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Disagreeing with an Apostle

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached… ” Barnabas wanted to take John Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Acts 15:36-41.

Very interesting. Barnabas gets in an argument with the Apostle Paul and it’s a “sharp” disagreement. I read this as there were some emotions involved… maybe even some level of anger.

I can imagine Paul’s end of it. John Mark agreed to go with us and then he quit on us… he’s a quitter. He left me in a big bind and I’m not going down that road again. I need someone who I can rely on and his name is not John Mark!

On the other end of it Barnabas defends John Mark… John Mark made one mistake and now he’s sorry… I say we give him another chance. Paul… if you’re so set on your opinion then I don’t want to go with you. You take Silas and I’ll take John Mark.

Interesting that Paul didn’t play the “Apostle Card”. Like… I’m an Apostle chosen by God on the road to Damascus. I’ve been whipped and abused, etc. I walked with Jesus Christ and what I say goes.

Nor did Paul compromise for the sake of…

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace”

Which he wrote with his own hand in the letter to the Ephesians (4:3)

Neither Paul nor Barnabas was accused of any kind of sin. They apparently in all the emotion didn’t call each other names or ascribe their choices to the influence of Beelzebub. I’m guessing in their disagreement they still respected each other.

I guess if you can disagree with an Apostle then you can disagree with any other kind of Christian; Elders (as much as I hate to say it), Preachers, the aged and maybe even your parents.

And we don’t have to compromise our principles for the “Bond of peace”

However in any kind of disagreement, even an emotional one, it should be done with respect and shouldn’t sever the relationship… and the cause of Christ should not be harmed.

Sheep, Wolves, Snakes and Doves.

“Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” Matthew 10:16

Jesus told his disciples that he was sending them out like sheep among wolves.

First of all what shepherd sends his sheep to wolves? The wolves could and would make a great feast of the sheep.

Jesus knew the wolves would kill his sheep and the disciples understood that… but the sheep had a job to do… a dangerous job and Jesus helped protect his sheep by giving them the tools to protect themselves.

He told them that the wolves would have them arrested and flogged. He warned them that even their own momma’s might betray them… like a momma-wolf. He told them that the wolves would hate them and persecute them.

Knowing these things they were prepared for everything the wolves could do to them.

The two great tools that they possessed were “shrewdness” and “innocence”. Be shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves.

- don’t worry about what to say.

- when persecuted… get out of town.

- don’t be afraid… all they can do is kill you.

- learn the magic words and don’t be afraid to say them no matter what the situation is… “Jesus is the Christ the Son of God”

And in fact that is exactly what we see the Apostle Paul doing during his ministry.

Kind of reminds me of an old western TV show... "Have Sheep... will Travel"

Shutting the Mouths of the Pharisees

A funny thing happens in Luke 16. First in the previous chapter Jesus told parables about the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. Then in chapter 16 he switches gears and decides to tell a parable about a rich man.

At the conclusion of the parable, the Pharisees who also happened to be in the audience, ridiculed Jesus for his teaching. The text says they ridiculed Jesus because they loved money. Jesus answered the ridicule and then said this…

“Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery”

Then in the next verses continues on the theme of the rich and told the tale of the Rich man and Lazarus.

So why did Jesus interrupt his teaching on the rich to discuss marriage, divorce and remarriage?

I think I know exactly why. You see the Pharisees not only had a problem with being lovers of money but by implication had a problem with their marriages. They must have been marrying, divorcing, remarrying, so forth and so on.

They ridiculed Jesus on his teaching about money and richness but when he taught about marriage, divorce and remarriage they kept their hypocritical mouths shut so light might not be shined on their hypocrisy.

Don’t you just love Jesus? He knew how to shut them up.

Neat or Sloppy?

If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Matthew 18.

A neat thing has been done with these verses. These verses have been used to differentiate between the individual, a plurality of individuals and the church. Ostensibly to illustrate that the church has a different work than the individual and individuals. Like I said… its really neat but there is a problem… its not true.

First of all the purposes of these verses is not to define the work of the church and differentiate it from the work of the individual.

Secondly, the church wasn’t in existence and the word “church” in this text probably means the jewish congregation or the Synagogue. Jesus was still just trying to make them better Jews and prepare them for the coming of the Kingdom.

Thirdly if this was to be the formula for discipling an individual in sin… there is no example of it in the New Testament.

It is true that the word translated in this text is “ekklesia” which is the same word used when describing the church in the New Testament after the church was established.

However dear reader please note this… sometimes the Lord’s Church is described as a Synagogue…

“My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile clothing” James 2:2

Please don’t force Matthew 18 to teach the distinction of the work of the individual, the work of individuals and the work of the church. It may be neat but it’s really sloppy hermeneutics.

Deadly Adultery

Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” Matthew 19

The Pharisees frequently tested Jesus with tough questions and this was a really tough one. Obviously the Pharisees saw some inconsistencies in their marriage and divorce practices or they would have never asked this question.

