Author: Dave Dishman (Page 344 of 475)

When Jesus says of the Pharisees—everything they do is done for people to see—I think of our world of selfies and flattering pictures and showing everyone my good side (every time Jesus speaks to the Pharisees I pay attention—more there in common than I care to admit).

How much do I do just to be seen by others?

Jesus excoriated the Pharisees not for their fashion sense, but rather for their pridefulness and virtue signaling. They presented themselves as the most religious of religious people. They coveted the best seats at church, and like peacocks, swelled with respectful greetings around town.

I notice in the realm of social media that looking good, saying the right things, and supporting the popular causes often substitutes for careful thought and helpful debate (I’m pretty sure no one can have a reasoned debate over social media). Rather, if I just click the right button and show the world I’m an advocate, I can skip on to the rest of my day, looking righteous, but caring little.

Jesus hammered this type of grandiose, self-important commitment when applied to the Lord, and turned it upside down—For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Exalting myself feels so right, and all the messaging encourages me in this direction. Jesus, however, points to another way.

Worth a look.

Matthew 23 in week thirty-three of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Ricardo Frantz

When I consider buying something new, I look at the reviews. Our hyper-connected society yields at least one benefit—I can learn about a product from actual users before I spend my hard-earned money.

Which leads me to the most unhelpful product reviews on the world-wide web. These arise from people who gleefully unbox their new toaster, or running shoes, or garden shears and immediately post, “Looks great right out of the box!” Or this one, always with 5 stars, “I haven’t used it yet, but I can’t wait to start!” Obviously, they did wait to start, as least long enough to post an inane review.

I hear this personally as well. Encouraged to read the latest book on an important topic, I discover the enthusiast hasn’t actually read the work, only heard it was good. A person with 10,000 emails in his inbox pushes me to organize mine in a new way. I’m goaded to cut out coffee by someone who never woke up anticipating that first sip of the dark elixer of life.

Why do I find such advice annoying?

Because these people are preaching without actually practicing.

Which brings my rant to Jesus.

Jesus summed up his condemnation of the religion of the Pharisees with a simple line—they do not practice what they preach.

As they pushed advice and religious duties on others, the Pharisees posted reviews without actually living out their teachings. You want to read a rant about how they lived and taught? Check out Matthew 23—now that’s a bad review.

Jesus brings clarity. If I want to live my faith in such a way that others notice and find even slightly compelling, I must practice what I preach.

Matthew 23 in week thirty-three of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by John Schnobrich

Ahaz, cowering before his nation’s invaders, rejected the Lord and turned instead to the powerful Assyrians to rescue him. Fawning before their power, Ahaz copied one of their pagan alters and installed it in the temple in Jerusalem.

Ahaz then redecorated the temple, chopping up and shoving to the side various temple furnishings that Solomon, under the direction of the Lord, set in place hundreds of years before.

Why did Ahaz snub his ancestors—and the Lord—with this profane installation in the temple of God? In order to lick the boots of the most powerful ruler in the world—in deference to the king of Assyria.

As these stories remain for our guidance, I have to ask—where might I prove guilty of the same? Where am I tempted to compromise my faith in deference to the prevailing powers of our world?

For example, the Bible remains clear about the ways to live out our sexuality, but do I minimize those views because the wanton opinions of our world stand opposite?

The Bible is clear on gender—male and female He created them—but do I reevaluate such clarity in light of postmodern psychoanalysis?

Be holy, as I am holy. Do my steaming media choices add to, or detract from, a pursuit of holiness?

Be humble. Does taking endless pictures of myself and posting them for the world to see and comment upon push me toward humility?

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. Does social media surfing and commenting on the latest controversy help with any of this?

I’m wondering, who is the King of Assyria in my life? Who or what pressures me to compromise my faith, to shade my commitment to the Lord, to minimize or turn from the truth of God’s Word?

What am I choosing and where does it lead me?

Join me asking the Lord for clarity in understanding where such deference might lead us. While the original king of Assyria is long gone, his spirit fills our age. Rather than follow the example of Ahaz, I hope to defer in the Lord’s direction.

2 Kings 16 in week thirty-three of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Victoriano Izquierdo

Everyone loves how Jesus related to children. Episode 3 in season 1 of The Chosen series depicts Jesus engaging with children in delightful ways (in fact, if you haven’t watched The Chosen, it’s well worth your time).

Jesus stopped his disciples from shooing away a gaggle of kids brought to him by their parents. He said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

Really? I’m in line with the disciples on this one—pat the kids on the head and let’s get back to adult conversation. What endeared children to Jesus in such a strong way?

Innocence? Kids aren’t innocent. Kindness? Not necessarily. Unselfish? Kids can be as selfish as anyone I know. Intelligent? Some yes, some no. Cleanliness? Ha.

The truth lies closer to their concept of self.

The children ran to Jesus with humility. They didn’t stack up their good qualities for Jesus, they just stood wide-eyed before Jesus. They trusted Jesus. It seems that children enjoyed being with Jesus, not just getting something from Jesus.

As an adult I feel the need to prove myself. I’m better at using others. Humbleness takes a back seat to, well, everything else.

Not so much with these children. Nothing to prove, nothing to show, they just let Jesus bless them.

And, I have a feeling that Jesus enjoyed the enthusiasm, laughter and silliness that children bring—seems like he didn’t get much of that.

Matthew 19 in week thirty-two of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Larm Rmah