thrift shopping

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Jefferson Vann

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Genesis 29:28 – 30:6

28 Jacob did what Laban asked, and completed Leah’s week. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife also.

29 (Laban had given his female servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.)

30 So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban for another seven years.

31 When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.

32 And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she called his name Reuben,[1] for she said, “Because the LORD has looked upon my trouble; for now my husband will love me.”

33 She conceived again and gave birth to a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon.[2]

34 Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have given birth to three sons for him.” Therefore his name was called Levi.[3]

35 And she conceived again and gave birth to a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name Judah.[4] Then she stopped bearing.

30:1 When Rachel saw that she had not given birth to children for Jacob, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I will die!”

2 Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”

3 Then she said, “Here is my servant Bilhah; go in to her, so that she may give birth on my behalf, that even I may have children through her.”

4 So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her.

5 And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son.

6 Then Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice and given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan.[5] _________________________________________

thrift shopping

Five boys are born into Jacob’s clan – so far; four by Leah, and one by Bilhah, Rachel’s servant. Each of these men will grow up knowing his name, and at some point, will also become aware that he was named in a sort-of contest. Their mothers were in a battle with each other for the love and respect of their father. They each were born into that context, and were part of that legacy, whether they wanted to be or not. Their names reflected a very partial understanding of what God was doing.

Whether our names reflect it or not, we are all born into an environment like that. There is something used and broken in each of our lives – usually several things. The grace of God is seen in his joining in the contest. He actually keeps Rachel from having children at first. He grants Leah children precisely because she is loved less. God is not taking sides as much as he is taking part.

The LORD does not choose perfect people from perfect families to be a part of his future kingdom. He does not shop in the posh specialty stores for souls that are just right. His grace visits the thrift shop and chooses to love the castaways.

LORD, when the enemy accuses us of being too imperfect for your kingdom, we will remember this dysfunctional family that you chose to bless. Thank you for your grace.

[1] Reuben: See, a son!

[2] Simeon: hearing.

[3] Levi: attached.

[4] Judah: praise.

[5] Dan: judge.

Posted in family, grace, Jacob, sovereignty of God | Tagged , | 1 Comment

the measure of a prophet

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Jefferson Vann

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Matthew 11:7-15

7 While they were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothing? See, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I guarantee it, and more than a prophet.

10 This is he of whom it is written, “‘ See, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Indeed, I say to you, among those born of women there has appeared no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom from the sky is greater than he.

12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom from the sky has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,

14 and if you are willing to welcome him, he is Elijah, the one whose coming is predicted.

15 The one who has ears, let him hear. _________________________________________

the measure of a prophet

John’s disciples are preparing to return to him with Jesus’ answer. Jesus begins telling the crowd his estimate of John, knowing that as they leave, John’s disciples are listening to him.

He asks the crowd what it was that drew them to John. It was not that he followed the latest fads and techniques of oration. No, was not shaken by the wind. His message was trustworthy because he received from another source, an eternal source.

It was not that John was rich and successful in this life. No, a camel’s hair robe was not the fancy garb in vogue among the mucky-mucks. Locusts and honey was not the latest fad diet among the posh.

John was what he claimed to be. He told his world what God was thinking, and what God was planning. He warned his people to get ready for the kingdom coming down from the sky. John was not perfect – even the least of those perfected by that kingdom when it comes will be a better man than John was. But John did fulfill his role in his age.

LORD, thank you for the prophets who have come before us, and who walk among us. Thank you for using them to challenge us to walk in the ways of your coming kingdom.

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trusting amid consequences

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Jefferson Vann

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Genesis 29:15-27

15 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my brother, should you therefore serve me as a favor? Tell me, what shall your wages be?”

16 And Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

17 Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in shape and appearance.

18 Jacob loved Rachel. And he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”

19 Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; remain living with me.”

20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him only a few days because of the love he had for her.

21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my days are completed.”

22 So Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast.

23 But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her.

24 (Laban had given his female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her servant.)

