Author Archives: tricialathrop

Desperate Faith

Posted on May 12, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 25 of 49

Desperate Faith

Today, I’m going to look at the interactions of two people from the same narrative. The first, a ruler of the synagogue, in Jewish eyes, a man of honor, worthy of Jesus’ attention. His daughter in bed, dying.

The second, a woman, low in first century Jewish estimation, who also had an issue of blood for twelve years. For twelve long years, declared unclean, so she couldn’t visit the temple. Probably barren, if married at all. Isolated and alone. She spent all she had on doctors, and no one could help her. 

And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 

 22  Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 

 23  and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 

 24  And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 

 25  And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 

 26  and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 

 27  She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 

 28  For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 

 29  And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 

 30  And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 

 31  And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 

 32  And he looked around to see who had done it. 

 33  But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 

 34  And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”  35  While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 

 36  But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 

 37  And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 

 38  They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 

 39  And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 

 40  And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 

 41  Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 

 42  And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 

 43  And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. 

Mark 5:21–43

Since Jesus held celebrity status, everyone in the region knew when Jesus would appear in their village or town. They met him at every juncture.

There was an animated series of Bible stories done in the 1990’s. For this story they showed the crowds and the hands reaching out to touch Jesus as he walked by. Think of the Beatles at the height of their popularity and the lengths girls would go through just to touch one of them. 

Jesus gets off the boat, and is immediately surrounded by a crowd. The crowd gave way to Jairus, an important man in town, a ruler of the synagogue. Desperately, he humbles himself before Jesus and asks him to come to his home and touch his little girl so that she could be healed. 

We could compare him to the Centurion and say that he didn’t have the great faith to just ask Jesus to say the word, but Jesus did not condemn or comment, he went with Jairus. 

It says the people thronged around him, looking for another miracle. What would he do at the home of Jairus?

To the dismay of Jairus, Jesus stopped in the middle of his journey to discover who had touched him. I can see why the people around him were confused. Jesus had been being touched ever since he got off the boat. 

The woman had hoped to touch the Lord anonymously. As an unclean person, people avoided her, and a rabbi, even more so.  But, she saw her only hope in Jesus.

Malachi 4:2 says “But for those who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.” The word for wings, is also the word for the hem of a garment. Some considered this a messianic promise, that even the hem of his garment could heal.

She reached out to the Messiah in faith, and received her healing.

Meanwhile, Jairus received distressing news, his daughter had died while the Lord tarried dealing with an unclean woman. I love how Jesus intervened before this man could sink into the if only’s: if only Jesus had not stopped. If only this woman had not interfered…

He told the man to not fear, but believe. He continued to the house and healed his daughter, despite the disbelief of the people in attendance.

Each of these healings dealt with the touch of the Messiah. Jairus asked Jesus to come and touch his daughter, making a public appeal. Jesus healed her, but asked them not to tell anyone about it. 

The woman with a blood issue reached out to touch the hem of his garment anonymously, and Jesus called her out publicly, telling everyone she was healed.

Both were desperate, they had exhausted all other sources. Jesus responded with kindness and compassion to both, no condemnation at all.

Lord, sometimes my faith is small. Sometimes I have no faith at all. When I am desperate, you are there. When I am needy, you are there. When I think I’ve got it all together, you are there. Thank you for your compassionate, merciful presence in my life, whatever the circumstances.

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Great Faith

Posted on May 11, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 24 of 49

Great Faith

When Jesus spoke to his disciples, he often said, “Ye of little faith.” 

In Mark 4, as the storm raged and Jesus slept, the disciples feared for their lives. When Jesus woke, he asked, “Have you still no faith?”

At this point of the narrative, they have seen multiple miracles of healing. They have heard his teaching. They had even gone out on a journey where they themselves prayed for the healing and deliverance of many.

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 

 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 

 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 

 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 

 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 

 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 

 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” 

Mark 4:35–41

By this time, with all their experience, they should have known that when Jesus said “we’ll go to the other side”, they’d get there. 

