Tag: Bible

Why Jesus Prayed for Unity

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional3 Comments 
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21, ESV)

Unity is hard for Christians. I’m not saying it should be hard for Christians. We have the deepest things in common with one another, and we are indwelled by the same Holy Spirit. So, unity shouldn’t be such a challenge, but because we are not going to be everything we should be this side of Christ’s return, unity is hard. It takes work. It takes faith and recognition of what we have in common.

But it’s not just Christians. Unity is hard for everyone. It’s challenging to get everyone on the same page, working toward a common goal. We live in a nation called the United States of America. I love that this was intentionally at the bedrock of what it means to be an American. It means we are in some sense united to every other American. We are fellow citizens of “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” 

But does that mean unity is easy in this country? Sadly, no. In fact, in many ways we don’t look like the United States at all. We are a very divided country right now. 

So, unity is very difficult to achieve, but essential for a nation to thrive. But for the church of Jesus Christ, it is even more imperative. The world, the flesh, and the devil threaten to divide and destroy Christians. So, Jesus prayed that we–His followers–would be “one” just as He and the Father are one. Stop and consider what Jesus is praying for. That’s an extraordinary request. He prayed that the same eternal and unbreakable unity found among the members of the triune God would mark His Church. 

“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” (John 17:21, NLT)

This prayer is instructive on many levels, but it teaches us three important things:

  1. Unity doesn’t come easy, or else Jesus wouldn’t have to pray for it.
  2. Unity among His people will draw others to faith in Him.
  3. Unity will ultimately come about because Jesus did in fact pray for it.

I have to ask myself, Do I desire the same kind of unity for the Church that Jesus desired? What would that say about the Church of Jesus Christ if Christians in particular were known for their remarkable love for one another, their lack of selfishness, and their desire to build one another up rather than tear each other down. 

Paul urged believers in Ephesus to work for unity among themselves. He gave them a clear prescription. It requires “all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3, ESV).

So, Jesus prayed for unity in the church. Paul urged us toward unity. And the Holy Spirit is the basis for unity. Clearly, unity should matter to us. It should be a top priority for the church. But how is it achieved?

In that same context of His prayer for the Church, Jesus prayed, “sanctify them in the truth; your Word is truth” (John 17:17). This reminds us that while in many ways truth divides, truth is also the eternal basis for unity.

1,700 years ago, in AD 325, followers of Jesus battled controversy and heresy that threatened to split the church apart. More than 300 bishops met in Nicaea to answer the question, “What does a Christian need to believe?” And they came up with the Nicene Creed. 

I think Jesus’ prayer for unity points us to the power and beauty of the local church. Consider that all over the world, Christians of different political stripes, backgrounds, ethnicities, and nationalities gather at a local church to worship their Savior, Jesus Christ. Each individual walking through the door has his or her own personal goals, desires, preferences, and opinions. Each person has his or her idiosyncrasies and thoughts, so there could be a million ways one might disagree with the person sitting in the next seat. But because they are gathered as one church to honor their one Lord, the varying opinions can start to fade into the background. The focus is not on the self; it is on Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Together, they sing to Him. They hear His Word preached. And they, as one, pray for Him to intervene in their lives.

Here’s my encouragement. Never take for granted the power of the local church and the way in which–however imperfectly–the power of Jesus Christ is put on display when we gather as one body.

If Jesus prayed for unity, so should we. I encourage you to do that now.

Lord Jesus, You prayed for unity among Your followers, which tells me how much You love Your Church. And, lest we forget, it is Your Church. May our witness grow and may a supernatural love mark Your people who gladly worship You and eagerly await the perfect unity we will enjoy at Your soon return. I ask for You to do this by Your Holy Spirit and the power of Your Name. Amen.

If you have thoughts on this post, I would love to hear from you.

Work: Blessing or Curse?

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional, Theology for Life3 Comments 
 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. (Genesis 2:15, ESV) 

In the beginning, God created us to work. Wait a minute. Does that sound right to you? God created us to work?

Sure, that’s not the only reason God created us. He created us to know, enjoy, and love Him and others. But, yes, God did in fact create us for work.

It’s unfortunately common for many people–including many Christians–to view work as a curse rather than a blessing. Work is thought of as a necessary evil. Something that gets them the paycheck so they can do what they really want. You can hear it in the statements “Thank God it’s Friday!” and “I’m livin’ for the weekend!”

When you think of work as drudgery and curse, you won’t take delight in your 9 to 5 job. You won’t see how your work connects to a larger purpose or is part of what gives life meaning, because you don’t think of it as part of your created design.

Let me say something that might sound a bit radical. Work is less about earning a paycheck and more about living out your God-given purpose. Yes, I understand that the paycheck is important, that we need money to feed and care for ourselves and our families. And I’m not saying earning a lot of money is inherently evil. But I am saying that your work is about so much more than increasing your cashflow. Work is a blessing.

Think about how this perspective can transform your life.

If you work 40 hours a week for 40 years (pretty typical for many people), that is 80,000 hours of your life at work. So, how you view work really matters.

It all begins with seeing who God is. 

When Genesis was written, other cultures at this time had their own creation stories. And in the Babylonian creation story, the gods basically get tired of working and then one of them has the bright idea of making man to be the little slaves that work for the gods, apparently so that the gods can relax on the heavenly beaches with mai tais and sunglasses.

