Danny Panter

All Our Being

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 2:4-17 (day six)

“For in him we live and move and have our being…” Acts 17:28

Those are the words Paul used to introduce the creator of the universe to Athenian philosophers; they were an echo of Genesis 2:17. We are not wound up clocks, all spinning gears and steel springs. Our very essence, all our being, is sustained by the breath of God. This is not figurative, or poetic, but is our reality, and it is good. The clock once complete exists on its own accord, separate from the clock maker. The clock maker looks at it, uses it, but no more. We are far different; our humanity is bound to our creator, even our next breath we owe to Him. Perhaps this is what Paul meant when he wrote to the Romans, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)

This is precisely why it is unfathomable that those whose “being” is dependent upon Him for every living moment would think so little of Him; choosing to “worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator.” (Romans 1:25) All our being bent against Him, but “while we were still weak, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6)

He died for all our being.

Good

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 1:14-25; 2:1-3 (day six)

“God saw that it was good.”

The creation narratives remind of us God’s goodness! As He gives shape to the land He intends for it to be a good place for us to live in fellowship with Him and one another. It is also a reminder that God knows what is best for us; that self-determination is not the loftiest goal, but a vibrant relationship with God who knows our good!

Mind you this is no American dream philosophy; nor is it a prosperity Gospel, but a solemn trust that God alone knows and provides for our good. At the beginning this good was disrupted by sin, but we taste His goodness even now in the Gospel, and in its fullness when God completes His work in a new heaven and new Earth. His goodness comes full circle.

First Things

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 1:1-13 (day six)

We can’t help but marvel at origin stories; we are just fascinated by them. Even every child delights in hearing mom and dad tell of their earliest days when they were born, or how they met for the first time. Perhaps it is because we all know our own origins shape who we are and profoundly affect where we are going. Origins are not just amusing, they are a need; we must know.

That is the aim of Genesis 1 and 2. God is fulfilling a desperate need by revealing the origin of all creation. This beautiful cosmic revelation gives us purpose and meaning by providing the truest perspective, that we cannot really know our truest self without seeing Him first if all.

Resolute

Re: Verse reading–Mark 15:33-41; 16:1-8 (day six)

“…just as he told you.” Mark 16:17

It is no surprise to us, but Jesus did exactly what he said he would do. He followed through; he completed the task; he stuck to his word. He wasn’t all talk and no walk. He wasn’t all theory and no practice. He didn’t just flirt with redeeming the world (all those who would believe and call on his name); no, he actually redeemed the world.

This is helpful for us because it reminds us that the foundation of the Gospel is action. The Gospel was born in action, and thus gives birth to action for those who belief, affecting what we do by changing who we are. Jesus lived it, and so should we.

Mosaic of Wrongs

Re: Verse reading–Mark 14:43-52; 15:1-15 (day six)

“Why, what evil has he done?”-Pilate

That was Pilate’s immediate response to the frenzied cries to crucify Jesus. At best it was a half-hearted defense of Jesus; an effort to talk sense into the crowd. Everybody knew Jesus was innocent; the crowd, the Pharisees, Pilate, Herod, everyone knew he had done no wrong, he had done nothing worthy of capital punishment. Pilate did not know just how right he was though; Jesus had done no wrong EVER, not once had he sinned. The irony in this narrative is that it is everyone else’s “wrong” that stands out, not Jesus’. Judas’ betrayal, the Apostles’ flight, Pilate’s crowd-pleasing capitulation, the angry crowd, all a mosaic of wrongs.

Perhaps, one of the purposes of this narrative, is not for us only to see Jesus laying down His life, but to see ourselves for who we truly are, to see ourselves in the mosaic.

Gospel Depth

Re:Verse reading–Mark 14:12-31 (day six)

Mark is coming to a close, but it is a Gospel after all, and thus rapidly moves towards the Cross. In this narrative we have the securing of the upper room, the enunciation of a new covenant, the prediction of betrayal(s), followed by immediate denials (they were all wrong; perhaps most of all Peter). All narratives that we seem so familiar with. How do we look at these in a fresh way that doesn’t seem trivial? I suppose the best reminder is that we never graduate from the Gospel, nor those particular events leading up to the Cross. Every so often in ministry, I have heard the occasional mantra, “I want something deeper.” As if the Gospel is wading through shallow waters, no in fact, there is nothing more profound and worthy of contemplation.

Bountiful

Re: Verse reading–Mark 11:12-33 (day six)

In the beginning God invited Adam and Eve to eat of all the fruit of the garden, save one. That fruit would only bring suffering and death. Jesus came that we might have life and life abundantly; he came that we might be free again to know the bounty of good fruit, to taste and see that the Lord is good.

I know you know this, but it must be said, Jesus desires that you bear much fruit, he died in fact, and rose again, that you might. He beckons you to believe, to listen to His voice and obey, and to pray for Kingdom fruit. Is that not what he told his Apostles, “Abide in me and you will bare much fruit,” and “whatever you ask of God and believe, it will be yours.” The invitation is true and clear, will you taste the bountiful fruit of God, will it manifest in your life and others? You can even today.

Lift

Re:Verse reading–Mark 9:14-29 (day six)

“Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.” Mark 9:27

Amidst the arguing scribes, the father who struggled with unbelief, the disciples who lacked faith was a boy, a young man. As far as he could remember he had no control over his own life, but only knew slavery to an evil spiritual force. For all practical purposes he was dead, numb; it was how it had always been…until Jesus. The moment Jesus was near a battle had begun in his body and mind. The evil one tugged and pulled inside his body in a different way then he was used to, as if to back away, to turn around; it had never felt like this before. And then Jesus’ words came like hammer blows against the internal shackles, and he was free. He had never known freedom; not that he could remember. He lay still, at peace, so still he heard whispers, “He is dead.” In that very moment Jesus’ hand wrapped around his own, strong, not like stone, but like a father’s embrace. In Jesus’ strength he rose to his feet, as new found strength returned to sinew and bone. And he believed.

You don’t work for great faith, you receive it, as from a strong and mighty hand that lifts you up.

Seeing

Re:Verse reading–Mark 8:27-38 (day six)

Jesus wanted Peter to see, not in part but the whole of things. That’s why this moment between Jesus and Peter is one of grace; it was spittle gently applied to his eyes (much like he did with the blind man). All he could see was blurred images, but soon he would see clearly.

What was true for Peter is true for us. Jesus desires that we not only see Him for who He is, but also see clearly the nature of God’s Kingdom. It is nothing like the Kingdom of men that fight for self-preservation at the expense of their own souls. No, we lose our life to Jesus because it is in Him that our eternal lives and joy rest most secure. Do you see?

Watching

Re:Verse reading – Mark 7:1-23 (day six)

The Pharisees were watching Jesus’ disciples from afar, always bent on finding fault, shortcomings. They came by them easy enough, these were fishermen and tax collectors after all. Point, gasp, sneer, all part of their judgemental vernacular. Look they didn’t wash their hands; can’t even follow the simplest of traditions.

Look, it is easy to find fault in others; it doesn’t take much time or effort. It is easy to point, or roll our eyes, quietly feeling better about ourselves. It takes more effort to encourage others, to be a help not a hinderance, but the gains far outweigh any sacrifice.

What are you watching for? Be careful; the watching can keep you from loving and serving others.