Dad in the Middle » Christianity

Crazy For Jesus

Wayne — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Early last week, the mother of one of my wife’s friends passed away. My wife spent a chunk of this past Saturday morning and afternoon at the funeral and the gathering afterward. She did get home in time on Saturday to head off to Saturday night service at our church. This was a particularly exciting Saturday, as my seven year old daughter was getting baptized. As we were driving to the church, my nine year old son, Jacob, mentioned that he felt bad for my wife’s friend because she no longer had a mother. We started to talk about how she did still have a mother, her mother was just in heaven now.

Well, Jacob wanted to make sure that he did a little fact checking to put his mind at ease. So, first he asked if my wife’s friend was a Christian. My wife explained that she was. Then Jacob asked if her mom had been a Christian, and my wife again explained that she was. That was sufficient for Jacob to conclude that they would be reunited in heaven, but then he proceeded to ask the most peculiar question:

What kind of Christian is she?

Well, usually I can guess where Jacob is heading when he asks these types of questions, but I have to admit that even I was a little bit befuddled by this one. “What do you mean,” I asked.

“Well,” he replied, “is she a Christian like us or like Nan (my wife’s mother)?”

It started to get a little more clear. My mother-in-law is a devout Christian, but there are some doctrines that she adheres to that I disagree with. I don’t think any of them are “deal breaker” type issues, but occasionally they do come up, and I have talked to my son about them before as he tends to ask a lot of questions. I have tried to handle the issues with as much grace as possible, and I thought he may be referring to these. So, I asked the obvious question, “What do you mean?” His reply startled me a little bit.

You know, is she just a normal Christian like us, or is she crazy for Jesus?

It wasn’t the first time my son has said something that felt to me as if God himself was slapping me upside the head. I knew exactly what Jacob meant. We talk about Jesus a lot in my house, we pray, we read our Bible, and I try to stress how important Jesus is, but Jacob is right. Compared to us though, my Mother-in-Law is “crazy for Jesus.” Her love and passion for Jesus are obvious to everyone and at all times, and it so obvious that my young kids pick up on it and see the difference as well.

That is the type of relationship I want to have with Jesus. I want people to look at me and how I lead my life and think, “He’s crazy for Jesus.” I am glad that my kids, and I, have my Mother-in-Law, in our lives to model that for us. My natural bent is to not outwardly display that type of emotion and devotion. I tend to be much more reserved. I keep things inside. I am methodical and analytical. I like to think things through and analyze them. It was all of these things that led me to the deep faith which I now have in my Lord and Savior, and this is the way God made me. However, it is also these things that I have to battle against in terms of keeping my faith to myself. God rocked my world again in three little words spoken through the mouth of my nine-year-old – “crazy for Jesus.” I want to live my life in such a manner that there is no doubt that I am crazy for Jesus. We are called to be the light of Jesus. We are called to be different. I started to ask myself some questions. What am I doing that will make people think “he’s crazy for Jesus?” How am I modeling a life sold out to Christ for my kids? When God calls me home (and we will all eventually die barring the return of Christ), I don’t want people to remember me for things I’ve done or accomplishments I have made. At my funeral, I want them to remember me for my relationships. I want them to say, “He was a devoted husband and loving father.” I want them to recall that, “He really cared about his friends.” And, above all else, I want them to think, “He was crazy for Jesus!”

So, here is my question to you (and a questions I have been asking myself a lot over the last several days), what are you doing that shows that you are “Crazy for Jesus?” Are there people who think you are crazy about Jesus?

Monday Morning Prophecy #36 – The Messiah Would be Revealed to People Not Seeking Him

Wayne — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:00:57 +0000

Introduction

The Jews waited hundreds and thousands of years for their promised Messiah, but the Old Testament prophecies indicate that the Messiah would be revealed to a people not even seeking him.

Old Testament Prophecy

“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me;
I was found by those who did not seek me.
To a nation that did not call on my name,
I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ [Isaiah 65:1 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demonpossession.” Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. [Matthew 15:22-28 NIV]

But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, “I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.” And Isaiah boldly says, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.” [Romans 10:18-20 NIV]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed

Monday Morning Prophecy #35 – The Messiah Would be Rejected by The Jews

Wayne — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:00:25 +0000

Introduction

Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve looked at a number of people who rejected Jesus. The Old Testament also clearly prophesies that the Jewish people would reject their Messiah.

