Two ways to live

Psalms 1:1-6 ESV

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord , and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord  knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Why are the psalms beneficial for study?

These are songs meant for accompaniment with a harp. These writings span about a thousand years. They have been encouraging believers for over three thousand years.

The value of the PSALMS

They teach us how to PRAY

These psalms teach us how to pray. In all sorts of circumstances, joy, sorrow, doubt, etc.

SONGS to honestly express ourselves

They help us to express how we are feeling. Music can express better than just dialog.

Because of their MESSAGE

The psalms not only teach us how to talk to God, but they also teach us about God's love, faithfulness, his character...

Psalm 1 is the introduction to this book. It tells us that there are two ways to live. Only two. This psalm tells of the beauty of the good path and the tragedy of the other path.

Difference in influence

The wicked man walks, stands, and sits. This is the picture of one who is being influenced by the people of the world. They walk with wicked people. They are living a lifestyle of sin. And not only disbelieve, but they mock belief in God. Thus speaks to a breadth and depth of influence of worldliness.

This picture is a stark contrast to the one who follows God. They meditate on God's law day and night. It speaks of a totality of life being influenced by the word of God.

These two influences are completely radical and in stark contrast to each other: the word of God and the world. We will listen to those that we believe are authoritative. If we believe God, then we will listen to Him. If not, then we will look to the world for truth and happiness.

Which one does your life look like? What really influences you?

Difference in output and outcome

The life of the righteous are fruitful and prosperous. Not materially prospering or worldly success. Even in tough times, they will still bear good fruit. When you spend time with these people, you are spiritually refreshed. They are encouraging, blessing, and bear much spiritual fruit. The leaf does not wither! Even in the worst of drought and heat, they still bear fruit. They are headed towards intimacy with God.

The wicked are like chaff. They have no substance to their lives. Chaff has no value. The only thing you can do is burn it. In the eternal picture, they have nothing of worth. They are building sand castles. They are headed towards destruction.

How to get on and stay on the road to life

This passage is not talking about how to get on the righteous road. It talks about one who is already on the road to life. It is descriptive, not commanding.

So then how do we get on the road?

We first acknowledge that we cannot live this way. Then we turn to the only one who lived this way, Jesus. Through faith in Him, we find the road. He changes us to become this person we've read about. God will plant us and make us  fruitful trees.

A True Disciple

John 11:45-12:11 ESV

Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Council and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish." He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples. Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?" Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.  For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."  When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

BACKGROUND

The religious leaders were afraid of Jesus's growing popularity. They were afraid that the Romans would dismantle the Jewish religious system. The Romans might see Jesus as a growing political power and decide to disperse the Jewish system as a result.

This story is one of contrasts. The striking contrast between Mary and Judas. Judas has all the trappings of a true Christian. He's in the original twelve. He's in a position of power. Mary does not.

Three marks of a true Christian

Humility

Mary was completely changed by her interaction with Jesus. So when they are throwing a thank-you party for Jesus, Mary does more. She buys this expensive perfume. She anoints his feet. Not his head, but his feet as an expression of reverence for Jesus. Feet were disgusting. Even servants might be demeaned by washing feet. And the hair, the glory of women, is used to wash the lowest part of God. It portrays a sense of how unworthy our service is compared to what God deserves. The best that Mary had to offer was less than what Christ deserved.

It is recognition that our best, our righteousness, and our goodness are filthy rags in the sight of God.  We are in need of the grace of God. Humility comes not from seeking to be humble but from seeing God. When we see God and then we see ourselves, we are humbled.

And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" - Isaiah 6:5 ESV

Mary spent a lot of time at the feet of Jesus. Is it any surprise that Mary is so humble?

Extravagant sacrifice

This perfumed ointment was a year's salary. It was probably a family heirloom. At today's price, it was probably 30 to 50 dollars. Not only that, but in those days perfume was in jars and once opened, it was done. You didn't dap it on. You broke the neck of the jar. Mary broke the neck of that perfume-filled jar and poured it all out on Jesus's feet. The perfume probably filled the entire house. The disciples were all shocked at the extravagance. Judas was the only one who could speak.

Jesus asks not for a year's wage. Not three years. But rather he's asking for our entire lives. And not just that, but he wants control over the entirely of our lives, every area. This looks foolish and crazy to the world.

Treasure Jesus

Judas brings up the ministry of the poor. Not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief. He wanted the money in the treasury so he could steal more of it.

This can enter our lives as well. We serve at the church for our own ends. We do the "Christian" thing because this can get us what we truly want. We can serve for personal reasons rather than because we treasure Christ.

Jesus says that treasuring him is better than serving the poor. This is not to say that serving the poor is bad. But treasuring Christ is much, much, much better.

