Day 10 – The Labourers in the Vineyard
Aug 31, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: Lots to do, lots to do…
//ITUNES: “Street Official Mixtape, Vol. 9″ – Various Artists
Matthew 20:1-16
“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the owner of an estate who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work.
“At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. At noon and again around three o’clock he did the same thing. At five o’clock that evening he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’
“They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’ “The owner of the estate told them, ‘Then go on out and join the others in my vineyard.’
“That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. When those hired earlier came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage. When they received their pay, they protested, ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’
“He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take it and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be angry because I am kind?’
“And so it is, that many who are first now will be last then; and those who are last now will be first then.”
Four Questions
What can I learn about God?
Jesus is not teaching an economics lesson. He is saying that whether you come to him early or late, you will be accepted. This is grace on a huge scale. There are those that believe you must do something to earn his favor, to earn salvation. This is just not true. He accepts all who come to him, regardless of when in their life or what they have done. We have done nothing to merit this love and acceptance and there is nothing we can do to lose it.
This verse says it all: “I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be angry because I am kind?’ ”
What can I learn about people?
I think it is very easy to think it is unfair that Jesus accepts all, without finding fault. For Christians who have walked with Jesus for a long time, we can inadvertantly feel superior because if this. We think we deserve more. I love what Charles Ryrie says: “We should be grateful, not envious, if we are permitted to work long and hard for our Lord. We leave rewards to His judgment…God’s grace and generosity know no bounds, and man’s ideas of merit and earned rewards are irrelevant.”
What can I learn about me?
I tend to, in my flesh, do two things.
1) I often fall into the trap of considering myself better (to whatever degree and in whatever area) from those who are not as “mature” (in my own estimation) in the faith. I need to remember this parable.
2) I tend to think I need to do something to make God love and accept me more. Intellectually, I know this is not true, but it’s easy to think it is.
Connect the dots.
Just lots of good reminders here. Yup…lot’s of good reminders.
Zombies
Aug 30, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: Undead
//ITUNES: “Bullet the Blue Sky” – U2
Here’s a bit of a great post from Tim. It’s called “Everything I need to know about Christianity I learned from zombie movies.” Very good. I’ll let you read his extended entry. Here are his bullets and my favorite line from each:
The World is Passing Away – “Nothing says “you’re just a vapor” like a pack of undead groaning for your brain.”
Humanity is more than the sum of our parts – “…scripture places a much larger value on the soul, just as zombie movies do. After all, what says you are of little value like a shotgun blast to the head?”
Judgment for sins – “Eventually every zombie movie asks the question ‘why are the undead walking’?”
There are worse things than dying – “Matthew 10:28 urges us to consider our priorities, that is to fear the one who can destroy the soul in hell, and not just the body.”
Jailbird by Kurt Vonnegut
Aug 30, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: My teeth are cold
//ITUNES: “Where Do We Go From Here?” – Filter
When digging through a box of stuff I haven’t seen in 15 years or so, I stumbled on this book. The weird thing is I don’t think I ever read it. In fact, I don’t remember ever owning it, but there it was. I loved reading Slaughterhouse Five when I got to it last year, so I thought I would give this book a shot.
Overall, fascinating read. Vonnegut has a thinly veiled disgust of big government and big business alike. I like how he jabs at everyone. There really isn’t anyone who isn’t a target in this book. He takes on Unions and Communists and Capitalists with relatively equal zeal.
Ironically, this book also talks a lot about personal responsibilty and choices. The protagonist is a fictional character that bumps through all the major events of the 70′s. Mainly, the Watergate Scandal. In this way, it is like Forrest Gump.
Fun read. Good luck weeding out fact and fiction if you don’t have many history texts floating in your head.
Here is my favorite quote:
…Those volumes had been chores to me, but they were a cannibal feast to Mary Kathleen. She read my books the way a young cannibal might eat the hearts of brave old enemies. Their magic would become hers.
Day Nine: The Householder
Aug 30, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: Still Well
//ITUNES: Still “Stay Together For The Kids” – Blink 182
Mark 13:34-37
“The coming of the Son of Man can be compared with that of a man who left home to go on a trip. He gave each of his employees instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. So keep a sharp lookout! For you do not know when the homeowner will return—at evening, midnight, early dawn, or late daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. What I say to you I say to everyone: Watch for his return!”
Four Questions
What can I learn about God?
Jesus is coming back. Man, we don’t talk about this enough. He is coming back. I am struck that one of Peter’s descriptions of false teachers is that they deny Jesus is returning. Here is an amazing (and long) quote from a guy with the coolest name: Dwight D. Pentecost.
“The large body of unfulfilled prophecy makes the Second Advent absolutely essential. It has been promised that He shall come Himself; that the dead will hear His voice; that He will minister unto His watching servants; that He will come to earth again, to the same Mount Olivet from which He ascended, in flaming fire, in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, and stand upon the earth; that His saints (the church) shall come with Him; that every eye shall see Him; that He shall destroy the Antichrist; that He shall sit on His throne; that all nations will be gathered before Him and He will judge them; that He shall have the throne of David; that it will be upon the earth that He shall have a kingdom; and rule over it with His saints; that all kings and nations shall serve Him; that the kingdoms of this world shall become His kingdom; that the people shall gather unto Him; that every knee shall bow to Him; that they shall come and worship the king; that He shall build up Zion; that His throne shall be in Jerusalem; that the Apostles shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel; that He shall rule all nations; that He shall rule with judgment and justice; that the temple in Jerusalem shall be rebuilt, and the glory of the Lord will come into it; that the glory of the Lord will be revealed; that the wilderness shall be a fruitful field; and His rest shall be glorious. The entire covenant program with Israel, which has not yet been fulfilled, necessitates the Second Advent of Messiah to the earth. The principle of literal fulfillment makes it essential that Christ return.”
What can I learn about people?
Some people are ready for his return, some are not.
What can I learn about me?
I don’t think about Christ’s return very often. But it would serve me to have my heart continually ready. How would I live my daily life differently if I was constantly expecting his return at any second.
Connect the dots.
It’s kinda popular right now to slam Christians who are waiting for Jesus’ return. Even many Christians say we are off our rocker. But, we are not. Jesus said he is coming back, so he is coming back. Now, we just need to live lives in eager expectation of that moment?
Day Eight: The Hidden Treasure
Aug 30, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: Well
//ITUNES: “Stay Together For The Kids” – Blink 182
Matthew 13:44
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field—and to get the treasure, too!”
Four Questions
What can I learn about God?
This verse is from the same passage as the one a few days ago about the Pearl. Again, I am blown away with the immense value of the Kingdom of God.
What can I learn about people?
This makes me think about the fact that there are people who see the value in the Kingdom of God and there are those that don’t.
What can I learn about me?
Hoepfully, like I wrote a few days ago, I will continue to value God and his work as something this valuable. I think of a lot of things as valuable, but not always the right things.
Connect the dots.
It has all pretty well been said.
Day Seven: The Great Supper
Aug 28, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: Um
//NOISE: Joel’s Band Practicing
Luke 14:15-24
Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a privilege it would be to have a share in the Kingdom of God!”
Jesus replied with this illustration: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When all was ready, he sent his servant around to notify the guests that it was time for them to come. But they all began making excuses. One said he had just bought a field and wanted to inspect it, so he asked to be excused. Another said he had just bought five pair of oxen and wanted to try them out. Another had just been married, so he said he couldn’t come.
“The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was angry and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the city and invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.’ After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. For none of those I invited first will get even the smallest taste of what I had prepared for them.’”
Four Questions
What can I learn about God?
He is inviting everyone to come to Him.
What can I learn about people?
People make tons of excuses to not follow him. My favorite in this one was the guy who needed to “try out his new oxen.”
What can I learn about me?
Now, obviously this passage is about salvation, but it strikes me that on another front I make a lot of excuses. There are so many times where I know what God is asking me to do, but I make excuse after excuse as to why I don’t want to do it. It reminds me of this quote from DL Moody: “Excuses are the cradle that Satan rocks men off to sleep in.” Also, this verse in James 4:17 “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”
Connect the dots.
This is pretty well answered in the last question for me.
