Bible-Meditation日本語

Listening To Jesus Daily 

Listening To Jesus Daily  |  Luke 10:38-42  

Welcoming Jesus. 

Is Jesus welcome into your house, apartment or room?  When Jesus entered Martha’s village, it says “Martha welcomed Him into her house” (v. 38).   Walking with Jesus starts each day by welcoming Him where we live.  Welcoming Him is being aware of His presence in our homes before we rush off to our phones, emails and to-do-lists.  

But when Jesus came into Martha’s house, it was Mary “who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching” (v. 39).   Are you a good listener?  Clearly, Martha was not a good listener.  While Martha was quick to welcome Jesus, she was too distracted doing for Jesus.

Serving Jesus. 

It says, “40 But Martha was distracted with much serving.”  Our hearts are addicted to distractions and busyness.  It is easy to be so busy for Jesus and miss what Jesus has come to do.  In her distraction, Martha even questioned the caring nature of Jesus.   She said in frustration, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Tell her then to help me.”  Clearly, Martha needed help.  But the help she needed was not merely physical.  It was deeper than what she could see.  Jesus said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things” (v. 41).   We frequently fail to listen even to our own anxious and troubled hearts.   Our anxious and troubled hearts are unable to catch up with our most urgent tasks.  This is why we need to slow down to pause and reflect.

So, while Martha was troubled about “many things” Jesus showed Martha what she was missing. He said to her, “but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (v. 42).   What is the “one thing necessary” that Martha really need?  To sit down at Jesus’ feet and listen to His Word.   This is the good portion that Mary had chosen. 

LEARNING TO LISTEN.

To sit down at Jesus feet is a sign of humility.  It’s a sign of a teachable heart.  Like in any relationship, to grow in relationship with Jesus we must learn to listen well.  We make choices everyday.  We always choose what our hearts desire most.  We must listen to our desires to see if there are desires that compete with Jesus.  We must learn to slow down, sit down to listen to our scattered thoughts.  In humility, we can ask Jesus to bring our hearts to a stand still and wait in silence.   We can welcome Him into our hearts, in our rooms, and thank Him for the new morning mercies for the day.  We can open His Word to listen to what He has to say to our hearts.  Then, we can respond in prayer to what He says.   This is the good portion we can choose each day because Jesus has chosen to enter our lives.

jesus came to serve US.

Remember it was Jesus who came to Mary and Martha’s village. Jesus has chosen to enter our busy hometown and cities affected by sin, chaos, anxieties and troubles.   Martha was busy serving, but Jesus came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10: 45).  When we sit down to listen to His Word, Jesus serves us by speaking into anxious and troubled hearts.  He speaks peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7).   When Jesus fills our hearts with His own peace, we too can serve others from a place of rest, love, peace and joy!  Serving can come from the overflow of our intimacy with Jesus as we spend time with Him daily. 

Ask yourself:  Do I listen to reply?   Do I listen to speak?  Do I listen to be fully present with Jesus?  Do I listen to understand and know Him?   Do I listen to worship Jesus?  When I listen to sermons do I listen to worship and be changed?  Do I listen to Jesus’ Word—to know Him intimately?  Do I listen to trust and obey Him?   Jesus said, “Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” 

I recommend Daily Light in The Daily Path | Classic Devotional by Samuel Bagster. FREE here.

Pastor Joey.Z

New Beginnings!

NEW YEAR, new days, new beginnings

New Year’s Day in Japan is called Ganjitsu or Gantan.  Each year, many Japanese travel to shrines and temples to pray for blessings for the year ahead to an “unknown god” (Acts 17: 28).  Even Japanese Christians with unbelieving families can fall into group  pressures of praying before shrines and miss a wonderful opportunity to share the good news of Jesus.  

But the God of the Bible does not live in temples made by human hands (Acts 7: 48). The first line in the Bible says, “In the beginning God” (Gen. 1:1).  Before anything was created God was there!  He is before and above all things and most worthy of worship! 

Later, John 1:1 simply says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”   Jesus is the Word that became flesh to live with us and in us by His Spirit. 

Jesus came not seeking anything from us but to give us the life we could never have apart from Him.  When Jesus came, He came not to modify our old lives or make slight improvements.  He came not to make bad people into good people, but to make people entirely new inside out.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5: 17).  

Even in our sufferings, hardships and trials, we can trust that He is faithful and makes all things beautiful in its time! One day Jesus will return and make all things new (Rev. 21: 5).

As you prayerfully anticipate 2024, 

1. What has Jesus changed in your heart this past year?  What areas of your heart need a fresh touch from Him?  

2. Starting this January, how might your daily life reflect the God of all new beginnings? 

3. How does being made new in Jesus change how you use your time, talent, gifts, skills, ability and treasures?  

We recommend starting a new Bible reading plan or daily

meditations from scripture below.

a) Start with New Testament with 5 Minutes a day in 5 Days a Week | PDF Here. Or Daily ESV Reading Plans | PDF Here. Or access 10 other plans here. TGC Daily Devotional Reading Plan | PDF Here. These are all free plans.

b) Daily Light on The Daily Path | A Devotional Classic by Samuel Bagster | Free of charge. Sign up to read here with the App. This is a personal favourite for the soul. It takes you to different Bible themes each morning and evening, with parallels, good for memorization, short reflection or praying the scriptures even in the midst of busy schedules.

c) Finally, 100 % of our lives and belongings come from God’s hand. If you want to give back to God 10 % monthly to advance His glorious Gospel in Tokyo, you can now give via credit cards in Japan, or bank transfer (furikomi) or via our office in the U.S. Read Gospel-motivated giving here.

こたつと飼葉桶

こたつと飼葉桶

ゾリーナ・ジョーイ牧師

(この考察は2021年に書かれたものを、再掲載しています。) 

READ ENGLISH VERSION HERE.

昨年の10月、私たちは老朽化したアパートから、典型的な日本らしい家に引っ越しました。ー こたつを除いて。多くの日本の家には「玄関」と「こたつ」があります。こたつとは、テーブルの裏に暖房器具がついており、布団をかけて暖まるものです。凍てつく冬の夜、家族がこたつに足を入れてくつろぐ、暖かさ、快適さ、親睦の象徴です。クリスマスは私たちの目を、飼い葉桶に向けさせます。赤ちゃんが「天国のこたつ」の快適さを離れ、私たちの厳しい世界に生まれてきました。

クリスマスの慌ただしさ、イルミネーションや飾り付けの中で、その漠然とした、よく知る場所を見過ごしてしまいます。 慣れ親しんでいると、驚くべきことがぼやけてしまうのです。飼い葉桶は、普通の赤ちゃんにさえ似つかわしくない、相応しくない場所でした。しかしそれが、神が私たちを探しに来られた場所だったのです。

人類の歴史は、役目を果たしてくれる救世主を探し求めることに奮闘する終わりのない旅です。政治家、経済界のリーダー、富豪、有名人、金融投資家、知識人、宗教指導者、導師、哲学者、医療や技術の専門家など、様々な人々の中から、私たちは救世主を探し求めます。彼らは私たちの最も差し迫った必要に、一時的な解決策を提供してくれるかもしれません。しかし、私たちの最も深く、最も大きな病に対する答えを誰が与えてくれるでしょうか?

クリスマスとは、一見退屈で、寒く、見過ごされ、平凡で漠然とした場所、つまり日常生活の何気ない瞬間に、神であるイエスが私たちと共にいてくださることを意味します。天使の聖歌隊は、教会や神殿ではなく、野原にいるごく普通の羊飼いたちに現れました(ルカ2:8)。イエスは、見過ごされ、疎まれ、嫌がらせを受け、無力な者と同一化するために生まれました。社会のはみ出し者、最も弱い者、最も無視された者のところに来られたのです。

イエスは御父の家のこたつの快適さを捨てられました。弱い赤ちゃんとして、私たちの冷たい世界に来られたのです。王衣ではなく、布に包まれて。宿屋にイエスの居場所はありませんでした。(ルカ2:7)しかし、イエスは私たちにこう言います。「わたしの父の家には、住む所がたくさんあります。そうでなかったら、あなたがたのために場所を用意しに行く、と言ったでしょうか。」(ヨハネ14:2) イエスはヘロデの宮殿ではなく、飼い葉桶で生まれました。シーザーの家系ではなく、ダビデの家系でした。飼い葉桶には、プロの神学者も、宗教指導者も、祭司もいませんでした。イエスだけでした。

シーザーは他者を抑圧するために権力を握りました。イエスは私たちを救うために権力を手放されました。シーザーは玉座に上がりましたが、イエスは飼い葉桶に降りて来られました。 「ことばは人となって、私たちの間に住まわれた。」(ヨハネ1:14)。飼い葉桶から木の十字架にかけられた救い主は、いばらの冠をかぶりました。ー 罪人たちと一緒に。「ひとりの男の子が私たちに与えられる。」(イザヤ9:6)。

イエスは私たちへの贈り物です。私たちが罪を持っていくと、イエスは赦しを与えてくださります。痛みを持っていくと、癒しを与えてくださります。悲しみを持っていくと、喜びを与えてくださります。悩みを持っていくと、平安を与えてくださります。私たちが汚れたぼろ布を持っていくと、義の衣を与えてくださります。イエスは飼い葉桶の中で、私たちと共におられます。十字架の上でも共におられます。墓の中でも私たちと共におられます。イエスは、最も孤独で、最も暗く、最も苦しい時に、私たちと共にいてくださります。時代の終わりまで、私たちと一緒にいてくださる神なのです。

イエスは私たちの心の部屋に居場所を見つけられるでしょうか?イエスは私たちの心の奥底にある考えや想像を占めてくださるでしょうか?クリスマスの日を超えて、私たちの予定にイエスの居場所があるでしょうか?部外者が私たちの交わりの中でイエスを見ることができるでしょうか? 私たちはイエスの恵みの食卓につくでしょうか? 慈愛に満ちた母親に抱かれ、守られ、そこに赤ちゃんのイエスは横たわっておられました。イエスは私たちをそのように扱っておられます。そっと、優しく、一人息子を決して見捨てない母のように、私たちを気遣ってくださります。私たちの涙がこぼれる静かな音を聞いてくださります。 私たちの鼓動を感じてくださります。イエスは近くにおられます。「 兄弟以上に親密な友人もいる。」(箴言18:24) それはイエスだけです。

内省のための質問 | 

  • 2024年のカレンダーを見るとき、あなたのスケジュールの中にイエスと過ごす時間はありますか?

  • あなたの心の客間に居場所のなかったイエスが、御父の家にあなたの居場所を持っておられるとしたら、あなたの心の中で閉ざされていて、隠れている、イエスを迎える必要のある領域は何でしょうか?

  • 今年のクリスマスに、あなたの家庭、近所、職場や教会で、親切な行為、肯定的な言葉、惜しみないプレゼント、励まし、祈りや助けの手を用いて、誰を祝福できるでしょうか?


All copyrighted | Advent Reflections, Joey Zorina, previously published on 11th Dec. 2021


The Kotatsu and the Manger

The Kotatsu and the Manger

By Joey Zorina

(This reflection was previously published in 2021 and republished here).

Read Japanese version HERE

Last October, we moved from our dilapidated apartment to a newer traditional Japanese house—minus the kotatsu table.  In many Japanese houses, there’s the genkan (entrance), and a room with a kotatsu table.   The kotatsu table is a symbol of warmth, comfort, and fellowship in icy wintry nights, as family members tuck their feet under warm electric blankets.  Christmas takes our eyes away to that manger, where a baby leaves the comforts of a “heavenly kotatsu” to be born into our harsh world. 

Amid the Christmas rush, lights and decorations, it is easy to overlook that obscure familiar place.  Familiarity can blur the wonder!  The manger, an unlikely and unsuitable place even for an ordinary baby, was where God came looking for us.   

Human history is an arduous and endless journey of searching for functional saviours.  We look for them among the politically powerful, among the marketplace leaders, among the rich, the famous and the financial investors; among public intellectuals, religious leaders, gurus and philosophers; among medical and technological experts.  They may provide temporal solutions to our most pressing needs.  But who can provide answers to our deepest and greatest maladies?  

Christmas means Jesus is God with us in the seemingly boring, cold, overlooked, lowly and obscure places—in ordinary moments of everyday life.  The angelic choir did not appear at the synagogues or temples, but to ordinary shepherds— out in the field (Lk. 2: 8).  He was born to identify with the overlooked, sidelined, harassed and the helpless.   He came to the outcasts, the weakest and most ignored members of His society.  

Jesus left the comforts of His kotatsu table in His Father’s house.  He came as a vulnerable baby into our cold world.  Wrapped in swaddling clothes, not in royal robes.  No place for Him at the inn (Lk. 2: 7).  Yet He tells us: “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (Jn 14: 2).  Born in a manger, not in Herod’s palace.  He came from the house of David, not Caesar’s household.  No armchair theologians, no religious leaders or priests in the manger.  Only Jesus.  

Caesar rose to power to oppress others.  Jesus gave up power to rescue us.  Caesar rose to a throne, but Jesus came to a manger.  The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn. 1: 14). From the manger to a wooden cross, we find our Saviour with a crown of thorns— in the company of sinners.  “For to us a son is given” (Is. 9: 6)). Jesus is a gift to us.  We bring our sins, He gives us forgiveness.  We bring our pain, He gives us healing.  We bring our sorrows, He gives us joy.  We bring our troubles, He gives us peace.  We bring our filthy rags, He gives us robes of righteousness.  He is with us in the manger.  He is with us on the cross.  He is with us inside the grave.  He is with us in the loneliest, darkest and most painful moments.  He is God with us even to the remotest ends of the age.  

