DAILY BREAD, TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2007

When Jesus Was Confronted By The Jewish Leaders

Neal Pollard

In the last week of His life, Jesus was confronted in turn by the three major factions of the Jewish religious leaders. We read the account of this in Matthew 22. These three groups shared some beliefs in common, but also all existed because they had differing political and religious ideas. The Pharisees seem to have been more convicted about oral traditions and scribal opinion than the written law and prophets. The Herodians were more politically motivated, were Jewish activists, and were not thought to be nearly so strict as the Pharisees in religious matters. Some, like Freeman (The New Manners & Customs of the Bible), suggest that they were actually of the Boethusian branch of the Sadducee party. The Sadducees, though not at all enamored with the oral traditions of the rabbis, only accepted the books of Moses, the first five books of the Old Testament. This failure to accept the entire Old Testament canon led them to hold false views.

Jesus was confronted in turn by these three groups because, despite their differences, they had one strong, common bond. They wanted to trap Jesus. The Pharisees “plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk” (Matt. 22:15). The Pharisees sent Jesus to the Herodians with the anticipation that they might pose a dilemma for Him that He could not solve, and Jesus regarded the Herodians as wicked in their intention (Matt. 22:15,18). The Sadducees also pose what they thought was an unsolvable problem concerning the resurrection, and Jesus corrects and silences them (Matt. 22:23-34). It is interesting to see what sorts of issues they raised for Jesus to consider. The politically-motivated Herodians had a question about taxes, the doctrinally-prejudiced Sadduccees had a question about the resurrection they already denied, and the traditionally-biased Pharisees asked a question about the law they saw as comparatively inferior. So, they came to Jesus with what they thought they knew best and with preconceived ideas in mind.

Jesus answered each of them masterfully. He gave the Herodians an answer about taxes they could not deny. They were amazed and gave up their efforts. He gave the Sadducees an answer they could not rebut and one that astonished the multitudes. He answered the Pharisee lawyer’s question about the law and then posed a follow-up question to the whole group of Pharisees that was so powerful the Bible says, “And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore” (Matt. 22:46).

There are several observations that can be made from these confrontations. First, they were the ones with an “axe to grind” and not Jesus. Second, they were the ones filled with animosity and not Jesus. Third, they issued the challenge and Jesus merely met their unbelief with divine truth. Fourth, their efforts to discredit and trap Jesus utterly failed. He shined more brightly after the attacks than before them. Yet, despite all of this, they still placed Him on the cross a couple of days after these events. May we learn from our master example (cf. 1 Pet. 2:21) to always be ready to give an account for the hope that is in us (1 Pet. 3:15), but Peter speaks of this in the context of suffering at the hands of the enemies of Christ (cf. 1 Pet. 4:1). Peter, who was present on the day the events of Matthew 22 occur, goes on to encourage us to focus on living a righteous life even if it means suffering. Jesus had the truth on His side, but His opponents still soon gained a (temporary) victory. Ultimately, though, the truth won and Christ was exonerated by it. May I suggest that the same will happen in our lives, as we stay faithful to Christ and His Word. The truth will make us free (cf. John 8:32) and will ultimately give us the victory (cf. 1 John 5:4). May that support us as we stay true to Him.

Daily Bread, Thursday, April 12, 2007

An Exercise In Futility
Neal Pollard

You can place the 2007 Washington Nationals among some conspicuous company as they have gotten off to a torrid 1-8 start in baseball's National League East. This year's Nationals have only had one lead in their first nine ballgames, a distinction they share only with the 1884 Detroit Wolverines. They have not scored a run in the first three innings of each ball game, a dubious "honor" they share in the storied records of baseball with your 1931 Cincinatti Reds. These are just different ways of telling you, "The 2007 Washington Nationals look awful."
It must be frustrating to be one of the players and especially to be Manager Manny Acta. These guys are not just losing, they are being embarrassed. They are being outplayed. Losing is no fun, even, I imagine, if you are getting paid the big bucks.
Have you ever been on a losing streak? It may have been regarding your finances, maybe in your search for Mister or Miss Right, maybe in your career, or maybe with regard to some other goal or interest. It is frustrating when nothing seems to go right. Nobody enjoys feeling like a "loser," though that image may be one you place on yourself that no one else does. At times, down days descend in droves. What do you do when you feel like you are struggling in last place?
Acta is probably telling his guys to go out there tonight and keep doing those little things you do to win ball games. He is likely telling his hitters to loosen up and keep looking for their pitch. He's telling the pitchers to make their pitch and trust the defense. He's probably telling the defense to play loose and pick each other up. He's telling his team to play as a team and not look at the league standings or the scoreboard. I don't know that he's telling them that, but that's normally what managers are supposed to say to struggling teams and their players.
That's the way you should look at your personal slumps. Realize that they come and be thankful that they also go. Keep putting Christ first, trusting and obeying Him and trying to serve Him. Find spiritual areas where you can involve yourself and soon your "slide" will end. Nobody wins them all. Most of us do not win most of them. Just remember that if you are a faithful Christian, you will ultimately win the greatest prize of all time and eternity.

DAILY BREAD, TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2007

IRONIC, ISN'T IT?
Neal Pollard

This sign was posted in a field across the road from the Mtu wa Mbu ("Mosquito River") church of Christ's building in Tanzania. The more you know about the primitive ways once characteristic of the Massai tribe, the funnier the above sign is. They have held onto archaic customs for family, religion, diet, and medicine (many of which are grossly immoral or pagan), but I have encountered Massai Meronis (their men of warrior age; the guys in the bright red shukas walking with their staffs and sandals) talking on cell phones and using internet cafes. More than once, I have seen one step out of his SUV in traditional attire. Talk about breaking stereotypes.

The world often thinks of Christians in certain stereotypical ways, too. They think we are walking around hypercritically and judgmentally viewing their every move. They think our beliefs restrict our freedom, our fun, and our family's ability to thrive. They think we are miserable. They think we are ignorant or gullible because we revere God and believe the truth of Scripture. They think we are hypocritical, secretly indulging in what we openly condemn. I sorrow for every case in which somebody reinforces those negative ideas about the followers of Christ. Yet, we do live in an ironic state as Christians. We are citizens of heaven who are living in this world (1 Pet. 2:11). We are to avoid fellowship with spiritual darkness and even expose them (Eph. 5:11; cf. 2 Cor. 6:16ff). People should be able to tell a difference in the way we dress, talk, act, and recreate, but God nowhere tells us to go out of our way to make a spectacle of ourselves to "stick out" (which would be immodest) and be "peculiar" (which would be a misunderstanding of an archaic translation in 1 Pet. 2:9). The world needs to know that we have some of the same concerns, responsibilities, and relationships they do. The difference is that Christ is the guiding authority in our lives. His Word leads us in our decision-making. His pleasure is our chief concern. That will make us an enigma to many we meet, but it will also draw the honest-hearted to Calvary (cf. John 12:32). Some will look at our behavior as Christians and be surprised at times (cf. 1 Pet. 4:4). We will blow their stereotypes even as we speak and act in ways they, in their lost state, do not understand. That's the way it has been since the church began. Let's just be sure we are fairly and accurately representing Christ with our lives!

DAILY BREAD, MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007

The Peril Of "Covering Up"
Neal Pollard

Many of you have heard, no doubt, about the tragic decision made by Misty Ann Weaver. The Houston-area licensed vocational nurse is charged in the burning death of three people after she started a fire in her six-story office building. Why did she take such horrible measures that resulted in the unnecessary, tragic deaths of these victims? She was apparently behind on an audit for her plastic surgeon boss, and she feared being fired. She just wanted to start a small fire, enough to cause a distraction and buy herself more time. Obviously, she accomplished more than she intended.

Ms. Weaver is an extreme example of the tendency to try and avoid consequences by resorting to sin to "cover up" a shortcoming or failure. While few of us will wind up facing three felony murder counts, we are all tempted to "cover up" in this way. When we fail to study for a test, we may resort to cheating to "cover up" that fact. When we have a low self-image, we may resort to gossip or backbiting to "cover up" perceived flaws about ourselves. When we are afraid of negative consequences for not meeting some responsibility or expectation, we may turn to lying to "cover up" that inadequacy. The irony is seen in that the "cover up" inevitably puts us in greater spiritual trouble than before we engaged in it.

We may "cover up" for fear of the disapproval of others, out of embarrassment or shame, or out of concern for certain repercussions. Yet, to turn to sin to shield ourselves from the ramifications of our actions is to compound the problem. Let us have the courage to face God and man, to provide things honest in the sight of all men (cf. Romans 12:17). Israel was warned about the danger of adding sin to sin (Isaiah 30:1). It is strength of character to do our best in our every endeavor, but it is also strength of character, when we have failed to so do, to courageously, honestly "face the music." However we rationalize, the fallout from this will be less severe than the "cover up" is!

DAILY BREAD, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2007

THE GOOD SAMARITAN
Neal Pollard

The story begins pathetically. An unwanted, abandoned dog is left along the side of the interstate. It is hit twice by passing motorists and even shot with buckshot. Cold and starving, the dog's chances of survival are quickly diminishing. Then, an unidentified woman driver picks up the dog. She takes it to a care shelter there, paying for its expenses. Apparently, she is a nurse and her compassion influenced even her choice of career. Fortunately, the dog had no broken bones or fractures, and it was quickly adopted.

What a heartwarming story! Such compassion for one of God's creatures is worthy of imitation. It tugs at our heartstrings. A hurting, defenseless canine. A sacrificial person in the midst of less admirable folks who neglected and even actively harmed the dog.

Jesus is the master teacher. He taught a story of a man, beaten and left beside the road. Robbers actively harmed him. Others, though knowing better, neglected him. One, "the good Samaritan," rescued him at great personal price. Jesus implicitly condemns the thieves and the negligent ones. He likewise praises the rescuer.

There are people who have been beaten by sin problems and are spiritually dying. We pass them in the hall and the mall, at work and on the way. Upon many of these we bear no influence. On some, we do. Wherever possible, ignoring the personal cost, we must help.

There are people who have been beaten by sorrow who are languishing in despair. They may be in our physical family or church family. They may be our friends from work or school. Our attention, our compassion, and the wisdom from God's Word are all salve that can comfort them.

There are people who have been beaten by problems who are just hanging on. They may not see the need to keep going. You can spell the difference by helping lift them out of their ditch of despair. Proverbs 25:11 reminds us, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Maybe some troubled soul needs a healthy word from you.

We can see, smell and pet a dog. Physical assistance like that in the sweet story above captures our hearts more easily. It's tangible. Yet, the potential good we can do by aiding the soul, spirit, or heart of another far transcends what can be empirically measured by our senses. It could make an eternal impact. Do a "good Samaritan" thing today!

DAILY BREAD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2007

THE BEAUTIFUL QUALITY OF THANKFULNESS
Neal Pollard

Her name was Mrs. Broadhead. She was a resident in a west Alabama nursing home. She was known for saying one thing with great frequency: "We have a lot to be thankful for, don't we?" Emaciated, confined to a wheel chair, with a speech impediment due to a stroke, and filled with aches and pains, this was her life's motto.
Wedding and baby showers, small gifts or tokens of appreciation, compliments, words of encouragement, acknowledgments, visits, deeds of kindness, and the like are golden opportunities to express it. Yet, far too many have failed to learn the beautiful grace of gratitude. It is wondered if Jesus used the parable of ten lepers to illustrate not the importance of thankfulness but to give an approximate percentage of those who fail to show it. Remember that when the lone man returned to give thanks to Jesus, He observed, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?" (Luke 17:17).
While demonstrating thanksgiving to God and to fellow men is growing more rare, it is certainly a Christian characteristic! In the midst of general teaching, Paul inserts the charge, "And be thankful" (Col. 3:15). In prior generations, great emphasis was placed upon instilling manners and courtesy within our young people. One demonstration of etiquette was to never let a gift or kindness go without a card, call, or word of thanks. It is extreme selfishness and self-absorption to fail to acknowledge the sentiment of others, whether the expression was big or small! Failing to show gratitude is like telling others that we are spoiled or entitled.
Christians, above all others, have so much for which to be thankful. The remarkable command from Paul is, "In everything give thanks..." (1 Thess. 5:18). Thankfulness for tooth aches, flat tires, bills, taxes, death? Perhaps Pollyanna was a good teacher. She played "the glad game." Whenever she had to endure a bad thing, she chose to find something about which to be glad. Cannot we do the same? Christians are to be found "overflowing with gratitude" (Col. 2:7).
God rejects those who are not thankful (Rom. 12:1). It is an ugly trait to be ungrateful. It is synonymous with being inconsiderate. Paul says to esteem others better than oneself (Phil. 2:4). For all which that includes, gratitude plays a part. Never fail to return a favor, gift, or act of consideration wiht a simple "Thank you." It is your obligation. It will become your joy!

Daily Bread, Tuesday, March 20, 2007

DEAD PEOPLE IN FIRST CLASS!
Neal Pollard

Very occasionally I get the opportunity to sit in first class and it is a different ride from coach, from the legroom to the service. I even have a few interesting stories about riding up front, but nothing to match Paul Trinder's harrowing tale. Paul was sleeping up in first class last Friday on a British Airways flight from New Delhi to London. He shifted in his seat, took a peek at his seat mate, and then probably remembered that he hadn't had a seat mate before he drifted off to sleep. Trinder says, "I remember looking at this frail, sparrow-like woman and thinking she was very ill. When I asked what was going on, I was shocked to hear she was dead." She died in coach, and first class was apparently the only place available for dead body storage.
Analogously, Americans are definitely in the first class compartment of this world. Our nation is beautiful, our resources abundant, our infrastructures in great shape, our material wealth nearly unrivaled, and our quality of life--from our food choice to our health care--is without peer among the other nations of the world. Yet, here in "first class" there are dead people everywhere! They are dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:13)! They need to know that even when dead in their trespasses, they can be made alive in Christ (Eph. 2:5). Unlike the situation that made airline headlines, the spiritually dead can be made alive again through Christ. The Prodigal's father rejoiced that his son, once dead to him, was alive again (Luke 15:24).
No matter how well we are living physically and materially, it means nothing if we are dead in our sins (cf. Luke 12:19; 16:19). We lose it all, even if we could gain the whole world, if we lose our soul (Matt. 16:26). Yes, masses of folks are dying whose existence is lived far below "first class" accommodations. Everyone, from every lot in life, needs nothing more than the saving message of Christ. It should disturb us more than anything else to know that people all around us are dead!