But notice how different the story is in Genesis. First of all, work is not drudgery for God. God delights in His work of creation and calls it “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Then God rested on the seventh day from His work and blessed it (Genesis 2:2-3). But God wasn’t done working.

Jesus said, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working” (John 5:17).

And when God creates man, He tells him that one of his great purposes is to do this honorable work of cultivating and developing His garden.

 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. (Genesis 2:15, ESV) 

The ancient Greeks and Romans viewed work as a necessary evil. Aristotle even famously said that some people were made to be slaves who worked and others were made for the higher life of philosophy and contemplation.

“The whole Greek social structure helped to support such an outlook, for it rested on the premise that slaves and [craftsmen] did the work, enabling the elite to devote themselves to the exercise of the mind in art, philosophy, and politics.” (Leland Ryken, Work and Leisure in Christian Perspective, 64)

In stark contrast, the Hebrews believed that work is part of our royal dignity as image bearers of a God who works. The Bible presents work as one of God’s blessings for taking dominion of the world He’s made for us. Again, Adam is put in a garden called “Delight” (Eden) “to work it and keep it.”

At this point, the world was perfect (well, almost perfect because he doesn’t have a wife yet). There was no curse because sin had not yet entered the world. Adam is in paradise, and he’s working. We might assume work is the result of the curse, but work is a blessing, intended for honoring God and loving others.

I’ve talked with a lot of business owners over the last few years. And one of the recurring trends is the lack of young people with a good work ethic, who are committed to doing quality work. This lack of motivation tells me that many people simply have a warped view of work.

Genesis 2:15 teaches that from the very beginning God intended for man to work and cultivate the ground and make something of the world he was living in. These two words “work” and “keep” are the same Hebrew words used elsewhere to describe the vocation of the priests. Well, what did the priests do? They worked in the Temple and led the people in worshiping God.

Here’s the idea. God created the whole cosmos to be His Temple. From the very beginning, God intended to dwell with His image bearers in a world He created. Man and woman would walk in fellowship with Him and glorify Him, even as they developed the world into a civilized paradise. 

Do you know that you can worship God through work? And when you rely on Him, you can see work as a way of loving your neighbor. Whether you are a teacher, attorney, engineer, firefighter, homeschool mom, store clerk, pizza delivery guy, or police officer, when you see your work as part of God’s grand plan for caring for His world, you can actually take joy in even very demanding work. When I worked at a hospital, I asked a nurse what she liked best about her job. She said that “Every nurse knows how hard it can be,” but that even on very hard days, she knows she’s serving people and that gives her work meaning.

Also, keep in mind how high a view of mankind the Bible has. We weren’t created to be God’s little minions, slaving away in drudgery. God’s calling on our lives is much, much bigger than that!

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? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. (Psalm 8:3-8, ESV)

God didn’t create us to be His little slaves. No, God creates human beings and puts all things under our feet. And He then invites us to partner with Him in making something of this world. We should see work as a gift–a privilege, even–where we get to partner with God in creating civilization by cultivating the planet He made to be our home.

God cares about your work. And I’m not just talking about your 9 to 5 job. Being a full-time parent is God-honoring work. Cleaning your home is God-honoring work. Scrubbing toilets is God-honoring work. Why? Because you are bringing order out of chaos, and that is what God does.

Prayer:

Father God, help me enjoy the work you have given to me–even the menial tasks that can feel like drudgery. Help me see how my work is connected to how You care for the world You have created for us to dwell in. When I clean the gutter, mow the lawn, serve food, or wash the dishes, help me take pleasure in bringing order out of chaos. Give me joy in my work in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

If you have thoughts on this post, I would love to hear from you.

What Hope Does God Offer Families of Flood Victims?

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional, Theology for Life4 Comments
Photo by Patrick Keely via Reuters

This last Friday (the 4th of July), flash flooding devastated central Texas. As of this writing, there are 104 confirmed deaths, including 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls camp outside Hunt, Texas. My heart breaks for the grieving families. As a husband and father, it’s difficult to imagine what they must be going through right now. Their sense of loss must be unbearable.

In times of tragedy, people ask, “Why would a God of love allow something so terrible to happen?”

I don’t even want to pretend I have an answer to that question. While the question is often asked, my response must be, “I don’t know why God allowed this particular tragedy.” Some things must be left to the inscrutable wisdom of God.

But here’s what I do know. I know that God is not a cold and distant God, unaware or uninterested in what happens in our life. In fact, I have spoken with many people who have told me that it was right in the middle of tragedy and devastating loss that God drew near and made His presence more real to them.

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18, NIV)

Somehow, in the midst of all the tears and heart-wrenching grief, God Himself comes near in love. He enfolds the crushed in His arms of compassion. 

“God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3, NLT)

Ultimately, it is the love of Jesus Christ that can bring healing to our deepest wounds. Although no answer to the “why” can ever bring a daughter or a sister back, it can help to know that our God knows what it’s like to live in a broken world under the curse of sin. When we wonder if God cares about our misery, consider Jesus, who clothed Himself in human flesh and walked this planet alongside the hurting, the broken, and the dying. He Himself experienced the grief of losing His dear friend, Lazarus. 

Consider that Jesus didn’t turn away but gazed into the eyes of Mary as she wept for her dead brother. He saw those mourning and felt the deep pangs of emotion stirring in His perfect soul.

