An Occupational Challenge

John 21:15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

I’ve always been fascinated by the three calls of Jesus to Peter in persuading the former fisherman to pastor God’s people. Recently we received great ministry on this subject. And as I listened to God’s Word ministering to my heart, something new dawned upon me—what Jesus was asking of Peter must have been a difficult transition to make. I’ve often wondered why the Lord repeated the request three times. Was the man known as “the rock” strong-headed, needing the thrice repetition? It never dawned upon me that Peter was facing an occupational challenge—let me explain.

By trade Peter was a fisherman. From the Gospels we understand the man was married, having an unhealthy mother-in-law living with him and was responsible for his own home. In other words, Peter had cares of life and was mastering the call of responsibility to his obligations. No doubt he felt the weight of making ends meet; a day of unsuccessful fishing meant the proverbial less food on the table.

At the same time Peter was witnessing the ministry of Jesus. Since both men were living in Capernaum, Peter was well aware of the Savior and no doubt was already a disciple, learning and developing from Christ’s ministry. And then on one occasion, after a day of exceptionally poor fishing, Jesus used Peter’s boat to speak to the people while the fishermen mended nets and cleaned up. Jesus, upon finishing His message, requested Peter launch again into the deep for a renewed attempt at netting fish. After hesitantly answering, the expert fisherman complies and, to his surprise, is blessed with a catch beyond imagination—surely enough to provide resources for a long time.

And then came the call from Jesus to full-time work, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” After such a large catch, Peter was financially able to follow in the capacity the Savior requested. The man’s new mission in life was similar in occupation—“I will make you fishers of men!” Peter was familiar with that aspect. He knew how to fish and He could catch men by using concepts from the tools of the trade he was familiar with. Maybe that’s why Jesus used the occupation analogy to call Peter.

But now the risen Savior was asking something new, something Peter was skeptical about—tending sheep. He was not a shepherd; he was never trained to pasture any animal, much less feed them properly. Peter had absolutely no reference point for undertaking this new enterprise of caring for souls. “Fishing for men” he could do. He knew that trade. In fact, the risen Christ had just found him fishing again. But this tending of sheep thing—“feed my lambs” was a new occupational challenge. No wonder Jesus repeated the call three times for the former fisherman. Peter had to jump from fisherman to shepherd.

For any person needing to be retrained in a new occupation, the event is frighteningly filled with much insecurity. There is doubt and frustration, and questions of whether the future will work out. Peter faced his new enterprise by being cast upon the Savior for help. For the Lord to lead in new directions we may need repetitive reassurances—which He is more than willing to provide. However, it all settles into this one little statement for finding grace to help—Jesus asks, “do you love me…?” If the answer is yes, then in any change the Lord may ask of us we can find assistance for that occupational challenge.

J. Robert Hanson

Image provided by David Niblack and available at http://imagebase.davidniblack.com/main.php

Retribution and Its Consuming Fire

“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For ‘Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’” 1 Peter 3:9-12 (ESV)

From what planet did the man writing these verses come from? Equal retaliation for an evil deed is a must on everyone’s agenda! Eye for eye, tooth for tooth—right? Isn’t that what the good book teaches? History gives countless stories of deep animosities, sometimes stretched over generations, of bigotry and hatred. Occasionally cultures have warred for so long that the original violation is lost to proverbial Father-Time.

Recently I’ve been alarmed by the countless modern cultural icons pressing vengeance as a remedy for evil. While every malevolent deed must be judged and punished, it’s no longer satisfying enough to let government deal with penalization. Maybe it’s a lack of trust as laws have become too lenient, or fear that a wrong will go unanswered—whatever the justification, personal revenge has sought a place in modern western civilization. It’s become a rarity to watch a TV show where a main character does not have some personal vendetta to execute upon some horrible dastardly villain—the system is broken. I’m not justifying wickedness mind you; it’s just that accepting vigilantism as de facto places a danger upon culture. Each man becomes a god executing their own form of justice upon their nemesis—it’s a wild-west mentality deposing the rule of law.

When avenging an evil (achieving justice) becomes revenge (which seems to find a home from hatred), there are not many steps until a soul is brought to seeking vengeance (the hot desire for retribution). Whiles all three highlighted words refer to “getting even” for having injured you or yours, the difference appears to be the degree in which you allow self to be consumed with anger over evil done against you. Retribution becomes a consuming fire controlling the mind of a vindictive individual. Sleep, sound sleep is no longer available as the weight of reprisal bears upon a psyche. Truly, retribution is a dark night of the soul. More and more our modern western society is falling prey to the barbarianism of personal vengeance. This happens in every society that slips away from the truth of God who says, “Vengeance is Mine.”

If there’s to be an end to allowing the passion of retribution and its consuming fire from commanding a soul, a return to believing that “God is against all those who do evil” is necessary. He will execute punishment upon the wicked! But this belief is difficult to accomplish if you don’t believe in God in the first place. The anger deeply embedded in vengeance can only eat at the soul. However, the command in 1 Peter 3 is more than just letting go of anger, it’s the actual expectation of not repaying evil for evil. In fact, Peter is so radical with his appeal that he includes the action of blessing the one who deserves reviling—crazy thought. Oh, I know the radio talk show hosts and intellectuals of western culture will have a hissy over this advice. “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth” I hear them crying—until we’re all blind and toothless! This type of vigilantism is the only direction you can go when you refuse to believe in a God who is just and righteous—you end up with a fiery anger consuming your life.

But to those choosing a belief that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and the promise of God’s ears being open to their prayer; preservation is extended. And the dominate characteristic of such an individual—they have peace! The answer: Let him seek peace and pursue it.

J. Robert Hanson

Thunder in the Desert—A Choice For Change

“Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.” John and his message were authorized by Isaiah’s prophecy: “Thunder in the desert! Prepare for God’s arrival! Make the road smooth and straight!” Matthew 3:2-3; The Message Bible

John the Baptist indeed had a powerful ministry. As we read, it wasn’t from the amount of people the prophet drew, or the clothing he wore, or even the meals the man ate—though maybe a little strikingly unconventional. One could even conclude his demonstrative fervency of passion with which how he spoke was not the foundation for the effectiveness in which he garnered his massive attention. What drew the crowds was John’s message, the impassioned prospect of societal transformation—“Change your life, God’s kingdom is here!”

In the harsh Roman controlled culture and environment of ancient Palestine, the hope of a new kingdom resonated in the ears of every oppressed believing soul. As John spoke of an alternative dominion, “God’s kingdom is here,” he arrested the interest of every individual crying out for true hope and change. His voice was the “thunder in the desert,” a true rumbling for spiritual revolution. And in coming to him the crowds found confidence and solace from the drudgery of their everyday despotic existence.

As John spoke of this unconventional objective, he also drew the attention of those supposing the present conditions were more than suitable and just fine. The Message Bible continues:

… John realized that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducees were showing up…

Why were these so-called spiritual leaders coming? In their thinking their perfect universe needed no transformation or alterations. What a deception these religious soothsayers had perpetrated upon themselves! Who warned them to flee the wrath to come—no one! To these higher thinkers, the pristine cosmos cautioned of no impending doom or wrath. They arrived to prevent a spiritual revolution from happening. These came to the desert to identify the conflict, and eventual do their best to destroy it—silence the cacophony.

So, there are two types of people responding to John’s thundering message: those needing hope and change, and those worried about hope and change. The prophet came as the rumbling voice of reason to the insanity round about. His refrain was a choice for conversion, which in turn challenged every ear that came to hear the chorus—“Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.” Isn’t that the true influence of a heaven-produced ministry? In our 21st century society, we hear people speaking much of hope and change, but is that their real desire? The English Standard Version presents verse two a little different than The Message Bible. It reads:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

John’s message was, change—true change—comes through repentance. The serious marchers of hope and change begin with commitment to amending personal moral behaviors. Transformation finds its way into society though the individual hearts of people; everyday people like you and I. When the rich, famous and leaders of a culture transform, that’s all well and good. But true societal transformation happens when common people are tired of the way things are and begin with their own hearts to make a difference. John later asks these religious soothsayers, “What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming?” He then answers, “…If it’s deadwood, it goes on the fire.¹” In simpler words, get rid of everything that is sucking the life out of you, those things, as noted in the great movie, Casablanca, that don’t amount to a hill-of-beans in this crazy world. The thunder in the desert says, make a choice for change—inward change.

J. Robert Hanson

---

¹ The Message Bible

For Your Consideration

Matthew 1:19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

Close your eyes for just one moment and imagine you’re in the sandals of Joseph the carpenter, son of Jacob—a descendent of a long line of blood royalty. No doubt throughout your youth days, the proud lineage of the noble ancestry of king David was forever reiterated upon your impressionable consciousness. Your whole life you’ve lived in a small northern Palestinian district called Galilee, specifically the town of Nazareth. Technically, your inheritance of promise lay in the southern region—Judah to be precise, not within this present northern Israeli tribe of Zebulun! But, the days of hoping for your recovered land has long since gone and passed.

From a child you’ve diligently studied your faith, believing every Law of Moses lest one of the glorious promises should fail and you fall short. Isolated from the more prestigious southern brethren of Palestine, you lead a life full of duty and order. The synagogue the center, the family functioning around that stable edifice, day-in and day-out is spent as a struggle for existence in a land full of unsympathetic foreign occupiers. You hold that one dream, a reverie every noble and faithful nationalist is entitled to—the aspiration of marrying and finding a place in society. This is the one opportunity to reinvent your own future through a godly progeny, thus leaving your mark on humankind by creating an honorable legacy.

