Significance of the Name "Pracheta" The name "Pracheta" is derived from two Sanskrit words: "pra" meaning "before" and "chetas" meaning "mind" or "consciousness." Thus, Pracheta can be translated as "forethinker" or "one who has foresight." This name signifies a person who possesses a forward-thinking mind, someone who anticipates and plans for the future. In the context of Hindu mythology and philosophy, such a trait is highly valued as it implies wisdom, prudence, and a deep understanding of the consequences of one's actions. Role in Hindu Religion Pracheta, the father of Valmiki, holds a significant yet subtle role in Hindu religion. Valmiki, often referred to as the Adi Kavi (the first poet), is the revered author of the epic Ramayana. Although Pracheta himself is not a central figure in Hindu mythology, his role as the progenitor of Valmiki ties him to the vast narrative of Hindu religious and philosophical thought. The foresight implied by his name suggests that he may have possessed qualities that he passed down to his son, Valmiki, who later became an enlightened sage and a master storyteller. Pracheta’s foresight can be symbolically linked to the prophetic nature of Valmiki’s poetry, which foresees the moral and ethical dilemmas of humanity and offers profound lessons through the story of Lord Rama. According to legend, Valmiki was a notorious highwayman before his transformation into a sage. His encounter with the divine sage Narada marked a turning point in his life. Narada's teachings and the mantra "Mara" (meaning "kill" in Sanskrit) led Valmiki into deep meditation. As he repeated "Mara," it gradually transformed into "Rama" (the name of the divine prince in the Ramayana). This shift in his consciousness symbolised the metamorphosis from a life of sin to one of spiritual awakening. This narrative underscores the power of transformation and the eternal resonance of divine names, illustrating how even the most sinful can attain enlightenment and contribute to the spiritual heritage of humanity. Parallels with Prometheus Prometheus, a figure from Greek mythology, shares a strikingly similar epithet to Pracheta. Prometheus's name is derived from the Greek "promētheus," meaning "forethought." Like Pracheta, Prometheus is celebrated for his forward-thinking and his contributions to humanity. In Hindu philosophy, the concept of foresight is intertwined with dharma (righteousness) and karma (action and its consequences). Pracheta, as the forethinker, represents the ideal of living a life guided by wisdom and prudence, ensuring that one's actions align with the greater cosmic order. Similarly, in Greek philosophy, Prometheus is best known for his defiance of Zeus by stealing fire from the gods and giving it to mankind, an act that symbolises the transmission of knowledge and the overcoming of ignorance to progress toward a more enlightened state of being. Interestingly, the son of Pracheta was given the name Agni at birth, meaning fire, and only later became known as Valmiki. It is worth noting that both Prometheus and Pracheta are associated with the gift of fire to humanity. The discovery of fire was a pivotal moment in human evolution, profoundly impacting brain development and cognitive abilities. Cooking food made it easier to digest and increased its nutritional value, allowing for more efficient energy use. This dietary shift contributed to a smaller gut, freeing up metabolic energy that supported larger brain growth. The enhanced brain size and function facilitated advanced cognitive abilities, social behaviours, and tool-making skills, setting the stage for the complex societies we have today. Fire not only provided warmth and protection but also fuelled the evolutionary leap that shaped human intelligence and societal progress.
While Jesus wanted to be clear with His followers, sometimes we as
His followers can get things twisted in our minds when reading some of
the things that He has said. As an example, a simple reading of a
statement Jesus shares with His disciples prior to being arrested and
crucified may cause us to be confused over what He actually meant. During this final conversation with the disciples before His arrest, Jesus tells them, “I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” (John 16:24 NIV) The next big thing to happen was Jesus’ death, and if we look for
evidence that says Jesus went to the Father at death, we may find some
verses that could help support that theory. However, just three days
later, Jesus clearly stated that He had not yet returned to the Father.
Jesus tells Mary, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet
ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am
ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17 NIV) According to what Jesus told Mary, it was following the resurrection
that Jesus ascended to heaven. Did He do this before meeting them in the
upper room and while fishing on the lake, or was this a statement that
foreshadowed the official ascension forty days later? I don’t know the answer to this, but the clear truth John shares in
His gospel is that Jesus did not leave to go to the Father at His death.
Instead, Jesus’ death and resurrection marked the completion of His
earthly ministry, and signaled the start of His heavenly ministry on our
behalf. This means that Jesus is in heaven right now looking at our life’s record.
Jesus isn’t doing this to find reasons to keep us out of heaven. There
are too many reasons to keep us out of heaven than even He could count. Instead,
Jesus is looking for reasons that give us entrance into heaven – and
the only reason we have that works is having accepted the free gift God
has offered to us through Jesus’ death on the cross. We accept His gift
by placing our faith, hope, trust, and belief in Jesus, and when God
finds this declaration in our life’s record, we are able to be saved for
eternity. This post first appeared on ReflectiveBibleStudy.com What do you think? Do you agree/disagree? Leave your thoughts below.
As Jesus nears the end of His famous “Sermon on the Mount”, He gives a
warning to those listening to His words. This warning is about false
prophets, and Jesus gives a very clear way we can single them out.
Surprisingly, this way of identifying false prophets is not what people
seem to use today. Jesus tells those listening, “Watch out for false prophets!
