Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. —John 10:7

I’m not talking about the 1965 American rock band from Los Angeles that took their name from Aldous Huxley’s book The Doors of Perception. While I do want to quote a song, it is not from one of their recordings.

Warner Sallman’s famous painting titled Christ at Heart’s Door presents his interpretation of Revelation 3:20 where Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock….” While I do want to explore the imagery of a door, it is not the door of Sallman’s painting or that particular verse. Continue reading →

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).

It is one task to be able to explain what the Scriptures originally meant. It is quite another to show the contemporary significance. Both are necessary for good application. Take, for example, that unusual phrase in James 1:5 “upbraideth not.” Honestly, when was the last time you used that word in a sentence of your own? If you are like me, “never” is the answer. Continue reading →

“Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty,
     give unto the LORD glory and strength.
 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name;
     worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” (Psalm 29:1-2)

It is just now a violent stormy season. Storms can be spoken of literally and figuratively. Our storms are simultaneously meteorological and theological, both in the sky and on the ground. Our gaze is more often fixed on the physical evidence of the latter and we conclude, “it’s a bad day at Black Rock.” Continue reading →

Why should we ask wisdom of God? Here is a great encouragement! James 1:5-8 teaches us that God’s provision for our lack of wisdom in responding to spiritually maturing trials is received when asked of God in faith.

Have you asked of God in faith lately for wisdom to respond with joy to trials designed to help you mature spiritually?

If you are reading this, you are still here. Are we? What has happened?

Jesus Christ’s words seem simple enough to understand. “Take heed that no man deceive you” (Matthew 24:4). “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 25:13). However, one man’s so-called “prediction” has caused many people to fear. His erroneous “teaching” has led others to mock Jesus Christ and revile Christians.

If you are fearful, you have good reason. But is your fear in the timing of the end of the world or in the God who created you? It may be that Jesus is using even bad theology to call you to Himself, to become His child. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). At 6:01 PM what will be your greatest fear: the end of the world or Jesus Christ?

If you have mocked Jesus Christ because one man misunderstood the Scriptures, please realize this: while we yet have physical life there is opportunity to be redeemed from your sin (offense toward God that will result in everlasting death, a spiritual separation forever from the presence of God). There will come a day (known only to God) when Jesus Christ will return to earth. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:27-28). “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

If you are a believer and have been scorned because of the name of Christ, remember His words. “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake” (Luke 6:22). “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe” (1 Timothy 4:10). Be encouraged: Christ’s coming is one day closer than yesterday! Be compassionate (in word and by prayer) for those who do not yet fully know the love of God.

Daniel is often presented as a positive example, worthy of imitating. Respected, conscientious, trustworthy, faithful, courageous—it’s a page right out of the Boy Scout manual. Who doesn’t want to be known for such impeccable character? While thinking about Daniel and the lions’ den, I got caught up with “it’s all about Daniel” and nearly missed his point.

Why does Daniel tell us this story? It would seem that if his purpose was self promotion, then we would need to add pride to an otherwise spotless reputation. So how does this account connect with the overall flow of God’s story and the ‘thread of redemption’ through the Old Testament? I’d like to imagine that Daniel spent his night in the lions’ den finding strength in his trial by remembering what he knew to be true: “‘God my Judge,’ the promised Messiah, is still greater than the idols of Babylon.” Maybe Daniel found encouragement in recalling the Scriptures about the long-anticipated advent of the Deliverer of Israel. There is no way Daniel could have known he might be experiencing what prophecy fulfilled might look like when Jesus eventually came. Or could he? The similarities between Daniel’s lion den encounter and Jesus’ human life and mission is remarkable. Here are a few comparisons from Daniel 6.

6:1-3, Daniel was taken as a captive from the Promised Land to a foreign land and remained there (even though later he could have returned to Israel). Jesus came from absolute purity, a sterile and sin-free existence. He willingly entered a sin-corrupted world (John 1:11).

6:3, Daniel was recognized for his reputation. Jesus was known for His character (John 1:14).

6:4-9, Daniel was despised and conspired against by his peers. Jesus was despised and rejected by His own (John 1:11).

6:5, Daniel was accused for obeying God (“civil disobedience”?). Jesus was accused for claiming to be God (blasphemy, “religious disobedience,” Matthew 26:65).

6:11, Daniel was apprehended while praying. Jesus was betrayed at His place of prayer (Matthew 26:36-50).

6:16-17, Daniel was buried alive in an officially sealed pit. Jesus was buried dead in an officially sealed and guarded sepulchre (Matthew 27:58-66).

6:19-20, Hoping he was alive, Daniel was sought with weeping early in the morning and found. Knowing He was dead, Jesus was mourned for early in the morning but not found (John 20:1-18).

6:22, Daniel was protected by an angel in the pit. Jesus’ empty tomb was watched by angels (John 20:12).

6:23, Daniel’s restoration to life brought joy to King Darius. Jesus’ resurrection from death had (and still has) a mixed reaction: doubt, dis-proof, and faith (Matthew 28:11-15).

6:24, Daniel’s restoration to life resulted in swift, complete, and severe judgment against his accusers. Jesus’ resurrection from death will one day result in judgment against “The Accuser” and everyone who follows him (Revelation 20:10-15).

6:25, Daniel copied the king’s declaration of peace, which might not be remembered today had it not been included in Daniel’s account. Jesus spoke a word of peace to a few. That comfort has passed from generation to generation to today mostly by word of mouth (John 20:26).

6:26-27, Daniel’s God was to be feared and remembered for what He did. Jesus Christ is God and one day will rightfully be acknowledged by everyone as God (Philippians 2:9-11).

After the God of Israel so clearly demonstrated His authority over man-made idols, the ancient Israelites never again got involved in worshipping foreign deities. To have that kind of result makes this one powerful story. It would be nearly 600 more years before Jesus would declare and prove “I am (Daniel’s) God.”

Did I get it right this time? It’s not all about Daniel, yet we believe Daniel, but not Jesus? One night in a lions’ den can be rather convincing.

An old hymn circles through my mind periodically these days, “He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater…” Do you know this song? I like it a lot because it reinforces some basic truths in Scripture on living in a Christ-like way, which is never possible in my own strength. Whether I respond (incorrectly) to the burdens or (correctly) to His grace, either way life is a challenge. Continue reading →