This New Testament CHALLENGE has been aptly named. It has been a true challenge in every sense of the word. It is a challenge to keep going...to stay committed to reading one chapter a day and check off that list. A challenge to be more like this man that I am becoming more and more familiar with in these 4 gospels. A challenge to think about what all this means to me and how I am living today.
I hope that everyone who is reading this and doing this challenge realizes that this challenge is so much more than a daily commitment of your time. The bigger part of this "challenge" is that YOU WILL BE CHANGED and even at my "young" age, change is hard. Change the way you are looking at everything you do...letting God search your heart for anything that is not of Him.
As a church family, Pastor Paul has asked us to pray this week about our service schedules and how to adjust them to best glorify God at Asbury United Methodist. I have been spending my time this week in Ephesians and specifically praying from Ephesians 3:14-21...that Asbury have inner strength that is rooted in Christ Jesus and that He is dwelling in all our hearts as we consider these decisions. That we all may exercise a new orientation toward others, that we may all grasp the dimensions of God's love for us all and that we may all personally and fully experience God's power. When you think of this decision in light of God and what He has done for us, who He is and what He wants me to become, I'm not sure what time I worship Him on Sunday morning really matters. I pray that whatever the outcome that we can all move forward and be at peace.
I was reading Matthew 7:7 with my three year old this week: 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Noah's response was "Mommy, can I knock?" I said "Yes you can! Do you know how you knock on God's door? All you have to do is pray...when you say DEAR GOD, you are knocking on His door and He will ALWAYS open it for you!" What an image...my God will always open the door and welcome me into His presence....all I have to do is "knock".
I leave you with a song from VBS two years ago:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxcDK0Vp28w&feature=related
YOUR LIFE WILL CHANGE
From the page to your heart
God's Word is where you are
Read it now and your life will change
It is surprising, exciting
Each and every day
Read it now and your life will CHANGE!
Betsy
Friday, April 27, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Exponential Grace
What is God teaching me right now?
Lessons in grace.
Grace. It's probably our favorite thing without even realizing it. It's one of mine! When we make a poor decision and we look to God in repentance our answer is, "you are forgiven. clean slate." Grace! When we do it over and over again and come back feeling cruddy we get the same response! Grace again!
The beautiful thing about God's grace is written in Romans 5:18-21:
"Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
It never stops. Grace never stops. In fact, when we need it more, it gets more i-n-t-e-n-s-e!
This isn't really normal. So as humans, we don't know how to handle it. Most of the time we drag ourselves around resenting God's grace and continuing to intensify it more and more involuntarily because we just can't handle it. We abuse it. We cheapen it. We continue doing our thing... believing that we understand grace.
Grace is the gift of freedom that is offered to all who desire to accept it. I ask myself a question today... have I even truly accepted it? This gift that is so powerful and loving and costly. Do I really know what I have?
Here is a history lesson that is still putting it into perspective for me...
Back in the day, slaves were a common thing in society. In fact, it was normal even in the Biblical times. Which is why so many writers in scripture parallel slavery and freedom in reference to the spiritual.
So here's an interesting fact... when a slave was up for sale, they normally had a price tag on them and people knew how much that slave was worth. Probably a good indication of the kind of work they would provide to the owner. However, in the most rare cases, sometimes an owner would purchase their OWN slave and would put them on display with a tag that read "FOR FREEDOM" so everyone would know that the owner sacrificed financially to allow their slave to be free... basically a "Not For Sale" sign.
This is the part that just baffles me. When this happened, a slave was so grateful for the gift of freedom that the owner gave... so speechless... so awed... that they continued working for the owner anyway as a sign of gratefulness.
Honestly, we would think this is "so touching", but insane. I bet I would run for the high hills if I had a tag that said "FOR FREEDOM" ... but the reasoning behind this was if an owner was loving enough to purchase their freedom, they were respectful enough to keep serving as a free man.
Galatians 5:1 says, "FOR FREEDOM Christ has set us free." You think they knew about the sign? You think there is more weight to this statement than, "oh that so nice... now I don't have to worry about what I do anymore getting me into hell."
I think so. And it leaves me so convicted. Do my actions cheapen the freeing grace of God? Or do they reflect my reverence for the exponential grace that flows lovingly from my Savior.
Pam
Lessons in grace.