Having seen this little picture of Joseph’s life, go ahead and open eyes. The reality is, in the middle of this anticipated bright future comes an enormous dark cloud. His sweet young virgin bride, Mary the betrothed, has confessed to being found with child (stories of angelic visitations notwithstanding). Shocked and disturbed, Joseph, naturally realizes this can only mean one thing, the inevitable truth—the woman is an unfaithful adulterer! How pretentious to believe anything else.

Our 21st century society is filled with the same realities of infidelity. Generally the great reply, after the hurt sinks in, is anger, vengeance, and retribution—immediate reactions with impulsive behaviors to a terrible scenario. Naturally, the focus is on the one who who has been wronged. For Mary “the transgressor,” according to the Law of Moses, this meant speedy termination of life, or excommunication for sure if she were more fortunate. And who would blame Joseph for such a vindictive response?

But these are not actions belonging to this future caretaker of the Lamb of God. Instead of zealous indignation we read that Joseph, unwilling to put Mary to shame, considered these things. He thought about what to do! Joseph didn’t fly off the handle in rage; instead, he mused upon the situation—and was rewarded for his righteous carefulness. In the Greek language, the idea of the word considered is “to consider deeply.” It means the subject needs to revolve around in the mind, over-and-over, until the perfect resolution is discovered. This type of decision process takes time, pressing the mind into areas not willing to be confronted—even hurtful depths. Our immediate, “I hate you forever for hurting me” generation’s reaction does not practice this type of discipline. And because Joseph was willing to consider options rather than reacting, God honored him with the custodial care of the coming Messiah. It was while he was in the middle of considerations that an angel of the Lord appeared and revealed the plan of God. How much would have been missed if Joseph had not been a just man willing to think things through, not for himself, but mostly for the betterment of the “offender,” Mary—he was unwilling to put her to shame!

So, before reacting to life’s dark clouds, for your consideration—the life of Joseph!

J. Robert Hanson

What is it that You Seek?

1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

According to Vine’s Dictionary, the Greek the word used for “seeking,” is the idea of longing and desiring something. The Apostle Matthew, in his gospel, uses the same Greek word when quoting the Lord’s “Sermon on the Mount.” He records Jesus saying:

Matthew 6:33 NAS “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Jesus is calling man to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness with an intense desire and longing. Making anxieties and worries secondary, seeking first God’s kingdom is the context into which Matthew 6:33 fits. The same thing applies in Colossians. Seeking “things above” is the point of longing, desire, and prioritizing. Developing a passion for heavenly things takes perspective; a focus of the One seated at the right hand of God makes that fervor possible. Still more interesting is the fact that Paul presents the verb in the present tense. Kenneth Wuest translates verse 1:

“In view of the fact, therefore, that you were raised with Christ, the things above be constantly seeking, where Christ is, on the right hand of God, seated.”

The idea is to never stop seeking things above. This is a life-long, character-altering pursuit. We don’t just quit because we don’t feel “it” anymore. The design of Paul’s imperative is to keep us constantly seeking the things found at the position where Christ is located. Then, letting this new perspective influence how we behave and look at life.

Let me see if I can simplify this a bit. Just as Jesus was raised physically from the dead to new life, so are we now raised spiritually in Him—that’s the product of identification with Christ! And this foundational truth is our new spiritual position to live in, everyday. All who believe in Christ are raised with Him! It’s now imperative that you continue seeking the things located at the place where He is. This makes us heavenly perspective people.

Sadly, not all folks who receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior decide to seek heaven on a consistent basis. The longing and desire for God wanes, and prioritizing His kingdom and righteousness become secondary. Before we become distressed and wonder whether or not we are personal betrayers as Judas Iscariot, let me mention that the Lord is very much aware of this and is not giving up with us just because we were not the perfect imprinted of a ready-made spiritual life! The Lord tells others to seek first His kingdom because He is aware that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Paul is conveying to the Colossians the importance of seeking things above because he is aware just how fast we’re capable of forgetting what Christ has done!

Seeking heaven is a life-long dedication and process. There is only one incident in the bible that speaks of an individual so ready, so perfect, that God took him—Enoch. His walk with God was so singular that he was wanted right away. For us, it may not be so automatic. Seeking heaven, in the sense mentioned by Paul, must be cultivated, tended, and guarded. Carelessness and apathy are the enemies of longing and desire.

That’s why Paul gives the imperative to seek heaven. That great biblical scholar of the 17^th century, John Lightfoot said, “you must not only seek heaven, you must think heaven.”

