Does God Change His Mind?

There is a line of religious thought that projects a God that causes all, predestines all, and is never-changing.  Then, there is Scripture that projects a God who relents, has mercy/grace, and weighs situations based on something else.  Which of these is true, and what is going on here?

In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prays.  "Father ... if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me (Matthew 26:39)."  In a totally predestined world, why would Jesus ask this?  He knows the Father, and He knows the nature and character of the Father.  I think Jesus remembers when God desired to destroy the people of Israel in Exodus 32.  God's anger burned against the people, and God told Moses to leave Him to His anger and desire to destroy a stiff-necked, disobedient, and faithless people.  Moses tells God, "they are your people."  Moses reminded God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel.  Exodus 32:19 says, "God relented."  In the story of Jonah, God tells Jonah to preach destruction to the people of Nineveh, but the people repented.  God relented and forgave the people of Nineveh, And here in Matthew 26, Jesus seems to understand that God, sometimes, changes His plan.  This isn't the southern, traditional view, is it?

I think three things are happening here:

1. In Wesleyan thought, God has an overall plan that is unstoppable.  We say it in the Apostles Creed, when we say we believe in the resurrection (an unstoppable event), the judgment of all people (living and dead), our resurrection with Jesus as believers, and the return of Jesus.  Wesley viewed God as a loving Father ... not a ruling monarch.  But God's purpose, grace, love, and power (in God's character and Spirit), are all universally available to those who believe.  And God's plan will happen, though only the Father knows the when of the future.

2. Jesus is praying knowingly in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Like any other human, Jesus would like to avoid the suffering, the pain, the grief, and the death that is ahead.  So Jesus does what people do ... He asked.  In a song about Isaac's impending death as an offering by Abraham, Andrew Peterson writes, "And even though You take him, still I ever will obey, but maker of this mountain, please make another way."  Abraham's faith was rewarded in another way.  Jesus knows the Father is sovereign, perfect, and wise.  He asks for an alternate plan, but He trusts God to know what is best.  So, within the same prayer, Jesus said, "Yet not as I will, but as You will."

3. The other blatantly obvious part of this passage, is the path to God's plans ... the ones we see, and those that are possible alternatives.  That path starts and ends with prayer ... we give it to God.  That path starts and ends with trust ... we rely on the God who is worthy of our faith.  That path starts and ends with release ... we place the situation, and our alternate ideas, into the hands of the one who knows the whole picture.

How do you pray? ... because this prayer can be prayed in every situation.  Do you have an enemy persecuting you?  Pray God's will for that person.  Do you have a relationship that is perplexing you?  Pray for God's plan for that person.  Are you facing loss?  Pray God's will and plan, so that the loss becomes God's property and God's problem to solve.  And then, maybe the hardest thing ... follow where God leads, even if it leads to a cross.

Do you believe in the God who makes some really big promises?  "I have called you by name, and you are Mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God ... (Isaiah 43:1-3)." BELIEVE!

In The Garden

Have you ever thought about why Jesus went to a garden to pray before His crucifixion?  I hope you will ponder on this question because I think the answers are important.  Let's think together about gardens.

The Garden of Eden is a beginning place.  Eden begins our journey as humans, through time, history, trials, joys, and life itself.  God walked with humans in Eden.  Eden is where we rose up from the dirt, where gender was created and formed, and where we fell as the human race (this is the only 'race' that even matters).

The Garden of Revelation (Rev. 22, right in the middle of the New Jerusalem) is a restoration of all that was lost in the Garden of Eden.  All things are brought back to God's original intent.  This is the place where humanity rises.  All names written in the Book of Life (Rev. 21) will be here.  The Bible calls this the place where "the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them (Rev. 21:3)."

In the story of Jesus' death and resurrection, there is another garden ... Gethsemane.  This garden recognizes the fall and failure of Eden, but it is also a place where a changed relationship is announced.  It begins God's restoration, consummated in Jesus' death and resurrection, and in our full belief in what Jesus did.  Gethsemane is both terrible and wonderful, and it ushers in a new relationship with God.

