Thoughts on life's experiences and God's nature by Robby Hyche…

I thought it appropriate on this inaugural week to post Rick Warren’s prayer for President Obama.

Rick Warren’s Prayer

Almighty God, our Father:

Everything we see, and everything we can’t see, exists because of you alone.

It all comes from you, it all belongs to you, it all exists for your glory.

History is your story.

The Scripture tells us, “Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD is one.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time, we celebrate a hinge point of history with the inauguration of our first African-American president of the United States.

We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where a son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity.

Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the Cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans—united not by race or religion or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all.

When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you—forgive us.

When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone—forgive us.

When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve—forgive us.

And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes—even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve, and to seek the common good of all.

May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy, and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet.

And may we never forget that one day, all nations–and all people–will stand accountable before you.

We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life—Yeshua, ‘Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus—who taught us to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Matthew 11:11-12  reads “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. “

In the first sentence, John was the greatest prophet who ever lived because he announced, prepared, and came just before the coming of Jesus.  Jesus is the “bridegroom” and John was the “best man” if you will.  No one is greater in that sense.  But, we who follow Jesus and believe by faith are “greater” in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Really, this is another way of saying “we are just as great” as John.  John 20:29 says, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  Jesus is establishing that there is no hierarchy in the Kingdom of Heaven.  There is God and everybody else.  But he is also stating clearly that the gospel presentation began with John.  So John’s work of preaching and baptizing ushered in the coming of the King, the beginning of the NT Church era, and the Death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  So indeed John was the greatest prophet who ever lived and his work cannot be understated.  Those of us who follow have just as much a mission and directive as did the Baptist.

In verse 12, that translation (NIV) is problematic. Let me offer you a couple of other translations and I think you’ll get the meaning.  This is a perfect illustration where looking at a couple of translations help to make sense of what Jesus is saying.  Here we’re probably looking at a little bit of an idiomatic statement by Jesus and so the meaning is not clear to us.  Also, let me emphasize the importance of context in this situation.

^ESV Matthew 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

^NLT Matthew 11:12 And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.

Here we see that probably what Jesus is saying is that the Kingdom is under attack.  John had just sent some of his disciples to Jesus to ask if he were the Messiah.  Even John had questions and Jesus gave them a response and sent them on.  Then he supports John’s work with the complement we just discussed.  Next, I think Jesus is explaining why John is wavering a little bit and questioning Jesus.  John is under attack.  In fact, he is in prison at this moment when he sends disciples to Jesus to question him.  John will soon be beheaded.  Some have thought that Jesus was saying that Romewould meet a violent overthrow or that the gospel must proceed violently.  Neither is true.  In the context of the passage, Jesus is talking about John and John’s situation.  So it fits to say that Jesus is supporting John and explaining that this sort of violence against the Kingdom should be expected.  John was the first to pronounce it…he was “forcefully advancing it” with his preaching and … he was the first to be caught up in its fight, “violent people are attacking it.”  Jesus is giving the disciples a big hint that more persecution will follow for those who join in the ranks of the Kingdom ofHeaven.

BUT – don’t stop reading right there or you’ll get depressed.  Finish the chapter.  Look particularly at vv28-29.  Jesus also proclaims a rest for those who follow in his kingdom!  It is ironic – get persecuted and get rest – but it is not contradictory.  I think any follower of Jesus understands this tension – persecution but rest.

 Blessings…

I know, I know.  It’s 2009 already and I am just now posting something out here.  Well, it has been very busy getting started and I am very excited about what is coming this week with the startup of Relevant.  This begins on Wednesday night at 7:30 pm.  I will be speaking on “How did it all begin?” and David Freeman will be leading us in worship.  I am excited about this series I will be doing: 10 important questions.  Sounds boring perhaps to some but I like it.  

Check out www.relevantworship.org for more information….