I’ve been a little out of the loop this week…preparing for this Sunday’s sermon…….I know a lost frog and a beachgirl that asked two great questions to reflect on……here they are:

“obligations or opportunities…what defines your life?“

“What does focusing ourselves on God really look like? “

Think about these…….mull them over…..what do you think?

Bible Difficulties: Acts 9:7 / Acts 22:9 ”The Conversion of Saul: A Contradiction?”

I was asked about the apparent contradiction in the Bible concerning the conversion of Saul, otherwise known as the apostle Paul. The seeming contradiction stems from the fact that in Acts 9:7 it is stated that the men with Saul heard a voice, while the same story recounted later in Acts 22:9 states that they did not hear a voice. Let’s first look at the Scriptures in question: 

Acts 9:7 King James Version (KJV):
And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
Acts 9:7 New International Version (NIV):
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.
Acts 9:7 Revised Standard Version (RSV):
The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
Acts 9:7 New Living Translation (NLT):
The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one!

Acts 22:9 King James Version (KJV):
And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
Acts 22:9 New International Version (NIV):
My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.
Acts 22:9 Revised Standard Version (RSV):
Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
Acts 22:9 New Living Translation (NLT):
The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me.

These verses, in both chapters are a part of the story of the conversion of Saul. While I do not see in this case that the overall story itself helps us solve the mystery, I think it important to at least be familiar with the context:

Acts 9:1-9 (NIV)    (KJV) (RSV) (NLT)
1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

Acts 22:6-11 (NIV)  (KJV) (RSV) (NLT)
6 “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’ 8 ” ‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. “ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.

 10 “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. “‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.

One thing that I would point out is that the writer of both these stories in Acts was and disciple of Paul, the Gentile physician, Luke. It would be rather odd that a man with an eye for the detail and accuracy that is displayed throughout his Gospel as well as the book of Acts, would include such a contradiction……if indeed there were one. This would lead us to look at the original language (as we are only reading translations).

<<—–Luke

The key to this mystery lies in the meaning and use of the Greek word for “hear”. This word is “akouo“. This word can mean both “hear a sound” and also “to hear with understanding”, depending on how it is used in the sentence. If you look closely at the above translations, both the NIV as well as the NLT (and others) translate the Greek word “akouo” properly as “understand” which removes the contradiction.

I would note that these travelers that were with Paul probably heard a sound, not a voice, much like the Gospel of  John, chapter 12:28-29:

28 ……Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

Specifically, the Greek word “akouo” in Acts 9:7 is used in the genitive case meaning “to hear a sound”. In Acts 22:9, the word “akouo” is used in the accusative case “to hear with understanding.” So……the travelers with Saul heard the sound (Acts 9:7) but did not understand what Christ said (Acts 22:9).

The Kingdom of Heaven-The Kingdom of God     Luke 9:60 / Luke 9:62
“The Cost of Discipleship”

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8) (Part 9) (Part 10) (Part 11) (Part 12) (Part 13) (Part 14) (Part 15) (Part 16) (Part 17) (Part 18) (Part 19) (Part 20) (Part 21) (Part 22) (Part 23) (PART 24) (Part 25) (Part 26) (Part 27)(Part 28) (Part 29) (Part 30) (Part 31) (Part 32) (Part 33)(Part 34) (Part 35) (Part 36) (Part 37) (Part 38) (Part 39) (Part 40) (Part 41) (Part 42) (This is Part 43)

This particular scene is one of those “hard sayings” that many struggle with. As I read these verses, I struggled also to understand precisely what Jesus was saying and why it seemed so harsh. First, I would like to share something that I have discovered about studying Scripture……”focus”. Just like when we glance at a painting on the wall, to understand the deepest meaning and fully appreciate the painting, often we must take the time to look closely and “focus” on the detail. Scripture is the same way. So, how do we “focus” on Scripture? I always encourage people to read a passage of Scripture, read it again, come back in the morning or later in the evening and read again. About this time…the Scripture should begin to come into “focus”. It also helps to seek out two or three commentary views and to look at the meanings of key words in the original language. The beauty begins to emerge in small details that we have often simply read over before. Let’s look closer at the Gospel of Luke, chapter 9, verses 57-62:

57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

In this Scripture, Jesus responds to three would-be disciples. Interestingly, in none of the three cases is it revealed whether the would-be disciple followed Jesus. Let’s look at the first would-be disciple:

57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

These two verses are also recounted in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 8, verses 19 and 20. Note here that Matthew identifies the would be disciple as a “teacher of the Law”, otherwise known as a Scribe. This Jewish Scribe recognized Jesus authority and has most probably seen Jesus’ miracles and had seemingly already formed an expectation that by following Jesus, he would gain considerable worldly advantage. Jesus, in true form obviously senses and knows this…..look at what He tells the Scribe: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Jesus proclaims His poverty and dashes the hopes of this “worldly” Scribe. We must always remember that to follow Christ, is not an immediate way to glory. In many ways, it is a homeless adventure of faith. I believe that in this simple answer to the Scribe, Jesus was simply saying that office and power do not make a person great. Service does. To be a disciple of Jesus, a person must serve God and other people. The greatest disciple will be the greatest servant. One of Jesus’ points here is also that in order to truly follow Him, we must be prepared to give up much in the worldly realm (things that others consider necessities). We must always realistically count the cost because, upon following Christ, there will still be trials and there is personal sacrifice.

Let’s look at the second would-be disciple:

59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

The first would-be disciple, the Scribe, went to Jesus. In this case, Jesus goes to the second would-be disciple. To better understand this passage, let’s first look at a little background cultural information. In ancient times, a proper burial of the dead was a sacred duty. In a family, one of the most important duties of the eldest son was his father’s burial. In fact, this was consummate with the commandment to honor one’s father and mother. I have read that this expression is used even today in the Middle East, to indicate the eldest son’s responsibility to remain with his family until the father dies so he can settle his estate.

Okay……here is where a little “focus” comes in….look closely at is said, the man ask Jesus, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” This seems like a pretty straightforward request………however, if the man’s father were dead…he wouldn’t be there……he would be home, mourning and preparing the burial of his father. So, I asked myself….what could this man be asking? Jesus’ seemingly harsh answer to this man recognized that his reason for not following Christ was essentially a rejection. 

I believe that Jesus answer to this man, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” is best taken to mean “Leave the (spiritually) dead to bury the (physically) dead”. The point was that proclaiming the kingdom of God was so important that it could not wait.

True discipleship requires instant action; the responsibilities of the kingdom cannot be put off until a “better time.” Jesus did not teach people to forsake responsibilities to family, but he often gave commands to people in light of their real motives. Perhaps this man wanted to delay following Christ and used his father as an excuse. There is a cost to following Jesus, and each follower must be ready to serve, even when it requires sacrifice. (1)

The third would-be disciple also seeks after Jesus and ask to follow Him: “61 Still another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’ “

This encounter with a would-be disciple reminds me of when Elijah called Elisha in 1 Kings 19-19-21. Here, Elijah allows Elisha to say goodbye to his family, however, as we see here, Jesus’ call is much more radical than the call of the prophet Elijah.

In ancient days, putting ones hand to the plow signified the conducting of business. I believe that what Jesus is telling us is that anyone who makes a decision to follow Him must not look back, but must look forward to the business at hand….serving God and serving people. To be called by God, to follow Christ as a close disciple, is much like a marriage……it is, in my mind, a covenant relationship in which we must leave much behind and serve with all our heart and all our soul. To keep our eye on the plow means to keep our eye on the path so that the furrow doesn’t become crooked. The message of the kingdom of heaven/the kingdom of God is more important than anything else. It is a commitment that requires all of our heart. I believe that Jesus is not asking us to abandon our family relationships here but to understand the importance of the message of the kingdom of heaven/the kingdom of God as well the perspective. Indeed, so very often our relationships are a team effort of service in the kingdom….family, friends and raising/leading our family is service in the kingdom. This man approached Jesus and asked to follow Him, yet there was an obvious reluctance and hesitation on his part. There were things he felt he needed to do first. If we put other things before Jesus, before the message of the kingdom, who knows what might deter us from the task at hand. Who knows what this attitude might mean in the years to come if a precedent is set that service for the kingdom can be put off in pursuit of other matters. Jesus is simply saying, “no”, this was not the type of follower he needs. We must look to God first, we must follow with all our heart, body and soul. We must be prepared to sacrifice and we must not look back. I believe that in doing this, God takes care of the rest.

As we have looked at all three of these would-be disciples, they sum up what our decision to follow Jesus as His disciples involves. We choose His will over our own comfort or even our material security. We choose His will over even the most intimate of personal and family relationships. And we give our total, absolute attention to serving Him. 

Today’s CLUE: The message of the kingdom of Heaven/the kingdom of God is important above all else. It is a commitment of all of our heart, body and soul. True discipleship requires instant action. We cannot put off the kingdom until there is a better time….the time is now. We must be ready to serve God and to serve others now.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

 (1) Life Application Bible Commentary

The Kingdom of Heaven-The Kingdom of God     Luke 9:11
“Feeding the Five Thousand”

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8) (Part 9) (Part 10) (Part 11) (Part 12) (Part 13) (Part 14) (Part 15) (Part 16) (Part 17) (Part 18) (Part 19) (Part 20) (Part 21) (Part 22) (Part 23) (PART 24) (Part 25) (Part 26) (Part 27)(Part 28) (Part 29) (Part 30) (Part 31) (Part 32) (Part 33)(Part 34) (Part 35) (Part 36) (Part 37) (Part 38) (Part 39) (Part 40) (Part 41) (This is Part 42)

This is another short story, yet it is full in deep meaning. Can we feed thousands from what God has blessed us with? Let’s take a look at the Gospel of Luke, chapter 9, verses 10-17:

10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. 12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”

13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish–unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14 (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everybody sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

In the beginning here, verse 10, we see that Jesus and the apostles withdrawal by themselves. Though they tried to find time alone, in my mind, probably to regroup, share stories and for Jesus to teach upon their ministering, they hard time shaking the throngs of people who, by this time, were following Jesus. What did Jesus do? He welcomed them and continued to speak to them about the kingdom of God….he healed those that needed healing and accepted all that followed.

What I see here that is so important is Jesus’ attitude. There are people all around us that are hungry…..not only hungry for food (as with the homeless), but people that are hungry for emotional healing (maybe they just need a listening ear), people who are hungry for physical healing (maybe they need a little help buying medicine or paying a doctor bill), people who are hungry for spiritual healing (maybe they just need to hear the Good news of the Kingdom of God). Jesus did not walk away from those who were hungry, he did not simply pity them and feel sorry for them. Jesus didn’t thank his lucky stars that He had made better choices in life. Jesus didn’t judge them and determine that they are responsible for their plight and therefore were “on their own”. Jesus also did not look at their sinful lives and insulate Himself from them.

Jesus met these people WHERE THEY WERE in every instance that I can find. Jesus simply loved them and healed them. Can we do that today? While we may not think we can “heal” people miraculously…we can pray with them, we can listen to them, we can share with them the Good News of the kingdom of God.

I believe that we CAN miraculously provide for thousands of people, just as Jesus did, starting with our few loaves and fishes. Now, I know that you are starting to say, whoa…..hold on a minute here…”I” can’t do anything miraculously. Only Jesus could do that! I beg to differ. By allowing God to “work through us”, we can do miracles.

When you pray with people, urge them to pray for you and to pray for others. When you help someone by buying them a meal…..urge them to take what’s left over and share it with someone else who is hungry. When you listen to someone as they pour out their heart….urge them to listen to another. When you share the Good News of the kingdom of God….urge them to share also. When you help someone financially, tell them that you expect nothing in return…..but urge them to pass it on, to look for a need a to fill it. By allowing God to work through us we can perform miraculous healings in this way. Just as those few fishes and loaves multiplied to feed thousands…… God’s blessings of others through you can feed tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousand and millions. God can do anything…and, I believe….He often chooses “us” to do the work.

The hungry do not need our pity. They need our compassion and our commitment to act to meet their needs. The hungry masses of our world long for someone to show unselfish compassion. Just as Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the hungry, and He met their need…….we too can help multiple the loaves and the fishes in a hungry world. I would note that we too are “fed” by feeding.

When Jesus was faced with the overwhelming needs of thousands….He didn’t say, “we can’t”, Jesus took what little He had and transformed it into “more than enough”. The Holy Spirit takes it from there. We are to step out in the faith of Jesus Christ and follow His teachings, to follow by “feeding” those around us. In return, not only will we be fed…….the world will be fed and the kingdom of God will reign.

I would also note verses 16 and 17: “16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” All that we have…whether physical, financial, mental or spiritual…….God has given us. So, when we take that which God has given us and we prepare to share it by “feeding” those in need……look up to heaven, realize the source, and give thanks. There is a promise in this…look at that promise. God promises that all will eat and be satisfied and that there will be some left over. Do unto others….simply ask them to “pass it on” and this will be multiplied, just like the loaves and the fish.

