Treasures in Heaven

Meditation: What gives hope and satisfaction to our desire for
happiness and security? A young man who had the best the world could offer
– wealth and security – came to Jesus because he lacked one thing. He wanted
the kind of lasting peace and happiness which money could not buy him.
The answer he got, however, was not what he was looking for. He protested
that he kept all the commandments; but Jesus spoke to the trouble in his
heart. One thing kept him from giving himself whole-heartedly to God. While
he lacked nothing in material goods, he was nonetheless possessive of what
he had. He placed his hope and security in what he possessed. So when Jesus
challenged him to make God his one true possession and treasure, he became
dismayed. Why did he go away from Jesus with sadness rather than with joy?
His treasure and his hope for happiness were misplaced. Jesus challenged
the young man because his heart was possessive. He was afraid to give to
others for fear that he would lose what he had gained. He sought happiness
and security in what he possessed rather than in who he could love and
serve and give himself in undivided devotion.
Why does Jesus tell his disciples to "sell all" for the treasure of
his kingdom? Treasure has a special connection to the heart, the
place of desire and longing, the place of will and focus. The thing we
most set our heart on is our highest treasure. The Lord himself is the
greatest treasure we can have. Giving up everything else to have the Lord
as our treasure is not sorrowful, but the greatest joy. [See Jesus' parable
about the treasure hidden in a field in Matthew
13:44.] Selling all that we have could mean many different things –
letting go of attachments, friendships, influences, jobs, entertainments,
styles of life – really anything that might stand in the way of our loving
God first and foremost in our lives and giving him the best we can with
our time, resources, gifts, and service.
Those who are generous towards God and towards their neighbor find that
they cannot outgive God in his generosity towards us. God blesses us with
the priceless treasures of his kingdom – freedom from fear and the griping
power of sin, selfishness and pride which block his love and grace in our
lives; freedom from loneliness, isolation and rejection which keep his
children from living together in love, peace, and unity; and freedom from
hopelessness, despair, and disillusionment which blind our vision of God's
power to heal every hurt, bind every wound, and remove every blemish which
mar the image of God within us. God offers us treasure which money cannot
buy. He alone can truly satisfy the deepest longing and desires of our
heart. Are you willing to part with anything that might keep you from seeking
true joy with Jesus?
Why does Jesus issue such a strong warning to the rich (as well as to
the rest of us who desire to be rich)? Was he really against wealth? We
know that Jesus was not opposed to wealth per se, nor was he opposed to
the wealthy. He had many friends who were well-to-do, including some notorious
tax collectors! One even became an apostle! Jesus' warning reiterated the
teaching of the Old Testament wisdom: Better is a poor man who walks
in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his ways (Proverbs
28:6; see also Psalm 37:16). Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be
wise enough to desist (Proverbs 23:4). Jesus seems to say that it is
nearly impossible for the rich to live as citizens of God's kingdom. The
camel was regarded as the largest animal in Palestine. The "eye of the
needle" could be interpreted quite literally or it could figuratively describe
the narow and low gate of the city walls which was used by travellers when
the larger public gate was locked after dark. A normal sized man had to
"lower" himself to enter that gate. A camel would literally have to knell
and crawl through it. Why is Jesus so cautious about wealth?  Wealth
can make us falsely independent. The church at Laodicea was warned about
their attitude towards wealth and a false sense of security: "For you say,
I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing" (Revelations 3:17). Wealth
can also lead us into hurtful desires and selfishness (see 1 Timothy 6:9-10).
Look at the lesson Jesus gave about the rich man and his sons who refused
to aid the poor man Lazarus (see Luke 16:19ff). They also neglected to
serve God. The scriptures give us a paradox: we lose what we keep and we
gain what we give away. Generosity will be amply repaid, both in this life
and in eternity (Proverbs 3:9-10, Luke 6:38). Jesus offers us an incomparable
treasure which no money can buy and no thief can steal. The thing we most
set our heart on is our highest treasure. Material wealth will shackle
us to this earth unless we guard our hearts and set our treasure on God
and his everlasting kingdom. Where is your treasure?
"Lord Jesus, you have captured our hearts and opened to us the treasures
of heaven. May you always be my treasure and delight and may nothing else
keep me from giving you my all."
This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings

Reflectiion

Meditation: Why does God seem far from us at times? Separation
and loss of relationship often lead to grief and pain. The apostles were
filled with sorrow when Jesus spoke about his imminent departure. Jesus
explained that it was for their sake that he must leave them and return
to his Father. He promised,  however, that they would never be left
alone. He will send in his place the best of friends, the Holy Spirit.
Paul reminds us that "nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ
Jesus" (Romans 8:39). By sending the Holy Spirit to his followers, the
Lord Jesus makes his presence known to us in a new and on-going way. We
are not left as orphans, but the Lord himself dwells within us through
the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 4:9; 6:16b).
Jesus tells his disciples three very important things about  the
work of the Holy Spirit – to convince the world of sin and of righteousness
and of judgment. The original word for convince also means convict.
The Holy Spirit is our Sanctifier. He makes us holy as God is holy. He
does this first by convicting us of our sin and by bringing us humbly to
the foot of the Cross. The Spirit convinces us of God's love and forgiveness
and of our utter dependence on God for his mercy and grace.  We need
the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us from the error of our sinful ways
and to show us the way of love and truth.
The Jews who condemned Jesus as a heretic and blasphemer thought they
were serving God rather than sinning when they crucified Jesus. When the
gospel was later preached on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:37), many were
pricked in their heart and convicted of their sin. What made them change
their mind about Jesus? It is the work of the Holy Spirit to both convict
us of wrongdoing and to convince us of God's truth. The Spirit convinces
us of the righteousness of Christ, backed by the fact that Jesus rose again
and went to his Father. The Holy Spirit also convicts us of judgment. The
Spirit gives us the inner and unshakable conviction that we shall all stand
before the judgment seat of God. God's judgments are just and good. When
we heed his judgments we find true peace, joy and reconciliation with God.
Do you allow the Holy Spirit free reign in your life that he may set you
free from the grip of sin and set you ablaze with the fire of God's love?
"Come Holy Spirit, and let the fire of your love burn in my heart. Let
me desire only what is pure, lovely, holy and good and in accord with the
will of God and give me the courage to put away all that is not pleasing
in your sight."
Psalm 138:1-3,7-8
1 I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the angels
I sing your praise;
2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for
your steadfast love and your faithfulness;  for you have exalted above
everything your name and your word.
3 On the day I called, you answered me, my strength of soul you increased.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right
hand delivers me.
8 The LORD will fulfil his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD,
endures for ever.  Do not forsake the work of your hands.


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Reading & Meditation Index |
(c) 2012 Don
Schwager




This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings

John 14:1-6

Meditation: Do you allow any troubles to rob you of God's peace?
As much as we try to avoid it, we all inevitably encounter trouble and
difficulties we find hard to endure. Jesus knew his disciples would have
to face trials and persecution after he left them to return to his Father
in heaven. Adversity can make us lose hope and become discouraged, or it
can press us closer to God and to his promises. "It is the LORD
who goes before you; he will be with you, he will not fail you or forsake
you; do not fear or be dismayed" (Deuteronomy 31:8). Just as God went ahead
of the Israelites in the wilderness to lead them safely to the promised
land, Jesus tells his disciples that he is going ahead to prepare a place
for them in God's house – a place of refuge, peace, and security, and everlasting
happiness. God's house is never closed nor crowded – there is plenty of
room for everyone who believes in God and in his beloved Son, the Lord
Jesus Christ. The greatest fear in this present life – whether it be the
separation and loss of life to a loved one or the threat to one's own life
– is put to rest by Jesus' promise that we will live forever with him and
the Father in their heavenly home with a great company of saints and angels
who will be our friends forever as well.
Do you know the way to the Father's house? Jesus expected his disciples
to know where he was going and what their ultimate destination would be
as well. Thomas, who was both a doubter and a realist, spoke for all the
disciples when he said, "we neither know where you are going nor how we
shall get there on our own?"  If you have never been to another land
or traveled down an unfamiliar road, you naturally want to know what your
destination is and how to get there safe and sound. During the middle of
the 15 year civil war in Lebanon, at a time when many believers had been
isolated and cut off from contact with outside Christians, I attempted
to find a way to visit. Since I had never traveled there before, nor spoke
the language, I was helpless without a guide. Fortunately a Christian friend
from Lebanon met me half-way and personally guided me safely through unfamiliar
territory, including some challenging road-blocks and check-points along
the way.
Jesus knew that his followers could not find the way to the Father in
heaven on their own without his help. In fact, that is why the Father sent
his Son into the world on a rescue mission to restore those who were lost
and without a guide. Jesus made a statement which only God could make and
deliver. Jesus proclaimed: I am the Way. Through Moses and the prophets,
God promised to guide his people in a "holy way" so they could walk and
live in his peace and blessing. And a highway shall be there, and it
shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not pass over it, and fools
shall not err therein (Isaiah 35:8).
You shall not turn aside to
the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the way which the
Lord your God has commanded you (Deuteronomy 5:32-33). Teach me
your way, O Lord; and lead me on a level path (Psalm 27:11).
The Lord Jesus came to fulfill God's promise to bring his people, not
simply to a land flowing with milk and honey, but to a restored paradise
and new creation where we can dwell with God in perfect peace and unity.
That is why Jesus proclaims, I
am the way, and the truth, and the life. Jesus does not simply give
advice and direction. He personally is the Way,
and we cannot miss it. Through his life-giving word and Spirit, Jesus leads
and guides us personally every day. The Lord Jesus also is the Truth.
Many can say, "I have taught you the truth." Only Jesus can say,
I am
the Truth. Moral truth cannot be conveyed in words alone; it must be
conveyed in example. Jesus embodies the truth in his person. Jesus also
is the Life. He not only
shows
us the path of life (Psalm 16:11); he gives the kind of life which
only God can give – abundant life which never fails nor ends. Is there
any fear or trouble that keeps you from the perfect peace and happiness
of a life surrendered to Jesus Christ?
"Lord Jesus, you fill us with the joy of your saving presence
and you give us the hope of everlasting life with the Father in Heaven.
Show me the Father that I may always know and glorify him."
This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings