Acts 1:12-26 ... Ready for Leadership?

We have read about events that took place in the ten-day period between Jesus’ ascension and the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:12-26). True to Jesus’ instruction, the disciples were together in Jerusalem “devoting themselves to prayer”. With them were the growing number of believers (up to 120 now), which included those “certain women” which had been following Jesus for a while (and had been first to the empty tomb), plus his family members as well – Jesus’ mother, and notably his brothers (who had previously expressed their disbelief, but now were clearly on board).

One thing they would be able to prayerfully discern would be a replacement for Judas Iscariot, who not only betrayed Jesus, but was also no longer alive to be able to redeem himself. Twelve was an important number to retain, as it referred back to and thereby superseded the twelve tribes of Israel (in terms of the future of the mission of God in the world). So who should replace Judas? On what basis should this decision be made? Who is fit for leadership like this? And how does the way this decision was made by the disciples affect the way we think about leadership?

1.       PRAYERFUL ENVIRONMENT. The disciples did not just pray when a crisis decision needed to be made (as a sort of desperate reaction) – they had formed a habit of being prayerful people, and prayerful people together. So it wasn’t just the need for a new leader that led them to prayer – it was in the context and environment of prayer that they understood the need to go in this direction. So if we are looking for guidance or discernment, then it’s not just an isolated prayer that will bring the best results, but much more so the good habit of prayerfulness. Peter’s little speech (v.15-20) reflects an understanding of both recent events and ancient scripture that was no doubt informed by his devoted participation in prayer.

2.       WITNESS TO JESUS. The main criterion that was put up concerning this new disciple (v.21-22) was that he should have been one of those who had accompanied Jesus (and the other eleven main disciples) for the three-year journey of ministry. In this way, this new disciple would be very familiar with what he was getting involved in and the sort of character he was representing. This person was to be one of those who Jesus “went in and out among”, meaning that there existed a familiar and unhindered association over some time. [Which is like the familiar unhindered association God can have with us according to Psalm 121:8 – “The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore”.]

Special mention was made to what? This new leader would have to become a witness to Jesus’ resurrection. Now I would suggest that this not only meant having been personally encountered by the risen Jesus, and not only being a witness to the truth and reality of Jesus’ resurrection, but what else?? Living out Jesus’ resurrection in his own life!! This leader would have to have been obviously transformed by the living Jesus within him. We will come back to this point. The task of ‘the twelve’ was to be ‘guarantors’ of the gospel tradition through their companionship with Jesus in his earthly ministry and to be witnesses to the reality of his resurrection (Longenecker).

3.       PURE OF HEART. There is mention too of the necessity of seeking out God again in prayer, because this new leadership was a matter of the condition of the nominee’s heart. Where the Bible talks about the ‘heart’, this refers to the centre of the human spirit … the place from which springs our feelings, emotions, longings, decisions and actions. It is so easy to fool people through external deeds. How often the ‘go-to-people’ are those who have a good track record of activity. But what about the motivations! Jesus was very strident in his criticism of people, i.e. the Pharisees, who were so overly focussed on external pretences rather than considering inner motivations (especially their own). Good leadership, especially spiritual leadership, begins within a pure heart focussed on the ways of God and the needs of other people.

Jesus himself said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). To add the concept of ‘purity’ to our ‘heart’ would mean to be unmixed with undesirable elements. Thus the ‘pure of heart’ are always genuine, honest and sincere. The ‘pure of heart’ always deal with issues like bitterness and animosity, so that these negative feelings never take root. Such ‘pure of heart’ people are first seeking God for the sheer joy of a relationship with their Divine Creator, well ahead of what can be done for that God or gained from that God! It is out of our delight in God that we desire to serve him and share with others (Hudson).

Ultimately, through the method of ‘casting lots’, it was God that was seen to be directing the choice of Matthias as best fitted for the role of new twelfth disciple. ‘Casting lots’ involved throwing down various kinds of marked objects in order to determine God’s will; substantiated by Proverbs 16:33 – “The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is the Lord’s alone”. It is interesting to note that this practice now ceased within the Christian community, replaced by the coming of the Holy Spirit … through which all decisions will now be made!

