Treasuring God

On the first day of the week, two disciples walked along the road heading away from Jerusalem to Emmaus.  They discussed and could make no sense of what had happened:  during the Passover feast, Jesus had been arrested, crucified and buried in a tomb.  Luke 24:15-17 reads, "So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. ¹⁶ But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. ¹⁷ And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?"  It is fitting their discussion and reasoning resulted in sadness because they did not realise or believe Jesus was risen, alive and walking with them.

There are things in life that do not make sense to us, no matter how much we obsess or think it over.  The disciples talked, reasoned and perhaps vented but it did not change the reality the one they believed would redeem Israel was dead, nor could they understand why it happened.  Jesus knew beforehand what His crucifixion and resurrection would accomplish, and He graciously drew near to open the scriptures so these sorrowing disciples would have a change of heart and mind.  This was not an isolated incident, for God still speaks through His word and the power of the Holy Spirit.  We should not "hope" for an experience with God as if we could be disappointed, but we ought to expect to hear from God every time we read the Bible because God has spoken and the Holy Spirit lives within us.

As a kid I enjoyed reading Calvin and Hobbes, a comic strip by Bill Watterson.  One strip illustrates well six-year old Calvin's perpetual joy for life.  Calvin, wearing a pith helmet, was digging for buried treasure.  In Calvin's words he found “a few dirty rocks, a weird root, and some disgusting grubs.”  His stuffed tiger Hobbes asked, “On your first try?”  Calvin enthusiastically replied, “There’s treasure everywhere!”  While rocks and grubs can be interesting for a little boy, nothing compares to the treasure of God and His word.  When we open the Bible we hold in our hands God's divinely inspired words of life that sets hearts on fire with awe and joy.  God has comfort for broken hearts, revelations for the believing seeker and hope for the future regardless of circumstances.

When we open God's word in a humble posture in faith, by God's grace we can receive truth and wisdom beyond the reasoning of men that is profound and intellectually satisfying.  We find, not so much an answer to life's questions, but a God who loves us and is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  God is the treasure we ought to value over all.  Unlike treasures on earth which are hoarded and kept for ourselves, God is the treasure we joyfully share with all.

Fruit Unto God

I remember a singular experience years ago at the start of youth group on a Sunday night.  One of the youth workers was visibly frustrated as he told us of his decision to stop serving as a leader after several months.  "Guys, I'm just not seeing any fruit," he said.  "I'm going to Horizon" (a different church in southern California).  After he voiced his displeasure at our lack of maturity and growth, the meeting had just begun when he walked out the door and I never saw him again.

I was thinking today of how common it is to look for results from our efforts and how we can be disillusioned when we do not see them.  Like that youth worker we have made sacrifices, laboured faithfully and been patient and yet we cannot see any positive impact.  I am convinced fundamentally the youth worker's issue was not with us kids, ratbags though we were:  his frustration was actually with God.  Genuine believers must recognise the temptation we face when we see immediate, tangible results from our efforts or none whatsoever.  Believing we are the ones making a difference provokes pride in us, and the absence of arbitrary "fruit" from our efforts leads to disillusionment and despair.  It is possible at the root of the youth worker's outburst was unbelief in God and the power to accomplish His good purposes in providing His word.

Could it be God prevented the youth worker's eyes from seeing the profound impact God was making on the lives of young people so he himself would be changed and grow in maturity?  He was a man who had spent much time in a gym and was used to seeing gains in his physique:  perhaps he imagined working with youth should be no different.  People embrace workout routines to achieve goals, yet no amount of effort can change a heart or save a soul.  Jesus compared the word of God to seed that is sown in the soil, and depending on the variety of seeds we observe in nature the germination process is different.  Some seeds spring up quickly in prepared soil and others can be dormant for years because they require the heat of fire to germinate.  Who but God knows what it will take for His good seed to grow and be produce fruit?  There is always a gap of time between sowing and reaping, and let us not lose heart in the meantime.

