The other documentary was about an ex-military Nepalese man who wanted to set new records and purposefully worked with sherpas (mountain guides) to bring attention to his country’s long history of paving the way for record-breaking men to reach the summit. He once posted a picture of a long line of people waiting to summit Mt. Everest, and it went viral around the globe.

It was so intriguing to see and learn about such differing personalities and approaches to mountaineering in these two men who shared an intense passion for the sport. I couldn’t help but think of Jesus—both the man the crowds wanted Him to be and the Man He actually was and is.

Who the Crowds Were

Before we look at who they thought Jesus was, we need to look at who the crowds were. 

“Likely, they are peasants and farmers and fishermen—the poor, the lower classes of society, the ‘people of the land.’ But they are also tax collectors, … prostitutes, and those labeled ‘sinners’ by the religious powers that be. … They are mostly Israelites, Galileans, and Judeans, people who worship the God of Israel while under occupation by the Roman Empire. But some of them are Gentiles, non-Israelites. … Jesus seems to love the crowds of Galilee. For the most part, he avoids Jerusalem and the larger cities and spends his time near the sea, in the farms and smaller villages.”1

We know from the Gospels that Jesus had compassion “for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Jesus healed their sick and raised their dead. He cast out demons and forgave sins. He spoke to them plainly and in parables.

We also know that the crowds didn’t always know quite what to make of Jesus:

“Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’ And they answered, ‘John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.’ Then he said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ And Peter answered, ‘The Christ of God.’” (Luke 9:18‭-‬20)

Who the Crowds Thought Jesus Was

The name Jesus was most often called by the apostles (besides “Jesus” perhaps) was the word “Christ” from the Greek or the word “Messiah” from Hebrew, both meaning “anointed one”. By the time of Jesus’ ministry, there had been much discussion and speculation among the Jews about the promised messiah (There were, in fact, many proposed messiahs before and after Jesus’ time.).

After the feeding of the five thousand, the crowd exclaimed, “‘This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!’” (John 6:14) And Jesus’ response? “Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.” (v. 15, emphasis added) 

Jesus knew that it wasn’t time for such attention to be drawn to Him, for it was not yet His time to go to the cross. He saw their hearts and knew that they were like the Israelites in 1 Samuel 8 who, even after being warned by Samuel that they were rejecting God as their king said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” (1 Samuel 8:19‭-‬20)

The masses were tired of being under Roman occupation and wanted a king who could overthrow the powers that be and restore Israel as a nation.

Jesus Is So Much More

About a century after Jesus’ death and resurrection, a man named Bar Kochba led troops in an uprising against Rome. As he won some early skirmishes, Jews started to believe that this man was the messiah and would be the deliverer they needed from their Roman oppressors.

“The fight began in earnest in 135 CE— and it was a disaster. Rome crushed the uprising and over half a million Jews were slain and hundreds of thousand more exiled.”2

Even when the Jews got the man they wanted, he wasn’t the Man they needed. Kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall but who we are before the Living God is what will last for eternity. It’s as if the majority of those listening to Jesus’ teaching were crying with the psalmist, “Rise up; come to our help!” (Psalm 44:26a) They were begging Jesus to heal them and feed them and relieve them from the very real struggles they were living in. Jesus saw those needs and was moved to relieve some of their suffering.

But more than rescue from political unrest, the Jews and Gentiles needed to realize their deepest, truest need:

“Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!” (Psalm 44:26b, emphasis added)

We could host a whole series on messianic prophecies, what they meant, and how they have been or will be fulfilled. Pages and pages could be filled detailing cultural context and what the Jews were looking for in a deliverer. The simple truth is that we are the crowds. We all have wanted Jesus to fit into our neat little box of what we think He should be for us. But Jesus is so, so much more.

The Servant King

Jesus came to this world humbly and left this world humbly, as well. The very powers that the people hoped He would overthrow were the ones who asked if He should be crucified or set free. And the crowds who had so recently hailed Him as king on His triumphant entry in Jerusalem were many of the same people who cried “Crucify Him!” He was the unexpected servant King—Son of David, Son of Man, and Son of God—the One who was born to die for the sins of all who would believe in Him. 

One day, this Messiah, this Deliverer will return to rule and reign over all of creation “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10‭-‬11). But for now, He is slowly growing His kingdom on earth, and it starts with our hearts. Jesus deserves to be King of our hearts. How is He calling you to give Him greater reign in your life today?

The post Jesus as Messiah appeared first on Do Not Depart.

Teaching is a difficult job. Teachers come in all shapes and sizes and disguises. They could be an educator, a parent, a family member, a peer, a neighbor – anyone who can take an idea or skill and break it down into digestible parts so another human being can take it in where it can grow and bear fruit in their life. Like I said, teaching is not an easy thing to do!

This month on the blog we’re thinking about teachers. The people who came into our lives and left a mark that leads us to Jesus, the Master Teacher.

Ms. Webster

I am blessed to know many wonderful teachers. At every stage in my life, there have been people who have invested in my growth and led me to seek Jesus.

One such person was Ms. Webster, who taught my daughter’s first-grade class at a University Model School. At a UM school, students are with a teacher three days a week and home with a parent the other two. Sort of a cross between homeschool and private school. Ms. Webster had a way of putting Jesus at the center of everything. When I came to her crying because I couldn’t figure out how to explain a math concept, she came alongside me, encouraging and empowering me in my role as Brooklyn’s teacher.

She wore her authority and knowledge with humility, inviting me into the process and making it possible for me to follow her example.

Jesus, Model Teacher

Luke 6:17-49 records the great teachings of Jesus that we find in Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount.

In the context of his instruction to be careful about judging others, “He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”

Teachers wear a heavy responsibility. Whether it’s their profession, a position they volunteered for, or the natural fit of the relationship, teachers serve as models who can lead to Jesus or away from Him. I am grateful for the teachers in my life who have shown me how to be more like Jesus and I hope I can do the same for the students I encounter.

What teachers have influenced your walk with Jesus? Share in the comments or on the Community Facebook Page!

The post Teachers: Lead Me To Jesus appeared first on Do Not Depart.

John 10 is a fun passage of scripture. My daughter and I memorized verses 7-18 a few years ago as part of our homeschool curriculum. I can still hear the scripture song in my head whenever I review this section.

On the surface, we get what Jesus is saying right away. He is the good shepherd. He lays down His life for us. There are wolves and things out there in the world, but the good shepherd is protecting us and giving us abundant life.

But I’m not frequenting sheep pens or caring for these animals in my regular life. Do we miss part of this metaphor about who Jesus is because we are so far removed from first-century shepherding?

He starts the metaphor in verse 7. “So Jesus again said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.’” (John 10.7, ESV)

Jesus had to say it again to them because His initial parable was not understood (verse 6).   So He tried to make it clearer in a metaphor, comparing Himself to the door of the sheep.

The context for this metaphor is found earlier in chapter 9. Jesus had healed (on the Sabbath!) a man who had been born blind.  The newly-sighted man wound up in hot water with the Pharisees because he was going around telling people Jesus had healed him. They banned the man from the synagogue and when Jesus heard about it, He visited the formerly-blind man and confirmed for him that he was the Son of Man and told (in the hearing of some of the Pharisees) the parable that wasn’t understood (John 10:1-5).

What was Jesus trying to clear up when He said, “I am the door of the sheep”? Did He just mean He was the way?

By kicking the no-longer- blind man out of the synagogue, the Pharisees had blocked his access to God.  They were acting as a door to God.  So when Jesus uses the door to the sheep metaphor, He is saying He is the door. He will decide who has access to God.

Comparing Himself to the door of the sheep was something His listeners would have understood.  Sheep and shepherds were ubiquitous at this time.

