International Christian Church Quiet Times

Tag: Jesus Christ

Honor Your Mother, Honor God

Amy with our two children, Dimitry and Paisley. I’m grateful to teach our children to “Honor Your Mother!”

“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you…” – Deut 5:16

Mother’s day is such a wonderful opportunity to honor your mother. We also should honor those in our lives who have mothered us. Mother’s day is bittersweet for some of us because our mothers have passed away or we are estranged from them. For those of us blessed to have our mother’s, we should reflect on this day with gratitude. Jesus teaches in the scriptures that those who “God’s will” are his “brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35) The LORD also teaches that “everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29)

In God’s kingdom, we can have a family that is deep, strong, and meets our needs. Mother’s day is a day to honor both our physical mothers and our “spiritual” mothers “in the faith.”

GOD COMFORTS LIKE A MOTHER

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 66:13) God is tender. When a woman is a good mother she’s an echo of this powerful part of our God. He’s “close to the brokenhearted” and “saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) God “heals the brokenhearted” and he “binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 109:16) It is really hard to lose in life – or in anything, for that matter. It is harder at times to admit losing in the first place. Clearly, the reality that there is a great deal of pain in life not lost on the nature of God. God wants to comfort us like a mother comforts her child.

When I was a child, I remember how my mother stayed up comforting me during the night when I had a severe earache. I will never forget her tenderness. We learn from the scriptures here that our God comforts tenderly like a mother. (Isaiah 49:13-16)

WE NEED TO LOVE LIKE A MOTHER

“As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.” (1 Thessalonians 2:6b-9)

Paul, Silas, and Timothy wrote this letter to the congregation in Thessalonica. (aka. Thessaloniki, Modern Greece) They give us more qualities of what is “motherly” in a biblical sense. This scripture gives us a powerful example of how we are to love each other in God’s family. Firstly, we are not to burden to those we are loving like a mother! A loving mother is always inclined to give, to nurture, and to sacrifice for the needs of her children. A mother works tirelessly on the everyday things we often take for granted. For example, I’ve seen my wife and my mother both do the laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, dishes, vacuuming…and a dozen other chores. In short, these women meet the needs around them and do so through “toil and hardship” and they often work “night and day.“

Additionally, this example demands that we be “gentle among” each other “like a mother caring for her little children.” It’s important in principle to note that the scripture specifies “little children.” Am I truly gentle like this in demeanor with my brothers and sisters in the church? Am I gentle like this with my spouse and children? When we see a little child there is a natural endearment and joy evoked by them. As we age, in life and in the faith, it gets harder to hold this view of one another. A felt need for respect replaces the real need for gentleness. However, the Word of God calls us to give both to those around us! (1 Peter 3:15)

Jesus teaches that such a “childlike” view is essential to inheriting the kingdom of God! “He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:2-4)

HAVE A MOTHER’S VISION

In Matthew 20, James and John’s mother comes to Jesus and asks him boldly “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” (Matthew 20:21) She had a spiritual vision for her sons. Many are concerned with a child’s success or even ensuring they are “doing what makes them happy.” We can easily miss giving children deep spiritual aspirations and inspiring them to have a real, powerful, and truth-based love for God. Compromise is the mother of dissension. We all must decide if obeying Jesus and living by his standards is more important than worldly success. Additionally, we must first decide to instill this conviction into ourselves, one another, and our children.

A loving mother’s vision is that her children will do their very best in life. God has this same kind of vision for his children. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Col 3:23-24) A good mother also makes great plans for caring for her children both practically and in the future. It sometimes takes tremendous planning to get to church early on Sunday mornings! This is a very Godly heart to have, as God himself is a planner! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

HONOR YOUR MOTHER WITH OBEDIENCE

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ – which is the first commandment with a promise— ‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’” (Eph 6:1-3) We honor our mother in the clearest fashion when we obey her. Jesus honored Mary this way as a boy. Luke 2:51 crystallizes this, “Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.”

As a man, Jesus obeyed his mother by miraculously producing wine for the wedding in Cana when she told him “They have no more wine.” (John 2:3) This request was not on Jesus’ time. He did not want to be involved. We can see this from Jesus’ reply, “‘Dear woman, why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My time has not yet come.’” (John 2:4) Even still, the LORD honored his mother and met her request obediently! And the LORD did not hold back in his obedience! He created roughly 120-180 gallons of the best wine!

HONOR YOUR MOTHER, BUT NEVER OVER GOD

The only time we see Jesus disobeying his mother is when she, along with his brothers, try to stop him from doing God’s will. The account of this in Mark highlights how Jesus’ family heard about a huge crowd gathering at the house he was staying in and then “went to take charge of him” as they had concluded that Jesus was “out of his mind.” (Mark 3:21) When they arrive, they attempt to “take charge” of Jesus, sending someone into the crowd to tell Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” (Mark 3:32) Jesus responds with “Who are my mother and my brothers?” (Mark 3:33)

The Lord further clarifies exactly what he means while looking at those seated around him, saying “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:33-35) At this moment, Mary and Jesus’ brothers were not doing “God’s will” because they thought that Jesus was “out of his mind” and were trying to “take charge of him” while he was doing “God’s will!“

HONOR YOUR MOTHER, EVEN WHEN IT HURTS

This interaction in Mark 3:21,33-35 was clarifying and yet certainly painful for Jesus’ mother, Mary. However, it must be noted that Jesus honored his mother and called his most beloved disciple to honor his mother as his own while he suffered on the cross. Even when we are in pain, even when we are suffering, we must imitate Jesus in how he honored Mary while he was suffering the agony of the cross. “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:25-27)

Jesus’ example of honoring his mother while in excruciating pain had an eternal impact on Mary (and his brothers)! Mary and Jesus’ brothers are among the faithful believers in Acts 1:14! “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” In the end, Mary became Jesus’ disciple as did his brothers. Jesus’ two brothers, James and Jude, wrote their respective scriptural epistles! Furthermore, Jesus’ brother James became the first leader of the central leadership council in Jerusalem. (Acts 15:15) When we truly love God more than anyone and yet love everyone – the impact God will bring is undeniable!

HONOR YOUR SPIRITUAL MOTHERS

The Word of God highlights the need we have for spiritual mothers. Paul writes in Rom 16:13, “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.” Amy and I have had many dear spiritual mothers over the years. I’m so thankful for Elena McKean, Terese Untalan, Sharon Kirchner, Sonia Gonzalez, and many more who have been mothers to us. We have many memories, battles, and treasured moments with these women that have defined us! Their counsel and deep conversations during our times together healed and trained us. I thank God for these valiant women of God who have been a mother to Amy and I, too.

Let us take time in prayer to thank God for our physical and spiritual mothers! Let’s take time to reach out and remind them of the special place they have in our hearts!

Jeremy Ciaramella / Evangelist / phxicc.org

May 3, 2019
The Tongue And Its Power

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21

Prov 6:16-19
16 There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

The Tongue’s Actions Determine God’s Feeling About Us

One of the things I appreciate about my mother is that she had deep convictions about lying. I would not get in too much trouble if I was honest about the what I did and the parties I went to. If I lied though, mom would “lose it,” stiffen the penalties, and the punishment would often become double or more. This is because lying to someone who loved me so much was very hurtful to them, and offensive to her, and she understandably took it very personally. This disposition around lying stuck with me. Therefore, it has helped me understand God and personally connect to scriptures like this one.

Most importantly, God emotionally and intensely reacts to me if I use my tongue to lie. If I stir up people against each other or cause problems with my words God hates it. The Hebrew word “sane’” here does really mean “to hate (personally).” The Hebrew word translated as “detestable” here is “tow`ebah,” and means “a disgusting thing, an abomination.” God takes how I speak very personally. It’s because his love is so deep that he cares this much about what comes out of our mouths. Love always “rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6) and “God is love” (1 John 4:8), therefore this intense reaction from God makes sense.

Prov 6:23-24
23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life, keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife.

The Tongue’s Powers Must Be Protected Against

The best defense we have against someone using their tongue to seduce or entice us to sin are the commands of God. Besides, if we spend time filling ourselves up with God’s word, when (not “if”, but when) we are enticed by a “smooth tongue,” we’ll be prepared. A “smooth tongue” is contrasted here with the commands of God. The “smooth tongue” being darkness and “leading down to the chambers of death” (Proverbs 7:27). The commands of God being “a lamp,” a “light,” and “the way to life.” Who am I going to listen to? Sometimes my own “self-talk” from my heart and thoughts is dark and would lead me to death, persuaded to sin, and disbelief. How can “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ?” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Consequently, the biblical way to keep myself pure and to guard my steps like this is to memorize the scriptures and having them “hidden…in my heart.” :

Ps 119:9-11
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Prov 10:19-20
19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

