The Fruit of the Holy Spirit - Pt. 5

 

[Jesus said] “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:38-45 ESV).

 

The next fruit of the Holy Spirit that the Apostle Paul lists in his letter to the Galatians is “patience.” Our reading today is Jesus’ instruction of the practical use of patience in some of our daily experiences. Few teachings of Jesus are more difficult to follow than this instruction to turn the other cheek. When we are wronged, it is natural to want to get even. Yet God calls us to turn the other cheek. Is this a call for us to simply let ourselves be bullied? To never stand up for ourselves? No, it runs far deeper than that.

 

Now, I know that you may be tempted to say, “I’ve got a lot of patience.” That may well be true. However, it’s not how much you have, but what you do with what you have. When we are wronged, it helps to remember that no wrong will go unpunished. Every sin that is committed will be paid for. “It is mine to avenge,” says the Lord, “I will repay” (cf. Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:17-21). This is a great comfort to believers who are being wronged! Every wrong against us will be punished. Patience is about trusting the promise of God concerning our good (cf. Romans 8:28).

 

The good news of Jesus is that if the wrong that was committed is repented of, and the wrongdoer asks for forgiveness, the wrong is paid for by Christ on the cross. Jesus came into this world to take on the punishment for all human sin, so that all who look to him can be saved. When a wrong is committed against us, we might think, “Well, I want the one who hurt me to be punished. I want them punished, not Christ.” But we need to remember that we too have wronged many others and that Christ took on our punishment, paying for our guilt as well. How well do you practice this gift of the Holy Spirit?

 

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit - Pt. 4

 

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:25-30 ESV).

 

Five years ago Mary had just spent eight days in ICU as a result of an unexpected tear in her colon resulting from a routine colonoscopy. That necessitated the resection of nearly twelve inches of the colon. The recovery was long and difficult with some residual effects still remaining today. You may remember that was also the moment in history when COVID-19 burst on to the scene with lockdowns and restrictions. All across our nation and much of the world there were sharp rises in mental health issues. Everyday life turned upside down. Some studies reported that as many as 75 percent of the general population experienced elevated levels of stress and anxiety. For many, sleep became elusive, and functioning well on a daily basis became a huge challenge. The Bible has an answer for all of that. The third listed benefit of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is “peace” (Galatians 5:22).

 

In our reading today, Jesus invites us to come to Him for “rest.” That words mean “peace.” Stress and anxiety can be described as a lack of inner peace. When we consider the mental health struggles of our world, there is reason for hope. Hope comes when we learn that “the fruit of the Spirit is … peace” (Galatians 5:22). The Spirit cares about our inner turmoil and seeks to calm it. And in many cases the Spirit works to bring peace through counseling and medication. These can be helpful means toward healing, if needed. Thankfully we can trust that whatever we need, God cares about every aspect of our lives, and in Christ we have the promise of increased peace. You have the Holy Spirit if you are a believer; therefore, you have complete access to the fullness of peace. Trust in Him!

 

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit - Pt. 3

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 ESV).

 

As we come to the end of April, there are many celebrations as the school year ends and summer begins. It was a very special time for me as a student at Texas A&M. Classes were finished, and final exams are all but complete. Suddenly the stress that had been building for weeks is released, and smiling faces were all around. In all kinds of situations, release from stress can lead to smiles and joy and even rejoicing and celebration. No wonder “joy” is the second fruit of the Holy Spirit that the Apostle Paul lists (cf. Galatians 5:7). In our reading today, Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (v. 4). Be happy! He knows the source of this happiness, or joy, is in the Holy Spirit.

 

Would you be surprised to know that some variation of “be happy” is one of the most common instructions to us in God’s Word? While a search of the Bible may not always turn up the word “happy,” when we add the instructions to be glad, to rejoice, and to be joyful, we realize that this command does occur quite often in Scripture. Even the catchy title of a song from a past era, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” reflects this common theme in God’s Word.

 

What a remarkable blessing it is that God not only commands us to be joyful but also produces joy in us by his Spirit. The Spirit produces joy in the lives of his people not only when they are surrounded by “happy” circumstances. Even while chained in prison, Paul and Silas were able to sing with joy (cf. Acts 16:25-34). People who walk by the Spirit can find joy in all circumstances. They know the end of the story is one that leads us into eternal life! Relish this gift through the presence of the Holy Spirit!