The door of the sheep was found on a sheep pen, usually made with stone walls.  In the evenings, the shepherd would bring his sheep there to rest safely.  As they entered through the opening—one at a time, the shepherd used his rod to stop them so he could examine them for injuries.

After all the sheep were in, the shepherd would lie across the opening, using his own body as the “door of the sheep.” This prevented predators from getting in and sheep from getting out. The sheep were completely in the shepherd’s care, trusting him for their protection and security.

What a lovely image of our Savior that is!  By understanding the metaphor as it would have been  in ancient times, we see so much more than just “Jesus is the way.” We see a kind and careful shepherd, who puts Himself in danger to protect us.

But “all we like sheep have gone astray” (Isaiah 53.6), and we don’t always feel satisfied with just a shepherd as our door. We look for other doors to protect us, to offer us security.  Maybe a relationship will finally give us that peace we seek? Or maybe we seek financial security from a job—but it leaves us with little time to serve the kingdom? Trusting these doors will not lead to the abundant life Jesus promised in verse 10.

Only through Him can we find true fulfillment, meaning, and abundant life.

The post Jesus is the Door – it’s a Metaphor appeared first on Do Not Depart.

My life is an open book. Love is an open door. When God closes a door, he opens a window. Laughter is music for the soul. All the world is a stage. These are a few of my favorite… metaphors!

As a writer, homeschool mom, and perpetual student of the Bible, I have come to adore language, most especially when it is used to tell our stories. Story is easily the most accessible form of human communication because stories speak first to the heart, engaging the emotions, and then to the mind, inviting participation. Stories reveal the relationship between people and places and things and one very effective, often unassuming tool used to connect people and things in a story is the Metaphor.

Not a Simile but Similar

A metaphor is a figure of speech comparing two things, using something known to explain or describe something unknown (similes are a type of metaphor that use the words as or like in the comparison).

If we were to meet in the grocery store and I tell you my kids are a barrel of monkeys today, thanks to metaphor you’ll know they haven’t literally changed from human to animal, but that their behavior is wild and probably driving me crazy! If I tell you they’re growing like weeds, you’ll know I mean they’re growing quickly. And if you chuckle and remind me that childhood is a candle in the wind, I’ll know you’re reminding me how short and precious these years are.

Metaphors slip easily into our daily conversations and they are an important feature of Scripture too.

“If we don’t understand how metaphor works we will misunderstand most of what we read in the Bible.”

(Eugene Peterson, Eat This Book)

Meta-Poetical

Jesus frequently taught through parables (short stories intended to illustrate wisdom or truth – see some examples here) but he also used metaphors. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), he calls his disciples salt, light, a lamp, and a city on a hill. He teaches us to be like the sparrows and the lilies and warns against false prophets who are wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Each visual adds to the overall picture, giving us a glimpse of who we are and how we are meant to interact with the world.

He follows a long tradition of Hebrew poets (about 1/3 of the Bible is written in poetry!), using familiar imagery to connect feelings to truth and to give shape to abstract concepts.

“For one thing, God’s action and presence among us is so beyond our comprehension that sober description and accurate definition are no longer functional. The levels of reality here are so beyond us that they compel extravagance of language.” (Peterson)

Miraculous Metaphor

When considering the structure of Hebrew poetry, its use of parallelism and metaphor, C.S. Lewis writes, “It is…a wise provision of God’s that poetry which was to be turned into all languages should have as its chief formal characteristic one that does not disappear (as mere meter does) in translation” (Reflections on the Psalms)

Despite thousands of years and miles and the differences in geography and culture that separate us from the world of the ancient authors of Scripture, we modern readers can access the same thoughts and feelings that occupied them through the sharing of common pictures like rocks, eagles, trees, streams, lions, and lambs.

This month on the blog we will be exploring some of our favorite metaphors for and from Scripture and considering together how these images illuminate our understanding of God so we can deepen our relationship with Him.

Thanks for coming on this journey with us! (That’s a metaphor!)

The post Metaphorically Speaking: Exploring Metaphor in Scripture appeared first on Do Not Depart.

It was the summer of 1996. I was in middle school, attending camp with my youth group in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. To say that it’s beautiful is an understatement. My time at that camp remains one of the most formative times of my faith. Those “mountain top experiences” set the stage for deep growth in my relationship with Christ. Surrounded by the majesty of creation I learned how to be still and worship. 

“The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it. – Nahum 1:5

I remember spending one of the morning quiet times outside under a tree, awestruck by the serenity of the lake, when a tiny ant caught my eye. Something about the smallness of the ant struck me. The mountain in its grandeur; the ant in its ordinary simplicity; both spoke volumes about the One who Created them. 

“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” Romans 1:19-20

Meeting God as Creator, an artist, helped me understand myself and how I could live a life that brings glory to God. 

What does it mean that God is an artist? 

A basic but useful definition for art is a skill, craft, or craftsmanship. An artist is one skilled in a particular task or occupation. Throughout history artists are responsible for making the things that tell our story. Artists communicate what happened, how we feel about what is happening, and what we hope will happen. 

God made everything from nothing and everything He made is both purposeful and beautiful.  He tells us our story. (Psalm 19:1)

At the end of each day of creation, God reflected on what He had made and declared that it was “good” (Genesis 1:4). When mankind grew more corrupt, He felt grief and regret. He experiences the journey and feels alongside us (Genesis 6:6).

Though we did nothing to deserve it, He made a way for us to be restored to Him, fulfilling the ultimate hope for our future (John 3:16-17). 

What does it mean to bear God’s image as an Artist? 

We may not all be professionals, painting, sculpting or singing for a living, but we are made in the image of a creator so we are always making something. We make order from chaos by living intentionally and setting goals. We cultivate our homes and relationships. We balance checkbooks, make discoveries, sing in the shower, and tell each other our stories, remembering, laughing, and crying together.

Because we carry His image as artists 

• We craft our lives with excellence “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
• We think and reflect on the things we see and interact with. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8
• We communicate who He is by telling our story “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

In many small ways, we are all artists. Like Adam naming the animals, we participate with God in the continuous work of creation, declaring that He is good.

The post Reflecting God in the Art of Everyday appeared first on Do Not Depart.

This year has been quite tumultuous for most people. We’ve been confronted with a huge amount of suffering, fear, loss, insecurity, injustice, anger, and heartache in the last several months. When things seem to improve a little, another wave comes along. It can feel like almost minute to minute, the ground shifts from under our feet.

It’s easy to see it all and wonder, “What security do I really have? Where do I stand?” 

There’s a hymn that reminds me that no matter how the sands of the world shift, I stand on the Rock.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand. 

A Wise Builder

Edward Mote penned those words in his hymn, ”My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less,” well over 100 years ago. His words serve as a beautiful illustration of Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish builders (Luke 6:46-49). 

A foolish builder might approach the water’s edge and think the close proximity to life-giving water is good enough. But sadly, that puts a foolish builder on the unstable, sandy shore. When the rains come, his house floods, sands shift, and the house collapses. The foolish builder in the parable represents someone who appears to come to Jesus but never does what He commands.

Mote’s words emphasize Jesus’ teachings that a wise builder hopes in and follows Jesus. As saved Christians, we’ve all chosen the solid Rock. Digging deep into the high Rock of Jesus gives us stability! Through the constant, steady nature of God, we can find hope when our world shifts. All of God’s promises are true, His commands are good, and His ways are best. Always!

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke 6:46-49)

It is only through Christ that we will ever find true healing, stability, peace, and hope. Jesus alone offers us security. This security dwells within a Believer’s heart now, and will come to complete fruition in eternity.

How Did Mote Know?

Edward Mote grew up as a non-Believer. Because his parents were busy managing a pub, he entertained himself by playing in the streets of London. He is reported to have said,

“So ignorant was I that I did not know that there was a God.”

But by the grace of God, Mote heard a sermon preached and gave his life to Jesus. He even entered the ministry in his 50’s and served for almost 30  years, in addition to writing 100’s of hymns.

Yes, he personally knew what it was like to live a life without the hope of Christ. And I’m sure he saw many people turn to “sandy soil” rather than digging deep and settling on the Solid Rock.

Here are more lyrics to this beautiful hymn that express the hope we have in a “stormy” and unstable world:

When darkness veils his lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
His oath, his covenant, his blood
Supports me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

When Darkness Veils His Lovely Face

As I said earlier, there is so much in our world that we could allow to “veil Jesus’ face.” Yet, we must remember, His grace is unchanging and He is our anchor. Christ’s blood supports, cleanses, and redeems us. 

When everything around us seems to give way, we must continually look to Him and be rooted in Him. Then we can remain standing… on the Solid Rock!

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore… (Ephesians 6:13, 14a)

How have you been reminded of the strength and stability of the Rock lately? Let us know in the comments.

In Christ, our Solid Rock,
Ali

When the ground shifts under your feet, you might ask “What security do I really have? Where do I stand?” Let’s look to the hymn My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less to see that we stand on the Solid Rock. #HIStoriesBehindTheHymn
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What is Love?

We’ve written about love a lot here on DoNotDepart. Just type in “love” in the searchbar on our homepage and scroll through. 

I like this definition from Patti on love from this post: 

“…from a Christian worldview, love is not a feeling, it is a choice lived out in action.

In order to love in Jesus’ way, we have to understand His true definition of love. When we look at the truth given to us in Scripture, and modeled by Him in His earthly ministry, it is clear that love means serving.”

The Greek word used in the New Testament in agape. It has a different meaning than what our culture equates love with nowadays. Patti wrote about it right here.  I really recommend reading that post if you have time! If not, here’s the bones: 

“Agapé love is not based on merit or emotion. Agapé is a choice; a choice that God made when we least deserved it, and a choice that He asks you and I to make every day.” 

Do you see that word, choice? It really stands out to me! God commands me to show love, but I have to make the choice to obey. When I do, I enjoy the benefit of a better relationship with those I’m loving, and the Father I’m obeying.

God commands me to show love, but I have to make the choice to obey. Who should I love? Where do I get that love? And How can I love better? #FruitoftheSpirit
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Who Should We Love

So, who should we love? Kelli answered this question while looking at 1 John 3:11-18 and 1 John 4:7-11. She tells us that there is no denying the fact that we are supposed to love our brothers.

And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. (1 John 4:21)

And Jesus himself gave both this command and this answer to the lawyer who tested Him: 

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:35)

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”  (Luke 10:27) 

In that second verse, Jesus was quoting Levitical law. If you read Leviticus 19:18 you’ll see the original, and if you follow down to Leviticus 19:33-34, you’ll see this:

When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19:33-34)

In other words, the command to love others meant to love all others. This is also what Jesus taught in the Parable of the Good Samaritan when he was asked, “But who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29) The answer is:  Everyone.

Clarke’s Commentary says,

our Lord shows here, that the acts of kindness which a man is bound to perform to his neighbor when in distress, he should perform to any person, of whatever nation, religion, or kindred, whom he finds in necessity.

Where Do We Get Godly Love?

I think each one of us could say that we don’t always feel like loving others.

Sometimes I give love easily, but not always. Sometimes I put my wants or feelings first, or I feel too tired to do yet another thing for someone else. Or I feel grouchy and like the other person doesn’t even deserve my efforts. 

How wrong of me! If I follow only my feelings, those same feelings that lead me to loving well can lead me into not loving at all. Instead of following only feelings, I need to choose to follow God.

Despite unpredictable feelings, I can tell you this:  the Spirit gives us nudges to be loving. Yes, even when I don’t feel like loving, I know I should because of His reminders. I just have to listen and obey. Like Patti said, it’s a choice! 

