To 7 of the Apostles by Sea of Tiberias/ Galilee – Catch of Fish:
Reading for today
John 21:1-25
John is the only one who shares this story. Again, as I keep saying – I trust John’s version a lot more because he was present. I know that now – 1977 years later – there are people who have decided John wasn’t the author – but I believe he was. I believe he was an eyewitness – and that his record is true….
I have a lot of reminders in life about the difference of ‘being an eyewitness’ – or only hearing stories through another person’s eyes. That reality in my own life makes me pay attention more closely when I believe the person sharing the story was actually there. Oh, I know even at the scene of an accident each witness present is going to see and remember the events differently – but being there means something. Knowing what actually went on – not what we’ve been told with too many layers between – means something.
That’s why this story as reported has so much meaning for me. John was there.
I love this whole story. It is so amazing. John reports that this was the third time Jesus had appeared to the disciples since his resurrection. So – according to my very reliable source, John, Jesus had appeared on Resurrection Sunday to them in a closed room behind a closed door +-April 5 that year); had appeared precisely one week later when Thomas was present (+-Sunday, April 12 that year); and now – this third time by Lake Galilee.
I’ve been to Lake Galilee, specifically to Tiberias, on the shore of Lake Galilee, which is also called Lake Tiberias, Lake Genessaret, and Lake Kinneret. I’ve ridden in a boat that replicates one like they would have fished from in the years encompassing the 33 A D era. It makes it all so visual.
But – what I love about this story is what Jesus did for Peter. Peter was still the same, impetuous Peter we’ve grown to know and love – the Peter who cut off the ear of Caiphas’ servant, Malchus; the Peter who vowed to ‘even die’ with Jesus – then turned cowardly and ran tearfully into the early morning of that dreadful Friday morning so recently past.
Yep – the Peter who denied he even knew Jesus – 3 times, just as Jesus said he would. Now – Jesus lets Peter make that up – redeems it – with 3 affirmations of his love – but this time Jesus makes it clear that he knows just what Peter is capable of promising. We lose that in the English translation. All we see is the word love. But in the original, Jesus asks him, “Do you agape me?” And Peter replies “You know that I phileo you.” Peter had learned his lesson. He was not capable of God’s total complete unconditional agape love – certainly not in his own strength…and now he knew that. But he did love – he loved with phileo love – brotherly love – the same kind of love defined by Philadelphia – ‘the City of brotherly love’.
So Jesus replied to Peter, ‘Feed my lambs.”
A second time Jesus asked, “Simon son of John, do you truly agape-love me?”
Again Peter replied, “Yes, Lord, (you who see and know all things) – You know that I phileo you,” And Jesus says, Take care of my sheep.”
The third time Jesus asks him, he changes his question to phileo. He asks Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you phileo me?” John says that Peter was hurt by the question. I’m not so sure he reported that accurately. John may have been infusing how he’d feel with what Peter felt – I’m just not sure. But – what I do know is that Jesus questioned Peter that time with the kind of love Peter was capable of committing to. Peter had learned his limitations. And this time, Peter acknowledged what we all acknowledge: You know all things, and a 3rd time he professed his phileo love to Jesus.
How many times did he deny him? 3 times.
How many times did Jesus insist he affirm his love? 3 times.
I love, love, love that the Lord redeemed Peter’s words.
Peter, and this story, are why I believe in Jesus Christ. If Jesus had just died and stayed dead, like Nietzsche would like to have you believe – there would be no Christianity worth its salt. We would be just like followers of Islam – following a dead prophet to a dead end. But – Jesus – raised again from the dead, met on this specific day with his disciples on the shore of Lake Galilee, took Peter aside and reinstated him to complete restoration – redeemed what he had done, and gave him his marching orders for what he was to do to live out that faith: feed my lambs, take care of my sheep, feed my sheep. And our author – who was following along close enough to hear – tells us about it. Thanks, Peter. Thanks, John. Thank you, Lord.
Wa-hoo!!!!!! I love this touchstone to our Christian heritage.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
POST RESURRECTION APPEARANCES (Part 2)
To the 11 on a mountain in Galilee where Jesus told them to go
Reading for Today:
Matthew 28:16-20
Mark 16:15-18
Luke 24:36-48
During the forty days that Jesus was on earth between his resurrection and his ascension, we have only a few recorded times that he appeared to his disciples. It doesn’t mean there weren’t more – it’s just that these are all we have as a record. After grappling with trying to meld them – I have decided just to report them as we have them – and let them be as they are: the corroboration of his physically and tangibly being among them. Before I get to today’s specific passages, I have to backtrack a little bit for clarity.
On Sunday morning (+-April 5, 33 A D) reported in Matthew 28:7-10, the angel who told the women Jesus was risen, also told them, “Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
The angel obediently delivered the message as instructed. They saw the place where Jesus had been – and then they obeyed, but as they were running away from the tomb: Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said…. Then Jesus said to them…. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
In Matthew’s Gospel, verse 16 of Matthew 28 picks up the continuation of that story. The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. Note: according to Matthew they were told to go to Galilee to meet Jesus. When he told them that it was early – very early – that first Sunday morning – the Sunday of resurrection.
Bunny trail: The next verse is a doozie: When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Wow! I guess that lets me off the hook for times when I am not absolutely certain if what I heard was from the Lord. He was standing right in front of them; hands, feet and sides pierced from nails and sword. They could see him, touch him – and some doubted….
Back on track: Mark’s account agrees that the angel told the women to go tell the disciples to go to Galilee – but he also specifies ‘the disciples and Peter’…. I love that Jesus knew how dreadfully Peter was hurting – and that we have this record that he reached out to him specifically.
I have to address the confusion Luke’s gospel creates. Luke 24:33-35 tells us about Jesus appearing to the two on the road to Emmaus that Sunday – two who jumped up from the table after Jesus had left them and immediately ran back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
So – it’s Sunday evening, and even though the disciples were told by the women that they were to go to Galilee, they are behind a closed door in Jerusalem?
And further – was Peter (Simon Peter) the other disciple walking on the road to Emmaus with Cleopas? I’ve never thought about that possibility before…. If so, why doesn’t’ the Bible account tell us? Guess I’ll just have to wonder about that one…. But Luke reports Jesus appeared to Simon…and the Simon we know is Simon Peter.
Then, in verse 36 Luke reports: While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” I love this passage in Luke. Love that Jesus explained everything to them; Love that they had a time of ‘show and tell’ when he let them touch the sites of his physical wounds – and explained everything again to them – opening their minds so they could understand the Scriptures (which – as a reminder – was the Old Testament Law, Prophets and Psalms. The New Testament wasn’t written yet.) Verses 46 – 49 are wonderful verses: He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
There is definitely a glitch here somewhere. In fact, John corroborates the fact that Jesus appeared to them behind the locked door on that first day of the week – on the Sunday of his resurrection. And he attests that a week later, on the next Sunday, +-April 12, 33 A D, when the 11 disciples were in that very same house again, that Jesus appeared to them again for Thomas’ benefit. Thomas had not yet seen him.
So – it is probable that the Galilee appearance took place sometime after that first week. It also appears that the disciples didn’t obey Jesus’ directive to go immediately to Galilee. And – what he did tell them when he was with them was to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit was given. Hmmm…. I wonder…. Galilee is in the northern part of Israel…. They couldn’t be two places at one time…. All I can do is wonder….
Strangely, the glitches in the stories just affirm the Truth of the Good News Jesus came to bring. IF these had just been writers who got together to concoct a story to make us believe in something that had absolutely no truth in it, they would have collaborated to make their stories align. Some had more accurate memories than others. Each reports different parts of the same story from a different perspective. Part of it depends on whether the writer as an eye-witness or whether he is transcribing the story as told to him some years after the fact – but the most important facts are there. The Good News that Messiah came, took on sin, died for our sins, was raised again on the third day, appeared to his disciples and others after his resurrection, proving he was alive is all true.
I don’t have to make it all fit sequentially to believe the basic truth presented.
In real life:
Last night when I quickly wrote my blog I only had a few minutes to write. I didn’t share much – but today I’ll share more.
My Potato Masher Parables presentation was at University Place Presbyterian Church in University Place in the metropolitan area of Tacoma, with University Place situated just before going across the Narrows Bridge to Gig Harbor.
I lived in University Place for a short while a long, long time ago. It was in 1969/1970. I was in my early 20’s. It was during that fairly short – but very painful – time of my life that I tried living life without God. It wasn’t pretty. The first place I lived in University Place was a small apartment in the basement of a Dental Office – right across the street from the University Place Presbyterian Church – the one I spoke at yesterday to their ‘Scintillating Seniors.’ (I don’t know what they call themselves – but they are a lovely group of people – and I was blessed to get to share being present with them for a few hours.)
Anyway – when I received the invitation to speak I thought, “How fun!” I knew where the church was, had been back there while I lived in Montesano to attend a Conference – and knowing I would be there for their event was pure joy.
I wasn’t prepared for the ‘blast of emotion from the past’ that hit me as I drove up to the church yesterday. It was completely unexpected. Tears leaped to my eyes as I was parking my vehicle – and I had to quell them and divert my attention away from the intrusion of being interrupted. I was there for a purpose – and the purpose was one of JOY to me – and this certainly was not joy! The flood of emotion blindsided me. I took a deep breath – and went inside to set up. I love giving my Potato Masher Parables talk – but even so, the memories lingered palpably ‘at bay’ making it a little harder to just enjoy the moment to its fullest – still, it was a joy. I choose joy!
Less than five minutes before I left the house yesterday, my glasses broke. I think that also affected my connecting to my audience. I couldn’t see them nearly as well as I like to…. I like to look into people’s eyes as I speak and get 'visual feedback.’
Even knowing I had broken glasses to deal with later, just before I left the house yesterday, I impulsively ran back up and grabbed the phone number for the lady I referred to yesterday as ‘an old friend.’ She was. She was also my former mother-in-law. I had been wanting to see her – had contacted her younger son, and he asked her – and she was open to my coming. I didn’t give her much warning. I wasn’t sure I’d be up to the visit after the ‘talk time’ so I called after I was finished with my commitment at U Pres and told her I was in Tacoma and could be there in about 20 minutes.
We had a lovely visit. She was a very special lady in my life – and I wanted to tell her I was sorry for the pain I caused her when her son and I split up. She told me she had forgiven me a long time ago. We agreed that ‘whatever happened’ it takes two. We didn’t discuss any details.
What was good was seeing her again. She looks great. It was wonderful to look into her face, see her beautiful blue eyes – and they are really blue, blue, blue and beautiful – and be able to hug each other and let the past be past. I told her, “You can’t be my Mom, but you can be my friend.” I plan to visit again. It’s a new chapter.
Back about 1973 I thought she had chosen not to be part of our lives because a letter I wrote to her came back to me unopened. Contact just suddenly ended – after I had tried to maintain contact. What happened between her son and I was not her fault and I wanted her to have a relationship with her grandson – who at that time was her only grandchild. I don’t know what happened at that point. I didn’t pursue finding out. But – we lost touch for many years. The in-between doesn’t matter now. What matters is what we do with today.
There was a phrase that I love which is part of my Presbyterian heritage: Saved and being saved. Yes. There is that beginning of ‘being saved’ – of accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior – but every day we are ‘being saved.’ Yesterday was a day I was very aware of that cleansing work of God’s continual salvation. It was a good day.
Reading for Today:
Matthew 28:16-20
Mark 16:15-18
Luke 24:36-48
During the forty days that Jesus was on earth between his resurrection and his ascension, we have only a few recorded times that he appeared to his disciples. It doesn’t mean there weren’t more – it’s just that these are all we have as a record. After grappling with trying to meld them – I have decided just to report them as we have them – and let them be as they are: the corroboration of his physically and tangibly being among them. Before I get to today’s specific passages, I have to backtrack a little bit for clarity.
On Sunday morning (+-April 5, 33 A D) reported in Matthew 28:7-10, the angel who told the women Jesus was risen, also told them, “Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
The angel obediently delivered the message as instructed. They saw the place where Jesus had been – and then they obeyed, but as they were running away from the tomb: Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said…. Then Jesus said to them…. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
In Matthew’s Gospel, verse 16 of Matthew 28 picks up the continuation of that story. The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. Note: according to Matthew they were told to go to Galilee to meet Jesus. When he told them that it was early – very early – that first Sunday morning – the Sunday of resurrection.
Bunny trail: The next verse is a doozie: When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Wow! I guess that lets me off the hook for times when I am not absolutely certain if what I heard was from the Lord. He was standing right in front of them; hands, feet and sides pierced from nails and sword. They could see him, touch him – and some doubted….
Back on track: Mark’s account agrees that the angel told the women to go tell the disciples to go to Galilee – but he also specifies ‘the disciples and Peter’…. I love that Jesus knew how dreadfully Peter was hurting – and that we have this record that he reached out to him specifically.
I have to address the confusion Luke’s gospel creates. Luke 24:33-35 tells us about Jesus appearing to the two on the road to Emmaus that Sunday – two who jumped up from the table after Jesus had left them and immediately ran back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
So – it’s Sunday evening, and even though the disciples were told by the women that they were to go to Galilee, they are behind a closed door in Jerusalem?
And further – was Peter (Simon Peter) the other disciple walking on the road to Emmaus with Cleopas? I’ve never thought about that possibility before…. If so, why doesn’t’ the Bible account tell us? Guess I’ll just have to wonder about that one…. But Luke reports Jesus appeared to Simon…and the Simon we know is Simon Peter.
Then, in verse 36 Luke reports: While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” I love this passage in Luke. Love that Jesus explained everything to them; Love that they had a time of ‘show and tell’ when he let them touch the sites of his physical wounds – and explained everything again to them – opening their minds so they could understand the Scriptures (which – as a reminder – was the Old Testament Law, Prophets and Psalms. The New Testament wasn’t written yet.) Verses 46 – 49 are wonderful verses: He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
There is definitely a glitch here somewhere. In fact, John corroborates the fact that Jesus appeared to them behind the locked door on that first day of the week – on the Sunday of his resurrection. And he attests that a week later, on the next Sunday, +-April 12, 33 A D, when the 11 disciples were in that very same house again, that Jesus appeared to them again for Thomas’ benefit. Thomas had not yet seen him.
So – it is probable that the Galilee appearance took place sometime after that first week. It also appears that the disciples didn’t obey Jesus’ directive to go immediately to Galilee. And – what he did tell them when he was with them was to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit was given. Hmmm…. I wonder…. Galilee is in the northern part of Israel…. They couldn’t be two places at one time…. All I can do is wonder….
Strangely, the glitches in the stories just affirm the Truth of the Good News Jesus came to bring. IF these had just been writers who got together to concoct a story to make us believe in something that had absolutely no truth in it, they would have collaborated to make their stories align. Some had more accurate memories than others. Each reports different parts of the same story from a different perspective. Part of it depends on whether the writer as an eye-witness or whether he is transcribing the story as told to him some years after the fact – but the most important facts are there. The Good News that Messiah came, took on sin, died for our sins, was raised again on the third day, appeared to his disciples and others after his resurrection, proving he was alive is all true.
I don’t have to make it all fit sequentially to believe the basic truth presented.
In real life:
Last night when I quickly wrote my blog I only had a few minutes to write. I didn’t share much – but today I’ll share more.
My Potato Masher Parables presentation was at University Place Presbyterian Church in University Place in the metropolitan area of Tacoma, with University Place situated just before going across the Narrows Bridge to Gig Harbor.
I lived in University Place for a short while a long, long time ago. It was in 1969/1970. I was in my early 20’s. It was during that fairly short – but very painful – time of my life that I tried living life without God. It wasn’t pretty. The first place I lived in University Place was a small apartment in the basement of a Dental Office – right across the street from the University Place Presbyterian Church – the one I spoke at yesterday to their ‘Scintillating Seniors.’ (I don’t know what they call themselves – but they are a lovely group of people – and I was blessed to get to share being present with them for a few hours.)
Anyway – when I received the invitation to speak I thought, “How fun!” I knew where the church was, had been back there while I lived in Montesano to attend a Conference – and knowing I would be there for their event was pure joy.
I wasn’t prepared for the ‘blast of emotion from the past’ that hit me as I drove up to the church yesterday. It was completely unexpected. Tears leaped to my eyes as I was parking my vehicle – and I had to quell them and divert my attention away from the intrusion of being interrupted. I was there for a purpose – and the purpose was one of JOY to me – and this certainly was not joy! The flood of emotion blindsided me. I took a deep breath – and went inside to set up. I love giving my Potato Masher Parables talk – but even so, the memories lingered palpably ‘at bay’ making it a little harder to just enjoy the moment to its fullest – still, it was a joy. I choose joy!
Less than five minutes before I left the house yesterday, my glasses broke. I think that also affected my connecting to my audience. I couldn’t see them nearly as well as I like to…. I like to look into people’s eyes as I speak and get 'visual feedback.’
Even knowing I had broken glasses to deal with later, just before I left the house yesterday, I impulsively ran back up and grabbed the phone number for the lady I referred to yesterday as ‘an old friend.’ She was. She was also my former mother-in-law. I had been wanting to see her – had contacted her younger son, and he asked her – and she was open to my coming. I didn’t give her much warning. I wasn’t sure I’d be up to the visit after the ‘talk time’ so I called after I was finished with my commitment at U Pres and told her I was in Tacoma and could be there in about 20 minutes.
We had a lovely visit. She was a very special lady in my life – and I wanted to tell her I was sorry for the pain I caused her when her son and I split up. She told me she had forgiven me a long time ago. We agreed that ‘whatever happened’ it takes two. We didn’t discuss any details.
What was good was seeing her again. She looks great. It was wonderful to look into her face, see her beautiful blue eyes – and they are really blue, blue, blue and beautiful – and be able to hug each other and let the past be past. I told her, “You can’t be my Mom, but you can be my friend.” I plan to visit again. It’s a new chapter.
Back about 1973 I thought she had chosen not to be part of our lives because a letter I wrote to her came back to me unopened. Contact just suddenly ended – after I had tried to maintain contact. What happened between her son and I was not her fault and I wanted her to have a relationship with her grandson – who at that time was her only grandchild. I don’t know what happened at that point. I didn’t pursue finding out. But – we lost touch for many years. The in-between doesn’t matter now. What matters is what we do with today.
There was a phrase that I love which is part of my Presbyterian heritage: Saved and being saved. Yes. There is that beginning of ‘being saved’ – of accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior – but every day we are ‘being saved.’ Yesterday was a day I was very aware of that cleansing work of God’s continual salvation. It was a good day.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
POTATO MASHER PARABLES, ETC
April 27, 2010
I am so thankful God chose me for this little role as the POTATO MASHER PARABLE lady. Perhaps some day I’ll share some of them in my blog….
This was the 16th time I’ve given a talk titled, Potato Masher Parables, but it is different every time I do it – though some of the main stories are woven throughout all of them pretty consistently. Today, I added one that has never been presented before - related to my one masher that I say reminds me of an Amazon. When I was lying awake this morning after 5:13, thinking about the day, praying to remember all God wanted for this day, the idea was planted that when I talk about the Amazon’s I could talk about armor – the armor listed in Ephesians 6:10-18. I just love it when God reminds me of new ideas to incorporate.
The group I spoke to was a great group. The music they had as entertainment before I spoke was amazing!
I topped off the fun of the day by going to visit a dear older friend whom I had not seen for about 36 or 37 years.
God is good! His mercies endure forever! Unless we’ve experienced forgiveness, we cannot begin to fathom what that means.
SHARING ERIN'S COMMENTS ON THE BETH MOORE SIMULCAST
Tuesday, April 27
I'm off shortly to go share my Potato Masher Parables 'talk' in Tacoma, but I just read my daughter's blog about the Beth Moore Simulcast, and want to share part of what she wrote with you, since she elaborated more on each specific area of the S-E-C-U-R-E acronym.
From Erin Cain’s Blog:
A SECURE woman is:
Saved from herself:
My insecurity is a form of pride. I must stop the comparisons, feeling threatened, my own selfishness…I must know that I am clothed in strength and dignity by God. Proverbs 31:25 “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
Entitled to truth:
Too often we believe the lies of “If I could be this or do this or have this, then…” Instead we must believe God, His plans for our life and the truth of His word.
Clothed with intention:
We need to walk in SECURITY on purpose! “Today I choose to put off the old me and put on the new me.” Jesus Christ is my security and empowers everything I say and do if I will let Him.
Upended by grace:
Grace turns everything upside down. Grace makes the weak strong. Grace makes the poor rich. Grace makes the impossible possible. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by faith we have been saved through grace.” We would be more likely to forgive if we
are secure. We must first truly believe we are forgiven. Receiving God’s
forgiveness honors Him. Out of the overflow of grace given me, I must give grace to others.
Rebounded by love:
We must live a life of love! God’s love for us in unwavering. I am absolutely LOVED by my Father. We must be convinced that we are dearly loved by God. We can not “out-sin” God’s forgiveness. When we know we are loved, we love. When we know we are forgiven, we forgive. When we know grace has been extended to us, we extend grace.
Exceptional in life:
Because of who Jesus Christ is in me, I can be exceptional! I must let Christ overtake me. I can trust that, in the intensity of the pain I go through in life, God will use it for GOOD. Romans 8: 28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
I'm off shortly to go share my Potato Masher Parables 'talk' in Tacoma, but I just read my daughter's blog about the Beth Moore Simulcast, and want to share part of what she wrote with you, since she elaborated more on each specific area of the S-E-C-U-R-E acronym.
From Erin Cain’s Blog:
A SECURE woman is:
Saved from herself:
My insecurity is a form of pride. I must stop the comparisons, feeling threatened, my own selfishness…I must know that I am clothed in strength and dignity by God. Proverbs 31:25 “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
Entitled to truth:
Too often we believe the lies of “If I could be this or do this or have this, then…” Instead we must believe God, His plans for our life and the truth of His word.
Clothed with intention:
We need to walk in SECURITY on purpose! “Today I choose to put off the old me and put on the new me.” Jesus Christ is my security and empowers everything I say and do if I will let Him.
Upended by grace:
Grace turns everything upside down. Grace makes the weak strong. Grace makes the poor rich. Grace makes the impossible possible. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by faith we have been saved through grace.” We would be more likely to forgive if we
are secure. We must first truly believe we are forgiven. Receiving God’s
forgiveness honors Him. Out of the overflow of grace given me, I must give grace to others.
Rebounded by love:
We must live a life of love! God’s love for us in unwavering. I am absolutely LOVED by my Father. We must be convinced that we are dearly loved by God. We can not “out-sin” God’s forgiveness. When we know we are loved, we love. When we know we are forgiven, we forgive. When we know grace has been extended to us, we extend grace.
Exceptional in life:
Because of who Jesus Christ is in me, I can be exceptional! I must let Christ overtake me. I can trust that, in the intensity of the pain I go through in life, God will use it for GOOD. Romans 8: 28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
BETH MOORE SIMULCAST 4/24/2010
Bonus Blog: April 25, 2010
Friday night, April 23, my middle daughter, Erin, her two Mom’s (her Mom-in-law and me), and her 3 daughters, ages 3 ½, almost 7, and 10 going on 16, had a girl’s night: soaking feet, doing nails, having Sundaes, watching a movie (Because of Winn Dixie). We had never done that before as a girlie group. It was fun – and a fun memory for the girls to have both of their Grandmas – who both love them dearly – together to soak toes and just hang out as ‘the girls.’ Originally we were to go to the ‘Retreat’ that night – but because of circumstances we needed to adapt the plan - and our adapted plan was a wonderful treat – and invested in the girls in a very positive way.
Saturday, the two Moms joined Erin for the retreat she had invited us to attend with her. It was a Simulcast done by Beth Moore titled after her book, SO LONG, INSECURITY.
We were in a room with several hundred women – and we were connected via Satellite to a church in Birmingham, Alabama, where Beth was speaking live. A church called Woodstock! There were something like 869 other sites around the country who were all connected as well, for a total of more than 300,000 women. What an amazing tool Satellite connection offers. Pretty incredible….
In addition to her two teaching sessions, we had worship led by Travis Cottrell and a Praise & Worship Team who did a fantastic job – all via satellite…. When there were little glitches in the satellite transmission the ladies gathered at Real Life Family Center in Puyallup just kept going – and the simulcast rejoined us in perfect timing….
Beth’s message was to women – but anyone who is grappling with feeling insecure in some area of their life – man or woman – could benefit from the message. While I disagreed with her in her book when she ‘assumed’ all women feel certain ways – attributing feelings to ‘all women’ I have never felt – she is undoubtedly right that we all have some area where we feel insecure.
Among the many good points she made were:
Insecurity will not do one single thing for your life.
Insecurity is not humility. They are two different things.
Insecurity is not weakness – it is unbelief.
Live a life worthy of your calling:
We are meant to be free, secure and made new by grace.
It is a battle of the mind.
People who feel graced by God will extend grace
It does not honor God for us to disbelieve His forgiveness.
Forgive others even if they have not asked – even if they don’t want forgiveness.
We can give grace away and still keep it. We don’t lose it by giving it.
She made an acronym of S-E C-U-R-E, did 3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon:
WHAT A SECURE WOMAN LOOKS LIKE:
She is:
1. Saved from herself
2. Entitled to truth
3. Clothed with intention
4. Upended by grace
5. Rebounded by Love
6. Exceptional in Life
I have 4 pages of notes covering what she said on those topics.
One thing she said that really got my attention was this: One of the curses spoken over the earth after Adam and Eve sinned was that there would be thorns. She identified it as the sign of sin on planet earth. Jesus was crowned with thorns – and his blood sprinkled onto the earth in front of the cross was akin to the sprinkling of blood in front of the mercy seat. Accordingly, he paid the price for earth as well….
Wow! That was a new thought to me. I had never correlated the crown of thorns specifically with the curse on the earth when sin entered the world. And Jesus was crowned with a very symbolic crown of thorns. Because of my very intentional journey through Jesus’ final days on earth – that really stuck out to me….
I imagine the simulcast will be distributed later. I highly recommend it for a ladies’ day – but even men would benefit…. I really enjoyed sharing the day with Beth. She is an amazing speaker – very humorous as well – and conspicuously loves the Lord!
As for the book – I had a problem occasionally with being told what I feel – when in fact I had never felt some specific thing she assumed was common to all women – but in general the book was worth reading. At 64, I’ve dealt with most of my issues, I hope! Still – there was one chapter that really spoke to me, and it was one on the fears we face, as in ‘What is your worst fear?’ What she says God showed her was to take it one step further: suppose that ‘worst fear' came true, then what? Of course, for one who loves the Lord – and knows He loved us even before we loved Him – we know He will be with us through it – whatever it is – and beyond.
For my own little bunny trail on that topic: As Peter said to Jesus when Jesus asked him, Will you leave also?” the immediate reply was “To whom would I go? You have the words of life.”
We live in a fallen world. Rotten things happen to people – even good people – but the difference for those who know the Lord is that we know He walks with us through the storm, and only He can bring comfort in the darkest hour. That is a confidence we have, so we can face life with security in Him – because there is no security in anything else.
Bad stuff will happen. Count on it. But don’t let it immobilize with fear. Fear just steals today’s life and today’s joy – and ruins today. Don’t anticipate trouble. Know He will walk with you, in you, beside you – and be there when you reach the other side….
Go in His grace….
Friday night, April 23, my middle daughter, Erin, her two Mom’s (her Mom-in-law and me), and her 3 daughters, ages 3 ½, almost 7, and 10 going on 16, had a girl’s night: soaking feet, doing nails, having Sundaes, watching a movie (Because of Winn Dixie). We had never done that before as a girlie group. It was fun – and a fun memory for the girls to have both of their Grandmas – who both love them dearly – together to soak toes and just hang out as ‘the girls.’ Originally we were to go to the ‘Retreat’ that night – but because of circumstances we needed to adapt the plan - and our adapted plan was a wonderful treat – and invested in the girls in a very positive way.
Saturday, the two Moms joined Erin for the retreat she had invited us to attend with her. It was a Simulcast done by Beth Moore titled after her book, SO LONG, INSECURITY.
We were in a room with several hundred women – and we were connected via Satellite to a church in Birmingham, Alabama, where Beth was speaking live. A church called Woodstock! There were something like 869 other sites around the country who were all connected as well, for a total of more than 300,000 women. What an amazing tool Satellite connection offers. Pretty incredible….
In addition to her two teaching sessions, we had worship led by Travis Cottrell and a Praise & Worship Team who did a fantastic job – all via satellite…. When there were little glitches in the satellite transmission the ladies gathered at Real Life Family Center in Puyallup just kept going – and the simulcast rejoined us in perfect timing….
Beth’s message was to women – but anyone who is grappling with feeling insecure in some area of their life – man or woman – could benefit from the message. While I disagreed with her in her book when she ‘assumed’ all women feel certain ways – attributing feelings to ‘all women’ I have never felt – she is undoubtedly right that we all have some area where we feel insecure.
Among the many good points she made were:
Insecurity will not do one single thing for your life.
Insecurity is not humility. They are two different things.
Insecurity is not weakness – it is unbelief.
Live a life worthy of your calling:
We are meant to be free, secure and made new by grace.
It is a battle of the mind.
People who feel graced by God will extend grace
It does not honor God for us to disbelieve His forgiveness.
Forgive others even if they have not asked – even if they don’t want forgiveness.
We can give grace away and still keep it. We don’t lose it by giving it.
She made an acronym of S-E C-U-R-E, did 3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon:
WHAT A SECURE WOMAN LOOKS LIKE:
She is:
1. Saved from herself
2. Entitled to truth
3. Clothed with intention
4. Upended by grace
5. Rebounded by Love
6. Exceptional in Life
I have 4 pages of notes covering what she said on those topics.
One thing she said that really got my attention was this: One of the curses spoken over the earth after Adam and Eve sinned was that there would be thorns. She identified it as the sign of sin on planet earth. Jesus was crowned with thorns – and his blood sprinkled onto the earth in front of the cross was akin to the sprinkling of blood in front of the mercy seat. Accordingly, he paid the price for earth as well….
Wow! That was a new thought to me. I had never correlated the crown of thorns specifically with the curse on the earth when sin entered the world. And Jesus was crowned with a very symbolic crown of thorns. Because of my very intentional journey through Jesus’ final days on earth – that really stuck out to me….
I imagine the simulcast will be distributed later. I highly recommend it for a ladies’ day – but even men would benefit…. I really enjoyed sharing the day with Beth. She is an amazing speaker – very humorous as well – and conspicuously loves the Lord!
As for the book – I had a problem occasionally with being told what I feel – when in fact I had never felt some specific thing she assumed was common to all women – but in general the book was worth reading. At 64, I’ve dealt with most of my issues, I hope! Still – there was one chapter that really spoke to me, and it was one on the fears we face, as in ‘What is your worst fear?’ What she says God showed her was to take it one step further: suppose that ‘worst fear' came true, then what? Of course, for one who loves the Lord – and knows He loved us even before we loved Him – we know He will be with us through it – whatever it is – and beyond.
For my own little bunny trail on that topic: As Peter said to Jesus when Jesus asked him, Will you leave also?” the immediate reply was “To whom would I go? You have the words of life.”
We live in a fallen world. Rotten things happen to people – even good people – but the difference for those who know the Lord is that we know He walks with us through the storm, and only He can bring comfort in the darkest hour. That is a confidence we have, so we can face life with security in Him – because there is no security in anything else.
Bad stuff will happen. Count on it. But don’t let it immobilize with fear. Fear just steals today’s life and today’s joy – and ruins today. Don’t anticipate trouble. Know He will walk with you, in you, beside you – and be there when you reach the other side….
Go in His grace….
POST RESURRECTION APPEARANCES (Part 1)
FINAL 'CATCH-UP DAY'
April 25, 2010
Reading for Today
Jesus’ appearance to two on the way to Emmaus (Cleopas and another):
Mark 16:12-13
Luke 24:13-32
Wow! Talk about random reports! We have to piece the reports together to gain some semblance of the recorded post-resurrection appearances Jesus made between Sunday, +-April 4 and his ascension 40 days later on +-Friday, May 7, 33 AD.
In Part 1 I want to talk primarily about Jesus' appearance to the two who were on their way to Emmaus. That will catch me up with the portions of the story that occurred that I didn’t cover in real time…. I already jumped ‘ahead’ on April 11 and talked about Jesus’ appearing to his disciples behind the closed door a week after his resurrection so I could stay ‘in time’ except for the last couple of days of his life. Everything else following Easter (except April 11) has been written in ‘catch-up’ mode…. This is the last segment to catch up on.
I would love to have the complete verbatim record of all of the things Jesus said to these two who were walking through the country toward Emmaus. Mark gives us the ‘Cliff’s Notes’ version of the story – but the one fact he includes which is of great significance is that Jesus appeared to them in a different form. I had always wondered why they didn’t recognize him…supposing it was perhaps because they didn’t look him in the face - and that their hearts were just too heavy to 'hear' his voice.... Mark’s observation indicates that Jesus intentionally kept them from seeing Him for who He was. However he achieved that, they didn’t realize that He was walking beside them.
When Jesus asked them what they were discussing, Cleopas sadly replied, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
“What things?” Jesus inquired.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied, their sadness palpable….
The two men witnessed to Jesus as a prophet – a mighty powerful prophet – but not as the Son of God.
Then Jesus scolded them and said, “Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Some of those things that were likely included are:
Genesis 3:15 (Part of what God told the ‘serpent’ Satan in His curse against him:)
“…And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel."
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 53
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Daniel 9:24
"Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.
Malachi 3:1
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.
Of course John hadn’t been written yet – but the first verses that came to my mind were John 1:1 – 4
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
As they walked, Jesus shared all of the prophecies – all of the history – all of what Israel had looked for – and who it was fulfilled in: Jesus of Nazareth….
Their hearts burned with them. They found him so engaging that they prevailed upon him to stop and stay with them….and as he broke the bread, their eyes were opened – and he disappeared.
Jesus, Messiah. Name above all Names. Blessed Redeemer, Immanuel. The Ransom from heaven. The Savior for Many. Jesus Messiah. Lord of All….
Those are words in a song we sing at church.
And Jesus, Messiah, joined with 2 people on the road to Emmaus and told them everything…and their hearts burned within them.
I am so glad to know the One who is Truth. My heart burns within me when He opens the Truth of His Word to me in study. Thank you, Lord, for the joy of being in relationship with You. I want to know You more, love You more, serve You more….be filled to the brim with You….so I can spill over to others and let them see Truth in You too….
In real life:
Yesterday was the funeral for the young woman (14 ½ years younger than I am) who died of Pancreatic Cancer April 16. I was not able to be two places at one time – and knowing the family would be surrounded by people who love them, kept my original commitment to go to a Beth Moore Simulcast with my middle daughter, Erin. I’ll commit an extra blog entry to that!
I have a cute personal story to end with today:
As a Mom it is all too easy to raise one’s voice just a bit when frustrated with repeated dialogue with a strong-willed child. Many people grapple with that in parenting. I certainly remember having to discipline myself to keep my voice modulation in control– and certainly didn’t always succeed to my liking.
I’m prefacing the story because it is not an issue just one person deals with. My lovely, sweet, Christian, middle daughter told her kids: “I am not going to raise my voice when I speak to you any more. In fact, no one is going to yell at anyone any more at our house." Ah, great in theory. So – last week, when she was in the car with her 3 girls, her eldest, who has arguing down to an art form, pushed her Mom’s buttons one too many times, and Erin raised her voice to her. Immediately the youngest one, who is 3 ½ piped up and said, “Mommy, if you want me to, I could pray for you right now that Jesus will take that yucky sin away from you.” Her Mama said, “Yes, that would be a good idea.” Bless her heart…. A gracious Mama in the middle of the situation!