 

The Fruiot of the Holy Spirit - Pt. 2

 

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:7-12 ESV).

 

The apostle begins with his list of the fruit of the Holy Spirit with “love” (cf. Galatians 5:22). In John’s first letter we have a clear instruction about the kind of love that the Holy Spirit endows believers with.  

 

One of the many joys of being a pastor is to officiate at weddings. Weddings come in all sizes and shapes, but most of them have one thing in common: love. Before officiating at a wedding, I meet with the engaged couple for premarital counseling. Part of our discussions center on the reasons why they are getting married. Love always plays a significant role in these reasons. And yet that little word love can mean many different things. Love is a noun, and love is a verb. We fall in love, and we love being in love. We love people and animals, sports and ice cream, and certain types of weather! Love songs are one of the most popular types of music. So, when we consider that love is the fruit of the Spirit, we need to be careful to understand the Scripture.

 

In our reading today, John writes, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” True love is sacrificial action. It seeks to bless others. It seeks the best interests of others. The more we value God’s saving love for us, the more the Spirit moves us to share that love with others in both our words and our deeds. We should exemplify that kind of love toward all people. Even when it seems we have nothing in common, our calling is to love as Jesus loved. How much of that kind of fruit do you have today?

 

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit - Pt. 1

 

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:18-26 ESV).

 

We are continuing in our look at the celebration of Pentecost with a deeper dive into the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It stands to reason that if we are given the presence of God in the Holy Spirit we ought to be able to expect the production of a change of mind and heart resulting in a change in behavior. The Apostle Paul in our reading today writes just that. He lists these as: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (vv. 22-23).

 

Before we get to each of these, let me encourage you with two thoughts. First, while they are given to us by the Holy Spirit, there is a part we have to play in the development of their use in our lives. Like any other “fruit” the quality and abundance of fruit is determined by the care we take of the tree. Our over-the-fence neighbor has a peach tree at the back of their property not far from our fence line. In the nine seasons since we have been here I’ve watched it continue to bear fruit though each year the quality of the fruit has become less desirable and fewer. The tree has never been pruned or fertilized. It simply hasn’t developed. The peaches it produces are very small and never harvested. Our neighbors are just not interested in it. The same is true of our spiritual fruit. Second, the best way to develop good spiritual fruit is through prayer, study of the Scripture, and meditation. It requires intentionality and discipline, but the results are wonderful.

 

As we go forward, commit yourself to the development and use of the fruit given to you. It will benefit you and others enormously!

 

Receive the Holy Spirit

 

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:1-8 ESV).

 

On the first Easter Sunday evening, Jesus gave his disciples not only words of purpose (cf. John 20:21). He also gave them words indicating that he would provide for them. He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” To fulfill their purpose of carrying on his mission in the world, his followers would need the provision of the Holy Spirit. On our own, we don’t have what it takes to seek and save the lost. If we’re going to be Jesus’ witnesses throughout the world, we need the power of the Holy Spirit!

 

When Jesus invited his disciples to receive his Spirit on Easter evening, it was just a foretaste of what would happen a few weeks later. Jesus would tell the disciples to wait in Jerusalem till they received the special gift promised them by God. And when that day arrived, they would be filled with the Holy Spirit.

 

After the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost (fifty days after Passover), the disciples were never the same again (Acts 2:1-4). They taught and served with a new power that was irresistible. In fact, “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

 

That same provision of power is available to us as we trust in Christ and remain in his love (cf. John 15:5, 9-10). We will see more detail of what this power looks like in the coming days. Today, rejoice that you are not left powerless… you have the Holy Spirit and all that is necessary to do the work you are called to do in our world!

 

The Holy Spirit at Work

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” (Acts 2:5-13 ESV).

 

Let’s go back to Acts 2 and the Jewish Pentecost for a look at the work of the Holy Spirit. Ten days have passed since Jesus ascended to heaven and instructed his disciples to stay in Jerusalem. The day of Pentecost has now arrived. Pentecost is not just something found in the New Testament, it is actually an Old Testament holiday tied with the Feast of Harvest, or the Feast of Weeks, noting the beginning of harvesttime. This is also a time when religious pilgrims would travel to Jerusalem from faraway lands. So “God-fearing Jews from every nation” are present for this event.

