Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Each one should test their own actions.
Summary: The Bible challenges us to look in the mirror and take the log out of our own eye (Matthew 7:3). Paul applies the challenge in a slightly different way and asks us the question, “Who do we think we are?”
Continue reading “Galatians 6:4a – The Test”… for we are members of his body.
Summary: Being a member of the body of Christ is more than simply saying, “I believe.” We must find a way to get along with other believers, too.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:30 – The Need for Humility”Be completely humble and gentle;
Summary: To be humble and gentle is asking a lot. Paul is really asking us to step outside of our emotional selves and take control. Fortunately, he also prays that God gives us the power to do just that.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:2a – Horse and Rider”In this way the priest will make atonement for them before the Lord, and they will be forgiven for any of the things they did that made them guilty.
Summary: Looking back over the Old Testament, we see the foundation for the New.
Continue reading “Leviticus 6:7 – At One”
… and [be] humble.
Summary: Peter tells us to be humble. Paul tells us that humility is putting the interests of others first.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:8 (e) — The Humble Centurion”
But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
James’ letter is a lot like Santa’s List. Most of us have heard about Santa Clause, and how, like God, he knows if we have been “naughty” or “nice.” The modern legend of Santa goes back to a real-life believer in God, a man whom we know as Saint Nicholas.
Like St. Nick, James is concerned about how people behave toward each other and whether or not having material possessions is clouding their judgment. Why would this be a problem for the early church?
Continue reading “Santa’s List – James 1: 10-11”
All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
As Jesus began his prayer, he looked to heaven and prayed to the Father, “Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.”
This idea of being glorified might seem simple to some, but to me, it seems like a very deep well. How does glory coexist with humility? The glory Jesus speaks of is not the glory of a star athlete or that of a rock star or a military hero. The glory Jesus speaks of is no more than the honor due to the one who is the source of all life, the Creator of everything. In a sense, it is simply recognizing God for who he is.
Jesus has just affirmed that the disciples know “with certainty” that he has come from the Father. (Verse 8b) They believe this absolutely. All doubt is gone. Because of this, they obey the Father’s word. (Verse 6b) This belief honors God. Obedience honors God. Honor is the kind of glory that God is looking for. This honor is not the flattery that comes from man’s lips. Rather, it is the respect that is made visible through man’s actions.
I have a very simple and somewhat embarrassing example of this principle.
Continue reading “Humble Glory – John 17: 10”
Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
When I read today’s verse in the context of this chapter, I am inclined to sort of BLEEP right over it. It is like the narrator’s voice in my head reads, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am,” and that is what I hear. When I get to, “Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him,” I seem to hear YADDA YADDA YADDA. Why?
For one thing, this saying seems out of context. Why would Jesus suddenly mention something about who is greater?
As I ponder this passage now, I think I see why.
Continue reading “Greatness – John 13: 16”
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
”Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”
At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
These days, if visiting royalty were to come to town, or the President of the country, or even the Pope, they would be conveyed in a very nice limousine. They would also be accompanied by other people in more limousines. They might even have a police escort or other security around them.
Years before Jesus’ time, in the days of King David, people did something similar. When David’s son, Absalom, was plotting to take over the kingdom, he exalted himself by buying the fanciest chariot he could and then hiring fifty men to run ahead of him. (2 Samuel 15: 1)
Throughout time, the more important the person, the fancier the car, and the more people they have attending them.
Enter Jesus.
Continue reading “Humility – John 12: 14-16”