The Tongue Can Be Used Too Much

Clearly, we see all of us can choose to use our tongue to lie, to entice, and to seduce. Furthermore, we can use our tongue simply too much – by talking more than is necessary. The scriptures teach us “when words are many” there is some kind of sin we are covering for. Rationalizing, excuse-making, and deceiving all take more words to make work than the truth. The scriptures caution us “A gossip betrays a confidence, so avoid a man who talks too much.” (Proverbs 20:19) I need to make sure that I am not that man who uses words to manipulate and defend himself. I can often over-explain which comes from insecurity, which can come from a lack of faith, or a self-focus, or a troubled conscience. Finally, it’s important for me, and all of us, to identify whatever is causing us to use “many words” when this comes up.

The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. (Proverbs 15:28)

Similarly, this “economy of words” is something the ancient Spartans famously demonstrated in their culture. “Lakonia” is the name of the ancient region of Greece in the southeastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. This region’s capital was (and still is) the city of Sparta. The word “laconic,” has come to mean both from this region and to thoughtfully use the least amount of words possible. Such was the practice of the ancient Spartans. Another thing I find is that the truth takes much fewer words and makes for a lighter heart and clearer head. Most importantly, it also brings me into fellowship and closeness with those around me and gets me in touch with grace – both given and received. (1 John 1:5-10)

Prov 17:28
28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

The Tongue Speaks What The Heart Is Full Of

What will I use my tongue for today? How will it affect God’s view of me? How will it affect those around me? What does it indicate about my own heart? Jesus said, “for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45) What will I fill my heart with today and what impact will it have? What will it bring forth from my heart – wisdom or perversity, a piercing sword or healing? Consequently, will it help me endure forever…or only last a moment?

Prov 10:31
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.
Prov 12:18-19
18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Prov 11:12,19
12 A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

Dare I speak the truth from my heart, good or bad? Even more, will I get in touch with where I actually am in my relationships – with God and with others? Or will I decide to “gush folly” and avoid the issues? There is no hope in a deceitful tongue. Additionally, there is no healing in a deceitful tongue, only crushing my spirit – and others!

Prov 15:2
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
Prov 15:4
4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Prov 17:20
20 A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

The Tongue That Deceives

A deceitful tongue is the result of a perverse heart. When I’ve made the conscious decision to lie, it was always to get ahead. Often, I wanted something for nothing and acted selfishly.

As a result, when I was a teenager I stole some chips capriciously from the storefront display at the corner convenience store. I lied when I got caught, saying that I thought the friend with me had paid for the chips when he went to the counter. I recall another moment when lied to my jazz guitar teacher, saying I was so broke I could not afford gas that week and could I pay him later. He shrewdly exposed me and I’ll never forget the look on his face when he realized I was trying to take him for 20$. That was the price deceit and selfishness put on that friendship. Please forgive me, Eric. Certainly, even if I would have made a fortune, it would never be worth it! “A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.” (Proverbs 21:6)

Prov 26:28
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Prov 16:1
To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.
Prov 17:4
A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue

The Tongue That Replies Well

Furthermore, God can guide me to reply well. I can pray to him for help, for guidance, for an apt and wise reply. I can listen to his word, his “lips,” and avoid my own self-deception. Sometimes the most malicious tongue is my own, tearing me down in my head, and it is wicked to listen to that inner voice of self-doubt in my heart! This is a choice I make! I must instead decide to listen to the Lips of God, the Word of God, and put its truth in my head and heart! “I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees.” (Psalm 119:48) “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.” (Psalm 119:97) What will I meditate on? Whose lips shall I listen to?

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (Prov 2:1-5)

Prov 25:15
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
Prov 25:23
23 As a north wind brings rain, so a sly tongue brings angry looks.
Prov 28:23
3 He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.
Prov 31:26
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

The Tongue Can Heal, Endure, And Wisely Instruct

The tongue can be used for many things. It has all manner of incredible power in our lives and the lives of those around us. The tongue can be deceitful, persuasive, sly, flattering, smoothly seductive, and in its gentleness, even break bones! Incidentally, according to the bible, it is not sticks and stones that break bones – it is the words spoken by a gentle tongue! The tongue can commend knowledge and bring healing! It can help one endure forever and bring forth faithful instruction and very the wisdom of God!

The scriptures are true –
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21)

Finally, may all of us love the tongue, and “[speak] the truth in love,” so “we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15) To God be the Gory!

