The Son of Man, part 4: Redeemer

Not only did Jesus refer to Himself as the Son of Man, but with every reference, He explained the Son of Man.  Through His explanation, He explained the gospel, because He IS the gospel.  Here's a summary of what He said about the Son of Man.

descended from heaven

friend of tax collectors and sinners

came to serve and not to be served

came to seek and to save that which was lost

Lord of the Sabbath

authority to forgive sins

came to give His life as a ransom for many

will suffer

will be delivered into the hands of the authorities

will die

will be three days and nights in the earth

will rise from the dead

returning in glory when least expected

authority to execute judgement

commands the angels

seated at the right hand of God

The Son of Man, fully God yet fully human, left the riches of heaven for the meagerness of earth and loved the very worst of us with His life blood.  He came to seek us out, ransom us, and save us, and He is coming back for us when we least expect it.  As we prepare to enter the Lenten season, may we lift up our heads with anticipation and live in accordance with our Redeemer who is coming again.  

Pray today that our loved ones will grow so tired of being lost that they will long to be found by the One who loves them most, and that they will live as those who have been redeemed.

Maggie Finds a Field of Bones

Not long ago, Maggie the Wonder Dog and I were outside trying to do a little winter clean up outside. Maggie was sniffing every blade of grass, or so it seemed, when suddenly she lifted her head and caught an interesting scent. This was apparently the kind of scent that required the presence of her human, because she ran to me, bumped my leg, ran a few steps, looked back, and continued the process until I was on my way and following close behind. Maggie ran ahead, but every few steps she would check to be sure I was still enroute. There was no hesitation in her path. She had her scent and was following it. 

When she drew near the pasture that housed the pile of bones (above), she slowed down. No more than a few steps ahead now, she carefully approached the source of her scent. She walked round and round, occasionally stopping for an extra sniff or two. A large mammal had died and, in the natural order of the wild, had provided sustenance for carnivores through the recent winter chill. 

Maggie didn't seem to know what those bones meant, and approached them carefully. She would walk close, sniff, and jump back. The first time she jumped back, I laughed out loud. "Hey Maggie, you act like you've heard of Ezekiel's bones!"  

You probably remember the story of the valley of dry bones, but just in case, here's the brief version. Ezekiel had a vision and saw a valley full of dry bones. God said, "Ezekiel, can these bones live again?" Ezekiel was no dummy. He knew he was talking to God, who could do anything, so he wisely said, "I have no idea. You are the only One that knows!" God told him to prophesy to the bones, and, much to his surprise, the bones started rattling around, hooked up together with tendons, and grew some skin! All of a sudden, the valley of dry bones had turned into the valley of lifeless bodies! This was pretty amazing to Exekiel but what came next might have been even more amazing! God said, Ezekiel, prophesy some breath into these bones." After having just seen the bones hook together and get skin, Ezekiel didn't  hesitate a second. He started prophesying, breath came into those bodies and, suddenly they weren't lifeless any more. They were alive and an enormous army! 

God told Ezekiel that His people thought all hope was gone, but He wanted them to know that there is no situation so hopeless that God cannot breathe life back into it. There is no person so far gone down the road of sin that He cannot breathe life back into them and make a warrior in the kingdom of God. In fact, He said that He would do just that. He would breathe life back into the most hopeless and everyone would recognize that He had done it. 

The bones Maggie found have no hope of a new life, but there are some prodigals for whom I am counting on resurrection. Perhaps you know a few of your own. Just in case, remember Ezekiel's bones. The breath of the Spirit gave new life, resurected an army, and that army represented all the hope for which we long. 

"I will put my Spirit in you and you will live..." Ezekiel 37:14

Those very words come from God Himself, and they are a promise to which we can cling, so hang on tight to hope, and don't let go. 

Stuck Like Glue (Luke 6:19)

And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. (Luke 6:19 KJV)

The whole multitude. It might be helpful to remember who was included in the multitude:

The new apostles

A crowd of disciples

A throng of people including:

Those who wanted to hear

Those who needed healing

Those who needed exorcism of unclean spirits. 

It was not just a big crowd of people.  This was an enormous amount of need. Everyone in the crowd that day (even the hearers) wanted to touch Jesus. The Greek word here is haptomai and means more than just a casual touch. It means to "stick like glue" or to be fastened. 

We might understand the disciples wanting to touch Jesus, but even those with unclean spirits wanted to touch Him. Those spirits that plagued them were not able to overcome their desire to fasten themselves to Christ. 

The question we must answer is how strong is our desire to touch Jesus and adhere ourselves to Him?  Can those around us recognize our "fastening"? How strong is our connection to our Lord?

Today pray that our greatest desire, as well as that of our loved ones, will be to fasten ourselves to Jesus and live as those who are adhered to Him.  