They dress up like sheep, but inside they are wolves who have come to
attack you. You can tell what they are by what they do. No one picks
grapes or figs from thornbushes. A good tree produces good fruit, and a
bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a
bad tree cannot produce good fruit. Every tree that produces bad fruit
will be chopped down and burned. You can tell who the false prophets are
by their deeds.” (Matthew 7:15-20 CEV) The incredibly simple test we can use is by looking at what the
prophet does. How the prophet lives will determine whether they are from
God. Jesus could have said, “Watch out for prophets, because anyone
who comes after me who claims this title is trying to lead you astray.”
When we look at the broad Christian church throughout the centuries
following Jesus, it would seem as though most take this stance, but
Jesus doesn’t say this. Instead, Jesus hints at the possibility of more
prophets coming in the years after He lived. Most people believe prophets were simply people in the Old Testament
who called the people back to God and/or who predicted about the
upcoming birth of Jesus. The logic says that since Jesus came and
fulfilled the prophecies, there is no more need for any prophet to come. However, this is a poor way of looking at the Prophet’s role.
Instead, each prophet was called to share a message from God for a
people at a specific period of history. All of God’s prophets pointed
towards Jesus in some way. The Old Testament examples we have all point
forward to Jesus. But following the gospels, any new prophet must point
back to Jesus and forward to His second coming to be eligible. Also, to be considered a true prophet according to Jesus’ own words,
the prophet’s actions must line up with God’s character. This doesn’t
mean that they are sinless, because even the prophets in the Old
Testament couldn’t claim this level of perfection. Instead, it means
that they are continually striving towards God and better representing
Him to those they are sent to. Someone who claims to be a prophet must love like Jesus and
be a genuine witness for God through both their words and their actions.
False prophets always have great things to say and a convincing
argument, but their actions betray their motives, and if they are not
living in a way that is moving towards God then Jesus calls them false.
If they have a sin that they don’t want to get rid of, then they cannot
be from God. Because Jesus put this test in place, we can trust it will
stand the test of time! This post first appeared on ReflectiveBibleStudy.com What do you think? Do you agree/disagree? Leave your thoughts below.
Monotheistic Faith Systems: Unity and the Problem of Exclusion Monotheistic faith systems, which centre around the worship of a single deity, offer the benefit of a uniting principle placed at the apex of a hierarchical structure. This unifying element can foster a sense of cohesion and shared purpose among adherents. The singular focus on one deity can create a clear, consistent moral framework and a strong collective identity. For example, in Christianity, the belief in one God provides a foundation for universal moral guidelines, promoting a sense of brotherhood and shared values among believers. However, the rigidity of monotheism can also lead to significant dangers. The exclusivity inherent in monotheistic systems can lead to an "us versus them" mentality, where those outside the faith are viewed with suspicion or hostility. This can lead to social fragmentation, intolerance, and even conflict. The emphasis on a single truth can stifle diversity of thought and practice, potentially leading to authoritarianism where dissenting voices are suppressed. Polytheistic Faith Systems: Diversity and the Problem of Integration Polytheistic faith systems, like Hinduism, worship multiple deities, each representing different aspects of life and the universe. This multiplicity allows for a rich diversity of beliefs, practices, and rituals. The pluralism inherent in polytheism can encourage tolerance and acceptance of different perspectives, fostering a more inclusive and harmonious society. However, the diversity within polytheism can also lead to potential dangers. Without a single unifying principle, there is a risk of fragmentation and lack of cohesion among followers. The various deities and their respective mythologies can sometimes lead to conflicting beliefs and practices, creating divisions within the community. Additionally, the absence of a centralised authority can make it challenging to maintain a consistent moral framework, potentially leading to ethical ambiguity. How do the polytheistic Hindus achieve unity? At the heart of Hindu philosophy lies the concept of Brahman, the ultimate reality or universal spirit. Brahman is the singular, all-encompassing divine presence that transcends individual deities and is the source of all existence. This principle is encapsulated in the ancient Vedic saying, "Ekam Sat, Vipra Bahudha Vadanti," which means, "Truth is one, the wise call it by many names." This idea suggests that while the divine can be experienced and expressed in countless forms, all these forms are manifestations of the same underlying reality. Thus, whether one worships Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi, or any other deity, they are ultimately connecting with Brahman. This philosophical cornerstone fosters a sense of unity among believers, despite the surface-level diversity of their worship practices. In Hinduism, deities represent various aspects of life and cosmic principles. For example, Saraswati embodies knowledge and wisdom, while Lakshmi signifies wealth and prosperity. This multiplicity allows individuals to relate to the divine in a way that is personally meaningful to them. Yet, these deities are not seen as isolated or competing entities but rather as different expressions of the same ultimate reality. How did the polytheistic Ancient Greeks achieve unity? Ancient Greek religion, characterised by a pantheon of gods and goddesses, found unity through philosophical integration. Heraclitus introduced the idea of logos, a rational principle that governed the cosmos, bringing order and harmony to the ever-changing world. Heraclitus is often credited with introducing the concept of logos as a fundamental principle of change and stability in the universe. For Heraclitus, logos represented the rational structure that underlies all reality. He famously stated, "You cannot step into the same river twice," emphasising that while everything is in a state of flux, there is a consistent order or pattern to these changes, governed by logos. Plato saw logos as the principle of rationality that connects the world of Forms (the true reality) with the material world. In his dialogues, Plato often uses logos to refer to reasoned discourse and the process of logical thinking. By viewing each deity as an aspect or expression of logos, the Greeks could maintain a coherent religious framework that embraced a variety of divine forms while recognizing an underlying unity. For instance, Apollo, associated with prophecy, music, and healing, could be seen as an embodiment of the rational and harmonious aspects of logos. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare strategy, represented the intellectual and strategic dimensions of logos. This understanding allowed for a cohesive theological system where the gods were not isolated entities but interconnected parts of a larger rational order. How do the monotheistic Christians achieve diversity? Christianity, while rooted in the monotheistic belief in one God, achieves a diversity through the philosophical integration of unity and fringe elements. A proper unity must leave room for the fringe because the limits of the unity are defined by the fringe. Without the fringe, unity risks becoming tyrannical, stifling creativity, and excluding those who do not conform. Conversely, without a central unity, the fringe can become dominant, leading to chaos and the collapse of clear definitions. The fringe, often seen as the stranger or the marginal, plays a critical role in enriching and challenging the core, preventing stagnation. The cherubs placed at the edge of Eden with a flaming sword represent the boundaries and the mysterious, powerful fringe of God's creation. These figures symbolise the limits of human experience and understanding, reminding believers that there is a divine mystery and power at the fringes of their existence. These boundaries define and protect the sacred space, just as the fringe defines and strengthens unity. Gargoyles, often grotesque and unusual, serve not only as architectural features but also as symbolic protectors of the sacred spaces they adorn. They represent the fringe, the strange and the monstrous, guarding the purity of the central unity. Their presence on sacred buildings suggests that what is marginal or grotesque is integral to the protection and definition of what is sacred. Strangers, or those outside the immediate community, play significant and often important roles in the Biblical narrative. These figures often serve as catalysts for change, sources of wisdom, and symbols of God's inclusive love and justice. Jethro is a prime example of how a stranger can significantly influence the trajectory of God's people. As Moses' father-in-law and a priest of Midian, Jethro was an outsider to the Israelite community. However, his counsel and wisdom were crucial in shaping Moses' leadership and the governance of Israel. This principle of unity and fringe extends beyond religious contexts into political and social realms. A society that embraces its marginal elements—the stranger, the artist, the outcast, the unconventional thinker—becomes more vibrant and resilient. Marginal elements challenge the status quo, inspire innovation, and prevent the tyranny of uniformity. It is this balance—where unity acknowledges the role of the fringe and diversity is anchored by a unifying thread—that fosters a truly enriched and harmonious existence.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV) “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 23:17-18 NIV) “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21 NIV) This past week, many people faced disappointment as something that they expected to happen didn't. This thing could be something in their personal lives, or something happening in the broader world. Since the political state of the world is at or near the top of many minds, this weekend is a great time to share a simple reminder: God > politics. We could just as easily write: • God > politicians • God > democrats • God > republicans • God > liars • God > cheaters • God > evil • God > sinners (i.e. every human living today) In Romans 3:23, Paul reminds those in the early church that all have sinned and have fallen short of God’s glory (i.e. God’s standard). Every person living today, you and I included, has missed reaching the standard God set for us. We all have failed. Equally challenging is assuming that we know exactly what God’s preferred outcome is in a situation we don’t understand. Some people might feel that if they had done more to push for a different outcome in a situation they faced, then God’s will would have been brought about, rather than what happened. However, it is dangerous for us to assume we know the outcome God wants in any situation. Take Jesus’ crucifixion weekend. The religious leaders planned to skip arresting Jesus that weekend (Matthew 26:5, Mark 14:2). However, God’s plan was for that weekend to be remembered for eternity. Also, on the night of Jesus’ arrest, Peter insisted he would never deny Jesus (Matthew 26:31-35). Instead, just like Jesus predicted, Peter denied Him all three times. Even the Old Testament prophet Jonah, when he ran away from God’s mission for him, had his experience with the enormous fish transformed into a foreshadowing of Jesus on crucifixion weekend (Matthew 12:40). Each of these situations happened differently than what sinners planned — but each of these situations landed firmly within God’s plan. When things appear to not follow our preferred plan, remember that God is greater, His plan is greater, and He knows more than we do about how to set the stage for Jesus’ return and the end of sin. Even while the events of this past week might not have conformed to what you would have liked to have happened, it would be a mistake to assume that God was not involved. Just like God was involved in redirecting the plans of sinners back onto His plan during crucifixion weekend, it is much safer to believe that He was behind what has been happening recently — and that He has a bigger purpose in mind for it. Together, let’s take the disappointment and reframe it into one more reason we can trust God — because God is greater! 🙏 📖 ✝️ 👍
In these few verses of Matthew's gospel (Matthew 27:27-31), we find one of the greatest truths that we can wrap our minds around. While the whole crucifixion event has been glamorized and marked in
time through Easter weekend, the profound truth found within this
passage is often missed, glossed over, or plain ignored: Jesus
came and endured some of the worst torture that has ever been imagined
in the course of history’s timeline so that everyone in the universe
(that includes us) will see and know how much God loves us! In this passage, we see both the character of God/Jesus, as well as
how twisted we as a species have become. No other group of creatures has
used their imagination to come up with more painful ways to kill one
another. It is likely that no other group of creatures have even had
this thought. Having the ability to think this way is a gift from God, but Satan
has twisted God’s gift so far that we don’t ever stop and ponder how
special free thought really is. And to top it off, as we have used this imagination throughout
history, often we have created great things, but we have also devised
some really evil things as well. In one of the most evil times in
history, Jesus steps in, and He endures the cruelest and most painful
punishment ever as a way to show us God’s love for us. It is incredible to think that our Creator would be willing to submit
to us as His creation. The Gift-Giver allows those who received His
gifts the freedom to turn against Him. I really don’t understand it at
times, but God sustains the life of both the good and the bad in this
age for a reason – and His reasons come from an eternal perspective. God showed us His love from this eternal perspective as well.
