Buying the Sword

September 22

(Luke 22:35-38 NIV)  "Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. {36} He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. {37} It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors' ; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment." {38} The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied."

(Matthew 26:50-54 NIV)  "Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. {51} With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. {52} "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. {53} Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? {54} But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?""

These are difficult verses. What is Jesus trying to teach? He wants the disciples to know that things are going to change rapidly. Overnight, He would go from being an “eccentric rabbi” to a convicted criminal. This also meant dramatic changes for His disciples. They would become fugitives. Taken literally, Christ’s call to take purses and acquire swords contradicts His earlier teaching. Most Bible scholars see this teaching as metaphorical. Two swords would have never been sufficient for fending off those who arrested Jesus. This view is bolstered by both Christ’s rebuke of Peter for using a sword at His arrest, as well as His statement that twelve legions of angels would come at His request. Jesus does not promote violence. He’s telling the disciples that things are going to change drastically, and that they should prepare themselves. That’s still good advice for today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Faith and Fear

September 21

(Luke 22:31-34 NIV) ““Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. {32} But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." {33} But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." {34} Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.””

(Luke 22:54-62 NIV) ““Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. {55} But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. {56} A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." {57} But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. {58} A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. {59} About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." {60} Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. {61} The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." {62} And he went outside and wept bitterly.””

Peter’s denial of Christ is legendary. Some say he lost his faith, but that’s not true. Peter didn’t lose his faith, but for a brief moment in time he lost hope that things were going to turn out well, and fear overpowered his faith. He disowned Jesus publicly, but Jesus did not disown him. Christ’s gaze broke Peter’s heart, and in shame and remorse he wept bitterly over his failure. But with God, failure is never final. At one time or another, all of us have backed away from Jesus, distancing ourselves from Him. In our own ways, big and small, we have disowned Him, denied Him, and deserted Him. That does not mean we have lost our faith. It means that for a time, our hope was diminished, and our fear grew stronger than our faith. God’s solution is not to disown us, but to strengthen us. Look Jesus in the eye, repent, and allow God to restore your hope and strengthen your faith. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Ego Driven Discipleship

September 20

(Luke 22:24-30 NIV) ““Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. {25} Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. {26} But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. {27} For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. {28} You are those who have stood by me in my trials. {29} And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, {30} so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.””

(Luke 9:46-48 NIV) ““An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. {47} Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. {48} Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest.””

(Micah 6:8 NIV) “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Jesus must have been frustrated with the disciples at times. Earlier in Luke’s gospel, they had argued about who was the greatest… and it was still happening. Jesus probably shook His head and wondered, “Have they learned nothing?” But once more He stressed that the least among them would be the greatest -- the servant would end up at the head of the table. This is the life that Christ modeled for His disciples. One of the greatest enemies of servant discipleship is the human ego. Our desire to be important, to be noticed, or to be in charge, can cripple us in our quest to walk humbly with our God. More than one church has been laid low by the insidious and incessant power struggles that happen between those who claim to be “servants” of Christ. You can’t be great in God’s eyes when climbing on the backs of other believers. Ditch the ego. Be a servant. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

In Remembrance of Me

September 19

(Luke 22:14-23 NIV) ““When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. {15} And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. {16} For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." {17} After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. {18} For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." {19} And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." {20} In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. {21} But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. {22} The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him." {23} They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.””

(1 Corinthians 11:23-25 NIV) ““The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, {24} and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." {25} In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.””

At their last meal together, Christ reminded the disciples of the Passover’s significance. A lamb was slain. The blood of the lamb covered the believer’s home. Bread without yeast was eaten. And God’s people were told to remember what God had done. Then Christ established a new Passover celebration. Jesus, the Lamb of God, would be slain. The blood of the Lamb would cover the believer. Christ’s body would be represented in the bread without yeast (sin). He would be the bread of life. The disciples were to remember Him and pass this commemoration on to new disciples. When we take Communion today, we remember our Lord and what He did for us. We remember His body, given for us -- His blood, poured out to cover our sin. We examine our lives for “yeast”. And we anticipate His return, for then we won’t have to remember anymore -- we will be forever in His presence. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

I Will Pass Over You

September 18

(Luke 22:7-13 NIV) "Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. {8} Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover." {9} "Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked. {10} He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, {11} and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' {12} He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there." {13} They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.”

(Exodus 12:13-14 NIV) "The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. {14} "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord -- a lasting ordinance."