4.       KINGDOM FOCUSSED. One further phrase instructs us on good spiritual leadership. It is how the disciples prayed about what had happened in the case of Judas (v.25b). Judas had failed as a disciple because he had “turned aside to go to his own place”. Judas had come to believe that his own way was better than the way that Jesus laid out. Judas, much more so than the others, failed to see beyond everyday realities to the greater work of God. Because he second-guessed and thus defied Jesus, this led Judas down the track of dishonesty and betrayal. Even his likely regret over these actions could not assuage the extent to which this level of self-destruction had come to. So this begged the question – who could go with Jesus the whole journey … who could carry their own cross in following the way of Jesus (rather than going to their “own place”)?? Who could give up their own agenda, giving preference to God’s Kingdom agenda?

Also, seeking to lead, witness or serve in our own strength, for our own reasons, and according to our own needs, may go alright for a while, but will eventually cause our collapse (and other people will likely be caught in the falling debris). This is why the eleven disciples, supported by the larger number of Jesus-followers, sought to so carefully discern who the new twelfth disciple should be. And this also offers us a challenge toward our particular readiness to fulfil the role of God’s choosing for us.

So returning to our point about living out Jesus’ resurrection in our own life, that is, if we want to be leaders or influencers or effective followers of Jesus, we have to keep watch over our relationship with Jesus and the progress of our life – Paul refers to this, in the context of participating in communion (1 Corinthians 11:28), as ‘examining ourselves’. 1 Timothy 4:16 also records these words of Paul, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers”. This is where the ‘fruits of the Spirit’ are more crucial than the ‘gifts of the Spirit’! The quality of our witness to the risen Jesus will be defined through our capacity for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Federal Budget

If we look carefully through the Bible, we see that the quality of a society, government or community leadership, is seen in how they treat the poor and most vulnerable. If we then, through this lens, look at this week's budget, no matter how we might think economically about perceived or real debt, we would see gaping injustices. I can only quote some of Bill Shorten's broadly philosophical comments in response to the budget to echo my own. "On Tuesday we saw a Budget that seeks to demolish the pillars of Australian society: universal healthcare, education for all and a fair pension. This is a budget that pushes up the cost of living for every Australian family and hurts those who can least afford it most. The very things this Prime Minister promised not to touch, are the first casualties of his deceit, including new and higher taxes. This is the Budget of a Prime Minister and a Government who want to tear down everything Australians have built together. I believe in a different Australia, a place where your destiny is not pre-determined by your wealth or your postcode, a fair and prosperous nation populated by a creative and productive people. We believe that economic growth comes from extending opportunity. We believe in a prosperous Australia: prosperity for everyone who works and prosperity which works for everyone. An Australia ready for the future, optimistic about the future and investing in the future." Bill goes on to say, from a party political perspective, but a sentiment I would heartily support, without necessarily supporting how they have or would attempt to achieve it, "Labor believes in an Australia that includes everyone, that helps everyone, that lets everyone be their best, that leaves no-one behind. This is the Australia that the Prime Minister has forgotten." 

"Our Life in God" (Psalm 121)

Some encouragement is always a good thing. Psalm 121 reminds us of God’s great love for us – this is a psalm of trust and confidence in God’s care for each one of us. The first verse of this psalm asks a question, which the remaining seven verses answer. It might be at a point of exasperation, or at a time of loneliness, or when it seems that all resources have dried up that we, along with this psalmist, say, “I lift up my eyes to the hills – from where will my help come”? In a way, there is already an acknowledgement here, that God exists and can be contacted. It may not have always been this way, but thanks be to God it is now!

There is some existing background of faith that allows a particular person’s eyes to be lifted upward toward God in the heavens. Yet the power of certain concerns, loneliness or need require a specific and concerted search for the source of help. People who have lost their job or just cannot find work, start to lose hope and become frustrated. Mothers can feel desperate under considerable pressure to respond to the nurturing needs of their children, sometimes feeling ill-equipped or generally just too tired.

It only takes to the next phrase for this psalmist to express the certainty that God hears and will respond. This is not a private little wishing-well being addressed, but rather the God who created the whole universe. And this God never takes his eyes of his loved creation (God neither slumbers nor sleeps) – God is always available for a consultation. We are being encouraged to bring to God the areas of life that worry us, or cause us to feel alone, or where we feel weak and lack hope; and it is an act of maturity to do so. Where we put our trust firmly and resolutely in God … ultimately we will never be disappointed. Even when one door closes, another door will no doubt open!

Just off now on a couple of tangents briefly. We must feel for those who actually, unlike the psalmist, throw their hands in the air in desperation but have no background in faith at all through which to find God at the end of their search for help. This is where tragically many people, especially young people, resort to pain-softening substances, that only ultimately make their problems bigger and broader. Sometimes their outrageous behaviour makes us want to squirm, yet really this is a loud cry for help (from the hills)!

The second tangent … if God is constantly watching over all his creation, then God must feel a lot of disappointment, frustration, even anger, for what has been done to it … not just the physical environment, but also to the human spirit over the centuries. God has had to endure so much violence, and so much evil that humans have unleashed on other humans – imagine entering into all that suffering. Yet God has been willing to enter all this suffering … we see this most plainly as Jesus hangs tortured on a cross. For God can’t just watch passively; God desires to engage with us as we journey through whatever life throws at us.

When we read that, “God will not let your foot be moved” (v.3a), this signifies that God will help us build our life on a firm footing (or, foundation) from which we will not easily be moved. A careful building process has been begun well, leading to a ‘house’ with all the right characteristics and features. This will also mean that we will not be destructive nor negative people, and more often than not, that we will be helpful builders in our neighbourhood (despite any strong winds that come against us).

Then when we read that, “The Lord is your keeper” (v.5a), we sense protection, or at least a sustaining influence upon our lives. As we trust in God, we can experience God’s presence with us; so that the excessive heat in the day or the danger of the night, don’t have the destructive force that they otherwise might have. We might also sense God bringing certain light into situations that just expose the otherwise dark and unseen dangers. God does not want evil to touch us to take away our joy, hope or life itself. God does not want fear to mean that we become distrustful or disengaged. The New Living Translation (NLT) translates the second part of verse 5 as: “The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade” … taking us back to that thought of God being our constant companion. So when it gets hot in the oven, so to speak, “the Lord stands beside you as your protective shade”.

G. Campbell Morgan wrote that God keeps his children safe in “the faithfulness of his tender vigil”. So, when we are short on ideas or resources, no soon as the words ‘Lord help me’ spring from our mouth, (in some form or another) God is there! The Lord being our “keeper” is never imprisoning like a zoo-keeper (nor even controlling), but rather a benevolent offer of love and care for our own good (or in our best interests)! None of this of course represents any promise of a soft care-free existence, as we well know, but rather brings the opportunity of a well-prepared life. We know that very bad things can happen even to people who wholly put their trust in God, so there is also a sense here of the eternal spiritual destiny that remains safe as we continue to trust in God – “he will keep your life” (verse 7b).

The “going out” and “coming in” of verse 8, signifies that God’s care is continual … at all times in all places. God has plenty of time for us, though we probably should try not to waste too much of God’s time. God doesn’t want to be just involved in our lives, God wants to be fully involved; yet this remains a matter of our freewill whether we are up for this or not. By the same token, we should remember too, that there is a degree to which God’s love and care is unconditional and inclusive – remembering the parable Jesus told about the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine sheep to chase after the one rebellious sheep. So in one way, each of us can resist, but in another God is hard to put-off!

Having gone to the source of grace and blessing, we should also recognise that God’s way of providing help will often come through other people. So if we have expressed need (whether only to God or quite publicly), we should be open to receiving the generous support of those around us (rather than remaining aloof and self-reliant). As we experience some resolutions to our areas of concern, there is a release of anxiety, a lessening of isolation, and a new feeling of worth. Also through this process, which might be later seen as a source of growth, faith actually deepens, and a joy in life is possible again. So we emerge from this psalm, I trust, with some encouragement and new confidence in God. We can press deeply into God, as God companions with us.

