He Was Tempted

A few weeks ago Tom wrote an article about the “Temptations of Jesus.”  As I read what Tom had to say, I wondered how many of us had seen the many temptations that Jesus had faced besides the ones in the wilderness.  As Tom pointed to various other temptations that Jesus faced, we were reminded that Jesus “was in all points tempted…” (Hebrews 4:15) and I thought about the numerous temptations Jesus encountered in the last few hours of His life.

I see Jesus being tempted when He was betrayed, denied, and deserted by His closest friends.  I see Jesus being tempted when He was disrespected, insulted, and humiliated.  Jesus was tempted when He was lied to, lied about, and threatened.  Every act that could destroy a relationship was hurled at Jesus.  And when Jesus was tempted with such animosity, we hear Him cry out, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).  When I hear these words, I am bewildered and ask myself, “What kind of man is this?”

In my astonishment, the Hebrew writer interrupts my thoughts.  “Remember when I said Jesus was tempted in all points, I wasn’t finished talking.  I also said that Jesus was without sin.  In other words, God’s love was tested in all points and it is pure, genuine, and flawless.  What you should be mystified by is, What kind of God is this?”  This is the wonderment of all the people in Scripture.  In fact, Peter said what God was doing through Jesus had fascinated not only the prophets on earth, but the angels in heaven as well (I Peter 1:10-12).

I am glad that Scripture harps on the love of God because I would have missed it.  I would have said, “Got it.  Now let’s move on to bigger and better things.”  But Scripture repeatedly marvels over the love of God and it has caught my attention.  Listen again to the wonderment of Scripture:

He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all . . . (Romans 8:32)

I am convinced that . . . [nothing] in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord . . . (Romans 8:37-39)

How great is the love The Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are! (I John 3:1)

God’s love is so hard for us to understand that Paul prayed for the Ephesians: “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge . . .” (Ephesians 3:18-19)

Amazing?  Yes!  Shocking?  Yes!  Mind boggling?  Yes!  Unbelievable?  Yes!  But listen what else the Hebrew writer says:

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. –Hebrews 4:16

The One who has overcome the world is our advocate in heaven!  No wonder Paul declares, “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31)!  Isn’t that great news?

Leadership

What does a leader in the church look like?  Is there someone in or outside the church that you consider to be your “leader”?  If you were to use your own words, how would you describe a good leader?

When I think of leaders, I think of the Apostle Paul.  I think that if he were here today, I’d be intimated by him because he is so intense.  I also think that as we got to know each other, he would put me at ease and I’d learn to trust him.  Here are some of the reasons why:

A leader values me.  Paul says to the Thessalonians, “For what is our hope, our joy, or our crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes?  Is it not you?  Indeed, you are our glory and joy” (I Thessalonians 2:19-20).  Paul says that the people of God are priceless.

A leader wants me to be all that I can be.  Paul writes to the Ephesians, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you…” (Ephesians 1:16-19).  Paul sees the riches that God’s given and desires that the Ephesians will get a glimpse of their inheritance.

A leader is always in prayer for me.  Paul tells the Philippians, “I thank my God every time I remember you” (Philippians 1:3).  Paul doesn’t just have fond memories of people, but every time he thinks of them, he remembers them before the LORD.

A leader desires to come along side and empower me.  Paul says to the Romans, “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (Romans 1:11-12).  Paul doesn’t see himself as “Lord,” but sees himself as teammate, classmate, or joint-heir.

A leader is firm in his convictions.  Paul says to the Galatians, “When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong” (Galatians 2:11).  Paul was bold and stood up to false practices no matter who he was going to clash with.

A leader does not think of himself more highly than he ought.  Paul says, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (I Corinthians 11:1).  Paul has a sober judgment of himself.  Paul sees himself as mortal, a hireling, and a servant.  Paul not only has his eyes and his thoughts fixed on the One he is following, but points others to follow Him as well.

This list is probably not a comprehensive list of what a leader should be, but I think that Paul has not only defined what a leader is, but his life expounds what a good leader looks like.  When I hear Paul saying “follow my example, as I follow Christ” I hear God asking me, “Who are you following and who’s following you?”

Hiding From God

There are many humorous places in Scripture; one of the places is found in Genesis 3.  Remember when Adam and Eve ate from the “forbidden tree” and then hid from God when He showed up?  When God asked Adam why he was hiding, Adam’s answered, “I was naked” (Genesis 3:10).

I find his answer hilarious:  Adam and Eve had always been naked, and even in the Presence of God.  But this time when God greets them, it’s as if they were confessing their crime even before they had been accused.  It reminds me of children who have disobeyed their parents and when their parents come home, without so much of a “Hi, Mom!” or “Hi, Dad!” the children exclaims, “I didn’t do it—”

However, my amusement turns somber when I remember that nothing is hidden from the eyes of God (Hebrews 4:13).  I am also reminded that when we don’t own our sins, life will be sucked out of us (Psalms 32:3-4).  It’s a natural consequence of our lives when we despise the Word of the LORD (II Samuel 12:9).

The Good News is that we don’t have to cover up our sins before God, men, and ourselves.  We can live a transparent, yet vibrant, exuberant, and abundant life.  Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).  How can we experience this liberation?  Jesus tells us, “If you continue in My Word. . .” (John 8:31-41). 

I hear Scripture urging us, don’t hide from God, be persistent to remain in His Presence, and we’ll be at peace with God (Hebrews 11:6).

Prayerlessness

As I was singing and praying the hymn, “I Am Thine, O Lord” this morning, the words, “O the pure delight of a single hour that before Thy throne I spend” jumped out at me.  The reason why it caught my attention is because I would not describe my prayer life as a pure delight.  As a matter of fact, “prayerlessness” would be more a more accurate description of my spiritual life.

Earlier this morning I listened to a program about George Washington and his spiritual life.  The speaker said that Washington kept a prayer journal and George prayed an hour in the morning and an hour at night.  In his journal while at Valley Forge, he wrote, “under the crushing weight of responsibility that I find myself, I can no longer sustain my prayer vigil” because of the suffering and dying of his men.  So he continued to pray an hour in the morning, but two hours in the evening.

The idea of even praying for an hour is mind boggling and I could come up with a whole bunch of reasons why I can’t spend that much time in prayer.  Yet, as I listen to my excuses, I am reminded of the numerous times when the Gospel writers spoke of Jesus praying.  Among them is the time that He arose early (Mark 1:35) and that He spent all night praying (Luke 6:12.

While I struggle in prayer, Fanny Crosby’s words remind me, “When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God, I commune as friend with friend.

Jim

My friend Jim is facing round 2 is his bout with cancer.  The prognosis is not good, but Jim says, “I am at complete peace with God, and whatever He wills is also my will.”

Jim’s spirit reminded me of what Paul wrote Timothy.  In 2 Timothy 4:6-7, Paul said, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

When Paul said these words, he didn’t mention his successes or failures.  Paul didn’t mention his competitors, his status, or the struggles that he went through.  What I do hear Paul saying is that he poured everything into staying on course and finishing.

Paul’s words blare out to me about perseverance, resolution, determination, faithfulness, and steadfastness.  And this is what I’ve also seen coming from Jim’s life.  And like Paul, I think Jim has his eye on the prize—“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day.”   And I think Jim would be quick to add, “Paul doesn’t put a period there.  Paul goes on to say, “And not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.”

Good job, Jim.  Keep running.  As you recently reminded me, “We ain’t dead yet!”