Grace. It's probably our favorite thing without even realizing it. It's one of mine! When we make a poor decision and we look to God in repentance our answer is, "you are forgiven. clean slate." Grace! When we do it over and over again and come back feeling cruddy we get the same response! Grace again!
The beautiful thing about God's grace is written in Romans 5:18-21:
"Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
It never stops. Grace never stops. In fact, when we need it more, it gets more i-n-t-e-n-s-e!
This isn't really normal. So as humans, we don't know how to handle it. Most of the time we drag ourselves around resenting God's grace and continuing to intensify it more and more involuntarily because we just can't handle it. We abuse it. We cheapen it. We continue doing our thing... believing that we understand grace.
Grace is the gift of freedom that is offered to all who desire to accept it. I ask myself a question today... have I even truly accepted it? This gift that is so powerful and loving and costly. Do I really know what I have?
Here is a history lesson that is still putting it into perspective for me...
Back in the day, slaves were a common thing in society. In fact, it was normal even in the Biblical times. Which is why so many writers in scripture parallel slavery and freedom in reference to the spiritual.
So here's an interesting fact... when a slave was up for sale, they normally had a price tag on them and people knew how much that slave was worth. Probably a good indication of the kind of work they would provide to the owner. However, in the most rare cases, sometimes an owner would purchase their OWN slave and would put them on display with a tag that read "FOR FREEDOM" so everyone would know that the owner sacrificed financially to allow their slave to be free... basically a "Not For Sale" sign.
This is the part that just baffles me. When this happened, a slave was so grateful for the gift of freedom that the owner gave... so speechless... so awed... that they continued working for the owner anyway as a sign of gratefulness.
Honestly, we would think this is "so touching", but insane. I bet I would run for the high hills if I had a tag that said "FOR FREEDOM" ... but the reasoning behind this was if an owner was loving enough to purchase their freedom, they were respectful enough to keep serving as a free man.
Galatians 5:1 says, "FOR FREEDOM Christ has set us free." You think they knew about the sign? You think there is more weight to this statement than, "oh that so nice... now I don't have to worry about what I do anymore getting me into hell."
I think so. And it leaves me so convicted. Do my actions cheapen the freeing grace of God? Or do they reflect my reverence for the exponential grace that flows lovingly from my Savior.
Pam
Monday, April 23, 2012
Are you God’s Child?
Why do Jesus and his angels rejoice over on repenting sinner? Can they see something we can’t? Do they know something we don’t? Absolutely! They know what heaven holds. They’ve seen the table, and they can’t wait to see your face when you arrive. Better still, they can’t wait to see you.
When you arrive and enter the party, something wonderful will happen. A final transformation will occur. You will be like Jesus. Let’s look at 1 John 3:2 “We have not yet been shown what we will be in the future. But we know that when Christ comes again, we will be Like Him” Of all the blessings of heaven, one of the greatest will be you! You will be God’s work of art. God’s work will be completed in you and at last you will have a heart like His.
You will love with a perfect love…You will worship a radiant face….You will hear each word God speaks…Your heart will be pure, your words will be like jewels and your thoughts will be like treasures. You will be just like Jesus. You will at long last, have a heart like His.Envision the heart of Jesus and you’ll be envisioning you own. You will be guiltless, fearless, thrilled and joyous, tirelessly worshiping. And if that were not enough, everyone else will be like him as well. “Heaven is the perfect place for people made perfect” Heaven is populated by those who let God change them. Arguments will cease, for jealousy won’t exist. Suspicions won’t surface, for there will be no secrets. Every sin is gone. Every insecurity is forgotten. Every fear is past. No wonder the angels rejoice when one sinner repents; they know another work of art will soon grace the gallery of God. They know what heaven holds.
Do you really believe that you will be a blessing in heaven? Make your own list of the types of transformations you’ll be looking forward to. Thank God that you will be perfect then and strive to live like it now. Sunday, April 22, 2012
a testimony worth telling: blind but not mute John 9
If you listened to Win Green preach this morning, there may be some eerie (positive) similarities. I hope so. My thoughts were processed before this morning’s message.
From The Gospel of John chapter 9.
“But this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” V. 3
Bad things happen to people. What happens if God wants to do something good, cool, powerful through the garbage you are going through. What can we do?
I propose three responses:
1. Obey. v. 7 Jesus told the blind man to go wash the mud off. Something happened when he obeyed. How are you doing with hearing Jesus voice and obeying him?
