It is Finished...

Today is Good Friday.  But I don't feel good.  Today I am reminded that it is because of my sins that Christ hung on the cross.  Beaten, broken, and bloody, Jesus hung there, waiting to die for me.  The devotion for today reminds us that even in Christ's last hours, he was caring for others.  He is concerned for the thief next to him.  He is concerned for his mother.  Ultimately though, he was concerned for each one of us.  As sinners, we have no place among God.  As we say on Sunday mornings, "we justly deserve your present and eternal punishment".  However, because Christ hung on that cross on Good Friday (and rose again, but we'll talk about that in a couple of days), we are able to come close to God.  So, while I don't feel "good" today, I can recognize that I am made good by what Christ did for me...for each of us.

Decisions, Decisions

Great politicians always have to make big decisions. It's the ability to choose the right path, usually under both time and policitcal pressure, that determines their greatness. For many, choosing the "right path" means possible political suicide. It's looking beyond themselves and their current situation (temporal) to those ideals which are moral and ethical (eternal). Pilate didn't share that perspective. Concerned about his standing with the "powers that be" he succumbed to the shouts of the crowd. Like Pilate, we too are faced with choices. Each day of our lives, the world shouts to us to choose the easy, the popular, the selfish path--to live for the temporal. Like Pilate, when we listen to the world, avoiding the opportunities the Lord gives us to stand for Him, we're guilty of shedding Jesus' blood. But unlike Pilate, we know that this same blood was shed for our forgiveness. It's the same blood that we receive along with wine, and His body, along with the bread in Holy Communion. Tonight, as we receive the sacrament, confessing those times we've chosen the temporal, we do so, with the full assurance of God's perfect grace, and we receive strength from Him to live for the eternal. Lord, thank you for Your precious gift to us. Give us the strength to live for You!

Jesus' Witness to Pilate

What is truth? Now isn't that one of the major questions of our day? Well, it was also apparently a question in Jesus' day.
Another question for today is - "Can you hear me now?" (thanks to the neverending commercials for cell phone providers). I am reminded of this question when I read the exchange between Jesus and Pilate found in today's passage (John 18:33-38a). Pilate asks Jesus to identify Himself and to explain why He has been brought for trial. Jesus answers Pilate truthfully, but Pilate isn't getting it. He isn't listening to the truth Jesus speaks. Or worse, Pilate thinks what Jesus says may be the truth, but is just too plain caught up in his own predicaments to step in and order Jesus be set free. He succombs to the pressure of the people, as any good politician should, right? ;)
But how about you and me? Do we love the truth? Do we recognize it in a world that is constantly tapping on our shoulder, trying to get our attention, saying "Can you hear me now?" When we love Jesus, and the truth of His word, we will tune in to Him, and tune out the world. We will listen to His voice and follow His lead. We will cling to the promises He gives us, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but be given eternal life. He secured payment for us on Calvary's cross when He died the death we deserve because of our sins. His death even paid for the times we struggle (or refuse) to hear and follow His truth, even though we do love Him. And in His resurrection, we too have the hope of new life through Him. Now that is TRUTH that I LOVE! Thank you Jesus!

John 18:28-32 (NIV)

²⁸ Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the Unfasked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?" ³⁰ "If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you." ³¹ Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." "But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected. ³² This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.

The irony in this passage is so convicting. "If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you." I am/we are the criminal. I am the one who deserved/deserves to be on the cross, to SUFFER,, to DIE. Yet, YOU, who knew no sin DO suffer and die for MY sin. Unfair! Unfair! Unfair! THANKFUL! THANKFUL! THANKUL! Jesus, Your love is awesome. It is overwhelming. May it so fill me to so love.

John 13:34-35 (NIV)

³⁴ "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Corinthians 5:14 (NIV)

¹⁴ For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

²¹ God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 (NIV)

⁹ Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. ¹⁰ And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.

Truth & Being Truthful--The Courage of Your Convictions

John 18:13-24 (NIV)

¹³ and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. ¹⁴ Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people…. ¹⁹ Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. ²⁰ "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. ²¹ Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." ²² When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. ²³ "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" ²⁴ Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.

The passion story is so familiar to most of us, yet, if we spend time to not only read it, but to truly reflect upon it, it is SO powerful. As I read this passage today I am stuck by two thoughts. 1) Jesus spoke, lived, etc. openly. How open is my life? How much of my life would I prefer remain secret—thoughts and actions (words are generally public, although in gossip are there those I would not like some to hear?). 2) Jesus spoke the TRUTH. How often do I shade or color truth (or at least attempt to do so) in order to advance myself. Jesus spoke the truth and it resulted in His death. To what extent am I ready to live for and to even die for the truth. Thank You Jesus for being THE TRUTH, THE WAY, and THE LIFE.

John 8:31-32 (NIV)

³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

John 14:6 (NIV)

⁶ Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Denial

John 18:15-27 (NIV)

¹⁵ Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, ¹⁶ but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. ¹⁷ "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I am not." ¹⁸ It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself…. ²⁵ As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not." ²⁶ One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove?" ²⁷ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

Just a few hours before, Peter told Jesus "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." Luke 22:33 (NIV) Now, when push comes to shove, he is denying even knowing Jesus; and to whom, to the likes of a little servant girl. Jesus, I boldly and confidently profess my love for You and my faith in You; yet, like Peter, how often when push comes to shove, do I through either my words or my actions deny You? I am sooooooo thankful for Your grace and forgiveness. But along with Your grace and forgiveness, I pray for a truly and deeply broken heart, where like Peter, I weep at my denial and sin (Lk 22:61-61). Awaken in me a truly broken heart that leads to true repentance—to change.

Psalms 51:16-17 (NIV)

¹⁶ You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. ¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Spiritual Eavesdropping

How honored we are to get to "listen in on" this conversation between God the Father and God the Son--to witness again their intimate relationship! Jesus here reveals His heart for His Father and for us, His children. He prays His deepest desires for us. Jesus asks that we be protected from the evil one, though not removed from the world. No, though we're not of the world any more than Jesus is of the world, He wants us here to bring others into the light of His truth. And as we live out that calling, we fulfill Jesus' longing for us: "so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them."(v. 13) And it's God's good pleasure to give us just that. Whenever I read Jesus' high priestly prayer, recorded here in John 17, I'm touched by His passion for me, which He'll demonstrate on Good Friday as He offers Himself as the sacrifice for my sins. How can we help but cling to the One with such a deep and abiding love for us?

Hide and Go Seek?

People might think that Jesus was talking about the game “hide and go seek” if they didn’t know better when Jesus says “In a little while you will not see me and then again in a little while you will see me.” Or maybe Jesus is playing “peek-a-boo!” Jesus is clearly not playing games. He is deadly serious: serious about his own death.

It’s Jesus who is going to suffer by far the greatest. It is his hands and feet into which the nails will be driven. It’ll be his back that receives the 40 lashes minus one. It was on his head that the crown of thorns would be placed. Jesus will hang from the cross, not his disciples. Yet Jesus talks not about his own grief or suffering, he talks about his disciples’ grief.

You now have grief but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice and no one will be able to take your joy away from you.” (John 16:22) That’s the way our Lord operates. He takes up our infirmities and carries our sorrows. He takes up our sins and dies the death we ought to have died. Cast all your worries on him for he cares for you!

"Is It I, Lord?" -- "Yes!:

John 13:21-30 (NIV)

²¹ After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." ²² His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. ²³ One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. ²⁴ Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means." ²⁵ Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" ²⁶ Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. ²⁷ As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, ²⁸ but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. ²⁹ Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. ³⁰ As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

I can’t begin to grasp the emotions that must have filled the upper room at this time. Jesus’ emotions, He was “troubled in spirit.” Jesus knew a man He loved, a man in whom He had invested three years of His life in intimate relationship was about to betray Him, and He knew the consequence would be His death, but not only His death—His torment for the sins of all humankind—past, present, and future. The emotions the disciples each felt as they silently examined and questioned themselves, and as they looked around at their friends, colleagues and companions with questions and suspicions. The emotions of Judas as he knew that he was the one and as he knew that Jesus knew that he was the one. I think of times I have been or have felt betrayed. I think of times I have questioned and doubted myself as well as others in my life (usually unjustly). And I think of times that I have betrayed a friend, more significantly times I have betrayed my Lord and Savior who gave Himself to death for me and all humankind. I am the reason for Jesus’ suffering and death, yet Jesus loves me, loves each of us so much that He chose to go through all of this for us. THANK YOU, JESUS!!!

John 10:17-18 (NIV)

The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again."

Romans 5:6-8 (NIV)

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 John 2:2 (NIV)

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Wash

I love this passage in scripture.  What an awesome example of service, that Christ, God in flesh, would wash feet.  Often times I am unwilling to inconvenience myself to help someone.  Perhaps I have something more important to do, or I am uncomfortable with serving someone.  How selfish of me...when Christ humbled himself in service.  I pray that during this season of Lent especially, that I let go of my pride, allow myself to be stretched beyond my comfort zone, and be a servant.

God, forgive me when I allow my pride to get in the way of me serving the way that you would have me serve.  Please continue to use me to do your work in the world; to humble myself to the point of a servant to show others your love.

My Soul Is Troubled

As I look around me, I am troubled.  I am troubled by all the pain and suffering I see.  I am troubled when loved ones die.  I am troubled when jobs are lost.  I am troubled when I am a bad husband, or friend, or coworker.  In today's devotion, I am reminded of who rescues me when I am troubled...Christ.  In John 12:28 Christ says, "Father glorify your name".  Through his death, God's name was glorified.  Because of his death, I have a rescuer when I am troubled...and when I trouble others.  Christ is the answer to all of my problems, not that I will have a problem free life, but that I have someone who walks with me when I am weary; takes care of me when I am struggling; turns the bad into good; works everything according to his purpose.  What an awesome God.

God,
Please help me to recognize you and cling to you when times are troubling.  Show me your way through it all.

Amen.

Who is in control?

From today’s devotion we read that Jesus was in control throughout. He would not allow himself to be killed until he was good and ready. He was in control when he healed the blind man, when he raised Lazarus from the dead and when he showed up in Jerusalem for the feast.

The question for us: will you let God be in control of your life? That’s a tough one. To let God be in control of my life means I have to give up control. That’s a hard thing. But look at it this way. If I’m in control, if I’m driving my life, you can be sure that it’s going to end with a spectacular crash. I can’t control my life. I can’t drive myself to heaven. But let Jesus take the controls, let him drive you, and how great it will be! It’s great for several reasons. For one thing you can relax. Loosen your grip on the wheel. Jesus is in control. Then, he knows the way to paradise. He’ll take you home to heaven. How great is that!?!

Lord, take control, take the steering wheel of my life. I’m not sure what routes you’ll take me on through this life, but I trust you completely that you’ll bring me to the wonderful destination of heaven. Thanks, Lord!

Anointed For Burial

How much is a year's wages for you? Could you imagine giving away that entire amount in one outrageously generous act? That's what Mary does when she pours perfume on Jesus feet and wipes it with her hair. But why on earth would she do this? Well, why might you or I give? I know when I have been blessed in tangible, life-changing ways by something/someone my natural response is to give back as a way to show my gratitude and appreciation. I suspect a large part of Mary's act was due to her deep gratitude to Jesus for the ways he has blessed her, most recently by raising her brother Lazarus from the dead. It is clear Mary loves Jesus, knows him to be the Messiah, come to save her. He is her EVERYTHING, and she doesn't think twice about giving Him EVERYTHING. His amazing grace has triggered in her an amazing response. But not everyone who witnessed it was impressed with her generosity. In fact some were down right ticked off with it. How has Jesus touched your life? Is his amazing grace, unconditional love, and ultimate sacrifice triggering in you a deep, ever-growing response? As you contemplate what Jesus endured for the likes of you and me, do you wonder how you might ever be able to repay him? I do. And then I realize that nothing I have to give could ever equal what he gave. That is, unless I give to him my whole life. Die to myself, and surrender my will to His. Jesus, forgive me for the times my response to your grace and love is far too little in comparison to what you gave me. May my reponse to you be seen by this world as more and more outrageously generous each day. Use my response to cause them to question what is so special about a relationship with you. Teach me to give my life to you, Jesus. It's yours anyway. Amen.

Better the One than Many

John 11:49-52 (NIV)

⁴⁹ Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! ⁵⁰ You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." ⁵¹ He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, ⁵² and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.

Caiaphas was completely unaware of just how true his words were. It was better not just for the Jewish nation but for all humankind—for each one of us—for you, for me that this one man die, for without the death of this one all would be eternally lost. The one who must die could not be just anyone, it had to be Jesus—the perfect one. No one else’s death could merit the salvation of one person, let alone the salvation of all humankind for everyone else was/is deserving of death. Jesus the only person to ever live who did not deserve to die, must die, if all of us who deserve to die are to live. JESUS, THANK YOU!

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Hebrews 9:28 (NIV)

²⁸ Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)

¹⁸ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 John 2:2 (NIV)

² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Martha may have shown a lack of good priorities when Jesus came to visit their home some time before, but I think she sure displayed a strong faith in this account! Martha has witnessed Jesus' miracles and understands that Jesus has the power to heal/raise Lazarus. ("Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.") And what a clear and beautiful testimony she gives as she replies to Jesus' question in v. 25 and 26. "Yes, Lord,...I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." Lord, give me a faith like Martha's so that even when the darkness is all around, I can boldy turn to You, the Light of the world!

Trusting the Shepherd

On our visit to the Holy Land a number of years ago, I remember being in the countryside near Jerusalem. Our teacher pointed out a shepherd standing in the distance. Though the shepherd was dressed very much like the ones we've seen in Bible story books and Sunday School lesson leaflets, something else in the picture was different. Instead of green grassy rolling hills, we saw mostly barren land with only splotches of grass here and there. This was such a clear and beautiful picture of our Savior as our Good Shepherd. Those sheep we saw were completely dependent on their shepherd to find their next meal and drink of water. God promises to provide our needs, but we don't have to see the endless supply, just trust Him to care for us day by day. Sometimes, as He guides us and supplies our needs, we walk through some barren land. But He's always right there with us, gently guiding us, supplying our every need. Thank you, dear Jesus, for protecting and caring for us as our Good Shepherd. You defended us against Satan to the point of giving Your life on the cross for us. You're ready and eager to walk with us every day and guide us to "green pastures" and "still waters." Help us to study Your Word so diligently that we learn to clearly recognize Your voice.