Bahamamian Blogging #5: the theme

Most of the churches I have attended here in the US have a printed worship program that is handed out at the entrance to the sanctuary. First Baptist Church of Freeport, Grand Bahamas was no different. They offered a 12-page booklet that was chocked full of information and encouragement. (It was also full of writing inspiration, and you can expect to hear more about it!)

The front page had the usual contact information, date, pastor's name, and photo, as well as a hearty welcome. There were two things, however, that seemed a little different in a bold and challenging way. The first might be called the "mission statement" but it was a description of the kind of Church FBC Freeport hopes to be. It would be a good mission statement for our own lives as well. The booklet read "A church where the Gospel is not prostituted, the Faith is not compromised, nor integrity pawned in the store of convenience." Whether anyone likes it or not, whether it is easy or not, convenient or not, they plan to do things God's way. 

The next section on that worship booklet made me smile, because it is so very God-like. In Scripture, when God pronounced a judgement, he always left a window for mercy. The "no compromise" statement is a bold stand to which adherence cannot help but be hard. It was quickly followed by a verse filled with such grace and mercy that I wanted to shout at the wisdom of the pairing. 

"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." (Isaiah 61:3 KJV)

Early in his ministry, Jesus quoted from Isaiah 61 and proclaimed it as fulfilled. This verse is a part of that section. It's beautiful, isn't it? It's filled with promises and purpose for those who mourn. Our Lord offers a wonderful exchange plan:

Our ashes for His beauty

Our mourning for His joy

Our spirit of heaviness for His garment of praise

That's a great deal right there, but there's more! The exchange plan has a two fold purpose. When we give Him our ashes, mourning, and spirit of heaviness, He not only gives us His beauty, joy, and praise, He also gives us roots so that we can be called trees of righteousness, anchored in  The Lord. The result of all of this giving to us is that He will be glorified. 

There will be times of grief and mourning, whether because of a death or a calamity, in all our lives. The good news is that the sadness and sorrow are not the endpoint of our mourning. Becoming an oak of righteousness and glorifying God is the endpoint for which we should aim, and, it appears, it's the aim of this sweet island church. 

No compromise and glorifying God. It's an "island lesson" we all need to learn. May we and our loved ones embrace this truth in a way that leaves no doubt where we stand or whose we are. 

Apostles and Disciples: the choice (Luke 6:13)

And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles: (Luke 6:13 NASB)

The Greek word translated as disciple here is mathētēs. It literally means "learner" and can also mean one who follows the teaching of another. The word translated as apostles is apostolos and it literally means "one sent forth" or a messenger or delegate. Jesus had "a great multitude" of disciples by this time. Many people were following Him, listening to His teachings, and taking them to heart. 

Of all those people, Jesus picked only twelve to be apostles. What He needed were men with the commitment, understanding, and stamina to go throughout Israel and teach His truth, carry His message. He needed men He could trust, men who would not let Him down. 

I would not have picked the group He picked, but Jesus had help choosing. Remember, He had just spent the entire night praying about His choice. The twelve men He selected would be His messengers to take the Good News of Christ throughout the world. These men had the toughest job, but the sweetest reward. They had the closest contact with Jesus. They knew Him best. 

Just before Jesus returned to Heaven, He gathered these friends together and gave them their final marching orders. I think those are our final instructions, too. 

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19, 20 NASB)

There were two kinds of followers surrounding Jesus. Some were learners and some were messengers, taking the good news of Christ to all they saw. Which are you?

Pray today for a willingness to become a messenger of Jesus. Pray, too, for the words to share Christ with loved ones in a way they can understand and embrace. 

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Here's the link to last night's Lenten devotional in case you missed it:

http://leannahollis.blogspot.com/2014/03/lenten-series-4-noah.html

Persevering prayer (Luke 6:12)

It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12 NASB)

Jesus had just encountered the scribes and Pharisees. He had bested them in verbal sparring, quietly defying them when he healed the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath, and they had left the synagogue in a rage. They were plotting against Him before they were out the door. Things were heating up and the journey to the Cross was underway. 

Jesus did not waste time talking to earthly friends or family about the next step. He went to a mountain, found a quiet place, and engaged the source of all wisdom, God Himself. He went to pray, and He prayed the entire night. The Greek word translated "spent the whole night" is dianyktereuō and literally means "the entire night".  He needed wisdom, and He continued in prayer until He had the answers He needed. 

This kind of persevering prayer involves more than talking all night. It mostly involves listening. Jesus took His concerns to His Father, but He certainly listened, too. This kind of prayer is a two-way conversation with the Most High God and is the very sweetest kind of prayer. 

Sadly, our society is so rushed that most people find it difficult to be still long enough to hear what God has to say in response to what they have prayed. How satisfying is that? Not very. When your heart is burdened about a decision, why would you ask God what to do, but not stay to listen to His answer? That is not only disrespectful to God, but also foolish indeed.  

We will see that Jesus was about to make a major decision that would affect The rest of His ministry and the future of His church. He needed to be sure. When He left the mountain, He knew exactly what to do. How? He lingered until He heard. 

When you pray, do you stop after you have had your say, or linger to hear God's response? If you are not accustomed to listening for that still small voice, why not try it today. You will not likely hear an audible voice, but perhaps you will remember a Scripture reference or the very action you should take will come to mind. Regardless of how it happens, the answer you seek will come, and you will recognize it, if you are willing to be still long enough to hear. 

Today, pray for the longing in our hearts to become listening prayers with the willingness to be still and not just know He is God, but hear Him answer. Pray that our loved ones would cease striving and turn the the Only One with the answers they seek. 

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Don't miss the Lenten devotional series every evening until Easter!  Be sure to check back!

Doing Good, Regardless (Luke 6:8-11)

But He knew what they were thinking, and He said to the man with the withered hand, "Get up and come forward!" And he got up and came forward. And Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to destroy it?" After looking around at them all, He said to him, "Stretch out your hand!" And he did so; and his hand was restored. But they themselves were filled with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:8-11 NASB)

In case you missed the previous post, these events took place on the Sabbath. Jesus was teaching in the synagogue and a man with a withered hand entered. The scribes and the Pharisees were ecstatic. By this time, they had realized that Jesus was very likely to heal this man, even though it was the Sabbath. Doing work on the Sabbath was forbidden, and they saw healing as work. They did not care about the suffering of the man with the withered hand. They cared about following rules and making sure everyone else did, too. 

Jesus, of course, knew what they were thinking. Being God as well as man, He knew where this was leading (the Cross), but He did not hold back. In fact, from the moment He left heaven, He was enroute to the Cross. All the teaching, all the healing, all the casting out of demons, all the miracles were just a preface for the real work, which would be done at Calvary. It's easy to think that Jesus was mostly a healer or mostly a miracle worker, but that is simply not true. Jesus was a God-payment for the sin of mankind. My sin. Your sin. That's why He came. 

Because He understood that this earth was not His home, and that He was heading home to Heaven only after the Cross and resurrection, He did not mince words or hold back, and we see that boldness in this passage. He looked at the man with the withered hand and invited him forward. With the man at His side, where everyone in the room could see his withered hand, Jesus asked a wonderfully difficult question. "Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do harm, to save a life or to destroy it?" He knew that the scribes and Pharisees could not say it was right to do harm, but saying it was right to do good would validate His decision to heal the man, and they would not do that either. 

Jesus had put them in an impossible position with their question, and they knew it. There was nothing they could say. Jesus, of course, instructed the man to stretch out His hand, and when he did, it was healed. The scribes and Pharisees were furious. Scripture describes them as "filled with rage".  The Greek word for rage used here is "anoia" and indicates a kind of madness expressed as rage, a folly born from lack of understanding. That's exactly what happened. They did not understand the truth Jesus was demonstrating and, rather than make the effort to understand and allow change in their heart, they used their lack of understanding for folly that produced a mad rage. This is not a quick anger, but a slow burning rage that leads to action. Evil action. Right there in the synagogue, as that man with the withered hand stretched out his arm, these particular scribes and Pharisees began to plot. Can't you hear them? "Something has to be done!" led to "We have to do something!" which led to "He has got to go!" The plot was underway. 

What is really amazing here is that, in Luke 5 (one chapter back), Jesus healed the paralytic and everyone, including the scribes and Pharisees present that day, were "seized with astonishment and began glorifying God" (Luke 5:26). How quickly things changed!

The scribes and Pharisees were not stupid or ignorant. They were some of the best scholars in Israel. Their preconceived ideas about God, however, got in their way and prevented them from recognizing truth. The hardness of heart and the anger they quickly embraced kept them from the One who came to set them free. Those "preconceived ideas" about Christianity are still keeping people from the freedom Christ offers today. What preconceived ideas are limiting your relationship with Jesus? What about your loved ones?

Pray today that we and our loved ones will lay aside our notions about God and our preconceived prejudice and be open to the truth and freedom that only Christ can bring. 

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I'm writing a Lenten series in the evenings. Be sure to check back tonight for that!

How far will you go for Jesus? (Luke 6:8)

But He knew what they were thinking, and He said to the man with the withered hand, "Get up and come forward!" And he got up and came forward. (Luke 6:8 NASB)

We could take all these verses at once and cruise right through this story in one day, but we would miss the nuances here. The way the events unfold are just marvelous! The Sabbath police (aka scribes and Pharisees) were probably thrilled to see the man with the withered hand come into the synagogue that day. (I wonder if they arranged it as a trap, but there is no indication of that). They did not care a bit about the  suffering man. They cared about getting the upper hand with Jesus and catching Him in sin. Can't you just hear their thoughts? "Oh yeah! Jesus is gonna hang himself now with this withered hand!" It hadn't taken long for them to know Jesus. He was the same all the time. He IS the same all the time. He cares about suffering and He is eager to help, so they knew exactly what to expect. 

