“Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” (Romans 2:1)

A man yells at his wife for being too emotional.  From his La-Z-Boy, a football fan criticizes the lack of athleticism of the professional athlete.  Two women gossip about the catty behavior of other women.  A child takes their ball and goes home while calling all the other children rude.

This is humanity.  We point our fingers at the misbehavior of others while exhibiting that exact behavior ourselves.  We pass judgment and condemn ourselves all in one stroke.

Be wary of the tendency to see others’ faults.  Those fault lines run through your own heart, too.  We must recognize our own condemnation first.  Most often our “righteous” indignation belies a deeper problem that can be seen in our own character.  No excuses that others are the problem.  Sin isn’t an issue for other people.  Remember the guy in the mirror.  That person needs Jesus.  Start there.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel…” (Romans 1:16)

Shame is based upon humiliation.  We feel shame when we feel we have done something foolish, silly, or wrong.  There are times when we feel shame because we have done something objectively wrong, such as stealing, lying, or other ethically wrong behavior.  This type of shame is godly and righteous.

However, there are times we feel shame because of subjective reasons driven by our own internal inadequacies, fears, or concerns about what others might think of us.  When you become embarrassed because you missed the fashion memo, accidentally tried to get into the wrong car in a crowded parking lot, or were chosen last for a pick-up basketball game, you likely understand this type of shame.  It is driven not by sin, but by environment.

This second shame is what Paul is warning us about.  Do not be shamed into thinking of the gospel of Jesus Christ as foolish, humiliating, or silly.  It is the very bedrock of humanity’s hopes.  We cannot allow the risk of embarrassment to stop our mouths.  Rather let us be deemed foolish for Christ and brave by Christ.  Speak up, speak plainly, and stand tall.  We ought to be proud of Jesus, not ashamed of His message.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:26)

Luke spends a great deal of time emphasizing the spiritual necessity of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.  Our Savior must be a suffering one in order to triumph over our enemy because our enemy is sin, and the wages of sin are death (see Rom 6:23).  The nature of our problem is one of suffering.  Sin creates suffering.  Suffering in this life, and without redemption, suffering in the next, too.

It was necessary for Jesus to suffer for us, not for Him.  He was glorious beforehand, but to be our Christ (Christ means ‘chosen one’), He had to choose to carry our pain in our stead.  He chose suffering for the glory of being crowned our King.  He chose us, and He knew the cost to redeem us.

Jesus’ suffering was no accident – it was a voluntary suffering so that He might become the triumphing Messiah we needed.  His resurrection is ours as well.  He chose you, and the cross was the price.

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“But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail.” (Luke 23:23)

            Pilate chose to crucify Jesus.  What won him over?  It wasn’t truth and logic.  Pilate was convinced by the size of the crowds and the noise of the voices.  The majority cried for Jesus’ crucifixion, and the masses were going to get what they wanted.

            Just because a view is loudly spoken doesn’t make it right.  Insistence isn’t proof of accuracy.  Before you accept a point of view as your own, check its validity.  The loudest religion of Jesus’ day chose to crucify Him.  Religious confusion has always been a problem, and the masses typically end up on the wrong side of history.

            Listen for truth.  Investigate the Scriptures yourself.  Seek what is right, not what is popular.  It is the road less traveled, but as Robert Frost once said, it will make all the difference.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow.” (Luke 22:45)

We are souls within bodies, and the spiritual impacts the physical.  The disciples’ souls were consumed with sadness, and their bodies reacted by seeking sleep.  There is a clear interaction among the hearts and souls and bodies that is well-documented throughout Scripture.  Your body is impacted by your spirit, and your spirit is impacted by your flesh.

When your heart is weighed down, don’t be surprised when your body feels the effects.  Also, when your body is suffering, be wary of the danger to your soul.  Jesus was tempted by Satan after forty days without food – the impact of such lengthy fasting upon His body was viewed by Satan as an opportunity.  Jesus prevailed, but the hunger was real.

The spirit/body connection: as long as we dwell here in these earthly tents, you can’t get away from it.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.” (Luke 21:13)

The beatings, the imprisonments, and the corrupt trials which lay ahead for Christians was no joke.  History records the rough and wicked treatment of more than just the apostles.  Christians in the early church had their families separated from them, homes and businesses confiscated, and years stolen from them as they sat in prisons awaiting trials.  The government conspired against them and their way of life at every turn, and their neighbors oftentimes gleefully cheered on the persecution and looked for opportunities to sell them out.

It was a bleak era for God’s people… and it led to more opportunities for the gospel than any era since.  Christianity was spoken of in every dark corner of the dungeons and in the highest courts of the land.  Neighbors, friends, and enemies alike had to hear about Jesus and His resurrection because Christ’s followers were a nuisance that had to be eradicated for the Roman good.

But they weren’t eradicated; they grew.  The Word did its job and took root within soil throughout the empire.  Rome eventually fell, but Christianity and the Christians who had so faithfully shared their testimony endured and thrived.

If the world chooses again to set its crosshairs upon the people of God, be prepared for another era of opportunity.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“… for they understood that He spoke this parable against them.” (Luke 20:19)

As Jesus neared His crucifixion hour, His teaching became more and more pointed.  The parables became less veiled, and even the chief priests and scribes recognized that He was speaking against them.  They felt their power slipping, and they feared Jesus’ influence upon the crowds. 

In their struggle to control and remain in power, they forgot to ask a crucial question: what if Jesus is right?  There are times God’s word IS spoken against us.  It is intended to convict, to bring mourning and grief, and to foster repentance.  Sometimes, the sermon is meant for you and not the other guy in the pew.  When the Word convicts – what do you do next?  Do you plot, rationalize, and sabotage?  Or do you submit to the King?

The text is for you, not just your neighbor.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ ” (Luke 19:14)

Jesus spoke these words while in the city of Jericho.  The idea of a delegation being sent to receive a kingdom would have made perfect sense to the people of that city.  Herod and Archelaus had done that very thing.  Archelaus had journeyed across a great distance to speak with Caesar and came back with the authority to rule over Jericho, and the citizens had sent a delegation to appeal to Caesar because they hated Archelaus.  The end result?  Archelaus ruled anyways.

Jesus may be hated by many, and mankind may despise His authority and their responsibility to submit to it, but that doesn’t change anything.  Jesus has been crowned King of kings and Lord of lords.  We cannot expect our feelings about the matter to change the reality of His reign.

Embrace the King or despise Him – He is King nonetheless.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

            Good question.  If Jesus came back today, would He find you faithful or distracted?  Would He find you with a list of reasons faithfulness will be pursued tomorrow or find you bearing fruit for His kingdom?

            Make no mistake – He is coming back.  What will the King find His citizens doing?

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Remember Lot’s wife.” (Luke 17:32)

            Lot’s wife looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah with wistful eyes.  The place that is synonymous with evil and wickedness was also her hometown.  She had become attached to a world that wasn’t worthy of her love.

Our heart cannot exist in two places for very long – ultimately it will choose to fix its adoration.  Lot’s wife needed to look ahead to the future, but she was so enamored by the opulence and lifestyle of the past that she left room in her heart for Sodom and Gomorrah.

Don’t make the same mistake.  Leave no room in your heart and your mind’s eye to glamorize sin or its “luxuries”.  Don’t fall for the trap of remembering the glitter of sin but not the sting.  Even if Lot’s wife were queen of Sodom… who would want that title anyways?!

Look forward.  Get out, move on, and reach upward.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites