A FISH STORY

My friend Bubs texted me yesterday: “You better go fishing. I had a dream last night that the Klatskanine was full of fish.” Not being sure how much stock to put in Bubba’s dream, I replied that I was thinking about it. I haven’t been fishing for a while—the rivers are low due to lack of rain and the steelhead return isn’t very good. Then I got up this morning. Did my devotions. Checked out facebook. On facebook by Uncle Frank had posted another picture of a guy with a fish. He’s been doing that a lot lately. I’m thinking that maybe he needs and wants to go fishing, On the other hand, perhaps it was meant to be an encouragement to me to go. 

While contemplating that, I got a text message from my Uncle Bob: “I oakusaba Katonda mulungi on your behalf.” I’m concerned for my Uncle Bob. He loves his Ugandan friends so much that now he is speaking and praying in Lugandan. I hope that he’s not preaching in Lugandan! At any rate--I asked him for the meaning of the words (cause I only recognized the word “Katonda”) and he said that it meant: “I prayed to the God who is good on your behalf.” But he’s not that good at Lugandan, so I think he might have prayed: “Lord help Jerry to catch a steelhead today.” 

Bolstered with the encouragement of Bubba’s dream, Frank’s pictures, and Bob’s prayer I headed off to go fishing. Got to the river. What a beautiful morning! How pleasant the sound of the water tumbling over the rocks. How beautiful the blue sky set against the trees and the river coursing through the middle of it all! Bubba dreamt that the river was full of fish. Time to check it out. First hole—water’s too low, no fish. Second hole—couple of casts with a spinner—nada. Third hole--what a beautiful fishing hole! My friend, John, turned a fish in this hole last week. Surely I’ll get one here. Nada. Fourth hole. No fish. 

What about Bubba’s dream, Frank’s pictures, and Bob’s prayer (even in a foreign language)? One more hole to try. Bad cast. Should have hit the current. Oh well, I’ll leave it there for a moment to see what happens. Something’s grabbing my bait—looks like it might be trout. No, it’s a steelhead! Set the hook. Fish on. It’s a bright fish. “Don’t lose it,” I said to myself. Banked it. Bonked it. Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Bubba, Frank, Bob. I know, it’s just a fish. But I’m thinking there’s more to the story. It was a collaborative effort.   

SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN (Matthew Chapter 18)

The slaves were aghast at what they had witnessed. Their fellow slave had amassed a huge debt of 10,000 talents towards their master (Matthew 18:24). A debt so large that it would have taken 150,000 years of the wages of a laborer to pay off.  The master, wishing to settle accounts, brought the slave to himself and demanded payment. Since he had no means to repay, the master commanded that he be sold, along with his wife and children and belongings so that payment could be made (18:25).

Helpless to rectify his situation the slave fell to the ground and begged that the master show patience towards him. In an incredible and unprecedented display of compassion the master forgave him the debt (18:27). The other slaves were astounded. What kind of master would show such compassion?

How did the slave respond?  He went and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a debt (18:28). The debt was small by comparison--a mere one hundred denarii.  An amount that could be earned in 100 days or so. The forgiven slave seized the man and began to choke him. He too begged for patience. But the forgiven slave showed no compassion and instead threw the slave into prison (18:30). The other slaves were “deeply grieved” and reported to the master what had happened (18:31).  Oh the incongruity of it all! An unpayable debt forgiven by a compassionate master. Forgiveness of the far smaller debt withheld by a fellow servant. And so it goes in this world.

The rabbis had taught that a repeated offense might be forgiven three times, but on the fourth there could be no forgiveness. Peter questioned Jesus regarding the extent to which forgiveness should be demonstrated, asking, “Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21). Jesus’ response was not up to seven times, “but up to seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). Jesus used this parable to illustrate the truth about forgiveness.

It is altogether human to seek revenge. The Devil cheers us on in our anger, bitterness, and vengeance. He would have us to believe that some sort of victory is won in retaliating. The flesh is eager to participate. A deadly and turbulent concoction is created when vengeful thoughts are enjoined to the dreaded injustice.  The wicked brew, having been simmered on the back burner of the mind, is then gladly guzzled down only to be vomited up, emitting a foul and noxious odor.  Revenge yields no heavenly triumph.  Temporary gratification is a high price to day in view of the emotional, physical, and spiritual damage done.