Jesus chose this point in history to step into because He wanted us to
see how much God loves us – even while we are actively rebelling against
Him. This post first appeared on ReflectiveBibleStudy.com What do you think? Do you agree/disagree? Leave your thoughts below.
Often in my life, I find myself praying, and then waiting for God to answer. Perhaps you can relate with this experience. Sometimes these prayers receive a clear response, while other times, I
am left waiting for a really long time, and even today, I have some
prayers that I’m still waiting to receive or observe an answer for. However, while we often wait on God, have you ever thought of the
idea of God waiting for us? While I’m sure for many, He is waiting for
them to repent and return to Him, but I’m actually talking about a
different sort of waiting. In our passage for this entry, have you ever noticed one of Jesus’ most amazing promises: “For
I tell you, I will never eat it until it is given its full meaning in
the Kingdom of God. . . I tell you that from now on I will not drink
this wine until the Kingdom of God comes.” (Luke 22:16, 18 GNT) Jesus promised His disciples that He will wait for them before doing
the two most symbolic parts of the last supper ever. Jesus is waiting
for His second coming before taking part in communion with us – though
when He returns, and we have the big communion feast, there will be an
exponentially larger crowd present than the original disciples. This
means that Jesus is waiting for you and I as His followers as well. So what does this mean for us today? God has a different frame of time than we do. Jesus has been
“waiting” for close to 2,000 years and this is because He wants as many
people as possible to experience His second “communion-feast”. While we
often wait on God, He is also waiting for you and me. When
we arrive in Heaven, there will be a feast prepared, and chances are,
it will begin with communion – Jesus’ adaptation of the Passover supper. What are you doing to get ready for that special day? This post first appeared on ReflectiveBibleStudy.com What do you think? Do you agree/disagree? Leave your thoughts below.
When we look at the fishing trip the disciples took after Jesus’
resurrection, we can see an amazing picture of how God moves, and how He
may choose to work in our lives. When everything has been finished,
there is no question left in our minds whether it was God working or not
– we just know it. After this miracle, John tells us that Jesus invites them for breakfast. John also adds that, “None of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord.” (John 21:12b NIV) With the massive catch of fish after a night filled with
disappointment, every disciple who was present at that breakfast meal
had no doubt that the person sitting with them was Jesus. They may not
have recognized Jesus as clearly in His resurrected body, but there was
no doubt in their minds that it was Him. This detail John includes in this event is important for us to remember. With
this detail, we can learn that just because we don’t recognize Jesus
moving in an event, this does not mean that He is absent. Just because
an event does not line up with our picture of God, we should not
discount the possibility that God has a purpose in mind through what
happened. This even is the case in horrible events as well. Note that God does
not cause bad events to happen, but in every bad event that He allows to
happen, I believe that He has a way of bringing good from it. What
happened may not have been our first choice, and it definitely was not
His first choice, but if He allowed it, He can use it for His glory. In this miracle, none of the disciples truly recognized Jesus like
they knew Him before. Following the catch of fish, an unnamed disciple
(assumed to be John), identified that the man on the shore must have
been Jesus. Prior to that, none of the disciples recognized Him. Even sitting on the shore next to Jesus, it seems as though the
disciples didn’t recognize Him clearly. It seems as though John tells us
that each disciple had the question in their minds to ask Jesus who He
is, but none of them were brave enough to actually ask – and also
because they all believed the man to be Jesus. This brings us back to this big idea: Just because we don’t
recognize Jesus moving in an event does not mean that He is absent. Just
because an event does not line up with our picture of God, we should
not discount the possibility that God has a purpose in mind through what
happened. This post first appeared on ReflectiveBibleStudy.com What do you think? Do you agree/disagree? Leave your thoughts below.
In this passage, Jesus gives one of His more profound and perplexing statements. It is our tendency when we read this that Jesus is talking to a
select group of people, but this teaching was to a crowd where every
group and class of people were represented. John 10, verse 10 is the verse that holds this statement: “A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” (John 10:10 CEV) In this short verse, Jesus contrasts the mission of His ministry with
all other “ministries” that would come before and after. In this verse,
Jesus challenges the notion that He came to “steal” people away from
earth. That idea goes against what Jesus says here. A “thief” steals
from the places they have targeted, and Jesus positions Himself on the
opposite side of this idea. Jesus sets Himself on the platform that He came to help everyone have a full life. This is where things can get a little uncomfortable for some. Jesus
clearly says “everyone”. This is not Jesus saying, “Only those who
follow Me can have the full life.” That might make sense, but this is
not Jesus’ words. Jesus wanted everyone in the crowd to live a full life
– regardless of their past, and regardless of where they were in the
moment He spoke those words. The same is true today. Jesus wants you and I, regardless of our past
or where we are in the present, to have a full life. His statement is
100% inclusive and not exclusive to anyone. However, not everyone wants a “full” life. Not everyone believes the
truth about what leads to a full life. There are billions of people
running across the planet who might say they want a full life, but then
they act in ways that cheapens their value to others and themselves.
