Asides

June 2
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Uncategorized Aside

“Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.” (John 12:42, NIV)

It is a natural desire to have the praise and affirmation of other people.

The people spoken of in today’s scripture passage loved Jesus, but they had a greater love for acceptance into the community (which was represented by the synagogue); and for the praise of those within that community.

As disciples of Jesus, our ambition is to seek the praise only of God. There are times when others will also praise the things we do that please God; and there are times when being a friend of God will make you an enemy of those you see every day. Particularly at such times, keep your eyes on God; grip His hand even tighter; and do your best to match His stride.

The preferences and the allegiances of other people is a crap-shoot. The love, grace, and faithfulness of God is a sure thing, but it requires an uncompromising commitment to Him from us. – Luther 

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May 31
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“‘Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.'” (John 12:26, NIV)

To serve Jesus is to follow Jesus. To follow Jesus is to be with Jesus. 

It is not possible to truly serve Jesus without also following Him. If our service consists only of isolated acts — even sacrificial isolated acts — without a commitment to also go where He goes; and to do as He directs; such service is deficient.

To be a true servant of Jesus is to voluntarily subordinate our will to the will of the One being served. This type of service cannot be rendered at a distance. It is intimate. It is persistent.  – Luther

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May 30
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“But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.” (2 Chronicles 10:8, NIV)

The passage of time and the limits of my personal scholarship make it difficult to know precisely why Rehoboam rejected the counsel of the men who had served his father Solomon when Solomon was king; but I suspect that it was what the Bible calls the “pride of life” that led Rehoboam to consult instead his contemporaries.  

The bible is an old book that challenges our ways. The traditions of the faithful are tested, but weathered and too-familiar. The counsel of the ages often seems way out of step with what is being promoted as the latest and the greatest discovery. 

We prefer new to old. We choose fashion over substance. We do, as Rehoboam did: We reject the advice that established the ways of our successful predecessors, and take instead the advice of those who are more like us in our preferences; or who give us more attractive options.

When tempted to make changes for the sake of establishing our independence; or for raising our profile; or feeding our ego; we should call a time-out. Is the course we have chosen reflective of the “pride of life,” or is it supportive of a higher calling?  – Luther

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