Who is Greater?

“For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.” (Luke 22:27)

During the Passover meal, Jesus inaugurated the Lord’s supper; the eating of bread in remembrance that his body was broken for us and the drinking of wine in remembrance that his blood was shed for us. A discussion began to occur about which of the disciples was the greatest. John records how Jesus took off his outer garments, put a towel around his waist, took a bowl of water and began to wash his disciples feet. He gave them an example that they were to emulate. (John 13:15)

Nursing began in this way. It was not a secular profession as it is today but a service to others for Jesus sake. And nursing was not a profession for women, it was men who cared for the sick and weary. “For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Corinthians 4:5)

Who is greater? Among men the greater is served but Jesus said that he was among them as the one who serves. And what a service it was, he laid down his life for our sins. He took upon himself the punishment that we rightly deserve, so that we could be made righteous in the sight of God.  (2 Corinthians 5:21) 

Today is the last day of the year, as we measure an evolution of the earth around the sun, and call it a year. I do not know why we measure it from this point in the season of winter but that is another topic. However, being that it is the last day of the year, I have been thinking about the life that Father God has given me in Jesus Christ. 

I was chosen by the Father God before the foundation of the earth, justified through the sin sacrifice of Jesus Christ and made new by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:3-14) I have been lamenting what I have lost and counting what I have been given. I have lost a great deal in the year 2020. My life is not what it ought to be, but my sins are forgiven, and I have a relationship with God: Father and Son and Holy Spirit. I have a wife who loves me and a job that allows me to serve others. 

This is the day which the LORD has made;

Let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

What is Endurance?

“By your endurance you will gain your lives.” (Luke 21:19)

What is endurance? According to the Olive Tree Enhanced Strong’s dictionary: ὑπομονή hypomonē, translated endurance, is “the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.” 

When the disciples were admiring the Temple, Jesus told them that the Temple is to be destroyed. They wanted to know when these things would happen but Jesus gave them much more than they asked for, he told them how things will be in the world until his return. 

Imagine that your leader has said that he is going to depart from you at the hands of men. He tells you that you are going to be persecuted, beaten, put in prison and undergo much suffering for his name sake. Yet, he has promised to return but does not tell you when. However, he promised that if you endure, you will gain eternal life in the kingdom of God. This my friends is the Christian life.

I have not been persecuted to the level of the early church but I have been persecuted while doing street evangelism. I have not undergone trials and sufferings to the level that I have read about amongst the believers in the early church but I do undergo many trials and sufferings that test my loyalty to faith in Jesus Christ. 

Tomorrow is the last day of the year 2020. This has not been an easy year. I have spent much of this year isolated from friends, family and the church. This journal is public, therefore, I shall not go into detail about the trials presently occurring in my life. However, we are going through trials and suffering nonetheless. I shall continue in my loyalty to Jesus Christ because my hope is not in this life only but in the life which is to come, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting, Amen.

The Chief Corner Stone

But Jesus looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written:

‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,

THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER STONE’?

Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” (Luke 20:17-18)

It is impossible to come to the Lord Jesus Christ and live in unrepentant sin. He will break you to pieces. It is better to be broken now than to die the eternal death in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone. A person cannot live an unrighteous lifestyle and inherit the kingdom of God. A person cannot come to Jesus and continue to live in unrighteousness. Coming to Jesus will break you to pieces, causing you to repent from sin. To continue in unrepentant sin is to reject the chief corner stone. You can live in this way for a season but a day and hour is coming in which the stone will fall on you and scatter you like dust.

All of the parables in Luke 20 are about one subject: Who did Jesus believe himself to be? Jesus did not say to the scribes and Pharisees, in a frank manner, “I am the Christ, the Son of God,” but he did say what he believed about himself in these parables. Lastly, he showed that the Christ is not David’s son but is in fact David’s Lord. (Luke 20:41-43)

Jesus cannot be written off simply as a good teacher or a charismatic leader. If the man Jesus is who he believed himself to be, then there is no response expectable but to repent and believe. To reject the rule of God in your life always ends in death but there is eternal life for all who repent and follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.

He Came to Seek and Save

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

The enemy of mankind is sin and God is not to blame. “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” (James 1:13-15)

Jesus was sent by God to be our Savior and Lord. Mankind was lost to sin but Jesus took our death and rose again. Therefore, he is worthy of all our honor, glory and praise. This world is such a difficult place. Lately, I long for the days of the Son of Man to come. I long for the rule of the Lord in the hearts and minds of men. 

As I write this, I confess that my heart is broken and my mind is at a loss because of certain persons and events that are occurring in my life. I have failed in many aspects of this life but I am trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ to save me from sin and death. I will preserve to the end because my hope is in the Lord. He is a lasting hope that will not falter. He defeated sin and death in the body. He has ascended to the highest place of honor, the righthand of God. Before his sacrificial death, he promised: "I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:3) I am trusting in this promise of Jesus, to return and receive us to himself, that where he is, there we will be also.

Why Do You Call Me Good

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Luke 18:19)

Jesus taught his disciples to pray without loosing faith. Continually make your request known to God and God who is good will deliver from evil. Jesus also taught his disciples to not think of themselves as better than other men. Instead of boosting in prayer about the good things, confess the bad and you will be forgiven.

Do you consider yourself to be a good person? Have you committed adultery? “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery... (Luke 16:18) but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28) Have you murdered anyone? “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22) Have you ever taken anything that did not belong to you without the permission of the owner? Have you ever lied about someone? Have you always honored your father and mother from your youth until now? Lastly, have you put anything before God and his Son? 

If you answered yes to even one of these questions, you have sinned and fall short of God’s glorious standard. (Romans 3:19-20) “Then who can be saved?” (Luke 18:26) “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27) “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life.” (Luke 18:29-30)

The Kingdom of God Is In Your Midst

Luke 17:20-21

Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

I do not know about you but I am longing for the days of the Son of Man to come. Things on the earth are not what they ought to be, yet Jesus said that the kingdom of God is in our midst. If we look around us, we can see the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is the rule of God in the lives of his people. 

Lately, I have had trouble seeing the kingdom of God in our midst. My mind’s eye has been clouded by the trials of life. I confess that this has been a very difficult year rot with loneliness. I have felt very isolated, alone, and disconnected from the brethren. The world around me seems to be falling apart. I have had a difficult time seeing the rule of God in this world. Yet, I must trust the word of Jesus, that the kingdom of God is in our midst. 

There are people seeking to observe all that Jesus commanded right now. Yesterday, I received a letter from a Cuban brother about the ministry that is going on in his land. He is not seeking the praise of men, nor is he even seeking the praise of the Lord but sees himself as an unworthy servant doing only that which he ought to have done. This letter is a very encouraging word indeed. He was not writing to encourage me. In fact, the letter was not written to me. The letter was written to another man who shared the letter with me. However, the ministry that is going on there and the teaching of the brethren from the word of God is encouraging. It is the kingdom of God in our midst. Let us rejoice, for the kingdom of God is in our midst!

Merry Christmas

This morning I read Luke 16. In this chapter, Jesus tells a parable about an unrighteous steward, who when he heard that he was going to be dismissed by his master, makes friends with his masters debtors by changing their bills. Jesus said that man cannot serve God and money. The Pharisees did not like to hear this because they loved having wealth. Not only did they love having wealth but they loved themselves more than they loved the other person. One of the many things that they were doing was divorcing their wives to marry another woman. Casting aside the woman whom they promised to have and to hold until death do them part. A woman in this time period could not support herself, so she had to find another man to marry or die of exposure and starvation. Jesus then told a parable about a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. The rich man did nothing to help the poor man during their lives. Both men died and Lazarus went to heaven but the rich man went to hell. The rich man desired that Lazarus should dip his finger in water and cool his tongue because he was in agony in the flame. Even in death, while under the wrath of God, the rich man was still more concerned about his own comfort than the poor man. There is a great chasm fixed between heaven and hell, where no one can pass from one to the other, but it appears that those who are in hell can see the good things of heaven from afar.

I have decided to change the way that I write in the morning a little bit. I make no promises about what I shall write in this blog. The Nurse Theologian is my public journal. It is my habit to arise 2 hours before I need to depart my home each day. I begin by reciting a chapter out of John’s gospel, then I write a letter to God, then I read a portion of Scripture and I conclude by writing in this blog. Through January 2, 2021, I will be reading from Lukes Gospel, but beginning on Sunday, January 3, 2021, I will be reading from a plan that has me reading a different genre of Scripture every morning, thereby, reading through the bible in 52 weeks. I think that this will be a very interesting way to read the Scriptures and I am looking forward to it.

Today is Christmas day. I would like to take the time to say Merry Christmas to anyone who might read this text. It is truly amazing that God would give to us, his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. (Jn 3:16) My recitation from John’s gospel today was chapter 6. In this chapter, Jesus tells the Jews about the gift that God has given. 

Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.” John 6:32-33

Joy in Heaven Over One Who is Repentant

The Pharisees and the scribes grumbled because Jesus received tax collectors and irreligious Jews. (Luke 15 vv 1-32) 

Is there a difference between persons? Let us compare two young men. One young man grows up in the church, gets a college education, a respectable job in the community, has a wife, and children who all attend the church. The second young man did not grow up in the church, his occupation is not respectable, he has had multiple live in girlfriends with children from each. Which of these two young men need to come near and hear Jesus? The answer is both, “for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.” (Rom. 3:22b-25a) Jesus said that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine persons who need no repentance. A man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus. By the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. (Gal. 2:16) 

Now of these two young men, the first has an advantage that the second does not have. It is the same advantage that the first century religious Jew had over the gentile. (Rom 3:2) The regular church attending young man has the opportunity to hear the word of God preached, where as the second young man does not. In this section of scripture, Jesus tells the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son to drive home the point that we should be willing to go to the socially not respectable and irreligious with the word of God. We should also be willing to receive them in our congregation with open arms. All pretenses should be dropped. 

Luke 14

The Pharisees believed it unlawful to heal on the Sabbath, yet will save a son or ox who has fallen into a well.  (vv. 1-6) Jesus continually exposed legalism as hypocrisy. The Pharisees would not left a finger to help a man in need because it was the Sabbath, yet they would help their son or their ox who was in need. This exposes legalism is being a selfish and unloving. Jesus and the Pharisees believed many of the same things but Jesus continually stepped on their hypocrisy and exposed their hearts. This is what the word of God does.

Jesus says to never take the place of highest place of honor but always take the lowest place unless you are invited to move up. (vv. 7-11) Some things are difficult for us to understand because they are culturally based. However, we have all been to a place where everyone is trying to be first and have the best seat. People clammer to be noticed by other people and to receive honor. However, the greatest honor is given when one is not seeking.

Do not do good things for only those who can return the favor but do good for those who do not have the means. (vv. 12-14) People treat people differently. This is what the apostle James wrote about the sin of partiality. (Jam 2 vv 1-13) Why did the people of the church invite the rich man to the front? The rich man can do more for the church in donations than the poor man. This still goes on in churches today. It is often the rich who are given places of honor on deacon boards and elder boards. The hospital that I work for treats wealthy patients much differently than the general population. However, Jesus said to not do this but do good for people who cannot do good for you. Again, the word of God exposes the heart.

Jesus likened the kingdom of God to a dinner feast in which a man invites guest to attend but some refused the invitation because of the worries of life. (vv. 15-24) Do not refuse the invitation to dine at the Lord’s table in the kingdom of God. There is nothing in this life worth it. It is easy to get caught up in the worries of life and miss what is truly important.

A disciple must be willing to leave all to follow Jesus. (vv. 25-33) There is not one thing or person in this world as important as following Jesus Christ. It is about a willingness to leave everything to follow Jesus. I believe that there have been many in church history who have misunderstood this passage. They have purposely taken vows of celibacy and poverty, thinking that this will earn them favor in the kingdom of God. This is a terrible misunderstanding of the meaning. It is about the desire of the heart. For these persons, there vows maybe what is holding them back from following Jesus. Others have started to follow Jesus but turned back because they were losing something that they loved. It is a marathon that we are running. Anyone can start a marathon but can you finish?

Jesus told a parable about salt that becomes tasteless. (vv. 34-35) This parable follows the parable about finishing the journey with Jesus. Many start well but their witness becomes tasteless. A Christian must have joy despite the difficulties with following Jesus in this world.

Luke 13

Unless you repent, you will perish. (vv. 1-5) The apostle paul said in his letter to the Romans 6 v 23 that the wages for sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. We often hear of bad things happening to people. Some people have it much worse than others. However, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and all die. Death comes to everyone. Death and especially tragic death should cause us to turn toward the Lord in repentance. 

Jesus told a parable about a fig tree that did not bear fruit. (vv. 6-9) We have only so many years to bear fruit, keeping with repentance. Some have more years than others but there is a time limit on all human life. Eventually, you will be cut down, regardless of how great that you think that you are. Repent and believe in Jesus Christ before it is to late.

Jesus exposed the contradiction between taking care of animals on the Sabbath and healing ones neighbor. (vv. 10-17) Legalism is always contradictory. It seeks to oppress the other person while seeking ones own good. The contradiction of taking care of ones animals but not ones neighbor on the Sabbath, exposes the selfishness in the heart of man. Is it good to take care of ones animals? Yes, of course it is good. However, they were using the Sabbath as an excuse for not taking care of their neighbor. We should not use the things of God as an excuse for not doing what is right.

