Forty Lashes Minus One
The Romans believed that 40 lashes was the maximum number of lashes required to kill someone. Five times, Paul says, he was given 40 lashes minus one.Can you imagine? If you, like me, live in America, you probably haven't had to endure any lashes for your faith, though in some countries, it is not only possible, but probable, that you have endured some kind of punishment, just for being a believer.
As we go on in the passage in 2 Corinthians, 11, he lists some of the other things he has endured; the first being shipwrecked. Again, not something I have experienced, at least in the literal sense. But, if you have been a Christian for any length of time, you've probably been "shipwrecked". Perhaps, you didn't get that long awaited promotion at work. You were so sure you had it in the bag. You were just waiting for the day when the spot would be vacated by a retiree and then, bam!, out of nowhere, someone totally unexpected was chosen.
Maybe, life was good, and then, out of the blue, came a cancer diagnosis, a child went to prison, or ended up pregnant out of wedlock. Maybe, 25 years into your marriage, your spouse announced that he was in love with someone else. Yeah, I've been shipwrecked more than once, and you probably have, too.
Next, he says he was constantly on the move. Again, I haven't experienced that, literally. In fact, I've lived at the same address for the last 33 years. But, being constantly "on the move" is part and parcel of the American lifestyle, isn't it? Our calendars are bursting at the seams, already, and then Christmas comes along. When we think we can't possibly squeeze in one more thing, one more thing is added to the list.
Next, he says he is in danger from rivers. Some of you are boaters. This is a reality in your world. But, let's look at this from a spiritual sense. Isn't the "river" always working to take us downstream? We, as Christians, are peculiar people. We make different choices, or at least we should, from those who don't know Christ. That shows up in different ways for all of us, but I'm thinking of things like what we wear, where we go, what we read, and what we watch (movies). It's not easy to always be swimming upstream. Sometimes, our choices, based on our convictions, are going to cost us plenty. For me, for example, choosing to homeschool my children instead of plunging them into the river of public schooling cost me 29 years of my life. While I wouldn't trade those years for anything, it sure wasn't an easy ride.
In danger from bandits. Well, I guess we could all say that on some level, we are in danger from bandits every day. But, honestly, I'm not sure I've ever actually had anything, material, at least, stolen from me. Not so fast, though, who hasn't encountered those things that steal our peace, joy, and love. Yes, we are called to live in all three, every day, but there is always something out there threatening to steal any, or all, from us. Just like we take precautions to protect our material belongings, we need to take precautions in the spiritual realm. The thief cometh to rob, kill, and destroy. Some of the things we have in our arsenal are Bible study, prayer, worship, and Christian fellowship. Honestly, trying to protect what we have, spiritually, requires a lot more effort than trying to protect what we have materially. Of course that is easy for someone to say who drives around a van that is badly rusted and has over 200,000 miles on it, or is flanked on either side by homes that are definitely worth more than my home. Ah, yes. the cares one is freed from because you don't have enough to make yourself a target. If you are a Christian and you don't realize that Satan has "drawn a bead" on your head, you are mistaken. And, the more you accomplish for the kingdom, the more you are setting yourself up to be in his sights.
In danger from my own country. We all live in potential danger from our own country. I think back to the time when the NAFTA treaty was signed, essentially wiping out the garment business, and my father's livelihood, with it. Decisions about taxes, healthcare, and education, loom over us,constantly, having the potential to undo us in so many ways. For years, I was involved in the battle to preserve our freedom to homeschool, as the teachers' unions were always working hard to remove that option, and I'm sure, are still working. I know of people who have had that dreaded knock on the door from Child Protective Services, putting them on the defensive about how they are raising their children. I just heard of a case where a family has to provide a bed for each of their children, rather than allowing them to share a bed, but they live in a very small home for their family size. I'm really familiar with that scenario. One might wonder when that became a requirement.