Jeremy Ciaramella
Evangelist,
Phoenix International Christian Church

January 29, 2019
What Do Righteous and Righteousness Mean?
“The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” – Proverbs 28:1

What do righteous and righteousness really mean? What does it mean to be a “righteous person?” Who is highlighted as a “righteous person” in the scriptures and why? Or, most importantly, how can we be righteous in the eyes of God? If I follow all the right rules will I be righteous? Is it about duty? Is it about heart?

The word “righteous” appears twenty-four times in the four gospels. It appears one time in the gospel of John, two in Mark, six in Luke, and fifteen in Matthew. Mark’s gospel does not use the word “righteousness” at all. Luke’s and John’s gospels only mention “righteousness” twice in each of theirs. However, “righteousness” appears seven times in the gospel of Matthew. Because the gospel of Matthew has these words used more than any of the other gospels we’ll start our study there.

Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right. – Psalm 106:3

Someone Who Does What Is Righteous

The first time “righteous” appears in the gospel of Matthew is in Matthew 1:19. “Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” The Greek word for “righteous” used here is “dekaios.” The base root word is “dikē” which means “custom” or “just.” This root word came to denote “what is right” (c.f. Vines). “Dekaios” is used to describe someone who observes these “rules”, “customs”, and does “what is right.”

1 John 3:7 sums up this idea. “Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.” The word for “righteous” here is “dikaiosynē” and it’s root word is “dekaios” which we’ve discussed previously. The scriptures utilize this word “dikaiosynē” in the following ways*:
1. in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God
  1. the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God
  2. integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting
2. in a narrower sense, justice or the virtue which gives each his due
*blueletterbible.org

Righteousness Means You Do What Is Merciful

Joseph did what was right and did not expose Mary to public disgrace. Joseph could have made her pregnancy known and would have been within his rights to do so. This would have disgraced Mary and the child she was carrying. Furthermore, the scriptures commanded that a woman who lied to man about her virginity was to be stoned to death at the door of her father’s house. (Deuteronomy 22:20-21) Joseph was being merciful in his actions. He did not know what to believe in this situation and yet he handled it “righteously.” Joseph did not lash out.

We must ask ourselves if we lash out when it is within our power, our opportunity, our even our “rights.” Certainly, Joseph’s heart was broken and the scriptures called for punishment. Despite all this, he did what was righteous and was merciful. When our hearts are broken or we suffer injustices at the hands of those we’ve trusted – will we be merciful like him? Will I thirst for vindication or for grace? Shall I put my hope in rectification or in the mercy of God? Do we desire the satisfaction of a justly delivered punishment or the homecoming of forgiveness? (Luke 15:11-24) God always allows us our choice of what we will hunger and thirst for.

The Righteous Will Shine

“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:40-43)

This passage is very sobering. We can be in the kingdom and be causing sin and doing evil! Therefore, people can look saved but be destined to have angels “throw them into the fiery furnace!” We can cause each other to sin even when our sin is not “public.” We can think that because our sin is “private” it is not hurting anyone else. I believed this lie myself in the mid-late 90’s. During this time I struggled with gross impurity almost weekly for a couple of years. Additionally, I numbed my heart to the thought that it affected anyone else because I committed the sins in “private.”

“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” – Luke 12:1

Un-Righteous Yeast Affects The Whole Body of Christ

The Holy Spirit through Paul the Apostle asks “Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?” (1 Corinthians 5:6) The Word of God teaches “you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.” (1 Cor 5:11) The Holy Spirit through Paul lists here sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, slandering, drunkenness, and swindling in this passage. These kinds of sins are the yeast that will infect “the whole batch of dough.” If we are going to overcome this, we must confess and renounce our sins. Then we will be righteous and shine like the sun.

I remember the profound effect memorizing the first and second chapters of the book of 1st John had on my mind and heart. I spent several months in 1999 memorizing these two chapters of the bible. By God’s grace and faithfulness, He placed in my life two amazing disciples of Jesus who “discipled” me consistently and firmly with God’s word. At first, I was critical, petty, proud, arrogant and hard-hearted. This is because I resented the sharp truths presented to me from the scriptures by this dear brother. To my shame I was numbed by sin and enslaved to pride. It is to God’s glory and through his grace alone my character was shaped, my heart freed, and my mind changed. Darren Christina, you will forever have my deepest gratitude.