 

A blowing, violent wind is followed by what appears to be tongues of fire separating and resting on the disciples. People from many nations gather to see what is going on. And something bewildering and wonderful occurs. Everyone can understand what is being said! The words of the disciples find their mark because those who are listening can hear the message in their own language. The Tower of Babel (cf. Genesis 11:1-9), where God confused the people’s language, is reversed by the Holy Spirit so that people can understand one another. And throughout the crowd, people are wondering, “What does this mean?”

 

A harvest of souls is being gathered. This is an example of what Jesus meant when he taught his disciples: “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for the harvest” (John 4:35). Our calling is to go out into the “field” and facilitate the gathering. This means being available to everyone we encounter each day sharing the gospel with them. The Holy Spirit has already done the hard work of preparation and planting. He calls on us to do the harvesting. Commit yourself to that.

  

Good News is Always Good!

 

And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:12-18 ESV).

 

Our reading today is often called the “Gentile Pentecost.” The term "Gentile Pentecost" refers to the event in Acts 10 where the Holy Spirit was poured out upon Gentiles (non-Jews), a significant turning point in the early church's mission to spread the gospel to all nations. This event is considered a second Pentecost, alongside the first Pentecost in Acts 2, marking a shift from a Jewish-centric understanding of Christianity to a more inclusive message for all people.

 

Is good news ever not good news? Look again at the reading today. Peter and six others had witnessed how the Holy Spirit was poured out on Gentiles in the home of Cornelius. But when they returned to Jerusalem, they faced a lot of questions, like “What did you do?” and “How could you have done that?” They were criticized and called out for eating and staying with “those” people. So, in a summary of what had happened, Peter explained step by step that God had shown him a vision and that God had wanted him to meet with Cornelius. Peter pointed out that when he began to speak at Cornelius’s house, the Holy Spirit came on the Gentiles who were there. To Peter, it felt like Pentecost all over again (cf. Acts 2).

 

Up to this point, Peter told the story frame by frame. But now he widened the focus and said he remembered that Jesus had promised they would baptize with the Holy Spirit. And that had come true in the home of Cornelius—a Gentile! As Peter finished describing this event, he turned to everyone gathered there and said, “Who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” And the people—including the ones who were critical— praised God. No further objections! It was very good news! Should we ever exclude those who are a bit different than we are from the gospel… of course not!

 

Words and Actions

 

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” (Acts 2:5-11 ESV).

 

There is an old saying that “Actions speak louder than words.” I have known some people who seem to be full with the fruit of the Spirit. They are kind, gentle, joyful, and patient even in difficult circumstances. As people see this, they are attracted to them. This creates many opportunities to share their faith. I have also known some people who frequently pour out their heart to the Lord in prayer pleading for the advancement of the Gospel. The first group of folks are very effective in ministry, while the latter never quite seem to live up to their words. Their words are good, but their actions are empty. James had something to say about that:

 

 

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17 ESV).

 

The Spirit of God gave Jesus’ apostles the ability to speak in many languages on that day of Pentecost written about in our reading, and the same Spirit enables us to speak and to act in winsome ways today. Through the power of the Spirit, God’s kingdom is advancing, and he has called and equipped each of us to be his witnesses in whatever circumstances we may find ourselves.

 

Pentecost is a time to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. However, this celebration is not so much meant to be talked about as it is to be lived both in word and deed. By the power of the Spirit working through us, our words and fruit-filled actions are the tools God uses to build his kingdom.

Pentecost

 

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and hit filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4 ESV).

 

Monday after Easter is the beginning of the “Season of Pentecost.” This is a Christian holiday celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, as described in our reading today. It is observed on the 50th day after Easter. It is most commonly considered the beginning of the Church. You should note that I capitalized the word “church” indicating that we are talking about the formal beginning of THE Church that Jesus indicated when He told Peter that He was founding this church on faith in Him. Denominations have certainly been a part of the Church often beginning over disputes between men. The Church of Pentecost was a universal community of believers in Jesus.

 

In the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit is described as coming upon the apostles in the form of a powerful wind and tongues of fire, empowering them to speak in various languages and preach the gospel. Pentecost is seen as the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit to his followers, who would then be empowered to continue his work in the world. There are some roots of this in the Old Testament. Pentecost (Shavuot in Hebrew) was the observance of the Feast of Weeks or Harvest, 50 days after Passover.