Will He find room in the chambers of our hearts?  Will He occupy our inmost thoughts and imaginations?   Will He find a place in our calendar beyond Christmas Day?  Will outsiders find Him in our fellowship?  Will we come to His table of grace?  Held and protected in the tender care of His affectionate mother—there lay baby Jesus.  That’s how He deals with us. Gently and tenderly He cares for us, like a nursing mother who will never forsake her only child.  He hears our silent tears trickle.  He feels our heartbeats.  He is near.  There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Pr. 18: 24).  ​Only Jesus.  

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION |

  • As you look at your calendar for 2024, is there space to spend time with Jesus in your schedule? (Recommended free online Daily Light on The Daily Path Classic Devotion).

  • If Jesus who had no place in the guest room has a place for you in His Father’s house, what closed and hidden areas in your heart do you need to welcome Jesus?

  • Who are the people in your homes, neighborhoods, workplaces or church you can bless with acts of kindness, words of affirmation, generous gift, encouragement, prayers and helping hand this Christmas?

All copyrighted | Advent Reflections, Joey Zorina, previously published on 11th Dec. 2021


Live Much In The Smiles of God

Robert M’Cheyne, a Scottish pastor from the nineteenth century, is most known for the annual bible reading plan he developed which many people continue to use today.

In this brief excerpt of a letter he wrote to his friend, M’Cheyne writes about his love of Christ. This is so timely in an age where the messages that we breathe in and out tells us to look within us, or look at ourselves to discover ourselves in order to find freedom. Or the other way in some evangelical circles is to read our scriptures in a self-centered way that makes it all about us. Nevertheless, according to M’Cheyne, the way to be free is not to look at ourselves, or within us. The way to be free is to look away from ourselves frequently to Christ— everyday, every moment. He writes:-

Learn much of the Lord Jesus. For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ. He is altogether lovely.  Such infinite majesty, and yet such meekness and grace, and all for sinners, even the chief! Live much in the smiles of God. Bask in His beams. Feel His all-seeing. Eye settled on you in love, and repose in His almighty arms.

Cry after divine knowledge and lift up your voice for understanding. Seek her as silver, and search for her as hid treasure, according to the word in Proverbs 2:4. See that verse 10 be fulfilled in you. Let wisdom enter into your hearts, and knowledge be pleasant to thy soul; so, you will be delivered from the snares mentioned in the following verses.

Let your soul be filled with a heart-ravishing sense of the sweetness and excellency of Christ and all that is in Him. Let the Holy Spirit fill every chamber of your heart; and so there will be no room for folly, or the world, or Satan, or the flesh.

I must now commend you all to God and the word of His grace. My dear people are just assembled for worship. Alas! I cannot preach to them tonight. I can only carry them and you on my heart to the throne of grace. Write me soon. Ever yours, etc.

—Rev. Robert Murray McCheyne, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1966), 293.

In Christ the Father smiles upon us because of what Jesus has done. As we read our scriptures, we find that Christ is altogether lovely.

For every sin we see in ourselves, let’s look ten times at Christ and His finished work.

What is sabbatical rest?

“Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” — (Mark 6: 31).   

Cities are transient.  Many people come and leave after a while.  Be it church or workplace, University, people are in and out of our lives.  “For many were coming and going.” Just when deep relationships are starting to form, people leave, and we leave too.   Working in a cultural context where there is no concept of sabbath rest can drain us emotionally and spiritually.  We are called to serve God in our vocations.  But we also need Jesus’ invitation to go away “to a desolate place and rest a while.”  Without this rhythm of work, rest and renewal, no one can last for long.  

Going away is not always easy. In Mark’s Gospel, Mark often uses the word “immediately” to describe the sense of gospel urgency. Mark’s Gospel is full of action. But in the same Gospel account, Jesus invites His disciples to rest a while. Christians are called to be living sacrifices (Roms. 12: 1) but not burn-out offerings. There is work to be done today, and there will be many needs awaiting us tomorrow—among this 2nd largest unreached people group. In a culture that finds its worth in productivity, it is easy to hurry, overwork and idolize immediacy in the workplace and church. It is easy to set a pace that the Spirit is not setting.

But Jesus was led by the Spirit. He himself needed times of rest and renewal as He was limited in the flesh.  He needed to get away from ministry busyness to spend unhurried times alone with His Father (Mk. 1: 35, 6: 46).   As people’s demands increased daily, Jesus could see that His disciples were especially exhausted.  So He led them away with Him to rest. Even the renowned prince of preachers once said,

“Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength….It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less….Let no tender conscience doubt the lawfulness of going out of harness for awhile, but learn from the experience of others the necessity and duty of taking timely rest.” –(Charles H. Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students)

Sabbath rest is not a “holiday or vacation” but intentional rest, away from ministry and work demands, where we are not “doing” but being in Christ.  It is a holistic time of rest, reflection, prayer, recreation and be renewed to re-enter work.