April 25, 2010
Reading for Today
Jesus’ appearance to two on the way to Emmaus (Cleopas and another):
Mark 16:12-13
Luke 24:13-32
Wow! Talk about random reports! We have to piece the reports together to gain some semblance of the recorded post-resurrection appearances Jesus made between Sunday, +-April 4 and his ascension 40 days later on +-Friday, May 7, 33 AD.
In Part 1 I want to talk primarily about Jesus' appearance to the two who were on their way to Emmaus. That will catch me up with the portions of the story that occurred that I didn’t cover in real time…. I already jumped ‘ahead’ on April 11 and talked about Jesus’ appearing to his disciples behind the closed door a week after his resurrection so I could stay ‘in time’ except for the last couple of days of his life. Everything else following Easter (except April 11) has been written in ‘catch-up’ mode…. This is the last segment to catch up on.
I would love to have the complete verbatim record of all of the things Jesus said to these two who were walking through the country toward Emmaus. Mark gives us the ‘Cliff’s Notes’ version of the story – but the one fact he includes which is of great significance is that Jesus appeared to them in a different form. I had always wondered why they didn’t recognize him…supposing it was perhaps because they didn’t look him in the face - and that their hearts were just too heavy to 'hear' his voice.... Mark’s observation indicates that Jesus intentionally kept them from seeing Him for who He was. However he achieved that, they didn’t realize that He was walking beside them.
When Jesus asked them what they were discussing, Cleopas sadly replied, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
“What things?” Jesus inquired.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied, their sadness palpable….
The two men witnessed to Jesus as a prophet – a mighty powerful prophet – but not as the Son of God.
Then Jesus scolded them and said, “Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Some of those things that were likely included are:
Genesis 3:15 (Part of what God told the ‘serpent’ Satan in His curse against him:)
“…And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel."
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 53
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Daniel 9:24
"Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.
Malachi 3:1
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.
Of course John hadn’t been written yet – but the first verses that came to my mind were John 1:1 – 4
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
As they walked, Jesus shared all of the prophecies – all of the history – all of what Israel had looked for – and who it was fulfilled in: Jesus of Nazareth….
Their hearts burned with them. They found him so engaging that they prevailed upon him to stop and stay with them….and as he broke the bread, their eyes were opened – and he disappeared.
Jesus, Messiah. Name above all Names. Blessed Redeemer, Immanuel. The Ransom from heaven. The Savior for Many. Jesus Messiah. Lord of All….
Those are words in a song we sing at church.
And Jesus, Messiah, joined with 2 people on the road to Emmaus and told them everything…and their hearts burned within them.
I am so glad to know the One who is Truth. My heart burns within me when He opens the Truth of His Word to me in study. Thank you, Lord, for the joy of being in relationship with You. I want to know You more, love You more, serve You more….be filled to the brim with You….so I can spill over to others and let them see Truth in You too….
In real life:
Yesterday was the funeral for the young woman (14 ½ years younger than I am) who died of Pancreatic Cancer April 16. I was not able to be two places at one time – and knowing the family would be surrounded by people who love them, kept my original commitment to go to a Beth Moore Simulcast with my middle daughter, Erin. I’ll commit an extra blog entry to that!
I have a cute personal story to end with today:
As a Mom it is all too easy to raise one’s voice just a bit when frustrated with repeated dialogue with a strong-willed child. Many people grapple with that in parenting. I certainly remember having to discipline myself to keep my voice modulation in control– and certainly didn’t always succeed to my liking.
I’m prefacing the story because it is not an issue just one person deals with. My lovely, sweet, Christian, middle daughter told her kids: “I am not going to raise my voice when I speak to you any more. In fact, no one is going to yell at anyone any more at our house." Ah, great in theory. So – last week, when she was in the car with her 3 girls, her eldest, who has arguing down to an art form, pushed her Mom’s buttons one too many times, and Erin raised her voice to her. Immediately the youngest one, who is 3 ½ piped up and said, “Mommy, if you want me to, I could pray for you right now that Jesus will take that yucky sin away from you.” Her Mama said, “Yes, that would be a good idea.” Bless her heart…. A gracious Mama in the middle of the situation!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Music For The Soul
I spent all day yesterday working on gathering titles of music to add to my growing list of 'oldies' - in preparation for an Old-Time Singspiration of songs I cut my spiritual teeth on - songs that elicit incredible memories. I love all music (almost all - not so big on heavy metal!) but I miss singing the songs of my early faith - so many of them have been lost - and some need to be revived! Others carry sentiment with little connection to today's world.... Most of those I chose not to include, as they're probably better left as relics.
The first Singspiration - last October - was wonderful. So - we will do it again! Even preparation is a joy - though it diverts me from everything else, including blogging time.
Today is filled with 'to do' tasks - but I'll be back soon! In the meantime, check these song titles for a flashback or two - a jog down memory lane - a music museum:
A Child Of The King
A Glorious Church
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
A Shelter In The Time of Storm
Abide With Me
All For Jesus
All Hail The Power
All I Need
All That Thrills My Soul Is Jesus
Amazing Grace
Are You Washed In The Blood?
At Calvary
At The Cross
Blessed Assurance
Blessed Be The Name
Blest Be The Tie That Binds
Break Thou The Bread Of Life
Bringing In The Sheaves
Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary
By My Spirit
Christ Arose
Christ Returneth
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
Cleanse Me (aka Search me)
Come And Dine
Come, Thou Almighty King
Constantly Abiding
Count Your Blessings
Crown Him With Many Crowns
Deeper, Deeper
Fairest Lord Jesus!
Faith Is The Victory
Faith Of Our Fathers
Fill Me Now
Follow, I Will Follow Thee
Friendship With Jesus
Glory To His Name
God Be With You ’Til We Meet Again
God Leads Us Along
Grace Greater Than Our Sin
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Happy Day
Have Thine Own Way, Lord
He Arose!
He Brought Me Out
He Hideth My Soul
He Is Able To Deliver Thee
He Keeps Me Singing
He Leadeth Me
He Lives!
He Set Me Free
He Took My Sins Away
Heavenly Sunlight
He’s Coming Soon
Hold the Fort
Holy, Holy, Holy
Honey In The Rock
How Great Thou Art
I Am Thine, O Lord
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
I Know Whom I Have Believed
I Love To Tell The Story
I Must Tell Jesus
I Need Thee Every Hour
I Surrender All
I Will Sing The Wondrous Story
If Jesus Goes With Me
I’ll Fly Away
I’ll Live For Him
In My Heart There Rings a Melody
In The Garden
In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Is Thy Heart Right With God?
Is Your All On The Altar
In My Heart There Rings A Melody
In Times Like These
Is Thy Heart Right With God?
Is Your All On The Altar?
It Is Mine
It Is No Secret What God Can Do
It Is Truly Wonderful
It Is Well With My Soul
It’s Just Like His Great Love
Jesus Breaks Every Fetter
Jesus, I Come
Jesus Is Calling
Jesus Is Coming Again
Jesus Paid It All
Jesus Loves Me
Jesus Saves!
Jesus, Use Me
Joy Unspeakable
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Just As I Am
Kneel At The Cross
Launch Out
Lead Me To Calvary
Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
Let The Lower Lights Be Burning
Like A Mighty Sea
Look To The Lamb Of God
Love Divine
Love Lifted Me
Make Me A Blessing
More About Jesus
More Abundantly
My Burdens Rolled Away
My Jesus, I Love Thee
My Sins Are Gone
My Redeemer
My Savior’s Love (How Marvelous)
My Wonderful Lord
Near The Cross
Near To The Heart Of God
Nothing But The Blood
No, Not One!
Now I Belong To Jesus
O For A Thousand Tongues
O Happy Day
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
O That Will Be Glory
O Worship The King
O Say But I’m Glad!
O How I Love Jesus
Oh! To Be Like Thee
Old-Time Power
One Day!
Only Believe
Onward, Christian Soldiers!
Open My Eyes That I May See
Pass Me Not
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Ye The Lord, The Almighty
Ready
Redeemed!
Revive Us Again
Rock Of Ages
Room At The Cross For You
Saved By Grace
Saved! Saved!
Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us
Send The Light!
Since Jesus Came Into My Heart
Softly And Tenderly
Some Golden Daybreak
Speak My Lord
Springs Of Living Water
Stand Up For Jesus
Standing On The Promises
Such Love
Sunlight
Surely Goodness And Mercy
Sweet Hour Of Prayer
Sweeter As The Years Go By
Tell Me The Old, Old Story
Tell Me The Story Of Jesus
The Comforter Has Come
The Cross Is Not Greater
The Haven Of Rest
The Healer
The Healing Waters
The Lily Of The Valley
The Love Of God
The Name Of Jesus (Is So Sweet)
The Old Rugged Cross
The Solid Rock
The Unveiled Christ
There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood
There Is Power In The Blood
There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing
Throw Out The Lifeline
‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
Trust And Obey
Trusting Jesus
Victory
Victory Ahead
Victory All The Time
Victory In Jesus
Waiting On The Lord
We Have An Anchor
We Shall See The King
We’ll Understand It Better
What A Day That Will Be
What a Friend
What A Wonderful Savior!
When I See The Blood
When I survey the Wondrous Cross
When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
When We All Get To Heaven
Wonderful Grace Of Jesus
Wonderful Peace
Wonderful Words Of Life
Yes, I Know!
Yesterday, Today, Forever
You May Have The Joybells
And that doesn't even include my list of choruses!
The first Singspiration - last October - was wonderful. So - we will do it again! Even preparation is a joy - though it diverts me from everything else, including blogging time.
Today is filled with 'to do' tasks - but I'll be back soon! In the meantime, check these song titles for a flashback or two - a jog down memory lane - a music museum:
A Child Of The King
A Glorious Church
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
A Shelter In The Time of Storm
Abide With Me
All For Jesus
All Hail The Power
All I Need
All That Thrills My Soul Is Jesus
Amazing Grace
Are You Washed In The Blood?
At Calvary
At The Cross
Blessed Assurance
Blessed Be The Name
Blest Be The Tie That Binds
Break Thou The Bread Of Life
Bringing In The Sheaves
Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary
By My Spirit
Christ Arose
Christ Returneth
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
Cleanse Me (aka Search me)
Come And Dine
Come, Thou Almighty King
Constantly Abiding
Count Your Blessings
Crown Him With Many Crowns
Deeper, Deeper
Fairest Lord Jesus!
Faith Is The Victory
Faith Of Our Fathers
Fill Me Now
Follow, I Will Follow Thee
Friendship With Jesus
Glory To His Name
God Be With You ’Til We Meet Again
God Leads Us Along
Grace Greater Than Our Sin
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Happy Day
Have Thine Own Way, Lord
He Arose!
He Brought Me Out
He Hideth My Soul
He Is Able To Deliver Thee
He Keeps Me Singing
He Leadeth Me
He Lives!
He Set Me Free
He Took My Sins Away
Heavenly Sunlight
He’s Coming Soon
Hold the Fort
Holy, Holy, Holy
Honey In The Rock
How Great Thou Art
I Am Thine, O Lord
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
I Know Whom I Have Believed
I Love To Tell The Story
I Must Tell Jesus
I Need Thee Every Hour
I Surrender All
I Will Sing The Wondrous Story
If Jesus Goes With Me
I’ll Fly Away
I’ll Live For Him
In My Heart There Rings a Melody
In The Garden
In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Is Thy Heart Right With God?
Is Your All On The Altar
In My Heart There Rings A Melody
In Times Like These
Is Thy Heart Right With God?
Is Your All On The Altar?
It Is Mine
It Is No Secret What God Can Do
It Is Truly Wonderful
It Is Well With My Soul
It’s Just Like His Great Love
Jesus Breaks Every Fetter
Jesus, I Come
Jesus Is Calling
Jesus Is Coming Again
Jesus Paid It All
Jesus Loves Me
Jesus Saves!
Jesus, Use Me
Joy Unspeakable
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Just As I Am
Kneel At The Cross
Launch Out
Lead Me To Calvary
Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
Let The Lower Lights Be Burning
Like A Mighty Sea
Look To The Lamb Of God
Love Divine
Love Lifted Me
Make Me A Blessing
More About Jesus
More Abundantly
My Burdens Rolled Away
My Jesus, I Love Thee
My Sins Are Gone
My Redeemer
My Savior’s Love (How Marvelous)
My Wonderful Lord
Near The Cross
Near To The Heart Of God
Nothing But The Blood
No, Not One!
Now I Belong To Jesus
O For A Thousand Tongues
O Happy Day
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
O That Will Be Glory
O Worship The King
O Say But I’m Glad!
O How I Love Jesus
Oh! To Be Like Thee
Old-Time Power
One Day!
Only Believe
Onward, Christian Soldiers!
Open My Eyes That I May See
Pass Me Not
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Ye The Lord, The Almighty
Ready
Redeemed!
Revive Us Again
Rock Of Ages
Room At The Cross For You
Saved By Grace
Saved! Saved!
Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us
Send The Light!
Since Jesus Came Into My Heart
Softly And Tenderly
Some Golden Daybreak
Speak My Lord
Springs Of Living Water
Stand Up For Jesus
Standing On The Promises
Such Love
Sunlight
Surely Goodness And Mercy
Sweet Hour Of Prayer
Sweeter As The Years Go By
Tell Me The Old, Old Story
Tell Me The Story Of Jesus
The Comforter Has Come
The Cross Is Not Greater
The Haven Of Rest
The Healer
The Healing Waters
The Lily Of The Valley
The Love Of God
The Name Of Jesus (Is So Sweet)
The Old Rugged Cross
The Solid Rock
The Unveiled Christ
There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood
There Is Power In The Blood
There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing
Throw Out The Lifeline
‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
Trust And Obey
Trusting Jesus
Victory
Victory Ahead
Victory All The Time
Victory In Jesus
Waiting On The Lord
We Have An Anchor
We Shall See The King
We’ll Understand It Better
What A Day That Will Be
What a Friend
What A Wonderful Savior!
When I See The Blood
When I survey the Wondrous Cross
When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
When We All Get To Heaven
Wonderful Grace Of Jesus
Wonderful Peace
Wonderful Words Of Life
Yes, I Know!
Yesterday, Today, Forever
You May Have The Joybells
And that doesn't even include my list of choruses!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
POST RESURRECTION ‘CATCH-UP’
blog for April 21, 2010
Jesus’ first appearing after his resurrection (4/4/33 A D)
Reading for today:
Matthew 28:1-10
Mark 16:1-8
Luke 24:1-12
John 20:1-23
When the women headed to the tomb just before dawn on Sunday morning, they wondered who would roll the stone away for them. They would have had no way to know that there were guards posted on Sabbath morning. After all, it was a hasty decision to do that as an afterthought, just to be sure no one stole Jesus’ body and claimed He had risen.
When I was growing up I thought of a boulder when they said stone. I didn’t know that the stones were hewn from rock into the shape of a disk, and that there was a trough it was placed into – that it actually could be rolled back from the entrance by someone buff enough to do it – at least a couple of ‘someone’s’ being preferable. What were they thinking?
I understand their wanting to honor Jesus – to do for him what was customary – even if redundant – to expiate some of their grief. They must have known that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (the one who once came to Jesus under the cover of night so his fellow-Pharisees wouldn’t know he was a follower) had already entombed Jesus with 75 pounds of spices – since they hung around until they saw where he was laid Friday after being removed from the cross . . . but maybe they left before they saw that part happen. Anyway, they brought their spices, too
They had to be my type of women: the ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’ type. I love that they went – even though the odds of their success were stacked against them!
When the women came to the burial site and saw that the stone was already rolled away, the first and most natural thought was that someone had stolen Jesus’ body. They had seen him die, had stayed around on Friday evening until they saw where he had been laid.
What they found was an empty tomb – the spicy-smelling cloths that Jesus was wrapped in lying vacant – and the cloth napkin that had covered his face folded neatly and lying separately. The angels gave their standard “Do not be afraid” greeting – then told them “He has risen!”
But – he left that folded napkin! A dear friend from my college days shared a story that was circulating on the internet about that – then the same story was included in our Easter Sunday sermon. It was something I did not know before – and I just love little tidbits of information like that!
The story is that in that era, if the master of the house left the table after he was finished with his meal, he would just leave his napkin crumpled. That would be the sign to his servants that he had completed his meal, and wouldn’t be back. However, if his meal was for some reason interrupted, and he had to get up and leave the table temporarily, he would fold his napkin neatly and leave it at his place – with that being a clear message to his servants that he was coming back.
Jesus very carefully folded the napkin and laid it apart from the other burial cloths. His definitive message in that: I am coming back!
I love the story and its significance – both to them when they entered that tomb and found it empty – and for us as we look forward to his Second Coming. He is coming back!
He is risen. He is risen indeed. I LOVE saying that every Easter morn – and today it is just as thrilling. That truth infuses us with a hope that isn’t just wishful thinking. He absolutely rose from the grave, the conqueror over death and all of the Sin that ever had been or ever would be committed . . . including my sin.
When I was a little girl, I had a hard time thinking of myself as a wretch when I sang ‘Amazing Grace.’ Unfortunately I succumbed to sin in my early 20’s in a way that made wretch sound kind. I walked away from God when I thought He had let me down, then I proceeded to let Him down.
Some people are so good that they never commit what we would call ‘sin.’ I believe that those are the people who have the hardest time seeing their need of a Savior. But – we are all poisoned by original sin – the sin that Adam and Eve committed when they took things into their own hands and thought they were smarter than God. After all, that’s what disobedience is: thinking we know better.
The sin of indifference to God – thinking we can do life without Him – is the greatest sin of all. He created us, and He created us to be in relationship with Him. How arrogant, if we think we don’t need Him to walk with us.
Self-sufficiency is a devastatingly insidious sin. It breeds self-righteousness. It separates people from God – their Creator – the One who came incarnate (in the form of man) to redeem His fallen world. We are born into that original Sin. No amount of being good and doing the right thing can assuage that – only Yeshua ha Meshiach – Jesus the Messiah – can cleanse us from Sin – both original sin and personal sin.
But – the joy is: once we accept Him, we are no longer called Sinners! We are Christ-ones – who occasionally still sin – but our identity is no longer ‘Sinner.’ I’m a child of The King. All of His children are Servants of the Living God – and it is just the kind of servitude I can be excited about. Serving One who has my best interests in mind – who has a future with Him planned for me – I can be keen on that! And I am!
On a personal note:
I am incredibly sensitive to ‘death that comes too soon.’ Even when I am not a close friend, when premature death touches someone I know, I take it hard. I am fairly certain that is because of losing my birth mother so young.
A lovely lady from my church died on Friday night. She had just celebrated her 50th birthday a few days before her untimely death. I agonize for her family – especially her husband. I did not know her well. My contact with them is very limited, and has been primarily through e-mails exchanged during the process of her battle with cancer. He was wonderful about sending out updates on how things were going – and because of that, I connected, trying to add encouragement to their time of intense challenge.
They were part of this church for 22 years, and I know how honored they are – and how loved. And – I know by reputation that this couple was deeply in love. I doubt this would be the time to tell him – but some people never experience that kind of love through a whole long lifetime of existence. I know that losing her when they shared such a deep love is undoubtedly harder in some ways, but it is a loss without regret.
Her death is the death of the body – but not the death of her soul. Even as many mourn her passing – it is passing into as well as away from. She is whole and healthy. There is no more pain. The ‘bright hope for tomorrow’ is one that does not disappoint: she will be waiting on the other side. There is joy and comfort in that knowledge. Still, for now I know the sorrow is palpable – and that when we experience loss, we must grieve.
It is a reminder that perfection ended with the first Adam’s sin – was redeemed by the Second Adam, Jesus Christ – and will be ushered in – in its fullness – with His Second Coming. No more sadness. No more tears. No more sorrow. What a glorious day!
In the meantime, it takes courage to live beyond loss. To take one step at a time. One minute. One hour. One day . . . until breathing becomes easier and life holds new hope – renewed meaning . . . . I want to take the hurt away – and I can’t. But I know the One who can, who will . . . .
The reality we live with is that we are in a fallen world. Bad things happen to good people – but Jesus is with us through all of life’s circumstances – and He deserves our praise no matter what our circumstances. When I saw this grieving husband and his family come into worship Sunday morning – less than 36 hours after death had entered their life – I knew that they were doing that: honoring God no matter what their circumstances. It was tenderly touching – and seeing others reach out to them, embracing them, sharing the loss together affirmed that we are all in this together – sharing both life’s joys and sorrows – and right in the middle of the tears and embraces, Jesus is there, grieving too.
Jesus’ first appearing after his resurrection (4/4/33 A D)
Reading for today:
Matthew 28:1-10
Mark 16:1-8
Luke 24:1-12
John 20:1-23
When the women headed to the tomb just before dawn on Sunday morning, they wondered who would roll the stone away for them. They would have had no way to know that there were guards posted on Sabbath morning. After all, it was a hasty decision to do that as an afterthought, just to be sure no one stole Jesus’ body and claimed He had risen.
When I was growing up I thought of a boulder when they said stone. I didn’t know that the stones were hewn from rock into the shape of a disk, and that there was a trough it was placed into – that it actually could be rolled back from the entrance by someone buff enough to do it – at least a couple of ‘someone’s’ being preferable. What were they thinking?
I understand their wanting to honor Jesus – to do for him what was customary – even if redundant – to expiate some of their grief. They must have known that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (the one who once came to Jesus under the cover of night so his fellow-Pharisees wouldn’t know he was a follower) had already entombed Jesus with 75 pounds of spices – since they hung around until they saw where he was laid Friday after being removed from the cross . . . but maybe they left before they saw that part happen. Anyway, they brought their spices, too
They had to be my type of women: the ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’ type. I love that they went – even though the odds of their success were stacked against them!
When the women came to the burial site and saw that the stone was already rolled away, the first and most natural thought was that someone had stolen Jesus’ body. They had seen him die, had stayed around on Friday evening until they saw where he had been laid.
What they found was an empty tomb – the spicy-smelling cloths that Jesus was wrapped in lying vacant – and the cloth napkin that had covered his face folded neatly and lying separately. The angels gave their standard “Do not be afraid” greeting – then told them “He has risen!”
But – he left that folded napkin! A dear friend from my college days shared a story that was circulating on the internet about that – then the same story was included in our Easter Sunday sermon. It was something I did not know before – and I just love little tidbits of information like that!
The story is that in that era, if the master of the house left the table after he was finished with his meal, he would just leave his napkin crumpled. That would be the sign to his servants that he had completed his meal, and wouldn’t be back. However, if his meal was for some reason interrupted, and he had to get up and leave the table temporarily, he would fold his napkin neatly and leave it at his place – with that being a clear message to his servants that he was coming back.
Jesus very carefully folded the napkin and laid it apart from the other burial cloths. His definitive message in that: I am coming back!
I love the story and its significance – both to them when they entered that tomb and found it empty – and for us as we look forward to his Second Coming. He is coming back!
He is risen. He is risen indeed. I LOVE saying that every Easter morn – and today it is just as thrilling. That truth infuses us with a hope that isn’t just wishful thinking. He absolutely rose from the grave, the conqueror over death and all of the Sin that ever had been or ever would be committed . . . including my sin.
When I was a little girl, I had a hard time thinking of myself as a wretch when I sang ‘Amazing Grace.’ Unfortunately I succumbed to sin in my early 20’s in a way that made wretch sound kind. I walked away from God when I thought He had let me down, then I proceeded to let Him down.
Some people are so good that they never commit what we would call ‘sin.’ I believe that those are the people who have the hardest time seeing their need of a Savior. But – we are all poisoned by original sin – the sin that Adam and Eve committed when they took things into their own hands and thought they were smarter than God. After all, that’s what disobedience is: thinking we know better.
The sin of indifference to God – thinking we can do life without Him – is the greatest sin of all. He created us, and He created us to be in relationship with Him. How arrogant, if we think we don’t need Him to walk with us.
Self-sufficiency is a devastatingly insidious sin. It breeds self-righteousness. It separates people from God – their Creator – the One who came incarnate (in the form of man) to redeem His fallen world. We are born into that original Sin. No amount of being good and doing the right thing can assuage that – only Yeshua ha Meshiach – Jesus the Messiah – can cleanse us from Sin – both original sin and personal sin.
But – the joy is: once we accept Him, we are no longer called Sinners! We are Christ-ones – who occasionally still sin – but our identity is no longer ‘Sinner.’ I’m a child of The King. All of His children are Servants of the Living God – and it is just the kind of servitude I can be excited about. Serving One who has my best interests in mind – who has a future with Him planned for me – I can be keen on that! And I am!
On a personal note:
I am incredibly sensitive to ‘death that comes too soon.’ Even when I am not a close friend, when premature death touches someone I know, I take it hard. I am fairly certain that is because of losing my birth mother so young.
A lovely lady from my church died on Friday night. She had just celebrated her 50th birthday a few days before her untimely death. I agonize for her family – especially her husband. I did not know her well. My contact with them is very limited, and has been primarily through e-mails exchanged during the process of her battle with cancer. He was wonderful about sending out updates on how things were going – and because of that, I connected, trying to add encouragement to their time of intense challenge.
They were part of this church for 22 years, and I know how honored they are – and how loved. And – I know by reputation that this couple was deeply in love. I doubt this would be the time to tell him – but some people never experience that kind of love through a whole long lifetime of existence. I know that losing her when they shared such a deep love is undoubtedly harder in some ways, but it is a loss without regret.
Her death is the death of the body – but not the death of her soul. Even as many mourn her passing – it is passing into as well as away from. She is whole and healthy. There is no more pain. The ‘bright hope for tomorrow’ is one that does not disappoint: she will be waiting on the other side. There is joy and comfort in that knowledge. Still, for now I know the sorrow is palpable – and that when we experience loss, we must grieve.
It is a reminder that perfection ended with the first Adam’s sin – was redeemed by the Second Adam, Jesus Christ – and will be ushered in – in its fullness – with His Second Coming. No more sadness. No more tears. No more sorrow. What a glorious day!
In the meantime, it takes courage to live beyond loss. To take one step at a time. One minute. One hour. One day . . . until breathing becomes easier and life holds new hope – renewed meaning . . . . I want to take the hurt away – and I can’t. But I know the One who can, who will . . . .
The reality we live with is that we are in a fallen world. Bad things happen to good people – but Jesus is with us through all of life’s circumstances – and He deserves our praise no matter what our circumstances. When I saw this grieving husband and his family come into worship Sunday morning – less than 36 hours after death had entered their life – I knew that they were doing that: honoring God no matter what their circumstances. It was tenderly touching – and seeing others reach out to them, embracing them, sharing the loss together affirmed that we are all in this together – sharing both life’s joys and sorrows – and right in the middle of the tears and embraces, Jesus is there, grieving too.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
BACKTRACKING, lesson 10
LESSON 10: What Mary knew
April 20, 2010, my grandson Malachi’s 7th birthday. Malachi was born on Resurrection Day, more commonly called Easter Sunday, 2003
Reading for today:
Luke 1:26-56
Luke 2:21-53
John 19:25-27
Jesus’ followers were Jews. They honored the Sabbath. Sabbath lasted from dusk on Friday until dusk on Saturday. That Sabbath was a very special Sabbath. It was the Sabbath of the Passover.
The Jewish faithful were celebrating the redemption of their ancestors from Egypt – the exodus of a people that had become slaves, who had been held in slavery for 400 years. Moses and Pharoah had a running dialogue, with plague after plague thrust upon the Egyptian people, and Moses constantly pleading, “Let my people go!”
The final plague occurred during the night after the children of Israel consumed that very first Passover feast. The Angel of Death touched the firstborn of every living thing in Egypt with death – from the mightiest to the lowliest . All who did not have the blood of the lamb sprinkled over the doorpost lost their firstborn. And in the grief of his personal loss, Pharoah finally said, “Go!”
During the Israelites forty years of wandering in the desert God instituted laws that would instruct them in how to live their lives, and how to honor Him. Honoring the Sabbath Day, just as God had hallowed it by resting that day in His creation, was an imperative. It was part of the Old Covenant, and until the institution of the New Covenant they lived by that Covenant. Jesus had just made a New Covenant the night he celebrated the Passover with his disciples, but it was not yet shared….
My explanation is just to affirm the timeline they were restricted by. Saturday night after the Sabbath ended it was too late to go out to the site of Jesus’ burial – but early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, those who longed to honor Him could wait no longer.
My thoughts thrust me this morning to Mary, Mother of Jesus. As a little girl she heard the stories of the Messiah who was to come. He was to be born of a virgin. I imagine that every devoted Jewish girl wondered who that lucky girl would be – probably fancying He would be born into a lavish home, his mother one of prestigious birth. He would be the conquering King after all – so how could he be born to anyone outside a powerful, wealthy family?
God had another plan. It was she who was chosen – and as events leading to his birth and earliest days unfolded, she treasured all of those memories up in her heart. From the announcement of the angel Gabriel that she would be the one who birthed God’s Son; to Elizabeth’s greeting of, “Who am I that the mother of my Lord should greet me…;” to the shepherd’s telling of the angels’ hillside proclamation; to Simeon’s prophecy over the child at Jesus’ dedication in the temple when Jesus was 40 days old – and Simeon’s declaration that now that He had seen God’s salvation, he could die in peace.
Then, to have Wise Men from the East come and bow before the child in a humble cottage in Bethlehem, and gift him such expensive gifts….there was a lot to ‘treasure up.’
No doubt the necessary flight into Egypt was not quite in her vision of what she thought would be intended for this one who would someday be King…. To have angels come and direct their comings and goings for Jesus’ protection…. More things to treasure up.
And then, to be his mother – to watch him grow, see his respect, witness firsthand his absolute perfection. He was sinless. No tantrums. No unfair treatment of siblings. Ever the peacemaker. I have great kids, and am incredibly blessed – but He was absolutely perfect in every way, in every situation, in every decision.
Oh, he gave his parents one bit of grief when he stayed in Jerusalem when he was twelve, having stimulating discussions with the religious leaders at the temple when his parents assumed he was somewhere with the group from Nazareth as they made their way back to their own town up north after being in Jerusalem for – not coincidentally – the Feast of the Passover! A trek they made annually.
That’s the only glimpse we actually get of Jesus as a child. Twelve – and he was ‘about His Father’s business.’ Other than that, all we are told is that Jesus grew and became strong…grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Mary had not forgotten any of that. We aren’t privy to what else Jesus had shared with her, but we do now that His own siblings didn’t believe in Him until after the resurrection. In fact, from the cross, Jesus made sure Mary would be cared for by ‘gifting her to John’ and ‘John to her.’
Mary was in town for the Feast of The Passover again this year. But this time, she stood near the cross – watched her child who had prophecies proclaimed over Him before, during and after His birth, bleeding. Watched the soldiers take his beautifully woven seamless garment and cast lots for which one would own it, heard Jesus’ final words, wept…. Watched Jesus die….
We do not know what Mary knew. We do not know how much Jesus had told his mother – but there is no indication that he had forewarned her…but Simeon had. He had told her, …a sword shall pierce your own soul, too. And now it had come true.
Mary had experienced the pain of misunderstanding when she first became pregnant outside wedlock. She lived with that taint on her life. People around her didn’t believe she was chosen – or that this first of her many children was God incarnate. What Mary did know and hold closely was what God had revealed to her – through the Angel Gabriel; through corroboration of her soon-to-be husband, Joseph; through Elizabeth, her cousin; through shepherds; and Simeon; and the prophetess Anna; and what she saw of Jesus as he grew.
It reminds me clearly that God’s call on my own life may not go as my perception would make it…. But I know the One who died and who came back holds my safely in His hands. The cross is where Justice and Mercy collide. Sin demanded payment. Justice was served. But Justice came clothed in love – bathed in the mercy of the Redeemer’s blood.
It is Jesus’ shed blood that saves. There is no other way.
It is important in this world of political correctness that has gone all wrong with its assumptions to also note that God’s sacrifice of Himself on the Cross to redeem us from Sin does not save everyone – only those who accept it…who fall humbly at the foot of that cross, and allow that blood to flow over them in cleansing power.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. It’s that simple….
Thank you, Lord, for all you have done for us so we can be free to live for You!
The rub is – on that Passover Sabbath in 33 A D when Mary had so much to ponder, the Jewish people were celebrating one Passover of release from captivity – while anticipating another ‘freeing from captivity’ when their Messiah would finally come….
He did. He had just died on the cross on Friday afternoon, the lamb of God who took away the Sins of the world. Most of them missed out on that reality. They’re still waiting. But we know He came. On Resurrection morning, He arose. Mary’s suffering soul pierced with grief soon experienced JOY!
When He comes again, present grief will also turn to joy! That is a great reminder on days when the pain of loss is pervasive.
April 20, 2010, my grandson Malachi’s 7th birthday. Malachi was born on Resurrection Day, more commonly called Easter Sunday, 2003
Reading for today:
Luke 1:26-56
Luke 2:21-53
John 19:25-27
Jesus’ followers were Jews. They honored the Sabbath. Sabbath lasted from dusk on Friday until dusk on Saturday. That Sabbath was a very special Sabbath. It was the Sabbath of the Passover.
The Jewish faithful were celebrating the redemption of their ancestors from Egypt – the exodus of a people that had become slaves, who had been held in slavery for 400 years. Moses and Pharoah had a running dialogue, with plague after plague thrust upon the Egyptian people, and Moses constantly pleading, “Let my people go!”
The final plague occurred during the night after the children of Israel consumed that very first Passover feast. The Angel of Death touched the firstborn of every living thing in Egypt with death – from the mightiest to the lowliest . All who did not have the blood of the lamb sprinkled over the doorpost lost their firstborn. And in the grief of his personal loss, Pharoah finally said, “Go!”
During the Israelites forty years of wandering in the desert God instituted laws that would instruct them in how to live their lives, and how to honor Him. Honoring the Sabbath Day, just as God had hallowed it by resting that day in His creation, was an imperative. It was part of the Old Covenant, and until the institution of the New Covenant they lived by that Covenant. Jesus had just made a New Covenant the night he celebrated the Passover with his disciples, but it was not yet shared….
My explanation is just to affirm the timeline they were restricted by. Saturday night after the Sabbath ended it was too late to go out to the site of Jesus’ burial – but early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, those who longed to honor Him could wait no longer.
My thoughts thrust me this morning to Mary, Mother of Jesus. As a little girl she heard the stories of the Messiah who was to come. He was to be born of a virgin. I imagine that every devoted Jewish girl wondered who that lucky girl would be – probably fancying He would be born into a lavish home, his mother one of prestigious birth. He would be the conquering King after all – so how could he be born to anyone outside a powerful, wealthy family?
God had another plan. It was she who was chosen – and as events leading to his birth and earliest days unfolded, she treasured all of those memories up in her heart. From the announcement of the angel Gabriel that she would be the one who birthed God’s Son; to Elizabeth’s greeting of, “Who am I that the mother of my Lord should greet me…;” to the shepherd’s telling of the angels’ hillside proclamation; to Simeon’s prophecy over the child at Jesus’ dedication in the temple when Jesus was 40 days old – and Simeon’s declaration that now that He had seen God’s salvation, he could die in peace.
Then, to have Wise Men from the East come and bow before the child in a humble cottage in Bethlehem, and gift him such expensive gifts….there was a lot to ‘treasure up.’
No doubt the necessary flight into Egypt was not quite in her vision of what she thought would be intended for this one who would someday be King…. To have angels come and direct their comings and goings for Jesus’ protection…. More things to treasure up.
