Month: February 2016

The suffering servant heals with righteousness

 Although this fruitless pear tree looks prolific, I know that not even one pear will be harvested! Conversely, when the main point of this chiastic Hebrew poem (v.5) states that out of the servant’s suffering comes healing, I am confident that God’s  plan to bring righteousness  for many will be accomplished. How can we be confident in this? The answer is substitutionary atonement. Throughout the poem (52:13-53:12), the author inserts 14 times (two sevens- which indicates a swearing of God’s plan…twice) that the suffering servant (our Lord Jesus Christ) will be substituted for the people. Our sin sickness is completely healed by His purpose for coming to earth. His story becomes my history: I was dead spiritually in my transgessions and sin, was buried with Him as one condemned by God’s justice but I was given the gift of everlasting life- to pass from death to life  and rise again!!! How? We are spiritually  given ressurection life through faith in His atonement or covering of the debt of sin we owe (He pays over and above- even all the guilt) because of His righteousness. -Teresa

#Heisabletopayit#trustHimtoday
Isaiah 53: 5-12 (ESV)

5″But he was pierced for our transgressions;

    he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

    and with his wounds we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;

    we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

    the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

    yet he opened not his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

    and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

    so he opened not his mouth.

8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away;

    and as for his generation, who considered

that he was cut off out of the land of the living,

    stricken for the transgression of my people?

9 And they made his grave with the wicked

    and with a rich man in his death,

although he had done no violence,

    and there was no deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;

    he has put him to grief;[g]

when his soul makes[h] an offering for guilt,

    he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;

the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see[i] and be satisfied;

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,

    make many to be accounted righteous,

    and he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,[j]

    and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,[k]

because he poured out his soul to death

    and was numbered with the transgressors;

yet he bore the sin of many,

    and makes intercession for the transgressors.”

Wild turkey vs. bald eagle

Although Ben Franklin felt that the turkey was more courageous than the eagle, I saw these turkeys sitting on a fence this morning and laughed! Thankfully, God is more like Benjamin Franklin than me because He looks beyond the surface appearance to the heart. The poor may appear to the world system as those who have made bad choices but God sees the heart of the matter. Many of the poor are given less than an optimal start in life. In fact, they often have overcome unbelievable odds (i.e. orphans in Uganda, Africa who are searching for food at “baby” ages, read inspirational book “Kisses from Katie”) . When we show mercy we are like God and He is merciful to us. – Teresa

 Psalm 41: 1-3 (ESV)

“Blessed is the one who considers the poor![a]

    In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him;

2 the Lord protects him and keeps him alive;

    he is called blessed in the land;

    you do not give him up to the will of his enemies.

3 The Lord sustains him on his sickbed;

    in his illness you restore him to full health.[b]”

  

Jairus’ daughter vs. no name woman- Jesus’ daughter

 Although Jairus was a very important ruler in the synagogue, his daughter had to wait for another woman to be healed first. The woman had no name or connection to religious circles (since she was considered unclean). This woman was whom Jesus called “daughter”. She suffered much, was truly poor, yet trusted that a touch from Jesus would heal her and it did. – Teresa #neverunderstimateHisgrace

Mark 5: 24-34 (ESV)

“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.”

Called to follow Him

imageIn the eyes of the important leaders, Levi was a sinner- not worthy to follow or to be called by the Rabbi. Jesus made it clear that “self-righteous” people are not part of those he calls, only sinners (those who are willing to let His righteousness change them). The focus changed from Levi’s inadequacy to Jesus’ ability. -Teresa

Mark 2:13-17 (ESV)

13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of[a] the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat[b] with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

That righteous man

  Jesus Christ our Savior lived a righteous life. His example of forgiveness during suffering has inspired numerous Christians who are persecuted even today. He inspires us to live under the power of the Spirit- full of God’s grace.  Lord, we are amazed at your supernatural love that reaches to the deepest needs of our society. As you reach out and touch us, Lord, heal our sin sickness. Forgive us, O Lord, so that we may truly forgive others. – Teresa

Matthew 27: 15-23 (ESV)
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

A beautiful thing

  Wine is better with age, I like to think that people are that way too. When we realize how precious every day tasks are, our gratitude quotient improves dramatically, making us happier. Then, when the moment comes to pour out who we are to the Savior- in that sacred moment of time (even when others may misunderstand) what has become better with age makes such an impact on the Savior that He carries the aroma of our gratitude around Him through His suffering. In the same way, the aroma of this perfume just a few days after it was lovingly applied announced what the banner on the cross spelled out, “King of the Jews”.* Rather than mock Him, Mary’s annointing affirmed the Savior’s true identity.- Teresa

* Sitting at the feet of Rabbi, Jesus. Spangler&Tverberg

 Matthew 25: 6-13 (ESV)

6 “Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,[b] 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Don’t engage with a deceiver

 Insight and wisdom will always treat us right, unlike one who may look good on the outside but hides cactus spikes under their pretty flower! The lesson that Eve learned in the garden was not to even engage in discussion with the serpent, the master deceiver- you won’t win. This is a lesson for men and women alike…don’t engage with those whose words are too smooth to be true. – Teresa

 Proverbs 7:1-5 (ESV)

7 “My son, keep my words

    and treasure up my commandments with you;

2 keep my commandments and live;

    keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;

3 bind them on your fingers;

    write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

    and call insight your intimate friend,

5 to keep you from the forbidden[a] woman,

    from the adulteress[b] with her smooth words.”

  

Unscathed

 When we experience spiritual warfare, I propose that we don’t take on this battle alone. Rather, if it feels like we’re circling the drain, escape to the stronghold. This way of escape presents itself in our everyday walk with God the Father, Jesus Christ our Lord and the promised Holy Spirit. When we are in communion with God, our ability to discern rests on our willingness to ask for help. The answer may be truth telling, righteous living, a way of faith or risk to take for Him. It may present as hopeful encouragement, prayer or avoidance of the danger (see Dr. Gil Stieglitz, weapons of righteousness coaching at ptlb.com). Though an army is encamping against us we will not fear. God, the ‘three in one’ trinity, will lead us through the battle, unscathed. -Teresa

 Psalm 26:1-3 (ESV)

27 “The Lord is my light and my salvation;

    whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life;

    of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evildoers assail me

    to eat up my flesh,

my adversaries and foes,

    it is they who stumble and fall.

3 Though an army encamp against me,

    my heart shall not fear;

though war arise against me,

    yet[b] I will be confident.”