Walking Alone

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Matthew 5: 17-20

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

As I continue to walk through the Sermon of the Mount, I revel at Jesus decision on the topics which were on His heart.  The Pharisees and religious leaders were focused on   following the law at all times. They studied, debated, and preached the law to followers.  When Jesus challenged them and their thinking, He became the enemy.  They didn’t want to hear that their hearts were invested for the wrong reasons.  Those who believed and followed the Pharisees ways of practicing their faith in God, took their words as truths since they were the experts in God’s laws.  Jesus tested this faith.  He came to not follow the law but to carry out what God had planned for the human race.

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished

Their conformity was to this law.  They lived and breathed its orders.  Yet, Jesus corrects them in saying my life is the law and then it will continue even after I have passed.  But, knowing their hearts he saw how they clung to their limited human ability to see the full picture.  They walked blindly by the knowledge  that controlled them.  These men worked so hard seeking truth in words that they failed to see the amazing gift that stood at their feet.

Can you imagine the fact they believed that Jesus came to abolish the law and create a religion only based on love?  They thought their would be anarchy and a complete disregard for justice.  People’s rights would crumble, there would be a sense of equality, and God would ultimately loose His followers since consequences were not implemented.

How true it is today when we hear the news about discord in government and what society believes to be true.  The message is clear: conform to social norms from your peers, your co-workers, your political affiliation. When someone touts unity and love of your fellow human, we cry “This is injustice.  How can we allow this love to take care of those who won’t take care of themselves?”  We see this faith that Jesus speaks of as a way to towards societies undoing and creating a new norm that won’t fix the economy, restore our freedoms, or find a vaccination for a global pandemic.  This love won’t make things happen.

But we hear Jesus telling us and the people of His time, the law stands firm. Every letter will be followed and God will reign until everything is accomplished.  He will not abandon us or His predestined mission for us.

¹⁹ Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

In a stern warning, Jesus stated that not one command can go not followed.  If society teaches us to ignore one, follow another, and rewrite several for the sake of “the norm”  we will not be with Him in the kingdom of heaven.  So, if that political view or need for justice conveys a message of “only love those who see your truth”, or demand that “my way will bring control back to the people” yet turns people against people. Then just maybe, Jesus would have something to say.

Mark 12: 28-34

²⁸ One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

²⁹ “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.”

³² “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. ³³ To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

³⁴ When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

The greatest commandment of the law is to love your God with a passion that would drive all our decisions and to love a fellow human being as much as we love ourselves.  How would our conformity to religion, politics, work, and family resemble if this is how we should believe?  If all Christians all over the world were on fire for God and loved each other no matter what race, creed, color, or status, then wouldn’t that be a world where we all lived in harmony?  No evil could prevail and no traumatic event could rock our faith.

²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Even though we believe our society needs to conform to survive, the only way to truly live in His kingdom is to allow God and Love to reign in our hearts.  If we do conform to what the world screams, then ultimately we seemingly walk alone away from God.

In this time of great fear and unsettling isolation, we need to remember that our God has overcome the world.  He knows the path we should take.  He created our Earth for us to enjoy, yet evil lives with us too.  Our mission as Christians should be to allow Him to speak to our hearts, find grace for others, seek out love and not justice.  We will find Him when we let go and allow God’s righteousness pour down while we pray and follow his lead; walking hand in hand.

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Dash of Salt and a Ray of Light

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Matthew 5:13-16 New International Version (NIV)

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Salt a chemical compound found in the earth and fills our seas.  It is an abrasive, a preservative, and a food additive. It is also hard to freeze and eliminate in boiling temperatures.  In Jesus’s time it was valuable and used to show wealth.  It allowed the owner to use it to preserve many items and enhance growth of crops in fertilizing.  His disciples understood its significance.

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth.

When he refers to them as the salt of the earth, they are to understand they have extreme value and importance in preservation.  The preservation of God’s will on His people.  They need to provide their wealth of being chosen, upon all who inhabit the earth.  One person at a time.

But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?

He asks this knowing that His disciples, as will we, loose our way and exuberance for God’s will.  We will become the earth and not the seasoning? So, the question to ponder is can we get this fire for His word and His way back in our lives after it is gone?  Salt won’t come back if its chemical compound becomes separated.  It just won’t be salt.  But, if we separate ourselves can we become connected once again?

Isaiah 59:2 New International Version (NIV)

² But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

Before Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice, we were doomed as humans to be separated from God because of our sin.  Now Jesus, our messiah enters in the picture and we can’t be separated.

Romans 8:38-39 New International Version (NIV)

³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus will not leave but we can leave Him.

13 It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

When we leave, we are not any good to our Lord.  He doesn’t have a job for us and our purpose on this Earth is as worthy as the rubble under our foot.  His disciples and us have a purpose and that is to carry forth the word and live a life of servant-hood to our Lord of Lords. Our path can only be right if we allow Him to guide and direct His will.  Then, the words of our mouths and our actions become multipliers of  His love.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world.

Light is electromagnetic radiation perceived by the human eye.  It allows us to see clearly, it enhances color, and combined with heat can warm our souls.  In darkness, light can allow the eyes to see.  Our world and the world Jesus lived, was filled with evil and hollow souls restless for answers.  His disciples were the answer so that others could see.  To see the injustice, selfishness, and wrong Satan was stirring up to dissuade others from following God’s will.

A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

When we live our disciple like lives, we should be like a city on a hill.  In the distance, there is no denying life isn’t thriving in the busy lights.  Streets glowing and homes beckoning our presence.

¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

Why would anyone light a lamp with oil and place it hidden under a bowl?  No, they would use the light so that it fills the rooms for everyone to see.  The disciples calling was to use what they were given and shine it upon the world to enlighten those in darkness.  Use it for a purpose and not cover it up for a later time.

¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

We should use it, do good, and allow our lives to speak to our faith.  When someone comes and asks, “What causes you to do such things and be so loving?” We can answer, “I am a child of God and I follow Him.”

May we all be the salt and light in honor of our Father, who loves us unconditionally and willing to continue to direct our path even when we make a wrong turn.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

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Meet you in Heaven

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Matthew 5:7-12 New International Version (NIV)

⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

To be blessed is to be granted favor by God with joy and spiritual prosperity.  We may  claim to be blessed when something is given to us or life has seemed to go our way. But, truly blessed is more of a servant follower fully connected to God.  Like myself, it is hard at times to say that this is how I practice my faith with a relationship like the one that was described above to the disciples on the Sermon on the Mount.

⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.

A person in Jesus’s time would be merciful if they saw suffering and ached so deeply about the suffering another had, they too would suffer.  It is complete empathy but to the point of pain.

Often we see other’s pain, we pray for them, we quietly show concern and  do things to help them through the pain.  To actually feel and experience the pain someone is suffering goes beyond what is a social norm.  If a child is in pain, a mother will experience the same.  This is the way Jesus wants us to feel for the world.  He wants us to walk in someone’s shoes in an intimate way.  In return He too will do this for us.

Jesus must suffer every second of the day for all the human lives in trauma.  How small would it be for us to take those we know and love and be in the suffering too?

⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.

Not only do we need to walk in other’s shoes but we need to do it with a pure heart.  A pure heart happens when we deeply feel moved to be there, not out of guilt or duty, but out of complete love.  Then we will see God.  Have you ever been at there?

I can say that this has occurred only a few times in my life.  When sorrow hit and I reached out to comfort another, God showed up to hold my hand.  When I was completely lost and confused, prayed desperately on my knees begging for His love, God embraced me.

The disciples sat with Jesus, heard his words, yet succumbed to their own egos.  They started to seek recognition, compared their dedication, combated Pharisees and religious leaders, and saw what they were doing as a mission.  Their hearts were humanly tainted.  Jesus knew that this pure heart was needed if God’s will would continue after His sacrifice.  So, He gave them an order. Do everything with a pure heart so that you can see God.

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.

From early experiences and His love for the innocence of children, Jesus also lets these disciples know that making peace would help them be closer to their heavenly father like children who are unconditionally loved.  As they become agitated with the anger and hate for what others say about what Jesus was preaching, they needed to be reminded that peace is what they should have been seeking.

To prove what we believe is right and just.  To prove our point of view.  To become fired up about lies being believed can lead to this state of agitation, anger, and hate.  Jesus challenges us to be peacemakers. He wants us to allow God to be the judge and jury and for us to show what peace looks like in the broken world.

¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

When we allow peace to reign in unjust times, we will be persecuted.  Persecution is a strong claim and means to be harassed, tormented, and oppressed for one’s faith.   Our enemies will make us feel like we are not wanted in this world.  They will seek us out to ridicule and belittle everything we stand for and believe.  They will try to end our faith and make us cower so that we put out the desire to seek God.

Jesus knew He would be the first to be persecuted and following in His steps each of his disciples would experience it first hand.  They would have to be pushed to the point of death if they wanted to be in the kingdom of heaven.  In this history, many were killed as they continued to follow.  But, death was not the final answer.

We may not be pushed to the same faith but our faith should be able to withstand anything.  It should be so deeply rooted that even in the face of torment and oppression it will not falter.  To counter any weakness, we pray and listen.  Every day will be battle and our faith is the only defense.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

When we are attacked for our belief in Jesus, we should know that our faith shines.  It tells others where we get our strength.  Our lives shout His name.  This is a true sign that we are followers.

Many disciples were imprisoned and wrote letters about the amazing love of God as they were trapped in dark damp stoned room.  They were the only light that came from these depths of despair. Each dedicated man didn’t cry out for justice, he cried out His love for God.

¹² Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

These disciples rejoiced in the desperation and impeding doom.  They were comforted by the love of knowing their God and Lord and joyfully waited for their arrival in heaven.  Nothing could take this faith from them.  Isolated and in pain, they danced.

Can we say the same?  In this time of great confusion and fear of illness and death, can we be glad?  Our love for Jesus and our desire to follow should allow us comfort, strength, and hope.  We need to take on the same mindset as these faithful disciples to endure. Reach out with a pure heart, seek to walk in other’s shoes, give mercy to those who seem lost, hold our tongues when we want to set the record straight, and allow God to speak to us in our dark place.

The only way to begin is to pray and listen.  Then, God will come and work on us in our steps to become a follower.

Colossians 3: 12-17 NIV

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do,whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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Day 1: How to be a Follower

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Matthew 5: 1-6

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.

 

Crowds gathered.  People were pushing and clamoring to get as close as possible to front row seats.  He was the talk of the town and His disciples were the roadies of this one man show.  Popularity had set in now and egos were enlarged.

What does Jesus teach all of us when our talents and gifts become inflated? What does He teach us in how to be a true follower?

The Beatitudes are His answer to this conundrum.  They describe the blessed people of God and the outcome they will receive.  Yet, His disciples, as does most of the world fall short of truly blessed.

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

To be poor means to lack many things and the ability to  live and thrive.  These things may be money, resources, and basic necessities.  To lack in spirit is undetectable and creeps into the heart without warning.  At first you are content and happy.  Then, you feel out of sorts.  Next, you feel alone, worried and wondering if your life can ever change.  A slow symptom free death.

Where does this spirit reside?  How can you acquire it after it is lost?

The spirit is a gift from God after the death of Jesus.  He placed it in us to help guide us and grant us peace in uncertain times.  It is activated when we worship and pray.  It dies when we ignore our faith in Him.

Jesus knew that if His disciples soaked up the fame and glory taking in all of its worldly ways, they would eventually die in spirit. So, He says to them, “You need to be humble.  You need to be poor.  You need to have a servant’s heart.”  They needed to put aside their pride and love of recognition to be able to have a seat in the kingdom of heaven.

This spirit has two faces.  One given by God and the other given by the world.  To have the riches in heaven, God’s spirit reigns and if you are tempted by riches of this world, our spirit must be poor.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.

To mourn is to ache over the loss of life. In the disciples’s time many were succumbed to illness or early death.  Just as we mourn lost loved ones, they too wailed and proceeded to remember the death with traditions and burials.

Matthew 8:22

“But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

When asked to leave to first bury his father, a disciple was told to let the “dead bury their own dead.”   A bit harsh and pointed.  But, it is believed that Jesus knew this was an excuse to take care of his own life before committing to Jesus.  He was preparing to mourn through tradition but lacking the love needed in God to trust that He would provide the comfort in this time of need.  Choosing a tradition over Him.  The dead who function in religious ways are dead to faith.  Comfort only comes to those truly mourning with love.

Matthew 19:21

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

These men were also expected to give up everything they had to follow Jesus. They needed to feel the pain of the loss.  They needed to mourn their old lives.  Devastated by how their lives could be so full with the success they once acquired.