Jesus Himself invites us: “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”  This invitation is sacred.  It is an invitation to rest deeply in Jesus and trust that He is ever present and working—even when we’re away.  Even when we are at rest, He is working out His will and He is able to provide all that we need.

The essence of religion is: “Work hard to prove yourself.”

But the heart of the Gospel is: “Rest in Jesus’ finished work.”

To learn more on what Sabbath rest is and why it matters watch Sabbath and Gospel Rest from our Gospel Basics Series :-

a) The work for which God made us.

b) The rest for which God made us.

c) The deeper rest Jesus gives to us.

Also read our Work and Rest Rhythms.

How Self Justification Undermines Grace

“Justification By Faith Alone” is not a basic christian doctrine.

“Self justification creates an outlook of aloofness and superiority and negative scrutiny and ‘gottcha’…..Trusting in ourselves that we are righteous and viewing others with contempt always go together! When we see the negative dynamics of dismissive contempt, there’s a reason. The reason is a gospel deficit in the heart however sincere the gospel profession in the head.” (Dane Ortlund)

I was reminded afresh of how subtle it is to believe in the doctrines of grace yet be seeking to self-justify in the attitudes of the heart.   We tend to lean towards this not so much in theory but in practice.  Let me explain.  One can be biblically astute and still be dramatically immature. The real danger, of course, comes when we think biblical maturity is mainly about precision of theological knowledge and biblical literacy, although they are extremely important.  Spiritual maturity is not primarily something we do with our minds (though we’re commanded to love God with all our minds).  Maturity is about how you live your life in light of the Gospel and what you claim to know.

“Justification by faith alone” is not merely a way to become a Christian. It is also a way to grow as a Christian.  It is possible to get an A on “justification by faith alone” in the Seminary, Bible College or Church Bible Studies, but fail to apply it thoroughly in the heart in ordinary everyday life. 

Asking yourself these questions can help:

How does my heart respond when confronted?

Am I always defensive about my mistakes and sins?

Am I being overly critical of others while overly defensive of myself?

Justification by faith alone, in Christ alone, also means that: I no longer need to call up my inner defense lawyer, and seek to justify myself even when my most noble motives come under close inspection.   It means I no longer need to justify myself through my words or actions.  It means I can now repent from comparing my efforts with others–and rest my case– and focus my heart on Christ who justifies and accepts me forever on the basis of His finished work on the cross. This is very hard, since we don’t get there easily or quickly.  It takes a lot of time, a lot of Gospel, a lot of patience , a lot of stumbling forward in grace.

“What is so often missing in the lives of many Christians is being “consciously clothed” in the righteousness of Christ. The result is that we “go into the manufacturing business” weaving a robe of our own righteousness that we trust will please God (not for justification but for an sense of our ongoing acceptance), and for which we expect the praise of others. Our hearts are deeply suspicious of free grace and our natural tendency is (even unconsciously) to supplement it with works of our own.”   (Serge- Grace at The Fray- 2nd edition; J.W.Long Nov.2011)


When most Christians think of sin, we tend to think only in terms of moralism.  So most Christians tend to think we are fine and can feel good about themselves if we can stay away from external “gross” sins that are done outside of the body.  However, we need grace to help us look at what the Bible says about our self-righteousness.  In the Old Testament, Isaiah said that our self-righteousness are like a polluted garment in God’s eyes: “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment” (Isaiah 64: 6).   

We might think it ironic that the religious Pharisee in the parable of Jesus considered himself a better (cleaner person) in comparison to the tax collector, simply because his religious outward cloak and profession produced in him a false sense of self- worth. This resulted in a superiority complex over tax collection (which was considered an unclean occupation in those times).  He sincerely believed he was “not like other men” or like the tax collector (Luke 18: 9-14). This is where the fundamental problem lies.

Similarly, when we forget the Gospel of grace, we may look down our noses momentarily on things that are related to people’s profession, clothing, occupation, race, culture–or even theological differences– and especially if they are not measuring up to our moral codes or standards.   Like the older brother in the parable of the prodigal, it’s easy to treat others harshly rather than graciously as a result of forgetting the Gospel of grace.   It’s easy to become spiritually prideful, especially if you’ve been a Christian for a long time, and live and talk like a drudging slave rather than like a son/daughter –accepted and loved unconditionally by the Father.  