2. Worship. v. 38 When the healed man realized who Jesus was, he worshipped him. How are you worshipping Jesus throughout your day?
3. Share your story; Respond when the controversy hits. vv. 13-27 How willing am I to share what Jesus is doing?
Speaking honestly, I don’t think I am doing a good job of speaking up. My role is not to edit the story or make the decision if it is worth sharing. If God is doing it, then he is displaying it.
Display – to make it available for public viewing. How God wants to display it is up to him.
If there is a testimony, it means there’s been a test.
Years ago, I was asked to speak on a panel for training purposes. I was asked to speak about my experiences – to tell my story. My response was, “I have no stories.” Lyman Coleman challenged me with, “We all have stories. You just need to learn to share them.”
What’s your story? What’s His story in your life? Who are you sharing it with?
I want to do better telling his story in my life.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Philippians 3
As I was reading Paul’s writing in Philippians 3, a pencil notation I had made in a bible I had used for study many years ago caught my eye.
In verses 2 and 3 of that chapter, Paul is talking about the true circumcision, which he contends has nothing to do with the cutting of the body. My notation was Jeremiah 6:10, to which I turned and read: “Who would listen to me if I spoke to them and warned them. The are stubborn and have (literally) uncircumcised ears.”
“Uncircumcised ears,” what a poetic, eloquent image! Not an oxymoron, but a condition.
Circumcision permanently marks that body as that person’s belonging to the people of God and being in a covenantal relationship with God. So “uncircumcised ears’ must refer to the person who is unable to hear God, or hearing, does not pay attention to what is heard, because he/she is separated from God’s people and evidently from the covenantal God?
So I am forced to do a self-examination! Have I uncircumcised ears, uncircumcised eyes, an uncircumcised mind, an uncircumcised will, ... an uncircumcised tongue . . . an uncircumcised imagination?
Lord, I do belong to you, but what is there of me that has not yet been brought completely into the relationship with you that you desire?
Dear Jesus: HELP!
In verses 2 and 3 of that chapter, Paul is talking about the true circumcision, which he contends has nothing to do with the cutting of the body. My notation was Jeremiah 6:10, to which I turned and read: “Who would listen to me if I spoke to them and warned them. The are stubborn and have (literally) uncircumcised ears.”
“Uncircumcised ears,” what a poetic, eloquent image! Not an oxymoron, but a condition.
Circumcision permanently marks that body as that person’s belonging to the people of God and being in a covenantal relationship with God. So “uncircumcised ears’ must refer to the person who is unable to hear God, or hearing, does not pay attention to what is heard, because he/she is separated from God’s people and evidently from the covenantal God?
So I am forced to do a self-examination! Have I uncircumcised ears, uncircumcised eyes, an uncircumcised mind, an uncircumcised will, ... an uncircumcised tongue . . . an uncircumcised imagination?
Lord, I do belong to you, but what is there of me that has not yet been brought completely into the relationship with you that you desire?
Dear Jesus: HELP!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Glorifing God
There are several things that could be taken from John chapter 11, such as Jesus sharing our human emotions by crying as stated in verse 35, (shortest verse in the Bible).
But what I'd like to talk about is how God used Lazarus sickness and death to Glorify Jesus. When Jesus hears that Lazarus is sick and needs Him, Jesus stays where He is for two more days. Didn't Jesus care that His friend Lazarus was suffering and near death? Was Jesus being mean? Not at all, for Jesus states in verse 4 that "...it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." In other words, God used Lazarus to glorify Jesus. That was Lazarus' important mission at that time, to bring glory to God the Father and Jesus. While I doult it was pleasent when Lazarus was sick and dying, it must have been awesome to be raised to life by Jesus. Remember in the Old Testament, when Job went through all kinds of trials and sickness, so that God could be glorified, and Satan put down.
So, how does this apply to us? Well, maybe when we're going through some bad circumstances, and it feels like God isn't there, it might be so that God can be glorified in the end. So my question is, do others see God in us while we are going through those circumstances? Maybe it really isn't about us, but about Him.
Just something to consider.