Waiting on God (Luke 24:49-53, Acts 1:4-11)

Jesus met with his disciples on a number of occasions after his resurrection. No doubt Jesus taught them, encouraged them, and tried to build up their faith. In one famous incident, Jesus restored Peter in his discipleship, through refocussing Peter on what mattered most – “Do you love me more than these”, Jesus asked, to which Peter replied “Yes”, and then Jesus recommissioned Peter with the words “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-19). But ultimately, these disciples were only human, and they would need significant Divine help if they were going to succeed on mission. The resurrection of Jesus changed a lot, but they would still need help in applying and sharing their new found understanding of God’s mission to the world. So these gathered disciples were given a promise. The Father would be sending them power from on high that would clothe them with effectiveness (Luke 24:49).

But what would these disciples have to do?? They would have to “stay here in the city”! Or as Acts 1 puts it: they were not to leave Jerusalem, “but to wait there for the promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4). This I think was quite a big ask … to stay exposed in a city where Jesus had been tortured and crucified and many of these disciples had previously felt highly threatened. The first Gospel written, Mark, makes the very raw admission, that following Jesus’ crucifixion and the scene of the empty tomb, all of the disciples scattered because of their fear (Mark 16:8)! In John’s Gospel, Jesus seems to later reconnect with his disciples after some of them had returned to their fishing business (John 21:1-3). So, given these emotional reactions, it was quite a big thing to ask them to now stay put in Jerusalem for an undetermined amount of time.

It turned out to be only ten days between Jesus’ ascension and the ‘Day of Pentecost’, but even a ten day wait may still have been a challenging and frightening concept for these disciples. I sometimes find it hard to wait one day for something I’m quite expectant about, let alone ten! So, a fair question would be … how well do we wait for God’s promises to come to fruition in our lives? How do we react to having to wait for God’s promises, or for God’s answer to our prayers, or for circumstances to change for the better??? The more mature we are in Christ, the more patient we would likely be!

The other question worth asking is: What do we do while we wait? Can we stay still enough to hear God’s voice or to clearly see God moving in a certain direction? Or, at the other end of the scale, can we be about the activities that help us be part of the solution – part of bringing about God’s promises? It’s likely NOT one or the other, stillness or activity, but rather a bit of both. So, what did the disciples do when Jesus asked them to wait (according to Luke)?? Refer chapter 24 verses 52 & 53 – the last two verses of Luke’s Gospel. These disciples worshipped Jesus, were obedient (yet with joy), and spent their time around the centre of spiritual activity … quote, “blessing God” – which would surely mean both: living how God would have them live, and, bringing due attention to God’s goodness and love.

In Acts, Luke adds another bit of dialogue that occurred between Jesus and his disciples … refer chapter 1 verse 6-8. Here the disciples asked Jesus a question about the future … if only they had a better idea of what the future held, then they would feel better about things (and feel better about waiting)! Why do you think Jesus answered in the way that he did?? First, faith is not about knowing the future, but rather about trusting God whatever the future might hold! And second, the job description of the disciples does not concern having all the answers, but rather about being witnesses (in the power of the Holy Spirit). So, in waiting, we have to be careful not to fall into diversions from the main game. We will find God’s promises fulfilled much more so in the main game than in the peripherals.

Jesus is saying: ‘Don’t be side-tracked by things like this – I’m about to lay out for you your ultimate mission – get on with this, and leave the rest to God’! God himself will not be a party to our diversions. So if we ever seem to be praying or waiting in vain, then this might reflect on what we are praying or waiting for! ‘No, don’t worry about what only God needs to know, just be my witnesses’. As the Holy Spirit empowers us to witness to the Jesus who once walked the earth, this job description of being witnesses to Jesus will involve addressing and embracing Jesus’ own job description (Luke 4:18-19), i.e. bringing good news to the poor, releasing captives, restoring sight to the blind, and letting the oppressed go free.

Then, in the Acts version of the ascension of Jesus, we have heavenly messengers speaking to the disciples, saying, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven”? Now it would be understandable that these disciples would respond with awe and wonder at such a sight, but they had just been given their job description, and such a job description had some urgency attached. The heavenly beings did not want the disciples so caught up in this moment that they then became paralysed. If they had become content in this moment, or at this level of experience, they may have missed being together in Jerusalem in the one place when the Holy Spirit arrived (refer Acts 2:1)!! We can so easily become content, and thus miss something even greater or of more significance!