Old Testament Prophecy

But I said, “I have labored to no purpose;
I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.
Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand,
and my reward is with my God.” [Isaiah 49:4 NIV]

All day long I have held out my hands
to an obstinate people,
who walk in ways not good,
pursuing their own imaginations- [Isaiah 65:2 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? they asked. Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things? And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor. And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. [Matthew 13:53-58 NIV]

Haven’t you read this scripture: “ ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; [Mark 12:10 NIV]

Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews? asked Pilate, knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews? Pilate asked them. Crucify him! they shouted. Why? What crime has he committed? asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, Crucify him! Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. [Mark 15:9-15 NIV]

All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. [Luke 4:28-29 NIV]

But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. [Luke 17:25 NIV]

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. [John 1:11 NIV]

So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. [John 5:16 NIV]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed

Monday Morning Prophecy #34 – The Messiah Would Be Rejected by His Own

Wayne — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 13:00:53 +0000

Introduction

Not only would the Messiah be rejected by his own family, the Old Testament also prophesied that the Messiah would be rejected by his own people.

Old Testament Prophecy

But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by men and despised by the people. [Psalm 22:6 NIV]

I am a stranger to my brothers,
an alien to my own mother’s sons; [Psalm 69:8 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. [Matthew 12:14 NIV]

But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus. [Luke 6:11 NIV]

The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. [John 7:7 NIV]

As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” [John
19:6 NIV]

But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.” But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. [Luke 23:21-23 NIV]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed

Monday Morning Prophecy #33 – The Messiah Would be Rejected by Family

Wayne — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:00:42 +0000

Introduction

Last week, we looked at the attempts against the Messiah’s life predicted in the Old Testament, but the Old Testament also prophesied that the Messiah would be rejected by his very own family.

Old Testament Prophecy

I am a stranger to my brothers,
an alien to my own mother’s sons; [Psalm 69:8 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

Jesus’ brothers said to him, “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him. [John 7:3-5 NIV]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed

CM Telesummit – Child Evangelism – Jerry Moyer

Wayne — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:36:47 +0000

Here is my next installment of notes from the CMTelesummit.

Jubilee Gang
Evangelizing Children
- Probability of someone being born again 35% between 5 and 12
- Most people come to the Lord between 5 and 12
- Current generation of kids will only produce 4% as Bible believing Christians
- Church must do something
We have to go where they are
Most people don’t know what a real Christian is.
- We have to let them know
Five things that won’t make you a Christian
- Church
- Reading Bible
- Praying
- Mom & Dad
- Being a good person
Need to be straight up with this generation
“Dream a dream so big that unless God does it it will not happen.”
Pray and find out what God’s plan is for you
How can I reach my community for God?
Let go of anything that holds you back.
- Tradition
  - Are we achieving our goals?
  - If not, how can we?
- Religion
  - Religion is man’s way not God’s way
- Past failures
- Fear
  - Failure
  - What people think
  - Of what you’ve never done before
  - Fear is opposite of faith
God is looking for people to rise up and be heroes of this generation.
Use the cool stuff, but never sacrifice sound Biblical teaching
- “Do we want a service or a circus?”
- Can’t continually outdo yourself
- We’ve gone from ministry based to entertainment based
- Can have both!
Three ways to raise bar spiritually while making full use of technology
- Keeping God’s Word in our services
- Anointing
  - We must rely on God’s ability and not ours
- Life changing ministry
  - Are lives being changed, or are they just walking away from a cool experience
  - Do kids know God or just know about him?
Alter Calls
- Not the best way of doing, but we don’t want kids to fall through the cracks
- Some parents will never pray with their kids
- How do I do it?
  - Almost discourage people from coming forward
  - Qualify them,
    - How many people have been born again?
    - How do you know you’ve been born again?
    - Do you want to be?
  - Encourage kids to keep their eyes closed
  - If understand, and truly want it, stand up
    - Not because your neighbor does
    - Not because it’s cool
  - Don’t come down for any other reason
    - Only if understand and this is what you want for your life
  - Gather around
    - Sits down on floor with them
  - Asks why they came down.
  - Going to say a prater
    - Just because you repeat it means nothing
    - Going to talk to God. Do you believe that?
    - God is going to change you

Monday Morning Prophecy #32 – Many Would Conspire to Kill the Messiah

Wayne — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:00:35 +0000

Introduction

When Jesus walked the earth, there were a number of attempts to take his life. The Old Testament predicted thousands of years earlier that that would be the case.

