Sovereignty or Choice?

In both Luke 19:28-35 (the triumphal entry) and Luke 22:7-13 (the preparation for Passover) I noticed something. Jesus tells his disciples exactly how something is going to happen, and it comes to pass just like he said.

In the first example, Jesus says that the disciples will find a colt tied up. He says to untie the colt and if anyone asks what the heck they are doing, he instructs them to say, "the Lord has need of it." Well, exactly that happens. The disciples go, find a colt, untie it, the owners freak, they said it is for the Lord, and the owner lets them have it.

In the second example, Jesus says to go and prepare the Passover meal for them. They ask where, and Jesus gives a detailed account of what will follow - a man carrying a jar will lead them to a house with a large upper room. Verse thirteen states, "And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover."

My question is this: are we merely puppets on God's string? If Jesus had not asked the disciples to do either of these things, they would have never occurred the way they did - so you can't argue that Jesus, being God, merely foresaw the future. It wouldn't have happened had he not arranged for it to. So are we merely pawns in a game that God plays? This is the question that a lot of people bring up when it comes to God's absolute sovereignty.

Psalm 115:3 states, "Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases." I believe that we need to reevaluate the question we always ask. I suggest that it is not sovereignty or choice, but that it is sovereignty and choice. Do you think the disciples had a choice to do what Jesus asked? God is God, but he seeks our personal involvement. The disciples did choose to do as Jesus asked because that's what they wanted to do.

In Acts we read that Paul is promised by God that the boat that he is on will crash but that no-one will be killed - all will be saved. And yet, when a group of his fellow travelers tried to escape on a lifeboat, Paul recognized it was his responsibility to make sure they did not yet abandon the ship and he warns them that they will surely die if the leave the boat before it crashes. Did Paul not trust God? Or did he recognize that God's sovereignty did not mean he could neglect his personal involvement?

I'm not posing a solution to the question, but I am asking you not to have a closed mind and assume that it is either God's sovereignty or free will. It is not God's plan or my decisions. It's both.

Luke 20:45-47

In the hearing of all the people he [Jesus] said to his disciples, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."

I don't know that Jerusalem in the first century had a ghetto, but I'm willing to bet it had some pretty shady people. Thieves. Murderers. Rapists. Alcoholics. These aren't new things, people have regarded themselves as god or found ways to solicit others for their own benefit since Cain and Abel. And yet who does Jesus warn us about? He doesn't say to his disciples, "Hey don't hang around 5th and Lincoln, you might get the junk beat out of you." Instead he says "Beware of the scribes."

Who were the scribes? Originally scribes were those who were trained in writing skills and were used to record events and decisions. During the exile to Babylon, they became heavily relied upon for the handwritten preservation and teaching of scripture. Ezra was a scribe who was called on by God to "study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. " (Ezra 7:10) Doesn't sound like much of a punk does he?

Well, hundreds of years pass and something must have happened for Jesus to dub them dangerous. In this text Jesus reveals their hearts: that being a scribe is no longer so much about honoring God as it is about exalting oneself. The term scribe became a professional title only belonging to the religious elite who loved to bask in their own glory instead of God's. See the tendency of Jesus' disciples is not to become a criminal, it's that our hearts will become proud.

Jesus is saying to beware of pride in your heart. In my heart. Where is it that we can become proud in our lives? The easiest place to become proud is at church. When we begin to think that we are in any greater standing before God than the world around us because of our morality, or the extent of our knowledge of scripture, or whether or not we've read the ancient texts of Augustine, that is when we have already compromised the gospel of grace.

Beware of anything that can lead you into pride and approach humbly the throne room of God.

The Lost Ornament

Luke 6:12-14

In these days [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when the day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom He named apostles.

Jesus often withdrew to a quiet place for time of prayer with the Father. In this instance it was for a specific purpose: who was to be his apostles? According to the Father's will, Jesus picks out twelve disciples and appoints them to be his apostles.

But why these twelve? Jesus had many disciples, why were these twelve special - set aside for the work of Christ?

Maybe you feel called and set apart specifically for Jesus' work to be done through your life. I feel this way, and until we understand why God chooses us we won't be able to trust him in his decision. There are three important truths I find illustrated in this text:

1) It is not according to our good standing before God.

Jesus had many disciples, many of whom surely had a better understanding of the scripture than these twelve. Jesus did not pray for God to reveal the 12 most righteous men and these would be his apostles. How do I know this? Even Judas Iscariot was among them! For God who knows our past, present, and future it would be ridiculous for Him to choose Judas if it was based on merit.

2)It is not because of their great talent and skill.

Jesus did not pick the greatest orators to be his apostles. They weren't the greatest discerners of truth as we see throughout the gospels. No, these were 12 ordinary men coming from humble backgrounds. They were fishermen, tax collectors, and zealots!

3) It wasn't because they elected themselves as nominees.

These men did not come to Jesus, electing themselves to fulfill the position. Rather Jesus prays for the Father's will before he even addresses the disciples.

It thus important to recognize that God the Father sovereignly chooses who will be His teachers and apostles. It is according merely to His good will, so that He may receive the glory and honor. God picks His team - and it's an odd bunch! It's an unlikely group - they don't have everything nailed down! They have vastly different personalities and skill sets! The one thing they have in common is God's call. It is not, then, merely up to them to complete the task given them, but God himself will bring it to completion through them. The same is true in my calling and in yours. May we not look to ourselves but may we trust in the God who chose us.

Caden Sanchez

May 5, 2010. 1:12Am

Caden Christopher Sanchez is born.

6lbs14oz. 20inches. Healthy and Beautiful.

What an amazing honor and blessing - that God has made me a father. If God is a Father, who am I to follow suit? My God, Caden is Yours and I am a humble vessel. Thank you for placing me in a position of honor and responsibility; Just as You are a Father of grace, love, mercy, faithfulness, wisdom, and righteousness, may I be to Caden all that You have eximplified to me. Not only is it an honor, but a great blessing. Despite the stress and pain for Angela and I at delivery, despite the long nights, I am so happy to be a dad. I am excited about where God is taking me. I am anxious to tell Caden all about Jesus and to watch him grow in character and form. Thank you Lord for this child.

Waiting...

For 9 months now my wife and I have been expecting a child. For months we have been telling people: April 28, April 28, April 28... Well here it is, but no sign of Caden yet! I must tell you, I am extremely excited - more than a little nervous for the delivery, but very happy that soon I will have a son. Life will certainly change, and to what degree I cannot imagine. I can only pray that as God has loved me as my Heavenly Father, I too will love Caden and raise him up to acknowledge Jesus as his Heavenly Father. But for now, I wait.