So, waiting then becomes a time of good preparation. And the biggest part of waiting seems to be actively watching, so that we don’t miss the sort of answers that God is bringing to us. God always fulfils his promises, but sometimes in surprising ways. Who would have expected all sorts of different people to hear the Gospel in their own language when being spoken by mere Galileans! Returning to Luke 24:52-3, the best waiting is done in the context of worship, joyful obedience, and an attitude of blessing God in the centre of one’s life.

Walking with God - a discussion

(1)    What does it mean to walk with God???

When I think about walking with God, I get this picture of being with God, almost arm in arm, as I wrestle my way through the day.

I also get the picture of the first disciples walking with Jesus for three years while he performed his ministry.

In an article entitled The Secret of Walking with God, Bob Sorge suggested that God not only wanted to have an intimate relationship with us, but also have us as a walking partner. This offers a picture of two people walking together, say around a lake or along the beach, except one of these is actually God.

(2)    Just like walking regularly with another person, walking with God would involve companionship, dialogue, mutual delight, joint decision-making, shared dominion (or responsibility), a growing closeness or intimacy i.e. a knowledge of one another and a deepening friendship.

This notion reflects well that we have been created in God’s image and given earthly responsibility for what God has created, a responsibility that we best fulfil in response to God’s nearness (Genesis 1:26-28). Sorge writes, “God longs to walk with you, which is why his arms of grace have been pulling you into a closer walk with him”. The goal of our walking is “unbroken communion with our Lord and friend”.

(3)    Walking with God in the Bible seems to be connected to the notion of ‘blamelessness’. For example, Noah (Genesis 6:9): Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God. This ‘blamelessness’ stood in stark contrast to the corruption that existed in the world – Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth (Gen.6:11-12). Noah goes on to be completely faithful to the task given to him by God despite the jeers of the community around him. Another example of the connection between walking with God and ‘blamelessness’ is in Genesis 17:1 concerning Abraham (or Abram as he originally was): When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.

(4)    What does it mean to be blameless???

It can’t mean faultless or perfect, for who but Jesus can claim this! So, maybe … deemed innocent, forgiven, repentant (having a new/changed mind); or, pure in motivation, good character. According to Larry Richards, in the Old Testament, “blameless” means … responding to God wholeheartedly, and honestly seeking to please God.

There might be a chicken and egg type argument here … what comes first – walking with God or being blameless? Certainly we can’t be blameless without first walking with God, for we would soon lose our ‘blamelessness’. But equally without the desire and commitment to be blameless, without us pursuing this as a decent priority – we could hardly claim to walk with God. So, it seems, the two are indivisible!

(5)    Before either Noah or Abraham, Enoch was the first person in the Bible to walk with God (Genesis 5:21-24):

When Enoch had lived sixty-five years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after the birth of Methuselah three hundred years, and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years. 24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him.

Now isn’t that an interesting phrase – “God took him”. Whatever it means in terms of the physical realm, it certainly suggests a seamless transition from earth to heaven. This is as if Enoch walked so closely with God on earth that it was the same as if he’d already been in heaven! Wow! Although this is an ideal worth contemplating, we shouldn’t be daunted by this (as if we mortals can never really walk with God at all). This was simply a unique expression to make the point about how much God desires us to walk with Him, and that indeed it is possible. God actually values highly such a walking relationship!

(6)    Now we turn to the other end of the Bible, to Revelation 3:4-5, to see another Enoch type description:

"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works; you have a name of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God. 3 Remember then what you received and heard; obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. 4 Yet you have still a few persons in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes; they will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 If you conquer, you will be clothed like them in white robes, and I will not blot your name out of the book of life; I will confess your name before my Father and before his angels. 6 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

The church in Sardis was known for good works, yet there was still something deeply wrong. This must have been the quality of their relationship with God and their inner motivations. It is possible to being doing good works while still struggling to live in the right way (refer verse 3) – a way that is harmonious with God and the truth about God. The latter part of verse 3 is what happens when we are not in harmony with God – we miss what we should have noticed! Yet there was for the church in Sardis living examples of true walking with God (verse 4). One commentary suggests that the reference to those in “white robes” represents those who are properly and faithfully carrying out priestly roles of service. Similarly to Enoch, there is an easy movement here into the eternal space.

