One of the reasons we like spring is because it tells us that something better is coming. When spring is announced on March 21, we know that birds and flowers and grass and longer days are coming. It is a prophetic event, leading to something better.
So it is with Palm Sunday. It tells us that Easter is coming. The Triumphal Entry of Our Lord Jesus into the city of Jerusalem is a grand event, but it is not the main event. The excited crowds of people that turned the carpenter-teacher’s donkey ride into a media event overshadowing all of the religious significance of the Passover Feast was a prelude to something much larger and grander.
The Palm Sunday crowd was expectant but they did not know where it was all going or just what the final impact might be. They would have to wait a week before they could participate in the event that shook the world. Like one long, loud trumpet blast Palm Sunday heralded the event that until now stands out as history’s most significant day.
As we repeat the ancient story this weekend we will not be able to contain the excitement that will start building in us as we retell the story. “The whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the Lord. Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest.’”(Luke 19:37-38 NIV)
There has never been a ticker tape parade to exceed this event. But it was not the main event. The best was yet to be. A peak! A valley! Then a higher peak! You need to join the preparation events this week: through prayer, Maundy Thursday with the Lord’s Supper observation, the musical celebrations, and quiet meditation.
Yes! It’s Palm Sunday, but Easter is coming. Hallelujah! Amen!
“Living Lord, it will be rewarding to our souls to contemplate how You
became our Substitute on the Cross of Calvary! Thank You so much! Amen”
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
March 31: THE ORDINARY JESUS
The Jesus we meet in John 13 is so ordinary looking. See Him there, washing the disciples feet. Naturally the first disciples had a hard time thinking of Him as God in such a “non-glorified” state. Later on in Matthew 25 when He began to talk about the “least of these brothers of mine” it was hard to separate Jesus by appearance from them.
And so people debated among themselves. “Where did this man get this wisdom, and these miraculous powers: they asked ‘Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all of his sisters with us? Where did this man get all these things? And they took offense at him.’’ (Matthew 13:55-57 NIV) They liked the miracles and teachings of Jesus, but He did not look like God. They had grown up with Him and played with Him, how could He be divine? God washing feet didn’t make sense.
When John 1:14 (NIV) says “The word became flesh and made His dwelling among us,” we have the Bible trying to explain to us how God could incarnate (become human) and take on an earthly address. From the Biblical account, God created us to have fellowship with us, He intended to live in relationship with us. If He had not been like us, we could never have identified with Him.
Read about the problems that royal families have in trying to come across to their citizens as “ordinary”. Do most people in England identify with the Monarchy? Of course not, the gap is too large. If God had remained aloof, could we have identified with Him? No, that’s the problem of the Old Testament, the God who is too aloof. It is the God of the ordinary that we know in Jesus and therein is the profoundest thing that we can say about God.
“Thank You, God, for putting down the Heavenly Holy and coming to
live among unholy folks who need You so much. Help us not to ignore
You as you walk among us. Amen”
And so people debated among themselves. “Where did this man get this wisdom, and these miraculous powers: they asked ‘Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all of his sisters with us? Where did this man get all these things? And they took offense at him.’’ (Matthew 13:55-57 NIV) They liked the miracles and teachings of Jesus, but He did not look like God. They had grown up with Him and played with Him, how could He be divine? God washing feet didn’t make sense.
When John 1:14 (NIV) says “The word became flesh and made His dwelling among us,” we have the Bible trying to explain to us how God could incarnate (become human) and take on an earthly address. From the Biblical account, God created us to have fellowship with us, He intended to live in relationship with us. If He had not been like us, we could never have identified with Him.
Read about the problems that royal families have in trying to come across to their citizens as “ordinary”. Do most people in England identify with the Monarchy? Of course not, the gap is too large. If God had remained aloof, could we have identified with Him? No, that’s the problem of the Old Testament, the God who is too aloof. It is the God of the ordinary that we know in Jesus and therein is the profoundest thing that we can say about God.
“Thank You, God, for putting down the Heavenly Holy and coming to
live among unholy folks who need You so much. Help us not to ignore
You as you walk among us. Amen”
Thursday, March 29, 2007
March 30: THE WAY OF THE CROSS
It is such a contradiction that many cannot grasp the possibility of eternal salvation coming by way of a Cross. How could a symbol of weakness and shame give out a message of strength and hope? Before Easter arrives in a few days, let me tip you off to a few truths.