A vision of open hands and open heart to God’s will.  Giving all we have to doing whatever He wants us to do with our blessings.  That will give us true comfort and confidence to  stand firm in our faith.

⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.

Meek means to be humble and trusting.  Not needing to seek revenge or hold a grudge.  To put others before yourself. Yet, stand for what is right and walk away from what is wrong.

Jesus had brought His disciples into many sticky situations.  Unclean and sin filled locations, unruly crowds, and hate filled accusations from religious leaders.  It was wrought with a feeling of “Do you know who we are and what we are doing?”  attitude.  A daily urge of proving people wrong and wanting to attack the hate.  They surely judged and became the jury to many situations.

They knew that Jesus was the answer to the world’s healing and He would overcome the earth.  They knew He has the ultimate power to conquer any battle.  Drunk on this power was inevitable in Jesus’s eyes.

He taught them to be meek.  This meant to allow all this hate and anger to wash over them without sinking into their souls.  The mission was to attain followers, those who serve, those who love unconditionally, those who trusted His words and ways, and those who could allow God to step in as the ultimate gavel to the world’s sinfulness.

When we think of this meekness, we often shutter with doubt that a person who is humble can have such power.  How can power come in serving?  How can power come with loving all?  How can power come when others take advantage and manipulate?

Our own power can not inherit the earth, but God’s power can.  We need to remember to rely on the power of God’s words, God’s spirit, and God’s timing.  If we lean into this, we will be a part of the most amazing life no matter what situation we enter.

⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.

What filled them?  Did they thirst for God’s power or did they want righteousness?

Righteousness is the what is right in God’s eyes as to how we live.  The only way the disciples would be filled would occur when they deeply wanted His ways to be the only way.  Jesus walked on earth as man and knew that physical thirst and hunger could lead man in many directions.  It could lead to sinful ways and take over any desire they could have had to walk in Jesus’s path.

A complete servant with blind obedience is what God requires to be a follower.  Filled with love for all and a desire that is equal to starvation.  Can any of us come close to this fulfillment?  Or, is He just telling us to hunger and thirst for this relationship?

As we come closer to our walk with Jesus, we can begin to taste the sweetness of this intimate relationship.  It contains moments that are beyond explanation.  It embodies healing, hope, and comfort for the lost soul.  It promises to give the believer access to heaven, inheritance to the earth, and fill a deep longing through comfort and love.

It is hard to hear these ways of thinking when we are surrounded by chaos and hopelessness.  But, that is exactly what the disciples were exposed to in their day and life isn’t any easier.

Let’s continue to walk in His path without doubting the work that can be accomplished when we accept His words and not our own.

Until tomorrow when we analyze Matthew 5: 7-12  Day 2 : How to be a Follower

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Rise Up!

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Matthew 28: 1-10 NIV

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ 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.”

⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

It is time.  It is time to awaken to a new life.  A life where our Lord Jesus is our morning cup of joe.  He fills in our emptiness and can bring us energy through the Spirit to conquer each day.  He is our Savior.

In all honesty though, how often do we forget these true words?  We awaken to the chaos, the busyness, the demands, and the worry of each dreaded day.  It grips our hearts and our minds to start selfishly and allow Jesus in later.  Sunday will be the day we remember our savior.

Today and everyday is the day to worship, pray, and let Jesus’s light in to shine through all the brokenness.  No day is perfect and neither are we.  Just allow his miraculous love shower you as you rise up.

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

Here we are, Easter Sunday.  The day Jesus rose from the dead.  His witnesses to this rising up, two Marys, women devoted to Jesus’s teachings.  They came out of love for Him to anoint His body and say their goodbyes in a proper burial. This place Jesus was buried was guarded by a large stone which blocked its entrance.

We can imagine how nervous and prepared they were as they approached the guard to ask permission to do this burial ritual.  Yet, this was not necessary.  The two women walked up and the ground began to shake.  The sky turned bright and a angel appeared.  The stone moved and a blinding light of white moved forward causing both the women and the guard to freeze in utter astonishment.

How can this be?  Was this real or just a dream?

⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ 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 turned to the women only speaking to them and not the guard who still was questioning the event.  Fear held tight in their hearts and knowing this, the angel began with “Do not be afraid”.  Next, came instructions as to how His resurrection would be told.

