Not only did Jesus knock Paul off his horse on the road to Damascus, he knocked the self-righteous stuffing out of him as well.  The proud Pharisee came to see himself as the worst sinner he knew.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost (1 TI 1.15).

Was Paul exaggerating for shock value?  Or was he some kind of self-loathing Eeyore who needed a big dose of self-esteem?

No. Paul realized that every sin is infinitely evil, because it is against an infinitely holy God, and requires the infinitely perfect blood of Christ to remove it.  He simply had a realistic view of his own sinfulness.

When I view myself as the foremost of sinners, it’s so much easier to forgive others, because no matter what they may do to me, I’ve done worse to God, yet he saved and forgave me.

I crucified Christ.

My sins ripped the flesh off his back, rammed the thorns into his head and hammered the spikes into his hands and feet.

I’m the biggest sinner in the house.

I’m the foremost sinner in my future marriage: How can I not forgive my future wife when God has forgiven me for slaughtering Jesus, the apple of his eye?

Foremost sinner in my family: How can I fume at my cousins, siblings, or even my parents, when I’ve jilted God since I began breathing, and still do despite all the years I’ve read the Bible, listened to sermons and received innumerable blessings?

Foremost sinner in my church: How can I smolder against my brother’s sins, when my mountains of iniquity have been washed away by Christ’s blood?

Maybe people have hurt you deeply and you’ve suffered much.  Though it may be difficult, ask Jesus today for grace to see yourself as the foremost of sinners, and for grace to forgive, as he has forgiven you.

We should be grateful for God’s providence in delivering us from sin and temptation.

Sometimes God gives us an affliction to prevent us from sinning.  He gave Paul an excruciating “thorn in the flesh” to keep him from pride.

Sometimes the Spirit himself speaks to us to avert us from derailing.  I remember one time, an attractive unbeliever invited me to go horseback riding and hang out with her at her home.  But the Spirit spoke the verse “Do not go near the door of her house” (PR 5.8) to my heart, and mercifully, I declined.  God spared me from potential disaster.

Sometimes God withholds wealth or success because of the many temptations they can bring.  For me this is continually being humbled. Someone once told me there is nothing like a rebellious child to keep us from congratulating ourselves on our parenting.  Nothing like being needy to keep us from self-sufficiency.

We have no idea of the thousands of times God has spared us from falling into the devil’s snares.  Spend a few minutes today thanking Jesus for his providence that hems and hedges us in and keeps us from the pit of destruction.

Have you ever had an “I see it!” moment while reading scripture?

You start seeing connections. This verse to that verse, this chapter to that chapter. A picture starts to emerge, like a 3-D “seeing eye” panorama. You start to understand why the author wrote what he did, when he did, where he did. The Word of God becomes crystal clear. It’s glorious.

This usually happens when we notice the details. There’s glory in the details.

Mark 4:35-5:43 is one of those passages where the details make all the difference. Look at how this section of scripture is laid out:

• 4:35 – 4:41 – A storm arises and the disciples panic because death is at hand. Jesus speaks, the storm dies.

• 5:1-20 – Jesus encounters a screaming, demon possessed man. No one has been able to cage this man. Jesus speaks, the demons panic and flee.

• 5:25-34 – A woman has been hemorrhaging blood for twelve years. Doctors are useless. She touches Jesus’ garment and the bleeding stops.

• 5:35-43 – A little girl lies dead in her father’s house. “Talitha cumi”. Life springs back into her body.

There’s a theme that runs through these verses: the authority of Jesus.

Jesus speaks and nature obeys. Pressure systems change, clouds shift, water currents move, and winds die at the sound of his voice. Authority over nature.

Jesus speaks and demons obey. These demons rule a man. They manipulate his voice, electrify him with supernatural strength, and dominate his life. They were unstoppable. Until they meet Jesus. Authority over demons.

Jesus heals a woman without speaking a word. She touches the edge of his cloak and encounters healing power. Blood congeals. Tissue is repaired. The incurable has been cured. Authority over sickness.

Jesus stands over the corpse of a precious little girl. Her life has been snatched away, cut short. Death, the great enemy of mankind, has stolen another life. It is relentless, merciless, ruthless, always winning, always killing, crushing the hopes of men and women. But even death buckles before the Savior. He has authority over death itself.