God’s idea of a “full” life does not lead to anyone feeling less than
how God feels about them, and if you don’t know what God thinks of you,
simply look to the cross – the place where the Creator of the earth
died. We see our value in how much God gave up to be with us. When we get a glimpse of how valuable we are to God, we can begin to live life to God’s fullest! This post first appeared on ReflectiveBibleStudy.com What do you think? Do you agree/disagree? Leave your thoughts below.
On the night of Jesus’ arrest, Luke includes an interesting
instruction that Jesus shares with His disciples during their supper
together. In this instruction, Jesus echoes back to an earlier challenge
He gave to the disciples. Luke tells us Jesus sets up this statement by asking the disciples, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” (Luke 22:35a NIV) The disciples responded by saying, “Nothing.” (Luke 22:35b NIV) Then Jesus adjusts and updates this earlier command by telling them, “But
now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have
a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written: ‘And he was
numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be
fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its
fulfillment.” (Luke 22:36-37 NIV) On the surface, this seems pretty practical. Earlier, it was safe
to be associated with Jesus, but from this point forward, being one of
Jesus’ followers could potentially be dangerous. Jesus intended His instructions for each disciple personally moving
forward, but they seemed to understand His words as transitioning His
ministry into a military one. In this statement, the disciples
excitement was felt because Jesus seemed to be preparing for the
conquest against the Romans that tradition at the time said would
happen. The disciples eagerly tell Jesus, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” (Luke 22:38a NIV) It’s as though the disciples heard Jesus’ instructions to buy a
single sword, and they are excited because they doubled His expectation
with two swords. But Jesus, realizing that they have missed His point
simply responds, “That’s enough!” (Luke 22:38b NIV) Jesus was not interested in taking a military role for His ministry.
The swords He recommended the disciples purchasing were not intended for
offensive action. The swords were simply to be a deterrent for someone
else deciding whether or not to attack. One is less likely to attack
someone who is armed than one who is not armed. Following Jesus after His death has been more physically dangerous at
some points than at others. Early on, Christians were crucified and fed
to lions for sport. However, following Jesus at this time is less physically dangerous in
most places of our world, but the growing danger is one that is a
social danger. It is unpopular to associate with Jesus openly, and while
the pendulum is swinging away from Christian spirituality, it will only
become more unpopular to hold to a Biblical worldview. But Jesus has called His followers to take the harder,
unpopular path – the one that gives glory and honor towards the Father.
What Jesus predicted came true. He was numbered with those who broke the
law, and He was crucified – but His crucifixion opens the way for us to
have eternal life. When we put our belief, faith, hope, and trust in
Jesus, we are safe to save for eternity – and eternity lasts longer than
today’s popular opinion. This post first appeared on ReflectiveBibleStudy.com What do you think? Do you agree/disagree? Leave your thoughts below.
During Jesus teaching, Matthew describes a point where He shares His
big issues with the religious leaders of that time period. While Mark
and Luke include a brief summary couple of verses, Matthew devotes
almost an entire chapter to this section of Jesus’ words. In this teaching, Jesus describes one of the ways the scribes and Pharisees are hypocrites: “Woe
to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of
the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and
self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup
and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also.” (Matthew 23:25-26 NASB95) Jesus then restates this idea with a different metaphor saying, “Woe
to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed
tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full
of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you, too, outwardly appear
righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and
lawlessness.” (Matthew 23:27-28 NASB95) With these two challenges and warnings, Jesus shares a principle that can help us be wiser. This principle says that our inner lives will ultimately, eventually reflect our outer lives.
Applying this principle to these scribes and Pharisees tells us that
even though they are putting on a good show and are currently fooling
many people, the robbery, self-indulgence, hypocrisy, and lawlessness
will eventually come out and taint their outwardly perfect looking
lives. But the challenge Jesus shares with them in this principle is that by
fixing their inner lives and getting rid of the sin that his hidden
right now, they will be able to keep an outwardly clean life. It is the same with us living today. While it is easy to
fracture ourselves, and show a different side of ourselves whether we
are at home, at work, with friends, or sharing online, eventually all
the facets of our lives will blend together. If any of the
parts, facets, or sides of our lives do not go well together with the
other parts, we will have a problem, and the negative parts of our
character will bleed over and taint the positive image we are trying to
portray. Jesus’ challenge for everyone listening to Him (including us 2,000ish years later)
is to focus on cleaning up our inner, hidden lives, because only by
doing this first will we better able to keep the public sides of our
lives congruent and clean. This post first appeared on ReflectiveBibleStudy.com What do you think? Do you agree/disagree? Leave your thoughts below.
