Tag: faith

Who Is Discipling You?

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional, Theology for Life1 Comment 
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

Who are you following? Although many cultural analysts have pointed out that the younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials, like me) have a low view of authority, I always feel the need to question that (please note the irony). Jokes aside, it’s largely true that our culture has a suspicion of institutions and authoritative figures. On the other hand, as congenital sinners, we all come into this world with a rebellious aversion to authority–namely God’s (see Romans 1:18-25)! 

However, it’s also true that everyone still has an authority they look to for guidance. It may be a parent, a professor, a coach, a mental health professional, or whomever you’re following right now on X or YouTube. 

While Christians generally speak of discipleship to Jesus, everyone is a disciple because everyone is inheriting a worldview and way of life from others. To be a disciple is to be a learner or student who sits under the teaching of another. Jesus said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40, ESV).

A disciple adopts the thinking and way of life of his or her teacher. Whether it’s subconscious or not, everyone is being discipled by someone. Some people are discipled by their phones or by Google. Some people are discipled by their peer group. Others by their favorite author.

We are all being guided and formed by those to whom we listen and receive instruction. Usually, our discipleship is informal and hardly acknowledged. A teenage boy who constantly listens to music that is degrading to women is being discipled to think a certain way that will lead to certain attitudes and behaviors. 

It’s unavoidable, because it’s part of our wiring as image bearers of God. We were made to live under authority. Contrary to popular thinking, there’s no such thing as a totally autonomous individual. Those who think they are most liberated from all authoritative constraints are generally the most blind to the ways their peers and their culture have formed their life and thinking.

Enter Jesus. When the Son of God visited this planet, He knew how you are wired and that you need instruction for living. He didn’t merely come to heal us (but thank God, Jesus is a humble and gracious Savior).  Jesus came to teach us the truth. 

While standing before Pontius Pilate, He gave the good confession:

“For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37, ESV)

Jesus came to open our eyes to the reality of God as a holy and loving Father. He proclaimed an authority that transcended this world: the kingdom of God. He called people to deny any claims to autonomy, take up their cross, and follow Him unconditionally. Most importantly, He was crucified for our sins and rose again, demonstrating He truly is King and the way to eternal life. And He gave His Holy Spirit to all who trust in Him, to unite His people as the church, and empower us to follow Him together as His witnesses.

Jesus said that to hear His words and put them into practice is to build your life on a solid rock (Matthew 7:24). No other foundation for life will do. 

So, are you living as a disciple of Jesus Christ? Have you repented of sin and wrong thinking? Have you yielded your life to Him, received His forgiveness, and embraced His call on your life?

If you don’t follow Jesus, you will follow someone.

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

The Supremely Happy God

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional1 Comment 
So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” (Genesis 1:21-22, ESV)

In Genesis 1, we read that before God created the first human pair, He created all the animals, in their wide and glorious variety.

As I read the Genesis creation account, something I notice is how much God seems to be enjoying Himself as He creates. Six times, it says He “saw that it was good.” And then the seventh and final time, after creating man and woman, He caps it off by saying creation is “very good” (Genesis 1:31). 

Think of the satisfaction you feel when, after long hours of hard work, you finally finish a project. That gives us a glimpse at how God viewed His creation. He’s like a Master Craftsman who has finished His carefully built project and then leans back and smiles with satisfaction.

The Bible highlights God’s sheer joy in being God and His delight in all He has made.

Just as He was satisfied in His finished creation, Scripture highlights how God providentially cares for His world and gets involved in providing for all our needs.

“He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; 
the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
He makes grass grow for the cattle,
and plants for people to cultivate—
bringing forth food from the earth:
wine that gladdens human hearts,
oil to make their faces shine,
and bread that sustains their hearts.” (Psalm 104:13-15, ESV)

God is not a hands-off God. He shows a deep affection for all He has made.

This helps reframe our understanding of God. So often we think of holiness as being serious or morose. Maybe even boring. And since God is holy, we then make the mistake of picturing God as having a permanent frown on His face, as if it’s His nature to be cold and austere.

But I want you to see from the Bible that creation highlights God’s sheer joy at being God and His pleasure in all that He has made. 

Frankly, to think that the God of this universe is boring is just so absurd! All you have to do is take a look at some of His creatures to rule out that idea. Take a look at the Aye-aye, and remember, God invented the glowing eyes and crazy-long fingers of this fascinating creature. 

Or take one look at the face of the Proboscis monkey and tell me if you think God has a sense of humor.  Then there’s the aptly named shoebill. One of the weirdest looking things is the blobfish. It looks like it’s part pig or something. But it’s a fish!

But this same God also created the beautiful tiger with its stripes and the energetic dolphin that leaps across the surface of the ocean. When we know these creatures are the handiwork of the Almighty, we begin to understand more of His character and nature.

I don’t know about you, but if we’re not careful, it’s easy to think of God as Someone who is constantly annoyed with us. Without question, sin grieves Him, but if you belong to Jesus Christ, you need to know God is not up in Heaven with arms permanently crossed when He looks at you. He’s not just waiting for you to mess up again so He can wag a finger at you. 

No, God delights in who you are as His precious creation! David exulted in how God had made him. 

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:13).

Zephaniah speaks of how glad God is to call you His own:

“For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (Zephaniah 3:17, NLT)

When you’re wondering, What does God really think of me? Meditate on passages like this. God, in His very being, is a happy God. He’s not up there pouting all the time. It would be more accurate to say He’s smiling for sheer joy at being God.

Even that idea of God delighting in being God might sound strange to you. But I think that’s because the Church hasn’t always done a great job of emphasizing this truth. At the core of His being, God is ablaze with infinite happiness, and His great desire is that we would find in Him the happiness for which we all long.

“The LORD has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” (Psalm 126:3, ESV)

In 1 Timothy 1:11, Paul calls God the “blessed God,” which is probably better translated as “the supremely happy God.”

Later in that same letter, Paul talks about certain religious guys who have made up all these rules about things you can’t eat and can’t do. It’s like they feel the need to put caution tape around God’s good creation. And Paul’s response is:

Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:4-5, ESV)

The gnostics of Paul’s day believed that the physical world of matter was the creation of a lesser god. They saw the body as something to be escaped. But God delights in His creation, and He designed human beings with physical bodies that can interact and enjoy the world He created. 

Certainly, there are rules in the Bible, but the Bible is not primarily a book full of rules. Rather, God’s Word helps us enjoy God’s good creation more, because it teaches us to trace the enjoyment of His creation back to Him, who is the Fountain of all joy.

Prayer:

Father, I thank You for being a God of supreme happiness who delights in all He has made as a Master Craftsman. Help me take joy in your creation with fresh vigor, recognizing all that I see has been made by You with purpose and beauty. Help me to seek to live more joyfully in line with Your purposes. You are the God who gives me joy! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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

God, the Bible, and Miracles: For My Skeptical Friends

On By Jason SmithIn Why I BelieveLeave a comment

In the last couple months, I have been preaching from the Book of Joshua. Joshua is a book full of epic battles and miraculous events. Ultimately, it’s a book about the character and nature of God. It’s named after Israel’s military leader, Captain Joshua, but Yahweh is the true Hero who drives the story forward. And His majesty and power is what should captivate us.

In Joshua, we learn that Yahweh is a God who does not tolerate injustice and is unshakably committed to His word. His promises are rock solid and worthy of building your life upon. He is a God who demands our total allegiance, but He also is a God that is full of grace toward those who have failed Him countless times. He can destroy an entire army with a single blow, but He is also a God who notices and takes thought of individuals who are fearful, lost, and hurting. Yahweh, the God of Joshua, invites us to share in His victory over evil.

“Have I not commanded you?” God says to Joshua. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, NIV).

One takeaway from studying Joshua is that you need to have a big view of God. A small god lacks the power to rescue you from your biggest fears. A small god has no ability to give you hope and meaning in life. But a big God–the God of Joshua–can save. He has the power to help you overcome all your fears, insecurities, and doubts. He is the God who walks with you in your pain. A small and shallow god abandons you when things get rough. But the awesome God of the Bible has a love for you that is deeper than the ocean, and He will not abandon you.

As you walk through Joshua, you get the most vivid and soul-stirring picture of God fighting for His people and granting them an inheritance in the Bible until we come to Jesus. Before the cross and resurrection, the walls of Jericho came down. Before Jesus promised us a kingdom, God promised Joshua the land of Canaan.

Can Modern People Believe in the Miraculous?

Critical scholars stumble in many places in the Book of Joshua. They say that it’s a myth, that it’s unhistorical, that the incredible events recorded could not happen. Why? Because there are some pretty astounding miracles in Joshua. When was the last time you saw the sun stand still in the sky all day? And if you know anything about our culture, you know there is an antisupernatural bias–especially in academia. 

While a student in college, I had a conversation with a girl who had adopted this skeptical worldview. When I asked her why she didn’t accept that the miracles in the Bible were possible, she told me, “People in ancient times used to dream up these amazing stories of gods and miracles because they lacked any real understanding of the world. They attributed things like hurricanes and lightning to the gods, simply because they didn’t know anything of science.” That narrative is pretty firmly ingrained at a secular university.

I responded that the God of the Bible is not just one god among many. He’s not just responsible for the rain or the wind. He is the God over all of nature. He authored all of it. The whole universe lies in the palm of His hand. The mythical gods were all so humanlike. They warred against each other, lusted after women, and behaved like bigger, grumpier versions of us. But Yahweh–the God of the Bible–is in a category of His own. Perhaps her real issue wasn’t that she didn’t believe in miracles. Maybe she just had too small a god in mind.

