Stepping in the Light

“Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require: That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.” I Kings 8:56-61

Solomon gave this speech at the close of the dedication service for the temple. He charged the people to follow God faithfully so that “all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God, and that there is none else.” Our Christian service should be the same kind of example to the unsaved people around us. We should live our lives with the underlying purpose that all the world would know that there is a God, and that He sent His Son to die for the sins of all mankind. As we serve the Lord, our actions and attitudes should make it plain to the whole world that we worship the one true God and that He loves them.

“And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.” I Kings 6:7

The temple was to be an exceedingly magnificent structure. After it was completed it was to be an absolute wonder, shimmering in gold. But it had to be built first, and construction sites are generally very noisy places; sounds of sawing, hammering, and shouting fill the air. But this site was to be different. The rule was that no sound of an iron tool could be heard there. All of the chiseling, hammering, chopping, cutting, and sawing had to happen offsite. The materials were prepared and brought in, but from time to time, something would not fit right. Normally, if a board is a little bit too long, you have a saw nearby so you can make another cut quickly. On this site, if a stone did not fit, it had to be transported offsite to have the necessary chiseling done and then brought back to see if it would fit. Under these constraints, the workers would have constantly increased the intensity with which they measured and planned. They would have been trying their best to get everything right the first time. These men were constantly reminded that they were building a house for God. Every task they performed was completed in solemn reverence. The temple was a place of worship for hundreds of years, but I believe that God was pleased as He watched these workers build His house with hearts filled with awe and wonder.

“And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.” I Kings 3:7-10

Solomon was called upon to follow in his father’s footsteps at a young age. No doubt, King David had groomed Solomon to take over the kingdom; but in the very short time since he had ascended his father’s throne, Solomon had been required to handle some very sensitive situations and make some extremely difficult decisions. He managed to quell an attempt on the throne by one of his brothers, which led him to the point not only of having his brother put to death, but also of executing the most powerful general in his army and removing the high priest from office. However, the most daunting task still lay ahead of him, which was building a permanent temple in Jerusalem to replace the tabernacle that Moses had built in the wilderness. This was the place where the Israelites would come to meet with God, and it must be completed to perfection. When asked what he wanted, Solomon requested that God give him an understanding heart. Do you have the wisdom you need? All you have to do is ask! (See James 1:5.)

“And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Luke 19:41-44

The city of Jerusalem had the opportunity to embrace her king, but her leaders did not recognize it. Jesus referred to this opportunity as “the time of thy visitation.” The promised Messiah, the Son of God, came and visited them. He walked with them, He taught them, and He performed miracles among them; but they never really understood what was happening. Multitudes did throng around Him, and they even went so far as to give Jesus a grand entrance into the city on His last visit there before His crucifixion, but the excitement quickly wore off. Within a short time, they were crying out for Him to be crucified. Of course, it had to happen that way in order for Jesus to be crucified. If He had not died upon the cross, our sins would still not be paid for. But Jesus wept over the people of the city in this passage because they missed their opportunity. God gives us opportunities every day to help those around us and to serve Him. Let’s be looking for those opportunities today and be ready to take advantage of each one!

“And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.” Luke 19:1-5

Zacchaeus was an important man. At the very least, he was the leader of the tax collectors in Jericho, but it is possible that his title applies to the whole region, or even the entire country. Zacchaeus had evidently heard about Jesus and wanted to see him. He wasn’t trying to use his connections to get the opportunity to talk with Jesus, he just wanted to get a glimpse of Him. Zacchaeus figured out which way Jesus was travelling, hurried ahead, and climbed up in a tree so he could get a good look at Him as He passed by. You may be sure that Zacchaeus was surprised that Jesus stopped right under the tree where he was, called him by name, and announced that He was coming over to his house that day. Some people criticized Jesus for being a guest at a sinner’s house, but Jesus told them that He came to seek and to save the lost. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus that day, but he didn’t realize that Jesus was looking for him. It matters not whether they are short or tall, rich or poor, popular or obscure; Jesus wants to save sinners of every kind.

“Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Luke 18:22-27

It is quite natural for people to think that good works somehow earn us favor with God. The ruler who came to Jesus in this passage asking about how to gain eternal life certainly was thinking that way. He told Jesus that he had kept the commandments his whole life. The people standing nearby who heard their conversation were also thinking the same way. They assumed that since this man was living a good life and had plenty of money, he would certainly get to heaven. When they heard Jesus say how difficult it was for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, they asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus told them that God can do things which are impossible for people. What they didn’t understand was that it is impossible for any person to save himself. Jesus came to earth to die for our sins so that it would become possible for everyone to be saved. All things are possible with God!

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:10-14

The Pharisees were highly religious and commanded a great deal of respect from their peers. The publicans were Jews who collected taxes on behalf of the Roman government, and they were known for taking a hefty portion of the money they collected for themselves. Because of this, the publicans were hated and despised. In this parable, Jesus helps us to see the importance of humility before God. The Pharisee thought he was a very good person, but the Lord would not hear him. In contrast, the publican saw himself as totally unworthy. He stood far away from the temple because he thought that he was not good enough to even get close to it. He kept his head bowed as he prayed, admitted that he was a sinner, and asked God for mercy.  Jesus said that this man went to his house justified rather than the other. Which one of these men can you relate to the best? Are you proud or humble in your approach to God?

“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot’s wife.” Luke 17:28-32

When the angels came to Sodom to take Lot and his family out of the city before the fire fell, they told Lot and his wife not to look back at the city. Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. Her life ended because she could not overcome the overwhelming desire that she had for the things that she and her husband had in Sodom. She did not know what was going to happen to her if she looked back. She did not realize what that one fleeting glance was going to cost her.

Jesus used Lot’s wife as an illustration to help us understand how important it is to be ready for His return. In order to live the kind of life that will enable us to be prepared to meet Him, we have to understand what is really important. We have to place more value on eternal things than we do on temporal things. If Jesus came today, is there anything in your life that you would have a difficult time letting go of? He wants us to be so eager for His return that we won’t even need to look back.

“And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.” Luke 17:12-18

Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one came back to thank Him. They had all called out to Him for mercy. In that regard, they had all exercised faith in Him. They believed that He could heal them, but there is a difference between faith and gratitude. Faith is believing in what God can and will do for us, but gratitude is recognizing Him and thanking Him for what He has already done. Without God, we are just like these lepers. The disease they suffered from was painful, humiliating, and deadly. By nature, we are sinners who suffer from a painful, humiliating, and deadly condition. When we receive Christ, He cleanses us from all of our sin. The penalty is lifted, the guilt erased, and we are set free. How often do we return to Him and thank Him for saving us? We should take time every day to express our gratitude for the miracle of salvation.

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?” Luke 16:10-12

Many people like to compartmentalize their lives into secular and sacred. Most Christians would not think of their money as something spiritual, but Jesus pointed to money (the unrighteous mammon) as something that is used as an indicator of trustworthiness.  Jesus was speaking about faithfulness and the importance of little things. He told His followers that there are true riches that will not be entrusted to those who are not faithful in the relatively unimportant things like money. It is easy to take little things for granted; but at the same time, it is natural for us to judge someone else’s character by the routine things that we see them do. Stopping to pick up a piece of paper on the ground and throw it away seems like a small thing, but a person who is above doing this probably isn’t attending to other small things in life that may be very important. When someone is faithful in small things, it causes us to naturally be willing to trust them with more. Every day, God is looking at our lives and deciding how much He is going to invest in us. The more faithful we are in small things, the more likely it will be that He will entrust us with bigger things. The Lord is teaching us here that the little things are important.