And then, to be his mother – to watch him grow, see his respect, witness firsthand his absolute perfection. He was sinless. No tantrums. No unfair treatment of siblings. Ever the peacemaker. I have great kids, and am incredibly blessed – but He was absolutely perfect in every way, in every situation, in every decision.
Oh, he gave his parents one bit of grief when he stayed in Jerusalem when he was twelve, having stimulating discussions with the religious leaders at the temple when his parents assumed he was somewhere with the group from Nazareth as they made their way back to their own town up north after being in Jerusalem for – not coincidentally – the Feast of the Passover! A trek they made annually.
That’s the only glimpse we actually get of Jesus as a child. Twelve – and he was ‘about His Father’s business.’ Other than that, all we are told is that Jesus grew and became strong…grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Mary had not forgotten any of that. We aren’t privy to what else Jesus had shared with her, but we do now that His own siblings didn’t believe in Him until after the resurrection. In fact, from the cross, Jesus made sure Mary would be cared for by ‘gifting her to John’ and ‘John to her.’
Mary was in town for the Feast of The Passover again this year. But this time, she stood near the cross – watched her child who had prophecies proclaimed over Him before, during and after His birth, bleeding. Watched the soldiers take his beautifully woven seamless garment and cast lots for which one would own it, heard Jesus’ final words, wept…. Watched Jesus die….
We do not know what Mary knew. We do not know how much Jesus had told his mother – but there is no indication that he had forewarned her…but Simeon had. He had told her, …a sword shall pierce your own soul, too. And now it had come true.
Mary had experienced the pain of misunderstanding when she first became pregnant outside wedlock. She lived with that taint on her life. People around her didn’t believe she was chosen – or that this first of her many children was God incarnate. What Mary did know and hold closely was what God had revealed to her – through the Angel Gabriel; through corroboration of her soon-to-be husband, Joseph; through Elizabeth, her cousin; through shepherds; and Simeon; and the prophetess Anna; and what she saw of Jesus as he grew.
It reminds me clearly that God’s call on my own life may not go as my perception would make it…. But I know the One who died and who came back holds my safely in His hands. The cross is where Justice and Mercy collide. Sin demanded payment. Justice was served. But Justice came clothed in love – bathed in the mercy of the Redeemer’s blood.
It is Jesus’ shed blood that saves. There is no other way.
It is important in this world of political correctness that has gone all wrong with its assumptions to also note that God’s sacrifice of Himself on the Cross to redeem us from Sin does not save everyone – only those who accept it…who fall humbly at the foot of that cross, and allow that blood to flow over them in cleansing power.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. It’s that simple….
Thank you, Lord, for all you have done for us so we can be free to live for You!
The rub is – on that Passover Sabbath in 33 A D when Mary had so much to ponder, the Jewish people were celebrating one Passover of release from captivity – while anticipating another ‘freeing from captivity’ when their Messiah would finally come….
He did. He had just died on the cross on Friday afternoon, the lamb of God who took away the Sins of the world. Most of them missed out on that reality. They’re still waiting. But we know He came. On Resurrection morning, He arose. Mary’s suffering soul pierced with grief soon experienced JOY!
When He comes again, present grief will also turn to joy! That is a great reminder on days when the pain of loss is pervasive.
Monday, April 19, 2010
BACKTRACKING TO ‘GOOD’ FRIDAY, lesson 9
LESSON 9: Jesus’ crucifixion
April 19, 2010
Reading for today:
Matthew 27:32-66
Mark 15:22-47
Luke 23:26-56
John 19:17-42
Some of the prophecies fulfilled:
Psalm 22:1, 18
Isaiah 53:12
Psalm 34:20
Zechariah 12:10
Today is April 19. First and foremost it is my eldest daughter’s birthday! Happy 39th Birthday, Lynley. What wonderful memories thinking about her life elicits. In addition to all of the memories of having her as a daughter, the miracle of her coming to full term is one that has an eternal effect for me.
I recommitted my life to the Lord in the fall of 1970, after 2 years away from Him. I returned to Him because I was at risk for my body aborting that pregnancy. I was bleeding, and I prayed and said, “God, if you are real – and if you are there – if you will save this baby, I will recommit my life to you.” He was there. He saved the baby. And He ‘saved’ me!”
Another April 19 was the day Lynley was baptized. It was Easter Sunday – and her 16th birthday. Since we were in the Presbyterian Church at that time, and they didn’t have a baptistry to do immersion baptisms, we arranged to use the one at the Church of God that afternoon for a special service. Pastor Al DeHaven was the one who baptized her. She had accepted Jesus as her Savior as a young girl, but the day she publicly professed her faith was a very special day.
April 19 is also a date tinged with sorrow. Fifteen years ago on April 19, our nation was shocked with the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City. Because it was Lynley’s birthday, the date stuck in my mind. It was horrific. I didn’t know anyone who was affected personally until just a couple of years ago – but it was incomprehensible to me that hatred could be vented against so many innocent people. I cannot write today without extending my sympathy to those still grieving.
It would be easy today to be swallowed up by the sorrow side of life.
I didn’t sleep well last night – and am starting the day with a heavy heart. It’s legitimate. We live our lives intertwined – and with the best of intentions, sometimes hurt those we love. I inadvertently did that yesterday afternoon. The reality is, even in being very intentional about walking faithfully, seeking to do what is right in God’s sight, I know I can and have disappointed others – even though the ‘hurt’ was unintentional. In our human state we do not have the luxury of seeing through another’s eyes to help us avert unintended hurts.
And I ache for others’ loss of one they loved so dearly. Some people never experience that depth of love. It is a love many would love to experience. But such a love lost is a grief beyond expression.
And so, with the reality of a mixture of joys and sorrows, I come to today in my ‘catching up’ and the texts recording the events surrounding Jesus crucifixion. But before I get into that, this morning’s loose ends include a bit left over from the last time I wrote. I wonder about Barabbas – wonder how being the one who was saved might have affected him later on….
And I lament Judas Iscariot’s rejection of Jesus. He had a choice – and he made the wrong one. And by the time he recognized it, it was too late. The thing is – I have made bad choices in the past, and God redeemed them. The reality is, God looks on the heart. He knew my heart, knows my heart now – that I long to live a life that honors Him. We do not walk this journey of life alone. Often our intentions are misconstrued or misunderstood. We just have to keep walking – living out our faith, and knowing He is the One who will judge men’s hearts. And – He will judge fairly! That gives me comfort…but I know today will be a grappling day.
I don’t recall ever paying such close attention to the discrepancies in the gospel reports. But the key elements are there. John tells us that Jesus carried his own cross. Matthew says that as they were going out they drafted Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross. If Simon did, I wonder what effect it had on him long term…. There is so much we do not know.
What we do know is enough. Jesus was nailed to a cross – a cruel, cruel cross. To fulfill prophecy, the promised coming of the Messiah had to fall within the span of years where crucifixion was the form used to kill criminals. It did.
He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities….
The sign above his head proclaimed KING OF THE JEWS. They meant it to be ludicrous – but it was true. He was hung on the cross at about 9 a m. At noon, the sky turned dark and remained dark until 3 p m, when Jesus proclaimed, “It is finished” and breathed his final breath. And at his death, the veil in the temple – a woven veil that was about 4 inches thick, was torn in two – from the top to the bottom. There was an earthquake, too, but it wasn’t the earthquake that tore the veil. It was God. Jesus’ death on the cross paid the price for sin forever. The wall that Adam built between man and God with original Sin, was now paid for – paid in full…by the second Adam from above.
It seems to me that the most awful thing Jesus endured in all of that process was when He could no longer feel God’s presence. From birth, He had always known God’s presence with Him, through every trial and temptation. At the moment that He became Sin for us, and became the sacrificial lamb, it appears God the Father could not look upon that sin, for Jesus cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” It begs the question of ‘Did God actually forsake Jesus?’ or did it just feel that way? Feeling that way certainly felt real – and for the first time in His life, an utter, empty loneliness….
When we truly walk in His footsteps we walk by faith, not by sight – and certainly not by feeling. Sometimes, we, too, feel God has abandoned us. As long as we, by our choice, remain ‘in the vine’ we are never left alone. That was Jesus promise.
What He did for us on the cross is too amazing to understand completely – but we do know that when God looks at us, He sees us through the filter of Jesus’ blood shed for Sin. The splotching of sin is hidden by Jesus’ cleansing blood. An object lesson I thought up one time – but never have used – was one using a piece of red cellophane…. I intended to experiment to see if I were to make red marks with an opaque red ink marker on a piece of paper – or piece of clear glass – and then placed a red piece of cellophane in front of it – would I still be able to see the red marks.
In principle, they wouldn’t be visible, though they’d be there. In principle the object lesson serves me well as an example for what Jesus does for us. When we come to Jesus, ask His forgiveness and accept Him as our Savior, he washes the slate clean – but as we go through life we still get some blotches – but God doesn’t see them, since He sees us through his Son – and His Son is perfect! I really do need to try that and see if it works…. Of course, it loses a little of the reality, since we keep coming to Jesus and asking forgiveness for ‘new’ sins that pop up as part of being human and living in a fallen world. But – we do come freely – all because of what He did on the cross. The veil represented that. It was torn in two from top to bottom. The Most Holy place – the Holy of Holies was suddenly accessible to man. What was only accessed by one priest once a year on the Day of Atonement suddenly became available to all just for entering. And the only way we can have that access is because God sees us through Jesus….
Now we can call him Abba – Daddy. God is no longer the unspeakable name – one so fearful that we cannot approach Him. We should not lose the respect of who He is - but we should be very grateful that instead of being accessible to only a few – we can be in intimate relationship with Him – the very God who created heaven and earth…. How amazing. What amazing love that God should love one such as I, leave His home in glory, be brutalized by the created, and die for mankind.
Once they killed Jesus, many realized that He was indeed the Son of God.
After Jesus died, Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. He and Nicodemus, both behind-the-scenes believers, took Jesus and laid him in a borrowed grave. John tells us that they used 75 pounds of burial spices – and they wrapped him in a linen cloth. By 6 p m – before the Day of Preparation for this very special Sabbath ended – the stone had been rolled into place. The two Mary’s saw where he had been laid before they left.
The next day, on the Sabbath, the chief priests and Pharisees who had heard his prophecies about rising again from the dead went to the authorities and asked if a guard could be posted until after the third day…just to be sure no one came and stole his body and then claimed he had risen again. Pilate accommodated their request – but later, when Jesus went missing, he didn’t execute the guards…. After what Pilate experienced personally with Jesus, did he hope the prophecy was true?
To be continued….
Gotta’run!
April 19, 2010
Reading for today:
Matthew 27:32-66
Mark 15:22-47
Luke 23:26-56
John 19:17-42
Some of the prophecies fulfilled:
Psalm 22:1, 18
Isaiah 53:12
Psalm 34:20
Zechariah 12:10
Today is April 19. First and foremost it is my eldest daughter’s birthday! Happy 39th Birthday, Lynley. What wonderful memories thinking about her life elicits. In addition to all of the memories of having her as a daughter, the miracle of her coming to full term is one that has an eternal effect for me.
I recommitted my life to the Lord in the fall of 1970, after 2 years away from Him. I returned to Him because I was at risk for my body aborting that pregnancy. I was bleeding, and I prayed and said, “God, if you are real – and if you are there – if you will save this baby, I will recommit my life to you.” He was there. He saved the baby. And He ‘saved’ me!”
Another April 19 was the day Lynley was baptized. It was Easter Sunday – and her 16th birthday. Since we were in the Presbyterian Church at that time, and they didn’t have a baptistry to do immersion baptisms, we arranged to use the one at the Church of God that afternoon for a special service. Pastor Al DeHaven was the one who baptized her. She had accepted Jesus as her Savior as a young girl, but the day she publicly professed her faith was a very special day.
April 19 is also a date tinged with sorrow. Fifteen years ago on April 19, our nation was shocked with the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City. Because it was Lynley’s birthday, the date stuck in my mind. It was horrific. I didn’t know anyone who was affected personally until just a couple of years ago – but it was incomprehensible to me that hatred could be vented against so many innocent people. I cannot write today without extending my sympathy to those still grieving.
It would be easy today to be swallowed up by the sorrow side of life.
I didn’t sleep well last night – and am starting the day with a heavy heart. It’s legitimate. We live our lives intertwined – and with the best of intentions, sometimes hurt those we love. I inadvertently did that yesterday afternoon. The reality is, even in being very intentional about walking faithfully, seeking to do what is right in God’s sight, I know I can and have disappointed others – even though the ‘hurt’ was unintentional. In our human state we do not have the luxury of seeing through another’s eyes to help us avert unintended hurts.
And I ache for others’ loss of one they loved so dearly. Some people never experience that depth of love. It is a love many would love to experience. But such a love lost is a grief beyond expression.
And so, with the reality of a mixture of joys and sorrows, I come to today in my ‘catching up’ and the texts recording the events surrounding Jesus crucifixion. But before I get into that, this morning’s loose ends include a bit left over from the last time I wrote. I wonder about Barabbas – wonder how being the one who was saved might have affected him later on….
And I lament Judas Iscariot’s rejection of Jesus. He had a choice – and he made the wrong one. And by the time he recognized it, it was too late. The thing is – I have made bad choices in the past, and God redeemed them. The reality is, God looks on the heart. He knew my heart, knows my heart now – that I long to live a life that honors Him. We do not walk this journey of life alone. Often our intentions are misconstrued or misunderstood. We just have to keep walking – living out our faith, and knowing He is the One who will judge men’s hearts. And – He will judge fairly! That gives me comfort…but I know today will be a grappling day.
I don’t recall ever paying such close attention to the discrepancies in the gospel reports. But the key elements are there. John tells us that Jesus carried his own cross. Matthew says that as they were going out they drafted Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross. If Simon did, I wonder what effect it had on him long term…. There is so much we do not know.
What we do know is enough. Jesus was nailed to a cross – a cruel, cruel cross. To fulfill prophecy, the promised coming of the Messiah had to fall within the span of years where crucifixion was the form used to kill criminals. It did.
He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities….
The sign above his head proclaimed KING OF THE JEWS. They meant it to be ludicrous – but it was true. He was hung on the cross at about 9 a m. At noon, the sky turned dark and remained dark until 3 p m, when Jesus proclaimed, “It is finished” and breathed his final breath. And at his death, the veil in the temple – a woven veil that was about 4 inches thick, was torn in two – from the top to the bottom. There was an earthquake, too, but it wasn’t the earthquake that tore the veil. It was God. Jesus’ death on the cross paid the price for sin forever. The wall that Adam built between man and God with original Sin, was now paid for – paid in full…by the second Adam from above.
It seems to me that the most awful thing Jesus endured in all of that process was when He could no longer feel God’s presence. From birth, He had always known God’s presence with Him, through every trial and temptation. At the moment that He became Sin for us, and became the sacrificial lamb, it appears God the Father could not look upon that sin, for Jesus cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” It begs the question of ‘Did God actually forsake Jesus?’ or did it just feel that way? Feeling that way certainly felt real – and for the first time in His life, an utter, empty loneliness….
When we truly walk in His footsteps we walk by faith, not by sight – and certainly not by feeling. Sometimes, we, too, feel God has abandoned us. As long as we, by our choice, remain ‘in the vine’ we are never left alone. That was Jesus promise.
What He did for us on the cross is too amazing to understand completely – but we do know that when God looks at us, He sees us through the filter of Jesus’ blood shed for Sin. The splotching of sin is hidden by Jesus’ cleansing blood. An object lesson I thought up one time – but never have used – was one using a piece of red cellophane…. I intended to experiment to see if I were to make red marks with an opaque red ink marker on a piece of paper – or piece of clear glass – and then placed a red piece of cellophane in front of it – would I still be able to see the red marks.
In principle, they wouldn’t be visible, though they’d be there. In principle the object lesson serves me well as an example for what Jesus does for us. When we come to Jesus, ask His forgiveness and accept Him as our Savior, he washes the slate clean – but as we go through life we still get some blotches – but God doesn’t see them, since He sees us through his Son – and His Son is perfect! I really do need to try that and see if it works…. Of course, it loses a little of the reality, since we keep coming to Jesus and asking forgiveness for ‘new’ sins that pop up as part of being human and living in a fallen world. But – we do come freely – all because of what He did on the cross. The veil represented that. It was torn in two from top to bottom. The Most Holy place – the Holy of Holies was suddenly accessible to man. What was only accessed by one priest once a year on the Day of Atonement suddenly became available to all just for entering. And the only way we can have that access is because God sees us through Jesus….
Now we can call him Abba – Daddy. God is no longer the unspeakable name – one so fearful that we cannot approach Him. We should not lose the respect of who He is - but we should be very grateful that instead of being accessible to only a few – we can be in intimate relationship with Him – the very God who created heaven and earth…. How amazing. What amazing love that God should love one such as I, leave His home in glory, be brutalized by the created, and die for mankind.
Once they killed Jesus, many realized that He was indeed the Son of God.
After Jesus died, Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. He and Nicodemus, both behind-the-scenes believers, took Jesus and laid him in a borrowed grave. John tells us that they used 75 pounds of burial spices – and they wrapped him in a linen cloth. By 6 p m – before the Day of Preparation for this very special Sabbath ended – the stone had been rolled into place. The two Mary’s saw where he had been laid before they left.
The next day, on the Sabbath, the chief priests and Pharisees who had heard his prophecies about rising again from the dead went to the authorities and asked if a guard could be posted until after the third day…just to be sure no one came and stole his body and then claimed he had risen again. Pilate accommodated their request – but later, when Jesus went missing, he didn’t execute the guards…. After what Pilate experienced personally with Jesus, did he hope the prophecy was true?
To be continued….