I guess the Pharisees expected Jesus to either say… Moses had it right you can divorce your wives or Moses had it wrong you can’t divorce your wives.

What they didn’t expect Jesus to say was that if they divorced their wives (except for fornication) and married another woman then the man and the new wife were both guilt of adultery.

You see under the Law of Moses the sin of adultery was punishable by death. In other words if you divorce your wife and marry another you will both be stoned to death.

Even the disciples were shocked and exclaimed… it would be better to not even marry than to risk the possibility of the death penalty.

Jesus basically responded… well boys… marriage isn’t for everybody but if you decide to marry you better take it seriously because I sure will.

There is no example in the New Testament of anyone being killed for committing adultery. In 1 Corinthians 5 a guy had sex with his father’s wife. That was adultery and it severed his relationship with the church and with God… but he wasn’t killed.

I suspect Jesus is still dead serious about people remaining true to their marital vows. We should be serious about our vows as well. After all… it could have deadly consequences.

Good and Bad Wives

In Ezekiel 16 God describes in figurative language how he found the nation of Israel and made her his wife.

- he describes her as newborn baby… a neglected baby.

- he took the neglected baby and made her grow.

- she grew into a beautiful young woman and he clothed and adorned her and married her.

- but she turned into a prostitute and sacrificed her children to idols.

so he turned her over to her adulterous lovers and they used and abused her and she was ashamed and disgraced for what she did.

Jesus uses similar language about his wife the church in Ephesians 6… she was unclean and blemished, spotted and wrinkled but Jesus loved her just like God loved his wife Israel.

- Jesus gave himself up for her because he loved her.

- He set her apart as his one true bride and cleaned her up with his word.

- She like Israel was “glorious” and without any defect.

- He continually cherished her and nourished her and he was “one” with her.

But like God’s wife Israel some of Jesus’ people rebelled against him and…

- left their first love (Rev 2:4)

- left the teachings of Jesus and followed after others (Rev 2:15)

- became followers of Jezebel and her teachings of fornication (Rev 2:20)

Jesus warned them if they didn’t repent they could no longer be his wife. (Rev 2:5)

He portrayed himself as having eyes like fire and a loud angry voice and a sharp sword coming out of his mouth. (Rev 1:13-17)

Don’t forget when we were lost in sin and Jesus cleaned us with his very own blood and gave us the great honor and privilege to be his wife.

Don’t forget that he won’t tolerate adultery against him and allow us to be abused by the demons we might find so attractive.

Remember how handsome and loving Jesus Christ is and don’t take your eye off of him… or things could be bad… very bad.

Best Friends with Jesus

The New testament reveals that Jesus had some people that he cared about more than others. For instance… Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Mary told Jesus “the one that you love” is sick. Jesus didn’t correct her so i assume that she hit the nail on the head. The Apostle John referred to himself in the third person in his Gospel as the one who Jesus loved. Jesus certainly showed that he favored John.

What a great feeling that must have been to know and understand that even though Jesus loved all that there were some that he loved more. And what it must be like to be that guy/gal.

It makes me wonder if from his seat in Heaven today if there are some that he just likes to watch a little bit more because of his love for them. And what it might take to be that guy/gal.

I also wonder if at the end of time when all the saved are gathered together and after the newness of it wears off a little bit if Jesus would find a few that he liked to hang out with. Some like Lazarus or the Apostle John who he had some special feelings for.

Even if I am not that guy it’s okay… I still get to be in his presence and that’s enough.

Constantly Learning

I learn a little bit about myself from time to time. Recently I had a surgical procedure and kept it kind of quiet. Like a need to know basis… my kids, my office and some Volleyball players who wanted me to play in a tournament with them.

I didn’t ask for a bunch of prayers because first of all I have a lot of confidence in the surgeon and the anesthesiologist. Plus, I have a lot of confidence in God. The morning of the surgery I prayed to him and requested that I live a long life with my wife surrounded by my kids and my grand kids. I know he heard me.

Logically, I know that probably I am not God’s favorite son but I do feel like I might be his favorite… its possible… maybe not probable but possible. After all he has blest me and blest me and there is no other explanation except that he must like me.

So, for me, it felt a little bit like an insult to Him that I would beg for the prayers of others when I know that he is watching me and listening to me. I hope you understand that.

When I was in recovery and in some pain my first thought was about Julie and I felt the emotions well up in me. In fact I told the nurse… I think I’m going to cry. Every time I thought about Julie I felt emotional until finally I did some sobbing. Julie told me later that the nurses said “He’s asking for you”.

Totally surprising to me… I had not anticipated that.

I guess that thing about the two shall become one flesh must be true. Neither one of us is perfect and in fact we annoy each other from time to time but we have learned that those feelings are of little consequence compared to the deep love we have for each other. And I guess I understand that a little bit better when I sat in a recovery room with pain and only a stranger who had no idea who I was to keep me company instead of the love of my life.

Sometimes I think she understands me better than I understand myself.

Like I said… sometimes I discover things about myself and that makes me appreciate my friend and Father all the more.