However, they still held a superstitious view of the sea and its power. 

After Jesus calmed the sea, they feared him. If Jesus could stop the wind on the sea, then he was greater than even the gods of the sea. Perhaps this is the first time they realized he might be the Lord God.

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.  In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.  The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.  Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!  For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. 

Psalm 95:3–7

Let’s contrast with some of Jesus’ interaction with Gentiles. The Jews grew up with the teaching of the Torah in which they learned of the power of God. They learned of the many miracles performed by God. They learned that God always kept his word. But God didn’t always act in the way they wanted, sometimes it seemed he was absent.

Gentiles in the land of Judea, learned about God from the people around them. They had limited access to worshipping God. They might listen at the synagogue, but could not participate. They could only go into the court of the Gentiles at the Temple. 

God-fearers defined the Gentiles who desired to follow the Lord God. Despite their exclusion from the Temple worship, they still wanted to worship the Lord God of Israel.

One such God fearer, a Roman army commander, heard about Jesus. He approached Jesus in order to find healing for his servant. When Jesus said he would come, the centurion knew Jesus would be criticized for entering a Gentile’s home. 

When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 

“Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 

 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 

But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 

 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 

 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 

 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment. 

Matthew 8:5–13

So what statement did the centurion make that received the praise of Jesus. The centurion understood the extent of Jesus power in the kingdom as the One who came in the authority of God. He knew that Jesus did not have to be present in order to work a miracle. He knew the power of the Word of God over the earth.

A Gentile in his heart, recognized truths about God that the Jews knew, but doubted in their hearts. 

Lord, restore the awe and wonder of who you are. Let my heart’s desire be to always seek you, even when it feels like you are sleeping in the boat.

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Choices

Posted on May 10, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 23 of 49

Choices

In the latter part of the Sermon on the Mount we find pairs.

Treasure on earth vs treasure in heaven

Two masters, one loved the other hated

Narrow and wide gate

Good and bad fruit

A house on a rock and a house in the sand

We have a temporary citizenship here on earth, but our true home is in heaven. The two kingdoms are diametrically opposed. And we are called to live in this world by the rules of the Kingdom of God. We are to respond to hurt with forgiveness, not revenge. We are to yield our own desires in order to extend mercy and grace to another. We are to pray for and bless those that hate us. To be great, we need to become a lowly servant. 

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. 

Mt 7:13–14.

Jesus described two gates. One has an easy path because we can follow our own desires. The gate is wide and spacious…again because it allows us to follow our own desires. It promises an easy life with all we could want, but it leads to ultimate destruction.

The other gate is narrow, because Jesus is the gate (John 10:7). The way is harder. Jesus died on the cross to give us access. The path requires self denial and picking up our cross to follow Jesus (Mt 16:24). But at the end is a glorious celebration with all of heaven joining in. 

Jesus began the sermon with a list of character qualities for the citizens of the Kingdom of God. Then he explained what that looks like in the world in which we live. 

Kingdom of God citizens live righteous lives, well…we jump over to the easy road sometimes, but we have a God who is ready and willing to forgive us and set us back on the narrow path. 

Kingdom of God citizens care for other people, even those we don’t like…again, sometimes we don’t love as we should, but God is ready to forgive, and he can open the door to restoration to the one we hurt. 

Kingdom of God citizens seek to know the Lord better. Time in the Word, communicating with God, fellowship with other believers, worshipping the Lord…all take time. That time well spent enables and encourages us to remain on the narrow path.

Jesus concludes his sermon with two houses. 

“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.” 

Mt 7:24–27.

Remember the song we sang in Sunday school as kids…”and the house on the sand went splat!”

Norm just returned from the canyon lands out west. One has to be careful about rain, because the narrow slot canyons can quickly become a raging torrent even with a smaller rain.

This is similar to a wadi, it is a narrow piece of land between hills. When it rains, the water gushes and the sand beneath it turns to mush. No one builds a house in a wadi.

Notice that the rain, floods and winds raged on both houses. We won’t avoid struggles, but we’ll be able to weather the storms.

Jesus concluded his sermon with a choice. We have the same choice today. Will we listen and obey the Word of God? Or will we let the Word tickle our ears, but set it aside to pursue our own ways?

Lord, thank you for opening the door that allows us to pursue your way. Help us to see quickly when we have jumped the fence to get to an easier path. Show us ways that we can encourage one another as we walk the road together. 

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The Golden Rule

Posted on May 9, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 22 of 49

The Golden Rule

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. 

 Mt 7:12.

Jesus spent a lot of time teaching how we should relate to one another. He demonstrated mercy and grace towards most of the people he met. The gospels tell us, “He had compassion on the crowds, as sheep with no shepherd” (Mt 9:36).

He confronted the Jewish leaders who were supposed to be the shepherds, but instead they made it difficult for the people to follow the Lord. 

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. 

 Mt 23:13.

In his first meetings with the Pharisees, he tried to get them to look at the Scripture and see where they fell short. But like the leaders before the exile, they refused to see their fault in leading the people. 

Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” 

 Mt 9:13.

And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 

 Mt 12:7.

The Law and the Prophets spoke of God’s desire that humans treat each other well. As citizens of the Kingdom of God, we are ambassadors for that kingdom. As someone once said, “We may be the only Jesus people see”. 

For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, 

and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting; 

and he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; 

for righteousness, but behold, an outcry! 

Is 5:7.

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, 

the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. 

Ho 6:6.

Jesus statement put a twist on a statement by the Rabbi Hillel from the first century BC. “Do not do to others what you yourself dislike.”

While the Rabbi’s statement gave a guideline for treating others well, it fell short. Not doing something bad to another can be passive, but actively doing something good for another will always take thought and effort. 

How do you want others to treat you? 

Do you want to be greeted every time you enter a room? 

Do you want to be given the benefit of the doubt when you’ve done wrong? 

Do you want others to speak well of you? 

When you are in a hurry, do you want someone to let you go ahead in line? 

When you are short of funds, do you want someone to lend to you? 

When you are ill, do you want someone to make you a meal? 

When you are lonely, do you want someone to call or write? 

Do you like to get cards in the mail? Do you like to get encouraging emails? 

Do you want to be invited out for lunch?

When confronted, do we want to be yelled at, or told with grace? 

Do we want to be judged and condemned? 

Do we want second…third…fourth…fifth chances? 

Lord, forgive me for desiring from others what I am unwilling to give. Open my eyes to the opportunities to do good to others. Give me the courage to step up and do first. 

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. 

Ga 6:9–10.

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Seek the Kingdom of God

Posted on May 8, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 21 of 49

Norm and I decided to visit Howe Caverns in upstate New York. This was before GPS, in the days of Mapquest, we realized we had passed the road which led to the cavern. We thought about it, then complained that they should have had a sign to indicate the turn. We turned back and found the entrance. 

We discovered that we had missed the HUGE billboard with Howe Caverns in large letters and a giant arrow pointing the way to our desired location. 

You may wonder, how did we miss the huge sign. Right next to it was a sign to another cave. It was about a quarter of the size of the Howe sign, but it had sparkle, shining and twinkling letters and an arrow with lights. We were distracted by the bling. 

We find the central core message of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

 Mt 6:33.

We are easily distracted. We can worry about our food, clothing and shelter. We can also focus on our financial security, our reputation, or the new fad item that we just have to have. 

What God offers is so much more than our possessions or reputation. He offers us the opportunity to be in his presence forever. He offers us peace, joy and contentment. 

Lord, help me not to focus on the temporal distractions. Give me a greater desire to seek your face.

One thing have I asked of the Lord, 

that will I seek after: 

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord 

all the days of my life, 

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord 

and to inquire in his temple. 

Ps 27:4.

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Getting Along

Posted on May 7, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 20 of 49

I walked into a restaurant the other day and a sign on the door said, “Be kind to the people who have shown up to serve you today.” What had happened in this restaurant that they felt they needed a sign?

It seems that rude behavior is on the rise. We live in an age where people get offended over everything, whether small or big. People now get offended because someone else got offended. 

Jesus had an answer for this. It’s not one we like because it means setting aside our own personal rights and demands. A citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven will practice forgiveness, mercy and grace towards others.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 

And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 

And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 

Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Mt 5:39-42.

Revenge often becomes a game of one-upmanship. It can escalate to the point that two friends no longer talk to each other. The Law limited the revenge one could take. One could not take an eye and an ear for an injury to the eye. 

But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. 

Ex 21:23–25.

Before I go on, I need to say something. This is not about abuse. If you are in a situation where you are being abused physically, verbally, or emotionally, then pray for your abuser, but find a way out. There are many places where one can get help today if abuse is happening.

Jesus explained a better way than revenge. His recommendations are radical and counter-culture to the way of the world.

If someone insults you, slaps you on the cheek, don’t insult back. Let the insults happen.

If someone sues you, give them more than they ask for.

If anyone forces you to go a mile…This is specific for this time period. A Roman soldier could demand anyone to carry their equipment for one mile. Jesus told them to not only carry it for the mile, but take the equipment of their oppressors another mile.

Give to everyone who asks of you. 

Radical thinking!

Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you. 

Pr 20:22.

And as if this was not tough enough,  Jesus went on to explain how we should treat our enemies. 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 

Mt 5:43-45.

Rabbis and Pharisees discussed the question, “Who is my enemy?”. The answers ranged from someone we dislike to someone who is out to do us harm. 

Jesus made it clear that we are to love our brother, our neighbor and those who persecute us. 

What would our witness about the Lord be like if we took this to heart?

  • If we took the insults of those who disagree with us, pray for them and do something nice for them.
  • If we showed kindness to everyone we meet, even those who chose a different lifestyle.
  • If we responded without complaint when someone bad mouths us. Perhaps we could even find a kind word to say back.

Lord you love us even when we don’t show love to the people around us. Open our eyes to opportunities to share the love that you have showered on us.

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 

And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 

Mt 5:46-48.

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Yes and No

Posted on May 6, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 19 of 49

Yes and No

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 

But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 

And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Mt 5:33-37.

One day I came home to a big pile of lumber in the backyard. When I asked Norm about it he said that he had promised our son a skateboard ramp. When he agreed, he thought Rob was talking about one of the small jumps…but his drawn up plan was a halfpipe. We did try to live with the “Let your yes be yes and your no, no”, so Norm and Rob built the halfpipe and we learned to ask more questions before agreeing to anything.

As a kid, we would make promises with our fingers crossed, because that negated any promise we made. The Pharisees played the same game with oaths. They had levels of oath keeping. If one swore by heaven, one was required to keep the oath. But is one swore by the earth, that oath could be dismissed. They worded their oaths in such a way as to be able to break them.

Making a vow or taking an oath was not required in the Law. But if one took a vow or oath, then they were required to keep it. 

“If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. 

But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin. 

You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth. 

Dt 23:21–23.

Jesus said it was best not to make a vow. We really don’t know what is going to happen from day to day, and if we make a promise…we may be physically unable to do it. 

He explained that any oath made in the name of anything on earth remained a valid oath, because of God’s hand in all creation.

Generally we feel the need to make a promise when others doubt our integrity. 

If we say we are going to do something, do it. If we say we are not going to do something, don’t do it. If we mess up, then we need to fess up and apologize. 

It seems like such a simple thing, to keep our word, but it carries a big impact on those around us. 

Lord, help me to walk in integrity with the people around me. Give me wisdom about commitments I make to others. When I say I will do something or go somewhere, help me to follow through. 