What many often forget is how much evidence there is for one great and infinite Creator God. For example, we all enter this world preprogrammed to believe that there is an objective standard of justice to which we are all beholden. Even at the age of three, my boys were saying things like, “That’s not fair!” Why, if we’re just animals with instincts, do we all seem compelled to follow this higher moral order? It only makes sense if there is a moral Lawgiver to whom we’re all accountable. It’s easy to explain away the mythical pantheon of gods from ancient cultures, but what you can’t so easily explain away is the one eternal Creator God of the Bible–the reason nature exists in the first place.

If you struggle to believe in miracles, ask yourself, Is it possible that there is a God who created everything? Does the world look more like the product of design or unguided chaos? Does it seem like we are here without rhyme or reason, or does it seem like we were made for more than a mere 80 to 90 years, then nothing? If God is the reason for our existence, what would prevent Him from performing miracles in the world He created, especially if He had a special, redemptive purpose to overcome human evil?

How Big Is Your View of God?

If you are willing to accept the first statement of the Bible: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,” there’s no reason not to accept that miracles are possible. And suddenly the book of Joshua doesn’t seem so far-fetched. There are about 120 miracles recorded in the Bible, and I believe they really happened. But here’s what you need to know: the miracles of the Bible are always recorded in a sober, restrained way. They are given in the context of actual historical and factual accounts. They aren’t like Aesop’s Fables or Homer’s Odyssey. The Bible was written as history. And if you have a big view of God, you can accept the reality of miracles.

Furthermore, the best part is that you can actually know this God through committing your life to His uniquely divine Son, Jesus Christ. Despite what you may believe, God is not only real, He loves you and has made Himself available to you. But are you willing to open your heart and life to Him? When your life has been transformed by the God of the Bible, miracles aren’t so hard to believe. 

After one alcoholic became a follower of Jesus, a skeptical friend asked him how he could possibly believe all the nonsense in the Bible about miracles. “You don’t believe that Jesus changed the water into wine do you?” The former alcoholic replied, “I sure do, because in our house Jesus changed the whiskey into furniture.” 

The question is: Just how big is your view of God? You know you have a big view of God when reading sober and historical accounts of miracles doesn’t bother you. It encourages you!

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

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!

Finishing the Race for Heaven’s Applause

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional2 Comments

This last Sunday my father retired after 40 years of pastoral ministry. As a young pastor myself, I was reminded of how blessed I am to have my dad as a role model for a lifetime of faithfulness to the Lord. Not everyone can say this, but my dad is my hero.

Growing up as a PK (pastor’s kid) gave me special insight into the life of a pastor and all the joys and sorrows and privileges and challenges that come with full-time ministry in the local church. I’m thankful that I had an experience where I never felt overlooked or overshadowed by the ministry. My dad (and mom!) made time for us. He took his calling seriously, but he never let that commitment crowd out time at home with the family. For that, I’m truly grateful.

Seeing my dad honored by a wonderful local church–Tri-City Baptist in Myrtle Creek, Oregon–got me thinking about what I will see as I look over my shoulder when I’m near the finish line.

In his second letter to his young protege, Timothy, the Apostle Paul issues a charge for the young pastor to “preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2, NIV). Most readers note the seriousness of Paul’s words: 

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge.” (2 Timothy 4:1, NIV)

In context, Paul is writing this as his final letter before being martyred. He is on death row, in the Mamertine Prison in Rome. 

What strikes me is that, with full knowledge of his impending death, Paul displays no anxiety or fearfulness about what comes next (vv. 6-8). Just the opposite, in fact. He looks back on his life, not with regret, but with deep satisfaction, as a soldier who has accomplished his mission and as an athlete who has crossed the finish line.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7, NIV)

So often we hear of people who look back on their lives filled with regret, reflecting on all the “might have beens” in their personal history. But not Paul. Death is knocking on his door, and yet he is confident of standing before the Lord Jesus, not in shame, but to receive the highest honor.

“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8, NIV) 

Paul’s tone is triumphant! It’s as if the Roman Caesar, Nero, has issued the verdict: “I condemn you!” And Paul says, “Yes, but the Lord Jesus commends me.” Paul is anticipating, not the applause of the world, but the applause of Heaven. I also note that Paul doesn’t say this reward is only for Apostles like him, as if the average Christian shouldn’t expect this. He says this reward is for “all who have longed for his appearing.”

In other words, if you love and follow Jesus, this should be your expectation, too.

God has given each Christ-follower a race to run. I can’t run your race for you, and you can’t run my race for me. We all have a race to run. May our expectation of being with our Savior, who is also “the righteous Judge,” at the finish line motivate us as we run the race before us.

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