began with an Announcement.

The angel announced what had happened; the women were not left wondering.

Our Faith Began with an Encounter.

The women encountered Jesus and immediately worshiped Him realizing the great change that had taken place for them and for all humanity.

Our Faith Began with a Command to Tell.

Jesus commanded the women to tell the disciples what had happened and what He expected of them. Jesus then commanded all of His disciples to tell people about the events of His life. Telling the story of Jesus is an integral part of the faith experience for each Christian.

Our Faith Began with a Promise.

Jesus promised His disciples that He would always be with them. His promise holds true for us today. 

May we each tell His story, 

trusting in His presence.

Loss

by Timothy Howe

How lonely sits the city that was full of people!

How like a widow has she become,

She who was great among the nations!

She who was a princess among the provinces has become a slave.

She weeps bitterly in the night with tears on her cheeks;

Among all her lovers she has none to comfort her;

All her friends have dealt treacherously with her;

They have become her enemies.

Judah has gone into exile because of affliction and hard servitude;

She dwells now among the nations, but finds no resting place;

Her pursuers have all overtaken her in the midst of her distress.

The roads to Zion mourn, for none come to the festival;

All her gates are desolate; her priests groan;

Her virgins have been afflicted, and she herself suffers bitterly.

Look, O Lord, for I am in distress; my stomach churns;

My heart is wrung within me, because I have been very rebellious.

In the street the sword bereaves; in the house it is like death.

Lamentations 1:1-4, 20 ESV

And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, 
“The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed,..." 

Luke 9:21-22a ESV 

Jesus' Loss

Jesus understood pain and suffering. He embraced it. He foretold His followers that He would suffer, he would be rejected and he would be killed. And He was killed in the most gruesome of fashions. Indeed, Jesus suffered loss. He suffered. He was rejected. He was killed.

Jesus' Loss Paved the Way for Our Loss

Jesus' loss was not limited to Him alone though. We share in His loss. In fact, Jesus described how He expected His followers to also suffer loss in Luke 9:23ff.          He anticipated hardship for His followers, and even instructed His followers to suffer loss. 

          He told His followers to accept loss by denying self.

          He told His followers to embrace loss by taking up our cross.

          He told His followers to properly evaluate loss for His sake.

This day of loss reminds us that He is not ignorant of your pain, your sorrows, your difficulties. 

True Loss vs. Temporary Loss

Yet, Jesus measures our pains differently than we do. He measures our problems compared with what He has in store for us for all eternity. He redeems temporal loss with eternal gain. Jesus counts what is true loss and contrasts temporal loss with eternal loss. In Luke 9:26 He explains the consequences for those unwilling to suffer loss in this world for His sake - the Son of Man will be ashamed of him!


Temporary Loss and Eternal Gain
Our lives have pains, sorrows and loss. Jesus understands them. On this Day of Loss, know that Jesus took a temporary loss and turned it into our eternal gain. 

Reflect on His Temporary Sacrifice.

Cling to His Eternal Gain.

A Beautiful and Terrible Commemoration

by Timothy Howe

Passover
This week commemorates one of most important season for Christians. It is a time when we remember the central truth of our faith - that Jesus left heaven and came to earth for us. The events that unfold during this week took place at a very holy time of the year for the Hebrew people. It was a time of the celebration of Passover. Passover was an institution that commemorated the night that God struck down the first born son of the Egyptians who kept the Hebrews as slaves.


On that terrible night the Hebrews had to adhere to certain commands in order to evade the same destruction that befell the Egyptians. These commands concerning the actions required are found in Exodus 12:1-14.

Take time to read Exodus 12:1-14 to understand these events.

On the night prescribed, the Hebrews did as they were commanded. Then the death angel came and destroyed the firstborn from every house which did not have the mark of the blood of the lamb.  In the morning, when the Pharaoh saw this terrible thing, he finally relented and let the people of Israel be freed of their slavery.

This festival commemorates a beautiful and also terrible thing. Passover is beautiful as it commemorates the rescue of people from slavery and death. It is terrible as it commemorates the blood that was shed in this process.

Our Passover

Jesus's ministry results in his execution. The last meal Jesus has with His disciples is the Passover meal (Luke 22:7-20). It is no accident that Jesus was executed at this time time of year. Passover pictures His terrible death as the beautiful act of our freedom from the slavery of sin and death. He has become our Passover lamb. The Lord’s Supper is our Passover Commemoration.

As a result of Christ's work, He redefined the meaning of the Passover meal retaining two chief components - the wine and the bread. The bread represents His body that was broken as a sacrifice for His followers. The wine represents His blood as it inaugurated the new covenant spoken of in Jeremiah 31:31-34. 

This new meal goes by various names - the Lord's Supper, Communion, Eucharist. It is one of the few things that Christ directly commands us to adhere to in His memory and it binds all Christians throughout the world together regardless of our background. It is not to be taken lightly (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

Keys to understanding this ceremony are that it reminds us of the terrible sacrifice made by Christ on our behalf and that it reminds us of the beautiful result of that sacrifice and of His ongoing presence in our lives. The meal serves as both a beautiful and terrible commemoration. 

May you contemplate what our Lord endured for you this week.

May you experience the Lord's presence in your life today.

Celebrate Our King

by Timothy Howe

A Triumphal King
Yesterday began a special week in the life of those who follow Jesus. We remember His "triumphal entry," an ironic title for the event that leads to his ultimate death. 


The actions that the people demonstrated that they thought he was special. The scriptures tell us that Jesus' disciples brought a colt for him to ride on, that people cut palm branches that they laid on the road before him along with their cloaks. 




An Exulted King
The people shout phrases such as  



Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Hosanna in the highest! 

Matthew 21:9, Luke 19:38 (ESV).

The actions represented that they thought he was the coming king of Israel and this was something worthy of celebration. Israel's history of kings was not a very good one. The biblical story makes it clear that most of Israel's kings led the nation so poorly that it was eventually conquered by its enemies as punishment from the Lord. 


A Humble King
And yet a promise remained that a special king would one say come. 




                            Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! 
                            Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! 
                                        Behold, your king is coming to you; 
                            righteous and having salvation is he, 
                                        humble and mounted on a donkey, 
                            on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

                                                    Zechariah 9:9 (ESV)   

The description of this king is one that is opposite to the failed kings. This king would be one of righteousness and salvation. 

Before entering into the city, Jesus instructed the disciples to bring a colt for Him to ride. Though a horse would seem to be a better image for a king to ride on, the selection of a colt was intentional. Jesus would demonstrate his personal humility by riding in on a donkey not a grand stallion. Jesus' kingship would be one that would be different. 

A Righteous King

God describes in Deuteronomy 17 what he expects of His king. His king was to lead the people in righteousness. He was to teach them how to live before the Lord. The kings of Israel failed at this task. But where they failed, Jesus would succeed. 

The people celebrated because they anticipated what this king would accomplish for them. They likely were expecting political salvation. God had something so much more in mind for them. Though they might have been celebrating for the wrong reason, their celebration was appropriate. 

You have the advantage of knowing the real reason to celebrate this king. 

Celebrate our King