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 

Tt 2:7–8.

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Exceeding the Righteousness of the Pharisees

Posted on May 5, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 18 of 49

Exceeding the Righteousness of the Pharisees

Jesus began his sermon with the character qualities of kingdom citizens, explained the effect a citizen can have in the community, assured them that he had not come to destroy, but fulfill the Law. He made the mind-boggling statement, “unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” 

His next section addressed what it means to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. Each part begins with the phrase, “You have heard” or it could be read as “you understand the Law to say”. Then he  countered with “but I say to you”…

Jesus taught as a rabbi, expounding the Law by explaining what it meant, and suggesting ways to put the teaching into practice.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 

Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 

Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. 

Mt 5:21–26.

He started with murder. Most of us don’t have a problem keeping this commandment.

You shall not murder. Ex 20:13.

Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death. Ex 21:12.

Murder is the end result of a relationship that has failed miserably. Anger and hate take us down a road that may not lead to physical murder, but it may lead to murder of a reputation or quality of life. 

Relationships with one another are so important, that Jesus said to leave the gift we bring to his altar, and make amends with the person who has angered us or we have angered. 

Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 

Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 

But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 

1 Jn 2:9–11.

He concludes this section with a call to make peace with another before getting to court, with the reminder that the judge may not rule our way.

What your eyes have seen do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? 

Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 

Pr 25:7–10.

The next section deals with adultery, sexual intercourse with someone other than the spouse. Again, most of us who are followers of Christ only have sex with our spouse. 

You shall not commit adultery. Ex 20:14.

Jesus identifies the first step in betrayal, the lustful desire. 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Mt 5:27-30

Rabbinic teaching often used hyperbole and exaggeration. Jesus used it effectively. He painted a picture of how seriously God takes sin. Though we won’t cut off a body part and cast it away, we can take extreme measures  like changing our habits or distancing ourselves from relationships that lead us astray.

“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 

But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Mt 5:31-32

Jesus teaching on divorce is seen in several passages (Mt 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12). There were basically two different teachings by the rabbis. One group said that divorce was only valid in the case of adultery. Another said that a man could get a divorce if his wife displeased him in any way, and that could even be if he saw another woman that looked better. 

“When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, and she departs out of his house, 

Dt 24:1.

Jesus made the point  that the man who divorced his wife for anything other than sexual immorality, caused her and her future husband to commit the sin of adultery.

It’s a sobering implication that my personal sins can be the cause of another to sin.  

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 

I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 

For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 

So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. 

Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 

It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 

Ro 14:13–21.

The Pharisees focused on the outward actions, Jesus focused on the heart. 

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 everlasting! 

Ps 139:23–24.

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Righteousness

Posted on May 4, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 17 of 49

Righteousness

Some Christians ignore the Old Testament, believing that since Jesus came, the Old Testament is no longer valid and have denied themselves a look at the rich heritage that is in Christ. 

The Old and New Testaments are chapters of the same narrative, “The Story of God’s Plan for Redemption”. When first century Christians studied the Scripture, they studied the Law and the Prophets.  Over and over we see God’s plan unfold from Genesis to Revelation.

We find stories of great faith and examples of immense failure. We read about miracles where God intervenes and struggles when God seems far away. Every book includes the hope of a coming redeemer who will take upon himself the penalty for sin and open the door for a restored relationship with the Lord God. 

The words and works of Christ are foretold in the OT, and they enrich our understanding of the Lord, his love, his purpose, his provision, and his faithfulness and mercy towards us.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 

For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 

Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

Mt 5:17–20.

Jesus said he did not come to destroy the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them. It’s true we no longer offer animal sacrifices for our sins, Jesus shed his blood on the cross as that sacrifice. Studying about the sacrifices and the Passover Lamb helps us to understand just how seriously God takes sin. He loves us and he knows our sinful nature, that there is no way for us to come into the presence of a holy God on our own. He intentionally provided ways for the Israelites to enter his presence, and through Jesus Christ he provided a way for us.  

