The boys get nerdy this week. With everything going on in current events, we take a break from the disaster of politics and international situations to look at pop culture. Why? Because everyone is yelling on the internet but no one is sure what anyone else is saying.
Jesus stood there in front of the Pharisees and the religious rulers of the day knowing full well that if he had taught anything other than parables, the consequences would have been quite severe. Specifically, for this message. The love that Jesus had for His people went beyond religious rules and adherence to produce salvation. Instead, Jesus cared for the people of God and provided a path for them when they strayed from God’s plan and His best for them. This included correcting the religious leaders of the day who sought to lord their power over the people and, in doing so, abandoned their role to the world.
The events of the throne room in chapter four are rich and exciting but they are constant. God, although on the throne, makes no real action but simply displays His presence. Do not be mistaken, however, the presence of God is still immensely more powerful than we can image and is worthy to reign on the throne. In chapter 5, things begin changing and moving. The events that unfold here establish the foundation for everything else that is to come in the book of Revelation. The introduction of Jesus Christ to the throne room sets in motion opening of the scroll which contains the finality of creation and the pronouncement of judgment on the world. The lamb of God makes its appearance in the throne room of God and the response can only be worship. The final stages of creation are unfolding before John’s eyes and the presence of God remains sovereign and in control.
Kindness carried with it the idea of outward or moral rightness alongside being useful towards another person. Kindness is a quality that must be expressed outwardly. While some fruits are conditions of the heart, kindness involves a relationship with other person. It is only measured when it is apply. A person cannot be kind without any interaction towards anyone or anything. At it’s core, it reinforces the idea that Christians are to be a light to the world, creating a lasting impact on those we come into contact with. Kindness expresses an outward usefulness towards those it comes into contact with but is fueled by the ultimate example of kindness; Jesus Christ on the cross dying for the sins of mankind.
Jesus stood there in front of the Pharisees and the religious rulers of the day knowing full well that if he had taught anything other than parables, the consequences would have been quite severe. Specifically, for this message. The love that Jesus had for His people went beyond religious rules and adherence to produce salvation. Instead, Jesus cared for the people of God and provided a path for them when they strayed from God’s plan and His best for them. This included correcting the religious leaders of the day who sought to lord their power over the people and, in doing so, abandoned their role to the world.
The letter to the church in Laodicea ends with Jesus knocking asking to come in. Yet, for John, the door is wide open for his invitation to the throne room of God. In chapters 2 and 3, we see the explicit commands for the church on how they should be the church. Starting in chapter 4, John describes the visions God gives to him. It seeks to answer not the how but the why. Thus, John is caught up in the Spirit and given an image of the Throne room of God consistent with other biblical depictions of the Throne Room of God in Isaiah and in Daniel. From the specifics of the gems, the nature of the angelic presence, and various other details, John’s vision aligns with previous apocalyptic literature. This should not lead a person to feel that the work was plagiarized or simply a parroting, but rather speaks to the internal consistency of John’s vision with the rest of scripture.
For a moment, stop and consider the patience of God. Having created mankind in His image and given them the purpose of being an emissary of God’s will on earth, the people quickly turned to rebellion. They had one rule and were unable to be obedient in that. Thus, mankind fell to sin and cracked the fabric of creation and reality in the process. Yet, despite this, God knew hearts of the people could be returned to Him. Thus, over thousands of years, God lead the people to the cross where Jesus would die for their sins. Even now, we rebelled against God and, in His great patience, God pursued us even though we ran from it. God extended his grace and mercy to mankind who wanted nothing to do with Him but was doomed to die from their sins without intervention. God is patient and extends that patience to us as well. As a fruit of the Spirit, a Christian carries himself in patience in the context of the world. Through our patience for the things of God and for the people of God, we proclaim the name of God, putting our faith on full display. We remain patient for the promises and patience for the people.
It’s been a busy few weeks since Caleb and Danny last recorded. For the most part, the boys of Nobody Special ignore most of it. Although, we do want to wish a congratulations on JD Greear on becoming the next President of the Southern Baptist Church. All this admits the fact that inviting Mike Pence to speak at the event turned it largely political.
Speaking of politics, Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un met this past week in an historic event towards peace. Naturally, everyone is upset by this. Makes sense right? We look at right, wrong, and objectivity while encouraging people to maintain their faith.
At the end of Mark 9, Jesus tells this brief parable: “Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” (Mark 9:49-50, NIV). At first glance, verses 49 and 50 are only thematically related, in that they both refer to salt. Context, though, paints a different picture of the parable of the salt told in Mark’s Gospel. Directly preceding these verses are a dire warning against teaching falsehood and preserving oneself from the ravages of sin.
The city of Laodicea was known for a few things that allowed them to be financial self-sufficient. First, the minerals that had built up around the area allowed them to become the center of ophthalmology, producing various eye salves which people came from all around to be treater. Then there was the fine wool they produced fine clothing with in order to produce elegant clothing. Finally, with their centralized location along major trade routes, Laodicea had riches beyond understanding. Likewise, the church profited from their surroundings, becoming supposedly self sufficient in the process. Yet, for all of it’s riches, the water of that particular area was borderline undrinkable, causing people to often vomit. Thus, with a set of dual aqueducts, water traveled from two cities to be used in the town. The Hieropolis became known for their hot springs which acted as a medical mineral baths. Colosse, on the other hand, had a cold water spring that seemed to continually produce cool and refreshing water. By the time the water reached Laodicea, it too had become lukewarm and disgusting, becoming known for people causing people to vomit.