So, God wants to walk with us before he works through us! So if we want to create a credible public witness or to serve others with effectiveness, then we need to develop an intimate private walking partnership with God.

(7)    What do you think happens as we walk with God???

·         We receive training regarding what God wants us to be like and what pleases God.

·         We increase in knowledge and wisdom, such that we are more likely to speak and act aright.

·         Some of the mysteries of the Scriptures, or some of the areas in which we have experienced doubt, or some of the areas in which we have found it difficult to trust – these all start to find some resolution.

·         We become able to love the unlovely, live in peace despite the turmoil around us, and express joy and thanksgiving (as the wonder of God overwhelms all other problems).

·         The light of God starts to transfer to us!

(8)    Then we begin to be able to say with the psalmist, that despite at times experiencing the darkest valleys, we will no longer fear:

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil (Psalm 23:4a). Why can this be the case?? Because we are walking with God, and God is walking with us – even, maybe especially, through the dark valleys. For you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me (Ps 23:4b-c).

Pre-Easter Reflection on Mark 10:46-52

This is the last healing miracle Jesus did in his earthly ministry (as recorded by Mark’s Gospel). It occurred on Jesus’ way to Jerusalem, just prior to what has become known as Palm Sunday. This miracle happened in the face of the growing opposition to Jesus from the religious elite. So evil is mounting in the form of the direct plot to eliminate Jesus, yet, through this healing miracle, the Kingdom of God is still being announced as near. For, as we have seen, miracles are primarily signs of the nearness of the Kingdom of God. They alerted people then, and they also remind us now, that Jesus is God incarnate, and the focal point of humanity’s search for salvation. This will soon culminate in the greatest miracle of all – the resurrection of Jesus (bringing forth new life for us all).

The blind man Bartimaeus, who had been left to beg in an attempt to fill his belly and keep alive, must have heard good things about Jesus. And he was also ready to put his trust in Jesus, for he referred to him as “Jesus, Son of David”, thus recognising his Messianic claims. It was “mercy” that Bartimaeus sought, for this was clearly what was most neglected in his case. How many times, one wonders, was this man denied mercy? When people tried to shout Bartimaeus down and push him aside, his fledgling faith was such that he shouted out even more boldly.

Now let’s pause to consider the first part of verse 48 … “Many sternly ordered him to be quiet”. Why would these people do such a thing? Surely here was a person in need who should be easily and naturally deferred to! Could these people have been so callous as to have preferred their own agenda and wanted Jesus all for themselves? After all, didn’t Jesus highest priority lie with them, the respectable people? Was this part of a subtle (or perhaps not too subtle) campaign to inveigle Jesus back to the commonplace and middle-class! Were these attempts to sanitise Jesus and take the sting out of his tail! Sometimes we hear a lot more about the conquering Jesus, than the Jesus who spent most of his time with sinners and the needy (as well as his fallible and doubting followers).

Is this in any way similar to modern attempts to keep people in their place? Long and embarrassing and soul-destroying queues at Centrelink offices all round Australia tend to keep the poor in their place! You could probably think of other examples. Is there here a problem with status reversal? Even if the poor blind beggar Bartimaeus has to be seen, he certainly shouldn’t be heard. If we can just keep the cameras and the journalists out of the detention centres, then we might just be able to sleep at night; not to mention keep national wealth intact. Yet of course Jesus believed in reversals – complete reversals: Mark had recorded Jesus’ famous words just a few verses earlier – “The last shall be first and the first shall be last” (10:31).

Then to look at this troubling verse 48 another way, could there be even more subtle ways of keeping seeking people away from Jesus? Is the behaviour of some Christians a big turn-off! I know someone who attends church regularly, but is very bitter and twisted and antagonistic toward certain people he knows. How does that stack up for the good news of Jesus? Jesus himself refuted those who were judgemental, hypocritical, uncaring or unforgiving. Often those who might be regarded as ‘non-Christians’ show a lot more grace and kindness than those who could be more expected to do so (because of their stated relationship with Jesus or God).

