Thaddeus: the disciple with the heartfelt question

Thaddeus, also known as Judas, son of James is another disciple that little is known about. His occupation isn’t mentioned in the scriptures, his characteristics aren’t highlighted. Other than being listed among the Twelve Disciples, Thaddeus fades into the crowd, witnessing Jesus’s miracles, listening to his teachings and following his instruction. The major event in which he is singled out is during the Last Supper, when he asked Jesus a question. What is the situation in which Thaddeus comes into the spotlight? What was his question? Did Jesus answer him? Can we bring our own questions to God and get the answers we seek? 

He is known as Thaddeus to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot. In John 14, Jesus is teaching during the Last Supper, preparing them for his departure. In verses 15-21, he is promising the Holy Spirit will come to them and be a Counselor and live with them forever. He will reveal himself to those who love him and keep his word. Thaddeus asks in verse 22, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus stops his teaching to answer in verses 23-24, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own, they belong to the Father who sent me.” Jesus then continues his teaching on the Holy Spirit. 

There are three parts to Thaddeus’ motivation behind his question. First, his question shows compassion for the world, wanting everyone to know Jesus. It reveals a man who has a selfless desire for the world to have the same opportunity as the disciples to know and follow Jesus. Second, Thaddeus had curiosity and an eagerness to learn and his desire for a deeper understanding of Jesus’s plan for the world. Lastly, his question also shows his comfortable relationship with Jesus. Thaddeus felt comfortable enough to question his Lord’s actions. To interrupt the teaching and ask a direct, honest question that was on his heart. Just as there were three parts to Thaddues’s motivation, there are three parts to Jesus’s response. First, love and obedience. Manifestation is related to love and obedience to him (John 14:23). Only those who love and obey Jesus’s teachings will know Jesus and the Father. Second, the indwelling presence. With love and obedience, the Father and Jesus will make their home with each believer (John 14:23). This indicates a unique relationship based on love and obedience. Lastly, implied rejection of the world. The wider world, lacking love and obedience, would not be ready for the same divine revelation and manifestation (John 14:24). 

In his book, Twelve Ordinary Men (2002), John MacArthur described Thaddeus as a “gentle soul with a tender, childlike heart.” His question shows a heart for the wider world. He wanted everyone to know Jesus. Thaddeus is a great example that we should hesitate to ask our questions. Questions that are crafted to gain knowledge, insight and understanding of the many difficult issues we encounter in the scriptures are welcomed. It shows our desire to live out Jesus’s teachings. There are many individuals asking their questions to God. From prophets like Jeremiah and Habakkuk, to King David, these men brought their questions to God. James 1:5 says that “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Jesus tells us to ask and it will be given to us (Matthew 7:7). We can approach the throne with confidence to ask our questions (Hebrews 4:16). We do not need to stumble in the dark, hoping to discover the answers to our questions. We can come to God with our heartfelt questions and he promises to provide the answers we seek. 

In conclusion, even though little is known about Thaddeus, we can learn an important lesson from his question. We can bring our questions. We can question God about the things we do not understand. God wants our questions. Like a child who goes to his parents with his questions, God wants us to come to Him. When our heart truly seeks the answers, God will lovingly answer us for he gives wisdom and from his mouth comes understanding and knowledge (Proverbs 2:6). God promises that we may not understand fully now; but one day, we will know in full (1 Corinthians 13:12). 

The Sermon on the Mount: a powerful message that is often misquoted and misunderstood

The Sermon on the Mount, featured in Matthew 5-7, is a message of love, compassion, and selflessness. Teaching over several days, Jesus encourages his listeners to love their enemies, to forgive others and to care for the poor. Beginning in Matthew 5 with the Beatitudes, which offer guidance on how to live a blessed life pleasing to God, the Sermon on the Mount was a radical teaching. It is a call to live wholeheartedly for God through faith not just the external actions of keeping the law. It is not just a list of rules to follow but a call to live under grace and experience the blessings and rewards of a Christ-like life. It is a call to make a difference in the world. It is taught and quoted often. However, verses of the Sermon of the Mount contain some of the most misquoted and misunderstood passages. From anger and lust, to prayer and the most famously misquoted and misunderstood, judge not. 

Anger and Lust, two sins that begin in the mind before leading to sinful actions. Jesus discusses anger in Matthew 5:21-27 with the bold statement that anyone who hates his brother will face judgment just as someone who murders another will face judgment (Matthew 5:21-22). Anger is a sin as it violates God’s command to love. It is the seething, burning anger. It is the brooding anger that builds resentment and bitterness. The anger may be justified; however, harboring it in our hearts and minds can lead to damaging effects. While anger may be justified, we are not to harbor it in our hearts as it can control us instead of us controlling it. Jesus tells us to reconcile with those who anger us (Matthew 5:23-24). After discussing anger, Jesus immediately jumps to lust. Telling his audience that anyone who lusts after another has already committed adultery in his heart (Matthew 5:28). The desire or the thought of possible sex with someone who isn’t your spouse is sinful. To be truly faithful is to be faithful in body and mind. Wrong desires can lead to wrong actions which damages our relationship with God and with others. When Jesus says it is better to lose a part of your body than to be thrown in hell (Matthew 5:29). He is speaking figuratively. It is better to experience the pain of removing the habit or the desire for sin than allow the sin to bring judgment on our souls. 