Gotta’run!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
BACKTRACKING TO ‘GOOD’ FRIDAY, lesson 8
(6 p m ‘Thursday’ to 6 p m Friday)
LESSON 8: Jesus’ trials and scourgings
April 17, 2010
Reading for today:
Matthew 26:57-27:31
Mark 14:53-15:20
Luke 22:54-23:15
John 18:12,13, 19-24
John 11:49-51
I’ve never done research to support the claim that all of Jesus’ trial process was illegal – that claim is so conspicuously logical I haven’t checked it out. I just believe it. His captors came under the cover of night rather in broad daylight where the crowds of Palm Sunday would see and perhaps come to his defense – and then the ‘where there’s smoke there must be fire’ mentality apparently took over….
When we last saw Jesus, the guards had bound him in the garden on the Mount of Olives – and were leading him back to the city.
The four gospels do not agree precisely on all the details. I spent many hours yesterday and today trying to piece them all together to make all of it fit. I finally gave up. I decided each has merit. Each author shares the story as he heard it told, and each touches the most important points – so I am bailing out on my intent to create a precise probable linear sequence of what Jesus endured.
What I do glean from the gospels is that in the early morning hours of +-April 3, 33 A D, when people should have been sleeping – and most of Jerusalem was sleeping – the High Priest, Caiaphas; his father-in-law, Annas; all of the chief priests, teachers of the law, and scribes – those lovely Pharisees and Sadducees Jesus came into conflict with so pointedly during his time on earth – had ‘their time,’ their opportunity to wield their pent-up misplaced power. They manipulated the Roman Governor, Pilate, into helping them carry out their evil plot.
When Pilate learned Jesus was a Galilean, he sent him to Herod, who was, ‘coincidentally,’ in Jerusalem at that time. Herod had wanted to meet Jesus, but Jesus didn’t answer his questions. So, Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Jesus. Pilate tried to use Herod as his scapegoat – but got the hot potato thrown right back into his lap.
Pilate’s wife even sent Pilate a message, warning him to stay out of it because of a horrible dream she had.
All of the chief priests and the Sanhedrin were seeking evidence against Jesus so they could put him to death, but they couldn’t find any. Luke even tells us some of the accusations: that they had found Jesus subverting their nation; that he opposed payment of taxes to Caesar; that he claimed to be Christ. Claims he was against the Jewish nation; against the Roman Government; against God. What a progression of claims. The first two accusations are blatant lies; the third is absolutely true.
Then false witnesses brought claims that Jesus had said he was going to destroy the temple and in three days would build another, not made by man – but even their testimonies weren’t in agreement. Jesus refused to even reply to their baseless claims.
Caiaphas asked Jesus directly, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”
“I am,” said Jesus, “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Jesus didn’t respond to many of their questions – but he said enough. They had a chance to hear truth from Truth Himself – and they rejected it – and him.
Pilate questioned him and asked, “Are you the King of the Jews?
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.
Pilate never did find reason why Jesus should be held – but he gave in to the will of those shouting ‘Crucify Him,’ washed his hands of all responsibility before them, released Barabbas at their bidding, and released Jesus to their will. John tells us it was about 6 a m when Pilate gave Jesus to his accusers, saying “Here is your King.”
But they wanted death.
In the early morning, the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law convened for a quick consensus: they condemned Jesus as worthy of death. He was dressed in a robe fit for royalty, a mock ‘crown’ made of thorns was woven together and placed on his head. The soldiers put a staff in his right hand and kneeling in front of him, mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews.” Then they spit on him and took the staff and struck him on the head repeatedly, driving the thorns deep into his flesh. He was hit with fists while he was blind-folded, the perps playing a game of ‘Hey Jesus, prophesy who hit you;’ then the guards removed his royal robe, took him and beat him. Their beating was no schoolyard beating. We are told from history that the beating was with whips imbedded with sharp metal and rocks and sharpened hooks that tore the flesh from the bone. It was brutal. The images sicken me. It is too hard and too graphic to write about.
After they had mocked him, they led him away to be crucified.
Meanwhile, while Jesus was being tried before Caiaphas, Peter stood by the fire in the courtyard, having been invited in because John was known to the high priest. It was there, while awaiting the outcome of the first level of Jesus’ being tried that night, that Peter denied he knew Jesus – not just once, but three times – just as Jesus had told him would happen.
Dawn came. The rooster crowed. Jesus was condemned to die. Good Friday? Not for him!
Sharing today:
I have written and re-written. This is the only day I have gone through so much challenge with what I would put into the blog. Usually I just start writing – and whatever flows from my fingers to the computer is what gets sent. Today was not that easy. I knew this was going to be a lot of material to cover, so I started early. I wrote several pages yesterday, melding the four gospels to try to blend what they each share. Then, this morning, first thing, I received a very sad call, telling me of the death of a lovely lady who died last night, losing her battle with pancreatic cancer – and losing the hope of many that she would be miraculously healed. I really wanted this one. God does heal. I’ve heard many testify to that reality – and have experienced his intervention and healing in my own life – physically, spiritually and emotionally.
I am disappointed that the script I wanted was not the one God is writing – yet beneath the sadness of the loss, which is most of all sadness for the grief for her family and dearest friends, I am filled with hope. Hope that doesn’t disappoint. Today she is free of pain. Jesus Himself mourns with those who mourn – and He will hold them close to his heart through their levels of grief.
It is also a reminder that we are called to come alongside – to offer loving help to those who need help, to mourn with those who mourn, to share joy with those who share joy.
Homegoing for a seasoned saint who has lived long and well, and is ready to meet the Master is a celebration. Homegoing for a wonderful saint who is too young – but who has lived well and died ready – also deserves to be celebrated. Somehow it is harder to get past the pain and to the celebration. She’ll be terribly missed.
Last night I attended the Olympia Choral Society musical re-enactment of THE CIVIL WAR. It was absolutely compelling. I had never absorbed what happened during the Civil War so personally before. It was humorous, sad, tender, informing, real. It conveyed realities I never learned in school. It made me laugh. It made me cry. But it was a good kind of crying because I could leave with hugs and kudos to the participants and be grateful for the gift they had provided.
I got to see a lot of people I have missed seeing. That was also good. And I was so proud of people I know who are part of the production.
This morning’s sorrow is not the same right now. I am still processing. It made it hard to write with clarity, the reality of the early morning call lingering all day as I try to formulate thought.
But our hope is secure. Jesus conquered death, rose again from the grave, and we who die in the Lord will be raised again - with Him - at the resurrection. I’ve been walking this journey with Jesus these few weeks, trying to live with him what he was living then. Today that and the poignant reminder of others’ very palpable grief are mingled together. It is appropriate that on a day we were to have had sunshine, God is crying with them. I can only pray for the comfort of the Holy Spirit to be with those who grieve – to hold them close and give them a peace beyond understanding. I know that Joy comes in the morning. May it be so.
LESSON 8: Jesus’ trials and scourgings
April 17, 2010
Reading for today:
Matthew 26:57-27:31
Mark 14:53-15:20
Luke 22:54-23:15
John 18:12,13, 19-24
John 11:49-51
I’ve never done research to support the claim that all of Jesus’ trial process was illegal – that claim is so conspicuously logical I haven’t checked it out. I just believe it. His captors came under the cover of night rather in broad daylight where the crowds of Palm Sunday would see and perhaps come to his defense – and then the ‘where there’s smoke there must be fire’ mentality apparently took over….
When we last saw Jesus, the guards had bound him in the garden on the Mount of Olives – and were leading him back to the city.
The four gospels do not agree precisely on all the details. I spent many hours yesterday and today trying to piece them all together to make all of it fit. I finally gave up. I decided each has merit. Each author shares the story as he heard it told, and each touches the most important points – so I am bailing out on my intent to create a precise probable linear sequence of what Jesus endured.
What I do glean from the gospels is that in the early morning hours of +-April 3, 33 A D, when people should have been sleeping – and most of Jerusalem was sleeping – the High Priest, Caiaphas; his father-in-law, Annas; all of the chief priests, teachers of the law, and scribes – those lovely Pharisees and Sadducees Jesus came into conflict with so pointedly during his time on earth – had ‘their time,’ their opportunity to wield their pent-up misplaced power. They manipulated the Roman Governor, Pilate, into helping them carry out their evil plot.
When Pilate learned Jesus was a Galilean, he sent him to Herod, who was, ‘coincidentally,’ in Jerusalem at that time. Herod had wanted to meet Jesus, but Jesus didn’t answer his questions. So, Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Jesus. Pilate tried to use Herod as his scapegoat – but got the hot potato thrown right back into his lap.
Pilate’s wife even sent Pilate a message, warning him to stay out of it because of a horrible dream she had.
All of the chief priests and the Sanhedrin were seeking evidence against Jesus so they could put him to death, but they couldn’t find any. Luke even tells us some of the accusations: that they had found Jesus subverting their nation; that he opposed payment of taxes to Caesar; that he claimed to be Christ. Claims he was against the Jewish nation; against the Roman Government; against God. What a progression of claims. The first two accusations are blatant lies; the third is absolutely true.
Then false witnesses brought claims that Jesus had said he was going to destroy the temple and in three days would build another, not made by man – but even their testimonies weren’t in agreement. Jesus refused to even reply to their baseless claims.
Caiaphas asked Jesus directly, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”
“I am,” said Jesus, “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Jesus didn’t respond to many of their questions – but he said enough. They had a chance to hear truth from Truth Himself – and they rejected it – and him.
Pilate questioned him and asked, “Are you the King of the Jews?
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.
Pilate never did find reason why Jesus should be held – but he gave in to the will of those shouting ‘Crucify Him,’ washed his hands of all responsibility before them, released Barabbas at their bidding, and released Jesus to their will. John tells us it was about 6 a m when Pilate gave Jesus to his accusers, saying “Here is your King.”
But they wanted death.
In the early morning, the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law convened for a quick consensus: they condemned Jesus as worthy of death. He was dressed in a robe fit for royalty, a mock ‘crown’ made of thorns was woven together and placed on his head. The soldiers put a staff in his right hand and kneeling in front of him, mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews.” Then they spit on him and took the staff and struck him on the head repeatedly, driving the thorns deep into his flesh. He was hit with fists while he was blind-folded, the perps playing a game of ‘Hey Jesus, prophesy who hit you;’ then the guards removed his royal robe, took him and beat him. Their beating was no schoolyard beating. We are told from history that the beating was with whips imbedded with sharp metal and rocks and sharpened hooks that tore the flesh from the bone. It was brutal. The images sicken me. It is too hard and too graphic to write about.
After they had mocked him, they led him away to be crucified.
Meanwhile, while Jesus was being tried before Caiaphas, Peter stood by the fire in the courtyard, having been invited in because John was known to the high priest. It was there, while awaiting the outcome of the first level of Jesus’ being tried that night, that Peter denied he knew Jesus – not just once, but three times – just as Jesus had told him would happen.
Dawn came. The rooster crowed. Jesus was condemned to die. Good Friday? Not for him!
Sharing today:
I have written and re-written. This is the only day I have gone through so much challenge with what I would put into the blog. Usually I just start writing – and whatever flows from my fingers to the computer is what gets sent. Today was not that easy. I knew this was going to be a lot of material to cover, so I started early. I wrote several pages yesterday, melding the four gospels to try to blend what they each share. Then, this morning, first thing, I received a very sad call, telling me of the death of a lovely lady who died last night, losing her battle with pancreatic cancer – and losing the hope of many that she would be miraculously healed. I really wanted this one. God does heal. I’ve heard many testify to that reality – and have experienced his intervention and healing in my own life – physically, spiritually and emotionally.
I am disappointed that the script I wanted was not the one God is writing – yet beneath the sadness of the loss, which is most of all sadness for the grief for her family and dearest friends, I am filled with hope. Hope that doesn’t disappoint. Today she is free of pain. Jesus Himself mourns with those who mourn – and He will hold them close to his heart through their levels of grief.
It is also a reminder that we are called to come alongside – to offer loving help to those who need help, to mourn with those who mourn, to share joy with those who share joy.
Homegoing for a seasoned saint who has lived long and well, and is ready to meet the Master is a celebration. Homegoing for a wonderful saint who is too young – but who has lived well and died ready – also deserves to be celebrated. Somehow it is harder to get past the pain and to the celebration. She’ll be terribly missed.
Last night I attended the Olympia Choral Society musical re-enactment of THE CIVIL WAR. It was absolutely compelling. I had never absorbed what happened during the Civil War so personally before. It was humorous, sad, tender, informing, real. It conveyed realities I never learned in school. It made me laugh. It made me cry. But it was a good kind of crying because I could leave with hugs and kudos to the participants and be grateful for the gift they had provided.
I got to see a lot of people I have missed seeing. That was also good. And I was so proud of people I know who are part of the production.
This morning’s sorrow is not the same right now. I am still processing. It made it hard to write with clarity, the reality of the early morning call lingering all day as I try to formulate thought.
But our hope is secure. Jesus conquered death, rose again from the grave, and we who die in the Lord will be raised again - with Him - at the resurrection. I’ve been walking this journey with Jesus these few weeks, trying to live with him what he was living then. Today that and the poignant reminder of others’ very palpable grief are mingled together. It is appropriate that on a day we were to have had sunshine, God is crying with them. I can only pray for the comfort of the Holy Spirit to be with those who grieve – to hold them close and give them a peace beyond understanding. I know that Joy comes in the morning. May it be so.
Friday, April 16, 2010
BACKTRACKING TO ‘GOOD’ FRIDAY, lesson 7
(6 p m ‘Thursday’ to 6 p m Friday)
LESSON 7: Jesus arrested
April 16, 2010
Reading for today:
Matthew 26:47-56
Mark 14:43-52
Luke 22: 47-53
John 18:2-12
Jesus betrayed by Judas
Jesus arrested
Peter cut off the right ear of the High Priest’s servant (Malchus)
(Caiaphas was the high priest)
Jesus touched the high priest’s servant’s ear and healed him
All of the disciples desert him
Young man who was following Jesus fled naked
It’s preposterous, actually – that the King of Glory, The LORD GOD incarnate of heaven was arrested by arrogant men – men who came with swords and clubs and ropes and righteous indignation – believing to the core that they were ridding the world of a man who perverted their Torah – their laws. Or at least that is what they convinced themselves of in their fear and fury. Yes, fear. They were afraid of ‘rocking the boat’ and Jesus was certainly rocking the boat. The Jews feared the Romans – and feared for their tenuously-held positions. The bottom line was greed…well, that and self-preservation. Making self more important than what God is doing is always a recipe for disaster. Their fear was inflated by their fury, and led to false accusations and false arrest.
It hurts that Jesus was betrayed with a kiss…an intimate betrayal. And that his betrayer – the one who lied about Him and was instrumental in being the catalyst for bringing wrath upon Him – was one of His selected, chosen twelve. One of The Twelve. A title of distinction. Discarded for thirty pieces of silver…. And, even in that moment, Jesus calls him ‘friend.’ With friends like that…. Well, you know the phrase….
And then Peter – our dear, impetuous Peter – cuts off the ear of the High Priest’s servant, Malchus. It must have been quite a scene: this large contingent sent out by the Chief Priests, Teachers of the Law, and the elders. They came with the clout of prestigious backing. They came forcefully, with swords and clubs, as if to quell some sort of malicious insurrection. So – with a fairly formidable foe to fight – Peter, against all odds, draws his sword and cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant. In the cover of night, very few probably even saw it happen – or the logical response would have been swift and violent. But Jesus saw – and simply healed the man’s ear. No fanfare – no last-minute object lesson of His power and deity. Just tenderly touches Malchus and heals his ear…then cautions Peter that ‘all who live by the sword will die by the sword’ – something He had just averted, obviously, with his tampering with the evidence of Peter’s crime.
That story has always touched me. It somehow went unnoticed by the contingent of men who came to arrest Jesus – but I do wonder what effect it had on Malchus. Here he is with this detachment sent to arrest this awful man – an awful man who just put his ear back on….
I wonder if he remained silent.
The words of an old, old song from my childhood years come quickly to mind: “…I sing for I cannot be silent. His love is the theme of my song…. Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Redeemed. Redeemed. His child and forever I am.” I am incredibly grateful for that redeeming love. For Jesus paying the price required to purchase salvation. He could have chosen not to go through with the plan.
Matthew records Jesus as saying, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”
In the moment of his arrest, as Jesus was bound, all of the disciples fled – one slipping out of his clothing and running off into the night naked. And the detachment brought out by Judas Iscariot, their path of treachery lit by lanterns and torches, led Jesus back from the grove at the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives – back across the Kidron Valley, and back into the city. It was not long after the midnight hour – the darkest time of the night. A period of darkness like no other ever had been before that night….
LESSON 7: Jesus arrested
April 16, 2010
Reading for today:
Matthew 26:47-56
Mark 14:43-52
Luke 22: 47-53
John 18:2-12
Jesus betrayed by Judas
Jesus arrested
Peter cut off the right ear of the High Priest’s servant (Malchus)
(Caiaphas was the high priest)
Jesus touched the high priest’s servant’s ear and healed him
All of the disciples desert him
Young man who was following Jesus fled naked
It’s preposterous, actually – that the King of Glory, The LORD GOD incarnate of heaven was arrested by arrogant men – men who came with swords and clubs and ropes and righteous indignation – believing to the core that they were ridding the world of a man who perverted their Torah – their laws. Or at least that is what they convinced themselves of in their fear and fury. Yes, fear. They were afraid of ‘rocking the boat’ and Jesus was certainly rocking the boat. The Jews feared the Romans – and feared for their tenuously-held positions. The bottom line was greed…well, that and self-preservation. Making self more important than what God is doing is always a recipe for disaster. Their fear was inflated by their fury, and led to false accusations and false arrest.
It hurts that Jesus was betrayed with a kiss…an intimate betrayal. And that his betrayer – the one who lied about Him and was instrumental in being the catalyst for bringing wrath upon Him – was one of His selected, chosen twelve. One of The Twelve. A title of distinction. Discarded for thirty pieces of silver…. And, even in that moment, Jesus calls him ‘friend.’ With friends like that…. Well, you know the phrase….