The kingdom of God was a focal point of Jesus’ teaching. He explained that it was not just a future kingdom; it was among them, embodied in him, the Messiah. Even though the kingdom will not be complete until Jesus comes again in glory, believers do not have to wait to taste it. The kingdom of God begins in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus. It is as present today as it was in Judea almost two thousand years ago. (1)

Today’s CLUE: Again, we see again that Jesus’ primary mission was to bring people to a place of decision to have faith in God, by proclaiming the Good News of the coming of the kingdom of God. We see that the kingdom of heaven/the kingdom of God is among us, is embodied in Christ and that it is in the hearts of believers who believe in Jesus.  

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

(1) Life Application Bible Commentary

Matthew 25:37-45   Jeasus’ Measure

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

 40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

 45 “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

By the measure Jesus gives us here, it is not religious practice, or memorization of Scriptures, or even faithful attendance at church or temple by which our lives are judged. It is simply this: whether we have tried to relieve the plight of the hungry and dispossessed and those stripped of their freedom; whether we have tried to change this war-torn world to a world free from oppression and exploitation, so that all of God’s children might have life, and that more abundantly. In fact, Jesus identified so completely with the oppressed that He made an astonishing declaration that today’s political leaders — and religious leaders, too — would do well to remember: “as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me. ” (1)

<< — Grace and Grits: Look for a place like this in your home to share the love of Christ with those who are hungry. 

Our friend Bill –>>

Our friend Bob –>>

<<– Our friend Donna

 <<– Our Saviour, Jesus

My friends and I were talking after Grace and Grits last night about how blessed we are to know these people and the many others in our community that society has forgotten. Many have made bad decisions in their lives, many have deep health problems that have contributed to their situation, some are afflicted with mental problems, many are addicted to drugs or alcohol, most are trapped in a world in which they have been thrown, yet there are a few that are happy where they are. In talking to and sharing time with them, I have come to see often, a deep love for God, despite their circumstances. My friend, James lives in a tent, my friend Bill (above) lives in an RV. Yet, they tell me often, how God has blessed them in the little things in their lives.

Last night Donna brought her Bible and some poems she wrote over 20 years ago. I will take one and we will turn it into a song to glorify the Lord that we serve. Donna has a great number of health problems and has suffered greatly throughout her life, she is weak and frail, yet has a loving heart that could only come from a loving God. We sang U2′s “40″ last night, and if you could have seen the smiles, the comfort and the beauty in her face as we sang…..well, it brought tears to my eyes. I could see the hope, and a joy that surpasses all understanding in hers.

I waited patiently for the Lord……He inclined and heard my cry
He brought me up out of the pit…..Out of the miry clay

I will sing, sing a new song…….I will sing, sing a new song

How long to sing this song…..How long to sing this song
How long…how long…how long…How long…to sing this song

He set my feet upon a rock…..And made my footsteps firm
Many will see…….Many will see and fear

I will sing, sing a new song…..I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song…..I will sing, sing a new song

There are many others that have needs, that Jesus calls us to serve and to befriend. There are many others that need to hear Jesus message of hope. There are many others that need to know that they are not forgotten, that they have a name and that someone knows their name. That Homeless person you see on the street has a name and is loved by God, just as we are loved by God. Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms……”as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.“

  (1) “The Politics of Jesus- Rediscovering the True Revolutionary Nature of Jesus’ Teachings and How They Have Been Corrupted” by Obery M. Hendricks, Jr.

The Kingdom of Heaven-The Kingdom of God     Luke 8:1
“Many Women Minister to Jesus”

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8) (Part 9) (Part 10) (Part 11) (Part 12) (Part 13) (Part 14) (Part 15) (Part 16) (Part 17) (Part 18) (Part 19) (Part 20) (Part 21) (Part 22) (Part 23) (PART 24) (Part 25) (Part 26) (Part 27)(Part 28) (Part 29) (Part 30) (Part 31) (Part 32) (Part 33)(Part 34) (Part 35) (Part 36) (Part 37) (Part 38) (Part 39) (Part 40) (This is Part 41)

The Kingdom of Heaven-The Kingdom of God     Luke 4:43
“Jesus Preaches in Galilee”

Luke 4:43 “Jesus Preaches in Galilee” (8 min, 11 sec)