Forgiveness is a God thing. Were there no God there would be no such things as forgiveness. To forgive someone is to release them from liability to suffer punishment or penalty. It is to make a decision about an injustice suffered: to not think about it, to not bring it up, to not talk about it, and to not allow it to stand between us and the other person. That kind of response is not always easy. It is by God’s grace and by the Spirit alone that we can lovingly respond to others in this manner (Cf. Galatians 5:20 vs. 5:22; 1 Corinthians 13:5).

Seventy times seven. God has forgiven much. It is His nature to forgive (Cf. Psalm 103:8-11). My certificate of debt was of infinite measure (Colossians 2:14). He “cancelled it out” by nailing it to the cross. He who knew no sin was made to be sin that I might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

It is reasonable to expect that those who have been much forgiven should readily forgive. That’s the point of the parable. Anything less is unreasonable and deeply distressing. Those who have been much forgiven, “as God in Christ has forgiven” (Ephesians 4:32b), should always be “forgiving each other” (Ephesians 4:32a). The fount of forgiveness is the cross.  When we forgive we bear witness to its power to save and transform!

A GLIMPSE OF HIS GLORY (Matthew Chapter 17)

Six days following Jesus’ revelation to His disciples of His pending death, He led Peter, James, and John up a high mountain where He was “transfigured” before them (Matthew 17:1).  Perhaps it was to reassure them—in light of the revelation of His pending suffering and death—as to His true identity and therefore encourage them in their faith.  Whatever the reason, it was a privileged viewing for only three disciples.

He was transfigured before them (Matthew 17:2).  The Greek word, metamorphoo, is related to our English metamorphis and means to “change into another form.”  The result of this was that “His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light” (Matthew 17:3).  They were privileged to see what others were not—Christ transfigured before them. His face shone with a light unrivaled on planet earth.  His garments were made whiter than white, “as no launderer on earth can whiten them” (Mark 9:3).

Moses and Elijah, representing both the Law and prophets, appeared and talked with Jesus (Matthew 17:3).  A bright cloud overshadowed them all.  A voice declared: “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5).  What are we to make of this occurrence?

The full manifestation of the “incarnate Deity” was “veiled in flesh.”  His preincarnate state was that of sharing in the glory of the Father “from before the world was” (John 17:5).  In His incarnation He took “the form of a bond-servant, and (was) made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7).  He divulged Himself of His glorious array.  The King of Kings and Lord of Lords put aside His glorious robe and dressed down for the occasion (Cf. 2 Corinthians 8:9; Isaiah 53:2).

Christ’s incarnation is a matter of great mystery and wonder!  Martin Luther said that it represents a matter “which is beyond all human comprehension.”  To hear of suffering and death on one day, and to behold Jesus in glorious array on another was quite the dichotomy of experience for the disciples.  And the dichotomy remains difficult to comprehend.  “He left His Father’s throne above, so free, so infinite His grace!  Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race; Amazing Love! How can it Be, That Thou,  My God, shouldst die for me!”

The experience stuck with Peter.  Years later he wrote about it: “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16).  They were eyewitnesses of His majesty!  They saw Jesus in all of His glorious splendor on that day.  Peter never forgot that experience.  It was a foretaste of what we will all experience when “the day dawns and the morning star arises in (our hearts)” (2 Peter 1:19).

John experienced a similar encounter with Jesus on the island of Patmos.  He saw Jesus.  “His face was like the sun shining in its strength” (Revelation 1:16).  When he saw him, he “fell at His feet like a dead man” (Revelation 1:17; Cf. Matthew 17:6).

Only Peter, James, and John were privileged to behold Jesus at the Mount of Transfiguration on that day.  But just as they beheld His glory, the believer in Christ is one who has been Spirit-led to gain a vision of the majesty of the Savior (2 Corinthians 4:6).  There will come a day  when every believer will “see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2), “when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).  “And we shall behold Him, We shall behold Him, Face to face in all of His glory!”  What a glorious day that will be! 