When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. (John 11:33, NLT)

Jesus wasn’t merely disturbed; He was angry. How can the Son of God be angry at something in the world He created? Jesus felt a keen sense of anger at what sin and death have done to this world of human beings He created. His compassionate heart longed for the day when He would put all things right, when every tear would be wiped away and death would be no more and His creation would be made new (Revelation 21:4-5).

According to the Bible, it is not God but man who brought death into this world, but Christ’s empty tomb proves that death does not get the last word. 

“Just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man.” (1 Corinthians 15:21, NLT)

Does God care about the flood in Texas? Does He see those parents mourning the loss of their little girl? Beyond question, He does. If you look at the nail-scarred hands of Jesus, you can know that He endured the agony of sin’s curse at a level we could never know in order to redeem this world from that curse. And one day, He will accomplish the final defeat of death, “the last enemy” to be destroyed (v. 26).

I invite you to pray with me for those grieving families.

Father God, You alone can bring the comfort we most need in the midst of devastating heartbreak. Show Your unfathomable love to those grieving families who were devastated by the Texas flood. We can’t understand why, but we thank You for the great love proved by the Cross. And we thank You for the hope of the resurrection of Jesus. May countless people turn to Your merciful heart in this time of deep loss. In Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen.

If you have thoughts on this post, I would love to hear from you.

A Buddhist Encounters Jesus

On By Jason SmithIn Why I Believe2 Comments

Some of my favorite books to read are memoirs of people who have come to faith in Jesus Christ. There is something powerful about hearing an individual’s story of how God rescued him or her from spiritual darkness. It reminds me that while God sovereignly reigns from Heaven over the whole world, He is also providentially calling individuals to Himself. And every testimony is unique. 

Jesus famously said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Jesus is the only hope of the world and there is no salvation outside of Him. At the same time, God uses various avenues to bring His gospel to a lost soul.

I recently finished reading the book Leaving Buddha: A Tibetan Monk’s Encounter with the Living God by Tenzin Lahkpa. It was fascinating to learn Tenzin’s firsthand account of what life as a Buddhist monk is like. Not only is a Buddhist monk required to live a celibate life, every day comes with a rigorous set of disciplines, such as repeating mantras, studying the life and teachings of Buddha, tirelessly using a prayer wheel, and practicing meditation. As a child, Tenzin’s mother “offered” him to the temple to become a monk.

I learned that many Buddhists live in constant fear of the “all-seeing eye” of Buddha. Tenzin writes:

“The concept of karma was taught to me as a child to keep me from doing anything my mother did not want me to do. My mother discouraged me from having bad thoughts, skipping prayer, or neglecting my duties as a Buddhist. If I did, Buddha would know. His all-seeing eye saw everything. I could not hide.” (37)

After meeting a relative who was a Christian, Tenzin asked his teachers about Jesus. It was intriguing to learn that many Buddhists have a fear of even mentioning the name of Jesus. Tenzin’s teachers viewed Jesus as a “dangerous deceiver” (172). Ironically, it was his teachers’ strong aversion to Jesus that piqued his interest even more. What was it about this Jesus that is so unspeakable?

While recovering from a bout with tuberculosis, Tenzin met a doctor from Sweden who wore a cross around his neck. When Tenzin asked about it, the doctor said it means he’s a follower of Jesus. Tenzin wanted to know more, so the Swedish doctor brought him booklets with information about Jesus. 

Tenzin quickly devoured everything the doctor gave him. Tenzin recalls:

“On one page, it told how Jesus paid the price for man’s sin. His grace paid the debt. This was a shocking difference between Buddha and Jesus. Buddha taught that followers had to do many things to earn their way into a better afterlife.” (172)

Perhaps the clearest contrast between the two was Christianity’s central theme of love. It struck him that Christians can say, “I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

“In Buddhism, enlightenment and knowledge drive our motives, not love. Maybe you could say that we love knowledge, but you could not say that we follow Buddha because we love him or because he loved us.” (174)

In time, Tenzin recognized that it was the love of Jesus that he most needed. All the prayer wheels and Buddhist disciplines were attempts at saving himself, but Jesus came to offer His own life to save him. He could never know how much sacrifice Buddha demanded of his disciples. By contrast, Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice on the cross so he could be forgiven of all his sin. Unlike Jesus, Buddha never claimed to be God and he had not given his life so others could live. Tenzin asked Jesus to come into his life, and he now follows Jesus, not Buddha.

There is no love like the love of Jesus. No so-called “savior” that even comes close. Jesus alone claimed to be God who came among us, and He alone rose from the dead.

Sometimes looking at other religions and faiths helps me see anew how Jesus really is the Light of the world. Across our world and in our community are countless people who are trapped in spiritual darkness. May we, as followers of the risen Lord, be fearless in proclaiming the Name of Jesus.

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Prayer

Father, give me eyes to see the lost and hurting all around me each day. Help me to love others with the mighty love of Jesus. Grant me opportunities and boldness to speak the name of Jesus and declare His message of salvation to those trapped in spiritual darkness. By the only Name that saves. Amen.

If you have thoughts on this post, I’d love to hear from you.

Jesus and Fakers

On By Jason SmithIn DevotionalLeave a comment
Photo by Dominique Landau

The more I get to know Jesus the more I see His laserlike ability to see past externals and appearances to each person’s heart. There is no fooling Jesus. And if I was to guess, I would say that one of the biggest struggles people have is being honest with themselves. It’s our tendency to want to hide our private sins, bitter emotions, and inner struggles. We think if we avoid talking about it, maybe it will somehow go away. But that strategy of coping just won’t work.

There is no fooling Jesus. 

After seeing Jesus’ miracles, many people expressed a keen interest in Jesus. But John tells us that “Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart” (John 2:24-25, NLT).

Let that sink in. Jesus sees right to the core of your inner person, and He knows your heart motives. Jesus sees to the bottom of you and knows you even better than you know yourself! What’s more, He alone has the solution to all our internal struggles and contradictions: grace. God has immeasurable grace for the repentant, but He calls each of us to come clean.

And if there is one thing Jesus absolutely hates, it’s religious hypocrisy. In Matthew 23, Jesus delivers a clear warning for those who would claim His name but live for themselves. 

In what has to be one of the most scathing criticisms of religious hypocrisy, Matthew 23 records Jesus calling down woes of judgment on the religious hypocrites of His day. 

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23: 27-28, ESV)

It’s a side of Jesus we aren’t used to hearing about. Maybe that’s because Jesus makes us uncomfortable here. And I would suggest that the words of Jesus that make us most uncomfortable are the words we most need to hear.

Over and over, Jesus uses that word hupokrites (where we get “hypocrite”), a word used of first century stage actors who played a part and often wore a mask. 

Seven times in Matthew 23 Jesus uses the word “hypocrite” to call out the religious fakers. 

“For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. Everything they do is for show.” (Matthew 23:3-5, NLT)

Just when you think Jesus can’t be any harsher with these religious leaders, He then adds, “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?” (v. 33). 

I don’t know about you, but I want to read these words with fear and trembling. I don’t want to skip past this passage and pretend it’s not there. As a pastor of God’s flock, I feel the need to sit with Jesus’ words a little longer. 

There is no fooling Jesus.

Is there good news found in Matthew 23? Absolutely. Toward the beginning Jesus tells us how we should respond: “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (v. 11-12).

In the midst of all these woes, Jesus issues a clear call for humility. He wants us to get honest with Him, to reject all outward pious pretense, and to radically commit to putting Him first in all things. Humility is the key that unlocks true intimacy with God.

Why is Jesus so harsh with fakers? Because He wants real devotion, real love, and real relationship. He wants us to stop covering our secret sins with a web of lies and embrace the truth found in Him. The truth will set you free, He said.

If we suspect we might be faking our Christianity, then the best thing to do is confess this to God and share our struggles with other believers we trust. As we get real about our sin, we experience greater depths of His grace.

We can pray the bold and humble prayer of David: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24)

Prayer

Father, I want to experience true intimacy with You. Help me be real with You and with other believers. I know how much you despise hypocrisy. I humbly ask You to show me areas of my life that are not in alignment with Your Truth. Thank You for Your undeserved love and forgiveness. I embrace it in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Have thoughts on this post? I’d love to hear from you!

The Fear of Death and the God of Life

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional, Theology for Life3 Comments 
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.” (John 11:25, BSB)

The fear of death has long plagued humanity. It’s a universal dread that hangs over the whole world. It’s the knowledge that one day, we won’t wake up. One day, our loved ones, our family members, our favorite pet, all those we treasure most in life, will no longer be here. That’s a sobering thought.

And the fear of death is one that humans have tried to deal with from the beginning. How do we escape this fear? What hope do we have? What answers and assurance are there for us?

In his Gospel, the Apostle John wants us to see that the only remedy for the fear of death is the God of life, whom we meet in Jesus Christ. That’s why John puts so much focus on who Jesus is. He knows that nothing else matters if we get Jesus wrong.

God doesn’t want you to live your whole life in fear of death. He wants to give you the assurance of life found in Christ.

John 8 narrates a high-octane dialogue between Jesus and His biggest critics, the religious leaders of Israel. Jesus makes some astounding claims, calling these leaders “slaves to sin” and saying the devil is their daddy.[1] As you can imagine, those comments didn’t sit well with them.

These religious leaders figured, “Well, we can fight fire with fire!” So, they come back with this attack:

The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” (John 8:48, NIV)

Calling Jesus a “Samaritan” was supposed to be a racial slur, but that’s not the thing that bothered Jesus. However, calling the holy Son of God “demon-possessed” is outright blasphemy. So why would they do that?

See, it was so hard to deny that something supernatural was happening with Jesus. Even the Jewish Talmud concedes that Jesus was doing some kind of supernatural deeds, but they attribute them to satanic sorcery. Some Jews today still believe that Jesus was in league with the devil.

In fact, Rabbi Daniel Asor, not long ago said, “Jesus was a false prophet, for he acted only through sorcery. He himself is the embodiment of Satanism.”

But today, that’s a minority opinion on Jesus. Most people today think of Jesus as a kindly “Mr. Rogers” type of guy who was just a great example of love and compassion. People like Madonna and Justin Timberlake have worn T-shirts calling Jesus their “Homeboy.” Oprah Winfrey has said that she finds Jesus to be an “inspiration,” and Brad Pitt has said that he “respects” Him. That sounds pretty safe. Who wouldn’t want to get on board with a Jesus who is there to cheer us on and left an example of love and kindness?

Now, it’s true that Jesus was full of love and compassion. In fact, no one else comes even close. But what if this view of Jesus is so watered down that it’s not even recognizable when we look at what the real Jesus said and did?