In Matthew 6:5-15, Jesus teaches on prayer. Right off the bat, Jesus tells us not to be like the hypocrites and make prayer a big show (verse 5). The essence of prayer is a private communication with God, not a public declaration. There is a place for public prayer, however, do not pray simply for others to notice you. This type of prayer indicates that people are your intended audience and not God. Everyone is familiar with the Lord’s Prayer (verses 9-13). It is an example of how we can pattern our prayers. First, praying for God’s work in the world (verse 10), is not a resignation to fate but for the accomplishment of His perfect purpose in this world and in heaven. Second, praying for our daily needs (verse 11) acknowledges God as the provider and sustainer of our daily lives. Lastly, praying for God’s help in our daily struggles (verse 12-13) as we seek forgiveness and deal with temptations. Asking Him to “lead us not into temptation,” is asking God to help us recognize our temptations and the strength to overcome them. In verses 14-15, Jesus gives a firm warning: be unforgiving to others and God will be unforgiving to you. By denying forgiveness, we are denying the common ground that all sinners need God’s forgiveness. And a spirit of unforgiveness often hurts us more than the person sinned against us. As it builds a spirit of anger and bitterness. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting. It means letting go. 

Many people quote Matthew 7:1, focusing on three words of verse 1, “Do not judge,” and claim “you can’t judge me” and yet ignores the rest of the verses. Jesus tells us that we will be judged in the same manner that we judge others (verse 2-3). He is speaking to those who judge with hypocrisy. Don’t judge someone’s sinful nature while ignoring your own sins. We are to fix our own sins before judging and confronting others (verses 3-5). “Do not judge” is against the hypocritical attitude that divides instead of forgives and unites. It is not a blanket statement against all judgment. It is a call to be discerning rather than negative. To be discerning is to have or show good judgment. For example, first, examining Bible teachers and calling out the false ones (Matthew 7:15-20). Second, trusting God to be the final judge (1 Corinthians 4:3-5). While we may be justified in our judgment, correcting our brothers and sisters in Christ, however, we only know in part. God knows in full. We need to trust Him to be Judge. Lastly, correcting someone in love. In 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Paul instructs us to be kind, gentle and teach or correct without resentment and in hope that God will lead others to repent with the knowledge of the truth. Truth from a friend, while hurtful, is better than an enemy who lets us live in sin (Proverbs 27:5-6). So, judge without hypocrisy and correct in love. 

In conclusion, there is so much in the Sermon on the Mount that I wasn’t able to cover. It is an important message to Christians, to focus on love, compassion and selflessness. A message that heartfelt observance is more important than a legalistic observance. Anger and lust are powerful feelings. Beginning in the mind, unchecked, can lead to sin. Prayer is the most important communication method with God. While public prayer is acceptable, remember you are speaking to God, a holy activity, not a method to get attention from others. Prayers don’t have to be fancy or repeated like the Lord’s Prayer. Praying with a sincere heart is more important than the words being said. While the most quoted, the “Do not judge” section of the Sermon on the Mount is also the most misunderstood. We are to judge with love and the right motive. Judge is to correct someone and bring them back to God from the sin in their lives. 

Jonah, Micah, Nahum: minor prophets with a major message

This month’s study is one three minor prophets with very important messages. Jonah, Micah, and Nahum are short book with a big impact. Everyone is familiar with Jonah and the big fish. However, what are the important themes in the book? What lessons can we learn from his story? In the book of Micah is the answer to what does it mean to pervert one’s faith? As well as to the question what does God truly expect from us? Nahum is the prophecy against a powerful and once repented nation. What does it mean to say that God is judge and ruler?

Jonah was a prophet who was sent by God to the city of Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria during the approximate time of 785-760 BCE. At the time, Assyria was a great enemy of Israel and Jonah resisted being sent to Nineveh into the arena of bitter enemies. Why should they hear and receive God’s message of salvation? Jonah took to the sea and God sent him a violent storm and into the belly of a great fish (Jonah 1:17). The book of Jonah is unique because it is a narrative story of the prophet rather than his prophecies. There are three major themes in the story of Jonah. First, God is sovereign. God is in control despite our desires to obey or not. The storm was used by God to guide Jonah to see God’s wisdom in sending him to Nineveh. Second, God’s message to all peoples. He loves all and offers his salvation to all. Jonah’s message was simple “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned” (Jonah 3:4). The Nineveh heard the message and repented. The king proclaimed that everyone “urgently call on God” (Jonah 3:8). However, even though Jonah delivered the message as he was commanded. He still didn’t want to see the Ninevites receive God’s salvation. He was angry when God didn’t bring destruction to the city. God sent him another message about compassion (Jonah 4:1-11). Third, when your repentance is real, God will forgive. When you respond in obedience, you will receive God’s mercy, not his punishment. Jonah offered his repentance from the belly of a great fish and God heard him (Jonah 2:1-10). The Ninevites turned from their evils way and God had compassion on them (Jonah 3:10). There is no place you can sink that God cannot hear you.