CHRISTOLOGY 101/102 (Matthew Chapter 16)

It was an important question.  Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is” (Matthew 16:13)?  The disciple’s responded, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets” (Matthew 16:14).  Such were the opinions of that day.

How would people answer that same question in our day: “Who do people say that Jesus is?”  Some would deny His existence, others would acknowledge Him to have been a good man, still others would parrot the false teachings of their various false religions.  Few would give a correct response.  In that day and this there were/are a myriad of ideas concerning the identity and nature of the person of Jesus.

Jesus had another question for His disciples: “But who do you say that I am” (Matthew 16:15)?  This question is more personal, not what do PEOPLE say, but what do YOU say?  It is more than an academic or theological matter.  The question’s has to do with a matter having relevance to a person’s eternal destiny (John 20:30-31; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9; 1 John 4:2). 

Peter was ready with an answer.  “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” he said (Matthew 16:16).  It was the right answer, and Jesus commended him for it.  But how did he know it?  It was not something that Peter figured out.  Neither was it something that someone else told him.  It was, instead, truth revealed to him from the Father: “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah!  For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17)?  The Father made the truth about Jesus known to Peter!  Indeed how blessed are those who have had the truth about Jesus Spirit-revealed to them!  They are privileged beyond measure and possess priceless treasure: “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay…(2 Corinthians 4:6-7a).”

Peter was commended (called “blessed”) because he knew the right answer.  In Christology 101 (The Person of Christ) he got an “A+”.  But he didn’t fair so well in Christology 102 (The work of Christ).  Jesus began speaking to His disciples about His pending sufferings and sacrifice and resurrection (Matthew 16:21-23).  Though “He was stating the matter plainly,” Peter didn’t understand.  None of the disciples understood (Cf. Mark 9:31-32).  But Peter, was forthright in his lack of understanding: “Far be it from you, Lord!  This shall never happen to you” (Matthew 26:22).  Jesus’ response was immediate and direct: “Get behind me, Satan!  You are a hindrance to me.  For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man” (Matthew 16:23).  In short order Peter had plummeted from the heights of the thrill of victory to the depths of the agony of defeat.  In one conversation He was both commended by Jesus and condemned as “Satan”!  What an incredible reversal of fortune!  Peter’s report card: “A+” in Christology 101; “F-“ in Christology 102.  Things would get even worse for him—the day would come when he would deny even knowing Jesus, even as Jesus was making His way to the cross.

There are some who know something of the facts of who Jesus is, but fail to comprehend the nature of His work.  Incumbent in His warning to His disciples was the truth that Jesus’ death was according to God’s plan (Matthew 16:21-23; Acts 2:23).  Some think of the cross as the tragic and premature end to a good man’s life.  That’s not what happened.  God sent His only begotten Son to die  (John 3:16).  Jesus purposed to die: “For the Son of Man came..to serve and give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).  The cross was no accident.  And though it (the cross) be counted foolish by some, and a cause for stumbling to others—it is gloried in by those who have experienced its power (Cf. 1 Corinthians 1:23-24; Galatians 6:14). 

Things changed for Peter after the resurrection.  By the Spirit he was given a new understanding of the truth he previously rebuked Jesus for.  With a changed perspective regarding the cross He faithfully bore witness to the power of the cross to save. Who is Jesus?  Why did He die on a cross?  Blessed are those who have been Spirit-led to gain understanding of these truths that they might trust in God’s provision!

THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM (Matthew Chapter 15)

It’s a good idea to wash your hands—before you eat, after you visit the restroom, before and after you make a visit to the hospital.  The Pharisees of Jesus’ day practiced hand-washing also.  It was one of their most important religious practices.  They did it in a certain manner.  They would wash one hand with the other fist then raise the hand so that the water might run off just at the wrists.  An exact amount of water was specified.  They would do so before eating, and even between courses.  They washed their hands when coming home from the market and on numerous other occasions.  Very particular rules were also established regarding the washing of dishes and other eating utensils.  But their observance of these rules was not primarily about cleanliness.  As with their other traditions it was all about establishing a self-righteousness through religious rule-keeping.

