Category: Casual Commentary

February 17, 2021

Alms, Prayer, & Fasting 6:1-18

“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done” v. 10 (Part 1)

Jesus couldn’t have been clearer in expressing there purpose of his ministry: “I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God…because that is why I was sent.” (Lk. 4:43). The “Kingdom” was everything.

In one sense this terminology was readily understood by his audience — they all expected a future “Day of the Lord” where Messiah would establish his kingdom and rule from his throne in Jerusalem. This was their “eschatological” hope.

But in another sense the Kingdom was an abstraction. It represented the rule of God in the eternal realm. As such it was (and is) beyond the reach of human comprehension. The only grip the people could make on it was philosophical. And, philosophy has its limits.

But time and again Jesus stressed the nearness of the Kingdom, even declaring that the Kingdom was “within” his disciples and “among” them, personified in himself (check out the scores of Kingdom references in a concordance, or on the internet). Yet, they didn’t get it. Even after his resurrection Jesus’ disciples were asking, “Lord, will you at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?” (Ac. 1:6).

Their nationalistic prejudice trumped their grasp of the vast kingdom horizon. The power and scope of culture very easily dims the eyes.

February 10, 2021

Alms, Prayer, & Fasting 6:1-18

Our Father in Heaven v. 9 (Part 3)

“Your name” is a subject all of itself. I’m tempted to write an essay here, but space won’t permit. Rather I’ll make a few summary observations.

In the biblical view there is nothing more holy on this space/time spaceship we call earth than the name of the “Holy one of Israel”. His name evokes his presence. So much so that Orthodox Jews to this day will not pronounce it. One cannot pronounce YHWH and live. So, when reading the Torah aloud in synagogue, YHWH is pronounced ADONAI, which means “Lord”. If, in everyday conversation one refers to the Lord, one employs HASHEM, which means “The Name”. Even in script one writes G-D rather than GOD. The Name is everything, and it is holy. Indeed, this is why Jerusalem is called “The Holy City”. God has placed his name — “The city that bears my Name” (Je. 25:29).

Language limits us. Our descriptive efforts are stigmatized due to our “dark glasses” (1 Co. 13:12). Here, in this prayer, Jesus hints at the mystery engaged by our words. The apostle John captures that mysterious adventure with the words, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 Jo. 4:10). Our hallowed Father has our backs. Blessed be his Name!

February 3, 2021

Alms, Prayer, & Fasting 6:1-18

Our Father in Heaven v. 9 (Part 2)

Jesus’ reference to God as Father would not have surprised his audience. In the Jewish scriptures God had claimed “Israel as his son…” (Ex. 4:22) and had blessed and chastened him time and again through out a tumultuous history. The use of the term was common in Jewish prayers, and even though these prayers and liturgies were usually expressed in the synagogues, the everyday Israelite had a sense that a Heavenly Father overshadowed his people with protective wings.

“In Heaven” might just as easily be read as “perfect”. In an imperfect world there was hope on the part of some in Israel that an unblemished moral order and place of rest existed beyond the grave. This was a place free of sorrow, sickness, and alienation. It was a place of perfection, a place where God dwelt.

“Hallowed” meant “let your name be held holy”, or, “glorify your name”. Holy, of course, referred to that which in its perfection was apart or separate from a fallen world. It suggest transcendence, awe, respectful fear, and even a touch of dread. God is not to be approached casually. He is the Creator of heaven and earth. He has the keys of life and death. He builds and tears down by a word from his mouth. When approaching him in prayer we are to do so with humility and caution. Our lives are in his hands.

January 27, 2021

Alms, Prayer, & Fasting 6:1-18

Our Father in Heaven v.9

Right off the top the pronoun puts things in perspective. There is no “I, me, or mine” . Rather it’s “we, us, and ours”. God is the Father of all, not a household deity.

“Our” reminds us that we have no inside track to God peculiar to us but our access is shared by every man and woman of faith throughout history. Ours is a family faith. And, as his children’s we have the right to address our Heavenly Father as “Abba” (Hebrew). This is the equivalent of “Daddy” in English. To this day, my three children, even though adults, call me “Abba”. Growing up in Jerusalem, attending Israeli schools, they naturally referred to me that way. It’s an endearing term. I like it.