Old Testament Prophecy

For I hear the slander of many;
there is terror on every side;
they conspire against me
and plot to take my life. [Psalm 31:13]

New Testament Fulfillment

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. [Matthew 27:1]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed

Monday Morning Prophecy #31 – The Messiah Would Come Incarnate as a Man

Wayne — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:00:49 +0000

Introduction

Last week we looked at the prophecies that the Messiah would dwell amongst God’s creation. The Old Testament also indicates that God would condescend himself and come in the form of a man.

Old Testament Prophecy

I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him
with my own eyes-I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me! [Job 19:25-27]

New Testament Fulfillment

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out–those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. [John 5:24-29]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed

Monday Morning Prophecy #30 – The Messiah Would Dwell Amongst His People

Wayne — Mon, 31 May 2010 13:00:06 +0000

Introduction

Unlike many so called gods of other religions, the Old Testament prophesied that the Messiah would come to earth and dwell among God’s people.

Old Testament Prophecy

“Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the LORD. “Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. [Zechariah 2:10-11]

New Testament Fulfillment

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. [John 1:14]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed

The Gospel for Kids

Wayne — Sat, 29 May 2010 14:00:48 +0000

Check out this kid friendly presentation of the gospel. Presented in a kid-friendly format and narrated by kids, this video includes a clear presentation of sin and the gospel rooted in biblical truth.

Monday Morning Prophecy #29 – Children Would Praise Him

Wayne — Mon, 24 May 2010 13:00:17 +0000

This morning, I am introducing a couple of changes to the format of Monday Morning Prophecy. First, in previous installments, the verses included were from the English Standard Version of the Bible. Going forward, quotes are taken from the New International Version. Although I prefer the ESV for my reading and study, the database of Old Testament prophecy I has previously accumulated included verses from the NIV. In order allow me more time to spend with my family, I have opted not to update these to the ESV version. Secondly, I intend to go with a more streamlined approach to presenting these prophecies which includes much less verbiage from me. For the most part, these verses speak for themselves, and it does not seem necessary to include a lot of my own thoughts to further explain the prophecies. Henceforth, my intent is to include a one or two sentence introduction simply followed by the verse(s) reflecting the Old Testament Prophecy and the verse(s) representing the New Testament fulfillment.

Introduction

One of the many prophecies of the Old Testament fulfilled in Jesus was that children would praise him. On a personal note, as someone who works with kids, this is one of my favorite prophecies. The idea that the Messiah would forego the praise of royalty and dignitaries for the praise of children says a lot about the special affection God has for kids.

Old Testament Prophecy

From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
[Psalm 8:2]

New Testament Fulfillment

But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “ ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?” [Matthew 21:15-16]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed

Monday Morning Prophecy #28 – The Messiah Would Heal the Lame

Wayne — Mon, 03 May 2010 13:00:02 +0000

Welcome back to the Monday Morning Prophecy. It’s been months since this series went on hiatus for a couple of other longs running series, but now it makes its triumphant return. In this series, we are working through the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah and their New Testament fulfillment. This week marks the end of the prophecies related to the miracles the Messiah would perform during his earthly ministry.

In Isaiah, we read that, amongst other things, the coming Messiah would heal the lame:

Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; [Isaiah 35:4-6 ESV]

The New Testament records numerous instances of the fulfillment of this prophecy. In Matthew we read of the time John the Baptist’s disciples came and questioned Jesus about whether or not he was the Messiah. Jesus’ reply speaks to the miracles he performed:

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” [Matthew 11:2-6 ESV]

Matthew records at least two other instances of Jesus healing the lame:

And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, [Matthew 15:30 ESV]

And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. [Matthew 21:14 ESV]

Luke shares the story of a lame woman healed by Jesus on the Sabbath:

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. [Luke 13:10-13 ESV]

John also recounts a story of Jesus healing the lame:

One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. [John 5:5-9 ESV]

The Old Testament is clear that one of the signs of the coming Messiah would be the miracles he would perform including healing the lame. The New Testament is clear that Jesus fulfilled these prophecies.

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed

God’s Chisel

Wayne — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 14:00:22 +0000

This one will take a little while to watch trough, but it is well worth the time. I challenge you not to find yourself somewhere in this video. Watch through this video and rejoice in the unending love of God that transforms us.

Where is God in the Pain?

Wayne — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:00:06 +0000

I never cease to be amazed at how God teaches me and convicts me through my kids. This is another one of those stories.

