Zakkai the Giant

Eugene had an excellent lesson last night about the "giant" in Luke 19. The man named Zakkai (Zacchaeus to us Westerners), was of short stature, but a "giant" in his faith, his desire, and in his humility.

I love that Eugene gave Zakkai the credit he deserves because I've heard plenty of people bash Zakkai for being a dishonest tax collector.

The text, as Eugene correctly noted, doesn't say that Zakkai was dishonest. Verse 8 says, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor: and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." (emphasis mine)

Zakkai said "if" I have taken, not "because" I have taken... But there is something very deep in what Zakkai is saying here.

Zakkai's repentance was complete, as was his knowledge of the Hebrew scriptures. What was the penalty for theft in the Torah?

When a person confessed to fraud and made voluntary restitution the Torah required him to return the original amount plus 20% (Leviticus 6:1-4). An apprehended thief had to pay the victim double (Exodus 22:4, 7). But a man stealing what was essential (such as a sheep) and showing no pity was required to pay back fourfold (Exodus 22:1).

In the parable Nathan told to David in 2 Samuel 12, David, in his anger, stated that the rich man who coldly put to death the lone family sheep of his neighbor was to repay that debt fourfold because he had no pity.

Now had Zakkai been cold and cruel in his work for the Romans? Who knows? His sins aren't laid out for us in the Text, but he called down the full penalty on himself if anyone had anything against him. His sins are hidden, his repentance is center stage.

Jesus gives a clever word play on His name when he says in verse 9 "Today salvation has come to this house..." because the Hebrew word yeshu'ah means "salvation" and is the proper Hebraic rendering of Jesus' name. Yeshua/Salvation had literally come to Zakkai's house!

Speaking of Hebrew names...the name Zakkai means "innocent." Salvation indeed!

Dylan and I are back from Camalu, Mexico. We had a great mission trip as we helped the Camalu Church of Christ in several ways. Dylan and I were primarily construction guys as we helped extend a water line and placed about 20 yards of fresh concrete on the church grounds. The concrete is very helpful because of the heavy rains every March. The ground around the church building washes away during the rains and the concrete helps to keep the mud out of the buildings.

Other members of our group included our physician, Ty, who saw over 200 patients and gave away over 20,000 vitamins and prescription medicine; Dr. Terry Conner who gave over 200 eye exams and gave away several pairs of prescription eyeglasses to needy people; and Rudy Thompson who provided a joint/pain clinic and taught how to work without straining your back or your joints.

Several members of our group were involved in benevolence work where they gave out countless clothing items and food to the local families. The food bags alone contained enough food for 1 month for each family.

Of course, the trip was not all work and no play. Dylan and the other young men enjoyed playing soccer with the local boys. They even enjoyed the "capuchie," which is Spanish for "piggy-back ride."

It was a great trip and we are looking forward to going back next year.

We could not have made this trip without your generous financial support and we pray that the kingdom of God was expanded through our combined efforts.

Thanks again and God bless.

To His Glory! Justin King and Dylan Barnes

The Grenade

A new recruit went into training at Paris Island, hoping to become a marine. He was one of those young men who seemed to be a bit out of step with the norm, and he easily became the subject of ridicule for those who enjoy picking on off beat people.

In the particular barracks to which this young marine was assigned, there was an extremely high level of meanness. The other young men did everything they could to make a joke of the new recruit and to humiliate him. One day, someone came up with the bright idea that they could scare the daylights out of this young marine by dropping a disarmed hand grenade onto the floor and pretending it was about to go off. Everyone else knew about this and they were all ready to get a big laugh.

The hand grenade was thrown into the middle of the floor, and the warning was yelled, "It's a live grenade, it's a live grenade! It's about to explode!"

They fully expected that the young man would get hysterical and perhaps jump out the window. Instead, the young marine fell on the grenade, hugged it to his stomach, and yelled to the other men in the barracks, "Run for your lives! Run for your lives! You'll be killed if you don't!"

The other marines froze in stillness and shame. They realized that the one they had scorned was the one ready to lay down his life for them.

And so it was with Jesus.

(Taken from Tony Campolo's book "Let me tell you a story")

Monk Warriors

For those of you who love Randy Harris and his unique perspective on the Bible, he now has a blog, several actually, so you can feed on his insights into spiritual formation.

The first is http://postmodernmystic.org/.

The other is dedicated to a covenant group of young men that Randy is discipling: http://monkwarrior.org/

The question I'm begging to ask from the latter site is, "What does it take to be a 'Monk Warrior?'"

Seems they anticipated my question by providing a statement describing their committment to their covenant relationship. It is called the "Neophyte Rule" and it goes like this (emphasis is theirs):

Specifically, as a NEOPHYTE MONK WARRIOR, I make the following vows to God and my brothers.

1. I will read the Sermon on the Mount 4 times a week and begin to commit it to memory.

2. I will meet for prayer, confession and encouragement 2 times a week with another monk warrior.

3. I will treat Everyone with respect as ones created in the image and likeness of God. I will value people over technology.

4. In every situation, I will seek to do acts of service, take the lowest place, place others’ needs above my own.

5. I will cultivate the discipline of a warrior. I will do my part to improve our physical benchmarks and excel in school. I will practice the “One”—giving my all. I WILL NOT WHINE.

6. I will cultivate the contemplative life of a monk, by practicing silence, solitude, and fasting. I will enter the dangerous way of prayer. Specifically, I commit to fast one day a week and spend 15 minutes a day in silence before God.

7. As Jesus taught us, I will be a bearer of love, peace, and reconciliation, to those who are Jesus followers and to those who are not—especially to those who in our world are “the least of these.” I will participate in some small way in “The coming of the Kingdom” everyday.

I ask my brothers to hold me graciously accountable to this rule and I pledge to do the same for them, for the sake of the kingdom of God and truly meaningful life.

No conviction

The first chapter of The Orthodox Heretic by Peter Rollins is a parable called "No Conviction."

In a world where following Christ is decreed to be a subversive and illegal activity you have been accused of being a believer, arrested, and dragged before a court.

You have been under clandestine serveillance for some time now, and so the prosecution has been able to build up quite a case against you. They begin the trial by offering the judge dozens of photographs that show you attending church meetings, speaking at religious events, and participating in various prayer and worship services. After this, they present a selection of items that have been confiscated from your home: religious books that you own, worship CD's and other Christian artifacts. They then step up the pace by displaying many of the poems, pieces of prose, and journal entries that you had lovingly written concerning your faith. Finally, in closing, the prosecution offers your Bible to the judge.

This is a well-worn book with scribbles, notes, drawings, and underlinings throughout; evidence, if it were needed, that you had read and reread the sacred text many times.

Throughout the case you have been sitting silently in fear and trembling. You know deep in your heart that with the large body of evidence that has been amassed by the prosecution you face the possibility of a long imprisonment or even execution. At various times throughout the proceedings you have lost all confidence and have been on the verge of standing up and denying Christ. But while this thought has plagued your mind throughout the trial, you resist the temptation and remain focused.

Once the prosecution has finished presenting their case the judge proceeds to ask if you have anything to add, but you remain silent and resolute, terrified that if you open your mouth, even for a moment, you might deny the charges made against you. Like Christ, you remain silent before your accusers. In response you are led outside to wait as the judge ponders your case.

The hours pass slowly as you sit under guard in the foyer waiting to be summoned back.

Eventually a young man in uniform appears and leads you into the courtroom so that you may hear the verdict and receive word of your punishment. Once you have been seated in the dock the judge, a harsh and unyielding man, enters the room, stands before you, looks deep into your eyes and begins to speak.

"Of the charges that have been brought forward I find the accused not guilty."

"Not guilty?" your heart freezes. Then, in a split second, the fear and terror that had moments before threatened to strip your resolve are swallowed up by confusion and rage.

Despite the surrounding, you stand defiantly before the judge and demand that he give an account concerning why you are innocent of the charges in light of the evidence.

"What evidence?" he replies in shock.

"What about the poems and prose that I wrote?" you reply.

"They simply show that you think of yourself as a poet, nothing more."

"But what about the services I spoke at, the times I wept in church and the long, sleepless nights of prayer?"

"Evidence that you are a good speaker and actor, nothing more." replied the judge. "It is obvious that you deluded those around you, and perhaps at times you even deluded yourself, but this foolishness is not enough to convict you in a court of law."

"But this is madness!" you shout. "It would seem that no evidence would convince you!"

"Not so," replies the judge as if informing you of a great, long forgotten secret.

"The court is indifferent toward your Bible reading and church attendance; it has no concern for worship with words and a pen. Continue to develop your theology, and use it to paint pictures of love. We have no interest in such armchair artists who spend their time creating images of a better world."

"We exist only for those who would lay down that brush, and their life, in a Christ-like endeavor to create a better world. So, until you live as Christ and his followers, until you challenge this system and become a thorn in our side, until you die to yourself and offer your body to the flames, until then my friend, you are no enemy of ours."

Blessings for Shavuot

Tomorrow (or tonight at sundown if you want to count your days like a Jew) is the Feast of Shavuot; better known to us westerners as Pentecost. "Shavuot" is translated into English as "weeks" and it gets its name from the fact that it begins seven weeks after Passover. The Jews didn't make this up, they were commanded to observe this feast in Leviticus 23:15ff. Seven Sabbaths would be counted until the day after day 49 (7x7) when the feast of Shavuot would be celebrated. Thus there were 50 days between Passover and Weeks. In these 50 days we get the Greek word "Pentecost."

Shavuot is one of the three great pilgrimage feasts commanded by God in Deuteronomy 16:16 where all males must appear before the LORD in the place where He put His Name.

That's why in Acts 2 there is such a crowd from all around the Middle East gathered at Jerusalem.

Neat huh?

Modern celebrations of Shavuot consists of an all-night study of the Scriptures. And you thought week long gospel meetings were tough?

Observant Jews will stay in their synagogues all night tonight to learn of the Torah to prepare themselves for tomorrow when they will read the 10 commandments anew, recommiting themselves to do all the LORD has commanded.

The Jews have celebrated the giving of the Law, by God at Mt. Sinai to Moses, on Shavuot since before Jesus' time although the practice of remaining awake and studying all night is a modern custom rather than a commandment and is to express one's desire to draw closer to God.

Modern Jews carry out this tradition to counter the behavior of the Jews who slept at Mt. Sinai instead of waiting for the Torah. By staying up the entire night and studying, they strive to right that wrong and honor God's Law.

Shavuot is very important to Christians as well. Just as Jesus fulfilled the Feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits with His death, burial, and resurrection; Jesus fulfills Shavuot by sending the Holy Spirit.

Compare these two texts:

In Exodus 32, Moses returns from Mt. Sinai with the tablets of the Ten Commandments. What does he find in the Israelite camp? Idolatry in the form of golden calf worship. Moses asks for those loyal to God to come to him and the Levites rally to him. God commanded those Levites to go through the camp killing his brother, friend, and neighbor. Look at verse 28:

"The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died."

Three thousand died when the Law came.

That number should make the hairs stand on your head. What happened about 1200 years later on the day where the people of Israel celebrated Law coming down from God? Peter preached the first Gospel sermon and commanded repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus. What was the result? Look at Acts 2:

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."

Three thousand were given new life when the Spirit came.

The Feast was fulfilled. The Holy Spirit came down on Pentecost; on Shavuot. God is Faithful and He shows His Faithfulness through His feasts.

Just ask Paul. He understands the power of the Spirit coming down to give new life.

2nd Corinthians 3:6 "He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (emphasis mine)

The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

3000 died at Sinai, 3000 found new life at Shavuot.

Some might see a coincidence. I see the mighty hand of God.

David's feet

Of all the Old Testament characters, my hands down favorite is David. I'm honored that my name is Justin David King. I love the honest description of David in the text. I can believe the bravado of the Goliath showdown because of the brutal casualness of the Uriah murder. David's life was a roller coaster of highs and lows.

Up to the slaying of giants.

Down to En Gedi.

Up to the King of Israel.

Down to the body of Uzzah.

Up to the Ark in Jerusalem.

Down to the death of his son.

Up to the honor of Mephibosheth.

Down to the desertion of Absolom.

Up to the city of David.

Down to dashed construction dreams.

David's life was full of twists and turns, victories and defeats, thrills and heartaches. If you or I were to experience the life of David it might make us more poetic. It might make us express our feelings on paper. We wouldn't have some of our best Psalms without David.

Look at Psalm 18:2-3

"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust: My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised. So shall I be saved from my enemies."

That entire Psalm is a collection of David's praise at the awesomeness of God as David's enemies were cast away and destroyed.

But David, in the middle of a great section dealing with warfare, gives us this line in verse 33: "He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and sets me on my high places."

This is like Sesame Street. Which of these things is not like the other? Which of these things just doesn't belong? Arms, bow, war, bronze, deer, shield, battle.

It's the deer, right?

What is it about those little cute animals that hang around En Gedi?


This is one of the little guys that was waiting for us in the En Gedi parking lot on our trip to Israel.

This little fella (I'm assuming) was hanging out hoping for a little toss away cheese cracker lunch from the tourists.

A few minutes later, as we tried to get closer for pictures, this nimble footed creature jumped off the edge of the parking lot, hopped a concrete fence, navigated a very steep rock ledge, and then bolted away to safety.


If I had tried to run the obstacle course of this deer, I would be scraped, bruised, muscle sore, and beaten because I didn't have the feet of this deer.

I think that is what David is praising God for in verse 33.

David never asked for a smooth path. He never asked God to make his life easy. He never wanted God to take it all away.

What he did want was the right kind of feet.

If God would give David the right kind of feet, feet like a deer, David could handle any path God gave him.

So, like that deer that handled the rough path in Israel, David handled his life with the assistance of God.

Dear God, give me the right kind of feet in my life. Don't make my path easy, because if you did, I might forget you. God give me feet like the feet of a deer, that I might stand on the high places!