Tax Time

Mat 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

You talk about your withholding! The coin was being kept in the fish's mouth so Jesus could pay His taxes. In these verses, Peter has to "angle" for the tribute money.

I have noticed something this year that disturbs me. More and more people are totally dependent on tax returns for getting over the hump. When they don't get the amount they were expecting, or when it has to be applied to another need than for what it was earmarked or if it came in late, they were pretty perturbed. It shows that we shouldn't be depending on such things as uncertain riches which have a tendency to take wings and fly away. (I Tim 6:17, Prov 23:5)

A friend of mine, a little miffed by having to pay in this year rather than receiving a refund, asked me if the Bible says we have to pay taxes.

We began to look up the Scriptures which applied and were a bit overwhelmed by the vast amount of verses showing that it is right to do so.

But of all the verses, nowhere does it say that we are to be over-taxed or even that we are to pay them with joy and happiness. But, we are to pay taxes. Paul and Jesus taught that we are responsible, even under despots like Herod and Caesar!

I pray that God will give you grace to get your taxes paid and that you might have enough of a refund to be a blessing to His work this year.

It is Good for us to be Here!

Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment
was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and
Elias talking with him. 4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord,
it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles;
one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5 While he yet spake,
behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the
cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear
ye him. 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were
sore afraid. 7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be
not afraid.

This is the greatest understatement in history! Of course, poor "foot in the mouth," impetuous Peter was given to saying things before thinking them out:

* "Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee."
* "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water."
* "#$%^&@ I don't even know the man!"
* "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?"
* "Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?"
* "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended."
* "What about John?"
* "I go a fishing."

Of course, that doesn't mean that he never got things right. Take a look at Mat 16:16, "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Yea Peter!

Perhaps you have a friend, co-worker or even a family member, who, much like Peter, is only comfortable when their mouth is running. Be honest, somebody’s face just popped into your mind!

Today's incident shows that Peter is going to force saying something, even if it causes others to look at him in bewilderment and think, "Duh, ya think?"

Jesus is transfigured before the sleepy eyes of Peter, James and John.

Revelation better describes what Jesus looks like in His heavenly state:

Rev 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Just think, John got to see Jesus in His glorified appearance twice!

It gets more intense. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appear. I mean, imagine you seeing the Lord glorified and George Washington and Abe Lincoln flanking Him. Most of us would be speechless. Suddenly, your pal nudges you in the side with his elbow and exclaims, "Ya know, it sure is a good thing that we're here!"

But then it gets a bit sillier. "Um Lord, Moses, Elijah, hold on a minute would you? We're gonna build three tabernacles for you guys."

Peter, good brother, SHUT UP!!!!

In fact, that's basically what God from Heaven says next. May I paraphrase? "Peter, this is my beloved Son. Remember your confession just last week? 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God?' Obviously, it's time for you to stop talking and listen for once!"

So Peter and pals fall to their faces and tremble like scared little kids.

Funny thing is, Jesus had nothing to say after that. What they witnessed sufficed. He came and tapped them on their shoulders and said, "Come on boys, get up, nothing to be afraid of." (I know, Jesus would not have ended a sentence with a preposition, but work with me here.)

"Lord, it is good for us to be here." What an enormous understatement. Makes me think of some of the things I say:

* "Lord, it was good to be in your house today."
* "Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me."
* "Lord, bless all the missionaries."

You get the idea. We don’t really have the verbal skills to adequately express ourselves, so we just blurt out what comes to mind. Paul felt the frustration of understatement when, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he wrote, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." II Cor 9:15

Sometimes, even well-intended words just don't suffice. We just need to hush up, be in awe and wonder as we listen to what the Lord has to say and witness His glory.

Waiting for the Change

Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

As Jesus was quickly transfigured before the 3 apostles in just moments and was suddenly accompanied by Moses and Elijah, so shall we who believe be transfigured before Him in the twinkling of an eye. We will then immediately be in the presence of the saints who have gone before us.

We too shall have shining garments and faces, reflecting from the glory of the Savior.

1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

I am awaiting my change, working for the Master in the meanwhile.

Counting the Cost of Following Jesus

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

This is an invitation for which only "nuts" would rsvp. But once those nuts get tightened with a lock washer onto the right Bolt, they enter into a whole new, victorious, exciting way of living, or rather, dying.

Concerning their service for Christ, I have heard the phrase, "I'm all in" from well-meaning people who failed to count the cost. Soon, they were back to the old modus operandi. They waded waist deep into the sea of blessings and retreated to the shores of the familiar. Too bad they never made the plunge. They would not have been sorry.

Jesus gave a three-fold mandate for those who would come after Him:

1. Deny self - Slay that cursed independent will which separates you from God's greatest blessings. Die daily to the old man who wants to satisfy carnal desires and prideful ego.

*Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

*I Cor 15:31 I die daily.

*Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Steve Green's song "Enter In" expresses the sentiment so well...

Nothing chills the heart of man
Like passing through death's gate
Yet to him who enters daily
Death's a glorious fate
Dearly beloved we are gathered here
To be a holy bride
And daily cross death's threshold
To the holy life inside

Chorus:
Enter in, enter in
Surrender to the Spirit's call
To die and enter in
Enter in, find peace within
The holy life awaits you, enter in

The conflict still continues
Raging deep within my soul
My spirit wars against my flesh
In a struggle for control
My only hope is full surrender
So with each borrowed breath
I inhale the Spirit's will for me
To die a deeper death

Chorus
Enter in, enter in
Surrender to the Spirit's call
To die and enter in
Enter in, find peace within
The holy life awaits you, enter in

If mourners should lament
Let them weep for those alive
For only when my will is killed
Can my soul survive

Enter in, enter in
Surrender to the Spirit's call
To die and enter in
Enter in, find peace within
The holy life awaits you, enter in

2. Take up the cross - What do we know about the cross we are invited to bear?

a. It is Individualized, your cross only fits you.

A man came to the Lord, bearing his cross. He said, “Lord, this cross is heavy and awkward, I am tired and worn. I beg that I may trade it in for another.” The Lord took him to a warehouse filled with all manner of crosses, different sizes, styles and weights. There were crosses made of wood, iron, even crosses made of stone. Some were smooth, others were rough-hewn. There were shiny crosses as well as dull and some, rusty. He hoisted them, one by one, to his shoulder and then took a few steps with each one in a small circle. Dissatisfied with the feel of cross after cross, he would lay one down and take up the next to test its carryability. Finally, nearing the far end of the warehouse, he spied one that looked as if he could lug it. He felt the wood with his fingers, smelled it's scent, then hoisted it to his shoulder. It felt just right. He carried it for a few steps and knew this would be the cross for him. He turned to the Lord and said that he would gladly carry this cross.

The Lord said to him, “My child, this is the very cross you brought with you to this warehouse, the one I designed for you and assigned to you long ago. Bless you as you bear it in my footsteps!”

b. It is Uncomfortable, yet, as Vance Havner said, "We need men of the cross, with the message of the cross, bearing the marks of the cross."

No cross-bearing is enjoyable, but it can be eternally profitable. Crosses are cumbersome to carry, but always necessary for our betterment.

c. It has a Tremendous trade in value if carried to completion. "There are no crown-wearers in heaven who were not cross-bearers here below." CH Spurgeon.

3. Follow Jesus – follow Him to out of the way places, to out of their mind people and to out of this world experiences. As you follow Him, you will find yourself in the midst of storm –tossed seas. To foreign shores where demon-possessed men from tombs will greet you with tormented screams. To rugged, craggy hillsides where sockets in the ground await the implanting of your cross and the thirsty ground awaits the drops of your blood!

Ira Stamphill, the great old evangelist, who wrote such songs as "Mansion Over the Hilltop" and "He Washed My Eyes with Tears" penned these telling words:

I traveled down a lonely road and no one seemed to care,
The burden on my weary back had bowed me to despair,
I oft complained to Jesus how folks were treating me,
And then I heard Him so so tenderly,

"My feet were also weary upon the Calv'ry road,
The cross became so heavy I fell beneath the load,
Be faithful weary pilgrim, the morning I can see,
Just lift your cross and follow close to me."

"I work so hard for Jesus" I often boast and say,
"I've sacrificed a lot of things to walk the narrow way,
I gave up fame and fortune; I'm worth a lot to thee,"
And then I heard Him gently say to me,

"I left the throne of glory and counted it but loss,
My hands were nailed in anger upon a cruel cross,
But now we'll make the journey with your hand safe in mine,
So lift your cross and follow close to me."

Oh Jesus if I die upon a foreign field someday
'Twould be no more than love demands, no less could I repay,
"No greater love hath mortal man than for a friend to die,"
These are the words he gently spoke to me,

"If just a cup of water I place within your hand
Then just a cup of water is all that I demand,"
But if by death to living they can thy glory see,
I'll take my cross and follow close to thee.

To come after Jesus does not mean health, wealth and happiness, as many are trying to teach these days. It means enduring hardness as a good soldier. It means living a paradoxical life.
"The first shall be last and the last shall be first."
"He that loses his life for my sake, shall find it."
"Give and it shall be given unto you."
"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that despitefully use you and persecute you."

Jesus' invitation to come after Him is extended to you today. Peter accepted that call. James followed. John answered. Will you also deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him?