25 And in the morning, see, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?”

26 Laban said, “It is not customary in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.”

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trusting amid consequences

God is at work in the background of Jacob’s life, making sure that he stays with Laban long enough to cool down the anger of Esau, and so preserve Jacob’s life by his grace. But God has not forgotten that Jacob had gained the birthright by deception. So, he allows Jacob to be deceived in a similar manner. Jacob wakes up with his new bride and discovers that it is the wrong sister. No doubt it crossed his mind that not long ago he had pretended to be his brother in order to get what he wanted. God remembered. Although God saves us by grace, there are consequences to sin in our lives. Maturity as a Christian means trusting that the God of all grace will walk with you as you face them.

LORD, we accept your grace and the total forgiveness you offer in Christ. But we will not turn from you if you visit us with consequences of our past actions. We trust you to be with us whatever we face.

Posted in dependence upon God, discernment, Jacob, trust | Tagged | 1 Comment

when life does not fit

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Jefferson Vann

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Matthew 11:1-6

When Jesus had completed coaching his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities also.

2 But when John heard in prison about what the Christ was doing, he sent word by his disciples

3 and asked him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”

4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see here:

5 the blind are receiving their sight and the lame are walking, the leprous ones are being cleansed and the deaf are hearing, and the dead are being raised up, and the poor are hearing good news.

6 And blessed is the one who is not tempted to stumble because of me.” _________________________________________

when life does not fit

No one had represented Jesus better than his forerunner, John the baptizer. But time on death row can change a man. He had boldly proclaimed to his disciples that Jesus was the lamb from God, destined to take sin away from the world.[1] But, as he waits in prison, his life in the hands of the powerful and corrupt, he wonders.

John had come to a place in his life where his situation did not agree with his message. He had expected a different outcome. That still happens to believers today, and it can become a time of tension where commitment breaks down, or a time of maturity where commitment grows stronger.

Jesus gave John the perspective he needed. He showed John’s disciples that all the things predicted about the Messiah’s ministry to the poor and needy were being fulfilled. John’s predicament did not change what Jesus is all about.

There are definitely going to be times in our lives as believers when what we experience is going to seem disconnected to what we declare to be true. John had taught that the Messiah would bring freedom, but then John wound up in prison. The challenge for him was to keep living for Christ while his life situation did not fit his message.

LORD, give us the wisdom to faithfully represent you and the destiny you came to give us, especially when our present situations tempt us to stop believing in that destiny.

[1] John 1:29.

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embracing destiny

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Jefferson Vann

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Genesis 29:1-14

Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the sons of the east.

2 As he looked, he saw a well in the field, and see, three flocks of sheep lying beside it, because the flocks were watered from that well. The stone used for the well’s lid was large,

3 and when all the flocks were gathered there, all the shepherds would roll the stone from the top of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place over the top of the well.

4 Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where do you come from?” They answered, “We are from Haran.”

5 He asked them, “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?” They answered, “We know him.”

6 He asked them, “Is it well with him?” They answered, “It is well; and see, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep!”

7 He said, “See, it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered together. Water the sheep and go, pasture them.”

8 But they said, “We cannot do that until all the flocks are gathered together and the stone is rolled from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.”

9 While he was still conversing with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess.

10 And as soon as Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, Jacob came near and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.

11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel and shouted and wept.

12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s relative, and that he was Rebekah’s son, and she ran and told her father.

13 As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister’s son, he ran to meet him and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things,

14 and Laban said to him, “You are my bone and my flesh indeed!” And he stayed with him a month of days.

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embracing destiny

Laban had figured prominently in the story of Isaac and Rebekah already, but the readers were not told why. Now, we see that his daughter, Rachel, will find her destiny among the chosen family. The LORD is telling us our story with theirs. It is not just about a particular family that just happened to bring the Messiah into the world. It is about God’s way of writing us all into his story.

Laban had heard the story told him by the shepherds of how Jacob opened up the lid of the well, in a burst of nervous energy after seeing Rachel coming with her sheep. He might have remembered another story about how Rebekah served a strange servant and his camels, and that was how she got involved in her destiny. When he saw Jacob, He probably saw the resemblance between him and his mother, Laban’s sister, Rebekah. Laban recognized destiny when he saw it.

The motif of women at wells does not stop there. Moses will find his destiny at a well in Midian, and a woman named Zipporah.[1] And it was not just a well, but Jacob’s well, where a tired preacher named Jesus will sit down and have a chat with a Samaritan woman about her destiny.[2] He told this woman that she – not someone more important or more famous, but she, herself, had potential to be a well of water to rescue and sustain others. She caught on, and led her town to Jesus. She recognized destiny when she saw and heard it.

LORD, we look at you in your glory, and we dare to see the family resemblance. May we embrace our destiny to embrace you, and to become part of your story.

[1] Exodus 2.

[2] John 4.

Posted in evangelism, Jacob | Tagged | 1 Comment

workers need perspective on their purpose

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Jefferson Vann

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Matthew 10:38-42

38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow behind me, he is not worthy of me.

39 Whoever finds his soul will destroy it, and whoever destroys his soul for my sake will find it.

40 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me.

41 The one who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will get a prophet’s wages, and the one who welcomes a righteous person because he is a righteous person will get a righteous person’s wages.

42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his wages.” _________________________________________

workers need perspective on their purpose

This final part of Jesus’ commissioning sermon for his apostles as they go out to their Galilean ministry focuses on their purpose as representatives of the Lord and his coming kingdom. It has two sections. In the first, verses 38-39, Jesus challenges his disciples to follow him fully. He is going to his cross; they should be following behind him with their crosses. If the apostles are not willing to risk their lives to preach Christ, they are not worthy of him.

It is in this context that Jesus tells them to destroy their souls. I know, it is usually not translated that way, but the translation is accurate,[1] and fits the context. Of course, if one’s theology will not accept the idea of a destroyed soul, he will have problems accepting this translation. But practically all translations render the word psuché here as life, which is what Jesus means. A soul is a life. There is nothing immortal about this life. That is the point. To serve the Lord faithfully, workers must be willing to destroy their souls, trusting that he can raise them to life again.

But along with the tremendous responsibility of representing Christ, there is also the tremendous blessing of representing him. In the second section, verses 40-42, Jesus tells his apostles that those who welcome them and accept their message will be greatly blessed. When they welcome the apostles, they are not just welcoming the apostles, they are welcoming the Lord they represent. When they welcome Christ, they are welcoming God whom he represents. As such, they participate in the LORD’s ministry, in the same way that someone who welcomes a prophet participates in that prophet’s ministry.

So, on the judgment day, those who dared welcome these itinerant evangelists into their homes, providing for their needs, and accepting their teachings – will find that they have earned the wages that these apostles earned. What are those wages? The wages of sin is death, bit the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.[2]

LORD, give us the courage to represent you to our neighbors who need you, even if it means destroying our souls to do so.

[1] The word apóllumi is rendered destroy in Matthew 2:13; 9:17; 10:28; 12:14; 22:7; 27:20. It is a better translation than the typical word “lose” in verse 39 because the cross (verse 38) is a method of destruction.

[2] Romans 6:23.

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the LORD’s unconditional commitment

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Jefferson Vann
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Genesis 28:6 – 22

6 Esau realized that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram to take a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he commanded him, “You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women,”

7 and that Jacob had obeyed his father and his mother and gone to Paddan-aram.

8 So when Esau saw that the Canaanite women did not please Isaac his father,

9 Esau went to Ishmael and took as his wife, besides the other wives he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth.

10 Jacob left Beersheba and went in the direction of Haran.

11 And he happened to come to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep.

12 And he dreamed, and see, there was a ladder set up on the land, and the top of it reached to the sky. And see, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!

13 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you are lying I will give to you and to your offspring.

14 Your offspring shall be like the dust of the land, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the land be blessed.

15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.”

17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of the sky.”