Jesus knew those scribes and Pharisees, too. He knew what they were thinking. He knew they saw the man's hand as a trap, and were just waiting for something to use against Him. Jesus, however, was far more concerned about doing good than worrying about the opinion of the authorities. We will see how He handled them tomorrow. Today, we see that Jesus knew they would be angry. He knew His decision to heal the man would be personally costly. He knew all that and called Him forward. No hesitation. No delay. Jesus saw a need and set about meeting it, regardless of the cost. 

In the United States, taking action in the name of Jesus to help those in need is not personally costly.  (At least not usually) In some countries, however, bearing the name of Christ costs the believer everything, yet our brothers and sisters around the world willingly preserve for the One who gave everything for them. How committed are we to Jesus? Are we willing to do what He would do for those in need, even if it is personally costly? 

In the summer of 1976, I was working as a summer missionary in Honduras. I was in a border village when, unexpectedly and quite suddenly, war erupted around me. We could hear the guns shooting in an adjacent village. They were headed our way. A decision had to be made and, as the youngest and most vulnerable, the decision was left to me. I had to decide whether or not I would stay, face whatever came, and risk suffering to do the will of God. Just to be sure that I understood, I was required to write a letter to my family explaining my decision. That letter is one of my most valued possessions. That dark night, filled with the sound of gunfire, was a refining fire for me. I stayed, and God protected me, but before that night was over, I knew the truth of the three Hebrews boys going into the fiery furnace. Our God could deliver, but if not, I would still stay. 

That refining fire nearly four decades ago makes all the difference today, because I know what I'm willing to give for Jesus. Today, spend some time thinking about our Lord's willingness to give everything for us. Consider your willingness to give all for Him. Consider your willingness to simply obey one little step at a time. If some changes in priority and commitment are needed, invite Him to help you do what must be done. There may come a time when you are called to hold firm for Him no matter the cost. Deciding in advance how far you will go for Jesus makes all the difference. 

Pray today that we and our loved ones would be so committed to Christ that we are willing to give all for Him who left Heaven to give Himself for us. 

Son of Man: Sent to the Rebellious (Luke 6:5)

And He was saying to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." (Luke 6:5 NASB)

Son of Man. This term was often used by Jesus to describe Himself. It is also used several places in Scripture other than by Jesus. In Daniel, this phrase is used concerning the Messiah. In Ezekiel, God uses it repeatedly when speaking to Ezekiel, and almost always with instructions for Ezekiel to either do or say.  The passage in Ezekiel 2, though given as instructions for Ezekiel, is certainly descriptive of Jesus and His ministry on earth as well. 

He said, “Son of man, I’m sending you to the family of Israel, a rebellious nation if there ever was one. They and their ancestors have fomented rebellion right up to the present. They’re a hard case, these people to whom I’m sending you—hardened in their sin. Tell them, ‘This is the Message of God, the Master.’ They are a defiant bunch. Whether or not they listen, at least they’ll know that a prophet’s been here. But don’t be afraid of them, son of man, and don’t be afraid of anything they say. Don’t be afraid when living among them is like stepping on thorns or finding scorpions in your bed. Don’t be afraid of their mean words or their hard looks. They’re a bunch of rebels. Your job is to speak to them. Whether they listen is not your concern. They’re hardened rebels. (Ezekiel 2:3-7 MSG)

What a description of the people of God, given by God Himself! It makes me wonder how God sees us, how He sees me.  Read through the passage from Ezekiel again. Do you find yourself in that description? If the goal is perfect obedience (and it should be), then we can all find ourselves there in at least one area of our lives. 

Pray today that God would give us and our loved ones a glimpse of our heart the way He sees it. Pray that He will reveal any hardness and rebellion and that we will have hearts that are both receptive to truth and eager to change. Pray that we and our loved ones will listen and learn. 

Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:3-5)

And Jesus answering them said, "Have you not even read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him, how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the consecrated bread which is not lawful for any to eat except the priests alone, and gave it to his companions?" And He was saying to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." (Luke 6:3-5 NASB)

In legal defense, I am told, precedent is critical. If something was deemed lawful in the past, that decision can be used to justify a present act as lawful, too. Jesus uses the principle of precedent masterfully in this passage. When the Pharisees complained that the disciples were breaking the law by picking and eating the grain, Jesus referred them back to the actions of David. 

The story is told in 1 Samuel 21. Jonathan had warned David that King Saul was determined to execute him, and David ran for his life. The men who fought with him were safely hidden, but there was no food. In desperation, David went in search of something for his men to eat. He turned to the priest at Nob, Ahimelech, and asked for prayer and for bread. (In a later passage, we learn that Ahimelech had been "inquiring of the Lord" for David for years, and was David's personal intercessor.) The only bread the priest had was the bread that had been the bread of the Presence before The Lord. This bread was replaced daily, but the bread that had been removed was still considered consecrated. It was supposed to be used for the priests' consumption. This bread, the removed but consecrated bread, was what the priest gave David to feed his men. 