Jesus said in John 15:1-2, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."  On occasion I have trimmed fruitful citrus trees, and I have found this guarantees the tree will not fruit for at least a year.  Having trimmed the tree myself I expect there to be a season of fruitlessness in a good tree as it redirects nutrients to build stronger limbs to support a greater capacity for fruit.  Jesus says as a Vinedresser the Father takes away branches that do not bear fruit, and the fruitful branches He prunes.  He cuts off a bit of fruitful branches so they will be more fruitful still.  It is Jesus who supplies our spiritual life, vitality and fruitfulness, and God expertly manages the fruitfulness of His people.  This is why "looking for fruit" in the lives of others can be a snare:  it has more to do with what we want to see or feel our efforts deserve rather than what God intends to accomplish according to His divine purposes.

The situation with the disgruntled youth worker who left our church group in a huff provokes the question:  are we looking for fruit in other branches or to the LORD who makes us fruitful?  May the fruit of our lips be seasoned with salt, grace and wisdom as our hearts are yielded in faith to the power of God and His word.  Any fruit we see is not for our encouragement or satisfaction but for God (Romans 7:4).  Galatians 6:9-10 has an exhortation and promise to God's faithful labourers:  "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Eyewitnesses of His Glory

Recently it occurred to me:  unless Jesus was physically seen by eyewitnesses alive after His death and burial, claims to His resurrection would be along the lines of tabloids or sites that claim Elvis is alive.  John wrote concerning Jesus that He is the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us.  John continued in the introduction in 1 John 1:1-3:  "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-- ² the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- ³ that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ."  It is reasonable to give credence to the natural senses God has given us, otherwise the term "eyewitness" becomes meaningless.

Paul wrote that over 500 people saw Jesus alive at one time after His resurrection before ascending into the heavens as one evidence of the resurrection.  The resurrection of Jesus fulfilled prophecy and people watched it unfold in real time, and the observable reality confirmed what God had said.  We live in a day, however, where our God-given powers of observation are challenged and undermined.  It used to be said, "I'll believe it when I see it."  Now we have reached a point where people will not believe even when they see it because they are afraid to fall for falsehoods.  People cite the editing of videos or pictures as reasons not to believe what they see (and fair enough), yet at the same time refer to videos or pictures to as evidence of credible research.  The irony!  When it comes to the resurrection of Jesus the words of Abraham spoke to the rich man about his unbelieving brothers in Luke 16:31 rings true:  "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead."

I was reading Thru the Bible and McGee commented on how widespread the knowledge of Christ's crucifixion was in Jerusalem.  When Jesus incognito approached the travellers to Emmaus and asked them what had happened that made them sad, Cleopas was shocked this stranger had not heard about Christ's crucifixion.  McGee said, "It would be difficult for someone to live in this day and age and not know that someone has been to the moon and back to earth." (McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible, Volume 4. Thomas Nelson, Inc, 1981. page 358) McGee was writing as an eyewitness along with the rest of his generation who had seen the situation unfold in 1969:  television and radio reported on the "space race," interviews were conducted with astronauts, Apollo 11 was seen launching by millions, people were keen to hear and see the successful landing on the moon, and the returning astronauts were picked up by the US Navy after their splashdown as heroes.  Because McGee was an eyewitness of what occurred, he found it difficult to imagine someone in his "day and age" would not know about the moon landing.  Friends, we are in a day and age where people know what they have been told but do not believe despite evidence they can see for themselves.

Only the power of God can break through the unbelief in the heart of men that refuses reason.  We kid ourselves to imagine all the facts, articles, pictures or even eye-witness accounts will have any impact on a heart blinded by unbelief.  Christians are not to be gullible and believe everything we hear or see.  At the same time we should not throw aside the powers of observation and reasoning God has provided so we can confirm the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as true.  What the Bible says and historical, eye witness accounts work together to confirm the truth of what we know and have personally experienced: through faith in our risen Saviour Jesus Christ we have eternal life and fellowship with God and one another.  Our walk with Jesus Christ is by faith and not by sight.  At the same time God has graciously opened our eyes and we ought to wisely use them as eyewitnesses of His glory.

Increasing in Favour with God

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men."

Luke 2:52

The Bible never ceases to amaze.  It can illuminate the darkest heart and reveals hidden motives.  God's word can confront and shock as it exposes our ignorance, misconceptions and our need to personally change in ways impossible to accomplish without the Holy Spirit.  God and His unerring truth thunders forth with a still, small voice.  With one sentence He can send our heads spinning, and that is what He did to me with this familiar verse that literally kept me up at night.

Though Jesus existed before He put on human flesh, His body grew and developed like ours.  As a child our thoughts were simple and concrete before we grew to understand abstract reasoning.  It makes sense Jesus increased in wisdom as He physically grew, a healthy body and mind worked together.  What floored me was how Jesus could possibly increase "in favour with God."  To increase in favour or grace ("charis" in Greek) with men is no surprise, but to increase in favour with God?  How is this possible when God's grace is infinite and already extended in full to His only begotten Son?  Therein lies part of the problem, for it is impossible for us finite beings to comprehend the infinite--though we imagine we understand God's grace because we can concisely define it.  To the contrary:  God's grace is amazing not because we fully comprehend it but because we have received it according to our limited knowledge of God and His word.

Growing in grace is connected with our knowledge of God and grateful submission to Him in faith.  Faith is not a belief system but a life lived according to God's will that requires trust and obedience in Him.  Jesus increased in favour with God as He intentionally took steps to follow Him.  As an infant incapable of making decisions or choices there was not yet opportunity provided to walk in faith.  A child learning to walk provides a good illustration of the walk of faith in following Christ.  It takes time to learn to walk and skillfully balance on two legs, to gain the coordination and strength day by day to stand, walk and run without falling.  A paralysed man can read about walking, understand the physics and the anatomical requirements, yet this knowledge does not empower Him to overcome the disconnect between the brain, nerves and muscles to do it himself.  After a person is born again through faith in God we are able to receive and tap into God's limitless supply of grace He freely gives to all.  It is faith in Jesus that makes us upright and is accounted for righteousness.

See the connection that is made by Peter when he bid believers to consider what kind of people they ought to be and to avoid the errors of people who distort scripture to their own ends.  2 Peter 3:17-18 says, "You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; ¹⁸ but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."  Though God's grace is beyond reckoning, it is something we can grow in according to our knowledge of God and recognision of our total need for Him.  As the body of Jesus grew physically, He grew in grace with God and men.  This was not because He was more deserving because this undermines what grace is:  loving favour freely given and received out of God's goodness which cannot be earned.  If anyone could have earned God's favour, it was Jesus.  He grew in favour with God as He joyfully obeyed His Father in heaven, not thinking His deeds or sacrifices made Him worthy of grace.  Jesus grew in God's favour because He received it by faith and walked according to it.

It is ironic how easily we can be tempted into a performance or works-based arrangement with God when all we are and have received is of God's grace.  John 1:16-17 wrote concerning our Saviour, "And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."  God gives grace again and again and our lives are a testimony of His faithfulness that transcends our circumstances.  Paul was unlawfully imprisoned and it actually turned out for the furtherance of the Gospel.  God allowed a messenger of Satan to buffet Paul and this evil spirit became an unwitting importer of God's grace to him.  God refused to deliver Paul from the troubles he prayed to escape from, and God brought him to a glorious conclusion in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  Paul wanted God to drive away his tormentor, yet God was gracious to use this infirmity to draw Paul to Himself with love.

God's grace is sufficient, of His fulness we have received, and grace for grace.  May we grow in grace and knowledge of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ.  God's grace is without limit, and since human beings are finite it is clear God has grace we have yet to personally experience.  Brothers and sisters, do you see your need to grow in grace?  Let us receive grace, walk in grace and extend it freely to others.  We cannot earn this privilege:  it is a responsibility and calling for all children of God He enables us to walk and rejoice in.