Steve Aves - My Thoughts #Bible

Following Jesus is hard

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 08:34:51 -0600

Following Jesus is hard

Following Jesus is hard. It always has been, but especially at this moment in time.

Below is part of today's Lectionary readings

The Righteous Judgment of God

Therefore you are without excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others, for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is in accordance with truth. Do you imagine, whoever you are, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Romans 2:1-4 (NRSVue Strong's Bible)

Do Not Judge Others

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive.”

Luke 6:37-38 (NET)

1 Kings reminds me of "The Godfather" Film

Sun, 25 Aug 2024 10:44:49 -0600

The daily Lectionary recently had readings from 1Kings, chapter 2. I was reminded of "The Godfather" film.

Check out the information below and see if you agree with me.

The film clip below is like David’s Final Words to Solomon

Don Vito and Michael Corleone talk

This clip correlates with Solomon Secures the Throne

The Godfather I (1972)- Baptism Scene, Michael Kills all the heads of the other families

David’s Final Words to Solomon
When David was close to death, he told Solomon his son: “I am about to die. Be strong and become a man! Do the job the LORD your God has assigned you by following his instructions and obeying his rules, commandments, regulations, and laws as written in the law of Moses. Then you will succeed in all you do and seek to accomplish, and the LORD will fulfill his promise to me, ‘If your descendants watch their step and live faithfully in my presence with all their heart and being, then,’ he promised, ‘you will not fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’
“You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—how he murdered two commanders of the Israelite armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. During peacetime he struck them down as if in battle; when he shed their blood, he stained the belt on his waist and the sandals on his feet. Do to him what you think is appropriate, but don’t let him live long and die a peaceful death.
“Treat fairly the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and provide for their needs, because they helped me when I had to flee from your brother Absalom.
“Note well, you still have to contend with Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who tried to call down upon me a horrible judgment when I went to Mahanaim. He came down and met me at the Jordan, and I solemnly promised him by the LORD, ‘I will not strike you down with the sword.’ But now don’t treat him as if he were innocent. You are a wise man and you know how to handle him; make sure he has a bloody death.”

Then David passed away and was buried in the City of David. David reigned over Israel forty years; he reigned in Hebron seven years, and in Jerusalem thirty-three years.

Solomon Secures the Throne

Solomon sat on his father David’s throne, and his royal authority was firmly solidified.

Haggith’s son Adonijah visited Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. She asked, “Do you come in peace?” He answered, “Yes.” He added, “I have something to say to you.” She replied, “Speak.” He said, “You know that the kingdom was mine and all Israel considered me king. But then the kingdom was given to my brother, for the LORD decided it should be his. Now I’d like to ask you for just one thing. Please don’t refuse me.” She said, “Go ahead and ask.” He said, “Please ask King Solomon if he would give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife, for he won’t refuse you.” Bathsheba replied, “That’s fine; I’ll speak to the king on your behalf.”

So Bathsheba visited King Solomon to speak to him on Adonijah’s behalf. The king got up to greet her, bowed to her, and then sat on his throne. He ordered a throne to be brought for the king’s mother, and she sat at his right hand. She said, “I would like to ask you for just one small favor. Please don’t refuse me.” He said, “Go ahead and ask, my mother, for I would not refuse you.” She said, “Allow Abishag the Shunammite to be given to your brother Adonijah as a wife.” King Solomon answered his mother, “Why just request Abishag the Shunammite for him? Since he is my older brother, you should also request the kingdom for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”

King Solomon then swore an oath by the LORD, “May God judge me severely, if Adonijah does not pay for this request with his life! Now, as certainly as the LORD lives (he who made me secure, allowed me to sit on my father David’s throne, and established a dynasty for me as he promised), Adonijah will be executed today!” King Solomon then sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he killed Adonijah.

The king then told Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your property in Anathoth. You deserve to die, but today I will not kill you because you did carry the ark of the Sovereign LORD before my father David and you suffered with my father through all his difficult times.” Solomon removed Abiathar from being a priest for the LORD, fulfilling the LORD’s message that he had pronounced against the family of Eli in Shiloh.

When the news reached Joab (for Joab had supported Adonijah, although he had not supported Absalom), he ran to the tent of the LORD and grabbed hold of the horns of the altar. When King Solomon heard that Joab had run to the tent of the LORD and was right there beside the altar, he ordered Benaiah son of Jehoiada, “Go, strike him down.” When Benaiah arrived at the tent of the LORD, he said to him, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But he replied, “No, I will die here!” So Benaiah sent word to the king and reported Joab’s reply. The king told him, “Do as he said! Strike him down and bury him. Take away from me and from my father’s family the guilt of Joab’s murderous, bloody deeds. May the LORD punish him for the blood he shed; behind my father David’s back he struck down and murdered with the sword two men who were more innocent and morally upright than he —Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. May Joab and his descendants be perpetually guilty of their shed blood, but may the LORD give perpetual peace to David, his descendants, his family, and his dynasty.” So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and executed Joab; he was buried at his home in the wilderness. The king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada to take his place at the head of the army, and the king appointed Zadok the priest to take Abiathar’s place.

Next the king summoned Shimei and told him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and live there, but you may not leave there to go anywhere. If you ever do leave and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will certainly die. You will be responsible for your own death.” Shimei said to the king, “My master the king’s proposal is acceptable. Your servant will do as you say.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time.

Three years later two of Shimei’s servants ran away to King Achish son of Maacah of Gath. Shimei was told, “Look, your servants are in Gath.” So Shimei got up, saddled his donkey, and went to Achish at Gath to find his servants; Shimei went and brought back his servants from Gath. When Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had then returned, the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “You will recall that I made you take an oath by the LORD, and I solemnly warned you, ‘If you ever leave and go anywhere, know for sure that you will certainly die.’ You said to me, ‘The proposal is acceptable; I agree to it.’ Why then have you broken the oath you made before the LORD and disobeyed the order I gave you?” Then the king said to Shimei, “You are well aware of the way you mistreated my father David. The LORD will punish you for what you did. But King Solomon will be empowered, and David’s dynasty will endure permanently before the LORD.” The king then gave the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada who went and executed Shimei.

So Solomon took firm control of the kingdom.

1 Kings 2:10-46 (NET 2nd Ed.)

God is Sovereign

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 08:09:48 -0600

The Apostle Paul explains to the Jewish Christians who are concerned about their fellow Jews who do not accept Jesus as the Christ, that God is sovereign.

13 As it is written,

“I have loved Jacob,

but I have hated Esau.”

14 What then are we to say? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses,

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,

and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

16 So it depends not on human will or exertion but on God who shows mercy. 17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh, “I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I may show my power in you and that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses.

God’s Wrath and Mercy

19 You will say to me then, “Why then does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who indeed are you, a human, to argue with God? Will what is molded say to the one who molds it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use?

Romans 9:13-21 (NRSVue Strong's Bible)

God's Countenence

Wed, 29 May 2024 12:12:51 -0600

Verse 26 has a larger punch when you understand what "countenance" meant to the Jewish people back then.

The Priestly Benediction

22 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying: Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them:

24 The LORD bless you and keep you;

25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

27 “So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

Numbers 6:21-27 (NRSVue Strong's Bible)

26 May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’

Numbers 6:26 (NLT)

26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’

Numbers 6:26 (NIV)

Noun: countenance

1. The appearance conveyed by a person's face

2. Formal and explicit approval

[WordWeb.info]

63tn v. 26 The last line of the blessing also has first the image and then the parallel interpretation—for God to lift up his face is for God to give peace. The idea of the fallen face is one of anger (see Gen 4:6, 7); and the idea of the hidden face is that of withholding support, favor, or peace (see Deut 31:18; Pss 30:8; 44:25). If God lifts his face toward his people, it means he has given them peace—peace, prosperity, completeness, health, safety, general well-being, and the like.

Numbers 6:26 (NET 2nd Ed.)

The Law and Gospel

Fri, 24 May 2024 08:38:25 -0600

The Lectionary reading for today highlights for me the distinction Martin Luther made between Law and Gospel:

Martin Luther recognized that the Word of God brings a different kind of healing through the Law and Gospel. “Law” describes what God requires. It demands perfection: a standard we cannot meet. “Gospel” describes what God provides so that we may live.

First reading is from Isaiah 1:1-20 (LAW). It is kind of long, but the poetry of the writing makes it flow well.

The second reading is from Romans 8:1-8 (GOSPEL). The apostle Paul explains what the gospel means.

The Wickedness of Judah

2 Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth,

for the LORD has spoken:

I reared children and brought them up,

but they have rebelled against me.

3 The ox knows its owner

and the donkey its master’s crib,

but Israel does not know;

my people do not understand.

4 Woe, sinful nation,

people laden with iniquity,

offspring who do evil,

children who act corruptly,

who have forsaken the LORD,

who have despised the Holy One of Israel,

[[who are utterly estranged!]],

5 Why do you seek further beatings?

Why do you continue to rebel?

The whole head is injured,

and the whole heart faint.

6 From the sole of the foot to the head,

there is no soundness in it,

only bruises and sores

and bleeding wounds;

they have not been drained or bound up

or softened with oil.

7 Your country lies desolate;

your cities are burned with fire;

in your very presence

aliens devour your land;

it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners.

8 And daughter Zion is left

like a booth in a vineyard,

like a shelter in a cucumber field,

like a besieged city.

9 If the LORD of hosts

had not left us a few survivors,

we would have been like Sodom

and become like Gomorrah.

10 Hear the word of the LORD,

you rulers of Sodom!

Listen to the teaching of our God,

you people of Gomorrah!

11 What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?

says the LORD;

I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams

and the fat of fed beasts;

I do not delight in the blood of bulls

or of lambs or of goats.

12 When you come to appear before me,

who asked this from your hand?

Trample my courts no more!

13 Bringing offerings is futile;

incense is an abomination to me.

New moon and Sabbath and calling of convocation—

I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity.

14 Your new moons and your appointed festivals

my soul hates;

they have become a burden to me;

I am weary of bearing them.

15 When you stretch out your hands,

I will hide my eyes from you;

even though you make many prayers,

I will not listen;

your hands are full of blood.

16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;

remove your evil deeds

from before my eyes;

cease to do evil;

17 learn to do good;

seek justice;

rescue the oppressed;

defend the orphan;

plead for the widow.

18 Come now, let us argue it out,

says the LORD:

If your sins are like scarlet,

will they become like snow?

If they are red like crimson,

will they become like wool?

19 If you are willing and obedient,

you shall eat the good of the land,

20 but if you refuse and rebel,

you shall be devoured by the sword,

for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Isaiah 1:1-20 (NRSVue Strong's Bible)

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Life in the Spirit

1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit., 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit., 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed, it cannot, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:1-8 (NRSVue Strong's Bible)

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Support One Another

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 11:33:56 -0600

Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia to encourage them, give them direction on what it means to be a follower of Jesus, and to counter the teaching of a few Jewish Christians who taught that the Galatians had to be circumcised AND follow ALL the Jewish laws.

Paul believed the law to follow, now that Christ had come, was only the "law of Christ."

What is striking to me are verses 1 to 5. Paul says the way to reestablish a sinner is to use the "spirit of gentleness," and not to condemn nor shame them. Boy, unlike today with "cancel culture." Paul adds that if you are following "the Jewish rules," remember that "you're unique, like everyone else," so no bragging rights. Besides, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7.

The values Paul expounds is contrary to today.

1 Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too. 2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else. 5 For each one will carry his own load.

6 Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it. 7 Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows, 8 because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.

Galatians 6:1-10 (NET 2nd Ed.)

LOVE SUMS UP THE LAW. AUGUSTINE: The “law of Christ” means the law of love. The one who loves his neighbor fulfills the law. The love of neighbor is strongly commended even in the Old Testament. The apostle elsewhere says that it is by love that all the commands of the law are summed up. If so, then it is evident that even that Scripture which was given to the covenant people was the law of Christ, which, since it was not being fulfilled by fear, he came to fulfill by love. The same Scripture, therefore, and the same law is called the old covenant when it weighs down in slavery those who are grasping after earthly goods. It is called the new testament when it raises to freedom those who are ardently seeking the eternal good. EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS 58 [1B.6.2].

Galatians 6:2 (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture)

The Heart of the Gospel

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 07:24:35 -0500

A Good Discussion on Philemon

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 12:01:12 -0500

Philemon, A Great Letter of Persuasion

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 13:14:27 -0500

The letter Paul and Timothy wrote to Philemon is only 335 words in length. It is succinct, and in my opinion, a perfect letter of persuasion.

Paul beseeches Philemon to welcome a slave back into his home, and without punishment. Paul offers to pay any damages the slave may have cost Philemon. Can you imagine Philemon sending Paul that bill?

If you want to gain some background on the times this letter was written, Wikipedia has a good summary HERE.

Since this letter is so short, I'm posting it below for easy access.

Philemon
Salutation
From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and colaborer, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Thanks for Philemon’s Love and Faith
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ. I have had great joy and encouragement because of your love, for the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Paul’s Request for Onesimus
So, although I have quite a lot of confidence in Christ and could command you to do what is proper, I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—I, Paul, an old man and even now a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus — I am appealing to you concerning my child, whose spiritual father I have become during my imprisonment, that is, Onesimus, who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you and me. I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you. I wanted to keep him with me so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the sake of the gospel. However, without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be out of compulsion, but from your own willingness. For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a little while, so that you would have him back eternally, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even more so to you now, both humanly speaking and in the Lord. Therefore if you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me. Now if he has defrauded you of anything or owes you anything, charge what he owes to me. I, Paul, have written this letter with my own hand: I will repay it. I could also mention that you owe me your very self. Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. Since I was confident that you would obey, I wrote to you, because I knew that you would do even more than what I am asking you to do. At the same time also, prepare a place for me to stay, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given back to you.

Concluding Greetings
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you. Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my colaborers, greet you too. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Philemon (NET 2nd Ed.)

Pentecost Sunday

Sun, 05 Jun 2022 07:30:24 -0500