J. Robert Hanson

Entertainment—A Delight or Curse

“And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly…and Saul sent to Jesse, saying, ‘Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.’ And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.” 1 Samuel 16:21-23

Webster’s dictionary defines entertainment as an amusement or diversion provided especially by performers. If we are bold enough to apply this definition to 1 Samuel 16, it appears that one of David’s first jobs in Saul’s kingdom was to be an entertainer! Apparently this future king of Israel was very good at it too. We read earlier of a talent search for a gifted player of the harp, sort of an Israeli version of American’s Got Talent—David won the contest! This young man had become proficient and exceptional with his instrument. To achieve such accreditation takes years of practice and patience. One does not simply pickup an instrument and become a virtuoso overnight. Only after years of cultivation and focus can an individual reach such talents. To play a musical instrument with the capacity that David exhibited meant devotion to the instrument. According to the Bible, David was an entertainer when defined by Webster’s dictionary. He played for the amusement and diversion of the king.

Using David as the Bible’s description of an entertainer, we discover quickly that entertainment in itself is not evil. This future king was able to use his gift to refresh a very deeply disturbed powerful man. Who knows what evil was prevented by David’s ability to simply refresh and clear up a troubled mind. As an entertainer of the king, the harpist used his gift to calm and create a pleasant atmosphere in the palace, one that would keep an influential man from rash choices. In contrast, Herod, a king in the New Testament, found entertainment of a sensual type from a woman and foolishly hastened the demise of the prophet, John the Baptist. The point being, it’s “man” that defiles entertainment by how he chooses to perform his gift. And entertainment can be a very influential means in society. The god of this world can use a man’s gift to proclaim demonic deceptions in any given culture. Satan has had years of rehearsing to perfect the best ways of destroying good wholesome entertainment and entertainers.

As those who walk in the light of God’s presence, let’s be careful what we choose as entertainment and reflective about others around us. What is acceptable to one person maybe a millstone of trouble around the neck of another! Discernment is the buzzword when considering what we take in with our eyes and ears. A clear choice of God’s presence will always help in deciding if entertainment is appropriate or not. “Could Jesus enjoy this amusement with me?” is a wonderful question to ask when in doubt. And so, let’s choose our entertainment with wisdom, discernment using godly insights.

J Robert Hanson

Psalm 32—The Happiness of Forgiveness

7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.

10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. 11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! (NIV)

There are tangible results we enjoy when we know that God has forgiven us! The three above verses are indicators of happiness springing from reconciliation. These, in turn, are confirmations of union with God. They are things we can count on for deliverance in moments of doubt.

The Hiding Place – “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

The first thing discovered in forgiveness is a hiding place. While living in transgression we hid things from God, with reconciliation we encounter God hiding us from the rising storms. You’ll notice that once you’ve confessed your sins you’ve been exposed and feel very vulnerable. Embarrassment, shame and other emotions seek to prevail upon the soul. God knows your sin, people know your sin, and worst, the devil knows your sin. And, as an adversary, Satan seeks to exploit you in times of defenselessness.

But God says, not so fast, I have a hiding place for the forgiven soul! He will protect you from trouble; He keeps you from danger. Forgiveness opens the door to His hiding place—lending time to heal.

The Unfailing Love – “but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.”

The second thing resulting from forgiveness is the experience of God’s unfailing love! The tendency is to think that the Lord is like man, we can only hurt Him so many times and then He’s through with us. Not so, God’s love is much different and deeper than that. The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him! His love does not give up or vanish when scorned. Sure, He may hide His face from the transgressor, but the forgiven experience that He will never leave or forsake them.

The Message Bible reads, “10 God-defiers are always in trouble; God-affirmers find themselves loved every time they turn around.” The love of God gives up on no one! Husbands may give up on wives, wives may give up on husbands, friends may give up on friends, but the love of God never gives up on us! Knowing God’s unfailing love is an ingredient to finding happiness in forgiveness—this is always God’s goal for those who trust in Him!

The Singing Heart – “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!”

The final result of forgiveness is the singing heart. People sing all the time. They sing in sorrow and pain, they sing in moments of emotional highs. But there is a special anthem, a song of praise for the forgiven. Let’s read verse 11 with contemporary twist using the Message Bible:

“Celebrate God. Sing together – everyone! All you honest hearts, raise the roof!”

The heart that experiences, enjoys, and realizes forgiveness celebrates in that liberation. Sadness and sorrows accompany those who hide and cover their sin—the only songs the transgressor sings are the blues of this world. The planet is full of folks who have too little or too much to celebrate in life. The forgiven are full of songs that lead to a pure celebration! The forgiven realize the greatest songs of joy are experienced when the liberation of a heart from sin takes place.

In summary, God gives a hiding place for our joyful hearts to sing of His unfailing love! Let the happiness of God’s forgiveness reign in your soul!

J. Robert Hanson