"Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
It is not coincidental that Jesus phrased this prayer in such a way that God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven directly follows the idea of God's Kingdom coming. Again, we sometimes relegate His Kingdom and His will being accomplished to some far away date when Jesus finally comes again. This truth, however, is condiderably more immediate.
I'm thinking of where Paul says that we are ambassadors for Christ. Consider the role of an ambassador. An ambassador fully represents his home country, wielding the authority of his home country to accomplish the agenda of his home country. When an ambassador speaks in an official capacity, he speaks in the name of his home country. And if an ambassador begins carrying out his own agenda instead of the agenda of his home country, using his political clout and authority and influence improperly, it is treason.
God has an agenda for this world. God has plans and desires. His plans and desires are accomplished through His people, His ambassadors. There is a very real sense in which when we ask that God's will be done, we are not simply and passively and fatalistically abdicating our role in accomplishing God's purposes; rather, we are actively, as His ambassadors, seeking our assignments. We are seeking direction from our King so that we can accomplish Kingdom purposes -not somewhere in the sweet bye-and-bye, but here and now, today.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
"Your Kingdom Come" Matthew 6:10(a)
In this prayer that Jesus used as a model to teach His followers how to pray effectively, Jesus said we should pray that God's Kingdom will come. I think that we often relegate this idea of His Kingdom coming to sometime in the future -when Jesus comes again -perhaps the millennial reign of Jesus.
But Jesus actually talked about the Kingdom of God more than any other topic. While modern evangelical Christians talk a lot about being born again, Jesus only used that term one time. Of course, people do, indeed, need to be born again, but being born again clearly wasn't the heartbeat of Jesus' message. We also talk about church and the importance of attending. Jesus only used the word church (ecclesia) three times. Of course, gathering together with other Believers is important, but it wasn't the heartbeat of Jesus' message. We talk about the importance of missions -going into all the world and preaching the Gospel. Jesus specifically mandated Believers to go just before He ascended into heaven, and He sent the disciples out evangelizing a couple of times, and He did say once, "As the Father has sent me, now I'm sending you." Of course, missions is important, and we do, indeed, have a mandate to go forth and make disciples, but missions was not what Jesus talked about the most.
What Jesus talked about the most was the Kingdom of God. He taught about this well over 100 times as recorded in Scripture. Even after the resurrection during that short time before He ascended to heaven, Acts chapter one tells us that He was teaching them about the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom is the heartbeat of what Jesus taught. And only a handful of times was Jesus referring to end times events. The Kingdom is not primarily about His second coming. Jesus said the Kingdom is already among you. He said the Kingdom is in you. The Kingdom is wherever the King is. The Kingdom is wherever God is working.
When Jesus is teaching us to pray that God's Kingdom will come, He is not saying that we should pray that the end times will come quickly. God has a plan and a time scheduled for Jesus' second coming. It will happen when Father decides the time is right. That is not what we are praying for. What we are praying for is that God's Kingdom will be fully established in us, so that God can work through us. What we are praying for is that our hearts and minds will be fully aligned with God's desires and agenda so that we will be Kingdom people. In a sense, praying "Your Kingdom come," is an act of surrender. We are surrendering ourselves to God's Kingdom, God's will, and God's purposes.
But Jesus actually talked about the Kingdom of God more than any other topic. While modern evangelical Christians talk a lot about being born again, Jesus only used that term one time. Of course, people do, indeed, need to be born again, but being born again clearly wasn't the heartbeat of Jesus' message. We also talk about church and the importance of attending. Jesus only used the word church (ecclesia) three times. Of course, gathering together with other Believers is important, but it wasn't the heartbeat of Jesus' message. We talk about the importance of missions -going into all the world and preaching the Gospel. Jesus specifically mandated Believers to go just before He ascended into heaven, and He sent the disciples out evangelizing a couple of times, and He did say once, "As the Father has sent me, now I'm sending you." Of course, missions is important, and we do, indeed, have a mandate to go forth and make disciples, but missions was not what Jesus talked about the most.