Passover is a yearly remembrance of how God saved His people from the death angel and freed them from bondage in Egypt. The Lord had sent various plagues on Egypt to convince Pharaoh to set God’s people free. Finally, God declared that every firstborn in Egypt would be struck down and would die. In preparation, each Jewish household was told to sacrifice a lamb. The family was to eat the lamb for supper, along with bread made without yeast. The blood of the lamb was to be smeared above their doorposts, and when the destroying angel saw the blood, he would “pass over” their house. The events of this night broke the resistance of Pharaoh and he agreed to set God’s people free. Since that night, Jewish households have celebrated Passover, and in obedience to God’s command, have remembered how the Lord saved them from death and freed them from captivity. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Seeds of Betrayal

September 17

(Luke 22:1-6 NIV) “Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, {2} and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. {3} Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. {4} And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. {5} They were delighted and agreed to give him money. {6} He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.”

(John 12:1-6 NIV) ““Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. {2} Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. {3} Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. {4} But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, {5} "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." {6} He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.””

(Ephesians 4:25-32 NIV) ““Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. {26} "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, {27} and do not give the devil a foothold. {28} He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. {29} Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. {30} And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. {31} Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. {32} Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.””

Judas’ betrayal of Christ will live in infamy. It ranks up there with Lucifer’s rebellion against God. The chief priests and teachers of the law had failed at catching Jesus in punishable errors. They had also failed at dissuading the people from following this young prophet from Nazareth. They needed a Judas. The seeds of betrayal had been planted in Judas long before the night he visited the religious authorities. He had been stealing from Jesus and the disciples for some time. He gave the devil a foothold. He was dishonest and disappointed -- a volatile combination. Christ had not measured up to his expectations. But avoid feeling smug, for we all have a bit of Judas in us. What would it take for you to sell out or bail out? Being angry with God and disappointed with our circumstances, form the seedbed of betrayal. Don’t give the devil a foothold! Be careful, or those seeds can sprout. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Words That Will Never Pass Away

September 16

(Luke 21:32-33, 37-38 NIV) “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. {33} Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. {37} Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, {38} and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.”

(1 Peter 1:23-25 NIV) ““For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. {24} For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, {25} but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.””

(Psalms 119:89-91 NIV) “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. {90} Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. {91} Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.”

Many foolish tyrants have tried to rid the world of God’s word. In their folly, they failed to recognize that God is eternal, while they are but dust -- and to dust they will return. The word of God stands forever, because God is forever. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, told His disciples that the heavens and the Earth would pass away, but not His words. They are eternal, because Christ is eternal. So when Jesus speaks of what is to come, we can bank on it. When He speaks to what we should be doing, we would be wise to heed His words. They will not pass away. When we get into God’s word we are not just into the wisdom of the ancients -- we are into something eternal… something that has been forever and forever will be. Only the fool would try to destroy that kind of knowledge. Only the fool would ignore or neglect it. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Three Headed Monster

September 15

(Luke 21:34-36 NIV) “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. {35} For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. {36} Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

(Matthew 6:25-34 NIV)  ""Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? {26} Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? {27} Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? {28} "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. {29} Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. {30} If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? {31} So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' {32} For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. {33} But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. {34} Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Jesus warns of a three-headed monster that can weigh our hearts down and keep us from watching for His return. “Dissipation” is the scattering, wasting, or squandering of our time and affections. We have so many other “lovers” that our affection for Christ dissipates to the point of being non-existent. “Drunkenness” includes alcohol, but we can be intoxicated by money, sex, power, success, or possessions. This is why Jesus warns us not to go back to our houses for anything when we hear his call -- if we trust him, we won't need anything else. The “anxieties of life” can be crippling. Worry can become a lifestyle that weighs the heart down. Jesus warns against it. When we are filled with insecurity, it’s impossible to rest in the Lord. We become too anxious to watch for Jesus. Kill the three-headed monster, or it will kill you. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

 

Lift Up Your Heads

September 14

(Luke 21:25-31 NIV) ““There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. {26} Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. {27} At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. {28} When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. {29} He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. {30} When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. {31} Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.””