Whether we don’t feel like giving love or we are loving someone difficult, we can pray and ask God to guide and empower us. He is faithful! I firmly believe He will answer that prayer and give us opportunities to love better and offer His wise counsel to help us.

How to Love Better

My grandson is an active toddler. He runs with excitement, but if he’s tired or distracted, he trips over his sweet, busy feet and falls.

Sometimes we fall or fail, too, but we must pick ourselves up and go again.

In the introduction to this series, Patti wrote:

 The remarkable blessing of belonging to [Jesus] is that the closer we stick to Him, the more deeply we abide in Him, the more He makes these things true of us.

As a Vine-abider (see John 15:1-17), I want to allow Him to work sanctification in me. I want to stay firmly attached to Him and bear fruit for His glory!

The characteristic of love is a fruit of the Spirit that I want to bear well. I desire to love others better, so here are some questions that I’m asking myself. I hope they help you, too.

1. Am I being an example of God’s love to those around me? (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
2. Am I sharing Jesus with others? (Matthew 28:19)
3. Am I counting others as more significant than myself? (Phil 2:3-7)
4. Am I seeing others the way God does? (2 Corinthians 5:14-21)
5. Am I “washing feet?” (John 13:1-17)
6. Am I seeking opportunities to love actively? (Not just emotionally?) (Luke 11:28, Matthew 25:35-40)
7. Am I apologizing sincerely when I mess up? (Matthew 5:23-24)

I’m praying that Jesus can say of both you and I that,

 …everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:35)

Who can you love today? What makes loving others easy for you? What makes it hard? Pray for the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Make the choice today to obey His nudges.

Who should I love? Where do I get that love? And How can I love better? Read more at DoNotDepart.com #FruitoftheSpirit
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Read More:

We wrote an entire series about loving others. Check it out here!

Wondering what agape love really is? Find out here.

Want to teach your kids to love? Read how to Teach Kids to Be Missionally Minded.

The post Love: A Characteristic of the Spirit’s Fruit appeared first on Do Not Depart.

This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet:
“I will open my mouth in parables;
I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.” Matthew 13:35

We enjoyed lingering over and discussing Jesus’ words with you in our Facebook community group. Lent and Easter 2019 have passed, but God’s Word and Hs resurrection power continue to work in our lives. Here’s a recap of our Lenten study.

40 Days with The Storyteller – A New Reading Plan for Lent (Luke 5:33-38): We began with an introduction to Lent, the reading plan, and DoNotDepart resources. Ali looked at how Jesus fulfilled the law and makes all things new.

Pictures of a Christ Follower. Parables for Lent. (Matthew 5:13-15, Luke 6:46-49, Luke 7:36-47): Jamie asked us to consider how Christians can be influencers in a sin-sick world, to dig deep into faith for a sure foundation, and live with gratitude for redeeming grace.

Why Do You Have So Much Stuff? {Lent Readings} (Luke 12:15-21, Luke 12:35-40, Luke 12:41-48): Lisa encouraged us to make more room for God, make margin in our lives so we can max out on the gifts He gives us, and to the gifts God gives us to bless others.

Field Tested: Lessons on Living in the Kingdom of Heaven (Luke 13:6-9, Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23, Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43): Cheli shared that those who live in the Kingdom of Heaven repent, allow God’s Word to transform them, and persevere in hope.

Parables of the Kingdom {40 Days With the Storyteller} (Mark 4:26-29, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-50, 51-52): Patti reminded us that God’s Kingdom is capable of growing within us, a place where a little faith can be mighty, that the riches of the kingdom are found in God Himself, and a place where God’s Word continually yields new treasure.

Choosing Best: Love, Mercy, Service, and Forgiveness (John 10:1-18, Luke 17:7-10, Matthew 18:23-25, Luke 10:29-42): Ali challenged us to “choose best” based on God’s priorities: love, mercy, service and forgiveness.