In danger from Gentiles. In its most narrow definition, a Gentile is someone who isn't a Jew. In a broader sense, it is an outsider. Ever been in danger as an "outsider"? I'm sure you have. This is not our home. We are strangers and pilgrims, and sometimes, we put ourselves in danger of being snubbed and excluded when we take a stand for righteousness. In 1 Peter, it mentions what happens in terms of your old friends when you start to pursue holiness. "Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you." Yes, as, now an outsider, we live in danger of people speaking evil of us. We may not get that invitation to a party, which is actually, probably a good thing. But, if I work at a job where I am constantly ignored, put down, or excluded, the pain of being an outsider can make things miserable, indeed.
In danger in the city. As I came to this one, my daughter from Manhattan called. How appropriate. I'm not sure what the dangers of a city may have been in Paul's day; perhaps mobs (gangs). He's already mentioned bandits. When I've visited Manhattan, I felt like God wasn't there. Of course, He is, but I think being surrounded by so much that is man made versus being surrounded by God made trees, birds, sky, and mountains, just gave me a sense of absence. Cities are hotbeds of crime. The most liberal views often come from cities. I see definite danger, there.
In danger in the country. I live in a very rural area. When we had snow the other day, as I was walking to my neighbor's house, I slipped and fell. I wasn't really hurt, but I wondered, if I had been, and if I had not been able to get up, how long would it have taken for someone to find me. Interestingly enough, while many would think that raising your kids in the country would be safer than raising them in the city, researchers have found that people living in urban areas are 20% less likely to die from a serious injury than people who live in rural areas. The risk of motor vehicle and machinery accidents is much higher in the country. (Los Angeles Times).
In danger at sea. Clearly, Paul was in much greater danger at sea than anyone who travels on the sea, today. That being said, anyone who frequents the beach exposes themselves to the dangers of sharks, riptides, and jellyfish, not to mention sunburn. Visiting the beach, however, is one way that many choose to enjoy creation and escape the psychological dangers of the rat race.
False Brothers. There are those who use the gospel for gain. Want a "breakthrough"? Send in your money.Healing? Financial success? It can be yours for a "price". The tares will be with us until God sends his reapers, separating the true from the false. The truth is, tares, at least when they are young, very much resemble wheat. It isn't always easy to spot the counterfeit. Beyond that, there are true believers who may be, at least in one area or another, teaching heresy. The best way to counteract being misled is by regular Bible study. Those who can spot counterfeit money can do so because they are familiar with every facet of the real thing; its texture, color, watermark, and security thread. Ever notice how cashiers hold the bill to the light? We, too, need to hold the teachings to the light.
Gone without sleep. Any mother knows the meaning of gone without sleep. Teething, bad dreams, sickness, wetting the bed, to name a few reasons to lose sleep. There is also the tossing and turning because of cares. The anecdote for that is prayer. Cast all your cares on Him, for He careth for you.
Hunger and thirst. We all know what it means to hunger and thirst. I'm sure Paul was talking about something beyond what most of us have experienced. I pray that your hunger would be for the bread of life and your thirst would be for the living water. Too many of us are not experiencing that on a regular basis. We're content with the status quo, sadly.
Gone without food. I hope the only food we go without is the food we pass up, not the food that is inaccessible to us. For many of us, this is the least of our problems. And, while I've never gone hungry, I sure know what it is like to make a grocery list and pray that you have enough money to cover everything. In fact, at one time, my weekly grocery shopping was an exercise in faith. Chalk that up to having a large family.
Cold and naked. Hard to imagine not having clothes with which to cover yourself. God forbid that it should ever come to that.
In conclusion, we all, believers or not, face many trials, temptations, and hardships in life. Sometimes it feels like we've experienced forty lashes minus one. One more lash, and we're finished! Sometimes, we have to live day to day. Sometimes, hour to hour. And other times, moment to moment. God controls the whip. He is sovereign. Oftentimes, our greatest growth comes from the times of the deepest testing. Our muscles are not strengthened by sitting on the couch and eating bon bons. So, too, our spiritual muscles aren't strengthened by days of ease. Rest in your Father's loving care. If you are in a forty lashes minus one time in your life, the day will come when you look back and marvel at how God brought you through. When I am weak, then I am strong.