Here’s the background on the situation. These days I find myself struggling through some pain. Late last year, I woke up one morning with some lower back pain. Within a couple of weeks, that pain had spread into my leg and hip. I went to a chiropractor a couple of times, and it seemed to be getting a little better. Then, over the Christmas vacation, including a trip in a mini-van to and from North Carolina, the pain increased substantially. Over the last couple of weeks that we have been back, I have continued to see a doctor regularly and do some physical therapy to try to alleviate the pain. Following a session with the physical therapist this past Thursday, my pain level increased significantly (hopefully that is actually a sign that it is getting better). Well, Saturday was a particularly bad day. In addition to everything else, I came down with a bad cold and sore throat to boot. At times the pain in my back and leg was so severe that it bordered on excruciating, and I’ve been told I have a high threshold for pain. Whether I sat, or stood or laid down, the pain would not get any better.

At one point in the afternoon, Jacob (my 8 year old) told me:

“Dad, I hope your leg gets better soon. Remember, God has a reason for everything.”

There is was again. Words from God in the mouth of an 8-yr-old that shifted my focus in an instant. I had been concentrating on me, and frankly starting to feel sorry for myself. Anytime my focus shifts in that direction – towards me and away from God – things just seem to get out of whack. So, I am left with two things to do and think about out of this whole experience:

Pray about, and try to figure out, what God is trying to teach me in this situation. Given that a lot of my focus over the last couple of weeks has been on how frustrating it is not to be able to do normal things that I want to do, I imagine what he is trying to teach me has something to do with total reliance on him; and
Marvel and praise him for how he continues to work through my kids to make me a better child of his.

Why I Believe the Bible #11 (The Honesty of the Bible About Its Authors and Heroes)

Wayne — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:00:45 +0000

The Bible is a brutally honest book. One of the things that it is most honest and forthright about is the character flaws of its authors and main characters. The Bible focuses on reality and how God works through the weaknesses of those he created to accomplish his plan. It does not concentrate on fantasy.

If the Bible were strictly a human endeavor, one would have expected its authors to exclude their own flaws from the story and the flaws of their patriarchs. Far from excluding such information the Bible is replete with the sins of its writers. It reveals both the good and the evil, the best and the worst, the hope and despair and the joy and pain of its authors.

The exhaustive look at the examples of this honest treatment of its characters would be way to long for this article, but let’s look a number of examples.

Old Testament Examples

When Adam and Eve eat the fruit from the forbidden tree and are confronted by God, they go immediately into blames-shifting mode with Eve blaming the whole thing on the serpent, Adam blaming it on Eve, and eventually even blaming the whole thing on God. (Genesis 3)
After being one of only eight people on earth saved by God from the flood, Noah gets so drunk that he passes out and is unaware of what is going on around him. (Genesis 9)
Rather than relying on God, Abraham succumbs to cowardice and instructs his wife to tell foreign rulers that she is his sister.

When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.” [Genesis 12:11-13 ESV]

Abraham ignores the promise of God and has a son by his wife’s servant Hagar. (Genesis 16)
Isaac and Rebekah played favorites with their kids leading to all kinds of family strife. (Genesis 25:28)
Jacob tricked his father with the help of his mother. (Genesis 27)
Simeon and Levi killed an entire people in a jealous rage. (Genesis 34)
Joseph’s brothers sold in him to slavery and told their Dad he was dead. (Genesis 37)
Judah slept with his daughter-in-law. (Genesis 38)
The Israelites worshiped a golden calf while Moses was getting the ten commandments.
Moses was disobedient to God and was not allowed to enter the promised land.
The sins of the people of Israel were constantly revealed and denounced:

You have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you. [Deuteronomy 9:24 ESV]

David impregnates a married woman and had her husband killed in battle to try to cover it up (2 Samuel 11-12)
David did not effectively run his family which resulted in one son raping his daughter, another son killing his brother for revenge and another son trying to wrestle the kingdom from his father.
Solomon, the wisest man alive, married multitudes of women who led him to worship other Gods

New Testament Examples

The trend considered with the New Testament. Consider:

Matthew was a tax collector named Levi before being called by Jesus
Jesus dined with prostitutes
Saul persecuted and killed Christian before meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus.
Jesus rebuked Peter and called him “Satan.”
Peter denied the Lord three times on the night of his crucifixion.
John overzealously and impulsively asked Jesus to allow him to call down thunder on a group of people.
The disciples argued over who was the greatest.
Jesus was constantly rebuking his disciples for their actions and lack of understanding.
The Bible reveals the early church was divided, arrogant and materialistic.

