On my yahoo mail page this morning sprawled a huge "advertisement" for Easter. In the add was a picture of a group of bright, multi-colored chicks, which I frankly find pathetic. I don't particularly think of myself as an animal rights activist, but dyeing a bunch of small chickens for the sake of advertisement sort of makes me sick to my stomach. I don't even know what they were selling, to be quite honest. All I could think about is how so often, even as Christians, we miss the true meaning of Easter. It has never been and never will be, about brightly colored chickens, or eggs or even a bunny. Why do we as Americans have to have everything "marketed" to us so that we will find it appealing?
The cross is not appealing. Isaiah 53:2- "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him." Nor does Jesus try to market His gospel or make it palatable for us to accept Him.
It is only to those whom God has revealed that we see the true beauty and glory of the cross. I was re-reading the gospel accounts of Jesus last days this week, and I was particularly struck with Luke's account. For His account is the only one that mentions Jesus sweating blood on the Mount of Olives. Luke was a physician and as such may have had a natural curiosity regarding that physiological process which could produce this kind of response. He also would have been a careful observer. But as I read, I also noted that His gospel focuses primarily on relationships and character, and he went through painstaking measures to seek out eye witness accounts of Jesus' life. Jesus character of obedience might be revealed as closely here as in any other gospel.
Luke 22:44
"And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground."
One of the Austin Stone's devotionals for this week discusses the medical condition, called hematohidrosis, in which one is so overcome by mental anxiety and stress that the blood vessels surrounding the sweat glands burst and produce drops of blood. But that is not what I want to discuss. What I want to discuss is what caused such a response in My King in those last days of His life?
Surely as God, he foreknew the physical agony He was about to endure in His human body. He knew the exhaustion, the beatings, the dehydration, the pain from nails piercing His nerves in His hand and feet on the cross, the physical shock that He would endure from experiencing such raw pain. This would have been the worst possible method of capital punishment at the time. But as Jesus is crying out to God, (vs42)" Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but your will be done," I have a hard time believing that He is envisioning the physical pain He would endure.
For far more than the physical pain, He was divinely aware of the spiritual pain He was about to encounter. His purpose on this earth, that He has known all along, was to bear the sins of the world-past, present and future. Not only would He bear the guilt and shame of all peoples, He would also bear the ultimate outpouring of God's wrath. His Father, in this moment would not save Him but allow Him to experience, a hell of sorts, for all lost sinners. I think this is what caused Him such anguish that his sweat fell like drops of blood. For the pain and suffering of God's wrath is greater than any physical pain we could experience on this earth, for pain on this earth is only physical and temporary. But the pain of a soul's separation from God is internal and eternal.
But because of God's faithfulness, Christ was crucified, RESURRECTED and raised to God's right hand. Jesus (Isaiah 53:7) "was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." He WILLINGLY and OBEDIENTLY suffered that kind of pain, so that we might be reconciled to God and have LIFE! He endured the suffering of God's wrath, so that you and I might not have to.
Friends, if that does not bring you to your KNEES today, that should make you weep (mourn and wail). For no one can comprehend the depth of the cross unless they first realize how much they have to be forgiven. The love of the cross is derived from a heart that understands it's personal responsibility for what sent Jesus to such a painful end.
Isaiah 53:12
"Therefore I will give Him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because He poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with transgressors. For he bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
A Walk Home
I have always envied those people whose blogs are wreaking of sharp wit and intelligence. One of my friends in particular, (whose name I will not mention because I am not sure if she would approve) always writes with such a perfect balance of wit and humor that I never leave without a good belly laugh.
But I have now resigned myself to the fact that I am not one of those people. It's something about the way my friend sees the world, through the lenses of pessimism and satire. Now, please do not perceive me wrong. I am perfectly happy with my own lenses, but sometimes I wish I could put hers on for a short while.
I do not write those blogs because the world does not inspire me in the same way. It frequently succeeds at amusing me, but it doesn't influence me to put my thoughts down for public observation. The one thing that quickens that same response in my heart is Jesus. Let me share with you.
Just a few days ago, I dropped my car off at the local Firestone Station to get some badly needed new tires. The lovely gentleman at the counter informed me that it might be a few hours before it was done, so I decided to leave it there and told him I would return. The Firestone being all of 5 or 6 blocks to my house, I started to make my way back there on foot. It was a beautiful day. Not a cloud in the sky, magnificently bright sunshine, and a cool breeze. I also happened to have my new IPOD in my purse which I clothed myself with for the walk home. I felt like this day was God's special gift to me, even though I am well aware that all were free to enjoy it the same as I.
My IPOD was sporting Hillsong's new album, Savior King. If you haven't heard it, you should listen to it and if you don't have it, you should get it. Anyways, as I was listening my heart was filled with praise at the awesomeness of our God and I suddenly wanted to throw my hands up in the air! Psalm 119:48 I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.
Then I remembered that I was in public, and began to be a little fearful of how crazy people might think I was if i just started lifting up my hands. Then I began to argue with myself, why should it matter? Who cares if anyone passes any judgement on me lifting up my hands? Maybe me lifting up my hands might cause someone to ask me what compelled me to do so? Although I seriously doubted anyone would give any thought to me at all, and if they did they would just pass me off as one more crazy...I was still nervous about the act. But as the music grew more and more in my mind, and arousing my heart to sing of the One Holy God...I did it. I threw my hands into the air and sang to the sky for about two blocks, boasting the praises of my Savior and my King. No one bothered to ask me, by the way, why in the world I was conducting myself in such a way, although many passed me.
And in that moment, I felt so FREE! I realized that even in this one simple act, it does not matter what the world thinks of me. And it doesn't matter what I think of it. What matters, is that I serve a Sovereign God and I have the freedom to praise him anytime and anywhere I choose (at least in this country). I hope that in bigger ways, I will be able to realize that the world is not my judge, and I'm glad they're not. Because if they were, I might be ridiculed in a moment like this, but I found happiness in knowing that God was delighting in His child's praises.
But I have now resigned myself to the fact that I am not one of those people. It's something about the way my friend sees the world, through the lenses of pessimism and satire. Now, please do not perceive me wrong. I am perfectly happy with my own lenses, but sometimes I wish I could put hers on for a short while.
I do not write those blogs because the world does not inspire me in the same way. It frequently succeeds at amusing me, but it doesn't influence me to put my thoughts down for public observation. The one thing that quickens that same response in my heart is Jesus. Let me share with you.
Just a few days ago, I dropped my car off at the local Firestone Station to get some badly needed new tires. The lovely gentleman at the counter informed me that it might be a few hours before it was done, so I decided to leave it there and told him I would return. The Firestone being all of 5 or 6 blocks to my house, I started to make my way back there on foot. It was a beautiful day. Not a cloud in the sky, magnificently bright sunshine, and a cool breeze. I also happened to have my new IPOD in my purse which I clothed myself with for the walk home. I felt like this day was God's special gift to me, even though I am well aware that all were free to enjoy it the same as I.
My IPOD was sporting Hillsong's new album, Savior King. If you haven't heard it, you should listen to it and if you don't have it, you should get it. Anyways, as I was listening my heart was filled with praise at the awesomeness of our God and I suddenly wanted to throw my hands up in the air! Psalm 119:48 I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.
Then I remembered that I was in public, and began to be a little fearful of how crazy people might think I was if i just started lifting up my hands. Then I began to argue with myself, why should it matter? Who cares if anyone passes any judgement on me lifting up my hands? Maybe me lifting up my hands might cause someone to ask me what compelled me to do so? Although I seriously doubted anyone would give any thought to me at all, and if they did they would just pass me off as one more crazy...I was still nervous about the act. But as the music grew more and more in my mind, and arousing my heart to sing of the One Holy God...I did it. I threw my hands into the air and sang to the sky for about two blocks, boasting the praises of my Savior and my King. No one bothered to ask me, by the way, why in the world I was conducting myself in such a way, although many passed me.
And in that moment, I felt so FREE! I realized that even in this one simple act, it does not matter what the world thinks of me. And it doesn't matter what I think of it. What matters, is that I serve a Sovereign God and I have the freedom to praise him anytime and anywhere I choose (at least in this country). I hope that in bigger ways, I will be able to realize that the world is not my judge, and I'm glad they're not. Because if they were, I might be ridiculed in a moment like this, but I found happiness in knowing that God was delighting in His child's praises.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Thankful for Christ
On this Christmas Day, I conclude my study of the Old Testament Tabernacle. What I once thought was boring and useless detailed information about the building of a tent is now a revelation of a Hope that has come!
