“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Psalm 107:1, ESV
From all eternity, O Jesus Christ, you have been our Lord and our God: so did the Father will it. Yet in this, the last of all periods of time, you also had your birth; you were born of a virgin, of one who had no knowledge of any man. To redeem us from the Law, you submitted to the Law. Your purpose was to free us from the slavery to which our corruption had reduced us and to confer upon us the rank of sons.
Deliver us, now, Lord, from all that is vain; fulfill your promise and free us from sin and shame; fill our hearts with your Holy Spirit and enable us to say: “Abba, Father.”
“The apostles gathered around Jesus and told him about all the things they had done and taught.”
Mark 6:30, New Century Version
We need to become accountable to Him for the things we say, and the things we do. A liberated discipleship is one that can’t be trusted–there is no supervision, and no direction. And we need to be accountable. It is not a question of freedom– but of slavery, and duty (kind of a “neutral” word.) Within our culture, we are dancing on a knife’s edge, and we become intensely counter-cultural when we live authentically as His disciples.
The text has noted, “They gathered unto Him.” That dear one, is the real essence of your walk. He is the absolute center, that fact will never change. Without Him we will drift in and out, unfocused and confused. But these wonderful disciples know absolutely that Jesus Christ is their common focus, no matter what their own personal proclivities.
A simple word about all the plurality and variety among Christians. We are intensely different. Some of us are Pentecostals, and some are Roman Catholics. Some Orthodox, Lutherans and Quakers. We are Mennonites, Baptists and Methodists. There is so much variety in the Church. But I think that all of us are coming to Jesus–He is our center!
I no longer doubt or fear the amazing variety that is in the Church. We are dealing with a God who can’t even make snowflakes alike! We make Styrofoam cups that are exactly alike, and He does snowflakes. He insists on creativity and being unique. Shouldn’t our churches reflect this?
The verse tells us that the disciples had the freedom to come to Jesus and report. There wasn’t a need to embellish or exaggerate their work. They are not in competition with each other. They have a broad confidence, an easiness and sureness about Him. Jesus is the easiest master to work for. Bob Dylan told us, “You gotta serve somebody.”
And serving Him is kind of demanding, but it is also a great and wonderful joy. Only those caught in the middle are miserable. They can’t make the choice. They’re in a tough place. We must pray for them.
“Done and taught.” The disciples have been active on their journey. They have travelled different directions. They work, and then they teach. And really that is all that disciple comes down to. Working, and talking. Talking, and working. I believe that it was significant that this would become the focal point, and bulk of their time with Jesus was essential. That tells me something. In some real sense, this is how we are to monitor and evaluate ourselves.
1) Do I gather onto Jesus with others?
2) Do I share with Him things that matter?
3) Do I evaluate my service with His light?
4) Do I tell Him everything– “honest and truthful?”
This day– this wonderfully good day, has been a flood of kindness for my soul. Sitting on my deck soaking up the Alaskan sun, I’m jolted by a considerable awe at the created world that swirls around me.
I haven’t though these thoughts for a long time. But now they visit me, and I think it may be time to entertain them.
If creation is wonderful, the Creator is more so. He is responsible for everything I see. And living in Alaska gives me ample things to see and ponder.
I sat and mulled over a very persistent question. “Why is there ‘something’ instead of nothing?” There is nature that we see and touch. We take pictures of it. Our artists and writers and poets work out of this wonder that surrounds us all.
I was stunned when I first saw this picture of this wren. He is so wonderfully blue– a masterpiece meticulously ‘manufactured’ by Someone. I am left with an authentic awe and reverence that is left behind like when the tide goes out.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1, NLT
“Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation!” Isaiah 65:18
“For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.” Romans 8:19
“He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” Colossians 1:17
What we see and touch is full evidence of God the Creator. He reveals himself– what he is like. His character is seen all around us. We describe His faithfulness which is like the mountains. His love is like the ocean, and He also finds time to feed every sparrow that He has made. His fingerprints are on everything.
We enter a classroom, when we step outside our house. My problem is my “drone-ability.” (I just invented a new word.) I move through the creation blind, without really perceiving it. I can be completely impervious to the glory of God swirling around me. And I really don’t want to be this way. I want to live in wonder.
“For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17, NLT
Five rings– they are listed from the very inside, outward in concentric circles– and each one is a profound truth. We throw a rock in the lake, and we see the rings grow wider and wider. We watch and listen to the rhythm of the water, and it does us much good. I love lakes, and a picnic at the beach is like a “dream come true.”
The first ring, the starting point is the phrase, “among you.” The center point is the “the Lord your God.” When the Lord is your center we just expect that there is something else just teetering, ready to happen. His presence, active and decisive as it is, has boldly put things into motion. Salvation always starts at the top, and works its way down.
The second ring is “He is a mighty Savior.” This is agape love sweating. Really, the work of salvation can only come from him. He initiates, and then goes on to complete this saving work.
The third ring is being rejoiced over with gladness . This seems outrageous to us who have been diminished and wrecked by sin. It doesn’t seem possible, but the Father gets a real boost when he thinks of us. He is very glad when he gazes on you.
The fourth ring is this– “He calm us with his love.” A toddler begins to unravel, and his mother meets him, and holds him closely. The child sobs start to diminish, and mom begins to restore his broken heart. He has been quieted. The presence of mom has turned everything around.
The fifth and final work is the Father’s singing. It is done with a flair and deeply enthusiastic; He sings with a loud voice, He doesn’t seem to hum, and the angels do not do background vocals. Singing at the top of his voice, it is said he “exults” in you. He has a way about Him as He sings easily, reveling and boasting in your faith in Him.
“Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs.”