 

In the coming days we will look at some of the significant developments in the founding and practice of the Church. Hopefully it will be more inspirational that instructional (or historical). From these brief devotionals my prayer is that you realize we have more in common with other believers than not. Above all I pray you recognize that this is the continuing desire and purpose of the work of grace in Christ. That is the work of the Holy Spirit in us.

 

 

Howdy!

 

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” (Matthew 28:1-9 ESV).

 

Happy Easter! I hope you have had a wonderful time of reflection and worship this past Lenten season. Today, I want us to end our reflections with one thought surrounding the word Jesus used when He revealed Himself to the disciples… “Greetings” (v. 9). Now, I’ve titled this devotional “Howdy.” That’s more of a playful way of turning our attention to the great joy of that moment. Jesus wanted His disciples to be filled with joy! He did not come to them to teach or lecture. He came to BE with them. In Texas, we simply say, “Howdy,” when we greet folks that we want to spend a bit of time with.

 

I suppose the Easter story could have gone differently. The angel could have said something like this: “He has risen, and—look—here he is!” And then there could have been cries of amazement, hugs, tears of joy, and dancing. What a great time that could have been! But instead the announcement was “He is not here... He is going ahead of you into Galilee.” Think of that. There is no invitation to stay at the tomb. The invitation is to go and follow where Jesus is leading.

 

So let’s not make a shrine of the tomb or turn the stone into a potential object of adoration. This is not where we need to stay. We need to be with the risen Lord. Going where He is going. The resurrection is opening a doorway to an entirely new life that is yet to unfold for Jesus’ followers—including you and me. He wants to walk with us. The Holy Spirit wants to dwell in us. He is simply saying, “Howdy!” Let’s stroll on down the way with Him! He is risen!

 

Saturday, a Day of Waiting

 

Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. (Luke 23:50-56 ESV)

 

Holy Saturday, also known as Easter Eve or Black Saturday, is the last day of the Holy Week and comes one day before Easter Sunday. This day is very important for Christians all over the world because it is the day when Jesus Christ’s body was placed in the tomb after his crucifixion on Good Friday. Remember it was the Jewish Sabbath. This was a day when all of Israel was at rest. The disciples, fearful and confused, followed the law and did nothing that would be considered “labor.” They grieved, confused and in shock. There was no doubt of Jesus’ death. Now, nothing could be done. They retreated to their lodging and comforted one another with the necessities of getting ready to prepare Jesus’ body for final entombment.

 

I suspect all of heaven waited in shock as well. Angelic beings, powerful as they are, are not omniscient. They could not have known any more than the disciples. Jesus had told them that He would rise on the third day, but that simply had never happened. It was beyond their comprehension. They may have hoped, but they didn’t know. The silence must have been astounding. Of course, not all the angels were silent. Satan and his followers must have been dancing in celebration of their victory. What a surprise they were in store for at the end of this solemn day.

 

Take some extra time this day to be quiet and meditate on the greatness of this victory. You see, early on that Sunday morning, The Father in heaven called out for the rock to roll away and all of heaven watched in awe as His Son, Jesus, walked out in power and majesty! Everything had been done; all was right! That’s the heart of our Good News! Rejoice!

 

Good Friday

 

So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” (John 19:16-22 ESV).

 

What a day this was! Think of the sequence. The night before Jesus has the Passover Meal with His disciples, He washes their feet to show their calling of service and sacrifice, and He is betrayed, arrested, and taken for crucifixion to Pilate. The picture at Golgotha is quite striking. There were three crosses, with Jesus in the middle. Our salvation could have been accomplished if Jesus had died alone. But that’s not how God designed it. Jesus died between two criminals. They died as punishment for their crimes. Like us all, they had sinned against God. These two criminals portray our condition. They picture what all of us deserve apart from faith in Jesus.

 

Then there was Jesus. He too died under God’s curse and judgment, but he was innocent. He had no sin or guilt. Several times Pilate had declared him innocent. The sign that hung above Jesus’ head listed no crimes. Even one of the criminals who died with him testified that Jesus had done nothing wrong, and Jesus forgave him. Jesus’ cross proclaims salvation. It shows us the one who carried our sins.

 

It’s important that Jesus’ cross was in the middle. The cross is at the center of God’s work of salvation. We can’t avoid the cross; it forces the question “What will you do with Jesus?” On this Good Friday, where do you stand in relationship to Jesus, the Savior? Do you know that he has died for your sins? Have you accepted him as your Savior and Lord?