For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. [1 Corinthians 1:11 ESV]

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? [1 Corinthians 15:12 ESV]

For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. [2 Corinthians 2:4 ESV]

It’s clear that far from trying to hide their flaws and failures, the Bible actual highlights those. In the words of Lewis S. Chafer (founder of Dallas Theological Seminary),

“The Bible is not such a man would write if he could, or could write if he would.”

Return to the Why I Believe The Bible index page.

Monday Morning Prophecy #27 – The Messiah Would Heal the Mute

Wayne — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:00:03 +0000

We’ve covered the prophecies concerning the coming Messiah healing the blind and deaf in earlier weeks. This week we will look at the prophecies that the Messiah would also heal the mute. If you have been following this series, by now the following prophecy from the book of Isaiah, written hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, should be familiar:

Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; [Isaiah 35:4-6 ESV]

We’re going slightly out of order as we should probably handle the healing of the lame first, but we’ll take care of that in a later installment. The point is that God let his people know hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus that the Messiah would accomplish the following miracles:

Heal the blind
Heal the deaf
Heal the lame
Heal the mute

We turn once again to the book of Matthew for examples of Jesus healing the mute:

As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” [Matthew 9:32-33 ESV]

Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” [Matthew 12:22-23 ESV]

Once again, we see the miracles of Jesus forecast hundreds of years before his birth and recorded by a prophet of God.

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed

Why I Believe the Bible #10 (Eyewitness Evidence)

Wayne — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:47 +0000

At the time it was written, the Bible was widely circulated and viewed by eyewitnesses to the events it records. As regards the New Testament, fragments of 5 books have been found from within 35 years of Jesus’ death. These eyewitnesses would have been in a position to refute what the authors had written and the lack of any such refutation provides further evidence for the reliability of the Bible.

In his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul explains that Jesus appeared to 500 and disciples and makes a point that many of them are still alive.

Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. [1 Corinthians 15:6-8 ESV]

The point is clear, these eyewitnesses were there when the event in question happened, and Paul invites his readers to go corroborate what he is saying. Rather than shy away from historical figures and events which can easily be proven or disproven, the Bible if chocked full of such events. Paul is so certain that what he is writing is truth that he invites people to go check it out.

Further support for the reliability of the claims of the Bible, particularly the claims made by the apostles in the New Testament, rests in the persecution they faced from the Roman government and Jewish authorities. Despite rebuke, beatings, prison, attempts on their lives, and eventual martyrdom, not one of the apostles ever recounted on their story. It is hard to believe that every man in that group would have been willing to be persecuted and eventually die for a lie. Furthermore, the Jewish authorities and Roman officials were concerned with the growth of this “sect.” If they had any evidence to disprove the claims of the apostles and disciples, they certainly would have produced it. No such evidence exists!

Finally, there are a number of verses in the Bible where the apostles reiterate that they story they are recording is not something they learned second hand but something which they were eyewitnesses to.

Peter explains:

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. [2 Peter 1:16 ESV]

In the introduction to his famous epistle, John explains that they were witnesses to the Jesus Christ which they proclaimed. They had seen him and heard him firsthand:

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life– the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us– that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. [1 John 1:1-3 ESV]

In compiling his gospel, Luke relied on numerous eyewitness accounts:

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, [Luke 1:1-3 ESV]

In the sequel to the Gospel of Luke, Luke explains in Acts that Jesus appeared to his disciples and taught them for the forty days prior to his ascension:

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. [Acts 1:1-3 ESV]

In the Gospel of John, John explains that Jesus performed miracles and signs in the presence of the disciples so that people would believe he was the Christ. Jesus’ plan included the use of eyewitness testimony to his divinity:

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. [John 20:30-31 ESV]

This sentiment is echoed in the book of Acts:

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know–[Acts 2:22 ESV]

Peter, in exhorting his fellow elders, reminds them that he was an eyewitness:

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: [1 Peter 5:1 ESV]

Finally, in his defense before Festus and King Agrippa, Paul reminds the rulers that Jesus’ miracles and ministry were not done in secret. Rather, they were done in plain view as a testimony to who Jesus was and to allow those eyewitnesses to accurately record what they had seen:

And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” [Acts 26:24-28 ESV]

In conclusion, the eyewitness evidence is overwhelming. Jesus intentionally created eyewitnesses to attest to what he had done. Those eyewitnesses accurately recorded what they had seen. Those writings were done when other eyewitnesses were still around and could have refuted the Biblical account. Despite this, there is no record of this happening. Finally, the Jewish and Roman authorities could easily have squashed this “sect” by producing evidence that the accounts of Jesus were untrue. They were never able to produce such evidence.