There’s a sense in which people like Brad Pitt say they “respect” Jesus because it allows them to stay a safe distance away and avoid the biggest truth about who Jesus claimed to be. But Jesus doesn’t merely want to be respected or inspire us to be nice. He came into this world making the most earth-shaking claims imaginable. So, to downplay what Jesus actually said is to ignore the real Jesus.

See, who Jesus really is matters because if Jesus claimed to be God 2,000 years ago, that claim still stands today. If it was true in the first century, it must be true in the 21st century.

So, Jesus sets the record straight.

“I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” (John 8:49-51, NIV)

And here Jesus makes an enormous claim. “Whoever obeys [or holds to or commits themselves to] His Word will never see death.”

Jesus is referring to spiritual death: separation from God. He’s speaking in the same sense as when John earlier said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”[2]

Jesus is saying that He alone holds the answer to the timeless question of our mortality.

Many philosophers have made the case that the fear of death drives nearly all human behavior. Even when we’re not conscious of it, it’s there under the surface, shaping the way that we approach all of life. Some have said that philosophy itself is the mind’s way of trying to transcend the looming specter of death.

But of course, it’s not just philosophers that have tried to overcome the fear of death.

Here’s what the Bible says. Jesus died for us, “that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (Hebrews 2:14-15, NIV).

Interestingly, people have tried all sorts of ways to get around death, to stave it off, and avoid it. But God calls us to confront the reality of our own death, so that we will be prepared for what comes next. So, here’s a question: How often do you reflect on your own death? Most people try to avoid the subject as much as possible.

If you were to ask the Bible, “Why do we die?” The answer is that we were never meant to die. Death is an enemy and a foreign invader into God’s good world (1 Corinthians 15:26). It’s here because sin is here (Romans 5:12). When our first parents rebelled against God, death made its first entry. That’s because when you rebel against the God of life, death is the result. This fear of death tells us that things are not as they should be. And people have come up with all sorts of ways to try to deny death.

Believe it or not, there are those today who have the hope that through medical advancements, like stem cell research and nanobots, they will be able to avoid death altogether. The logic goes something like this: We know that death is caused by certain diseases, disorders, or bodily malfunctions, so all we must do is find a cure for every disease and disorder, and we will be able to live indefinitely.

The first Facebook president, Sean Parker, has boasted: “Because I’m a billionaire, I’m going to have access to better healthcare… I’m going to be like 160 and I’m going to be part of this, like, class of immortal overlords.”

He’s not the only one talking this way. In a recent TED talk, British researcher Aubrey de Grey claimed that through nanobot technology, “the first human beings who will live to 1,000 years old have already been born.” As it turns out, the search for the mythical fountain of youth has continued even in the 21st century.

But at the end of the day, I have to say, it’s all incredibly foolish. There’s only One who can save you from death, and I assure you, it’s not nanobots! It’s the One who called Himself “The Resurrection and the Life.”

Have thoughts on this post? I’d love to hear from you!

[1] John 8:31-44

[2] John 3:36, NIV

Why Read the Bible in a Year?

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional3 Comments

The Bible is a massive book. Actually, it’s a library of 66 different books of various genres, written by around 40 different authors from wide-ranging backgrounds. Nevertheless, the Bible is one complete story about reality. From Genesis to Revelation, the careful reader will notice a unified narrative that follows the story arc of four main themes: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration.

So, the Bible is a story—a true story!—but it’s a story that beckons the reader to step into the plot and participate in what God is doing in and through the people He has called to Himself, out of a spiritually dark and lost world. Most importantly, this story is all about Jesus Christ. He said so Himself:

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.” (John 5:39, ESV; cf. Luke 24:27, 44)

By immersing oneself in Scripture, our minds and hearts are formed after the image of our King and Redeemer, Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1-2). As we step into the story, we are also learning what it means to follow our king.

It is for this reason that I believe one of the most important investments of time and energy a follower of Jesus can make is to spend each day reading the Bible. The Bible is straight from the mouth of God and “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Many Christians are intimidated by the idea of reading the entire Bible in a year, but, really, this shouldn’t be the case.

Did you know that if you invested a mere twelve minutes a day to reading Scripture, you could complete the entire Bible in a year?

Twelve minutes! Consider how much time you spend watching the latest hit show on Netflix or some compilation of hilarious cat videos on YouTube. The average American adult spends 168 minutes a day watching TV.[1] That could be on your phone or on your big screen, but either way, that is an exorbitant amount of time to be spend absorbing the messages our culture wants to send. In other words, even if you did spend only 12 minutes a day reading your Bible to finish it in a year but still watched even half as much TV as the average American (84 minutes/day), you would still be spending far more time in front of a screen than you would absorbing the words of the living God. Now, some of what you watch might be profitable, but all of it?

If this all sounds very judgey, I promise I don’t mean it to. God has been convicting me about how much time I’ve spent in the last year in front of screens. And one resolution I have for myself this year is to intentionally have less screen time (phones included) and more time doing other fruitful activities (like going on a run, taking my family to the park, learning and playing instruments, and reading Scripture and other books).