Between now and Maundy Thursday, April 17th, we will walk, talk, listen, and pray In The Garden.  I hope you will join us, for this small section of the Gospels tells us much about God, God's nature, God's plans, and how we can become better servants and followers of God.  Come join in.  Sit awhile.  Take off your shoes, and sit down your burdens.  Let's listen together, as Jesus converses, prays, and gives us a window into some beautiful truth.  It might just set you free!  Randy

A Relational God

In our world of remoteness ... remote learning, remote social interactions, remote meetings, disconnected people ... I wonder if we are missing something?  There is a story from John 12 that highlights one thing that I believe Jesus would like to speak into our culture and our current society.  It is the story of Mary, Lazarus' sister, also sister of Martha.  Last week we heard a little about the two sisters.  Martha was the worker bee ... the doer ... the "get the dinner on the table" kind of girl. I am sure the entire household appreciated Martha.  She is "hands-on" like me.  Maybe we are both a little too much that way.

As the story in John 12 flows forth, Martha was serving dinner, probably giving orders, arranging the table settings, and being the "kitchen general."  Mary is much more in tune with the attitude and magnitude of what is happening.  Jesus is being sought by all of the leaders in the community.  They are plotting to kill him.  I even wonder if Mary is picking up on Jesus' expectant mood as He enters His last week of walking this earth as a non-resurrected person.  He knows some of what is about to happen.  The Scripture says "Mary took a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume, and poured it on Jesus' feet (John 12:3)."  When Mary did this, the entire house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  Mary also, in a very personal and intimate act, wiped the perfume on His feet with her hair.

In a house filled with disciples, those who followed and loved Jesus, and friends, one might expect a reaction of approval and even reverence.  But Mary is roundly criticized.  Judas, the disciples' treasurer, Jesus' future betrayer, and a man with his own agenda, says the nard should have been sold and the money (it was worth over $50K in modern dollars) given to the poor.  While Scripture says Judas only wanted to have control of this money, and didn't care for the poor, he does highlight the conflict that arises when the practical collides with the irrationality of relationships.  Let's unpack that a bit.

First, God is explicitly relational in His word.  What is the greatest commandment?  "Love God with your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37)."  And, this is followed by the command to love your neighbor as yourself.  God cares how we relate to Him and to other people.  He even cares about our relationship to ourself!  

Second, God is very impractical when it comes to relationships.  What are we spending Lent and the Easter season remembering?  We remember a god who loves us so much that He died for us, still sinners, so that we could be reconciled with Him and live with Him eternally.  There is NOTHING practical about that, unless God really loves the people He created.  But then, love isn't practical.

Finally, Mary's very intimate act (which Jesus endorses) is an expression of her irrational love for Jesus.  And, in a world where we rationalize behavior toward others as transactional, Jesus reminds us that His followers are born again through a rationale that is not of this world.  Peter's confession that Jesus was the Son of the Living God came from divine inspiration.  Paul expresses (1 Corinthians 1) that following Jesus would seem like foolishness to the logic of the world ... but Paul encouraged us to believe anyway.  Martyrs lost both logic and their lives, because Jesus was more important to them than another breath.

This story challenges us and haunts us.  And this is especially true when Jesus commands us, "Love as I have loved you (John 13:34)!"  Relate to others like Jesus related to us.  I know this is a hard command while the world tells you, "treat them like they treat you" ... "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" ...  they, them, etc.  Jesus said, from a cruel cross, "Forgive them (that includes all of us who helped nail Him there) for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)."  He wants a relationship with you!  How will you respond to that?  

Which "If" Are You?

John 11 is the well-known story of Lazarus.  Lazarus, and his sisters Mary and Martha, were friends of Jesus and they were (based on the New Testament) close, and Jesus was at their home several times during the last month of His life.  Martha was like me ... the doer, and the one who was sometimes more attuned to process than relationship. Martha would say, "Get that meal on the table!" while Mary was asking how the family and kids were doing.  They were great people, but different personalities.

In the scene portrayed in John 11, Lazarus becomes sick and dies.  he is even buried, all while the family expects Jesus to arrive before it is too late.  Jesus stays away for two days, and seems in no hurry to spare the family the grief of Lazarus' death.  When Jesus arrives, after Lazarus is dead, the family and friends are in the throes of grieving.  It is here we encounter the "Ifs."

The first "If" is when Martha says, "If only you had been here, my brother would not have died (John 11:21)."  This sounds like a faithful statement, till you break it down a bit.  Martha does express belief that Jesus has the power to heal ... she has probably seen it happen.  This is a statement steeped in positive rhetoric but a negative attitude.  Let me rephrase Martha's words ... "Jesus ... why weren't you here when I needed you?  We sent word that Lazarus was sick.  I thought we all were best friends, but you didn't show up when we needed you most!"  The words of Martha's Scriptural statement are a measured facade, hiding great disappointment and possibly anger at what Jesus did not do.

