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Peace and more peace. Nice Valentine's Dinner here with Rob because I promised. Little disruption beyond that. No Sheila for 2 weeks now*. She continues to have help coming in, and if I'm not mistaken, she no longer works. Since she's right across the hall, I generally hear her comings and goings if I'm home to notice them. No leaving at 10:45 and getting home by 3:15 on 3 days a week, so... yeah. Peace has also been made with my parents if I hadn't mentioned that last time. On Rob's birthday back on the 8th, the four of us were together and I was able to explain my reasoning to them for having broken up the romance. They had been upset with me before because Rob is such a nice guy and they didn't feel like he deserved that. And if the situation were different, I would agree with them. The fact that he's generally a great guy was never the question. (see prior posts for more detail) Anyway, the latest news with Mike is that the car is not exactly "out of commission"; but needs to be treated very gently right now. They are supposedly using a truck for now, but I haven't verified that as yet today. So along with prayers for that, and continued prayers for Mike's COPD, there's also the issue of his VA benefits. Without going into detail, just pray for God's wisdom and provision in His time. He is also in the process of applying for Social Security Disability, so prayers for that as well. Oh, and my son, Benjamin's, Jeep is due to be finished soon, so he should be down for a visit when that happens. At this point, he'll end up getting his Christmas presents for his birthday!! LOL
Raise your hands if you wear glasses!! Any of you who've seen my card and jewelry section know that I do. Progressive tri-focals at that!! So those of us who need help with our vision understand that we see things more clearly with them on (or with contacts in) than without them. The same is true with God. When we pray and spend time in the Word, our spiritual vision becomes clearer.
Let's look more closely at the next phrase of The Lord's Prayer after we read it again in full:
Matthew 6:9-13
New International Version
9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation,[a] but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
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As we've said before, prayer comes more easily to some than it does to others. We learn as much from others sometimes as we do from personal practice. But if we keep in mind the facts that even the Disciples needed help with prayer, and that it's not so much about changing the World as it is about changing ourselves; then it may become less intimidating. But the point lies in expanding our view of God and actively participating in the hopeful revolution of Jesus' authority and reciliation of all things to Himself.
In bringing the phrase, "your Kingdom come", into greater focus, we will look at it from the perspective* of John the Baptist after he was imprisoned. Turn with me to Luke 7:18-35 --
Luke 7:18-35
New International Version
Jesus and John the Baptist 18 John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” 21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” 24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’[b] 28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) 31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’ 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”
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We all know how messed up the World is. Even those who don't believe in God understand that not every war is justified, Human Trafficking is wrong, the brokenness of certain systems and individual suffering is wrong. But understanding and acknowledging the problems as they stand is only the first step. The real question lies in their solution. That's where we, as Christians, have the advantage. Or at least we should have it. But in order to have it in full, we need the clear vision provided by God's Word and by the Spirit of God through prayer. Otherwise, our view will be that of those pinhole cameras our kids made (or currently make) in school. It is the same effect of being myopic without glasses. We can only see to a certain degree clearly whether by view or by distance. Prayer gives us the wider view of a regular camera or the distance vision of glasses or even binoculars.
For some, their view of the Gospel, or of God, simply isn't big enough. They see God through their own eyes and therefore limit Him accordingly. They put Him in the "box" of their personal expectations and/or opinions when literally everything God did in the Old Testament or through Jesus in the New proves that that's not how He works!!
Our familiarity with the Lord's Prayer can cause us to lose the depth of meaning in it's words. Similarly, as cross-cultural recipients* of the Bible, we can sometimes miss pieces of Kingdom language used in its passages.
In our reading of the section in Luke, we see that John the Baptist needs absolute confirmation that Jesus is truly The Messiah the Jews were expecting. He needed to be sure He was really The One. If he's going to be put to death, he wants it to be worth his while. You really can't argue with that... I wouldn't want to be martyred pointlessly*. So he sends 2 of his followers out to ask Jesus and come back with a report. Israel had been promised a King since before God gave them Saul to appease their "whining". But that was just the catalyst for His future Plan of Salvation as He provided for this promise through David's line*. Since Israel continued to fail as a Light to the Nations on His behalf, there was a need for The Church to take over their mission*. By their understanding of national history, they understood the promise of the future*.
So what was Jesus' response?? Did He answer them directly by saying, "Yep, I'm your man!"?? No. He told them to report what they saw happening around them. People were being healed of blindness, deafness, disease, and disabled conditions. The dead were being raised, and the poor and marginalized invited to the party, as it were. He let the evidence speak for itself rather than putting the focus on Himself personally. It wasn't for His own recognition that He was performing miracles, but for The Father's glory*. Obvious effects gave an obvious answer. When the Kingdom is present, there is healing and restoration.
We all struggle with prayer and/or God at times. We question why things seem so bad when God could fix everything in a moment if He wanted to*. "If He's so powerful, why doesn't He heal everyone??" Or "Why doesn't He stop wars??" Whatever the situation is that we're going through in the moment...
In our passage above, Jesus focuses on two groups of people in the contrast of their perspective views or visions of God.