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NIV) “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5 NIV) “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’” (Luke 14:28-30 NIV) While the summer is often a time where people focus on their vacations, for many years, it is a time where I plan for the future. I suppose one reason for this is that at the start of July, the retirement plan I am in has an automatic increase in the percentage of savings withheld from each check — specifically for those saving under a specific percentage. Leading up to this, they will email everyone, alerting them of this change. Most of those I work with appear to be irritated with this move. Perhaps it feels forced; perhaps it is just grumbling that they have to do something extra to decline the increase. However, this increase doesn’t bother me. In fact, it doesn’t even affect me, because I am saving several percent over the threshold for this increase. Some might recoil at the idea I would continue to save in my retirement fund (which is primarily in mutual funds that hold stocks) when the market is down. Like most people, I’ve lost double-digit percentages as the market has fallen. However, unlike most people, I continue to save because I see the current situation as simply one dip on the roller-coaster that the market is. Right now, I view the market as being on sale, and it is only a matter of time before it increases. The book of Proverbs contains a significant number of verses dedicated to planning. However, while Solomon always frames planning for noble things as good, he also recognizes that God is the one who directs our steps. Does this mean we should not plan, since God is the one directing us? I don’t think so. Instead, I believe God is best able to use us as we are walking forward. While God redirected Jonah while he was running away, it was only after Jonah left that God “redirected” his journey. In the course of our lives, I picture God challenging each of us to live, prepared for His return today, while also planning for the future with the time-frame that we will live decades longer. Jesus emphasized the wisdom of planning when talking about the man building a tower and the king preparing for war. Jesus also challenges His followers with investing for the long-term through His parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and His parable of the ten minas (Luke 19:12-27). While each day we have is a blessing and a gift, let’s keep our perspective focused on Jesus, and on growing His blessings while we look forward to His return! 🙏 📖 ✝️ ✅
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV) “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV) “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:9-10 NIV) As I sit down this morning to write out this weekend’s thought, God led me to a verse that is both powerful and relevant. In the book of Hebrews, as the author is wrapping up his message, he writes: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV) I suspect that every generation has faced the temptation of discontent, mixed with the temptation to be jealous of those who have more. However, I also suspect that this temptation has a much bigger footprint in today’s society. I suspect one reason this temptation has made inroads into Christianity is because many are forgetting, ignoring, or discounting the promise included in this verse. God promises, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Instead, the predictive description Paul wrote to Timothy appears to be alive and well in our world: “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:2-4 NIV) The easiest answer for solving this fake spirituality is for Jesus to return. However, while this would solve the problem on a worldwide level, if His return is prior to a friend or loved one turning back to Him, then they may be lost. However, the other, less-than-easy answer is to ask God for His Holy Spirit. Ask God for help to return to Him, for spiritual oil for our eyes, for spiritual clothing to wear, and for spiritual gold that God has refined in His fire. (Revelation 3:18) Along with asking God for these things, ask Him to grow within your life His “fruits of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23). The fruits of the Spirit directly oppose the list Paul describes to Timothy. Paul’s list to Timothy describes a group that has a form of godliness but denying its power. The fruits of the Spirit reflect true godliness while also accepting His power. Without the Holy Spirit, we have no hope of growing any of the fruits of the Spirit. As we await the day Jesus returns, let’s love God and stay connected to Him. As we stay aligned with Him, His love will shine through our lives, and others will see His power through us as we stand firm against the current of this world! 🙏 📖 ✝️ 👍
The only gospel writer to include any details of the Sabbath Jesus
was dead is Matthew, and the details that Matthew includes are amazingly
significant to the gospel story. Nothing about this weekend was normal
or ordinary, but in this extraordinary set of days, we learn of some
people who actually paid attention to Jesus’ words even better than the
disciples had. Matthew describes what happens by saying, “On the next day,
which was a Sabbath, the chief priests and the Pharisees went together
to Pilate. They said, ‘Sir, we remember what that liar said while he was
still alive. He claimed that in three days he would come back from
death. So please order the tomb to be carefully guarded for three days.
If you don’t, his disciples may come and steal his body. They will tell
the people that he has been raised to life, and this last lie will be
worse than the first one.’” (Matthew 27:62-64 CEV) What is amazing about this when I read what these leaders say to
Pilate is that they actually heard Jesus’ prediction about coming back
to life. While they don’t believe Jesus to be capable of resurrecting
Himself, they don’t trust Jesus’ followers to not steal the body and
claim this. The Jewish leaders’ fear prompts one of the most
understated, key details to happen surrounding Jesus’ resurrection. Nowhere in the gospels do we read about the disciples thinking about
crafting a resurrection lie or myth, but if they had thought this, the
guards at the tomb would stop them from succeeding. In a strange way,
the guards present actually validate the resurrection story because for
those of us reading about this many centuries later, if no guards were
present, a myth could spread that the disciples did come and steal the
body. Even sleeping guards would discourage a midnight raid because the
cost of waking them would be too high. But Pilate’s response is even more amazing than the religious leaders’ request. Matthew tells us Pilate told the leaders, “All right, take some of your soldiers and guard the tomb as well as you know how.” (Matthew 27:65 CEV) After John’s gospel record of Jesus’ conversation with Pilate the
previous day, it is possible that Pilate actually believed the rumor
these Jewish leaders brought to him. While the Jewish leaders believed
Jesus to be lying about resurrecting, Pilate may have not been so sure.
By saying “guard the tomb as well as you know how”,
Pilate hints at his belief that Jesus may be capable of what they don’t
believe. In Pilate’s mind, if Jesus was capable of returning to life,
nothing the religious leaders could do would be enough to stop Him. By placing guards at the tomb, the Jewish leaders unknowingly help
prove that the resurrection miracle actually happened. While trying to
prevent a heist that could become legend, they actually place credible
witnesses in place for the ultimate miracle of all of history. Jesus was
the only person to ever predict His death and resurrection days later,
and then have history play out exactly as He said it would. Reading about this Sabbath tells me that God can use anyone
to help move His plan forward. Even the most unlikely individuals who
had no faith and who were completely opposed to the thought of
resurrection become a part of God’s plan. They end up being witnesses
and the first to know of Jesus’ resurrection, and while they were trying
to avoid rumors and speculations from spreading regarding a
resurrection, they get the tables turned on them and have to create
their own rumor about the heist they were trying to prevent. This post first appeared on ReflectiveBibleStudy.com What do you think? Do you agree/disagree? Leave your thoughts below.