Do you ever make this statement?  When you don't understand Jesus' overall plan, are you disappointed or angry with Jesus because your plan (or the prayer you prayed) was a better plan?  I confess my guilt here, as I struggle to implement my stellar plan, and don't like where things are going.  "Jesus ... if You would just get into my plan, it would all work out so perfectly!"

Then, Jesus makes a statement that brings me up short.  "Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?"  This sentence is a challenge to my attitude of faithless resignation.  Because Jesus is asking me if I trust His big plan over my small plan.

So now, as I reflect on this, I remember saying, "Jesus ... if you had given all that I asked for, my project (this could be true for many of my plans and projects) would be done and we would be enjoying the fruit of work we should have been able to accomplish."  Then, with 20/20 hindsight, I take another look.  I see teams forming that are perfectly equipped for getting these projects done.  I see our congregation beginning to open their eyes to the possibility that God is really doing something here.  I see people excited, expectant, and ready for what they see as God's work.  And I think ... "I would have never dreamed God could bring these people together at just the right time and at just the right place!  I am sorry I doubted you, Lord!  I ask forgiveness for those moments and years I failed to trust you fully!  I only ask for one more thing ... to see Your glory, in the fulness of Your plan, as you use Your people to build Your Church!"  I remember what you said ... "You will see even greater things than these (John 1:50)!"  "Lord ... bring on those greater things!  I will wait, watch, and pray!  AMEN

Discovering Power

Lent is a time of discovering.  When we stop, listen, pray, and act we find ourselves in a place of exciting change and new possibilities!  I have spent the week discovering some interesting information about church utilities, especially as they impact several Trustees projects.  It seems that we have a mishmash of different breaker boxes, power outlets, and limitations as we try to implement needed changes.  Here is what I discovered.

1. Water - The water situation at the new Youth and Children's Center is almost comical.  At the current water meter, the flow is measured at 20 gallons per minute (GPM).  At the rear of the building, where one would hook up a hose, the flow is 2 GPM.  It seems that very old pipes and corrosion have restricted the water flow.  Is Jesus' living water flowing through you, or is that flow restricted?

2. Electricity - The electrical system at the Youth and Children's Center, and really at the entire church facility, is (at least) interesting.  Churches are pieced together over time and, thus, are prone to having a pretty complicated system of breaker boxes and outlets.  Matching and labeling these is something that we are discovering is a need for our future.  We need to know where our power is coming from!

So, as a church, where does our power ... your power come from?  What we have?  How well we can  navigate our situation?  Our status in the community?  Here is where Jesus tells us to go for power!

1. Prayer - Over the last month, JD Walt (in his devotional Wake-Up Call) has been Jesus-prayers.  The devotional walked us through 9 of these prayers.  The prayers are beautiful expressions of Jesus' total faith and trust in the Father's provision, protection, and power.  Jesus told His disciples, when they attempted to cast out demons, "this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21)."

2. Reflection - Psalm 1 begins with this concept.  "Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.  But they delight in the law of the Lord., meditating on it day and night."  Did you get that?  It helps our faith walk to be in deep thought about the word of God.  This isn't some "hippie" self-help idea.  Notice, that the Psalmist focuses on advice from a trusted source, "the law of the Lord."

2. Repentance - The long and short-term experiences from the Asbury Awakening (February 2023) have been both documented and amazing. Many people of all ages came to terms with their faith walk.  And this, as often happened with documented meetings in early Methodism, came from praying, reflecting on God's word, and repentance.  And before we get the wrong idea, repentance isn't what we say, or even some idea in our head.  Repentance is action ... turning around ... turning toward God

All of the above things invite the person and activity of the Holy Spirit to become real and powerful in our lives.  Do you want to discover a God of love, life, and power?  Pray ... Reflect ... Repent.  That is a prescription for a wonderful and fruitful season of Lent.  AMEN!

Gates

John 10 is all about sheep and shepherds.  Our society uses the term "sheep" as something negative.  In fact, the insult "You are just a bunch of sheep!" is an insult related to being dim-minded followers.  Jesus doesn't seem to share this aversion to the "sheep" analogy.  Why?

Many of us share a favorite psalm, Psalm 23.  "The Lord is my shepherd ..."  Psalm 23 begins by calling us sheep.  Jesus, in John 10, uses the term often.  "I am the good shepherd," Jesus says in John 10:11.  "I know my sheep, and my sheep know me," Jesus continues in John 10:14.  While our society uses the sheep analogy as a negative, Jesus uses it as an endearing term.  As usual, society is wrong and Jesus is right!