Confession Is The Key To Being Righteous

“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Prov 28:13)

The main point in this scripture is finding mercy by confessing and renouncing sin. We certainly can’t find something we are not even looking for. In the past, I’ve confused finding mercy with self-worth and self-validation. I’ve thought and wrestled with my worth, my significance, coming from “my impact” or “my accomplishments” in the ministry in particular. In retrospect, this skirts mercy and grace altogether because these are given, not earned by works or merits. I’m already priceless to God, and I confess my sins because of that. I trust that God is who he says he is, and he hears my cries for mercy.

The main principle in 1st John 1:5-10 is similar to Proverbs 28:13. We are called to “walk in the light” because “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” The author of 1 John is the beloved apostle John who also wrote the Gospel of John. We can understand better what John means here in 1st John 1:5-10 by looking at what he wrote about “light” in John 3:19-21. “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.” (John 3:20) When we are transparent and confess our sins (walk in the light, as “he is in the light”) our evil deeds are exposed. Then, according to the promises in 1 John 1:5-10, “the blood of Jesus, [God’s] Son, purifies us from all sin.

“…The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” – Matthew 13:43

Our Righteousness Is From God’s Mercy

“…confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16) We will be made righteous by Jesus’ obedience. (Romans 5:19) Jesus humbled himself and “became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8) Our responsibility is to own our sin, to confess it, to renounce it and repent of it.

“You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:24-26)

May we find righteousness not in ourselves, but in Christ. I pray I remember God’s grace, and allow it to teach me to say “no” to my worldliness and ungodly passions. (Titus 3:12) I pray that grace will inspire me to walk in the light, to confess my sins plainly, so that whatever “righteousness” I do or have is shown as being done “through God.” (John 3:21)
January 11, 2018
Clinging Like Jesus

The Angels Heralded Jesus’ Birth! Many were clinging to the prophecy of Christ’s arrival!

Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. (Matthew 26:31-35)

God’s Greatest Gift To Us

Jesus is quoting Zechariah 13:7 here in Matthew 26:31. There are a great deal of references to Jesus in the context of Zechariah 12 and 13. Zechariah was a Levite born in Babylon and prophesied as a contemporary to the Prophet Haggai, Zerubbabel, and Joshua the High Priest (in the early 6th century BC). Jesus’ quoting of this passage in Zechariah helps us understand that its surrounding context holds prophetic significance regarding Jesus. For example, in Zechariah 12:10 the prophet wrote:

“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.”

We know that Jesus was God’s greatest gift to us as explained John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” We also know that Jesus’ blood was shed to cleanse us from our sins, “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (Heb 9:14)

We see here in Zechariah 12:10 that God planned all along to pour out a spirit of grace through his “one and only” son’s suffering on the cross! Jesus precisely and deliberately quoted a scripture in a context that said a lot about him. None of us can outgive God! God has given us “…life and breath and everything else!” (Acts 17:25) God’s greatest gift was his “firstborn son!” God gave us “a spirit of grace and supplication” through his “only son.” (Zechariah 12:10)

Clinging To The Scriptures

Jesus explained to all of them candidly that they would desert him. He starts by telling them plainly – “You will all fall way on account of me” (Matthew 26:31) Then Christ quotes this passage in Zechariah 13:7 which explains why. He quotes other scriptures and references their fulfillment throughout his crucifixion. Jesus was clinging to the scriptures throughout the passion. He had them on his heart and mind at each step he took towards the cross. (Matthew 26:24,54,56) Jesus was quoting the scriptures even while he was on the cross itself! (Matthew 27:46, Psalms 22)

On the other hand, his disciple Peter was emotional and vehemently rejected the notion that he would ever deny Jesus. Peter said “Even If I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” (Matthew 26:35) Peter and the other disciples are understandably clinging to their emotions. It would be emotionally difficult to understand Jesus’ statement about them deserting him. It’s in our (sinful) nature to go with our heart, with our “gut-feeling”, or our sentiments. We must cling to the scriptures just as Jesus did when we are confronted with our crosses to bear (1 John 2:6).

Clinging To The Scriptures Like Jesus Did!

There are all kinds of trails in our lives and we will find ourselves clinging to something during those times. When I am not clinging to the scriptures I cling to myself, my children, my wife and even my vocation. When I’ve clung to myself, I’ve “checked-out.” I find myself indulging in gaming, Youtube, Netflix and the like. In these moments I’m just doing what makes my flesh “feel-good.” In clinging to myself I’ve focused on myself and serving myself. “…do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” (Galatians 5:13) I’m grateful the scriptures teach me how to repent when I am clinging to myself – “Serving one another humbly in love!”