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:17 NIV) “Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.” (Psalm 134:1‑2 NIV) “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” (Isaiah 49:15‑16 NIV) When my kids were younger, for a Christmas gift, they received kid’s tool boxes. However, far from being “play” tools, the tools in these kits were real hammers, screwdrivers, pliers and more. These tools were just a little smaller, making them kid friendly even though I will admit that I've used them occasionally when my tools were not as close. Several months later, my wife asked me if I could find some scrap wood for them to play with, so they can hammer nails and screw screws in to make things. While I don’t have much scrap wood lying around at home, I found some scrap wood destined for a dumpster at the place I work. However, this scrap had a slight problem: Each piece also came with a half dozen long staples sticking out one end — which is less ideal for kids aged 5 & 7. But this problem also came with an opportunity: this could be the first project for this pile of wood. Yesterday, for about two hours, the three of us worked together to pull the staples out of the pieces of wood using hammers, pliers, and screwdrivers. As we worked on this project, making a little assembly line for progress, I could not help but think of the skills being taught as we worked with our hands. We learned some problem solving, how to pick the right tool for each task, and even teamwork, as some of us were better than others at various tasks. And all of this happened without the aid of anything electronic. This even also reminded me of three other things. First, for many years, perhaps even over two decades of His developing life, Jesus likely worked with His hands helping Joseph with carpentry. Second, this event reminded me of how we can use our hands to praise God, as the psalmist wrote at the beginning of Psalm 134. Third, this event reminded me of God’s message through Isaiah that we are engraved on the palms of God’s hands. Being engraved on God’s hands is very relevant! This statement foreshadowed the nail scars Jesus would gain from facing the cross. These scars would come because Jesus was paying the debt of sin that He did not owe. Also, being engraved on God’s hands challenges us to do God’s will and to show God’s character in the world around us. If we need an example to follow, model Jesus, who modeled God the best! As we look forward to Jesus returning, let’s use our hands to show His love to those He brings our way! 🙏 📖 ✝️ 👍
Often when reading a passage from a different translation, I catch
new words or ideas that I have never seen before. Perhaps this is the
translation’s or translator’s fault, or maybe, the original language
used a word that conveyed something more that this translation wants to
draw out. Whatever the reason, this passage includes a word and an idea that I have not ever noticed before. In verse 27, we read Jesus’ promise, and see this “new” word/idea: “I’m
leaving you peace. I’m giving you my peace. I don’t give you the kind
of peace that the world gives. So don’t be troubled or cowardly.” (John 14:27 GW) Jesus tells us not to be cowardly? What does that have to do with the peace He promises? Some might believe that God gives us peace in situations where we
have no power to change the circumstances. This is often the case. But
where people go too far in their thinking is that God’s peace excuses
them from being engaged. Receiving God’s peace is not a sign that we can
now retreat. That would be “cowardly”. The peace God has promised comes on a deeper level. His peace fills
your heart. His peace assures us that we are loved, forgiven, saved, and
now empowered to act. His peace says that He will be with us as we face
whatever the future holds. Peace that the world gives is different. This peace is bartered and
temporary. It could be the lull in a storm of circumstances. The world’s
peace is nice, but it cannot fill our lives like God’s peace. God’s
peace is present when things get out of control. God’s peace remains
when the world’s peace has expired and left. God’s peace is peace that I want. When life throws us doubts
and uncertainties, with Jesus’ peace, we can be empowered and freed to
move forward – and moving forward with God is not cowardly! This post first appeared on ReflectiveBibleStudy.com What do you think? Do you agree/disagree? Leave your thoughts below.
Periodically throughout the gospels, we catch glimpses of doubt
winning in people’s minds over whether to believe Jesus’ claims about
Himself and His role – and when we find these places, we also find
incredible lessons we can learn about ourselves and some of the things
that might challenge our faith as well. During one of the more unique conversations Jesus ever had during His
ministry, we see a significant reaction from some of those present who
were doubtful about Jesus. John records this by saying that partway
through this discussion some of the crowd began to complain about Jesus
because Jesus had said, “‘I am the bread that comes down from
heaven.’ They said, ‘This is Jesus, the son of Joseph. We know his
father and mother. How can he say, “I came down from heaven”?’” (John 6:41-42 NCV) This short, two-verse reaction highlights one of doubt’s traps that we all can fall into. This trap says that the closer we are to a situation causes us to doubt how God is moving within it.
Those who knew Joseph, Mary, and Jesus’ brothers on earth had a more
difficult time believing God was His Father than those who knew nothing
about His childhood. It is the same with us. The closer we are to someone who God sends
our way with a message, the less likely we will believe it was from God.
This doesn’t mean that we should avoid growing close to others or even
opening up, but it does mean that we should be more open to looking for
God’s words spoken in places we might not expect it – perhaps even by
those closest to us. The closer we are to others, the clearer we can see their flaws, and
the clearer they can see our faults. We are all fallen people with flaws
and room to grow – and if we are to grow fully into the people God
created us to be, we will grow into relationships with others who are
also growing towards God. This set of verses also tells us that there will always be room for
doubt. We can look at the fact that Jesus had a mother and father on
earth in Mary and Joseph, and conclude that His claims of divinity were
dreamed up by those who wanted to start a movement against the Jewish
religion. There are plenty of reasons to doubt Jesus’ claims about
Himself and His role. If we choose to doubt and our lives end before
being shown the error of our choice, it will be too late to change. However, if we place our faith in Jesus, and choose to delay
needing answers to all of our questions, an amazing reality opens up
around us – and it is a reality that shows us evidence of God’s hand
everywhere, working through all the events in history, leading His
people towards a perfect future life with Him! This post first appeared on ReflectiveBibleStudy.com What do you think? Do you agree/disagree? Leave your thoughts below.
