Tag: disease

As He Said

I am afraid of many things.  So many, in fact, I don’t know how to start.  Some are dumb, some are very real.  The real estate market is one.  It’s crazy! We all know it.  When is it going to crash?  That’s what I am afraid of.  How about cancer?  The Doctor said she got it all, but what if it comes back?  I am afraid of that too!  Every day, I think about what I am afraid of.  Not until I read Matthew 28 today, did I realize the root of my fear.  It is not what I am afraid of that is the problem, it is why I am afraid.

From today’s reading in Matthew 28, we join the two Marys visiting Jesus’ grave.  Upon their arrival, they are greeted by the angel that is now in charge of the tomb.  Knowing the terror that he could trigger, the angel quickly interceded saying, “do not be afraid.”  Then comes the reminder.  “He is not here, for He has risen.  As he said.”

Look a little closer at that last sentence.  “As he said.”  It is easy to miss.  The angel was not telling them something they didn’t already know.  In fact, Jesus had been telling them all along.  Remember in Matthew 16?  Jesus tells the disciples that he will go away and suffer many things.  But, he assures him, “I will rise again on the 3rd day” (Matt 16:21).  So, what were the Mary’s afraid of?  A scary angel, for sure.  But don’t you think they were also afraid of an empty grave?  Those are the whats.  But, remember, the better question is why.

Why were the Marys afraid?  The root of their anxiety is belief.  Or, more accurately, they were afraid because of their unbelief.  Their gut reaction is that Jesus was a lie.  He died and now he is gone.  Not just the man, but their hope was gone.  It makes sense, of course.  There were no witnesses to see Jesus leave the grave and we humans must make sense of it so we do what we do best.  Make up a story that makes sense to us.

Thankfully, the angel quickly led them back to Jesus’ promises. “As he said.”

He said…. that he would die, and rise again (Matt 16:21).

He said…. That he will never leave or forsake you (Deut 31:6-8)

He said… He will work all things for our good (Romans 8:28)

He said…. That he will complete us (2 Tim 3:17)

He said…. That we shall inherit the land (Psalm 37:9)

He said…. That he will always be with us (Matt 28:20)

It does my soul well to remember the things God says. Now, I am not afraid.

 

Two Diseases

1200px-Biohazard.svgDeuteronomy 13–14; Psalms 99–101; Isaiah 41; Revelation 11

According to John Calvin, “every man labors under two diseases. In prosperity, he exalts himself extravagantly, and shakes off the restraint; of humility and moderation; but, in adversity, he either rages, or lies in a lifeless condition, and scarcely has the smallest  perception of the goodness of God.”[1]  I was thinking about this as I read Psalm 100 today.  Consider how each of these “diseases” cause us to interpret the Scripture differently.

Psalm 100 (ESV) In Prosperity In Adversity
1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Declare your gratification and happiness for everyone to see. Grumble to all the world, as loud as you can!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!   Come into his presence with singing! Be happy with what you have done. Sing away, life is good! Do your work, even in agony. Come into God’s presence with despondency
3 Know that the Lord, is God! Know that you have everything under control. Where is God?
It is he who made us, and we are his; We have evolved so wonderfully If he didn’t want us to be this way, he shouldn’t have made us this way!
and the sheep of his pasture We live in the land of plenty.  Go get yours! God doesn’t care!
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise! Look what you have done for yourself. Others should come to you for help! Go to God complaining and blaming him for all your problems.
Give thanks to him; bless his name! You should be thanked for all that you have done! Curse God for all of your troubles!
For the Lord is good; Man, you am good; The Lord is tired of us all!
His steadfast love endures forever for all the days of your life His wrath is upon us.
and his faithfulness to all generations Your kids and your kid’s kids will be set for life! we are on our own.

Father God, help us to see our attitudes as they really are and make us aware of the spiritual diseases in our hearts.  Heal our hearts, Lord, with your Word and your Truth.  Make them new.

[1]
Calvin, John (2011-11-15). Calvin’s Complete Bible Commentaries (With Active Table of Contents in Biblical Order) (Kindle Locations 173172-173175). . Kindle Edition.