Jesus compared the growth of the kingdom of God with a mustard seed that grows and becomes a large garden plant and also leaven in a batch of bread. (vv. 18-21) The gospel began in a very small part of the world. Jesus spent his entire earthly life on a small strip of land on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean sea. Yet the gospel overtook the Roman Empire and has spread throughout the entire world.

Now is the time to enter the kingdom of God but a time is coming when the owner will shut the door and let no one enter anymore. (vv. 22-30) Everyone has limited time to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (Jn 14 v 6) Jesus is the narrow gate: “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (Jn 10 v 9) Everyone has limited time to enter and there will be no provision made for entering later.

Jesus was journeying to Jerusalem and nothing or no one would hinder him from his journey. (vv. 31-35) Nothing or no one could stop Jesus from his journey to Jerusalem. He was headed to Jerusalem to die on the cross for our sins at the right time. All was being orchestrated by God and all was on God’s time. The power of man is limited, even when he thinks he is in charge. 

What Are You Worried About?

Luke 12

I day and an hour is coming in which God will judge the world in righteousness, yet do we spend most of our time worrying about the trivial things in this life. Everyone is going to die. The death rate in the world is 100% and the Bible tells us that after this comes the judgment. What do you worry about? I confess that I am not without worry. I worry about a great many things that I do not nor should not be worried about. Do you worry about how people perceive you? What can they really do to you and is it going to matter in 100 years how persons perceive you today? Maybe you worry about your looks or your health. These are good things but not as important as your eternal soul. Jesus warns us about being rich in this life and poor towards God. Having riches in and of themselves is not evil, it is the pursuit of riches above our relationship with God and how we treat other people that really matters. 

Jesus tells us not to worry about the things of this life; what to wear or what to eat but that is difficult isn’t it? This seems to be what our day to day is all about. However, to many of these days put together and you reach the end with what? You cannot take one thing from this life into eternity. Jesus said to not fear man who can kill the body but fear him who has the power to kill the body and the soul in hell. It is the soul that you take into eternity, therefore, it is the eternal soul that you should be concerned about the most. This body will be left and a new resurrected body will be raised. Should we take care of our bodies? Absolutely but not to the ignorance of the soul. The body is temporal but the soul is eternal. Our relationship with the things of the earth are temporal but our relationship with God and one other is eternal.

Luke 11

What does it say?

Jesus taught his disciples to pray for God’s name, God’s kingdom, our needs, our sin, forgive others, and protection from temptation. In the form of a parable, Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer to God. God will give the gift of the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. Some were saying that Jesus casts out demons by the ruler of demons but Jesus showed that this is not logical; if Satan is divided against himself, he cannot stand; however, if Jesus casts out demons by the finger of God, the kingdom of God has come upon us. If a man is made clean, but not holy, his end will be worse than if he was never made clean. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Jesus is greater than all the Old Testament prophets and kings. Make sure that the light that you see with is good light and not actually darkness. Jesus said, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside you are full of robbery and wickedness.” The Pharisees were concerned about how they appear to others rather than the state of their mind and heart. The lawyers were making things more difficult for the people. The scribes and Pharisees were attempting catch Jesus in something that he might say.

What does it mean?

God’s name, God’s kingdom, our needs, confession of sin, forgiving others and protection from evil are what we should be praying. We must be persistent in our prayer life, always lifting these up to God. God is good, therefore, we should not be afraid to ask for what we need. Jesus is God in human flesh. The miraculous side of Jesus ministry was there to show us that God had invaded the world in which we live and had come in a body like ours. The Pharisee looked very good on the outside but inside, he was a sinner. The lawyers were adding to the law, in a vain attempt to keep people from breaking the law. Neither of these were good. Love and kindness towards others is the way that we should treat everyone. We should never think of ourselves as greater than anyone else. We have all sinned and fall short of God’s glorious standard. 

What shall I do?

I shall pray daily for God’s name, God’s kingdom, my needs, confess my sin, forgive others and protection from temptation. I shall be persistent in prayer and trust that God is good, he will see what I need and give it to me. I shall hear the word of God and observe it. I shall not think of myself as better than anyone else and I shall not make things to difficult for others.

Recorded In Heaven

Luke 10

Jesus sent seventy others, in pairs, to proceed him in every city and place, to heal the sick and say: “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” (vv. 1-12) A day and hour is coming in which Jesus is going to return to judge the earth. We are to go make disciples of all nations, baptize and teach them. The seventy was sent to the cities ahead of Jesus. The church has been sent to every city in the world. Just like when the seventy were sent out, there will be some who receive us and some who will reject us.

Jesus spoke woes to the cities Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for not repent. (vv. 13-15) It is not good when a place does not receive the gospel. All who hear the gospel will be held more accountable than those who did not hear.

Then Jesus told the seventy, that everyone who receives them receives him and the one who rejects them, rejects both the Son and the Father. (v 16) If a follower of Jesus Christ is preaching the truth about the kingdom of God; then if he is received, the receiver is receiving Christ but if he is rejected, the rejector is rejecting God. I add this caveat because there are many Christ spoken of in this world but there is only one true Christ, the Christ of the Bible. Represent the Lord well and speak truth. Make sure that it is Christ that is being received or rejected. 

The seventy returned rejoicing about the power that they had been given but Jesus told them to rejoice because their names are recorded in heaven. (vv. 17-20) It is easy to get caught up in the things that we do but the important thing is the kingdom of God in Jesus Christ.

The Son reveals the Father to whom all that the Father gives him. (vv. 21-22) There is a Devine order in election: Father and Son and Spirit. In order for a man to come to Christ he must be regenerated by the Spirit to repent and believe. In order for a man to come to the Father he must believe in the Son and be taught by the word of God. And none of this occurs unless the Father sends the Spirit.

Jesus called the disciples more blessed than many prophets and kings because of the things that they have seen and heard. (vv. 23-24) Hearing the things that Jesus said and seeing the things that Jesus did. How blessed the disciples truly are; however, we are blessed because we have the word of God. Many generations before us did not have the word of God but we do. How blessed we are to have the written word of God.

A lawyer wanted to know how far he had to go in his love for God and neighbor to inherit eternal life. Jesus answered by telling a parable about a man who took care of a man who was considered by his nation an enemy. (vv. 25-37) All persons on the earth are our neighbor, from the least to the greatest, from the kindest to the meanest. With that being said, the point of the parable and the answer to the question is this: “All have sinned and fall short.” (Rom 3:23) No one has perfectly loved God and loved his neighbor as he loves himself. No one that is except Jesus Christ. Therefore, no one will inherit eternal life by the works of the law to do them but by grace we are being saved through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Do not become distracted from the Lord Jesus Christ with the business of the life. (vv. 38-42) It is so easy to be caught up with business and not take the time to look at Jesus and hear him. Christmas is a time to reflect on the first advent and look ahead to the second. Do not become so distracted by all the festivities and gatherings and not look to Christ.

Who Do You Say That I Am?

Luke 9

Jesus sent out the twelve to preach the gospel and to heal people. (vv. 1-6) The late Martin Lloyd Jones said that the right place to be is between the mountains of intellectualism and the experiential. This way of thinking also applies for preaching the gospel and serving physical needs. We should be doing both. The best missionary efforts have all included a right balance between preaching and medicine.

Herod became interested in Jesus because he had beheaded John and some were saying that Jesus is John risen from the dead or another prophet from old. (vv. 7-9) Many people have their thoughts about Jesus. Many will accept him as a good teacher. I recently read some of the religious writings of Leo Tolstoy. While Tolstoy understood much of what Jesus taught, he did not accept the miraculous; thus, something is missing from the way that he saw Jesus. Jesus is a prophet but greater than the prophets of old.

The apostles gave a report to Jesus about their outreach and Jesus continued to preach about the kingdom of God and do healing. (vv. 10-11) Ministers need rest but Jesus ministry was so short lived he did not have time for much rest. He was always about his Father’s business. 

Jesus feed five thousand people with five barley loaves and two fish. (vv. 12-17) You cannot disconnect Jesus teaching from the miraculous. We are to preach the gospel and heal the sick but there is only one Christ of God. 

Jesus asked the disciples who do the people say that I am and who do you say that I am? (vv. 18-22) This is the question above all other questions concerning Jesus. Who do you say that I am? 

Jesus taught that if they want to be in the kingdom of God, they must be willing to do whatever is necessary to follow him, even if it leads to death. (vv. 23-27) This is the true test of faith. You say that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God but do you believe it even unto death?

The Father God told Peter, James and John to listen to Jesus above Moses and Elijah. (vv. 28-36) Jesus is greater than Moses whom the Jews saw as law giver and Jesus is greater than all the Old Testament prophets. One needs to read the Old Testament to understand the New Testament but it is Jesus Christ that we listen too.

Jesus healed a man’s son whom the disciples could not heal and all were amazed at the greatness of God. (vv. 37-43) God has given us many things to do in modern medicine but we cannot perform miracles. Miracles are done by God alone.

Jesus told his disciples that the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men but they did not understand the meaning. (vv. 42-45) Even while people were amazed, Jesus new and taught his disciples that men would turn against him. Jesus did not come to be crowned king of this world but he is king in the kingdom of God.

Among the disciples of Christ is equality. (vv. 46-48) We should not view one as better than or greater than another. I see this happening in the church and it is always sad.

If someone believes in Jesus but practices a little differently than you, do not discourage them. (vv. 49-50) There are essentials to the faith. If a person has all of the essentials do not discourage them.

Jesus rebuked James and John for wanting to call fire down from heaven to consume a samaritan village who would not receive him. (vv. 51-56) We must remember that Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. (Jn. 12:47) Preaching and healing is our job. Christians spend to much time focusing on politics.

You must be willing to leave all now and follow Jesus without looking back. (vv. 57-62) Following Jesus Christ might mean losing everything that you have in this world. Are you willing to lose everything to gain eternal life in the kingdom of God?

The Death of Moses

Deuteronomy 34

Moses died on Mount Nebo and was buried in the valley of Moab. It is a good thing that no one knows where he was buried, other wise, someone would have likely turned it into a shrine and a place of pilgrimage. This would have contradicted the commandments that Moses gave the sons of Israel. Moses was aloud to see from a distance the land which the Lord swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob but he could not set his foot on the land because he sinned against the Lord.

When Moses died, the sons of Israel wept for him for thirty days in the plains of Moab; however, the days of morning and weeping came to an end. This indicates that there is a time for mourning and weeping in this world but there is a time to proceed forward from mourning and weeping. 

Not only did Moses die and not enter the land of promise but his servant became his successor. Verse 10 was written as a memoriam and was true up to the advent of Jesus Christ but the statement can no longer be said of Moses, for Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses.

Hebrews 3:1-6

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

Blessing of the Tribes

Deuteronomy 33

Moses prayed to the Lord a blessing on behalf of the people. He mentioned in prayer one by one each tribe. During this prayer, he used more words on some tribes than other tribes. Rueben, Benjamin, Dan and Naphtali  were given one thought each. I find it interesting that Judah, who would become the most prominent of the twelve tribes, was given one verse, which amounted to two compete thoughts. Levi was given four verses and Joseph five verses. I also find it interesting that Joseph is spoken as one tribe, when most often he is split into two tribes: Ephraim and Manasseh. This prayer is similar to Jesus high priestly prayer before his arrest, trial and crucifixion. However, Moses was praying as a servant and Jesus prayed as a Son. 

There was no people like Israel on the earth, saved of the Lord. However, they cannot compare to the church of Jesus Christ. A people from every tribe, tongue and nation on the earth, saved with an eternal salvation. The sons of Israel were given a land of grain and new wine; however, the church has been given eternal life in the presence of God and his Christ and there will no longer be any death, or mourning, or crying, or pain because God is making all things new. (Rev 21:4, 5) 

The Law is Our Tutor

Deuteronomy 32

Moses spoke the song that he had written to the sons of Israel, a song that glorified the Lord in holiness, righteousness and justice. After completing the words of this song, Moses said, “Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law. For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.” Then the Lord spoke to Moses and commanded him to the peak of Mount Nebo and see the land of Canaan, from the land of Moab and die on the mountain peak. The Lord told Moses to die and be gathered to his people as his brother Aaron died and was gathered to his people. Moses died and did not enter the land of Canaan because he broke faith with the Lord in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin. He did not treat the Lord as holy in the midst of the sons of Israel. 

On my way home from work last night I was thinking about this, not this paticular text but how “There is none, not even one...There is non who does good, there is not even one.” (Rom 3:10, 12) By the works of the law, not even Moses could enter the promised land. If Moses could not enter, how could anyone enter? Moses was called the most humble man on the face of the earth, (Num 12:3) yet he failed to treat the Lord as holy in midst of the sons of Israel and died for his sin. The Lord said, “So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the LORD.” (Lev 18:5) 

I believe that many are Christian today because they grew up in the church. It seems rare for a person to be converted out of secularism and there is a reason for it. The apostle Paul wrote a rhetorical question, rhetorical because he immediately gives the answer: “Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.” (Rom 3:1, 2) Reading the Bible and hearing the word preached closes the mouth, makes us accountable to God, and gives the knowledge of sin. (Rom 3:19, 20) “Therefore the law is the tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.” (Gal 3:24) The people who grow up in the church have a tutor to the lead them to Christ. 