(Psalm 46:1-7 NIV) “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. {2} Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, {3} though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. {4} There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. {5} God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. {6} Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. {7} The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Just before the return of Christ, there will be signs on the Earth and in the sky that are so frightening, men will faint with fear. Heavenly bodies will be shaken. The Earth will tremble and convulse. The oceans will roar. Chaos and fear will reign in this world that God created for peace, order, and harmony. This is sin’s final gasp. For the lost, there will be no place to hide -- no escape from the horror. But for those who have trusted Christ, redemption will be drawing near. Believer, when you see these things happening, do not look down in despair or look around in terror -- look up in faith! Those watching for Christ’s return will see Him coming in the sky. Look up! Watch for Jesus more than you watch for the signs of His coming. Knowing the signs will not save you. Only knowing Jesus can do that. Hope is lost when we look around. Hope is realized when we look up. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Jerusalem’s Desolation

September 13

(Luke 21:20-24 NIV) “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. {21} Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. {22} For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. {23} How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. {24} They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

(Matthew 24:15-22 NIV) “So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand-- {16} then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. {17} Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. {18} Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. {19} How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! {20} Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. {21} For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again. {22} If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.”

Every day we hear news of Jerusalem. It is a world “hot spot” that never seems to cool down. Why is it such an important place? Jerusalem is a holy city for three major world religions. For Christians, it is where our Lord was crucified and rose from the dead. It is where He ascended into heaven, and it is where His feet will touch down when He returns again. Jesus told His disciples that Jerusalem would be surrounded, trampled, and destroyed. This happened in 70 A.D. when Roman armies leveled the city, and her people were dispersed all over the world. Not until 1967 were the “times of the Gentiles fulfilled” as the Jewish nation once again took control of the holy city. Many prophecy scholars see Jerusalem being trampled on again just prior to the return of Christ. The world talks daily about New York, L.A., London, Paris, Beijing, and Moscow -- but keep your eyes on Jerusalem. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Hated Because of Him

September 12

(Luke 21:12-19 NIV) ““But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. {13} This will result in your being witnesses to them. {14} But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. {15} For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. {16} You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. {17} All men will hate you because of me. {18} But not a hair of your head will perish. {19} By standing firm you will gain life.””

(Hebrews 11:32-40 NIV) “And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, {33} who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, {34} quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. {35} Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. {36} Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. {37} They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- {38} the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. {39} These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. {40} God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

Some Christians think of God as the great security man in the sky -- trust Him and you can slay a thousand enemies or walk through fire. Although this has been true in the lives of some believers, history also records that saints bleed and die on a regular basis. And as the end draws closer, the fires of persecution will burn hotter. Anyone willing to stand for anything associated with the glory and holiness of God will pay dearly. Even parents and siblings will turn against those who choose to persevere in the faith. We will be hated for just bearing His name. But Jesus counseled us not to worry. We will not perish like those without Christ. Glorify His name as you stand before your enemies. Divine power does not come from the muzzle of a gun. The Lord will give us words and grace to face whatever comes. Pray that we can be His witnesses. Stand firm and gain eternal life. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Birth Pains

September 11

(Luke 21:6-11 NIV) ““As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down." {7} "Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?" {8} He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. {9} When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." {10} Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. {11} There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.””

(Matthew 24:3-8 NIV) ““As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" {4} Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. {5} For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many. {6} You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. {7} Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. {8} All these are the beginning of birth pains.””

The signs of Christ’s return are present in every age, but there will be an intensification of these signs in the days before He comes again. When we look at end time’s prophecy we must realize that there is mystery involved. Anyone saying they have it all figured out should be viewed with suspicion. We will never have all the answers on this side of eternity. The run-up to the end of the age will be marked by false messiahs, claiming divine knowledge and demanding divine respect. They will be phonies. Wars and revolutions will abound. Violence will increase. Earthquakes will shake the foundations of the Earth. Famine will cause millions of deaths. Pestilence and disease will overpower the healthcare systems. Things will happen in the heavens that bring great fear and anxiety. In Matthew’s gospel Jesus calls these events, “the beginning of birth pains”. Get ready. Something big is coming. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Not One Stone

September 10

(Luke 21:5-6 NIV) ““Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, {6} "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.””

(Luke 19:41-44 NIV) ““As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it {42} and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. {43} The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. {44} They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you.””

(Acts 7:48-49 NIV) ““However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: {49} "'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?””

Man builds magnificent buildings. He adorns them beautifully and endows them with the latest technology. They can be tall, reaching toward the sky. They can be massive and have huge seating capacities. We often become impressed with our cathedrals and temples and they become the objects of our worship. We begin to value the created more than the Creator. The  Temple in Jerusalem was such a building. The disciples were impressed by its size and its beautiful stone work. But the Creator of the heavens and the Earth remained unimpressed. Christ prophesied that not one stone would remain upon another -- it would eventually all come down. Then the Lord would live where He has always wanted to live -- in the hearts of those who worship Him and follow Him as Lord. Does the Lord God Almighty live in you? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Three Truths About Giving

September 9

(Luke 21:1-4 NIV) ““As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. {2} He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. {3} "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. {4} All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.””