First was fear and then action.  Comfort then instruction.  We hear that our new life in Christ may be similar.  When God gives us His will in our own hearts, don’t we begin with a fear that we will not be able to muster up enough strength to follow through?  In our fear we should see His life.  A miraculous invitation to overcome our crippling earthly doubt and go and follow.

⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

They followed with urgency being “afraid yet filled with joy”.  They told His disciples, and then Jesus greeted them with some more instructions with a comforting message of “Do not be afraid”.

If our mornings begin with angels and Jesus giving our us daily to do list, with a “you can do this”  voice, how could we not be encouraged.   We will rise and He will provide and support our every move.  A joy will come in the morning.

Life begins each day.  Rise Up.

 

A Sheep in Wolf’s clothing

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Luke23: 1-23

Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. ² And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”

³ So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

⁴ Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

⁵ But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

⁶ On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. ⁷ When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

⁸ When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. ⁹ He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰ The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. ¹¹ Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. ¹² That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.

¹³ Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people,¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. ¹⁵ Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. ¹⁶ Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.”^[17] 

¹⁸ But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

²⁰ Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. ²¹ But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

²² For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

²³ But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. ²⁴ So Pilate decided to grant their demand.²⁵ He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

Assume positive intent.  Yet, in our broken world we always see the wolf.  Situations arise and we see the selfish and evil lurking silently behind the motives of others.  Motives ready to take down our freedom, our way of life, our hope in a future.  This view comes from past pain and trauma that has tainted our perspective.  A taste of bitterness fills our mouths.

Jesus was accused.  Jesus was the wolf lurking.  Jesus was the shadow which would rise up decent.

Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. ² And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”

³ So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

This man of God was claimed to have goals of destroying the order of Caesar.  A man who wanted to be a King and take what was his to own, rightly.  Pilate wanted to know how Jesus saw himself, so he asked.  Yet, Jesus just called him and others out by allowing their perspective to shine through and let what He knew to be true remain silent.  How could he not defend himself in this situation?  He was right to prove them wrong.  But, the sheep humbly put His own defense to rest.

Can you see? When tested in our faith, allow our grace to deflect.

⁴ Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

⁵ But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

⁶ On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. ⁷ When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

⁸ When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. ⁹ He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰ The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. ¹¹ Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. ¹² That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.

As Jesus deflected, Pilate couldn’t see a reason to charge the King of Jews.  So, he sent him on to Herod.  This man, excited and joyful in his first meeting with someone he heard could communicate with God.  To determine if this was true, he did what we all do, asked many questions seeking answers.  But, in return Jesus didn’t answer.  If He was so powerful and connected, why does He chose to remain silent?

Well, if Jesus chooses to remain silent then let the people around answer for Him.  Jesus was drowned out by all those educated in the law.  Knowledge winning the one sided battle.

As we pray and cry out, silence.  Where is He?  Why won’t He perform what He says He will deliver?  Frustrated, we turn and seek out someone or something else to answer our prayers.

Herod saw weakness in this man, The King of Jews, since a defense wasn’t what was delivered.  So, he dressed him in a robe to show his true identity, a wolf and brought him back to Pilate.  What occurred next?  These two unlikely fellows become friends.  Once enemies fighting for their own power, now have a common goal, conquer this king.

As we seek for answers, who or what do we now cling to?  A person we thought we couldn’t trust?  A habit or behavior we once would never condone?  Do we become our enemy when Jesus’s meekness and stillness isn’t powerful enough?

¹³ Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people,¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. ¹⁵ Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. ¹⁶ Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.”^[17] 

¹⁸ But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

²⁰ Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. ²¹ But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Even though Pilate and Herod couldn’t accuse Him of any specific wrong doing, they seemed to only see an enemy.  In the law, they knew death would be for those who committed to worse offenses.  Jesus only committed one crime, He allowed the evil and brokenness to cloud His love and God’s mercy.

Both of the men decided to punish him and let him go.  Why waste their time when this seemingly weak and defenseless man was nothing more than king without an army?

As these leaders announced their decree, the people who follow cried for justice.  They wanted a murderer set free and this man to be crucified.  An astounding trade.

Can we see evil as good and good as evil?  Set lawless free and bind righteousness.  Accept society and the push for gray moral lines but shun good and pure?  Our world lives here and functions in blurred lines.

So, can we join this crowd in shouting, “Crucify Him!” ?  We will get our way and the sheep will go to slaughter.