How Do We Respond to the Heart of God? (Luke 11:5-10, Luke 14:7-14, 15-24, Luke 15:8-10): Jamie caused us to consider responding to the heart of God by extending help even when it’s inconvenient, exercising humility, accepting Christ’s invitation, and rejoicing when the lost are found.

Is There Grace in Accounting? (Luke 14:25-33, Matthew 18:10-14, Luke 15:11-19): Lisa pointed out in three parables “how God tilts grace in our favor.” We come up short, and He gives an overflow of grace.

Lessons on Grace and Mercy (Luke 15:20-32, Luke 16:1-13, 19-31): Cheli reflected on God’s desire to restore and extend mercy and challenged us to consider if our values match God’s values.

Our Gracious God Hears (Matthew 20:1-16, Luke 18:1-8, Luke 18:9-14) From this series of parables, Patti reminded us that our sovereign God hears our prayers when life is unfair, to pray with persistence because God is trustworthy, and to bring Him every request, no matter how humble, because He cares for us.

How He Loves Us: God Pursues the Undeserving (Luke 19:12-26, Matthew 21:28-32, 33-46): Ali encouraged us to make use of what God has given, that God wants our yielded heart more than outward obedience, and that despite being rejected by mankind, He pursued the cross to make us His own.

Take Care: the danger of indifference (Matthew 22:1-14, Matthew 25:31-40, Matthew 24:32-34): Jamie urged us to honor our Bridegroom, Jesus; to beware of apathy towards those in need, and to trust God because all of nature takes its cue from Him.

When You Can’t Trust Time, Trust God (Matthew 24:36-44, 45-51, Matthew 25:1-13): Lisa called us to trust God because He is always with us and He always shows up on time. She added, “we walk steadier when we keep our eyes on Jesus, not on the clock.”

Recap of the 2019 Lenten Reading Plan, #40DaysWithTheStoryteller
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We hope you will continue to engage in God’s Word and in discussion with us through your comments here and in our community Facebook page through the rest of the year.

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What happens when you can’t trust time?

Join us for Days 38-40 of our Lenten readings.

We’re in our last three days of Lent readings. As we prepare our hearts for Resurrection Sunday, these stories from Jesus can lead us into a deeper level of trust despite the unknown.

When we can’t trust time—and we can’t control it or change it or predict it—we can place our trust in God’s goodness.

1. When You Don’t Know the Time, Stay Awake

Read Matthew 24:36-44 for Thursday, Day 38

We just don’t know when some things will happen. There were “whens” that God didn’t even tell Jesus when He was living in our time zone.

When Jesus was telling His listeners about His future coming in these scriptures, He said that no one knew the hour—or even the day—that it would be; only God knew.

But Jesus didn’t leave them (or us) without instruction in the waiting. When you don’t know when something is coming, stay awake for it. Be ready.

In big and small ways, the Master comes to us every day. And He often comes when we don’t expect Him. Maybe it’s through a sister’s email or a baby’s babbling or a spring lightning storm. But if we’ll stay vigilant, we’ll be ready to welcome His arrival.

Trust that Jesus always comes, is always here, and we won’t be caught off-guard.

2. When You Can’t See Him Working, Do Your Work Now

Read Matthew 24:45-51 for Friday, Day 39

Who is put in charge? Ideally, it’s the one who will do the work. The one who is dependable. The one who is responsible. With or without the tangible presence of the boss.

In this story we see the workers throwing a party when the boss is out of town. When the boss shows up—unannounced and unexpected—the workers get thrown out.

We typically do not know when the Lord will act. When will He restore what was lost? When will He bring closure to a distressing situation? When will He deliver us from a difficult season of life?

We can’t know His timing. But we can know this: He will show up right on time. And when He does, will He find us faithful? Will we still be trusting, still be loving, still be holding hope?

When we don’t see God working in our Friday, let’s do our work now anyway. Do the good we know to do. We’ll be blessed when Sunday arrives and the Master’s behind-the-scenes work becomes visible.