A Little Dirt Never Hurt Anybody!

Mat 15:1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
Mat 15:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

One Friday evening on a very cold, very wintery day in the Twin Cities, I was driving through a Hassidic neighborhood when I saw several bearded, black clad Jews converging on a synagogue. Having some time to kill I found a parking spot and followed the parade to their house of worship.

I was welcomed warmly to the Sabbath services, but warned sternly that there would be no “Christian missionary work” allowed.

The services were intriguing, to say the least. I was provided with a personal guide to help me understand the bobbing and weaving, the chanting and responsive readings.

Then came a part of the function that all faiths could well understand...food and fellowship. Now, I could feel at home!

But first, the ritualistic hand washing. Picture a surgeon scrubbing up before a procedure and you will get an idea of the ordeal. The water is poured over your hands, allowed to run down the forearms and drip off your elbows into the basin. If any of the dirty water were to get back on the hands again, then the process would have to be repeated. And all this for some hummus and Pepsi? It's not brain surgery, you know!

The fellowship to follow was a real delight. I was the center of attention as a bagel baker’s dozen Hassidim bombarded me with questions about our similarities and differences. A little "Christian missionary work" was allowed through the back door after all!

I treasure the experience and the skull cap they gave me.

I have now attended Ultra-Orthodox services in Newport, RI, St. Louis Park, MN and Tiberias, Israel. I am struck by one similarity between these precious souls and my Independent, fundamental, nary-a-piece-of-literature Baptist brethren. We tend to make a big deal out of things that aren't all that important while ignoring the things that are. We are prone to straining at gnats while swallowing camels.

Ask the average died-in-the-wool, fundamentalist preacher what would happen if a person were to inadvertently swallow a drop of alcohol or take one choreographic step while music plays or step into a movie theater and they start to shake. Sweat beads up on their brow, fingers tremble, nerves fray. Hell hath no fury like a Baptist tradition scorned!!!

But when a family in trouble is about to have their heat turned off, or when their electricity is about to have the plug pulled, or when they don't have the gas to get their kid to the hospital and they call that same straight-laced pastor for a bit of help, the preacher's religion tends to get pretty thin. (If applicable, delete “Baptist” and insert your own denomination)

After the phone call, they hurry to their wash basin and cleanse the filth of that hurting family's call from their hands, allowing the defiled water to drip from their elbows.

Then it's off to Burger King for a double Whopper with cheese, Coke and fries. Oh, and super-size that order, please!

A little dirt never hurt anybody. That's what my mom, and Jesus, said.

The Hem of the Garment

Mat 14:35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; 36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

The scribes and Pharisees were powerless hypocrites whose garment hems, "talits" represented the law. It is telling that many sought to touch the hem of the garments of this Healer and Teacher from Galilee with authority and truth, Who possessed real power.

It is foolish desperation to turn to a religious leader for that which only God can provide. Priests, prelates and pastors think they can somehow absolve the sins of poor penitents. Only God has this power.

Multitudes flock to fake, er, ah, faith healers for a healing touch from faulty hands when Jesus is the only One with healing in His wings.

All manner of needy souls bring their problems to those who are powerless to provide for them when they need simply to touch the hem of the garment of the One Who makes perfectly whole.

Do you have some great need today? Quit bothering men who are really powerless to help. Proceed boldly to the throne of grace where you will find mercy and grace in time of need.

Stressful Day

Mat 14:12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. 13 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

Jesus had just endured what could have been the most heart-rending, gut-wrenching
moment of His entire life. Not only his first cousin, but a top-notch servant of God and the greatest of all humans, John, was imprisoned and beheaded for preaching Jesus.

To make matters even worse, it was at a drunken party where that wicked, sorry,
adulterous Herod was so consumed with passion and lust for his mistress's daughter
after she had danced for him, that he acquiesced to Herodias' and daughter's plea to
bring them the head of John the Baptist on a serving tray. Insidiously sinister!

Perhaps you have had a bad day. But imagine getting this news, taking a little retreat to get away into the desert to just be alone with the guys and with God and several thousand people follow you. They were "in His face" everywhere He turned. Add to that the fact that not a one of them packed a lunch, so you-know-Who had to minister again when He really needed to be ministered to.

But His compassion failed not! He fed the multitudes with a little local boy's few fish and biscuits.

Now, perhaps Jesus could get some alone time with the Father? He sent the boys across the sea so He could pray alone up on the mountain. But about 3 in the morning He looks out over Galilee where the waves start getting very choppy. So He has to walk to them on the water and calm the waves and the hearts of the disciples.

That, my friend, is a busy, stress filled day! Did you notice though? It was about others, not about Himself. And listen to what He says to the guys, "Be of good cheer; It is I; be not afraid."