In the New Testament, Paul (the former pharisee) regarded all his religious accomplishments and status as “dung” (excrement) “because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ” (Phil 3: 8).   In modern terms, “excrement” or “dung” is a waste product—something that no human being in their right minds would touch with their bare hands.  That’s a vivid picture of our self-righteousness in comparison to the holiness and righteousness of Christ.  In the Old Testament, God paints a gross picture of our self-righteousness as  “menstrual garment.”  In simple words, our self-righteousness, our best efforts, are so deeply tainted with sin, that it becomes untouchable, unclean, completely unacceptable before a holy God.  We see in the New Testament, that from a self-righteous, hard-nosed religious fundamentalist, the apostle Paul converted to become the “chief of sinners” (I Tim. 1: 15).   After coming to Christ, a former law-keeping religious Pharisee, who went around persecuting the recipients of grace, now sees his religion as “dung,” as “rubbish” or “garbage.”  In the light of God’s holiness and grace, He says, “I am the chief of sinners.”  

Because of Jesus, however, you are washed clean of all your “filthy religious rags” and have been given a new and far better clothing– the robe of righteousness– all because of Him who died as your substitute– bearing the just punishment for your sins.  And this righteousness of Christ is imputed, counted to you and me.  It’s something we can’t earn, undeserved, but have been freely given.  This gift of righteousness cannot get better, because it is the best there ever is and will be– it is the righteousness of the only One who knew no sin; the righteousness of the only One who obeyed God perfectly (2 Cor. 5: 21). We need not wear our filthy rags now to cover our shame and guilt.  Why would anyone want to pick up that filthy rags again, after having been clothed with a robe of righteousness in Christ?  We’re a new person now, and we’ve been given the status of a son and not a slave (2 Cor. 5: 17).

That’s how you grow in holiness.  Religion and irreligion reject God’s holiness on both sides of the extremes.  Religion says, “I am good enough for God.  He accepts me on the basis of my performance.”  And irreligion says, “I am my own god, ruling at the center of my life, defining my own destiny.”   The Gospel is a different radically life-changing way.

The way up, with God, is down. 

“For whoever humbles Himself will be exalted; and whoever exalts himself will be humbled” (Luke 18: 14).  Religion can never be holy enough for God.  It’s possible to be a strong advocate of God’s holiness in an unholy prideful way.  This was true in my life as well, and to a lesser degree today because of God’s abundant grace working in me.  It took a while for me to truly admit that I had the seed of the religious pharisee in me.  I came to Christ broken and desperate, but accepted and loved, and so I fell deeply in love with Him.   I began to grow loving His word like a newborn baby desiring milk.  But it wasn’t too long before I began to behave more like a cold Pharisee.  I thought to myself “I am, at least, Not Like That Drug Addict or THAT prostitute, or those Christians over there.”  So I would avoid “those” sinners, because (honestly) I was afraid that people might think I’m taking drugs too–by identifying with them. I was afraid of people’s disapproval instead of resting in God’s approval of me based on Christ’s righteousness.  But there was a hole in my personal holiness. 

I did not truly recognize God’s holiness– like the Pharisee in the famous parable (Luke 18: 9-14).  While professing to know that I am saved by grace, I began to look down my nose on those that I thought didn’t measure up to God’s standard.  But God is so merciful!  The more I began to recognize His holiness, the more I began to realize how much I don’t measure up.  And all the more I began to realize how great a Savior Jesus truly is!  And the more amazing His grace has become to me every day.  You see:  God’s grace gives us a whole new way of seeing ourselves, others and the world.  Grace gives us a new way to see people as created in His image, deeply loved by Jesus because He died and rose again for them.   Because I have a righteousness that is gifted to me by grace, and because I have an identity not based on my moral performance I can grow.

1. God’s grace lifts us up without puffing our hearts up.

2. God’s grace also humbles our religious spirit without humiliating us.

3.  God’s grace washes us of all our filth and clothes us with the best garment– the righteousness of Jesus, His son.

As you go about your day, remember that your best efforts are never so good enough that you are beyond the need for radical grace.  And your worst efforts are never so really bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s abundant grace. * God’s grace reaches you and meets you where you are– everyday, every moment, every hour and everywhere!  As the line in one song said, “Grace will lead me home.”  By the way, only One is truly “not like other men.”

____________________________________________________________________________

Note:

* A paraphrase of a line from The Discipline of Grace: God's Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness” (by Jerry Bridges).

Feel free to reproduce this in any form.  When appropriate kindly link back to this page!

どうしたら聖書を読むのが面倒な事ではなく、祝福の宴となるのか

This article was first published on Redeemer City to City blog (in English HERE).

幼少時代、私は母にスプーンでご飯を食べさせてもらっていました。今は太平洋を隔てて暮らしているため家族で食事を取る事は滅多にありませんが、母にスプーンで食べさせてもらう必要は無くなりました。子供時代のある時を境に、自分で食べられるようになったからです。

私たちには肉体的な空腹と同様に、霊的な空腹も存在します。神と共に歩むには、日々の霊的に健全な食生活が必要です。生活、仕事、宣教及び奉仕活動において、良い霊的食物を食べずに自分自身の力により頼むことは、燃料の入っていない車を運転するようなものです。燃料が無くても下り坂なら少しは進むかもしれません。ですが、上り坂や平らな道では、エンジンに火をつける燃料が無ければ進むことはできません。心の中に神の言葉の種を植えなければ、良い実を結ぶ事はできないのです。

日曜日の説教はこの空腹を満たすために必要不可欠ですが、私たち自身でも聖書の御言葉を噛みしめ、栄養を摂る必要があります。赤ちゃんは空腹時に誰かに食べさせてもらう必要があります。そして成長すると自分で食べられるようになります。

それでは、私たちはどのように霊的な空腹に気づき、日々神の恵みの食卓で祝宴を持つ事ができるでしょうか?いくつか助けとなる原則を紹介したいと思います。

  1. 恵みに気づく

聖書を読むのが義務的で重荷に感じるような環境の教会で育った人もいるでしょう。それがまるで業務のように。今この記事を読んでいる人の中にも、今日そのように感じた人がいるのではないでしょうか。私自身の日記にも、以前は聖書を読む事が面倒に感じていた事が書かれていましたー恵みによる動機から聖書を読むという、新しい理解を得るまでは。D.A.カーソンは霊的鍛錬を追い求める努力の必要性について、このように記しています。

「人は自然に聖さへと流される事は無い。恵みに基づく努力が無ければ、人は敬虔さ、祈り、聖書への従順、信仰、主への喜びへと引き寄せられる事は無い。」(For the Love of God, Vol. 2)

それはつまり、聖書を読むのは偶然には起こらないという事です。集中した努力が無ければ、私たちは霊的に中途半端な栄養状態になります。毎日ジャンクフードを食べて生活する事を想像できますか?霊的なジャンクフードも同じくらい不健康です。心は冷え切ってしまい、罪に惑わされてかたくなになってしまいます(ヘブライ3:13)。

しかし、私たちの多くが継続して聖書を読む事に失敗してしまいますーそして多くの人がその事に罪悪感を抱きます。ですが良い知らせがあります。神は私たちが聖書を読めないからといって私たちを愛さない訳でも、聖書を読む事でより愛される訳でもありません。イエスは私たちが生きる事のできなかった人生を生きられました。イエスは神の律法を黙想し、それを破る事はありませんでした。イエスこそが詩編1:1,2で描写されている、「主のおしえを喜びとし、昼も夜も そのおしえを口ずさむ人」なのです。イエスの救いにある恵みは、私たちに新しい食欲を与えます。霊的な幼児食から、さらに求めるようにと。私たちに新しい欲求、好み、愛を持つ新しい心を与え、イエスが成された業への愛を与えて下さいます。そのため、他の良い習慣と同様に、聖書に黙想する事は時間をかけて築かれる、恵みによる習慣なのです。恵みを認識しそれに基づき行動する事は、聖書を学ぶ喜びへと導きます。

2. 聖書箇所をゆっくりと祈りながら読む

私は朝目覚めると、今日取り組むべき課題との格闘へ向けて心の準備が整っています。しかし、恵みによる努力と自分自身の努力には違いがあります。心の内面は活動的で、常に休む事なく忙しさに追われ、集中力を欠いています。

フランスの数学的であり哲学者でもあるブレーズ・パスカルはこのように述べています。「人が抱える問題の多くは、人が一人で静かに部屋にいられない事から生じる」

パスカルによると、私たちは沈黙や退屈さを恐れるために、心の奥深くにある欲求を埋めるものを絶えず追い求めてしまうそうです。最近では、前日の夜遅くに同僚から送られてきた「急ぎの」メールを確認する事が私たちの普通の状態となっています。iPhoneやiPad、パソコンを確認するのが、私たちが朝まず行う事になっているのではないのでしょうか。

心は絶えず何かを求めていますー考察やアイデア、人々、場所など。頭の中は神以外のものを礼拝しようと常に何かを探しています。これは意志の強さと努力により修正できるような問題ではありません。忙しさに追われない、祈りの時間を通して、私たちの愛情が呼び覚まされる必要があります。それは神に必要を求めるだけの祈りではありません。神を礼拝する祈りです。

聖書朗読と祈りのために時間が裂けるよう、意図的にペースを緩める事はとても重要です。そうすれば、祈りは私たちの考えを静め、聖書の神に私たちの心の中心を置く助けとなるでしょう。時には、それは聖書箇所を神に祈り返す事でもありますー焦らず、賛美をもって、賞賛と感謝で、全ての聖書箇所を味わいながら(まるで神の言葉を味わうかのようにーそしてその通りなのです)。私はこれを神の御言葉に呼吸すると呼んでいます、なぜなら聖書は神の霊感(息)によるものだからです(2テモテ3:16)。