Day Six: The Fine Pearl
Aug 27, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: Sore
//ITUNES: “Better” – Hoobastank
Matthew 13:45-46
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a pearl merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!”
Four Questions
What can I learn about God?
He is building a Kingdom that has incomparable value.
What can I learn about people?
Not much about this in this parable other than the fact that some will recognize the value of the Kingdom and do everything possible to be part of it.
What can I learn about me?
It’s interesting the consider the things I find valuable. My reputation, my family, my Powerbook. None of these is even in the ballpark of the value of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Connect the dots.
Not much today. Just a bit of awe at how amazingly out of my league the things of God are. And even with that, God has invited me to be a part. So good.
Quote of the Day
Aug 27, 2005 Quotes
//MOOD: Average
//NOISE: Trucks
“Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come.”
- Matt Groening
Day Five: The Good Shepherd
Aug 26, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: A little tired
//ITUNES: “One More Minute” – Authority Zero
John 10:1-17
“I assure you, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! For a shepherd enters through the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t recognize his voice.”
Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them. “I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep,” he said. “All others who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will leave the sheep because they aren’t his and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he is merely hired and has no real concern for the sheep.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice; and there will be one flock with one shepherd.
“The Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may have it back again. No one can take my life from me. I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right to lay it down when I want to and also the power to take it again. For my Father has given me this command.”
Four Questions
What can I learn about God?
There is a ton in this that we can learn about Jesus, in particular. I will leave it to what John Calvin wrote:
“It is useless, I think, to scrutinize too closely every part of this parable. Let us rest satisfied with this general view, that, as Christ states a resemblance between the Church and a sheepfold, in which God assembles all his people, so he compares himself to a door, because there is no other entrance into the Church but by himself. Hence it follows that they alone are good shepherds who lead men straight to Christ; and that they are truly gathered into the fold of Christ, so as to belong to his flock, who devote themselves to Christ alone.”
What can I learn about people?
I am struck by the number of different descriptions of people Jesus offers in this parable. There are Sheep, Thieves and Robbers, Hired Hand, and Wolves. Obviously the sheep are true followers of Christ and thieves and robbers are false teachers. We also know throughout the New Testament that wolves are described as those who divide the flock and tear it apart. The Hired Hand here is more difficult to interpret. I would say that He is using this more as a contrast to show what He is not like.
What can I learn about me?
For me, my job is to be a mini-Shepherd to Jesus. This parable is a good reminder to me to be more like the Shepherd than the Hired Hand.
Connect the dots.
It’s good to have a reminder of the responsibility of a Shepherd.
Day Four: The Good Samaritan
Aug 25, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MEDICAL CONDITION: Sore
//ITUNES: “Caroline” – David Gray
Luke 10:25-37
One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?”
Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”
The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied with an illustration: “A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes and money, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
“By chance a Jewish priest came along; but when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt deep pity. Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two pieces of silver and told him to take care of the man. ‘If his bill runs higher than that,’ he said, ‘I’ll pay the difference the next time I am here.’
“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
Four Questions
What can I learn about God?
What strikes me is that God can look right through the external stigmas we apply to people. The Samaritans were hated because of their mixed heritage, and yet Jesus makes the Samaritan the protagonist in his story. Not only that, but if you asked Joe American what word goes with “Samaritan,” I would guess most would say “Good.” I love that. It reminds me of the verse in 1Samuel 16:7:
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, cbut the LORD looks on the heart.”
What can I learn about people?
There is a total flip in this story. Jesus is responding to the question “Who is my neighbor?” So he tells his story and then flips it by asking “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” He has painted the Samaritan (who does the right thing, despite his his despised social status) as the neighbor that this man is to love. Then he flips it back and says be like this neighbor.
What can I learn about me
It makes me rethink my stereotypes about people and look for examples that they can be to me on how to live this command to love. I like to think that I don’t carry any stereotypes about people, but that is just untrue. I may disguise them, or push them down, but if I am really honest, I still carry them. I think we are all like that.
Connect the dots.
I am going to do a little search on the internet today. I am going to type in categories of people that I stereotype in my brain and I am going to try to learn something from them.