And then Peter – our dear, impetuous Peter – cuts off the ear of the High Priest’s servant, Malchus. It must have been quite a scene: this large contingent sent out by the Chief Priests, Teachers of the Law, and the elders. They came with the clout of prestigious backing. They came forcefully, with swords and clubs, as if to quell some sort of malicious insurrection. So – with a fairly formidable foe to fight – Peter, against all odds, draws his sword and cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant. In the cover of night, very few probably even saw it happen – or the logical response would have been swift and violent. But Jesus saw – and simply healed the man’s ear. No fanfare – no last-minute object lesson of His power and deity. Just tenderly touches Malchus and heals his ear…then cautions Peter that ‘all who live by the sword will die by the sword’ – something He had just averted, obviously, with his tampering with the evidence of Peter’s crime.
That story has always touched me. It somehow went unnoticed by the contingent of men who came to arrest Jesus – but I do wonder what effect it had on Malchus. Here he is with this detachment sent to arrest this awful man – an awful man who just put his ear back on….
I wonder if he remained silent.
The words of an old, old song from my childhood years come quickly to mind: “…I sing for I cannot be silent. His love is the theme of my song…. Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Redeemed. Redeemed. His child and forever I am.” I am incredibly grateful for that redeeming love. For Jesus paying the price required to purchase salvation. He could have chosen not to go through with the plan.
Matthew records Jesus as saying, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”
In the moment of his arrest, as Jesus was bound, all of the disciples fled – one slipping out of his clothing and running off into the night naked. And the detachment brought out by Judas Iscariot, their path of treachery lit by lanterns and torches, led Jesus back from the grove at the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives – back across the Kidron Valley, and back into the city. It was not long after the midnight hour – the darkest time of the night. A period of darkness like no other ever had been before that night….
Thursday, April 15, 2010
BACKTRACKING TO ‘GOOD’ FRIDAY, lesson 6
(6 p m ‘Thursday’ to 6 p m Friday)
LESSON 6: Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane
April 15, 2010
Reading for today:
Matthew 26:30; 36-46
Mark 14:26; 32-42
Luke 22:39-46
John 18:1
This is the order of events that I have sorted out in reading the above:
They went out to the Mt of Olives, across the Kidron Valley
Matthew 26:30
Mark 14:26
Luke 22:39-46
John 18:1
Went to Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-46
Mark 14:32-42
Luke 22:40-46
Jesus wakens them from sleep and tells them his betrayer is coming
Matthew 26:46
Mark 14:42
Luke 22:46
I didn’t have time to write yesterday, but the weight of what Jesus was soon to endure – and was enduring emotionally even before it all began – walked with me all day long. I tried my best to exude my ‘bubbly Mary Poppins’ side of ‘practically perfect in every way’ but my heart was heavy. This morning I recognized the layers of why – and part of it is directly attributable to this journey.
When we left Jesus and his disciples in Lesson 5, they had just sung their final song, and headed out into the night. We pick up the story there – with them heading across the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olives….
I was reminded this morning that when John the Baptist identified Jesus to the masses, he said, “Look, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Jesus is being propelled into that finality as they leave the upper room and their Passover meal – the last food Jesus ate on this earth before his death….aptly named in art The Last Supper….
Jesus took all eleven of his remaining disciples with him – but left eight of them – all but Peter, James and John – in one spot, telling them, “Sit here while I pray.” I don’t think it has ever occurred to me before to wonder how it might have felt to be one of the disciples outside the inner circle. I have to believe that because we aren’t told of their having conflict with that reality, that they must have had the kind of temperaments that celebrate others’ gifts and talents, rather than be jealous or feel left out. The only one of the twelve who had issues of some sort that we are aware of was Judas Iscariot. And right now – he is fulfilling his role as betrayer….
Jesus took his ‘inner circle’ of closest disciples with him a little further, left the three of them together, telling them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.” He went on 'about a stones’ throw further' and knelt to pray. What he prayed was for God to take the cup from him if there was any other way. “Nevertheless,” he ended, “Not what I will, but what you will.”
He was in deep agony. He needed the support of his friends. He had told them he was overwhelmed – and needed their prayerful support – and what were they doing? Sleeping.
He came back to the sleepy threesome, but directed his attention to Peter. “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Then he went back to his place of prayer, and prayed again to his Father, “If there is any other way, Father, please take this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours….”
Returning to Peter, James and John, he found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. He didn’t even wake them – He just went back to pray a third time – alone.
Luke tells us that an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him, and that being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like great drops of blood falling to the ground.
This time when he returns to them he awakens them and cajoles them again for sleeping and resting – and tells them the hour has come – “Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer.”
In addition to sharing the journey Jesus walked as closely as I am capable of, there are compelling lessons to learn inherent in this portion of the story. First and foremost, if we are to avoid failing and succumbing to temptation, we also must be faithful in prayer – with everything we do immersed in prayer. Jesus fought his most formidable personal spiritual battle during that hour or two in the garden – beginning just before midnight, and ending in the wee hours of the morning. His forty days in the desert following his baptism by John the Baptist had prepared him for ministry, and this final time alone with God prepared him for what he had come to earth to accomplish. “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
This portion of the story also affirms how intensely we need friends. Even Jesus didn’t want to ‘go it alone.’ Thank God He brings others into our lives to share portions of our journeys – and even when we feel alone in this world, HE is there. He promised ‘never to leave us or forsake us.’ He meant it. We need others to come alongside. We need to be the ones who come alongside. That’s why He instructs us to ‘bear one another’s burdens – and so fulfill the law of Christ.' His law is love, and love sacrifices….
As for the disciples that night – Peter, James and John, his trusted inner circle – only hindsight would bring all that happened that night into perspective. They were tired. It was the time of night to be sleeping. They had had an incredibly busy day. Especially Peter and John. They had prepared the entire Passover Meal. Then during dinner, they drank more than their usual amount of wine for dinner, as prescribed in the custom of the celebration. Wine relaxes and makes one sleepy. Jesus acknowledges that when he says, ‘The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ They didn’t understand what was about to go down…but they certainly heard Jesus’ words when he told them he was overwhelmed with sorrow – a sorrow so deep that it was ‘to the point of death.’ Yet, they couldn’t stay awake. Their spirit was willing, but their flesh was weak.
The third huge thing for me is Jesus’ obvious loving forgiveness. He has warned Peter in advance of Peter’s soon-to-come failure. He invited Peter, especially, to pray to be protected from temptation – but he knew what would happen….and he already had forgiveness in place….for even when he told him he would deny him three times before dawn – he said, “When you come back, strengthen your brothers.”
I’ve experienced that loving forgiveness.
Knowing Jesus wept alone that night pierces my soul. I do not have the capacity to experience the fullness of what He did for me by taking that cup of sorrow and shame. He didn’t want to – but there was no other way.
No other way! That’s a message I want to convey clearly. There are people in my life whom I love dearly who do not embrace that reality. The politically correct lie of Satan that pervades modern-day Christianity says that "we wouldn’t want to limit God – that we believe salvation is in Christ alone, but if God chooses to save through another way – who are we to say He can’t? After all, He is God."
The grief that Jesus’ bore in the Garden of Gethsemane informs me that God limited God. It is not the only proof that God limited God. But it is clearly conveys that Truth. If there had been any other way, God – who can do all things – would have taken the cup from Jesus. He didn’t. He couldn’t. He did it for us. The only way.
Just one. One way to God…. The drops of blood that He sweat in those earliest moments of the morning after midnight were the beginning of a cleansing stream…. His blood shed for the remission of original sin – and all of humanities’ sins.
Sharing for today:
Yesterday my 3-year-old granddaughter proclaimed to her mother, “There is only one way to heaven…GOD!” Out of the mouths of babes….
LESSON 6: Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane
April 15, 2010
Reading for today:
Matthew 26:30; 36-46
Mark 14:26; 32-42
Luke 22:39-46
John 18:1
This is the order of events that I have sorted out in reading the above:
They went out to the Mt of Olives, across the Kidron Valley
Matthew 26:30
Mark 14:26
Luke 22:39-46
John 18:1
Went to Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-46
Mark 14:32-42
Luke 22:40-46
Jesus wakens them from sleep and tells them his betrayer is coming
Matthew 26:46
Mark 14:42
Luke 22:46
I didn’t have time to write yesterday, but the weight of what Jesus was soon to endure – and was enduring emotionally even before it all began – walked with me all day long. I tried my best to exude my ‘bubbly Mary Poppins’ side of ‘practically perfect in every way’ but my heart was heavy. This morning I recognized the layers of why – and part of it is directly attributable to this journey.
When we left Jesus and his disciples in Lesson 5, they had just sung their final song, and headed out into the night. We pick up the story there – with them heading across the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olives….
I was reminded this morning that when John the Baptist identified Jesus to the masses, he said, “Look, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Jesus is being propelled into that finality as they leave the upper room and their Passover meal – the last food Jesus ate on this earth before his death….aptly named in art The Last Supper….
Jesus took all eleven of his remaining disciples with him – but left eight of them – all but Peter, James and John – in one spot, telling them, “Sit here while I pray.” I don’t think it has ever occurred to me before to wonder how it might have felt to be one of the disciples outside the inner circle. I have to believe that because we aren’t told of their having conflict with that reality, that they must have had the kind of temperaments that celebrate others’ gifts and talents, rather than be jealous or feel left out. The only one of the twelve who had issues of some sort that we are aware of was Judas Iscariot. And right now – he is fulfilling his role as betrayer….
Jesus took his ‘inner circle’ of closest disciples with him a little further, left the three of them together, telling them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.” He went on 'about a stones’ throw further' and knelt to pray. What he prayed was for God to take the cup from him if there was any other way. “Nevertheless,” he ended, “Not what I will, but what you will.”
He was in deep agony. He needed the support of his friends. He had told them he was overwhelmed – and needed their prayerful support – and what were they doing? Sleeping.
He came back to the sleepy threesome, but directed his attention to Peter. “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Then he went back to his place of prayer, and prayed again to his Father, “If there is any other way, Father, please take this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours….”
Returning to Peter, James and John, he found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. He didn’t even wake them – He just went back to pray a third time – alone.
Luke tells us that an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him, and that being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like great drops of blood falling to the ground.
This time when he returns to them he awakens them and cajoles them again for sleeping and resting – and tells them the hour has come – “Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer.”
In addition to sharing the journey Jesus walked as closely as I am capable of, there are compelling lessons to learn inherent in this portion of the story. First and foremost, if we are to avoid failing and succumbing to temptation, we also must be faithful in prayer – with everything we do immersed in prayer. Jesus fought his most formidable personal spiritual battle during that hour or two in the garden – beginning just before midnight, and ending in the wee hours of the morning. His forty days in the desert following his baptism by John the Baptist had prepared him for ministry, and this final time alone with God prepared him for what he had come to earth to accomplish. “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
This portion of the story also affirms how intensely we need friends. Even Jesus didn’t want to ‘go it alone.’ Thank God He brings others into our lives to share portions of our journeys – and even when we feel alone in this world, HE is there. He promised ‘never to leave us or forsake us.’ He meant it. We need others to come alongside. We need to be the ones who come alongside. That’s why He instructs us to ‘bear one another’s burdens – and so fulfill the law of Christ.' His law is love, and love sacrifices….
As for the disciples that night – Peter, James and John, his trusted inner circle – only hindsight would bring all that happened that night into perspective. They were tired. It was the time of night to be sleeping. They had had an incredibly busy day. Especially Peter and John. They had prepared the entire Passover Meal. Then during dinner, they drank more than their usual amount of wine for dinner, as prescribed in the custom of the celebration. Wine relaxes and makes one sleepy. Jesus acknowledges that when he says, ‘The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ They didn’t understand what was about to go down…but they certainly heard Jesus’ words when he told them he was overwhelmed with sorrow – a sorrow so deep that it was ‘to the point of death.’ Yet, they couldn’t stay awake. Their spirit was willing, but their flesh was weak.
The third huge thing for me is Jesus’ obvious loving forgiveness. He has warned Peter in advance of Peter’s soon-to-come failure. He invited Peter, especially, to pray to be protected from temptation – but he knew what would happen….and he already had forgiveness in place….for even when he told him he would deny him three times before dawn – he said, “When you come back, strengthen your brothers.”
I’ve experienced that loving forgiveness.
Knowing Jesus wept alone that night pierces my soul. I do not have the capacity to experience the fullness of what He did for me by taking that cup of sorrow and shame. He didn’t want to – but there was no other way.
No other way! That’s a message I want to convey clearly. There are people in my life whom I love dearly who do not embrace that reality. The politically correct lie of Satan that pervades modern-day Christianity says that "we wouldn’t want to limit God – that we believe salvation is in Christ alone, but if God chooses to save through another way – who are we to say He can’t? After all, He is God."
The grief that Jesus’ bore in the Garden of Gethsemane informs me that God limited God. It is not the only proof that God limited God. But it is clearly conveys that Truth. If there had been any other way, God – who can do all things – would have taken the cup from Jesus. He didn’t. He couldn’t. He did it for us. The only way.
Just one. One way to God…. The drops of blood that He sweat in those earliest moments of the morning after midnight were the beginning of a cleansing stream…. His blood shed for the remission of original sin – and all of humanities’ sins.
Sharing for today:
Yesterday my 3-year-old granddaughter proclaimed to her mother, “There is only one way to heaven…GOD!” Out of the mouths of babes….
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
BACKTRACKING TO ‘GOOD’ FRIDAY, lesson 5
(6 p m ‘Thursday’ to 6 p m Friday)
LESSON 5: The Upper Room Discourse as reported by John
April 13, 2010
Reading for today:
John 14 - 17
John 14 Jesus comforts his disciples
Jesus teaches He is the way to the Father
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit
John 15 Teaches he is the vine and we are the branches
Explains that the world will hate his disciples
John 16 Tells them he is telling them in advance to they won’t go astray
Explains the work of the Holy Spirit
John 17 Prays for himself
Prays for his disciples
Prays for all future believers (that’s us, folks)
I watched a fair amount of The Master’s Cup Tournament with Al. Do you know what Golf stood for when the word was originally coined? It was an acronym for Guys Only Ladies Forbidden. Well – this night was obviously a guys-only-ladies-forbidden night too.
These chapters record the final messages for those Yeshua loves most dearly on his final night – and within hours of being brutally beaten and hung on a cross to die a miserable death. Dying messages. I’ve never read these chapters from that perspective before. It changes them, reading them as the dinner conversation Jesus shared with his disciples on that last night….
Someone I care deeply for told me – not so long ago – that when Jesus declared ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’ – that he was saying he was showing them a simple way to live that they should mimic…. I would not decry simple living – it has a lot of value, for where the treasure is there the heart will be also – but that isn’t what he was saying here. He’s telling them pure and simply that belief in him is the absolutely only way to get to the Father. Jesus as ‘the way’ is the only way to eternal life. The messages Jesus left with them as his final words oozed love…and oodles of important information, including:
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
You are my friends if you do what I command.
I chose you to go and bear fruit.
This is my command: Love each other.
You will be hated by the world.
The Holy Spirit is promised.
Their grief will turn to joy.
Warns them that in this world they will have trouble – but He has overcome the world.
Jesus prays for himself, but makes such a clear theological statement in the process that there can be no doubt that eternal life is through him alone;
He prays for them, praying for their protection and unity in Him;
and He prays for future believers – again for unity.
He covers all the bases that need to be covered, reinforcing the message He came to earth to bring. Reading this from the perspective of the reality of when it was spoken makes it so much more tender. Jesus’ care for them in these last moments before all hell broke loose is monumental.
And – with a song and these prayers that John shares – they went out into the night.
----
I want to mention just a little more about Chapter 15. In the midst of the myriad of reminders, Jesus tells them that he is the true vine - and his Father is the gardener. He uses a word-picture that they - and we - can understand. We have to be 'in him.' We can do nothing without him. God will cut off every branch that bears no fruit. Christianity is not an 'I got mine - so good luck to the rest of you' religion. It is a relationship. Just as the branches are connected to the trunk - so we are connected relationally - first and foremost to God - but also to each other. We are grafted in - and as long as we are connected to Him - and produce fruit - we are a healthy part of the tree.
God will prune us to make us more fruitful. Being pruned is not fun - it is painful - but God prunes us precisely so we can be more fruitful. He knows what is deadwood to us. He constantly leads us. He directs our paths. He speaks to us.
God speaks to us in several ways. He speaks in different ways to different people - but two foundational ways are through His Word - and in prayer. He speaks to some through dreams; some through visions. I think that is very cool! He also can speak through others - but He has to confirm what He is saying through His Holy Spirit to me. I know I am not to rely on someone else being my connection to hearing Him. In fact - for a little bunny trail - when I was a Youth Leader, I told the kids to check out everything they heard me say or the pastor say against God's Word - - never to take anything someone else said as the truth without confirming it by His Word.
For me, in addition to speaking to me through the words of His written Word, He speaks in a still, small voice inside my head - but it is a voice I recognize clearly, and His thoughts are different than my own. I recognize his 'voice,' - and it never conflicts with His written Word....that is the test. In fact - that is the test for all of the insights God gives. They will always line up with His Word, the Bible. Anything that adds to or takes away from that written Word is not God speaking.... He will illumine what is already there - but there will never be 'new' information. It is complete as is. False religions include those that add to the written Word of God with 'newly revealed knowledge.' That is a huge red flag. Lights and sirens and bells and whistles should all go off in our heads if we hear someone teach anything different than the Word of God - or hear anyone twist God's Word to say something it doesn't clearly say.
Once long ago when I said that God speaks to me, my daughter thought I meant audibly. It is as clear as audible - but it is not an external voice. And - God often gives me 'large life messages' in Charlotte's Web fashion: Recent examples include: 'Contend for what I contend for.' And on another day last fall: 'Persevere.' When 9/11 occurred and I was praying, wondering if it was 'the end,' God spoke to me and said, 'Keep on keeping on. Occupy until I come.' On a more daily level, he communes with me as I walk through my day, assuring me of His presence, bringing songs or scriptures to mind, nudging me when I need nudging, cautioning me when I need caution, leading, guiding, nurturing. My point is: I know His voice, and treasure my relationship with Him. I am humbled that He wants to be in relationship with me.