The Lord is Salvation

Deuteronomy 31

The Lord is salvation and he is the one who goes ahead of the sons of Israel to defeat the enemy; therefore, do not fear, for the Lord will not fail you or forsake you. Moses then spoke to his successor, וֹשׁוּעַ Yehoshua, translated Joshua, which means “The Lord is Salvation.” The Law that Moses spoke to the people was put into a book (this book) and he gave copies to the priests, the sons of Levi who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord and all of the elders; he commanded that they read the words of this law to all the people when they gather every seven years for the remission of debts. Moses and Joshua went to the tent of meeting and the Lord said to Moses, “The people will forsake the Lord and break the his covenant and the Lord will hide his face because of the evil which they will do.” Moses wrote a song that day, as the Lord commanded him and he taught the song to the sons of Israel. The Lord commissioned Joshua the son of Nun to be strong and courageous as he leads the sons of Israel into the land of promise. When Moses completed the book of the law, he commanded that a copy be placed beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord God, that it remain as a witness against them; for Moses knew that after he died that they would act corruptly and turn from the way which he commanded them and provoke the wrath of God with the work of their hands. Then the song that Moses wrote, he spoke in the hearing of all the assembly of Israel. 

Moses’ job was done. He did what the Lord had given him to do. He spoke the law of the covenant to the sons of Israel and gave the priests, Levites and elders copies of the law. What Moses wrote and gave them are the words written in Deuteronomy. The Lord told Moses that after the people settle in the land, they will forsake him and all that he commanded them. They will go after other gods and break the covenant of the Lord. The Lord God proceeds them into the land and will not leave them or forsake them, but when they break the covenant, the Lord will hide his face in that day because of all the evil which they will do. Before they even go into the land, the Lord knows that they will not keep this covenant; therefore, it will be necessary that a new covenant be given.  

“For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” (Jn 1:17) How could God be just and justify guilty men? When they break the covenant, it is just that the Lord should forsake and punish them; however, could he forgive them and could he forgive all of Adam’s children and uphold his righteousness? Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (Jn 14:6) Jesus is the English translation of Ἰησοῦς Iēsous, the Greek equivalent of וֹשׁוּעַ Yehoshua, “The Lord is Salvation.” 

The Decision Between Life and Death is Before You

Deuteronomy 30

There is forgiveness of sins and the promise of restoration for those who repent. If you return to the Lord your God, he will rejoice over you and bless you. The word is set before you, to observe and is not to difficult for you. Loving the Lord and obeying his voice is life and prosperity but turning your heart away to worship other gods and serve them is death and adversity.

Moses saw the Lord God at Horeb, when all of his goodness passed before him, the Lord declared to him: “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” (Ex 34:6-7) 

True biblical theology teaches us that the Lord God is compassionate and gracious; therefore, he forgives those who sin against him, if they are repentant and return to him. Although he is slow to anger, it should not be forgotten that he is holy; therefore, he will not leave the guilty unpunished. 

The theme of blessing and curse, life and death, prosperity and adversity that Moses sets in Deuteronomy, is seen throughout the historical books. When the sons of Israel turn to the Lord God, he blesses them, which means life and prosperity but when they turn away, he curses them, which means death and adversity. 

This is the theme of all of Scripture, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ. There is a time when a person can no longer turn to the Lord for forgiveness and restoration. After a person dies, then comes judgment. To choose Christ means life and prosperity in the world to come but to reject Christ means death and eternal punishment. Therefore, chose life in Christ Jesus. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” (Jn 14:6-7)

The Covenant

Deuteronomy 29

All that Moses spoke to this point in Deuteronomy are the words of the covenant that the Lord made with the sons of Israel. The Lord God took care of them for forty years in the wilderness. The God who swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob desired to establish the sons of Israel as his own people. The covenant goes beyond those who were standing before Moses. When they break the covenant, the Lord God promises to send plagues, disease and afflict the land; that men may know that the Lord has done this, because they broke his covenant. When they break the covenant, the Lord will uproot them from the land and cast them into another land. We cannot know all the things of the Lord our God but the things revealed belong to us.

This covenant was given to the sons of Israel, their children and their grandchildren for as many generations as they keep the covenant. Like the sons of Israel were given a covenant, the Lord has given a new covenant for all people, nations and tribes in Jesus Christ. The first covenant was faulty, not because the word of the Lord is faulty. It was faulty because it was dependent on man’s obedience. However, the new covenant in Christ Jesus is not like the old covenant. The new covenant is not dependent on our obedience but that of the Son of God. Jesus lived a righteous life, pleasing to God. God said of him, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” (Mt 3:17) Jesus accomplished both the positive a negative demands of the law. He lived a life pleasing to God and he died for our sins. Having accomplished the righteous demands of God, he rose from the dead defeating death. He did this on our behalf, so that God would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. The new covenant in Christ Jesus is not dependent on our ability to keep the law but on Christ Jesus who meet the righteous demands of the law, died in our place and rose again defeating death. 

There are two things that we must do: Have repentance towards God and trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. In Deuteronomy 29:18-21, there is a warning about a root bearing poisonous fruit and wormwood. He hears the words of the curse but boasts, believing that he has peace though he walks in stubbornness of heart. The Lord God shall never be willing to forgive such a man and will blot out his name from under heaven. This warning is not for the sons of Israel only but for any who refuse to repent and follow the word of the Lord.

For the Good of the Other

Twenty-three years ago today, December 11, 1997, I graduated from an Associate of Applied Science - Associate Degree Nursing program. The school that I graduated from is now called Dallas College. I would later complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Theological Studies. 

When I graduated from nursing school, there was no lag time between graduation and working. I went to work on a medical-surgical unit, as a graduate nurse, on the Monday morning after my graduation. I was assigned a preceptor, but the preceptor had a patient assignment equal to my own. In those days, a graduate nurse was expected to come out of nursing school with the knowledge and skill set of a medical-surgical ward nurse. 

Nursing has changed a great deal since that day, but one thing has not change, people continue to be in need of nursing care. I have always thought nursing to be a stressful endeavor, but in this year, 2020, the stress of the work has abounded and has spilled over into the public sector. 

During my last shift, one of my patients, infected with Covid-19, had a myocardial infarction, was in cariogenic shock, was difficult to arouse and in acute respiratory failure. Chemical and fluid resuscitation measures were initiated, along with urgent intubation. 