 

Maundy Thursday

 

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (John 13:12-17 ESV).

 

Historically, the Christian church celebrated Maundy Thursday at the beginning of the Triduum (i.e., the three days of Christ’s suffering). The Christian church has done so in commemoration of Jesus’ institution of the Supper, His washing the disciples’ feet, and His giving the new commandment in the upper room on the night He was betrayed. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, which, in English, simply means “mandate.” In the upper room Jesus gave His disciples the new commandment (“the new mandate”) after washing their feet. Having set an example by washing their feet, Jesus told the Twelve: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

 

It has not been uncommon for believers to misunderstand the symbolism of the foot washing and Jesus’ subsequent new commandment. Christ was not instituting a practice of foot washing as a sacrament in this act; neither was He teaching us that we fulfill the new commandment by literally washing the feet of other believers. Rather, He was acting out in His service of His disciples a parable regarding what He would do on the cross. By rising, stooping, and rising again, Jesus was acting out His incarnate humiliation and subsequent exaltation (cf. John 13:3–14; Phil. 2:1–11). In the new commandment, Jesus is giving His disciples—who would become the foundation stones of the new covenant church—a mandate to serve and care for the spiritual good of His people. As Christ would die on the cross to wash the filthy souls of those He came to redeem, so He commands His disciples to follow His example in caring for the spiritual needs of others.

 

This service ought to be done in great humility. I’m afraid many contemporary churches have lost this sense of humble service to others. We should each reflect on what Jesus has done for us and renew our commitment to serve in that way!

 

Silent Wednesday

Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. (Matthew 26:6-16 ESV).

 

Wednesday of Passion Week is often known as “Silent Wednesday” since the Scripture doesn’t have much to report on the activities of Jesus that day. It is also known as Spy Wednesday or Holy Wednesday, and traditionally seen as the day Judas Iscariot agreed to betray Jesus to the authorities. This event is not explicitly detailed in the Bible, but is inferred from events in the Gospel accounts. Some traditions also mark this day with the Sacrament of Holy Unction. This is also known as Anointing of the Sick. It is a sacrament in the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches that involves anointing a sick person with blessed oil, followed by prayer for healing and forgiveness. It's not a "last rites" but a blessing for both physical and spiritual healing, offering strength to bear illness and fostering repentance and growth. This may have grown out of the anointing of Jesus with the oil of the alabaster jar.

 

This precedes Judas’ decision to betray Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel. Whether this precipitated Judas’ decision or not, he agreed with the Jewish religious leaders to betray Jesus into their hands for trial and execution. It is easy to make Judas the villain; however, there is a bit of Judas in all of us. This week is a great time to reflect on our own self-interests and what it would take for us to betray the One who died in our place. Betrayal comes in many forms, however, it is still putting our desires before our love and loyalty to Jesus.

  

Holy Monday

 

And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there. (Matthew 21:12-17 ESV).

 

Today we go back a bit before the cursing of the fig tree, which we looked at yesterday. Here we find Jesus entering the temple in Jerusalem and exercising His divine authority to clear the vendors and money-changers from the area. Of Herod’s building projects, none were greater than the Jerusalem temple, which he expanded. It sat on what we now call the Temple Mount, an area of some thirty-five acres. Only priests could enter the temple itself, which took up a small part of the mount and was surrounded by three courts: Israelite men could enter the court closest to the temple. Israelite men and women could occupy the next court. But the Court of the Gentiles, which was the court farthest from the temple, was the closest any non-Jew could get to the sanctuary.

 

From around the world, first-century Jews came to the temple at Passover to sacrifice to the Lord. It was impractical to bring sacrificial animals long distances; so, they were available in Jerusalem — for a price. Most Jews also paid the temple tax at Passover, and money-changers were there to convert Roman coinage into appropriate currency: pagan mottoes on Roman money made it unacceptable for Yahweh’s house. Though not inherently evil, these practices became occasions for sin. Pilgrims paid exorbitant rates to change money, and sellers exploited those in poverty, overcharging for the poor man’s offering of pigeons and doves. To make things worse, these merchants set up shop in the Court of the Gentiles, making it useless as a place of prayer due to the hustle and bustle the buying and selling created.