Personal Trials

In 2009 Amy and I had to spiritually and emotionally navigate being taken out of the full-time ministry and out of our role as overseers for our beloved Eugene International Christian Church. We moved to Los Angeles to be with the church there and to get some much needed spiritual perspective. I went back into the IT field working at various jobs. It was very challenging at first, as we’d short-sold our home in Eugene and the credit union began to initiate legal action against us for the 57,000$ difference. I had just lost my job in the ministry at this point. Then I found a position as a programmer in LA shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, I’d made some very poor choices at this new job and so made very little money. After all of this, we filed for bankruptcy in 2009.

God blessed me with a couple of other opportunities after these events. Additionally, I was learning some hard lessons about how independent and prideful I was at each job in spite of these blessings. During these challenging times when I found myself clinging to the scriptures I was at peace, able to accept God’s discipline and God’s plan. Conversely, When I clung to myself or my job, I felt the distance between me and my wife and children. I had a short-temper and was incredibly ungrateful during these times. I had no peace. (Psalms 119:165-168)

Sincerely Vulnerable

Jesus was remarkable in that he was vulnerable with his closest three disciples even though they did not warrant such trust from him. So often we seek those in our lives to be “trustworthy” before we trust them with the true depths of our hearts. We must come to clarity on this disposition being nothing like Jesus’ at all. Therefore, we must “always trust” (c.f. 1 Cor 13:7) in our relationships in order to truly follow Jesus (and be his disciple)! Jesus trusted Peter, James and John so much he revealed to them his heart “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38). Furthermore, Jesus humbly asked them “Stay here and keep watch with me” (Matt 26:38). The reason Jesus was able to trust these imperfect, weak, and struggling disciples with his true heart was because he knew he would soon be clinging to prayer.

Clinging To Prayer

In addition to imitating Jesus’ example of clinging to the scriptures, we must imitate his example of clinging to prayer. Oddly enough, this disposition made Jesus willingly vulnerable and trusting to the same men who professed to die with him and yet would betray him that same night. It’s tempting to think that what is in our hearts is “between us and God.” The scriptures and Jesus’ example do not endorse such a mentality in any of us. While honest vulnerability is never a replacement for clinging to prayer, this kind of transparency shows integrity and a sincere reliance on God.

Consider 1 Corinthians 12:26: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” How can we suffer with one another if we are not sharing our hearts as Jesus did with one another? If we are ignorant and closed off to each other’s hearts we cannot pray for one another to “be healed!” (James 5:16)

Clinging to Prayer like Jesus did!

Often we use past “church hurts” or relational injuries as a justification to withhold trust from others. We can also deliberately test the trust of those around us because of this. We’re constantly looking to discredit the sincerity of those around us in our “hurt” and fail to see the simple solution of forgiving before us. Men deceived by the emotions they were clinging to surrounded Jesus at this time in his life. And yet Jesus was merciful to them and gave them the benefit of the doubt even when he knew they would let him down and when they fell asleep watching over him! (c.f. Matt 26:40-41)

A Powerful Principle and Stunning Truth

Early on in Jesus’ ministry he taught them this principle of mercy with one another. Peter asked Jesus in Matthew 18:21 “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” The Lord replied, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matt 18:22) It’s worth noting that immediately after this teaching Jesus preaches one of the most intense parables in the scriptures about the “unmerciful servant.” This parable concludes with a stunning teaching!

“Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matt 18:33-35)

When we imitate Jesus we will find ourselves clinging to prayer. When we do so we will have the strength to lovingly trust others with our heart-of-hearts. Let us never confuse shrewdness for mistrust nor mistrust for wisdom. Instead, we must cling to prayer when we are faced with tough circumstances, relationships, and issues. “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” (Hebrews 5:7-8)

Clinging To Jesus, The Perfect Model

At the end of the day, we need to look to God’s ultimate gift to us, his one and only son Jesus Christ. Jesus is our model and our hope and who we should be clinging to. Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. His examples of clinging to the scriptures, being sincerely vulnerable, and clinging to prayer are the ones we must cling to! We will be strengthen when we cling like Jesus! We will be able to weather any storm and pick-up any cross we are called to! Following Christ is an astonishing adventure and clinging like Jesus prepares us for it!

To God be the glory –

Jeremy Ciaramella

December 30, 2017