Mike
But what I'd like to talk about is how God used Lazarus sickness and death to Glorify Jesus. When Jesus hears that Lazarus is sick and needs Him, Jesus stays where He is for two more days. Didn't Jesus care that His friend Lazarus was suffering and near death? Was Jesus being mean? Not at all, for Jesus states in verse 4 that "...it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." In other words, God used Lazarus to glorify Jesus. That was Lazarus' important mission at that time, to bring glory to God the Father and Jesus. While I doult it was pleasent when Lazarus was sick and dying, it must have been awesome to be raised to life by Jesus. Remember in the Old Testament, when Job went through all kinds of trials and sickness, so that God could be glorified, and Satan put down.
So, how does this apply to us? Well, maybe when we're going through some bad circumstances, and it feels like God isn't there, it might be so that God can be glorified in the end. So my question is, do others see God in us while we are going through those circumstances? Maybe it really isn't about us, but about Him.
Just something to consider.
Mike
Acts
I was asked to blog for this date. Reluctantly I said yes. These last 2 weeks I have been thinking about this blog. These thoughts went through my head. Why would anyone be interested in what I have to say? I do not have the knowledge to write something thought provoking. I will not write at good as the others who have blogged.
I just finished reading Acts, learning about the early Church and Peter and Paul. Several things have gone through my head. They where willing to go through whatever they needed to spread the word of God. There was external opposition to the teaching of Christ including imprisonment, beating and even death. Even though there was this external opposition they continued to spread the message wherever they went. They had to have fear and uncertainty not knowing what would happen to them.
Now lets go back to my blog. I really dont't think I will have external opposition--maybe someone may not like my blog, but I don't think I will go to jail or get beaten or killed for what I have to say. So reading about Acts and thinking about what I have learned gave me strength to write these words. This continues with what I am learning through the New Testament Challange. Reading God's word on a daily basis has given and is giving me strength to go outside of my comfort zone. It is making me more confident to share.
We can learn so much about the early Church, about their endless faith, willingness to face external and some internal opposition, and their conviction to share Christ to anyone and anyplace they could reach.
So I want to challenge you as you continue reading the New Testament. What has God been asking you to do that is uncomfortable or challenging? Will you stand up like people in the early church? While you are reading the New Testament, draw strength from Christ and the apostles.
Celeste
I just finished reading Acts, learning about the early Church and Peter and Paul. Several things have gone through my head. They where willing to go through whatever they needed to spread the word of God. There was external opposition to the teaching of Christ including imprisonment, beating and even death. Even though there was this external opposition they continued to spread the message wherever they went. They had to have fear and uncertainty not knowing what would happen to them.
Now lets go back to my blog. I really dont't think I will have external opposition--maybe someone may not like my blog, but I don't think I will go to jail or get beaten or killed for what I have to say. So reading about Acts and thinking about what I have learned gave me strength to write these words. This continues with what I am learning through the New Testament Challange. Reading God's word on a daily basis has given and is giving me strength to go outside of my comfort zone. It is making me more confident to share.
We can learn so much about the early Church, about their endless faith, willingness to face external and some internal opposition, and their conviction to share Christ to anyone and anyplace they could reach.
So I want to challenge you as you continue reading the New Testament. What has God been asking you to do that is uncomfortable or challenging? Will you stand up like people in the early church? While you are reading the New Testament, draw strength from Christ and the apostles.
Celeste
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
A Prayer for Today
Ephesians 3:16-21 "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen."
This week I've been struggling with wanting to please everyone, keeping people happy and ultimately taking a lot of things that are beyond my control very personally. I believe it's easy, when you are passionate about your career to allow it to become a part of your self worth and value. Thus, when things go wrong it is normal to take them to heart. But as I've struggled through the appropriate way to handle criticism, feedback, etc. I realize more and more that my ultimate worth and value must be found in Christ. Not the church, any church for that matter. Or even in a group people who are cheerleaders that may or may not stand by me in the most difficult of times. But, found only in Christ, and him alone.
Paul's prayer to the church at Ephesus is one that I needed to hear today. I need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, not only for ministry at Asbury but in my everyday life. I need to trust him completely and allow myself to receive the AMAZING love He wants me to experience. I need to do these things in order to be made complete in Him and live out of His calling on my life and not out of the current public opinion poll.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen."