 

Therefore, Jesus drove out the sellers (Matt. 21:12). These merchants, and the priests who allowed their presence, cared nothing for true worship as long as they could make money and keep up the rituals. Our Savior hated this sacrilege, which kept the nations from learning about the living God in His sanctuary. We cannot underestimate the importance of this act. It showed Jesus as having authority to purify and take charge of the temple, a messianic task (cf. Ezekiel 43:1–12) that only put Him more at odds with the Sanhedrin. However, it underscores an essential truth that is violated so frequently in our day. The place of worship should never become a place for the common experience of buying and selling for a profit. I often wonder what Jesus would say if He came to some of our churches today and found the wealthy ignoring the needs of the poor and needy surrounding us. Jesus does not share His place with material pursuits!

 

Holy Monday

 

In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:18-22 ESV).

 

In Christianity, Holy Monday is the last Monday prior to Easter Sunday; it is the second day of Holy Week after Palm Sunday. Some denominations celebrate Holy Monday, and some do not. Most of the liturgical churches observe the day, typically marking it with Bible readings and certain hymns. Some hold special services on each of these days. My hope in using Morning Devotionals to recall each of these days is to bring a deeper understanding of the depths of Jesus’ love for each of us while encouraging us to a greater feel for God’s love toward all of us in this incredible week of grace.

 

According to tradition, Holy Monday is the day on which Jesus cleansed the temple, was praised by local children, and cursed the fig tree (Matthew 21:12–22). Our reading today is the recounting of the cursing of the fig tree. Fig trees were common in Israel. Growing to heights of twenty-five feet and widths of twenty feet, they covered the countryside. Because of their abundance, figs were a staple of the Hebrew diet. Here, Jesus saw a fig tree covered with leaves. Fig trees are unusual in that the appearance of fruit precedes the appearance of leaves. However, this fig tree was a hypocrite.  Although it had leaves—the outward appearance of vitality and health—but no fruit. So, Jesus cursed it, and it withered. Seeing this barren fig tree, Jesus seized the moment to teach a lesson to His disciples, to you, and to me about hypocrisy, hope, and healing.

 

The lesson for me is don’t be so concerned about trying to look good on the outside that I forget the true beauty of what comes out of me from the inside. I must always be concerned about how I shape and develop my character which is what is inside of me, first, then making sure I look as good as I can on the outside, second. More importantly than anything is becoming more of Jesus Christ on the inside that all I care about is how I can act like Jesus, which is the inner beauty of a man. We should ask today, how’s our fruit-bearing?

 

Palm Sunday

 

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matthew 21:6-11 ESV).

 

Today is known as “Palm Sunday” in Christian traditions. Today we celebrate Jesus and his disciples arriving in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover after a long journey. Jesus’ arrival in the city is often referred to as the “triumphal entry.” And it was—the crowds cried out, “Praise the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” And they sang “Hosanna!” while throwing palm branches and coats on his path.

 

The prophets of Israel spoke about a king who would come to the holy city and bring justice and peace to Israel (Zechariah 9:9). When the crowds see Jesus on the donkey, they seem to think that Jesus is God’s promised King, the long-awaited Messiah sent to rescue Israel and establish God’s Kingdom on Earth.

 

But Jesus wasn’t the king they were expecting. Many thought this king would honor the temple and its powerful leaders, but Jesus powerfully criticizes the temple system and predicts its collapse. Others hoped Jesus would lead a military revolt as previous “messiahs” had done, but Jesus rides in without armies or weapons or warhorses. He comes on a donkey filled with patient, peaceful, self-giving love. He shocks people further when he says that the Kingdom of God belongs not to the elite and powerful but to the poor and the outsider. God’s Kingdom is one where love reigns—love of God and others, including our enemies.

 

Is this the King you celebrate today? This is the King of that first Easter week. His name is Jesus.

 

The Easter Butterfly

 

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; oI believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” (John 11:23-27 ESV).

 

I have been privileged to be a part of many different ceremonies throughout my career. One of those is the release of the butterflies in memory of someone who has died. It is one of the most deeply moving displays of hope I have seen at such a time. This has something to do with the fact that butterflies are often associated with Easter and the resurrection.  This is rooted in their metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly, mirroring the Christian belief in Jesus's resurrection.

 

The butterfly's life cycle, starting as a caterpillar, then transforming into a chrysalis (a period of apparent death), and finally emerging as a beautiful butterfly, is seen as a powerful metaphor for resurrection. I n Christian art and tradition, the butterfly, caterpillar, and chrysalis have come to symbolize the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Beyond Easter, butterflies are also seen as symbols of transformation, hope, and new beginnings, making them a fitting symbol for the Easter season.