18 So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a monument and poured oil on the top of it.

19 He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at first.

20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear,

21 so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD will be my God,

22 and this stone, which I have set up for a monument, will be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.” _________________________________________

The LORD’s unconditional commitment

Both Esau and Jacob reveal significant immaturity at this stage of the narrative, though in different ways. Esau appears to believe that a further marriage can repair the strained relationships within his family. Having already taken two wives whose presence brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah, he concludes that adding another wife from Abraham’s extended family will somehow improve matters. His actions suggest a superficial understanding of the problem. Rather than addressing the deeper issues of character, obedience, and spiritual discernment, he attempts to solve a spiritual and relational crisis through an external change. The result is another example of human effort directed toward securing favor without grasping the heart of God’s purposes.

Jacob’s immaturity is of a different kind. While he has inherited the promises of the covenant, his faith is still underdeveloped and largely self-focused. His response to God reveals a man who views commitment in conditional terms. He is willing to acknowledge the LORD as his God if God provides protection, provision, and a successful return home. Instead of resting in God’s faithfulness, Jacob negotiates from a position of uncertainty. His devotion is tied to the blessings he expects to receive.

Against this backdrop, the account of Jacob’s dream shines all the more brightly. As Jacob travels away from home, isolated and vulnerable, the LORD graciously reveals Himself. Jacob sees a stairway, or perhaps a structure resembling steps, extending between earth and heaven. The important feature is not its exact shape but its function. It demonstrates a connection between the earthly realm and the heavenly realm. God’s angels ascend and descend upon it, signifying the LORD’s active rule and involvement in human affairs.

Most importantly, the LORD stands above it and speaks. He identifies Himself as the God of Abraham and Isaac and reiterates the covenant promises. The land will belong to Jacob and his descendants. His offspring will increase greatly and become a blessing to the nations. Beyond these future promises, God gives a personal assurance for Jacob’s present circumstances: His presence will accompany him wherever he goes. He will protect him, bring him back to the promised land, and accomplish everything He has declared.

The emphasis of this passage is not Jacob’s faithfulness but God’s. Jacob’s commitment remains tentative, yet God’s commitment is steadfast. The LORD does not wait for mature faith before extending His grace. He binds Himself to His promises and remains faithful even when His servant is uncertain, fearful, and spiritually immature. The security of the covenant rests not on the strength of Jacob’s devotion but on the reliability of God’s character. This account therefore directs attention away from human worthiness and toward divine faithfulness. It is a reminder that God’s purposes advance because He keeps His word. His promises stand firm, His presence remains constant, and His commitment does not depend upon the fluctuating faith of those whom He calls.

Jacob’s stairway to heaven was certainly no lightweight portable ladder. Rather, it was a majestic vision declaring that the God of heaven is fully capable of bridging the distance between Himself and His people, sustaining them by His grace until every promise has been fulfilled.

Posted in dependence upon God, Jacob, relationship with God | Tagged | 1 Comment

workers need to establish their love priority

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Jefferson Vann
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Matthew 10:34-37

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the land. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

35 For I have come to divide a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

36 And a man’s enemies will be those within his own household.

37 The one loving father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and the one loving son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. _________________________________________

workers need to establish their love priority

Jesus presents a faith that strengthens rather than destroys family life. His call to discipleship is not a command to abandon relatives or to treat family members as enemies if they do not share the same faith. The gospel is fundamentally a message of reconciliation. Through the grace of God, broken relationships can be restored, old wounds can be healed, and families damaged by sin, shame, resentment, and selfish ambition can experience renewal. Wherever Christ reigns, reconciliation and peace are the intended results.

At the same time, Jesus warned His apostles that the proclamation of the gospel would not always be welcomed, even by those closest to them. As they traveled throughout Galilee announcing the arrival of God’s kingdom, they would discover that some of the strongest resistance would arise within their own households. The message they carried was a message of peace, yet its immediate effect could resemble a sword. It would expose hearts, force decisions, and create divisions between those who embraced Christ and those who rejected Him.

This conflict arises because the gospel demands a response. Neighbors and acquaintances may have enough distance to avoid confronting its claims, but family members usually do not. When one member of a household becomes committed to Christ, others cannot easily ignore the change. Believers naturally desire their loved ones to share in the salvation they have found, while unbelieving relatives may urge caution, resist change, or discourage what they regard as excessive religious devotion. Such circumstances create tension. Pressure from deeply held convictions often produces friction, and that friction is felt most intensely among those who live, work, and share life together. Consequently, the spread of the gospel can sometimes bring temporary upheaval before it brings lasting peace.

Jesus does not provide a simple formula for eliminating these conflicts. In this context, however, resolving family disputes is not His primary concern. He is addressing messengers who have been sent to proclaim the kingdom, often among people who already know them well. His focus is upon loyalty. Those who carry His message must love Him above every competing allegiance, including the legitimate and important love they have for family.

The principle extends beyond the apostles to all Christians. Love for Christ must hold first place in the heart[1]. The kingdom of God cannot become a secondary concern behind family, career, reputation, or personal comfort. Jesus taught His followers to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, trusting that all other legitimate needs would find their proper place under that greater commitment.

Strong and healthy families are among God’s blessings, but they become truly healthy only when ordered rightly. Family itself can become an idol if it displaces devotion to Christ. In the end, every person will stand before the Lord individually. The decisive question on that day will not be the strength, harmony, or reputation of a family, but whether each person belonged to Christ and remained loyal to Him.

Lord, grant the wisdom and courage to place Christ and His coming kingdom above every earthly attachment, while loving family members with the grace, patience, and truth that His gospel requires.

[1] Matthew 6:33.

Posted in evangelism, family, gospel, kingdom of God | Tagged | Leave a comment

the value of appropriate space

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Jefferson Vann
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Genesis 27:39 – 28:5

39 Then Isaac his father answered and he said to him: “See, your dwelling will be away from the fatness of the land, and away from the dew of the sky from above.

40 By your sword you shall live, and you will serve your brother; but when you grow restless you will break his yoke from your neck.”

41 So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are approaching; after that I will kill my brother Jacob.”

42 But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, “See, your brother Esau consoles himself about you by planning to kill you.

43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran

44 and stay with him a while, until your brother’s rage abates-

45 until your brother’s anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I lose you both in one day?”

46 Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I abhor my life because of the Hittite women. If Jacob marries one of the Hittite women like these, one of the women of the land, what good will my life be to me?”

28:1 Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and commanded him, “You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women.

2 Get up, go to Paddan-aram to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father, and take as your wife from there one of the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother.

3 God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and enlarge you, that you may become a company of peoples.

4 May he give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring with you, that you may take possession of the land of your travelings that God gave to Abraham!”

5 This is how Isaac sent Jacob away. And he went to Paddan-aram, to Laban, the son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother. _________________________________________

the value of appropriate space

Rebekah’s words to Isaac were rooted in a genuine concern. Esau’s wives had brought ongoing grief and tension into the household, and Rebekah found their presence deeply troubling. Yet her appeal to Isaac also served another purpose. By urging that Jacob be sent to her brother’s family to find a wife, she created a solution that addressed more than one problem at a time. Jacob would be able to marry within a family that shared the covenant heritage, and at the same time he would be removed from immediate danger.

Rebekah understood the seriousness of the threat hanging over Jacob. Esau’s anger had not cooled after the loss of the blessing, and his intention to kill his brother remained real. Since the timing of Isaac’s death was uncertain, there was no way of knowing how long Jacob would remain in danger if he stayed at home. Distance would therefore serve as a means of protection. Though Rebekah’s methods throughout the account often reveal a tendency toward manipulation and human scheming, God’s providence was at work even through imperfect actions. The covenant line through which the Lord’s promises would continue was preserved, and the family was spared an immediate tragedy.

This episode demonstrates an important principle about strained relationships. Separation is not always the ideal solution, nor should it be the first response to every conflict. At times, however, a season of distance can be a gracious gift. When emotions are inflamed and wounds are fresh, continued proximity may intensify resentment and provoke further harm. Space can reduce the opportunities for conflict and provide time for reflection, repentance, and healing.

Healthy distance should not be confused with bitterness, avoidance, or a refusal to pursue reconciliation. Rather, it can be a wise and temporary measure that allows hearts to settle before restoration is attempted. In some situations, individuals need freedom from constant reminders of a painful offense so that the Lord can soften attitudes, grant perspective, and cultivate forgiveness. Without such space, old injuries may be repeatedly reopened before genuine healing can occur.

The account ultimately points to the wisdom of seeking peace in ways that protect both relationships and people. There are moments when preserving a relationship requires stepping back rather than pressing forward. By creating room between Jacob and Esau, Rebekah helped prevent a destructive confrontation and allowed time for God’s purposes to unfold.

LORD, teach Your people the wisdom to recognize when appropriate distance can serve the cause of peace. Grant patience to wait for Your healing work, humility to trust Your timing, and grace to pursue reconciliation in ways that honor You and preserve relationships according to Your will. Amen.

Posted in Esau, Holy Spirit, Jacob, reconciliation | Tagged , | 1 Comment

workers need to admit their identity

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Jefferson Vann
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Matthew 10:29-33

29 Are not two sparrows sold for an assarion?[1] And not one of them will fall to the land without your Father’s permission.

30 But even the hairs of your head are all accounted for.

31 Do not fear, then; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

32 So everyone who admits knowing me in the presence of men, I also will admit knowing in the presence of my Father who is in the sky,

33 but whoever denies knowing me in the presence of men, I also will deny knowing in the presence of my Father who is in the sky.

_________________________________________

Workers need to admit their identity

As Jesus sent the apostles into the towns and villages of Galilee, they were entrusted with more than a message. They were sent as his representatives. Many people had already heard reports about Jesus, but much of what they knew was incomplete, distorted, or based on rumor. The apostles, however, knew him personally. They had seen his works, heard his teaching, and experienced his authority firsthand. Their task was to bear truthful witness to who he was and what he proclaimed. Such a calling demanded sincerity and faithfulness. They could not separate their message from their own relationship with God through Christ.

Jesus had already prepared them for the reality of opposition. The proclamation of God’s kingdom would not be welcomed by everyone. Some would reject the message, persecute the messengers, and even threaten their lives. Yet Christ taught that fear of human beings must never outweigh reverence for God. Human power extends only to the body and only for a limited time. The judgment of God is of far greater consequence because it concerns eternal destiny. Faithfulness to God, therefore, is worth any earthly cost, even suffering or death.

Jesus then offered another powerful encouragement. The hostility of the world should not discourage those entrusted with the gospel because the Father watches over all his creation. Not even a common sparrow falls apart from his knowledge and sovereign permission. If God is attentive to creatures of such small value in the eyes of society, how much more does he care for those who belong to him through faith in Christ? Jesus emphasized this truth by declaring that even the hairs of their heads are numbered. This vivid image reveals God’s intimate knowledge, constant care, and personal concern for his people. No act of service, sacrifice, suffering, or faithfulness escapes his notice.

Today, the gospel includes the full revelation of what Jesus Christ accomplished through his life, death, and resurrection. It announces that he died as the atoning sacrifice for sin, rose from the dead as the firstfruits of the coming resurrection, and will return to establish his kingdom in fullness. Just as the kingdom message was central to the apostles’ mission in Galilee, so it remains central to Christian proclamation today. Those who proclaim Christ must openly identify with him, confessing him before others with conviction and loyalty. Jesus declared that those who acknowledge him before humanity will be acknowledged by him before the Father. Courageous confession is therefore not merely a matter of public testimony; it is evidence of genuine allegiance to the King whose kingdom is coming.

Lord, grant steadfast courage to confess faith openly, to remain faithful in times of opposition, and to live in confident hope of the coming kingdom of Christ.

[1] about an hour’s wage (1/16th of a denarius, a day’s wage for unskilled labor).

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