This week I've been struggling with wanting to please everyone, keeping people happy and ultimately taking a lot of things that are beyond my control very personally. I believe it's easy, when you are passionate about your career to allow it to become a part of your self worth and value. Thus, when things go wrong it is normal to take them to heart. But as I've struggled through the appropriate way to handle criticism, feedback, etc. I realize more and more that my ultimate worth and value must be found in Christ. Not the church, any church for that matter. Or even in a group people who are cheerleaders that may or may not stand by me in the most difficult of times. But, found only in Christ, and him alone.
Paul's prayer to the church at Ephesus is one that I needed to hear today. I need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, not only for ministry at Asbury but in my everyday life. I need to trust him completely and allow myself to receive the AMAZING love He wants me to experience. I need to do these things in order to be made complete in Him and live out of His calling on my life and not out of the current public opinion poll.
Friday, April 13, 2012
“To read the Bible as docudrama is boring.
To read the Bible as a book of rules is deadening.”
But to read the Bible as a love letter from a Friend
in the text of Scripture, is to pack your bags for a life-long journey.”
May this be your experience too!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Freedom
"As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation." (Galatians 6:14, 15 NLT)
Last week I was unfortunately so wrapped up in pleasing people and fretting over space used on Sunday I embarrassingly did not really observe Holy Week. To make matters worse, I didn't fully realize this until Sunday afternoon and I was upset, more with myself than anyone else. But, the best thing about being in relationship with Christ is the grace He extends us. Jesus does not operate under our modern calendar and so, I have chosen to just rewind a week and start over. Living through Holy Week more focused I am able to see and be open to the things God wants me to see.
Seeing crucifixion through new eyes. In the passage above it describes dying to my interest in the world and it's interest in me. How freeing it is to live in total contentment with Christ alone. To be able to acknowledge my worldly priorities of the past week and refocus on life complete in Him. He doesn't care where I worship, and if I'm really honest my truest worship rarely happens in the "church facility". All He cares about is that I do worship Him, not one day a week but everyday, offering all that I am, all that I have to Him, for His glory. It's a great week to be crucified with Christ and live out the resurrection story!
Aimee
Last week I was unfortunately so wrapped up in pleasing people and fretting over space used on Sunday I embarrassingly did not really observe Holy Week. To make matters worse, I didn't fully realize this until Sunday afternoon and I was upset, more with myself than anyone else. But, the best thing about being in relationship with Christ is the grace He extends us. Jesus does not operate under our modern calendar and so, I have chosen to just rewind a week and start over. Living through Holy Week more focused I am able to see and be open to the things God wants me to see.
Seeing crucifixion through new eyes. In the passage above it describes dying to my interest in the world and it's interest in me. How freeing it is to live in total contentment with Christ alone. To be able to acknowledge my worldly priorities of the past week and refocus on life complete in Him. He doesn't care where I worship, and if I'm really honest my truest worship rarely happens in the "church facility". All He cares about is that I do worship Him, not one day a week but everyday, offering all that I am, all that I have to Him, for His glory. It's a great week to be crucified with Christ and live out the resurrection story!
Aimee
Monday, April 9, 2012
New Beginnings
Easter Monday feels like a new beginning to me. Lent is over, so most everyone who gave something up is happy to be "back to normal". All the planning for the Easter celebrations are over and He has RISEN! It is all back to normal today...Easter Monday.
It felt fitting to have John 1 as my reading today. In the beginning...but what are we beginning? Each day is a new beginning for us to die to ourselves and be made new again in Jesus...yeah, that is what we do ... or are supposed to do. But what is it to be made new in Him.
I think of this Spring season and the transformation from the deadness of Winter...trees that are barren and grass that is lackluster. Flower beds with dead leaves gathering in the corner. All this gives way to a gradual "brightening". Dead leaves get swept up, trees magically bud and bloom, the grass amazingly turns a vibrant green...even dandilions brighten things up! And the fields are freshly plowed...with much labor and effort, the rich soil that was hidden now becomes a lush carpet waiting for seeds to be sown and flourish to harvest. This is new life. Everything thriving together...each in it's own way, but all coming together for this finely tuned performance called SPRING!
Everything seems brand new and as I walk through each day, I am thankful for new beginnings. That is the power and the real meaning of Easter. No matter how badly I screwed up today, I am washed clean and I am forgiven. No matter how big the sin, GONE. Never to be remembered again. Put yesterday behind you...put today behind you and together with Jesus, embrace this moment. Let Him live in you. He is the the light. I thank God for new beginnings and I pray for a SPRING-like transformation for us all today.