Every Christian I have ever asked has indicated that they want to grow closer to Jesus. Now, at the beginning of 2025, is a great place to turn that desire into a commitment.  If you want to grow closer to Jesus, spending at least 12 minutes a day reading His Word is a perfect way to start. Don’t let a day go by when you don’t listen to your Father’s loving guidance and learn what it means to be a Spirit-empowered disciple of Jesus. Remember, you have been put on this earth to make an eternal impact in the lives of others for the glory of God.

Here’s my bold challenge for you: Commit to reading (and even studying) the Bible this year on a daily basis. The enemy will try to convince you that it’s not worth your time, but that’s because Scripture is the very Sword of the Spirit that slices through his web of lies (Ephesians 6:17). And it is always worth your time to invest in reading and studying God’s love letter to you. You can do it!

Some suggestions:

  • Begin each time in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to give you clarity and understanding, and to apply what you’re reading to life.
  • Consider investing in a study Bible, like the ESV Study Bible or The Gospel Transformation Bible, that helps you focus on understanding context.
  • Set a daily reminder on your phone or purchase a habit tracker to help you remember to stay committed to reading each day.
  • As you read, ask questions such as: “What does this say about God/Jesus?” “What does this say about me/the people of God?” “Is there something in my life that needs to come into greater alignment with what I’m reading?” “How is what I’m reading here something that can encourage someone else in my life?”

Have thoughts on this post? I’d love to hear from you!

[1] https://www.oberlo.com/statistics/how-much-tv-does-the-average-american-watch

The Man Jesus Called “Dad”

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional2 Comments

If there is one truth that Christians have always believed about Christmas it is that Jesus was conceived not by natural human means, but supernaturally in the womb of a virgin named Mary.

The Nicene Creed of AD 325 states, “For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” And yet, this same Jesus of Nazareth was known during His lifetime as the son of Joseph of Nazareth. Joseph was not the birth father of Jesus, but he was his father by adoption. Not only do Mary and other Nazareth locals call Joseph Jesus’ father, Scripture itself speaks this way: “The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him” (Luke 2:33, ESV).

In every culture, children are inevitably known through their parents. After Jesus baffled His hometown with His profound teaching, many asked, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” (Matthew 13:55). In other words, “How did old Joseph’s boy learn to talk like this?”

We don’t always consider how central Joseph was to Jesus’ upbringing. Joseph would have been there for all of Jesus’ firsts. Because Jewish men at this time were more likely to be literate than the women, it was likely Joseph who lifted the boy Jesus on to his lap and read Him the Torah.[1] As a blue collar worker,[2] Joseph was the man working hard to provide for his family. What little we do know about Joseph is that he was willing to make sacrifices to care for his family (see Matthew 2:13-23). And given what we know about that culture, Jesus would have spent vast amounts of time alongside Joseph, learning the trade of carpentry from His father.

New Testament scholar Gary Burge writes:

“Like other boys in his village, from the age of six to ten Jesus became literate in Hebrew through the study of the Torah in the Nazareth synagogue, and he memorized vast quantities of Scripture.  From ages ten to twelve he became acquainted with the oral laws under the direction of the synagogue teacher and custodian, the hazzan.  At this point he ended his schooling and began working full time with his father.”[3]

Jesus would have called Joseph Abba (“Dad” or “Daddy”) from a young age. When Joseph had something to say, Jesus would listen. When Joseph needed Jesus to run an errand for him in town, Jesus gladly obeyed. The Bible says Jesus was obedient and submissive to both Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:51). As the One who fulfilled the Law of God, Jesus honored both parents perfectly.

In a first century Jewish culture that prized father-son relationships highly, the local townspeople couldn’t help thinking of Joseph every time they saw Jesus. He was His father’s son—not biologically, but in every other sense, humanly speaking.

Interestingly, we don’t have a recorded word from Joseph in Scripture. Joseph may have been the strong silent type, but we know he was a man of action. Scripture describes him as “a just man” who kept the law of God faithfully (Matthew 1:19). You can imagine the hurt Joseph felt when he learned that Mary, his betrothed, was pregnant. Yet even in his anguish, he was “unwilling to put her to shame,” one more clue that Joseph was a man of both integrity and compassion.

When God sent an angel to reveal the truth—Mary had conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit—Joseph stepped forward to fulfill his calling of taking Mary as his wife as God intended.

“When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son.” (Matthew 1:24-25a, ESV)

As the legal father, Joseph even had the privilege of naming his son “Jesus,” just as the angel had instructed (v. 25).

Despite the scandal of marrying a pregnant woman in that culture, Joseph stepped up to the challenge. He was willing to bear the shame along with Mary, and together they submitted to God’s glorious plan of raising His incarnate Son—a daunting task difficult to fathom.

Joseph’s role in the story of Christmas is not peripheral. Although he is a silent character in the narrative, his part is crucial to everything that unfolds. The angel calls him “Joseph, son of David” to remind him of his royal ancestry and to foreshadow the messianic claims that will be granted to Jesus, his legal heir. Joseph is a strong and faithful man—a true knight of his day who honors women, protects the vulnerable, loves his family, and courageously follows the orders of his King.

In a culture that often devalues the role of husbands and fathers, we need to see again the impact that Joseph had on the life of Jesus. Although he was put in his role by God’s grace alone, everything we know about Joseph tells us that Jesus was raised by a good man and was honored to call him “Dad.”