Jesus established two principles that day. First, his reference to David and the bread reminded them that the things of God are not to be hoarded when there are those in need. 

Second, Jesus made it clear that HE was equal with God. He referred to Himself as the Son of Man (a subject for another day) and equated the Son of Man with God as The Lord of the Sabbath. 

Imagine the Pharisees' surprise! They thought they had caught Jesus and His disciples breaking the law and Jesus told them, "No, I made the law and I'm the boss of the Sabbath. What they did was fine with Me." Their response was not recorded, but you can be sure they were fuming!

The Pharisees thought they were the protectors of the law. In a way, they considered themselves in charge of compliance. Jesus clarified that without any confusion at all. "Nope," He was saying, "I'm in charge here."  We would do well to remember that Jesus is still in charge, and He still wants thing done a certain way. Oh that our greatest concern would be doing things His way! What a difference that would make in our lives and in our world!

Today, pray that we and our loved ones would be more concerned about pleasing Jesus than about complying with the Pharisees of the world. 

Rules versus Relationship (Luke 6:2)

But some of the Pharisees said, "Why do you do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" (Luke 6:2 NASB)

The Pharisees were experts in the law. They not only knew the law, they interpreted the law, and they happily dispensed their interpretation of the law as law itself. In a way, it wasn't just God's Law, it was their Law, too, and they fiercely defended what they saw as their territory. 

The disciples were hungry and they grazed as they walked through the grain fields. Technically, it could be said that picking the handful or two of grain they ate was harvesting, and rubbing it between their hands to separate the wheat from the chaff was threshing, both of which were "work". How foolish it would be, though, for the Pharisees to complain about the disciples harvesting and threshing a few handfuls of grain in violation of the Sabbath when they were walking with The Lord of the Sabbath!

Jesus does not call us to a set of unbending rules but to a dynamic relationship with God Himself. That relationship (like the new wine from Luke 5) is one of change, growth, and steady maturity, not just a list of tasks to be accomplished. The disciples walked out that relationship for all the world to see. While the Pharisees were steadily checking off tasks on the "must-do" list and carefully avoiding the "do-nots", yet trying to sneak a few "do-nots" to the "can-do" list, in hopes of obtaining righteousness, the motley crew of disciples were laughing and eating with the One who WAS their Righteousness. 

It's easy to be a rule-checking Pharisee, especially when we are looking at someone else's actions! As we pray for our loved ones today, be sure to focus on their need for relationship, not on their need for another list to check and do. 

Pray first of all that we would live out our dynamic relationship with Christ in the same joyful way the disciples did, and that our loved ones would recognize the relationship as infinitely desirable. Pray that they will embrace a relationship with Jesus for themselves. 

Content in any circumstances (Luke 6:1)

Now it happened that He was passing through some grainfields on a Sabbath; and His disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating the grain. (Luke 6:1 NASB)

An interesting thing happened one Sabbath day. Jesus and His disciples were walking from here to there. Their route took them through a grain field. His disciples were hungry, so they broke some of the grain heads off and began to eat them. We don't know the conversation surrounding this quick repast, but there is no evidence that these men whined or grumbled about eating the grain. They were hungry, so they ate what Jesus had provided along the way. These were the very men who had enjoyed a sumptuous feast with Matthew and his friends just a few verses earlier. In fact, Matthew was probably in the midst of the group. They did not, apparently, require elaborate and delicious meals as part of their discipleship. Comfort was not one of their requirements for following Jesus. 

I don't know about you, but I like comfort and I especially like delicious, perfectly seasoned and well-cooked meals. I like air conditioning and central heat, silk comforters, and pillow top mattresses. I like seat warmers in my car, warm coats when it's cold, and leather gloves to keep my hands warm. I suspect you do, too, or at least have your own list of comforts that you prefer. Jesus, however, did not promise us comfort. 

It's easy to be a disciple when we are comfortable. The question we all must answer is whether or not we would follow in a difficult and uncertain situation. Discipleship that is contingent upon favorable circumstances is not discipleship at all. Serving Christ should be done because of Who He is and not what He gives. Just as important, serving Christ should include accepting what He provides without grumbling or complaining.

Are you content with what God has given you, or do you complain and continually ask for more? 

Today, pray for a heart that is content with what God provides, and grateful for whatever circumstances He allows. Pray that our loved ones would not hold back from Christ from fear of having less than they want, but would embrace the life He planned for them. 

Part 24: Old Wine (luke 5:39)

And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, 'The old is good enough.'" (Luke 5:39 NASB)

The Greek word translated here as "good enough" is chrēstos. Vine's Expository Dictionary defines it as "useful" or "fit for use". When it is used in reference to God, it refers to His goodness and kindness. Old wine is a word picture of the mature Christian, who should be so free of the sediment of immaturity that he has developed the goodness and kindness of God Himself. Maturity should bring the character of God to our lives and it should be evident to those around us. Our harsh, rough edges should have been smoothed off in the process of transformation. 