²² For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

²³ But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. ²⁴ So Pilate decided to grant their demand.²⁵ He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

The crowd was insistent.  They screamed louder than the obvious observations made by the Pilate and Herod.  A criminal was sent to freedom and an innocent man was sent to death.  A world upside down and tainted by the knowledge of good and evil.

In our time of celebration of the crucifixion of this beautiful gift from God, we remember that our lives mimic this crowd.  We accuse, we act as judge and jury, we demand our freedom, we allow evil to walk among our precious treasures, and we cry out “Crucify Him”.

We cling to what we want and how we see all things playing out.  Our true north and God’s will is replaced by our self serving nature.  We allow Jesus to die again and again.  Yet, we need to take His place.

Die to self. Take up our cross.  Embrace Him and allow our true selves to become the sheep to be guided by our Sheppard.

Luke 9:23

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

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Darkness is Upon Us

Biblegateway.com

John 12:23-50 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Predicts His Death

²³ Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.²⁴ Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. ²⁵ Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.My Father will honor the one who serves me.

²⁷ “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.²⁸ Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” ²⁹ The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

³⁰ Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. ³¹ Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. ³² And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” ³³ He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

³⁴ The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

³⁵ Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.³⁶ Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

A tunnel with no end in sight.  A pit with no escape ladder.  A painful suffering and loss with no comfort.  Darkness overwhelms the light and a hopeless feeling settles in to the soul.  How can we find relief?  How can we find the light again?

We turn on our artificial worldly light and seek out answers.  Answers from our social network, our leaders, our family, and our connections.  Yet, even when the path seems warm, it ultimately turns cold.  Where can we go to find what we are looking for?

²³ Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.²⁴ Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. ²⁵ Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.My Father will honor the one who serves me.

We hear that we need to die and hate our lives to acquire the answers we desire.  Jesus suffered and was despised by all who mocked and cheered as he walked to his death.  He was willing to lose his life in the name of His Father.  He followed and honored God’s orders.  

What does this look like for us?  Our desire to live comfortably in this world cries louder than the whisper God gives saying, “Listen”.  Listen to my commandments, listen to my Son’s ways, listen to my word, listen my child, I am your Father.  I decide your path and point you in the direction of eternal life.  Serve only me.

²⁷ “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.²⁸ Father, glorify your name!”

Jesus questioned His suffering before He was brought to His death.  He wanted out of the deal.  We too have troubles and experience great atrocities.  Our prayers are to save and to bring us out of what causes the great pain or even a great disappointment to our lives.  Questions of “Why would God do this to us?”  come to mind when our prayers seem to end in silence.  

God says, “There is a reason for this moment.  To glorify my name.”  

How can this glorify His name?   

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” ²⁹ The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

³⁰ Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. ³¹ Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. ³² And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” ³³ He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

Jesus heard from the angel that His father will glorify and glorify again when He is brought to death.  Hasn’t this happened?

We are all here. The world has been through many tribulations and times of great fear but He still is glorified.  We can speak of many incidents of God answering our prayers large or small.  We can feel God’s presence in the amazing beauty of nature and the human spirit.  Glory to Him in the highest.

Yet, God judged the world and Jesus was the answer.  Jesus needed to be lifted up in death so that we could see this glory.  If this obedience was never fulfilled, all would be lost.

³⁴ The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

³⁵ Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.³⁶ Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

In our time of comfort and complacency, we see no need in understanding the complexity of obedience.  We become numbed by humanity and simple things like God’s word which wash over us and never sink in to our hearts.  “Who is this ‘Son of Man'”  we ask.  I thought he was to remain here forever.  Won’t He be here when we need him?

Light.  It comes when a child is born.  It settles in when we have a warm home.  It fills us when love enters our lives. It calms us when we are surrounded by the majesty of nature.  But, it will end.  It will end because darkness lingers waiting to overtake the light.  Just when you think the light will never be snuffed out, darkness slips in silently to take our breaths away.  There is no answer to the question, “How do I control the darkness?”  It reigns in this world blinding all who live within this world.

The hope is in the Light.  If we as Christians believe in this light, answer to the light, and obey it’s path, we will rise above the worldly ways and conquer it’s grip on our hearts.  Jesus has already won the battle and will always reign in the heavens.  Even in the bleakest moments, He is with us and willing to comfort us and sing sweet songs of hope, knowing if we walk in His path, we will see life.  A life that never ends and where every tear will be wiped away.  

John 16:33 New International Version (NIV)

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

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