このような静まる時間を持つ時、私の内にある休まらない心の声が大きくなり、自分の考えを静める必要があると認識するのです。私たちの心はせわしなく、整えられる必要があります。その過程でさえ、祈りの始まりとなります。また、昔の聖人たちも日々の業務や課題に取り組む前に、神の御前で心を静める事の大切さを学んでいます。「講談のプリンス」とも称されたチャールズ・スポルジョンはかつてこのように問いかけました。「毎朝何時に起床していますか?15分早く起きる事さえ困難ですか?もちろんできるでしょう!夕飯にかける時間はどの程度ですか?長時間ですね。その後はきっとつまらない読み物を読むのでしょう。では、なぜその時間を自身の魂を静め、吟味する時とできないのでしょうか。キリスト教徒は神の御前での神聖な黙想の時間を持たない限り、神により頼む姿勢にはならないでしょう。神を最も知る人は、神に最も黙想する人です。神の恵みの教義を最も認識する人は、この地の物が届かなくなる程に黙想する人です。」(Meditation on God: September 2nd, 1900)

不運にも、つまらない読み物は増加し、今日では毎朝受信トレイを浸食し、私たちの祈りを妨げます。

カーソンが指摘したように、聖書を読むことは意図的な祈りを伴います。なぜなら聖書は神の霊感による、超自然的なものだからです。聖書を歴史的・文学的観点から理解し、合理的に理解しようと学ぶ事は可能です。しかし霊的な気づきが与えられなければ、私たちへ変化や感動がもたらされる事はありません。パウロはエペソの教会へ、彼らの心の目がはっきり見えるように祈りました(エペソ1:18)。詩編の作者は、気づきを求めて「私の目を開いてください。私が目を留めるようにしてください。あなたのみおしえにある奇しいことに。」(詩編119:18)と祈りました。聖書箇所を祈り、気づきを求め、そこに目を留めましょう。

3.集中した黙想により心を温める

聖書を読んだ後も、心が冷めたままの時があります。そのため、私たちは聖書を広く読むだけでなく、深く読む必要があります。意図的に長い時間をとって聖書の真実を黙想する事で、1の章、時には1つの聖書箇所や言葉でさえ、霊の働きにより心の中でダイアモンドのように光輝く事があります。パウロはテモテにこのように言いました「私が言っていることをよく考えなさい。主はすべてのことについて、理解する力をあなたに与えてくださいます。」(2テモテ2:7)。

聖書は頭で理解するだけでなく、心の中で感じ、経験する事ができます。聖書を読んだ後、人生における悲しみや葛藤、困難から心が解放されていたいと望みませんか?私たちの欲求に対し、恵みの教義を深く経験する方法は、スポルジョンが述べたように「この地の物が届かなくなる程に黙想する」事です。スポルジョンは続けてこう述べています。

「黙想は魂をしなやかにするー頭の中へ何かが入って来た時、それを用いる事ができるように。論議に勝つのはどのような人でしょうか?一人の時に黙想する人です。説教ができるのはどのような人でしょうか?遊び歩き、自身の心と向き合わない人ではありません。そうではなく、一人でいる時も人々に囲まれている時でも、熱心に考える人です。本を執筆し、継続的に文学を提供するのはどのような人ですか?黙想する人々です。彼らは継続的に黙想という油に浸かる事で、骨をしなやかに、足を運動に適した状態に維持しているのです。それでは、私たちの心を継続的に奉仕へ整えるため、黙想は心の運動としてどれほど重要なのでしょうか!」

福音の真理を黙想する事は、一日を通して喜びと礼拝の心を目覚めさせます。黙想こそがーゆっくりと考え、休止し、思い返し、真理に呼吸する事でー私たちは大きな報いと喜びを発見します。詩編の作者がこう言ったように。「私は大きな獲物を見つけた者のように あなたのみことばを喜びます」(詩編119:162)

ですから、神の律法に黙想し完全な人生を歩んだキリストの恵みの上に、私たちの希望があります。私たちは神への従順と祈りの生活において、神の基準を満たす事に失敗しましたが、イエスがその基準を満たされました。御言葉を通してイエスに近づく中で、私たちの霊的な食欲が呼び覚まされ、イエスへの大きな愛が新しく与えられます。イエスを日々求める事で、私たちの心は再び、イエス自身と彼が成された業への驚きと感嘆に満たされるのです。

ジョーイゾリナ牧師。