For much of the day (I work 12 hour shifts), I was wearing a plastic gown, a hair covering, goggles, a microfiber N-95 mask and a surgical mask; yet when I am in the public sector, including the church building, most people refuse to wear a simple mask. Therefore, I offer a nursing diagnosis: Refusal to wear a mask in public settings related to an ill influenced will.

The Devil, sin and culture influence the will. I do not know what the Devil’s influence is, but I do know that he is the father of lies. COVID-19 is a real problem that hurts real people. You may not be currently showing signs of the virus, but you can be infecting other persons for several days before showing any signs. 

You might say, “I am not worried about it;” however, you should be wearing a simple mask for the others protection, if not your own. Selfishness is the second influence of the will. Selfishness is a larger influence on the will than even the Devil. It is being more concerned with ones own rights and comfort than the others good.

The third influence is culture. There is so much false information and opinions in the public sphere that people do not know what or whom to believe. I person recently said to me, “I think that the whole thing is made up by the government.” Americanism was founded on the twin sisters of rebellion and mistrust. 

What would it take to cause someone who currently is not wearing a mask in public settings, including the church building, to start wearing one? I write this as a nurse and theologian. Please wear a mask in public settings, which includes the church building, for the good of the other.

“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:8-10)

The Blessing and the Consequence of disobedience

Deuteronomy 28

Blessings at Gerizim

“Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the LORD your God:” (Dt 28:1, 2)

Consequences of Disobedience

“But it shall come about, if you do not obey the LORD your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you.” (Dt 28:15)

This is the longest chapter in Deuteronomy. Moses spends less than 1/4 of the chapter describing the blessings and more than 3/4 of the chapter describing the curses. The blessing are wonderful but the curses are horrible and grow in strength as the description continues. This is the promised blessing and curse for the sons of Israel as they come into the land that was promised to their fathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

Much of what is said in this chapter describes many of the bad things that have happened to many people on the earth. For this reason, people ascribe the blessing and the curses of this chapter to their own nation; however, this is specific to the nation of Israel but it can help us better understand the general curse that happened when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and were expelled from the Garden of Eden. It can also help us better understand the future promise of a new heaven and new earth for the followers of Jesus Christ, and the curse, the lake which burns with fire and brimstone for all who reject the lordship of Jesus Christ. 

Man has five main enemies that must be defeated: Satan, sin, death, the law and the wrath of God; according to the theology of Martin Luther, before a man can be saved, these five enemies must be dealt with. (Meyer, 68) Martin Luther had returned to the early church understanding of Christ as Victor. In Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ alone is victory over these five enemies of man. The victory is already not yet. During his earthly ministry, Jesus was victorious over these five enemies; however, Satan remains the god of this world, (2 Cor 4:4) sin continues to abound, death befalls everyone, the law and the wrath of God remain. For the Christian, Satan, sin, the law and the wrath of God are defeated; the last enemy that will be abolished is death. (1 Cor 15:26) There will be blessing and no more curse. (Rv 22:3) 

The Curse of Ebal

Deuteronomy 27

The sons of Israel were instructed by Moses to make a structure of stones. They were to coat the stones with lime and write on them the words of the law that he spoke to them, the law recorded in this book. This structure was to be an altar to the Lord for making sacrifices. The structure was to be built on Mount Ebal. “Gerizim and Ebal are the mountains that flank the town of Shechem in the central hill country, Gerizim (elevation 2,849 feet) to the south, Ebal (3,077 feet) to the north.” (IVP BBC OT) Schechem is often mentioned in Genesis. In this area, the Lord God made a covenant with Abraham. The structure made of whole stones and coated with lime were to be written the words of the law given by Moses, the law recorded in Deuteronomy. The sons of Israel were charged with keeping all of these commandments. One-half of the tribes were to stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people. For the curse, one-half of the tribes were to stand on Mount Ebal. It should be noted that the tribes on Mount Gerizim are the sons of Jacob’s wives, Leah and Rachel, but the sons of their handmaids are the ones on Mount Ebal. The exception is Reuben, Jacob’s first born, who lost his birth right, because he slept with Jacob’s concubine. The other was Leah’s youngest son, Zebulun. It is obvious to see, when reading the historical books, that the tribes on Mount Gerizim were the favored tribes and the tribes on Mount Ebal were the unfavored tribes. The Levites were to speak the curse to the sons of Israel. They were charged with confirming the words of the law by doing them, and all the people shall say, Amen. 

Galatians 3:10

For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.”

The apostle Paul quoted Deuteronomy 27:26. He said this to explain that the law is the tutor to lead people to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. (Gal. 3:24) By the law all are under a curse but the promise of eternal life is in Christ Jesus the Lord. Judgment day is coming, no man knows the day or the hour, not even the angels or the Son, only the Father knows. (Mt.24:36) All the nations will be separated from one another. The ones on the right, Jesus will call blessed of my Father, these will go into eternal life. The ones on the left, Jesus will call accursed, these will go away into eternal punishment. (Mt. 25:31-46)

Pray the Word of God

Deuteronomy 26

The final two commandments are given, followed by a reminder to keep all of the Lord’s commandments. When the sons of Israel come into the land and possess the land that the Lord is giving them; when they harvest from the land, they shall take some of the produce and put it in a basket. They shall bring the basket of produce to the place that the Lord has designated and give it to the priest. The priest will set it before the altar and the person who brought the fruit to the altar is to pray to the Lord the history of his people, worship the Lord and rejoice with others in all the good that the Lord has given his household. In the third year he is to give the tithe to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and to the widow that they may eat in the town near to his land. Then he is to pray to the Lord, the Lord’s commandments and ask for the Lord’s blessing on his people and the land on which they live. 

This taught the sons of Israel to pray, give, worship and rejoice. When they brought the first fruit produce and rejoiced before the Lord. They did not keep it for themselves but had a feast with the Levite and the alien. In the third year, the tithe wasn’t taken before the Lord for a feast but was given to the needy. In both instances a prayer of remembrances is given and the Lord is worshiped. In the first is a prayer of historical remembrance, which leads to worship and rejoicing for the good things that the Lord has done. In the second is a prayer of obligatory remembrance, which leads to giving to the needy and a prayer of supplication. 

It is good to preach to ourselves when praying. Do your preach to yourself when you are praying to the Lord? The Lord knows these things, so it is not like we are preaching to the Lord but acknowledging his greatness. I often pray historically in adoration of the Lord, confessing what I believe and the wrongs that I have done, thanking him for what he has done and supplication for myself and others. You can pray directly from the Scriptures or take the Scriptures to heart and pray the word of God.

Some Laws are Difficult to Understand

Deuteronomy 25

A guilty man shall not be beaten more than forty times. An ox should not be kept from eating while working. A man should give his brothers widow a son, but if any man is not willing to build up his brothers house, he is a disgrace in Israel. If two men are fighting and the wife of the one reaches out and grabs the genitals of the other man, her hand shall be cut off without mercy. All business transactions are to be honest. The sons of Israel were commanded to blot out the memory of Amalek, a son of Esau, who attacked the rear stragglers when they were faint and weary because he did not fear God. 

There are six laws recorded  in this chapter. They are various laws because they do not seem to be connected to one another. Honestly, I find most of them very strange when viewing them as a Christian and from my cultural back ground, 20th and 21st century America. I do not understand beating a man as punishment. I do not understand going into your deceased brothers widow and the son that she bears, being considered your brothers son. I do not understand cutting off a woman’s hand who was attempting to protect her husband in a struggle. And I do not understand blotting out the memory of a people. 

However, I do understand that there is punishment for crimes committed and there must be a limit on the punishment given. I do understand that working animals should be treated with kindness. I do understand that a man should do all that he can for his brothers widow and honor his brothers name. I do understand that a man’s genitals should not be attacked because damaging them would mean no children. I do understand that all business transactions should be honest. 

I understand that I live in a different time and different cultural setting than the sons of Israel. More than that, I understand that I am subject to a new covenant in Christ Jesus; therefore, I am to observe all that Christ commanded. Jesus commanded that we love our brothers as he loved us; Christ laid down his life for us. Jesus commanded that we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Jesus commanded that we should love our enemies; he said to do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you. (cf. Lk 6:27-36)

Certificate of Divorce

Deuteronomy 24

There are eleven laws given in this passage, the first of which is the law of divorce. If a man decides that he does not like her, after marrying her, and writes her a certificate of divorce, if she marries another man, the first husband is not permitted to take her back. The certificate of divorce was give, so that the woman and her new husband could prove that she was divorced; therefore, not falling under the law for adultery; for the penalty was death for both the man and woman caught in the act of adultery.  Jesus said: 

“It was said, ‘WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE’; but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (Mt 5:31) 

So, did Jesus change the law of divorce? I say to you no, Jesus did not change the law, he magnified the law. When answering the question asked:

“Why then did Moses command to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY?” He *said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (Mt 19:7-9)

So, when reading the of divorce, it is evident, Moses did not command to give her a certificate of divorce and send her away, he permitted it, the command was to not take her again as wife, when she had been married to another man. So, Jesus did not change the law of divorce, he magnified it. You can write a certificate of divorce and send her away as Moses permitted, but you should understand that in doing so, you are forcing her to commit adultery because the only we she can survive is to marry another man and if you marry another woman, you are committing adultery. Understand that the law is about loving God and loving your neighbor. (Mt 22:34-40) The law shows us that we do not love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind; and we do not love our neighbor as we love ourselves. (Rom 3:19-20) 

The other ten laws given in this text are about loving your neighbor as yourself. A recently married man needs to stay home with his wife and not forced to leave her. No one should take from a man his livelihood. Be careful of infectious diseases because it can spread to others. If a man pledges his coat in a loan, do not take it from him, and he spend the night cold. Give a poor man his wages before the sun sets, that he may feed his family. A son shall not be put to death for the fathers sins, nor a father for his sons. You shall not pervert justice. When harvesting your fields, leave some grain for the poor, and do the same when harvesting from your fruit trees. The whole law is about loving God and loving ones neighbor. (Mt 22:34-40) 

The People of God Shall Live Holy Lives

Deuteronomy 23

The Lord God is holy; therefore, his people whom he walks among shall be holy. There are eleven commandments given in this chapter: The first commandment specifies whom to exclude from the assembly of the Lord: No emasculated male, no one of illegitimate birth, and no ammonite or Moabite because they did not give them food and water when the sons of Israel came from Egypt. However, they are not to exclude an Edomite because he is a brother, nor an Egyptian because they were aliens in Egypt. The sons of Israel are to keep from every evil thing when camping together. If a man has a nocturnal emission, then he must leave the camp, wash with water, and not return until sundown. There shall be a place outside of camp to dig and cover up their excrement. If a slave escapes from his master and comes to the land of Israel, they are not to hand him over, but he shall live among the sons of Israel. The sons and daughters of Israel shall not be prostitutes, and money received from prostitution shall not be received in the house of the Lord. The sons of Israel are not to charge interest to their countrymen. They are to do whatever comes out of their mouths. They may eat the fruit of there neighbor’s vineyard, but cannot take the fruit.  The same goes for their neighbor’s field of grain.

The Lord God is holy; therefore, the people called by his name shall be holy. It seems harsh that persons should be excluded from the assembly of the Lord God; however, a day and hour is coming in which God will judge the world in righteousness, by a man whom he has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising him from the dead. (Acts 17:31) All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them from one another; the blessed of the Father will inherit the kingdom prepared for them before the foundation of the world, but the accursed will go into eternal punishment. (Mt 25:31-46) Justification is the legal declaration of God, that a person is righteous in his sight. Sanctification is the process by which a person is actually becoming righteous. These cannot be separated. Focusing on sanctification alone leads to legalism. Focusing on justification alone leads to lawlessness. The elect of the Father will respond to the gospel with repentance and faith.  Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (Jn 14:15) Jesus’ commandment is love for the church. (Jn 15:12-17)  

For Our Good

Deuteronomy 22

Fifteen laws are given in this text. The translators divided these into eight sundry laws and seven moral laws. Sundry simply means, various kinds. However, I do not believe that these are various kinds, but are derived from one principle, The law of Christ, (Gal 6:2) “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” (Rom 13:8, NASB)

All the laws in this text are about treating people right and not acting like what you are not. Not only were the sons of Israel to always to do right by their neighbor but they were to do right by the created things as well. When building a house, they were commanded to put a protective wall on the edge of the roof to keep people from falling off. 

Men are not women and women are not men. They were commanded to not sow their vineyards with two kinds of seeds, or plow with two kinds of animals yoked together, or wear a garment of mixed fabrics. 

The Lord God made us different, to complement one another in marriage. Things were to be used for their designed purpose, and should not be merged together. All people, and all things have value, but all do not have the same purpose. Men were created to act like men and women were created to act like women. The only time that two different things were to be yoked together, is a man and women in marriage.

What is sin? Sin is lawlessness. (1 Jn 3:4) “Lawlessness: a state of disorder due to a disregard of the law.” (NOAD) Sin is stepping over the boundaries put in place by the creator. The apostle Paul said, “Where there is no law, there also is no violation.” (Rom 4:15 NASB) The law is good, but it is man who is evil. (Rom 7:12-13) Adam and Eve thought that God was holding something back from them; therefore, they desired the forbidden fruit, and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They sinned, and death resulted, and so spread to all of their children. (Rom 5:12) The law is our boundary, and meant for our good, and the good of our neighbors. 

Expiation and Doing Right

Deuteronomy 21

In this chapter are  five laws: The expiation of murder done in a community without a witness. Taking a daughter of an enemy as wife. The law regarding who the first born is when there is more than one wife. The law regarding a rebellious son. The law regarding a man put to death, by hanging him on a tree. 

Someone would be murdered without witnesses, so how can the community be holy in the sight of the Lord? Men delight in women, so how can a man take an enemies daughter as wife? Men just as quickly become disenchanted, so how should she be released? A man might take more than one wife, so whose son should be given the rights of the first born? A father and mother may have a rebellious son, who left unchecked, may bring condemnation upon them, so how should this be dealt with? Men will be put to death for crimes, but should the body be dishonored? 

All of these laws were given with the expectation of sin. Psalms 14:1-3 says:

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”

They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds;

There is no one who does good.

The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men

To see if there are any who understand,

Who seek after God.

They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt;

There is no one who does good, not even one.

The apostle Paul quoted this Psalm when summing up the fact that both Jew and gentile are all under sin. (Rom 3:10-18) 

The community needs to make every effort to find the guilty party and not ignore crimes. Marriage is a sacred institution. Women and children should be treated fairly. Parents should not be held responsible for children who are rebellious and will not obey. Even when a man is put to death, even death by hanging on a tree, a man who is considered accursed of God, his body is to be treated with honor, because he was created in the image of God.

Before nightfall, Joseph of Arimathea and the Pharisee Nicodemus, took the body of Jesus down from the cross, cared for it, and buried his body in a garden tomb. (Jn 19:38-42) The apostle Paul quoted from Deuteronomy 21:23,

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”— in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Gal 3:13-14)

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and God has made a way for him to be just and justify us. (Rom 3:21-26) Jesus is the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father (God) but through faith in Jesus Christ. (Jn 14:6) 

Laws of Warfare

Deuteronomy 20

There are three main laws about warfare, an each law has caveats. The first law is to not be afraid of your enemies. The second law gives stipulations on what to do when besieging a city. The third law commands the sons of Israel to not destroying the fruit trees.

The sons of Israel are about to enter the land of Canaan. The people in the land are in greater number than they; therefore, the natural response is to be afraid. Therefore, the commandment is to not be afraid and trust that the Lord is with you. The Christian is not going into physical war against a physical enemy. Our war is spiritual and we fight spiritual battles, and we use spiritual weapons. (Eph 6:10-17) However, like the Israelites, who were going into battle against the Hittites, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; we are facing an enemy that is more numerous than we are, but we should not be fainthearted, or afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, for the Lord our God is the one who goes with us, to fight for us , to save us. Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33) 

The sons of Israel were not to have mercy on the inhabitance of the land. They were to have mercy on the cities outside of the land but not on the people who were in the land, they were to utterly destroy them. The Christian is to have mercy on the people of the world. The Christian should preach the law to bring the knowledge of sin, and when the person gives up, we should give them the gospel. This is the concept of law to the proud and grace to the humble. While we should have mercy towards other sinners, we shall have no mercy on the sin within ourselves. The sin that is within us must be utterly destroyed. If you find any sin within yourself, it must utterly destroyed.

Besieging a city, whether it be an outside city (another person), or an inside city (ones own sin), it may take a long time. We must take care, and not to destroy the fruit trees in the process. The sons of Israel were commanded to not destroy the fruit trees, that were outside the city that they were besieging. If they were hungry, they could eat from the trees, but not destroy them. Likewise, the Christian should take care when preaching, to not destroy what is good. 

Witnesses Plural

Deuteronomy 19

There are three laws given in this text: The law regarding the cities of refuge. The law regarding boundary markers. The law regarding witnesses. These three are connected.

Cain was the first man to kill another man and men continued to kill men until God destroyed the earth with a worldwide flood. During the time of Noah, God commanded:

Whoever sheds man’s blood,

By man his blood shall be shed,

For in the image of God

He made man. (Genesis 9:6)

Human life is superior to that of the animals because we were created in the image of God. Murder is defined as malice of forethought. It is an intended act. In our society, some may disagree with the concept of life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot justice until it happens to them or someone that they love. When it does, they want vengeance. 

The law regarding the cities of refuge were put in place to protect the innocent. We live in a dangerous world, were accidents happen and people lose life and limb. So, intention of the heart and mind is the determining factor. We do not take it upon ourselves to avenge blood, this power is given to the state. In the nation of Israel, it was given to the elders, because anger is never just. Witnesses plural were required to convict a person of wrong doing. A single person might attempt to use the elders to do harm to his neighbor, whom he hates. Multiple witnesses are required to lesson the probability of false judgments. 

A Prophet Like Me

Deuteronomy 18

In this chapter, there are three laws: The law concerning the Levites portion, the law forbidding spiritism and the promise of a prophet like Moses. 

The Lord God created a situation in which there was a class of people dependent on the giving of others to live. If the sons of Israel did what they ought, then this class had all that they needed, but if not, this class would suffer or turn from serving the Lord. The Levitical priests, the whole tribe of Levi, was to have no portion in Israel; however, they were to eat what was offered to the Lord. They were to be the Lord’s physical representatives in the nation of Israel. They were not the Lord, but were the Lord’s servants, and being the Lord’s servants, they ate from the Lord’s table.

The people in the land of Canaan, before the sons of Israel, practiced divination, witchcraft, sorcery and spiritism. Today, these are thought of as entertainment. Both children and adult television programs and movies are filled with these things. Not only are they filled with these things but are portrayed as good. Yet the Scripture teaches us that the these things are detestable to the Lord.

Deuteronomy is Moses’s last recorded sermon to the sons of Israel. He did not to go into the land of Canaan with the sons of Israel. However, he is giving them a promise that the Lord will raise up among them a prophet like him. There were prophets during the time of the judges and of the kings, but none were like Moses who used to speak face to face with the Lord, just as a man speaks to his friend. (Ex 33:11) During the history of Israel, there were many prophets and leaders, but none were like Moses. The people were waiting for this prophet, and for the Messiah, both of whom came in the person of Jesus Christ. 

He was in the beginning with God and he was God. (Jn 1:1) It is often the case that the Lord’s promises are more than. Jesus was not only a prophet like Moses, who spoke to the Lord face to face, as a man speaks to his friend, Jesus is the word of the Lord become flesh. The Lord said through Moses, “It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him.” (Duet 18:19) And John the Baptist said, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (Jn 3:36)