Author: Brian Burdett

“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” – Leviticus 19:18

The command to love our neighbor as we love ourselves is rooted in the very nature of God. God is love. God is just. God is kind. God is gracious. God is merciful. Because He is those things toward us, we must be those things toward others. All others.

God created those around us in His image. Therefore we’re called to love them as He does and to love them every bit as much as we love ourselves. There shouldn’t be a keeping of score or carrying of grudges amongst God’s people. As those loved and forgiven by God through faith in Jesus Christ, we must be quick to let go of our anger and reject all bitterness.

Leviticus 19 more generally paints a picture of what’s expected of us in our relationships with all our neighbors. That includes intentional and costly concern and provision for the poor. It includes honesty and integrity in every situation, public and private. It includes the pursuit of justice for all in our society, regardless of social standing. It includes fair and generous treatment of employees. It includes care for and inclusion of those from other nations living among us.

The command to love our neighbors is comprehensive. We truly are to love them as we care for ourselves in every regard. Likewise, as Jesus made clear, we don’t get to pick and choose our neighbors. They are anyone in need whom we encounter and all those who surround us, whether they’re like us or quite different.

“And Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.’” – Matthew 19:23

As you begin to reflect on this verse, first realize that by the historical and global norms of the earth, you’re probably a rich person. If you have reliable shelter from the outdoors, adequate clothing for the season, access to transportation, some amount of education, reliable communication, and you know where your next couple of meals are coming from, then you’re vastly richer than the overwhelming majority of all people who’ve ever lived!

So, why would Jesus say that it’s so difficult for us to enter the kingdom of heaven??? There are several reasons. One is that the more stuff (money, possessions, toys) we have, the more our stuff tends to have us. We tend to grow strongly attached to our wealth, whether it be large or small. We become emotional about it, defend it, rationalize it, define ourselves by it, and let it guide and direct our time, energy, and emotion. Without realizing it, we ground our identity, well-being, and emotional state in our possessions. The correct word for such grounding is worship, though we hate to admit that we easily worship the false gods of wealth.

Another reason is that the more stuff we have, the more stuff we want or believe we need. We tend to develop an insatiable desire for “just a little more.” We often believe that true security, comfort, and satisfaction will be ours if we just had a bit more than we currently have. That’s a mirage that leaves us more focused on stuff than on pursuing God’s will.

Finally, of course, is that nobody (rich or poor) can enter God’s Kingdom on their own. We can’t ever earn or buy our way there, though the more we have, the more we tend to try. As imperfect people, we can never work our way into the perfect kingdom of our perfect God. We can only enter God’s Kingdom through humble faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who died as a sacrifice on our behalf and victoriously rose from death. Do we have the humility to admit our need for a Savior and trust in Jesus? Or will our worldly accomplishments, credentials, comforts, and possessions keep us from submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

“Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation”
– Psalm 42:5

It’s certainly possible to experience seasons of despair and yet live in faith. The psalms teach us how to navigate such times, if we’re willing to learn the lesson. In this psalm, the writer is desperate to feel God’s presence. He’s open and honest about his struggle. However, he also knows that God IS present, even when he doesn’t feel Him. He’s desperate for God to change his present situation, but remains confident that God will do so when it’s time.

This is how we navigate our despair in faith. We speak honestly and passionately to God in prayer. We cry out. We acknowledge that we don’t feel His closeness or sense His activity as we have in better times. We confess that we don’t understand His plan. Yet, we also remind ourselves of the truth we already know. God is still present. He is always good. He knows more than we ever will. He is working. Firmly maintain your confidence in God, knowing that at some point you’ll be able to look back and recognize both His presence and His good activity in your life.

Why are you cast down, O my soul? There may well be good reasons to be downcast, to be in inner turmoil. Nonetheless, place your hope, trust, and confidence in God. He is present. He understands your situation and your suffering. He is listening and He is your salvation, not just from your present situation, but forever!

“But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets” – Acts 24:14

Early Christians called themselves “The Way” because Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.” As Paul stood on trial, he didn’t hide his allegiance to Jesus and neither should we. Even as Jewish leaders accused him of various religious crimes, He correctly understood and taught Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of everything the Mosaic Law pointed to and the prophets of Israel had written about.

Jesus isn’t a radical departure from what’s told in the Old Testament. He is the perfect fulfillment of it all! The Old Testament taught and prepared people for the coming of Jesus Messiah, Who is the one and only way to God. There may be a cost to understanding, believing, and teaching this, but whatever that may be, we must be prepared to pay it.

Paul made this speech at the beginning of years spent under arrest and enduring various trials. His journey through the Roman legal system would include great danger, shipwreck, and lengthy travel to Rome. It would also provide opportunity to preach and teach Christ to leaders at many different levels and in many different places. There’s no shame in wherever our journey of faith in Christ takes you, as long as you’re worshiping God according to the Way!

“He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.'” – Matthew 17:5

What a moment of crystal clarity! The eternal glory of Jesus had just been revealed as He was transfigured before the eyes of His closest disciples. They’d caught a glimpse of His divine majesty and seen Him talking with Moses and Elijah. Then God the Father made His presence seen and heard!

“This is my beloved Son…listen to him.” Such a simple concept! Jesus is the beloved Son of God. So we should listen to Him. Seriously listen.

How well do you do at actually listening to Jesus? Do you read or listen to part of His Word daily? Weekly? Occasionally? Ever?

Do you take seriously what He said to do and try to do it? So often Christians waste time trying to explain away what Jesus said rather than simply listening. I don’t really have to deny myself… I don’t actually have to forgive in this situation… Nobody would really turn the other cheek… Jesus didn’t really mean for me to discipline my thoughts and words… I’m not really hurting anyone…

We must stop talking and start listening to Jesus.! We must stop letting others listen for us and start listening to Jesus! We must stop listening to others more than we listen to Jesus! We must listen and do what He says. God couldn’t have been clearer!