What Jesus talked about the most was the Kingdom of God. He taught about this well over 100 times as recorded in Scripture. Even after the resurrection during that short time before He ascended to heaven, Acts chapter one tells us that He was teaching them about the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom is the heartbeat of what Jesus taught. And only a handful of times was Jesus referring to end times events. The Kingdom is not primarily about His second coming. Jesus said the Kingdom is already among you. He said the Kingdom is in you. The Kingdom is wherever the King is. The Kingdom is wherever God is working.
When Jesus is teaching us to pray that God's Kingdom will come, He is not saying that we should pray that the end times will come quickly. God has a plan and a time scheduled for Jesus' second coming. It will happen when Father decides the time is right. That is not what we are praying for. What we are praying for is that God's Kingdom will be fully established in us, so that God can work through us. What we are praying for is that our hearts and minds will be fully aligned with God's desires and agenda so that we will be Kingdom people. In a sense, praying "Your Kingdom come," is an act of surrender. We are surrendering ourselves to God's Kingdom, God's will, and God's purposes.
Friday, April 9, 2010
"Our Father" Matthew 6:9
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name."
Jesus has just been teaching on how not to pray -now He teaches how we ought to pray. Although we sometimes recite this prayer in our church services, it was not really meant to be used as a rote or ceremonial prayer, rather as a model for the kinds of things we ought to pray.
The Greek word Abba (father) that Jesus uses here was the intimate word that all little boys called their fathers, leading many to think that the proper English translation should be daddy instead of Father. On the other hand, Abba was also the word that most adults called their fathers, so we might not want to get hung up on the word daddy. Jesus wasn't likely instructing us to use a new title so much as inviting us to think of God differently. Abba is a word that implies intimacy, warmth, trust and love -Jesus certainly meant to imply these things. In the Old Testament, there are quite a few references suggesting father-like qualities of God, but this is the first place we are instructed to use such an intimate word to address God. This is clearly an invitation to think of ourselves as a part a family, not just a religion.
The word hallowed simply means sacred or holy. This, then, reminds us that God's name is important. In the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments told us not to take the name of the Lord in vain. There is a connection here. In modern times, we have come to think that taking God's name in vain means using it in a cursing sense -and, of course, it does mean that. But because God's name is holy and sacred, this warning to not use His name in vain means considerably more than not cursing. Vain means without reason. We should not refer to God flippantly, lightly, or without specific reason. When we call on the name of the Lord, it is a holy thing. We live in a culture that disrespects and dishonors God. Let's make sure that we have no part in such foolishness.
So, in this first phrase of the Lord's Prayer, we have two concepts that are both important and can bring us to a balanced understanding of how we ought to think about and address God. His name is sacred and He is God in heaven -implying sovereignty and holiness and majesty. But He is also Father -implying intimacy and warmth and trust.
This is our God.
Jesus has just been teaching on how not to pray -now He teaches how we ought to pray. Although we sometimes recite this prayer in our church services, it was not really meant to be used as a rote or ceremonial prayer, rather as a model for the kinds of things we ought to pray.
The Greek word Abba (father) that Jesus uses here was the intimate word that all little boys called their fathers, leading many to think that the proper English translation should be daddy instead of Father. On the other hand, Abba was also the word that most adults called their fathers, so we might not want to get hung up on the word daddy. Jesus wasn't likely instructing us to use a new title so much as inviting us to think of God differently. Abba is a word that implies intimacy, warmth, trust and love -Jesus certainly meant to imply these things. In the Old Testament, there are quite a few references suggesting father-like qualities of God, but this is the first place we are instructed to use such an intimate word to address God. This is clearly an invitation to think of ourselves as a part a family, not just a religion.
The word hallowed simply means sacred or holy. This, then, reminds us that God's name is important. In the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments told us not to take the name of the Lord in vain. There is a connection here. In modern times, we have come to think that taking God's name in vain means using it in a cursing sense -and, of course, it does mean that. But because God's name is holy and sacred, this warning to not use His name in vain means considerably more than not cursing. Vain means without reason. We should not refer to God flippantly, lightly, or without specific reason. When we call on the name of the Lord, it is a holy thing. We live in a culture that disrespects and dishonors God. Let's make sure that we have no part in such foolishness.