[1] While New Testament skeptics have said things like “Jesus was an illiterate peasant,” these skeptics underestimate how essential it was for Jewish boys to go to synagogue from a young age and learn the Hebrew Scriptures, often from their fathers (see Deuteronomy 6:4-9). Do we really want to suppose that the same Jesus who often prefaced a quote from Scripture with the question, “Have you not read?” was Himself not reading that very Scripture? This is why blatant skepticism of Jesus cannot be taken seriously; it ignores the evidence and crafts a Jesus with which skeptics are more comfortable.

[2] The Greek word tekton can mean both carpenter and craftsman.

[3] Gary M. Burge. The New Testament in Antiquity (Zondervan, 2009).

Praying When God Seems Distant

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional3 Comments 
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12, ESV)

For many people, the only prayer they practice is a kind of formal, perfunctory prayer that is done at family gatherings. Such people struggle with prayer because they’ve never viewed prayer as an intimate conversation with God. Jesus warned us not to be like religious hypocrites who use prayer as a chance to win the admiration of others (Matthew 6:5). At its heart, prayer is about experiencing relational nearness to our Lord and Shepherd.

Prayer Is Essential

The number one reason so many Christians lack spiritual vitality in their life is because of neglect of private prayer. “On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased” (Psalm 138:3).

It’s fascinating to study the accounts of great men and women throughout history and how consistently each one of them was a person of fervent and consistent prayer.

George Muller, who helped care for more than 10,000 orphans in England and provided education for more than 120,000 children had a daily habit of beginning each day with several hours of prayer. Charles Simeon rose at 4 am every day, so he could spend the first four hours in prayer. Susannah Wesley, the busy mother of 19 children, would sit in a rocking chair with an apron over her head praying passionately for her children. And her prayers were no doubt effective, because two of her sons Charles and John went on to make a tremendous difference for Christ.

Now, on the one hand, it’s inspiring to hear such stories. But if we’re honest, we can also feel a little guilty that we devote so little time to prayer. Such stories might inspire us while simultaneously making us feel like spiritual failures.

But what if we began small? What if we committed to set aside only ten minutes per day to nothing but sitting in the presence of God, opening up our hearts, communing with our Lord, and interceding on behalf of others?

Zondervan conducted a survey of 678 respondents about prayer, and only 23 felt satisfied with the time they were spending in prayer. In his book, Prayer, Philip Yancey recounts some of the struggles he has had with praying to an invisible God. He writes, “In theory prayer is the essential human act, a priceless point of contact with the God of the universe. In practice prayer is often confusing and fraught with frustration.”

We pray because prayer speaks to a universal human need. We are dependent creatures. We were not made for life without God. As Thomas Merton put it, “Prayer is an expression of who we are… We are a living incompleteness. We are a gap, an emptiness that calls for fulfillment.”

If you don’t know how to pray, our Lord Jesus tells us to begin with acknowledging who God is and what He calls us to be (Matthew 6:9-13). In fact, while many view prayer primarily as a way to get things from God, prayer should be first and foremost about intimacy with God.

Why Does God Sometimes Seem Distant?

And for us to have an intimate relationship with God, we need to acknowledge the ways we have turned away from God and repent. Through the prophet Isaiah, God even tells the nation of Israel that because of their national sins, God has turned away from hearing their prayers.

“When you spread out your hands in prayer,
    I hide my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
    I am not listening.
Your hands are full of blood!
Wash and make yourselves clean.
    Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
    stop doing wrong.
Learn to do right; seek justice.
    Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
    plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:15-17, NIV)

The way back to God begins with owning our sin and repenting. That’s a sobering warning. God does not tolerate sin in the midst of His people. He says, “You’re lifting up hands in prayer, but those hands are covered in the blood of the innocent. You’re crying out for Me to listen to you, but you haven’t listened to those most hurting around you.”

This is a warning for all of us. Are we treating others fairly? Are we staying faithful to our marriage vows? Are we treating those who look and think differently from us the same way we treat those who look and think like us? Are we sharing food with the hungry? Are we showing compassion for both the preborn baby in the womb, and also for the unwed mother who feels abandoned and alone? Are we acknowledging the sin in our past, repenting toward God, and seeking the forgiveness that is offered through the finished work of Jesus alone?

Sin is not the only reason God can seem absent in prayer. Even spiritual giants such as King David, Asaph, Ethan the Ezrahite, and the prophet Habakkuk lamented times when God seemed distant (Psalm 13:1; 80:4; 89:46; Habakkuk 1:2). Scripture would urge us to not give up in prayer even when God feels far away. It’s often during the “dark night of the soul,” as John of the Cross put it, that God is doing His deepest work in our souls.

But whatever you do, don’t give up! The Holy Spirit will help us to pray even when we have no idea what to say in prayer (Romans 8:26).

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12, ESV)

Praying to a Loving Father

If God were a cold and aloof deity, we could hardly bear the thought of praying to Him, considering how we have all failed Him. But here’s why Jesus taught us to begin by addressing God as “Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). Think of how a good father will do anything to protect and provide for his children. Consider how quickly a good father is willing to lift his little child in his arms and hold them close to his chest, even after that child has rebelled countless times.

“As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” (Psalm 103:13, ESV)

This is why Jesus said God is “our Father.” He loves His children beyond words. In one sense our unrepentant sin is indeed the obstacle to intimacy with God. On the other hand, the primary hindrance to prayer is a failure to see God as a Father who loves us with an unshakable and undying love and is eager to forgive His repentant children. Not only that, but God even delights in you!