He speaks that not an iota or a dot will be removed from the Law. In Hebrew it says, not the smallest letter or stroke (kotz) will be removed until all fulfilled. The smallest letter in Hebrew is the yod, ( ׳ ) and yes, that apostrophe is what a yod looks like. The stroke (kotz) is the part of a Hebrew letter that completes the letter, such as the little upward line in a mem, ( מ )or the tag on a tav ( ת ). 

It’s important for us to engage the entire Word of God, not just the sections we like. I admit, some passages are hard to understand and raise more questions than answers, but continuing to interact with the Scripture brings clarity to the character of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. 

Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. 

Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. 

Ps 119:89–90.

Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love. 

The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. 

Ps 119:159–160.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. 

Is 40:8.

Jesus then told the people that obedience to the Word is essential in the Kingdom of God. Then he adds, “unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never see the Kingdom of heaven.”

Every listener would be wondering how anyone could enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The Pharisees had the reputation of being very holy and righteous. They held to a strict adherence to the Law, tithing on even their smallest crops. They had an appearance of holiness, but Jesus called them white washed tombs because their hearts were far from God (Mt 23:27). 

When it comes down to it, our best works with perfect motives are just dirty rags. Our only hope for righteousness is that righteousness provided by Jesus Christ. When we accept that we need an advocate in order to stand before the Lord, then it is Jesus’ righteousness that covers us. He took our sin and shame and replaced it with his righteousness.

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 

Ro 3:21–25.

Lord, thank you for providing Jesus Christ to be righteousness for us. You knew we could not approach you on our own, so you made a way for us through the cross. Thank you for paying the penalty for our sin, and then rising again to give us hope of a future resurrection where we will see the Kingdom of Heaven in all its glory.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

 2 Co 5:21.

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 

Php 3:7–11.

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Salt and Light

Posted on May 3, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 16 of 49

Jesus compared the citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven to salt and light. Followers of Christ whose character reflects those of the beatitudes will affect the world around them in significant ways.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 

Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 

Mt 5:13–16.

No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. 

Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. 

If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” 

Lk 11:33–36.

What do salt and light provide to the world? 

The people in the first century used salt to prevent spoilage. They also used it as an aid to healing. They valued it so much, that Roman soldiers received their pay in salt.

Pure salt maintains its properties. Salt that is mined out of brine or from mines with mixed minerals can lose its saltiness. It becomes insipid, tasteless and useless.

Salt interacts with whatever it touches. Since we continue to live in this world, our lives will make a difference in the lives of the people around us. We can be an example of humble righteousness. We can bring healing to others as they struggle in life. We can offer the invaluable hope that is in Christ Jesus.

However, if we compromise our personal walk with Christ by following our own desires, then our witness loses its value in the world.  

Light is so much more than the spectrum we see with our eyes. We need light to survive and thrive. A light in a room gives benefit to everyone within the room. It allows us to see what is happening around us. It allows us to avoid holes or objects that can trip us. Since darkness is the absence of light, a light will always dissipate the darkness.

Jesus called himself the Light of the World. He healed several people who were blind, but he also provided insight into the nature and work of God. And yet, some people preferred to walk in the darkness.

We have been given light to share with those in spiritual darkness. Our light is not meant to be hidden in fear, or kept to ourselves. Our light is to be on display for all to see. Sometimes being light means that we provide help for those with physical or emotional struggles. Sometimes our light means speaking up…sometimes it means shutting up and quietly listening to another.

God knew the world needed salt and light. He gave us the characteristics of those who can be salt and light. He left us in the world so that we can bring the restoration, hope, and insight that are possible through Jesus Christ.

Lord, I feel so inadequate to be salt and light in this world. There are times I want to hide and keep it to myself. Help me to see where the salt and light are needed, and then give me courage to offer the hope that is in you.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 

Php 2:9–16.

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