So, in this first phrase of the Lord's Prayer, we have two concepts that are both important and can bring us to a balanced understanding of how we ought to think about and address God. His name is sacred and He is God in heaven -implying sovereignty and holiness and majesty. But He is also Father -implying intimacy and warmth and trust.
This is our God.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
"Praying Like Hypocrites" Matthew 6:5-8
"And when you pray, you must not pray like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others."
I believe that the modern version of this is when people use public prayers as an opportunity to quote all of the Scripture they have memorized and/or teach their favorite doctrines. Sometimes these prayers go on and on and on, and never actually get around to speaking to God at all.
Think about the futility of using prayer to quote Scripture and teach doctrine. God already knows Scripture and doesn't really need to be reminded -and His theology is already pretty good and He doesn't actually need to be corrected or taught. I do wonder sometimes, though, if our efforts to teach doctrines while praying might be because we know in our hearts that our theology doesn't completely align with His.
This has to be true: prayer that is for the "benefit" of people who are listening, is not actually prayer at all.
Just a wild thought: maybe we should use our prayer times to call out to Father and seek His face?
I believe that the modern version of this is when people use public prayers as an opportunity to quote all of the Scripture they have memorized and/or teach their favorite doctrines. Sometimes these prayers go on and on and on, and never actually get around to speaking to God at all.
Think about the futility of using prayer to quote Scripture and teach doctrine. God already knows Scripture and doesn't really need to be reminded -and His theology is already pretty good and He doesn't actually need to be corrected or taught. I do wonder sometimes, though, if our efforts to teach doctrines while praying might be because we know in our hearts that our theology doesn't completely align with His.
This has to be true: prayer that is for the "benefit" of people who are listening, is not actually prayer at all.
Just a wild thought: maybe we should use our prayer times to call out to Father and seek His face?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
"Motives Matter" Matthew 6:1-4
"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven."
I was just remembering the story of the prophet, Samuel, anointing David as King of Israel. He passed over all of David's older, bigger, stronger, better-looking brothers and said, "Man looks at outward appearances, but God looks at the heart."
That same principle is what Jesus is talking about here. Motives matter. It is possible to do the right things with wrong motives. And it is still good in the sense that the right things are still being done. However, when we do the right things with the wrong motives, there is no spiritual benefit for us. God looks at the heart.
This isn't really about whether or not people are watching. The reality is that people are often watching. If we are following the promptings of the Holy Spirit, doing the good works that have been assigned to us, people will notice. We can't help that, and it really doesn't matter. The point isn't whether people notice; the point is the motivation of our hearts. If we do what we do in Jesus name for His glory and for His Kingdom's sake, He notices. Man looks on outward appearances, but God looks at the heart. Motives matter.
I was just remembering the story of the prophet, Samuel, anointing David as King of Israel. He passed over all of David's older, bigger, stronger, better-looking brothers and said, "Man looks at outward appearances, but God looks at the heart."
That same principle is what Jesus is talking about here. Motives matter. It is possible to do the right things with wrong motives. And it is still good in the sense that the right things are still being done. However, when we do the right things with the wrong motives, there is no spiritual benefit for us. God looks at the heart.
This isn't really about whether or not people are watching. The reality is that people are often watching. If we are following the promptings of the Holy Spirit, doing the good works that have been assigned to us, people will notice. We can't help that, and it really doesn't matter. The point isn't whether people notice; the point is the motivation of our hearts. If we do what we do in Jesus name for His glory and for His Kingdom's sake, He notices. Man looks on outward appearances, but God looks at the heart. Motives matter.
Monday, April 5, 2010
"Being Perfect" Matthew 5:48
"Therefore, be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."
Let's start with the easy part: the word therefore. Therefore means, "in light of everything that just preceded -in light of what has just been talked about." So, in this passage, Jesus is saying "In light of all of this teaching on love and the Kingdom and integrity, be perfect as you heavenly Father is perfect."
