Monday Ten

This week, I've offering ten observations about God, Jesus and the Church. Let's get started.

1. In Matthew 28, we read: Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This is the Great Commission. Sadly, the church in America tends to treat it as the Great Suggestion.

2. In Matthew 16, Jesus says, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Translation: Jesus gave His church access to His incredible power. In America, many times we ignore what Jesus can do and settle for the stuff that we can manage.

3. Same chapter, a few verses later, Jesus says, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Yet, in our churches today, we'd rather let someone else do the hard stuff while we sit idly in our comfort zone.

4. Matthew 16:2-3, Jesus proves the old adage is true, "Red sky in the morning, sailor's take warning. Red sky at night, sailor's delight."

5. John 2 recounts the first miracle of Jesus' public ministry. He was invited to a party. Okay, that isn't as much a miracle as his turning water into wine, but the point is that Jesus was a likable guy, and people liked having him around. Unlikable people don't get invited to weddings.

6. Many people like the picture of Jesus that is humble and peaceful. Jesus is showing us how to live. But, I like the Revelation 19 picture of Jesus where it says, "With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." That's ULTIMATE FIGHTER JESUS. And, He is totally awesome.

7. In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of the prodigal son. In the story, the younger son is representative of the sinner, and the older brother represents the religious establishment. The older brother would have run the younger off is he had his way. Fortunately, there is a Father who runs to the younger to bring him back to the family. When encountering those who don't know Jesus, how do you interact? Are you father-like or older brother-ish?

8. John 12:7, Jesus shows incredible respect to women when Judas gets upset that Mary (sister of Martha and Lazarus) pour expensive perfume on Christ. His words, "Leave her alone." What do you do when people attack well meaning folks? Do you let the attack continue, or step in and tell the attackers to "leave them alone?"

9. Mark 3:13-19 lists Jesus' disciples. Even by today's standards, this is a bunch of misfits wouldn't be selected for anything spiritual. That's a testimony to the power of Jesus to transform ordinary people into extraordinary people.

10. Mark 6 recounts that Jesus sent out his disciples to preach and conduct ministry. Verses 12-13 say, "They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them." This means that even Judas cast out demons and healed sick people in the name of Jesus. Sadly, that wasn't enough to keep him from committing the cruelist act recorded in human history.