In John 10, Jesus calls Himself the gate.  "I am the gate for the sheep (John 10:7)," Jesus announces.  What does He mean by this?

1. Gates have the obvious function of permitting or restricting entry.  Jesus says he is the passage or entry into God's plan for us.  We enter eternal life, God's plan, purpose, and truth through Jesus.  He is "the way," not "a" way.  Many in our society have issues with this clear, direct, and concise statement.  But Jesus is never "wishy-washy" about this.  "No one comes to the Father, except through me (John 14:6)," Jesus states in John 14:6.  Jesus is THE gate.

2. Gates allow entry and egress.  Jesus is clearly the way into the Kingdom of God, but Jesus also allows His sheep to "lie down in green pastures and walk beside still waters (Psalm 23)."  Jesus gives His sheep freedom.  We sometimes use that freedom to stray from the shepherd or to wander into things that are not good for His sheep.  We have free will, even if we choose to use it unwisely.

3. Gates also protect.  There is one theory about a shepherd's gate that brings home the beauty of John 10.  When the sheep were grazing in remote areas, they were penned up using crude, improvised enclosures.  Rocks or wood were used to build the pen, and an opening was left to allow the sheep to come and go.  At night, the shepherd would actually lie across that opening, both blocking and protecting the sheep.

I love that 3rd point!  I remember a youth trip during which I was in charge of a bunch of teenage boys.  We had a lot of fun, but I knew these boys (one of them was named "critter").  In the La Quinta hotel, I decided to place my cot across the door of the room that night.  These boys weren't going to wander the hotel at night on my watch!  I was the "gate" of those little sheep!

How about you?  Is Jesus your gate?  Do you enter each day through Him?  Do you believe Jesus is the only way to the Father?  Do you pray, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep," as you lie down at night?  Try these things in your prayers and practices.  See if you become less opposed to the idea of being "the sheep of His pasture."  And see if the concept of following the Good Shepherd doesn't become a beautiful way of doing life!  AMEN

Reservoir or River?

In John 7, the plot to kill Jesus, and the hatred of the Pharisees continues in earnest.  Jesus is trying to be low-key, and the religious leaders are watching, listening, and searching for Him.  It is a dance that will end on Calvary (or a new thing that may begin on Calvary).

The context of John 7 is the Festival of Tabernacles (Sukkot).  The event has (at least) dual meanings.  First, it is a harvest (or ingathering) celebration, observing the temporary housing of the farmer as he works and harvests the year's crops.  There is also an evangelical air to the celebration as there is dancing to represent the "feet" of the Torah, taking the Torah out onto the world.  This 2nd meaning ought to perk our interest as Christians because God desires His word to fill the whole world.  

At the Festival of Tabernacles, Jesus speaks a message of invitation to believe.  "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow within them (John 7:37-38)."  As I read this passage, one question came to mind.  Are we reservoirs or rivers ... and which are we CALLED to be?

Reservoirs are certainly useful and necessary.  They hold water so that our cities and towns have enough to supply our needs.  Without reservoirs, and proper water management, we might have water-related emergencies.  And we must have water to live.

But as Christians, I wonder if we make two mistakes.  One mistake is that we tend to hold in and hoard what we have been given.  Jesus gave us the "living water" of His truth, His Gospel, and His call to believe and follow.  But I wonder if we hold God's message inside ourselves and our church buildings like a reservoir?  The second mistake is that we go to the reservoir and drink a little water, but fail to carry any out with us.  When things become parched and dry, we come back to the reservoir, but what if we are too far away ... and what if there is drought in the world?

Maybe, and this is my theory, we are called to something different.  Jesus told a Samaritan woman (John 4) that the water He gives will be "a spring of water that never runs dry, welling up in eternal life (John 4:13-14)!"  Then, here in John 7, He tells us "rivers of living water" will flow within us!  When Jesus shares this information with the Samaritan woman she replies, "Give ME this living water!" because she wants the water for her needs.  She thinks, "Now I won't have to carry this water from the well, and I will have all I and my family need!"  And THAT is where we miss the analogy!

I think Jesus is trying to create rivers ... not reservoirs!  Each one of us could be a river.  Each one of us could water the dry ground, supply sustenance to a withering plant, life to a dying seed.  For the "living water" of God's Spirit isn't meant to be held in ... it is to be given out!  Isaiah 43:19 spells it out beautifully!  "Behold, I am doing a new thing.  Now it springs forth.  Do you not perceive it?  I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert!"

Will you be a reservoir ... or a river?