Now, for the harder part: this idea of being perfect like God is perfect. That command seems a little extreme, just a bit out of our league. I would feel better about it if Jesus had said something like, "Try real hard to be more or less as perfect as your neighbor." I'd even be ok with, "Be more or less as perfect as your preacher." But, "Be perfect as God is perfect," seems just a tad impossible.
The issue here is, of course, this word perfect. When we think of the perfection of God, we all know we are never going to measure up. God is absolutely perfect in every way, and despite our attempts at being good, we aren't even close -I mean we are not even close to being good, let alone perfect.
It might help to know that the word translated into English as perfect, the Greek word telios does not actually mean absolute god-like perfection. Telios has a very specific type of perfection in mind. It means to be complete, whole, mature, and having integrity. So, this command that Jesus is giving us here might be better understood as, "In light of this teaching on the Kingdom and love and integrity, whole-heartedly pursue integrity and spiritual maturity."
We are brought to this kind of perfection by following and obeying the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit, cooperating with Him as we are transformed into the likeness and character of Christ. Follow and obey and work with God as He transforms us -still a difficult command, but not impossible.
Let's start with the easy part: the word therefore. Therefore means, "in light of everything that just preceded -in light of what has just been talked about." So, in this passage, Jesus is saying "In light of all of this teaching on love and the Kingdom and integrity, be perfect as you heavenly Father is perfect."
Now, for the harder part: this idea of being perfect like God is perfect. That command seems a little extreme, just a bit out of our league. I would feel better about it if Jesus had said something like, "Try real hard to be more or less as perfect as your neighbor." I'd even be ok with, "Be more or less as perfect as your preacher." But, "Be perfect as God is perfect," seems just a tad impossible.
The issue here is, of course, this word perfect. When we think of the perfection of God, we all know we are never going to measure up. God is absolutely perfect in every way, and despite our attempts at being good, we aren't even close -I mean we are not even close to being good, let alone perfect.
It might help to know that the word translated into English as perfect, the Greek word telios does not actually mean absolute god-like perfection. Telios has a very specific type of perfection in mind. It means to be complete, whole, mature, and having integrity. So, this command that Jesus is giving us here might be better understood as, "In light of this teaching on the Kingdom and love and integrity, whole-heartedly pursue integrity and spiritual maturity."
We are brought to this kind of perfection by following and obeying the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit, cooperating with Him as we are transformed into the likeness and character of Christ. Follow and obey and work with God as He transforms us -still a difficult command, but not impossible.
Friday, April 2, 2010
"Where's The Love?" Matthew 5:43-47
"You've heard it said to love your neighbor and hate your enemy, but I say you should love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.... For if you only love those who love you, how is that any different than everybody else? If you are only loving and kind to your friends and family, aren't you just like the nonbelievers?" (paraphrased)
The lines are obvious and the mandate is clear. No gray area here. If we are followers of Jesus, we are citizens of a different Kingdom. The Kingdom of God has one law: LOVE. If we do not love, we are not truly following Jesus and we are not participating in the Kingdom.
All earthly kingdoms operate by a natural law -everyone loves family and friends -this is natural. But the Kingdom of God is supernatural. There is an expectation that citizens of The Kingdom see the wisdom, and understand, and live our lives in light of the one law.
If we love God and love others, the Kingdom grows and our Father is glorified. We bring glory to Father as we learn to transcend the natural by loving others with His love -and we bring honor to Jesus as we learn to love Father.
The lines are obvious and the mandate is clear. No gray area here. If we are followers of Jesus, we are citizens of a different Kingdom. The Kingdom of God has one law: LOVE. If we do not love, we are not truly following Jesus and we are not participating in the Kingdom.
All earthly kingdoms operate by a natural law -everyone loves family and friends -this is natural. But the Kingdom of God is supernatural. There is an expectation that citizens of The Kingdom see the wisdom, and understand, and live our lives in light of the one law.
If we love God and love others, the Kingdom grows and our Father is glorified. We bring glory to Father as we learn to transcend the natural by loving others with His love -and we bring honor to Jesus as we learn to love Father.
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