As we go on in the passage in 2 Corinthians, 11, he lists some of the other things he has endured; the first being shipwrecked. Again, not something I have experienced, at least in the literal sense. But, if you have been a Christian for any length of time, you've probably been "shipwrecked". Perhaps, you didn't get that long awaited promotion at work. You were so sure you had it in the bag. You were just waiting for the day when the spot would be vacated by a retiree and then, bam!, out of nowhere, someone totally unexpected was chosen.
Maybe, life was good, and then, out of the blue, came a cancer diagnosis, a child went to prison, or ended up pregnant out of wedlock. Maybe, 25 years into your marriage, your spouse announced that he was in love with someone else. Yeah, I've been shipwrecked more than once, and you probably have, too.
Next, he says he was constantly on the move. Again, I haven't experienced that, literally. In fact, I've lived at the same address for the last 33 years. But, being constantly "on the move" is part and parcel of the American lifestyle, isn't it? Our calendars are bursting at the seams, already, and then Christmas comes along. When we think we can't possibly squeeze in one more thing, one more thing is added to the list.
Next, he says he is in danger from rivers. Some of you are boaters. This is a reality in your world. But, let's look at this from a spiritual sense. Isn't the "river" always working to take us downstream? We, as Christians, are peculiar people. We make different choices, or at least we should, from those who don't know Christ. That shows up in different ways for all of us, but I'm thinking of things like what we wear, where we go, what we read, and what we watch (movies). It's not easy to always be swimming upstream. Sometimes, our choices, based on our convictions, are going to cost us plenty. For me, for example, choosing to homeschool my children instead of plunging them into the river of public schooling cost me 29 years of my life. While I wouldn't trade those years for anything, it sure wasn't an easy ride.
In danger from bandits. Well, I guess we could all say that on some level, we are in danger from bandits every day. But, honestly, I'm not sure I've ever actually had anything, material, at least, stolen from me. Not so fast, though, who hasn't encountered those things that steal our peace, joy, and love. Yes, we are called to live in all three, every day, but there is always something out there threatening to steal any, or all, from us. Just like we take precautions to protect our material belongings, we need to take precautions in the spiritual realm. The thief cometh to rob, kill, and destroy. Some of the things we have in our arsenal are Bible study, prayer, worship, and Christian fellowship. Honestly, trying to protect what we have, spiritually, requires a lot more effort than trying to protect what we have materially. Of course that is easy for someone to say who drives around a van that is badly rusted and has over 200,000 miles on it, or is flanked on either side by homes that are definitely worth more than my home. Ah, yes. the cares one is freed from because you don't have enough to make yourself a target. If you are a Christian and you don't realize that Satan has "drawn a bead" on your head, you are mistaken. And, the more you accomplish for the kingdom, the more you are setting yourself up to be in his sights.
In danger from my own country. We all live in potential danger from our own country. I think back to the time when the NAFTA treaty was signed, essentially wiping out the garment business, and my father's livelihood, with it. Decisions about taxes, healthcare, and education, loom over us,constantly, having the potential to undo us in so many ways. For years, I was involved in the battle to preserve our freedom to homeschool, as the teachers' unions were always working hard to remove that option, and I'm sure, are still working. I know of people who have had that dreaded knock on the door from Child Protective Services, putting them on the defensive about how they are raising their children. I just heard of a case where a family has to provide a bed for each of their children, rather than allowing them to share a bed, but they live in a very small home for their family size. I'm really familiar with that scenario. One might wonder when that became a requirement.