During a response Jesus gave to a group of Jewish leaders, He shares a
statement and concept that is incredibly profound when we stop to think
about it – and in this statement is something that we can all apply in
our lives 2,000 years later. While giving His response, Jesus told the Jewish leaders, “If
I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who
testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.” (John 5:31-32 NIV) Perhaps you have known someone who seems to speak highly of
themselves and their accomplishments. Individuals like this will brag
about things they have done, who they know, what they own, or any number
of other things that help them look good in whatever conversation they
are having. However, the principle Jesus shares is that testimony about oneself
should always make us cautious about believing it because it is rarely
ever true. When someone else says something positive about the
individual, it is more believable. Jesus says that His testimony about Himself, if it were by itself,
would not be valid, but there is another who testifies about Him, making
Jesus’ claims valid. While we might be quick to point out John the
Baptist, who was Jesus’ cousin and forerunner in ministry, Jesus
immediately acknowledges but discounts John by saying, “You have
sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human
testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that
burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.” (John 5:33-35 NIV) Jesus mentions John the Baptist as a secondary witness that would be
someone everyone would know of – including the non-believing Jewish
leaders. However, Jesus Himself does not need to rest on John’s
testimony. Jesus continues His response by saying, “I have
testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has
given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the
Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified
concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor
does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent.” (John 5:36-38 NIV) God the Father is Jesus’ second witness, and God the Father validated
Jesus’ ministry by giving Him the power to do the tasks that He had
send Him to do. God the Father even spoke from heaven on a number of
occasions, but those present who didn’t believe did not understand what
was being proclaimed. The key in Jesus’ words to learning the truth about Him and
the key to being able to hear the Father is simply by believing in the
One He sent and by paying attention to the truth He has already shared
in the past. These Jewish leaders did not believe in Jesus, and
because of this, they missed out on seeing, hearing, and experiencing
what He was doing during their lifetimes – and their unbelief led them
to crucify their own Messiah. For us, we should focus on the testimony we have been given
regarding Jesus and on the truth God has revealed through the Bible, and
when we have these two things in place, we can move forward through
life with Him by our side directing our steps. This post first appeared on ReflectiveBibleStudy.com What do you think? Do you agree/disagree? Leave your thoughts below.
During Jesus’ initial “job description” for His disciples, He
outlines a number of challenging ideas. But even with these challenging
statements, Jesus shares a promise and He describes a bigger perspective
regarding our life on planet earth. Tucked within this challenge near the beginning of their time together, Jesus tells the disciples, “So
do not be afraid of people. Whatever is now covered up will be
uncovered, and every secret will be made known. What I am telling you in
the dark you must repeat in broad daylight, and what you have heard in
private you must announce from the housetops.” (Matthew 10:26-27 GNT) In these few verses, Jesus gives the disciples their mission. The disciples are to repeat Jesus’ words and His teaching, regardless of whether it makes them “friends” or not. I
put friends in quote marks because someone who will only be your friend
if you choose to give up something is not a very good friend. But
neither is someone who will only be your friend if you must do something
for them to keep the friendship. The truth of history would show that the disciples made more enemies
than friends by sharing Jesus’ message following His death. While the
disciples succeeded in sharing God’s message and opening the door for
the Holy Spirit to draw thousands into the truth about Jesus, many more
people chose to ignore or be hostile towards what Jesus’ disciples
taught. Many of the most hostile ones were the Jewish leaders – the very
same ones who put Jesus to death. Our big perspective shift comes in the next statement, and it focuses
on where we should place our fear. Jesus cautions the disciples by
saying, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot
kill the soul; rather be afraid of God, who can destroy both body and
soul in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 GNT) Some might take Jesus’ words in this verse as a license to convert
people by inspiring them to fear God and His “Hellfire” punishment. By
itself, this definitely sounds like it supports a cruel picture of God,
but Jesus again puts this fear statement in perspective with the next
three verses. “For only a penny you can buy two sparrows, yet
not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. As
for you, even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So do not be
afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows!” (Matthew 10:29-31 GNT) Jesus describes how we are so much more valuable than the least
valuable living thing at that time. In the market, one could purchase
two sparrows for a penny, meaning that each sparrow was worth half a
penny. In some ways, we might believe that God sees us in a similar way. In the expanse of the universe, on a speck of a planet, are some tiny
two-legged and two-armed creatures. It might be easy to picture God
like the first century culture pictured sparrows: “worth less than a
single coin”, but Jesus counters this idea by first giving value to
sparrows, before giving value to each of us humans. “yet not one
sparrow falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. As for you,
even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So do not be afraid;
you are worth much more than many sparrows!” (Matthew 10:29b-31 GNT)” The reason we serve God is not because He will destroy our body and soul in hell if we don’t. The
reason we serve Him is because He values us so much that Jesus came
from God to be a sacrifice for our sins. God loves us so much that He
was willing to pay the penalty of sin so that we could be restored to
Him. This endless, limitless love is the reason we serve, and when time
ends and the heavens and earth are recreated, we will live together with
God because of His love for us! This post first appeared on ReflectiveBibleStudy.com What do you think? Do you agree/disagree? Leave your thoughts below.