Consider how calculated we are with our giving. We say that we are being wise in our giving. But is this really true? Or is this a cover for our hearts? Do we treasure Jesus above this life and all the things it gives us? Mary anointed Jesus as a way to recognize the kingship of Jesus. But she, unknowingly, was anointing him for his death.

John 12:24 ESV Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

How Jesus deals with our pain

John 11:17-44 ESV

Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."  Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,  and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"  She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world." When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?" Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"  So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me.  I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me."  When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out."  The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."

Jesus comes and finds Mary and Martha in deep pain. In this passage, we see how God engages us in our pain.

He uses our pain

Martha acknowledges that Jesus has power. She said that He can ask anything of God and it would be granted. She believed that a resurrection would happen at end times. But Jesus says that He is the resurrection and the life. She says she believes, but her belief is shallow. It is mostly theological. We can see this when she tells Jesus that the body would smell. In many ways, Martha reflects us. We have a set of core beliefs that make us Christian. But even though we believe, it is abstract. We say Jesus is powerful, but we place limits on his power. We box God. We say Jesus forgives our sin, but how much of that is more than just theoretical? How much do we know in our hearts and in our experience? Often God uses painful circumstances to grow our faith. Those who suffer for God KNOW of his provision, his power, his strength, and his faithfulness.

He shares it

God is not just sitting in heaven pushing buttons. Does he understand what is happening to us during our dark times? Jesus not only understands it, he knows it better than us. How so? First, he is creator. He first created things as good, now he sees how things have been spoiled by sin. Jesus is deeply troubled, but most think that Jesus had a sense of anger and frustration. Death is not how it is supposed to be. Consider people who have been robbed. They come home to a ravaged home where someone has destroyed things. The anger, frustration, and feeling of violation is just an echo of God. Second, Jesus takes the wrath of God for generations of believers. This is not something we will ever know. Jesus knows intimately of pain and suffering much more than we do.

He redeems it

Lazarus is physically raised. Not given a resurrection body, but just a physical reduction. That's why Lazarus is still bound. When Jesus resurrected, he passed through the burial strips. In an instant, a crowd in mourning becomes one of shock and rejoicing. This is a miracle, but remember Jesus does miracles to point towards something greater. It points towards the greater resurrection in heaven. God will take these hardships and agonies and return to us glories and greater joy. We know this because Jesus came back with the nailmarks. Those pain filled scars on Jesus represent the death and humiliation. But those scars also represent the forgiveness of our sins, the hope of salvation in the death and resurrection of our Lord. When we get to heaven we will trade our tears for joy.

Precious promises I the midst of pain

John 11:1-16 ESV

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." But when Jesus heard it he said, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."  Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."  The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.  But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."  After saying these things, he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him."  The disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus has died,  and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."  So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

Rev. Dwight Yoo

There is an inescapable part of life: pain and suffering. In this life, every human relationship ends in pain. We will all die. We face the pain of failed endeavors, pointless jobs, mental illness, physical ailments... This comes to the rich, poor, smart, or successful. No one comes away unscathed.

People react differently. Some get depressed. Some try to avoid it. Some get bitter.  Some blame other people, the Man, the government, even God and the church. But others do something differently. They learn and grow.

Gospel truths on pain from the passage on Lazarus

The love of God is sure, in spite of all appearances.

This is the most questioned truth. When we go through pain we don't sense His love. In fact, when life is good, we feel the closest to God. When we are in tough circumstances, it feels like God is far.

When Jesus was told that Lazarus was sick, Jesus did not rush to the family. He waited two more days as this family suffered. He loved them. John 11:5 states it clearly. Jesus loved this family.

Not only this, but this is in the face of great opposition. The disciples fully expected to die in going back to visit the family. This event precipitates the death of Jesus. Jesus knew that this move back towards Jerusalem would eventually cost Him His life.

Jesus waited so that Lazarus would be dead for four days. There was a rabbinic tradition that said that the spirit hovered over the body for a few days. So there was a chance that the spirit would reenter the body and the person would be resuscitated. However, after three days, the body was so far gone that the spirit would leave. So when Jesus resurrected Lazarus, everyone would know...it was no coincidence. Not only that, but this was a wealthy family. There were many powerful Jews at the funeral. So when this brother was raised, many came to believe, the faith of the family strengthened, the faith of the disciples lifted.

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord . For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God is a lavish giver.

The snake tempted Adam and Eve by calling God greedy and selfish. And they believed the snake. God still blessed them after they sinned. We have a lavish and good giver. The disciples and the family wanted a healing. But instead they got a lot more than they wanted or expected. They witnessed a resurrection. But we should not stop there. Jesus is not only one who gives life. He is life! In him, we find delight and satisfaction.

Ephesians 2:4-7 ESV

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord , plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 ESV

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;