And - this passage, instructs and informs me - compels me to see His enormous love. 'Now remain in my love.' The choice is up to us.... 'If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love....'
Lord, help me hear and help me obey. Help me love as you have taught me to love. I know I can’t do it perfectly; but I can be intentional in trying. With His help, I can make a difference in the world.
My thanks for this humor goes to Pastor Dan: (Lola’s revised edition:)
A grandma was out for a walk with her four-year-old granddaughter. The child picked a piece of partially wrapped candy up off the ground and started to put it into her mouth, when the Grandma stopped her and took the item away.
“Why can’t I have it?” the granddaughter asked.
“Because it has been on the ground. You don’t know where it’s been. It probably has germs, and it’s dirty,” the Grandma replied.
At this point the little girl looked up at her Grandma with total admiration and exclaimed, “Grandma, you’re so smart! How do you know all this stuff?”
“Well,” her Grandma replied, thinking quickly, “All Grandmas know this stuff. It’s on the ‘Grandma Test.’ You have to know this stuff or they don’t let you be a Grandma.”
That seemed to satisfy the child – and the two walked on in silence for a few minutes; but apparently the little girl was processing this bit of new information, for suddenly a smile brightened her face and the joy of discovery was expressed in her observation: “Oh, I get it! She beamed. It you don’t pass the test, then you have to be the Grandpa!”
“Exactly,” the Grandma replied, with a big smile on her face….
LESSON 5: The Upper Room Discourse as reported by John
April 13, 2010
Reading for today:
John 14 - 17
John 14 Jesus comforts his disciples
Jesus teaches He is the way to the Father
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit
John 15 Teaches he is the vine and we are the branches
Explains that the world will hate his disciples
John 16 Tells them he is telling them in advance to they won’t go astray
Explains the work of the Holy Spirit
John 17 Prays for himself
Prays for his disciples
Prays for all future believers (that’s us, folks)
I watched a fair amount of The Master’s Cup Tournament with Al. Do you know what Golf stood for when the word was originally coined? It was an acronym for Guys Only Ladies Forbidden. Well – this night was obviously a guys-only-ladies-forbidden night too.
These chapters record the final messages for those Yeshua loves most dearly on his final night – and within hours of being brutally beaten and hung on a cross to die a miserable death. Dying messages. I’ve never read these chapters from that perspective before. It changes them, reading them as the dinner conversation Jesus shared with his disciples on that last night….
Someone I care deeply for told me – not so long ago – that when Jesus declared ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’ – that he was saying he was showing them a simple way to live that they should mimic…. I would not decry simple living – it has a lot of value, for where the treasure is there the heart will be also – but that isn’t what he was saying here. He’s telling them pure and simply that belief in him is the absolutely only way to get to the Father. Jesus as ‘the way’ is the only way to eternal life. The messages Jesus left with them as his final words oozed love…and oodles of important information, including:
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
You are my friends if you do what I command.
I chose you to go and bear fruit.
This is my command: Love each other.
You will be hated by the world.
The Holy Spirit is promised.
Their grief will turn to joy.
Warns them that in this world they will have trouble – but He has overcome the world.
Jesus prays for himself, but makes such a clear theological statement in the process that there can be no doubt that eternal life is through him alone;
He prays for them, praying for their protection and unity in Him;
and He prays for future believers – again for unity.
He covers all the bases that need to be covered, reinforcing the message He came to earth to bring. Reading this from the perspective of the reality of when it was spoken makes it so much more tender. Jesus’ care for them in these last moments before all hell broke loose is monumental.
And – with a song and these prayers that John shares – they went out into the night.
----
I want to mention just a little more about Chapter 15. In the midst of the myriad of reminders, Jesus tells them that he is the true vine - and his Father is the gardener. He uses a word-picture that they - and we - can understand. We have to be 'in him.' We can do nothing without him. God will cut off every branch that bears no fruit. Christianity is not an 'I got mine - so good luck to the rest of you' religion. It is a relationship. Just as the branches are connected to the trunk - so we are connected relationally - first and foremost to God - but also to each other. We are grafted in - and as long as we are connected to Him - and produce fruit - we are a healthy part of the tree.
God will prune us to make us more fruitful. Being pruned is not fun - it is painful - but God prunes us precisely so we can be more fruitful. He knows what is deadwood to us. He constantly leads us. He directs our paths. He speaks to us.
God speaks to us in several ways. He speaks in different ways to different people - but two foundational ways are through His Word - and in prayer. He speaks to some through dreams; some through visions. I think that is very cool! He also can speak through others - but He has to confirm what He is saying through His Holy Spirit to me. I know I am not to rely on someone else being my connection to hearing Him. In fact - for a little bunny trail - when I was a Youth Leader, I told the kids to check out everything they heard me say or the pastor say against God's Word - - never to take anything someone else said as the truth without confirming it by His Word.
For me, in addition to speaking to me through the words of His written Word, He speaks in a still, small voice inside my head - but it is a voice I recognize clearly, and His thoughts are different than my own. I recognize his 'voice,' - and it never conflicts with His written Word....that is the test. In fact - that is the test for all of the insights God gives. They will always line up with His Word, the Bible. Anything that adds to or takes away from that written Word is not God speaking.... He will illumine what is already there - but there will never be 'new' information. It is complete as is. False religions include those that add to the written Word of God with 'newly revealed knowledge.' That is a huge red flag. Lights and sirens and bells and whistles should all go off in our heads if we hear someone teach anything different than the Word of God - or hear anyone twist God's Word to say something it doesn't clearly say.
Once long ago when I said that God speaks to me, my daughter thought I meant audibly. It is as clear as audible - but it is not an external voice. And - God often gives me 'large life messages' in Charlotte's Web fashion: Recent examples include: 'Contend for what I contend for.' And on another day last fall: 'Persevere.' When 9/11 occurred and I was praying, wondering if it was 'the end,' God spoke to me and said, 'Keep on keeping on. Occupy until I come.' On a more daily level, he communes with me as I walk through my day, assuring me of His presence, bringing songs or scriptures to mind, nudging me when I need nudging, cautioning me when I need caution, leading, guiding, nurturing. My point is: I know His voice, and treasure my relationship with Him. I am humbled that He wants to be in relationship with me.
And - this passage, instructs and informs me - compels me to see His enormous love. 'Now remain in my love.' The choice is up to us.... 'If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love....'
Lord, help me hear and help me obey. Help me love as you have taught me to love. I know I can’t do it perfectly; but I can be intentional in trying. With His help, I can make a difference in the world.
My thanks for this humor goes to Pastor Dan: (Lola’s revised edition:)
A grandma was out for a walk with her four-year-old granddaughter. The child picked a piece of partially wrapped candy up off the ground and started to put it into her mouth, when the Grandma stopped her and took the item away.
“Why can’t I have it?” the granddaughter asked.
“Because it has been on the ground. You don’t know where it’s been. It probably has germs, and it’s dirty,” the Grandma replied.
At this point the little girl looked up at her Grandma with total admiration and exclaimed, “Grandma, you’re so smart! How do you know all this stuff?”
“Well,” her Grandma replied, thinking quickly, “All Grandmas know this stuff. It’s on the ‘Grandma Test.’ You have to know this stuff or they don’t let you be a Grandma.”
That seemed to satisfy the child – and the two walked on in silence for a few minutes; but apparently the little girl was processing this bit of new information, for suddenly a smile brightened her face and the joy of discovery was expressed in her observation: “Oh, I get it! She beamed. It you don’t pass the test, then you have to be the Grandpa!”
“Exactly,” the Grandma replied, with a big smile on her face….
Monday, April 12, 2010
BACKTRACKING TO ‘GOOD’ FRIDAY, lesson 4
(6 p m ‘Thursday’ to 6 p m Friday)
LESSON 4: Jesus’ new command & Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
April 12, 2010
Reading for today:
John 13:33-35
Matthew 26:33-35
Mark 14:29-31
Luke 22:33-34
John 13:36-38
Before I leaped forward for yesterday’s blog, we sat at the table with the disciples during the foot-washing – and Judas’ leaving to ‘go do quickly what he was about to do.’ We know that by then in their evening it was night.
As soon as Judas leaves, Jesus tells them, “Now is the Son of Man glorified….” Wow! Things had been irreversibly set in motion….it was truly the beginning of the apparent end. He didn’t wait until he was on the cross to declare that he was glorified – it began now….
This is when he shares one of the most significant expressions of the New Covenant: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Then he showed them throughout the remaining hours of that 24 hour period just what love demands.
This is not just warm, fuzzy love. This includes the “I don’t want to do this – but I must to be faithful to the call on my life” love. It is not love founded in feeling, but in faithfulness. And it isn’t optional. It is a command. It takes absolute submission to God to live out this kind of love. We can’t do it on our own – but Christ, who lives in us, the one in whom we place our trust, helps us through the power of the Holy Spirit…. Oops. Even that is jumping ahead! The Comforter cannot come until Jesus ascends…. And that is a story for another day….
In our linear sequential storyline, we come to Peter. Another glimpse. Another layer. Peter who walked on water to meet Jesus. Peter who has been Jesus’ sidekick for a significant part of the past 3 years. Peter who determinedly declares his undying devotion, and willingness even to go to prison and to die with Jesus. And all of the others agree, following his lead. And what does Jesus tell him? That before the rooster crows in the morning, Peter will disown Jesus 3 times – not just once but 3 times. I think that must have been really hard to hear – and Peter, with all he was worth, probably determined not to let it come true.
Judas will betray Jesus by intentionally giving Jesus up to the authorities. Peter will betray Jesus by claiming he never knew him. One betrays out of bad motives; one betrays out of fear. One will repent and hang himself; one will repent and become bold in proclaiming the message of the Gospel. Both sinned – but the outcome was vastly different.
When I think of denials I think of the purported 26 people who die for their faith every hour. Of churches filled with parishioners bolted shut and burned. Of people rounded up and slaughtered execution style. It’s easy ensconced in my comfy chair at the computer in the relative safety of my home to think I could be noble and stand firmly for my faith if terrorists were to come into my church and say they’d kill all who didn’t deny their faith. Yet I know that kind of resolve can only come through the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is portrayed in smaller doses in standing up for truth and justice – when it would be much easier to embrace a philosophical attitude toward sin or rationalize wrong thinking – because standing up for what is right risks severing ties I’d like not to be severed.
It is a daily walk. But this day is going to be a tough one – for Jesus, certainly, but for his disciples as well. It hurts to fail. But how tender that Jesus warns him – that he knows and still loves. That he is about to die, with this group of followers as his ‘firstfruits,’ all the while knowing they will run away in fear, and desert him in his hour of deepest need – and he loves them anyway.
One final poem to share:
A LAST GOODBYE
by Lola Cain 1/9/2007
If I’d had time to say goodbye
I’d have held you close and told you
That I’ve loved you every moment
With all of my heart
Through good times and bad
’Til death do us part
With the love that we promised
Way back at the start.
I’d have affirmed my love is enduring
And that my love for you has grown
To envelop me and help mold who I am….
If I’d had time to say goodbye.
If I’d been able to say goodbye
I’d have held you close
And told you not to cry too long,
But to live life
With the same exuberance
We’ve shared
I’d tell you that you are the love of my life
And that because I love you
I want you to live to love again,
Though not too soon…
I’d say that loving honors love lived
If I’d been able to say goodbye.
If I could have said goodbye
I wouldn’t have wasted time with regrets
But with remembered joys.
I’d have told you how I’ve loved
Waking up before you, lying beside you
Absorbing the sound of your breathing,
Watching you sleep.
I’d tell you how I’ve thrilled
To your slightest touch
Even though I sometimes didn’t affirm it;
I’d have told you now.
If I could have said goodbye.
If I had the chance to say goodbye
I’d ask you to tell the kids
how much I love them.
No matter how many times I said it
It was never enough
To cover the coming hours and days of silence.
And then, before I finally had to go
I’d hold you one last time in my embrace,
Feel the warmth of your body,
Your breath against my neck,
and tell you one more time I love you…
…If I had the chance to say goodbye.
This poem was inspired by the thought of life that ends abruptly with no chance to say goodbye. Life lost by inches is terribly painful, but those who take advantage of that time get to say their last goodbyes. This poem speaks for those who did not get that opportunity.
I was reading poetry by the current (2007) poet laureate, Donald Hall, in preparation for leading the discussion on our book group’s author for April. He writes prolifically in “free verse” and his experience of recording the process of the loss of his wife, Jane Kenyon, made me think about those who lose someone suddenly, unexpectedly. I know that even “knowing” the loss is to occur does not prepare us for the reality – but it does give us a chance to say some of the things we want to say. This was written at a time when our family was grieving for a loss that soon would be reality. (While poignantly aware of friends experiencing similar loss.)
LESSON 4: Jesus’ new command & Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
April 12, 2010
Reading for today:
John 13:33-35
Matthew 26:33-35
Mark 14:29-31
Luke 22:33-34
John 13:36-38
Before I leaped forward for yesterday’s blog, we sat at the table with the disciples during the foot-washing – and Judas’ leaving to ‘go do quickly what he was about to do.’ We know that by then in their evening it was night.
As soon as Judas leaves, Jesus tells them, “Now is the Son of Man glorified….” Wow! Things had been irreversibly set in motion….it was truly the beginning of the apparent end. He didn’t wait until he was on the cross to declare that he was glorified – it began now….
This is when he shares one of the most significant expressions of the New Covenant: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Then he showed them throughout the remaining hours of that 24 hour period just what love demands.
This is not just warm, fuzzy love. This includes the “I don’t want to do this – but I must to be faithful to the call on my life” love. It is not love founded in feeling, but in faithfulness. And it isn’t optional. It is a command. It takes absolute submission to God to live out this kind of love. We can’t do it on our own – but Christ, who lives in us, the one in whom we place our trust, helps us through the power of the Holy Spirit…. Oops. Even that is jumping ahead! The Comforter cannot come until Jesus ascends…. And that is a story for another day….
In our linear sequential storyline, we come to Peter. Another glimpse. Another layer. Peter who walked on water to meet Jesus. Peter who has been Jesus’ sidekick for a significant part of the past 3 years. Peter who determinedly declares his undying devotion, and willingness even to go to prison and to die with Jesus. And all of the others agree, following his lead. And what does Jesus tell him? That before the rooster crows in the morning, Peter will disown Jesus 3 times – not just once but 3 times. I think that must have been really hard to hear – and Peter, with all he was worth, probably determined not to let it come true.
Judas will betray Jesus by intentionally giving Jesus up to the authorities. Peter will betray Jesus by claiming he never knew him. One betrays out of bad motives; one betrays out of fear. One will repent and hang himself; one will repent and become bold in proclaiming the message of the Gospel. Both sinned – but the outcome was vastly different.
When I think of denials I think of the purported 26 people who die for their faith every hour. Of churches filled with parishioners bolted shut and burned. Of people rounded up and slaughtered execution style. It’s easy ensconced in my comfy chair at the computer in the relative safety of my home to think I could be noble and stand firmly for my faith if terrorists were to come into my church and say they’d kill all who didn’t deny their faith. Yet I know that kind of resolve can only come through the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is portrayed in smaller doses in standing up for truth and justice – when it would be much easier to embrace a philosophical attitude toward sin or rationalize wrong thinking – because standing up for what is right risks severing ties I’d like not to be severed.
It is a daily walk. But this day is going to be a tough one – for Jesus, certainly, but for his disciples as well. It hurts to fail. But how tender that Jesus warns him – that he knows and still loves. That he is about to die, with this group of followers as his ‘firstfruits,’ all the while knowing they will run away in fear, and desert him in his hour of deepest need – and he loves them anyway.
One final poem to share:
A LAST GOODBYE
by Lola Cain 1/9/2007
If I’d had time to say goodbye
I’d have held you close and told you
That I’ve loved you every moment
With all of my heart
Through good times and bad
’Til death do us part
With the love that we promised
Way back at the start.
I’d have affirmed my love is enduring
And that my love for you has grown
To envelop me and help mold who I am….
If I’d had time to say goodbye.
If I’d been able to say goodbye
I’d have held you close
And told you not to cry too long,
But to live life
With the same exuberance
We’ve shared
I’d tell you that you are the love of my life
And that because I love you
I want you to live to love again,
Though not too soon…
I’d say that loving honors love lived
If I’d been able to say goodbye.
If I could have said goodbye
I wouldn’t have wasted time with regrets
But with remembered joys.
I’d have told you how I’ve loved
Waking up before you, lying beside you
Absorbing the sound of your breathing,
Watching you sleep.
I’d tell you how I’ve thrilled
To your slightest touch
Even though I sometimes didn’t affirm it;
I’d have told you now.
If I could have said goodbye.
If I had the chance to say goodbye
I’d ask you to tell the kids
how much I love them.
No matter how many times I said it
It was never enough
To cover the coming hours and days of silence.
And then, before I finally had to go
I’d hold you one last time in my embrace,
Feel the warmth of your body,
Your breath against my neck,
and tell you one more time I love you…
…If I had the chance to say goodbye.
This poem was inspired by the thought of life that ends abruptly with no chance to say goodbye. Life lost by inches is terribly painful, but those who take advantage of that time get to say their last goodbyes. This poem speaks for those who did not get that opportunity.
I was reading poetry by the current (2007) poet laureate, Donald Hall, in preparation for leading the discussion on our book group’s author for April. He writes prolifically in “free verse” and his experience of recording the process of the loss of his wife, Jane Kenyon, made me think about those who lose someone suddenly, unexpectedly. I know that even “knowing” the loss is to occur does not prepare us for the reality – but it does give us a chance to say some of the things we want to say. This was written at a time when our family was grieving for a loss that soon would be reality. (While poignantly aware of friends experiencing similar loss.)
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