When you read scripture, look for the details. Linger over the passage. Put pen to paper and record your thoughts. Try to answer this question:

Why did the author put this passage here and not somewhere else?

The glory is in the details.

A powerful reminder that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. No matter where we come from, what we have been through, or what lies ahead, Christ wants us in spite of who we are as sinners. Our rose is tattered, torn, broken, bruised, ugly, and useless but Christ wants it anyway.

Romans 3:23-24; “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

We all have fallen short but God has reconciled us back to Him by the death of Jesus. Jesus loves us so much that He came and died for the lies, the idolatry, and the sexual sin. That we might be redeemed and washed clean by His blood. He renders us spotless and blameless.

It doesn’t matter what your past holds and the shame that presses on you, what matters is the future that Christ holds and joy that we have in what He has already overcome for us. It doesn’t matter who looks down on you or who isn’t okay with your past, Christ bore it all when He went to calvary and Jesus wants your rose.

Romans 5:8; “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus wants the rose

listen to the entire message from Matt Chandler “Shepherds and Unregenerate Sheep”

And you shall keep guard over the sanctuary and over the altar, that there may never again be wrath on the people of Israel. (Numbers 18:5,7)

The priests of Israel were given a solemn charge by the living God: do not let an outsider near the sanctuary. Don’t let them near the holy things, keep them out of the holy places.

An Israelite couldn’t simply waltz into the tabernacle and present a sacrifice on the altar. Unless they wanted to die. The holiness of God kept the sinful Israelites out of the holy places.

The Levites and priests kept guard over the sanctuary and the altar. There could be no playing around on the job. Life and death were on the line. If an unauthorized person managed to bust into the temple the results could be disastrous. Wrath.

So how is that you and I draw near to God with such ease? There are no guards stationed at the doors of my church. No one monitors me to ensure that I don’t offer unauthorized prayer. What’s the deal?

Hebrews 4:6 reads, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Those are astonishing words. Unlike the Israelites, we’re commanded to draw near to God, not hold back. In Jesus, we have a high priest who brings us into the presence of God. At all times. In all places. Nothing keeps us out of the presence of God.

Aren’t you grateful for Christ, our high priest?

In the midst of trials there’s something very comforting about sharing your experience with someone who has also endured deep sorrow. They understand the heartache you’re enduring, and they can comfort you as only someone who has suffered can. We find solace in knowing that someone else has passed through the fires.

It’s this simple truth that makes Jesus Christ the perfect savior. Listen to the words of Philip Ryken, speaking of the fact that Jesus was forsaken on the cross:

The forsaking of the Son of God on the cross is a fearful thing, but it is good news for sinners who repent. It is good news because it means that when you meet Jesus Christ at the cross you are meeting someone who has experienced the full measure of the tragedy of human existence. Out of his own experience of physical suffering and spiritual rejection Jesus not only sympathizes with your pain, he empathizes it.

Isaiah 53 describes Jesus as being, “…a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Ponder the depths of those words. King Jesus, the most joyful person in the universe, became a man of sorrows and grief. He experienced the full range of human pain. He felt the grief of losing a loved one, being deserted by friends, and being betrayed by one he loved. He was buried under the excruciating agony of being beaten to a pulp, pinned to a cross, and then hoisted into the air to die a slow, suffocating death. Worst of all, Christ absorbed and endured the hatred of God for sin. He was crushed by the one who loved him most.

Christ endured more agony than you and I could endure in ten lifetimes. His grief? Immeasurable. His pain? Unimaginable.

But here’s the glory of it all: Jesus is the perfect person to help you in the midst of suffering. He knows more than anyone what it’s like to suffer, and he knows better than anyone how to comfort you in your afflictions. Because he suffered, he knows exactly what you need to endure your sufferings. He knows how much grace you need, and exactly when you need it. No one else may know exactly what you’re enduring, but Jesus does, and you can lean your full weight on him.

They’ll get you every time.

They’ll bring you grief and aggravation, and make you gnash your teeth in frustration. I’m not talking about Barry Manilow songs. I’m talking about something far more subtle and subversive – your expectations.