The disciples failed to observe the practice (Matthew 15:2).  The Pharisees asked “Why?”  Jesus Himself neglected it (Luke 11:37).  A Pharisee was surprised (Luke 11:38).  Both occasions gave opportunity for Jesus to communicate an important truth: the heart of man is the heart of the problem (Cf. Matthew 15:18-20).

The heart of man is the heart of the problem.  Religious practice has no power to deal it.  The heart of man is wicked by nature and must be changed.  The cup is filled with sin, and must be emptied and refilled.  These are things that God alone can do.  There is a scene in Shakespeare’s MacBeth which illustrates the problem.  Lady Macbeth encouraged Lord Macbeth to slay the king.  But when he returned his hand was covered with blood.  So she said to him, “Go, wash thy hand,” a little clean water will clear us of this deed.”  So he went, but then looked at his hand and declared, “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?  No; rather this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red.”

Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” The heart of man is the heart of the problem.  The Great Physician is alone qualified to make a proper diagnosis.  Jeremiah 17:10, “I, the Lord, search the heart.”  The Spirit of God convicts of sin and reveals to man the gravity of the problem (John 16:8-9).  The condition is dire—rule keeping, self-improvement, or behavior modification deal only with the symptoms.  A total heart transformation is necessary.

At the moment of saving faith a person is forgiven and changed.  “But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).  Having been identified with Christ—in His death, burial, and resurrection—the believer in Christ is inalterably changed (Romans 6:1-7).  He is made to be a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), empowered “to walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

The transforming work of the Spirit of God is an inside-out process.  The work He intends is to transform us into the very image of Christ (Romans 8:29).  His desire is that we be Christ-like in every way—heart, head, hands.  He patiently reveals to us our sins that they might be put off (Hebrews 4:12; Romans 8:13).  His presence in our lives is revealed by those wonderful Christlike virtues: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Religious rule-keeping is no substitute for the inside-out transformation that Christ alone can achieve.  It’s a good idea to wash our hands—for many reasons.  But external cleansing is no substitute for heart change.

BETTER BREAD (Matthew Chapter 14)

Much of the news in our day is focused on issues related to health care and the economy.  People have questions related to the “Affordable Health Care Act” and how it is going to affect them.  The news is reporting how the number of people in poverty in our country has been steadily increasing.  Nevertheless most of us have plenty to eat and have access still to quality health care if we need it.  Even so, we occupy much of our time with concern over such matters.

It was different for the people of Jesus’ day.  There were no supermarkets from which they could go to purchase items for their next meal.  They spent much time caring for crops and animals which would provide food for their families.  There were no hospitals or knowledgeable physicians (at least not akin to the kind that exist in our day).  Many sicknesses and illnesses simply ran their course leading either to recovery or death. 

In many respects the people of Jesus’ day are like the people I’ve had opportunity to visit in the Masaka Region of Uganda.  They live off of what they grow or tend.  Access to quality medical care is not readily available.  Some pastors ask about such matters: “What are we to say to our people?  We have great needs—we are poor, uneducated, and without doctors and medicine.  We speak to our people about Jesus, but what about these other needs?”  Good question!

A great multitude followed Jesus and gathered to Him in a desolate place.  “He felt compassion for them and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14).  It got late.  Jesus took five loaves and two fishes from a lad and fed 5000 people.  He miraculously multiplied the loaves and the fishes such that every person was “satisfied” (Matthew 14:20).  There was even some left over. 

That miracle said something about Jesus.  It declared Him to be the Divine Son of God (John 20:30-31).  But the people didn’t see it.  They rejoiced in the healings and were glad for a free meal—but they failed to comprehend the true nature of the greater Miracle that stood in their midst.  They deemed Him to be “The Prophet” and wanted to take Him by force to make Him King (John 6:14-15). They sought after Him—they even crossed the sea to get to Him (John 6:24).  But Jesus knew of their deeper need and confronted their confused priorities: “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs (lit. “attesting miracles”), but because you ate of the loaves, and were filled.  Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you, for on Him the Father, even God, has set His seal” (John 6:26-27).