Tax Collectors/sinners -- Those who were "marginalized" due to either unfair practices, uncouth behaviors, poverty, disease, or disability had those among them who believed in Jesus because of their baptism by John. They were the major recipients of the miracles, compassion, and forgiveness Jesus brought to them due to their acceptance and faith. Unlike the Pharisees and Sadducees, they didn't have the pride that limited their vision of the Messiah. They recognized their inability to fix things on their own. Therefore, they were willing to release whatever level of power they may have felt in favor of His.
Pharisees and Sadducees -- Those in charge at the Temple did not believe because they were too stuck in their traditions and expectations to see what was right in front of them. The Messiah didn't look or behave like they thought He would. After all, they were "the experts" they should know, if anyone did!! They thought they had all the answers.
How often do we get stuck in our expectations of God and miss the point of what He's doing?? We hold so tightly to our ideas of power and influence. Our anger gives us energy that feels like power because, "we're right and they're wrong". Our money brings us security and identity due to status. Our intelligence can bring pride and arrogance*. We hoard the things that make us feel powerful, and accepted*. But what is Jesus' example?? How did He live?? He divested Himself in acts of love evidenced by healing, restoration, and acceptance. He didn't hoard His power, nor was He prideful of it. He showed us all the love of the Father through it and brought Salvation in His obedience to the plan of death and resurrection. He was willing to endure all of that to ensure our opportunity for Eternal Life.
It was Jesus' death and resurrection that started the presence of God's Kingdom on Earth, and we sometimes get the impression that we're living "in between" the times of His power because the Second Coming has yet to happen*. But the truth is that, since it was Jesus' first physical appearance that brought that to fruition, we are actually experiencing the Kingdom here and now. The problem lies in our ability to recognize it because our view is limited by our finite physical existence. God lives "outside" or apart from time. HIs view is more like that of the Good Year Blimp over the parade of humanity. He can see it all at the same time. That's how He knows what is needed at any given time.
When we truly understand God's perspective, the words, "Your Kingdom come", become as much a proclamation as a request. Our vision becomes clearer and we know that the idea isn't just some kind of lame "Pollyanna" wish or "pie in the sky" dream. It is a recognition of the truth that God is present and at work here and now. And this recognition encourages us to participate in God's plan of restoration and healing for the World. It is this willing participation that helps to shape our hearts in His image.
Pastor Matt shared a brief illustration here of replacing a headlight in the car. He would be a "bald-face liar" to claim any mechanical inclinations lol, but he knew that it was a simple enough process. After having watched a YouTube video on it, he invited one of his sons to join him and learn at the same time. In this teaching moment, he was following Jesus' example of inviting us to join in the mission of restoration; recognizing that it was not in his own power to accomplish, but in that of Someone more knowing. -- God Bless!!
Footnotes --
Mid-week update on Sheila before I hit "publish" in a minute -- she's been knocking on my door again and even trying to force her way in. She wants help calling her uncle, even after she knows that he spoke to me the other week and doesn't want her bugging people. He calls her several times a day and that needs to be enough. I was able to speak to someone yesterday when I heard them in the hall. She confirmed that the service is working on more help. What's truly needed at this point is some kind of 24/7 care. Pray for God's situation and timing on this.
Perspectives, as we know, give us a different view of the facts. Just because we're right doesn't always mean someone else is wrong. It just depends on the details of what either of us is looking at. We may be looking at the entire "bowl of fruit" from our side, while there may be something missing from another angle, or vice versa. It's not always just the difference between 6 and 9. Or there's the old children's book about the blind men and the elephant... :)
"Cross-cultural recipients" -- Pastor Matt preached in Africa at some point before joining us here in New England. At one meeting of Pastors in the area, one of the African preachers made an excellent point and Matt expressed his agreement by shouting, "nothin' but net!!". The Pastors were confused as they didn't understand the reference. Likewise, we as Gentiles can miss parts of God's message by ignorance of the historical context.
No desire to be martyred pointlessly... Zipped lips on the further issue here...
Understanding history in order to understand the present and future -- Again with the zipped lips...
David's Line -- for those of you who may be new to the Bible, both Mary and Joseph (Jesus' parents) were born of different branches of David's family.
Need for The Church to take over the Mission -- This in no way indicates "Replacement Theology". The Church was simply expanded to include Gentiles since the history of the Jews' cooperation in God's plan of restoration was one of failure. Nor was this a "last minute" adjustment. God always knew this would happen. We see the preparation for it throughout the Old Testament even to God's test of Abraham's faith in his willingness to sacrifice Isaac. (Gen. 22)
Jesus' focus on the Father's glory -- a lesson in humility for all of us...
He could fix everything in a moment... -- those of you out there who are parents understand that's not how it works if you want your kids to learn the lesson.
Intelligence can bring pride and arrogance -- "guilty as charged" -- continued prayers appreciated.
Hoard things that make us feel powerful -- Rich Young Ruler (Mk. 10:17)
Second Coming has yet to happen -- there are those who think it happened at the Fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and that all Biblical prophecy was fulfilled at that time. The fact is, not all the prophecy had even been revealed or written at that time. John wasn't even exiled to Patmos until 96 A.D. Therefore, it is impossible. Besides the obvious evidence that there are still wars, sadness, and diseases happening...
Pastor Matt closed the service by reading/praying Psalm 24. I've included an extra worship song below in coordination with this.
Music -- never any rights here
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