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (LK 6.35-36).

We live in a world of payback. I scratch your back, you scratch mine. But Jesus says do good to others without looking for payback from them. I am to love my family, my girlfriend, and fellow Christians, even my enemies (Things God has placed in my life) expecting NOTHING back from them, not even so much as a “Thank you.”

Parents say things to our kids like, “After all I’ve done for you, how could you do this to me”? In other words, “Since I’ve slaved for years providing for you, I EXPECT you to always be grateful, respectful and kind to me.” We want people to fall at our feet crying, “How can I thank you everything?  Thank you, thank you, thank you! Is there anything I can do for you? Clean your kitchen? Mow your yard?” Ain’t gonna happen.

Our subconscious expectations of others are usually dashed. We perform a noble task and no one takes notice. Parents take the kids to Disney World and the whine about not going to the beach.  We loan a brother $500 and he never pays it back. And when our expectations don’t materialize, we get bitter.

So Jesus commands us to love “expecting nothing in return.” After all, this is what God is like.

He’s kind to the ungrateful. He lavishes blessings on committed rebels. And he dispayed his mercy most starkly on the cross when he crushed Jesus for us while we were his enemies. And Jesus himself healed lepers who never returned to thank him, fed thousands who didn’t believe in him, and prayed for those who nailed him to the cross.

Hoping others will repay the good we’ve done them will make us bitter, because they will rarely return the favor.  But Christ can empower us love others without looking for anything in return.

And don’t worry. God is watching.  Your reward will be great.

You start to repair a small crack in the basement wall and next thing you know, a guy with a backhoe is replacing all your French drains. You go for a routine dental check and you come home with all your teeth capped. You try an answer a problem where it seems something is astray and you find an overflow of things weighing against you. You buy a peanut and find yourself bringing home an elephant.  Small things often turn into more than you bargained for.

So they asked him…”Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?”

The spies act as if they’re sincerely wrestling with paying the Roman poll tax, but they’re really trying to catch Jesus on the horns of their question.  If Jesus says yes, he’ll  alienate the crowds who hope he’s the Messiah who will free them from Rome.  If he says no, they’ll scamper off to Pilate and have him arrested for promoting disobedience to Caesar.

But Jesus confounds them with a classic response: “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.”  He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” In other words, since Caesar’s image is on the coin, it belongs to him, but since God’s image is stamped upon every human being, every human belongs entirely to God.

Jesus says, “You’re concerned about God wanting a coin, but God wants YOU.  He doesn’t want your money, he wants your whole heart and soul.”  This was certainly much more than they bargained for.

So often we ask “boundary” questions, like, Is it lawful for me to give 5% instead of 10%?  How far can I go physically in a relationship before it becomes sin?  How much TV is it lawful for me to watch?  Is it ok if I skip my devotions occasionally?

These kinds of questions, while legitimate, fall short of the ultimate question: Have I given my entire life to God – my heart, my hopes, my future, my friends – without reservation?  Is Jesus Christ my Lord?

When I first prayed to Jesus to forgive me, I didn’t know he’d require me to give him my life.  It was more than I’d bargained for.  But I also received far more than I could have ever imagined: eternal life and joy in Christ – so much more than I’d bargained for.

Not a bad deal.

Surround yourself with Encouragers

I have always appreciated and been motivated by the  encouragement of others.  Life is hard.  My work is sometimes difficult and even discouraging.  Life is far too short for me to surround myself with discouragers, negative people, and those who drain the life out of me.  Yes, I realize these people need love and ministry; however, I have to be careful.  If I surround myself with too many of these people, my joy and passion can just go down the drain.

I have learned to really value the people in my life who encourage me.  I can see the faces of some of them even now as I write these words.  They are old and young.  Some of them have been in the churches where I’ve served.  A few of them are family.  Some are longtime friends.  Others are people I have never met but whose words through writing and speaking have encouraged me in some way.  Still others have long since died and gone to be with the Lord but their encouraging words are alive in my heart and memory.

What about you?  Can you name five or ten people who have been or who are your encouragers?  They may encourage you through their words, their presence, or their example.  Choose to spend time with these people.

Romans 12:6-8