Actually, Easter has more than one paradox for us. Among the verses in the Bible that presents the paradox of the cross is Ephesians 1:7-8 (NIV) “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”
God acted intentionally at the cross to make a way for us to return to Him. I know that blood and cross are not subjects that people like to talk about, but all need to internalize this truth. Only the precious blood of Christ, shed for us on Good Friday, can cover our sins and transgressions.
In Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, there is a grave of a Civil War soldier. The stone bears the date of his birth and death and these words: “Abraham Lincoln’s substitute”. In the woe and anguish of the war, realizing that thousands were falling in his place on the field of battle, Lincoln chose to honor one particular soldier as his substitute and make him as symbol, as it were, of the fact that the soldiers who perished in battle were dying that others might live. When you and I come to the Cross of Christ, each of us, supplying his own name, can say “My substitute”.
In response to this kind of experience, Issac Watts once penned, “But drops of grief can never repay the debt of love I owe; Here, Lord, I give myself away, it’s all that I can do.” The Cross is empty now, of course. It long ago gave up its victim to the Ressurection. The effect of that empty Cross is still powerful Think about it.
“Sometimes, Lord, special times get so overloaded with a secular or
consumer influence, that we miss the truth. We can’t really afford that! Amen”
Actually, Easter has more than one paradox for us. Among the verses in the Bible that presents the paradox of the cross is Ephesians 1:7-8 (NIV) “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”
God acted intentionally at the cross to make a way for us to return to Him. I know that blood and cross are not subjects that people like to talk about, but all need to internalize this truth. Only the precious blood of Christ, shed for us on Good Friday, can cover our sins and transgressions.
In Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, there is a grave of a Civil War soldier. The stone bears the date of his birth and death and these words: “Abraham Lincoln’s substitute”. In the woe and anguish of the war, realizing that thousands were falling in his place on the field of battle, Lincoln chose to honor one particular soldier as his substitute and make him as symbol, as it were, of the fact that the soldiers who perished in battle were dying that others might live. When you and I come to the Cross of Christ, each of us, supplying his own name, can say “My substitute”.
In response to this kind of experience, Issac Watts once penned, “But drops of grief can never repay the debt of love I owe; Here, Lord, I give myself away, it’s all that I can do.” The Cross is empty now, of course. It long ago gave up its victim to the Ressurection. The effect of that empty Cross is still powerful Think about it.
“Sometimes, Lord, special times get so overloaded with a secular or
consumer influence, that we miss the truth. We can’t really afford that! Amen”
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
March 29: INSULTING GOD BY COMPLAINING
Sometimes, sensitive souls get tired of hearing people insulting God. Especially people who claim themselves religious and would deny ever making a direct attack on Divinity. But, realistically speaking, they insult God with complaining. People who are significantly blessed by living in this land of plenty complain about not having enough. People who are healthy whine about their problems. People “poor-mouth” God because they haven’t received as many blessings as others. Selfish people complain and grasp for more. Ungrateful people who have never learned to say “thank you” to God do much complaining.
Even churches have been known to complain because of a lack of money, members, or talented leadership. This is an insult to God who has blessed us daily with “daily bread”.
Paul said in Philippians 4:10 (NIV) “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” What a great lesson to learn. Paul made a further decisive conclusion in 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV) “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” Contentment seems to be a rare commodity in many pantries, When you consider that Paul came to his conclusion from a prison cell that might help you with the key.
The secret to escaping the trap of insulting God is spiritual. When your heart is at peace, the rest of your life can be, also. If you have been born of God through a spiritual rebirth, stop complaining. Realize that you are a child of the King and it is not fitting to insult your father. There are always going to be irritating situations in life. There are always going to be “things” you don’t have. This is not a perfect world. Your part is never going to be perfect. Rise above your situation. Aim your energies at the higher level of a life pleasing to God and with God.
“When I have You, Lord, I know that I will be having what I need. Help
me not to crave the stuff and the location that would distract me from You.
Amen”
Even churches have been known to complain because of a lack of money, members, or talented leadership. This is an insult to God who has blessed us daily with “daily bread”.
Paul said in Philippians 4:10 (NIV) “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” What a great lesson to learn. Paul made a further decisive conclusion in 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV) “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” Contentment seems to be a rare commodity in many pantries, When you consider that Paul came to his conclusion from a prison cell that might help you with the key.
The secret to escaping the trap of insulting God is spiritual. When your heart is at peace, the rest of your life can be, also. If you have been born of God through a spiritual rebirth, stop complaining. Realize that you are a child of the King and it is not fitting to insult your father. There are always going to be irritating situations in life. There are always going to be “things” you don’t have. This is not a perfect world. Your part is never going to be perfect. Rise above your situation. Aim your energies at the higher level of a life pleasing to God and with God.
“When I have You, Lord, I know that I will be having what I need. Help
me not to crave the stuff and the location that would distract me from You.
Amen”
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
March 28: GANG LIFE OR CHURCH FAMILY ?
A major concern across the country is the multiplication of youth gangs. Gangs at school have people fearing for the safety of their children. Bullying is a problem. Gangs are committing murder and mayhem and many are fearful at night.
My Mother used to say “Birds of a feather flock together” but that doesn’t explain what’s happening now because gangs stretch across racial, social, and educational lines. The one common expression is anger. When gangs get together, the anger boils over and someone gets hurt.
Gang life is imitation family life. There is a family name and insignia and lifestyle and a demanded loyalty to the gang by all members. These are the kind of traits that used to be used to describe family. But with the breakdown of family and parents going through multiple marriages or partners, youth have been stripped of identity and miss their family. Hence the search for a family unit and the gang is the closest thing they find.
However, there is another alternative: the church. Many churches see themselves as family and the members call each other “brother” and “sister”. Many people, cut adrift without a family of origin to give stability, found a positive alternative in the Body of Christ. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believe in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God.” (John 1:12 NIV)
There is a brand new life when you become a child of God and then you are automatically linked up with all others who have ever had this experience. This new family (gang) life is strengthened by such instructions as Galatians 6:10 (NIV) “as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” As long as family life is deteriorating, gangs will multiply in number. Thank God He has provided a “good gang” alternative. I’m sure that you can find a real “family relationship” near where you live.
“Loving Father, I know that you do not want us to wander through life
cut adrift from meaningful relationships. Thank you for spiritual families.
Amen”
My Mother used to say “Birds of a feather flock together” but that doesn’t explain what’s happening now because gangs stretch across racial, social, and educational lines. The one common expression is anger. When gangs get together, the anger boils over and someone gets hurt.
Gang life is imitation family life. There is a family name and insignia and lifestyle and a demanded loyalty to the gang by all members. These are the kind of traits that used to be used to describe family. But with the breakdown of family and parents going through multiple marriages or partners, youth have been stripped of identity and miss their family. Hence the search for a family unit and the gang is the closest thing they find.
However, there is another alternative: the church. Many churches see themselves as family and the members call each other “brother” and “sister”. Many people, cut adrift without a family of origin to give stability, found a positive alternative in the Body of Christ. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believe in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God.” (John 1:12 NIV)
There is a brand new life when you become a child of God and then you are automatically linked up with all others who have ever had this experience. This new family (gang) life is strengthened by such instructions as Galatians 6:10 (NIV) “as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” As long as family life is deteriorating, gangs will multiply in number. Thank God He has provided a “good gang” alternative. I’m sure that you can find a real “family relationship” near where you live.
“Loving Father, I know that you do not want us to wander through life
cut adrift from meaningful relationships. Thank you for spiritual families.
Amen”
Monday, March 26, 2007
March 27: A UNIQUE EVENT
As far as I know, it only happened one time. History never repeated itself on this one. I’m talking about the time the people of God were building a place to worship God and Moses asked the people to bring an offering to finance the project. The people were so grateful and joyful that they brought offerings every morning, not just on the day of Worship.
The people became a nuisance to the laborers with their liberality. Exodus 36:6-7 (NIV) records: “Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: ‘no man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.’ And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.” Can you believe that? Quite a contrast to current ministries always asking for money. Of course, this is the complaint that many make about churches; always asking for money.
In this unique event, it was not a project funded by a wealthy few. Rather, ordinary people were overcome with joy and gratitude. That is the secret of Christian liberality. Gratitude springs out of the heart. When an individual seriously counts God’s blessings in life, gratitude is natural. You know it wasn’t an accident or “good luck”. You may ask “why” you are so fortunate but the source of your bounty becomes clear.
This gratitude gets immersed in joy, a kind of spontaneous thanksgiving. But you can only smile and talk about it so much, then there is the impulse to give. You give back to God and your joy in giving expands and you want to give more. Giving begets giving. I have noticed this in the Thanksgiving and Christmas season; people start giving, they like it, then they give some more. Try it Sunday. You will like it. Keep this in mind: you can’t outgive God! But you can have fun trying.
“God, the bible says that you love those who give to you cheerfully.
Through Your Spirit, dare us to adopt ‘smiley-giving’. Amen”
The people became a nuisance to the laborers with their liberality. Exodus 36:6-7 (NIV) records: “Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: ‘no man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.’ And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.” Can you believe that? Quite a contrast to current ministries always asking for money. Of course, this is the complaint that many make about churches; always asking for money.
In this unique event, it was not a project funded by a wealthy few. Rather, ordinary people were overcome with joy and gratitude. That is the secret of Christian liberality. Gratitude springs out of the heart. When an individual seriously counts God’s blessings in life, gratitude is natural. You know it wasn’t an accident or “good luck”. You may ask “why” you are so fortunate but the source of your bounty becomes clear.
This gratitude gets immersed in joy, a kind of spontaneous thanksgiving. But you can only smile and talk about it so much, then there is the impulse to give. You give back to God and your joy in giving expands and you want to give more. Giving begets giving. I have noticed this in the Thanksgiving and Christmas season; people start giving, they like it, then they give some more. Try it Sunday. You will like it. Keep this in mind: you can’t outgive God! But you can have fun trying.
“God, the bible says that you love those who give to you cheerfully.
Through Your Spirit, dare us to adopt ‘smiley-giving’. Amen”
Sunday, March 25, 2007
March 26: PSALM 23
Many of you who are reading immediately had a warm feeling when you saw the subject being Psalm 23. Psalm 23 is probably the best known and most familiar chapter in the Bible. People reading it for the first time are touched by it’s message. Very few funeral services are held without these familiar words.
My question to you is this: do you know how David arrived at this place of spiritual maturity to be able to pen such words? Surely these words were not written by a fair-haired shepherd boy untested by the pressures of life but by a man who had gone through terrible experiences and came out on the trusting side with God. How did he know that God was like a shepherd? How did he know that God would provide for him? How did he know that God would deliver him from his enemies? How did he know that there was an answer to the fear of death?
He knew because God delivered him from sin’s destructive hold and gave him a victory. David started well. His father Jesse taught him about responsibility to God. During his youth David was faithful to God. But like so many, when he left home and became an adult, his faith was not as strong. He lusted after another man’s wife, had her husband killed, watched the child of his sinful adultery die, watched another son rebel and try to steal the throne from him and then grieved uncontrollably when the son was murdered.
Only then did he face up to his sin and come to grips with how he wasted his life. If you want to read his prayers of confession and repentance, read Psalms 32 and 51.
No, Psalm 23 is not just a nice thought; it is more than spiritual baby food. It is the testimony of one who tried the world’s offerings and found them lacking and gave his life totally to God and found nothing lacking. Read it closely, dear reader, read it closely.
“Thank you, Good Shepherd, for stooping low and picking up the wounded
and broken sheep. When you have set us on the right path again, keep us
there with loving discipline. Amen”
My question to you is this: do you know how David arrived at this place of spiritual maturity to be able to pen such words? Surely these words were not written by a fair-haired shepherd boy untested by the pressures of life but by a man who had gone through terrible experiences and came out on the trusting side with God. How did he know that God was like a shepherd? How did he know that God would provide for him? How did he know that God would deliver him from his enemies? How did he know that there was an answer to the fear of death?
He knew because God delivered him from sin’s destructive hold and gave him a victory. David started well. His father Jesse taught him about responsibility to God. During his youth David was faithful to God. But like so many, when he left home and became an adult, his faith was not as strong. He lusted after another man’s wife, had her husband killed, watched the child of his sinful adultery die, watched another son rebel and try to steal the throne from him and then grieved uncontrollably when the son was murdered.
Only then did he face up to his sin and come to grips with how he wasted his life. If you want to read his prayers of confession and repentance, read Psalms 32 and 51.
No, Psalm 23 is not just a nice thought; it is more than spiritual baby food. It is the testimony of one who tried the world’s offerings and found them lacking and gave his life totally to God and found nothing lacking. Read it closely, dear reader, read it closely.
“Thank you, Good Shepherd, for stooping low and picking up the wounded
and broken sheep. When you have set us on the right path again, keep us
there with loving discipline. Amen”
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