(1 Kings 17:7-16 NIV)  "Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. {8} Then the word of the Lord came to him: {9} "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food." {10} So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?" {11} As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread." {12} "As surely as the Lord your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread--only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son,  that we may eat it--and die." {13} Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. {14} For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.'"  {15} She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. {16} For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah."

Love always costs us something. It always involves self-denial and sacrifice. You cannot love without giving. With the widow’s gift at the Temple, Jesus teaches three things. First, God knows what we give. Just as Jesus took note of the widow’s giving and the giving of others, God observes our giving. Second, God cares about what we give. Jesus said the widow’s gift had significance beyond the amount she contributed. She had given “more than all the others”. Third, God cares more about attitude than amount. The widow wasn’t a big giver in terms of amount. She contributed only two small copper coins -- others put in much more. But in faith, she gave “all that she had”. While others dutifully tithed their ten percent, this woman gave one hundred percent. With God, the amount you give is not as important as the amount you have left over. The more we love, the more we give. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Humility

September 8

(Luke 20:45-47 NIV) ““While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, {46} “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. {47} They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.””

(Luke 14:7-11 NIV)  "When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: {8} "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. {9} If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. {10} But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. {11} For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.""

Two different cancers can grow in the Christian heart: lack of humility and false humility. Both originate in pride. Jesus faced many teachers of the law who loved their places of honor and their flowing robes. It can get heady when you always sit at the head table. Lengthy prayers, flowery oration, and the power to get people’s money are not why God created the priesthood. The other cancer grows in those who are constantly assuring themselves, and us, of their humility. They make a show of their humility so everyone will know just how humble they are. They are humble and proud of it. These two attitudes are two sides of the same counterfeit coin. Genuine humility is marked, not by self-awareness, but by a heightened “other-awareness”. Jesus didn’t spend His time in front of a mirror. Instead, He was constantly looking around for those who needed their feet washed. That’s humility! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

My Lord

September 7

(Luke 20:41-47 NIV) ““Then Jesus said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? {42} David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand {43} until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’ {44} David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

(Matthew 22:41-46 NIV) ““While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, {42} “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. {43} He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, {44} “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ {45} If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” {46} No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.””

(Psalm 110:1 NIV) ““The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.””

Jesus was continually dueling with the Bible experts of His day. He had no degree from any seminary, nor had He studied under any of the famous rabbis of the day. He had no formal education and so the spiritual intellectuals saw Him as an inferior upstart. But more than once, Jesus simply took them to their Bible, and corrected them from the very Scriptures where they claimed to be experts. He took them to Psalm 110 and made a case for a different type of Christ than they were expecting. They thought that the Christ/Messiah would be the son of David. This would make Him a mere human being. But Jesus contended that if David called Him “my Lord”, He couldn’t be the son of David. His human bloodline may trace back to David, but to be “Lord”, the Christ must be the Son of God. Jesus was that Son, and when you are the Son of God, that’s all the credentials you need. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Children of the Resurrection

September 6

(Luke 20:34-40 NIV) ““Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. {35} But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, {36} and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. {37} But in the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ {38} He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” {39} Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” {40} And no one dared to ask him any more questions.””

(Exodus 3:5-6 NIV) ““Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” {6} Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God””

One of the great proofs of resurrection comes from a book in Scripture where the Sadducees claimed to be experts. In Exodus chapter three, God tells Moses that He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Since God is the God of the living, this means that for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, a resurrection had taken place and there is an afterlife. The Sadducees were humiliated. The age to come is eternal. It will have no end. But that eternal existence applies to both inside and outside the Kingdom. Not everyone will enjoy eternity. Some will spend it outside looking in. This is the teaching of our Savior. His words, “considered worthy of taking part” are an indication that the age to come will be exclusive. Some will be found worthy of taking part, some will not. Some will stand as God’s children, some will not. Which group will you be in? Are you a child of the resurrection? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

No Marriage in Heaven

September 5

(Luke 20:27-35 NIV) ““Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. {28} “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. {29} Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. {30} The second {31} and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. {32} Finally, the woman died too. {33} Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?” {34} Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. {35} But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage.”” 

(Deuteronomy 25:5-6 NIV) “If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother shall take her and marry her and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her. {6} The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.”

