Be Prepared

Thinking of the 10 virgins as a "gaggle of giggly girls" certainly put Jesus' parable in a different light.  It's easy to understand why some would be prepared and others would not.  It's also easy to see that the unprepared would want to "sponge" off the one's who had thought ahead.  (I'm thinking now of trying to collect pizza money from a group of teenagers of either gender.)  Those who are prepared are often expected to bail out those who are not. 

As I contemplated the parable in this light, it began to take a different shape.  Certainly Jesus is interested in the final judgement and the end of the world as we know it, however, he seems much more interested in how we live right now.  The parables of the kingdom are about living in world as it is.  What does it look like for the kingdom of God to break into our world today?  What do Jesus' instructions in living the kingdom life mean for right now? 

In light of the parables of the kingdom, what was once a mysterious saying to me, now makes sense.  “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old” (Matthew 13:52).  Let Jesus' instructions in the kingdom train your understanding of what to value and how to prioritize and you will be well prepared to live the kingdom life.

Celebrate and Party!

I love the thought that we've have been invited to the marriage of heaven and earth.  This is the meaning of the biblical phrase, "new heavens and new earth."  And, we are not just to be observers, but participants!  Revelation depicts this with Jesus as the groom with the church as his bride.  However, you envision this, we are to be part of the greatest celebration that's ever occurred.  In fact, the celebration has already begun.  When Jesus walked out of the tomb a new era began.  Old things are past away, "I am making everything new!" (Rev. 21:5). 

I loved the depiction of the king in today's parable.  The ruler of all pleading with people to come enjoy his bounty.  The supreme ruler refusing to be offended by those who deserved to be punished.  The royal lord and master welcoming all to his table of blessing without taking into account their past or their mistakes.  Only a fool would refuse such a gracious invitation from such a loving host.

Elder Ordination

I've always wondered about the "laying on of hands".  What is there about the physical touch that makes that ceremony significant?  As I said this morning, this symbolic gesture was used throughout scripture to signify the appointment to leadership.  What did Joshua think when Moses laid hands on him knowing that as the hands were laid on his soulders so was the responsiblity of taking care of the people of God?  As the Apostles laid hands on the Seven, did that experience communicate something to them?  Did Paul and Barnabas feel a sense of empowerment to go on the mission God had called them to when the church in Antioch laid hands on them? 

This morning I decided to do something different as I laid hands on each elder.  One by one I called them by name and spoke words affirming the work Jesus is giving them.  "Shepherd the church of God", I said to the first man.  "Feed my sheep", I urged the next.  One after another I called them by name and gave them their charge.  "Take care of my flock", I said to the third.  Each man looked me in the eye.  Some had the beginnings of tears forming. 

Ten men will now form our shepherding group.  Men of courage, faith and conviction.  Men who understand the task Jesus had laid on their shoulders just as they felt the weight of my hands.  Brothers who have heard the voice of Jesus speaking to them, "Shepherd the church of God", "Feed my sheep," "Take care of my flock."  Shepherds who believe the promises of scripture, "And when the Chief Shepherd apears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." (1 Peter 5:4)  Pray for them and receive them as God's gift to his church.

That's Not Fair!

One way to know if you've really understood a parable of Jesus is to check your reaction.  Here are some reactions that demonstrate you probably did NOT get his point:

• You think to yourself, "this really applies well for  (name of someone besides yourself)"
• You think the point is being able to explain the meaning and U.S. currency equivalents for denarii, talents and minas. 
• You allegorize the details so that every character, event, animal, and object has a direct parallel.

One way to know that you have indeed gotten the point is to proclaim, "God have mercy on me a sinner."  Jesus' parables have a way to pointing out our flaws in such a subtle way that his point may not hit you right away.  Sometimes the parable has to roll around inside your head for awhile and then, when you least expect it, it hits you right between the eyes. 

The parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matt. 20:1-16) is like that.  I can relate to the men who worked 12 hours and were upset that those who barely broke a sweat got paid that same wage.  Surely this would have potential to be a class action lawsuit.  When I think of my own hard work in the kingdom of God, do the years and years of effort, study, sacrifice, and self-denial not pay off in some BIG way?  After years of resisting temptation and willingly suffering abuse and ridicule for my faith, do I now have to share my crown of glory with a sexual pervert and mass murderer who comes to Christ in the 11th hour?