Examples in Literature and Art:

 

The mystery of death still perplexes many people, believers and non-believers alike. There are many unanswered questions about death; however, two things we know for sure. First, death is an enemy. We should not be duped into thinking the sentimentality that vainly seeks to disguise death's insult. It is an affront to the purpose of God. We were created for eternal life, not death. Second, and more important, Jesus' resurrection from the grave is God's proof to us that death is not the end. The empty tomb and Jesus' Spirit within us testify that Easter morning is God's triumph over death. And ultimately, Jesus promised, God will raise from the dead us who believe in His Son.

 

Gathering on Easter morning celebrates Jesus' victory over death itself. For since He is our Lord and our Savior, His victory is our victory. In celebrating His resurrection we celebrate our own assurance of ultimate triumph over death. The butterfly is an apt reminder of this truth!

The Easter Dogwood

 

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is ethe power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25 ESV).

 

When I was the pastor of Santa Fe Baptist Church in Tennessee we were able to celebrate Easter with many traditions. One tradition that we began was the placing of a large cross in front of the church for Palm Sunday. It was draped in purple cloth for the week, however, on Easter Sunday morning while we worshipped, it would be decorated with hundreds of flowers covering the entire cross. We also had a very special floral centerpiece placed on the altar at the front of the sanctuary. Our dear friend, Brenda Potts, would make the arrangement from flowering limbs off the dogwood trees in her yard. It was a beautiful reminder of the life and joy we celebrated on that special Holy Day. The Dogwood blossoms were of special significance because of the prevailing legend surrounding this tree and the crucifixion.

 

The legend, and I emphasize the word “legend” as there is no Scriptural reference to support this, is interesting. It is said that during Jesus’ day, the dogwood was a strong, sturdy tree with a thick trunk. As such, it was the ideal wood for crosses. After Christ’s crucifixion, the dogwood—ashamed and distressed to have been an instrument of Jesus’ death—made a plea to God to never be used in such a horrible way again. So, God made the dogwood tree much smaller, and though the wood remained strong, it was never again thick enough or strong enough to use for making crosses. But the memory of the crucifixion would remain in its blooms to remind us all of the cross. The dogwood flower would have four petals to symbolize the cross, the tips stained red at the ends for the bloodied head, hands, and feet of Jesus.

 

While it is mere legend, it is a wonderful symbol reminding us of the truth of the death and resurrection of Jesus. I find it interesting that the Apostle Paul would write that the concept of a cross is foolishness to those who are not believers in our reading. It does sound hard to believe without faith. However, with the awakening and the faith that comes with it to the children of God, it is just what you would expect from God’s creation. Hear the Apostle Paul on this truth:

 

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:19-21 ESV).

 

That day was revealed on the first Easter!

 

The Easter Lamb

 

And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (1 Peter 1:17-21 ESV).

 

Of all Easter symbols, the lamb is probably the most strongly Christian. Other than the fact that lambs are young animals born in springtime, it has no strong ties to pagan traditions. The lamb reference comes from the Jewish Passover, where each family killed a lamb as a sacrifice. When Christ became the Passover Lamb for everyone, the lamb became a symbol for His sacrifice. The Apostle John records the declaration of John the Baptist as he saw Jesus coming toward him: "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).

 

Easter has a clear connection with the Passover. The day before his crucifixion, Jesus observed Passover with his disciples. This event is often called “the Last Supper,” as it would be the last time before Jesus’ death and resurrection that He would eat a meal with the disciples. While they had gathered for the Jewish Passover Meal, Jesus would enhance the meaning of this holy day with an explanation of the coming events of the crucifixion and resurrection. Remember that Passover was the time that Jews remember their freedom and exodus from Egypt. During this Passover feast, Jesus told his disciples that the bread symbolizes his body that would be broken and the wine, his blood, which would be poured out for the forgiveness of sins (cf. Matthew 26:17-30).

 

At this time in the Christian calendar, it is important that we remember the sacrificial nature of Jesus’ death and the victory of the resurrection. All of this was done to pay the debt we could never pay and die the death we all deserved. Jesus was that Lamb of God who took away the sins of all believers for eternity. His work was a finished work needing nothing else. That is what we celebrate. The Easter Lamb is a reminder to all of us!