If we begin here, knowing that our God is a loving and compassionate Father who willingly takes back the prodigal son or daughter and showers him or her with kisses, we will be willing to repent and ask for forgiveness for the wrongs we have done. In prayer, we approach the Father through the Son, who fully paid for all our sin on the cross. That is why the Book of Hebrews says we can boldly approach the throne of grace, knowing that He is a Father who loves us dearly (Hebrews 4:16).

Have thoughts on this post? I’d love to hear from you!

The Nations Rage, but Jesus Reigns

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional, Theology for Life3 Comments

With the 2024 U. S. presidential election fast approaching, many people are feeling anxious about our nation’s uncertain future. Who will lead our country for the next four years? Donald Trump or Kamala Harris? How will this shape our nation’s future, both at home and abroad? Around this time, political opponents amp up their disdain for one another while simultaneously putting themselves forward as the savior this nation needs in order to once more have freedom and justice reign in the land.

During this time, Christians feel a collective longing for the return of our Savior, King Jesus, who will ultimately do what every political figure only attempts to do in their own way but always fails to do.

The Bible lays out the reality that until Jesus’ soon return, there will be two kingdoms vying for our allegiance in the world. The church father Augustine called them “the City of God” and “the earthly city” (or the City of Man). The City of God is marked by those who have centered all their hopes on the rule and reign of the King of kings, who, unlike every human leader, will rule with perfect justice, truth, and grace. The City of Man opposes the rule of Jesus and seeks to establish a kind of secular humanism utopia on earth, undistracted by threats of divine judgment.

As a follower of Jesus in America, I look around at a culture that is sinking deeper and deeper into moral corruption and arrogance. I know that only King Jesus can set things right and rescue His world from the curse of sin and death. I am thankful to be an American citizen and for the sacrifices that have won the freedoms my family and I enjoy. But first and foremost, my “citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:19). Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me,” not Congress and not the person in the White House (Matthew 28:18).

Some Christians, distraught over the state of the culture, have decided to politically disengage and not vote this November. They refuse to vote because they dislike the choice of either candidate. I’ve heard one young man say, “I don’t like either one. What’s the point?”

In some ways, I can understand his frustration. I probably wouldn’t disagree with many points he might raise. However, I believe that Christians should still be politically engaged, even when a vote may feel like a vote for the lesser of two evils.

It’s always been true, not just in 2024, that no political candidate will ever measure up to Jesus. It is for His rule and reign that we long. Nevertheless, until the fullness of His kingdom has arrived, we are left with fallen politicians in a fallen world. Simply by voting, you are not putting your hope in a flawed candidate. But you are seeking to influence the world around you—even in some small measure—by prayerfully voting for an administration with policies that most closely aligns with the truth of God’s Word.

Jesus calls His followers to be salt and light in the world, which means we are meant to have an impact for the kingdom wherever we live. Hitting the eject button and completely disengaging from the culture isn’t an option. As Jesus put it, lamps don’t belong under a basket, but on a stand to give light to all in the house.

Furthermore, many biblical convictions have a direct bearing in the political realm. For example, all Christians should agree that life is sacred and that we must do all we can to preserve the life of preborn babies. This is but one example, but protection of human life should be central to our convictions. For that reason, I intend to cast a vote that most closely aligns with my biblical convictions.

Ultimately, however, the election is a gospel opportunity to give reasons for our hope. For the Jesus-follower, the election is not a time to be anxious; it is a time to point others to the hope and peace found in King Jesus and His coming kingdom, not any earthly government or kingdom.

Psalm 2 speaks prophetically of how every political regime that sets itself up against the reign of King Jesus is destined for destruction.

Why do the nations conspire
    and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
“Let us break their chains
    and throw off their shackles.” (Psalm 2:1-3, NIV)

Notice that the political rulers of various nations are banding “together against the Lord” in a kind of godless globalism. They say, “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” For those who pridefully oppose the reign of God, His moral truth always feels like restrictive chains. But Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.”

The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
    the Lord scoffs at them.
He rebukes them in his anger
    and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
“I have installed my king
    on Zion, my holy mountain.” (Psalm 2:4-6, NIV)

Political rulers may set themselves up as the saviors of this world, but God laughs at their folly. This is not the laughter of being pleased. God condemns them for thinking they can rule His world and reject His Messiah-King.

God the Father goes on to promise His Son, King Jesus, the nations as His inheritance (v. 8). As the hymn puts it:

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
does its successive journeys run,
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.

The nations rage, but Jesus will reign.

Psalm 2 is a warning to every national ruler who fails to acknowledge the supremacy of Jesus Christ over every nation and people. The nations today are but a drop in the bucket; the kingdom of God is eternal. But make no mistake. The reign of Jesus is not some graceless tyranny. We are called to “celebrate His rule with trembling” (v. 11). Salvation comes to those who bow the knee to the true Lord of the world.

But if you don’t humbly welcome His rule and reign over your life, “He will be angry and your way will lead you to your destruction, for His wrath can flare up in a moment” (v. 12). If you haven’t yet, this is a call to yield your life to the King of kings. The text says to “Kiss the Son,” which is another way of saying, “Give Him your absolute allegiance.” When you do, you will not fall prey to either misguided triumphalism when your candidate wins or overwhelming despair when your candidate loses. Instead, you will pray to God, “Your kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven.”

Have thoughts on this post? I’d love to hear from you!