Betsy
It felt fitting to have John 1 as my reading today. In the beginning...but what are we beginning? Each day is a new beginning for us to die to ourselves and be made new again in Jesus...yeah, that is what we do ... or are supposed to do. But what is it to be made new in Him.
I think of this Spring season and the transformation from the deadness of Winter...trees that are barren and grass that is lackluster. Flower beds with dead leaves gathering in the corner. All this gives way to a gradual "brightening". Dead leaves get swept up, trees magically bud and bloom, the grass amazingly turns a vibrant green...even dandilions brighten things up! And the fields are freshly plowed...with much labor and effort, the rich soil that was hidden now becomes a lush carpet waiting for seeds to be sown and flourish to harvest. This is new life. Everything thriving together...each in it's own way, but all coming together for this finely tuned performance called SPRING!
Everything seems brand new and as I walk through each day, I am thankful for new beginnings. That is the power and the real meaning of Easter. No matter how badly I screwed up today, I am washed clean and I am forgiven. No matter how big the sin, GONE. Never to be remembered again. Put yesterday behind you...put today behind you and together with Jesus, embrace this moment. Let Him live in you. He is the the light. I thank God for new beginnings and I pray for a SPRING-like transformation for us all today.
Betsy
Sunday, April 8, 2012
How much does it cost? Is the cost worth it? Luke 22-24
Piercing lyrics, “I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross.”
How much did it cost?
How much did it cost Jesus?
Before we consider that, please take a moment to ponder this thought –
What is the most difficult thing you have ever had to persevere?
Something grueling.
Have you ever run a marathon and had to go through “the wall” as it is called?
The wall – about the 19th mile in the 26.2 mile course. Your energy is deplete. Your
body has consumed its energy sources and reserves. Now, it is only your guts, your drive, your passion that keeps you moving.
Where have you hit the wall in your life and kept going? Or did you quit, give up, resign?
Jesus, Thursday night. “Father, if it is possible let this cup pass by.”
My paraphrase: Father, if there is a Plan B, let’s go with that. If there is any other way for these people to be forgiven and restored to right standing with us, let’s go with that plan. But there is no Plan B. [Jesus, “It’s ALL up to me.”]
Jesus arrested. [Jesus, “It’s a set up, but I can do this. It will all be over in 17 hours.”]
Jesus accused, blindfolded, spit upon, slapped and punched. [Jesus silently to himself, “Yes, this
hurts and I know it is you, Jack, who hit me but this is part of what I came to do.”]
Jesus before Pilate. [Jesus, “Yes, I am the king. I am your king. And my vast army of angels are
in formation and I could call them. They are standing at their seats in this stadium itching to rush the field to protect me. It would take them 30 seconds to wipe you all out. They are chomping at the bit to get into this fight to defend me; to take this cup from me. But I know the bigger picture; the true cure; the real price. Hold your places, warriors.
Hold your places. ”]
Jesus flogged. 39 lashes where 40 kills you. 99.9% of one’s life torn from you. And Jesus you
never even opened your mouth. No scream. You know the cost of seeing what my sin
does to you and the Father and you keep marching forward paying the price.
Jesus being enrobed and crowned with the contemptuous, sarcastic robe and crown. [Jesus,
“Father, do I really have to stoop this low? REALLY?!?”]
Jesus on the cross.
Come down. Prove yourself. Save yourself. [He is now hitting “the wall” and he keeps
moving forward. I would have been so tempted to jump down. Yell, “You mean like this?”
and jump back on the cross. That’s why he’s Jesus and I’m not. That’s why the cross is
the effective plan A for the payment of our sins and my plan Z would not have worked.]
“My God, my God. Why have you forsaken me?” The cry of the broken heart. Plan A is at its
most excruciating span. The eternal love of the Father for the Son is utterly destroyed; the eternal punishment of my/our sin is being torrentially heaped upon the one who stepped into its path aimed right at me. The perfect love relationship is divorced. And Jesus keeps running toward the finish line. What amazing love! [I can’t imagine what the perfect love, the perfect relationship between the Trinity is, feels like. I also can’t imagine what the eternal devastation of losing that perfect love feels like. This is the part of the story that scares and mystifies me. We get a glimpse of that perfect union and the broken, shattered heart of Jesus.]
