Befriending Your MasterHow to Make Friends with the Savior |
||||||
|
Snyder Bible Home |
(04/20/05) |
 |
|
||||
|
The Poem “Yahshu!
what a Friend for Sinners!” Freeware pics:
See “Methodists Advocate for Christian Unity with New Pope” Ratzinger,
Benedict XVI: “How many winds of doctrine have
we known in the past ten years? How many ideological
“All men want to leave a trace behind. But what remains? Not money. Buildings won’t remain; neither will books. We are moving toward a dictatorship of relativism that does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one's own ego and one's own desires. The Messiah is the real measure of humanity. ‘Adult’ isn’t a faith that follows waves of fashion. Adulthood and maturity are a faith profoundly rooted in friendship with Messiah.” – Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, hours before the papal conclave elected him Benedict XVI. See “Methodists Advocate for Christian Unity with New Pope” April 20, 2005 John 15:9-17. {Yahshua speaking} As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. This I command you, to love one another. (NRSV+)
Job 29:2-16. {Job speaking} Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when Elohim ((l) watched over me: when his lamp shone upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness; as I was in my autumn days, when the friendship of Elohim was upon my tent; when the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me; when my steps were washed with milk, and the rock poured out for me streams of oil! When I went out to the gate of the city, when I prepared my seat in the square, the young men saw me and withdrew, and the aged rose and stood; the princes refrained from talking, and laid their hand on their mouth; the voice of the nobles was hushed, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. When the ear heard, it called me blessed, and when the eye saw, it approved; because I delivered the poor who cried, and the fatherless who had none to help him. The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. I was a father to the poor, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know. (RSV+)
Psalms 25:8-15. Good and upright is Yahweh; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of Yahweh are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11. For thy name's sake, O Yahweh, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Who is the man that fears Yahweh? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. He himself shall abide in prosperity, and his children shall possess the land. The friendship of Yahweh is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward Yahweh, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. (RSV+)
Road GamesTruck driver Pat Quid’s transporting a cargo of meat across the Australian Outback. He becomes convinced that a man in a green van is a criminal who picks up hitchhikers, then disposes of them. He convinces his dispatcher to help him catch this guy and thwart his criminal enterprise. A battle of wits and engines is fought between the two drivers, ¿but is everything exactly as it seems? The dispatcher finally gets fed up with Quid’s attempts to counter the bad guy and tells him to give up the chase and get back to work. The dispatcher’s shredded voice is heard over the CB radio, “Cut the mustard and get on the road, Quid. Remember, you’re just a truck driver!” But Quid’s quick to respond. With determination in his voice, he shouts into the microphone, “I may drive a truck, but that doesn't make me a truck driver!” Then he goes right on with the mission. (Road Games, Stacy Keach, 1981) We live in this world, work in this world and die in this world. But when we’ve experienced justification through the new birth, we still may drive that truck, but it no longer defines us. We define ourselves by what we’re becoming rather than what we must temporarily be doing. We expect others to start redefining us based upon our new set of behaviors and attitudes – those characteristics from above rather than below. When Yahweh circumcises our hearts, we continue to work in this world – we must! – but we no longer are a work of this world. We may have a dispatcher, but within the framework of what we henceforth do, our dispatches emanate from above.
Heart Surgery NecessaryThis week in Virginia, a fellow went into the hospital for emergency heart surgery. The surgical team was too hasty, and after they started the operation, the patient caught on fire. Yes, the alcohol they’d cleaned him in hadn’t time to dry before the surgeon ignited it with his laser scalpel. Did you hear about that? I’m sorry to say, the patient died. When the Holy Spirit enters into your chest to cut away the stone from your heart, you’ll also catch fire. But you won’t die as a result. You’ll come alive. You’ll be born anew. And you’ll thenceforth never die. Yahshua told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” Then he tested her faith by asking, “Do you believe this?” As we become proficient at recognizing the new spirit within us, then our whole reason-to-be starts changing. That “truck driver mentality” is slowly, surely transformed into that of “an angel on assignment,” like Quid – a job becomes a mission. We begin to perceive all the things we do not as attempts to redeem ourselves, justify ourselves or get ahead, behind or comfortable, but all the things we do eventually become acts of redeeming – i.e. taking back kidnapped goods and persons. Everything we redeem, things or people, we carry to the redemption center up yonder, mindfully or without thinking; then we bring them all back as new, fresh, clean and holy. We thus take part in the ongoing process of creation.
Tax Stamps As a boy in
Ohio, pre-paid sales “tax stamps” were stapled to everything that was
purchased in a store. These stamps
A penny’s worth of labor done for a common cause by a million students added up exponentially. Yet no child could claim to be employed as a tax stamp collector – child labor was against the law. No, children were first students; in the course of their academics, they collected on behalf of their school. And though the students benefited in the long run by getting a better education, they weren’t taxed for their labor, but rewarded with the sense of having contributed something to the common welfare. Likewise, we collect and redeem all things and people on behalf of the school of the Kingdom. And our petit labors add up – we know not yst to what degree. But someday we’ll see that our every little effort of redemption, from the baking of the pecan pie to the building of the grand cathedral – has accumulated to a greatly inflated value – because we all redeemed together to make it so. And such will be our blessing, and a benefit for the whole world. We shall see that, collectively, we have, like Job, delivered the poor who cried, the fatherless who had no help; blessed him who was about to perish; caused the widow's heart to sing; put on the robe of righteousness; became eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, mother to the poor, and savior of strangers. (Job 29:14-16)
Poor People ListenThese stories illustrate how the Master Yahshua could so confidently tell the multitude of poor, Mat 6:31-33 (JSV): Never say to yourselves, What will we eat? or, What will we drink? or, How will we be clothed? (Unbelievers look for these things.) Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. So then, first seek the kingdom of Yahweh and his righteousness; and all that you need will be given. Now he said this to folk who may not’ve yet had their heart-stone surgery – they weren’t “saved.” Nevertheless, they saw the Master there – in fact they had to look up to see him – and because they had faith in his looks, some actually gave up crying poor and started talking about possibilities. Those of simple faith who heard and believed him became disciples.
Disciples are Paying StudentsMy friends, a disciple’s nothing more than an elementary student searching for a tax stamp. There’s no law forcing anyone to go past eighth grade. Students who go farther take on the Rabbi by choice. Had he lived, the poor man who was to have heart surgery might’ve learned a lesson. He was coerced to go under the knife – no choice, he was told. Instead of receiving life-giving therapy, he was set afire. Any decision to become a disciple made through coercion, fear, family pressure, threats of hellfire, in the foxhole or on the operating table seldom last or lead to true discipleship. Likewise, a man who becomes a disciple in order to get something will get more of the same. Every thinking person should carefully evaluate what the Master has to say and offer, then make an informed, personal decision whether to employ him or not, gravely considering the rigors of pursuing his version of academics. In simple words, one must count the cost. His halacha isn’t for the “religious hobbyist” or “seeker of smooth things” (1QH 2.32). The Master warned potential students: “Which of you, desiring to build a silo, doesn’t first sit down || and count the cost || whether he has enough to complete it?” What is the cost of your education, my friend? Right before he said “sit down and count the cost,” he told enthusiasts what the cost would be. Do you remember the cost? Look it up – Luke 14:27 – “Whoever doesn’t bear his cross and follow me, can’t be my disciple.” You might remember where he took his cross. Is that the price you want to pay? Judas Iscariot was one who did NOT count the cost. Judas thought Yahshu was the key to a beautiful wife, a beautiful life, a life without strife, have fun, gain wealth, get girls. That’s why he engaged the Master. But he wasn’t taught helpful little strategies for successful living as he thought. Instead, the Master taught certain illegal practices, like actually saying the name of the Creator – which was, at that time, a serious crime, and, in our time, a waste of time – but, the Master insisted that one might have access to the Most High through his sacred name. Yahshua taught proper respect for the Yahweh’s commandments: that the Sabbath is holy but not a taskmaster, that adultery would ruin a family, that parents ought to be respected if a person wanted to live long, that killers would eventually be killed, that thinking evil was as bad as doing evil. Rabbi Yahshua taught absolute moral values – who was the neighbor, who was the Father, how they were to be treated, how the mission was to be completed. He taught practical lessons – what should be eaten and what shouldn’t, what should be said and what shouldn’t, what should be done and what shouldn’t, what should be judged and what shouldn’t, who should be approached and who shouldn’t, who could be forgiven, and who couldn’t – right and wrong. He also taught mercy, friend-making, evil-exposing, sin-forgiving – and he showed us when violence was the only recourse. He taught how one might live forever. The foundation of all his teaching is discovered in but a few words – words we need to sit down and count. He said: “seek first the kingdom of Yahweh and his righteousness.” Friends, is that what you’re doing? I know some of you are. Judas Iscariot – he would’ve saved his life had he just sat down and considered the conditions of his discipleship before blurting our false promises. The priceless pearls of wisdom the Master had for him weren’t to his liking. He spilled them out all the way down that deep gorge.
Disciples May Become ApostlesHowever, those who heeded the ground-rule progressed in their studies. He laid hands on his graduates, conferring them with the power to forgive, which also was illegal and carried a death sentence. Then he sent them out on secret missions in small teams. They were no longer just students; they’d become apostles. “Apostle” simply means “one sent on a mission.” “Apostle” is exactly the same as “missionary.” They went forth in the learnings and empowerments with which he’d entrusted to them. When they returned from their first redemption mission, taking back the tormented, perplexed, sin-soaked folk from the devil, they rejoiced: “Master, even demons are subject to us in your name!” The mission wasn’t easy – it was sometimes embarrassing – tedious and uncertain – difficult, especially with the scarcity of equipment he sent with them. They had no grand auditoriums, well-thought-out church growth schemes or teeth-filling anointings – they didn’t even have the Yahshu movie. But such as they had, they gave, and what they gave of themselves was good enough to redeem the things and people they cared for wherever they went. And that’s exactly what they were sent to do. “Well done,” said the master. The first missions of these apostles remind me of the Kairos Prison Ministry team that stayed here. Some of those men and women were on their very first mission. These apostles were aglow with the Spirit, very excited about the days to come. Most want out of prison, but these apostles were raring to get in, though they had little more that the very first missionaries – a Bible, a guitar, a knapsack – and the Master’s training. But greater than their enthusiasm beforehand were the wonderful testimonies of their redeeming work after – they’d gone into that foul den of mortal sin down the road to destroy the works of the devil and redeem whatever or whomever they could. Even the least experienced came back rejoicing. He couldn’t wait for the next time. He couldn’t wait for the next mission. He couldn’t wait to steal more tax stamps out of the devil’s trash bin and redeem them for the benefit of an unseen Kingdom. That’s the sign of an exciting life – a man or woman who can’t wait for the next opportunity to lift a tax stamp from the devil’s dump.
Apostles Can Become FriendsThese apostles had a new “job description.” “Make disciples of all tribes (eqnoi),” they were commanded. With a job well done, they advanced to a new level. Not a new pay grade or title – they’d always be disciples and apostles – but a higher level of relationship with their Master. They’d be his friends, his companions, colleagues, peers, co-redeemers. “I no longer call you slaves,” he said, “but friends. You are my friends because you do as I say.” Sometimes this reading is somewhat harsh: “If you do as I say, then you can be my friends.” But I believe that true friendship’s based on mutual trust. Ours is a dangerous business. We can only trust our friends. You’d better remember that! You can’t afford conditional, “iffy” relationships – your life’s at stake. Even if friendship with Yahshua’s conditional – it’s still for our own good. Like the value of Yahweh’s commandments – we make friends with Yahweh’s commandments not because we want to become legalists or religious, but because they protect us from convicts who roam free yet remain imprisoned in sin. Do you get it? Even our convicted enemies may be redeemed, especially while trying to do hurt. They’ll either have the stones cut out of their hearts, or, while in surgery, they’ll be set ablaze. “If your enemy’s hungry, feed him; if he’s thirsty, give him drink: By so doing you’ll heap burning coals on his head. Don’t be beaten by evil, but beat evil with good” (Romans 12:20,21).
Jesu!
what a Friend for sinners! Jesu! Lover of my soul; Hallelujah! What a
Savior! Hallelujah! What a Friend! – J. Wilbur Chapman, 1901; tune: Hyfrydol
Do you realize that you may befriend the Heavenly Friend and befriend your enemy at the same time? He’s the friend of sinners and enemies, and so are we. Of course we don’t trust them, but we trust them to his redeeming power. Listen: The only friend my foe may see is my dear Friend who stands in me.
Redemption of EnemiesYes, this is how we overcome an enemy: through friendship with a Master. If we’re to be friends, we do as he says – John 15:17. This I command you, to love one another. Love is not fond affection. Love is compassion in action. We can love sinners and enemies in that way and be their friends. Who knows, those who’ve do us wrong may be redeemed. How so? Look to the Master’s example and learn redemption: Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends. Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Yahweh sent the Son into the world not to condemn but that the world might be saved. Friendship is important because: John 3:18. He who believes is not condemned; he who doesn’t believe is already condemned. Why? Because he hasn’t accepted the name of Yahweh’s only Son as true. We can each make a lot of difference by just contributing a little bit – maybe just naming the name – it doesn’t take a whole lot of theology or energy or even effort to just follow your friend. You just have to keep your eyes on the Master all the pea-pickin’ time, then all you need will be provided to successfully execute acts of compassion and friendship. The more you do, the more you want to do, because you see, as He has taught us, that He is faithful.
Not My Job, ManI like what Jeff Spiller of Christ’s UMC in Mobile said about making friends. Jeff pioneered Christ’s when he was 25. He’s been there about twenty-five years. Now his is the biggest church in lower Alabama. Once I asked him, “Jeff, just how’d you grow this church?” He told me, “I didn’t. That isn’t my department. I just follow the Master.” Can collecting a tax stamp make a difference? The answer is YES! If that one little act of compassion is completed, that one little green piece of paper collected – rendered and saved day after day, year after year, huge mountains accumulate. Compounded interest is the secret of wealth. When the day comes for you to receive your commendation as a friend, the mountain of tax stamps and their value will astound you – because before you’d only seen your mountain one stone at a time.
The Star Chucker One morning an
aged fellow limped down the beach on
(“I” is metaphorical. This isn’t a first hand experience, though I’ve known many who minister in this way.) I asked him why. He said, “Starfish are beached at low tide. If they don’t get back in the water, they'll dry up and die by noon.” I said, “Man, there’s miles of sand and millions of stars. What difference can you make?” The guy bent over his cane and chucked out another starfish. He turned my way and said, “Makes a difference to that one.” That’s what collection, redemption and discipleship are all about. We hear the word of our Master; we follow him, keeping sight of his back. We walk along side him and learn to obey. He chucks us out of the classroom onto some little, insignificant mission. He gives us hardly any resources to complete it but his word and our wit. If we don’t get to the water, we dry up and die by noon. But we don’t die. We lose a lot, but then we start to win one by one. It’s hard and against the rules, but we get to loving our mission, because we start seeing accumulations that look like tiny mountains. Lives that were lost to the trash heap are rescued and redeemed. Then there’s the day we no longer fear anything, not even judgment day – because he’s brought us to his inner circle – he’s confided in us and commended us – and we’ve become not only partners, but friends.
PRAYER: Take my job and make it yours, pounding nails or scrubbing floors. Take my mind and make it one with the purpose of your Son. Father, take my occupation; make it into my vocation. Let me show someone your way when I’m in the field today. Sharing witness of my King, seeking him in everything. In my faith I’ll do a deed – I’ll convince that friend in need. Name the name above all names, I shall dare to make my claims. Gath’ring tax stamps, I build piles folks will spot from many miles. Claiming souls until the sun shows me that my day is done. Then I’ll gaze on my reward – mountains rising to my lord. But best of all, at mission’s end; I’ll proudly boast, “I am his friend.” A UMNS Report
|
||||||
|
Jackson Snyder (801) 605-1715 Vero Beach, FL |
||||||