What is the character of God? When God passed by in front of Moses, he proclaimed His attributes. 

"God passed in front of him and called out, “God, God, a God of mercy and grace, endlessly patient—so much love, so deeply true—loyal in love for a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. Still, he doesn’t ignore sin...” (Exodus 34:4-7 MSG)

NASB describes Him as "compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin..."  Those are the characteristics that should mark the life of a mature Christian. It's the way people should describe us! There is no room for harshness, bitterness, or unforgiveness, is there? Those unpleasant characteristics should have been removed during God's work of transformation. 

Just to be clear, this does not eliminate tough love in difficult circumstances, accountability, or the need for reparation when wronged. God has been tough with me on more than one occasion. He has not, however, been mean-spirited or unkind in his discipline, and He has always been gracious to a broken and contrite spirit. 

Are the attributes of God evident in our lives? Would those who know us best describe us as merciful, compassionate, endlessly patient, slow to anger, forgiving, and loyal? 

Pray today that God would complete the process of transformation in us and in our loved ones, removing harshness, bitterness, and unforgiveness and replacing them with those attributes that would make us most like Him. May we, and those around us, recognize the evidence of maturity and praise God for the work He has done. 

Part 23: Back to the wineskin (Luke 5:37-39)

This entire series of lessons started as a way to understand these verses:

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, 'The old is good enough. '" (Luke 5:37-39 NASB)

The new wineskin is made of animal hide  with an animal bladder lining.  When the new wine (not yet fermented) is poured into the wineskin, the fermentation process gives off carbon dioxide gas and causes the bladder (and thus the hide) to expand. Only a new skin has the flexibility to expand as the gas is produced. An old skin is stiff and lacks "give".  The advantage to the old skin is that it is strong. It's less fragile and less likely to sustain damage from routine use. 

The new wine contains tannin, which will help to condition, or tan, the hides. Don't miss this point. New wine doesn't stay new. New wineskins don't stay new. In fact, new wine in a new wineskin allows the new wine to become transformed to old, and allows the new wineskin to become transformed to an old wineskin. New wine is limited to new wineskins. Old wine is at home in either an old wineskin or a new wineskin. No special concession is needed. 

This transformation is vital because new wine is not delicious. Old wine, however, has had time to develop a rich aroma and flavor. It is much more desirable than new wine. Jesus was not saying anything negative about old wine or old wineskins. 

Look at this chapter in its entirety. Simon the fisherman was transformed to Simon the disciple. The paralytic was transformed to a walking testimony of the healing power of Christ. Matthew was transformed from a money-obsessed tax collector to Matthew the Evangelist, introducing all his friends to Jesus. Even in the discussion about fasting, Jesus said His non-fasting disciples would be transformed to fasting disciples. 

The wine example was a word-picture everyone could understand. It was part of the vernacular. Fermentation was the only way available to preserve the fruit juice. There were no canning jars, refrigeration, or freezers. Their options were fermentation or wastage. Of course, fermentation was preferable, and that was the method used for preservation. 

Jesus was saying that, just as grapes are transformed by a very clear process that moves from grapes to must to new wine to old wine, disciples are transformed by a process, too. New disciples must experience the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives to cleanse and grow them into mature disciples. They cannot instantly fit the discipline and study of a mature disciple. An old wineskin would be confining. Being a mature disciple, however, is infinitely better than being a new one. Mature disciples can fit into any situation or challenge Christ presents them. They are at home in flexible new wineskin conditions or more structured (possibly confining or difficult) old wineskins, and they fill either with the aroma of Christ in such a way that the situation becomes infinitely more desirable. 

The only way to become a mature disciple is to begin as a new disciple, but no one should stay "new".  Maturity is the desirable state. Like the wine, that moves from being a grape on the vine all the way to vintage, well-aged and matured wine, our desire should be to move from the "baby Christian" stage to fully mature believer in a steady process. 

Where are you in your journey of transformation from new wine to old? What needs to be done to move you closer to maturity?

As we pray today, ask God to move us and our loved ones toward greater maturity. Pray that the process does not stop until we (and they) are as fully developed in our faith as our Lord planned and that the bouquet of Christ is recognizable to all we meet.

  

Part 22: Time in the Barrel (Luke 5:38)

But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. (Luke 5:38 NASB)

First fermentation, first racking, second fermentation, second racking. It's a long process and takes weeks. At the end of second racking, the wine is still not ready to drink. Some wine (particularly red wines) need further maturation. The wine cannot stay in the fermentation vat to be matured. It must be transferred again, this time to oak barrels where it will be allowed to remain until bottling. The maturing process requires that the wine sit. The winemaker is not obviously working on the wine. Everything appears quiet in this section of the winery. 