Good news!  There is a “food which endures to eternal life” (John 6:27).  Jesus went on to explain, saying: “I am the bread of life”…”I am the living bread that came down out heaven”…My fresh is true food”…”he who eats this bread shall live forever” (John 6:48, 51, 55, 58).  He spoke of His pending sacrifice: “And the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh” (John 6:51).  He offered eternal life: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life” (John 6:47).

Bread is important.  Good health care is important too.  In Christian love we should do all we can to help those in need (1 John 3:16-17; James 2:14-16).  But there is a hunger that mere bread can’t satisfy and a need for a healing that no doctor on earth can provide.  You can’t find “the Bread of life” in the bread section at the supermarket, but He can be found by anyone anywhere.  There is a hunger which Jesus alone, “the Better Bread,” can satisfy.  He came to satisfy that very need (Cf. John 10:10-11)!

HAPPY EYES AND EARS (Matthew Chapter 13)

Matthew chapter 13 records several parables Jesus taught regarding the nature of the Kingdom.  The disciples asked him why he taught in parables and Jesus explained (Matthew 13:10-17).  He told them that those having ears to hear would understand, but those without wouldn’t.  This was to fulfill what was prophesied by Isaiah, “You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; and you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive” (Matthew 13:14; Isaiah 6:9).

“But blessed are your eyes,” he said to His disciples, “because they see, and your ears, because they hear” (Matthew 13:16).  The term “blessed” can otherwise be translated as “happy.”  What makes for happy eyes and ears?  Eyes that see and ears that hear!

Most do not understand the things of God.  “A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:14).  Most are blind to the truth: “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).  The context of our passage speaks to this.  The sower went out to sow, but more often than not the seed fell on unfruitful soil (Matthew 13:3-9; 19-23).  Jesus spoke in parables, but most did not understand.  And even the prophets and righteous men desired to see (ESV, “longed to see”), but were not privileged to.

Helen Keller was only two years old when an illness struck her blind and deaf.  Unable to communicate with the outside world her life was filled with a despair that one can only imagine.  Miss Anne Sullivan was brought to assist her and worked patiently to break through the darkness.  One day she and "Teacher"—as Helen always called her—went to the outdoor pump.  Miss Sullivan started to draw water and put Helen's hand under the spout. As the cool water gushed over one hand, she spelled into the other hand the word "w-a-t-e-r" first slowly, then rapidly.  Suddenly, the signals had meaning in Helen's mind. She knew that "water" meant the wonderful cool substance flowing over her hand. Quickly, she stopped and touched the earth and demanded its letter name and by nightfall she had learned 30 words.  Helen later wrote of the experiences of that day: “As we continued to the house every object which I touched quivered with life.  That was because I saw everything with a strange, new sight that had come to me.  It would have been difficult to find a happier child than I was as I lay in my crib…and for the first time longed for a new day to come.”  Such is the spiritual experience of every newly born child of God!

The ability to comprehend truth is a privilege that has been granted to you by God.  Remember the day when the Spirit first brought opened your eyes to the truth (2 Corinthians 4:6)!  Words that had previously lacked meaning and import were made precious (1 Corinthians 2:12).  A longing for the truth was Spirit-borne into your heart (1 Peter 2:2)!  How glorious the day when your eyes and ears were made happy by God!  “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see!”

You have happy eyes and ears!  You’ve been privileged in a way that most on earth are not.  Others long for Bibles, you have many.  Others believers around the world meet in secret and risk persecution and arrest to meet together, you have the freedom to openly gather to fellowship and hear God’s word.  Don’t take for granted that which God has so graciously given.  Happy eyes are made happier still as they are fixed upon the Savior (Hebrews 12:2).  Happy ears rejoice to hear Him speak through His Word (John 10:27; Colossians 3:16).  He has many more things to show you and to tell you about (1 Corinthians 2:9).  Be glad for Spirit-borne keen sight and good hearing!