God hears my pitiful cry of "That's not fair!" and responds, "What are you upset about?  I want to give grace to everyone who turns to me, even those who come at the last minute.  Don't I have a right to do what I want with my grace?  Or are you envious, because I am so generous?"  Ouch, right between the eyes.  "God, have mercy on me a sinner." 

(If you want to read about Jeffrey Dahmer's conversion to Christ read Dark Journey Deep Grace.  To read my review check our Amazon and search the reviews.)

Remember and Forgive

Around 10 years ago I preached the same sermon I preached this morning.  A woman was in attendance who had suffered a terrible wrong in her life.  She told me a few days after the sermon that she had decided to forgive the one who had wronged her and her family.  Such a horrible sin had been committed against her that I marveled at her faith. 

Today she was in the audience again as I spoke about remembering what the Lord has done for us and allowing that forgiveness to flow through us to those who sin against us.  I asked her after the sermon if she remembered the first time I had preached the sermon.  Tears filled her eyes.  At first I was afraid that all the pain of her terrible ordeal was bubbling up.  Instead, she said, "I wouldn't be the person I am today if I hadn't learned to forgive."  Tears of grief had been replaced with tears of gratitude.  Allowing God's forgiveness to flow through us to others brings blessings upon blessings to our lives. 

Playing it Safe is NOT Safe!

The last time I preached on this parable was 2001.  Around the same time I was in a men's study group working through the workbook that went with Wild At Heart.  I don't remember exactly where it came from but Bill Wooley and I began a saying that I'd like to resurrect.  When parting company, instead of saying, "Be safe!" we began exhorting each other: "BE BOLD!" 

That is the message of the Parable of the Bags of Money (formerly Talents).  Instead of forming our primary image of God around obscure characters such Uzzah and Nadab & Abihu, why not use a primary character like Joshua, son of Nun?  Think of what Joshua and the Israelites had been given: freedom from Egypt, the law of God, a covenant relationship with God, guidance with a cloud by day and fire at night, manna from heaven, and water from a rock.  We're told that even their clothing did not wear out during their 40 years in the wilderness.  When they came to the edge of Canaan God did NOT say, "Be careful!"  Rather, listen to the word of God, "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)  (Ok, actually they were told to "be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you...," but even care-taking was in the context of being strong and very courageous (see 1:6, 7, 9, 18).) 

God longs to prosper his people.  He yearns to have them use what he has entrusted to their care so that he can multiply it many fold.  Where are the men and women of courage and faith who are unafraid and unashamed to live the eternal life that they have been freely given?  May it be me Lord!  Amen!

Wheat and Weeds

"He really knows the Bible well."  I've been told this more than once by some well meaning person about someone who is obviously not following Jesus.  The person described as such a knowledgeable Bible student may be a drunkard, a wife beater, a drug abuser, or someone who can't control their temper and is so arrogant that no employer wants to keep them on the payroll.  Their life is so out of control that no one would confuse them for a disciple of Jesus, but still, as I visit with a relative, or concerned friend, they will comment on how much Bible they know.  "They just quote the Bible all the time." 

For some reason I kept thinking about this as I prepared this sermon.  It didn't seem to work into the content of the sermon and after writing the above paragraph, I'm not sure it even fits that well with the parables we discussed from Matthew 13!  However, it does illustrate the point that just knowing the Bible is not enough.  "He who has ears to hear, let him hear," Jesus said repeatedly.  But notice that in the Parable of the Soils (Matthew 13) Jesus' description of the person represented by each kind of soil had heard the word.  They heard the word  BUT:

• they "do not understand it" (Path - 13:19)
• "since they have no root, they last only a short time" (Rocky - 13:21)
• "the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word" (Thorns - 13:22)

"But the seed falling on good soil refers to people who hear the word and understand it" (Matthew 13:23).  Who cares how much Bible you know; the world needs to see people LIVING the word.  Or, to say it more in line with the teaching of Scripture, they need to see the Living Word living through us!  That is the person who truly has "ears to hear."   And that is the person who is living as a citizen of the kingdom of heaven.