John 5:16-47 - The Song of Moses - Songs of Freedom
In this passage of Scripture, we hear Jesus speaking to the Jewish leaders 2,000 years ago (and to us today) about who He is and why He came to earth. Jesus talks of life and freedom. I’ve never been so optimistic about God advancing His Kingdom - God is showing us overwhelming signs and wonders of His goodness and grace. What a remarkable time to be alive. I’m praying for my friends and family today and anyone reading this blog. I truly believe God has great things in store for us as we work alongside the One who is always working.
Don’t worry about other people getting ahead of you. You have no idea where they are going. Sometimes, like the paralyzed man in this story, someone else always gets ahead of us. God cares about you. Your character. Your growth. God loves you beyond measure. So much so that He wants us to stop comparing ourselves to others and realize that He wants each of us to grow. We are to believe in Jesus and grow in holiness. Maybe that seems old-fashioned - maybe you say that talk has no place on Linkedin. Good for you, no need to hold back free speech. But I humbly suggest there is little more important for our businesses than for us as leaders to set and show a tone of honoring God. You don't have to do it in some fundamentalist or legalist showy way. Just be kind. Be a good person. Everyone talks of corporate ethics and compliance programs. For us as business leaders, being moral men and women is paramount. Jesus put it plainly so that the miraculously healed man - and all of His disciples listening - could understand. Jesus said, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you” (John 5:15).
It is a spiritual battle - each of us is in it as sure as water is wet. The question is whether we will realize it and do anything about it. Jesus had enemies. “So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to kill him. For he not only broke the Sabbath, he called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God” (5:18). They weren't confused about what Jesus was saying in this passage. He was claiming to be God. They responded to Jesus' goodness and love with evil. But God used the situation for our eternal good (John 3:16). Jesus came to save - and He will come again in the blink of an eye to judge everyone and create a new heaven and new earth (Rev. 22:16, John 5:29).
Jesus said to His Jewish persecutors, “I say these things so that you might be saved” (5:34). Now, that’s love. Yet they refused to believe in Jesus. The so-called religious experts missed the truth that all Scripture points to Jesus Christ the Savior of the world (5:39). Rather than accept new life and everything that comes with the right relationship with God they chose to reject Jesus and follow men and money (5:43). Sound familiar? Do you have leadership in your organization that looks like that? Influence for honoring Jesus to the greatest extent you are able. Don't be like the Jewish leaders in this story, good old boys, back slappers, nepotism peddlers, and flatterers - they honored everything and everyone except the One who alone is God (5:44).
In AD 70 Jerusalem was destroyed. Jesus’ promise to the evil farmers was fulfilled (Matthew 21:33-46). The Temple was forever destroyed. And the Song of Moses was sung just as Jesus said it would be (John 5:45, Revelation 15:3-4, and Rev. 20:13). The Law and the Prophets were proved right.
God does not need our approval. Instead, He draws us to Himself and asks us to follow Him, to believe in faith and obedience. In this passage Jesus preaches faith and good deeds, faith in action. That’s the mark of a Proverbs Man. There’s a lot of talk of Proverbs 31 women - and thank God, but it is time for the men of God to realize that we have a distinct role and responsibility as Proverbs men - Jesus men. We are not to put off helping others. The rainy day may not come. Proverbs men put their faith in action. Today.
A couple of quick stories. I had an investment banking client, we’ll call him Burt, in the late ‘90s. He had a beautiful young wife, Annie. Burt would call me at the law firm where I worked to throw all sorts of M&A transaction and financing ideas off of me. I loved it. I still love putting deals together. He was a hard-working and aggressive young banker building a name for himself in the tough Albertan oil and gas finance business. I was growing my corporate securities practice and was happy to help him grow his banking business. Kari and I spent time with Burt and Annie, but their marriage was doomed.
Early in their marriage, Burt told Annie (who had a professional career of her own at the time) that they needed to have at least a million cash in the bank before they could have kids. This seemed laughable to Kari and me as we were in our late 20s in those days and we already had four of our five kids - and when we had our first kids we didn’t have ten bucks to spare. Long story short, Burt and Annie divorced after two years of marriage. Tragic, but not surprising to anyone watching. Annie was soon remarried and last I heard she had a growing family.
Burt made it big - at least in the business world. He's made millions upon millions. But he's also earned an infamous reputation for his sharp business tactics and party lifestyle. I ran into Burt at the golf course a few years back. Still single. Partying hard. Living the dream. Big mansion downtown, sports cars, and rock-star hair. I'm still rooting and praying for Burt - I truly hope he does well in all things but especially in things that matter. Their story reminds me of Scrooge’s story in The Christmas Carol. The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge that despite all his wealth he missed the treasure of a life of a family by not marrying his former fiance, Belle. The Ghost showed Scrooge how Belle wisely yet tragically saw Scrooge develop an ever-increasing avarice and magnetic pull to all things money. Belle made a good choice choosing things of eternal value over Scrooge's empty banking, wealth, and worldliness. Maybe Burt will make the turn that old Scrooge did. I just prayed that he would.
Similarly, I had a work colleague a few years back who was regaling for us the story of his family reunion that he’d just returned from. He was the hero of the story. He told us how pathetic the rest of his family was and that they couldn’t understand him and his wife because they weren’t as rich and as educated as him. In his mind, they were pathetic because they couldn't understand how powerful, smart, and important he was. What a way to share the gospel of Jesus! They weren’t in his league. Church, we need to do better! How sad. It wasn't the relatives that were pathetic. Our hope must never be in riches. They are a mirage and terribly enticing yet empty. Proverbs men instead must put their hope in Jesus alone.
It is God who provides everything for us for our good (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Our mindset ought to be obedience to our God who is alone worthy - God loves us so much that he sent Jesus to die for our sins.
God forbid we are known for our pride, arrogance, and worldy riches. As Drucker famously said for the man with only a hammer every problem is indeed a nail. Instead, Proverbs men must be known by their love for others. We, like Abraham, ought to be willing to yield to others and be rich in our sharing, generosity, and good deeds. No one will care that you are a so-called champion for religious freedom if you have to bully and browbeat others to elevate your own reputation in the process. Like Scrooge (and I suspect Annie), at the end of the day, it is those who have the right relationship with God that have satisfaction. The rude, shallow, caustic, and crude may gain worldliness, but that is the only treasure they will receive.
We do not know what tomorrow will bring. I’m praying that God gives us all the opportunity to work hard to show our love for God and our generosity this Christmas. May we make wise decisions in every area of our lives and be good examples for the Scrooge and Scotties of the world. Like Scripture, Dickens's famous tale reminds us every Christmas to get our priorities straight.
Father God, we trust you alone. The Cross of Christ is our only hope. In our silence today we think of our salvation and we thank You for it. With gratitude and confidence, we ask for your wisdom and strength to be our riches. Amen.
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