“It is finished.” The Greek words for our “paid in full.” The words of an artist who says of her
work, “It is utterly complete.” And he gave up his spirit. The finish line has been crossed. He falls lifelessly across the tape. He is gone. Just to make sure, the soldier sticks his spear into Jesus’s side and punctures Jesus’ heart. Out of the pericardial sac flows the fluid build up of the strained, stressed out heart and the blood that has been left in the lifeless pump.
“I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sins upon that cross.” But we get a taste of the cost.
He fulfilled Plan A. Why is there such emptiness and resignation? Why does it feel so wrong? Why does it feel so unfulfilled?
But today there are reports – an empty tomb, grave clothes in the exact, wrapped position that they where yet the body “evaporated” out of them, and reports of Jesus alive. At the end of his Gospel, Luke records three “aha’s.”
1. For the two, Jesus shows them his time line from Genesis through Malachi. He points out so many references that show God’s amazing love and plan. The Scriptures are full of “Here I am!” and “Here’s my love!” Jesus opens their eyes and minds to see him.
2. Touch me. While he didn’t say that to the authorities, or the soldiers, or to his mockers, or to his accusers, he says it to us, his followers. Touch me. I am alive. I am real. Test me out and see that I am alive.
3. In my new body, I can eat. Give me something to eat.
Plan A works. Plan A works today.
My response:
· Do I hunger to see Jesus in the Old Testament? The passages that Jesus spoke about are still there – treasures to be discovered and celebrated.
· Am I living the story or is it just a moment in history like most great moments in history that never really touches my life personally?
While I will never fully know how much it cost to see my sin upon the cross, Jesus did and he paid the price completely. What I can do is keep singing the next part of the song:
Here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that you're my God,
You're altogether lovely,
Altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me.
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that you're my God,
You're altogether lovely,
Altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me.
HE IS RISEN!
Friday, April 6, 2012
Feeling like Pontius...
Good Friday. Ironically (but probably not) my reading landed me in John 18 today. I decided to just re-read John 17 and all the way until Jesus is laid in the tomb.
My heart was prepared to see something new but not knowing what would be, I just took it all in. And after all I read about Jesus' obedience, love and sacrifice, one question kept jumping out at me:
What happened to Pontius Pilate?
I thought this was kind of crazy. I couldn't help but be so thankful for such questions because I know they are ones you ask when you are steeped in the Word.
So I thought about it and concluded that it would only make sense for Pontius Pilate to be a changed man. He allowed Jesus to be crucified but secretly he KNEW he was the Son of God and proclaimed His innocence in every gospel account of Jesus' trial/death. He even gave Jesus a title on the cross of "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" and declared "I have written what I have written" when someone questioned it. It seems that Pilate knew what he was doing and was not too sure where to stand. Or maybe he was just hoping Jesus "understood" that he had to crucify him or he might've been crucified himself. All in all, I would have thought something changed in Pilate's heart after such an occurrence. Especially after Jesus was resurrected!
So I did some research, and it turns out nothing changed in Pilate. In fact, he got more hostile and cruel. He was so destructive and oppressive that his death came after a slaughtering of Samaritans that he was responsible for ten years later. He was charged to go to Rome and he was forced to commit suicide (so he was assassinated, but framed).
I felt numb for a second after I read this... thinking what a horrible, lame man! How could he have ignored what happened! How could he have seen a glimpse of Truth and continue to have been such a coward! Why didn't he relinquish his reign and useless power?! Instead he kept doing what he did and in fact, got worse...
My immediate, sorrowful thought was... am I like Pilate?
Today, of all days, is a day of remembrance. To remember that Truth sacrificed itself on a cross for me. That I put Him there, just as much as Pontius Pilate did. Do I let it change me? Or do I continue to allow power, control, sin, hate, unforgiveness, or whatever else rule in my heart?
Who is this King of glory? Who is He to me? What's the point of all this if it doesn't d-e-e-p-l-y change me?
Have mercy on me, Lord. Thank you for your unending redemption and your unending atonement for me. Let the power of the Cross change me once again and transform my life.
Pam
My heart was prepared to see something new but not knowing what would be, I just took it all in. And after all I read about Jesus' obedience, love and sacrifice, one question kept jumping out at me:
What happened to Pontius Pilate?
I thought this was kind of crazy. I couldn't help but be so thankful for such questions because I know they are ones you ask when you are steeped in the Word.
So I thought about it and concluded that it would only make sense for Pontius Pilate to be a changed man. He allowed Jesus to be crucified but secretly he KNEW he was the Son of God and proclaimed His innocence in every gospel account of Jesus' trial/death. He even gave Jesus a title on the cross of "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" and declared "I have written what I have written" when someone questioned it. It seems that Pilate knew what he was doing and was not too sure where to stand. Or maybe he was just hoping Jesus "understood" that he had to crucify him or he might've been crucified himself. All in all, I would have thought something changed in Pilate's heart after such an occurrence. Especially after Jesus was resurrected!
So I did some research, and it turns out nothing changed in Pilate. In fact, he got more hostile and cruel. He was so destructive and oppressive that his death came after a slaughtering of Samaritans that he was responsible for ten years later. He was charged to go to Rome and he was forced to commit suicide (so he was assassinated, but framed).
I felt numb for a second after I read this... thinking what a horrible, lame man! How could he have ignored what happened! How could he have seen a glimpse of Truth and continue to have been such a coward! Why didn't he relinquish his reign and useless power?! Instead he kept doing what he did and in fact, got worse...
My immediate, sorrowful thought was... am I like Pilate?
Today, of all days, is a day of remembrance. To remember that Truth sacrificed itself on a cross for me. That I put Him there, just as much as Pontius Pilate did. Do I let it change me? Or do I continue to allow power, control, sin, hate, unforgiveness, or whatever else rule in my heart?
Who is this King of glory? Who is He to me? What's the point of all this if it doesn't d-e-e-p-l-y change me?
Have mercy on me, Lord. Thank you for your unending redemption and your unending atonement for me. Let the power of the Cross change me once again and transform my life.
Pam
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Life through Christ
ROMANS 5:12–22 “Death through Adam, Life through Christ”
Death as the wages of sin does not just refer to my personal sin, but also to the original sin of Adam: the sin of the human race. Compare this to salvation in Christ, which while personal, is not singular. Just as Adam’s sin was passed on to many, Christ’s obedience justified many. Studying this passage forces me to consider in a new way that because of Adam, I need Christ.
As someone who has often struggled to personalize Christ’s sacrifice for me because I masterfully rationalize that my sin is not so great that He should have needed to suffer the agony of the cross; because believing in some version of good works is so much easier for me, the control freak, to reconcile as fair; and because I foolishly continue to believe I control in some substantial measure the outcomes in my life, this passage forces me to see that it isn’t about me (never has been … never will be …) and how good or worthy or not good or not worthy I am. It’s about my belonging to God’s creation of the human race. Simply because I was born—not because I am weak, or disobedient, or searching for something of purpose—simply because I was born, I need Christ.
--Leigh
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Shout to the Lord
In Bart Erhman’s newest publication, “Did Jesus Exist?”, the noted agnostic/atheist and Professor of Religion at the University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill, speaks to the unlikeliness of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Says Erhman, the Romans simply would not have allowed such a blatant display of civil disobedience, not by anyone. They would have crushed any such gathering proclaiming “the coming of a King” (other than Caesar’s arrival of course). This assumes the Romans were up-to-date on the Lord’s comings and goings, knew his route in advance and of course knew his E.T.A. (estimated time of arrival).
This argument is weak in my thinking. Mr. Ehrman, of course, can postulate what he wants, such theories sell his books. But I believe Mark, in his eleventh chapter, records this event accurately. I believe Jesus’ coming into Jerusalem happened so spontaneously, that, outside of untying that unattended colt in the neighboring village, few if any “arrangements” were made. And the people who responded did so out of an unmitigated yearning of a people longing for a King to save them, to rescue them, to free them from oppression and re-create what they recall as their rightful place in the world. They did so with total joy and unrestrained enthusiasm. And they did so out of primarily selfish reasons. Maybe us, too?
We know the personal freedom Jesus still comes to bring doesn’t free us from anything without first freeing us from our own self-interests and our own self-indulgence. His freedom can loosen chains alright, but first Christ must loosen the chains we put on our own heart, mind, hands and ankles. Only then will shouts of “Hosanna” be anything more than noise….
“Hosanna, Hosanna…come have Your way among us…we welcome you here Lord Jesus”…..
JBH
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