It may be quiet, but something vital is happening. Enfolded in the confines of the oak, the wine is nestled safely inside, where it gradually begins to acquire a change in flavor due to the oak itself. Its flavor deepens and expands. The wine is richer, has a deeper bouquet and taste due to its time in the barrel. At the end of its stay there, often as much as twenty years, the value of the wine has been greatly increased by the time of quiet. 

That principle is true for achieving maturity as believers, as well. It is in the quiet times, spent nestled in the loving arms of our Father, that we grow, and develop depth and richness of spirit. It is where He develops us and we begin to take on the flavor of our Lord. What a beautiful gift to be so infused by the presence of God that those around us can sense the aroma and taste the flavor of Christ! 

How strong is the aroma of Christ in you? Do you need more quiet "barrel time" with our Lord? 

Pray today that we will invest enough time with our Lord that the evidence of it is obvious to those around us, especially those we love. Pray, too, that the depth achieved will be so attractive that our loved ones will want it for themselves. 

Part 21: quality Grapes (Luke 5:37)

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. (Luke 5:37 NASB)

There are almost as many techniques for winemaking as there are winemakers. There is one thing that is common to all winemakers, however. Quality fruit is essential to have a quality endpoint. The single most important factor in the production of quality wine is the fruit with which you begin. None of the intervening steps make as much difference as the beginning fruit.  The manner of crushing, type of yeast, or timing of racking can vary. The fruit quality cannot. 

Here's the amazing thing. Every person is created in the image of God. Every person begins as the equivalent of "quality fruit".  Every person begins their life with full potential for transformation into someone vital and refreshing in the Kingdom of God. It has been said before, but it bears repeating. There is no one so far from God, so lost in sin, that they are beyond His grace. Life choices and life experiences can have a dramatic and long-lasting, often devastating effect, but it can be overcome by the mercy and grace of God. 

As we pray for our loved ones, remember that, no matter their life choices, they still retain that "image of God" with which they began. The very part of them that brings the greatest quality and value remains. In the transformation that only God can bring, the journey will still start with "quality fruit". Do not lose heart. 

Pray today that our loved ones will respond to the call of God with eager anticipation for the journey of transformation and that change we can see will be soon. 

Part 20: Second Racking (Luke 5:37)

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. (Luke 5:37 NASB)

The secondary fermentation (really just a continuation of fermentation) takes several weeks. The must and sediment have been separated and the grapes are now immature wine. The yeast that have survived thus far will complete the fermentation process, producing as much as 30% of the total alcohol during this time. As the immature wine sits, the sediment still suspended will separate and fall to the bottom of the container. Evidence of the ongoing work can be seen as less frequent bubbles of carbon dioxide on the surface or in the airlock. 

At the end of several weeks, the wine will be racked again, finally transferring it to bottles. Every bit of fermentation must be complete, however, or carbon dioxide  will build up in the bottle and cause it to burst, losing all the wine the winemaker has worked so hard to produce. 

During this final racking, the transfer technique is especially important. Not one bit of sediment should be transferred. The goal is not cloudy, foul tasting wine. The goal is perfect clarity, or transparency, in the wine.

Transparency should be our goal, too. We need to be so clean inside (spiritually speaking) that there is nothing to hide, and nothing of ourselves to cloud the view of Christ in us. 

Consider your own heart today. Are there attitudes or "secret" sins that you hide from those with whom you desire to share Christ? Is there any sediment that needs to be cleared? In winemaking, the only way to remove the sediment is to siphon the wine away from it, making a clean and complete break between the wine and the cloudy sediment. Is there something clouding the transparent view of Christ in you? Maybe it's time to make some changes.  

Pray today that we would have such transparency of spirit that our loved ones can see straight through to the Christ in us, and that the view they see will be clear rather than distorted by any "sediment" we've allowed to remain. Pray that the view of Christ we present would be so attractive that our loved ones would desire a relationship with Him for themselves and begin their own journey of transformation. 

Part 19: The Racking (Luke 5:37)

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. (Luke 5:37, 38 NASB)

The entire process of converting grapes to wine is fairly amazing. The grapes are harvested, crushed, put in a vat, yeast is added, and the work begins. First the yeast reproduce, then they gobble up all the available sugars in the must. The period of yeast "eating sugar" is known as fermentation. During this time, the yeast give off waste products of alcohol and carbon dioxide. Because the carbon dioxide is a gas and is formed at the bottom of the vat, we can "see" the action of tiny bubbles (that seethe at times) on the surface of the vat. This fermentation over the first few days (7-10 days) is called primary fermentation. As the yeast use up the available sugars, the alcohol that is released begins to build up to levels that are toxic to the yeast. There comes a point when the level of alcohol is greater than the yeast can survive, and they begin to die. 