Through every minute detail of the tabernacle, the coming of Christ is revealed to Israel. From the articles in the tent, to the color and type of fabrics used...Christ is the fulfillment of this earthly tabernacle. At it's completion, the glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle in a cloud:
Exodus 40:35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
Finally, the Israelites had a place on this earth where the Lord resided! But today, as I completed this reading, my heart felt sad for the Israelites. They merely had a place where the Lord resided, but where few could go and actually commune with Him. After all of their hard work and obedience, they still did not obtain complete fulfillment. The needed a high priest to communicate with God.
Today, I am thankful that I have the opportunity to experience that complete fulfillment, because God sent Christ to indwell me. John 1:14 says, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." That word dwell literally translates into tabernacled. Christ was sent to tabernacle among us. He is the High Priest that intercedes for me at God's right hand. God placed Himself into me, that I might daily commune with Him!
How often do I take this for granted? Daily. But today, as I celebrate the true miracle of what God has done, I am thankful for:
1) Christ was offered as the ultimate sacrifice for me
2) I have the ability to commune with God freely, that is His gift to me
3) That in my country, I am able to worship freely and passionately
4) That Christ has lifted me out of the slimy pit and the mud and the mire and set my feet on Him as my rock and a firm place to stand (Psalm 40:2)
5) That although I fall painfully short of living the life Christ has called me to, He continues to pick me up and perfect me. Thank you for making me Holy!
6) God continues to bless me with more than I deserve...friends, joy, family, righteousness, holiness, opportunity, love.
7) His presence. Nothing compares to simply being in His presence, and I want everyone in the world to know that He is IT! Jesus is all you need.
Of course, I should be thankful for these things every day. But some days I get caught up in day to day life, and I take them for granted. I am thankful that today, I can sit quietly and reflect on what a truly AWESOME God we serve. As you read this, take the time to ask the Lord's presence to wash over you, ask Him to come to you and reveal to you the wonder, and fulfillment of Christ!
Through every minute detail of the tabernacle, the coming of Christ is revealed to Israel. From the articles in the tent, to the color and type of fabrics used...Christ is the fulfillment of this earthly tabernacle. At it's completion, the glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle in a cloud:
Exodus 40:35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
Finally, the Israelites had a place on this earth where the Lord resided! But today, as I completed this reading, my heart felt sad for the Israelites. They merely had a place where the Lord resided, but where few could go and actually commune with Him. After all of their hard work and obedience, they still did not obtain complete fulfillment. The needed a high priest to communicate with God.
Today, I am thankful that I have the opportunity to experience that complete fulfillment, because God sent Christ to indwell me. John 1:14 says, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." That word dwell literally translates into tabernacled. Christ was sent to tabernacle among us. He is the High Priest that intercedes for me at God's right hand. God placed Himself into me, that I might daily commune with Him!
How often do I take this for granted? Daily. But today, as I celebrate the true miracle of what God has done, I am thankful for:
1) Christ was offered as the ultimate sacrifice for me
2) I have the ability to commune with God freely, that is His gift to me
3) That in my country, I am able to worship freely and passionately
4) That Christ has lifted me out of the slimy pit and the mud and the mire and set my feet on Him as my rock and a firm place to stand (Psalm 40:2)
5) That although I fall painfully short of living the life Christ has called me to, He continues to pick me up and perfect me. Thank you for making me Holy!
6) God continues to bless me with more than I deserve...friends, joy, family, righteousness, holiness, opportunity, love.
7) His presence. Nothing compares to simply being in His presence, and I want everyone in the world to know that He is IT! Jesus is all you need.
Of course, I should be thankful for these things every day. But some days I get caught up in day to day life, and I take them for granted. I am thankful that today, I can sit quietly and reflect on what a truly AWESOME God we serve. As you read this, take the time to ask the Lord's presence to wash over you, ask Him to come to you and reveal to you the wonder, and fulfillment of Christ!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
The Power of One
I just finished The Power of One, one of the better books I have read as of late.
The story revolves around a 5 year old boy growing up in South Africa during apartheid. Through life, love and boxing, Peekay is able to defeat the demons of his past and learns that heart, with a little brains is a deadly combination.
And for all of you Zambia lovers out there, this book will take you deep into the heart of the copperbelt, revealing the relationally centered culture of Africa.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Real Faith
EZEKIEL 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
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