How would we react to this sudden interruption of the blind man Bartimaeus wanting to push past us and spend time with Jesus? Well, we know how Jesus reacted, and this certainly gives us a lesson. Jesus stopped what he was doing (he “stood still”), and asked others (perhaps the very ones who were getting in the way) to usher Bartimaeus over to him. Now, we do sense some belated human concern in the phrase, “Take heart; get up, [Jesus] is calling you”. Were such people now shamed into such an attitude? Will Jesus’ innate goodness become part of who we are?

Now, Jesus wanted to get to the depth of what was troubling Bartimaeus. This man was a poor beggar because he had lost his sight, and in the society of the time, such people tended to be left to their own devices. So to provide a clear sign that the Kingdom of God was near, Jesus restored this man’s sight. In this case of Bartimaeus, this act was going to turn him from a seeker to a follower – this not only met his most pressing need, but also confirmed Jesus to be who Bartimaeus had thought him to be.

Note also a particular expression of faith by Bartimaeus … he, in trying to make his way to Jesus, threw off his cloak. The context would suggest that this was not only a cloak to protect him from the elements, but also the cloak that he placed on the ground as part of his begging. In approaching Jesus, Bartimaeus knew that this cloak would not be needed for this purpose any longer. Bartimaeus would now have the sight, given the cultural context, to better pursue a living, but also the light, to better pursue a life. Because of faith, Bartimaeus not only experienced physical healing, but salvation also (being “made well”). It is fair to say, that each of us, if we are truly going to follow Jesus in true discipleship, need a Divine miracle in our lives.

We ourselves may not be able to offer remarkable gifts of healing like this to others, although we may; but the point is bringing into other people’s lives the best of what Jesus has to offer. This certainly means never pushing them aside. But it also means gaining some understanding of what people need and working on providing that. As we address the presenting needs of people, they can enter that space where growing faith leads to an experience of salvation through Jesus. And this could spread! Telling of the same incident, Luke concludes, “Immediately [Bartimaeus] regained his sight and followed [Jesus], glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God” (Luke 18:43).

As we approach Easter once again, let us sense the Divine miracles that have happened in our lives. Let us reflect on those moments where Jesus has touched our lives at our very point of need. Even if these experiences have been quiet and subtle rather than extraordinary and dramatic, we all, each and every one of us, have the knowledge that Jesus went to the cross so that we would be able to have a thoroughly satisfying relationship with God. Amen!

My Hiding Place (Psalm 32)

Psalm 32:7 … what a beautiful verse this is:

You are a hiding place for me;

You preserve me from trouble;

You surround me with glad cries of deliverance (NRSV).

There are elements here of care, protection and rescue.

Yet, when it comes right down to it, what does this verse really mean?

We ask this question, because in reality we know that even Christians, including the most wonderful committed Jesus-followers, suffer extreme opposition and persecution and sometimes death. This is what happened to many of the first disciples, generally to the Christian community of the first century, and to so many Jesus-followers of various places and times since.

We might get a clearer picture of what the psalmist meant, if we look at the verses surrounding this verse:

Ø  Verse 1 talks about how better life looks and feels when we experience forgiveness. King David of old would certainly be able to credibly report on this! The first two verses largely speak about the impact of guilt and shame being lifted off a person. The NLT translates verse 1 as: “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight”. To be “put out of sight” means that it will never be actively revisited.

Ø  Verse 2 ends with the interesting phrase … in whose spirit there is no deceit. Or, (NLT) … whose lives are lived in complete honesty. So we have to understand that the process of God forgiving us involves be totally honest about ourselves as well as our sincere commitment to not repeat our mistakes – this what the word “repentance” means … a change of mind toward a new direction. We can attempt to fool ourselves and keep silent, or be honest and look to go forward.

So this starts to define for us the sort of “hiding place” that God offers. This is a “place” of protection … yes … but mostly a “place” of protection from the impact of our own misdeeds and our lack of honesty. For abiding in and dwelling on the negative is a self-destructive course. Then, the glad cries of deliverance are loud and public expressions of joy and thankfulness concerning salvation from sin.