3. When You’re Out of Time, Know He’s Coming

Read Matthew 25:1-13 for Saturday, Day 40

This final reading is the parable of the Ten Wise and Foolish Virgins. We’re reminded how easy it is to misallocate our resources, including under or overestimating our time. Five of the young virgins used all their oil quickly and their lamps burned out. But the other five brought extra supplies of oil, and even though the bridegroom was delayed, their candles were still lit.

Timing is rarely up to us.

But even though we don’t know when, we can trust who.

If we keep our eyes on the person of Jesus Christ, knowing that He will always come through for us, we can keep our lamps of hope burning. Even when He’s late in our estimation, we won’t run out of reserves to believe in Him.

Watch Jesus, Not the Clock

Our clocks and our calendars can help us manage our time, but they are inadequate to prepare us for life’s uncertainty.

Whether we’re in a day of walking to the tomb with Jesus or walking out of it, we’ll walk steadier when we keep our eyes on Jesus, not on the clock.

When we rely most on who we know, the when matters much less.

Don’t be a clock-watcher. You can’t trust when; trust who. #40DaysWithTheStoryteller
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Do you always know what time and day it is? How do you remain flexible with the Lord’s plans? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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Two days ago we celebrated Palm Sunday, the day marking Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The people spread branches and cloaks on the ground, cheering for the man who would free them from the tyranny of Rome. Of course Jesus was always clear, he had come to free them from much more. There is an urgency in his parables as he prepares his disciples for the end of his time on earth, reminding them of what is most important.

Day 35: Matthew 22:1-14

You might be thinking this story sounds pretty similar to a parable we’ve already read, and you’re right! (Luke 14:15-24, day 21 of our Lent readings). But in Matthew’s account, Jesus expands the metaphor.

The invited guests snub the invitation (and mistreat his servants like in the parable of the Wicked Tenants) so the King, after avenging the deaths of his servants, opens the invitation to everyone – good or bad. He has made the feast ready and everyone is invited to come and receive.

In verse 11 the King looks around and sees someone who has come to the feast but is not wearing the wedding garment. I appreciated this explanation from Got Questions.org:

This was Jesus’ way of teaching the inadequacy of self-righteousness. From the very beginning, God has provided a “covering” for our sin. To insist on covering ourselves is to be clad in “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Adam and Eve tried to cover their shame, but they found their fig leaves to be woefully scant. God took away their handmade clothes and replaced them with skins of (sacrificed) animals (Genesis 3:7, 21). In the book of Revelation, we see those in heaven wearing “white robes” (Revelation 7:9), and we learn that the whiteness of the robes is due to their being washed in the blood of the Lamb (verse 14). We trust in God’s righteousness, not our own (Philippians 3:9).

Day 36: Matthew 25:31-40

In today’s parable Jesus talks about the judgement of the nations. When he comes in glory he will divide the nations into sheep and goats. The sheep, representing God’s children (see John 10) are distinguished by their love of others. The goats are set apart, not because they are wicked and do evil things, but because they didn’t take the time to care. Like the man who came to the feast and wore his own clothing, the goats were indifferent and unchanged by the grace of the gospel.

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

Day 37: Matthew 24:32-34

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. ” Matthew 24:32

When life gets stressful and hard, I find it helpful to burry my head, not in the sand to ignore the world around me, but in the ordinary things of life so I can remember what is truly important. Reading the Bible, playing with my children, washing the dishes, watering the plants. There is comfort in the natural things God has made for us. The simple routine of sunrise, sunset, and all the little things that make up the time in between. As Jesus tells his disciples what to expect in the coming days and beyond, he shows them the fig tree. An unassuming, beautiful reminder that everything follows a natural order, exactly as God has designed it to do.

As we continue our last few Lenten readings and prepare to celebrate our Savior’s resurrection, let’s remember to put on the wedding garment of Christ, take care of our neighbors, and watch the fig tree.

Psalm 32:1 “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”

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