To bring the wine to full fermentation, an intervention is required. The wine must be "racked".  That is an odd term for transferring the wine to a second container. The transfer separates the developing wine from the dead yeast cells and the sediment of the fruit (leftover from the crushing) so that the fermentation can be completed. Winemakers call this secondary fermentation. This is not a second fermentation.  It is a completion of THE fermentation. 

You may remember (from the section on crushing) that the skin, seeds, and pulp from the wine's former life as a grape are allowed to remain for a while. Eventually, the remnants of the crushing will have to go, and this is the point where it is all removed. The grape will never be thought of as a grape again. Although it is not fully mature wine, it's well on its way and that former grape will forever after be considered wine. It is transformed. The process is not yet complete, but it is clearly underway. 

It's amazing to me that God, in His infinite mercy is so gentle to us. He tempers the crushing with His great love, allows us to keep the remnants of our former life far longer than seems sensible, and at the point where that former life has lost its luster for us, He separates us from it completely. We are transformed through this amazing process. It's a process all maturing believers experience. Where are you in this fermentation process?  Where is your loved one?

Pray today that we and our loved ones would quickly reach the end of our "primary fermentation", that point where our old life and old ways are stripped away, and we are transformed in such a way that we are "never a grape" again. 

Part 18: The Crushing (part 2) (Luke 5:37)

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. (Luke 5:37 NASB)

The crushing - part 2 

As we have discussed before, the grapes must be crushed in order to release the juice and separate the pulp. The word "crush" indicates considerable force, and is often thought of as pulverizing something to a powder. That kind of crushing would be catastrophic to the wine. The crushing required by grapes is firm, steady pressure until the tough outer skin opens and the sweet pulp and juice are released. There is quite a difference between pulverizing and crushing grapes. Crushing brings a sweet release. Pulverizing does more than open the hard skin. It releases bitter oils in the skin and seeds. Pulverizing is so  destructive to the fruit that it causes a bitter flavor to the wine that fermentation cannot overcome. 

Gentleness in the crushing is required to produce the best possible wine from the grapes. Isn't that an amazing concept? How grateful we should be that our Lord does not pulverize us as He works in us for transformation. Instead, His gentle, constant pressure insistently presses until our tough protective skin is torn, the sources of bitterness are removed, and only the sweet part remains. What is left is the very part that can be used to make the best of wine. 

When those we love are in the far country of destruction, it is common for us to desire one of two things for them. Either we want them to be spared all consequences or we, in our anger, want them crushed (aka pulverized), thinking that will "get it out of them". Neither of those options will bring sweet transformation. Those who are prodigals need the same intervention we all have needed - enough crushing pressure to release the sources of bitterness, tear away our self-sufficiency, and leave us malleable and liquid in the Vintner's gentle hands. 

Pray today that our loved ones will experience the firm, steady, but gentle pressure of The Lord in such a way that bitterness is removed and complete transformation results. 

Part 17: The Raisins (Luke 5:37)

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. (Luke 5:37 NASB) 

Raisins. That seems an odd topic for a morning devotional, doesn't it?  They are perfect for a morning breakfast cereal or even a mid-morning snack. If you are trying to make wine from grapes, however, they are not so good. 

When harvesters pick the special varieties of grapes used in making wines, those grapes are earmarked from the beginning for wine. They are not destined to be table grapes (the ones we eat) or raisins. As wine grapes, they go straight into the wine-making process. Inevitability, there are some grapes that are missed in the harvest. Those grapes may be perfectly juicy and ripe, but they were missed in the harvest for one reason or another. Left alone on the vine, they will eventually wither and dry up, forming what we call a raisin. Raisins on the vine may be a tasty surprise, but they are, sadly, a failure of harvesting. 

When I raised grapes, there were always stragglers that matured later than the first grapes. They were no less tasty, they simply required additional picking. The only way to prevent what I call vine-raisins is to return to the field after the first round of harvesting and check the vines again. 

For the Christian, we are called to the harvest by Christ Himself. It is our God-appointed job to share the gospel with as many as we can and bring as many people as possible to faith in Christ. Just as God expects the "whole tithe", He also expects the "whole harvest".  He is not willing for any to perish and we should not be, either. 

It is easy to look at the bulge on a grape vine and think, "That will never be a grape."  It is also easy to look at someone who is estranged from Jesus and think, "They will never be saved." We may be wrong in both cases. We are not called to predict what will happen. We are called to stay in the fields until the entire harvest is gathered. 

I shudder to think what would have happened to me and my son if someone hadn't "returned to the fields" for me. 

There is no one who is beyond God's grace and they should not be beyond our willingness to reach out to them, either. Do not be deceived. We will be accountable for the fruit left in the field because of unwillingness or plain laziness on our part. 

As we pray today, ask for eyes to see the "fields that are white unto harvest" and that God will show you where He wants you to work.  Pray for willing laborers and receptive hearts. Pray that perfect laborers will work the fields where our own prodigals reside and that those workers will stay the course until ALL the harvest is in.