Ø  Verses 3-5 then restate this process of despair to repentance to forgiveness. These verses certainly probe to the heart of the human predicament (M. Wilcock). Many times the psalmists blame opposing forces for their dire situations, however this psalmist knows that his particular past condition of misery has being caused by keeping silent (when he should have owned up). There is here an acknowledgement that things should be different – the workings of our conscience you might say … for day and night your hand was heavy upon me. Most people have some level of this feeling of guilt, and those that have come into contact with the notion of a loving Creator God feel this in heavier measure. They know what they should do, and when they don’t, and when they keep silent, it feels like their body is wasting away (v.3), and they lack strength and energy (v.4b). Silence may also represent an attempt to cover-up rather than admit wrongdoing. Later in verse 9, the psalmist talks about giving up such stubborn resistance. They know there could be something better, but for some reason prefer the status quo – sometimes a known darkness is more palatable than an unknown light. It comes back to those deep human motivations.

The story is told of the office manager whose filing cabinet was overflowing. The suggestion was made to him to cull some of the less important or older files. He was agreeable to this, as long as all the discarded files were photocopied first!! Some people think that confession will bring a feeling of loss, but in reality it brings a great gain.

Yet, this psalm brings out the complete contrast in a person’s well-being either side of the confessional fence. To dwell in the negative and be resistant to God in your life affects your health, and not in a good way!! There might be certain therapies or drugs that can make us feel better for a while, but these will ultimately prove to be insufficient (because we are not addressing the root cause). Then, often at one’s lowest point, there is a change of mind – we come to our senses. We decide to open our mouths, break our silence, and make this determination, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord (v.5b). And potentially everything changes for the better.

The psalmist David himself was able to reflect on all this because of his own agonising battle with sin and self. While David was referred to as ‘a man after God’s own heart’, he nevertheless descended to the lowest depths of deception, violence, lust and evil (CJH Wright). David discovered the effectiveness of open confession, and also repentance in response to supernatural grace, mercy and cleansing. David was able to then share the assurance he gained through coming out the other end following this surrender to God (as expressed in verse 6).

Having made the determination to be a confessing person, this will then be the natural pattern of the person on the path of salvation. When we read about the faithful offering prayer in verse 6, the context would reveal that this is a prayer of repentance. We can never feel that we are beyond the confessional prayer; and in fact, the more mature and humble we become, the more likely we are to be repentant, and increasingly prepared to be so publicly within the Christian congregation (refer James 5:16). It is in this way that we will be surrounded with glad cries of deliverance, or (with NLT) … songs of victory (v.7c). And this will not just be a personal experience, but one that can be noticed and celebrated by others!

Ø  Verse 8 then explains what happens within this “hiding place”. How do we gain entrance again??? Through grace! Whilst within what we may see as an intimate communion with God, we receive instruction and teaching about our way forward. The Bible, especially the Gospel of Jesus, makes much more sense now – it just seems that things are clearer (like when a dirty window is well cleaned) … that there are less impediments in the way! Our ethical responses to the teaching of Jesus become easier to apply. Decisions, generally speaking, are easier, because we more clearly see what is important over against what is trivial. It could be that challenges become stronger, but this is only because we are more ready now for deeper engagements. The more sensitive we become to God, the more gentle God can be in his leading of us – rather than the more dramatic means possibly used in the past (v.9). What a beautiful phrase does follow: I will counsel you with my eye upon you (v.8b). This has this element of God’s personal interest in us. It suggests we are never out of God’s sight; and being thus in view, love follows, and the impulse which knows no space nor separation (EM Blaiklock).

Ø  All of this leads to a greater appreciation of God’s love and all that God’s love can achieve (v.10b). We can, despite where we have come from, and also despite sometimes what life does to us, “shout for joy” (v.11), because we have moved away from the influences of evil and the negative power of torment (v.10a). Our trust is firmly in God for all that he promises to us.

So this “hiding place” is not a secret cave that we flee to – far from it! It is sin that makes us hide from God just like Adam did (in the first story of rebellion). This “hiding place” is also not an escape from reality, but rather the way of coping and thriving through any reality. From here temptation can be resisted. This “hiding place” is our way of life, the way of salvation, the way of resurrection life, and the way of the Holy Spirit, where we travel day-by-day with the unencumbered and unimpeded presence of God with us. We of course don’t hide from God, but we hide in God. Here is our point of celebration and our point of comfort. Here is where we appreciate God the most and humbly offer our thankfulness.

You are a hiding place for me;

You preserve me from trouble;

You surround me with glad cries of deliverance.