(Galatians 3:26-28 NIV) “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, {27} for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. {28} There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

What will we do in eternity? There is one thing we know for sure that we won’t do. We won’t be married. For many people, this may bring some angst and confusion. Marriage and family are part of God’s creation package -- building blocks of godly culture here on Earth. Essential values are learned there. This is so important that God said if a husband died, having no son to carry on the family name, the dead man’s brother was to marry his widow (if he wasn’t already married) in order to carry on the family name. The question from the Sadducees was, who would the woman be married to in the afterlife? Jesus said the question was moot because there will be no marriage in the age to come. Gender and marriage are earthly constructs. In eternity, we will live an asexual existence, like the angels. The physical will have given way to the spiritual. The flesh will count for nothing. Hallelujah! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Sad You See

September 4

(Luke 20:27 NIV) ““Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question.”” 

(Matthew 16:5-12 NIV) ““When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. {6} “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” {7} They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.” {8} Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? {9} Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? {10} Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? {11} How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” {12} Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.””

(Acts 23:6-8 NIV) ““Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead.” {7} When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. {8} (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.)””

Like the Pharisees, the Sadducees were fundamentalists. They were also fundamentally different. They were rivals and had different foundations for their doctrine. The Pharisees saw the Torah and Prophets as their foundation, and had added many oral traditions to God’s law. The Sadducees recognized only the Pentateuch, the five books of Moses, as their source of truth (Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Leviticus). Another major difference: the Pharisees believed in an afterlife, the Sadducees did not. The Sadducees did not believe that the soul is immortal. They did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, and since they did not believe in eternal life, they were sad, you see? Jesus told them they were wrong, and eventually proved it with His resurrection. There is an afterlife, and Christ has promised those who follow Him an eternity filled with joy. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Foolish Trappers

September 3

(Luke 20:26 NIV) ““They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.””

(Matthew 22:46 NIV) “No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.”

(Psalm 31:18 NIV) “Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.”

The learned religious leaders of Christ’s day tried many times to trap Jesus with trick questions. They always failed. You cannot catch a Lion with a mousetrap and you cannot trap the Son of God with a human question. Only a very foolish trapper would entertain such a notion. The puny traps of the religious leaders were never big enough to catch the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Trying to con, fool, trick, or trap God is really stupid. We don’t catch Him -- He catches us. Who are we to think that we can deceive an omniscient, all knowing God or hide anything from an omnipresent Creator? Who are we to think we can get around someone who has no front, back, or sides? Just about every one of us has tried this in some way. You may even be in the middle of an attempted con job right now. It is foolishness. Put your mousetraps away -- you are dealing with a Lion! Be silent before Him. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

What is God’s

September 2

(Luke 20:25 NIV) ““He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.””

(Psalm 50:8-12 NIV) “I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me. {9} I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, {10} for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. {11} I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. {12} If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.”

(Haggai 2:8 NIV) ““The silver is mine and the gold is mine,” declares the Lord Almighty.””

Jesus told us to give to Caesar what was is Caesar’s, and to give to God what is God’s. The greatest sin of humanity is not giving to God what is His. Many Christians debate about what to give to Caesar, but far fewer seem concerned about what they should give to God. The Church must quit spending so much time and energy on what Caesar does or doesn’t get, and focus on the God side of this equation. If it is true that God owns everything, then why do so few Christians live as if everything really belonged to God? Why are so many of us content to rob God by not giving Him what we owe Him? Why are so many Christians satisfied with their giving when the national average is a paltry 3.1% of their income? At a tax rate of 20%, this means Caesar is getting seven times more than God! Keep your priorities straight. Give to God what is God’s! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Render Unto Caesar

September 1

(Luke 20:23-25 NIV) ““He saw through their duplicity and said to them, {24} “Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?” {25} “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.””

(Job 38:1-3 NIV) ““Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm. He said: {2} “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? {3} Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.””

The religious hot shots asked Jesus a question about paying taxes to Caesar. They thought they had Him in a bind. But putting God in a bind is impossible. Christ saw through their duplicity and asked, “Whose portrait is on your coins?” Everyone knew it was Caesar’s. Jesus told them to give to Caesar what belonged to him, and give to God what was His. It was a genius answer. Jesus never taught hostility toward government. Government is neutral. It will never be perfect because the people who run them aren’t perfect. People mess government up, and one of those people is the person you look at in the mirror every day. You don’t hear hostility toward government coming from Jesus. Neither does He endorse any particular form of government. Christ operates on a different plane. Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. Just do not give to Caesar what belongs to God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day