Micah was a prophet to the people of Israel during the dates of 742-687 BCE. The main theme of Micah is about perverting faith. Micah speaks directly to the false prophets, disobedient leaders and selfish priests in Judah and Israel. While they publicly carried out the religious ceremonies, they were privately seeking to gain money and influence. “Hear this, you leaders of the house of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and distort all that is right” (Micah 3:9) and “Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they lean upon the Lord and say ‘Is not the Lord among us? Mo disaster will come upon us” (Micah 3:11) It is because of these leaders that the Lord will destroy Israel (Micah 3:12). To mix selfish desires with an empty display of religious piety is perverting faith. To remain silent for fear of losing money or church members is dangerous for the church; however, many pastors are influenced by these factors and will not speak up for what is right. On a similar note, God delights in faith not the sacrifices at the temple or the tithes you may give the church. He delights in faith that produces justice, love for others and obedience in him. Micah 6:6-8 tells us that God is more please with acting justly, be merciful, and walk humbly with him. The type or amount of sacrifices doesn’t matter. What God truly wants is faith and obedience. True faith generates kindness, compassion, justice and humility. We can please God by seeking these results in our work, family, church and neighborhood. We may not always succeed but with God’s guidance we can succeed in the future.

Nahum was a prophet to Judah and Nineveh approximately between 663-612 BCE. His purpose was to pronounce God’s judgement on Assyria. Nahum is writing his prophets approximately 100 years after Jonah prophesied in Nineveh which means that Nineveh’s repentance was short lived. God judged Nineveh for its idolatry, arrogance and oppression. Even though Assyria was a great military power of the day, God would completely destroy this powerful nation. Nahum 1:3 states “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.” Nahum 2 describes Nineveh’s fall which come true in 612 BCE as the armies of Babylon and Medes destroyed the seemingly invincible Nineveh. The city was so completely wiped out that its ruins were not discovered until the 1840s! God is judge and no human power can avoid his wrath. God also rules over all the earth even those who don’t acknowledge him. God is all-powerful and human plans are futile against God’s plans. Overconfidence in their wealth and power was the key to Assyria’s downfall. However, there is a bright light in Nahum’s message of doom. Nahum 1:7 states “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” This verse is important today as we are bombarded with news of nuclear weapons, armies and war. When we place of faith and trust in God, he alone can truly rescue us from fear and oppression. When we place our confidence in him because he alone rules all of history, all the earth and our lives. Does this mean we will survive any danger? Not necessarily, however, God is more powerful than anything on earth. What can physically hurt us can never spiritually hurt us as long as our trust is in the Lord.

In conclusion, Jonah is the lesson that God’s message is for everyone. It does not matter if we like the person or people, we are to bring his message of salvation to everyone who can hear and receive it. If God has shown us mercy and compassion, then we are to follow his example and show mercy and compassion to others by giving them God’s message. Micah is the important lesson for those in power. Whether it be church leaders, political leaders and leaders in our families, twist God’s word for your own personal gains and God will judge you harshly. The inner acts of faith are often more important than the outwardly acts of religion. Nahum is the lesson that God is more powerful than anything on earth. He can save and destroy.  

More than Words: family values in action rather than speech

More than Words 10 Values for the Modern Family by Erin Wathen is an evaluation of family values. According to Ms. Wathen, the purpose of the book is to find common ground between progressive and conservative Christians. Ms. Wathen is the senior pastor at the St. Andrew Christian Church in Kansas City as she uses her experience and observations to illustrate the values she feels are the most important as expression of love. Values such as compassion, joy, justice, and forgiveness. Each chapter features one particular value which people can practice in their home and in the community as well as questions at the end of each chapter to help the readers further put the value into action in their lives.

My first impression of More than Words was disagreement. I disagreed with many of Ms. Wathen’s illustrations as to why these values need to be practiced to our lives. I agree with the values that she is discussing and she had some excellent points. Despite the fact that I disagreed with her illustrations, I enjoyed her openness to discuss topics that many people would shy away from such as our approach as Christians to the LGBTQ community. I particularly liked her statement that marriage is an art, not a science. There is no formula for a great marriage, it is a piece of art which is worked and retouched as time goes by. I also liked that she said the old adage “don’t go to bed angry” isn’t good advice. I’ve found that sleep will often give you a new perspective in the morning and you are better able to talk calmly. I have other examples; however, I am recommending it for those who are open to a different point of view or if you would like to know what are the other viewpoints.

More than Words

is available on Amazon

in paperback and on the Kindle