In danger from Gentiles. In its most narrow definition, a Gentile is someone who isn't a Jew. In a broader sense, it is an outsider. Ever been in danger as an "outsider"? I'm sure you have. This is not our home. We are strangers and pilgrims, and sometimes, we put ourselves in danger of being snubbed and excluded when we take a stand for righteousness. In 1 Peter, it mentions what happens in terms of your old friends when you start to pursue holiness. "Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you." Yes, as, now an outsider, we live in danger of people speaking evil of us. We may not get that invitation to a party, which is actually, probably a good thing. But, if I work at a job where I am constantly ignored, put down, or excluded, the pain of being an outsider can make things miserable, indeed.
In danger in the city. As I came to this one, my daughter from Manhattan called. How appropriate. I'm not sure what the dangers of a city may have been in Paul's day; perhaps mobs (gangs). He's already mentioned bandits. When I've visited Manhattan, I felt like God wasn't there. Of course, He is, but I think being surrounded by so much that is man made versus being surrounded by God made trees, birds, sky, and mountains, just gave me a sense of absence. Cities are hotbeds of crime. The most liberal views often come from cities. I see definite danger, there.
In danger in the country. I live in a very rural area. When we had snow the other day, as I was walking to my neighbor's house, I slipped and fell. I wasn't really hurt, but I wondered, if I had been, and if I had not been able to get up, how long would it have taken for someone to find me. Interestingly enough, while many would think that raising your kids in the country would be safer than raising them in the city, researchers have found that people living in urban areas are 20% less likely to die from a serious injury than people who live in rural areas. The risk of motor vehicle and machinery accidents is much higher in the country. (Los Angeles Times).
In danger at sea. Clearly, Paul was in much greater danger at sea than anyone who travels on the sea, today. That being said, anyone who frequents the beach exposes themselves to the dangers of sharks, riptides, and jellyfish, not to mention sunburn. Visiting the beach, however, is one way that many choose to enjoy creation and escape the psychological dangers of the rat race.
False Brothers. There are those who use the gospel for gain. Want a "breakthrough"? Send in your money.Healing? Financial success? It can be yours for a "price". The tares will be with us until God sends his reapers, separating the true from the false. The truth is, tares, at least when they are young, very much resemble wheat. It isn't always easy to spot the counterfeit. Beyond that, there are true believers who may be, at least in one area or another, teaching heresy. The best way to counteract being misled is by regular Bible study. Those who can spot counterfeit money can do so because they are familiar with every facet of the real thing; its texture, color, watermark, and security thread. Ever notice how cashiers hold the bill to the light? We, too, need to hold the teachings to the light.
Gone without sleep. Any mother knows the meaning of gone without sleep. Teething, bad dreams, sickness, wetting the bed, to name a few reasons to lose sleep. There is also the tossing and turning because of cares. The anecdote for that is prayer. Cast all your cares on Him, for He careth for you.
Hunger and thirst. We all know what it means to hunger and thirst. I'm sure Paul was talking about something beyond what most of us have experienced. I pray that your hunger would be for the bread of life and your thirst would be for the living water. Too many of us are not experiencing that on a regular basis. We're content with the status quo, sadly.
Gone without food. I hope the only food we go without is the food we pass up, not the food that is inaccessible to us. For many of us, this is the least of our problems. And, while I've never gone hungry, I sure know what it is like to make a grocery list and pray that you have enough money to cover everything. In fact, at one time, my weekly grocery shopping was an exercise in faith. Chalk that up to having a large family.
Cold and naked. Hard to imagine not having clothes with which to cover yourself. God forbid that it should ever come to that.
In conclusion, we all, believers or not, face many trials, temptations, and hardships in life. Sometimes it feels like we've experienced forty lashes minus one. One more lash, and we're finished! Sometimes, we have to live day to day. Sometimes, hour to hour. And other times, moment to moment. God controls the whip. He is sovereign. Oftentimes, our greatest growth comes from the times of the deepest testing. Our muscles are not strengthened by sitting on the couch and eating bon bons. So, too, our spiritual muscles aren't strengthened by days of ease. Rest in your Father's loving care. If you are in a forty lashes minus one time in your life, the day will come when you look back and marvel at how God brought you through. When I am weak, then I am strong.
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