Return to the Why I Believe The Bible index page.

What Do You Want to Be Known For? (Another Jacob Moment)

Wayne — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:00:18 +0000

The other day my eight-year-old son Jacob and I were talking about whether or not he wanted to continue with Karate. Let me give you a little bit of background. Jacob begged to start taking Karate for a couple of years after he turned five. Because of schedules and whatnot, we weren’t able to actually sign him up for it until he was seven. That was last fall.

He was a natural (at least that is what he will tell you everyone says to him). He picked it up quick, and what was supposed to be a once-a-week thing turned into and three or four days-a-week thing. He couldn’t get enough of it, but then something started to happen. He began to miss his free time. He still loved karate, but he felt like he didn’t have any free time to play or hang out with his friends. Then, to top it all off, he had some medical issue that have kept him out of karate for the last couple of months. That’s what sparked our conversation this past weekend. It went something like this (I’m paraphrasing):

ME: So, do you want to go back to karate?

JACOB: Well, sort of yes sort of no.

ME: What do you mean?

JACOB: Well, I like all the extra time I have, but Karate is kind of what I’m known for.

ME: What do you mean by that? (Yes, it is one of my favorite questions.)

JACOB: Well, it’s something I’m good at, and when people thing of me they think of Karate. It’s what I’m known for.

ME: Is that what you want?

JACOB: No, I want to be known for Jesus!

There it was, another of what I’ve started to call “Jacob moments.” The moments where God speaks through my young son with wisdom beyond his years to convict me of things in my own life!

It’s easy to get caught up in the things we are good at and forget who gave us the ability to be good at them. So, what are you known for? What do people think of when they think of you? Is it Jesus? Why not?

Monday Morning Prophecy #26 – The Messiah Would Heal the Deaf

Wayne — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:00:18 +0000

Last week we looked at the prophecies which indicated that the Messiah would heal the blind. Those prophecies were recorded in the book of Isaiah hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. In that same book, we find a number of prophecies indicating that the Messiah would also heal the deaf:

In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. [Isaiah 29:18 ESV]

Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; [Isaiah 35:4-6 ESV]

The book of Mark records the events in the region of the Decapolis when Jesus healed a deaf man with a speech impediment:

Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. [Mark 7:31-35 ESV]

Finally, when John the Baptist’s disciples inquired of Jesus as to whether or not he was the Messiah, he pointed to the healing of the deaf as one of the things indicating that he was:

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” [Matthew 11:2-6 ESV]

Like the healing of the blind, God prophesied through Isaiah hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth that he would heal the deaf. This was given to us by God as another sign of the coming Messiah and would be fulfilled by a carpenter from Nazareth named Jesus.

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed

Monday Morning Prophecy #25 – The Messiah Would Heal The Blind

Wayne — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:00:24 +0000

Last week we looked at the prophecy that the coming Messiah would calm the seas. This week we will look at the prophecy that the Messiah would also heal the blind.

Old Testament Prophecy

Hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Isaiah made it clear that the coming Messiah would give sight to the blind:

In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. [Isaiah 29:18 ESV]

Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; [Isaiah 35:4-6 ESV]

“I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. [Isaiah 42:6-7 ESV]

In addition to all his other miracles, these passages make it clear that one of the signs of the coming Messiah would be bringing sight to the blind.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament records numerous examples of instances where Jesus healed the blind in fulfillment of this prophecy. The following are some examples from the book of Matthew:

And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” [Matthew 9:27-30 ESV]

Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” [Matthew 12:22-23 ESV]

And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. [Matthew 20:29-34 ESV]

Jesus referred to the fulfillment of this specific prophecy when John the Baptist’s disciples came asking if he was the Messiah:

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” [Matthew 11:2-6 ESV]

Finally, there is the famous story from the book of John:

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said these things, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.” [John 9:1-11 ESV]

Jesus clearly fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy that the coming Messiah would heal the blind, and these miracles bear witness to the fact that he was the Son of God.

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed